The Hounds Of Hell Are Getting Closer

[littlest_lord]

Who: Ciel Phantomhive, Sebastian Michaelis, Claude Faustus, maybe Alois later later on idek.
When: September 15th
Where: Phantomhive Manor
Summary: Sebastian's back, and he's looking for his Young Master, naturally. Ciel isn't happy. If anything, he's absolutely furious. Claude is creeping, as usual.
Warnings: Ciel flipping his shit. Demons being

Comments

[ahumblebutler]

[Sebastian was anything anything but pleased as well. Upon locating and entering the mansion Ciel was in, he could sense quite a few things that were setting off alarms in his mind. Another demon like him, for one-- someone who lingered too close to the Young Master for his liking. A curious set of contracts different from his, but similar in foundation, for another. It seemed Ciel attracted those sorts of people wherever he went.

But above all else, he could sense Ciel's irritation-- nay, fury-- with him, and it seemed quite unwarranted, at least from his viewpoint. Sebastian could understand if he was angry with him for making him wait, but it seemed to extend something beyond that.

He narrowed his eyes. It made him very suspicious of what had gone on in this place when he was 'not here'. But he would get to the bottom of this mess. It wasn't as though he weren't used to handling the Young Master's tantrums, besides. Sebastian paused at Ciel's bedroom door, sensing the boy's pacing before knocking lightly.]

Young Master.

[littlest_lord]

[He wanted to hide under the bed.

Of course, there was no need to hide anywhere. There was no hiding from a demon that had claim on his soul. They were always connected by the contract, always feeling. Sebastian was always watching, always lurking and waiting. One couldn't hide from him. It was pointless.

Still, the desire remained when he heard the voice from outside his door remained. Even so, he resisted, willing himself to calm. There was no calm to be found, but it could be feigned, if only outwardly. Inside, Ciel was seething.

But no, he had to remain composed.

Not a word was muttered in reply as he sat down, a slice of untouched pie from one of Gilbert's resting on a plate. He kept it near him, as he moved to sit at the small tea table that was set up inside his lavish room. There was also a teacup, filled with hot steaming tea.

No, let Sebastian come to him. Let him come.

There was no answer - Ciel's mouth was full with a forkful of pie. It was impolite to speak with a mouth full of pie, was it not?]

[ahumblebutler]

[Ten seconds went by, and then Sebastian deemed it polite enough to enter, doing so silently. The first thing he noted was that Ciel was younger than the Young Master he had left on the Campania-- the subtle, softer lines in his face were as clear to him as the day. It was strange to realize, but it didn't change the fact that this was the Young Master-- albeit changed from his experiences here.

That was probably the disconcerting part, though. Not knowing what the Young Master had gone through here. In England he had such a tight rein over him-- and now everything was thrown to the wind. He had to tidy up loose ends so that everything was just so.

And that started with getting Ciel to stop wanting to cower away from him, amusing as it was to feel Ciel's sudden uncertainty.

Yes, he had certainly changed...deviated from what he would become. He needed to get him back on track.

He steps up to the desk and bows from the waist.]

[littlest_lord]

[It was tempting to want to throw the pie at Sebastian, really it was. But the demon wasn't worth Gilbert's pies and the decision was quickly made to throw the china teacup straight at his head.

It was whipped then, as he chewed and swallowed the pie in his mouth. Ciel wanted Sebastian to melt. To burn and scar.

If only.

He didn't stand from his little tea table in his and Alois' bedroom. No, he sat quietly, still tending to his pie. He wouldn't speak yet. He had to find words first.]

[ahumblebutler]

[...well! He'd been expecting that sort of response, but it didn't make it any less childish. Sebastian sidestepped the hot liquid before reaching up to catch the teacup before it shattered on the ground, training his eyes on the boy.]

Do be careful with the china, Young Master.

[littlest_lord]

[Fork still in hand, it was only a second longer after Sebastian's words that he stabbed the tips of the utensil into the table and was on his feet.]

Shut up-!

[It was a yell, harsh if not high strung, as if someone had snapped tensed a rubber band in half.]

Why are you here again?! Haven't you better things to do than be here?

[ahumblebutler]

[Those words made him pause. He set the teacup down on the little table slowly, carefully turned its handle so it was positioned just so. There was a dangerous edge in that precision, and it was reflected in the way he softly, lowly answered.]

I didn't realize you didn't want me here, my lord. Would you like me to leave the mansion? Or your employ, perhaps?

[littlest_lord]

[It was only becoming worse. Tiny fists trembled before he pushed everything off the table, onto the floor, even Gilbert's pie. Everything disgusted him. Sebastian disgusted him. He himself disgusted him. Everything was gross and terrible and his head was pounding.]

Shut up! You're useless!

[Worked up. Terribly so. Yelling. He was already a mess. Fingers went to his eyepatch, tearing it off his face. It stung to try and look at Sebastian with that eye. Everything was dizzying. Hazy.]

Does our contract mean absolutely nothing to you? Is it some sort of joke? Something you can use to manipulate and lead me around by the nose with?! Is that all? Do you think I'm some idiotic dog you can drag blindly around on a leash, Sebastian?!

[ahumblebutler]

[Sebastian's own pentagram throbs in reaction to Ciel's, but he doesn't move, only staring at the boy straight on.]

I could ask you the same things, Young Master. What exactly is it that you expect of me here? To suddenly question my being here when you know that there isn't anywhere else I should be...are you hiding something from me?

[littlest_lord]

[The words sounded like mockery in his ears. Of course, it technically wasn't Sebastian's fault for not having a clue as to what was happening. He hadn't any memories. But that still did nothing to quell the anger or dull the sting Ciel felt for having been abandoned twice, much less told of future plans his supposed demon was supposed to partake in. An accusing finger was jabbed in Sebastian's direction as Ciel's voice became shrill and uneven.]

Don't make me laugh! There isn't anywhere else you should be except by my side and yet you've left it twice!

past tense, i don't need no stinking past tense.

[stabilimentum]

[That creepy-crawly feeling pervading the manor intensifies, without warning, all at once, like there's been some sort of silent seismic reaction. Everything ambient--underfoot, in the air--solidifies and spikes with the worst sort of darkness that rivals Sebastian's (or maybe it's worse). Tens, hundreds, even thousands of tiny disturbances are reacting in tandem, closing in on this bedroom; every spider is just so eager to see what happens next.

Claude Faustus steps out from behind Ciel's chair as though he's been there all along. Calmly, coolly, not missing a beat, he moves so close that they're almost touching. With his left hand--pale, bare, black fingernails, contract seal--he touches the front of Ciel's chin, nearly caressing it. He pauses, then, poised like this, and looks up from the top of Ciel's head to Sebastian's confused, irritated face. It's the best, Claude thinks. Just like that. Perfection

lol actually i'm used to present tense too but i followed ciara -SWITCHES-

[ahumblebutler]

[The energy that suddenly swirls up around them puts him on edge, his eyes narrowing to slits. That aura. That lurking, crawling sensation...

Him.

Sebastian bristles at the sight of Claude, but when the other demon touches Ciel, he practically growls, the sound nearly inaudible and low in his throat. What was he doing here? Why was he--

His voice is tight but controlled when he answers. Always controlled. Clearly he is in the wrong right now. He must tread lightly until he can figure out what is going on.]

Thank you for the welcome. Perhaps you could explain to me what I clearly do not understand, since the Young Master is too upset with me to do so.

I FUCK EVERYONE OVER OBVS what are tenses

[littlest_lord]

[The creeping touch, the lurking presence, it freezes Ciel in spot as Claude's spidery fingertips ghost over his face. There's no time to react when Claude's palm covers his eye. He's still and silent, like a stunned little starling before he flutters back into fury, slapping the hand away, stumbling back from Claude, putting distance between himself and them both.]

Don't touch me. [It's low, but with a tremor.] Both of you.

it's okay ciara i still love you

[stabilimentum]

[Claude doesn't try to stop Ciel from getting away from him, although his fingertips are left tingling with the need to touch him more. This scene is similar enough to feel nostalgic, which is pleasing and a little bit disappointing. If only, if only Claude could've twisted the tiny lord into trusting him exclusively and explicitly again. Still such a proud, reckless, defenseless soul...

And not so impossible to tame is the meaning of his amused smile at Sebastian.]

Is it not obvious to you? [he asks patronizingly, adjusting his glasses and then one of his gloves. Anger festers under his amusement: Sebastian doesn't remember him.] The young master has lived here in Siren's Port for more than an entire calendar year. In that time, his contract with you has been flagrantly and repeatedly violated by you. This includes invalidation in the form of desertation, which you yet again claim to have no knowledge of.

Sebastian Michaelis, you continue to confirm my long-standing beliefs that your disobedience makes you unfit to be a

[ahumblebutler]

I've no concern as to what you believe of me.

[His voice is sharp and cold as he keeps his eyes on Ciel. Always on Ciel.]

The Young Master's opinion is all that I require, so I would like to hear it from his own lips, and not yours.

[He pauses, and then minutely relaxes. Allows himself to look like the butler that Ciel knows-- should know.]

So if you please, my lord.

[littlest_lord]

Why should I waste my breath repeating what he's said?

[Harsh and bitter, sharp and cold. These were the qualities Ciel's words possessed as he stood.]

I fear any order I give you will simply fall on deaf ears.