Forgiveness

The day had been a long one, a tedious one. The sun shined brightly but it held with it no warmth, only light. This event had been in planning for weeks now, his road back into peoples hearts. His faith and convictions had not wavered a bit but even he had to admit that maybe he had gone too far in the pursuit of his ideals. He knew it would take an awful lot to sway over everyone. He doubted that he would be trusted for years, decades even. But that's why this weekend was created. It's what it was all about. Redemption. Maybe then the others would begin to see things from his perspective. He had served his time for his crimes, Darquesse had seen to that. Twenty three hours of blinding agony and his one hour of supposed relief had not been any easier. It wasn't even close to relief. It was filled with nothing but dread and the gloomy anticipation of wanting, no needing to die. He had asked, begged even for death but he was never granted it. He could barely eat due to his tender bleeding gums. Drink was it's own torture due to his red raw throat from all the screaming. All of this seemed to be what he deserved, according to the majority of people. There were still people out there who still believed in his dream. Still fighting the good fight as one would say. He wouldn't be able to do the same without being regarded the way he used to be. And that thought process brought him to today. Two Dead Men, Sanctuary staff and various sorcerers all of whom were coming over. Ten people in total. They would be arriving within the next few hours. That would be after nine O'clock, not much time for his message to be put across tonight. But the seeds would be there. His urge for forgiveness. And maybe instil the idea of sorcerers ruling the mortals, if he could. It was what was needed to be done a long ago and so the situation was more dire than ever. You'd be a fool not to realise what they were doing to the planet. So to begin his journey back into the fold, he was holding a grand feast, to show his honest intentions. Hosted in the house he was gifted by an ominous fan. He owed it to them to get back on track and show the right way to govern the world. To help himself, he had put on his best suit, spent too much on his haircut and even polished his best dress shoes.

The walk downstairs was filled with practised speeches in his head. How he was going to greet them? Would he shake hands? Hug? Salute? He doubted the last one would be appropriate. He had spent the few hours that he had between getting dressed and the first guest arriving, making the dinner. BBQ pulled pork with new potatoes, carrots and peas. Buns were available for the pulled pork if requested. Black Forest gateau cake and freshly whipped cream were in the fridge, ready and waiting for dessert. When the clock struck nine, he was practically waiting at the top of the hall. The anticipation making his body jitter, his foot tapping away against the hardwood floor. It kept tapping until ten past. Still no arrivals. Quarter past arrived. He retired to the front sitting room at twenty past.It wasn't until half past that the first guest arrived, which was announced by a loud knock on the front door. He almost jumped in shock. He strode to the door and placed the biggest smile on his face he could muster, the time was nigh and he couldn't afford to ruin this opportunity. The door swung open and revealed that he was wrong, it wasn't just the first guest. It was every single one of them. One of the Dead Men stood front and centre. Faith Matthews. She was tall, hair golden in colour, cold sapphire blue eyes, she had a delicate appearance but yet she was strongly built but not to much to make her unfeminine. The smile he had reserved wasn't reciprocated, instead he got a scowl with a look of 'I can leave at any second so don't test me'. He knew the look too well. He nodded politely and moved to the side but not quick enough to avoid a bumped shoulder. He avoided rubbing his shoulder as the next in line was the youngest of the evening. Vixen Skye. She was a delightful ball of positivity in the worst of times, always trying to make others happy even when she herself wasn't. Her eyes were like burning embers that complimented her dark brown shoulder length hair. She returned his smile but the usual skip in her step was non existent. Next was her best friend. Ebony Strass. Her grey eyes attempted to bore into his own. She said nothing as she walked in with nothing but perfect co-ordination. She had a weird vibe about her, something you couldn't put you finger on but when it was revealed it all made sudden sense. Rio Torment walked in with pride, his dark hair slicked back and his clothes smart yet casual. He offered a curt nod but no eye contact as he walked in. He wondered about Rio, he was thrown off by how little he actually knew about the guy. Raven Laoch was up next. Hand in hand with his girlfriend Avelija Rawen, she was just a few centimetres shorter then him, both dark haired and dark eyes. They both said hello with a polite but reluctant smile. Newly together and quite the odd coupling. As far as he knew Avelijia had a second personality, so how Raven controlled that was beyond him. Killian Jones walked up with his usual walk, reserved with a hint of cockiness. He said hello before striding in. Ever the centre of attention, if there was anything he loved most, it was being regarded as the best person in the room. The next person was a person he hadn't been sure that she would have come. Mendacious Vex. Daughter of Dexter Vex. She had his hair colour and her eyes were a fiery green. Her eyes were ice and didn't leave his until she was fully in the house. Clearly she had chosen her fathers point of view, not that he blamed her of course. Delilah Empress walked up, stopping shortly to say hi. Another that he doesn't fully know, but she's friendly enough. She smiles with the same smile the rest had but there seemed to be more happiness there. The last one to come in was Lucian Benefactor. Walking tall with dignity. He used to be a fellow Dead Man and now worked for the Sanctuary. Erskine tried for a little humour.

"Better late than never. But they do say the best things require patience"

Lucian gave him a glare and Erskine immediately regretted opening his mouth.

"You're lucky we are here at all you prick"

Without saying anything more, he walked in. No smile to even that say he was joking, no hints at all. Not that he thought he was joking, of course. He knew he wasn't. He joined the others in the sitting room as Erskine closed the front door. He had his work cut out for him, he knew this but he had hoped for higher spirits. Wasn't easy changing the minds of the sceptical. So he needed his very best, thankfully, he had brought exactly that. When he walked in the chatter between them didn't cut out, it didn't even quieten down. No ones eyes moved to his location in the doorway of the room. They were either ignoring him or too wrapped up in their own conversations to notice him. So many bad omens but he didn't let that damper his mood. He cleared his throat. Still nothing.

"Excuse me?"

Nothing again. Now he knew they were ignoring him. He focused and used the air to bring in the smell of dinner. A few heads turned, eager to smell more so he took his opportunity.

"Dinner is in the next room, ready for consumption. But first I would like to thank you all for coming. It means a lot, seriously. I have to rebuild the bridges burned ag-"

He was cut off by them all getting up and heading into the dinning room. No one said a word aside from Killian. He told him that he was welcome with his signature wide cocky grin before walking in and sitting down at an empty chair. All the dishes had had an air seal to kept them hot and tender, he released it with a wave of his hand and sat in the chair at the end.He was meant to sit in the chair at the head of the table but that seat had been taken by Delilah. There was no thanks for his hard work, just the sound of eating and the occasional chatter. No one spoke to him, not that he expected them too, they looked over in his direction rarely. Probably checking to see if he was still there. They hadn't stopped to check if the food had been poisoned. A few of them probably had deals with others who weren't invited that if they didn't come back or contact them then this place would be raided and he would be locked up and the key would be melted. Probably into a bullet that he could be shot with. The moment most plates were clear he got the cake and cream for them. No ohhhs. No ahhhs. He had expected at least some longing stares. It was a huge sized cake with rum in it for God sakes. They just watched him slice it, watched him serve it, watched him sit down and eat a bite himself. Only then did they begin to eat themselves. He didn't blame them for being cautious, if the years had taught him anything, it was that yourself is the only person you can truly trust. But then what would killing them achieve? Death squads coming right for him that's what. He had never considered killing them, he needed them on his side after all. Dessert was finished, still no thank you's as they all stood up. He stood with them and cleared his throat once more.

" I hope you all enjoyed your meal, it took a few hours to make. Your rooms upstairs have your names on the door so should be easy to find. Don't worry about the washing up, leave that to me"

He smiled at them for it to be only returned by a few before they all grabbed their bags from the front room and adjourned upstairs. He grabbed all of their plates and began washing up.It hadn't gone the best it could have, but it hadn't gone the worst either. And for that, he was thankful. Washing up for eleven people as it turned out, took it's time. He cleaned the table, swept the floor and packed everything away, finishing at around midnight. He walked slowly upstairs to his room, passing all of theirs before reaching his own. He hadn't expected thanks, but it would have been nice for his work to be appreciated. He closed his door as quietly as he could and got ready for bed. He sat on his bed and began to read his book, getting a few chapters devoured before there was a light knock on the door. He got up slowly, he didn't want to rush it if he was about to be admonished for something but didn't want to keep them waiting if it was praise. He opened his door and smiled, this was a surprise. Out of everyone he hadn't expected them.