[Ciel doesn't even think to respond over the Forge. He barely remembers that there's something wrong with his leg, until sharp pains jolt up it the moment he moves. Still reeling from everything that's happened, unable to process that they've arrived back in Anatole, the young Earl only has one very important thing on his mind.]
Sebastian!
[Fear like that he's only experienced a fear times in his life courses through his veins. His leg screams at him to stop, to rest. His mind has jammed, unable to form any kind of rational thoughts. Except one.
I have to find him.
He moves around the house as quickly as he can, taking increasingly labored breaths. It becomes difficult to draw them after a time, as mild panic sets in. Sebastian must have come back with him. He had to. But there was so much blood, after Undertaker...
He releases a yell of frustration, heading down the hall to his butler's room. If he isn't in here, then... then...]
Sebas...
[Ciel pushes the door open, panting, his face one of all kinds of pain. But
( ... )
[So perhaps he should have lay down on the bed and not back on the floor after talking to Chrome. But he hadn't quite been thinking about how returning to a spot of floor soaked with his own blood would look to anyone.
Even his master.
Also he probably should have opened his eyes immediately, but hey. He likes hearing legitimate worry about him in the kid's voice. It's possible it'll never happen again.]
You're loud. I can hear you just fine.
[He opens his eyes now. The boy looks pretty worse for wear as well, he notes as he struggles back to a sitting position.]
Or perhaps you'd like to slap me for good measure?
[The same event. The Campania. Ciel's eyes narrow. He's thinking of Undertaker, of the Reapers, of the crash, of Lizzie--]
... Yes. And I have to go back there.
[He attempts to get to his feet, overlooking the mention of "the girl" for now, but a shock of pain later, and he's back on the floor in a half-sitting position.]
Damn! I can't... not now...!
[Ciel is taking deep, shuddering breaths again. He promised to protect Lizzie, and now this. Of all times to return to this place. With desperation evident in his stare, the boy turns to his injured butler.]
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
( ... )
[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.
Sebastian!
[Fear like that he's only experienced a fear times in his life courses through his veins. His leg screams at him to stop, to rest. His mind has jammed, unable to form any kind of rational thoughts. Except one.
I have to find him.
He moves around the house as quickly as he can, taking increasingly labored breaths. It becomes difficult to draw them after a time, as mild panic sets in. Sebastian must have come back with him. He had to. But there was so much blood, after Undertaker...
He releases a yell of frustration, heading down the hall to his butler's room. If he isn't in here, then... then...]
Sebas...
[Ciel pushes the door open, panting, his face one of all kinds of pain. But ( ... )
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Even his master.
Also he probably should have opened his eyes immediately, but hey. He likes hearing legitimate worry about him in the kid's voice. It's possible it'll never happen again.]
You're loud. I can hear you just fine.
[He opens his eyes now. The boy looks pretty worse for wear as well, he notes as he struggles back to a sitting position.]
Or perhaps you'd like to slap me for good measure?
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Shut up! I thought...
[You were skewered with a Death Scythe. What do you think he expected?]
... You need medical attention.
[His attitude is different, now that he knows Sebastian is alive. Ciel is looking away, staring intently and almost angrily at a spot on the floor.]
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I should be able to heal on my own. I am not sure what anyone here can do for death scythe wounds. You, on the other hand...
[He takes a moment to look the boy over, and notices how he's carrying his leg.]
If your leg is injured, I can only assume you experienced the same event I did. Fortunate, then, that the girl is coming.
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... Yes. And I have to go back there.
[He attempts to get to his feet, overlooking the mention of "the girl" for now, but a shock of pain later, and he's back on the floor in a half-sitting position.]
Damn! I can't... not now...!
[Ciel is taking deep, shuddering breaths again. He promised to protect Lizzie, and now this. Of all times to return to this place. With desperation evident in his stare, the boy turns to his injured butler.]
Sebastian, I have to go back. I have to.
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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 ( ... )
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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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