✳ 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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[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]

[littlest_lord]

I know all about your contract and the terms of it - Alois told me all of it. He told me what you did to my soul as well.

[That smile - it no longer makes his blood curl, it makes it boil. Ciel wants to tear that smile off the demon's lips, have him gutted and stuffed and put on display. There's so much contempt he feels toward the man towering over him in the rain. Ciel had always thought no one could be more unnerving than Sebastian could.

Apparently he'd been wrong.]

Things have changed, Claude Faustus.

[Action]

[stabilimentum]

The master's orders are absolute, [Claude replies, feeling his toes curl up in his shoes. It's really enjoyable to see Ciel this agitated and hateful. Even an unnaturally content demon can thrive off such a sight.] His Highness told me to never leave him alone.

[How disturbing and frightening it must be for Ciel, being confronted with a demon that doesn't belong to him. If Claude wanted to, even though it might annoy his master, he could do anything and everything to Ciel without experiencing supernatural backlash. He could bind Ciel in spider silk from head to toe--there'd be no need for eyeholes, and no slits to facilitate breathing. He'd hang Ciel on the same tree branch the NV is dangling from, and allow him to steadily, inexorably suffocate to death. Then, carefully and precisely, he'd cut into the silken tomb and drill all the way to and into Ciel's soft flesh. --Where would he do it? Why, if he chose the skull, that'd make an excellent cup to drink Ciel's fluids from. Or perhaps he'd irrigate Ciel out through his

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

[All Ciel can do is grit his teeth at that, fists balled at his sides as he stares up at the demon, seething inside. Of course Alois can't stop calling out to him - they're bound together through a contract - and no matter how terribly Ciel wishes he could do the same, he can't. The relationship between a demon and their prey is unlike any other. He can already feel the chill from the rain puncturing his skin and seeping through to his core. If he stays out any longer, he really will become ill.

Even so, he can't tear himself away just yet.]

I'll never let you complete it.

[Action]

[stabilimentum]

[Claude walks away.

He really doesn't give a flying fuck about Ciel Phantomhive getting sick from standing out in the rain. Only the consequences of it concern Claude:

1. If contagious, Ciel could infect his master with his germs.
2. His master is still likely fond of Ciel. Causing Ciel harm, even indirectly, will upset his master.
3. (But if 1 is true, then they must have tangibility again.)
4. (How is that even possible? (It just can't be.))
5. (Is he still in nirvana, or isn't he?)
6. (HUNGERHUNGERHUNGERHUNGERHE'DGRINDYOURBONESTOMAKEHISBREAD)
6. He cares for his master too much to upset him again.
7. Why should he be rude to Ciel anyway? There's no point.

Umbrella swinging from one wrist, Claude walks away in the direction of the mansion. He'll show this magnificently stubborn child the door, even if it isn't his responsibility to.]

My contract is not yours to decide anything about.

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

[It's been awhile since he's felt so helpless and full of dread. As Claude walks away and leaves him in the rain, he can't even bring himself to think anymore. All he feels is cold and all he can do is stand and watch. He can't shout orders - he can't tell Claude to get lost or banish him away. He can't even order about his own demon since Sebastian is no longer there.

There's absolutely nothing he can do except stand there in the rain. Maybe if he stays there long enough he'll drown in it.]

[Action]

[stabilimentum]

[Claude stops in front of the recherché double doors connected to this section of the yard. Everything about the architecture screams Sebastian Michaelis, right on down to the rococo trimming of filmy gilt. It's irresponsibly overdone and amateurish, but Claude feels too benevolent to scorn it right now.

When he touches one door's heavy handle, his gloves don't stop him from feeling the pulse of life inside of this home. Alois Trancy is in there, somewhere, wondering what he should do. Claude hopes they'll see each other soon vis-à-vis.

Your Highness, you are never alone.]

Ciel Phantomhive.

[He pushes open one door and then the other, and then looks over his shoulder at Ciel. His expression, slightly somber, is unreadable again.]

You oughtn't linger outside in this weather.

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

[The last thing he wants to do is go inside.]

I'll do whatever I damn well please to do, Claude Faustus. [It's said with an air of viciousness, a forced calm that is really only just a front.]

I'll come in when I feel like it.

[Action]

[stabilimentum]

Is that so? [he asks, sounding vaguely amused.] Is there more inanity you feel the need to say?

[Ciel's passionate protectiveness of Alois Trancy is a sight to behold, but it's not dispelling the nirvanic haze clinging on to Claude.]

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

Shut up and get out of my sight-!

[Action]

[stabilimentum]

[Slowly, very slowly, Claude closes the door.]

As you wish.

[And then he steps back, turns around, and retreats to the trees he was standing under originally. It's kind of comical when he "hides" behind one of them to get out of Ciel's sight.]

Is this acceptable? [he calls.]

Re: [Action]

[littlest_lord]

[The voice makes Ciel jump, especially when he witnessed Claude disappear behind the doors. Immediately he spins around, tense.]

Get out!

[Action]

[stabilimentum]

[Claude doesn't reply, but he hasn't gone anywhere.]

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

[Fuck you Claude, fuck you. And with that, Ciel marches inside, tiny hands as fists and the rest of him sopping wet.]