While Sebastian wasn't a violent person, he wasn't exactly stranger to it. Those not privy to the workings of medicine were often surprised to hear that sometimes it could get physically violent in the field, especially if the patient was not entirely in control of their mental faculties. Then there were those whose distress over their loved one's passing caused them to lash out; oftentimes it was Sebastian who was on the receiving end, and he'd been dealt a few too many blows over the past years. It was rare for any sort of violence to come from somewhere other than his profession. Whether he'd been expecting it from Kirke or not, none of this was to say that he was an expert fighter. Once Kirke's fist connected with his jaw, Sebastian staggered backwards, his teeth gnashing together drawing blood as they bit his lip.
Stars danced in his vision as his back foot found purchase on the ground to steady himself. The string of curses coming from Kirke was enough to let Sebastian know a) it was unlikely he had to prepare himself for another punch and b) at least his jaw had done some damage on Kirke's person as well. As a healer, he wasn't the least bit happy with the news, but as Elsie's cousin and well - someone attempting to hold back retaliating having been punched in the face just now, he felt he was allowed at least a little satisfaction that Kirke was suffering as well.
Straightening up, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Sebastian had to fight to keep the urge to seize Kirke by the collar and throw him to the ground. It was only the metallic taste of blood on his tongue that prevented him from giving in. He swiped quickly at his mouth and gritted his teeth. He might as well have split his lip further, and he could feel his tongue swelling. Ignoring Kirke's hurried apologies, Sebastian fixed him with a glare before gathering the blood pooling on his tongue and spitting on the ground to his right. It only marginally helped once he saw that the gifts he'd brought had been throughly coated with a layer of mud. One book had landed in the water.
He had to fight the urge to punch Kirke again, more annoyed that he had managed to destroy a first edition book than the fact that Kirke had just decked him. One deep breath later, Sebastian fixed Kirke with a glare. "You're bloody awful at punching." He snapped, holding his hand out to the other man and taking his wand out. While it wasn't exactly a lie, Sebastian had been thoroughly leveled by someone who had performed the exact same move on him. At least that moment had prepared him more for this next one. "Give me your hand." He flicked his fingers impatiently.
Stars danced in his vision as his back foot found purchase on the ground to steady himself. The string of curses coming from Kirke was enough to let Sebastian know a) it was unlikely he had to prepare himself for another punch and b) at least his jaw had done some damage on Kirke's person as well. As a healer, he wasn't the least bit happy with the news, but as Elsie's cousin and well - someone attempting to hold back retaliating having been punched in the face just now, he felt he was allowed at least a little satisfaction that Kirke was suffering as well.
Straightening up, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Sebastian had to fight to keep the urge to seize Kirke by the collar and throw him to the ground. It was only the metallic taste of blood on his tongue that prevented him from giving in. He swiped quickly at his mouth and gritted his teeth. He might as well have split his lip further, and he could feel his tongue swelling. Ignoring Kirke's hurried apologies, Sebastian fixed him with a glare before gathering the blood pooling on his tongue and spitting on the ground to his right. It only marginally helped once he saw that the gifts he'd brought had been throughly coated with a layer of mud. One book had landed in the water.
He had to fight the urge to punch Kirke again, more annoyed that he had managed to destroy a first edition book than the fact that Kirke had just decked him. One deep breath later, Sebastian fixed Kirke with a glare. "You're bloody awful at punching." He snapped, holding his hand out to the other man and taking his wand out. While it wasn't exactly a lie, Sebastian had been thoroughly leveled by someone who had performed the exact same move on him. At least that moment had prepared him more for this next one. "Give me your hand." He flicked his fingers impatiently.