untiltheend | IC Contact

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?

...Would you have me list every single incident, for every single person?

[They'll... they'll be here all day.

Did you think this was a one-time thing, Jon? Did you?]

[ Jon folds his hands together. ]

Yes, please. If you need paper, or a pen, I have plenty.

[ He is/was/will be again the Archivist. Of course he wants that. ]

[With a clear note of sarcasm (that is in no way an attempt to stall, what are you talking about):]

Will having it written down better sate your appetite, sir? If so, I do not mind writing.

At the moment, I don't have an appetite for that sort of thing, but it would provide me easy-to-reference data to use to help figure out what exactly the parameters of your graduation might look like.

[ He will pull out an empty journal from his desk, and offer a pen. ]

Not to mention that, at your discretion, it could be passed along to your next warden if we aren't permanently paired so that you don't have to write it down twice.

[Uh huh. That sounds like an excuse for getting all the juicy, juicy horror details to feast on.

Sebastian accepts the journal and pen, though, and sets to writing at an efficient speed.]

[ ...look, he was a good Archivist because he was nosy, not the other way around. But he doesn't currently get anything from it, no.

He'll take the opportunity to stand up, walk around his desk and go feed Sandy, who is a sandworm who lives in the sand bin he'd mentioned. He has to tap the side of the glass a couple of times to get her attention, and then he's leaving a little treat on the top of the sand and tapping again so she can eat it. ]

[.........But why would you keep a pet as hideous as that? Sebastian watches the display for a few long, judgemental moments, before returning to his writing.]

...I cannot help but imagine that a being that feeds on horror and terror must be able to gorge at quite regular intervals.

[Jon can't accuse him of stalling if he's writing while making conversation!]

Around here?

[ That's a huff as he turns around, yes, leaving his back to Sandy. She was left to him by another inhabitant of the ship but they've settled well to one another. ]

Oh, invariably. And given the purpose of the ship, I could even be somewhat helpful with my 'feeding' at times, since it essentially let them re-experience the whole thing with someone else there validating it for them, like re-breaking a bone that set wrong.

Is that how it works for you? You're required to feed to live at any decent level of quality?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject