IC Contact

[untiltheend]

This is Sebastian Michaelis. I am unavailable at present, but please leave a message. Should a response be needed I will reply when time permits me. Please do keep your message brief.

Comments

[untiltheend]

Very well. Until then.

[As always, Sebastian is punctual: precisely five minutes after lunch is over, he knocks on Hakkai's cabin door.]

[reformedsinner]

Hakkai is there and waiting; he opens the door with a polite bow, gesturing for Sebastian to enter.

"Please, make yourself comfortable. Would you like tea? Ah - I should say, it's nothing too serious. I'm just letting you know about some plans that I have for this week."

[untiltheend]

........Why is there not already tea ready to be served THAT'S THEIR THING. Sebastian steps inside with a polite nod.

"Thank you, but please do not trouble yourself on my account." Hakkai knows Sebastian doesn't even like tea in the first place, so. Then why do you even expect tea to be served, Sebastian

He obediently takes a seat in his usual chair.

"What of your plans, then, sir?"

[reformedsinner]

"It's no trouble at all, really..." Although this time he's just arrived before Sebastian and hasn't quite had time to start the kettle. He lets it go, though, and sits down on the other side of the table with his expression falling into more serious lines.

"Sanzo's inmate Envy has graduated, and I'm obligated to help him in a divinely assigned task back in our world. However, I've confirmed with the Admiral that I'll be able to return here afterwards. I don't intend to be gone for more than a week, but during that time, is there a warden you would prefer to go to for anything you may need?"

1/2

[untiltheend]

"Envy? That is that little alchemical construct, no?"

Who blew a hole in the dining hall and killed multiple people HOW has he graduated already??

[untiltheend]

".......Hm. Is that to say you would assign me a temporary 'permanent' Warden? If I cannot simply reach out myself to whatever Warden I prefer."

[reformedsinner]

"Yes, that's him. And well - really, I'm looking for someone who I can ask to hold my warden item in case anything unexpected occurs. Such as an onboard disaster in which you need to be found..."

The tracking functions in the warden devices aren't something Hakkai uses often, but they do have a practical purpose.

[untiltheend]

"I do hope you know I can handle myself. But if the situation is such that even I require assistance... please leave it with Mr Archer."

Trevor is probably Sebastian's favourite warden, but, in the end, he's only human. Sebastian's smile widens.

"Do have a pleasant trip. Will that be all?"

Go die in a fire.

[reformedsinner]

"That's all I had to tell you," Hakkai murmurs. "But you seem a little annoyed...."

[untiltheend]

"Do I, now."

He laughs, very softly.

"Well, should that be the case, surely it is completely unwarranted."

[reformedsinner]

Hakkai translates that as I'm furious and I don't think you're taking this seriously enough, and raises one eyebrow.

"Well," he murmurs, "although I wouldn't call your feelings unwarranted, I trust your ability to continue working towards your graduation during my temporary absence...."

[untiltheend]

"Oh, of course I will be well able to."

No, he's not the least bit placated.

"Will that be all, then?"

He's sure Hakkai has a lot of packing to get done!

[reformedsinner]

Hakkai considers him for a long, thoughtful moment.

"Yes," he says at last, instead of all the other things he might have chosen. Sebastian is an inmate and can't go with them; it only makes sense for him to resent it, no matter his motivations for doing so. Hakkai plans to return to the Barge even if he dies, but it's not without risk. It's simply something he has to do.

So, arguing about it would be pointless. He scoots his chair back and stands with a polite half-bow.

[untiltheend]

"Very good."

Sebastian too stands, and returns the half-bow.

"Thank you for all your efforts, then, should we end up not seeing each other again."

He knows how it goes with these 'I'm going back home but I'm coming back, promise' excuses.

[reformedsinner]

"I've taken precautions, but anything can happen," Hakkai murmurs gently. "Here or elsewhere. So: should that happen, thank you for all yours, Sebastian."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian scoffs-- as if his efforts have amounted to anything, when he's still stuck here?

"As you say." Liar. "I shall leave you to your preparations, then."

[reformedsinner]

Progress isn't always measured by success; it takes time. But Hakkai does understand Sebastian's frustrated perfectionism.

Because he understands, he simply bows again, and smiles slightly as he straightens up.

"Please don't worry that I won't return," he murmurs. "I'm very stubborn."

[untiltheend]

"Mm, is that not contradicting what you said just now, about how anything might happen?"

He half-turns to look at Hakkai.

"Considering you are not the first... hm, in fact, you are the third Warden to make such promises, please forgive me my doubts."

[reformedsinner]

"It's possible that I'll be killed and the Admiral will lose track of my soul," Hakkai says after a moment. "I'm not fully in control of those risks. But those are both risks that exist whether or not I stay here on board with you.

"And I don't want to go back to live in my world, not even when I'm ready. It's simply that there is a task I'm obligated to complete."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian tilts his head.

"You realise you need not justify your decisions to me, yes? I am hardly in a position to chain you to this place."

[reformedsinner]

"You realize that I also have an obligation to you, I hope," Hakkai points out; he's standing next to his chair, one hand resting light as a butterfly on its back as he watches Sebastian.

"Preexisting obligations don't invalidate later ones. So, although I will be gone for a short time, I would have to be both dead and abandoned by the Admiral not to come back. And I want you to know I do take my obligation to you that seriously."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian's smile remains fixed in place as Hakkai speaks, and for several long moments after he's done.

Hrrm. That level of commitment is... acceptable, perhaps. Even so, proclaiming something is easy; actually living up to one's promises is another thing alltogether.

After a few long moments, Sebastian's smile... doesn't disappear, but at least it softens.

"...Thank you, sir. I appreciate the assurance."

He's still angry, but. less so.

[reformedsinner]

Hakkai ducks his head in a small bow. Claiming something is easier than living up to it, and while he's spoken to the Admiral already... he can only hope he won't be made a liar.

"I'll see you soon."