Welcoming returning heroes with lapetitmauvais

[lambwolfandman]

It's several hours past dusk when Alistair comes running. Predicting arrival times had never been a precise art. There's always the risk that the hero will come earlier or later than expected

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[lapetitmauvais]

Sebastien has been ready for hours, and that's after changing his shirt three times and his trousers twice. He springs to open the door nearly the moment Alistair knocks

[lambwolfandman]

Alistair laughs at the excited young vampire. Sebastien seems to barely wait a second between his questions. Truly the essence of excitement.

"You look great, Sebastien," the healer assures him.

His grinning is short lived though. Sebastien's sudden movement making him panic for a moment. The healer rubs his arm a little as he thinks about the question. Then he shakes his head. "No. They won't. You're here and every hero trusts that this is home. That this place is safe and free from vampires. Besides, Selik would know what to do if that happened."

[lapetitmauvais]

Sebastien nods. Already feeling guilty at the healer's worried look. He'd arrived at Sebastien's door excited and overjoyed and it took the vampire all of about two seconds to reduce him to a state of anxiety and doubt.

"It's just that...he'll have seen my kind, you know? Really seen us. Not just in books. And...and what if he wants to shake my hand? He'll feel my skin is cold and..."

Sebastien is wringing his hands. He realizes it and forces himself to stop.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm just..." He looks away, swallowing hard. "Perhaps I shouldn't go after all. I'll only ruin it for you."

[lambwolfandman]

"He might not have," Alistair tells him with an encouraging smile. He puts a hand on Sebastien's shoulder to try and calm him. "Don't worry so much. We can say you were out riding most of the day. It's chilly out. We'll deal with each hurdle as we come to it."

"Besides..." He takes Sebastien by the shoulders then and laughs. "I need you to come. Who else will restrain me from embarrassing myself with my giddy ways in front of the students?"

[lapetitmauvais]

Sebastien lets himself be carried along, swept up by the hero's charisma and the strong hand on his shoulder. Doing as he usually does when he's confronted with some new situation, especially one as overwhelming as this one. He becomes utterly silent, watching and listening, taking everything in. Keenly aware of the many eyes upon them as Sabri sweeps them out of the room. There's more than one jealous look directed Sebastien's way. The other students no doubt wondering why he warrants such a privilege. An uneasy feeling settles over Sebastien and he wonders if they'll resent him now, if they don't already

[lambwolfandman]

The large room looks like an old banquet room. Once grand but now worn and neglected. Though the staff must have surely tried to bring it close to its former glory. There are a many tables and chairs around making a rough arc. The food on the table is by no means a grand feast, but it looks like the cooks tried with what they had. Pastries and small cakes but also more savoury foods for the assassin

[lapetitmauvais]

For a few moments, the air is filled with the sound of many feet scrambling. Wooden chair legs scrape on the stone floor as the crowd hurries to find a seat. Sebastien looking around him, watching the mad rush, following Alistair like a puppy as the healer leads him around the tables. The vampire is surprised no one beats them to the two empty chairs right in the center of the arc, but no one makes a move for them. They sit down, the assassin's bag at Alistair's feet. Sebastien looking up just in time to see Sabri step boldly onto the table - his boot right between two platters of food - then hopping down again on the other side

[lambwolfandman]

The assassin follows Sebastien's gaze to Alistair and smiles. "Ah. A nervous young man then?" He chews on the roll some before addressing the hall. "I would have you all know that when I left Syria no hero of my knowledge had fallen!"

A swell of cheering rises through the hall. A predetermined refrain. Alistair stays quiet this time but his heartened grin shows he's no less pleased by this news.

Sabri places a finger on his lips and waits until his soft call for everyone to hush can be heard. A gentle 'shhh'. He leans forward then. All eyes on him and he knows it. And he plays to it. "My home away from home has been plagued by a most vicious beast. As soon as it strikes it is gone again! Leaving a bloody mess of limb torn from limb

[lapetitmauvais]

Sebastien's cheeks flush bright scarlet and he sinks down lower in his chair. Mortified at his abject failure to impress the flamboyant hero, or at least acquit himself with some measure of dignity. A nervous young man. That's the impression Sebastien has made so far. An awkward child unable to speak when presented with a perfectly straightforward yes or no question.

Fuck.

The vampire's abysmal spirits are somewhat forgotten, though, as the hero begins his story. How he commands the room with the power of his presence! Leaning forward, sitting back, waving his hands about. Now thundering, now whispering, holding the crowd utterly entranced as he weaves his tale of how he defeated the diabolical beast. Sebastien sits, thunderstruck, as wide-eyed as any of the rest of them. Astonished at Sabri's hard-won victory. Sebastien has never heard of such a creature, but he can picture it in his mind. He looks at Sabri more admiringly than ever, amazed that one man - one human - could possibly vanquish such a vicious monster with

[lambwolfandman]

Alistair glances at Sebastien and offers a fleeting questioning but concerned look. Though it vanishes as Sabri look back at the two of them. Knowing that Sebastien would probably dislike it if Alistair asked what was wrong while there are so many people about.

"And your shoulder is alright?" He asks as his concern turns to Sabri. Asking about his friend, not the mighty hero everyone is hearing about.

"I can still shoot an arrow so I'm doing alright," the assassin replies with a soft smile.

"Do you have a trophy?" An excited young man asks.

Sabri shakes his head. "No. Only scars. As I said, I sold the pelt."

"Was that the only thing you killed?" Someone else who sounds somewhat unimpressed.

Again, he shakes his head. A smile light on his lips at the consistent questioning. "No. No, I have defeated many things

[lapetitmauvais]

Sebastien looks back and forth between them, following the conversation as best he can. Watching Alistair's face carefully. Noting the frown and the solemn look, the way he and Sabri seem to be sharing a meaningful look. Sebastien doesn't understand. What places? Why are they strange? And who are these men Sabri has been compelled to battle so often?

It seems his curiosity will remain unsatisfied for now. He watches the hero, still tearing off little pieces of the roll. He wonders when Sabri will give leave for everyone else to eat. Sebastien has fed already, of course, so it is of no consequence to him. And Sabri is the guest of honour. It only makes sense that he should eat first. But he has been here some little while now, and Sebastien has seen more than one pair of hungry eyes dart toward the table. He frowns a little, but stares resolutely at his hands. Trying not to judge or make assumptions. He is the stranger here, not Sabri, and there is much he has to learn about the ways and customs of this world.

[lambwolfandman]

Sebastien may rest assured that as the members of the audience stop being distracted by Sabri's story telling they slowly start to help themselves. Smaller hands darting quickly as if it is a game not to get spotted by the older students.

"Did you rescue any damsels?" An older young man calls over. A grin already on his face at the idea.

"Yes, Sabri," Alistair encourages then. Smiling and leaning closer as if to pressure the assassin to answer. "Did you?"

Sabri's grin can hardly get any wider. He swallows his last piece of bread before answering. "Yes. I rescued several." He catches the glint in the young man's eyes and adds, "Rescued and only rescued. It is very hard to do much else when you have to go out every day and night

[lapetitmauvais]

Sebastien's never had a woman of any kind. At least not in the way Sabri means. He glances Alistair's way, unable to help feeling just the tiniest bit of satisfaction at his friend's embarrassment. He immediately feels guilty of course, but still. If Alistair hadn't kept this paramour of his such a closely guarded secret, perhaps he wouldn't be on the hot seat right now, and so publicly too. Still, the healer most surely had his reasons, and Sabri really is going on. It doesn't take long for Sebastien's fierce sense of loyalty to kick in. Reminding himself of the importance of sympathy and sticking by one's friends. He smiles at Alistair, trying to encourage him, then gives Sabri a look. Not directly challenging him, of course. That would be rude as well as foolhardy. From the little Sebastien knows of the man so far, he'd probably challenge Sebastien to a friendly sparring match right there in the dining room. And then Alistair wouldn't be the only one left red-faced in front of everyone

[lambwolfandman]

Alistair glances from Sebastien to Sabri then suddenly perks up in his seat. "You are going to bore the students. The little ones don't have long before they're shooed back to bed. Won't you entertain them a little

[lapetitmauvais]

Sebastien perks up, sitting up straight in his chair. His eyes glued to Sabri, watching the assassin's every move. Sabri notches the arrow, smoothly pulls back the bowstring. Looking every inch the hero as he lets it fly. Sebastien leans forward, his eyes wide, his mouth dropping open as the arrow pierces the apple dead center, knocking it to the floor.

The crowd gasps and bursts into applause, Sebastien clapping as loudly as anyone. Looking at Sabri with new admiration as the hero makes his way back to his chair and sits down. Sebastien blinks at him, amazed.

"Good enough?" he echoes. "Yes. It was very good." He leans closer, afire with curiosity. "Howsoever did you learn this? How long did it take? Will you teach me?"

[lambwolfandman]

"Practice," Sabri answers. Smiling softly at Sebastien's enthusiasm.

"And talent," Alistair pushes with a friendly nudge.

"And a keen eye," Sabri corrects. Shaking his head at Alistair but smiling nonetheless. He considers Sebastien for a moment before taking his bow and standing up again. The assassin waves at the small crowd gathered around a student waving the skewered apple. "Set up another one." Then he looks at Sebastien and offers him a hand. "And I can show you a thing or two now."