Home Again (Tag Roe)

[Thomas Scarlett]

‘’ I am glad that you do not find my arrogance irritating then. Many people would’’. Tom smirked as he had rather fond memories of people getting jealous at his confidence and overall appearance. Compliments were flattering, but jealously was the biggest compliment of all. He was very pleased when Roe asked him what his best point was. There were a few that Tom considered good, but his looks had to win on that front. ‘’ That is very easy for me to answer. It has to be the fact that I am good looking. I was always considered the handsome one in my family and I have had many people compliment my looks. It is important to be good looking I think. What would you say your best point was?’’

‘’ Yes that is quite often the case. Speaking of fathers, did you get along with yours?’’ Tom was usually quite interested in this when he met new people. His relationship with his father was very good so he hoped that most people had that benefit. He may have come across at times as a smug person, but he did genuinely want people to have at least a bit of happiness. However, his was just more important to him.

‘’ I am sure you could get another woman, if you really wanted to. For me, it’s quite easy. Not that I’m bragging or anything’’. Tom added a smirk at the end, implying that this was in fact what he was doing.
‘’ I think you just have good experience with people.’’ Tom did actually think this too and it was not just a meaningless compliment. ‘’ I do hope that Luke doesn’t get into trouble. However, I think his brother may have more chance of that. It is a weird choice to become an outlaw I think’’.

Tom pondered to himself whether he did have a nomadic nature. In a way he did being as he did enjoy travelling but usually he didn’t have much choice on the matter. Usually, he had to move away for some reason or another. ‘’ I am not really nomadic. I just have to move a lot. Troubles with women mainly’’. Once again, Tom smirked. He was doing that a lot today for some reason. ‘’You probably have smelt much worse. I imagine the smells of battle are quite bad.’’ Tom leaned back on his chair and propped his feet up onto the table. ‘’ Hope you don’t mind me sitting like this, I’m just a bit uncomfortable’’. Tom decided against going out. He was pretty tired after his long walk. ’’I am quite tired today, so I will just have some conversations with you if that is alright’’.

[Robert Williams]

“You are so humble and modest,” Roe said with an obvious twinkle in his eye and chuckle in his voice. “No wonder you move from woman to woman. I think it would be difficult for the average woman to adapt to a situation where the male feels that he’s the fairer part of the couple. You indeed have an interesting personality. You are quite protective of yourself and your physical appearance. Is there anything that you would be willing to fight for that might put your appearance in danger,” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

What would you say your best point was?’’ Roe wasn’t a bit surprised that Tom’s answer was related in some way to his appearance. Roe thought about the question for several moments before answering. I think my best point was my ability to listen and observe before making a final decision. Also, my ability to learn new things quickly was an advantage, and as you’ll see, my loyalty is a strong suit as well.”

Speaking of fathers, did you get along with yours?’’ Suddenly Roe turned quite serious. “I really have no memory of my father. I became a ward of the Earl by the time I was 6 or 7, so as far as I was concerned he was my father. I would like to say that I had a real father-son relationship, but that would be a lie. You should feel privileged that you had a good one.”

Roe smiled broadly and said, “I just don’t have any real desires in that area. I’m sure that you’ll provide any slack to make up for my lack of activity. I’m sure that Luke will be fine and I wouldn’t worry about Will too much. He’s simply fighting for something he believes in, I think, and we should respect that. Being an outlaw does place him in danger, but perhaps doing nothing is even more dangerous. Well, we’ve established that you aren’t nomadic. Where would you like to settle down at, and what would you like to do with your future. So, what do you want to talk about?”

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom found it quite funny how Roe sarcastically commented on his attributes. ‘’ I guess I am quite modest, in a way, if you think about it. I could be a lot more arrogant considering what looks I have’’. Tom smirked at this last comment. ‘’You are probably right there. There haven’t been many women who I would consider have more than average personality and that I have actually went out with’’. Tom had to think hard about this question, but decided he should tell the truth. ‘’ I can’t think of anything to be honest. I don’t have much to fight for. My looks aren’t my only good attribute. I am good with numbers as well’’.

Tom found Roe’s best attributes a great deal better than his. Roe’s were things that a lot of people would highly value as well. ‘’ Those are very honourable qualities and make mine seem a little bad, despite them being especially good. However, many people would value a good personality greater than good looks’’.

Roe seemed a bit insulted judging by his seriousness of tone, which Tom felt a bit guilty about. He hadn’t meant to insult him. ‘’ That is a great pity then. There isn’t a better relationship if you have a good one with your father. I apologise if I may have insulted you’’.

Tom smiled at Roe’s first comments, feeling that he had perhaps said too much on both subjects. He would perhaps speak more of them later. ‘’ In the future, well, that is a difficult thing to answer. Ideally, I would like to move into a good house, with a wife and a few children. Maybe get a dog as well.’’ This would have been ideal, but considering his previous relationships with women and how short lived they were, it seemed highly unlikely. ‘’ We can talk about what you would like. I don’t mind’’.

[Robert Williams]

Roe smiled as he thought about what Tom had just said and how he had said it. There weren't too many people who could be arrogant in their modesty like Tom. "Well, I'm glad your attributes go beyond just your looks ... its always a good idea to be diverse in your skills. What type of math or number skills do you have the most ability with? I hope it goes beyond just the use of probability in gambling, for example,” he laughed.

Roe listened to as close of a compliment that Tom was likely to give. “They are just who I am, and a result of the life experiences that I’ve had over the last 15 years. Many of those really amounts to skills that were useful for one man in the group of many to survive over the long haul. Some of them some might find positive, others might not find them practical for them. Remember, I was a boy of noble blood, but without a noble house, having to make his way in the world. Since I don’t have you looks, I would have to make my way in other ways,” he laughed, “but I won’t begrudge you yours.”

“If I would have had anything worth trading, I would have traded everything I had to have a family of my own, as young Robin did. They treated me well you understand, but they really couldn’t see beyond their immediate family. So, when I became an apprentice I got a new surrogate family. As such, I always will feel a debt of obligation to both, if the need ever arises for my assistance, that is. There is no offense given if no offense is taken. Do not concern yourself about it. It is relatively easy for me to descend into a dark mood.”

“Everyone has dreams, and those of having a family, are always good ones to have. Nay, you are my guest, you can talk on whatever you wish. However, I would like to know any news that you may have heard of your 2 nephews … and Robin of Locksley.”

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom was a bit reluctant to answer this question being as Roe had just said that he didn’t want to hear it. Although, he had never tried any other types of number skills, so he may have been good at those as well. ‘’ Ummm... that’s about it really. I’m just good at gambling’’.

Tom thought that it must be quite difficult to get by without good looks. There had been numerous occasions when he had relied on them. ‘’ I feel sorry for you that you never had the benefit of being good looking and using those tro your advantage. If you have them, then they are the best things you will ever have’’.

‘’ I hope to not experience more of your dark moods then. I think Robin must have had a good family once like you said. He seems like the type’’.

‘’ I know next to nothing about all three which is a great shame. I know Luke is doing fine but apart from that, nothing. I don’t know if he has a job or anything. I have yet to meet Will and Robin since I came back. Although, I would like to know more of what Robin has been doing in my absence. He is quite a legend around here’’.

(OOC: Sorry for the shortness and rubbishness)

[Robert Williams]

Roe thought as much might be the case. Well, there were all kinds of ways to earn a living, this one as good as many others. “There’s no need to be embarrassed with me Tom. I am a man of the world as well, just not as good looking, he said with a curious smile and a certain twinkle in his eye. You have to work with skills that God has given you in this life. It can be a lucrative activity; I just would ask that you try not to hurt innocents in the process, eh?”

Roe suddenly broke with a roar of laughter. “Well, I never really looked at myself as being bad looking, just pretty ordinary, although bigger than most, and accurate with a bow, and good with a sword. So, I never thought of my looks as being capable of scaring off too many people. And likewise, they weren’t good enough that they could benefit me in and likewise, they weren’t good enough that they could benefit me in any major way. I expect I would want to protect them if I had them, as well.”

[b[[i[“As long as you don’t make yourself the subject of one of those moods you should be fine. Yes … Robin and a good family and a good life …. At least as far as I new. I left for Spain and the Crusades before he was even a teenager. I hope that the rest of the years of his youth were as pleasant.”[/i][/b]

Roe was a bit disappointed, but the news wasn’t surprising. He knew it wasn’t likely that he would have gathered much new information about him. “A short while back, on my return visit to Locksley I ran into a young outlaw in the forest. Before he robbed me I learned that Robin was leading a band of outlaws in the forest and that Will was with him. However, he knew little of Luke. Yes, I have heard that they do what they can to improve the lot of the local villagers. What is your view about all of that?”

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom pondered about whether he had wrongly done things in the past, resulting in them being far worse than what they were before him. He guessed that there must have been times when his selfishness caused that. There was this time when a friend of his desperately needed some money but Tom had just ignored him, for he wanted to go travelling again due to having another trouble in this town. He did wonder what become of him, and whether he did manage without that money. ‘’ I will try my best not to do that, even if I have before. When you look after yourself, and are so used to that, it is hard not to at times though’’.

Tom was pleased that Roe seemed to find his comment funny, and not take it to heart. If someone called him ugly, then he knew that he would have been really annoyed. He did have good muscles, so it wasn’t like he couldn’t fight, so he would if his looks were ever insulted. ‘’ I am glad you did not take my comment badly then. However, should you ever insult my looks then I think I would take the comment a lot more seriously’’.

‘’ What would you do if I were to be one of the subjects of those moods?’’ Tom hoped that the answer wouldn’t be that he would beat him and then throw him out into the streets. ‘’ From the little I have heard of him, he seems to have been brought up well. If he wasn’t then I very much doubt he would be giving to the poor. Rather, he would be keeping it for himself’’.

‘’ That is all I know of Will as well, that he is an outlaw. I don’t suppose you know much else?’’ Tom hoped that he did. He had seen Luke, but he did want to know what had happened to Will. Furthermore, he should probably be the most concerned about him, being as he was being put into danger near enough every day. ‘’ My view on that would be that it is a good thing and that the villagers should be very grateful. I am sure their lives would be a far deal worse without Robin and his friends. However, perhaps they should take some of it for themselves as well. They could be much richer if they wanted to, I’m sure’’.

[Robert Williams]

Roe could tell that the wheels were really turning in Tom’s brain. It appeared that he was trying to self-assess some of his past conduct. ‘’ I will try my best not to do that, even if I have before. When you look after yourself, and are so used to that, it is hard not to at times though’’.

It is an easy trap to fall into when you are out on your own in the world. Sometimes it can make it a problem for you to re-integrate yourself back into a larger group. That group can sometimes give you more protection than you ever have had as a solitary figure. I can expect that that is one thing that appeals to both Robin and Will with the group of Outlaws they have around them. Plus it also helps encourage you to be protective of others, if you are not just looking out for yourself.”

‘’ I am glad you did not take my comment badly then. However, should you ever insult my looks then I think I would take the comment a lot more seriously’’.

“In truth I have changed a lot over the years. Many comments that would have pulled me out of the chair with both swords drawn at the age of 25, have little affect on me now. I tend to look ay the big picture more, trying to see how easy it is to manipulate the situation to my best advantage. If ever I did insult you in that manner, it is best to remember that I would do it for an ulterior motive. I rarely say or do anything, where there isn’t a reason for it.”

‘’ What would you do if I were to be one of the subjects of those moods?’’ You would never want to be put in that position my new-found friend, for you would not survive it. “I hope you are not ever put in that position … I doubt if it would be pleasant for you.”

‘’ From the little I have heard of him, he seems to have been brought up well. If he wasn’t then I very much doubt he would be giving to the poor. Rather, he would be keeping it for himself’’.

I think that you are right about that with Will. He had the benefit of spending a majority of his life with both Dan and Jane. She, especially, would have taught him the difference between right and wrong, not just from the perspective of punishment, but of fairness. I just know bits and pieces that I have picked up about Will. I think he appears here infrequently, because of the danger to do so alone. It might be possible to pass a message to the gang to have him meet you in a relatively safe location, unless of course, you just wanted to barge into the middle of Sherwood, eh? Yes, I think they serve the villagers and the general folk very well indeed, and if asked to do a favor for them, I would be well-inclined to assist them in any way I could.”

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom nodded in agreement with Roe’s opinion on being on your own for too long. It had made his life far more difficult when he should go into a new town, and make the attempt to settle in a bit. All that ever happened was that his selfishness turned people against him in the end. ‘’ Well, I shall make an effort to try and be more understanding of people. I would like to make my return successful at least’’.

Tom smiled and said ‘’ Well that’s good to know’’. It was quite nice really, that he had a friend who was a bit more experienced and thoughtful. It would make his life much easier in the end and would provide him someone who he thought would be able to give very good advice. ‘’If I ever need some advice, then I hope you will listen to it. You could be very helpful to me’’.

Tom considered whether he did want to meet Will in such a way. He supposed that he should really, being as he was one of the few members of family he actually had, but all the same, living as an outlaw could very well have changed him. It was possible that he was a far more violent man now and that he would blame Tom for leaving him and his brother to cope alone after Dan’s death. Will always was more independent, but that may have changed by now. However, Tom decided that it probably would be best to see him, in an attempt to ease his conscience somewhat. ‘’ Very well’’ Tom said, in a tone that may have seemed ungrateful, ‘’ If you can arrange a meeting, then I shall attend it’’.

[Robert Williams]

Well, Roe thought, perhaps Tom is becoming more open-minded about interacting with people. "I have found that if people don't know you, or haven't seen you in a number of years, they are more likely to respond favorably to them if you are sympathetic to them in their situation, without being condescending. If you want people to be accepting of you often you have to make the first move."

Roe chuckled at Tom's comments about advice. "Sometimes one can be a bit to willing to give advice a bit too freely. Sometimes people say they want your advice, when really they are just looking for you to support their already-made decision. So you have to be careful to who and when you give advice. Try to only give it when they really need it and are actually listening to you when you give it. I really do hope that if I give it it will be of some use to you."

Roe could once again see easily that the wheels were turning in Tom's head. "I sure hope that when you are gambling that your face is not as an easy read as it is right now. Upon mentioning Will's name or meeting him again, you seem to have some apprehension. Its almost as if you might be afraid of seeing your brother reborn, or is it some other fear. Listen .... I have never even run into Will yet, either by accident or on purpose. I'm sure I'll be able to read whether he would want to make contact and when. Until that happens its nothing for you to worry about or concern yourself with. Only worry about those things you can control, and no more. You see Tom, I have known many men like you in my life. You are a free spirit and a gambling man. Men such as you like to be in control of their environment. With Will you know you may not be in control of the game, and I understand that, and maybe when the time comes, so will he."

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom listened to Roe’s advice carefully. He wanted to make this a success so he would be willing to take any he should come across. ‘’ Thanks you for the advice and I shall try my best to follow it. So what is your impression on me so far?’’ He hoped that he would get a good answer; however, he thought that was rather unlikely.

The comment that Roe was just making reminded him an awful lot of Dan. He would often ask advice of people when it was all so that he could just say he had the good manners to ask for it. However, Tom had always listened to advice and was very capable of changing his mind on many accounts. ‘’ I have never done that. Have you? You seem like the type who would listen to some advice though’’.

Tom laughed and replied ‘’ I have a very good way of hiding emotions in gambling situations. It’s a skill. Also, I didn’t think there were many men like me out there.’’ He wanted to avoid mention of Will now. It was best left unsaid, especially to someone who didn’t even know him particularly. Still, their meeting would be something to look forward to at the very least.

[Robert Williams]

Roe thought to himself for several moments about exactly how he should address Tom’s request. He knew that Tom could be pretty sensitive to criticism, whether it was constructive or not. That was obvious just in terms of the level of importance that Tom put on appearance. “First, outside folks like the Sheriff and Prince John, probably, there were no true villains or true saints. Everybody has some measure of good and bad in them. That is how it is with the both of us I expect.”

“I think that you are a curious man by nature and a gambler as well. If you plan on gaining a significant amount of your income hereabouts by gambling, the population at some point will grow unappreciative and may look at you as an opportunist or manipulative. Overall though, I think that you have a good heart and that it has not been tainted by any of these kind of activities. You are a good person, and have a lot of potential, but I think a lot depends on the direction you want to go. What does your heart and your head tell you.?``

“I tend to give advice only when it is asked for, and if I go to all of the trouble of asking for advice I will generally follow it.” Roe noticed even though he had brought up the subject that Tom didn’t seem to want to talk about Will too much. Obviously it was a private matter…. perhaps sometime in the future, he would be more willing to talk about him.

[Thomas Scarlett]

‘’ I know that I have some bad in me at least ‘’ Tom stated. It was a fact that he did, and most people who really did know him would agree. He should have felt guiltier perhaps about some of the things he had done, but there was only a bit of guilt for the most serious things. ‘’ I think a lot of badness comes from how people grow up though’’.

Tom smiled at Roe’s opinion of him as it was rather flattering. ‘’ Thank you’’ he said, still pleased. ‘’ I should want to be a good person, but at the same time I also want to carry on the way I have been. Whilst I’m not particularly nasty, I can be very selfish. I will get what I want a lot of the time, which is a bit childish in some ways. However, I think I am more mature now than how I have been not so long ago’’.

‘’ That is a good attitude to have I think’’. Tom noticed that the conversation seemed to be focusing a lot on him, his past and his future so he thought he should try and at least consider Roe for a bit. After all, he didn’t want him to think he was boring and this was the only possible conversation that he could have. ‘’ So, how are you enjoying the night so far? Are you comfortable? These chairs aren’t too good for that’’.

[Robert Williams]

‘’ I know that I have some bad in me at least." Tom stated. ‘’ I think a lot of badness comes from how people grow up though’’.

Roe could see that although Tom had a very positive view of himself, even he was aware of some back marks in his past. "As I said, there are few saints or completely bad men. Are you a good man who has done some evil things in your life, or are you a bad man that has occasionally done good things, and what were the situations that forced you into the decisions you made. I've done good things in my life. I've built toys and furniture out of wood, I've watched over the children of others, taught Robin to hunt with a bow, how to fish, and some of the ways of the forest. I've also killed hundreds, and been responsible for the deaths of thousands in what some would term an unjust war, probably including women and children. So what am I? And what are you? Perhaps only God can judge, and not men, truly."

‘’ Thank you’’ he said, still pleased. ‘’ I should want to be a good person, but at the same time I also want to carry on the way I have been. Whilst I’m not particularly nasty, I can be very selfish. I will get what I want a lot of the time, which is a bit childish in some ways. However, I think I am more mature now than how I have been not so long ago’’.

"Well, generally that sounds like a good self-portrait. At least you are willing to recognize some of your faults and failings, and that's always a good first step."

‘’ So, how are you enjoying the night so far? Are you comfortable? These chairs aren’t too good for that’’.

Good conversation is always enjoyable and a positive when compared to none, Roe thought. "Its more comfortable than the bare ground at least, and yes my next projects, outside of any the local folk might want, will be in making the furniture more comfortable, and you could make a good tester I think. At any rate we have discussed you at great length. Is there anything you would be interested to know about me. Any information is fair game," he laughed.

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom wasn’t a religious man, which was a pretty strange concept for most people. He would lie and say he was of course, being as that was in the norm and he didn’t want to be labelled a sinner, but he couldn’t see how such bad things could happen, when there was supposed to be a God. He knew a man that was one of the kindest people around. He would give as much as he could to charity, be kind even to his enemies and was true to his wife. However, he got absolutely nothing in return. Rather, he was made bankrupt after an injury to his back forced him to stop working, had to be evicted from his home, and his wife died of some illness soon after. So how could God do such a thing to a man like that, when people like Tom, who had few favourable qualities, were exceedingly lucky? Sighing, he commented ‘’ I think men can judge on that matter. I have seen God be very harsh to many good people, so sometimes I think he can’t tell the difference between sinner and saint. Or maybe he likes people failing, where they have a lot to lose. I don’t know that. However, I do know that I can judge my own character well. I would say that I was a bad person, now, who has good moments. I am far more likely to wrong someone, than to get them to like me. It’s not that I am nasty, but I just make a lot of mistakes. But I am willing to change, which must count for something, right?’’

He smiled at Roe’s quite favourable compliment of him. Compliments about his personality were far better than compliments of his appearance being as he barely got any. He had no idea why Roe had said that though, or any compliment for that matter. He had been quite arrogant since he had arrived and rude as well. ‘’ I thank you for the compliment. However, I would have thought you would have had a poor opinion of me by now’’.

The comparison to the bare ground was quite a similar one. At times, the ground was a bit more comfortable than these chairs. Still, at least it was alright leaning back on them. ‘’ Well I can always make them more comfortable by leaning back. You should try putting some fabric on them maybe’. I'll be happy to test things for you though'’. He then had to consider what he could possibly ask him. He thought that he shouldn’t just jump in with some really serious questions like have you killed someone? This was because that could have been considered rude. ‘’ Have you got any tattoos or scars?’’ he asked. Tom found tattoos quite interesting to know about, for they were so individual to each person.