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]

"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."

[landon_rivers]

Landon nodded in agreement, rubbing his face and resting his chin in his pal as he leaned on the table.

"It makes me miss the village. It was simple there. Peaceful. Have you ever spent time in an elven village?"

[goodfellow]

"Only passed through," Robin said. "May years ago. Tell me about yours?"

[landon_rivers]

"It's small, far north in the fae lands. There's not much to do, but it's beautiful. There are gardens everywhere, fruit, vegetables, flowers... Everything. The buildings aren't grand, but the wood work is intricate, carefully crafted..."

He spoke at length about the beauty of his home, how the trees kept it shady and cool all summer long...

"You should come sometime. It's a place like no other in the realm."

[goodfellow]

It actually was very nice, how Landon talked about his home. Robin listened, and then teased, "This date must be going better than I thought, if you want to take me home already." But then teased, "But seriously, it sounds lovely."

[landon_rivers]

Landon wasn't one to get flustered, but he went a bit pink at that.

"I just- I think... I just think it's a special place, and you seem like you might enjoy it," he said.

[goodfellow]

"I'm sorry, I'm only teasing," said Robin. "It really does sound lovely. I'd like to visit someday."

[landon_rivers]

Landon was silent for a moment, then said. "I would be pleased to take you."

[goodfellow]

Robin smiled gently, then reached across the table to brush his fingers against Landon's hand. "You don't think your kin would find a puck objectionable?"

[landon_rivers]

"Possibly," Landon admitted. "But you would be my guest. ...They would respect that. I'd like to think my kin are warm and kind."

Though he knew they could be anything but sometimes.

[goodfellow]

Certainly more than Robin could say for his.

Robin's fingers slid over Landon's as he pulled his hand away. "I am always interested in exploring new places and meeting new people."

[landon_rivers]

"Truly?" Landon asked, smiling at that. "Do you travel much then?"

[goodfellow]

"I do," said Robin. "There hasn't really been a particular place I've called home in quite some time."

[landon_rivers]

"That sounds lonely," Landon noted. "While I wasn't always at ease there, I did consider the castle my home. My fellow guards my family..."

[goodfellow]

Robin looked at him for a moment, and then quirked one side of his mouth up ever so slightly. "You must have figured out by now that lonely is practically my defining feature."