voice. → video.

[seposent]

[ there's a thud and rustle of pages, some scuffling, the familiar sound of darkness monsters-- and then a horrific, bloodthirsty roar, followed quickly by the shrieking of monsters--

and crunch. something spatters, squishes, cracks and breaks apart.

a voice, low and old and inhuman, a huge voice, echoing all around. ]

It has been so long.

[

Comments

[voice];

[snakeofaguy]

[Two things perk Snake's attention; the name that the young man utters through the feed, and the name that Gilbert whispers. Timidness is nowhere in his voice, but he keeps the video feed off just out of principle. This is Elliot's Leo. Nevermind the creature (there have been many in the house), all that matters is that someone important to Elliot is safe.]

Master Leo. [An automatic formality, held higher because of the assumed relationship with someone close to him.] 'Has someone taken you to safety? Even with a defense, the darkness is not somewhere for people to be,' says Wordsworth.

[voice];

[seposent]

[ there's a somewhat puzzled pause at the unfamiliar voice speaking his name-- and apparently speaking for someone else, as well. after a moment, though, he speaks up, himself, tone light and unconcerned. ]

I've met with a friend, and I'm safely out of the darkness, now. The concern is appreciated, though.

[voice];

[snakeofaguy]

[Ah, good. A small sigh of relief.]

'Elliot will be relieved to hear you are safe,' says Oscar.

[voice];

[seposent]

.. Yes.. I suppose he would be.

[ there's a long, quiet moment, but then he speaks up again. ] Who are Wordsworth and Oscar, if I can ask? And who are you?

[voice];

[snakeofaguy]

'He spoke fondly of you,' says Goethe.

'The one speaking is Snake, he is a servant of the Phantomhive house. Oscar and myself, among others, are his companions, we're snakes,' says Wordsworth.

[Getting better at explaining this.]

[voice];

[seposent]

[ he can't bring himself to talk about elliot right now, so for the moment-- he ignores that. he doesn't want elliot to speak fondly of him.

instead, he considers the explanation, surprised perhaps for a second before simply accepting it. he's accustomed to much stranger things, after all-- his whole existence is bizarre. ]

--Ah, I see. I apologize for the confusion, then, Wordsworth. Mister Snake and company, it's a pleasure to meet all of you-- such a meeting as it is, anyway.

[voice];

[snakeofaguy]

[Despite the dropped subject, the fact remains that this person is important to Elliot. Within the circus, it had always been about that connection alone. As long as they'd had each other, as long as they were important to one another (which they always were), nothing else mattered. Not past, or demeanor, or faults, or looks. Nothing. Family remained together. Family was everything, and family would always be welcomed. Likewise, anything to threaten the family would be eliminated or avoided.

It's a trained mindset of the circus. And it keeps everything else that the others are saying from changing his mind.]

'You don't have to apologize, Master Leo, Snake is glad you are safe,' says Wordsworth. 'Will you be coming to stay in the manor?'

[voice];

[seposent]

No. [ it's immediately, perhaps a little more abrupt than he would have liked it, but-- a moment later, and he softens his tone. ] I'm afraid not. I belong with my family, and my family are the other Baskervilles.

[voice];

[snakeofaguy]

[The immediate response doesn't rattle him. And the explanation makes it far more understandable.] 'Snake agrees. With family is where everyone belongs. Though he wishes to extend invitation to his Master's house if you do wish to oblige. Please tell him if you wish to come for tea, so that he might have it ready on your arrival,' says Webster.

[voice];

[seposent]

I'll be certain to do so. Thank you, Snake, Webster, everyone. The invitation is very kind.

[voice];

[snakeofaguy]

[There's a very long pause. The crashing and the commotion upstairs in the wake of Elliot's anger are enough to take him away from the conversation. It's hard not to ask, not to reach out and hope with everything in him that the kindness Elliot had spoken of from Leo, the connection that they'd had despite what those higher in the house had wanted or deemed fit... would ring true here as well...

But there's pain. And if he ignores the pain again, if he hesitates to call it out, to offer aid... Elliot might disappear. Just like Joker... and everyone else.]

'The invitation is only formality,' says Webster. 'After all...'

[Snake speaks on his own this time, absent of anything but conviction.] Family is kind to one another. [and so you deserve all of my kindness.]