Sebastian Lefevre *open*

[Isabella]

Isabella did roll her eyes this time. Even after her efforts, that Lady Mary was still pursuing the stable boy. She followed the pouting noblewoman outside to see what was happening, and instantly noticed two very unexpected things. Firstly, that the castle guard Edward Griffin was there. And secondly, that he was dripping from head to toe. She raised one eyebrow quizzically at his bedraggled appearance. She had only ever seen him in his guard's uniform, and it almost seemed impossible that he could ever be dressed in anything else. But his cold, hard expression was the same as it always was. What had he done to have such a harsh outlook on the world? What had he done to be so cold-hearted? She could only guess. Maybe he'd just always been that way. Then again, like Guy, maybe not. Isabella tried not to stare at him and instead looked at the equally wet stable boy.
"Sorry," she mouthed, as Lady Mary launched herself upon him yet again.
But her eyes flickered back to Edward Griffin, hoping for an explanation. Still, knowing him, she probably wouldn't get it.

[Livia]

Sneaking in through the back door of the stables, Livia peered around the main entrance, watching the people gathered there through wide, fearful eyes.

She had spent the past few days at the Priory, being treated for injuries she had sustained during a punishment, and had only just been allowed to leave.

Sneaking out of the stable building, hiding in the shadows, she tried to move past the gathered people, hoping not to be spotted in her attempts to get back into the castle.

[Edward Griffin]

Edward continued to stand, dripping wet, feeling like a complete idiot. Everyone had seemed to be around him now, which he didn't enjoy. Especially in the state he was currently in. A strange Lady was found to be rather smitten with the young man he had just shaken hands with. Sebastian. Edward found the situation secretly rather amusing. She wasn't half acting stupid. At least the took some of the embarrassment away from him.

Isabella had also come onto the scene. She seemed to acknowledge him, but he had no idea how to react. He stared at the ground awkwardly, not wanting to do or say anything. He just waited for situations to unfold around him.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling a few metres away, and his head darted up, his hand rushing to the hilt of his sword, ready incase any trouble started. He eyed the source of the noise suspiciously, only to find out it was only a slave. He tutted quietly, and withdrew his hand from his sword hilt. She posed no threat.

[Isabella]

Isabella momentarily forgot about the improper actions of Lady Mary and turned to look at the shabbily-dressed woman Griffin had noticed. She frowned and moved towards her. She looked half-starved and very, very scared.
"Who are you?" she asked, concerned and puzzled at the woman's sudden appearance.
She looked back at the others to see the fate of stable boy, torn between the two people who were both in some kind of trouble. She noticed Griffin take his hand away from his sword, and once again wondered why he was soaked in water. She turned back to the mysterious woman, hoping for an answer.

[Livia]

Livia's eyes moved from the man, a guard she had seen around the castle, to the woman who had spoken to her. Was it safe to tell her? Would she get into trouble for not being here when she was supposed to be?

"I am Livia. The Sheriff's slave..."

She mumbled softly, her voice laced with a heavy saracen accent, dropping her eyes to the ground as she spoke.

[Isabella]

Isabella frowned deeply. Slave? The Sheriff had a slave? The girl could barely be eighteen, and she was so thin and frail that Isabella doubted she was capable to work, let alone walk. Her accent was definitely not English - in fact, it sounded like Djaq's. So Livia was from the Holy Lands?
Isabella looked down at the ragged girl.
"Livia," she began, "What are you doing here?"

[Livia]

"I have... I have been... out... I am just returning to my work..."

The girl mumbled softly, keeping her head bowed low as she did so, fearing punishment for being caught sneaking around.

[Edward Griffin]

Edward scowled as Livia mumbled her feeble excuses. But it was not his possition to say anything about it. He was a mere castle guard. Someone of some kind of importance, such as Isabella, would be the one to punish. But she didn't seem like the kind of woman who would do that. But who knows. Things can change. He had.

He eyes flickered back towards the stable boy. He was still soaked through, and so was Edward. He contemplated returning back to the castle and getting changed. But something seemed to be rooting his feet to the ground, so he couldn't leave. He didn't know what. It was strange.

[Isabella]

Isabella nodded at the girl. She knew that she ought to be punished for being there, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Livia just looked too tired and pathetic for her to inflict more misery upon her. The problem was that she wasn't alone with the girl. If so, she might have been able to give her some money or food, but she could feel Griffin's cold, hard stare boring into the back of her skull, and even though Lady Mary was preoccupied at the moment, that still wouldn't stop her from telling people about what Isabella had done. She couldn't really like her, as she'd almost separated her from the stable boy.
Isabella had to make a compromise.
"Then return to your duties, Livia," she said with authority, though there was kindness in there, also, "And do not let anyone see you doing this again."