walksindeath | (no subject)

(no subject)

Sabriel had meant to stay in the bar after speaking to Blodwen, but the experience had shaken her more than she had liked to show. The woman is terrifying just by being, and yet so apparently rational, so cool. Kerrigor had retained his wits, but no ability to mimic humanity in conversation that way, and yet...

They are all too alike.

The Abhorsen has seen a great deal in her years since taking up the bells, but there are some things that still frighten her.

She really must speak with Sameth. Her own door is still gone, but if his is back... far better if he is away. The forge would seem her most likely chance of finding him, so there is her first port of call, knocking on the door and then peering in anyway.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"No," she says dryly, one eyebrow quirking. "I imagine you didn't."

Then the mild amusement at his deer-in-the-headlights look cracks from anxiety.

"What happened? I know you can't have been there long, but..."

She trails off, looking about equal parts displeased and worried. Cells, in her admittedly limited experience*, are unpleasant.

* Apart from that one time she went too far south in a Charter-unfriendly area of Ancelstierre and there was almost a diplomatic incident when Touchstone found out.

Maybe if he says it quickly and simply that will work best,

"A.after the attack, a woman in Security asked me some questions and I didn't tell her very much. Apparently she spoke to Blodwen so when I came in from the forge one day, she pointed at me and said I'd attacked her. I.i had, it was foolish and stupid and so I spent two days in the cells."

Sabriel resists the urge to tear her hair out, and rubs her forehead instead.

"Oh, Sam," she says, trying to put aside the slight glow of pride that he'd tried to take on an Abhorsen's duty even when so outmatched.

Bravery is all very well until he gets himself killed.

"Sorry."

His voice sounds small as he looks down at his work and thinks of all the other ways he's disappointing her that she doesn't know.

"Did they treat you all right?"

She waves a frustrated hand.

"No, I know, it was supposed to be a punishment. Did they?"

Sabriel, it should be said, is a somewhat unreliable discipliarian.

(Unless it's to the Dead. There, she is extremely reliable.)

"Y.yes, the cells are nice and have a sort of Sending built into them."

"Really?"

She needs to see that.

Wait, no, parental diapproval. She frowns at him in mixed frustration and anxiety, hands on her hips

"I... You know, I think you know everything I could say about provoking powerful beings."

Her confusion gets a small smile from him, he and Ellimere used to try and guess what she would do if she had to punish them. It wasn't too hard to guess because she never seemed to know what to do,

"I promise that I won't provoke or approach her again."

Sabriel pauses just a moment.

It seems somehow unnecessary to point out that in ordinary circumstances, he wouldn't get a second chance.

But if it's anybody's job to point it out...

"Her or anyone like her," she says. "Your priority at the moment should always be getting away, and getting help."

"Yes, I'll do my best to stay clear of the more dangerous people here."

He knows he shouldn't be smiling but carefully parsing words reminds him of the arguments he made to be able to spend time in the castle forge when he was younger.

Sabriel raises her eyebrow.

"Will you?"

Attracting danger is something of a family trait.

"I'd much rather be in here making things than getting hurt or put in the cells again."

Which is the complete and utter truth, there's more he wishes he could say but this is best for now.

Well, quite, but Sabriel has lived with the Abhorsen trouble-attracting gene for a long time now. She knows how it can be!

"So long as you remember that in times of stress."

"I will."

Its not enough, but its what he can say and mean.

Sabriel looks at Sameth, but only lets out a breath gently.

She has to trust him.

"All right."

How long she takes is hard, he can do some things, not enough but some.

Though now he's not sure what to say, he doesn't want her to leave again, but just has no idea where to start.

"I'll let you get back to work," she says eventually.

Sabriel would watch, but feels uncomfortably as if she'll be breathing down his neck. She always hated teachers who did that at Wyverley.

He doesn't want her to leave yet, but talking is so hard,

"You can stay. I don't mind having anyone here while I'm working. I tend to get lost in the work."

Sabriel can't help smiling a little then.

"I noticed," she says. "Go on, then. I promise not to interrupt except in emergencies."

Even semi-joking, the Abhorsen allows for the possibility of emergencies. It's statistical likelihood taking its toll.

That just gets a grin from him and a slightly sheepish look,

"I haven't burned myself in a while."

Then he turns back to his work and at first, it takes a while to not be too aware of her there. Though in time, he forgets and gets lost in trying to find the best way to make the leg move as he wants it to.

And true to her word, Sabriel stays quiet, just watching how he does, and being ever more impressed by how quickly and intuitively her son works.

It's a good feeling.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only