Regardless, November will end up at Sebastian's rover in the correct amount of time. He might even be a little early– a gentleman never shows up late (unless it's fashionably so). There's a short knock on the rover door, and he sticks his hands in his pockets, posture relaxed. ]
[ And of course, it's only a moment later that the door opens, and November is greeted by the sort of cool, gentle smile that Sebastian wears so easily. He's also wearing his tailcoat for once, which to most people would make the occasion seem more formal, but for Sebastian, this uniform is much more comfortable to him than CDC's. He doesn't often find reason to wear it, but serving tea seemed a good enough reason. ]
Welcome, November. [ To match the image of the butler as always, he gives a short bow, then steps aside to allow him in. ]
Do come in. The tea is nearly ready, so it should only be another few minutes.
[ As for the rover itself, it's completely, utterly spotless. Between Sebastian and Shinobu, their rover was immaculately tended to, though there's very little in terms of personal effects. There's not a single thing in sight that could seem to belong to Sebastian, though his quarters would be easily identified by being the sparsest, now without linens after donating them to medical. Clearly Sebastian doesn't spend much time here. ]
[ If there’s one thing that November always enjoys about Sebastian’s company, it’s that the other man (questionable) is so cool headed. Similar to a Contractor, but not quite. There’s obviously something different, and they’ve sort of discussed the differences (in their own ways).
Sebastian is also an impeccable host with manners to match. ]
Thank you, Mr. Michaelis.
[ November steps into the rover at the butler’s invitation in, glancing around the room. It’s spotless, as he would’ve guessed. Certainly, there’s no way that Sebastian would allow for anything else. Not only does his personality seem to project it (whether it’s a guise or not), but he’s rather sure the other man’s charge would throw a fit if invited into messy space. What he does find interesting, though, are the lack of linens on one particular bed. Could that be Sebastian’s bed? He may not spend a lot of time here. A very plausible thing. ]
Take your time, I’m in no rush. [ With that, he gives Sebastian a pleasant smile, expression rather benign. ]
[ The answer is immediate and delivered with the sort of gentle sigh only suited to Sebastian. It's times like these where it's honestly difficult to believe that he's a dangerous and powerful demon. He takes so easily to the role of the perfect butler and caretaker, and it at least seems that they're thing he genuinely enjoys, though that in itself is almost baffling. It's difficult to tell whether it's a part of that guise or not, since Sebastian adheres to an unwritten set of principles so rigidly that it's comical. ]
Tending to the young master keeps me busy enough normally, I must admit, but juggling that with keeping up with my duties as a recruit has been quite an interesting balancing act.
[ Sebastian pauses briefly, but it's only to take the sort of care that shows the excellence of his craft to pour hot water over the loose tea leaves. He manages to make even the rationed tea taste at least a little better with how he prefers to prepare it. ]
But I do prefer being busy. The more I have to do, the more comfortable I feel... [ a true workaholic to the core ] And what of yourself?
Master Phantomhive certainly seems rather demanding.
[ The jab is good-humored; one just doesn’t go around insulting masters, regardless of said master’s disposition. Moreover, while Ciel seemed like a handful, he was calculating and intelligent (if a bit naive still). November was still waiting to see what he was truly capable of. ]
I admit, I agree with you, Mr. Michaelis. You know what they say about idle hands and all. [ Also he just gets extremely bored easily. ] Busy enough; enjoying the windfall. It’s rare we get time to recover so much.
[ Which Sebastian leaves at that, but the implication is clear—Because Ciel demands it, it's Sebastian's duty to provide it, and he'll do so without (much) complaint or question. After all, what November half-wonders about, Sebastian knows well. His master's cunning was something that kept Sebastian at his side in a semblance of loyalty, since it was sharper than most adults.
The comment about idle hands at least gets Sebastian to laugh, since he's a fan of the casual humor of what he is, and he nods. ]
So I have noticed... I suppose that is fair enough, since we are not here to relax, but still, at times there is scarcely time to breathe.
[ Only part of it is an act. The rest, he’s sure, comes from his background. Which he can only fill in the blanks with at the current moment. Ciel wasn’t entirely forthcoming about his history (most people aren’t, especially not to strangers). So, November just has the skeleton of a profile built. It goes hand in hand with Sebastian’s. There’s obviously been implications as to what their relationship consists of in their conversations, but Sebastian hasn’t said it outright. Truthfully, he doesn’t really need to. He’s sifted through it enough to have a decent understanding. But, he’s not sure why Ciel chose this.
All in due time. ]
We’re not here to relax, but overworking us won’t do them much good either. [ Little sleep makes for mistakes, mistakes can be fatal in this line of work. November leans in to pick the teacup up, setting it in front of him as it steeps and cools. ]
[ Once November has been comfortably served, Sebastian bows his head lightly in one of those always curious displays of deference. He takes his seat, though the question seems to catch him off guard. He looks surprised briefly, but then laughs gently. ]
Housework, you mean?
[ Even if he doesn't, that's the question that Sebastian chooses to answer. With respect to the other topic that could be implied about the work the CDC asked of them, he felt that was more obvious. To a demon, the work of destroying planets and of genocide beforehand would seem a treat. ]
Surprisingly, yes, I do. I had done nothing of the sort before I came to serve the young master, so I thought I would certainly loathe it. But I find it quite enjoyable and rewarding. It is strange for something like me, but everyone is entitled to their own eccentricities...
[ He shrugs ]
To be honest, this is the longest I have ever been in the mortal realm. Most of my contracts do not require such detailed infiltration as this.
[ For some reason, the deference always takes him off-guard. Maybe it's because in all other aspects, Sebastian seems like a predator. At least he's not the only one being taken by surprise, though. ]
Never before? How interesting. Is it the sense of accomplishment of the small things that's rewarding?
[ November can't really recall meeting anyone who actually liked housework. ]
Your contract with Master Phantomhive is intricate, then.
Quite, as a matter of fact. Though that does match some of the expectations of my contract.
[ He shrugs lightly, but it comes with a sardonic edge to his smile. It seems that Ciel keeps a tighter leash than it would seem, but Sebastian takes pleasure in excelling for the sake of making him mad. ]
Our contract is not so complicated at all, but the young master demands perfection in all things. So there is a certain pleasure in seeing his expression fall when I fulfill every request to the letter and more.
Ah, so, it's partial alignment of contract as much as it's personally rewarding.
[ Logical, to have them go hand in hand. At least even a little bit. He'd probably do something similar, if it came to it. Though he can't imagine getting himself into a situation that required so much housework. It's not really in his repertoire. ]
Now, now, isn't that a bit mean-spirited of you? Possibly even devilish.
[ The joke at least makes Sebastian laugh easily and openly, since he always enjoys the little jokes about what he is greatly. They're present in many details about the persona of Sebastian Michaelis, from his left-handedness to his very last name, for the only name that Ciel had bestowed was "Sebastian." His sense of humor is terrible, but luckily so is November's... ]
Well, guilty as charged. But if it is any consolation, the young master enjoys the same sort of faltering from me.
[ He snickers, then adds, ] Though my own are much rarer than the young master's.
[ Sebastian's reaction is just what he'd been waiting for. There was something inherently entertaining about how the other man (well, demon) enjoyed the jokes about his nature. He's a bit glad they have a similar sense of humour in that way– it makes this relationship much easier to continue to uphold. ]
I see, a two way street. I can understand that sort of thinking, sometimes it's rather entertaining to have a relationship like it.
[ He sort of has that going on with Amber. Sort of. ]
Of course. Though don't you think it's a bit of cheat? You do have an advantage.
Is that cheating? There is scarcely anything I can do about it...
[ Well, other than purposely losing, but he's fairly certain that Ciel would be more upset by that than losing properly. Sebastian laughs to himself, then shrugs languidly. ]
It makes the game more interesting, I think. The young master makes increasingly unreasonable requests in hopes of finding the ceiling I cannot pass, and admittedly, the challenges he sets out are no small trifles! They give me a challenge, so it is fun in that way.
[ The thoughtful noise is soft as he brings a hand to his chin, and he seems to quite seriously consider the answer. Clearly, this is important! Or more likely than that, it's half a chance to show off and half a chance to complain about unreasonable requests. ]
In general or just with my servitude to the young master?
[ Whether it's complaining or showing off, he's bound to be entertained, Sebastian. Don't you know that November's pretty much a glorified gossip? Gotta love information gathers. ]
Curious and selfish is either a very good or a very bad thing to be around a demon, Mr. November.
[ But he's just teasing, since he won't dump Ciel for someone else... Even though recounting this story, he is reminded that sometimes it's tempting. He sighs, then begins to relay the stories. ]
Well, in general, a master of mine many centuries ago wished for the ruin of an army invading his home. Normally, that would not be too terrible, if not for the fact that he did not want for it to come at the cost of revealing what I was. It forced me to get rather creative, since destroying an army through other means is no small task... I ended up deciding to release disease into their ranks, which was effective, but it is terribly difficult to predict how humans get sick. It got a bit out of hand.
[ He caused the Black Plague. That's what he's talking about... ]
As for the young master, his most unreasonable request was certainly that I gather evidence against someone that had wronged him. There was evidence of it, certainly, since the person left letters to blackmail others, but they were prudent about disposing of such letters. I spent an evening digging through a landfill to find every piece of paper, then 'till dawn reassembling it. It was very annoying.
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Regardless, November will end up at Sebastian's rover in the correct amount of time. He might even be a little early– a gentleman never shows up late (unless it's fashionably so). There's a short knock on the rover door, and he sticks his hands in his pockets, posture relaxed. ]
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Welcome, November. [ To match the image of the butler as always, he gives a short bow, then steps aside to allow him in. ]
Do come in. The tea is nearly ready, so it should only be another few minutes.
[ As for the rover itself, it's completely, utterly spotless. Between Sebastian and Shinobu, their rover was immaculately tended to, though there's very little in terms of personal effects. There's not a single thing in sight that could seem to belong to Sebastian, though his quarters would be easily identified by being the sparsest, now without linens after donating them to medical. Clearly Sebastian doesn't spend much time here. ]
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Sebastian is also an impeccable host with manners to match. ]
Thank you, Mr. Michaelis.
[ November steps into the rover at the butler’s invitation in, glancing around the room. It’s spotless, as he would’ve guessed. Certainly, there’s no way that Sebastian would allow for anything else. Not only does his personality seem to project it (whether it’s a guise or not), but he’s rather sure the other man’s charge would throw a fit if invited into messy space. What he does find interesting, though, are the lack of linens on one particular bed. Could that be Sebastian’s bed? He may not spend a lot of time here. A very plausible thing. ]
Take your time, I’m in no rush. [ With that, he gives Sebastian a pleasant smile, expression rather benign. ]
How’ve you been?
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[ The answer is immediate and delivered with the sort of gentle sigh only suited to Sebastian. It's times like these where it's honestly difficult to believe that he's a dangerous and powerful demon. He takes so easily to the role of the perfect butler and caretaker, and it at least seems that they're thing he genuinely enjoys, though that in itself is almost baffling. It's difficult to tell whether it's a part of that guise or not, since Sebastian adheres to an unwritten set of principles so rigidly that it's comical. ]
Tending to the young master keeps me busy enough normally, I must admit, but juggling that with keeping up with my duties as a recruit has been quite an interesting balancing act.
[ Sebastian pauses briefly, but it's only to take the sort of care that shows the excellence of his craft to pour hot water over the loose tea leaves. He manages to make even the rationed tea taste at least a little better with how he prefers to prepare it. ]
But I do prefer being busy. The more I have to do, the more comfortable I feel... [ a true workaholic to the core ] And what of yourself?
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[ The jab is good-humored; one just doesn’t go around insulting masters, regardless of said master’s disposition. Moreover, while Ciel seemed like a handful, he was calculating and intelligent (if a bit naive still). November was still waiting to see what he was truly capable of. ]
I admit, I agree with you, Mr. Michaelis. You know what they say about idle hands and all. [ Also he just gets extremely bored easily. ] Busy enough; enjoying the windfall. It’s rare we get time to recover so much.
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[ Which Sebastian leaves at that, but the implication is clear—Because Ciel demands it, it's Sebastian's duty to provide it, and he'll do so without (much) complaint or question. After all, what November half-wonders about, Sebastian knows well. His master's cunning was something that kept Sebastian at his side in a semblance of loyalty, since it was sharper than most adults.
The comment about idle hands at least gets Sebastian to laugh, since he's a fan of the casual humor of what he is, and he nods. ]
So I have noticed... I suppose that is fair enough, since we are not here to relax, but still, at times there is scarcely time to breathe.
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[ Only part of it is an act. The rest, he’s sure, comes from his background. Which he can only fill in the blanks with at the current moment. Ciel wasn’t entirely forthcoming about his history (most people aren’t, especially not to strangers). So, November just has the skeleton of a profile built. It goes hand in hand with Sebastian’s. There’s obviously been implications as to what their relationship consists of in their conversations, but Sebastian hasn’t said it outright. Truthfully, he doesn’t really need to. He’s sifted through it enough to have a decent understanding. But, he’s not sure why Ciel chose this.
All in due time. ]
We’re not here to relax, but overworking us won’t do them much good either. [ Little sleep makes for mistakes, mistakes can be fatal in this line of work. November leans in to pick the teacup up, setting it in front of him as it steeps and cools. ]
Do you enjoy this sort of thing, Mr Michaelis?
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Housework, you mean?
[ Even if he doesn't, that's the question that Sebastian chooses to answer. With respect to the other topic that could be implied about the work the CDC asked of them, he felt that was more obvious. To a demon, the work of destroying planets and of genocide beforehand would seem a treat. ]
Surprisingly, yes, I do. I had done nothing of the sort before I came to serve the young master, so I thought I would certainly loathe it. But I find it quite enjoyable and rewarding. It is strange for something like me, but everyone is entitled to their own eccentricities...
[ He shrugs ]
To be honest, this is the longest I have ever been in the mortal realm. Most of my contracts do not require such detailed infiltration as this.
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Never before? How interesting. Is it the sense of accomplishment of the small things that's rewarding?
[ November can't really recall meeting anyone who actually liked housework. ]
Your contract with Master Phantomhive is intricate, then.
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[ He shrugs lightly, but it comes with a sardonic edge to his smile. It seems that Ciel keeps a tighter leash than it would seem, but Sebastian takes pleasure in excelling for the sake of making him mad. ]
Our contract is not so complicated at all, but the young master demands perfection in all things. So there is a certain pleasure in seeing his expression fall when I fulfill every request to the letter and more.
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[ Logical, to have them go hand in hand. At least even a little bit. He'd probably do something similar, if it came to it. Though he can't imagine getting himself into a situation that required so much housework. It's not really in his repertoire. ]
Now, now, isn't that a bit mean-spirited of you? Possibly even devilish.
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Well, guilty as charged. But if it is any consolation, the young master enjoys the same sort of faltering from me.
[ He snickers, then adds, ] Though my own are much rarer than the young master's.
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I see, a two way street. I can understand that sort of thinking, sometimes it's rather entertaining to have a relationship like it.
[ He sort of has that going on with Amber. Sort of. ]
Of course. Though don't you think it's a bit of cheat? You do have an advantage.
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[ Well, other than purposely losing, but he's fairly certain that Ciel would be more upset by that than losing properly. Sebastian laughs to himself, then shrugs languidly. ]
It makes the game more interesting, I think. The young master makes increasingly unreasonable requests in hopes of finding the ceiling I cannot pass, and admittedly, the challenges he sets out are no small trifles! They give me a challenge, so it is fun in that way.
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[ It undermines the purpose. And is less interesting, when there's no challenge. ]
What's been the most challenging request? I have to wonder what someone like yourself would find unreasonable.
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[ The thoughtful noise is soft as he brings a hand to his chin, and he seems to quite seriously consider the answer. Clearly, this is important! Or more likely than that, it's half a chance to show off and half a chance to complain about unreasonable requests. ]
In general or just with my servitude to the young master?
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How about both. I'm curious and selfish.
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[ But he's just teasing, since he won't dump Ciel for someone else... Even though recounting this story, he is reminded that sometimes it's tempting. He sighs, then begins to relay the stories. ]
Well, in general, a master of mine many centuries ago wished for the ruin of an army invading his home. Normally, that would not be too terrible, if not for the fact that he did not want for it to come at the cost of revealing what I was. It forced me to get rather creative, since destroying an army through other means is no small task... I ended up deciding to release disease into their ranks, which was effective, but it is terribly difficult to predict how humans get sick. It got a bit out of hand.
[ He caused the Black Plague. That's what he's talking about... ]
As for the young master, his most unreasonable request was certainly that I gather evidence against someone that had wronged him. There was evidence of it, certainly, since the person left letters to blackmail others, but they were prudent about disposing of such letters. I spent an evening digging through a landfill to find every piece of paper, then 'till dawn reassembling it. It was very annoying.