Here Goes Nothing - Tag Prince John

[Sebastian Mannering]

Sebastian Mannering was not nervous. Mannerings did not get nervous, he was only showing due concern. He was sitting restlessly in one of many grand and expensive chairs in one of the even grander rooms of Beaumont Palace, waiting for an audience with the Prince. And honestly, how long did it take for that audience to be granted when you were a respected and hopefully appreciated visitor! He’d travelled all the way from Nottinghamshire for this, the least the Prince could do was make sure he wasn’t kept waiting.

It was not normally in Sebastian’s nature to fret, he approached the world with the cool self-assurance that he could handle just about anything it decided to throw at him. However, life in Nottingham had been easy on him, the majority of the nobles were pitifully unsophisticated predictably easy to fool. The only major player was Vaysey and right now the two of them were deceptively chummy as they set up the plot to slander Robin of Locksley’s good name and hopefully poison the majority of the shire’s peasants.

He’d forgotten about the competitive dazzle of London and the backstabbing nature of the nobility of the Kentish court, where every word was meant as a barb. And Prince John was not predictable, Sebastian had no way of knowing whether the work he’d been doing would be enough to satisfy the spoilt royal. A servant signalled discretely for him to follow and then bellowed his name as he entered the Prince’s chambers. Sebastian plastered on a grin and entered the room with a lavish bow. Here goes nothing.

(OOC: I apologise for the crappy nature of the post, I'm not feeling so good today.)

[aries]

Prince John awaited the returning Sebastian within a fairly large room set aside for personal use. For it's purposes, the room was large, the entirety of it's furniture being made up of a long table accompanied by four chairs. The walls and floor of the room were lavishly decorated with detailed tapestries and rugs. Around him was the flurried movements of servants as they finished making the room presentable as Prince John sipped at his wine. In minutes the group of servants had finished and vanished to various other jobs except for one, waiting quietly beside the door.

After a time, the Prince set down his cup, waving a hand at the servant who disappeared quickly, gone to collect his visitor. Sebastian had arrived, and the prince was eager to hear what he had to say about Nottingham, a thorn in his side if there ever was one. The dark haired man steepled his fingers together as he waited, his jeweled rings throwing back splashes of color in the light. He'd situated himself perfectly during the unnecessary preparations he'd ordered. The ease of his seat and the nearly empty glass of wine proved that he'd had more than enough time to summon in the man sooner and were meant as insults and warnings to Sebastian. He was the one in charge and other was called merely by the Prince's whim.

The Prince's blue eyes watched the man as he bowed beneath the servant's bellows. A welcoming smile on his face as he signaled the servant to leave them and beckoned Sebastian forward in simple, swift movements. "Sebastian Mannering," The male stated as if speaking to a brother long gone but now returned... well, one that he wasn't currently plotting to steal from or kill, but one he actually liked, "Welcome. Welcome! I assume your stay in Nottingham was pleasant enough?"

The Prince was losing to his impatience. Nottingham was one of the thorns in his side at the moment, one that that was keeping him from reaching his goal. He wouldn't be happy until the crown rested upon his brow and that couldn't happen until the King was dealt with along with his little group of followers creating headaches for the Sheriff of Nottingham's plans. These headaches were making him late and he despised waiting. Gesturing to the partially gone pitcher of wine next to his own, soiled cup and another, clean one, the Prince said, "Pour us some wine, good sir, and let us hear the news from that backwater place."

The Prince smiled graciously through his second, slightly less subtle insult. Such a task usually fell upon a servant but as they were currently banned from the room that was not possible. Once again, it was a chance to assert his authority. Not that he would have poured wine for another anyway.

(OOC: Perfectly fine)

[Sebastian Mannering]

As he straightened from his dramatic bow Sebastian took in the room, a lavish place, as the indulgent Prince's surroundings so often were. He noted, with slight indignation, that John was sat comfortably in one of the chairs at the large table, a near-empty glass of wine at his side. He'd been indulging and kept Sebastian waiting, it was a blow to his self-importance but one that Sebastian hid by schooling his face into a carefully neutral expression. It would not do to show the Prince that he was feeling slighted already, it would only encourage him to continue that charade further.

"Your Majesty," He bowed his head again in what he hoped was an appropriate degree of respect. Sebastian hated to defer to anybody so easily, but it wouldn't hurt to remind Prince John that he hadn't forgotten his place either. The roguish grin was back in place at the Prince's welcome and he nodded in agreement as he crossed the room. "Nottingham was most entertaining, rather quaint." Somehow he managed to sound complimentary and condescending at the same time.

"Vaysey made my stay all the more enjoyable by awarding me some lands." Sebastian realised too late that boasting about lands and title to a man like the Prince probably wasn't a good idea. He also felt, with a wince, that he sounded rather like a small child looking for approval from a parent that they'd done well. That certainly wasn't the relationship he liked to think he had with Prince John. He was an ally and any acquisition of lands only bolstered the support the Mannering name would give when the Prince succeeded in stealing the throne from his absent brother.

"Certainly," Sebastian agreed amiably enough, but it was a tight lipped smile that accompanied his words. Pouring wine was beneath him, though he supposed the task could fall to nobody else as all servants had been cleared from the room. He lifted the pitcher of wine with a steady hand, refilling the Prince's glass before moving on to his own gracefully. If he was going to have to play the temporary role of servant he may as well do it with style. With Sebastian even the most menial tasks could be turned into a spectacle.

Once he was done Sebastian settled into chair, mirroring the Prince's relaxed posture as he was determined not to show that he was on edge. "Robin continues to make a nuisance of himself for the Sheriff." He began with no preamble, pausing only to take a sip of wine. "I believe I was able to bring fresh ideas to the table." Sebastian looked rather smug, in all honesty he was rather proud of his plan to poison a cart of food and have Robin distribute it to the people of Nottingham. He did not volunteer any details for now, hoping the Prince would be curious enough to ask.

[aries]

The Prince's face kept it's smug smile as he watched Sebastian bow again at his greeting. It wasn't as enjoyable to insult people if they could hide it well, but he had a feeling the other man had caught his insult. Especially as he took the time to show that he had not forgotten his place, either. That was good enough for him. A short, curt laugh burst from the man as Sabastian commented on his trip to Nottingham, "Good, Good!"

Prince John's good mood suddenly soured at the other man's words. Boasting to him about acquiring lands... had he no shame? The expression on the Prince's face hardened, though practice had kept him from dropping his smile. Even that, though, looked decidedly less welcoming, his face taking on a warning tinge of anger as his eyes stayed on Sabastian. But, a the more logical part of his mind argued, this didn't really warrant his anger. He was the one who would become king. Once that happened it wouldn't matter to him in the least what this man got. In the end, all Sabastian's statement did was cut away at Prince John's patience with all of the planning. He wanted to be King now.

The Prince had been silent as he watched Sabastian pour the wine, taking his own cup, once filled, and raising it slightly. His smile changed again as he spoke, tainting his enthusiastic words with a hint of warning, "Congradulations are in order, then! May these lands of yours help increase my own." The Prince nodded his head before taking a drink from his glass. When the time came, Mannering had best use whatever he could to get Prince John the throne if he thought it appropriate to boast about such things.

Patience worn thin by time and events threatened to break at the next news Sebastian offered up. The foolish Sheriff still hadn't found a way to clip the wings of that bird, Robin? His hand tightened around the glass of wine as the tension building in him every day he was forced to wait for what he wanted threatened to find an outlet in breaking the glass. His immediate anger vanished when Sabastian spoke again. Irritated eyes focused back upon his companion as he asked, not bothering to even try to make his words sound polite as he fought with annoyance at gratification being delayed again, "Fresh ideas? Are you sure? Or is it just another idea those fools haven't tried yet that won't get me any closer to the crown than I am now? I'm loosing my patience with the lot of them." Though he didn't say it, the Prince's eyes warned that he'd have no trouble putting Sabastian into the 'them' category. He waved his hand at the man as he got his voice under control enough to sound a bit more polite, "Now then, what are these 'fresh ideas' you speak of?"

[Sebastian Mannering]

At least the Prince appeared to be in a relatively good mood, clearly lording it over Sebastian had cheered him considerably. Of course he may have been a little too hasty with this assumption as the mention of his new lands seemed to send John spiralling rapidly into a foul mood. Sebastian cursed his stupidity in his head, knowing he would now have to do some serious grovelling in order to improve matters once more. And how he hated to bow down to anyone.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Sebastian said with what he hoped was a humbled smile. Humble wasn't an expression he was really used to portraying, at least he was good at deception so he could at least hide his annoyance that things weren't exactly going smoothly. He raised his glass in response to the prince's toast and then took a long drink, hoping to gain a little more liquid courage. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He assured the spoilt man. "My assets are, as always, completely at your disposal."

Sebastian was rather put out when John dismissed the importance of his idea by saying it had only impressed because he had suggested it to fools. While he was quite happy to agree with this assessment of the nobility in Nottingham, especially Gisborne, he didn't like the way the prince seemed to be grouping him with them. As far as he was concerned the simplicity of the people he he'd been dealing with did not detract from the ingenuity of the idea. He quickly hid his affronted expression behind another sip of wine before he spoke, clearing his throat with only the slightest hint of irritation.

"As you well know from reports Robin and his men never hesitate to steal anything of value from the Sheriff. The plan is to poison a cart of food and allow him to distribute it to the peasantry of the shire." He didn't elaborate any further for the moment, allowing John to work out the results that this plan could produce. His lips twisted into a wicked grin at the thought though, enjoying the possibility of bodies piling up and the poor folk losing their faith in their one and only saviour.

[aries]

The Prince nodded curtly at Sebastian's allowance. Of course they were at his disposal. If they weren't the man would be of very little use to him. John took another drink from his glass as he stared appraisingly at the man. Quite honestly, words of a nobleman weren't always honest when dealing with suspicion, anger or insults, and Sebastian's words shouldn't have appeased him as they had, "Very good. I always enjoy the prosperity of others if it works to increase my own. It eases me greatly to know I do not have to keep an eye out for your loyalties." Of course, his statement was more or less a lie and a threat, but, considering his mood, the Prince felt Sebastian should feel grateful that he was willing to give the man any semblance of a compliment.

The well placed sip of from his cup, told the Prince that Sebastian had, indeed, caught his meaning. Or something close to it. Whatever he thought of the man, John had to admit that he was rather sharp, picking through his words and actions to catch every little jab. Which was fine by him, you could only insult an oblivious person so long before becoming bored with it. Though, he supposed, he could simply be looking for reactions, and seeing ones that may not have actually been there. Ah, it didn't matter to him, and it surely was to Sebastian's benefit. It kept the spoiled Prince happy, or at least, happier.

All other thoughts quickly scattered at Sebastian's words. Poisoning food? So simple... and yet they hadn't thought of it yet as Sebastien claimed it to be a 'new' plan. The Prince's face turned introspective as his mind worked at the plan, inspecting it for anything he could find that even hinted at failure. But there was little to work with. Sebastian was obviously holding back the details of his plan. But the Prince's mind worked anyway, for all his faults, John could be rarely be considered a lack wit in planning or things of academics. He'd had a schooling most would dream for or loathe.

The Prince's face lightened at the possibilities. If the peasants were smart they would believe Robin when his gang tried to clear their names after the fact. But, few would use logic in such situations. No, they'd be looking for a scape goat and Robin would be the easiest. His bright eyes locked back on Sebastien as he spoke, "With minds not brighter than an ox, the peasantry may actually fall for this plan. Tell me, is there more to this plan of yours? Details. Including the planned reaction to be given to the people once the distrust begins to form. How will you make it fester?" The Prince's voice still held it's curt and vaguely annoyed tone, but there was no denying he sounded interested as well.

[Sebastian Mannering]

So far the encounter with the Prince had not entirely been going as Sebastian had planned. Of course his plan could probably be more accurately described as wishful thinking. Still, as he had arrived back in Kent he had still half expect to waltz up to Prince John, present his idea and be praised accordingly. Nothing with the spoilt royal was ever that simple though and really Sebastian was feeling rather sorry for himself. The Prince’s next words hardly helped to make him feel better about the whole situation, he had just pledged his loyalty, that hardly warranted the underlying threat the man’s tone.

In truth the alliance between them worked both ways. Sebastian would only remain loyal for as Prince John looked to be a powerful player. Mannerings always backed the winning horse, and if that meant changing bets mid race so be it. His smile was sharp as he replied, blue eyes flashing with a mixture of good humour and defiance. ”You need not worry about that my Prince.” He waved the threat off with an unconcerned hand. ”My loyalties shall remain as steadfast as my father’s.” The comment could fall either way, Sebastian’s father had supported the Prince as soon as he made a bid for the throne, but it did not hurt to remember that he had been loyal to someone else before that.

”Peasantry are always simple folk.” Sebastian said with disdain dripping from his tone. ”And the people of Nottingham have become lax with Robin as their benefactor. They do not trust the nobility, but they believe Locksley will protect them.” He paused, taking a sip of wine and rolling it over his tongue has he tried to decide which consequences would please Prince John the most, or at least the details that would appease him. ”I do not believe they will fall straight into the waiting arms of Vaysey. He has, quite rightly, been taxing them into poverty.

“However, a new lord has recently taken up residence in Knighton who appears to be far more generous.” Just in case John did not pick up on just who this new lord was Sebastian waved a hand in his own direction lazily. He watched the Prince closely, hoping to spot a least a glimmer of amusement in the royal’s eyes at the laughable idea of Sebastian becoming the saviour of the poor. ”Once we have the poor-folk Robin will lose his power. It should only be a matter of time before we can flush them out of Sherwood once and for all. Not to mention the added bonus of the body count, perhaps Locksley’s men will indulge in some of the poisoned food themselves.”

(OOC: Sorry sorry sorry! You must be getting quite sick of waiting for me to reply.)