( OPEN )

[swordsitter]

Who: swordhaus + cr
When: throughout july
Where: the three apartments swordhaus uses..
What: july catch-all
Rating/Warning: probably nothing, but i'll edit as necessary.

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[ sword mafia at home. ]

Comments

tmw kashuu befriends a mountain(???) (before the interlude)

[cutlery]

a - sebastian the mountain

[ So it's probably nothing that strange that Kashuu would invite in strange new people, but having this one actually living with the swords is probably a little surprise. However, considering Kashuu has explained Sebastian's presence as being an old, lonely spirit that definitely needs some friends. And being offered a place to stay by Haru, well. Sebastian is essentially far too polite to turn it down. That, and he really has no reason to do so.

Still, it's not so bad having this new "spirit" around. After all, there are two things he very clearly enjoys, and that's—

i. —Cooking. It's definitely a hobby of his, but as a demon that feeds upon souls, well, he doesn't exactly need to cook for himself. After working in the Phantomhive household for the past year or two, he's come to enjoy cooking quite a bit. So finally, with people to cook for, Sebastian is more than happy to indulge. It's probably dinner time when you're likely to see Sebastian busily (and quite happily) working away in the kitchen. You can come sabotage, steal a bite, or just ask what kind of definitely Western dish he's making.

ii. —Cleaning. Anywhere there's a mess (or even if there's just dust), you're likely to find Sebastian dutifully taking care of things. Have you exploded any microwaves lately? Made an interesting mess? Sebastian is here to help.

wildcard

[ come make fun of your weird new tenant... kashuu makes weird friends... I might also add another prompt once the interlude thread I'm in is done, so stay tuned?! ]

i.

[spes_phthisica]

[Something smells sweet and delicious. After probably being scolded by either of his swords and/or Haru about taking it easy and leaving cooking experiments to other people, Souji has mostly stayed out of the kitchens... but no one said anything about watching someone cook, right? And tuberculosis might be pretty bad for your appetite, but sweets is a completely different matter. He can always manage to eat those, somehow - sheer stubbornness, most likely.

So Sebastian will find analarmingly skinny little waif of a man watching him raptly from the entrance to the kitchen. His expression is one of unashamedly childish curiosity and enthusiasm as he cranes his head slightly to try to catch a glimpse of what's being made, and whenever Sebastian notices him he'll offer a bright smile and a wave.]

Hello there. You're a new face. Did Haru-kun adopt you too. [That's one way of putting it.]

[cutlery]

[ If it's sweets, then Sebastian's skill for that is unparalleled. Considering Ciel's love of sweets, this was one of the first things he had learned to cook to excellence, and it was also one of the things he happened to enjoy a fair amount. The precise measurements and decoration (because that was truly just as important!) appealed to a neurotic person like Sebastian quite a lot.

The smell is coming from the chocolate cakes cooking away in the over, but while those cook, Sebastian is dutifully working on the toppings to go with it. He's making his own buttercream icing, since apparently everyone in swordhaus is getting spoiled today. He looks up from measuring things out, then laughs at the question. ]

Well... Something like that, yes. I would say more that it was Kashuu that took it upon himself to bring me here, but it was Mr. Haru's kindness that allows me to stay.

[ Which is fine with him, really. He's not one to really need any kind of frivolous things, and he includes paying for an apartment in full in that category. Sharing the cost suits him. ]

So as such, it is the least I can do to cook. Though I do enjoy it, I will admit.

[spes_phthisica]

[Chocolate had definitely been a first for Souji when he arrived in Cerealia, but it's certainly something he has embraced with open arms and learned to love within five seconds of tasting it. So his gaze definitely lights up at the sight of what's in the oven, and he sidles in the least subtle way possible into the kitchen, still beaming. He's still listening politely, however, and makes a warm little sound at the mention of Kashuu.]

I see. You could say it's the same for me. That is, I'm here because of Kashuu - and Yasusada-kun too, of course. They used to be my swords, see?

[And there is definite pride there, not so much on his own behalf as a warrior, but rather because they had turned into such extraordinary people, and he had the fortune of being allowed to be a part of that, however briefly.]

Ah, and then Haru-kun wouldn't hear of me living alone in my state, so that was that. [A small laugh..] He doesn't demand much in the way of recompensation, but if you're enjoying yourself, I'm sure no one is going to try to stop you. Besides, this household might occasionally need some people with a firmer grasp on how kitchens work.

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian genuinely listens with interest when he realizes what's being explained, since despite being a new resident of the house full of tsukumogami, Sebastian really didn't have a very good understanding of what they were. Ironically, it was also what had lead to this in the first place, since a slight misunderstanding between cultures had lead him to the conclusion that they were somewhat similar... Neither party has realized that they're wrong just yet.

It's easy enough to translate this, since clearly this man was something like their master, but it's still a surprise to hear the fondness. There was certainly no such attachment for a demon and their contractor, but Sebastian doesn't exactly envy this. It's just strange to him. ]

Ah, yes... Kashuu did explain that somewhat. It is still somewhat difficult to think of him as a sword, but I have heard stranger.

[ He hums thoughtfully, but that thought is quickly pushed away in favor of giving attention to that last comment. ]

...Ah, dear me. Are the people here unskilled with cooking.

slides into this... i.

[swordsitter]

[ sebastian, haru has decided, is definitely not a mountain spirit, no matter what kashuu seems to think. of course, he's not sure what he is, exactly, since he's never met someone like him before, but.. well, whatever he is, it hasn't stopped him from welcoming the butler into their home. it'd probably be pretty worrisome if not for a handful of overprotective sword-spirits and the fact that his powers are quite a bit stronger than they were six months ago. as it is, anyone who gets to know haru probably quickly understands where his swords get their habit of adopting people from.

the weirdest thing about having sebastian here so far is the fact that he cooks and cleans and seems to enjoy doing both. it isn't in haru's nature to just sit back and let someone else do all the work, though, so as the demon gets started on dinner that evening, haru's shuffling in to see how he can help. sebastian makes a lot of food that haru isn't particularly familiar with, so it's a good opportunity to learn, too. ]

Hi, Michaelis-san. [ it had.. definitely taken a few tries for him to get that name right. he pulls out his little step-stool, then finds his apron, tying it on and pushing sleeves up skinny arms. ] I was writing out some of the bills. [ hence why he wasn't here when sebastian first got started. ] --Is there anything you need me to do?

[cutlery]

[ how could sweet, innocent kashuu ever be mistaken about what sebastian is... that's just crazy talk!! ]

[ But at the very least, Sebastian is no fool with that. It's lucky that the demon Kashuu had collected is relatively benign as compared to many of his kin, because most demons would hardly be content to cook and clean for little benefit. Everything is cost and gain with demons, and for this, well, Sebastian has definitely defined a rather unique "gain." Reputation is valuable to him, or that's what he tells himself to justify the idea of continuing to loyally bow his head and serve.

Not, of course, that he enjoys this. He's odd for a demon, more or less.

As Haru comes into the kitchen, Sebastian glances back to look towards him, though he smiles as he pulls out the step stool. It's not quite happines that he's feeling so much as fear, but that's the conditioned reaction when anyone tries to help him in the kitchen by now... The Phantomhive servants are just that useless. ]

Why, good afternoon. I can take care of things, so you really needn't worry—

[ He asserts it politely, but he's also more respectful towards Haru considering this is "his" place. So it's not quite as staunch a refusal as he's inclined to give normally. ]

But if you insist, then I will not turn it down... Do you have much experience with Western culinary techniques?

[swordsitter]

[ haru hesitates at the question, tallying up what experience he does have with western food, before cautiously shaking his head. ] I cook mostly Japanese food. I'm pretty good at baking western-style, though. Cakes and.. things like that.

[ he pulls his hair back in a short tail, securing it with a band around his wrist. he glances back up at sebastian, then, pale eyes cautiously warm and a little embarrassed. ]

I was hoping to maybe pick up some things from you while you're here. I'm a pretty decent cook, but I mostly stick to comfort food and things like that. [ he rocks back on his heels, ears going a little red at the tips. ] Stuff I learned from our zashiki-warashi back home. [ since his parents were usually too drunk or drugged or gone to care about that sort of thing. ]

[cutlery]

Ah, yes, I suppose that is what I should have guessed... I hope at the very least you can teach me a bit about Eastern cuisine. I confess, it is something I am not very familiar with, for it is not to my master's taste...

[ Minus that one chapter where Sebastian made donburi, but that was an emergency, duh. And also never referenced again. ]

So, indeed, we may as well swap. [ Sebastian laughs pleasantly, but he cants his head lightly at the unfamiliar word. ] Though, I do ask that you pardon my ignorance... What is a zashiki-warashi?

i

[yaayaa]

[Nakigitsune is one of those guys ready to steal a bite of whatever it is the newcomer's making. The dish might be unfamiliar, but that's all the more reason to try, right? New faces! New foods! New flavors! He might be a thousand years old but he's basically a toddler, experience-wise.

Hope you don't mind animals in the kitchen either, because he's sharing whatever he grabbed with the tiny fox on his shoulder.]

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian had only stepped out for a moment to go fetch something else, but when he returns and sees someone sneaking a taste of the food... Well. He should have expected this, right? It surely couldn't be that easy.

He sighs and puts his hands on his hips lightly, since it feels strange to fully admonish an acquaintance. Even if he's living here now too, it's something he'll have to warm up to. Perhaps as more and more food is snuck away... ]

Really... It will not be that much longer, so you could have waited.

[yaayaa]

[Ah...Naki freezes, staring at Sebastian like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar--which he basically is, right now.

Quietly putting the rest of that morsel in his mouth, while the fox tries to apologize.]

We're really very sorry! The kitchen smelled so good, it was hard to wait...

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian looks at the fox, then frowns a bit more, since this is also something he's yet to get used to. It's a bit odd, but, well, everyone here is a bit odd in their own way. Himself included, but he's a bit too arrogant to think of that. ]

While I am glad to hear that it is appetizing, I must insist that you wait.

[ His glances to the fox becomes a bit more pointed. ]

And especially with— [ How does he refer to the fox? He pauses, then just swerves around the topic. ] Well, I am afraid that I do not like animals in my kitchen, in short.

ii!

[meniscus]

[ Kashuu inviting new people is definitely commonplace for Swordhaus by now. It seems so many people come and go by now that Mikazuki has started to expect the unexpected. As much as he can anyway, since he didn't necessarily think he'd be seeing Sebastian again so soon after the whole beach towel shenanigans but here he is, fully clothed this time.

Mikazuki presses a hand to his own cheek in thought...he's mostly been peeking around corners as he watches Sebastian since he doesn't want to disturb him in his cleaning but...when's a good time to just slide on over??? ]

...Eh, ah -- [ DID HE EVER GET HIS NAME ] Butler...kun? Or should I use "-san"? [ Mikazuki gets The Feel that Sebastian is older than he looks, kind of like this old man himself! Who knows though but first things first! ] It's Mikazuki, I can't remember if we exchanged names before... [ old ] in any case! If you are not too troubled by it, may I ask for some of your cleaning expertise?

[cutlery]

[ A normal person would probably be a bit embarrassed about meeting anyone again that they had met in such a state of undress, but... Not Sebastian, apparently. He doesn't even seem to remember it with how casually he acts, but that's less elderly forgetfulness like some people and more a true lack of shame on Sebastian's part. Still. It's rather useful when it comes to things like this.

As Mikazuki grabs his attention, Sebastian looks up from his work with a polite smile at first. Being called a butler as if it were his name makes him laugh, and he offers his name gently after. ]

Well, whatever you would like, really. But my name is Sebastian Michaelis, if you would instead prefer that.

[ He doesn't particularly care either way, in truth. It's an assumed name, so "Sebastian" is just as good to him as "Butler-kun." Or, well, mostly. He'd prefer the former if only because it's more dignified. ]

...Ah, but yes, of course? [ There's a slightly wary tone in his voice as he answers, though. ] What is it that you need, Mr. Mikazuki?

[meniscus]

Sebastian-kun then! Aha, thank you. [ Now he won't have to be awkwardly calling him by his title and not his name -- ]

As for what I need...it's a bit of a task. It's not something I can do myself nor is it something I can ask anyone else without the expertise to do. [ he's making it sound so ominous... ] Please do follow me.

[ Where Mikazuki ends up leading Sebastian to is not too far off. He leads him to the first floor apartment, the second bedroom that belongs to him and (1) Tsurumaru Kuninaga. He'll open the door and invite Sebastian to follow him still, and what he'll find is that the room is actually pretty tidy! There might be a few things here and there but for the most part...it's an elegant room of blue, white, and gold. Which you wouldn't have expected from the "no nerds allowed" sign hung up on the door.

Anyway! This is where Sebastian is to come in. ] Recently, I lost one of my precious items on my roommate's side of the room. I would have looked for it but Tsurumaru undoubtedly has "surprises" hidden around in there...so not only do I not clean his side, but I'm wary to go near it.

[ A demon can handle any surprises Tsurumaru might have hidden right??? ]

ii!

[adornmental]

[There's something about this scene that strikes Kashuu as even more strange than anything he's witnessed from Sebastian up to this point. Watching him dusting this room like he's got front row tickets to his favorite concert is like taking a step into the twilight zone?!]

...You look pretty happy.

[Content, more like - shiny shoujo bubbles and everything.

But why??]

[cutlery]

[ are you really ready to go down this road kashuu... are you really... ]

[ But it doesn't matter, because they're going. Sebastian looks up from his sweeping with a bright smile, since he really is cheered up by such simple tasks. Even the most domestic of swords don't come close to Sebastian's enjoyment of such mundane tasks. ]

Why, naturally. To have such cleanliness and order within one's home is as good a reason to be happy as any, would you not say?

[ probably not, sebastian ]

[adornmental]

[Look... He's a fool who doesn't know what he's about to unleash. A FOOL.

But he's actually genuinely curious and a little bit Concerned For Real because literally who could actually enjoy this. Sebastian the mountain demon, apparently?!]

I mean, the part when the cleaning's done and everything's all nice and neat is good, but isn't the cleaning up part kinda... [Boring? Tedious? Unpleasant?? He could think of a lot of adjectives but just makes a vague shrugging gesture.]

ii!

[gravesite]

[ so after tsurumaru decided that it'd be a great idea to leave popcorn in the microwave for ten minutes instead of two, it's kind of... smoking. literally. there's no fire yet, nor are any alarms going off, but fumes are billowing out of what remains of the machine and he's trying to get some windows open, and — ]

Hey! Perfect timing. Are you new?

[ is he a new resident, or is he someone that swordhaus hired to keep the place clean? anyway, even if he's never seen him before, tsurumaru decides to trust him in this situation. there's a gesture towards the microwave, and for someone that's just set a microwave on fire, he's looking incredibly cheerful. ]

Can you, uh... do something about this? And can you keep it a secret?

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian is definitely coming to the kitchen once he starts to smell smoke. It's like a conditioned reaction for him, considering the Phantomhive manor's "cook" has such a strong liking for explosives that he really can't be trusted with any sort of flame... He steps into the kitchen with a look of deep concern, and as Tsurumaru speaks to him, his attention is divided between introductions and the near-fire in the microwave?! ]

I—?

[ It's a very eloquent start, but with purpose, Sebastian starts to head over to collect towels and start a pot to filling with water. There's probably a fire extinguisher here somewhere, but he has no idea what that is, unfortunately. ]

Yes, I will do something about it! How did this even happen?

[gravesite]

[ in all honesty, almost no one in swordhaus even knows what a fire extinguisher is. their actual fire extinguisher has probably been sitting in its pretty glass casing for months, untouched as appliance after appliance bursts into flames.

because he's so used to ruining appliances and running away from the aftermath of cleaning them up, tsurumaru will first watch what he does, before moving to collect any spare towels that sebastian misses, hoping that doing so would be of some assistance — and explains the situation along the way. ]

Well, you see... I was making popcorn, but after I went through all the trouble of putting it in the microwave, I wondered if I could make it even crunchier.

[ the popcorn, he means. the microwave looks kind of crunchy now, though... it's crispy and well-done. ]

So I microwaved it for ten minutes instead of two, but then everything kind of went boom, and smoke started coming out, and... that's what happened.

I

[reprizesal]

[Just because Kashuu can so easily accept and bring someone over, it doesn't mean Sayo's fine with it. That said, he can stay civil and watch to see if Sebastian's a trustworthy enough spirit.

Or whatever he might be?

In any case, Sayo's not the type to steal bites. People generally give him free bites, instead... He stands on the tip of his toes, trying to get a better look at whatever Sebastian's cooking.]

... What are you cooking?

[cutlery]

[ At the moment, he's working on dinner, so there are several pans on the stove, all cooking various things. There's one sauteing vegetables, another set to simmer, and generally just a variety of rich, Western foods. He has a wine bottle in hand, since he's about to add some to the sauce he's working on, but he lifts his arm a bit higher as he realizes he has a guest in the kitchen. ]

Why, just a simple dish, really...

[ But don't listen to him, since Sebastian's definition of simple is far from it. ]

It is a chicken breast with a delicate, but flavorful white wine sauce. The vegetables I found I am sauteing lightly, and they should compliment the sauce quite nicely.

[reprizesal]

[... He understands about roughly most of that description. He glances at the bottle in Sebastian's hand, seeing it's the wine bottle by the label.]

They sounds nice. It's different from what I'm used to. [Which are Japanese cooking and whatever he find nice around the city.] But I don't know what sauteing means, exactly.

[Cooking terms...?]