Marran looked at Rubin for a moment. "I had gone for a walk, saw your uncle's men and panic'ed, You know he is, if he found out I went into the woods. He looks to me as a daughter, he has ever since my parents died. Everyone knows he had loved my mother with a passion, he doesn't want to loose me too."

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Ronin and Lilith looked at one another and then around the room at the drunken men.

Lilith sighed, they would obviously have to work damage control between the two cousins, "You just had to initiate festivities with alcohol, didn't you, Ronin?" She asked slightly annoyed. Lilith was not quite used to so much interaction with the group, and she was not sure is she liked it. There was so much going on, it was difficult to wrap her mind about it.

Ronin nodded and thought for a moment and then let out a laugh, "I'll get Waverly!" He said happily. "That leaves you with our ever fearless and testy leader," he finished smugly, out of the two siblings he figured he had dealt most with Haven and it was quite time for his sister to take the job.

Lilith's eyes went wide, "H-how dare you pass that off?" She squeaked. She could hardly deal with a guard without losing her confidence, Haven would be impossible.

Her brother had already run off to find the saddened woman, intent on just sitting her by Keith to cheer her up. It seemed a safe plan. Ronin sat down by Waverly when he found her, "Are you going to share what happened? Or would you prefer a drink?

Lilith walked over to Haven, her lips pursed unhappily. "Well...umm..are you two going to be well?" She ventured awkwardly and then wished she hadn't spoken, it was a stupid question.

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

Rubin nodded. "I understand..."

She looked around, uneasy because of the drunken men. She turned around to the guard who was holding her. "Can I sit down? Or would that be against your chivalric code?" Her comment was intended to be sarcastic, but she ended up just sounding dead tired, which wasn't far from the truth.

{OOC//*Searches for pictures that could work for Rubin*

edit: http://dana.thedudes.nu/gallery/display ... =328&pos=1
There. I just wish the shirt wasn't so low-cut...}

_________________

and I'm still a dreamer, a believer
I've lost my faith in so many things but I still believe in You

((Sojo, you said this was like Robin Hood, correct? Does that mean Haven's "Merry Men" camp out in the woods with him? If not, I'll change my post.))

"I live with Haven and his gang, out in these lovely woods." Tomos answered. As much as he loved the forest, at times he wished he led a normal life, with a house, a wife, and a nice soft bed.
"Just take me as far as the table with food on it, as I should be fine." Tomos looked in the distance to where he could see the warm glow of lanterns and the silhouettes of Havens's men.

Rose nodded, help Tomos over to where the lights could be seen. The process was slow. Rose herself lived in a small cabin at the edge of the woods, yet still hidden by a clump of fir trees. But she almost didn't want to go home. It would be so quiet with just her. And it held too many memories for her. Too many bad memories.

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

(( Yes, Nauriel. Actually, it was originally just an encampment, no actual building, but some confusion occurred and that changed somehow... Oh well. ))

Haven gave her a look, as though she were as stupid as the question, though some of the hardness in his gaze had dissipated. He looked suddenly tired, as if he were decades older then he actually was. A sigh whispered out between his persed lips and he rubbed a hand across his strong, stubbled jawline, absentmindedly reminding himself that he needed to shave. "Fine," he grumbled. "If she ever forgives me. Damn it! Why..." He trailed off staring in the direction she'd run off. "I didn't mean to be so cross with her..."

...

Waverly jumped slightly as Ronin spoke. She hadn't even heard him coming. Hastily, she wiped tears from her eyes, wincing slightly as her hand brushed against her purpling cheek. "He hit me," she mumbled softly. "H-he didn't have to hit me. He's never... What's gotten into him, Ronin?" Her green eyes searched his face for answers, deeply troubled.

...

The guard stared down at his charge absently. "Sit, I don't care," he grumbled, too tired to care much about anything anymore.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

(( I was confused as well.. but I'll think of it now.. ))

Keith's eyes scanned absent-minded the crowd. Each time his gaze was unconsiously drawn to Waverly who was talking with her cousin. As a hawk he kept his gaze fixed on the couple as the conversation got more heated and eventually was ended when Haven struck Waverly in the face. Anger welled up inside him with an inmense force. It made his mind spin (which was of course also due to the alcohol) and eventually Keith couldn't control himself anymore.
It was a pitiful sight to see the man drag himself over to his leader. Keith's face twitching with pain and pale of all the effort as he had reached his destination.
"How-dare-you?" he panted. "How dare you treat a woman like that? Your family, your kin? People have lost brothers and husbands today.. and you dare to degrade your cousin in front of so many people?"
If Keith's face wasn't white as a sheet already it would now be pale of anger. But he realised one thing although his mind was clouded: Haven disgusted him.. and he spat before Maverick's feet to make that all the more clear to him.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Haven's attention darted from Lilith to the glob of spit on his boot, then to Keith, annoyance blazing in his eyes again. "I've had just about enough of you," he growled. "I suggest you mind your business. There's been enough fighting for today. Go sit down, have a drink." There seemed a glint of malevolent joy as Haven used the same words Keith had used on him earlier, his tone brushing on taunting.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Keith couldn't but notice the ironic repetition of words which Haven used. His hazel eyes seemed to blaze fire. "I think I had quite enough thank you." Keith replied with a cold voice. "And I think I do mind my own business. For if you can't even maintain a normal relationship with your cousin, then I'm doubting whether you're able to remain leader of this group and that, my friend, is my concern."
Keith's face was only a few inches from Haven's, not affraid of the consequenses of his suggestions.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Lilith shot both men a harsh look, she had reached the end of her patience. Although, the brunt end of the look was aimed at the leader of the Shadin. He had already been quite rude when she was just trying to help. But, Keith should know better than to anger the man, especially after a fight. They obviously were not thinking clearly.

"Oh no you don't!" She blustered, angrily. "I will have neither of you fighting while I am still stitching your wounds. Neither of you are doing anything, not until you heal properly and this is all over with. Then you are welcome to kill each other. As it is now...Keith, go see to Waverly. She is with Ronin. As for you, Haven Maverick, I suggest you pull yourself together and stop taking your anger out on those who are only trying to help. Foolish man...foolish men."

The tiny woman had situated herself in between the two and had managed to look quite severe. If the men wanted to attack the other that much then they would have to go through her, and she was fairly sure that neither would want to face her brother's anger should she be harshly treated.

-------------------------

Ronin was visibly shocked by the news. His brows rose to his hairline and his dark eyes widened. "He what? I'm sorry Waverly..." he responded and gave her shoulder a comforting pat. "I know he has been under some duress since this has all started. But, that does not excuse his behavior. I am not sure what madness gripped him...Perhaps we shall know better when Lilith is done with him." He looked towards where his sister had gone and considered going back to get her in case Haven lost his temper again. His fist clenched unconsciously as the thought marched through his mind. If Haven hit her like he did Waverly, then Ronin would teach him a lesson and he and his sister would be on their merry way to a calmer place.

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

Marran looked when she heard all the shouting. "Men, what has men ever really done?" she asked herself.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Haven's frustration at their interuption by Lilith was evident on his face, like a pitbull who'd suddenly been forced onto a leash. His face burned hotly with anger and he locked eyes with Keith. This wasn't over. Yet.
"Watch your back on the battlefield," he threatened before walking off, his shoulder purposefully knocking into Keith's as he brushed past him and retreated to his quarters for a long night brooding with his temper and a stiff drink.

....

"I worry for him," Waverly confided softly to Ronin. "I know he can be a horrible brute, but... I love him, Ronin. He's the only family I got. And he wasn't always like this, you know that as well as I. It's almost as though something in him has... snapped." She blew a sigh between her lips. "I do hope he's well...."

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Lilith raised a brow, the healer was angry. The man would not get away that easily. She stalked after him and gave a kind smile to Keith, "I'm going to try and talk sense to him...tend to Waverly, if you would," she said in an even tone. Lilith sighed and ran after Haven. Her brother and she were supposed to calm the two down, and she thought she may have just made it worse. She winced at the thought, but rallied her spirits for another try. They had known Haven and Waverly for quite a while, she was positive if anyone could accomplish the near impossible task it would be them.

When she reached his door she knocked quietly, "Master Haven. Let me in, please. I'm here to help you figure things out." She didn't really expect it to work, but she put as much feeling into her voice as she could muster. The effect was rather good if she said so herself.

-----------------

"Snapped?" He ran a hand through his hair and looked at the poor woman with a friendly smile. "Aye, he will be well. We shall see to that. I can almos' guarentee ya, Waverly that he is beating himself up for his harshness. What can we do now but be there for him? He bears a heavy burden that we cannae fully understand. We all worry for him. Come now, we'll go an' get ya cleaned up nice and proper. Won't have the both of ya moping about while Lilith and I still draw breath."

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

"Thank you," Rubin managed to mutter as she walked over to an empty seat. She rested her head in her hands and looked around wearily, not understanding the fighting. The Shadin were already looking rather barbaric to her...

_________________

and I'm still a dreamer, a believer
I've lost my faith in so many things but I still believe in You

Waverly gave a half smile and stood up, wiping her eyes again. "Where's Keith?" she asked, looking around. There was a tell-tale concern and fondness in her voice.

....

Haven sat down at his desk, strewn with maps and papers and the like. His ice blue eyes stared blankly at the mess, as though not sure where to start with it all. He resolved the matter in a different way, rummaging through the desk drawer for a small glass flask. There was hardly anything left in it, perhaps a few mouthfuls. He'd been drinking more and more as of late, and now he silently cursed himself for it.
The knock at the door roused him from his thoughts. Lilith... Why couldn't she leave him alone? He was tired of being scolded like a child. Never would he let one of his men talk to him the way she did... He groaned softly and uncorked the bottle, draining it of the strong liquor before calling, "Fine. Enter."

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Lilith swept into the room, plucked the alcohol from his hand, and took a seat on his cot -the only comfortable spot left in the room. She curled her legs under her and grinned happily up at him. "What happened, Master Haven?" She questioned, genuinely worried for the man.

It was funny, how she nearly never dropped the honorfic in front of his name despite having known him for so long.

"We are worried for you, Master Haven," she said bluntly. There would be no skating around the problem this time.

------------------

Ronin laughed, his lips spreading into a broad grin. "If I know Keith, and I do, he is done with Haven and on his way to your side. He shall be here soon enough, Waverly. All will be well."

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me