018 // video/action for Azalea

[usedcalmmind]

[ The feed opens first to a very close-range teddy bear paw, which, when it departs, leaves the camera on Sebastian, lounging - yes, lounging - on his bed in the Azalea Town Inn. He's dressed down for the moment: jacket and vest gone, dress shirt just barely unbuttoned, gloves and tie apparently gallivanting off somewhere. He's on his side,

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[mosorgans]

[And who better to either improve that mood, or just make it worse?

She knocks on the door lightly before pushing it open, not bothering to wait for an asnwer.

Chrome stands there, her hair down from its pineapple style and dressed in her white summer dress; and for a long moment she says nothing, just watches him with her good eye.

She wonders if she should apologize... and she really has no idea why she's even there, unsure if she should stay or go for now.]

forever!

[usedcalmmind]

[ Sebastian looks up from his 'Gear, all sunny smiles, and sets it aside. ]

Good afternoon, Miss Chrome. Is there something you need?

[ He nudges a basket of berries toward her on the bed. ]

and ever! 8D

[mosorgans]

[She says nothing still, entering and taking a bold seat on the edge of the bed. She doesn't take the berries, she folds her hands in her lap and sighs lightly.]

...I'm sorry. [Sort of. She's sorry for any anger or disappointment, but she doesn't regret actually talking to Alois.]

[usedcalmmind]

[ His expression shifts, but doesn't somber. He still looks somewhat amused, and his eyes have cooled a few degrees. No, he's not especially happy with her. ]

Sorry, are you? For what?

[mosorgans]

[Even if she doesn't see the look, she can feel it.

She doesn't look up; not out of any fear because they should both know she's not afraid him, and quite possibly never will be. It's more out of a sense of guilt and not wanting to really see his face.

And because if she looks at him he'll probably see that she still thinks she's justified in at least talking to Alois. And hopefully Sebastian won't learn any time soon that she actually went to meet him in person back in Violet.]

For speaking with Alois-san. [The bold use of the name might be deliberate.]

You told me not to, and I purposefully disobeyed. [her tone is calm and almost diplomatic]

[usedcalmmind]

And now you're here to beg forgiveness?

[ His tone is as cool as his gaze now, and his smile is gone from his face and his voice. It's really the act of disobedience that irritates him so much - that, and the fact that her interacting with Alois could potentially put Elizabeth and Ciel in danger. Even if Chrome can take care of herself (as Sebastian knows she can), the other two are under Sebastian's protection. ]

[mosorgans]

I don't beg. [It's said automatically and firmly. She won't beg unless Sebastian should force her and even then he'd have a hard time dragging it out of her.

She looks to him then, tilting her head] I'm apologizing. Whether you decide to forgive me or not is up to you.

[usedcalmmind]

[ He meets her eyes steadily, searching her expression, still as a statue. After a long pause, he sits slowly upright, draping an arm over his knee as it rises. ]

He's been actively seeking out Ciel, and you by proxy. He's shown a capacity for violence and mental instability. Why speak to him at all?

[mosorgans]

[She says nothing because...well, what can she say?] Why...

[She looks away again. She doesn't really know why. It's like some invisible force is forcing her to interact with him whenever he shows up.

When Chrome answers, it's in a slow, careful tone] He's...interesting. There's something about him--an aura, or maybe just a feeling, that can drag someone in.

[she makes a helpless sort of gesture, unsure how to explain] I'm curious about him, but... I don't want to endanger Ciel-san either. I wasn't aware it was that much of a problem.

[usedcalmmind]

It isn't a problem - yet. He's a good week behind us in travel time, and I've just set him back at least another day or two. If he catches up, however, it could become a problem, and quickly. The boy is calculating, merciless and at a tactical advantage.

[ As he speaks, he unfolds his legs slowly until he's sitting on the edge of the bed, then standing, a moment later. His spine cracks as he stretches subtly. ]

I'm not concerned for your safety, Miss Chrome. I'm concerned for Ciel's. If you bring that boy to us, accidentally or otherwise, I expect you can protect yourself well enough.

[ He spares a glance back at her, feigning dispassion quite well. ]

That doesn't mean that I won't punish the boy for hurting you, if he happens to, but I won't stop him from doing it.

[mosorgans]

I wouldn't let him get close enough too. [Alois is still a boy, after all, without any of the extensive training that Chrome has]

And I won't let him hurt Ciel either, should he show up. [She reaches out, fingers brushing against Sebastian's sleeve; it's a promise she plans to keep.]

You're still angry with me. [She doesn't stand, just tilts her head and watches him carefully] Fair enough. But I am sorry.

[usedcalmmind]

You won't need to worry about Ciel. I'd prefer your help looking after Elizabeth; the boy will cause me more trouble trying to protect her, himself. [ Sebastian glances down at her hand when she nearly touches him. He doesn't say that he would rather look after Ciel alone, but it's what he means, and there's a possessive edge to his first sentence that suggests just that. ]

Apologies are meaningless to me. Correcting your behaviour would be more effective. [ He glances up to meet her eyes. ] Trust me, in so far as I will not give you a command without good reason. If you'd like to trust me further, trust that I will have your best interests in mind, so long as I do not have my own best interests in mind.

[mosorgans]

[Again that quiet understanding and she nods.

It kind of. Stings, but Chrome has long since learned how to hide her emotion. She just nods and offers a small smile]

Ah. I would rather you not give me commands, Sebastian-sama. We're friends--and if not friends, than at least close enough that you can just ask.

...I do trust you. More than I probably should. [But her smile is soft and not unkind]

[usedcalmmind]

[ His surprise is evident for just a second before it lapses into the expression of a sigh. Turning back toward her slightly, he reaches out to rest a light hand on her head, brushing his ungloved fingertips through her hair. His voice is resigned. ]

One of us is entirely undeserving of the other, child, and I'm rather uncertain as to which of us is which.

[mosorgans]

[She blushes lightly, surprising herself for calling him by the honorific usually reserved for her master. But he says nothing, so she doesn't comment either.

She leans her head into the touch, closing her eyes in an expression of peace and content] I wouldn't bother trying to figure it out. There'll come a time when I'll have to leave you all, whenever we get sent back home... so we should just enjoy the time we can spend together, right?

[She opens her eye, looking to him steadily in the eye] Regardless of what happens, I'll always be glad I met you.

[usedcalmmind]

[ He watches her, looking distantly amused. She's too easy for his tastes; too trusting, but he's growing accustomed to her all the same. He's well aware that what she says is true: they'll be parting ways eventually, so he may as well enjoy her while he can.

Slowly, he draws closer and settles onto the bed again beside her. ]

You're remarkable, for a human. [ It's praise, in a way, but his disdain for the very concept of humanity is perfectly clear. ] I believe I'm glad that I met you, as well.