resisted him until the movie hit...

[bonecookie]

Well well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?

And here I thought you'd never let me in. And with the little earl no less, no butler in sight. [He doesn't seem at all disappointed.] Oh well, no matter. Perhaps you, or someone else here, can give me the first rate laugh I crave.

It's been so long since I had a good laugh, by the standards of the written material. Seeing that phoenix pose again through your eyes though, that was delightful!

Comments

[earlofphantoms]

The pleasant surprises are unending! What is this "phoenix pose"?

[bonecookie]

[Oh my.]

My dear Earl. The surprises grow more and more pleasant, don't they?

[A grin:] I'm afraid death hasn't spared you the cost of information, my lord.

[earlofphantoms]

For both of us, perhaps? {He cants his head to the side, puzzling through the possibilities.} I suppose jests like "Who is the greatest chicken-killer in Shakespeare? Macbeth, because he did murder most foul." will not work?

[bonecookie]

[That actually does get a giggle out of him. It's so corny. He'll give you this one, Vincent. Consider it discounted. And only because he might have missed you. A little.]

The phoenix pose is done by member of the Aurora Society, my Lord. An organization with the aim of "absolute salvation of mankind through medicine." In other words, raising the dead.

[earlofphantoms]

{It was the straight-faced way he said it, wasn't it? Vincent has that way about him.}

Raising your interest, I trust. {Ah death. He remembers his; the pain, the fire.} Do you miss them?

{Everyone. The past.}

[bonecookie]

[It definitely helped.]

Oh yes, I could barely resist. [No comment on how deep his involvement is.

And then his expression falls slightly and he gently fingers his mourning chain.] Every day, without fail, my Lord. Lives cut too short.

[earlofphantoms]

That is the beauty of life - its brevity. {Vincent walks to him, his smile quietly understanding.} You did not learn that Reaping.

{Lifting a hand, he brushes back those silver bangs.}

[bonecookie]

Such lives should not have been so brief.

[He should have found a way to smuggle out a copy of the list. Or stolen one. Most reapers can't stand up to him anymore.

Undertaker doesn't comment, or resist, his hair being brushed aside to show his eerie green eyes.]

I learned plenty enough, I should have prepared.

[earlofphantoms]

There is no preparation. Once you love and you lose, it hurts. {His tone is fond, but his eyes do not warm or sparkle.} Are you afraid of losing Ciel?

[bonecookie]

It never feels any better. [Very few deaths ever affected Undertaker like Phantomhive deaths. And Vincent knows as well as anyone else, the pain of loss.]

My fear for the young earl is lessened. His butler will keep an eye on him and I watch his butler.

[earlofphantoms]

His butler, hm? {Vincent has many opinions on Sebastian.} You will not let him leave with it, will you? I want to see my son.

[bonecookie]

[So does Undertaker. Not all of them good but at least Sebastian will keep Ciel alive for awhile.]

No, I most certainly won't. I'll reap him before he can take the little earl's soul. Even a demon can't resist a death scythe.

[earlofphantoms]

No, they cannot. {He bends forward and kisses the Undertaker's cheek.} You are not forgotten.

[bonecookie]

[Oh, Vincent. Making his heart ache. He wishes he could properly revive the dead sometimes.]

Neither are you. I could scarcely allow it. You provided such delightful laughter in an otherwise cold and boring world.

[earlofphantoms]

My jokes are terrible - or so I have been told. {But he says them nonetheless as if they are profound.} Let him grow a little, find himself and he will do the same. He is only a child yet despite his insistence otherwise.

[bonecookie]

Sometimes terrible jokes have the best reaction. Especially when presented properly. [And sometimes are just funny because of how bad they are.]

He is indeed though he cares little for trying humor. Unless I imply he can't do it without the butler. [He won't call him by name.]

[earlofphantoms]

I should have been an actor. {He would've done well in that occupation too considering how well he can mask his true intentions. And oh could he be cutthroat about it too.}

I do not think he smiles at all unless it is surprised out of him! He used to smile every day.

[bonecookie]

I would have seen all your performances. [And laughed a lot. Unfortunately, they both know it wasn't in the cards, being a Phantomhive.]

No. I'm not sure I've seen him smile at all. At least not where I've seen.

[earlofphantoms]

{Vincent is not one who entertains much - if any - sentimentality, but when he loves, he loves fiercely. Undertaker has his love and he smiles gently at the comment. They need not have traveled down that path for the thought of it to bring him warmth.}

That won't do. I could tell you where he is ticklish?

[bonecookie]

[Undertaker reaches out and cups Vincent's cheek, careful not to scratch him with long, black nails. The Phanomhives, Vincent especially, captured Undertaker.]

It would be funny to try at least. He might grow cross though. [A sad smile.] The little earl tries very hard to seem as if he's an adult, put the child behind him in a box.

[earlofphantoms]

{He could scratch him and Vincent would not be upset. He covers the hand with his own, keeping it in place.}

I think he's cute when he's cross. He must get that from his mother. {Rachel can rage and huff and he will always find her adorable.} A coffin, you mean.

{He sighs.} You know I would break his contract with that beast and let him be a child again if I could.

[bonecookie]

[He'd hate to ever be the one to mar that face though.]

I always did think he was cute when he was angry. [Something they can agree on no matter what.]

The child in him is dead, I believe is his mindset. [So absoltely a coffin.]

I imagine, even without the demon, he'd still try. To bring honor to the Phantomhive name, live up to it.

[earlofphantoms]

{The feeling is mutual. He would not mar any part of Undertaker purposefully.}

He would not appreciate the description. {Why worry about such silly things, Ciel?}

He is wrong. The child is clamoring for attention. {Vincent closes his eyes, hiding his sadness behind faint amusement.} There is little pride left.

[bonecookie]

Perhaps not but I can only observe. He relies far too much on that butler of his.

[Undertaker hadn't really thought about it like that.] He seeks to restore that pride.