Mirror Plot II

[will_scarlett]

Atton is led to a decent room that's not too high up in the castle and Will pushes him through,

"Ye'll be brought food an we'll fight in the mornin'. 'arald, ye keep watch an dinna let 'im try to trick ye."

Comments

[will_scarlett]

So Will punches him again on the shoulder,

"If ye stay down, probably willna be as bad, we've given 'em a good fight."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Atton lets out another pained noise, punching at Will again.

"Make me."

He does appreciate Will not wanting to hurt him too badly here.

He just also has no survival instinct.

[will_scarlett]

Will grunts but keeps punching at Atton though after that first punch, he's avoiding his injurty.

The crowd is cheering and calling out for Will to take him down.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Atton stays upright for a long time, getting more and more bruised and bloody. He even blocks a few of Will's punches.

Eventually, though, one particularly hard punch hits him in the face, and he falls backwards, landing with a crash.

There's a pause, before he starts getting up. He's about three quarters of the way to being on his feet and upright when he collapses. Another attempt follows, but he collapses again, groaning.

[will_scarlett]

Will moves forward as if to hit him again and says,

"Yield."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Atton makes another attempt to get up, but doesn't get as far this time before he falls again.

Eventually: "Yeah, I yield. Tell your parents hi from me."

[will_scarlett]

"Dinna know ye."

Will says and runs a hand through his hair before he calls out, "'e yields!"

Everyone applauds and the Sheriff nods to them both,

"Ye have yer reward, Scarlett, now get this thing out o'my face."

Then Will moves to haul Atton up and drag him out of the courtyard.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Y'know," Atton says, as Will starts dragging him out of the courtyard. "The Sheriff'll never let you look after your parents properly. He'll always just think of you as hired muscle. He might keep his word and let them off from the tax this year, but he won't next year."

[will_scarlett]

"Doesna matter, tis a year when they dinna 'ave to worry."

Will grabs up his shirt and Atton's things throwing them towards him,

"Will get ye back to that room ye were in 'fore. Na sure what the Sheriff wishes with ye now. If ye're lucky, 'e'll just forget 'bout ye."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Atton leans against a wall for support, getting his shirt and boots on. He leaves his cloak.

"Or maybe he'll just use me as a chance t'keep making you prove yourself. S'clear you'll never be good enough for him," Atton says. "There's a man called Robin in the forest. He'll help you and your parents, if you help him."

[will_scarlett]

"'e's just an outlaw, fallen noble with foolish dreams. 'ere I've got some coin an willna 'ang."

Its not a lot but honestly its about all Will can ever believe he'll have.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, and you hate it. Think about it, okay? C'mon, let's go to my room."

[will_scarlett]

"That doesna matter, I'm survivin' an doin' better than others."

Will nods and helps get Atton up to his room,

"Probably should bolt ye in but wouldna recommend bein' 'ere tomorrow. Nottingham's na fit for anyone."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Don't worry, I'll be long gone. Er - just a suggestion? For the next three or four hours, stay outside in the fresh air, okay?" Atton says. "And just ... think about it. You're not cut out to be a guard - you're too ... cuddly. You've got too much heart for it. Become an outlaw. You won't get any coin for it, but you'll be happier, and your family will be better fed and safer. You can make Nottingham better."

Atton stumbles over to the bed, lying down. He won't stay there long, just long enough to get a bit of recovery time.

"Remember. Stay outside, out of the main castle for a while. I won't tell you why. We clear on that?"

[will_scarlett]

"Oh aye, can just take a shift walkin' the wall or go to the Fair. 'ope ye're na 'urt too bad."

Then he gives a small smile and closes the door behind him. He'll spend the night at the Fair, first to see his parents and then trying to lose himself in dancing though Atton's words keep coming back.