Inbawks

[somakemelaugh]

Comments

Midday 8/20

[sweetlies]

[Placed on his bed neatly, he'll find:

A tin with assorted teas.
A small box with an assortment of Funtom sweets.
A medium sized cookie jar filled with bone cookies (some misshapen, some slightly burned, all homemade)
A note:]

I don't know how to say this myself.
Thank you. For taking care of me when I was afraid and alone. And for keeping me from revealing my real name, else it might have alienated the few friends I've made. If you have questions, well, I suppose I haven't got much to hide from you anymore, have I?

For the future, I live on the thirteenth floor. Room one. Use that as you will.

And I apologize. For burdening you with my care.

Bone appétit.

text 12/31

[sweetlies]

I need your input on something. Do you have time?

voice

[somakemelaugh]

[Oh, for the love of... He hates text so much.]

Seems I do. What can I do for you?

voice

[sweetlies]

[Sometimes he does this just to drive Undertaker mad.]

I've gotten approval to open a cafe. I thought you might be able to help?

[somakemelaugh]

[That's okay. One day he just won't respond. He's got your number, boy.]

Oh? Congratulations. I might be so inclined. It's because I work in a cafe, isn't it?

[sweetlies]

[Bring it on?]

I admit, that does play a large part. You also have an appreciation for teas that I can respect, that would be helpful for a new cafe.

[somakemelaugh]

[No, he won't. That's the point of not responding.]

And what should I help you with in this? You've a noble's taste in teas. Seems yours should be better to rely on than mine.

[sweetlies]

[Cheeky.]

Not everyone would want a nobles taste in tea though. And there is another problem...

[He can't see it but Ciel is tapping his chin thoughtfully.] I don't have anyone to manage it.

[somakemelaugh]

[Somewhat.]

Lower your standards a little and it might help. You'd be surprised what you can see when you come down to earth where your customers live. [Is he poking fun at that? Oh yes, yes he is.]

Here I thought you knew how to hire staff. That's a shame.

[sweetlies]

I like good quality tea, it's hard to help.

[Gosh. Undertaker is on a roll today.]

I do but I don't trust anyone elses expertise. [And then a short pause.] I trust yours.

[somakemelaugh]

[Well, he tried.] Maybe it's a good time to learn to like something else.

[He can play dumb here. Can he? Sure he can.] So you want me to help you decide what tea to sell? I've got a few suggestions but it's up to you.

[sweetlies]

[Is this revenge for something? He's pretty sure this is revenge for something.

He let's out a little sigh. Straightforward it is then.]

I'd like you to run it.

[somakemelaugh]

[Nope, no revenge. He's just being a shiiiiiiiiit.]

[But that does get a grin out of him. He tilts his head into his palm.]

That's quite a generous offer, milord. You really trust me to run your new cafe?

[sweetlies]

[He switches to video so he can see how serious Ciel is.]

I trust you with my life. Why wouldn't I trust you with the cafe?

[somakemelaugh]

[Well there's the face he has been missing.]

You make a good point, but keeping you safe and running a business are two different things. I've run a business in my time, but I've never saved your life, so I suppose you have me there.

[sweetlies]

You also already have experience with the cafe.

[He'd be a little skeptical if he knew his face had been missed.]

And I imagine you'd prefer running things yourself.

[somakemelaugh]

[He just hates text is all. While it's no longer difficult to read for him, it's still a hassle. He's an old man sometimes set in his ways!]

You have me in that as well. I do dislike being told what to do. [He thinks on it for a moment, then nods at last.] I've been under your light employ once before, so I'm sure I can handle this. But... [He grins.] Are you sure you know what you're doing, hiring me?

[sweetlies]

[STUBBORN

He does know that though, that Undertaker doesn't like being told what to do. It's enough to keep Ciel smiling.] Honestly? Not at all but you, I trust. And I'm willing to take that risk if you're willing.

[somakemelaugh]

[GET OFFA HIS LAWN!]

Oh? A reckless move from milord, is it? Interesting. I think I might have to accept, if only to keep you out of trouble.

[sweetlies]

[MAKE HIM]

I've been known to be reckless once in awhile. [... sometimes.] What makes you think I'd get into trouble? I'm not that bad.

[He is and he's in denial.]

[somakemelaugh]

[Boy, don't make him do it. You know he can scruff you like a pup.]

Milord, you do recall I used to clean the bodies after you were done, do you not? I think that alone answers that question.

[sweetlies]

[This is Ciel, he'll tempt fate and people around him until it bites him in the ass.]

... I haven't done anything here at least. [The smallest huff. At least he isn't denying it.]

[somakemelaugh]

[You need an adult.]

You haven't had a reason to do anything here.

[sweetlies]

[He's living with two, so...]

I don't really want one either. I rather like what we have now. It's nothing like England but it's cozy. I don't want to jeopardize that.

[somakemelaugh]

[Neither of them are helping him with business though.]

What a coincidence that I don't either. I'll deal with slow business if it means things can stay as they are for a little while. Every now and then, I like it when doings slow to a crawl.