My goodness, it has been quite a while! First of all, my apologies for the amount of time this took, Tali. We have been quite busy since we arrived, yes?
FROM: michaelis.sebastian@cdc.org
In any case, it is quite a long time past, I did say that sometime we should swap stories. Should you still be interested, I would be happy to use this reprieve for just that.
FROM: michaelis.sebastian@cdc.org
I would offer to make you a meal in return, but I also must admit that I would not know what to prepare since my experience is limited to humans. In any case, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Quite all right! It seems to happen every once in a while... Considering all of our excitement lately, I am glad it is simply that rather than something more serious!
[ like... death... ]
FROM: michaelis.sebastian@cdc.org
It is absolutely still open. I have been working on some preparations for the defense of our new camp, so if you do not mind my working while we chat, I have plenty of time.
The medical rover's the only thing I can find right now. I'll be right over.
[It's a few minutes before Tali gets there, but when she does, she looks a little worse for wear. Being in stasis might have made her physically healthy again, sure, but it hasn't fixed the tears in the fabric decorating her suit, or fixed the suit itself so she doesn't need the duct tape all round the right upper arm.
She steps up beside him, raising a hand in greeting and, despite looking rather raggedy, she sounds strong enough.]
[ In comparison, Sebastian looks more or less the same as he had when they had first met. The elegant tailcoat has been replaced by the standard CDC uniform, but it's perfectly tended to, and despite the chaos that they've all dealt with very nearly since arriving, there's not a scratch on him or a hair out of place. He's a cheater.
At least that's adamantly clear by how easily he's lifting a tree's trunk, moving it to an area where he can strip off the remaining branches and sharpen it to a point to be used in their fences. It would definitely be impossible for a human to lift at all, but as she approaches, he even lifts a hand in greeting with a pleasant smile. ]
Ah, Tali. It is good to see you again. Just a moment—
[ There's a general cleared area where he's been doing that part of the work, so he sets the tree down with a loud thump, but his attention is immediately turned back to Tali, and he closes the distance between them to offer his hand to shake. ]
Welcome back, I suppose? I am not sure what would be correct to say after returning from stasis.
[Tali is frankly awful and not yet wearing the uniform. It'll happen eventually, when she realises she's going to just have to deal with the weirdness of it... but for now, she's sticking it out. And looking all the more bedraggled for it. Sebastian, however, looks so perfect she's actually jealous.
... And she's sort of glad Garrus made her read his file (and everyone else's, to be fair), otherwise watching him carry a tree trunk like it weighs virtually nothing would have given her serious pause. As it is, she can just watch with nothing more than her head tilted in fascination as he sets down an object that must be several times bigger than she is.
But she's still staring so hard she jolts as if out of a reverie when he moves forward to offer his hand. She shakes it - finds herself wondering if its firm enough because humans care about that kind of thing... then remembers Sebastian isn't human and wonders why in that case they're even doing this.]
I don't know either, but thanks. It's good to be back. [Her voice tilts upwards - it's sort of a question; she's not sure if that's the right thing to say after coming out of stasis either.]
I probably don't have to worry about how you're doing, do I? [Because he looks offensively healthy, damn him.]
[ It's only because appearances mean quite a lot to Sebastian, and though handshakes are hardly native to his kind either, his own handshake is confident and practiced, which tends to match the unsettling attention to perfection that he seems to prefer. Still, as he withdraws his hand, it's with a small laugh and a half-helpless shrug. ]
I suppose not, but the thought is appreciated all the same. The past week or so could have been better, but...
[ He trails off with a gentle, playful sort of sigh. Really, he had faced a bit more difficulty than his appearance would suggest, but that was because the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the harpies had long since been willed away. He's a cheater, which would be even more offensive if she knew, really. ]
Well, what is done is done. Fixing up our work so far has been enough to occupy my time, at least.
[ At which point he does bow his head lightly, since formalities aside, he hadn't missed the staring, and he's aware of what the source would be. They hadn't spoken since he had first arrived, and at that point, he had still been guarded about what he was, though clearly, that was no longer the case. It wasn't exactly necessary. ]
Do pardon me for the bit of showing off, by the way. This should at least be the last one I need to carry.
[Yeah, she'd still be more jealous than offended. As far as she's concerned, humans are basically cheating for not having to deal with sepsis every time they get paper cuts, so Tali has a low bar here.
The grimace of sympathy on her face - she's heard a few things already about just how bad the past week has been - isn't visible through her mask, but it comes through in the way she ducks her head in a nod, coils her hands about one another fretfully.] At least we've picked back up - from what I've heard, that's really impressive by itself.
[She quirks her head momentarily.] I say 'we', but... you know. [She wasn't exactly there.
And yes, she sure was caught staring. Shifting from foot to foot, she shakes her head vigorously.] Ah-- No, don't apologise. I didn't think you were showing off, just-- [She shrugs, gesturing vaguely.] It was just strange to see, you know? You look completely human, so...
[ He raises a hand as a gentle gesture, but it comes with an equally gentle and understanding laugh. ]
No, no, it is quite all right. Actually, I take it as a compliment.
[ He laughs to himself, and there's a hint of pride in his expression for a moment, though it is very brief. He instead turns to the work of stripping the tree as they talk, so he takes off his gloves first, not wanting to ruin those with tears. It shows an odd design on the back of his hand, as well as pitch black nails, though he doesn't call attention to them. ]
I do take on a human appearance to better facilitate being amongst them, so to look completely human is a good thing! It means I am at least doing well.
How would they react if they saw what you usually look like?
[Hopefully Sebastian's not going to be offended by her peering curiously at his hand, either, because that's exactly what she's doing as soon as his gloves are off. The black nails are one thing - odd, but she's more looking at the tattoo: she's seen a couple, but none quite so detailed as that - not having any idea if there's an significance to it, she mostly just thinks it's pretty.
after a moment she steps forward, nodding at the tree.] I can help if you want.
Please— The branches just need to be pulled off, but you can throw them in that pile, since they can be of use in something else.
[ He motions to the pile of branches to the side when he mentions them, but with both of them at work, he'll return to her question. He's still casual about his answer, though considering the answer itself, that's a bit odd. ]
Extreme fear, usually. It can drive some mad, but that is really dependent upon the person themselves rather than my appearance. For some, it is the manifestation of everything they have ever feared, after all.
Sure, no problem. [And she steps up to the trunk, reaching into the holster on her leg to pull out the frostbrood tooth knife there. It'll at least make things much quicker, and she starts to work on the branches, snapping the very smallest with her hands and cutting the rest with the knife.
She does falter just a little bit at that answer, though. Considering the name 'demon', she hadn't expected good things, sure, but that's different. She doesn't not believe him - she's seen a lot of things here that are flat out impossible back home and she tries to roll with it - but she just can't really imagine what he means as a real concept.]
So indeed. There are some who have seen it and not batted an eye at all, so I suppose they are of especially strong fortitude, perhaps?
[ When he explains it, he's thinking of Ciel, since though Ciel had been terrified when they had met, he had still reached out without hesitation to grasp the demon's hand. Even beyond that, Ciel had witnessed that appearance a few times since, and by now, he didn't so much as bat an eye. That was exactly the sort of person his master was, and in a strange way, that makes him smile.
As for the tree, his work isn't quite as elegant. Without a knife able to make that sort of cut, he resorts to raw strength that at least suits the conversation. He grabs a branch at its base, and then simply squeezes until it splinters and cracks in his hand, making it easy to break off and toss into the pile. ]
My kind just tend to have rather frightening appearances to humans, so as such, we take on a more human look when we are here.
[Hearing about this makes her wonder a little just what he'd look like to her. She doesn't particularly want to find out, but as an idle thought, it's an interesting one. Would someone who wasn't human see anything? And if they did, what even frightens her the most? She's actually not sure, and has a feeling she'd find out more about herself than she'd want to if she found out.
... Somehow seeing him crush the branches with just his fingers is even more strange than just seeing him pick things up. She's glancing at that over her own work with the knife when she speaks.]
'When you're here'? Where are you from? [And then, after a second's pause.] You don't have to answer all these questions, just tell me to stop and I will - promise.
[ He laughs gently and waves his hand lightly as a dismissive gesture, though it's still friendly. ]
Oh, no, it is quite all right. I had said we would swap stories, so this is as good a start as any! Besides, curiosity is something I expect, so please, do not worry.
[ Even amongst the CDC's recruits, Sebastian still felt that he was an odd existence, since while seeing magic and fantasy made real was one impressive thing, he knew that a soul-eating demon was entirely another. He was the sort of danger that human stories always warned of, but wrapped in such a polite and pleasant way that he would be surprised if there weren't questions. ]
But I am from a realm separate from mortals. That is all I can really say, so you must forgive me for the vague nature of the answer. [ Because canon never explains it... sweats ] I must be called to this world rather than living here myself.
Okay, good. [She sounds genuinely relieved, too - not because of any kind of intimidation (she doesn't understand demons well enough to feel that intimidated), just because she doesn't want to offend one of the first people she met here. She knows what it's like to have people ask stupid questions because they don't know what she is - back home, quarians have been like this for three hundred years and people need to pick up an extranet article; here? She's a lot more good-natured about it. She's just not sure how other people think of it.
Either way, she doesn't understand a thing about him - and she wants to, so she'll ask as many questions as he'll tolerate. He's opened some floodgates here.]
[ He shakes his head, and his expression turns lightly fond, as if he were recalling a nice memory. He doesn't give specifics on what it was that called him, since giving them went beyond playful teasing of his master and would come with repercussions from Ciel. But certainly, if Tali knew the circumstances, that smile would be chilling enough to give her the context for why humans feared demons. ]
They did not, as a matter of fact. The more I learn of them, the more I am surprised that they did not, but I was called a few years prior. It is what brought the young master and I together, though he was technically not the one that summoned me, just the one to make a contract.
[Not knowing those circumstances - and this is where it becomes patently obvious that Tali still doesn't like perusing files - she's perfectly free to assume that he's just happy to be in the mortal realm, or really likes his master (she'll have to get used to that word sooner or later if she's going to keep talking to Sebastian), or... Well, either way, her assumptions aren't particularly bad.]
It does seem quite close to what they already do - make contracts and bring people from... I don't really know if it's other realms or other dimensions or something else. They bring people from elsewhere.
[ He shrugs slightly, and the fondness slips out of his smile, but it's to a gentle, pleasant amusement instead like he's had thus far. ]
I must complete the one with my young master first before I would even consider another, and that would require us to return to the manor... But regardless, the business of contracts is one I am familiar with, as you would guess!
Actually, I... didn't expect you to work with contracts at all. [She pauses for a second as she's reduced to pulling a branch off the trunk with her full weight on it.] You can probably guess, though, I didn't expect anything. You could tell me anything and I'd just have to assume it was true.
[... Maybe within reason. ... Or not - she has no idea where reason is anymore; she's talking to a demon.]
So your master - he needed a butler? That's the contract?
[ He's lightly surprised, but he realizes his error quickly, since treating her like she has the context that he expects is an error, though it's one completely his own. Part of him thinks of that as a unique opportunity, since he could use his words cleverly to shape her perceptions to his advantage, but he also knows that's unwise. A single word against what he says and it would collapse, really. ]
Not exactly. My servitude as a butler is incidental. The contract is because he needed the power I can provide.
[ With words like that, it puts the contract in a more truthful light, since any pursuit of power didn't come without a cost. He felt that idea was universal enough that it would be understood, though he adds: ]
He pursues revenge against those who killed his family, but any more than that, I cannot say.
[Demons are such a nebulous idea to her that the thought of one making something so precise as an actual contract is a strange one. And it's true, it would take very little effort on Sebastian's part to give her any idea he wants about the whole matter.
For a time.
But an exchange for power, for revenge... That at least puts it in a context she can understand. That sort of thing is universal, demons or no demons. But then...]
So if there's a contract... [She pauses, considers the fact that the answer is quite likely nothing good, then asks anyway.] What's your side of it? What does a demon get out a contract?
[ His answer is smooth and easy, as if it weren't troublesome or private at all. He continues at his work without any pause, and that just creates a further odd sense at what he says, since it absolutely shouldn't be so casual. The CDC has given him a freedom he hasn't been able to taste before, and so now, he can admit all of these facts without care. ]
Demons consume the souls of the mortals that call to us. When the contract is complete, I will eat the young master's soul.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
let's just say this is d102 bc why not
My goodness, it has been quite a while! First of all, my apologies for the amount of time this took, Tali. We have been quite busy since we arrived, yes?
FROM: michaelis.sebastian@cdc.org
In any case, it is quite a long time past, I did say that sometime we should swap stories. Should you still be interested, I would be happy to use this reprieve for just that.
FROM: michaelis.sebastian@cdc.org
I would offer to make you a meal in return, but I also must admit that I would not know what to prepare since my experience is limited to humans. In any case, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
DAY 105 (finally)
I'm sorry! I was in medical stasis for a few days, I only came out of it today... and I missed a LOT.
FROM: vasneema.talizorah@cdc.org
If the offer's still open, though, I'd love to take you up on it? You don't have to cook, though. I'm an awful dinner guest, trust me.
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Quite all right! It seems to happen every once in a while... Considering all of our excitement lately, I am glad it is simply that rather than something more serious!
[ like... death... ]
FROM: michaelis.sebastian@cdc.org
It is absolutely still open. I have been working on some preparations for the defense of our new camp, so if you do not mind my working while we chat, I have plenty of time.
no subject
I heard about some of what happened. I'm probably lucky I wasn't in the way for most of it - the most I could have done was cough at it.
FROM: vasneema.talizorah@cdc.org
I could come and help, if you like. I could use something to do right now - I've been lying around doing nothing for far too long.
[In a medical coma = lying around doing nothing, in her mind right now.]
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That sounds excellent. I happen to be building near the medical rover at the moment, so that should be easy enough to find, yes?
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The medical rover's the only thing I can find right now. I'll be right over.
[It's a few minutes before Tali gets there, but when she does, she looks a little worse for wear. Being in stasis might have made her physically healthy again, sure, but it hasn't fixed the tears in the fabric decorating her suit, or fixed the suit itself so she doesn't need the duct tape all round the right upper arm.
She steps up beside him, raising a hand in greeting and, despite looking rather raggedy, she sounds strong enough.]
Hey, Sebastian.
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At least that's adamantly clear by how easily he's lifting a tree's trunk, moving it to an area where he can strip off the remaining branches and sharpen it to a point to be used in their fences. It would definitely be impossible for a human to lift at all, but as she approaches, he even lifts a hand in greeting with a pleasant smile. ]
Ah, Tali. It is good to see you again. Just a moment—
[ There's a general cleared area where he's been doing that part of the work, so he sets the tree down with a loud thump, but his attention is immediately turned back to Tali, and he closes the distance between them to offer his hand to shake. ]
Welcome back, I suppose? I am not sure what would be correct to say after returning from stasis.
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... And she's sort of glad Garrus made her read his file (and everyone else's, to be fair), otherwise watching him carry a tree trunk like it weighs virtually nothing would have given her serious pause. As it is, she can just watch with nothing more than her head tilted in fascination as he sets down an object that must be several times bigger than she is.
But she's still staring so hard she jolts as if out of a reverie when he moves forward to offer his hand. She shakes it - finds herself wondering if its firm enough because humans care about that kind of thing... then remembers Sebastian isn't human and wonders why in that case they're even doing this.]
I don't know either, but thanks. It's good to be back. [Her voice tilts upwards - it's sort of a question; she's not sure if that's the right thing to say after coming out of stasis either.]
I probably don't have to worry about how you're doing, do I? [Because he looks offensively healthy, damn him.]
no subject
I suppose not, but the thought is appreciated all the same. The past week or so could have been better, but...
[ He trails off with a gentle, playful sort of sigh. Really, he had faced a bit more difficulty than his appearance would suggest, but that was because the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the harpies had long since been willed away. He's a cheater, which would be even more offensive if she knew, really. ]
Well, what is done is done. Fixing up our work so far has been enough to occupy my time, at least.
[ At which point he does bow his head lightly, since formalities aside, he hadn't missed the staring, and he's aware of what the source would be. They hadn't spoken since he had first arrived, and at that point, he had still been guarded about what he was, though clearly, that was no longer the case. It wasn't exactly necessary. ]
Do pardon me for the bit of showing off, by the way. This should at least be the last one I need to carry.
no subject
The grimace of sympathy on her face - she's heard a few things already about just how bad the past week has been - isn't visible through her mask, but it comes through in the way she ducks her head in a nod, coils her hands about one another fretfully.] At least we've picked back up - from what I've heard, that's really impressive by itself.
[She quirks her head momentarily.] I say 'we', but... you know. [She wasn't exactly there.
And yes, she sure was caught staring. Shifting from foot to foot, she shakes her head vigorously.] Ah-- No, don't apologise. I didn't think you were showing off, just-- [She shrugs, gesturing vaguely.] It was just strange to see, you know? You look completely human, so...
Sorry, that's probably the wrong thing to say.
no subject
No, no, it is quite all right. Actually, I take it as a compliment.
[ He laughs to himself, and there's a hint of pride in his expression for a moment, though it is very brief. He instead turns to the work of stripping the tree as they talk, so he takes off his gloves first, not wanting to ruin those with tears. It shows an odd design on the back of his hand, as well as pitch black nails, though he doesn't call attention to them. ]
I do take on a human appearance to better facilitate being amongst them, so to look completely human is a good thing! It means I am at least doing well.
no subject
[Hopefully Sebastian's not going to be offended by her peering curiously at his hand, either, because that's exactly what she's doing as soon as his gloves are off. The black nails are one thing - odd, but she's more looking at the tattoo: she's seen a couple, but none quite so detailed as that - not having any idea if there's an significance to it, she mostly just thinks it's pretty.
after a moment she steps forward, nodding at the tree.] I can help if you want.
no subject
[ He motions to the pile of branches to the side when he mentions them, but with both of them at work, he'll return to her question. He's still casual about his answer, though considering the answer itself, that's a bit odd. ]
Extreme fear, usually. It can drive some mad, but that is really dependent upon the person themselves rather than my appearance. For some, it is the manifestation of everything they have ever feared, after all.
no subject
She does falter just a little bit at that answer, though. Considering the name 'demon', she hadn't expected good things, sure, but that's different. She doesn't not believe him - she's seen a lot of things here that are flat out impossible back home and she tries to roll with it - but she just can't really imagine what he means as a real concept.]
Only for some?
[Yeah, that's all she's got this very second.]
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[ When he explains it, he's thinking of Ciel, since though Ciel had been terrified when they had met, he had still reached out without hesitation to grasp the demon's hand. Even beyond that, Ciel had witnessed that appearance a few times since, and by now, he didn't so much as bat an eye. That was exactly the sort of person his master was, and in a strange way, that makes him smile.
As for the tree, his work isn't quite as elegant. Without a knife able to make that sort of cut, he resorts to raw strength that at least suits the conversation. He grabs a branch at its base, and then simply squeezes until it splinters and cracks in his hand, making it easy to break off and toss into the pile. ]
My kind just tend to have rather frightening appearances to humans, so as such, we take on a more human look when we are here.
no subject
... Somehow seeing him crush the branches with just his fingers is even more strange than just seeing him pick things up. She's glancing at that over her own work with the knife when she speaks.]
'When you're here'? Where are you from? [And then, after a second's pause.] You don't have to answer all these questions, just tell me to stop and I will - promise.
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Oh, no, it is quite all right. I had said we would swap stories, so this is as good a start as any! Besides, curiosity is something I expect, so please, do not worry.
[ Even amongst the CDC's recruits, Sebastian still felt that he was an odd existence, since while seeing magic and fantasy made real was one impressive thing, he knew that a soul-eating demon was entirely another. He was the sort of danger that human stories always warned of, but wrapped in such a polite and pleasant way that he would be surprised if there weren't questions. ]
But I am from a realm separate from mortals. That is all I can really say, so you must forgive me for the vague nature of the answer. [ Because canon never explains it... sweats ] I must be called to this world rather than living here myself.
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Either way, she doesn't understand a thing about him - and she wants to, so she'll ask as many questions as he'll tolerate. He's opened some floodgates here.]
Did the CDC do that? Call you here, I mean.
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They did not, as a matter of fact. The more I learn of them, the more I am surprised that they did not, but I was called a few years prior. It is what brought the young master and I together, though he was technically not the one that summoned me, just the one to make a contract.
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It does seem quite close to what they already do - make contracts and bring people from... I don't really know if it's other realms or other dimensions or something else. They bring people from elsewhere.
[Pause.] But you make contracts yourself anyway?
[She's honestly not sure what she expected.]
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[ He shrugs slightly, and the fondness slips out of his smile, but it's to a gentle, pleasant amusement instead like he's had thus far. ]
I must complete the one with my young master first before I would even consider another, and that would require us to return to the manor... But regardless, the business of contracts is one I am familiar with, as you would guess!
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[... Maybe within reason.
... Or not - she has no idea where reason is anymore; she's talking to a demon.]
So your master - he needed a butler? That's the contract?
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Not exactly. My servitude as a butler is incidental. The contract is because he needed the power I can provide.
[ With words like that, it puts the contract in a more truthful light, since any pursuit of power didn't come without a cost. He felt that idea was universal enough that it would be understood, though he adds: ]
He pursues revenge against those who killed his family, but any more than that, I cannot say.
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For a time.
But an exchange for power, for revenge... That at least puts it in a context she can understand. That sort of thing is universal, demons or no demons. But then...]
So if there's a contract... [She pauses, considers the fact that the answer is quite likely nothing good, then asks anyway.] What's your side of it? What does a demon get out a contract?
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[ His answer is smooth and easy, as if it weren't troublesome or private at all. He continues at his work without any pause, and that just creates a further odd sense at what he says, since it absolutely shouldn't be so casual. The CDC has given him a freedom he hasn't been able to taste before, and so now, he can admit all of these facts without care. ]
Demons consume the souls of the mortals that call to us. When the contract is complete, I will eat the young master's soul.
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mass effect science with no basis in real life, coming right up
grips shoulder consolingly
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