futurology | username: butterfly (video, post jailbreak)

[ This time around, Alice doesn't look as awkward addressing the network. Curled up in a dark blue cloak, Alice gives a small, awkward wave. ]

Hello.

[ She wonders what some may think of her now, given how calm she is. Alice usually isn't one for starting up conversations and it shows how she seems to fidget in her seat. ]

We must have new "recruits", I can't say I remember any of you from when I first arrived. I'm not good at introductions, forgive me -- my name is Alice Liddell. But I didn't want to address others to introduce myself.

I imagine that some of you may have had your clothing sullied or tattered from what transpired a few days ago with our little excursion. [ Far too polite, considering some of ALASTAIR's own are far from noble and composed. ]

I do have an offer. If you're mindful of your budget, and... other things, such as keeping from authorities, I would like to offer my services to tend to garments. I'm not the most renowned seamstress, but it is very customary where I come from young girls are taught many things, including sewing. I don't ask for anything in return; I don't want anything. It's the least I can do for some of you, who have been held for two weeks. I'll even clean garments for those of you who haven't gotten the chance in the past few weeks.

[ Alice pauses and adds- ]

And, I must note, despite offering such a generous offer, I will only do so, for a small while, as long as some of us -- or most of us -- are looking to be discreet. Indeed, there are vendors who are willing to provide, though they may be looking at this as means to exploit us for a profit. Alternatively, the goblins maybe one venue if you're looking for new clothes to begin with. At least they seem reasonable when it comes to pricing, I've noticed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You're fortunate to have patience; I don't think I could have the patience to be anything but a matron and maid to orphaned children.

[ She has far too much of an independent streak to work in a household. Though, in retrospect, it probably would have been better if she did become a maid for an upper class family.

If anyone was willing to take a former asylum patient. ]

It's rather odd a fellow like you ended up in such a place like this, with magicians, warriors, knights, and thieves. Not that I discredit your skills, sir, you just seem far too mild mannered for this place.

[ The comment on patience gets Sebastian to laugh shortly, but still good-naturedly. It seems that he either completely agrees or completely doesn't, but either way, that good-natured laugh seems to imply a story behind it. ]

Well! It is an acquired skill, I must admit... I am certain that I would be less patience if my patience were not tested every day by the rest of our serving staff. They are quite miserably incompetent, so I take care of everything myself, you see.

[ Which... he seems to be fine with? Maybe he's found a new level of patience all together with an answer like that. ]

Ah, but it is quite all right. There is no offense taken, for I will hardly disagree with your assessment... I do seem to be a bit out of place. [ He laughs, though his humor here is mostly because he's actually extremely well-suited to this. It's just also not something he's keen to advertise. ] If anyone is in need of chores, cookery, or other sorts of menial tasks, I would think I am well-suited, at least!

[ No offense taken, he says, as she starts to worry she said something wrong when he says he disagrees with her. ]

Everything, sir? I cannot even begin to know what that is like- ah, no, that wouldn't be the case. I was the only maid and matron to those children. I understand the feeling all too well.

[ She used to wonder why Bumby didn't recruit anyone else, but now she's realized why she was the sole staff. Disgusting. Still, her heart goes out to this man. ]

I think you'll come to learn that there are many who could use it and more. Then again, this place seems to attract some childish individuals.

[ His expression stays quite cheerful, which is almost a comical contrast against his scathing assessment of his coworkers. His words are still relatively polite as well, so all of his complaints tinge towards the passive-aggressive. ]

Oh, yes. The household also has a chef, maid, gardener, footman, and steward in our employ. The chef burns everything to a crisp and is quite apt at causing explosions when preparing even simply meals, the maid is terribly far-sighted and clumsy to the point that I cannot trust her with the fine china, and the gardener has no sense whatsoever of how to keep plants alive, much less being tasteful about their arrangement. The footman is new, but passable, and the steward is the former head butler, so this is effectively his retirement for a lifetime of service... So. It is very busy.

[ And he loves it, really. Sebastian actually takes quite a lot of pride in being able to manage the household perfectly more or less on his own, and there's some sense of that with how he speaks. ]

So if it is playing caretaker, I do not mind at all. I do dislike my hands being idle, so perhaps that is why I was recruited so suddenly? [ Though he laughs, so he doesn't actually think that's why. ]

Oh.

[ Alice does little to hide the sour look on her face. ]

I hope at the very least, that the lot of you give them a chance to improve. It's not easy to work on an estate, after all. Even when my family possessed a staff, my father and mother were always very considerate and cared for them. Even my Nanny was practically a family member.

[ And poor Nan Sharpe, having to turn to prostitution after their deaths. ]

Although, having idle hands is something I understand all too well. I hope that you can find a suitable role here, even enjoy yourself.

[ He laughs as he nods ]

Oh, yes. They are certainly given the chance to improve. The young master took them on for a reason, since he can be a bit gentle-hearted... Their lack of skill for serving comes from the fact that they were all taken in with nowhere else to go, save for the steward.

[ True, technically. But the circumstances behind each were each individually questionable, since Sebastian and Ciel had taken them for their skill in defending the manor. To act as normal servants was little more than a cover for when their true skill was needed. Not that you can tell from Sebastian's cheerful explanation, though. ]

But, ah, I speak too much about my work at home... Do pardon me. I do hope for the same here, at least! My hopes are high enough, since I have enjoyed my time thus far, I would say.

Mm, that's not too uncommon of a practice. If you don't have any extended family and no other place to go, the best option would to be taken in by someone of the upper class. I'm glad that he's kind to them. I cannot say that the man that offered me shelter and employment was a good man.

[ A monster, even. ]

It's perfectly fine, sir, I don't mind it, at all. As a matter of fact, I'm glad that someone has shared similar experiences. You sound like you serve a good home.

Ah, I can only offer my sympathies for that... Not all masters are—shall we say—virtuous, and so I do take pride in serving the Phantomhive household.

[ Sebastian would hardly go so far as to call Ciel virtuous, but even without knowing anything of the man in question, Sebastian still assumes that Ciel is likely more noble. He's not cruel to the servants at all, save perhaps a deception on the footman's part... But. That is Ciel's choice, as it were. ]

But I am also glad to meet someone who understands it, actually. Even though I have not been here long, I do get the impression that such servitude comes off as quite odd to others. I suppose it falls out of fashion, though I could not guess at why. It is quite legitimate work.

username: butterfly (video, post jailbreak)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject