Small Talk {Morgan}

[Devon Creek]

Devon finally relaxed as Morgan led Pilgrim into the forest and onto the main road. She'd made it so far without being thrown off, so she managed to exhale and trust the steed. Once again, the sudden shade and cover of the canopy above made her muscles unclench. Every so often they'd come to a fallen tree or a large rock and the ride would become bumpy again. In those moments, Devon would sieve up and hold onto the saddle for dear life.

"So," she said after one such occasion, trying to take her mind off of the uneven ground. "What's this trip to Nottingham for? I thought you could get just about anything in Clun. Nottingham is known for its," she laughed at the thought, "criminal activity."

[Morgan]

Morgan thought about urging Pilgrim into a canter but changed his mind as Devon's grip tightened. He returned her laugh though as she mentioned Nottingham's criminal element. "Well I suppose you'd know all about that eh?" he grinned, although she couldn't obviously see that. "Well, you can get most things in Clun but sometimes its best not to keep things so close to home. Its been hard work, getting the winter barley planted and sorting out the farm. I need some relaxation and recreation." He screwed up his nose. "And you can only get that sort of thing in Nottingham."

He glanced over his shoulder at his passenger. "I haven't shocked you, have I?" Morgan said, a tinge of concern edging his voice. "And don't worry, I'm only taking you with me because I hate to think of the trouble you'd get up to on the farm if I left you behind. I might not have a farm to go back to. And besides, you could do with some proper clothing and probably footwear too. Winter's coming." He put his heels to Pilgrim and the old warhorse started to trot.

[Devon Creek]

Devon smirked and looked around the forest, the thought of criminal activity making her grin. She wondered if Allan was sitting in the trees nearby, since they always had the ability to run into each other.

"I've been nothing but good, I'll have you know." She lied, but didn't want to tell him what exactly she'd been up to. She'd been sort of good, and that was a good shot better than what she used to be like, so it was a slight improvement.

When he said that you could only find recreation in Nottingham, Devon snorted. "Only according to some," she muttered, still chuckling as she remembered Allan's eloquent telling of what there was for fun in Nottingham. Hunting, robbing or, well, Devon didn't think Morgan was the sort of person who would enjoy any of the mentioned options.

"Shocked me with what?" She asked, making a face he couldn't see. She closed her eyes when she heard the concern in his voice and just breathed for a moment. She was still at a strange point when it came to the idea of someone being worried. One side of her didn't want the concern at all, but the other did. She inhaled once again, then laughed with Morgan.

"Me? Trouble? Never," she said, seemingly offended by what he was implying. "I suppose I could use a few more things. Ah, and, uh, you know...the shirt. I won't need it for long, just until I buy a few more. But, um, thanks?" She finished awkwardly with a sigh.

[Morgan]

As Morgan had his back to Devon, she didn't see him smother a guffaw when she protested that she'd been good. Somehow, "good" and "Devon" did not go together from what Morgan had observed. But, feeling that discretion was the better part of valour, he chose to remain silent especially as she then got the wrong end of the stick when he apologised for shocking her. Well he wouldn't correct her. If she didn't see him as a hot blooded male with, well, male urges, then he wouldn't correct her. Perhaps it was better that way, to keep their working relationship uncomplicated. Morgan felt a moment of sadness at that thought but, try as he might, he couldn't understand why. But that moment passed quickly and he found himself laughing with Devon.

"Well I couldn't very well have you walking around the farm half dressed. Imagine how it'd distract those workers I hired from Clun." Morgan added, with a dismissing wave of his hand. "Borrow it as long as you need or until you have your new garments. You ought to think about getting a thick winter coat too. I hear the snows are bad when they come." Morgan shivered at the thought of winter.