[ Sebastian has a point - a very good point. What's more, at a very basic level, the death of Beth Yao might not be the company-destroying event he hopes it is. Yao already seems like they've outgrown their original intentions; getting rid of her might just be getting rid of their excuse and nothing more.
His comments on her being young and frightened hurt, too. But Garry's mind isn't so easily changed. His expression flickers a bit, but he shakes his head.
(What makes a demon more trustworthy than either side?) ]
... You might be right. Maybe they're just using us. But... it's got to be better than being used by Yao. At least if we work with Caroline, we're getting somewhere. We're fighting back... like we ought to be. [ and though he's a peaceful man, 'fighting back' is the only ideal he has left to hold onto. He can't protect anyone. The only defense he has now is offense. ] We already tried talking to Beth a few times, too... There's no way she'd listen to us over whatever they've brainwashed her with.
That may be true. But that is why her meeting with us is the only chance I will give her.
[ He lets that hang in the air for a moment, but then starts to explain that too with as much seriousness. ]
Because you are right, and I know this. If she has been too brainwashed to consider what was said, then we would never reach her. But I will give her the chance all the same, since from what I could find, I believe the last time she was spoken to at all was a year ago, and by two people who are long gone. That is the challenge of Haven, is it not? People come and go with no rhyme or reason, so we can never adequately prepare for the loss of information.
[ Which he finds the most clever of all, but he won't get into that, since it's not relevant for this conversation, at least. ]
We will receive another chance. I am sure of it. Our existence here is challenging them, and they will not protect her without fault... So when the time comes when we meet again, I will ask her if she has considered what we told her. If not? I will kill her myself. But breaking objects or people whose importance we do not understand... That is dangerously foolish. I will not undertake such a thing lightly or simply because I was told to.
[ the ephemeral nature of everyone's existence in Haven is a painful fact to Garry - one he's been forced to accept over time. His friends flickered out of his life like so many snuffed candles until he was nearly alone in this suffocating darkness. His gaze and expression remain remarkably hard for a man who jumps at his own shadow, but he's listening to what Sebastian says. ]
... Sebastian. If that's what you really believe... Why didn't you just tell us this from the beginning?
[ his points are good, but the betrayal remains. ]
A few reasons. For one, I had honestly not decided to keep Beth alive until the fiasco with Miss Caroline and Miss Ciel. Her tantrum hardly inspired confidence in her leadership skills, so I realized that trusting her word was unwise. But more than that—
[ He pauses and closes his eyes with a smile, though he shrugs with it. ]
It was to protect my continued employment. Had I told you of my plans from the start, my employment with Yao would have been a liability more than an asset, for you see, I am unable to lie. Had Yao ever questioned my actions, I needed room in which to step around this binding. They know of it and can exploit it, so it was a matter I had to treat with a particular amount of prudence. Not that it mattered much, I suppose, but I had also pictured meeting the princess in a very different context, admittedly.
[ it sounds too outrageous to believe at first - after all, Garry is firmly in the mindset that Sebastian had already lied to all of them about being on their side. His eyes narrow damningly. But when he thinks back, nothing the demon had ever said aloud had actually been false.
[ He says it simply with a nod, then speaks exactly to what Garry is thinking. ]
It is rather stereotypical for a demon, is it not? I wear this human facade, deceive skillfully with sweet words, then drag my prey down into darkness without them ever having realized there was something wrong until it was far too late. [ He laughs ] Or at least, that is the perception. Humans think quite a lot of themselves in that way, I must admit. My intents are hardly so complex. I only wish to return to my young master's side, since that is my duty.
[ even though Sebastian dismisses that description as human fallacy, it doesn't do much to make Garry feel better about him, let alone trusting him. He clearly looks even more tense, eyeing him uncomfortably. There might be good reasoning behind his actions - purely logical reasoning - but Garry just doesn't feel good about this. ]
... When you put it that way, I definitely can't trust you. [ he's suddenly nervous about what might be in that parcel Sebastian gave him. ]
[ His tone is gently chiding, almost pleasant in its tone, but in a moment, that amused smile is gone. Now his smile is much more dangerous, even though it's still calm and easy in the same turn. He gestures vaguely towards Garry. ]
I have yet to even bring up my second point. It is a matter unrelated to the former, at least, but it is one that I find much more important, as a matter of fact. May I?
[ for the first time in this conversation, Garry actually freezes up. That smile sends chills down his spine. Suddenly, he feels like he should have been a little more tactful about this conversation - after all, he's faced with a creature thousands of times stronger than he is. ]
... I... It's not like I can stop you. I'm listening.
[ And yet, the smile on his face doesn't seem to fit those words at all, even though his tone is quite sincere. It even comes with the gentlemanly gesture of a hand placed on his chest and a soft bow, though he straightens quickly. ]
You and Miss Diva took excellent care of Master Sullivan while I was... otherwise occupied, shall we say. [ ...But let's not talk about Dadbastian. ] Though, it is also of importance that I be clear. We are from the same place, and while I had technically only recently met her, this young lady is quite important to my young master. As such, it is my duty to make sure she is well protected, not only for the sake of my young master, but also because I swore my loyalty to her in exchange for her healing services for him.
[ It's strange. It really is strange, the way he's speaking, because it doesn't sound like a lie at all, and Sebastian speaks with that usual charming sort of coolness he always does. He pauses, then finally, his words match that dangerous smile on his face. ]
So your services are no longer necessary. It is my duty to my young master to assure that she may still be able to return home... And though it was hardly of inconvenience, since I told her regardless, speaking carelessly to her is a bit more dangerous. You would be endangering my work that goes beyond the scope of Haven, and that I cannot allow, you see. I can hardly forbid you from speaking to her, and I have no wish to! She quite enjoys your company, and that is a wonderful thing. But... I will be watching and listening.
garry would certainly rather hear about dadbastian than this. The way Sebastian talks makes it sound like he thinks Garry is a thread to her - somehow. Of course, his words and his tone are all pleasant and fine, but it's obvious looking at him that his thoughts are the opposite. Even though he clearly knows that Garry had done nothing but help Sieglinde; he'd watched over her, protected her. To his dismay, part of him is still insisting he raised her. Though he's terrified, a protest starts to raise in his throat --
And then he remembers that the last thing he'd spoken to Sieglinde about had been Sebastian himself. Dammit - he knew he should have had that conversation in private. He knew it. With what Sebastian says, though, he wonders if that would have even made a difference. ]
... Fine. Do what you want. Just don't hurt her...
[ Sebastian is half surprised that Garry bends easily enough, but it's better for him. That threatening air dissipates easily, since Sebastian much prefer to deceive sweetly than to resort to force, though it is necessary at times. ]
Oh, I will not hurt her. She will come to no harm if I can help it at all, though Haven does not always allow me such a luxury.
[ He places a hand on his chest as a gentlemanly gesture, though it seems a bit odd by now. ]
It is a demon's devotion. Short of sacrificing my own life, her well-being will be assured, since it is what my young master would ask of me. So having Master Sullivan push me away would be quite a detriment to my work at home.
[ in his heart, he wants to fight, but he doubts that he could do anything. Sebastian could create matter out of thin air and stop bullets with his hands. If he wanted Garry to do something, he could make him do it by any means he wanted. Perhaps it's only cowardice speaking, but he'd rather take the less painful route.
Not that he trusts Sebastian a whit more after this - nor does he believe Sieglinde is safe. His words make sense, but Garry just can't shake the niggling feeling that leaving her in a demon's care was a bad idea. Especially when the demon didn't want her to know about him. ]
... You really aren't trustworthy at all, [ he mumbles in a sour voice. ] You say you don't lie, but you're hiding things from her, anyway.
[ Now the surprise shows on his face openly, a light, polite sort of expression, because this is a sort of bravery that he didn't expect from Garry, and yet...
He's pleased by it. Those who could speak to him so openly in the face of knowing what he was and just what that meant were people that interested Sebastian. If it was just bluster, they were boring, but that was also plainly obvious. This is real courage, and that is an interesting, desirable quality.
Sebastian's smiles are usually small and controlled, and it's clear why as his smile splits into a grin. While an easy, polite smile shows normal teeth, a grin shows the sharp, demonic ones. He breathes out a laugh as dark and warm as velvet, but even with that grin and laugh, his posture and voice are still easy and nonthreatening. ]
Oh, no, I am not. I will be the first to admit such a thing as well. Trustworthiness is simply a quality that demons do not possess. If our goals are not the same, then it goes without saying that I would trample upon those that oppose me without care. But...
[ He places stress on the word as he trails off with a shrug as his expression is back to easy and light. ]
But our word can be trusted. I do not cause chaos for the sake of chaos, since I tired of such things long ago. It may seem arrogant, but honestly, should you wish to leave Haven, your faith is likely better placed in me than in those who would call themselves "good."
[ Haven's dissolution of most of his self-worth has left him with some bravery he didn't have before. Demons aren't trustworthy, but their words can be trusted? He'd make a derisive comment if he wasn't afraid of digging himself into an even deeper grave. As it is, he just stares, pressing his lips into a thin line with an expression between defiance and fear.
He doesn't know what the right answer is anymore; he hasn't for a long time. Maybe Sebastian is a better choice than the rest. If having faith in a demon is the best option he has, though, he really is in trouble. ]
[ The smile slips back to an easy one, because this is the part of him that's very eccentric more than demonic, so he shrugs. ]
I am in the business of knowledge more often than not, so of course, given the mysteries here, I would be remiss to not investigate them to the best of my ability. It is not easy, but ever since I arrived, I have been tracking down information piece by piece, so despite being here less than a year, I believe I can tell you with ease anything major that has ever occurred here, first of all, but more importantly than that, there are many, many things Yao has let slip past their fingers. I must wonder if it is intentional, but all the same, people coming and going does limit information... But I do have ways of teasing such information out.
[ He's very proud of that, too, but surprisingly, it doesn't show. ]
So I can say with a fair amount of certainty I know what is going on here, and why we are here at all. But it is trivial information. The way out is much more obscured, so I do believe that our captors do not know the answer to that either.
[ whatever difficulties Sebastian went through to get the information - tricking more people, no doubt, he thinks to himself - doesn't really matter to Garry. But if he knows something that might help and he's keeping it to himself... Garry's grip on the little parcel tightens a little.
If Sebastian doesn't want to share, there's absolutely nothing that he can do about it. He tries to think of people who could face off against a demon like this, but the ones he imagines aren't with him anymore. And he doesn't dare get Diva involved - if he got her hurt, he'd never forgive himself. ]
[ He says it simply, with warmth and ease in his tone, even though it's a rather frightening prospect, at least on the surface. For Sebastian to be the holder of information, it would seem dire, since surely, a demon wouldn't have the best interests of Haven at heart. And yet... Considering Haven, it actually wasn't so bad at all. ]
Giving away this information without regard would be dangerous. It is something I take very seriously, as a result. But considering Haven's general attitude of destroying things without thought for the consequences, this is for the best. There is something already broken that we will feel the effects of for a long time coming, I believe, and I warned against it. So as a result, I must keep a tighter grip on what I know, hm?
[ considering Haven, considering Sebastian - Garry has no idea what to think anymore. He feels completely lost. He wants to go talk to Diva. At least she's a constant in his life. His response is little more than a grunt of acknowledgement; Sebastian's answer is about what he expected. Part of him feels irrationally annoyed that after all his time and suffering here, he still couldn't find out as much as this man could in a few months.
But he was only human. That had been made painfully clear as of late. And the greater part of him just feels tired of trying with Sebastian. So instead, after a few moments' pause, he lifts up the package slightly. ]
[ At that, Sebastian's expression brightens considerably, because this is the other side of his personality that's a stark contrast to the serious, ruthless demon. ]
Ah, macarons, as a matter of fact. I was told you were quite fond of them.
[ By Diva, probably, or she was just babbling... He hangs out at her place all the time anyways because of Charles, so. ]
I hope they are to your liking. It is not my ideal recipe, but lacking certain ingredients, I must improvise... But they should be acceptable, since Charles quite likes them.
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His comments on her being young and frightened hurt, too. But Garry's mind isn't so easily changed. His expression flickers a bit, but he shakes his head.
(What makes a demon more trustworthy than either side?) ]
... You might be right. Maybe they're just using us. But... it's got to be better than being used by Yao. At least if we work with Caroline, we're getting somewhere. We're fighting back... like we ought to be. [ and though he's a peaceful man, 'fighting back' is the only ideal he has left to hold onto. He can't protect anyone. The only defense he has now is offense. ] We already tried talking to Beth a few times, too... There's no way she'd listen to us over whatever they've brainwashed her with.
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[ He lets that hang in the air for a moment, but then starts to explain that too with as much seriousness. ]
Because you are right, and I know this. If she has been too brainwashed to consider what was said, then we would never reach her. But I will give her the chance all the same, since from what I could find, I believe the last time she was spoken to at all was a year ago, and by two people who are long gone. That is the challenge of Haven, is it not? People come and go with no rhyme or reason, so we can never adequately prepare for the loss of information.
[ Which he finds the most clever of all, but he won't get into that, since it's not relevant for this conversation, at least. ]
We will receive another chance. I am sure of it. Our existence here is challenging them, and they will not protect her without fault... So when the time comes when we meet again, I will ask her if she has considered what we told her. If not? I will kill her myself. But breaking objects or people whose importance we do not understand... That is dangerously foolish. I will not undertake such a thing lightly or simply because I was told to.
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... Sebastian. If that's what you really believe... Why didn't you just tell us this from the beginning?
[ his points are good, but the betrayal remains. ]
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[ He pauses and closes his eyes with a smile, though he shrugs with it. ]
It was to protect my continued employment. Had I told you of my plans from the start, my employment with Yao would have been a liability more than an asset, for you see, I am unable to lie. Had Yao ever questioned my actions, I needed room in which to step around this binding. They know of it and can exploit it, so it was a matter I had to treat with a particular amount of prudence. Not that it mattered much, I suppose, but I had also pictured meeting the princess in a very different context, admittedly.
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[ it sounds too outrageous to believe at first - after all, Garry is firmly in the mindset that Sebastian had already lied to all of them about being on their side. His eyes narrow damningly. But when he thinks back, nothing the demon had ever said aloud had actually been false.
How very demonlike. ]
You're trying to play both sides, then.
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[ He says it simply with a nod, then speaks exactly to what Garry is thinking. ]
It is rather stereotypical for a demon, is it not? I wear this human facade, deceive skillfully with sweet words, then drag my prey down into darkness without them ever having realized there was something wrong until it was far too late. [ He laughs ] Or at least, that is the perception. Humans think quite a lot of themselves in that way, I must admit. My intents are hardly so complex. I only wish to return to my young master's side, since that is my duty.
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... When you put it that way, I definitely can't trust you. [ he's suddenly nervous about what might be in that parcel Sebastian gave him. ]
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[ His tone is gently chiding, almost pleasant in its tone, but in a moment, that amused smile is gone. Now his smile is much more dangerous, even though it's still calm and easy in the same turn. He gestures vaguely towards Garry. ]
I have yet to even bring up my second point. It is a matter unrelated to the former, at least, but it is one that I find much more important, as a matter of fact. May I?
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... I... It's not like I can stop you. I'm listening.
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[ And yet, the smile on his face doesn't seem to fit those words at all, even though his tone is quite sincere. It even comes with the gentlemanly gesture of a hand placed on his chest and a soft bow, though he straightens quickly. ]
You and Miss Diva took excellent care of Master Sullivan while I was... otherwise occupied, shall we say. [ ...But let's not talk about Dadbastian. ] Though, it is also of importance that I be clear. We are from the same place, and while I had technically only recently met her, this young lady is quite important to my young master. As such, it is my duty to make sure she is well protected, not only for the sake of my young master, but also because I swore my loyalty to her in exchange for her healing services for him.
[ It's strange. It really is strange, the way he's speaking, because it doesn't sound like a lie at all, and Sebastian speaks with that usual charming sort of coolness he always does. He pauses, then finally, his words match that dangerous smile on his face. ]
So your services are no longer necessary. It is my duty to my young master to assure that she may still be able to return home... And though it was hardly of inconvenience, since I told her regardless, speaking carelessly to her is a bit more dangerous. You would be endangering my work that goes beyond the scope of Haven, and that I cannot allow, you see. I can hardly forbid you from speaking to her, and I have no wish to! She quite enjoys your company, and that is a wonderful thing. But... I will be watching and listening.
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garry would certainly rather hear about dadbastian than this. The way Sebastian talks makes it sound like he thinks Garry is a thread to her - somehow. Of course, his words and his tone are all pleasant and fine, but it's obvious looking at him that his thoughts are the opposite. Even though he clearly knows that Garry had done nothing but help Sieglinde; he'd watched over her, protected her. To his dismay, part of him is still insisting he raised her. Though he's terrified, a protest starts to raise in his throat --
And then he remembers that the last thing he'd spoken to Sieglinde about had been Sebastian himself. Dammit - he knew he should have had that conversation in private. He knew it. With what Sebastian says, though, he wonders if that would have even made a difference. ]
... Fine. Do what you want. Just don't hurt her...
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Oh, I will not hurt her. She will come to no harm if I can help it at all, though Haven does not always allow me such a luxury.
[ He places a hand on his chest as a gentlemanly gesture, though it seems a bit odd by now. ]
It is a demon's devotion. Short of sacrificing my own life, her well-being will be assured, since it is what my young master would ask of me. So having Master Sullivan push me away would be quite a detriment to my work at home.
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Not that he trusts Sebastian a whit more after this - nor does he believe Sieglinde is safe. His words make sense, but Garry just can't shake the niggling feeling that leaving her in a demon's care was a bad idea. Especially when the demon didn't want her to know about him. ]
... You really aren't trustworthy at all, [ he mumbles in a sour voice. ] You say you don't lie, but you're hiding things from her, anyway.
keywords are garry
He's pleased by it. Those who could speak to him so openly in the face of knowing what he was and just what that meant were people that interested Sebastian. If it was just bluster, they were boring, but that was also plainly obvious. This is real courage, and that is an interesting, desirable quality.
Sebastian's smiles are usually small and controlled, and it's clear why as his smile splits into a grin. While an easy, polite smile shows normal teeth, a grin shows the sharp, demonic ones. He breathes out a laugh as dark and warm as velvet, but even with that grin and laugh, his posture and voice are still easy and nonthreatening. ]
Oh, no, I am not. I will be the first to admit such a thing as well. Trustworthiness is simply a quality that demons do not possess. If our goals are not the same, then it goes without saying that I would trample upon those that oppose me without care. But...
[ He places stress on the word as he trails off with a shrug as his expression is back to easy and light. ]
But our word can be trusted. I do not cause chaos for the sake of chaos, since I tired of such things long ago. It may seem arrogant, but honestly, should you wish to leave Haven, your faith is likely better placed in me than in those who would call themselves "good."
always
He doesn't know what the right answer is anymore; he hasn't for a long time. Maybe Sebastian is a better choice than the rest. If having faith in a demon is the best option he has, though, he really is in trouble. ]
Do you think you know something?
[ he asks grudgingly, uncertainly. ]
poor gurrbles
[ The smile slips back to an easy one, because this is the part of him that's very eccentric more than demonic, so he shrugs. ]
I am in the business of knowledge more often than not, so of course, given the mysteries here, I would be remiss to not investigate them to the best of my ability. It is not easy, but ever since I arrived, I have been tracking down information piece by piece, so despite being here less than a year, I believe I can tell you with ease anything major that has ever occurred here, first of all, but more importantly than that, there are many, many things Yao has let slip past their fingers. I must wonder if it is intentional, but all the same, people coming and going does limit information... But I do have ways of teasing such information out.
[ He's very proud of that, too, but surprisingly, it doesn't show. ]
So I can say with a fair amount of certainty I know what is going on here, and why we are here at all. But it is trivial information. The way out is much more obscured, so I do believe that our captors do not know the answer to that either.
that's his life...
[ whatever difficulties Sebastian went through to get the information - tricking more people, no doubt, he thinks to himself - doesn't really matter to Garry. But if he knows something that might help and he's keeping it to himself... Garry's grip on the little parcel tightens a little.
If Sebastian doesn't want to share, there's absolutely nothing that he can do about it. He tries to think of people who could face off against a demon like this, but the ones he imagines aren't with him anymore. And he doesn't dare get Diva involved - if he got her hurt, he'd never forgive himself. ]
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[ He says it simply, with warmth and ease in his tone, even though it's a rather frightening prospect, at least on the surface. For Sebastian to be the holder of information, it would seem dire, since surely, a demon wouldn't have the best interests of Haven at heart. And yet... Considering Haven, it actually wasn't so bad at all. ]
Giving away this information without regard would be dangerous. It is something I take very seriously, as a result. But considering Haven's general attitude of destroying things without thought for the consequences, this is for the best. There is something already broken that we will feel the effects of for a long time coming, I believe, and I warned against it. So as a result, I must keep a tighter grip on what I know, hm?
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But he was only human. That had been made painfully clear as of late. And the greater part of him just feels tired of trying with Sebastian. So instead, after a few moments' pause, he lifts up the package slightly. ]
Could you at least tell me what this is...?
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Ah, macarons, as a matter of fact. I was told you were quite fond of them.
[ By Diva, probably, or she was just babbling... He hangs out at her place all the time anyways because of Charles, so. ]
I hope they are to your liking. It is not my ideal recipe, but lacking certain ingredients, I must improvise... But they should be acceptable, since Charles quite likes them.