[Closed]

[earl_ciel]

WHO: Ciel Phantomhive (earl_ciel) & Sebastian Michaelis (blackestate)
WHAT: Stalker going to collect his master.
WHERE: On the docks.
WHEN: Day 99. After Ciel's arrival.

Comments

[blackestate]

At the arrival of his master, Sebastian-who’d been in the basement, catching up on much-needed research-set off at once. It’d do no good to keep Ciel waiting, and while many residents of Rivelata arrived at all sorts of different "timelines," Sebastian had no guarantee that the Ciel that arrived would not remember his absence. Furthermore, Sebastian could not say for certain whether it was his own work that brought Ciel to him, or some other’s. Considering he’d been trying to get back to England rather than having Ciel brought here, it was unlikely it was his own doing. How troublesome. But not completely disheartening

[earl_ciel]

The voice reached his ears before he caught sight of his butler in his peripheral vision, though Ciel tried not to make it obvious that he'd been both surprised and comforted by the familiarity of it, enough to nearly jump out of his skin. Fear wasn't something he enjoyed demonstrating openly, though the current situation did call for some small amount of tension and anxiety. He'd never been this far away from England, and judging by the location and current weather conditions, he had good reason to believe they might even be as far as the Caribbean. However, his knowledge of that region was restricted solely to what he'd read in books, and he couldn't recall ever hearing about a port city by the name of Rivelata.

Furher investigation was in order, but first, he needed to settle in and find somewhere comfortable to sleep. Turning towards Sebastian, he gave him a slightly petulant look and crossed his arms over his chest in an imperious manner.

"Elaborate on why exactly you're not capable of taking us back home."

[blackestate]

"I’m glad to see you are well," Sebastian said with something of a smirk, though to those unaccustomed to his expressions it would seem merely a pleasant smile. Without further ceremony he took the hat he’d been carrying and plopped it onto Ciel’s head, adjusting it with deft hands so that it fit properly. He did not choose to answer Ciel’s question immediately, saying instead, "The sun here is quite a bit fiercer than England’s; if you are not careful, the rays could quite destroy your complexion."

Taking his place beside and behind Ciel, Sebastian began to gently guide them out of the crowd, somehow always managing to choose the path where the boy would be jostled by the fewest people. And when Ciel did trip, he always made sure to catch him.

[earl_ciel]

Sebastian was avoiding answering. That much was plainly obvious, but Ciel merely grit his teeth and allowed the hat to be placed on him. In retrospect, it wouldn't do well to handle these matters so publicly and among the crowd of recent arrivals. There was time later to research Rivelata and network with those who currently held all the cards of power in their hands.

Walking ahead of his butler, Ciel made a distinct effort to avoid the large cracks in the wood where the hell of his boot might be caught. One thing that did annoy him was how much warmer this place was than England, making it almost too oppressive to remain under his expensive jacket, even with the hat shielding his face from the sun.

"How long have you been here?" Ciel asked off-handedly as he walked further away from the docks.

[blackestate]

"More than month," Sebastian answered. One of the things that had amused Sebastian endlessly was Ciel’s determination to maintain some facade of strength. Even now, under understandably great stress from the new surroundings and sudden evaporation of normality from under his fingertips, the boy strode ahead, acting every part an earl, though Sebastian knew well enough that underneath there was a terrified little boy who would do well from an embrace, or physical shelter from the mob. And yet Sebastian did not step forward, did not take the boy’s hand or put an arm around his shoulder or attempt to comfort or reassure at all. He walked steadily behind his master, only pointing out the way with a patient smile.

"In your absence I had taken up employment with a young lord from a separate dimension by the name of Kuja. I currently reside in his Estate, but of course, as you have now returned, I shall resign immediately."

Our contract still holds.

[earl_ciel]

Ciel didn't need nor want physical comfort from anyone. He'd learned long ago to cut away all beliefs that a crying child will always be nursed by its parents. The reality is that the only comfort he needed was found in that looming shadow that towered over his smaller body -the reassuring presence that was attached to him with invisible threads. Eve hearing the footfalls step in rhythm with his was enough to remind him that he wouldn't be alone ever again -not until the king's castle finally crumbled.

"Good," he finally replied, resisting all urge to undo the cravat tied snuggle around his throat, "All other ties formed before my arrival are to be terminated."

You work only for me.

[blackestate]

"Understood," Sebastian said obediently. With Ciel here he would have to start with a clean slate-no more idleness, and far less autonomy. He didn’t mind, of course. It was all according to contract.

"Then there is the problem of lodging. While I had indeed kept a garden some distance from the Estate, the cottage there is at present far too humble, I’m sure, for your tastes. If the young master is willing to wait I will expand the territory and renovate the building, but it is my own opinion that you should consider retiring first to the Estate for a night, and after a proper meal and rest, move into the new mansion."

No, the use of the term "mansion" was not an accident. Sebastian had better taste than to take one of the other abandoned mansions; on the other hand, a palace was too presumptuous and might attract trouble from Rivelata’s royalty.

[earl_ciel]

"I'm sure it will suffice for now." Nothing could ever match the majesty and glory of his estate back home -even if it had been ruined on occasion by his incompetent staff or his fiancee. Unfortunately, he had little choice in accommodations while he was here, and anywhere indoors at this point was far more preferable to sleeping outside.

He was caught in mid-step when he recalled the young girl who had claimed to be starving, and he had no doubt that Sebastian would be able to find the requested food item. After running his family toy company for two years, he'd learned to always have the well being of children in mind, and it was with no small amount of generosity that he issued his next order. "And another thing," Ciel suddenly spoke up, "have a case of this ...sukonbu delivered to a young girl that lives in the Yorozuya household."

[blackestate]

"Very well. Preparations shall be complete by morning."

Even as Sebastian continued to lead Ciel to the Estate, he managed a look of surprise at Ciel's request.

"...are you quite sure you mean 'sukonbu,' Master

[earl_ciel]

"Yes. Sukonbu," Ciel repeated.

In spite of bearing some surface knowledge of foreign cuisines, Ciel wasn't familiar with 'sukonbu', either. Nevertheless, nothing was too difficult for Sebastian to handle -except apparently getting them off this island and back to England, a fact which still grated on Ciel's nerves.

He would have to ask him about it again later, once he'd had a proper bath and cleaned off the sweat and filth he'd collected since he'd arrived. Everything from the insides of his thighs to his palms beneath his leather gloves had grown damp and sticky with perspiration. How long was he expected to remain here ? More over, who would watch over his business back home? Even the mere thought of leaving his entire company in the hands of his other servants deeply horrified him.