(no subject)

[againsttherules]

Previously...

[oom: Inspiration comes in the strangest of places]

The door opens a slither. Those close by may see an eye staring at the room.

Then, carefully, the door opens fully, and in walks, or rather, limps Jack West. He doesn't look too badly hurt, if you discount the limp and stitches on his leg and head...

He's not alone, either. As he walks in, he is carrying in his left hand, a cage, containing a Peregrine Falcon. The bird may well look reasonably presentable from a distance, but up close, it is clear that she has been beaten, both repeatedly and recently.

He walks over to the bar and places the cage on the surface top. No, he doesn't seem to know quite what to do now, either.

Comments

[poins]

Poins, sitting by the bar drinking good sack from nicely bevelled crystal, turns to admire the bird.

A noble falcon, for sooth!

[againsttherules]

Jack isn't particularly surprised that the falcon is getting more of the attention than him.

Mind, this falcon isn't in particularly good shape. It's been beaten. Seemingly fairly regularly.

Jack murmurs something to the bar, and some raw meat appears on a plate, along with a thick leather glove.

[poins]

Ned Poins picks up his wine, and moves some places closer, to see the noble bird from closer up.

But--!

"She has been treated ill!" he says, ere he can stop himself.

[againsttherules]

"She Has." Jack growls. His face is set in a manner that clearly says he does not agree with the way she has been treated up until now.

He glances over at the man approaching. His face softens a touch.

"I intend to make sure she is not so any more."

[poins]

"What manner of a man would do such things to noble, precious falcons?" Poins says, shocked.

It is clear that this man here is not who did it.

[againsttherules]

"A man who thinks the only way to get what you want is with 'Discipline and Brute Force'."

That last section is said in a manner that mimics an American Drill Sergeant, loud and harsh.

[poins]

"But that is not the way to train a bird; she never will fly well!" Poins exclaims.

He does not mind the cruelty so much -- he's from a cruel time -- far more the shameful waste of such a precious creature.

[againsttherules]

Jack gives a small, wry smile. At least someone here agrees with him.

"That's why I've..." He pauses to consider what words to use, "removed her from him."

It sounds better than stealing.

[poins]

"Liberated her from his cruel clutches?" Poins suggests.

[will_scarlett]

Will is eating some lunch and looks over at the bird and Jack before frowning, "What 'appened to yer bird? Looks in need o'a kind 'and,"

Today's been a quiet day in Sherwood, which means sparring versus fights and Will has a colorful bruise on the side of his face and his manacle scars are just visible on his wrists. His sword's at his side as well as his knife, but he's not wearing his cloak.

[againsttherules]

"She is."

Jack considers for a moment, not looking at Will. "I hope I'm able to give it to her."

[will_scarlett]

"What 'appened to 'er," Will moves a little closer to get a look at Horus.

[againsttherules]

"A brute with a stick who claimed to be her owner."

Jack's distaste and disgust for the (in his opinion, unnecessary) cruelty is evident.

[will_scarlett]

"An ye got 'er 'way from' im?"

[againsttherules]

Jack looks up at Will, and sizes him up, considering how much to tell him.

"Yes. Just now, in fact."

[will_scarlett]

"Good, 'ow trained is she?"

Her master might have beaten her but if he did any training that can be built on.

[againsttherules]

"I don't know. I don't have a baseline. But the only reason she was ever beaten, was because she didn't behave as he'd trained her."

[humanliedetector]

Although he knows this is probably a stupid question, it's a good way to break the ice...

"Everything okay?"

He's sitting at the bar with a cuppa.

[againsttherules]

"Better now we're here."

It's frank, honest, and arguably avoiding the intended point of the question.

[humanliedetector]

He glances at the falcon and then at the man, obviously trying to assess something quickly and then he shrugs.

"Well if there's anything I can do to help..."

[againsttherules]

"I don't think so."

"Not unless you know much about retraining falcons." Which, given the ATF vest, seems unlikely, though definitely not impossible.

[humanliedetector]

"Retraining? Not really, but it makes me wonder what made it want to go AWOL in the first place..."

Steve purses his lips for the moment and then takes another sip of his coffee.

[againsttherules]

"Her former master is a vicious bastard. A fucking effective military commander, but a vicious bastard none the less."

"As for AWOL, well. She's not AWOL, until time starts flowing again on the other side of the door."

[humanliedetector]

"Ah, I see so it's more rehabilitation from an abusive life under an abusive master? I'd help you find a falconer but I'm pretty new."

[againsttherules]

"More that than anything else, yes."

"No worries, I'm sure I'll find someone."

Jack glances at the ATF vest again. "You're Law Enforcement?"