Talking To A Brick Wall [Open]

[littlejohn]

[Open, preferably to people who know LJ. All information regarding Robin, Marian, Djaq and Will is based on the end of series 2. Much and Allan… well, they’re bickering anyway. =3 And I was bored. *dies*]

John was feeling a little bit more than useless of late. So far, he’d managed to sleep or be out for the majority of the action happening with the gang, and he felt extremely concerned for the gang. It wasn’t like he thought he was indestructible or necessary to their survival, but he always felt another pair of hands, another pair of eyes, and a man who could probably bend steel if he really tried was useful when you were trying to do something.

As it was now, he was lurking around the woods, making himself useful by doing the very thing that had caused him to miss out on the kidnap and rescue of Will Scarlett – he was out hunting deer. The larder was low on meat, and as usual Allan had been teasing Much about having to catch more squirrels for dinner, so Little John had felt it would be beneficial for the camp if he went out and got something, if just to stop the pair from bickering for a bit. Honestly, they were like a married couple sometimes, always digging at each other and pointing out faults!

Of course, in John’s opinion, the rest of the gang weren’t much better at the moment. Robin and Marian had been acting like a pair of love sick buffoons, which partly annoyed John (because they had things to be getting on with) and partly made him jealous – Alice was out there, somewhere, with their son, with her new lover, and he was left here alone because he’d been too much of a fool to actually stop and think for a change. Meanwhile, Will and Djaq seemed to be doing just the opposite – skirting round the subject and tormenting the rest of them. If Will wanted to decide whether he loved her or someone else, couldn’t he just do what most people did and sit down to think about it? It was what the man was good at, after all. Djaq, well… maybe it wasn’t the custom in her country to ask a man such a thing, and John knew it wasn’t like that here, either, but sometimes he wished she’d just get on with it and tell Will how she felt. Or find someone else. The pair of them. There were more than a few willing people in the area, including members of the gang.

But he wasn’t going to go into that right now.

Contrary to popular belief, John did know how to use a bow and arrow, and was fully aware that it was the best way to catch his prey. He’d been standing perfectly still, arm drawn back, arrow facing the animal, while he had been thinking, and his arm was beginning to tire. Some part of him just didn’t want to harm the animal, today – the deer probably had a child lurking around somewhere, and it wouldn’t survive long without its mother. Should he feed the camp, or should he let the animal live?

He was, fortunately, saved from his thoughts by a rustling in the bushes behind him. Turning round quickly, he pointed his weapon at his potential enemy and waited for the person to reveal themselves.

[Regina Apple]

Gina was bored. So what better to do when bored than to walk through the forest? Well, she would rather have gone to tormet some nobles; steal their food, make it look like mice or something; pester their peasants. Though, to be honest what she really wanted to do was torment Gavin, but he was being extra grouchy since having his knife pilfered by that bint, Daine something or other. And she had been sort of avoiding him since their night.

Well, avoid as much as one could at the Greensleeves camp. It was more like glaring at him more and being outwardly nasty to him. Anything to keep him away. And to convince herself that she didn't want to see him. Which wasn't true. She always wanted to see him. Which was another reason she had to get out of the camp. Just so she didn't end up tackling him or something. Or stabbing him. That would be bad.

Gina was also hungry, which was why she'd brought her bow so she could do some hunting. But to be honest, she was considering satisfying her hunger with ale rather than whatever she could shoot down in the forest - which would most probably end up being a squirrel. Or worse, an apple. (Not to say Gina's aim was so bad that she could only shoot apples out of trees; it was more of a Sod's Law thing.)

There were tracks to suggest that there was someone else in the area, most probably hunting too. The outlaws had taught Gina how to track when she was little. The skill came in handy, meant that she coud jugde whether she was to run like the clappers or track the person down for a mugging. There was only one set of tracks so Gina decided she was going to make a little extra earnings. She followed the tracks to a clearing, only to find a bow aimed at her by one of the men who'd taught her how to track.

"Little John." She said calmly, believing that he wouldn't shoot. "Is that anyway to treat a girl you practically raised?" John was an intrinsic part of Regina's childhood; he was practically her father. Well the closeest thing to a Pa you could get in the Greensleeves camp. He was the one who'd been least mean to her and sort of almost kept an eye on her.

(ooc - hope that history isn't too blarhhhish and whatnot. She did grow up with him though XD And I hope it's ok I've glomped here XD)

[littlejohn]

(OOC – tis fine dude~ Also, I think Gavin joined the gang years ago but I can’t remember what I’d said so I’m totally not mentioning him this post X3;; And… is a little short >_>;

Little John lowered his bow and slackened the weapon as he saw a familiar face emerging from the greenery, and a small smile lit up his face. Now, this was a blast from the past! He hadn’t seen little Regina Apple since he’d left the gang for Robin and his mission, and sometimes he did think about what he was missing out on. They’d been a family (for the most part) and had got on well (for the most part). Besides, he’d always had a soft spot for Regina and thought of her as the daughter he’d never had, often using her as a substitute for John to dote upon. Of course, he hadn’t been able to be so open about these things – as far as that gang had been concerned, affection had almost been a weakness – but he’d done his best.

He didn’t stick to those rules anymore. He was one of Robin’s men now.

”Little Apple!” he cried, startling the deer he had been tracking and ignoring it as it gallivanted back off into the woods. This was a far more pleasing discovery, anyway. He approached her quickly, considering his size, and stopped just short of grabbing her and hugging the life out of her. He wasn’t so sure she’d appreciate that, and felt a little bad he hadn’t demanded she come with him to join Robin and company. Thinking about it, maybe it wouldn’t have been such a good idea – she would have probably gotten on well with Allan for a while, they seemed to be made of the same sort of cloth, but he wasn’t sure she would have been able to put up with everyone for the duration.

Still grinning and voice noticeably softer, he quashed the renewed urge to hug her. ”How have you been? How are Hanton and Forrest?”” He was pleased to see that she looked quite healthy, all things considered, and she didn’t seem to have lost her confidence, which he was exceptionally happy about. He had been wondering if some of the old gang wouldn’t try to take advantage of her, but apparently not.

[Regina Apple]

A smirk spread across Gina's face as John lowered the bow. Of course he wasn't going to shoot her. She was the daughter he'd never had, or something along those lines. Well, it was more like 'secret daughter when no one was looking'. She flinched back as he came running a her, thinking that he was going to tackle her or something. John was by no means Little, he was huge! Having him run into you would be like running into a brick wall. Thankfully he stopped just before he reached her, looking like he was about to grab her.

Gina held her withdrawn pose, leg raised as some sort of barrier and arms in front of her face, for a moment before relaxing. "Little Apple? I haven't been 'little' for years. Even before you left." She said that a little bitterly. He, Forrest, Roy and Hanton had all disppeared for a few days a couple years ago. But only Forrest and Hanton had returned, telling them everything. For a while, Gina blamed John for the whole thing - even Roy's death - because it was easiest to blame the one who wasn't there.

She folded her arms defensively, but couldn't help smile back at the rugged old bear.Questions? Did Little John not know her at all? He was practically handing her the oppotunity to lie on a plate. "I've been fine. Got myself a man and he treats me like a princess. All those stolen jewels! I don't know what to do with them!" Gavin? Steal jewels for her? As if! "Hanton and Forrest are now Mr and Mrs Hanton and Forrest. Well, they were until the beaver came in." Ok, so that one was a blatant lie, but she'd used all her sane(ish) ones up one her Gavin lie.

John looked well, happy almost. What did Hood offer him that his old gang hadn't? Yes the Greensleevers put the fun in disfunctional; but they were still family. They looked out for each other, in a backwards kind of way. Hood? He offered glory and love from those spineless peasants. Where was the joy in that? John had lived the wild side of the outlaw life; did he not miss it? Gina knew she would, and would have been horrified if she knew John had considered that she should have joined with him. "How have you been?" If he mentioned glory and love, Gina might just vomit.

[littlejohn]

Regina was being defensive. Dammit. He hadn’t seen her in so long now, he hadn’t even considered how she might have felt about his leaving the gang. And Roy… well, that was always going to be a sore spot for him. He wouldn’t think about it. He could hear the venom in her voice and was pleased that he didn’t cringe. He really did feel badly about that.

He laughed openly as she told him about how she was doing, how the gang was doing. He could tell she was lying – well, not all the time, but her tone was rather clear – and it made him laugh. ”Well don’t go spending all those jewels all at once. Who is this dashing young man?” His first thought was that she could give them to some of the villagers, especially in Clun at the moment – they were getting the worst of it right now, and they didn’t deserve it. Of course, Regina was a real outlaw – one who had been declared such for killing and stealing, for being a criminal in the laws of King Richard, not just Prince John.

”Beaver?” he asked, letting out a hearty guffaw. ”Always knew they’d be perfect for each other.”

John looked down at Gina and his smile faded. Things were so different now, and he wasn’t the man she remembered. Would she be disappointed? Would she be ashamed of him (what right would she have to be ashamed?)?

John didn’t believe in the glory of the King, and he didn’t believe in peace between the lords and the peasants, but he did believe that he was doing the right thing, that he was repenting for leaving his wife and his son, that he was making up for the things he’d done wrong and one day, maybe, he’d find the same happiness he had with Alice.

”Aye, lass, I’m doing alright. Stealing from the rich, giving to the poor, hitting people over the head with a stick – business as usual.”

[Regina Apple]

Gina believed she had every right to be defensive. Not only had this man almost knocked her flat and out; but he'd hurt her more than she'd liked to admit. She missed the old bear, things felt safer when he was around. Like the group were untouchable because he was fair scary looking and large. Now he was the infamous Little John who was a 'giant'. "Spend them? Heveans no! I wear them when no one's looking - else they'll ambush me, then sell them."

She took an air of indifference for the next question. "Oh, Gavin." She waved her hand in dismissal. "I'm not sure if you were there when he joined." John had been there, but this was Gina's not so subtle way of showing him that she was pretty narked off about that. She was considering asking how Roy was, but that'd hurt her too. And she didn't really want to be a complete and utter cow to John, he'd been nice to her in the past. How was this showing her thanks?

"Yes, a beaver." She replied with a well practised straight face. She didn't even blink when John practically roared. "Ok, why don't you tell the whole of Nottingham of our whereabouts. I'm sure there's quite the bounty on your head nowadays." Back in the day, John was unheard of, or mistaken for a bear in the forest. There'd only be people shooting at him if he did something wrong. Now he had to avoid the populated areas or go in a diguise; Gina could not live with that herself. People were fun to torment, and being shot on site was not.

Though he'd changed in the last couple years, Gina was the same old lying outlaw. Out for number one and Gavin's affections - which reminded her to never tell Gavin about this encounter with John. Not at all, because she would just know she'd let it slip about how she'd said he was her man - things like that happened when she spoke to him sometimes - and she wasn't entirely sure how he'd take it.

"That's all well and good John, but you are making a vital mistake in your life." 'Giving to the poor'; the words grated against her like she was a cat being stroked the wrong way by children with tubby hands. "You're giving away your loot. It's far more satisfying keeping it for yourself, it's like a little reward for the hard work it too getting it." She shook her head. "Hood has changed you. You should come back and remind yourself on what it means to be an outlaw."

[littlejohn]

Gina of course would have every right to be defensive, but John had sort of been hoping that maybe she wouldn’t be, that she’d find it in her heart to forgive him. Not one of his more logical hopes, but one he had held on to anyway. She’d had enough problems in her life and she hadn’t needed any more on top, but he’d given her a new reason to possibly be sad. He loved being in the new gang, of course because they helped people, which appealed to him greatly, but also for a different reason – he didn’t have to be the big, bad, scary one. He did naturally fall into the category of brute force, but here it was acknowledged that he had abilities beyond kicking someone’s head in, and that he had skills that were useful and ranged more areas than beating down a door and robbing a widow. He felt like he had a purpose, these days, and it was… nice.

He chuckled at the thought of someone trying to steal from Regina. The poor sod who tried that… They were going to have a nasty shock waiting for them if they thought she was weak and defenceless…

John rolled his eyes, ignoring the jibe at his leaving the gang. Of course he knew Gavin, the man had been around for years, and while John had never liked him, he had respected him for his ruthlessness – he was what John had always called a proper outlaw, but now the thought of the young man made him queasy rather than slightly pleased. How many people had they helped out, just for his old gang to rob it back off them, perhaps leave them worse off? Something might have to be done about them, and John didn’t like that idea.


John’s roar subsided to a slight chuckle and he grinned at Regina. ”Oh, come on, no one’s ever this deep in the woods unless they’re already chasing someone, so we’ve got nothing to worry about.” And he spoke from experience, naturally. He kept a straight face as he replied to her next comment. ”Twelve pieces of silver, dead or alive.” He pretended to grumble about this. ”I think I’m worth at least three pieces of gold on top of that, don’t you?” It was true that there was money offered for the capture or betrayal of the outlaws, but mercenaries were hard to find in England these days, having been hired out for the war, and the peasants weren’t inclined to part ways with the outlaws for a few pennies when they would get a far more reliable income by keeping the outlaws safe.

John shook his head, unsure if he wanted to get into this argument. Because it would turn into an argument, there was no doubt about that – there was a drastic difference in opinions, which amused John a little, considering that only two years ago he’d been the same as she was. ”You sound like Allan,” he muttered, remembering what Robin had told them the young man had said to defend himself when he’d finally been caught. It hadn’t been exactly like that, they realised later, but still. ”An outlaw is a man who lives outside the law,” he smiled, speaking softly. ”After that, it’s fair game to play it how you want.”

[Regina Apple]

Gina was annoyed to see her jibe hadn't had its desried effect. She wanted John to feel guilty. He'd abandoned his fun dysfunctional family to go to the snooty, goody-two-shoes Hood. The reference to Gavin was for her own pleasure - just mentioning his name made gave her that sickly sensation she'd grown to love over the years. She knew John had never really got on with the younger man - probably felt his territory was being threatened by the obviously better outlaw. Regina liked to kid herself that John had always been a big softy and that they were at no loss having him gone. Like that was ever true, maybe in some weird alternate world, but not this one.

"How'd you know I'm not being chased by a bunch of crazy village men trying to win my affections? They get pretty crazy you know." She wore no grin on her face, Gina was trying to be petty. And people believed her less when she grinned - somehow it made her look guilty or something absurd. But sometimes her elborate lies needed grins to make them more believable. People were just stupid sometimes. "Oh definately John. Bountys should be determined by body mass rather than popularity." It was a common known fact that Hood's bounty was far greater than any of his Merry Men. Which seemed unfair, if you asked Gina, his outlaws do the dirty work. Hood flounces about acting like a fairy most of the time. But the news of John's bounty was good, if she was ever short on cash she knew where to find a 'get rich quick' plan. He'd betrayed her, it was only fair she did the same - maybe then he won't be so quick to do it next time. Not that there'd be a next time.

An annoyed look crossed Gina's face. She wanted to have a slogging match with John. She had all this pent up anger towards him and here was her chance to expell it all. And he was being 'the bigger man' and standing down. "Who the hell is Allan?" She questioned, a little harsher than John would probably be expecting - but who cares? Allan was probably one of his Merry buddies anyway, so she had every reason to be grouchy. "Outside of the law generally means fending for ones self. Which implies keeping all manner of goodies one comes across - no matter how one comes across said goodies." She kept her tone flat. Now was no time for jokes and laughter. She wanted to provoke him, make him yell - anything so that she could scream right back at him.

[littlejohn]

John did feel guilty, but he also felt he was better for making the choices he had. Even if Roy had died. Even if he’d lost his wife and son to another man, to another county. Even if he’d lost his makeshift, dysfunctional family because he’d gained another one, and he’d gained a sense of purpose, and if that wasn’t good enough for Gina, then…

Well, he’d clearly been thinking too highly of her.

”I reckon the shouting would be a dead giveaway, and I think we’d be in trouble by now if that was the truth,” John replied, stopping himself from rolling his eyes. Maybe they should have taken her to a village, like they had been tempted to. She’d have been raised properly, and maybe she’d be a different girl then. Not so prone to lying. Although, she was darn good at her job – John felt his eyes drift from side to side, checking out the surroundings just in case.

”I was thinking because I’d been an outlaw longer, but that too,” he added, smile twitching at the edge of his lips. He wasn’t fussed, not really – it amused him to hear of such bounties, knowing that it was all for vain. Who’d turn over the outlaws of Robin Hood? They were perfectly safe, he’d decided, forgetting that they had enemies other than those within the castle walls.

”No one,” John replied, emphasising his words with a growl. Well, he wasn’t. Allan was just one of the men, and in John’s eyes he still had a fair amount of making up to do, so until he did, he would remain a nobody. He raised an eyebrow at Regina. ”Don’t you sound educated?” he joked, wary of her tone. Oh, bugger. ”The laws have changed, Regina. When the people making the laws are the ones acting like criminals, it’s time for change.” She really didn’t care, did she? ”We risk our lives to try and help people. So that people don’t end up like us.” He glared a little, calm faltering slowly but surely. He bit his lip, eyes narrowing. ”You want more competition for your goodies? Then fine, I’ll stop.”

[Regina Apple]

Why did he fight for King and Country? The King wasn't even in the country! And the country was falling to bits. By Gina's books, that meant it was time for 'Every man for himself'. Well, ever man for himself plus a loved one. But besides, there was nothing to fight for here in Nottingham, but your friends. The England Hood rambled on about never existed, there had always been one man trying to ruin it all. Always. Vaysey was just having more success than most. Things weren't so bad if you kept to your place and had your friends. Gina hoped she had Gavin, but that may be asking a little too much of the lazy buggar.

"What if they're slow?" Gina was feeling picky, persistant and in the mood to annoy the Hell out of him. She never made things easy for anyone, it was part of her nature to be awkward. It was probably a defense mechanism, to hide the fact that she was hurt quite badly - certainly in this case - but most of the time she did it just to entertain herself. "Not everyone gets your daily workout."

Gina rolled her eyes. If they were going on length, then surely she should win - what with being raised an outlaw and everything. Her whole twenty-odd years, spent as an outlaw - all of them. Well, those she could remember. Someone had told her she'd been found, but she didn't really rememeber that conversation much. It was one of the ones she'd wanted to block from her mind - that and Hanton telling her about the Bird and the Bees when she was about seven. "Hood isn't an outlaw. More of a financial annoyance. Therefore, he should have no bounty."

Shame, this Allan person sounded interesting. The name rang a bell actually. Gina remembered the guys joking about one of Hood's men turning on him - the name Allan fit the memory. "Hold on, was he the skank betrayer who went running to Gisbourne for money. Gisbourne's bithc?" The grin she now wore was verging on evil - oh how she loved to taunt. It quickly turned to a scowl. "Who's to say that I'm not super smart?" Ok, she'd picked up the good language from Tristan, but John didn't know that. And she was fairly smart anyway. "Why do 'the people' deserve this life threatening help, eh?" She was getting really angry now. No one had ever helped her and she got on just fine! "These peasants have it made, don't they! They need not worry about their lives anymore, because they have the easy life thanks to you, Hood and Gisbourne's Bithc. Anything they lose, you get it back for them quick sharp. It's just a shame that we nab it after they've got it back."

[littlejohn]

”If they’re that slow,” Little John replied, sarcasm heavy in his tone. He’d forgotten how awkward Gina could be, but still found himself falling for her tricks even after he’d remembered them. He wanted to roll his eyes, and instead stood up straight. ”Everyone wants this physique, but they have to work at it. Years of toil, this.” Okay, he was leaving himself open to a jibe there, but he didn’t care.

John raised an eyebrow at that. A financial annoyance? Fancy words for an outlaw, for sure, especially since she’d been raised by foolish outlaws anyway. He wondered how she’d gotten to be so smart and cunning when she’d lived with Hanton and Forrest for most of her life – they weren’t the sharpest tools in the shed, and they certainly couldn’t be leading the gang now. They just weren’t intelligent enough. That was why it had fallen to John – he might not be as smart or educated as Robin, but he knew how to lead and how to get a job done.

John growled at the mention of betrayal. It had stung, and now he was going to ignore it. He could see she was getting into it, though, and wanted to make her stop. No one deserved that nickname, not even Allan – even he had regained his senses, eventually. ”Does everyone know the details behind that now?” he asked instead, truly curious as to how everyone seemed to know what had happened. Who had told the population?

And she really did sound like Allan, now – John could have sworn he’d heard Allan say the exact same thing, that the peasants had it easy. ”They deserve it because no one had the balls to try it before now,” John said, stressing the last parts to provide emphasis, and it was true. No one but a noble would think to help the peasants, and even then it was a rare noble indeed who would risk his life to help anyone, let alone find a group willing to do the same for no gain for themselves at all. John hoped the Greensleeves didn’t steal it all back – that would mean all their hard work was for nothing. He knew some went missing, yes, but not all of it.

[Regina Apple]

Gina hated smart arses and scowled at her former friend. He was really starting to vex her. And it would be alright if the great bear would just rise to her bait! A slogging match was just what Gina needed. But John was being a wimp and it only ticked the outlaw - the real outlaw - off. "And years of scoffing yourself on raw rabbit." Last she knew John ate raw rabbit by the bucketful.

Hanton and Forrest were fools, but that didn't mean she had to be now did it? Enough of her natural intelligence had survived and outlived the need for Hanton and Forrest's input. In a way she was glad they'd gone AWOL. Maybe it was time to pester Gavin into being self appointed leader - get them into cut-throat shape or something. Then again, Gavin leading? As if he'd ever accept the responsibility. They were fine at the moment, just so long as they don't go soft like Hood, Regina was content.

The growl sparked off a chuckle from Gina, John really was a bear! and her barb had struck a tender spot. Maybe she'd get a fight after all. "That one sting John?" Now she'd found the wound Gina was going to pour salt in and wiggle her barb about until breaking point. "Oh of course. Once the peasants find out, everyone knows. And the guard's tongues are always loose after alcohol and flirting." She gave him a wicked grin. Flirting with the guards was one of Gina's favourite pasttimes. It left potential to make Gavin jealous for one thing, and they were so stupid it was just funny. And every girl needed to flirt now and then.

"I don't know John. I'd say that Nightwatchman had balls." The Nightwatchman was pre-Hood. The almighty Robin was playing someone else's game. And with less style too. No one knew who the Nightwatchman was - though the times Gina had seen the hooded marvel he'd looked like a woman - and he turned on the peasants after a while. Everyone knew those pies had been poisoned. "One could argue that Hood is copying the Nightwatchman."