[Sebastian spends most of his days in transit now. It is expected that he, as a butler, remain on his feet and in motion: serving meals and drink, keeping track of the under-servants, often cooking, sometimes cleaning. But strictly speaking, a butler only manages one household; add anything else to his expansive list of duties and a human would collapse or turn to drink - or both, but probably not in that order
( ... )
[He surfaces a second later, finding footing easily enough. But - ugh. He's soaked and the flowers are everywhere and there's this strange woman in his arms. Wait, right, people under water for too long is generally not a good thing, so he pulls her up to make sure she can break the surface and steady herself as well. The long fringe clings to his cheekbones and the water drops off his chin and well this is a fine mess.]
[her body is on total edge. her chest rises more rapidly than is normal, but it isn't hyperventilation or on the verge of. ways shirley does not like being reintroduced to sensations: suddenly and uncomfortably! she finds her footing, though, despite still using him for support.]
Yes...thank you.
[so wet satin? totally clingy. and oh, yeah, those are her nipples for all the world to see.]
[He turns away, LIKE A GENTLEMAN. Oh, all those flowers floating around them, so disappointing. So much for the advanced order. He pulls off his tailcoat and offers it to her, still not looking at her.]
[she can feel the fabric hugging her body too close for comfort, difficult to pull from the skin. but the shock to the system has left her slow on the uptake. ...her head, anyway.]
[Can she really have no idea of what is she displaying to the world? Sebastian knows some of the Scorched women are very... progressive, but this goes above and beyond.]
Your dress.
[He still doesn't look back, but he tries to nudge the sopping tailcoat closer to her reach.]
[still a little confused, shirley looks down and - oh. she takes the offered coat and, hastily, brings it to her chest. she doesn't say anything for a few moments, but then, awkwardly:]
[s-shut up. after a couple steps, she is bending down and pulling her dress up enough for better walking. yeah, guess what. shirley wears suede boots.]
[Hey, don't look at getting sympathy from him. He's got on leather shoes. And oh dear, his pocket watch...
He reaches the bank and hoists himself out rather nimbly. He remains in a crouch, pulling on the watch chain that runs into his waistcoat pocket. The pocket watch emerges, and he snaps it open, studies it, and then pulls it close to his ear to listen for ticking.
several moments later, shirley manages her way out as well. she drops her dress, and dirt begins to cling to the wet cloth in no time. lovely. she shifts her weight and looks for annalee - missing.]
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Are you quite all right, Miss?
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Yes...thank you.
[so wet satin? totally clingy. and oh, yeah, those are her nipples for all the world to see.]
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Ah.
[He turns away, LIKE A GENTLEMAN. Oh, all those flowers floating around them, so disappointing. So much for the advanced order. He pulls off his tailcoat and offers it to her, still not looking at her.]
To cover yourself, Miss.
[Since you might as well be naked.]
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Ah?
[she can feel the fabric hugging her body too close for comfort, difficult to pull from the skin. but the shock to the system has left her slow on the uptake. ...her head, anyway.]
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Your dress.
[He still doesn't look back, but he tries to nudge the sopping tailcoat closer to her reach.]
Is currently... lacking.
[Politest way he can say it, sorry.]
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Thank you.
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[He chances a glance back. Much better.]
Do you require help getting to back onto the bank?
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Hardly.
[...ignore the fact she is, gingerly, taking steps like she is worried she may fall again.]
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If you insist.
[He starts wading toward the bank. He could try to gather the scattered flowers as he goes, but... it's probably too late.]
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He reaches the bank and hoists himself out rather nimbly. He remains in a crouch, pulling on the watch chain that runs into his waistcoat pocket. The pocket watch emerges, and he snaps it open, studies it, and then pulls it close to his ear to listen for ticking.
The prognosis doesn't look good.]
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several moments later, shirley manages her way out as well. she drops her dress, and dirt begins to cling to the wet cloth in no time. lovely. she shifts her weight and looks for annalee - missing.]
Will you need a new one?
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[Best to let it dry out first. He sighs and tucks it back into his pocket. Slowly, he stands.]
My apologies. I should have had better balance.
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I suspect it is inappropriate to blame the children.
[but oh, yeah, she so is.]
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They are young, and innocent. They do not know better.
[Disgusting, isn't it?]
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