[ The morning before Sebastian's first shift at the Hex Club, an envelope finds its way to his door. Inside is a gold pin in the shape of a hexagon, as well as a note: ]
Sebastian, Welcome to the Hex Club. I look forward to working with you. — Silco
* For clarity's sake: The pin is merely a gift, not an expected part of your daily dress.
[ Even with the clarification, Silco will still find that whenever Sebastian is working, the pin is always part of his outfit for the day. It's usually secured on the lapel, and as a private joke for Sebastian alone, it's affixed in the spot where he would generally wear the Phantomhive crest. Even a world away, he can't help but passive-aggressively want to make Ciel seethe...
But! Shortly after he receives the pin (and spends some time scrolling through the work chat having an experience), he'll message Silco directly. ]
Mr. Silco,
First, I must offer my thanks for the gift. I appreciate the handsome subtlety, for it is something that aligns with my personal aesthetics, as a matter of fact. Your welcome is appreciated, and I do hope that you will find my work satisfactory.
Second, I would say that if you find yourself in need of anything in particular, please do not hesitate to ask. I am skilled in many things, and thus that extra service is something that I offer to my employers. It may not be free of charge, but I am always open to negotiating matters of price.
Regardless, I thank you very much for this opportunity. It seems like entertaining work, so I am looking forward to it.
[ Of the applications Silco's received, there's no way around the fact that Sebastian's stands out. His resume is designed to impress — if anything, to stretch a metaphor, he's added corners rather than cutting them. ]
Sebastian — rest assured, you've been quite the exemplar. We're lucky to have you in our midst.
[ Not least for not making trouble in the work chat ... ]
Your application featured an impressively extensive array of domestic work; what kind of extra service did you have in mind?
For those extra services, I am vague with the term not out of obscurity, but more because I offer a wide variety, not all of which I like to freely advertise. My domestic skills are exemplary, but I am primarily hired for my skills as a bodyguard and a fixer, to be somewhat broad in both respects.
If it is not of interest, I take no offense, but I would request your discretion in this matter, of course.
Information, primarily. Given the nature of my work, I imagine it is not a surprise to say that I dislike being caught unawares.
I do have some further interests, and I expect that I will develop more focus as I come to understand this manor and its machinations better, but for now? I shall keep things simple.
At any rate, I prefer simple. So, consider the door open both ways. If there's a question you ever want answered, I'll do my best to furnish you with an answer, with the expectation of an IOU to be collected at some point in the future.
I find that to be an agreeable arrangement. I had hoped that may be the case, since I would also like to think that I have a bit of intuition for more business-minded folk.
So, I do have a person of interest who I will happily offer that favor for, in fact. Whatever additional information and insight that could be passed my way about Set would be appreciated indeed.
[ in the meanwhile, she's reaching out to her favorite puppy
the door opens on a small woman, dressed in her usual ensemble of flowing, open-front blouse and slim pants. her feet are bare, her eyes large and dark and face scarred, branded. a flicker of curiosity crosses her face at the man before her, and then she steps aside. ]
You're welcome to come in.
[ pointing toward the door to her bathroom, where the scent of blood lingers so strongly, she purrs. ]
"Mister Michaelis", right? You'll be discreet about anything that you observe or experience in my space. Not because of secret I long to keep, but because I like surprises.
[ And Sebastian is prim and proper as ever! Since he’s expecting to do a little work, he’s forgone his suit coat, but it’s still overly formal for the work. He has a bucket in hand too with some tools and cleaning supplies, but.
As soon as she opens the door, he smells the blood. He’s not sure he has everything he needs for that, but. Goodness. He at least keeps his outward expression unchanged, since he shouldn’t be able to notice that just yet. ]
Thank you very much. I am flattered that I have a reputation already for— Ah.
[ There’s a joke in his tone that cuts off once it’s reasonable for him to catch the smell. He looks surprised, but not alarmed like most would be. ]
…Of course, Miss. I treat everything with discretion.
[ He gives her a little nod, then shifts the bucket to his other arm as he opens the door. Let’s see how bad this will be, he thinks. ]
[ It's said distantly, as if her mind has already moved onto other matters; she knows he'll eventually pick up on the scent of blood, the deep tub in her bathroom the culprit — she'd drained it earlier, left it to dry and congeal and grow tacky — plasma and platelets left to separate over time. As he heads to the bathroom, she sends a text or two on her phone. The lazy tap-tap-tapping of her thumbs to some other person, tempering her invitation to give herself some time. ]
Worst you've seen? [ She's behind him, without a sound, the glow of her phone briefly illuminating her marred face before she locks the screen and looks up at Sebastian. ]
I know you won't answer that. You were right about your reputation preceding you. It's not from a murder, though. Came like that, taps even put the stuff out.
[ The fact that she's texting doesn't bother him in the slightest, and ironically for such a paranoid creature, he doesn't actually think anything of it. It's just the more modern expression of how he's the help, and thus, easy to ignore. He just gives the tub a bit of an incredulous look first, then sighs gently. This is messier than he expected, but it's fine... Or rather, he'll still take care of it.
He sets his bucket down so that he can start rolling up his sleeves first and foremost. It's perfectly expected, but it also reveals one of those curious little details about Sebastian that sticks out to sharper eyes. His primness and his manners would imply a certain build underneath his clothes, but his arms are handsomely muscular. It's not what you'd expect from a butler. ]
Ah?
[ He looks back to her quizzically at the question, but if she already believes he won't answer, well. It's indeed more convenient not to. So, he looks back to the tub and takes a seat on the edge to start to inspect the faucet. ]
Well, this is a bit more complicated and macabre than I was expecting, but I will endeavor to clean it up all the same. Fixing it, though... Well, that is likely up the whims of the manor, I fear.
[ And, to himself, he has to wonder. What in the world is this place, really... But as he starts to disassemble the tap, he looks back to her again. ]
In the meantime, you are welcome to use my washroom, should you wish. It is still giving water, at least as of this morning.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
📦 delivery.
→ and a text back!
But! Shortly after he receives the pin (and spends some time scrolling through the work chat having an experience), he'll message Silco directly. ]
Mr. Silco,
First, I must offer my thanks for the gift. I appreciate the handsome subtlety, for it is something that aligns with my personal aesthetics, as a matter of fact. Your welcome is appreciated, and I do hope that you will find my work satisfactory.
Second, I would say that if you find yourself in need of anything in particular, please do not hesitate to ask. I am skilled in many things, and thus that extra service is something that I offer to my employers. It may not be free of charge, but I am always open to negotiating matters of price.
Regardless, I thank you very much for this opportunity. It seems like entertaining work, so I am looking forward to it.
Yours Sincerely,
Sebastian Michaelis
no subject
Sebastian — rest assured, you've been quite the exemplar. We're lucky to have you in our midst.
[ Not least for not making trouble in the work chat ... ]
Your application featured an impressively extensive array of domestic work; what kind of extra service did you have in mind?
no subject
For those extra services, I am vague with the term not out of obscurity, but more because I offer a wide variety, not all of which I like to freely advertise. My domestic skills are exemplary, but I am primarily hired for my skills as a bodyguard and a fixer, to be somewhat broad in both respects.
If it is not of interest, I take no offense, but I would request your discretion in this matter, of course.
no subject
Far from it — it's an offer I intend to keep in mind.
If you'll allow one more question: while I expect a similarly broad answer given the mention of negotiation, do you have a preferred form of payment?
no subject
I do have some further interests, and I expect that I will develop more focus as I come to understand this manor and its machinations better, but for now? I shall keep things simple.
no subject
At any rate, I prefer simple. So, consider the door open both ways. If there's a question you ever want answered, I'll do my best to furnish you with an answer, with the expectation of an IOU to be collected at some point in the future.
no subject
So, I do have a person of interest who I will happily offer that favor for, in fact. Whatever additional information and insight that could be passed my way about Set would be appreciated indeed.
no subject
Noted.
We'll chat again soon.
🎀
Please do feel free to contact me at any time, then. Until next we speak, Mr. Silco.
@CROW
Maid says they're clogged, but beats me with what.
[ a lie, it's BLOOD CLOTS PROBABLY ]
girl 💀
she's got her eye on u now
You're very kind for coming on such short notice.
no subject
I will be there shortly.
[ And indeed! It’s only a few minutes later that there’s a light, polite knock on Mia’s door. ]
no subject
the door opens on a small woman, dressed in her usual ensemble of flowing, open-front blouse and slim pants. her feet are bare, her eyes large and dark and face scarred, branded. a flicker of curiosity crosses her face at the man before her, and then she steps aside. ]
You're welcome to come in.
[ pointing toward the door to her bathroom, where the scent of blood lingers so strongly, she purrs. ]
"Mister Michaelis", right? You'll be discreet about anything that you observe or experience in my space. Not because of secret I long to keep, but because I like surprises.
no subject
As soon as she opens the door, he smells the blood. He’s not sure he has everything he needs for that, but. Goodness. He at least keeps his outward expression unchanged, since he shouldn’t be able to notice that just yet. ]
Thank you very much. I am flattered that I have a reputation already for— Ah.
[ There’s a joke in his tone that cuts off once it’s reasonable for him to catch the smell. He looks surprised, but not alarmed like most would be. ]
…Of course, Miss. I treat everything with discretion.
[ He gives her a little nod, then shifts the bucket to his other arm as he opens the door. Let’s see how bad this will be, he thinks. ]
no subject
[ It's said distantly, as if her mind has already moved onto other matters; she knows he'll eventually pick up on the scent of blood, the deep tub in her bathroom the culprit — she'd drained it earlier, left it to dry and congeal and grow tacky — plasma and platelets left to separate over time. As he heads to the bathroom, she sends a text or two on her phone. The lazy tap-tap-tapping of her thumbs to some other person, tempering her invitation to give herself some time. ]
Worst you've seen? [ She's behind him, without a sound, the glow of her phone briefly illuminating her marred face before she locks the screen and looks up at Sebastian. ]
I know you won't answer that. You were right about your reputation preceding you. It's not from a murder, though. Came like that, taps even put the stuff out.
no subject
He sets his bucket down so that he can start rolling up his sleeves first and foremost. It's perfectly expected, but it also reveals one of those curious little details about Sebastian that sticks out to sharper eyes. His primness and his manners would imply a certain build underneath his clothes, but his arms are handsomely muscular. It's not what you'd expect from a butler. ]
Ah?
[ He looks back to her quizzically at the question, but if she already believes he won't answer, well. It's indeed more convenient not to. So, he looks back to the tub and takes a seat on the edge to start to inspect the faucet. ]
Well, this is a bit more complicated and macabre than I was expecting, but I will endeavor to clean it up all the same. Fixing it, though... Well, that is likely up the whims of the manor, I fear.
[ And, to himself, he has to wonder. What in the world is this place, really... But as he starts to disassemble the tap, he looks back to her again. ]
In the meantime, you are welcome to use my washroom, should you wish. It is still giving water, at least as of this morning.