Gavin looked up to see Shepard standing in the doorway with Professor Okeeba next to him. A third man walked in behind them which caused Gavin to glance between everyone.
Principal Shepard stood there in the doorway with a tired expression on his face. He had dark bags under both his eyes, and he stepped into the room slowly with his clothes a rumpled mess. Obviously, he had been very busy while Gavin was recovering. Professor Okeeba, meanwhile, looked immaculate as always with his clean clothes and fresh shave on his old dark face. Ever the image of complete sophistication.
The third man was a newcomer that Gavin didn't recall meeting before. He was tall, easily over six feet. He had a smooth, freshly shaven head and his dark eyes seemed to take everything going on at once, not missing a single detail. He wore a simple black shirt and slacks as he walked in behind professor Okeeba. A silver pistol with an odd-looking sight rested in its holster on his right hip.
"Gavin, It brings me great delight to see that you are awake and well," Principal Shepard said as he made his way into the room and sat in the chair offered by Helena. He nodded appreciatively to Helena and gave her a tired smile. Professor Okeeba stood by Shepard's side as the newcomer kept a respectful distance.
Jackson stepped forward, slightly defensive as the newcomer eyed him. "Who are you?" Jackson asked. He wasn't hostile, but Jackson wouldn't let anyone unknown near his friend while he was still recovering.
"This is Sam," Principal Shepard introduced everyone to the newcomer. Sam nodded as he looked at the three students. "He is an old friend of mine that will be helping us in this endeavor," Principal Shepard continued on with a wave of his hand.
Gavin nodded and turned to face his grandfather. "I can't believe you came to visit. I figured there would be too much going on at the academy for you to be able to leave," Gavin said quietly as he looked at his grandfather with appreciation filling his gaze. He had to remember, he wasn't alone. He had his pack, his grandfather and others that would help however they could to bring Erza home.
Shepard chuckled as he looked at Gavin. "Where else would I be?" he asked him with a grin on his weary face. With all the political fallout from the attack, Shepard did not have much time for anything these past few days. But coming here and seeing his grandson alert, awake and moving around did wonders for his soul.