See? Sabel was on the look-out for certain things this last day. The main one being MacLeod and his ever testing methods. So, he didn't miss the Groundskeeper as he made his way towards the staff dais. A quick retreat to his seat wasn't possible, however, as Morgan offered a too kind response.

A small smile touched Sabel's lips and he shrugged. "I think I terrified enough of them that they'll be glad." At least, here was hoping. His attention drifted towards the approaching Groundskeeper, his smile wavering slightly at the question. "I have some....personal business to take care of. Not sure how long it will take."

Realizing how grave that sounded, Sabel returned his gaze back to Morgan and spared her a warm smile, and promptly found himself the middle of a sandwich hug. A careful side-eye was given to the Groundskeeper. Perhaps it was just the circumstances of the night or just the many days working with the man, but the hug wasn't bothersome. What was surprising though, was that the hug was all. No further teasing. Nothing.

Sabel's eyebrow quirked as Justin pulled away, and as if the man was a decade younger than him and a brother, he slung his arm around the Groundskeeper's neck, ruffled his hair and gave him a quick, brotherly peck on the temple. And them promptly, but gently, pushed said mop of hair and head away. Just in case. "Didn't think you'd let us fall out of contact."

As much as he had judged the man from the get go, he had a good heart. "Watch out for the kids."

And that was about all he could say there. In another moment, he was enveloped in another hug and it took him a second to figure out who it was. When he did, Sabel clapped Leo on the back. "Thanks. I'll be missing the lot of you."

Stepping to the side so that Leo could have his conversation with Morgan, he caught sight of Beatrice approaching and taking her place at the table. The woman got a warm smile and a polite nod. And then, because he really had nothing to loose, he spread his arms slightly. "In need of a hug yet?"

So many of them were leaving. So many taking to different paths in life. It was as interesting as it was saddening.

His gaze caught on Cece, who had somehow managed to slip to the table unnoticed among all the hugs and starting waterworks. She looked completely unruffled and unfazed, happy even, despite the growing drama around her. Which, for a healer was probably a very good thing. He gave the woman a nod, regardless of whether she would see it or not. He would have given her a hug too, but wasn't particularly interested in getting his nose broken by a back-elbow of surprise.

As it was, Botros's enterance had his attention, and Sabel watched the Headmaster with no small amount of concern. "Evening, Headmaster." Was he not feeling well? Was there a draft? What there was, was too many people already crowding around the man, so Sabel stayed back, keeping his ear and eyes tuned in, in case he was needed.

What did need his attention, was Paul. Paul and his gifts of flowers and words. Sabel blinked for a moment, completely stunned by what he man had said. It was true, they had never really had the opportunity to speak much, so how was it that the man had such kind and encouraging words to give? His gaze drifted down to the flower, his ability to speak muted for a moment.

Finally, forcing himself back to composure, Sabel stepped forward and offered his hand to shake Paul's. "Thank you." Because really, what more could he say?

Flamsteed's arrival gave him the break in thought he needed, and as he picked up the flower Paul had placed in front of his plate, he moved his hand, and consequently the flower, into a proper salute for the approaching starman's gesture. A small smile was back on his lips. "Admiral. The ship appears to have several spots of leakage."

As in, the tears that were about to flow. Why weren't there boxes of tissue in front of each plate?

Meredith wasn't short in following Flamsteed, and the salute turned into a flower-wave. "Evening, Moxely." At least these two looked happy. It helped balance things out. Gave his mind a range of emotions to focus on and work with. A range, other than his own.

Then, there was Culloden. The man he still couldn't quite figure out. The man, who was leaving with a handful of the rest of them. He'd never gotten around to asking why. Perhaps, it was something he should have done. But it was too late for regrets, and all he could do was keep moving forward with the rest of them.

His smile went to Cassie as she invited him into their little circle, and a nod went to the potions master. "The more the merrier." Well, perhaps not in this case. Still, the man got a clap on the shoulder and an affable nod. No hard feelings about whatever unspoken thing it was that might have caused hard feelings, right?

Then there was Beatrice, putting boxes on the plates. Curious, Sabel departed from the departees and gave the woman a smile. "Thank you kindly." It wasn't something she had to do, but saying so was obvious and unneccessary. Tonight, was about reserving words and sentiments.

So, instead he focussed on opening the box and peeking inside. Beans, eh? Well then. There certainly wasn't a better way for a send-off than the risk of vommit taste and earwax. With his little prize, and tucking the flower stem through one of the buttons holes of his shirt, Sabel moved over to Airey, nudging the man with his shoulder. "I'll trade you two yellow for your green."

Green was a safer bet than yellow, right?