(Untitled)

[will_scarlett]

Will isn't hungover, this is great news, so he spent the day outside working with his sword and trying to will his hands to heal faster.

Now he's at a table with actual food and tea, no drinking for a bit as he watches the Bar go by, looking rested and happy.

Company would be most welcome espcially if you didn't hear any singing or toasts.

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Comments

[iambetadraconis]

Will's doing better, and he's glad of it.

With food and drink of his own he heads over to the tables-and spots Will.

And doesn't wait to be invited to sit down; he just does.

Food and drink settled across from Will's he looks at the other man with Much Worry in his expression.

He's got Questions to Ask.

[will_scarlett]

Will's a bit surprised at Rabastan sitting down and not saying anything, so sips his tea and does his best to look welcoming.

Though he's quite curious espcially since the worry on Rabastan's face his obvious,

"Good e'en, 'ow do ye fare tonight?"

[iambetadraconis]

"I've been better," he says honestly as he picks at his chicken primavera, searching for the words to say what needs to be said.

"And you? Hopefully the rum's worn off by now?"

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, was able to sleep an doin' better. Spent most o'me day outside practicin' with me blade since the weather's been so lovely."

Will sips his tea as he talks, giving Rabastan the space to find his thoughts.

[iambetadraconis]

"When do we begin the lessons with sword and short bow?" is what he wants to ask, but that's just stalling.

He pushes his food about his plate, then takes sip of his orange soda [straw again but no hijinxs involving noses].

A sigh. No sense wasting Will's time, so he cuts to the chase.

"Tell me Will: have I been a good friend to you? Please, be honest."

[will_scarlett]

Will's quiet as he thinks, sipping his tea and trying to figure out the most honest answer that won't be too hard for Rabastan to hear,

"Ye 'ave been 'onest with me when would 'ave been easier to keep the truth back. But at times ye assume too much o''ow I should be an then fault me for bein' meself. I dinna know what ye 'xpect o'me since it seems I fail in it more often than I succeed."

[iambetadraconis]

It hits him like a stunning spell. But he did ask for honesty.

"Have I been that cruel to you?" he whispers. He wants to see himself as better than the people he'd spent so long with, but that's not the reality right now. It was made plain the other day. "Have I done all that to you?"

[will_scarlett]

"Ye 'avena been cruel for that sounds as if ye were tryin' to 'urt me and I know ye weren't. Ye just seem to forget that my world an life isna like yers an when I 'ave acted in a way that doesna suit ye, ye take it as an offence an as if I 'ave a lack 'stead o''cceptin' that I am meself. I am glad to learn but na to be treated as less than any man, 'ave spent me life bein' told an shown that."

[iambetadraconis]

Being treated as "less than a man" is cruel in Rabastan's mind. It's how he's regarded by almost everyone in his world: a monster not a man. It's the way Voldemort's supporters see Muggles and Muggle-borns. And how even his parents saw Muggles, given how they spoke of them as though they were lacking.

Intended or no it's still cruel in his mind. Will deserves better, especially in light of all he's gone through in seventeen short years.

"I have been cruel then," he says quietly, feeling very sorry for what he's done. "Treated you the way Muggles are treated in my world: as somehow backwards and incapable of understanding. You might not think it cruel but it is. And I am sorry. I should've treated you better than that, and instead I've done to you everything I want most to not do to others."

[will_scarlett]

Will just drinks his tea as Rabastan talks, letting him speak and get his thoughts out. There's no anger in Will for how Rabastan has acted, he's just tired, because it always seems prompted by small things and then spins out leaving Will to apologize,

"Aye, tis 'ard to change the 'abits we are raised with. I know that by being Robin's man and the choices I 'ave made, there are some who would call me a good man an e'en a 'ero, but tis 'ard to forget those who 'ave called me naught but a peasant an a thief."

[iambetadraconis]

Apologise more than he should, which is hardly fair or necessary.

He thinks for several moments, sorting out the words needed to say what has to be said.

"Will? This will sound like I'm asking for more than I should but it needs asking anyways.

Can you take me to your world? Show me what it's like to live the life you and the others live? Telling me isn't enough-it has to be seen and experienced first-hand. Or I'll never understand where you're coming from."

[will_scarlett]

Before he answers, Will looks at his door and thinks of what lies beyond it, a place of death in the green trees and the tea cup trembles,

"I ne'er know when doors will 'ppear for me, an na other soul need see what's on the other side o'me Door now. If ye're willin' to wait till I next return, then aye I will take ye through."

[iambetadraconis]

Death is something Rabastan's dealt with a lot over the years. It never gets any easier.

In spite of that he smiles. A little, but it's there.

"Thank you," he says, feeling immensely privileged. He really doesn't deserve that much, but Will's willing to give him what he wants. "It means a lot to me and it will help me understand you better, and perhaps not be as condescending as I have been before."

Pause.

"I would take you to mine but we need to find a way to keep you from ending up just another casualty of the Dark Lord's madness."

[will_scarlett]

Will knows that Rabastan has been broken though in different ways and Rabastan allowed Will to let his temper loose, and so taking him through his door is a small repayment,

"Aye, thank ye for the offer but 'ave 'nough troubles, needna search for more in other worlds."

Though now Will doesn't know what to say and sips his tea again, hating the memories and images that appear in his mind as he thinks of Sherwood.

He knows he has to return and doesn't know how he'll say goodbye to Molly, because all it takes is one sword blow, one arrow and he'll never see her again.

[iambetadraconis]

Oh but he's got a wizard to protect him now. Will is not going to die-not on Rabastan's watch.

"Well... I suppose... It's probably for the best that you don't. They'll be even more likely to kill you if they see you with me. And I'll have to watch them do it before they finish me off."

That wasn't a joke or meant to be one.

As to who owes who? If you asked Rabastan he'd say he was the one in debt.

[will_scarlett]

The two times Will has gone to other worlds, he's felt strange and out of place, and with Kara it all came tumbling down.

Abe and Red made him feel welcome, but Will knew he didn't belong and it was hard and strange.

He has made a promise to Rabastan to show him Nottingham, but it feels strange perhaps in time the idea will seem easier, "Aye."