dear_mun | (no subject)

[Ciel's not being a nice boy. He's definitely not very 'smiley' right now either.]

Really? You were very good at dying though.

Yeah, I 'pose I was. Didn't feel good, though. [Ciel's too cute for his own good.] How've ye been, Smile?

I imagine not. I must admit though, you held on awhile after Sebastian cut your arm off. I have to admire that kind of strength.

[Why does everyone think he's cute?] As well as one might expect in my line of work. Although it has been some time since I've been in England. What about you? Surely you aren't going to remain dead.

I've been through more than my share of wounds. Guess my body was toughened up by it all. [Or he was just too stubborn to die right then.]

[Because he is. Cute and evil.]

It's funny. You almost sound like ye care, but that can't be.

I'm sure you have been. [With all those kidnappings and murders.

And yes, much evil. Fear him!]

Hardly. I would just like to know if I have to keep on my toes or not. I already have my hands full at the moment.

S'not a thing I like to think about, honestly.

[Nope, sorry. The cute overwhelms.]

It wasn't me that made the rules, Smile. You know that. I've not seen Baron Kelvin around these parts.

[NOTICE HE DIDN'T SAY "FATHER".]

[GRRR!]

Neither have I. I haven't seen many people at all, in fact. [He does notice! And that has him very curious. That 'father' link had him doing some unacceptable things.]

Ye feelin' lonely? [It seems natural for such a young boy.] Are ye safe in your...game? Is Black with ye?

I don't have time to feel lonely. [Maybe a little.]

Safe enough. I've made a couple enemies and no, he isn't. Not anymore. I have my father though, and Undertaker. [Not entirely sure how he stands with the reaper though.]

We all feel it. [It's not like it needs a set time to hit, Ciel.]

I miss everyone at the Circus. Most of 'em were good folks. [He hopes they have better opportunities in the future.] Yer safe enough then! Surely an Undertaker knows all the ways a person kin die.

Is yer father like you, then?

Good folks who do bad things. [He doesn't mean it as a scold because he's a bit like that himself. Ciel does plenty of terrible things in the name of the queen.]

Undertaker is actually an old family friend. Who does happen to be an undertaker.

[He has to give that a bit of thought actually. It's been so long, he's still getting used to the idea of having him back.] A bit. He's... harder, quicker to respond to threats. Especially to his family. A bit useless when it comes to cooking though, I've at least learned a bit.

Not all of 'em. A lot of them didn't even know what was goin' on. [Just those who started it all.]

Hm strange for him to not have another name. Ye ever ask him?

[He smirks.] Maybe he doesn't believe in playin' it safe? He died, didn't he? That'll make someone either more cautious or more rash.

[He's not sure where he falls yet.] Yer not so good at cookin' either, Smile.

I never gave it any thought, that was all anyone called him since I was a child. That's all anyone continues to call him. [It's something to keep in mind though.]

For me, he has. It's been years. For him, it was still my tenth birthday. [Which Joker, no doubt, can realize what it means.]

I've learned a bit. [Huffy sniff.] I can make eggs.

S'like me calling myself Joker. [A cover; something to hide behind.] Those that don't like their names are runnin' from somethin'. Or hidin' from it.

Aw I'm sorry. [He frowns sadly.] Yeah? Scrambled or over easy?

[That... is a surprisingly good point. And it brings to mind the fact that it's been half a century since anyone called him a shinigami.] Maybe both, knowing what I know about him.

[He gives a faint shrug.] Scrambled. And I can almost make an omelette.

If he feels close to ye and yer family, he might be willin' to tell ye. [It's therapeutic to talk about the past sometimes, though it's best not to dwell.]

That's impressive! I'm proud of ye!

You're more confident about that than I am. I'm finding there's a lot I don't know that I should have known. [But sickly little Ciel hadn't been involved with the Aristocrats of Evil.]

Ah... [He brushes at his hair, a little embarrassed.] I've been trying. I had a friend who taught me.

You've no idea how young ye are, Smile. Give yerself time and be patient. [He cautiously hovers a hand over Ciel's head.]

What's yer friend like?

I'm nearly fourteen and I am a nobleman. [But no, he is still pretty young. He just hates being reminded of it. And he doesn't swat away Joker's hand. Despite what happened, they hadn't been terrible all the time.]

He was sweet, kind of lonely. He said his real name was Loveless but [head shake] he was loved by people in the city. And he was stubborn.

[Really, he was a great pal for Ciel.]

[He merely smiles at that counterargument, resting his hand on top of Ciel's soft hair.]

Sounds like a good match for ye definitely. I'm sorry he was given such a poor name, but I'm sure ye set him right, yeah?

[He hates being short.]

As best I could. There's only so much you can do for someone who's broken. [He should know, he's still pretty broken himself.] Ritsuka had to help.

Those games do tend to be the sort that these mundanes find the most amusing. You may be out of luck on that note.

They got a good memory, when it suits 'em. ( a bit of a grin is offered.

there'll be no remark made about dying it's a thing, and it happens. a lot. what else is there to say? )

[But it's such an adorable trait!]

If he's yer age, he's too young to be broken. There's hope for ye both yet, dontcha fret.

[He smiles knowingly.]

Which was good for him!

Ah all I can do is have my say an' then deal with the consequences.

Too good. She won't let me forget nothin'! [And he wishes he could.]

How can you be content lacking any control of your situation?

Guess I'm used to it. I was followin' orders before and this isn't much different. I hope the outcome is better.

I see...do you enjoy these subservient roles? Or were you forced into them?

There's much you'd want to forget? ( asked as non-intrusively as a question like that could be. lavi's eye is curious, but - he isn't pressing. it's just a bookman's nature to ask questions. even if he's been terrible at his job, there's no getting away from habits. )

More n' most, I would think. Wouldn't say no to startin' over again, actually. [Not that he knows how to make it better. That has always been the problem.]

Ah haha forced would be the right word. I thought I was doin' what was best for my little brothers and sisters.

Mmm...protecting your siblings, admirable.

[Not that she'd ever do anything of the sort. Witches are solitary creatures.]

They're not related to me by blood, but it don't matter. We're the same.

[For other people!]

No one is ever too young to be broken. I thought some of you that Kelvin took in learned that.

It's good to be remembered, that's true! But, oh— Well, I do, really, really hope it isn't 'one of those games', sir. How terrible!

You're very close to them then, to call and consider them family. Have you been together long? Or was that a bond forged by similar circumstances?