BAM!

"Third time this week," Sebastian mumbled to himself as he ran into the kitchen. "Third time this week, and it's only Monday."

The chafed butler slammed open the kitchen doors. "Baldroy! How many times do I need to tell you; dynamite shall not be used while preparing the Master's tea!"

"Sorry, sir," Baldroy coughed. The kitchen, what was left of it, was completed covered in ash, and Baldroy stood in the epicenter, holding a burnt tray in one hand and a flamethrower in the other. "You see, Sebastian, it's so much quicker-"

"Clean this up, now, before the earl sees what a mess you've made. I'll finish the tea."

Baldroy's flamethrower was replaced with a broom, and he belligerently went to work on the devastated workplace. As Baldroy swept up the ashes into a neat pile to toss away later, Sebastian was silently preparing Ceil's afternoon tea.

"Bastard," Baldroy whispered under his breath.

"Pardon?"

Baldroy had forgotten about Sebastian's super-sensitive hearing. "I'm sick of you always insulting my cookin'."

"Do I?"

"Stop playing dumb, Sebastian! You know you think you're a better cook than me! An', you know what, you're not the best butler in the world, either!"

That caught his attention. Sebastian placed the saucer and tea on the table and gave Baldroy a death glare only a demon would be able to master. "Baldroy, there is one thing you don't seem to be clear on... and that is, I am one hell of a butler."

"Are you?" he challenged. "What is it you do, again? Tie the master's neckerchief and make sure he's in bed on time?"

"It's more difficult than you think."

"I can butler! Much better than you, might I add!"

"Fine." Sebastian took off his black jacket and handed it to Baldroy. His eyes were open in shock as he received the valued piece of clothing.

"You did mean it, didn't you?"

"Sebastian! What is taking him so long? Sebastian!"

Baldroy sprinted into Ceil's study. "Yes.. Master?..." he gasped, trying to collect his breath.

"Where's Sebastian?" Ceil demanded.

"He's in the kitchen. We're switchin' positions for the day, aye?"

Ceil closed his eyes as his hand went to his forehead.

"Anything you need, my lord?" Baldroy asked.

"Why, Baldroy?"

"'E kept insulting my cooking."

"Go get Sebastian."

"But-"

"GO GET SEBASTIAN!"

Mey-Rin and Finnian were finishing up their evening chores just as the sun was setting that evening. Neither of them had seen Baldroy all day, and they were both slightly worried, but had other tasks to keep them occupied.

Now that the day was over, however, Mey-Rin and Finny were completely curious to the whereabouts of their fellow servant. They were sitting out in the garden relaxing for the last hour of the day and discussing their theories.

"He's probably in the kitchen, 'e is," Mey-Rin suggested, "Maybe there was another... er, accident, and he's still cleaning up?"

"You think we should help him?" Finny asked as he stroked Pluto. The human-dog was curled up on in the grass, stark naked, except for a silvery blue collar he wore around his neck. Finny loved the house pet. Ever since they found the animal and took him home, it was his job to keep care of the demon hound, and so far, Finny had done an excellent job.

"That disgusting creature's nothing but trouble, 'e is. And 'e smells, 'e does."

Unfortunately, not everyone at the manor found Pluto as irresistible as Finny did.

"Good evening, Mey-Rin, Finnian."

Finny screamed and Mey-Rin jumped on instinct. Standing behind them, smiling, was Sebastian. He held a plate for Mey-Rin and one for Finnian. "I thought you might like to try my latest creation."

"Oi, you scared me, Sebastian, you did," Mey-Rin said, adjusting her glasses.

"Yeah, me too," Finny agreed. They each took a plate of food from Sebastian and tasted it. After his first bite, Finny took three more, stuffing his face to full capacity.

"Wow, Sebastian," he said, crumbs spilling from his mouth, "This is great!"

"It is!" Mey-Rin said, taking another bite of the delicious dish. "Why don't you start cooking for us, Sebastian?"

"I believe that's Baldroy's job." Sebastian pulled a dog treat from his pocket and gave it to Pluto, who wagged his bottom end as if saying "thank you."

"Baldroy... Do you know where he is, Sebastian?"

"He should be joining us soon."

On cue, Baldroy came running into the garden area, with a deranged Ceil hanging from his shoulders. "Alright, alright! Sebastian, you were right!"

Baldroy reached the group just in time for Ceil to jump off his shoulders, causing Baldroy to topple on his face into the grass. The rest of the group studied the scene for a moment, wondering what should be done.

"So, Sebastian," Finny asked, "What else is on the menu for tonight?"