The End of Another Dull Day (Thomas Scarlett)

[Orla Lahey]

(Here it is my first proper post )

Orla was sat on an old feeble wooden box in the back of the stables her head resting lazily on the wall. The sun was shining threw the open door way casting its rays on the wall beside her head and would in a matter of minuets fall on her face. She had been there since half five that morning making sure the horses where properly saddled and ready to ride as soon as the she guards where up. It was now half 6 and the energy in Orla’s body was slowly seeping away. She began to doze lightly images of happier times and places with friendly faces making an appearance here and there. Lately things had been hard for her. Her step father a cruel unreasonable French man had been giving her more hustle than usually and finding time to relax was becoming harder and harder. This resulted in her falling asleep several times a day. Some times while sitting, if she had a moment to her self or once or twice when standing still with a broom. Luckily no one had walked in on her in and she didn’t have the embarrassment of walking up disorientated.

A couple more minuets passed and the rays hit Orla’s face causing her to stir. Placing her hands on her knees she pushed her self um and opened her eyes drowsily. The Stable was still empty bar the 6 horses who where all happily munching away on hey Orla had laid out that afternoon. What a life this was. Waking up every morning at half 5 to ready the horses leaving at 7 hours of her life wasted doing nothing. At this rate she would live and die with leaving nothing behind for her to be remembered by.

Stopping before her thoughts became to depressing she grabbed a broom from the corner of the stables and began to clear the door way. She wasn’t in a rush to finish her days work finishing meant returning home and that was close to unbearable. There was also the fact that one of the horses had not yet been returned and until it was she couldn’t leave. The horse would have to be unsaddled brushed down and put away which would probably take her about half an hour if not more.

Trying to lighten her mood a little Orla began to hum a slow but light hearted tune. She wasn’t sure where she had learnt it from. Her mother hadn’t sung to her in years and she couldn’t recall ever hearing any one in the town singing it. She came to the decision that she had made it up her self and felling prod of her self she let a small smile find its way to her face. She carried on sweeping and humming feeling for a while content as refused to let any of her current troubles enter her mind. She couldn’t however shake the feeling that she was being watched. It wasn’t a horse the horses like most people that entered the stable took very little notice of her.

[Thomas Scarlett]

Thomas walked through the once busy market place of Nottingham, people slithering down it in straight lines as they left to go to their homes. It was a rather calming sight for people who liked seclusion and bleakness, for the stark comparison of what it was at its peak time left a considerable impression. Tom did not enjoy seclusion more than anyone else, but this was a sight that could be marvelled at, in an ordinary sense. It was a rare sight, like the one that someone would only experience after living a full and plentiful life, full of many sights and many interactions with a variety of people. The emptiness of a place was perhaps the only time one really noticed that it was inhabited by anything in the first place.

He didn’t really have a reason to be here, apart from mild curiosity and a sense of needing to go and explore. It was one of those times where you lose all track of everything bar the very most minor details. The sun was barely out and it was that weird time where it seemed like the day was in decline and the night was on the rise as opposed to the other way round, like you would experience in the morning, even though the hue of the sky was near enough identical.

Tom looked over the various buildings, which were situated a little further away from the main market place. These streets appeared to have been half breathed into, perhaps at one point, but now were just empty shells of whatever former glory, or perhaps a suitable lower calibre, they once possessed. They weren’t bad, but they were certainly lacking, which made Tom consider turning around until he heard someone humming softly in the background. It was an old country tune, he though, one that he heard on one of his travels, but it was uncommon to hear such a thing around the streets of Nottingham.

Following the track of this rare country melody, Tom found himself at the entrance of a stable, its inhabitants softly make whatever noises animals were described to have. However, the thing onside that Tom liked to observe most was the young woman who seemed to work there. He watched her for a few moments, the soft diminishing sunlight making her seem so special, but once she moved from its cover, becoming once again like the rest of them. It was this that made Tom look upon her though; it made her seem more interesting somehow. Finally, after a few minutes of gazing, he asked, in a polite gentleman tone, ‘’ Do you require some sort of assistance, my young lady? I would be more than obliged to stay behind for a few hours to relieve you of your tasks for a while’’.

[Orla Lahey]

Orla jumped in her skin and almost dropped the broom. For a split second she had imagined an eerie goulash creature with tentacles for fingers ready to strike. The thought however was gone almost as soon as it came. Still shaken by the fright she had just been given, Orla stood silently trying to clear her mind which had gone all fuzzy and unfocused. She wondered if the cause of her fuzzy head was really to do with fright and more to do with lake of energy. A stallion, one of remarkable beauty and the sheriff’s steed seemed to be feeling the same and pawed uneasily at the ground braking Orla out of her daze. Her confusion suddenly switched from not understanding what had happened to bewilderment at why some one would want to do such work willingly.

She eyed the stranger suspiciously taking in his appearance which didn’t seem to match the tone in his voice. “What would you expect to gain from helping me” She asked carefully placing the broom in the corner and lighting a few candles in the car corner. The sun had almost set and the flickering light of the candles cast long shadows across the stable. Orla had to force every inch of her self not to let her imagination get ahead of her. Her mind was far too active for her own good and it scared her. She would be sitting quite contently thinking of nothing much at all then all of a sudden a thousands thoughts an questions would flood her brain. She had a tendency of scaring her self thinking of wild elaborate stories that would get out of hand and usually end in bloodshed and death. Not really the thoughts a lady should have. A woman wasn’t supposed to have a mind and more often than not should have a mouth either. A Mouth allowed a woman to speak and verbalise the mind she was not supposed to have.

Grabbing the broom again Orla returned to the spot she had stood in before and started to seep briskly. Not fully looking at the man but still aware of his movements” I’m not going to pay you if that’s why you ask. I make little money as it is”. Her voice was harsh and she gritted her teeth as her thoughts turned to money. Money that was slipping through her fingers not staying long enough for her to buy the necessary amount of food to keep the family fed. Felling suddenly sapped of all energy and will to carry on sweeping she straightened up, shifting the broom in to one hand. “But if you are just willing to help me for some bizarre reason by all means grab a broom”.

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom, as he stepped into the dusty stable, cautiously gazing at the animals around him, for he couldn’t especially trust them, noticed that he had seemed to startle the young woman. Perhaps he should have chosen the time to speak more carefully and not disturb her in such a way. She was so calm before, and now she seemed slightly unnerved. ‘’ I apologise if I have frightened you in any way. I had no intention to do so’’ he said to her, smiling nicely, and what appeared to be sincere. It was unusual for him to so openly show that he liked somone. In a usual circumstance, he would have have just tretaed her like some older man at the local inn, who he spared no more than a fleeting glance. Moreover, he was far more interested in the Tavern bar maid than a stable girl if this were to be the norm. However, it did not feel like a normal day,

‘’ I would hope to gain nothing from you. I have only noble intentions to help someone who seems like they are having a dull day at work, and would appreciate some company.’’ The real reason though was that he wanted to try and spend some more time with this woman. Tom had no idea abput what he wished to gain from this. For all he knew she was in a very serious relationship at the moment and would not be at all interested in this man who had just walked into the place where she worked. But, all the same, just a few moments with her would suffice, and it would make him content.

Picking up a broom, Tom began to sweep on the floor. It wasn’t too difficult, but compared to just casually walking along a street, he could tell the difference in effort required. However, he hoped that this would all be worth it, and in the end, he would know this woman a little better. ‘’ I am Thomas Scarlett by the way. I would be very obliged if you were to tell me your name.’’ He smiled again at her, still hoping that he wasn't shwoing just how besotted by her he was. The last thing he wnated was for her to think he was some kind of creep. She appeared to be quite a bit younger than him, os perhaps that impression may be easier to get, considering the age gap. Tom had no time for these negative thoughts though, and treat her like any other woman he had ever been interested in, albeit perhaps a bit better.

[Orla Lahey]

The sleek black stallion was still anxious his feet rapidly tapping at the ground making a considerable amount on noise. The near by residence would not be pleased if there evenings where disrupted by the sound of an uneasy horse and Orla would surely be blamed. Abandoning her broom she walked over to the beautiful creature and placed her hands gently on its face and mane cooing gently to it. After a few short minuets the horse had calmed it still amazed Orla how good she was but then again she did spend countless hours it was to be expected. These kinds of interactions with animals embarrassed her, she felt like a fool an unsociable idiot who spent too much time away from other humans. Of course this was not true of Orla. As soon as she returned home she would be surrounded by a large family with endless noise and chattering.

Raising her gaze she watched Thomas as he took on the sweeping. She didn’t quite trust him, believing none would do any such task with out an ulterior motive especially helping a stable girl sweep the stables. She suddenly became very aware of her appearance. Her hair was a mess her loose curls untamed, her face dusty and unwashed. Well that sorted out any other motive a man may have. The thought of her unkempt appearance caused a smile to spread across her face and she struggled not to laugh. Orla wasn’t the kind to worry about her appearance to her knowledge no man had been interested enough to want to marry her which greatly displeased her mother who thought of her as a financial burden. Orla was quite content on not being married. She wasn’t the type to hold her tongue which most wives where expected to do and the thought of children scared her.

She shook her self out of her thoughts that she felt she had been submerged in for hours but in reality it had only been a minuet or so. “Orla “she said abruptly before retrieving her brook once more and let out a short airy laugh” And as for dull day… you have no idea."

A thought all of a sudden sprang in to her mind and she looked at Thomas curiously as if to gain more information from his appearance. “Are you hiding from some one? Rustled the wrong persons feathers .”

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom closely observed how the stable girl calmed the horse or rather stallion as most people would call it. It was definitely a magnificent creature, and one that surely belonged to someone exceedingly wealthy. Tom had no time for horses, however, and although he could probably afford one, and afford lessons on how to ride, he had no intention to do so whatsoever. There was something unclean about horses that he just didn’t like. To him, animals were only good for pulling carts and for eating. Nevertheless, the way she managed to calm it was pretty interesting and he was impressed with the connection she seemed to have with the animals at the stable. That was more than likely due to the fact she worked here often and for many hours, but also because she was just naturally good with animals. That wasn’t exactly a skill that he would like to have, but it was still a much sought after one, especially if she were to marry a stable owner.

The abruptness of the way she said her name took Tom a little by surprise. Orla seemed like a very calm woman and so he did not expect that abruptness was in her nature. He had had many people be abrupt to him, in the past, so it didn’t concern him too much. ‘’ A very nice name ‘’ he said, smiling. ‘’ I am sure there are some good aspects though of your job.

Tom laughed and said ‘’ No I’m perfectly within the law and out of trouble. I’m good like that’’. He did wonder why she thought that though. He had been in trouble in the past, so the last part of what he said was a lie, but he was doing very well here. There had been no trouble whatsoever so far. ‘’ What made you think that?’’ he asked, interested.

[Orla Lahey]

Orla shrugged, it was hard for her to find anything good about her job. Every day she was surrounded foul mouthed guards who taunted and teased her and it took pretty much every muscle in Orla’s body to stop her from saying anything back. She had come close to lashing out so many times butt always managed to stop herself just in time. Orla supposed that the one good thing was that when it rained she was sheltered. Not much of an upside in her opinion as she didn’t really mind the rain and it amused her to watch the guards as there armor became twice as heavy with the weight of the water. “I guess I could do worse” Orla nodded still keeping her gaze fixed on the floor.

The wooden stable door was pushed open and the last of the horses was led in by a rather plump and grumpy looking guard. The guard, one Orla guessed was from the castle by the look of his armor, was splattered head to toe in mud. Another perk Orla thought, getting to see the guards at there low points. The man trudged over his feet squelching loudly as he walked and thrust the rains grumpily in to Orla’s hands before leaving the way he had come with out a word. “How polite,” Orla muttered leading the horse to the last remaining stable. The horse was like the guard was splattered with mud and what Orla thought looked an offal lot like dried blood.

Loosening the bridle Orla let out a small laugh” I didn’t know any one was within the boundaries of the law any more. Well done”. She spoke sarcastically but had a slightly warmer smile on her face feeling a little more at ease knowing she wasn’t harboring an outlaw on the run. A couple of times Orla had pretended not to notice that there where a few outlaws hiding at the back of the stables as the sheriffs guards came barging through the town.

“What is it you do then” Orla said trying to make conversation. If Thomas was going to do her work then the lest she could do was be reasonably nice to him and she had the feeling that so far she had been stand offish if not rude.

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom nodded in agreement. He had seen a lot worse jobs than this one, despite it being a little boring. She could have wound up as a servant to some cruel lord he supposed, or working on a farm which had dire conditions. All the same, he would prefer to have a job, even if it was good money. He preferred the freedom of not having to have a job. ‘’ So, how long have you had this job? Wouldn’t you prefer to just travel sometimes?’’ he asked, rather interested in her response. He couldn’t imagine that she would say no though. Everyone loved to see new things, and what better way was there to do that than travelling?

The guard was going ridiculously close to getting a fist in his face from Tom because the way he treated Orla. It wasn’t as bad as some people were to their employees he supposed, but he didn’t just feel ordinarily about Orla. He felt protective over her for some reason, and wanted to impress in any way possible. ‘’ Did you want me to go sort him out?’’ Tom asked. He thought it were best to ask first, just in case she had any objections for some reason.

Tom noticed a hint of sarcasm in Orla’s voice as she said that to him. ‘’ Well, it’s just easier to try and stick to the law really. I’m not the most honourable person you would meet, but I do like to stay out of the sort of trouble that could get me killed or at the very least thrown in a dungeon. Some of my family have had that experience, and I don’t really want to have that thing in common with them.’’ He smiled at her, hoping that his explanation would suffice. He would have thought most people would agree, but she seemed a bit more rebellious than a lot of others. He wasn’t too sure if he liked that, but it was admirable.

He thought hard about this question, but in the end he decided to tell the truth. It would be better to just be honest from the start with her. ‘’ I’m a gambler and earn my money through that. Luckily I’m good so I have a bit of money stashed away. However, when I was a kid, I was probably going to be a Carpenter being as that is what my Dad did. I didn’t really have a particular skill for carpentry though, unlike most of my family’’.

[Orla Lahey]

” There’s no point just leave him” , Orla said glaring after the gay before giving Thomas a thankful smile. Taking the bridle in her hands she lifted her gaze as she cast her mind back to the day she had gotten the job. It seemed like she had been working here forever but she had only been here for 3 years which was 3 years to long. “Longer than any one should spend in here” Orla said pushing the stable door open with her elbow and walking over to where all the other bridles where hanging neatly. Hs question was one she had asked her self so many times before, why was she still here? She should have left this place months ago found some where new, somewhere where she would be treated with a littler more respect. She could go travelling see a bit more of England live a bit more but she lived in Nottingham which made it pretty much impossible fore her to do. She couldn’t leave money wouldn’t allow her to and with out money travailing wouldn’t be uncomfortable. ” Of coarse” Orla sighed “ I would love to but until the King is home and taxes are lowered it doesn’t look like it can happen. Plus its not proper for a woman to travel, especially alone.”

Orla turned and leaned against the wooden pillar watching Thomas as he continued to sweep. It was easy for men. A man could run off travailing and it would be fine, no one would think very much of it. If you where a woman you didn’t have that option, you where to stay at home until you where married. If she was to live alone people would start to suspect she was a witch and Orla much preferred staying alive. Orla nodded in agreement thinking of her brother who at this time found himself in the dungeons for a crime he didn’t commit.

Before she could stop her self Orla let out a small laugh which she then preceded to disguise as a cough after feeling she was being rude. “ A gambler, I can’t imagine that’s a very stable living and a Scarlett not becoming a carpenter that must have been scandalous. “ Orla hadn’t connected him with the rest of the Scarletts until now. “I know the Scarletts I live in Locksley. Dan scarlet helped build my house. It was sad when they left the village isn’t the same with out a Scarlett. How are you related a cousin? “

( sorry its sorta rubbish )

[Thomas Scarlett]

Tom smiled back as Orla smiled at him. That was quite a result, Tom thought to himself, getting her gratitude without having to fight either. ‘’I will do then’’ he said to her, calmly in the hope that it would show he was being sincere. It was quite obvious after then that Orla did indeed want to travel, and Tom emphasized with that quite a lot. He remembered that he was always confined to the house when Dan took it upon himself to be like his father. He did sneak out, so he did get to travel, but it wasn’t the same as just going when he wanted. Travelling was always good though. ‘’ Well, if you should ever need any company, I am bound to go travelling sometime in the future. Feel free to come with me if you want to’’.

He didn’t have a clue how she would react to that. On the one hand, most people wouldn’t just travel with someone they just met, but on the other, Orla did want to travel a lot, so maybe she did want to go with him. Tom did prefer usually to travel on his own, just in case something went wrong, but he guessed he could just leave her behind if things did come to the worse. Hopefully that wouldn’t happen though, because he wanted to try and be nicer to people now, after about a decade of being selfish.

Tom observed her laughing at his chosen career. Not that he blamed her of course. It was rather laughable, having a living on gambling when most men his age had had a career by then. He liked it though, and he had done well so perhaps it wasn’t as bad as it seems. ‘’ I have ups and downs with my gambling, which explains why I haven’t got a permanent home. I just travel a lot, and live off people’s hospitality. I do have some money though, so don’t go thinking I’m poor or anything’’ he joked. The mention of Dan dampened his mood though, but he decided that he wouldn’t go explaining to Orla their bad relationship. ‘’ My brother built a few good houses in his time. I would imagine that the village isn’t the same either. My family was usually at the centre of the peasant community.’’ Tom smiled at her and answered ‘’ I’m Dan Scarlett’s little brother. There was quite an age gap between us though which is why I am a lot younger than him’’.

[Orla Lahey]

Orla returned to the mud splattered horse and removed its saddle before brushing it down. She hadn’t known Dan had a brother but it seemed like a touchy subject so she didn’t question him any more. Many of the horses where now grazing quietly or where sleeping and at last it seemed like she would finally be able to lock up and head home. Looking around there where little bitts and pieces that where still to be done but it was late and they could always wait until the morning. Orla walked to the back of the stables where there was a rickety feeble looking wooden cupboard which she pulled out a deep brown knitted shawl and a small bag. ” Thank you for helping me I appreciate it” she said pulling the shawl around her and talking the broom from him which she replaced in its signature corner.

There was one last task of the night which Orla had to complete and that was to take the stable keys to one of the Sheriffs guards who would be watching over the stable through out the night. This guard a tall but heavy man with dark wispy brown hair numbed Boris was usually located in the inn before his night shift began and would know doubt have been drinking most of the day. Why the sheriff employed such a heavy drinker to guard his horses during the night she had know idea but sooner or later some one was going to catch on and lift the horses to sell on for a pretty penny.

” So where will you be travailing off to tonight then? Or have you come to settle in Nottingham for a while.” . The rain had started and was poring down hard bouncing off the ground a little as it fell. Orla pulled her shawl around her shoulders as the cold air fell upon her. “Away to relive some locals of the money?” Orla smirked referring to his gambling before closing the stable door and turning to look at him squinting as the rain ran down her face.

(Aghh sorry my brain is just not working tonight Not much to work with there )

[Thomas Scarlett]

‘’ It was no problem’’ Tom answered to her politely. ‘’I was glad to be of service’’. He smiled at Orla again, genuinely pleased that he had managed to help her. She was definitely different to most women he knew. They were only interested in him when he had a bit of money, or for the first time that they noticed he was good looking. However, Orla just seemed like a genuinely nice person who was glad of any company. He was probably the best to offer as well, well at least he thought that anyway.

When he stepped outside of the stable, he noticed that it had begun to rain heavily which was a bit of a surprise. The sky was rather clear when he had come from the shops in the main part of the town, so he was expecting a clear and cool evening which would have been perfect for sitting outside a local Tavern with some Beer. He wondered, though, if perhaps Orla should want to go with him to such a place. He had no desire to gamble today, so perhaps the company of someone who was just nice was what he needed as opposed to that of some gambler who he would naturally earn the winnings off.

Tom looked back at Orla, who seemed to be getting quite wet from the rain. She looked a bit cold as well so he took off his cloak and wrapped it around here. ‘’That should keep you a bit warmer and hopefully dryer as well’’. He smiled at her assessment of what he could be doing, even though it was wrong for today, despite it usually being the norm. ‘’ I’m just going to go to a Local Tavern and have a few beers, then go stay somewhere for the night. I’m staying with a friend at the moment, but not here. I’m just having a bit of a look around. Anyway, did you feel like joining me? I could use the company’’.

(OOC: Don't worry about it because mine wasn't very good either).

[Orla Lahey]

The jacket was heavy on her small shoulders and had the fait smell of alcohol on it. She was suddenly reminded of her Stepfather Vincent, a vile man with a large appetite for drink. So many nights he had come stumbling in, eyes rolling back in his head and breathe foul enough to kill a person. Orla hopped that although Thomas’s coat had reminded her of her step father, he wouldn’t turn out to be the same kind of mindless drunk. She couldn’t stand them, people who drank them selves senseless. You could see them in the morning, the men who hadn’t been able to make it home and had fallen asleep on the side of the road in to Nottingham.

Orla smiled thankfully, pushing the damp hair out of her eyes with the back of her hand. “I was heading there anyway,” she said turning to walk up the gloomy street with a small grin smile on her face” I guess I could stay for a little bit but don’t you be getting any ideas”. The street was dimly lit by the candle lights from the houses on each side sending a dark shadow across Orla’s face. The sound of a baby crying could be heard from one of the houses not far away from where they stood. She sound made Orla shudder, if she could avoid seeing another baby again she would.

As she walked up the street towards the Inn which was a particularly narrow one, she found her self thinking about the winter that was approaching. It looked like it was going to be cold winter for her house. Vincent had spent more than the usual amount in the tavern laving little money for extra blankets and food for the winter. She pushed the thought out of her mind not enjoying the feelings that accompanied it and diverted her attention. “So what’s brought you back to Nottingham then? I’m sure there are nicer places to be or did you have to flee your last home due to some terrible scandal? “she smirked whipping some rain droops off her nose.

[Thomas Scarlett]

‘’Don’t worry, I won’t be. I’m a very honourable and respectable man you see’’ Tom said to her with a grin. He was pleased that she was staying there with him, even if she didn’t like him in that way. Anyway, he figured she probably did do, as all girls usually did, but just wasn’t convinced as of yet. After tonight though, he was sure she would be. He was willing to try anything to get her to like him in that particular way, even fi she didn’t want to do that. The street was as tired looking as before, but now it had a hint of sadness about it because of the rain and noise coming from a baby. The fact that he was cold and getting increasingly wet didn’t help matters either, although he was pleased that at least his cloak was going to good use on Orla.


‘’I’m here to find a few old family and friends, and the fact that the last place I was living at didn’t out too well. I’m sure that you wouldn’t be bothered in that old story however. It is very dull, and I am sure you have a great deal of better ones’’ Tom replied, a bit anxiously. He really didn’t want Orla to find out just about his past endeavours and their effects on the people around him. She seemed like quite a selfless person, so his selfishness would probably disgust her quite a lot. They did say opposites attract, but normally this wasn’t the case in this type of situation.

The Inn then came into view, even though the building was unimpressive and further gave the impression that this particular part of Nottingham had seen far better days. The windows were covered in a fine dust, for the rain could not reach due to them being covered by ledges above, and the door’s colour had faded. There seemed to be a small stable to the side where he supposed travellers would put their horses, or people who had come to drink and ridden there by horse. At least the animals had shelter, which was something he couldn’t say for himself regrettably.