Landon

[goodfellow]

In all honesty, Robin hadn't expected to see Landon again. One, because he'd long ago decided that it was easier to just assume he'd be disappointed rather than getting his hope up. And second, because he actually liked Landon, and well, that rarely worked out for him these days.

... oh also, the king had been murdered, and Robin was pretty preoccupied with making sure that his position here was secured. Fortunately he'd managed to meet Harry Hart very quickly, and found the man entirely reasonable, if a bit preoccupied. In any case, Robin didn't think he'd be kicked out or his head separated from his shoulders in the immediate future.

He was outside the castle, speaking with one of the guard, when suddenly he saw a familiar face. Looking surprised, he took his leave of the guard and approached Landon. "... well there you are," he said.

Comments

[goodfellow]

Robin considered this for a moment, trying to genuinely think of flashes of good moments. "I stood in front of a man I thought might kill me and didn't flinch," he said. "I kissed a pretty girl in the rain. I drank most of a bottle of very good sweet wine while remembering something from my past."

[landon_rivers]

"Sounds like a busy week," Landon chuckled, nodding a bit. "I'm glad it had nice moments."

[goodfellow]

Robin smiled at him, just as the barmaid came over. "Two pints of mead," he said. "And I think... whatever the kitchen says is best tonight." He glanced at Landon to make sure he was okay with that. "And if Nyx is here tell him Robin says hello."

[landon_rivers]

Landon raised a brow at the mention of Nyx, but said nothing.

"Just mead is enough," he assured Robin. "I don't expect more than a drink."

[goodfellow]

"Aren't you hungry?" Robin asked. "Well. I'm hungry. Please, join me for a meal." He looked at the barmaid, and smiled. "Go along then, if he isn't hungry I may eat it all."

[landon_rivers]

Landon offered a small nod of thanks, but it was obvious that while he was grateful, he was also a bit uncomfortable accepting the meal.

[goodfellow]

Robin could tell he was uncomfortable, and finally said, "You came all this way to see me," he said. "It's fine, and... I'm not expecting anything in return. Okay?"

[landon_rivers]

Landon nodded, making himself relax a bit. He didn't want to be a damper on the mood just because he was feeling sorry for himself.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be awkward. I really was looking forward to spending time together again," he said.

[goodfellow]

“I’ve had many, many people but me meals in my life,” said Robin. “I assure you, I was only interested in seeing you again.”

[landon_rivers]

"I just have a strong desire to be independent, that's all," Landon assured him. "But I am glad we can spend this time together. I would like to know you better."

[goodfellow]

"Well you will find me quite like an onion," Robin said. Then grinned. "That I have layers. Not that I will make you cry."

[landon_rivers]

"What matters most to you in life?" Landon asked. "For me it's loyalty. Loyalty to my kin, my friends, my family..."

[goodfellow]

Robin actually gave this question some thought for a moment. It was on the tip of his tongue to give a flippant answer. "Pleasure" maybe. Or "not dying."

Finally he said something that felt as close to the truth as he could come up with at the moment. "Making an impression. Mattering to someone along the way."

[landon_rivers]

"A personal legacy?" Landon suggested.

[goodfellow]

"Maybe I just want to know that someone could tell me apart from other pucks," Robin said with a rye smile.

[landon_rivers]

Landon nodded slightly in understanding.

"I can see how it could be upsetting to be mistaken for others of your kin, when you all share one face."

[goodfellow]

"I am also exceptionally vain," Robin said with a quirked smile, as the barmaid returned and placed two meads in front of them. Robin turned the smile on her briefly, and she blushed a little before hurrying away.

"But," he added, going back to Landon, "loyalty is a very good quality."

[landon_rivers]

Vanity was something Landon didn't care for, but he said nothing about it.

"I just mean that- I regard bonds made with others highly, I suppose."

[goodfellow]

"So do I," said Robin, and then... "Because they're so rare."

[landon_rivers]

Landon tilted his head slightly, perplexed. The man had just stated he'd recently kissed a woman after all. Surely it wasn't that rare?

"I see," he said, even though he didn't, to be honest. "So you're a member of the court then?" he asked, changing the topic. "What is it you do, exactly?"

[goodfellow]

For Robin, a kiss was not a bond. For that matter, neither was sex.

"Well I was a political advisor to the king," he said. "Now, I'm not so sure. Though I think I managed to convince them that I have experience with fledgling governments."

[landon_rivers]

"Do you have experience?" Landon asked.

[goodfellow]

"I have experience with everything," Robin said. It wasn't boasting, he was just... old enough, that it was pretty true. "So yeah, I mean probably not quite in the way they're assuming, but I've been around for rebuilding after the death of a monarch."

[landon_rivers]

"Then they are very lucky to have you," Landon said, with the sort of sincerity one couldn't fake.

[goodfellow]

For a moment Robin wasn't sure if he was - sincere - but then realized that, yes he was. He smiled a little sheepishly. "Well uh, thanks. I mean, it's good to have some stability but also I think they genuinely need the help."