Don't try to move on your own anymore. Who knows how much worse you've made the injury already.
[It's actually impressive that Ciel managed to get up here on his own. Sebastian would be touched if he could feel such things. But right now he needs to keep the boy from spiralling into mental chaos.]
You can't. There isn't a way. There is no evidence that we were even on the ship at all.
[Perhaps one would take the physical beating they've endured as evidence of an absence, but as far as Sebastian can tell, no real time has lapsed at all. He's seen enough tricks of the Mist to find random memory implantation and the manifestation of wounds to be possible side effects as well.]
Perhaps it was not even real.
[Although instinctively he wants to say it was. It felt real, and Sebastian does not have the human failing of dreams or hallucinations. But time and again this world has proven to him that it is more powerful than he is. If the Forge can invade his mind like any other's, and if toxins and going underground can cut off his powers, it's entirely possible the place can play with his perception just as easily as Ciel's.]
[Ciel does return his gaze to Sebastian, his eyes now wide in surprise and confusion.] How could you say something like that? Of course it was real! Can you really deny everything that's happened to us recently, just because we've returned to this... this place...!
[Now, the boy shakes not with panic, but with anger. There's an unexplainable hatred for Anatole that is now pumping through his veins. To think that after everything that happened, is still happening, on that cursed ship... that he would be brought back...]
We were back there, Sebastian. There's no question of it. And if you think otherwise, then you've spent far too much time in this place.
[Then, as if to spite him, Ciel moves to get to his feet again.]
[Sebastian endures the outburst, but when Ciel tries to stand again he's had enough. His master's protection comes first, and if this allowed to continue Ciel will probably hobble off into the Ruins on some delusion-fuelled quest.
So he reaches out and slaps the boy across the face. It feels wonderful, to finally extract vengeance for the ring hand incident. He grits his teeth against the pain the movement has caused, but it's undoubtedly worth it.]
Get a hold of yourself. There is nowhere to go. I'm not denying the possibility that it was real, but it's unwise to believe it blindly, either. Have you thought that perhaps this is exactly what someone or something here wants us to think? This world is a trap, young master, and it is my responsibility not to let you fall victim to it.
[Because, of course, the only trap Ciel can succumb to is his own.]
Now sit down before I am forced to incapacitate you myself. A young lady saw me on the Forge, and she is coming to help.
[Ciel is quite literally stunned when he receives the blow, and doesn't stop himself from sinking back into a sitting position afterward. For a moment, he's back in the beginning of their partnership, with Sebastian grabbing him by the face and chastising him for his behavior. Or having his hands whipped for incorrect Latin translations. Yes, as much as he was there to follow orders, Sebastian knew what was best for them both. Usually.
Mutely, he averted his gaze again, and the pain returned to stab at his leg.]
... I suppose.
[It's vague, but that's how he wants it to be. Passing over the rest of the conversation entirely, he jumps right to the mention of a young lady over the Forge. He dislikes the idea of their privacy being breached at such a crucial moment, but they both do need help...]
[Action] poor Cielface demon_andbutlerDecember 19 2011, 01:47:22 UTC
[Sebastian nods in satisfaction when Ciel sits again. One less thing to be concerned with, for the moment. Although they certainly had a lot of their new-found memories to sort through, once their immediate situation was taken care of.]
Her name is Chrome Dokuro. She is your age, but she seemed concerned and eager to help, so perhaps she possesses some power of her own. Refusing aid seemed foolish, especially after... how much I believe of our adventure has been broadcast.
[Might as well say it now. It's the breach of privacy Sebastian has always worried might happen. But if there are people offering help and not trying to perform exorcisms, things could always be worse.]
[There is only a polite knocking on the window, before whatever latch keeping it closed is jimmied and popped open, and in comes the very person they'd been discussing.
She holds her little pack in her hands, hugged to her chest and automatically gives a cursory glance around the room to check for enemies, traps, etc. Her good eye looks to the blood on the floor, to Sebastian, and she takes a few steps towards him before Ciel catches her eye.
A moment of hesitation follows before Chrome bows, low and polite to the boy, before straightening]
You must be Ciel-san. My name is Chrome. Please forgive my intrusion and my unusual entrance, but I feel the nature of this puts formality rather low on the list of priorities.
[Ciel does a double-take when the young woman in question appears at the window. He's surprised, to say the least, and waits until she's made her introduction before doing anything. Then, he blinks, and shakes his head.]
[Sebastian bows his head slightly in greeting to Chrome. He won't even inquire about how she managed to climb into a third floor window.]
Yes, forgive us, I had hoped the two of you would meet under better circumstances.
[He pauses for a moment, really just because he's not used to being put before his master... especially not by his master. He'd find it funny if they weren't in another's company. If the blow hasn't already killed him he should eventually be fine, given his own regenerative properties. But too much self-deprecation would probably just be suspicious, so he won't argue.]
The young master has hurt his leg as well. If you can see to that when you're done with me, I would be grateful.
Looking worse for wear? [Chrome fills in for Ciel, eying Sebastian.]
I'll be able to fix this. It's-- [She hesitates, unsure of how to explain.] It's probably easier if I just show you what I can do. What I can do is, erm, hard to explain.
I'll fix Ciel-san's leg too. [Her gaze goes to it, assessing, and she nods. If she can create and keep up illusion organs, she can illusion together a working leg.] Yes, I can take care of that too.
When I'm done, the two of you will be good as new, I promise.
[Hard to explain? Ciel frowns slightly, suspicious. She seems nice enough, but he's never met the girl before, and he's not sure how much Sebastian knows of her, either. Personally, he had been expecting a doctor of some sort, but...]
I know you said it was hard to explain, but could you sum it up? I certainly do appreciate your help, but under the circumstances...
[His expression was that of someone at a loss, because although she had probably seen what they had gone through, the memories that had been broadcast were hard to explain in themselves. After all that, he was prone to be nervous around others.]
[Well, this is all news to Sebastian as well. He raises an eyebrow. Honestly, he has been expecting Chrome would slap on some bandages and he'd go about the business of healing on his own. Still, he doubts anything Chrome could do can hurt him worse than being impaled by a death scythe, so.]
I would not mind volunteering for Miss Dokuro's treatment, if you would like to use me for a demonstration.
[Get it, demonstration? ...But seriously.]
If you are not comfortable with it after that, young master, I could take you to the clinic instead.
Ah- Normally I don't, I wouldn't... do this, especially not with people not involved in-- [She shifts, rubbing her thumb over her Mist ring, mildly uncomfortable. There's no rules, technically, saying she can't.]
I'm an illusionist--a spell-caster or technique-user, depending on who you talk to. I can create Real Illusions, which can act directly on reality. [She looks to Ciel] With your leg, it'll be as good as new. You won't be able to tell the difference, you'll be able to walk on it just as you normally would until your leg heals naturally on its own. The same with Sebastian-san.
Unless my illusion is countered my another illusion, it's as good as healing. [She looks uncomfortable again] It works, and I can prove as much.
I-- Mm... My organs.. are made up of Real Illusions, because...I don't have any of my own. And I'm very much alive... as you can see.
[Ciel just nods mutely at the description. He really has no intention of offending this girl... after all, she's there to help. And he's encountered stranger, and less kind people in Anatole. He tries not to let his gaze drift to the eye patch on Chrome's face.]
I'm sorry for the trouble. I put my trust in you, then.
[And, in a rare moment, he offers her a small, reassuring smile.]
[Well, that all sounds... complicated. And here Sebastian thought Chrome had consumption. No organs at all was something entirely different. But if it's good enough for Ciel it's good enough for him.]
[The smile seems to surprise her, embarrassing her a little, but there's a small answering smile and she nods.]
Sebastian-san, I'll start with you. Even if you appear to be doing alright. [You should really be dead or something, man, but Chrome's seen stranger.]
You don't have to do anything in particular. [Her good eye examines the blood, and slowly it begins to fade. The blood disappears; bones, muscles, skin, stitching back together until there's no trace left of a wound. Even his clothing has been meticulously fixed and made perfect.
A soft exhale is the only sign of exertion from the young girl.]
You can touch it, you won't feel anything. Once you're fully healed on your own, the illusions will fade.
Don't try to move on your own anymore. Who knows how much worse you've made the injury already.
[It's actually impressive that Ciel managed to get up here on his own. Sebastian would be touched if he could feel such things. But right now he needs to keep the boy from spiralling into mental chaos.]
You can't. There isn't a way. There is no evidence that we were even on the ship at all.
[Perhaps one would take the physical beating they've endured as evidence of an absence, but as far as Sebastian can tell, no real time has lapsed at all. He's seen enough tricks of the Mist to find random memory implantation and the manifestation of wounds to be possible side effects as well.]
Perhaps it was not even real.
[Although instinctively he wants to say it was. It felt real, and Sebastian does not have the human failing of dreams or hallucinations. But time and again this world has proven to him that it is more powerful than he is. If the Forge can invade his mind like any other's, and if toxins and going underground can cut off his powers, it's entirely possible the place can play with his perception just as easily as Ciel's.]
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[Now, the boy shakes not with panic, but with anger. There's an unexplainable hatred for Anatole that is now pumping through his veins. To think that after everything that happened, is still happening, on that cursed ship... that he would be brought back...]
We were back there, Sebastian. There's no question of it. And if you think otherwise, then you've spent far too much time in this place.
[Then, as if to spite him, Ciel moves to get to his feet again.]
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So he reaches out and slaps the boy across the face. It feels wonderful, to finally extract vengeance for the ring hand incident. He grits his teeth against the pain the movement has caused, but it's undoubtedly worth it.]
Get a hold of yourself. There is nowhere to go. I'm not denying the possibility that it was real, but it's unwise to believe it blindly, either. Have you thought that perhaps this is exactly what someone or something here wants us to think? This world is a trap, young master, and it is my responsibility not to let you fall victim to it.
[Because, of course, the only trap Ciel can succumb to is his own.]
Now sit down before I am forced to incapacitate you myself. A young lady saw me on the Forge, and she is coming to help.
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Mutely, he averted his gaze again, and the pain returned to stab at his leg.]
... I suppose.
[It's vague, but that's how he wants it to be. Passing over the rest of the conversation entirely, he jumps right to the mention of a young lady over the Forge. He dislikes the idea of their privacy being breached at such a crucial moment, but they both do need help...]
Who was it?
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Her name is Chrome Dokuro. She is your age, but she seemed concerned and eager to help, so perhaps she possesses some power of her own. Refusing aid seemed foolish, especially after... how much I believe of our adventure has been broadcast.
[Might as well say it now. It's the breach of privacy Sebastian has always worried might happen. But if there are people offering help and not trying to perform exorcisms, things could always be worse.]
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She holds her little pack in her hands, hugged to her chest and automatically gives a cursory glance around the room to check for enemies, traps, etc. Her good eye looks to the blood on the floor, to Sebastian, and she takes a few steps towards him before Ciel catches her eye.
A moment of hesitation follows before Chrome bows, low and polite to the boy, before straightening]
You must be Ciel-san. My name is Chrome. Please forgive my intrusion and my unusual entrance, but I feel the nature of this puts formality rather low on the list of priorities.
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Yes, it's fine. Thank you for coming.
[He moves his gaze toward Sebastian, and frowns.]
Please, attend to him. He's...
[Well. Chrome can see for herself.]
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Yes, forgive us, I had hoped the two of you would meet under better circumstances.
[He pauses for a moment, really just because he's not used to being put before his master... especially not by his master. He'd find it funny if they weren't in another's company. If the blow hasn't already killed him he should eventually be fine, given his own regenerative properties. But too much self-deprecation would probably just be suspicious, so he won't argue.]
The young master has hurt his leg as well. If you can see to that when you're done with me, I would be grateful.
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I'll be able to fix this. It's-- [She hesitates, unsure of how to explain.] It's probably easier if I just show you what I can do. What I can do is, erm, hard to explain.
I'll fix Ciel-san's leg too. [Her gaze goes to it, assessing, and she nods. If she can create and keep up illusion organs, she can illusion together a working leg.] Yes, I can take care of that too.
When I'm done, the two of you will be good as new, I promise.
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I know you said it was hard to explain, but could you sum it up? I certainly do appreciate your help, but under the circumstances...
[His expression was that of someone at a loss, because although she had probably seen what they had gone through, the memories that had been broadcast were hard to explain in themselves. After all that, he was prone to be nervous around others.]
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I would not mind volunteering for Miss Dokuro's treatment, if you would like to use me for a demonstration.
[Get it, demonstration? ...But seriously.]
If you are not comfortable with it after that, young master, I could take you to the clinic instead.
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I'm an illusionist--a spell-caster or technique-user, depending on who you talk to. I can create Real Illusions, which can act directly on reality. [She looks to Ciel] With your leg, it'll be as good as new. You won't be able to tell the difference, you'll be able to walk on it just as you normally would until your leg heals naturally on its own. The same with Sebastian-san.
Unless my illusion is countered my another illusion, it's as good as healing. [She looks uncomfortable again] It works, and I can prove as much.
I-- Mm... My organs.. are made up of Real Illusions, because...I don't have any of my own. And I'm very much alive... as you can see.
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I'm sorry for the trouble. I put my trust in you, then.
[And, in a rare moment, he offers her a small, reassuring smile.]
And thank you, again, for all this.
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Yes, please... thank you, Miss Chrome.
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Sebastian-san, I'll start with you. Even if you appear to be doing alright. [You should really be dead or something, man, but Chrome's seen stranger.]
You don't have to do anything in particular. [Her good eye examines the blood, and slowly it begins to fade. The blood disappears; bones, muscles, skin, stitching back together until there's no trace left of a wound. Even his clothing has been meticulously fixed and made perfect.
A soft exhale is the only sign of exertion from the young girl.]
You can touch it, you won't feel anything. Once you're fully healed on your own, the illusions will fade.
[She turns to Ciel then, gesturing to his leg]
May I?
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