royal_amphibian (royal_amphibian) wrote in into_the_woods, @ 2008-10-27 02:06:00 |
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Entry tags: | xfrog prince - prince, xlittle red riding hood - big bad wolf |
Solitude (tag: Bartleby)
It was an odd aftereffect of the Incident. Prior to his time away from home, Robin would never, could never, really imagine being alone. There was always someone nearby as he was growing up, always. Attendants, servants, courtiers, family both distant and immediate. If there was any time wherein he was left to himself, it was fleeting and of no note. Nor had he ever really wanted to have such a thing happen. There was comfort in being surrounded by others.
It was something that he had dearly missed when he had been on his own. Never again would he take companionship for granted. After all, it was the longing for human contact that had been the greatest motivator in his bargain with The Girl. But that time had also taught him something that he’d never expected.
Occasionally, he enjoyed being alone. And most especially after a relapse of The Problem, he appreciated a bit of time to himself to gather his thoughts. This month had been particularly difficult, perhaps because of the time of year. Cold was hard on him in his other form, and it seemed to make the transition between man and amphibian feel that much harder.
It had taken some time for those in his life to get used to the new routine. Time and more than a little stubborn insistence on his part, as a lifetime of habits was difficult for people to break. Politely but firmly he reinforced his request for solitude time and again until finally it seemed to have sunk in. At least for the past few months, when he requested a lone ride, he did not have to battle a phalanx of grooms that wished to follow him. It allowed him moments such as this one.
Standing in the middle of a glade, his face tilted up toward the sun, Robin took a deep breath reveling in the way the air filled his lungs. It felt different, in his other form, as most things did. So he deeply appreciated everything about the experience. Everything but the rustle in the underbrush that told him he was not as alone as he hoped.
Sighing, he turned to look in the direction of the sound, certain he must be dealing with one of his attendants that was more persistent than anticipated. “Do come out where I can see you. I refuse to talk to shrubbery.”