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...you're hardly the first monstrous inmate or even the first monstrous warden, monstrous being used as shorthand for predatory non-human with a morality system that is not compatible with the standard human ones.

[ A pause before. ]

But I think you might need to be less of a meanspirited egotistical dickhead.

[ Delivered with all the clinical matter-of-factness of a medical diagnosis. ]

[A look of mild affront. Such language from a Warden? Good grief.]

...And other 'monstrous' Inmates have managed this?

[ A brief look of relief before a hummingbird-like nod. ]

It's largely how that sort of thing goes. No one wants you leaving here tortured and bemoaning your existence or any such nonsense, but being less prone to treat people like fun little toys for your amusement... entirely doable.

[Surprise, Sebastian has self-control! Perks of being old and having gotten all that out of his system decades ago.]

Well. I should clarify that I would not mind being tortured, should that permit me to leave sooner.

If I may, how have these former Inmates grown to think of other people, then? [I mean, compared to Sebastian, humans are basically insects... How on Earth is he supposed to learn to respect insects?]

That isn't what I meant at all but really, I should have guessed...

[ Deep. Sigh. ]

Usually, it comes from a combination of examining their preconceptions and the filter through which they're viewing others, as well as gaining a greater and deeper understanding of them and, frankly, being exposed to a very different and varied group of people in an environment that is less prone to allowing one to keep one's head in the sand nicely isolated from new thoughts.

[He "should have guessed"? Was there something wrong with Sebastian's statement? He was just saying.]

Ah, well... As much as I realise I likely sound the same as the many ignorant, monstrous Inmates before their change in perspective: I have been around a variety of people for a very long time. I would say I know quite well already how people generally think, reason and act.

Absolutely the same. It's like you've all got a script.

[ Just saying. ]

I'm sure you're positively ancient.

I stand by my statement.

Quite, sir. [How tiring, having to deal with being the only monster inmate with an accurate perception of other people. The things Sebastian has to put up with.]

What steps would you have me take, then?

...I'm not sure you're up to steps. This isn't really a color in the lines sort of setup.

What do you think might work?

...What might work to make me think more highly of people in general, sir?

...that's a bit of a stretch for right now, I'd imagine.

Perhaps... what sort of things make you more likely to find someone tolerable to be around?

[He considers for a moment.]

There are already characteristics that I find tolerable, even agreeable, in others. Your suggestion is that I should work on lowering my standards in that regard?

[That sounds incredibly backwards.]

Did I say that?

[ Only a little annoyed, just the barest hint, because Sebastian, you're bad at guessing. At least with him.]

No, not remotely. If you have certain features and characteristics that you find tolerable, even agreeable' in people, I'd recommend making a point of trying to meet more people and once you find those you find that have those characteristics, prioritize spending more time with them.

Edited 2023-02-24 13:03 (UTC)

[Um, excuse you? They were talking about expanding Sebastian's horizons - his guesses make perfect sense always.]

Well... unfortunately, I am only allowed one official job, and Mr Archer is reluctant to let anyone work several kitchen shifts in a row. I do not well see how I can spend much more time with those people I find agreeable.

["Spend time with" = "work alongside" in Sebastian-land, if that wasn't obvious.]

[ Lol no. ]

And if I said 'work with them' I suppose that would be a problem. But no, spending time with someone is not just working with them.

Watch a film, play a game, discuss a book. Or, if you're like me and a bit of an introvert, find someone you can coexist with in the same space while you do your own activities.

Which, I will repeat again, do not and really should not be work alone. In fact, the majority percentage should not be work.

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

Sebastian gives Jon a Look. It is a Look of complete and utter bewilderment.

He. He did just utter the phrase "the majority percentage should not be work" like that makes any sense.]

[ And the look back is very expectant. Well? ]

...you didn't honestly think that any change was going to happen by you doing things exactly the way you usually do, did you?

Edited 2023-02-24 16:16 (UTC)

Sir, I...

[Rubbing his temple with a hand.]

Of course I did not think that. [...He kind of did.] However, sir: please know that working a lot is not something I have always done. That has only been the case for the last few years, and it is not something I can just give up.

[His butler roleplay! It requires working.]

Why?

I am a butler, sir. I cannot cease being a butler while my master still has need of me, and being a butler requires one to work hard, as it is a demanding job.

Is your master here?

[ He's going to stroll right along. ]

Because if not, I would think that your most important work would be to return to him. No one is saying not to work at all, since I'm certainly you'd like to keep your skills sharp. But while you will be working, it will not be 'work' in the traditional sense.

I've just given you work to do that, as your warden for the time being, I think would help you towards that end. Unless you have some reason to believe that I'm leading you astray or am not acting towards that end, and given that you don't know how to leave this place or you would have already, I can't think of a reason for you, in your duty as butler, to shirk your duties in working towards your eventual freedom from this place.

[...]

...That reasoning makes sense, sir. [Bringing up Butler Aesthetics is 100% the way to motivate Sebastian to do anything.]

Being idle for most of the time and... playing games sounds completely counterproductive to me, but... I will give it my best attempt, then. Mr Archer will not have me in the kitchen for the next few days anyway, so I suppose it is as good a time as any.

Right.

[ A quick smile. ]

And as I said, it doesn't have to be games. The point is socialization. Whatever form you find most interesting that doesn't involve harming other people. Preferably, you'd be doing so with more than one person.

[But... he likes working? And hurting people? What else is there?]

...Would you consider devising ways to endanger others acceptable, if it is in cooperation with another person whom I find agreeable?

The endangerment would be consensual, I should clarify.

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