Faolan does have moments away from Lancelot, on occasion. Times when he insists upon using the public bathing facilities for example, rather than trouble Lancelot and using his. Times when he needs to get out for a moment, to clear his head and get some fresh air, and he's sure that the other man no doubt welcomes the moment without his 'shadow', as they are now calling him, as well.
It's during one of these latter occasions that Lancelot surprises him. As Faolan returns to his room, he's taken aback by the near mountain (by his standards at least) of things there waiting for him. What can fit in boxes has been skillfully packaged as such, but some items - a saddle? - are too large for such things and as such are just neatly set to the side of it instead. Faolan steps up and runs a hand across the saddle, noticing the symbol embossed on the leather. A wolf sat by a harp. Even before he has opened the accompanying letter, he knows exactly who these gifts are from.
Faolan sits on the edge of his bed, the letter in hand, reading it over carefully, once, twice. He sits forward and opens the box to find inside it a new set of leathers - newer and nicer than the set he's got on now - and a cloak. A cloak with a clasp of the same design, and bracers to match.
Faolan the bard and Faolan the assassin have the same heart, the letter says, and Faolan swallows, hard, running his thumb over the clasp in his hands, staring down at the design of it. Lancelot may have given him a heap of gifts, but the most precious one of all is this, that goes without question. Perhaps it required no thought at all, the creation of such a design. But the idea that he should do such a thing in the first place, and then have all of these things embossed for him as well... The thought that he should care about him enough to make such a gesture on his behalf...
I hope you will not think this bold of me. Quite the contrary, in fact. To think that Lancelot should make such an effort on his account. It brings to mind all of the reasons that Lancelot has become so dear to him in the first. His unwavering trust and belief in Faolan, even despite Faolan's own difficulty believing in himself. The gentle support and reassurance that he offers. He has given Faolan hope and faith, not only engraved in the dagger he now wears at his belt, not only here with this symbol - created just for him, which he shall treasure for as long as he lives. It may come as easy as drawing breath to Lancelot, such kindness, such generosity, such a gesture as this. But to a man like Faolan, it means everything.
And he has absolutely no idea what to do about that.
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It's during one of these latter occasions that Lancelot surprises him. As Faolan returns to his room, he's taken aback by the near mountain (by his standards at least) of things there waiting for him. What can fit in boxes has been skillfully packaged as such, but some items - a saddle? - are too large for such things and as such are just neatly set to the side of it instead. Faolan steps up and runs a hand across the saddle, noticing the symbol embossed on the leather. A wolf sat by a harp. Even before he has opened the accompanying letter, he knows exactly who these gifts are from.
Faolan sits on the edge of his bed, the letter in hand, reading it over carefully, once, twice. He sits forward and opens the box to find inside it a new set of leathers - newer and nicer than the set he's got on now - and a cloak. A cloak with a clasp of the same design, and bracers to match.
Faolan the bard and Faolan the assassin have the same heart, the letter says, and Faolan swallows, hard, running his thumb over the clasp in his hands, staring down at the design of it. Lancelot may have given him a heap of gifts, but the most precious one of all is this, that goes without question. Perhaps it required no thought at all, the creation of such a design. But the idea that he should do such a thing in the first place, and then have all of these things embossed for him as well... The thought that he should care about him enough to make such a gesture on his behalf...
I hope you will not think this bold of me. Quite the contrary, in fact. To think that Lancelot should make such an effort on his account. It brings to mind all of the reasons that Lancelot has become so dear to him in the first. His unwavering trust and belief in Faolan, even despite Faolan's own difficulty believing in himself. The gentle support and reassurance that he offers. He has given Faolan hope and faith, not only engraved in the dagger he now wears at his belt, not only here with this symbol - created just for him, which he shall treasure for as long as he lives. It may come as easy as drawing breath to Lancelot, such kindness, such generosity, such a gesture as this. But to a man like Faolan, it means everything.
And he has absolutely no idea what to do about that.