001; intro.

[pactum]

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. ]

Comments

[pactum]

[ Ciel'd had the inclination to call for Sebastian as soon as he'd set eyes on Ronald--he is a reaper, after all, and they've been less than friendly, to say the least. but he's decided against it, for the moment, preferring to bide his time and see what information he can garner without the added pressure of his demon's presence. surely having Sebastian on hand--a subtle threat merely by existing--would only make the reaper less likely to be congenial or forthcoming. sometimes, his age and stature actually comes in handy. it is easy to feel lulled into a false sense of security when talking with a mere child. ]

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?

[hardknoxlife]

[ Try Less likely to talk, more likely to rev Carrie off and speed back to his room in order to hide under the covers. Maybe. Just a bit. But he was generous with the information because really. The kid wasn't an enemy. Not to his eyes. Sebastian was a demon and therefore a different matter entirely. ]

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.

[pactum]

[ precisely the thought process Ciel guessed he'd have. he was right to keep Sebastian away for the moment, after all. ]

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?

[hardknoxlife]

Far from it, the way I see it.

[ 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.

[pactum]

[ he considers for only a moment. should he go with him? can he risk that? ultimately he decides that he can. this one doesn't seem so threatening, and if he should need him, he knows that he can always call on Sebastian.

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?

[hardknoxlife]

Yeah, that's right. Glad you remember. You prefer I call you Ciel? Earl Phantomhive's a right mouthful if you ask me.

[ 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. ]

[pactum]

I prefer Earl Phantomhive.

[ 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.

[hardknoxlife]

Well, fine then Earl Phantomhive. But trust me on this when I say you're not gonna be making much of a first impression if you go around looking like you went and dressed yourself in the dark.

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.

[pactum]

I'll worry about my first impressions, thank you.

[ 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?

[hardknoxlife]

For a right and proper gentleman, you certainly can't hold much on your own without Bassy, can you?

[ 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.

[pactum]

[ ugh. these reapers and their idiotic nicknames. ]

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. >( ]

[hardknoxlife]

[ He's only using it because of Grell. But hey, have a snicker for the defensiveness, bitty earl. It's adorable. ]

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? ]

[pactum]

[ it isn't adorable. he isn't adorable. nothing is adorable here! ]

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.

[hardknoxlife]

Suit yourself. It's a long way down. But if I say run, you better run.

[ 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?

[pactum]

[ he nods to show that he understands. if the situation becomes dire, he'll get on the damned mower--but not a moment before. for now, he walks beside Ronald, managing to keep up easily with the lanky reaper's strides. ]

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?

[hardknoxlife]

[ Lucky for him, he's easy to get along with. One hand's in his jacket pocket, the other carting Carrie over his shoulder as if it was made of cardboard. Though he makes no comment about the first statement, he takes note of it with the barest semblance of a raised brow. Something about this kid creeped him out. Maybe it was the way he didn't act his age.

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.

[pactum]

[ Ronald certainly isn't the first to find him unnerving. ]

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.

[hardknoxlife]

[ You make a reaper nervous, Ciel. Happy? ]

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?

[pactum]

I do try to lead by example.

[ 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. ]

[hardknoxlife]

Right...

[ Have a look of disapproval for that. He's supposed to be the cheek between the two of you. Knock it off. Buuut... head tilting ever so slightly as he continues to stare ahead. ]

That Ryan Stoker bloke. The one who thought he could revive the dead. Fat lot that turned out to be, eh?

[ Watch him talking about it with the same air as one would a bad weather day. ]

[pactum]

Indeed. Idiotic of him to think it would actually work properly.

[ Ciel can match that nonchalance--and that disdain. ]

Where exactly are you intending to lead me, anyway? I would appreciate knowing what is in store before we arrive.

[hardknoxlife]

[ He's glancing around for the elevator though. Just making sure he was going in the right direction, which he is. It's probably a few more steps. ]

Something that little short of blew my mind when I saw it. Goes against everything I'd been thinking over ever since I got here.

[ And a small grin back at you, Ciel, when he finally stops in front of the elevator. ]

It's something that shows what became of home. What to see?

[pactum]

What supposedly has become of home, you mean. [ he corrects. ] Still, I am interested in seeing it, yes. It will be easier to unravel lies if I can first witness what they perpetuate to be the truth.

[ sorry, Ronald, but that grin is completely lost on him. the fact that Ciel isn't scowling the best you're getting back. ]

But if what you are about to show me so vastly contradicts what you'd been thinking, then what was on your mind before?

[hardknoxlife]

Now there's the rub right there, see?

[ And a tilt of his head back at the elevator with a moment of whistling while rubbing his ankle with his foot. Waiting for the elevator... waiting... and it arrives with a ding, the door sliding open. ]

But best I save the surprise for when we get there, right? Let you figure things out on your own a while before I say anything.

[ Hand jammed in his pocket and heading into the elevator. ]

Well? Are you coming?

[pactum]

[ shaking his head, Ciel gives a light sigh. ]

If you insist.

[ of course he's coming. he's just a step behind, in fact. this lift is a bit more advanced than the ones he's used to seeing, but he climbs aboard anyway, standing beside Ronald, though with enough room between them that another person could easily fit in the space. ]

Convenient. All of those stairs would be incredibly tedious. [ not to mention possibly trigger his asthma. Ciel is not a particularly healthy boy. he's always had a rather delicate constitution. ]