[[ 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

YUNA // 9:00 A.M.

[blackestate]

The time neared 9:00. Sebastian had long finished the clean-up work after Master Ciel’s meal; the young master was back in the study, presumably looking over the factory plans and Sebastian’s reports of the people, culture, economy, and government in Rivelata. He seemed in a decent mood, and now all that was left was to prepare for Miss Yuna’s coming.

The room towards the back was decorated simply but tastefully, a plain theme of cream, white, and green that suited the area of the mansion reserved for servants only. A table towards the center boasted a tiered stand with a modest variety of sandwiches and sweets, as well as a steaming pot of tea with china.

[letmesendyou]

Measured footsteps ambled down the walk lined with nodding roses and wisteria that clung to fixtures in the garden and main building. Yuna wore the best of the clothes she had collected so far, a mixture of silks and organic materials bedecked with rich embroidery. She left her staff well-hidden in the tiny inn where she had made a nest for herself to keep from bothering Rikku. She felt naked without it sometimes, but the lack of the familiar weight in her hands no longer bothered her as much as it did when she arrived. She was told to enter through the back, where servants entered; and she was grateful, since this meant that she could see the exquisite gardens

[blackestate]

It mattered not how loudly Yuna knocked; Sebastian would hear her. The door was opened with an almost eerie punctuality, but the face behind it was smiling in welcome.

"Good morning, Miss Yuna. Thank you for consenting to come in the morning; I take it you did not find the location overly inaccessible?"

[letmesendyou]

She was caught mid-turn, and had been looking over her shoulder. Her hair rippled and fluttered to face him, jingling lightly, gasping so that her mouth was somewhat open still. Demurely she sealed her lips and bowed in greeting. It had taken much time to keep herself from the hand movements associated with Yevon, but it was a perfectly executed bow.

"Not at all," She replied, "Sir."

Her boots made no sound as she crept over the threshold into the room proper, hands still clasped.

"How might I please the master?" She asked, and then flushed at her words, realizing they had connotations she had no intention of using, "What would you have me do, sir?"

MITSURU // 10:30 A.M.

[blackestate]

He’d been correct in assuming an hour sufficient for a proper assessment of character. When Yuna had gone he’d taken the tray stand into the kitchen, returning with a second one within fifteen minutes. This time, as the hour was closer to lunch and mid-morning tea, the snacks were denser in nature and bolder in flavor. The tea had likewise been changed, to a headier chamomile, with a neat pyramid of sugar cubes and milk to the side. This was not one of Ciel’s favorite teas, however, so Sebastian had served to him a different one.

[bufulababe]

She had gotten a full night's sleep, knowing that she would have to get up early to wash herself and her clothes if she wanted to be presentable. She left her Evoker at home but kept her epee sheathed and attached to her belt just in case the need for it arose, bringing nothing more with her than her extensive knowledge of food, how it should be cut and prepared, and how it should taste. Growing up in the Kirijo house had given her an expensive, refined palate and she was sure it would serve her well here.

Her legs carried her upright and swiftly to the mansion, arriving just as the clocks dinged 10:25 AM. Her hands straightened her clothing out, straightening her hair, and finally knocking on the door with confidence.

"It's Mitsuru Kirijo. I am here to discuss to possibility of obtaining the position of chef. May I come in?" The scent of tea and pastries filled her nose, delighting her. How did they know she was a fan of such formalities?

[blackestate]

The door opened promptly. Sebastian smiled in greeting.

"Please, this way, Miss Kirijo. I was indeed expecting you."

The young woman was punctual, self-assured, and with a look of intelligence. Perhaps those qualities were good in a chef, especially one who would be replacing Sebastian, were she skilled enough. Sebastian rather looked forward to it.

As he showed the way into the room near the back, gesturing for Mitsuru to sit.

"I don't believe I've introduced myself yet. I'm Sebastian Michaelis, butler to the Phantomhive household. I will also be conducting the interview today, so please, make yourself comfortable."

[bufulababe]

Her body bent over in a traditional bow, straightening herself up after a moment and taking a seat, hands straightening out her skirt.

"A pleasure to meet you, Michaelis. Your manners please me greatly, especially in this land. It makes me glad to know people still know how to conduct themselves."

She pured a small glass of tea and sipped gently, pinky out of course.

"Let me cut to the chase. I was raised in houses much similar to the one you and your master reside in. I am most used to high quality ingredients and exotic dishes, amongst other things. I am used to working with and around servants, maids, and butlers. My palate will serve us all well if you are to hire me."

She sipped again and nibbled daintily on a scone.

"How will you test my word, Michaelis?"

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..."