First Person Survey for: Molly Flynn

Name Given at Birth: Mary Cooper

Nicknames: Molly; though I'm not sure why my parents chose to call me Molly when they had named me Mary...

Hometown or where you were born: Kent, actually. M'lord and I DID live in Canterbury, but...

Current Residence: Sherwood Forest. Lovely... thief-filled Sherwood Forest.

Age: 36

Class: We *were* middle class. Fletcher, and all. Now... we're considered common thieves.

What do you do, your main function in life/society: Adam made us a fine living in arrow making. Kings archers and hunters are always in need of arrows. However, it seems that Adam deemed 'Robin Hood's' cause in more need of his services. So, now we make arrows to ward off the King's guard (can't believe I just told you that...)

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I'm not too sure what skinny-dipping is... but as nothing on me could be considered skinny, I'd say not!

Do you make fun of people: How rude! Never. Not intentionally, anyway. And NEVER to anyone I don't know well. Not in much of a position to be poking fun at others, now am I?

Favorite Color: Blue. Beautiful, royal blue. Even if I know now that I'll never be able to afford a dress in that beautiful colour, I can always look to the sky and be reminded of better times. That is, when I can get myself to a clearing, and see up beyond the trees...

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Regardless of what my husband has gotten us into, we are NOT criminals. While the current company we keep may not be the best thought of, I feel confident that should we be caught the good King would listen to a reasonable explanation. Perhaps Adam's been bewitched, or some such thing...

Closest friends/How did you meet: Lucy Collins *was* my dearest friend, until we became exiled out here. She was a blacksmith's daughter. Their shoppe was a door or two down from our own. She and I spent many hours talking and playing as if we were ladies of the court! Such fun times, such wonderful memories. While I was unable to learn lace making, my mother was able to teach her; as a young girl she turned out such beautiful pieces! As Lucy was a year older than myself, she married before me; about six months before father married me to Adam. Currently, I'd dearly love to get to know the maid Marion. Why she's so sweet on Robin is beyond me. Fanny Little has many admirable qualities; she's a wonderful mother, and she's been so blessed with children.

One Pillow or two: The softest bit of ground that I can find for the night. I had a pillow at one time...

Pets: Generally, I've no time for pets. With so many menfolk to feed, any animal that comes close is as good as dinner.

Favorite Type of Music: Anything played on the harp. It's angel's music, it is.

Hobbies/Pastimes: Not that I have time any more, but I did enjoy knitting. I've still got needles, and possibly at some point there'll be some spun wool in something the men bring back. Even if the socks I knit are then given away to some poor child, it would be such fun to knit up a pair...

Personal Hygiene: Unfortunately, not as clean as I'd like to be, living in the forest as we do, but I manage to keep myself from having too foul an odor.

Favorite Food: I enjoy a good stew. And good thing, too, as it's most often what gets fixed 'round here! Best of all, I enjoy strawberries. Sometimes we can find them wild here in the forest.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Mother's dead, rest her soul. I've not seen Father for... years. Even before we had to move out into this forest, business was good and I helped Adam. I miss him terribly.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: Mother died the year after Father married me to Adam. Took ill in the late fall, and died right before spring broke the next year. She was so ill that winter. She could hardly breathe; always coughing and rattling with each breath.

Favorite place to relax: As much as I dislike this forest, there is a place where the trees part above, and provided Fanny's little ones are all playing together elsewhere, and all the chores are taken care of, I can sit there for a bit with my back against the tree and gaze up at the beautiful blue sky.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: May 1. Not so much that it's St. Ceallach day ( a reason to celebrate all in itself, mind you ) but it's the day our only child was born.

Favorite Drink: I've had Claret on a few occasions, and it's my favorite drink. I suppose it'll be good long while before I have anything better than the friar's meade...

What's your bedtime: I usually try to get myself to sleep not long before a body can't see to get around. Just not long after sunset. That may get interrupted, however depending on how late the men stay out, which usually isn't that bad.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I've got a fine pair of ghilles that've served me well for a couple of years now. Got them just a couple of months before Adam brought us out here with Robin's men. Also, I managed to bring along in the small bag I was allowed an extra set of knit stockings for myself as well as one for Adam.

Are you married or single: Married. Adam's a good, strong man. He's good to me, and usually does what's best for us.

Do you have a family / who are they: My husband, Adam. And somewhere, a son; also Adam. We were lucky enough to get him apprenticed out to a knight before our current situation began.

Favorite Entertainment: Now, watch Fanny play with her children, or interact with her husband, John. She often brings a smile to my face. Sometimes, I'll take a moment to play with one of the children. That brings pleasant memories. Before we came to the forest, every once in a while I'd get out a deck of cards and play with them, some...

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I loved to watch my mother's hands work as she made lace. Like I've said before, I just wasn't able to pick it up; never got past knitting myself. Not being able to make lace wasn't for trying. Just couldn't get my hands to work that small thread...

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Sometimes, when there wasn't help around the house, I had to clean out the fire pit. I despised that. I hate being smudged with ashes. I at least like to look presentable. I used to help Lucy clean the smudges off of her face before we'd play.

Favorite Sport: I'm rather fond of archery tournaments. It's entertaining to see what a good archer can do with the arrow's Adam's made.

Most Humiliating Moment: It isn't just one moment in time, but years, and it continues. I've only been able to give Adam one child. I've conceived more than that, but always lost the child. I've got to believe that I'm responsible for this, somehow.

Proudest Moment: The day Adam was born. I had conceived before, but had always lost the baby; born too soon, and not strong enough to survive. But when Adam was finally born, and he cried so loud and strong, I knew that he'd make it!

Craziest Person or silliest you know: John Little. I don't think that man's completely right in the head. Don't tell Fanny I said that. It'd hurt her feelings.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: I don't suppose that makes much difference as I'm a married woman. However, given a choice I'd have chosen a man like Adam, if not Adam himself. Someone that would be a good husband and provider.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" Adam Flynn

Favorite Sport to watch:  Archery. Again, it's fulfilling to see one's handiwork in action.

Do you remember your first kiss: (blushing madly) I don't know that you could even consider this... but when I was 10, Lucy's older brother Jonathan kissed me on my cheek and ran before I could even object.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: I've not seen Lucy (she's no longer Lucy Collins, but Lucy Fyne) since her father married her to a blacksmith from Surrey. I miss her. Times were much easier when she was around.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Don't think I've ever taken a holiday. When chores don't need doing and there aren't a gaggle of children around, I can find some alone time where the trees part, but even it's in view of the others. Who's got time for a holiday anyway? Even before we came here, there wasn't time for that.

Have you ever been overseas: God in heaven, no! Why would I put myself on a boat for who knows how long at a time? Likely as not'd be my luck the boat would sink and we'd all drown!

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: I had a wood floor at one time. Now I have 'woods' floor. Dirt. Mud when it rains.

What is your bed made of: Moss, mostly.

How many people sleep in your bed: That depends on how you're defining my bed. If moss is my bed, and the forest floor is covered with moss, then many sleep there, but it's inappropriate to say that, so...there you are.

1. Regardless of my distaste for my husband's decision to bring us out here, I stand by him.

2. My husband and I are honest people. I loathe liars.

3. Sometimes I can't hide it; I miss the finer things in life, like having an actual building in which to live.

4. I only had one child. But that wasn't for lack of trying.

5. I'm a fair cook. Just ask these men, or my husband for that matter!

6. While I give my thoughts to the tasks at hand, I do welcome the opportunity to take my mind off of our current situation. I spend more time day-dreaming than I had ought.

7. I'll have the friar pass a blessing on anyone who can get me some spun wool.

8. I've even got a coin or two that I keep hidden. I can pay for that wool.

9. While I wouldn't readily chose to be here, these people are good at heart, and I'll stand by them, and protect them as I'm able, especially the children.

10. Make an enemy of Molly Flynn, and I'll find some way to make you regret it.