Sebastian entered the Dorm and went straight to his room. He slipped off the hood from his head and took off his cloak, silver hair falling on his back, reaching down to his waist. He sat on the bed, hands covering his face, trying to keep the tears at bay.
It would take some time to renew his cloaking spell. He would need to concentrate. He took deep breaths to calm himself. He was still trying to compose himself when he heard soft tapping on the attic window. Surprised, but not in a panic, Sebastian cautiously drew the thick curtains aside and looked out.
Azra was hovering outside, waiting to be let in. Her eyes were a pale pink again. Sebastian opened the window and welcomed the bird with open arms.
"You have returned." he whispered to the caladrius. "Do you recognize me?"
The bird nodded then looked down and shook its head sadly.
"It's all right," Sebastian whispers. "it's not your fault." He placed the bird down on his bed and went to the small closet at the corner of his room. "Would you like to come with me?" He entered the closet with the caladrius and closed the door behind him.
Much later he returned, looking like the old Sebastian again. He pats the bird's head and opens his door.
The scent greeted him immediately.
He suddenly realized how hungry he was and headed straight for the kitchen.
"Ah, Sebastian! You're awake!" Dorin called to him as he stepped into the living room. "We tried to call you earlier, but it seems you were sleeping in your room."
He wore a brand new blue apron and was taking out a tray from the oven with a rack of ribs on it. Sebastian drooled from the scent of it.
"Anybody told you, you sleep like a log?" Johan frowned at him. He wore a white apron and held a batch of newly baked garlic rolls. "We were practically kicking your door in, and you didn't even answer!"
Azra flew over to Johan and chirped at the rolls as she landed on his shoulder.
"Hey, turn first and wash your hands before you eat!" Johan commanded. Azra changed as she hopped on Dorin's back, ran to the faucet, and hungrily followed the tray Johan was holding.
"I bet you're hungry!" Dorin grinned, "It's way past 8 PM, Mrs. Cooper was looking for you in the kitchens!"
[I didn't notice the time] Sebastian wrote. He sat on the kitchen counter and reached out for a slab of ribs, only to be slapped by Johan.
"Hands. Wash." He grumbled.
"It's okay," said Dorin as he transferred the ribs into a new plate, "Jacob told us you where worried about something," he continued, "he's the one who suggested we roast some baby back ribs, said it was your favorite?" He grinned.
[I'm not worried.] Sebastian wrote as he washed his hands. [Just tired.]
"Good then!" Johan said, "Worry just makes you loose your appetite." He went to the stove and opened a pot. The scent of different herbs and spices filled the room.
Sebastian closed his eyes and savored the aroma of herbed potatoes. Johan placed a big plate in front of him and spooned a generous serving of potatoes on it. He then gave him some rolls while Dorin served him a big piece of roasted ribs, drizzling rich, hot gravy on top of it.
[Thank you.] Sebastian wrote. [Both of you.]
Sebastian began to eat. Azra sat beside him with a roll in her small hands. Dorin looked at Johan, shared a secret smile, and joined in as well.
"Dorin, you should tell me the secret to this glaze!" Johan said with his mouth full. "And what's in that gravy?"
Dorin laughed, "I'll tell you if you teach me more how to bake!"
"Ah, before I forget..." Johan stood up and went to the refrigerator where he took out a blueberry cheesecake.
[You made this too?] Sebastian asked. Azra's eyes twinkled.
"Nah, I haven't tried cold cakes before," answered Johan.
"We bought this from the mall," said Dorin. "Prof. Dupont paid for it actually," he added. "He said it was to celebrate our getting into the Special Class Program."
Johan gave the first slice to Azra who was drooling over it. "How is it?" he asked the child as she took the first bite.
"Divine!" the caladrius declared, her face blushing.
"And I saved the best for last." Johan gave an evil grin. He took something from under his apron and placed it on top of the kitchen counter where they were eating.
"What's that?" Dorin asked.
The fire mage had placed a bottle in front of them. There was a label on it saying 'Black River'.
[Is that beer?] Sebastian wrote on his slate. [We can't drink in the dorms!] he scolded, [besides, we're underage.]
"Oh, ale!" Dorin said happily. "I used to make them back in our place." he bragged, "Mother loves to drink ale and cider when she comes home after a long job."
"This is sugarcane wine. We drink this back in the mines, especially during cold winters." Johan said, not wanting to be outdone. "I was surprised to find some at the mall."
[Well, we're not allowed to drink.] Sebastian wrote once more. [Alchohol muddles the mind. Put it away.]
"What? It's just a couple of bottles, and I plan to share it with you too!" Johan argued. "Besides, no one gets drunk on beer and sugar wine! It's just to warm ourselves up and to celebrate for passing the exams! Try it, it tastes better when heated."
"Oh, so this is made of sugar, huh?" Dorin took the bottle and opened it, taking a sniff of the content. "I usually make wine from grapes and seasonal berries..."
"Sugar cane. Take a sip, it's real sweet," offered Johan.
Dorin took a sip. Then a gulp and two. "Good..." he said, smacking his lips. "It goes down pretty well too..."
"Doesn't it though?" Johan looked smug. "Too bad I could only buy 2 bottles since Dupont was with me all the time. It pays to look older than you really are."
"Hmm? How old are you anyway?" Dorin asked after another sip.
"Oh, I'll be 15 this winter," said Johan as he opened another bottle from under his apron.
"Eh?" Dorin stared at him. "Well I just turned 13!" he exclaimed. "I thought you were in your 20's!"
[You look older] wrote Sebastian, [and you smoke and drink too.]
"Oh, I was 10 when I started drinking ale," Dorin pointed out.
"I was 8!" Johan bragged. "There wasn't much to drink in the mines. Also, it keeps us warm, it gets awfully cold in the caves at night."
"Haven't you tried it before, Sebastian?" Dorin handed the bottle to his friend who took it hesitantly and smelled the content. Sebastian frowned, but decided to take a small sip.
"Well?" Johan watched him as he took a gulp. "Good eh?"
[Too sweet.] he took a longer drink.
"You keep that, Dorin and I can share with this one." He poured some ale in a glass from the second bottle and handed it to Dorin. "How about you, Azra? Want a taste?" he asked the small child who was busy with her third serving of cake.
"No thank you, master Johan." Johan looked taken aback by the honorific.
"Don't call me that. It sounds weird," he said as he wiped cake from the kid's face with a napkin. "How old are you anyway? You look about 7 to me..."
"That's about right..." Azra replied, "In your human years I would be 7... in our years, I am merely 3 and a half years of age."
"Eh? You're that young?!" Johan asked, surprised. He took the bottle of ale and kept it away from the caladrius. "How about you, Sebastian? How old are you, exactly?"
Sebastian was silent.
Dorin and Johan looked at him. He had his head down, the bottle of wine clasped in both hands.
"Hey, you okay?" asked Dorin. Sebastian slowly raised his head. The corners of his mouth twitched as a grin graced his otherwise emotionless face.
Dorin looked at his slate. There were words written there which were quickly changed again and again.
"What? I didn't get to read it," he told Sebastian.
Suddenly, laughter filled the room.
"Sweet. It's really sweet," came Sebastian's silvery voice.