The Universe's Mixer

The day was crisp and clear. Only a slight warm breeze made the leaves of the trees move, making the dappled light on the ground below shimmer and dance. Playing shadows over the faces of the playing children and the walking couples in the area.

The Valentine's day spirit had taken up residence in many, and was showing thusly in the store windows. Nobody had yet taken down their decorations. The sales for jewelry and candy went on, with the hope that more would be bought and lavished upon those who were loved and loving.

There was a man carrying balloons for sale. A woman carrying a basket of assorted flowers that never seemed to empty, no matter how many of her beautiful wares were bought. Another man pushing an ice cream cart, and a lady in a colorful outfit giving out free cotton candy and selling roasted nuts. There were performers of every sort. People on stilts, people juggling. A fire breather, yes, right in the middle of it all, carefully showing what she could do. A belly dancer dancing around in a circle, a sword swallower doing his thing in the middle of that circle. It was almost like a circus, this show for the lovers.

It seemed as if everything was greener. The sky bluer. The flowers more radiant and filled with scent. The water of the lake clearer, with paddle boats and row boats gliding over it's surface easily. The birds sang sweeter. All was perfect.

( ooc )

After the kind and gracious assistance of the gentleman Wash, Much was back on his way out. The chill had nearly left he air and he was feeling all the better for it! Freshly bathed, a 'shower!' what a magnificent device, letting one stand and rinse so efficiently. Still it was not the relaxing soak of a bath but it was refreshing indeed! But such wonders as he had been shown would have to take second to his priority, he had to know if his Master was here.

Robin was his first and foremost concern and if he was here in this City, as Wash had informed him it was called, then he had to find him. So now with the absence of snow, a full belly and a good bit more knowledge of the place than he had, had before Much set out into The City!

He strode into the towering sight of this place with no fear, ok well perhaps some. He was after all quite used to living as an outlaw for these past ears and that tended to make one rather cautious. But he kept his mind focused as he walked, his garb getting him more than a passing strange glance. He had also been educated that people of this place were from many times and what was the norm for him might well be freakish for others.

He would persevere! He would. And perhaps get some lunch.

Things were not as they once had been.

There had been a time when Robin was a carefree outlaw, laughing in the face of the Sheriff, daring him into games of cat and mouse. The young Earl had been a spirited man of good humor and boundless energy, he had, in short, had a heart. That was lost these days. England seemed infinitely more gray and the gang, such as it was, had fallen into darker times. Their battle to right the wrongs of injustice had blurred, their pristine ideals stained with blood, his once master was turning into a man he no longer knew, and it pained much to a degree he dare not speak.

He knew why of course, they all did. None of them returned form the Holy Land the same as they'd left it. Each had suffered and left something behind...D'jaq and Will stayed. Allan gave up his chance to be the right hand of Gisburne and his intended regime. Much had lost part of what he admired and envied most in Robin, bur Locksely had suffered more grievously of all.

In all the years and all the bloodshed of war, Much had never seen such pain as he saw in Robin's eyes as the lady lay dying in his arms. Even then her strength carried on, she wed him with her last breath and she herself pulled out the killing blade to put her own body to rest. That was the turning point for his master. That was when Robin of Locksely, Earl of Huntington, hero of the King himself, lost his heart.
( They had returned to England, leaving behind memories and bodies. )