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[He hums and nods, running his fingers over the keys one way and the other, slowly.]
It has been that way with us, hasn't it? You've never been a manager to me, only a business acquaintance. But I disagree in kind about the tea. I might have worked in a cafe in the brief time that I've lived here, but your tastes are far more refined than mine, I assure you. You must have noticed I really only kept one or two teas in the parlor, but you with your resources, you've likely had your fill and then some of all manner of tea that I've only ever dreamed of. Years on you though I have, I'm a picky one.
It has been that way with us, hasn't it? You've never been a manager to me, only a business acquaintance. But I disagree in kind about the tea. I might have worked in a cafe in the brief time that I've lived here, but your tastes are far more refined than mine, I assure you. You must have noticed I really only kept one or two teas in the parlor, but you with your resources, you've likely had your fill and then some of all manner of tea that I've only ever dreamed of. Years on you though I have, I'm a picky one.
[Then his job is done.]
Oh no. I imagine you'll be tempted to continue the abuse, and I do know you're more than capable. But I've my weapons of sugar at my disposal to contend with as well. It'll be a battle to write stories about, I'm sure.
Oh no. I imagine you'll be tempted to continue the abuse, and I do know you're more than capable. But I've my weapons of sugar at my disposal to contend with as well. It'll be a battle to write stories about, I'm sure.
Only because Sebastian would have tea for me each morning when he woke me. And made sure I could tell teas by their scent. [It was almost a game. One he doesn't mind missing out on anymore, he's glad to just enjoy the teas they have.]
I liked the tea you always kept. It was... kind of nice. Knowing what to expect and knowing you'd make it well.
I liked the tea you always kept. It was... kind of nice. Knowing what to expect and knowing you'd make it well.
[There's that, but he won't be testing the Earl on these things, even if tea is the first thing he does in the morning.]
We can still have tea for you early in the morning. We do now anyway, but if ever you want to change that, we can. That still doesn't take away from that you know your leaves better than I do, so you'll be a big asset to our menu.
We can still have tea for you early in the morning. We do now anyway, but if ever you want to change that, we can. That still doesn't take away from that you know your leaves better than I do, so you'll be a big asset to our menu.
[He has to be!]
Oh? Even your teasing and banter has its limits? That's a sad thing to hear. We'll need to work on that, but for now, here. [He runs fingers over the keys one more time, in invitation.] What do you know of this?
Oh? Even your teasing and banter has its limits? That's a sad thing to hear. We'll need to work on that, but for now, here. [He runs fingers over the keys one more time, in invitation.] What do you know of this?
[Neither of them really wants to follow in Sebastian's habits now anyway. This is a new life for them both, after all.]
I like how we do things now, actually. I'm not sure I'd want to change anything. [He smiles though.] We're both of great value then, to the cafe.
I like how we do things now, actually. I'm not sure I'd want to change anything. [He smiles though.] We're both of great value then, to the cafe.
[That would be much liked and loved, to be sure.]
Then we'll leave it as is and let the customers decide if they want to see anything new. It'll be a blend of our tastes and their own. I haven't seen many suggestions come through, but it can't hurt to hear what they think.
Then we'll leave it as is and let the customers decide if they want to see anything new. It'll be a blend of our tastes and their own. I haven't seen many suggestions come through, but it can't hurt to hear what they think.
[Work on it, yes. He nods, but focuses on the keys instead.]
That can be your speciality if you'd like it to be. Seeing as how this is all that we have here for now, I might pique your interest in it. We won't start with anything complicated, that's for sure. I'm not familiar with any of that myself, not to a certain extent, but I remember a few pieces. [He nods to the keys again.] Play something for me?
That can be your speciality if you'd like it to be. Seeing as how this is all that we have here for now, I might pique your interest in it. We won't start with anything complicated, that's for sure. I'm not familiar with any of that myself, not to a certain extent, but I remember a few pieces. [He nods to the keys again.] Play something for me?
[Really, he can't help but think that he's much rather hear Undertaker play since this was supposed to be a gift.]
It's yours though. [It's a halfhearted objection though and he lets his fingers find the right keys before playing a little song, almost like a music box song. Simple but sweet.]
It's yours though. [It's a halfhearted objection though and he lets his fingers find the right keys before playing a little song, almost like a music box song. Simple but sweet.]
[He can accept that objection for what it is and appreciate it, though he would just as easily insist that the piano is as much Ciel's and Vincent's as it is his. He nods, closing his eyes to listen. Once Ciel is finished, he gestures for the boy to keep playing and sets his own hands on the keys on the far end.] Go on. One more time.
[He nods and reaches out to ruffle Ciel's hair.] Precisely. Who knows what they want? They've been content with the items we have to offer so far, but we can change it up now and then.
[He waits for Ciel to start again and starts in on a counterpoint to what the boy plays, something light and in the background that works around what's already there.] Hm. How's that?
[That gets a wider grin out of him. He loves their banter.]
No, of course not. The point of it is to watch it grow and thrive. I didn't create it like I did the funeral parlor, but there's still a certain pleasure to be found in helping make something grow.
No, of course not. The point of it is to watch it grow and thrive. I didn't create it like I did the funeral parlor, but there's still a certain pleasure to be found in helping make something grow.
[He grins widely and lifts a finger.]
You know about it, milord. It's called harmony. Sounds better when you have two different instruments in the mix normally, but point and counterpoint are a pleasure all their own.
You know about it, milord. It's called harmony. Sounds better when you have two different instruments in the mix normally, but point and counterpoint are a pleasure all their own.
[Well there they have it, then. He hums and leans back a little to look up.]
Oh, the parlor? I suppose I do. I knew the trade in and out, after all. Better than I do any of this fancy stuff.
Oh, the parlor? I suppose I do. I knew the trade in and out, after all. Better than I do any of this fancy stuff.
[That gets a particular look from him, like Ciel might have just said something he'd been waiting to hear for a long time. Or had he.]
When you do? Sounds like you've already a mind to have that done one day. I can't say I'm not looking forward to it. If you can make that sing the way I think you can, things will get even more interesting here.
When you do? Sounds like you've already a mind to have that done one day. I can't say I'm not looking forward to it. If you can make that sing the way I think you can, things will get even more interesting here.
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