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[ His eyebrows twitch in unison. ]

Which is why I won't ask how this is delving since I'm hardly asking personal questions, only the basic shape of the situation.

"Fed". And what is it that you subsist on?

[ He'll sit up a little and speak before he prompts for that answer more. ]

I could eat normal food as the Archivist but the truth was that the thing I lived on was statements: true accounting of supernatural events that cause pain, horror, or terror.

[ Very dry. ]

I assume you all don't jaunt to the mortal realm for a bloody cheeseburger.

Edited 2023-02-17 16:38 (UTC)

[Sebastian's eyebrows go up in turn, and he laughs a little, surprised. Feeding on "pain, horror, or terror"...!

And after a few moments, once he recovers:]

Why, has anyone ever graduated based on keeping a vegetarian diet, or a kosher one?

That much of a secret. Closer to "mortal souls" or "life energy" than the cheeseburger then. Thank you.

[ He dips his head towards Sebastian. ]

Well, to answer your oh so clever question and address some concerns: I've never seen the Admiral ask anyone to suddenly change species or forgo their required sustenance to leave this place. In truth, largely the changes are holistically beneficial to the person graduating even if they might cause some need for logistical rejiggering. So while I have no doubt that someone will have a fit or two about your species and dietary requirements, it's almost certainly pearl clutching and not something to, in and of itself, believe you will be pressed to change.

[.........................

What if Sebastian just up and left this office right now? Can he do that? Is it allowed?]

How heartening to hear, I am sure.

[ His answer is to raise an eyebrow. ]

Something the matter?

[^_______________________^]

Why, should there be?

[ Eyebrow still raised.]

...well then. I suppose asking you if you can think of why you might be here is pointless since you think you shouldn't be.

Have you recently been engaged in anything which is outrageously cruel or unnecessarily harmful to others, including people you would barely concern yourself with?

...you don't have to specify what it is, yes or no is fine.

Well. In the interest of speaking plainly: [you know, that thing that Mr Sims is so into!!] I can very easily think of reasons why someone would think I should be here.

But as for your actual question: "unnecessarily" is subjective, of course, but-- yes, I have.

I don't think anything yet, other than that you're almost certainly used to talking around things and that's neither here nor there.

[ He folds his hands. ]

Why were you cruel or harmful to others when it was unnecessary to be so?

[Sebastian tilts his head to the side.]

Now, I realise that you only just pointed out that I am "used to talking around things", but right now it truly cannot be helped: my answer depends on how you would define 'unnecessary'.

Edited 2023-02-17 18:47 (UTC)

[ He shakes his head. ]

I'd prefer to ask why you thought it was unnecessary.

[ He turns his hand towards Sebastian. ]

You were content to conclude it was unnecessary even given the subjectivity of the descriptor. So... why?

Because what is considered "necessary" from a human point of view is vastly different from what is considered "necessary" from a demon's point of view, sir. Initially, I did assume we were speaking from a human - or close to one - point of view.

If you will, it was an attempt at being forthcoming. I do not conceive any of my actions as being morally wrong, but I realise that many people might.

[See? He's being a good boy??]

[ He nods, and it's clear that he's actually rather appreciative of the attempt at being forthcoming. But he's already found something to poke at. ]

There isn't a human in this room so we don't need to default to that. I'm not terribly interested in that opinion. I'm interested in yours.

That said, I haven't mentioned anything about morals.

I asked about necessity vs. that which is not necessary. Does that change your answer?

In that case... my apologies, but then I must change my answer: the majority of the things I have done have, in fact, been necessary. [Because his master ordered him to do them.]

But not all. So let's talk about what hasn't been necessary.

...and while I realize, given the outfit, that you're a butler, if you could stop presupposing what I'm looking for it might provide a bit more clarity for both of us. You're welcome to ask for clarity, of course, but this whole thing isn't to satisfy me it's to work on what needs working on for you.

My apologies, sir. Just as you surmised, being a servant does entail a fair bit of providing what is asked for... but I shall do my best to curb that instinct henceforth, if that is what you wish. [<-- Doing a great job of that already! :)b

...Also not answering the "let's talk about what hasn't been necessary" bit. Don't notice that.]

[ A deeeep breath in. ]

Again, not what I wish, what we need to do to work on this.

So again: the not-necessary bits. Let's get into those to start. If you please?

[This is Sebastian's first therapy session ever and he has reached the following conclusion: therapy? Completely overrated. 0/10 would not recommend.]

Would you like a run-down of what happened, or simply a justification as to why? In the interest of not wasting anyone's time, of course.

[ Is this therapy? Jon would be baffled at the idea.

Right now... he's amused.]

Actually working on things with you is not wasting time. I'll listen to whatever you'd like to tell me, for as long as you'd like to tell me, that's actually pertinent to what we're working on.

The obfuscation, side-stepping, and avoidance, however, I would be happy to leave at the door. Which is what I've said from the start, Mr. Michaelis.

[ Very very wry. ]

Not terribly used to people actually paying attention to you, are you?

[He's from the late 19th century. Therapy is barely a thing yet. He doesn't know what he's talking about. Cut him some slack.]

[--!!! Are you implying that HE'S EASILY OVERLOOKED? Still smiling, still pleasant, but with a slight hint of OFFENCE creeping into his tone:]

If you will pardon the seeming arrogance of this statement: I am perfectly used to people paying attention to me when warranted. [Like when he does impressive, "wow, I can't believe a normal human could do that!" feats? When he single-handedly takes care of everything needed to make any situation ever run smoothly?] I should hope I always respond gracefully. It would not do for a butler to attempt to bask.

If you're arrogant, just be arrogant. I might not excuse it but I won't hold it against you. You don't have to pretend otherwise. [ A faint snort. ]

And 'when warranted' is when you don't want to sneak out of answering questions or be earnest about things I expect. I realize you might be a butler at home but... you aren't my butler, so it's really very unnecessary.

Much like what you still haven't answered about: the unnecessary things. If you would?

[These days, Sebastian doesn't often miss being allowed to lie. He's found ways to work around it. Right now? He really, really misses being able to lie.

Hrrmm. He hates this.]

Well. When it comes to unnecessary cruelties, I have committed them because in the moment, it was amusing.

And what about it amused you?

[ No disgust or anger. Just curiosity. ]

Being able to retaliate against a person who has annoyed you is satisfying, is it not?

[Like, this surely is a universal experience? Everyone enjoys getting even?]

...hmmm, largely, yes. I can't say you're wrong there.

How had they wronged you?

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