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 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."

[landon_rivers]

"But are you lonely by choice, or by fate?" Landon asked gently. "I am lonely too, but- I chose this. I wanted to be a guard, I knew what I was giving up to be one, and now that I've left that life I fear it's not so easy to welcome people near again."

Even Jack, who he'd taken to right away- He kept the man at a distance.

[goodfellow]

"It's hard to say by now," Robin admitted. "Though does it really matter? It is what it is, I suppose. You though, you seem like someone who shouldn't be lonely."

[landon_rivers]

"Do I?" Landon asked. "I've always been one to keep my own company though. I'm not exactly good at making connections. I'd like to think I have a good heart, one with room to hold others, but I also- I don't like being surprised or caught off-guard. I'm not always receptive to impulsive behaviour. I like order and structure, and that sometimes leaves little space for others," he admitted.

[goodfellow]

Robin considered this for a moment and then said lightly, "I'm afraid I can be somewhat impulsive."

Though not for the first time he was wondering why Landon seemed to like him, since he wasn't sure he was... his type.

[landon_rivers]

"I've gathered as much," Landon replied with a faint smile and a nervous laugh. "I'll not lie and pretend it doesn't put me a bit on edge, but- You're nice to speak with too. When you listen I feel like you are truly listening. Does that make sense?" he asked, unsure if he was expressing himself properly.

[goodfellow]

"No, that... I mean, yes that makes sense. And I'm glad you feel that way, because I am. Listening." He shrugged, looking a little embarrassed.

[landon_rivers]

"It is nice to be heard," Landon said softly. "And I hope you know you have my ear as well."

[goodfellow]

"I might talk it off if you let me," Robin teased, just as the barmaid returned with their food.

[landon_rivers]

"I wouldn't mind,' Landon assured him, offering a polite nod when the food arrived. "I like to listen," he admitted once they were alone again.

[goodfellow]

Robin took a bite of the stew, smiled, and then launched into a story. It was clearly set some time ago, and it was a story about a quest Robin had once gone on, to rescue a girl who'd disappeared from her village. He'd done it as an owed favor to someone, and he didn't come off as exceptionally heroic - but it was an interesting story because as it turned out the girl hadn't disappeared so much as left, and when Robin finally found her she was in love and had a month old infant on her hip.

"So I went back and told them that I hadn't been able to find her," he said. "At her request. Sometimes family isn't what it's cracked up to be."

[landon_rivers]

"That was kind of you," Landon noted. "You valued her joy over your pride."

[goodfellow]

Robin's lips quirked up a little. "That uh, wasn't really the point of the story, but I yeah I guess so." He hadn't really thought of it that way actually, he was just trying to... not be an asshole.

[landon_rivers]

"What was the point then?" Landon asked, wondering what Robin had hoped he might take away from the tale.

[goodfellow]

"Oh, uh... it was just a story," Robin said. "I was just trying to think of one with a happy ending. No one got hurt in this one, she was just off living her life. I even convinced her to send word to the person there that I thought really cared about her. Not sure if she did though."