tea with the demon and the witch [OPEN]

[cutlery]

CHARACTERS: Sebastian Michaelis (cutlery), Sieglinde Sullivan (grunehexe), and YOU

DATE: Today?! I guess?!

WARNINGS: None

SUMMARY: Sebastian received tea and a teapot for his holiday gift, so what better way to use it than to share it? That, and it's a prime opportunity to socialize Sieglinde. It's lessons time.

[ Whether you received an invitation to come to tea or just happen to be an especially dedicated explorer, you're likely to find the local apothecary's first floor slightly rearranged. After a bit of bargaining with the owners, Sebastian had managed to convince them to allow for a small gathering. While Sieglinde's little apartment above the store was well enough, it was certainly not suitable for what Sebastian had in mind. He had received a gift of tea (earl grey, of course) from ALASTAIR, and not quite having a taste for it himself, well. He had another idea on how to use it.

It was perfect for a lesson for the young lady.

A large table is set up for tea, including a plethora of tasty treats all made by Sebastian himself. He won't be sitting to join, since it's not proper for a butler, but he'll happily stand to the side of the room with the teapot at the ready to give people tea as they need a refill. There's no need to ask, since he's a butler of perfect principles, so just as you seem to be wanting more, he's there to refill your cup.

In his mind, this is an occasion for Sieglinde to meet others and socialize with them, and he can gently give lessons on proper etiquette, but it might not be in yours. Feel free to strike up a conversation with the butler quietly playing host, though he'd much prefer you speak with everyone else! ]

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ooc ; Welcome to a tea party! This log is OTA, so feel free to tag in even if you don't have CR with Sieglinde or Sebastian. He's too polite to turn people away, and Sieglinde is probably just excited to meet more people... Feel free to make toplevels and use this as a mingle post. I'll be responding to every toplevel at least! ♥

Comments

[grunehexe]

[That craft was more than good enough to fool an under-socialized eleven year old child prodigy. (For now.) Every emotion was taken as genuine, having yet no reason to see Sebastian as anything but one of her saviors- one who had shown her the truth and exposed lies. Not a liar himself.

When he took her hands, it was easy to imagine it- to let what she had been told about London from Ciel fill in the gaps of her not yet concrete vision of how life would be in the outside world. Somewhere safe for her to Wolfram to live- somewhere she could work on the cure for SuLIN. Somewhere she might not be the Green Witch any longer, but a scientist... A doctor... Whichever word that world preferred.

Streets covered in stone, and houses with flat fronts, carriages and horses and all sorts of people bustling here and there, stores full of goods, families and the elderly, electricity and all sorts of peculiar inventions...

But she hasn't heard of India- at least, not under that name, though she has heard of some traditions of the people of the Far East from books of the Silk Road and other journeys. It gave her an image to work off- people of dark skin with many gods, bedecked in gold with many wives who sat upon the earth in towns that smelled of spice. She regards Sebastian where he crouched beside her so she needn't crane her neck, silent for a long moment before finally nodding somewhat.]

... Will I also be expected to learn Indlish manners, or do these people also follow your English ways?

[... It was probably good that English lessons were up next on the docket.]

[cutlery]

Indian.

[ Sebastian corrects her English with a gentle tone, since at least she doesn't have to learn all of English in a week... This is another advantage of being able to take a gentler pace with her learning. She doesn't get the full harsh tutelage of Sebastian. ]

But no, you do not need to learn their manners. English is what we will focus on, absolutely. It is certainly the most important to learn, given our situations.

[ He nods, then laughs very gently as he thinks about what it would be like for Soma and Agni to live with Sieglinde and Wolfram. Actually, it's something he'd have to suggest to Ciel, now that he really thinks about it. He imagines that if Soma could dote on her a bit, perhaps he would leave Ciel alone? Somewhat? ]

The young man housesitting for the young master is a prince of India, as it would happen. He is very warm and friendly, so I am sure he would teach you plenty of his country, but that is not quite so pertinent as English manners. You could learn of India simply for the fun of it.

[grunehexe]

Indian.

[She repeated it back just to be safe, filing away the new information that nationalities could also end in "-n" and not just "-ish" or taking off the "y".

But it sounded nice... learning of other countries in the outside world. Being able to have the time to do so, without the burden of the ultimate magic hanging over her head.

First, though, came the tea party with the Queen.]

Then I shall need rely on your expertise, Sebastian.

[... if they ever made it back. Another convenient fact she was having a better time not thinking about for now. It was easier to settle in her seat, to stare at the table.]

I am sure I can master this "tea party" in no time.

[Unfortunately, she had little idea of the true horrors that awaited her.]

[cutlery]

You will.

[ Sebastian sounds confident, and he stands with a smile, though it's also clear just what that confidence is coming from after a moment. His smile is bright, but also... foreboding. ]

I will absolutely be certain of that, do not worry. It is a task I will undertake with all seriousness, so long as you are willing to apply yourself.

[grunehexe]

[Ah... That smile didn't seem altogether magnanimous in its meaning, now, did it...

Sieglinde, getting just a hint of what awaited her, was beginning to think this might not be nearly as fun as she'd hoped it would be...]

I am willing...

[Even if it might be kicking and screaming part of the way.]

[cutlery]

Excellent.

[ Sebastian perks up cheerfully, as if oblivious to her sudden dread of the prospect. It means she knows more of what's coming, so it's perfect! Which moves him onto manners, so he'll begin with his first lesson. He motions elegantly to one of the trays of food. ]

Now, to begin, you will never take food before it is recommended to you. Usually, the host would be the one to do so, but as that is you, technically speaking, I will be fulfilling that roll. No more of taking whatever you would like, since you must be both dainty and refined as a young lady.

[grunehexe]

[No, this sounds horrible already...]

- I cannot chose which food I like?

[No one had said anything about that before? It occurs to her now that perhaps that was because previously they'd been in her own manor, but.

She definitely is stricken by this news.]

What if the host doesn't recommend it?

[cutlery]

[ Ah. He can't help himself, and he brings his hand up to his mouth to politely stifle his laughter, since her horror is pretty funny... ]

Oh, they will, in time. It is the host's duty to know the proper order in which foods should be eaten to get full enjoyment of the meal as a whole. As such, it is rude to eat things out of order. It implies a disrespect for the host's taste, as well as an unladylike impatience.

[grunehexe]

[This is serious, Sebastian.]

But-

[She gestures to the table, and the plethora of food assembled there.]

What if there's a lot of dishes, and they don't recommend all of them?

[Wasn't it disrespectful not to let her chose what food she thought looked best?]

[cutlery]

Then that is the host's fault, Master Sullivan.

[ He nods sagely, seemingly indifferent to her terrible distress. ]

There is unfortunately nothing you can do in such a situation but take it gracefully, for to make a fuss would be quite unbecoming. It is not the worst of offenses, though, and you should not worry terribly over it. Any decent host will be certain guests can partake in all of the offered treats.

[grunehexe]

What is a worse offense than that?

[What next- they give her a lumpy chair? The accommodations are rat infested?]

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian snickers, but his expression turns a bit wry. Siegldine certainly does think with her stomach, almost moreso than Ciel... ]

Why, outright rudeness, of course. To forget to offer a dish is a minor offense when compared to an offense such as that.

[grunehexe]

And if they are outright rude to me, I may be so in return is that not so?

[Just ruin her world again, Sebastian, geez.]

[cutlery]

No, you may not. You do not respond to such taunts, for you let their own lack of etiquette and grace shame them. To not respond is the greatest insult of all.

[ He says it so cheerfully that you can almost believe it... But it does seem like it would be unsatisfying. ]

[grunehexe]

[This is starting to sound even worse- Sieglinde's cheeks puffed out angrily, sulking impressively in her chair as she stewed over this new information.

Their lack of etiquette and grace... ?]