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Tweak says, "I want to be forever young."

The Days that Might Have Been (no1sheriff) wrote in ridgewayresort,
@ 2011-04-01 08:33:00

Entry tags:

marian fitzwalter, robin hood, vaisey

Who: Vaisey, Robin...maybe Marian later?
What: Vaisey goes to make peace
Where: Robin's cabin
Status: In progress
Rating: TBD

There was something suspicious in the air whenever Vaisey, Sheriff of Nottingham went anywhere looking as placid as he did right now. It usually spelled trouble. Or meant that he'd just settled himself with an unusually calming bout of violence. He was hoping, though, that Hood didn't know him as well as he thought.

Shuffling up to the door of Cabin 003, his fist lightly met the door three times before Vaisey himself took a step back, hands clasping behind his back as he turned to study the scenery. Look...nothing up his sleeves...

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robinofthehood
2011-04-01 01:45 pm UTC (link)

Robin had just gone back upstairs after seeing Marian and Katie off to see Laura and Logan next door. He had, for a while, wanted them both inside, where he could keep an eye on them, with Vaizey around. Marian had, predictably, not gone along with that for very long. She was going stir crazy, she told him. And their daughter needed some fresh air. The second one had sounded more like an excuse, but he'd gone along with it, because of that look in Marian's eye. And mostly, because she'd said she would only go next door, to see Laura and Logan. He knew Marian would be safe with Laura.

Hearing the knock on the door he turned around, moving back down the stairs and opening the door without a thought. Only to frown when he saw who it was, hand dropping to his belt, to wrap around the hilt of his dagger. He'd come here, so soon after Marian left. He had to have seen her, but had left her alone. What was he up to?

"Something I can help you with, Sheriff?" He kept his voice as casual as possible, with great effort.

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no1sheriff
2011-04-02 12:25 am UTC (link)

He had promised after all not to lay a hand on the leper. (He could hardly continue to call her 'old maid' any longer, could he?) And he was just fulfilling his end of the promise. Shouldn't Robin be a bit more trusting of people?

"Ah, Hood." He turned around with a friendly smile on his face. It almost reached his eyes, in fact. "I've been thinking about this situation we find ourselves in here. It's doing neither of us any good to continue the emnity." He might have been proposing a truce. Of sorts.

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	robinofthehood 2011-04-02 08:14 am UTC (link)
	The smile did nothing to lessen Robin's suspicions. Vaizey never smiled. Not sincerely, at any rate. He raised an eyebrow at what he said, all but ready to shut the door in his face. "Since when have you wanted anything but enmity between the two of us?" He asked flatly, watching him, his position unchanged. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

no1sheriff
2011-04-02 12:46 pm UTC (link)

The smile turned smirk. Hood had a point. Well, Vaisey had never thought he was stupid, persay. Idealistically misguided, absolutely, but not stupid.

"It serves no purpose," he answered, bluntly. "No kings here to impress, no money to steal.... I don't think either one of us wants to spend our time here continually on edge." And he hadn't touched Marian, didn't that count for something?

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robinofthehood
2011-04-02 01:28 pm UTC (link)

That was more an expression he was used to seeing on the Sheriff's face. The smile was somewhat unnerving. It had made him wonder just what he was up to.

"Nice to hear I've kept you on edge," he said casually. "So what is it that you want? To convince me you've changed your ways? Turned over a new leaf? Why are you here, Vaizey?" Robin didn't really believe it. He wasn't a fool, regardless of what the Sheriff might think.

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no1sheriff
2011-04-02 02:06 pm UTC (link)

"I rather think I've kept you on edge," Vaisey corrected, though, of course, Robin wasn't wrong. But Vaisey's arrival had put a strain on things, if Marian's face as they passed each other had been anything to go by.

"Don't be silly, Hood. I'm hardly a new man. I'm not proposing we become the best of friends, or even allies, as apparently you and Gisborne have." That was just ridiculous. "What I am suggesting, is that we don't waste time and energy with feuding. Let's end it here and now. I can be reasonable...on occasion."

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robinofthehood
2011-04-03 12:29 am UTC (link)

Robin shrugged a shoulder, dismissively. "I can't stop you from thinking that. If it makes you feel better."

He considered his words for a few moments. Maybe he could talk to him about all of this. There was no way he was leaving, he'd have to get used to being stuck here like the rest of them. Finally, he took a step back in invitation. He didn't need anyone, Marian in particular, seeing them talking. "Let's make this quick."

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no1sheriff
2011-04-03 01:30 am UTC (link)

Please. Vaisey could read Hood like a book, for all that the man no doubt thought he was an impassive stone block.

"Want me out before your child gets back?" It was said without the usual venom, and Vaisey himself shrugged. Not as if he could blame the man. Stepping in, he didn't wait for Robin to lead the way, settling in the living room, specifically taking the seat that faced the doorway. Call it a precaution.

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	robinofthehood 2011-04-03 02:03 am UTC (link)
	"I doubt that surprises you," he said of Vaizey's question, waiting until he was inside before shutting the door. He resisted the urge to tell Vaizey to make himself at home when he just wandered in, following him to the living room and sitting in the chair opposite. "You must have some idea of how you intend to make this work. Talk." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	no1sheriff 2011-04-03 02:06 am UTC (link)
	"A bit of an idea, anyway," Vaisey conceded, fingers steepling. "I'm not naive enough to think that we can merely avoid each other. This place isn't that big. But I do propose that we not specifically go in search of one another. And if we do cross paths..." He shrugged. Don't make a big deal of it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	robinofthehood 2011-04-03 02:11 am UTC (link)
	"Just ignore each other? That's your inspired idea?" Robin's tone was unavoidably disbelieving. It was hardly a brilliant plan. "What do you intend to do with your time here, Vaizey? I'm not naive enough to think at some point you aren't going to want to cause trouble of some kind." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	no1sheriff 2011-04-03 02:13 am UTC (link)
	"Do you have a better idea, Hood?" He questioned. "Please don't hold back on me." He never had before. As to his second question... "To what point and purpose? It's not as if there's a power struggle here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	robinofthehood 2011-04-03 02:15 am UTC (link)
	"Convincing Petersen to send you back, would be my suggestion," he replied. "There isn't," he said, sitting forward. "But that isn't all that you've ever been interested in." Wealth, for one. Land, as well. He couldn't change his tune so quickly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	no1sheriff 2011-04-03 02:19 am UTC (link)
	"Don't think I haven't been trying that myself," Vaisey returned. "I much prefer Nottingham." More fun to be had. "Ah yes, but my other interests don't exactly mean much here. No land for me to claim since it's all owned by our dear host. And wealth can't buy me freedom." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	robinofthehood 2011-04-03 02:22 am UTC (link)
	"He hasn't been around." Petersen's habit of disappearing the way he did was more than a little vexing. He'd never even answered Robin about why he brought Vaizey here in the first place. "So, in the absence of gaining power and wealth, what will you do with your time?" This should be interesting. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	no1sheriff 2011-04-03 02:24 am UTC (link)
	"Convenient, that." No, Vaisey didn't much like the man, either. "Pursue some of my...other interests. Perhaps I'll build a new collection of songbirds." Or reseach some things in the library. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	robinofthehood 2011-04-03 02:32 am UTC (link)
	"It doesn't surprise me that you think so." Robin laughed at that. "You won't have any guards, or Gisborne, for that matter, to clean their cages for you. Willing to lower yourself to manual labour, Vaizey?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	no1sheriff 2011-04-03 02:36 am UTC (link)
	"Do you think I let those oafs near my birds? They're delicate creatures." As he'd often proved by snapping a few necks now and again. "I could think of worse ways to pass the time." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

robinofthehood
2011-04-03 02:39 am UTC (link)

"I think you'd consider cleaning cages a bit beneath you." Delicate creatures, that was a laugh coming from Vaizey. He didn't care about them at all beyond the fact that he could keep them locked up.

"So coming here, that's all this was about? Telling me you're going to keep some birds, and otherwise occupy your time in a way that doesn't hurt, upset or generally inconvenience anyone here?" Surely he could understand Robin's reluctance to believe that.

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no1sheriff
2011-04-03 02:42 am UTC (link)

Delicate...and expensive. They were commodities to be valued. That's why he didn't trust the guards with their upkeep. "It's not like I'm keeping horses." That would be beneath him.

"And coming here was to agree that we wouldn't bother each other. I'm not pretending to be a new man, Hood. I still hate you. I just see no profit in actively trying to kill you while here."

Although if anything could get him home, perhaps killing Ridgeway's beloved son would do it.

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robinofthehood
2011-04-03 02:47 am UTC (link)

"God forbid," Robin replied, amused. He was actually somewhat comforted to hear Vaizey say he hated him. If only to reassure him that this was not some sort of ploy on the Sheriff's part. He'd have never believed otherwise.

"Not actively trying to kill me," he repeated. "That probably deserves my not bothering you in return." He was still generally amused by this whole conversation. "I'm thrilled we've got that settled."

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	no1sheriff 2011-04-03 02:58 am UTC (link)
	"That was the general idea," Vaisey confirmed, with a nod. "And I'm so glad we got this all straightened out." Standing, he motioned for Robin to stay where he was. "I'll show myself out." A smirk as he moved past Robin, noting the beeping of the cellular phone. "Seems like someone's checking up on you, anyway." Marian, no doubt. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

robinofthehood
2011-04-03 03:01 am UTC (link)

He sounded incredibly sincere about that too, Robin noted with amusement.

He stood when Vaizey moved toward the door. They might have spoken about not bothering each other, but that didn't mean he was in a hurry to be left with his guard down around the other man. He looked at the screen of his phone, when Vaizey commented, opening the message from Marian.

"No one can get out of their cabins," he said aloud. Half to Vaizey, half to himself, still reading her words. Trapped in a cabin with him. Wonderful.

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no1sheriff
2011-04-03 03:09 am UTC (link)

"Trapped," Vaisey echoed. Well if he wee going to try and get rid of this particular pain in the neck, now would be the perfect time. No one to interrupt, and he'd hardly be expecting an attack when they'd just agreed to a truce.

"Perfect." While Robin was engrossed in replying, fingers flying over the keys, Vaisey's hand clasped behind him, pulling a dagger from it's sheath in the small of his back.

Without warning, the knife was lodged in Robin's side, slipped neatly between his ribs. Aesop's Fables...the scorpion and the frog. It was just in Vaisey's nature.

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robinofthehood
2011-04-03 03:16 am UTC (link)

"I'm not particularly thrilled about it either -" He meant to say more, but his breath was completely stolen from his lungs as he felt the knife enter his side, the phone dropping from his fingers in the same instance.

He could still remember the pain from the time Gisborne had stabbed him, and how bad that had been. This was giving that a run for its money. His hand grabbed at the back of the chair behind him as he felt his legs give way, but it wasn't enough to hpld him up and he landed heavily on his knees. He knew he had to do something, Vaizey was still behind him, but he couldn't seem to focus his thoughts, everything was growing hazy.

As his vision blurred, he felt everything tilt sideways as he fell forward. All he could think about was Marian.

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untamed_maid
2011-04-03 03:36 am UTC (link)

Marian had expected an answer from Robin when she sent the text message. Perhaps not right away, since she'd seen Vaisey heading that way, and Robin wouldn't be looking at text messages if he were verbally sparring with the Sheriff.

Still, as the minutes ticked by with no response, she couldn't help but feel the worry start to take over. Katie was left with Laura while Marian went through the house. There had to be some way out, didn't there?

A cry of triumph escaped her lips as one of the second story windows opened almost immediately. Shouting down to Laura, she slipped out onto the porch roof, carefully shimmying her way down the support posts. Once her feet hit the ground, Marian was running to her cabin, face peering anxiously in the windows to see what might be going on.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as she peered into the cabin. Vaisey was sitting on a chair in the middle of the living room, but why? Eyes scanned the room anxiously before Marian noticed the heap at Vaisey's feet.

"Robin...." This would not do. But with Vaisey focused on her husband's pain, he wasn't likely to notice Marian quickly shimmying up to her bedroom window. Within minutes she was inside, shoes slipped off as she moved carefully through the cabin.

A lamp was grabbed, heavy, brass...it would do the trick. Peering around the corner, Marian crept towards Vaisey's back, anger increasing along with fear. Was Robin even still breathing? No time to focus on that.

Before she could give herself away, the lamp was brought down as hard as she could on the back of Vaisey's head, with a satisfying crack, relief spreading through Marian as he slumped to the side.

She kicked him away from Robin, settling by Robin's side, though making sure to face the now-unconscious Sheriff. Just in case.

"Robin?" She questioned, voice shaky, one hand cupping his cheek for a moment. "Robin, say something, love."

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robinofthehood
2011-04-03 04:11 am UTC (link)

He knew, as soon as he felt the carpet against his cheek, that he had to get up. He hadn't let something like this stop him the last time. And he had to stop Vaizey, before he got to Marian. And Katie, too. The pain flaring in his side at the effort, he managed to get his arms under him, and had just started to push himself up when Vaizey, who was standing behind him, landed a kick right to the wound, and the pain he'd felt before was suddenly nothing compared to what it was then. He was powerless to stop himself collapsing back to the carpet, barely biting back a groan, consciousness wavering.

The next thing he was aware of was a loud noise, and then the familiar feel of something soft against his cheek, and the intoxicating scent of flowers he'd know anywhere. "Marian..." The word was whisper quiet, barely more than an exhalation of breath. He thought he heard her say something, but didn't know what it was.

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	untamed_maid 2011-04-03 04:15 am UTC (link)
	Well it was something, at least. But she didn't like how faint that response was. Leaning in, she pressed a quick kiss to his forehead, unwinding the scarf around his neck and pressing it firmly to the wound. "Robin, love..." She took hold of his hand, positioning it over the cloth, holding it there with her knee as she texted for help. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	robinofthehood 2011-04-03 04:20 am UTC (link)
	He couldn't help but gasp when she pressed the scarf against his side, awareness flooded with pain once more. His eyes opened slightly when he felt her move his hand, and he was aware of her form kneeling beside him, but he felt as though he was looking at her through a fog. His eyes slipped shut again. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	untamed_maid 2011-04-03 04:24 am UTC (link)
	She needed to take care of Vaisey, makes sure that he wouldn't go anywhere but for the moment, with Robin floating in and out of consciousness...it was better for her to stay beside him, keeping the pressure on the wound. "Robin, stay with me," she pleaded. "Look at me." Phone buzzed as replies flooded in. Someone would help. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	robinofthehood 2011-04-03 04:28 am UTC (link)
	The sound of her voice dragged him back closer to awareness, just forcing his eyes open, though all he could see was the shadows of his lashes, the colour of the carpet beyond them. "Is..." He couldn't get his mind to cooperate, everything felt sluggish. He had no idea what he wanted to say. But Marian wanted him to stay, and he was trying. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	untamed_maid 2011-04-03 04:33 am UTC (link)
	Tears of relief pricked her eyes; he wasn't dead. Not yet, not ever if she could help it. "I leave you alone for two minutes," she began. It was supposed to be teasing, but her voice broke in the middle. "Help is coming," Marian almost whispered, leaning in to press another soft kiss to his lips. "So please don't leave me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	robinofthehood 2011-04-03 04:38 am UTC (link)
	An involuntary laugh, quiet though it was, escaped him at that. "Don't..." He tried to finish the sentence, but he lost his train of thought again when he tasted blood in his mouth. "Not...anywhere." Or something like that, anyway. Where was he going to go, did she think? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

untamed_maid
2011-04-03 04:47 am UTC (link)

He didn't want to know where she thought he might go. But at least he was laughing, however faintly.

"Good," she nodded, eyes darting up as a sudden breeze blew through the room. "Cavalry's here," she whispered, smoothing his hair back.

"Clark's going to take you to the infirmary. I'll be there soon, love." But she couldn't just leave Vaisey there.

She squeezed his hand, gently before scooting back, giving Clark a nod of thanks as he gently hoisted Robin up. And then they were gone, leaving her alone with Vaisey.

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