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towerofanimus2012-05-15 02:15 am
pactum) wrote in towerofanimus2012-05-15 02:15 am
001; intro.
Characters: Ciel and ALL OF YOU.
Setting: room 3-16 and ANYWHERE.
Format: whatever you'd like.
Summary: after waking up, Ciel has a look around.
Warnings: brief references to past abuse.
[ he thinks it's shackles, at first. that's what happens when you wake up from a nightmare--a memory--of being chained down only to find that upon waking, you can't move. it's understandable, really, how his eyes go wide and he feels his chest tighten in panic, when for a long and terrifying moment he thinks he's back there, bound and powerless. he might have screamed--or attempted to--if the paralysis had lasted any longer.
but it seems there's much more to worry about than that.
Ciel reads the letters, of course--finds the information difficult to swallow (completely ridiculous, really), can't take it as fact without confirming things for himself. he's used to being kidnapped. it's almost commonplace by now. what he isn't used to is being given free reign by his kidnappers. but the first order of business is, of course, to change out of the uncomfortable skintight clothing he'd woken up in. thankfully, just as promised, there are belongings in his trunk, including a change of clothing. he dresses himself quick as he can, though several buttons are in the wrong place, the bow is lopsided, and his eye patch is secured with what looks to be a rather hopeless dead knot. still far better than what he had been wearing, as far as he's concerned.
he lingers around the room for a bit before setting out to explore the building, curious to see if he can confirm anything else written in either letter. he's not so apt to believe anything he's been told just yet. as he walks, his fingers follow the edges of the yellow collar absently. he's tried tugging on it; no use, predictably.
it's only after he's satisfied at least some of his own curiosity by looking around for a bit that he decides it is high time that he gets a second opinion on this matter. he calls only once, quiet but firm: ]
Sebastian, come.
[ he's known since he'd gotten a proper bearing on himself earlier that the demon is present somewhere nearby. the bond of their contract is as stable as ever, after all--and besides, when doesn't Sebastian come when he calls? the knowledge that his butler is, as usual, only a word away is what's kept him this calm so far. ]
Setting: room 3-16 and ANYWHERE.
Format: whatever you'd like.
Summary: after waking up, Ciel has a look around.
Warnings: brief references to past abuse.
[ he thinks it's shackles, at first. that's what happens when you wake up from a nightmare--a memory--of being chained down only to find that upon waking, you can't move. it's understandable, really, how his eyes go wide and he feels his chest tighten in panic, when for a long and terrifying moment he thinks he's back there, bound and powerless. he might have screamed--or attempted to--if the paralysis had lasted any longer.
but it seems there's much more to worry about than that.
Ciel reads the letters, of course--finds the information difficult to swallow (completely ridiculous, really), can't take it as fact without confirming things for himself. he's used to being kidnapped. it's almost commonplace by now. what he isn't used to is being given free reign by his kidnappers. but the first order of business is, of course, to change out of the uncomfortable skintight clothing he'd woken up in. thankfully, just as promised, there are belongings in his trunk, including a change of clothing. he dresses himself quick as he can, though several buttons are in the wrong place, the bow is lopsided, and his eye patch is secured with what looks to be a rather hopeless dead knot. still far better than what he had been wearing, as far as he's concerned.
he lingers around the room for a bit before setting out to explore the building, curious to see if he can confirm anything else written in either letter. he's not so apt to believe anything he's been told just yet. as he walks, his fingers follow the edges of the yellow collar absently. he's tried tugging on it; no use, predictably.
it's only after he's satisfied at least some of his own curiosity by looking around for a bit that he decides it is high time that he gets a second opinion on this matter. he calls only once, quiet but firm: ]
Sebastian, come.
[ he's known since he'd gotten a proper bearing on himself earlier that the demon is present somewhere nearby. the bond of their contract is as stable as ever, after all--and besides, when doesn't Sebastian come when he calls? the knowledge that his butler is, as usual, only a word away is what's kept him this calm so far. ]
\o/
I don't suppose you and your lot have anything to do with all of this?
[ that's the best greeting you're going to get, Ronald--that and a light sigh, which indicates that Ciel knows he's grasping at straws with that inquiry. and then, dismissively: ]
Yes. I'll let him know on my own time.
\o\
Just as clueless as you are, I'm afraid. Buggered if the Undertaker's got anything to do with this. Woke up the same as you prolly did, 'sept I was on my own thanks.
[ Resting head on hand now with a small smirk. Oh man, this was gonna be good. ]
Had your first meal then?
/o/
I don't think even the Undertaker is capable of quite this much.
[ but then again, Ciel hadn't thought him capable of anything that had occurred aboard the Campania, either. ]
I haven't. [ the look he directs at the reaper is a very, very wary one. ]
(o)~~~~~~~~~~~
[ Single fingertap on Carrie's handle again. ]
If you ask me, worry about him if and when he gets here, eh? This place is aggro enough all on it's own.
no subject
Oh? What sort of things go on here?
[ 'aggro?' is that even a proper word? no. no it isn't. such slang is beneath him to use, but still, he understands it. ]
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[ The second bit makes him pause however. How much to tell Ciel? He was the only one between him and Grell to be brought to the Labyrinth. The only one who died and had that nightmare.
But then it was Ciel. He was just a kid. As much as he tried to act like one, he was still a kid and somehow, his heart went out to seeing kids in pain. Best to keep the darker problems away for now.
When he speaks however, it's more grave than it was. ]
Most the floors here are trouble to begin with. Can't be arsed to know what's on them just yet but they're just the sort of trouble you feel from the get go. This place does things to you so, I'd keep close to that butler of yours if you know what's good for you.
no subject
So the environment is hardly as the welcoming as the letters would lead one to believe. [ he is far from surprised. ] The entire building is dangerous, then?
no subject
Give or take. I'd just watch where you step. All the floors seem to be different from each other, you know? Save for the dorm floors, of course.
[ And a slight frown. ]
I wouldn't believe a word of it, that letter. Load of cobblers, if you ask me. Would have sent word over to Dispatch if the world's ending but if even Mister Spears hasn't heard about it... well... there you are then.
no subject
Just as I thought. [ he nods. ] It isn't often that a kidnapper actually tells you the truth about your situation.
[ believe him--by now, he knows. ]
If I were to have a look around, where would you recommend that I start?
no subject
[ Bit of a pout that remains until Ciel asks him that question. Then it's just replaced by a bit of a thoughtful hum.
That is, until he looks back up at him. ]
Come on then. No sense in you hanging around here doing nothing, eh? Your butler can catch up. Get dressed and I'll show you something absolutely ace. Well... blew my mind first time I saw it.
no subject
so, with a sigh, he nods. ] All right. I'll only be a moment.
[ he's a little longer than a moment, but not too bad. when he emerges again, it's with his skewed bow and mismatched buttons. ]
Lead the way--Knox, isn't it? Ronald Knox?
no subject
[ But looking him over and ...yeah, okay. Right. Slightly raised eyebrow. ]
Cor, doesn't that butler of yours teach you anything? You're what, thirteen and still don't know how to dress yourself without him?
[ Sighing and stepping off Carrie. ]
Get over here then. Can't have you going around the tower looking a right mess, now can I?
[ Totally gonna cramp his style. ]
no subject
[ scowl. ]
Wh--what use is there in knowing such unnecessary things? He does it for me. I don't need to know.
[ all right. he might be willing to go look around with you, Ronald, but there is no way he is going to let you touch him. so he'll just be taking a step backward. ]
That won't be necessary.
no subject
Which prolly would've gotten you looking better.
[ And if there was one thing he prided himself on, it was looking sharp. Small eyeroll at his protesting though. ]
Oh come on. At least just let me fix your bow. You look like a little puppy with that around your neck.
no subject
[ Ciel won't tolerate being called a puppy, though. so with a glare he unties the bow entirely, slipping it from around his neck and stuffing it into a pocket with little heed for how it might become wrinkled. ]
There. It is no longer an issue. [ he gestures with one hand in the vague direction of 'down the hall.' ] Are we going to go or are you going to waste more time fussing over my appearance?
no subject
[ He's just being bold because the demon's not round but well... At any rate, he's getting back on Carrie and offering Ciel a hand. ]
I've found the easiest and quickest way to get around is via my darling Carrie here. As I said, the corridors aren't none to safe the way I see it.
We've quite a ways to go so best we get moving. Hop on.
no subject
I am perfectly fine without Sebastian. I do not need him by my side every moment. [ yes, he's getting a little defensive, because that's a sore subject. he knows he depends on Sebastian much more than he should--much more than is healthy. but like hell he'll admit that, especially to a reaper.
wait. he actually expects him to get on that thing? his trepidation is obvious. ]
...where do I stand?
[ which does not mean he is actually going to do it, mind. >( ]
no subject
Right. A young thing like you calling a demon out? Wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't plastered to your side like a bloody shadow.
[ He steps to the side though, one hand on the handle. ]
You can stay right up front and I'll manage from behind.
[ Which may or may not involve Ron staying directly behind him. Contact. Dontcha just love it? ]
no subject
He's been called a shadow before. [ that's said almost absently. ] It isn't an inaccurate comparison.
[ but no. he hates it. physical contact isn't something he readily seeks from anyone; merely tolerates, and only in a few cases, at that. which is the primary reason he is not fond of this idea in the least. ]
I would prefer to walk.
no subject
[ It's a serious warning, Ciel, really it is. And coming from him, too.
So he's gonna forego the mower because it's more polite to walk alongside someone. Carrie's going over his shoulder though as he starts down the hallway, mulling over what Ciel told him. ]
Shadow. Yeah, I suppose he kind of does look like one. Must be some huge bleeding deal if you need a demon to get things done, eh?
no subject
It is to me, yes. That should be fairly obvious, considering the price I paid--or will pay, when his end of our bargain is fulfilled.
[ he talks about selling his soul as though it's simply another business transaction. and while Ciel may be shrewd, he knows the deeper value of the trade he's made. and while he has a reaper on hand who is not outright hostile, he may as well ask. ]
You lot loathe demons because they devour souls. Why is it so important that souls be collected? Do you know what happens to them afterward?
no subject
Or... eerily more mature than some adults he'd spoken to.
But the question causes him to turn his attention back to Ciel. ]
Ah, here we go then. The inevitable "what happens after we die" question. 'Fraid I can't tell you that. Mister Spears is gonna have my head for going against regulations. We're not allowed to give anyone confidential information.
But I can tell you it's the way of the world. Demons get in the way of work. Plain and simple.
no subject
You can't fault me for curiosity. It isn't as though I'll ever experience any of it for myself, after all.
[ his lips quirk just a little, as though there's something funny about that. he's comfortable enough with the ending he's chosen for himself that he can make light of it. ]
Death is inevitable. I suppose being consumed by a demon isn't quite the same thing.
no subject
Course not. Bit of curiosity's always healthy for a boy your age.
[ But he doesn't mean that as an insult at all, judging by the grin he shoots Ciel's way. If anything, it's a compliment. ]
Glad you understand that at least. Everyone's going on and on about avoiding it, prolonging life but when you're time's up, your time's up. Remember that nutter on the Campania?
no subject
[ that's sarcastic, in case it isn't obvious. ]
Which one?
[ he says it in jest, but he means it, too. 'that nutter' could refer to any number of the others he'd dealt with aboard the Campania: Ryan Stoker, Viscount Druitt, Grell Sutcliff, the Undertaker. he guesses, though, that it's likely that he's referencing the former. ]
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