whatever you want [closed]

[metamorphoid]

WHO: Lulubell [metamorphoid] & Sebastian Michaelis [blackestate]
WHAT: Tea. Talking. Breaking Grell's heart a bit. That sort of thing. :D
WHERE: "A humble garden on the outskirts of the city."
WHEN: After this. Day 87.

Comments

[blackestate]

The gate opened with a promptness that was almost eerie, were not the smiling face of the butler behind it so welcoming.

"Good afternoon and welcome, Miss Lulubell. If you please, watch your step and follow me."

The modesty of the simple but effective garden gate belied the extravagance of what lay beyond it. As Sebastian led Lulubell down the paths and towards their tea-drinking destination, the afternoon air was freshened by a perfect breeze and the sun’s harsh glare muted and subdued into a gentle, pleasing warmth. A few choice honeysuckle and frangipanis lent the air their sweet but unobtrusive fragrances, and though the trees swayed lazily in the wind no leaves marred the path they walked. The weather here seemed somehow more pleasant than that outside

[metamorphoid]

From the way she appeared, one would have thought that Lulubell would have expected no less from the handsome butler.

Then again, he had impressed her already. That was saying more about him than most, as it were. Lulubell was rather quick to make judgments about people. It wasn't difficult.

She'd found him uniquely charming from the moment Grell mentioned him here and there.

He seemed to like her, and spoke so highly of this Sebastian-- there had to be something right about it.

Of course, she'd approve of the darling kittens alongside the wonderful view the moment she'd meet them.

"The company provided makes up plenty," she said almost dismissively, eyes occasionally straying over the elaborate garden.

"And it does serve its purpose well."

[blackestate]

"I’m glad it pleases you," he said. "With luck, the company shall prove to be of similar quality."

Being demonic in nature, Sebastian’s sensibilities were a great deal different from either Grell’s or the normal human being’s. Praise brought him no great joy, censure no great dejection. Ciel’s sated sigh as he finished a cup of hot chocolate, the softness of Kuja’s hands as he adjusted Sebastian’s tie-these tokens Sebastian held in amusement but in no high regard. He was merely doing his job, and when doing it well required interaction with human beings, he did so. But he did not typically seek out company for no reason. In Rivelata, for example, he interacted mostly to obtain information and amusement. He had a contract to honor and he would not betray Ciel with an unnecessarily prolonged absence

[metamorphoid]

"With luck," Lulubell repeated, nodding. As if there was any doubt. There was already something there, however much she couldn't quite place her finger on it.

Really, her attitude most likely did offend most. Only those used to it-- Grell, perhaps; Cross because he just didn't care-- could deal with it without automatically assuming the worst and dismissing her and her cold manner towards them.

It varied. But Sebastian seemed to respect her for her manner.

That already gained him points.

The softest of smiles extended towards him, subtle enough that it might as well not have passed over her face at all, as she took his hand and ascended the steps.

To anyone else it had to have looked like an elaborate sort of dance. A courtship, perhaps, even.

To them, it was merely good form. Something to respect between the two of them. Something rare.

[blackestate]

After having ascended the steps, the contents of the table became clear, and to the unaccustomed eye, it was a sight no less astounding than the garden. Two stands in the center held plates atop which sat various treats. Delicate sandwiches--wheat squares with Emmentaler cheese and thin slices of ham, white triangles with brie and walnuts and grapes and chicken, rye circles of salmon and cream cheese and cucumber and cashews--occupied the lower tiers. The middle layers' theme was fruit: miniscule strawberry cakes with jam, pineapple slices topped with blueberries and kiwis and drenched in orange juice and honey, fruit-custard bowls and optional cream. The very upper layers held the smallest and most delicate creations. There were cookies of a recipe Sebastian had learned from the an ambassador from the colonies, creme puffs, a milk-based pudding spiced with cardamom and honey, and finally truffles, of different flavors and garnishes, sprinkled here and there to round out the picture. There were two large bowls of Devonshire

[metamorphoid]

It really, truly was nothing short of impressive. From that, it was more than obvious to see just how unfazed both of them seemed by the sheer amount of food, not to mention the quality

[blackestate]

"Not especially," he answered as he stirred the milk into the tea, then adding a dash of honey. Sebastian set the tea in front of her along with a small tub of sugar and milk, in case she wanted more. Honey was much better for rounding out this particular tea's taste, but if all one wanted was to sweeten it, sugar was still best.

"Back in England efficiency was of the essence due to the young master's demanding schedule. But here, Master Kuja's been quite lenient with me, and what with paying visits and setting up the new shop, my afternoons and mid-mornings have been quite free."

Of course, by a normal person's standards, Kuja's demands were not as lenient as Sebastian's tone might lead one to believe. But that was a different story.

[metamorphoid]

The milk's presence was by far good enough, and as she waited for her tea to be received, she casually brought up her hand and licked at it a few times.

As if it was merely something she was used to doing.

It was.

"It does allow for pleasantries like this," she answered simply, setting her hand down to take up the spoon and bring some of the tea to her lips.

Excellent. As if she had expected any less.

Really, she'd already admitted she considered this pleasant outwardly. It said quite a bit.

[blackestate]

"Indeed."

Sebastian did not sit and took his rightful place standing, as a member of the serving class. Regardless of the fact that the conversation he offered was that of an equal, as a butler he honored convention no matter where he went, except for when it was...more interesting, and acceptable to do otherwise.

"Please, help yourself to the sandwiches and sweets. If there is anything else you desire, name it and I shall endeavor to produce it."

She likes milk, Sebastian noted with some delight, mind already beginning to catalog the possibilities. The catlike resemblance is more than can be simply affected, and yet...there is an elegance to her figure that is uniquely hers.

Indeed, on her person, those sublime qualities are even...enhanced.How...strange. But not at all unpleasant. He wondered if his lover back at home would be jealous...and yet there was no helping it. Sebastian was well aware of what sort of things were triggers for his adoration

[metamorphoid]

"You've outdone yourself as it is." Unlike Grell, who had made cake