[ 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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no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
How about both. I'm curious and selfish.
no subject
[ 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.