[[ closed ]] .incomplete.

[blackestate]

WHO: Sebastian Michaelis, Yuna, Mitsuru Kirijo, Soubi, and anyone else who applied for a job under an underage aristocrat.
WHAT: Sebastian interviews prospective employees. Hopefully, halfway competent ones.
WHERE: Phantomhive Mansion
WHEN: Day 123, all day.

Comments

SOUBI // 2:00 P.M.

[blackestate]

It was after lunch, a time when most people were still resting off the effects of the day’s most generous meal. The one he’d previously called “Master” Soubi was to arrive, though this time, not as a friend of the butler’s master but as one employed. It’d be “Mister” Agatsuma from now on; Sebastian had full confidence the man would understand.

They’d gotten off to a rather shaky start, admittedly. Still, that was not the main reason the afternoon’s snack had (yet again) changed from the morning’s. Gone was the tiered stand. A simple plate of sandwiches and another tray of cakes. A black tea miraculously imported from the fields of Yunnan, China by the name of Ying Ming was served, the milk creamier than the morning’s. All that was left was to wait.

SOUBI // 2:00 P.M.

[chou_sentouki]

Soubi arrived at 2PM on the dot. Rivelata had taught him, among other things, the art of punctuality. It had taken a bit of quick thinking to get someone to cover him at Pen & Sword, but he found a replacement for the rest of the day. To his surprise, Zexion was totally fine with him taking the afternoon off, and didn't seem to object when Soubi packed a few of his best paintings away in a case to take with him

[blackestate]

Sebastian opened the door for Soubi, meeting the man's eyes evenly with a disarming and not entirely comforting smile. It was fortunate he had already spoken to Soubi before, so the need for introductions was minimal. Motioning for Soubi to follow him, he spoke as he walked, "Good afternoon, Mr. Agatsuma. Right on time; your punctuality is greatly appreciated. If you please, we will be starting the interview in the Viewing room, then taking a brief tour of the grounds, to obtain a rough estimate of where and when you should like to start your work."

[chou_sentouki]

"It's nice to finally meet you face-to-face," Soubi countered that greeting with a small smile of his own. It seemed only a tad forced, and didn't quite seem to meet those deep blue eyes. He nodded and followed the butler through the house to the viewing room. He couldn't help but feel a little intimidated, still. He didn't think he had ever been in a home this large before. It seemed too large, too unnecessary. But some people were used to this treatment, he had to remind himself. Not everyone grew up an orphan in some deranged school in the sequestered mountains.

He took a seat at the table, simply assuming that he would be offered one. Perhaps that was an unwise move on his part, but clearly they were supposed to sit if there was to be an interview. He couldn't be expected to stand the entire time. But goodness, did those sandwiches look delicious. He hadn't eaten yet today, but he did nothing more than eye them briefly.

"Well, it would help if I had some idea of what the Master Phantomhive would like painted..."

[blackestate]

Without prompting Sebastian took the teapot, pouring Soubi a cup before stepping back to allow the man to adjust the texture and taste himself. There was no need for overly subservient behavior with a man at least temporarily equal to his own rank, especially if Ciel wished to employ Soubi for more extended periods of time.

"I wouldn’t presume to know Master Ciel’s taste in art," he said with a deferent nod, "Rather, he assured me of the need for your services and instructed me to deal with the more tedious work as I like. I’m sure, once we get the paperwork cleared away, he will arrange a meeting with you for more specific instructions; until then, it’s likely safe to assume you have free rein."

[chou_sentouki]

More tea! He wasn't sure where the wealthy people here were getting so many fine teas. Then again, he wasn't really looking for tea when he went shopping for food. He loved tea, though, and he wasn't hesitant about taking the tea cup into both of his hands to sip carefully at the steaming drink, murmuring a quiet 'thank you' to Sebastian. He knew the man's name, but he wasn't sure if he should use it so informally.

"Alright. Well... what do you need to know about me?" He asked, glasses fogging up a bit from the steam of the tea.

[blackestate]

Well, no sense in beating around the bush. It would best if they could get this settled quickly, after all

[chou_sentouki]

"I understand," Soubi placed his tea back on the table as he took up the pen in his right hand. That hand seemed too delicate, too easily broken; the long fingers and paint-stained nails of an artist. Blue eyes scanned over the document carefully, struggling every now and again with the longer words. He never had been fluent in English, so making the transition here had been difficult. He was still unsure of many of the words he read... "It's hard to protect someone in this place. It's so much more dangerous than everything at home."

He wasn't sure if he liked how condescending Sebastian seemed to be. He would never give voice to this notion, of course, not unless Sebastian became openly rude. If he still had his ears, however, they would be lying flat against his head. He signed his name where the document indicated, in neat, lilting kanji calligraphy. "What exactly do you need to know about my background?"