Inside the South Gate(#19894Rnto)
The Great East Road enters and leaves Bree here, through an opening in the high hedge that surrounds Bree. Where the road meets the hedge, a large stone wall has been erected, of well set stones. Under an arch of stones is a wooden door, with two small windows: one high, one low. On the west side of the road, near the door, is the gatekeeper's lodge. On the eastern side of the road stand a few houses. The Great East Road winds its way north, around the western flank of Bree-hill. The air is cool but pleasant and the ground is somewhat cool and turning brownish once more.
The day sky is cloud-filled and gloomy. The mid afternoon autumn air is cool but pleasant around you.
Obvious exits:
 SouthEast leads to Outside the South Gate <GER>.
 Stone House leads to Bill Ferny's House.
 West leads to Gatekeepers' Lodge.
 North leads to GER: Centre of Bree.

             Afternoon has fallen over the town of Bree, bringing with it a little... slowing, of the general hustle and bustle that seems trademark of the area's atmosphere. It is quite cool, though not unpleasantly so, however small children are already being rugged up by their over zealous parents, and run about now with scarves and gloves.
             A woman can be seen lingering just by the road, wearing a cloak of rich red in colour- the hood drawn, but it is quite obvious that she is watching, and perhaps waiting to be joined by somebody. People continue to pass.. Scarlet Greythorn's face wears the beginnings of a scowl, a slight crease between the brows, eyes narrowed the tiniest amount, and the lips downturned.

Through town from the infamous location of his home near the south gate toward the town's Inn and tavern strolls Bill Ferny, known for some great deal of town as the official scoundrel of Bree but recently known most for having claimed the office of mayor for himself and seeming quite genuine in offering to help establish a charitable warehouse of goods for those needing it during the coming winter.
No one has quite known how to take Ferny's sentiments, and for good reason -- the man has never been known to do something 'good' in his life. At any rate, for the time being he is carrying himself respectably and honorably, a welcome change for the Breefolk but one which also causes a great deal of distrust. He eyes Scarlet on the saide of the east-west road and slows, casually walking to her vicinity without trying to seem to obvious about his direction.

             The eyes are already moving swiftly from one travelling Breefolk to the next, however, as they fall on Ferny, they stop roaming. Most of her expressions are cleverly distorted by the hood, which is probably for the best as the eyes grow colder as they espy the man, the lips are tensed and yet her posture and air remains the same as ever- confident to the point of arrogance. The fingers on each hand are stretched out at her side, then the arms are folded across her chest.
             "Well, well, Bill Ferny..." This said quietly- loud enough as he grows nearer, but not enough to draw any attention their way, other than what they would otherwise have generated. "Don't you just look the model citizen, hm?" The tone is velvet in quality, containing that same uncaring confidence. as her stance.

Ferny tilts his head downward, looking up his forehead at the hooded cowl of Scarlet Greythorne. "Model citizen indeed, madame. I've nothing to hide -- just trying to do my best to help these fools make it through winter alive." Nodding with a smile, Ferny leans back against a nearby treetrunk and pulls a pipe from his cloak, making the necessary preparations for a good smoke.
Haven't seen Miss Scarlet in some time, though -- you been up to no good, or just doing a lot of babysitting lately?

             A smirk turns the corners of the lips, one eyebrow raising in a disbelieving expression. "Nothing to hide you say?" And the woman shifts her gaze to regard the people passing again, as if checking to see if any of /them/ were hearing the same words. "If you say so. And I am sure all this charity is coming from the good of your own heart. This is certainly not the Bill Ferny I have associated with!" A pause, coy smile, and then the head inclines slightly.
             "Up to no good? Certainly not. Babysitting? Whom, exactly, am I supposed to have been babysitting?" And yet, a flicker of the eyes suggests she has an idea- whether it is the right or not is another matter.

"Of course," Ferny offers, accompanying the words with a dramatic bow. He has the pipe lit now, and leans back, lifting a knee and placing the flat of his foot against the tree trunk as he exhales thick smoke into the air around him. Breathing deeply through the pipe, Ferny looks toward Scarlet.
"I guess you know, I've decided to let Chief Thistlewool keep the position of mayor, with the understanding I'm not be arrested as he originally intended. You happen to know if he's thought the proposal over? Haven't heard from him since then, so I guess that's a good sign...(?)" Ferny picks as his teeth momentarily before raising a brow questioningly at Scarlet.
             "Oh, yes, I had read that, or heard it here or thereabouts... It seems a wise decision to me. I am not certain, however..." There is a pause, and the face becomes suddenly blank- she seems to have been struck by an idea. Piece by piece, the expression resumes as though nothing had happened and yet, something has flared in the eyes- something new. "However, I do hold quite a standing with the Chief, these days," Fingers pluck at the edges of the cloak sleaves in an absent-minded gesture, "I am certain that something could be arranged one way or another. You and I have always been associates, Ferny," And now the voice conveys warmth, even... friendliness? "To a degree.. As much of a good citizen you believe yourself to be now, we are similar... I shall see what the Chief has to say, I am certain some arrangement could be made in everyone's favour..."
"Precisely as I hoped you would say it, dear." Ferny nods, standing upright now and walking a little closer to her. He exhales heavily into the darkening sky above, seeming quite satisfied with the quick little conversation.
"Please explain that my intentions are correct, with the collection office and all -- it will serve the town quite well if allowed to remain, and I will help Daniel any way I can, for as long as needed. I'm trying to change a perception here, Scarlet. See?"
             Scarlet regards the man carefully, as though sizing up an opponant before going into battle. And then, she nods her head once- agreeing, it seems, to help him in his situation. That hint of a smirk still remains. After all, who here, has the power? "But my question to you, Ferny, is why? Why this sudden change? I have been told many times that a person cannot just change that simply..."
"Scarlet, dear." A pause, as if Ferny intended to say something he has thought better of. He continues, "Let's just say that I am not so stupid as to think I can stay in this town forever seen as the scoundrel and thief that people think I am..." Ferny's dark eyes peer from under bushy eyebrows at the young woman.
"If I'm going to be perceived as a helpful, wholesome individual, I must carry myself as such, eh? Opinions will change one by one until Bree is able to trust Bill Ferny again. And the Ferny family again, indeed. I hate the looks my auntie gets when she comes to town, just for my sake." Ferny's eyes betray him not, for he does indeed seem morose at the thought. He falls silent once more.
             "Ah." It is a breath out, mostly. "Yes, I have been told myself that I would do better as an upstanding citizen but... I cannot abide by it. I shall stick to my night wanderings... and regardless, I am not considered so much of a scoundral as you." Wry smile now, muddy blue eyes not shifting for a moment from their careful regard of the man.
             At the mention of his 'auntie', however, she cannot help but to supress a laugh. It is short, mirthless, and over in but a moment. "Oh, your auntie?! My word, Ferny..." And Scarlet shakes her head here, "Well, we shall see I suppose."
"Indeed, we shall, lass." Ferny has already begun moving on, and now does so, leaving the impressions of his uncharacteristically pleasant mood and the sweet scent of his pipeweed behind him... Soon the evening swallows his sillhouette as he nears the Pony and steps inside...