b u t l e r

I'm Bishnal, butler and steward in training of Selphia Palace. How may I help you? 3rd RP blog, part of HMTumblr

[butlering-blog]

"Hmm...I'd prefer long, please, so that it would take longer for me to finish it and hunt down a new one! And don't worry! If your suit ever got stained, I'd help you get it out! I concocted this foolproof mix of buffamoo spit, acid and baking powder that wipes away ANY stain. It'd be a piece of cake!"

....B-Buffamoo spit? Kiel! How did you ever acquire that?! [Shakes head.] Anyway...let me find you a good, long book. Hmm... [Browses the collection with narrowed, focused eyes.] Ah, yes...yes, yes, indeed...This one looks good! [Pulls out a thick tome called "Rupert and Mystery Isle."] I...have never actually read this before, but I sweep it often when I clean the library! Its title and lovely cover has always caught my eye. Here. [Thrusts it in Kiel's hand.] Please enjoy it! I-If you find it interesting, of course.

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Hiya! :D My name is Kohaku! ^-^ I'm new to the kingdom and I'm working part time at the flower shop so I thought I'd introduce myself ^-^

[Polite smile on his face.] Good day, Miss Kohaku. What an honor to make your acquaintance. [Bows slightly.] I'm Bishnal, butler-in-training at the palace! I'm working very hard to earn my place among the best butlers there has ever been! [Proud smile.]

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Heeey, you're really pretty, would you mind helping me out? I'm Ann by the way /grins/

[A light blush forms on his cheeks.] P-P-Pretty? Me? [Scratches the back of his neck and ducks his head.] Er...thank you, th-thank you! I-I would not mind helping you out at all!

Please, call me Bishnal. [Struggling to regain his composure with a smile on his face.] How may I be of assistance?

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Kiel cocked his head to the side quizzically. Faring? What did that mean again? He made sure to leave a mental note to himself to look it up later! It simply wouldn't do - a scholar with such a miserable vocabulary! He must try harder! "Umm, I've been doing great, if that's what you mean! Haven't gotten into any mischief, or fallen into any trouble with the dungeons recently! You know I'm not skilled at fighting monsters..." he clapped excitedly. "Oh, you do? Great! I hope it's not a bother~"

That's wonderful to hear! It is easy to injure yourself in the dungeons, is it not? I would not know...I have not been in any myself lately. Volkanon would be very angry with me if I stained my clothes. [Shudders.]

It is no bother at all! I am always happy to serve a Selphian. Now, what length of book do you prefer? Long, short?

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… Lun… a? /The name obviously means nothing to Vivi, especially since she couldn’t be bothered to remember human names to begin with, but the ‘pink hair’ sparked an idea./ … She runs that Tailor shop, doesn’t she…? Huh.

Magic common somewhere? Is Selphia populated with humans…? Most human towns I’m familiar with frown at the use of magic directly. N-Not that I care or anything! /She cleared her throat, obviously intrigued but not wishing to mention it./

And, yes, it is painfully obvious! The clothes are a giveaway. ♪ Silly human! But washing windows…? Wouldn’t the rain take care of that? You’re wasting time washing something so insignificant!! Ah, you butlers have the oddest sense of duties…

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I believe that is what Luna does! She's very good at her job. Anyway, Selphia is a magical kingdom. Magic is a part of our existences, interwoven with the fabric of our lives! I'm afraid I don't know how it works very well...I-I've tried to understand it, but I don't wield any of its powers. [Sad sigh.]

Y-Yes, the rain does indeed wash the grime away...Hm, well, I-I also wash dishes! And sinks and toilets and other dirty surfaces...And sweep floors and all that. It's not bad at all, Miss...Er, I believe I have not asked your name yet. My apologies! I'm Bishnal, by the way. [Bows.]

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"Bishnal!~ Long time, no see! How are things coming along at the palace? I trust you're well?" Kiel beams. "Err, I was wondering if you happened to have any books I could borrow. Fairy tales would be the best, but you know I won't turn down anything when it comes to literature!"

[Looks up from the dish he was polishing with a rag.] Ah, Kiel! Welcome! Everything has been running along smoothly. I have not fallen ill in weeks! How are you faring?

Hm, books...We have a fine assortment at the library. I spotted some fairy tales and adventure stories just the other day! Come this way, please.

[kukiaji-blog]

Selphian Palace… never heard of it! But, for free food and an escape from these… weird dancing festivities I’ll accompany you. ♪

/Follows, hands placed behind back./ Oh, I came from… Caste… Castanet island? Something like that. Peaceful enough place, I guess. Bit quiet, though. I prefer the solitude so I can focus on my spells and potions! /She paused, casting him a look-over./

You look like a butler! Huh… must be interesting serving humans above your status. Seems a bit tedious, too.

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Castanet, you say? I know a very charming young woman from Castanet Island! Perhaps you know her--her name is Luna, and she often wears her pink hair in two pigtails. She's a friend actually. [Beams.]

Ah, you cast spells...? Magical spells? [Eyes widen.] A-and potions, too! Wow! Incredible! Magic is often on display here in Selphia, but I don't see it every day. It must be amazing having all that power!

[Blushing a bit, rubbing the back of his neck.] I-Is it really that obvious? Yes, it is, I suppose. I'm wearing the uniform and all. I like it though. It is very comfortable. S-Sometimes it is tedious, like washing the windows, but I enjoy it greatly! I can't be anything but perfect after all. Volkanon, my mentor, would be very angry if the palace were anything less than sparkling clean.

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Good afternoon, miss! If you are in search of ice cream, please visit the palace at any time. Our complimentary refreshments are very…er, refreshing! And perfect for a warm summer’s day!

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… Palace…? They still have those around these days? How interesting! ♪ You have my permission to take me over there, human! Since it’s a palace and all, I expect to be treated like loyalty. ♥ It’s been a long while since I’ve been in one! The ice cream better be served with fine china! Only the best for a Witch~ ♪

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Yes! They do! The Selphian Palace is a beautiful, magnificent, and old place full of charm and decor. I think you will enjoy it! And don't worry; you will be treated very well. Our staff is diligent, and as your guide I promise I will do my best.

Come, it is just this way. [Smiles.] May I ask from where you have traveled?

[kukiaji-blog]

Summer… dance? Who would want to dance in this heat to begin with?! Wait… I’m not actually that interested!

I would much rather just go eat some ice cream. ♪ Blackberry ice cream would taste soooo good right now! ♥ It’s been a while since I actually ventured in town… I wonder if anyone sells ice cream?

[butlering-blog]

Good afternoon, miss! If you are in search of ice cream, please visit the palace at any time. Our complimentary refreshments are very...er, refreshing! And perfect for a warm summer's day!

[butlering-blog]

❣ barks and breaks

[lunathefashionista-deactivated2]

It was really hard for her not to laugh at Bishnal’s reaction. A vital life skill? “Well I’ve never really thought of it that way, but considering I do live right next door to the sea, I guess you have a point.” The petite pinkette shrugged lightly, a smile still on her face. “If you’re serious about your offer, I’d be happy to have you as my swimming instructor ♪. I’ll try my best to learn too.”

Luna glanced over her shoulder to make sure that Grey was following, already a bit attached to the cute dog. She didn’t want him to fall behind of get potentially lost while he tried to follow them, but at the same time she figured that the god probably knew his way around the palace too.

“I bet you will! And it’ll be so interesting to see it all, I’ve never been in an actual palace before.” Her eyes widened at the thought, and then filled with excitement. “Well, not really anyway.” Luna had dreamed about palaces and the sort but she wasn’t about to admit that out loud just yet. It  was more than a little bit embarrassing. “That’s good that they’re comfortable, though. Since you’re doing so much for them, the least they can do is make sure you’re doing alright and happy with where you live.” She mused as she walked side by side with the butler, eyeing her suitcase in his hand. Luna would have protested if she knew it would have any effect, but Bishnal could be stubborn about these types of things, so she just didn’t say anything about it. Well, almost. “Thanks for carrying my suitcase, though you know you don’t really have to. It’s not that all heavy. I actually didn’t overpack this once.”

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Bishnal chuckled at the young woman's excitement. It was so endearing, though not uncommon, to see the looks of wonder on visitors' faces when first encountering the palace. "I hope Selphia's beautiful establishment lives up to your expectations, Miss Luna. If not, then I know the food will. There is nothing like Chef Blanc's brownies to brighten up your day!"

He waved away her words of gratitude, blushing a little. "It's no trouble, Luna! I am the butler of this fine palace after all. Volkanon would have my head if I did not carry your suitcase." He glanced back at his dog, yapping excitedly behind them. "Grey! Go back home. Go on." The clever dog barked in assent to that familiar command and left them.

He led her through the intricately carved, wooden door to the nearest parlor. The parlor was not a particularly big room, though the high ceiling gave the impression that it was. The furniture was plush and the upholstery decorated in the rococo style. Several paintings, framed in gold and centuries old, lined the wall. Bishnal scanned the room for any sign of a mess; luckily everything appeared to be in order.

"Welcome to the Blue Parlor, Miss Luna! This is one of the oldest rooms in the palace, and one of the most luxurious as well. You are welcome to take a seat in any of the loveseats and enjoy the plushness yourself!"

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❣ barks and breaks

[lunathefashionista-deactivated2]

“I love baking♪. Maybe we should bake something together while I’m here? I would say going swimming would be great in this weather, but ah…” Luna grinned bashfully, shrugging lightly as she paused for a fraction of a second. “… funny thing is, I actually can’t swim? So I don’t think I would be a very fun person to go swimming with.” She laughed, trying to brush it off.

Chances were that Luna would probably get sun burned if she didn’t rub on only a gallon of sunblock on too. Her skin was always turning a soft pink after being in the sun too long, and goddess forbid she’d actually gain any freckles on her porcelain like skin. Luna rubbed her arm subconsciously at the thought.

The pinkette was stirred away from those worries when she head Bishnal’s suggestion. “A tour? Of the palace? Really?” Luna’s face filled with delight and she clapped her hands together excitedly, even bouncing on her heels twice. “Yes, yes! That would be great! I’d love to see the inside!” Palaces? Yes, that very much interested her. The was the girl who grew up set on the idea that she’d become a princess one day, after all. This sort of stuff was something she adored. 

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A small gasp left Bishnal's mouth. "You can't swim? But Miss Luna, swimming is one of the most vital life skills! You must learn! I-I can teach you if you need an instructor!" He nodded resolutely. How could Luna not swim?! She could die if she were ever in a boating accident! He couldn't let that happen.

The butler clapped his hands together at her agreement. He was positive she would enjoy a tour of the palace as much as he liked throwing sticks for Grey to fetch. "That's excellent. I'll gladly give you a tour. Right away in fact. I'm sure Grey will understand." He whistled for his dog to follow him out of the courtyard. Then he picked up Luna's luggage and gestured for her to come along.

"I'll show you the most beautiful locations! And where I work and live too. My quarters aren't nearly as exciting as the rest of the palace, but they are comfortable."

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❣ barks and breaks

[lunathefashionista-deactivated2]

Luna frowned. “I’ll worry when I like, okay? But since you say you’re feeling okay I guess I’ll have to just take your word for it.” A bit of a sigh left her lips as she followed his actions, standing right back up. Her hands went to her hips the next second, still not particularly pleased with the way he tried brushing the topic off. 

The little game Bishnal was playing with his god continued, and Luna watched, smiling as the butler threw the stick into the air again. She knew that the dog had taken off after it as opposed to actually seeing it, since her eyes were still lingering on Bishnal. 

“Hm,” Luna swung as she turned to face forward, finally bringing her attention over to the dog who was running in the distance. He hadn’t been feeling his best as of late? Well that was enough to make her worry all over again, her forehead creasing.

But then Grey caught the stick, which brought out a delighted giggle from Luna, and pushed away that worry for a bit. She clapped, turning back to Bishnal with a grin. “He’s pretty good! How wonderful.” The pinkette complimented, glancing briefly at the palace behind them. “So, that’s the palace, huh? What else do you do for fun around here, besides cleaning?” She joked, nudging him playfully.

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Bishnal concluded, for at least the third or fourth time in his life, that Luna was probably one of the most generous people he had ever met. She seemed genuinely interested in his health and welfare. How many people in the world could he actually claim did that?

Meanwhile Grey let out a loud bark and caught the stick. The butler, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet, laughed and clapped his hands together. "Bravo, Grey! Bravo! Ah--he is good indeed!" He grinned at Luna as he waited for his dog to trot back to him.

"Oh, yes! That's the palace indeed!" He turned to look at his workplace and his home, so majestic in the afternoon sun. "Haha, well I find that baking is a fun thing to do, as well as reading and swimming and running...Anything that keeps either my mind or my body moving is fun to me."

Grey returned with the stick, tail wagging like a metronome. Again Bishnal took the stick from his dog and threw it into the distance. When Grey ran off, he asked, "Miss Luna, would you care for a grand tour of the palace?"

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❣ barks and breaks

[lunathefashionista-deactivated2]

Luna blinked several times, noting the redness coloring Bishnal’s cheeks, as well as his sudden stutter. Had that been something he always did? Stutter like that? She tilted her head slightly, completely unsure. It had been too long since she’s actually seen him to tell.

“Oh, well that’s good. I would hope that your work here isn’t too hard on you.”

She continued petting Grey, scratching him behind his ears with a giggle. “He is a charmer♡. So Grey is his name? That’s fitting, I think. And I’m sure Oliver would feel the same. He needs some friends other than those strays he plays with sometimes.” Tilting her head, she looked over at Bishnal again. “Would you? I’m surprised that with all the times you’ve visited that you haven’t met him yet. I’ll make sure to introduce you to him next time. If you’ll play fetch with him too, he’ll adore you. Actually, he likes attention, period.”

The redness hadn’t really left Bishnal’s face, clashing with his light blue hair. To add to the strangeness of it all, it seemed that he was avoiding looking at her. Or maybe she was imagining things. But she sensed that she wasn’t. “Ah— Bishnal, are you feeling alright? I didn’t think it was too hot today, but I wouldn’t want the heat to get to you or anything.” Luna peered at his face more carefully, leaning forward a bit. “I mean, you’re kinda really red.”

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Bishnal inhaled a few times, letting the oxygen flow through his lungs and soothe his nerves. He assured himself that this reaction wasn't too out of the ordinary. After all, he had been quite jumpy and anxious lately; as "alright" as he had described work to Luna, he was actually quite stressed. Another inspection was upcoming. He attributed his strange behavior to that fact.

"I'm feeling okay...! Fine! Great." He gripped the stick tightly in his hand as he flicked his gaze to the pinkette. She looked concern. He didn't like that he was worrying her that way. "Please d-don't worry a thing about me! It is rather hot, ah ha, but you know I h-have been, uh, not feeling at my best lately. It must be that, yes. Yes, indeed." 

Pull yourself together, Bishnal! Coughing, he stood and clucked his tongue at Grey. "Okay, buddy. Do you want to play again?" Hearing the bark of assent, the butler raised his right arm and flung the stick far across the courtyard. "Show Miss Luna how good you are!" he called, at last feeling the heat drain from his face.

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❣ barks and breaks

[lunathefashionista-deactivated2]

Laughter rang out from Luna’s lips. She was much too amused by the way Bishnal had reacted, not at all expecting such an animated response. Okay, maybe she did expect it a little bit, but the real result took the cake. 

She continued smiling after her laughter died down, and she nodded once. “Yup! The one and only♪.” Luna glanced down at the dog that had come up to her friend, carrying the very same stick she saw in the air earlier. And now it all made sense. “I came to visit you, silly.” She replied, setting her suitcase on the ground. Reaching up to adjust her hat, she continued on. “You’re always visiting me, so I thought it’d be nice to switch it up a little bit.”

Luna watched as Bishnal’s expression changed to one that she hadn’t quite been familiar with just yet. It made her laugh all over again to see such a goofy and sincere smile on his face. Crouching down, Luna looked over at Grey with a soft gaze, remembering her own little pup, Oliver, and how she hadn’t actually seen him in a long time. 

“I was in the city for work. Really busy and stuff. But I guess you can say everything went really well. So I’ve been good, in a nutshell. What about you? Working as this big ol’ palace isn’t too hard isn’t tiring you out, is it?” Luna reached out with her hand to pet the dog, hesitating only slightly. “Oh, and before I forget, what’s this little guy’s name? He’s a cutie, but I have to admit my Oliver is much, much cuter.”

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"I'm so glad you decided to visit! Truly!" His cheeks started to warm up as he chuckled and looked away from the girl, settling his gaze back on Grey. His fingers trailed across his pet's soft fur as he listened to Luna explain where she had gone.

"Wow, the city? Ah--yes! Now I do recall you had mentioned it...Uh, I th-think! Glad it went well though!" Bishnal nodded, then much to his bewilderment, his cheeks flushed even redder. Damn his annoying tendency to blush! "I'm not t-tired in the least! I'm going well, going stronger than ever, yes...Thank you for asking."

He beamed. As he did so, a weird feeling swelled in his chest. What was it? It made his heart flutter at an alarming rate--oh goddess, he couldn't afford to go to the doctor again!--and his head felt light. Watching Luna pet Grey was only making it worse...Why did she...they, she and Grey, have to look so adorable?

Bishnal scratched the back of his head and looked up at the sky, anywhere else but Luna's face. "Haha, well, Grey here is quite a charmer in his own right. I'm certain he'd love to meet your Oliver though. I know that I w-would!"

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❣ barks and breaks

[lunathefashionista-deactivated2]

Luna hummed to herself as she carried a small piece of luggage in her hands, swinging it a little with every step. She was surprisingly confident about where she was going, though this was the first time she’d ever been in the Selphia Kingdom. But the pinkette figured that there only really could be one royal palace. 

In reality, Luna had decided to come and visit Bishnal on a bit of a whim. Her time in the city was over, her work there all over and done with for the time being. And as much as she was dying to go back home and just enjoy Castanet with it’s charm, she thought she deserved to indulge in a little vacation. Besides, it was summer, wasn’t it? A perfect time to go and see a new place. 

Now that she walked up to the palace, Luna blinked, wondering where to go first. Right through the front doors? So casually? She hadn’t sent word that she was going to visit, so Bishnal might not even be here. “Hmm…”  Luna took a moment to think her decision over, bringing the tip of her index finger to her lips as she glanced up towards the very blue sky. 

It was then that she noticed something fly through the air— a stick. “Well that’s weird…” She murmured to herself, veering off the path towards one of the courtyards. A familiar figure that was facing away from her came into view, and a mischievous smile found its way to Luna’s face. She quietly snuck up on the blue haired butler, holding her breath until she was close enough to say, “Boo!“ 

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Bishnal took a moment to appreciate Grey's happy barking as he took off to fetch the stick. There were few living creatures the butler loved more than his dog, few living creatures like Grey who loved him back unconditionally.

He brought his hands up to form a few encouraging claps when a noise rang in his ears. It was a simple boo!, but it had him jumping a foot into the air.

"Ah!" Bishnal turned around, dizzy and confused. "Who--what--?"

His eyes widened at the sight. The source of the sound was his good friend, Luna, her pink pigtails bouncing and a mischievous smile on her face. He blinked at her before it occurred to him to offer a proper greeting.

"Luna!" he exclaimed as Grey returned with the stick, nipping at his ankles when he didn't respond immediately. "H-Hello! What are you doing here? It's so great to see you! Where've you been? How have you been?!" The biggest, goofiest smile spread on his face as he finally remembered his dog and bent to pat Grey's head, all the while staring up at Luna in awe. 

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❣ barks and breaks

For Bishnal, steward-in-training extraordinaire, break time in the usual, stuffy workday meant taking off his jacket and picking up a sizeable stick. With this stick in hand, he'd whistle to his scruffy dog, Grey, and they headed to the empty courtyard to play. Volkanon allowed this activity to take place as long as Grey didn't "dip his mangy coat of fur in the pristine fountain" or "contaminate the waters with his muck."

To those words Bishnal took slight offense, because he kept Grey squeakyclean, thank you very much, but at the same time he was relieved at his mentor's generosity. The courtyard, on busy days, had ambassadors or messengers passing through--none of whom would approve of a young man playing fetch with his dog in the middle of them.

Today, the butler was allowed to throw the stick to his heart's content, for the yard was totally empty. He had a silly grin on his face as he rolled up his sleeves and bent down to stroke Grey's fur.

"I've got a few treats for you after this," he whispered as the dog yapped. Then Bishnal stood and held the stick up high, tossing it several meters away.

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Why's there so much dust in this room?

[Shakes head resolutely.] What happened here? Did a dust storm blow through and contaminate every single surface? [Sighs.]

I better get down to work.