✳ 001 ✳ [video]

[stabilimentum]

[Two proud Canadian geese. They're the only things of visible interest, standing no more than a few yards away. The video stays steady as a white-gloved hand moves into view, its palm turned to the sky and holding a few leaves of romaine lettuce. The geese immediately notice the offering, but they're too wary to approach for whatever reason.]You

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video;

[quackery]

[It's- confusing, the calm that comes over her when he starts to speak, but she smiles nonetheless.

She pauses when she notices the mansion, though.]

How come you're outside our house, sir?

video;

[stabilimentum]

[When Claude answers, the viewpoint has shifted again: now almost all of him is shown, though he's still feeding the geese. Whatever his NV is, it seems to be hanging down from something--the branch of the nearest tree?--because the picture gently sways with each passing breeze.]

I am waiting for him.

video;

[quackery]

Oh! Are you from Alois' world?

video;

[stabilimentum]

Alois Trancy is my master.

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

[It had been a tense day, one filled with Alois acting erratic and nervous. Ciel hadn't paid much attention to it, or well, he had, but he'd simply been yelled at. So, he'd spent most of his day in his office. When the feed comes on he doesn't pay much attention to it, but there's a feeling of dread when he sees the mansion in the background of the feed. It turns into somewhat of a lump in his throat when he sees the black hair, the golden eyes and glasses

[Action]

[stabilimentum]

[It was a relief to Claude. Last night, that is--it was a relief to him. Last night held the hugest relief ever. It was just so relieving to Claude when stood at the foot of Ciel Phantomhive's bed, watching him sleep and feeling no desire to taste him. Whether Siren's Port is part of nirvana or an entirely new world, Claude's feeling of deep contentment hasn't faltered at all. He doesn't need anything or anyone else but Alois Trancy right now. For now.

So when he hears Ciel approach--after he detects and then dismisses the distain staining Ciel's voice--Claude doesn't stop thinking that his master would look rather nice with some of these local forget-me-not flowers speckling his fair hair.]

I have already obtained permission, Ciel Phantomhive.

[Alois' yearning for his demon is permission enough.

After another moment, Claude actually looks at Ciel with those golden eyes. He doesn't need to breathe in to know that Ciel is not a demon anymore--another conclusion that Claude came to last night. The masterpiece of Alois' last

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

I don't recall ever being asked.

[Tiny fingers tighten their grip on the handle of the umbrella in hand as he stares up at those golden eyes. They make him reel in very much the same way Sebastian's do, only he's learned to stomach Sebastian's gaze and counter it with snark. This...Claude...he doesn't know how to deal with the demon.]

I will only ask you once to leave or you will be disposed of, regardless of Alois' wishes.

[Action]

[stabilimentum]

I haven't the need to ask you, [Claude replies evenly. Only an ignorant fool would think Ciel might agree to his presence, so there was no point in approaching Ciel in the first place.

By the way, not even Alois knows how to deal with Claude Faustus.]

You do not have Sebastian Michaelis, and I will not be leaving my master's side.

[Claude is absolutely sure of both these things. Perhaps, in another tangent, Sebastian was able to escape his contract after reversing the transformation. There are quite a few credible theories, yet none that click just yet...]

[masterbaiting]

[...rondero-

Nonononono. No, he won't say it; he won't even form it silently. His mouth clamps shut. He isn't doing this. This is not going to happen. This is not even happening right now.

rotarel-

To be frank, the contract must be causing confusion. There's a draw and a pull - come here leave me alone I don't want this I want you right now why are you here why aren't you here Claude Faustus and he feels like he'll be sick; he feels like jumping through that window. Claude would catch him.

Wouldn't Claude catch him?

He doesn't want to use his voice right now. He doesn't have to, even-

Suddenly he very much wants to use his voice.

In a way, this is no different from home- because he never wanted Claude Faustus so deeply inside of him in the first place, and so the conflict between get out get out get out and stay here, don't leave me is too strong. He wants to run outside, but he doesn't know in which direction.

Then he's staring at Claude because his bedroom window is open - when did he open the window? God damn it. Let down

[stabilimentum]

[It's always pleasing to Claude when Alois Trancy understands these various romantic reference to fairy tales--this one being, of course, Rapunzel and her longest gold locks. If this is still nirvana, Alois will have no trouble combing out his hair into a rope with a little imagination and a lot more magic. They are able to do anything they want to when they're beyond reality, which is why Claude has to wonder why Alois hasn't flown to him yet. The turbulence of his master's emotions sugggests...

Perhaps Alois wishes him to climb up there on his own power. Claude doesn't see a waterspout, but he doesn't need one.

Claude turns away from the geese and his NV--now just a golden glint, suspended from a tree branch by spider threads--so he can look back up at Alois. They exchange this long-distance stare. Nothing about Claude seems amiss, not even his expression, at least not from this distance. He's as dark and inscrutable at ground level as always, though that won't be the case the closer they get to each other. You can't

[masterbaiting]

[Wrong.

Wrong.

Wrong.

Claude will catch him- of course he will. Alois wishes he had bricks to drop. He slams the window shut - it rattles heavily - and then there are definitely crashing sounds coming from his room: hand mirror, something porcelain, a water glass. He'll break whatever he pleases, thank you very much. He'll be exactly as angry and needless as he'd like-

Ha ha, not actually. He's needy as fuck right now and he doesn't know what to do. There's no chance, really, for anyone to catch him on his way out of his room and through the hallways. There's no chance for him to stop his feet from hitting the grass outside.

What happens if you set a demon on fire? He hasn't any matches right now, though.

Alois will always yell needlessly when Claude refuses to.]

Claude!

[He's crushing grass under the quickness and force of his heels. His trousers are tucked into his boots, his shirt is tucked into his trousers, and everything feels too tight, like he's swelling, like his bones have inflated and are ready to burst. The

[stabilimentum]

[The contract is not telling Claude that which he wants and wishes to know. His connection to Alois--and Claude feels his chest tighten when he realizes--is noticeably weaker than it should be. Not by much, thankfully, but it's a fact. Every moment they spend together should strengthen their bond, no matter the time, distance, or betrayal that separates them, so why does it feel like...]

Hm.

[Claude listens to his master's tantrum, even from a floor and this many feet away. The nostalgia strengthens as he's reminded of their home back in England... and he's definitely still content... but wrong is a sentiment he can understand. Something is wrong, yes. Their contract is asymmetrical, but maybe this is part of the game

[video]

[angelify]

Well, well. Been awhile since I've seen one of you around here.

[video]

[stabilimentum]

[Claude has run out of lettuce. That is unfortunate. He could always go back to the Phantomhive crisper to get some more, but the newest reply gives him pause.

One of you. Right.]

Is that so?

[Claude felt Sebastian's signature inside this mansion, but Sebastian doesn't seem to be present anymore despite the presence of his master.]

[video]

[angelify]

That's so.

He didn't seem to be up to much trouble, though. I don't mind you guys if you behave yourselves.

[video]

[stabilimentum]

[That is definitely an angelic wing, yes. If Claude weren't still riding a wave of good feeling, he'd be rather annoyed right now.]

I do consider myself well-mannered, [he replies. Is it really an angel?] My name is Claude Faustus, sir. May I inquire after yours?

Video

[stabilimentum]

[Those fancy clothes are getting wet in the rain, but Claude doesn't seem to mind.]

My master lives on the premises, sir.

Video

[stabilimentum]

Alois Trancy, [is Claude's patient reply. He removes his glasses so he can wipe off the raindrops.] I am the head butler of the Trancy family. As such, there is no need for your concern.