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

[deuceoftears]

I understand you're likely quite busy at the moment. However, I've put together a small 'Welcome aboard' gift for your master. Please do let me know when you'll be available to pick it up.

[untiltheend]

[There's a flash of irritation at the notification of yet another message. Of all people on the ship, Sebastian had assumed that Jedao would understand that he's busy right now, and not bother him with unimportant--

Oh.

And now there's another surge of annoyance - as if the young master needs anything from anyone, as if Sebastian can't provide everything he needs - that Sebastian recognises is completely irrational and just spillover from his frustration with this entire situation. He takes a deep breath before writing back.]

At [time] o'clock should work. Thank you, Instructor.

[deuceoftears]

I'll be sure to have everything ready.

[So as not to waste any of his time.]

[untiltheend]

Thank you.

And Sebastian does, of course, show up precisely on time, knocking on the door and entering as it lets him in.

He's as perfectly put together as always, and to a casual observer would look no different than normal, but to anyone who knows him well - or is particularly observant - there's a slight tightness in his jaw and the smallest of stiffness in his shoulders that hint, perhaps, to how hard he's trying not to explode with frustration.

"Hello, Instructor."

[deuceoftears]

"Hello, Sebastian. There's a few things, actually."

On the table are a smallish, high-quality, dark leather backpack; a wicker basket including flowers, bath bombs, and a small but beautiful rosewood and mother-of-pearl travel chess set, with a little golden key and embedded magnets in both the board and the pieces; and a letter sealed with a butterfly above two wavy lives in red and gold wax. The basket doesn't contain any food, little treats like that clearly falling into Sebastian's domain, although the backpack does contain preserved food and bottled water.

"I'm fairly sure you're unconcerned with Ciel asking the rest of the barge for information on you, but I did think it fell within our usual agreement, if at any point you'd like to review the conversations."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian's gaze flits over the objects on the table before he gives a small, approving nod.

"Indeed I am not; it is my master's prerogative to ask what questions about me he will. Besides, those conversations have already been sent to me by Sir-- by Trevor. But thank you."

A pause, and then:

"I have a favour to ask, Instructor."

Jedao can probably guess what it is.

[deuceoftears]

Well, Trevor has all the tradecraft of a large snail, but Jedao supposes it's a nice gesture.

He can guess, but he doesn't presume, just nods in acknowledgement.

"Ask."

[untiltheend]

"There will inevitably be times when I cannot protect the young master, or when I myself will pose a danger to him. He can of course not be your first priority" -- Sebastian can't ask of Jedao to prioritise Ciel over Hakkai or Justine, however much he'd like to do just that -- "but if I am ever unable to, would you please protect my master to the best of your ability?"

[deuceoftears]

"I will," Jedao agrees solemnly. "What should I expect from him, in such a crisis?"

[untiltheend]

Sebastian bows, deeply and sincerely - he's a proud man, but not so proud as to refuse to beg when neccessary.

"The young master is a normal human - I do not know if that tells you much? He has no supernatural abilities. Likely, he is one of the physically weakest people on the Barge, but he knows how to shoot a gun."

...Hm.

"He is accustomed to witnessing violence; he will most likely be able to keep a cool head in a crisis."

And in the instances where he can't... well. Those will be apparent to anyone with eyes.

[deuceoftears]

Jedao nods; 'keeping his head in a crisis' is by far the most important part of that.

"My students from before the barge were human - although perhaps in more rigorous physical condition. Does he fence at all? It would be...a sport appropriate to his station, if I understand the intricacies correctly."

[untiltheend]

"He does. --Admittedly not quite as well as I would prefer."

Maybe a very unforgiving schedule is needed here; all physical training, no arts. Only so long as they're stuck on the Barge.