driftfleet | video

Entry tags:

video

Who: Undertaker and ERRYONE
Broadcast: All
Action: Goldstone
When: After calibrations/shuffle

[Welcome to the parlor. Or at least, it would be the parlor if it was back in his home. Either of the ones before. For now, it's just Undertaker's modest little abode on the good ship Goldstone, not too unlike many of yours who stand witness to it now. Maybe he'll add to it over time. He has heard audiences like to get to know people, and what better way to do so than to personalize?]

[Alas. Without much means to add such customizations (yet) you get only to see his smiling face, complete with the scar crossing right over it. How's that for unique?]

We're a lively bunch here, aren't we? Starting things off with a bang, visiting people in their past lives with or without them knowing. Just like the good old days, back in the academy. [There's a giggle, one which might or might not put a shudder down spines. He's an... unusual git and he knows it, complete with the mortician's facade and, some might recognize, the overly cockney accent.]

Ah, we're going to get along just fine, I think. Too bad they've not made use of the smarts I was given, [He flicks a hand.] lab support or something other, bandages I suppose. Wouldn't be much use to me anyway, but you'll find me on the Goldstone, should you have need of my assistance. Look for Undertaker.

[And, with a tip of his hat, the video feed ends.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He knows Undertaker would probably revive him, he knows he wouldn't take any risks with him. It would be as if nothing happened.]

I suppose it doesn't sound it. It's still awful sounding, I'd hate it. I'm not sure which sounds worse, staying on as a reaper or as the Queen's Watchdog.

Eh. [He shrugs a shoulder and folds his fingers under his chin, elbows propped on the arms of the chair. It's not as comfortable as it sounds, even leaning over.]

No, I suppose not. It wouldn't be a far stretch to say I'm a bit jaded over it all. Luckily you won't have to find out yourself, not here or now. But rest easy knowing should you have to, I'll know where to find you.

[Both reaping and going back to serving the queen after a year being able to be himself, not having to clean up messes that displease her, he would hate to lose that.]

I'll hold you to that, I hope you know. I'm sure you'll never have to though. I've been happy this last year.

[A soft hum, wiggling his fingers.] Mm. You've seemed it. I don't think I've seen you this content with yourself since before the fire. Who knows? Maybe this world and its strangeness will have something to make your life complete.

I think you might be right.

[Those days before the fire had been some of the happiest in his life. The worst he had suffered was from small illnesses and his asthma. Sometimes the odd blow to his self-esteem.] I'm not sure that this place will though. I'd rather our little cottage back.

[That hand settles back down to his lap.] And that. I do miss the smell of the place and the way that it felt. Even in the winter, we could still warm it better than this, but the blankets are thick. If you need, I can wrap you in one while you're here.

It was warm and cozy. [There's a pause and just a little, wistful, sigh.] It was home. It felt more like home than England had in a long time.

[That does make him smile.] They aren't as nice as ours were but I won't say no when it gets chilly.

[That drags at his heart, hearing the longing in that tone.] Oh, my lord. It'll be hard to adjust. It always is. I think we've seen that by now. But you're here now, and I'm with you, for what comfort it is. Maybe this is better than our old home in some way we haven't seen yet. Try to give it a little time. Please?

It's a great comfort, actually. Being here alone, I think it could have been absolutely unbearable. [His first meetings with a couple people on the Marsiva had been a little tense. They had calmed but he wasn't good at meeting new people in stressful situations.]

I suppose I can try, at least.

There's a good lad. [Okay, now he can't deal with that face. He stands from his seat and goes to plant himself on the edge of the bed beside the boy.]

You'll do just fine. You always have, even when things were at their worst.

[He moves to settle beside Undertaker when he sits on the bed, leaning a little.]

I've never actually been on my own though. Even back in Riverview, you were close by. And when I lost my memories, or when my roommate moved out suddenly, you were there.

[The leaning is always welcome. He never has turned the boy away from this.]

You aren't alone here either. I'm only a familiar face, but I'd be willing to bet you can make other faces here familiar to you soon enough. When have we ever not had an odd set of circumstances?

[He's going to be stuck for a bit.]

You are a familiar face, one I'm grateful to have with me. [His eyes close and his lets out a little breath before smiling and looking back up at him.] And maybe, we'll see. We both might. Our lives are generally odd compared to most so... I think we'll make friends.

[Then he's stuck for a bit. Oh, the horror.]

Friends, eh? If we're here long enough. We were in the old place for somewheres about a year, wasn't it? Why don't we set down roots a little deeper this time?

[Whatever will he do?]

About a year, mhm. [He looks up at him, a little surprised. And maybe a little hopeful. Just a little though, he's still not sure how much he likes being here.] Do you think we'll like it enough?

[Sit here and endure his being leaned against like an adult.]

Can't say we will. I do like knowing what to do with all of this technology, though I suppose that may come with us if we get pulled into another world. I don't rightly enjoy being on display for the worlds to see, but as long as I know you're here with me and safe, well... Not much more I can rightly ask for, is there?

I can't say I like it any better. If I wanted to be in any spotlights, I'd have made myself part of the Phantom Five rather than drag Edward or Soma into it. [They both know how well that had turned out for the latter. Edward had simply gotten an earful from Francis.]

I'm not sure I could be safer with you here. Whatever kind of trouble would I find myself in if you weren't? [Really. Sebastian had always enjoyed pointing out that he had a talent for finding trouble.]

[He's far too used to having this boy as his ward, even after so short a time in his unnaturally long life. There's nothing to be said for it, no words could correctly express, but he knows he does love the Earl. That isn't more apparent to him at any time than those like these, when he remembers all over again that there isn't anything he wouldn't give up for the boy.]

How can you say that, the Earl of a grand estate back in England? You're in a spotlight whether or not you want it. [He's teasing, but still.] Ah, but I suppose those days might well be long past, aren't they? If we do go back, it won't be the same. Though I do guess we'll be having tea in my parlor or one of your sitting rooms more often.

[Well, doesn't that just make him blush a little. He's not wrong, most everyone on the estate knows who he is just by being the head of the family. Not that he can claim as much now, he'd seen his brother before heading off to Riverview.]

It's not exactly the same though. [The blush fades a little.] Not like the Phantom Five or this place.

[And then he shakes his head.] You might be stuck with me if we do go back. I'm not sure I could go back to the estate, or being Watch Dog, or anything more than the founder of Funtom. Would your parlor have space for me? Or should I look for some apartment nearby?

[Not that the boy didn't have a point. He knows what Ciel means and takes that moment to consider what was said.]

That brings up something I've been avoiding with you, and I think you've been avoiding with me. Should we continue and put this off, or would you like to risk ruining an otherwise decent evening and get this conversation out of the way?

[As much as he'd like to just enjoy the evening, relax, he knows they might just keep putting things off. They enjoy their peace together too much to do otherwise.]

When have we ever let our evenings be completely ruined? [He asks slowly but the opening is there.]

[He hasn't been looking forward to this, knowing what might come after. But they couldn't just keep pretending it had never happened. He lifts a hand to settle on the boy's shoulder.]

Not often these days. Isn't like what we used to know, but I think I can safely say we don't want to return to that life.

[Still, he hesitates. Only a moment more.] Your brother was there in the manor. I know you remember that. What's been in your head surrounding that time?

[He just slowly shakes his head. Going back to their old lives, to England, he can't claim it appeals to him anymore. In their first few months in Riverview, he'd wanted nothing more. And then he's settled into a pattern, made friends, grew attached to Undertaker.

And then that question. His head drops a little.]

Nothing pleasant... With Ciel back... Nobody would want his spare around. And I know I'll end up in trouble for deceiving the crown.

[The thumb on Ciel's shoulder takes to rubbing over the cloth one way and the other and back again. All until Ciel wants it to stop.]

Oh, my lord, why do you think no one would want you around? I know he isn't here to speak for himself, but I can assure you, your twin's intent behind it all was to protect you. As was mine. There was no easy way to do this, given your circumstances, but I don't blame you for your anger.

[He definitely doesn’t want it to stop. It’s calming and keeps him from slipping to far down a rabbit hole of self-deprecation.]

Why wouldn’t I? Who really ever cared about Ciel’s twin? Who really asked after me as more than an afterthought of Ciel? When Lizzie would sit with me during his fencing lessons, the instant he was done or hurt, she was at his side, even if we were in the middle of talking. Nobody asked after the younger twin when I returned, all that mattered was the heir. Even Aunt An... Ciel was everyone’s favorite. Even mine.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject