For imperial_saga.

[his_master]

1



[Perhaps you're the well-to-do sort. Or, you might just be famous. While there could be a lot of reasons; those do not matter. You're here at the Phantomhive Manor, as you knew you couldn't refuse the invitation. While Celia was the sort to invite for tea, Ciel was inviting you for lunch, but perhaps a small game first, yes? Or, you might not have a taste for them. No matter. You can always observe Ciel playing a solitary game while lunch is prepared, and if you're lucky he'll cut to the chase about why you might be here in the first place.]

2



[Maybe you've been wronged? Well, the underground is a harsh place, and the games there have tough rules. Were you tricked into doing a little dirty work and payed the price? You could have instead been the problem the entire time, and Ciel was merely sent to clean up. There's no time like revenge while the young boy is taking his tea at a public, outside place. Beware though; he is famous as the Evil Nobleman for a reason.]

3



[The idea occurs. You might actually not be a person on the outside of things, but perhaps one of Ciel's closest allies, or family, in a sense. Is it time to beg a favor, or could you be coming with a new job that you've been ordered to accomplish together?

Or, you might simply be one hell of a butler that's here with the tea. There'd better be a tasty sweet as well if you are.]

Comments

[his_mistress]

[Well, it wasn't hard to imagine the siblings accomplishing a job together. In fact, it was natural that they formed a team together seeing how they were raised. What was irking the Countess today was it had only been a few days since she had finally raised her brother back and she was asked to go on a mission. Something that would require a bit more than Sebastian and herself. Sighing softly, she had paused outside of their father's study, knowing the boy was in there. Would he be up to such a thing? There was only one way to find out.

She knocked softly on the door before entering.]

Ciel? Do you have a moment?

[his_master]

[How annoying. "Ciel" was still trying to get back into the role of being himself and taking over were father failed. Still, these were merely trials to endure, and it would be done, easily.

Effortlessly. "He" was a master of games such as these. It'd be almost embarrassing for everyone else when the masterstroke fell.

Oh wait, the sister. A smile appeared, that would be best for dear, dear sister. So much more important than anything. Even self-preservation, hence the current plight.]

Celia, please. Do come in, I've missed you.

[his_mistress]

[A soft smile appeared on her lips, something that had become more common everyday that he was actually here instead of the phantom presence she seemed to always feel.

She successfully freed her brother from the grasp of death.

How good it felt to know, almost like it was another hit to the people who kidnapped them.

Celia made her way over to her brother, taking special care to make sure he appeared in good health.]

How are you feeling today? Hopefully alright still?

[his_master]

[The poor girl didn't suspect a thing. A hand went out to take hers, support for the weaker brother. Keeping up the images of frailty was an interesting task, but somehow it worked out. Well enough at least.]

So far. Your concern touches me deeply. You're all I have left.

[It came out in a low and sad tone. It spoke of forlorn thoughts and loneliness. After all; all they really had left in the whole wide world was eachother.]

What brings you by?

[his_mistress]

[She gazed up at him. His words, the only ones that seemed to actually reach her heart and gently pluck the strings with his sad tone.

Yes...They only had each other.

The girl tugged him into a gentle embrace. Being how she was the oldest, it was only natural she wanted to baby her brother a bit. After a moment, she let go, gazing at her twin now.]

I received a rather tedious task to accomplish...I was wondering if you were feeling well enough to help me.

[his_master]

[The embrace was returned, after all, she was the oldest. She knew best. Returning the gaze, a smile formed once more. All that was left now was to offer to help. An act that would cement the trust completely, and bring them a step closer together.]

I find myself unable to think of anything I'd rather do.

[his_mistress]

I'm glad to hear that you're up to it.

[She definitely looked a bit on the relieved side. With her brother at her side, they would definitely be an unstoppable force like their parents most likely intended them to be. Two halves, one able to make up for any weakness of the other.]

We don't have to leave until the day after tomorrow so you should be able to rest up and regain your strength a bit more, okay?

[his_master]

[A nod. The same thought had occurred as well, unbeatable together. A whole born from the mutual understanding that twins could only have. It was a lovely thing, enough so that perhaps it was time to assimilate better.

Ciel tilted his head slightly to rest his chin on a hand.]

I'll make sure to do that, Celia. It'll be nice doing something together with you.

[his_mistress]

[That answer...struck her as odd. They had been inseparable, even during the kidnapping. They had seemingly spent every waking moment together after she resurrected him. Perhaps she wasn't doing something right? It was hard to tell, she felt she had been doing everything wrong since she lost him.]

Did you want to do something before we have to leave for the capital?

[his_master]

[Well, while the knowledge was known to Ciel, it was something that was...hard to reach, as it were. He got up and embraced her.]

If you like. I just worry I'll be ill-prepared, having been dead.

[Which was often a minor handicap to doing anything, but shirking a bond like this would only hinder him later.]

[his_mistress]

[...He was right, he had been dead...But Ciel had been acting so normal! It was just...Well hard to realize his true death.

Easily, the Countess returned the embrace.]

I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have asked. I'm sure Sebastian and I can handle it on our own...

[his_master]

[Ciel hadn't wanted this awkward moment to occur, at all. On the other hand, it was very necessary to bring dear sister all the closer to make sure she was fully ensnared. At this rate if the butler ever did think to raise an alarm; it would fall upon deaf ears, which brought a great deal of satisfaction. It was time for something endearing.

Ciel smiled once more.]

I don't want to be apart from you ever again.

[his_mistress]

We can bare a small separation brother...If you're not feeling up to the mission then it's okay. I'd like for you to keep safe anyway, I'm sure trying to re-summon your soul would do a bit of damage a third time...

[his_master]

[Ciel shook his head. This would never do, he's spent every moment trying to protect her; he couldn't be cast aside now.]

No, sister. We have to do this together. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you. I'm here to make sure you're safe.

3

[blackcrowsings]

Sebastian came in with the afternoon tea, snacks, and sweets made for the afternoon. He knocked the door and pushed the trolley in. His demeanor is cool and calm, and neutral for the most part.

Smiling at the "boy", he served his afternoon meal. Playing pretend and roleplaying a facetious role of a butler only amused him, because Sebastian can see what kind of Monster Ciel is really is in the inside.

"Good afternoon, my Lord. I have brought you, your favorites."

[his_master]

"Very good, Sebastian."

The smile was returned, if not faintly. The butler was an unforseen obstacle, but that did happen when all the angles were not considered.

Still. An angel in such a role, to serve. There was something downright lovely in that. Something that gnawed insistently. A need to know why, perhaps. Something that would persist until the truth was found.

Ciel waited patiently for himself to be served. When it was time to eat, he set about it deliberately as he tried everything, until he got to the tea. Staring at the cup, the brattish thought came to mind, and it couldn't be resisted. Sipping at it, he then held it out and upended it upon the rug.

"It's cold. Again, please." There was of course the matter of the rug for later, as well.

1/2

[blackcrowsings]

True, and Sebastian is a mere servant, even if his intentions is far from pure. Displeasure etched on Sebastian's perfect features as the tea poured onto the floor. He knew the brat did that on purpose.

Those stains are going to be very hard to come out. It's an expensive Persian rug. And it's imported.

2/2

[blackcrowsings]

Still, two can play at this game. And Sebastian's favorite game is a game of payback. Sebastian's face of neutral turned into a charming smile. He picked up his pot of tea.

"I apologized that it's cold." He felt around the belly of the teapot. It was warm. Hm. Curious. "I'll take it back to the kitchen to heat it up." Then eyeing his food. "And what of your meal? Do you enjoy it?"

[his_master]

Very expensive. Very hard to clean. Very, very pleasing to soil.

Looking satisfied, Ciel nodded. "The meal: Acceptable."

This at least meant he could acknowledge Sebastian's talents, but still there was a suspicion as he said it. It was known right away that retaliation could only be the result, but how? The instigator of this secret war was a question that had never needed asking, as there was only one that would be senseless enough to disrupt a potential truce in the works. On the other hand, perhaps this might bring the two beings to a mutual understanding with enough familiarization.

Returning to the meal, Ciel nodded dismissively for Sebastian so that he might bring a proper pot of tea back.