SEBASTIEN ENTERED THE TEA ROOM AND WALKED OVER TO THE TABLES WHERE DOC POPPET WAS SITTING WITH AME, TINKER BELLE, ANNA AND KATT.  HE PLACED THE BUNDLE CONTAINING THE SCROLLS ON A NEARBY TABLE.

“IT APPEARS THAT SOMEONE HAS “REQUESTED” THE PIXIU TO DENY ME ACCESS TO MY QUARTERS.  I AM NOT GOING TO ASK WHY.  I DO NOT HAVE TO.  HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT ONE OF YOU, OR MAYBE ALL OF YOU DO NOT TRUST ME. 

SEBASTIEN SIGHED.  “I CANNOT ACT AS A PROTECTOR WITHOUT TRUST. I AM TOO TIRED TO FIGHT GAIN IT. SO, I WILL RETURN TO ARTEMIS.  I ONLY ASK THAT YOU TREAT THE PIXIU FOR WHAT THEY ARE.  THEY ARE PROTECTORS, NOT PETS.  RESPECT THEM “

SEBASTIEN THEN PICKED UP HIS BAG.  “I WISH YOU WELL.” HE THEN DEMATERIALIZED OUT OF THE ROOM AND REAPPEARED OUTSIDE.  PIXIU LOOKED AT HIM. “YOU ARE NOT REALLY LEAVING, ARE YOU?”

“I AM TIRED.  NO MATTER WHAT I DO, IT SEEMS THAT NO ONE NEEDS ME.”

“THAT IS THE TIREDNESS TALKING.  YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO EXHAUST YOURSELF SINCE THE MISTRESS DISAPPEARED.  YOU DON’T SLEEP, YOU BARELY EAT.  PERHAPS, MATER SEBASTIEN, YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU.  CLIMB ABOARD.”

SEBASTIEN MOUNTED  PIXIU.  PIXIU SPREAD HIS WINGS AND TOOK OFF.

“I AM TAKING YOU BACK TO YOUR QUARTERS AND BI XIE WILL LET YOU IN.  YOU WILL LIE DOWN AND YOU WILL REST. I WILL ASK THE LADIES FOR HELP.  YOU HAVE HELPED THEM WHEN THEY WERE IN DANGER.  IT IS ONLY FAIR THEY LOOK AFTER YOU.  WE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

YOU TRUST ME, DO YOU NOT?”

TO MISTRESS CHARLIE, KATT, ANNA, AMETHYST, TINKER BELLE, AUNTIE ROO AND DOCTOR POPPET

TEA ROOM, MIDNIGHT CASTLE, DELPHI

GREETINGS, 

I AND MY MATE ARE LETTING MASTER SEBASTIEN GO INTO HIS QUARTERS.  HE HAS NOT SLEPT SOUNDLY SINCE THE MISTRESS LEFT.  HE DOES NOT EAT.  HE TRIES TO OVERWORK HIMSELF.  HE WILL BECOME ILL IF HE IS NOT ALREADY.

WE ARE WORRIED, THIS IS NOT GOOD.

TELL HIM YOU TRUST HIM.  HE CAN KEEP YOUR SECRETS. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF HIM.

SINCERELY YOURS,

PIXIU

Sebastien, wait. Please wait. It is not that we don't trust you. We just had not had a chance to tell you about the attempt to remove Grim from safety and medical care. We want to protect your chambers and the sealed areas of the castle from prying eyes. Please know we greatly appreciate and need you. We know you understand our desire for peace and to protect those still residing in Delphi. Please come back and have something to eat with us. I am not the cook that Mistress Katt is but my cooking is passable. 

Doc Poppet is right Sebastien.  We do trust you.  Who else could have moved our books and records safely?   You need protection as much as we do.  Never think that we would turn our backs on you.  The pixiu know better than we do how to look after you and see that you get the sleep and rest that you need.

My cooking skills have lost a lot over the years but I am know for a decent Beef Stroganoff and Apricot Chicken.  My Stir Fries aren't that bad either. Haven't baked for decades so someone else will need to do the biscuits, cookies and puddings.  

As soon as I find a suitable ship I could bring some chinese take-out, or maybe Caprese salad since I am going to Capri. If we stop in Naples I could pick up some pizza. It only takes about 2 weeks.

Sebastian didn’t hear what was said as he left so I answered Pixu’s note.

To Pixu

Large Animal Cavern, Midnight Castle, Delphi

Greetings!

We will gladly take care of Sebastien. We certainly trust him and had he given us the chance, we would have explained the situation to him.

We have had some security problems and an attempt to take Grim from medical care. We need to keep certain areas of the castle and Sebastian’s quarters safe from prying eyes and invasion.

 I will personally be looking in on him soon and will bring him some food.

Sincerely

Amethyst,

PS:(you can call me Ame)

PPS: You and Your mate are welcome to visit me at my tent, edge of the forrest, the landing meadow.

I headed into the kitchen found Katt absent and rummaged around until I found what I needed to make soup for Sebastian. Something light but filling with a good aroma. Onion, garlic, vegetables, chicken, basil, oregano, cumin, water and broth, cut, mix, cook, let simmer for an hour. Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.

I also found some bread to warm and include with the soup.

I ended up making enough for all of us. Katt came back and I let her know about the soup and promised to come back to finish cleaning my mess after seeing to Sebastian.

I put together a tray to take over, teleported to Sebastian’s quarters with it. He was awake but looked exhausted. “I borough the you some food. You will feel better once you eat and I am not leaving until you eat this. You don’t want to disappoint me as I personally made the soup.”

I can’t tell if he is glaring at me or just so exhausted and wrung out he only looks like it. “Look, you need to eat and get some sleep then come see us. We have things to discuss and explain to you. However, they can wait awhile until you feel better.” My turn to sternly stare back at him while I await a response.

Sebastien looked at Ame through exhausted eyes.  “Thank you, Ame. I appreciate your . .”

He couldn’t think anymore.  The silverware felt heavy and awkward in his hands. He couldn’t remember his return to the caverns or even dismounting Pixiu. He had the impression he was assisted somehow.  He vaguely recalled taking a shower and changing into sleepwear.  Then Amethyst appeared with the food.

He wasn’t sure he had even eaten.  He heard voices, but could not make out the words. He felt the sensation of standing up and being assisted to . . . his bed? He then felt himself lie down.  He felt warmth surround him and thought he saw Ghost Sam and the shishi kits snuggle against him.  He finally closed his eyes.

Chinese take out sounds good, haven't had decent Chinese since my trip to China 3 years ago.  Chinese where I live is so-so.

Ghost Kitten Sam, ( he likes the idea of Ghost Sam, makes him feel more grown up), curled up with the shishi kits (He hasn't been able to describe them properly to me.) wanting to keep Sebastien warm.  They have sent out messages to the other felines to come and help. A few of Lexandre's lion cubs turned up and took up positions of the other side of Sebastien. ( I hope he doesn't mind the lion cubs, but they really wanted to be helpful.  They are too young so far to go on patrol with the others)  Soon there was the sound of peaceful snoring, human and feline

With Sebastien finally asleep, I put the leftovers in his ice box in his little kitchen then left him a note.

“Sebastien, food I in th ice box, just reheat and eat.

When you are ready, come to the tea room. There is much to be said.

Ame”

This done, I teleported to my room at the t room to do a little plant book reading.