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]

"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."

[landon_rivers]

"Do you think things will improve here? I know some weren't a fan of the former king..."

Landon himself had never been fond.

[goodfellow]

"Yeah he was not the sharpest point on the crown," Robin said. "The new king was a pirate of all things, but seems to have little interest in ruling and has set up a parliament with his buddy in charge. Who at least seems to have a reasonable head on his shoulders, but I suspect he's in way over it."

[landon_rivers]

"That's interesting though, a king with no interest in pure power," Landon noted, clearly charmed by the idea.

[goodfellow]

"It is interesting," Robin said. "Especially because I wonder why someone with no interest in power would want to be king badly enough to murder his brother for it."

[landon_rivers]

"You're sure it was murder?" Landon asked. "It does seem like a rather extreme action."

[goodfellow]

"He clearly didn't die of natural causes," Robin said. "The new king was a long lost older brother, thought dead. The prodigal son. Coming in tow with the king's former right hand man and his pet wizard."

[landon_rivers]

"Sounds like something from a myth," Landon replied. "Do you believe the realm is in good hands though?"

[goodfellow]

"I believe... it's in hands that for the moment have the best intentions to be good," Robin said with genuine thoughtfulness. He took another sip of the mead. "But I've met many rulers, and none of their hands stay clean."

[landon_rivers]

"No? No, I suppose it's rare they do," Landon sighed, thinking of his own realm. The queen had good intentions, but he'd always doubted the advisor.

"At least there's no war to be fought."

[goodfellow]

“Yeah,” Robin agreed. “It’s bad business, murdering a king, but beat the help out of a bunch more people on both sides dying in a war.” Honestly Robin probably would have just skipped town.

[landon_rivers]

"Do you have a deep interest in politics?" Landon asked. "I've never been much for it myself, though forever surrounded by it, it seems."

[goodfellow]

"I don't know that anyone likes politics," Robin said. "Though some people like power. As for me I think I'm just... good at it. Or at least, I'm good at seeing what's going on. The shape of things."

[landon_rivers]

"Not me," Landon admitted. "I've never had the head for it, and power holds no appeal."

[goodfellow]

"Power is overrates," Robin agreed. "It makes you too much of a target, for one." He smiled. "My survival instincts are too good for that."