I hate asking favours (Sebastian) - Creator's Workshop

She'd sent him a text message, asked if he'd be up for talking her back at the workshop, that he could go in through the side door to the backyard and up through the back door.
The door to the tiny apartment would be open, as would of course the downstairs back door be. The place, as was pretty common, was tidy, cozy and smelling of black tea. Teddy liked tea.

It wasn't far to go from the club to the workshop. In 20 minutes, he was coming up the back steps as indicated and there came a soft knock on the door.

The sound of footsteps could be heard from inside, quickly followed by the door being opened by the blond, clad in a tank top and a pair of slightly worn sweat pants, obviously work clothes.
"Hey, thanks for coming Seb. Wanna come in?" she asked, leaving the door open for him as she moved back towards the kitchen corner. "I got some tea brewing, though I got coffee as well. Can I get you anything?"

"Tea, if it's not too much trouble," he gave her a smile as he entered, taking his hat off as he did. "You okay?"

"I got plenty of tea, it's no problem, really" she smiled, disappearing around the corner and into the kitchen where she set about fixing him some tea, filling up the tea pot with hot water and picking out an assortment of various tea so he choose his favourite.
"I'm alright, alright enough anyways" the blond said as she moved about. "Listen... I know you're, in the eyes of our society, Griselda's. So I can't really ask you favours. But, I need to explain this and I can't explain it to Aaron or Phillip so, it kinda has to go through you"

She picked out a cup and placed it on the kitchen table along with the tea pot of hot water and an assortment of tea, as well as lemon, milk and sugar.
"Have a seat if you want"

The man took a seat, watching Teddy with a sense of curiosity. He picked up a tea bag, Earl Gray, and went about putting it into a cup and pouring the water over it to let it steep.

"I'm listening. And I'll do what I can."

"Long story short. I might have to get out of town soon" yeah she didn't like it but, there it was as she sat down on the other side of the table. "I' not going to leave-leave. But PSL is part of what is called a Domain, an if I loose my Court position, basically someone wants my vampire job, I don't wanna be situated within the Domain" she rested her elbows on the table, her fingers finding the chain to her dog tag. Or rather, Medwyn's dog tags.
"I got a house, a home... but my boyfriend isn't currently living with me there. I was hoping, if it does come to this, and I think it will, that maybe I could ask you guys to drop by my house now and then? Look after my garden for me... I dunno, I figured I could tell Aaron and Phillip I'd be going away for business for a while... cover it up that way" she threw a brief look around.
"I'd be selling this place if that happens"

"I'm sure my cousins would be willing to tend the garden and look after the house," he nodded. But he frowned, looking a bit disappointed.

"Why would someone else taking your position make you leave? What, is it a death sentence or something? Or is it just... embarrassment? What is it, Teddy?"

"Well, that's funny part... I don't want my job. I really don't. I accepted it because the Prince asked it of me and I consider him a friend. He... considered me family" yeah, past tense on that. "But the woman who does want it? She's... dangerous. And from what I've been told about her she's also the type with friends who remove trouble that get in her way. She'd be given a lot of power socially speaking, and in vampire society, social power, the power to say who has status and who's to be ripped on, is an important one" she chewed on her lip as her fingers continue to play with the dog tags. "I'm a Caitiff. I don't belong to a Clan which puts me at the bottom of the food chain. I'm not on her good side, which makes me more of a target. And she is quite possibly the most ungrateful, self centered being I have met though she is able to somewhat disguise it with playing things off as jokes or misunderstandings"
Teddy sighed.
"I'm fighting it, but, I reckon I will lose, and when that happens, I won't hang around to be stepped on or.. worse"

"So it's survival," he nodded, seeming to understand that sentiment. "But if you already feel as if you will lose, why fight it? Principle? And why does the Prince no longer feel you are family?"

"Principle. And because I've already disappointed the Prince once... I might not be the best at my job, but to simply roll over and hand it over to someone like her?" the blond shook her head. "She's out for herself, the Domain is worse off with her in a seat of power and once there, I doubt anyone will be able to remove her. My best friend has already gotten out of town and will no doubt stay out if I lose my job. I've tried, I've tried, and if I'm to go out, then I'll go out fighting and not as the push over she seem to think me to be" Teddy looked up at him. "The Prince didn't inform me that he'd be supporting her if she could raise the support to get the position... he's said nothing. Not one word to me... I've disappointed him once already... I guess I've done so again" the pain and the shame visible in her eyes, which was why she looked away again.

Sebastian looked saddened by this.

"I should have taken the blue pill," he cleared his throat as he took a sip of the tea. "Maybe you need to talk to the prince, then? Doing something on principle is all well and good. But you have to want to win it, to keep it, you know what I mean? If you're already sure that the worst is going to happen, it usually does. If she's as bad as you say she is-- which I don't doubt your judgment," she'd never given him reason to, of course, "then fight it and want it and do everything in your power to keep it. If anyone even thinks for a second that you don't want it or you don't have confidence, that's when you'll get walked all over."

"I'm sorry...." she said softly. "I don't mean to trouble you, you know? But I don't want to lie or let you think I've just up and left, because you're my friend...." and to Teddy, that meant a lot.
"And I am fighting, I am doing everything that I possibly can. I've going as far as finding things to use against her" which he could probably tell wasn't Teddy's style really. "Thing is, I worry about everyone should she be given power. So for that, I am fighting. Because I can't stand the thought of people being put at her mercy. I don't want that. But the thing is, even if I want to win, want to do what is right, right doesn't always mean much in our society. She has the contacts, she has the status, she has the Clan. She has the social backing that makes her so dangerous...." she closed her fingers around the dog tags as if holding onto something.
"I am making my stand, but to do so without any kind of back up should it fall through? Now that's signing my own death sentence"

"I haven't decided yet... I can't go too far" her fingers tightened around the dog tag a bit more. "Just outside of the Domain borders I guess. I just... I just wanted to let you know, in case the worse comes to happen, so you wouldn't be caught off guard" though with that said.
"I'd still visit you if you want... I can get in and out of the club without anyone noticing, or disguise myself to pass as someone else. Assuming you'd be okay with that. I don't generally use any Disciplines unless needed to. And I wouldn't use them to get into the club unless given your permission"

"I'm hoping it doesn't happen... I don't want to leave..." she added in a whisper.

"You know we want you there," he shook his head as he placed the cup down onto the table. "You're always welcome there. And we'll watch the house and garden. There'll be no issue there. I just want you to be well and take care of yourself."

"Thank you...." her fingers finally let go of the old WW2 dog tags. "I really don't mean to worry you. But I wanted to give you a heads up just in case..." she said, offering him a slightly pained smile. Though she was trying not to be as big a drag she currently felt like.

"Teddy... Have you ever considered the idea of some sort of counseling?"

Yeah, he went there. Because that was... sort of his thing...

Sorry, the chuckle, perhaps a bit frustrated, perhaps a it surprised, just kind of escaped her as she looked at him.
"How on Earth would that help me?"

"I'm a better listener than I am at talking about my own problems" she said with a softly apologetic smile. "Besides... there are things that I don't feel I got the right to talk about.."

"That's a shame, it really is," though he nodded in understanding. "If you ever change your mind, let me know, alright?"

"Yeah.."
It was probably pretty clear to him that she didn't like weighing down her friends with her own problems.
"Thanks Sebastian" and still using that name, since that was what he had told her. "You're a good friend"

"You're welcome," he gave her a smile. "You will tell me before you leave, though, right?"

"Heh, well, yeah. I mean, I don't want you telling your cousins right away. I'd tell you if push comes to shove and I need to get out of Dodge" Teddy said, resting her arms on the table again. "But this way you'd be prepared for it" if it happened, when... it was probably when, it happened actually.
"Hey" soo not trying to change the subject. "Did I ever show you Diego?"