For Old Times' Sake (Tag: Nate)

[HENRI ROQUEFEUIL-BLANQUEFORT]

Henri was woken by the sound of the birds outside his tent. Morning, already come so soon... He sighed, stretching before he rose from the camp bed. His back was tight, though whether from the persistent stress, a bad choice of sleeping position, or the poor quality of his bedding he couldn't tell. With another stress he began the same routine he followed most every morning.

As a boy, this had been his favorite time. His chance to slip unnoticed from the estate's grounds, with a conspiratorial grin at the gardener as he began his daily toils. He still liked the mornings, found them peaceful—but the fresh energy of his childhood was gone. In its place was the feeling that he would certainly have enjoyed a few more hours of sleep and the certainty that it was pointless to try.

The next order of the day was to take any reports from the sentries, make sure that everything in the encampment was secure and running smoothly. Take count of remaining supplies, determine what they still needed to procure and who would be responsible for that—and all the other mundane realities of his command. Nothing at all like what he'd imagined.

He found himself fantasizing about his mother's dining room, and that, he decided, was not particularly acceptable. Better, then, to find Nathaniel and get what information he could from him over the bread and jam. Or perhaps on horseback if no bread was ready yet—he'd found that there were days that he was active before the people placed in charge of preparing bread for the encampment had everything ready.

Henri hoped that his friend would already be awake; he suspected he might be, for both of them had significant responsibilities to the Sacred Heart and morning, Henri found, was one of the better times to work on the associated tasks. Buttoning his jacket as he stepped out of the tent, he found there to be a slight chill in the air. The day seemed clear, however, and he expected the weather to remain fair.

He'd fallen into the habit of taking a brief walk into the woods in the mornings to clear his mind for the day's work, provided all was quiet in the encampment, but instead headed toward Nate's tent. He would have plenty of time to take his exercise and there were far more important things to see to. He couldn't help but hope that Nathaniel would want to ride with him into the woods, much as they had as boys.

[nathanielredenei]

[atrb=border,0,true] [/style][style=width: 450px; background-color: ffffff; text-align:center; padding: 8px; line-height: 10px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 9px; color: 000000;][style=background-image:url(http://i49.tinypic.com/11kea2v.jpg); width: 252px; height: 138px; float: left; margin-top:10px;] WHEN'S IT GONNA END, HOW WE GONNA LIVE, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA HAPPEN NOW, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA GIVE [/style][style=width: 252px; height: 26px; float: left; margin-top:10px] made by historyofus of caution Everyone needed a rest but not everyone was going to get one, no matter how much they really wanted to get a rest, no matter how much they told themselves they were going to get a rest today or the next day after that and so on, it was not true or at least it became only partially true and they barely got a good rest at all. People loved to get what they wanted and for things to happen in the way they would expect, and most would include rest into this train of thought that followed them until their death. Not everyone thought this way, there were many others within the world that knew not matter what that rest was not something they should expect to come to them it was not a luxray for them like it was to others, it was simply something that would only be allowed or was there when it could fit around what the person was doing. Some peoples jobs, work and certain positions they are in very much affect their ability to rest, sometimes not even allowing someone to rest at all, some people are able to get some but it is not much better, a lot of the time it ends up disrupted. You could be asking right now what is the point of this delightfully informative and maybe to some people boring piece of writing, well it does hold some importance to the current story, and informs you somewhat on the current state of some of those within the camps of the Sacred Heart, Nathaniel and Henri are such examples of this, though Henri seemed more so than Nathaniel, Nate did seem to be slowly getting there though. Nathaniel's sleep had been disrupted constantly throughout the night, having been woken a few times, the first time he was barely asleep anyway but after that time it had been his own fault, the young man had very seriously asked for any disruptions or such to be be reported to him, for them to wake him up instead of his long time friend Henri. Nathaniel did not mind doing this, after all he would rather his best friend get all the sleep he could, even though the quality of the beds were terrible, Henri was already being rushed off his feet with all the duties he had to preform and how much he had to do, Nate had expressly command any of the men on night watch to come to him and leave Henri alone there had been no need to wake the man up and make him any less functional than he already was due to a lack of sleep as well. In general Nathaniel had most likely had at least 2 hours of sleep before getting up again and staying up, the Night for him had been an extremely busy one, he had concluded by the end of it he was not going to get much sleep at all and he had been right, he had almost begun to regret even telling them to wake him up instead. The strain of this type of life and the work they were doing had been beginning to slowly creep up on Nathaniel over the last few days, a bit like Henri he too had been working himself non stop, okay maybe not as Much as Henri but near enough, one would think that those trips he had been taking into Paris were not all that tiring, but really they were, he was constantly trying to secure allies and gather information he had from the small web of informants he had been able to gain within the city. The trips themselves were always long and then there was the small private meetings and such that followed, that at times did go his way and at others not, he always had to be careful and go there for some people under a separate pretence, then what he was actually there for if the person he was trying to sway to their side was not know of who they supported anyway. It was also always nice to try and get some allies within the aristocracy and Nathaniel had been able to do just that, there was not many but it was a start at least. Where was Nathaniel at this exact moment, the very moment that Henri was making his way towards his tent? Well the young man was certainly not in his tent that was for sure, in fact after trying not to fall asleep for a few minutes he found it best if he set himself to work trying to see if Last Nights new midnight arrival's were settled in fine. The Two brother's had been found wondering the woods in the midst of the night trying to find the camp, one of the lookouts had nearly actually shot them. Nate had seen to them and found them a place where they could rest temporally, after of course asking them about their story, it did check out the brother's were also know to one of the night watchmen so it helped there story, it may not have been very nice but it is always best to question new arrivals when you could, you can never really know if these people where actually genuine or not, they could of been spies for all they knew, okay they were young but the older one could of been using his own brother as cover. Nathaniel felt sorry for the two, especially the younger one, they had lost their parents both of them, one dead and the other was god knows where, they were most likely terrified, it was not a good situation to be in. So yes Nathaniel had spent most of the earlier time of the morning making sure they were settled and were at least happy with how they were being treated, they had only been here some of the night and had indeed settled in and gotten something Nathaniel almost resented of them, SLEEP. No longer tired out of his mind and brain active enough Nate left them to their devices and sleep and he promised himself he would let Henri know of these new arrival's, his friend might want to question them himself, not that he would blame him actually he would expect him to do it, but now he would not have to be a searching with the questions considering it had already been done once. Then again he might not want to do that at all, it depended but Nathaniel was plenty sure they were genuine and that they were settled well enough. He Had been heading out to check on the lookouts to make sure they had swapped and were at least okay, but something or someone drew his eye and caused him to stop in his Tracks, it was Henri heading in the direction of his tent. Hmm did not expect him up this early, better go see if there is something he want's. Nate smiled to himself partly glad that Henri was going to see him but what was it for, did he want to discuss the camp's or was there something more, was something on his friends mind? Either way Nate was determined to find out what he wanted and then Henri wanted to see him by the looks of it anyway, so who was Nate to disappoint someone, he changed direction in an instance and headed for Henri. "No one there Henri, then you always did look in the wrong place's." he called over tat him,the Smile changing to a playful smirk and his expression was a lot more friendlier one to Henri than it would of been to most other people, Henri was always one person he found he could relax around. he advanced at a nice brisk pace though not too fast, just to close the distance. "Your Up early Henri."

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[HENRI ROQUEFEUIL-BLANQUEFORT]

Henri recognized Nathaniel's voice as soon as he heard it and stopped, turning to face him. He smirked at the jibe, feeling more playful than his usual state of being in the camp. It didn't entirely surprise him that his friend had risen apparently so early as to already be long out of his tent; neither of the men kept particularly orthodox hours within the Sacred Heart, and it seemed increasingly common that at least one of them would take up a practically nocturnal existence.

“Only as early as ever,” he responded in an almost jocular tone. In boyhood they had frequently met one another in the forest similarly early; Henri had never been entirely sure whether such dawn expeditions were entirely to Nathaniel's taste or if they had simply been a matter of convenience.

The camp was still mostly quiet. A few other people moved about, mostly refugees from the village of Barbizon who had transferred their lives—and as far as possible, their livelihoods—to the Sacred Heart's encampment, but even these were fairly sparse and few even acknowledged the two young aristocrats-turned-rebels. For them, thought Henri, it was peacetime again.

Most came to the camp less because of any genuine republican ideals than because the situation in the village had become such that a normal life was nearly impossible. He couldn't blame them for this, though sometimes their lack of understanding of the situation frustrated him a little. This morning he looked on them with fondness, however, his nerves a bit less frayed than they had frequently become of late.

“I could address the same to you.” His lips twisted into another smirk, still far more playful than anything else. Almost doesn't befit me anymore, but what do I have to hide from an old friend?

He rarely spent as much time with Nathaniel as they had even a year before. Henri spent more and more of his time at work as the encampment swelled in size, and Nathaniel's missions into Paris had also begun to seem far more vital than they ever had before. Especially now that rumors of revolution wafted out from the city itself. Few of their conversations took the tone of childhood friends; far more related to their respective responsibilities and plans.

“A quiet night?” The camp seemed peaceful enough, and the simple fact that Henri had been able to sleep through the night suggested as much. Though the somewhat worn look on his friend's face seemed to tell a different story...

[nathanielredenei]

[atrb=border,0,true] [/style][style=width: 450px; background-color: ffffff; text-align:center; padding: 8px; line-height: 10px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 9px; color: 000000;][style=background-image:url(http://i49.tinypic.com/11kea2v.jpg); width: 252px; height: 138px; float: left; margin-top:10px;] WHEN'S IT GONNA END, HOW WE GONNA LIVE, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA HAPPEN NOW, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA GIVE [/style][style=width: 252px; height: 26px; float: left; margin-top:10px] made by historyofus of caution Well someone's certainly in a better mood. Nathaniel had not heard this more jovial tone come from Henri for some time, it was there sometimes hidden, but most of the time they had now taken a more militant tone with each other. They were still friends of course it's just that the two young men had found themselves kept preoccupied with the business of the camp. Most of their talks seemed to take place over plans and other stuff of import for the camp, so the two friends could hardly focus on each other as much as they used to be able to, they could not suddenly bust out with some random silliness no matter how much they wanted to. None of this did not mean that the two were no longer friends, it just meant that they were busy and could not dedicate all their time to their friendship, just more to their work and the other soldiers of the camp. The two young men were very busy. Nate had spent most of his days in Pairs, and when he was not trying to deal with informants or allies he was at work chasing rumours of rebels and revolutionaries within the capital. "Really? you must be losing touch the birds have already sung," he retorted with a jibe of his own feeling almost younger again as he did, Nate himself was never entirely thrilled with being up so early but he had, had some love of it, there was always so many possibilities early in the day and lots of fun to be had between the two friends. Nate had gotten used to getting up so early through out their childhood, that he almost expected to have to be up as early as possible even to these days. These days though to be up so early was not as thrilling as it was when Nate was a young boy. To most children to be up early was something special and exciting, as Nate had seen very much with Vanessa. He knew how much in those days Henri had loved getting up so early, Nate while a tiny bit more reserved about the timing of their forest meetings had found himself growing into the idea to the point of enjoying it. He would the first few times humour Henri just as easily as he found himself humouring his grand ideas that he had, Nate was very skilled at humouring friend, something that had found its way into their work here and within the camps Nathaniel seemed to be one of the only ones who could tell Henri no. "Time was you were the voice the birds woke to." he said now grinning from ear to ear, something that the young lad had not done in some time, and most of the time they were mainly false grins, a mask as to fool others and to have stuff going the way he wanted. Truly those days to was not Nate grinning, really he was just almost sighing inwardly. A Quiet night? Nate if he did not want to look a fool with of burst out laughing right there and then, his night was the least quite of nights that the young man had ever had, but something told him Henri already knew that. Just as Nate was sure Henri was more refreshed, Nate was just as sure that Henri could tell how worn out Nate was feeling. Nate was actually very glad he had asked, however he had not wanted to worry his friend with something like this so early in the morning. "Would of been in the night watchmen had any brains to deal with disturbances themselves, we had new arrival's last night two brothers mother and father both lost, I dealt with it hey are settled in for now," he decided to leave out how Henri had almost been woken up a few times and just keep to the simple parts of the story. He hated trying to overcomplicate things there was just no point to it, completed plans and such were useful but there was such a thing as going to far, simplicity was just as good as well. "Was there something you were wanting to ask me about?" Nate asked a tiny bit more serious than before but he was still more relaxed, it was easier to relax around Henri than it was around others. Though Nathaniel was not entirely sure what Henri wanted something told him that he was not here for camp issues, but then again maybe he was.

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[HENRI ROQUEFEUIL-BLANQUEFORT]

“It's what the stresses of command do to me,” Henri replied to Nathaniel's jibe in a half-joking voice. What he said was true, but his tone was deliberately not entirely serious. “And instead you're the one up before the birds, by the looks of it.” It was good to see his friend smiling, a carefree gesture that had largely abandoned them both in recent months. It was good to be together as friends, if only for that one moment.

The structure of Nathaniel's family had always been different, Henri supposed. He had often been under the impression, even when they were quite small, that his friend was not required to expend such effort to sneak away from his caretakers. Henri, had he not learned to be up with or before the birds, would have found his childhood to be much more domestic than it was. He'd never understood why it mattered; he finished his lessons eventually anyway, even if he spent the better part of the morning at liberty in the forest.

He became suddenly more serious at the explanation offered. He had expected that the night had been far from quiet; he hadn't expected there to have been new arrivals. He wondered if the violence that had afflicted Barbizon was spreading, if they would continue to experience a new influx of peasants and villagers. Henri did not want to have to turn anyone back from the refuge offered by the Sacred Heart, but eventually practicality would come in.

He didn't know how many more people they could support with the encampment at its current size, and to make it much larger would sacrifice their remaining mobility. Whenever the revolution came, they would have to fight in earnest. Things would turn to blood. And for a small force like theirs, mobility and flexibility would be their best chance. It worried him, and a small sigh escaped him.

Nathaniel hadn't needed to mention that he'd prevented the others from waking Henri. He knew his friend, the troubles he would undertake to protect him. “Thank you.”

He paused again for a moment. “I had thought to invite you to share the morning reports with me over breakfast. Perhaps, however, we might be better served by a ride into the woods. Looks like you could use a rest from this kind of official business.”

[nathanielredenei]

[atrb=border,0,true] [/style][style=width: 450px; background-color: ffffff; text-align:center; padding: 8px; line-height: 10px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 9px; color: 000000;][style=background-image:url(http://i49.tinypic.com/11kea2v.jpg); width: 252px; height: 138px; float: left; margin-top:10px;] WHEN'S IT GONNA END, HOW WE GONNA LIVE, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA HAPPEN NOW, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA GIVE [/style][style=width: 252px; height: 26px; float: left; margin-top:10px] made by historyofus of caution "Quite, though I'd suggest you were just getting Lazy in your old age." A mischievous flame lit up Nathaniel's eyes at the retort to Henri's Jibe, he grinned cheekily and smiled almost teasingly at his friend, wondering if he could come up with something better in response. He had not missed Henri's tone though and knew it was more half and half, the stress of command had been getting to him, and no matter how much he had tried to hide it, it was getting a lot more obvious by the day, it was not only obvious to him but Helene as well. It was also obvious to a few of the other men in the camp, it’s just they seemed rather too polite to say, and the ease at which the watchmen did not complain when he told them to wake him and not Henri was another reason to worry for Henri’s safety. He rather wished his friend would stop trying to work himself half to death, but he knew why he did and would not complain entirely at least, maybe just a friendly word in his ear, here and there to reminded him he did not need to be active every single second of every day. It’s one of the reasons had leader had subordinates to make their job just that little bit easier. "And I feel as if I could fly off like one at any moment." He responded in a dry tone though he suddenly burst out laughing a little, he was not entirely sure why he said it he just thought it would be amusing really maybe it was. Not everything Nathaniel said had to mean something, no matter how much he wanted it to. The laughter might have bemused his friend somewhat he was sure of that. Nathaniel also Knew that while he was protective of his friend, Henri was just as protective of him, Henri had many times tried to make sure Nathaniel had at least taken someone with him into Paris to make sure he was safe. Nate had agreed on the occasion but on other times Nate felt what he wanted to do was too private so would neglect having some with him sure he could keep himself safe. the Only time Henri had sent someone without Nate's knowledge was when he went and rushed back into the village to find Adal, not that Nathaniel minded he was glad that Henri cared for him enough to check he was not doing something rash. He smiled softly at Henri's thanks knowing that he had guessed that he had stopped them waking him up, these two still know each other well then. He knew he need not have said anything."Don't worry about it I'm sure the camp would rather not have a walking corpse for a leader, and I've heard you much more romantic when fully awake" He grinned cheekily again and this time stuck his tongue out playfully at his last remark, teasing him a little like old times those first days when they had Met Helene, all good natured of course nothing horrible. His Face lit up at what was said next all traces of tiredness vanished in an instant he felt rather youthful again at the mention of a ride into the woods. "You had Me at Ride Henri, I'd gladly go, just like old times then?" he said with a smile walking closer, glad that he had even mentioned the forest at all.

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[HENRI ROQUEFEUIL-BLANQUEFORT]

There was something almost strange in laughing together again as they had as young boys. Surreal, almost, in the midst of more serious discussion. Nevertheless it elicited a grin from him. “Well, if you're about to fly off like a bird, I should hope the goal isn't to fly away from me.” He said it in a very joking tone, confident that Nathaniel would never actually flee from their shared cause and responsibilities. They both had far too much invested in the whole affair to back out now, and, Henri believed, it was important to them both.

Nate's jab at Henri's love life, however, earned him a playful blow on the shoulder. It was the same kind of thing he'd heard from his friend constantly in more peaceful times, and the supposed attack—an expression of boyish amusement for which the precedent had been set years before, without any measure of real aggression—was light enough to barely make contact.

“I'll return the favor for you, you know,” he added, his expression turning more serious again. “You'll need rest as well, and I know you're not getting much.” Henri often doubted that Nathaniel slept even as much as he did; his friend seemed to be in almost constant motion, riding between Paris and their encampment and performing every other duty expected of him at the same time.

If it sometimes bothered Nate that Henri went back to his estate for supplies now and then, it bothered Henri doubly that the frequency of Nate's trips to Paris might someday elicit suspicion from some particularly observant city guard. He didn't expect it to happen, but he felt that the possibility was there—and it could be a dangerous one.

For the moment, though, he let any apprehension slip away. Yes, a ride would do them both good. A chance to forget about their own adulthood and gathered responsibilities, a chance to behave as if they were still the same boys—perhaps foolish, perhaps brave—who had dreamt of this life years before. He grinned.

“Just like old times.”

[nathanielredenei]

[atrb=border,0,true] [/style][style=width: 450px; background-color: ffffff; text-align:center; padding: 8px; line-height: 10px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 9px; color: 000000;][style=background-image:url(http://i49.tinypic.com/11kea2v.jpg); width: 252px; height: 138px; float: left; margin-top:10px;] WHEN'S IT GONNA END, HOW WE GONNA LIVE, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA HAPPEN NOW, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA GIVE [/style][style=width: 252px; height: 26px; float: left; margin-top:10px] made by historyofus of caution "Ah but Birds fly in flock's do they not, I'd take you with me no question," In this he was serious, though he still held a joking tone, while he did not mean they should leave, if he was to Nathaniel would follow and most likely drag him back, though Nathaniel was confident that if they moved on, Henri would try move everyone with him, Nathaniel would then not be surprised if everyone followed. Nathaniel however knew they would all stay here until the time was right, until they had their opening and hopefully a sign that would help them accomplish what they needed. "Death would be the only reason to leave you behind, but I'm sure even we can overcome that," he grinned though sombrely, he was speaking the truth on that he believed death would be the only parting between the two, be it together or separately. He certainly preferred it though if none of them died at all, unless old age took them that, however would be a totally different story and perfectly alright. There was also the matter of Vanessa and her safety, though he would die for Henri he still had her to thin about he would never be forgiven if he left her entirely. With Henri's expression his own hardened frowning a little, yes he himself was tired and everything had begun creeping up on him but he would rather be tired for Henri sake, for the sake of the camp and Vanessa then to not be at all. The frown vanished and he just smiled instead, he knew it was not practical to over exert yourself and to become all most non-functioning to the point of not being able to fight. "The Trips and the work is tiring yes, I'd be thankful if you returned the favour, though something tells me I may have to knock you out given your tendency to work yourself into the ground, and I'm not the only one who worries." He left it hanging there, it was a promise that he'd do everything to make sure Henri sleeps properly and fits in the work he does, though at the same time he knew that sometimes the work required that length and dedication. It was also left on the fact he meant Helene, she had not said much to him but Nathaniel good tell she was worried as well. Still even through all this worry Henri would continue with dedication. "Good shall we take the horses or on foot, either way I'm sure I can reach the trees first," He answered teasingly though he felt he may need to check on Vanessa first. No she will be fine, it is safe here, and she is safe, plenty of help for her if she needs it. He Smiled and then swept past Henri, he reached into his tent taking both his pistol and his sabre attaching them to his waist. When turning back to Henri he nodded. "Shall we then it's getting dreadfully boring standing here, I almost feel what it's like to be a plant." He now stood next to Henri waiting and glancing over to the stables.

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[HENRI ROQUEFEUIL-BLANQUEFORT]

“The Sacred Heart needs us both.” Henri's tone had fallen back into a degree of seriousness, but the playful mood was not entirely gone. He didn't know what he would do without his friend and lieutenant; the division of responsibilities made life a bit simpler. Given the exhaustion that so frequently seemed to settle in over both of them, Henri didn't want to consider what it would be like to command completely alone.

“It is better than neither of us dies until the day of revolution comes.” It felt almost like speaking of the Apocalypse, but in the tone of a true believer—there was nothing to fear from this Armageddon, for they stood on the side assured of victory. Even if one or both of them died, it would be a martyr's fall. Its own victory, and something that Henri, at least, was determined not to fear.

In moments of deeper thought on the subject, Henri realized that Nathaniel was the one with more earthly responsibilities. Helene was Henri's concern, but he knew—whether he was entirely comfortable with the idea or not—that she was practically determined to follow him into death if that should come. Nathaniel had his adopted daughter, however. It would be unfair to the child to remove from her another family, but sometimes sacrifices would have to be made.

Still, he hoped that wouldn't be one of them—just as he hoped that he would never be asked to choose between Helene and his fight. There were decisions that he trusted God would not force into their hands, for the consequences would be too cruel.

“The horses.” He grinned. There was something more exciting about riding into the forest than going on foot. Of course, it wasn't quite like old times—both of them were armed, and not with the intention of going hunting. Hopefully they would have no cause to use their pistols, but he knew there could be no guarantee of that.

“Now then. I forgot just how impatient you can be.” He smirked, setting out toward the stables at a quick pace. “It's been too long, has it?”

[nathanielredenei]

[atrb=border,0,true] [/style][style=width: 450px; background-color: ffffff; text-align:center; padding: 8px; line-height: 10px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 9px; color: 000000;][style=background-image:url(http://i49.tinypic.com/11kea2v.jpg); width: 252px; height: 138px; float: left; margin-top:10px;] WHEN'S IT GONNA END, HOW WE GONNA LIVE, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA HAPPEN NOW, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA GIVE [/style][style=width: 252px; height: 26px; float: left; margin-top:10px] made by historyofus of caution Nathaniel wanted to say something sarcastic but considering the seriousness his friends tone had taken he expelled that thought from his mind. Henri was right it did need both of them, and it needed both of them standing tall and together not separated, while he would never say it he was sure that if any of them where to disappear then the camp would cease to function, certainly because the other one would stop at nothing to find the other, that was for sure. Nathaniel knew that he would pull out everything he could if Henri was to go missing. "Or not die at all," He smiled a bit more business-like, shivering at all this talk of death, it was not nice or fun, plus they were both loved and needed, they had someone they needed to keep alive for, while there were dangers they had to do their best to stay alive and see this through for those they loved. For those that had been loved and were still loved up there in heaven, "plus the Sacred Heart needs us after all, and I'm too young to perish, good looks like mine are hard to come by." He grinned at Henri gesturing to himself for effect, before looking up at the sky almost vacantly "and I made a promise." He smiled sadly lost in his thoughts thinking of her, his heart aching, he felt as if he would never let it go Vanessa will be safe, and my promise will be kept. He Shook his head and now grinned at the mention of the horses. "Good, I'd rather the horses, feel right," he smiled riding into the forest was something the just felt right, he had no special love of horses, okay he had a love of one horse and there was a reason for that, Adeleia she had adored the Horse so Nathaniel himself had felt connected to it. Another thing was that it held a small historical significance birth wise to his family something that Nate was very interested in. "Well it’s better to be impatient than a slow old bore, oh wait that was my father" he grinned laughing "though I do remember you boring with me with some details once upon a time, I still say your speeches are too long." The young man poked a bit of fun before catching Christian who happened to be near the tables. "Ah Perfect Christian could you do me a favour and check on the new arrival's again then find the scouts see if they have any news on that cart." His tone was strict and somewhat harsh, Nathaniel did not like Christian he felt him a fool and somewhat incompetent, Christian nodded and headed off no questions. "Tell me again why you trust him Henri ?" He questioned his friend, there had to be something there about the man Henri liked Nate however could not see it. He went into stables and approached Freredas the Horse that held a place in his heart, he turned to Henri. "She him, always tried to ride him you remember?" He frowned shaking his head again braking into a smile “So which one are you taking?”

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[HENRI ROQUEFEUIL-BLANQUEFORT]

Henri let the topic of death drop there. His mind drifted in that direction more and more frequently, but he knew it wasn't entirely healthy. Not for him, and not for Nathaniel either. Each had made his own set of promises that required him to be alive, and each was, as his friend had said, too young to die—if ever Death had been concerned for the age of its targets.

He forced a smile at Nate's comment on Christian. “I trust him because he shows every sign of being loyal.” He allowed himself a little shrug. “If you didn't feel the same way, you wouldn't give him orders.” He said that in a tone much closer again to the joking one from earlier, but he imagined there must be some truth to it. Why would Nathaniel give orders to a man he couldn't trust? Unless they would lead him into a surprisingly non-sensitive suicide mission, and he'd never yet heard him issue the orders for something like that.

“I remember.” His voice was quiet. One of many things now regulated to their memories, but it was reassuring that those memories at least were shared. Another thing that would be lost if one of them should die. “And he's always been a fine horse.” He wondered what his friend would do when the horse would someday die, too—or at least be incapacitated. Time crept onward, and horses—though they lived longer than dogs—were not immortal and did generally live shorter lives than the men who rode them.

“I'll take my bay,” he responded in a more cheerful tone. The horse was one he'd brought from the estate shortly after they had first taken the woods, a young animal whose training he had finished himself. He had thought that by doing so he might have a horse more exactly adapted to the conditions of their ongoing struggle, and so far that seemed mostly to be the case except for a few failings that reminded him that he was not meant for training horses.

“Perhaps I should buy a few more soon.” Horses were another thing easier to purchase through his estate; it hardly raised suspicions that a young man of aristocratic birth might occasionally wish to buy a number of good horses. If he were to try without that, most of the animals would likely be more like what had come in with some of the peasants of Barbizon—farm animals, strong and easy to care for, but slow and not intended to be good saddle horses.

[nathanielredenei]

[atrb=border,0,true] [/style][style=width: 450px; background-color: ffffff; text-align:center; padding: 8px; line-height: 10px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 9px; color: 000000;][style=background-image:url(http://i49.tinypic.com/11kea2v.jpg); width: 252px; height: 138px; float: left; margin-top:10px;] WHEN'S IT GONNA END, HOW WE GONNA LIVE, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA HAPPEN NOW, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA GIVE [/style][style=width: 252px; height: 26px; float: left; margin-top:10px] made by historyofus of caution Nate Laughed at what Henri said about Christian, but his face betrayed him something he would never allow in the presence of another, he found with Henri he never really needed to put on a mask, though he could if he wanted to. There was no need though at the moment so Nate did not do so, there had been times where he had lied to Henri and not even let his face betray him, but there were so many different reasons for that. One such time was when he had told Henri he was not going to go back into the village, though the less said about that one the better. "Maybe, I'll give him that, he's is loyal, though if he would think instead of leaping first I'd trust him more," Nate sighed at that but grinned somewhat at his friend, before looking around him to check Christian, it was part of him not to trust entirely, but he did know Christian was loyal enough and would not betray them, he was just more worried that he'd get himself killed. "anyway I don't have to trust people to work with them, that's your job," he'd slipped back into a teasing tone and gave Henri a little nudge on the shoulder, before laughing again. "Yeah your right he's just a bit too reckless in my opinion." He looked at Henri for a moment thinking, then back at Christian, ideas formulating in his mind on how best to utilize the man, there were a few, though he was not sure entirely. He left the thought he had swimming in his mind leaving it for now for a later date when he would think the man ready and a lot more trustworthy for that sort of thing. Nate Looked at Henri again deciding he would need one though. "Well we certainly need more horses, but if you’re going back to your estate for them, I'd like to come with you this time, after all it's been a long time since I saw your mother, she must thinking I'm hiding from her." Nate was not looking at Henri he was too busy looking at the horse of his own, smoothing it down to make sure it was okay and ready to ride, he whispered something in its ear. As he said what he said his expression of annoyance was hidden from Henri, he understood his need to go to the estate, however one day he would get into trouble there and might not even come back. He masked it quickly and turned back to face Henri as he put the saddle on his own horse and got on. “So then let’s see who can get to the tree line first shall we?" He patted his Horse and waited for Henri to climb on to his wondering if he would accept the challenge or not, something told the young man he might, if not he might just make it more enticing for him that always worked.

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[HENRI ROQUEFEUIL-BLANQUEFORT]

“As if you always look before you leap,” Henri teased his friend gently. He knew Nate was a good strategist, but had become familiar with the fact that a talent in the field didn't mean that he was always particularly cautious. Some of it was because he tried to protect Henri; some of it had been inherent in him since they were children.

“You're afraid of me going back.” It wasn't an accusation, far more a matter of fact. He knew Nate disliked his periodic returns, but Henri found the resources the estate put at his disposal invaluable. It had become one of their major supply lines over the months, able to provide things the forest could not even now that they had, for all practical purposes, a small village around their encampment.

He didn't mind him accompanying him, though he doubted he really missed Henri's mother. She had never disliked Nathaniel in the way that he suspected she disliked Helene—his father had been the more vocal one even on that account—but that didn't mean there was any particular love between them. For the most part, his mother had stayed out of their games—and sometimes Henri wondered if she didn't see this as just another game, a sign of an unnaturally extended adolescence and a foolishness he would soon outgrow.

“It's not as dangerous as you believe.” Despite his mother's complete lack of republican leanings and credentials, Henri trusted that she loved him enough to avoid causing his death or capture. He was her only surviving child—that had to count for something, especially now that his father was gone.

He mounted his bay in a fluid motion, squeezing his horse forward to stand beside Nate's. The horses were antsy, anxious for their exercise that morning—a contrast to the lazily eating farm horses that shared the stable, growing fat on even the modest grain ration the Sacred Heart's improvised stables could provide.

“I suppose we shall.” He smirked, tapping the horse forward with his heels with a briskness his father would have punished him for. The horse lurched forward, trying to pull the reins through Henri's hands.

[nathanielredenei]

[atrb=border,0,true] [/style][style=width: 450px; background-color: ffffff; text-align:center; padding: 8px; line-height: 10px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 9px; color: 000000;][style=background-image:url(http://i49.tinypic.com/11kea2v.jpg); width: 252px; height: 138px; float: left; margin-top:10px;] WHEN'S IT GONNA END, HOW WE GONNA LIVE, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA HAPPEN NOW, SOMETHIN'S GOTTA GIVE [/style][style=width: 252px; height: 26px; float: left; margin-top:10px] made by historyofus of caution "That's because I know where I'm leaping," he retorted back knowing what Henri was on about, yes Nate was good at strategizing, however the young man would not do it all the time he was not overly cautious, even if he made himself out to be, if that were to be true he would never get anything done. There were also times he did not plan at all, why? Because it was easier to go in blind or have the plan fit around the changing situation, He was just as good at making things up on the spot. He also tried to make sure most of his plans protected Henri well enough, but he knew that any plan no matter how good could be exploited, so you just needed fewer holes in it. Even though there always would be at least one. "Of course I am," he responded on the matter of Henri going to his estate, while it should not and he knew his Mother would never give him up and try at all times to keep him safe, there was still a risk, and it was distressing to think that Henri could get in trouble there and neither him nor Helene would know about it. "I'm glad that you can use it for supplies, god knows we need them," There was a but there but he certainly meant that, Henri's estate was certainly a valuable source of supplies, and the camp was somewhat lacking in this area, there were a few other sources but they were few and is was incredibly even more dangerous and difficult to get them not that Nate had told Henri this he was sure he knew already. It was quite difficult for him to get supplies out of Paris without raising a few eyebrows, before he said anything else though he let Henri finish. "Maybe I am being paranoid, but what if someone were to visit the estate," he left that there deciding not to say whom could do so he left that for Henri to decide, however he would also let it go for now Henri knew what he was doing..... well he hoped. He certainly did not need someone protecting him every single second of the whole day, no matter how much he wanted to. While waiting for Henri to get on his horse and ride out Nate reached over to his own horses ear and whispered something to try and clam it down a little and to encourage it in other ways, it responded in kind with a whiny, something Adeleia always love telling him that they were almost bound together. He chuckled under his breath and nodded to Henri as he came aside him, purposefully he let Henri go first but he whispered something to his horse, and he suddenly started off easily catching up with Henri's "Any Direction then?" Nathaniel did not mind he was glad to be actually doing something like this again, any which way was fine with him. It had been a very long time since the friends had gotten to do something like this, he glanced around amused at some of the looks given, by those in the camp that were actually up.

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[HENRI ROQUEFEUIL-BLANQUEFORT]

“I wonder where you would be if you'd gone into the army.” Henri often felt that his friend was more in his element in their shared environment; it let him exercise his mind in a way most men, at least outside of the army, could only ever redirect into ostensibly more peaceful pursuits. Politics, perhaps, though this was their own version of it. To direct it into a game of love, Henri thought, had been out of the question for Nathaniel for years. This sort of command suited him.

He was glad Nathaniel hadn't gone off to become an army officer. He would be looking at me from the other end of a gun. He could do nothing but thank God that it would never come to that. They knew each other too well, could predict the other's plans from a shared boyhood. If they had found themselves fighting under different banners, all that could have come was the flowing of blood and the rending of souls.

“If someone visits, then I'll pretend nothing is wrong.” It wasn't far removed from what he did with his own mother. He still dressed up, after all, and spoke an aristocrat's French in a genteel tone. Sometimes the grit of command showed through the veneer, but he did his best. If nothing else, he could pass himself off as the natural result of growing up in the countryside and so close to the forest. "I have every right to visit my own estate."

And for those who had themselves lived outside Paris for the majority of their lives, he would have to think of something else. Some who remembered his earlier years, perhaps, would credit it to Helene and her supposedly bad influence on him—though he was certain that she was one of the few things to keep him sane. Others that he was still adjusting to his role since his father's death, though he was far too old for it to be credited to the man's absence.

“Not toward the road.” He urged his horse further into the forest, taking the lead for the moment. “And not toward Barbizon.” He wanted to see the village, desperately. He wanted to know what was happening there, and if such events had brought the two nocturnal stragglers Nathaniel had mentioned to him. But it was not a place he would go with Nathaniel, and this was not the ride for such serious business.