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[forensicks]

[Walter has recorded a video message from the point of view of someone who has just come through the door into his cabin and sees Walter at his desk in the chair turned around to face the viewer. He gives a little salute-wave.]

Didn't get me. But nice try.

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BITCH SESH

[untiltheend]

[Some time after this.]

A few days(?) after their initial conversation, and at a time they've ascertained that there are no smokers currently in the Speakeasy I don't know how they did this, don't question it Sebastian arrives at the agreed-upon time, for once not in his usual butler uniform but in a dark brown three-piece suit. He gets himself a glass of red wine as he waits for Walter to arrive.

[forensicks]

If nothing else it would be easy enough for Sebastian to check the speakeasy multiple times then message Walter when a good time came around, but truly ninjutsu to do such without inconvenience to himself.

"Gosh darn it, I feel underdressed," Walter jokes, knowing that surely Sebastian himself wouldn't be comfortable in anything less, but he isn't entirely joking. This might be the day their friendly acquaintance crosses the line into an alliance, but he's been leaving a lot of bad impressions lately. Curse his handy cargo shorts for carrying things like enchanted knives. At least his gray long-sleeved button-down with its little red dot pattern is nice.

[untiltheend]

Unfortunately, when you are human you have to deal with inconveniences like sweat, which necessitates washing your clothes more frequently: hence, the butler uniform can't be a constant feature. Walter is correct, though, in assuming Sebastian wouldn't be comfortable in anything less formal.

"Please rest assured I have long since acclimated to the preference of more casual wear on the Barge", Sebastian answers good-naturedly. Does he still judge people for their abyssal taste in clothes, including right now? Sure. But then, he judges people for literally everything when he feels like it, so...

"I presume Mr Bright has yet to make any breakthroughs when it comes to using hair for art?"

[forensicks]

"Ahaha," Walter guffaws, accepting the reassurance. He palms the top of an old-fashioned chair, pondering its aesthetics. Still not looking right at Sebastian:

"Mr. Bright has been... a lot more aesthetically narrow-minded than I initially assumed," he admits. It really disappointed Walter, when he'd thought Malcolm understood being bullied specifically for body leavings and seeming "gross". "Though I have to admit we haven't spoken properly since then or... for a while."

[untiltheend]

"Mm, yes, you did mention that", Sebastian comments, taking a sip of wine.

"I imagine it is most unfortunate to be on 'not speaking terms' with one's permanent Warden."

There's a slight rising intonation to his voice, suggesting that elaboration is welcome.

[forensicks]

"I have to admit that I'm... not availing myself of the resources for a little while," Walter says. He felt bad that he was assigned to earn this guy a third frivolous wish while some earnest wardens didn't even get one. Why didn't he just get over himself and discuss the contents of his file? It seemed like Sebastian and Hakkai shared almost everything and were working hard.

"To be honest, it's a little embarrassing, but I gave him... a riddle."

Walter glances for a reaction, nervous.

[untiltheend]

These days, Sebastian and Hakkai are a... mostly well-oiled machine, but it certainly didn't start out that way.

"Oh?" Sebastian's tone is mildly surprised, more than anything else. He doesn't disapprove of unconventional methods as a rule.

"To make him earn back the privilege of direct communication? Or to simply ascertain if he has a functioning brain or no?"

[forensicks]

Walter is immediately impressed. "...you'd make a good detective," he dryly quips. Unlike some people. Why is it so hard for Malcolm to prioritize the most basic deductions? It's unreasonable for Walter to hope that he suspects the reason for Walter's secretiveness even on the barge, but...

"I'd been thinking for a while about the first thing, cutting him off since I was disappointed with him about some things," Walter says. "But then when he called me out for pretending to still get along with him, I decided I had to go for the test."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian personally doesn't think his guesses were particularly advanced, but he's never going to turn down compliments. Yes, tell him more about how clever he is.

"Thank you", he says, genuinely pleased.

"Dear me. I must admit I am somewhat impressed to hear Mr Bright is at all capable of inferring anything that was not said outright to him.

'Some things'?"

[forensicks]

"He's very sensitive to people not liking him," Walter says, reluctant to give Malcolm the credit. He'd thrown a tantrum over "ambiguous" words of glowing praise, and wanted Walter to have faith in him that was not returned, but technically he was right and even claimed to have picked up on the pattern over time. Even then, Walter had hoped they could get back on track...

"It's been an issue ever since what happened in July. All I told him was that maybe, just maybe, he should have locked the investigation to some wardens he trusted and not gone out of his way to tease the rest of us. That was it. And..." Walter shrugs. "He didn't take that well."

[untiltheend]

"Ah. The debacle between Dr Hilbert and Mr Abel?" Sebastian takes another sip of wine. He could tell Walter to get something for himself if he'd like, but they're alone in the Speakeasy with no bartender present; he figures it goes without saying.

"My own unfortunate dealings with Mr Bright have left me with the distinct impression that he cannot handle being in the wrong, and will adamantly object any suggestion of it."

[forensicks]

"Yeah. What Jacob did." Walter's not a big drinker; he's comfortable where he is. Thinking about his empathy for his warden again, there's another connection made in his mind.

"Not that you have to worry about Malcolm, but I really do. He's always shutting down when he feels even danger. We also fought about how dangerous it is to fight people who aren't human, in a way that makes them stronger I mean... he thought it was worth a try to just hit them in the same weak spots."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian will find the strength not to worry about Malcolm. It will be a Herculean effort, surely.

...Hm.

"While surely any attempt at defending oneself is better than not trying at all: as someone who is normally powerful far beyond the ken of humans... it is indeed ludicrous to deceive oneself into thinking a human stands a chance towards some creatures in the world."

So Sebastian agrees: Malcolm's suggestion was silly.

"Why, I would have thought Mr Bright would have some understanding of this already, considering he has spent at least a few years in this place."

[forensicks]

"Yeah, well..." Walter really does worry about Malcolm, no matter how much the harshness of Walter's recent deeds muddies the water. "He's certainly had an eventful time over the years here. He told me about battles he won but also eventually admitted to some times he was hurt. By nonhumans and also by humans."

Well, Sebastian's pity for Malcolm only has to stretch so far. Walter thinks this is a good opening.

"You know, Mr. Michaelis, I'd gotten the feeling something had been different for you, though I hadn't wanted to press." He spreads out his hand. "If you'd ever want to talk about it, maybe with a few others and not the whole world? I've held a couple inmate hangouts outside the speakeasy."

[untiltheend]

"Oh, so? How humble of him, to admit to something like that." [/s]

Different, Mr Tattersall says. Sebastian most assuredly does not want to talk about it. His warden has had to corner him and drag the talking out of him for any talking to happen.

But... hrm. He does recognise the unspoken exclusive club invitation. It doesn't interest Sebastian, but Mr Cho does keep insisting that Sebastian play nice with the other children*. Make meaningful connections, etcetera etcetera.

"Oh? I suppose that could be helpful, if you would have me. I would be grateful."

[*This is not the phrasing Hakkai used.]

[forensicks]

"Great!" Walter says. "I was thinking theme for the next meeting would be guests from backgrounds super exotic compared to my own more mundane one, where the movie would kinda. Show off how our little lives work. So, you're a perfect fit! Welcome aboard."

He knows he's being obsequious. That's okay. Go ahead and underestimate him.