Making his list and checking it seven times twice

[belowcastle.livejournal.com]

Pryce has systematically been conducting inventory of the linens, china, crystal and silver since he was promoted from First Footman to Butler. He began with the linens, white damask, crisply starched, followed by the china (12 patterns), moved on to the crystal (Waterford, naturally) and today at last finally sits down with the silver. The strains of Mozart's Symphony #40 drift through the air thanks to the record player perched atop the upper cabinets. He's made the count, separated serving and eating utensils, lined them up by length (longest first) on the old farmer's table in the kitchens, has a goodly supply of silver polish and soft clean rags at hand and finally has donned white cotton gloves to begin his work in earnest.

No fires to put out. No last-minute surprises. No one to bother him, just the butler and his routines.

[Tag for Gideon, please?]

Comments

[belowcastle.livejournal.com]

That's what hand trolleys are for. Gideon loads the dolly with boxes as Leigh selects them, taking a moment to glance at the tinsel in question. He manages not to shudder. Tinsel. It gets everywhere. Still, it's to make the Little Miss happy, so he answers honestly enough.

"Far too long. I believe you will find a more suitable length in the box to the right of that one."

[allthesamemask.livejournal.com]

Back goes the tinsel before she transfers her attention to the other box. It's quite lovely, Gideon, don't make that face. "Oh! I know these are for the tree really, but can I take these baubles too?"

Cringe over the dust later, please.

[belowcastle.livejournal.com]

"Those ones there, yes." He hesitates a moment before turning and digging through a small box. "Ah! Thought they were here. Might I suggest these (http://tinyurl.com/czg9nz3) as well?"

[allthesamemask.livejournal.com]

She doesn't quite shriek at the sight, but there's a distinct squeal. She reaches for them a little, snatching her hands back when she remembers herself. "Yeah- yeah, she'll love those! 'M surprised you didn't use 'em already."

[belowcastle.livejournal.com]

"It's as good a way to surprise her with them as any. She can hang them where she wants after."

[allthesamemask.livejournal.com]

"All right. I'll put these right at the bottom, on the side so she won't find 'em too early." This requires shifting some boxes to put them into the bottom box. Worth it, no?

"Whatcha gonna do for Christmas, Pryce?"

[belowcastle.livejournal.com]

"Working, naturally, though I believe Cook has organized something called a White Elephant Exchange." Whatever that means. She'd assured him no real elephants were involved after he'd protested about the mess. "So we'll have our own celebration." And they'd be off on Boxng Day--his birthday--per normal.

[allthesamemask.livejournal.com]

"That sounds fun," Leigh says brightly, shutting the last box and setting it back. "That's where you give each other funny gifts, right? What're you getting for your giftee?"