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Scott had been spiraling when he went into Panera; he would get something warm to eat and spend the last few hours of his life doing something to simulate normalcy. Then, he went home and was done with it. The world didn't need him anyway. His book sales had dwindled; one of his books was so forgotten it was out of print, and as far as he had known at the time, no one cared. He was another misbegotten author, overlooked in a world of audiobooks and AI garbage. "The Nightengale series is nothing but a waste of paper, with a constant rehashing of the same four elements and lackluster assaults on the senses in a desperate attempt to sound like love." The reviewer had been cruel, but at the time, he had believed the words and taken them to heart. He only got it because an assistant from his publisher had sent it to him. He had it neatly folded with a letter to her saying "thank you." Everything was ready to go. His sister would get everything, Margaret had her own life, she didn't need him anymore. Everything would have been so easy. And then there was Jory.

Looking back on it momentarily as she snuggled against him, Scott couldn't help but smile down at her. She kept him from ending it all; in the long run, everything that had led up to it would have been wasted. It had been bullshit, ultimately. The reviewer hadn't read more than a few pages of his book, some idiot "booktoker" who wanted to go viral by bashing someone he couldn't be bothered to actually give a chance. That book was out of print, the most sought-after book of the series, and it was rare because it was so hard to find. They would be releasing a box set for the fans with all new art and leather bound editions.. And the fans. There were fan groups he never would have imagined or known about had it not been for the young woman who was now snuggled against his side, talking about cheesecake.

Coming out of wherever he'd been, he blinked and nodded, only half realizing what she had said. "Mmm-hmmm." It took him a second before he caught the trail again. "I think she'll like that one too. Sorry, I was miles away for a moment."

It was still difficult for him to be out in the world. It hadn't been a complete turnaround, as though he had never had any issues, but the talks of a warm bath and something sweet was tempting.

"You lost me at the bath. Do I get to join you in that?" He smirked and leaned down, taking her mouth hostage in a deep kiss.

Scott & Jory

SCOTT:

“I thought you liked it when I was a grouch?” Scott teased and watched her carefully as she snapped through her pictures. He was far and away though, thinking about this and that but mostly about how he found Jory and somehow he’d come to love her. Spending time with her made the hours fly by, it was strange for him after being alone for so long. Usually his angry outbursts or long sullen silences drove people away but she seemed oddly used to it.

His mind shifted again to story ideas, bringing back the Nightingale character again, the long lost bird, symbolizing an everlasting love, of course. She’d died in one of his last books but hearing Jory’s teasing words he imagined her the Nightingale, suddenly lowering her camera and smiling against the sunset. It made him smile, really and truly.

Jory pushing against him suddenly brought him back to reality and he sucked in a breath. She smelled of jasmine mixing with the wood bourbon and sandalwood of the cologne she had bought for him. He had teased her about it, mock whining it was too musky but he had liked it more than he wanted to let on.

“I like the one with the reflection in the glass…that last one though…” the one of his genuine smile. “that one stays with us.” He paused and wrapped an arm around her waist, almost cradling her.

“I have an image, after all”

JORY:

She snuggled into Scott as he looked through the photos and said that the one smiling stayed between them. She knew he had a reputation as a 'moody author', and some of his readers found that part of his charm. She wasn't going to ruin that. Honestly, she was just happy he still tolerated her presence.

She moves and saves the photos and looks up at him.

"I'm gonna show your publisher this one." She turns the camera around to show him looking over his shoulder, looking all modified.

"I don't know why you don't want anyone to see you smile, You have a wonderful smile. " She looked up at him and gave a gentle smile. She loved it when he smiled at her, or at something she'd done, or really just looked in her general direction.

Jory was honestly glad they met three months ago, and she's been able to help him get here to New York to finally see his publisher. He'd also been writing again, which was wonderful seeing too.

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Guy sucked in a breath as Sara touched his tunic, wanting nothing more than to scoop her up and pin her to the wall, bury himself in her skin, hold her close, and ultimately protect her from the beast that was currently making its home inside the castle in Nottingham. It was not to be, of course, given the state of their world and the man pursuing the outlaws. Pulling himself away from his reverie. Guy had always liked the cat-and-mouse game he and Sara played, and more often than not, he got to be the cat when they were secreted away from everyone else. The Inquisitor was a trap, the end of the mouse forever. He let out the breath he was holding

"I know...I know..." He didn't want to let her out of his grip and took another moment to hold her close to him. "This Inquisitor is going to be the end of us..." He didn't just mean their relationship; this man was evil incarnate with a black heart and a hole where his soul should be. To Guy, when it came to Sara, he couldn't bring himself to let anyone know about them. Maybe not ever; it was complicated, but telling the Sheriff he was falling in love with the bane of the little man's existence...that he was the reason the outlaws knew the delivery schedules and where they could hit the transports without having as many guards...the fact that he moved Marian into the castle not for his own heart's sake but to legitimately protect her from the guards...

It took Guy another moment before he spoke again, and when he did, he let go of Sara's waist, stepping back only enough to touch her face. I'm torn when it comes to you...I could quickly turn you over here and now to the guards down in the courtyard. I'd be made a Lord, given this wretched land, I could bring about the end of Robin Hood and his band of miscreants. But...I don't think I could live with myself." He let his hand drop and looked Sara in the eye.

Sara & Guy

GUY:

“I know you are, but it doesn’t mean I can’t worry about you still.”

Guy hadn’t meant for this tryst to continue, in all honesty. He played cat and mouse games so often with her, Robin and the rest, it was hard for a while to differentiate between the game and the feeling in his chest when he saw her. Sara was unlike anyone he had met and he loved her, against all better judgement.

Hearing her he frowned softly and leaned back, looking out the window at the expanse of dead or dying fields before closing the shutters and facing her again.

“Oh? And here I was hoping you’d just be mine for a while.” He sighed, combing a hand through his hair and beginning to unhook his tunic. He paused when he saw the look on her face and his tone dropped.

“What’s wrong? You have that look…”

SARA:

Sara moved and untied the front of his tunic slowly, her fingers playing with the strings. She wished this was a social call; she wished it was because she was cold and wanted to keep him warm, but they'd been hearing 'rumors' of an inquisitor. And Sara didn't like the news she'd gotten.

"I've heard...." Her fingers stilled on the strings of the tunic's front. "Of someone coming that the Sheriff is very excited about.."

Sara knew he'd have questions about how she even heard about that, but because of all she'd done, it's amazing who would talk to her who works directly in the palace.

"Any idea who...that is?" She hoped Guy was feeling up to sharing because this person who was coming did NOT sound good.

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David O’Reily - I don’t know much about him as of yet but what I do know is he has been in prison for collusion and obstruction of justice for the last 4yrs (~) after his girlfriend Darla bound his hands behind his back, duct taped his mouth shut and left him for the police to find. David had been in and out of jail for the majority of their relationship and after double crossing one of his former bosses and trying to make off with the money himself, she had enough and left him. David is out now and somewhat amused and interested to find that Darla is now a musician

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Some new pics for Ezra

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