dear_mun | Greetings from the afterlife...

[Dead? Well, then that makes two of them. He'll stay where he is, right here, not far away.] Shouldn't you be in a golden field somewhere, skipping through the daisies?

{ He brightens at the voice and makes his way leisurely to Undertaker's side. }

Does one such as I deserve a golden field and daisies? I thought maybe a swamp would be more fitting.

I like imagining you in a golden field among the daisies. [Perhaps a bit less than what he thought the man would get, but it's simple enough at least. Easier than describing the manor.] Is that where they set you up after everything?

How kind of you! { His expression softens and he tries to catch a peek of Undertaker's face. } You haven't changed a bit. I feel like I should apologize for leaving you such a mess.

{ Vincent looks a little grim. } I died somewhat heroically, though I left my children for the wolves to take.

[He didn't have it in him to think of Vincent as being bound for damnation. His wasn't a evil soul, like so many he'd seen pass through his parlor and through his care in days long before.]

[If Vincent wants a look at his face, he won't protest it. He has colors to watch ebb and flow and slide around in his vision.] Oh? If you think that was a mess, you should have seen some of the other clients I've had. You make quite a mess of other people in your line of work. You died, and truly it could have been worse. You should see your sons now. They're doing better.

{ Undertaker's fringe will be pushed aside with gentle fingers. Vincent isn't cruel unless it is called for - and his friends know he has a kind heart. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for his family. }

I didn't only mean that. { He trusts someone like Undertaker to keep an eye on other things too. } So they both survived. I thought they must have. I haven't seen either of them since it happened.

[A slap in the face right now would be surprising, but nothing he would try to dart away from, not at first. What he gets is nothing like it, and he lets his hair stay where it's moved to let Vincent see him.] One survived, milord. The other... returned.

Why would you need 'closure,' father?

{ He has no reason - nor inclination - to slap. The scars sadden him, but at least his curiosity is now appeased. }

Returned...? How was that accomplished? { Some of the color leaves his face and he frowns thoughtfully. } Ciel never wanted to be separated.

No reason. { Oh sweet baby, you are being scooped into a hug. } How are you feeling?

[Ah, such delighted giggles as little arms wrap around his neck.] I'm fine! I don't get sick here.

[He shakes his head. Fool that he is, opening his mouth like this. The dead are to be comforted, but he chose his own death, for all the good it did him. His thoughts are on Vincent now.] They are alive and well, milord. Learning to live with each other again, but all is being mended. I dare say they will live long, productive lives now and make you quite proud.

{ Vincent is nuzzling his baby and holding him against his chest. }

You don't? That's wonderful! I do hate to see you suffer.

{ He is relieved, but the worry of a parent never fades. Especially with him being so far away. }

I can't rest with them in so much danger. I should have renounced all titles and put our funds into a safe house for them. It wouldn't be as grand, but they would be able to live as they chose.

[He can honestly say he knows what that's like, but he won't.] They would have lived different lives, for certain, but I can assure you there are dangers at all levels of society. You can't protect them from everything, milord.

[This is nice. He usually watches Ciel and father like this.]

Mm, it's nice. I haven't coughed at all.

{ Only because Vincent is a little afraid to hold his sick baby. :( }

Then we should play plenty of games.

{ He should tell ~~his son~~Vincent all about it. }

Unfortunately that is so! But I must try. I must die trying. How ironic those words are now.

[He should. But the time for that is long past.] True enough, given that you did. I would say you succeeded.

{ Is it? } No, I failed. I should have known my enemies better. { His smile fades entirely and he runs a hand over his face to hide a few tears. }

[Poor Earl. There's no movement in him but for his own breath, watching Vincent... as he should have not that long ago.] It isn't your fault, my lord. You didn't have all of the information you needed to prevent what happened.

Who else can be blamed? I held all the information - all the knowledge - and I thought us safe.

{ He makes himself blink away the moisture and glance at Undertaker. }

All of the servants could fight and it still wasn't enough.

[He could argue that. He could argue it well enough. Vincent only had information from his sources, and his sources had failed him in some way. The manor was a fortress as much as it was a home and still it had been infiltrated and its inhabitants murdered outright. The how and why still eluded him, but he won't argue it any further. The Earl's mind is set on his guilt and he won't try to take that from him. It might be all the man has anymore. No knowing where Vincent's wife is now, but he would like to think she ended up with the Earl.]

Those who supported you, to begin. But what has happened can't be undone, not all of it. I will do what I can, if you will still permit me.

{ Rachel is coping with the changes too and Vincent understands that she is stronger than him in spirit. Her poor body hadn't done her spirit justice! But at least they had perished together.

Vincent smiles, the expression a little unsteady, at Undertaker. }

What I say is of no consequence. I'm dead and the choices belong to the living. However...

{ He touches the man's shoulder. }

I hold you dear for thinking of my family.

[He would be glad to know that. Even if he doesn't care for her - nothing personal, she just isn't family to him - she does make Vincent happy and that's what matters.]

It matters to me, milord. The dead are but in another world where most of us will end up some day ourselves. All life comes to an end. You understand.

[That touch to his shoulder though, it gives him pause.] I've served your family for generations. What happens to you holds my interest keenly.

{ They are a nice pair and while she can't hold her own physically, she is more than his match mentally and emotionally. Vincent doesn't regret marrying her. }

You are closer to that world than most. I appreciate being remembered, but I don't expect anyone to follow my orders in my absence.

{ He looks at Undertaker intently. } May I ask why?

[She must be, for who she is.]

[He grins. Griiins.] As I recall, I didn't always follow your orders. Not the way you would have wanted, at least. Maybe that will suffice here.

[That's no easy question to answer. It should be, and it isn't. After a moment, he responds.] I suppose there's no reason in playing games anymore. You're your mother's son, and she was special to me. That's all.

I thought that had to do with your...artistic touch? { His eyes sparkle. } You are not a dog. I trusted you would do as you thought best.

{ The mention of his mother silences him momentarily. }

...a lover?

[The grin brightens and then is gone again shortly after.] Oh, but you know I can't let my business carry a mark on it. I'm just too proud of my work.

[Should he go that far with it? Should he let Vincent live in the afterlife peacefully? He should, and that's what he wants to do. There isn't a reason for him to reveal that little detail that would help Vincent or change anything now. So he shrugs with a soft hum.] Not in any way that would have ruined your standing.

Your work is magnificent. I will go to no one else for such matters. { Society can think what they will of both of them; Undertaker is the best at what he does.

Vincent's expression is hard to read - even harder for Undertaker who has such poor eyesight. But the way he touches the man's cheek should be telling. There is no anger or disgust. }

Is there a reason my sister and I do not favor one another?

[As it should be. Too bad he isn't currently in high demand in that regard anymore.] Such praise. I'm only too happy to be of service here.

[He can't see the man's expression shift, not as well as he'd like, but he doesn't miss the hand now on his cheek. And for it, he doesn't move.] Well, you're not twins like your sons. Should that be why?

{ He lets out a soft breath, almost chuckling. } Shall I give you more praise so you stop evading my my question?

{ Twins. Ha. Wasn't that a precious surprise? }

My boys are one of a kind in the Phantomhive line.

[Was that Vincent exasperation? Probably not, but it does play a little bit at his guilt.] If you were alive, I would say yes. All the better to see you in something not quite the Earl.

[Because that's all fun and games, and he loves both of those things. He likes to think that's why he loved seeing the twins, even if they didn't love seeing him.] So it would seem. They're impressive in so many ways for their age. [Because they had to be. But still.]

[A short silence, and he sighs quietly himself.] There is a reason.

{ As close to exasperation as he will ever come, perhaps. Vincent is cautious with those emotions lest they take control of him. }

I thought you were determined, for some reason, to keep me humble.

{ He loves games too, but he had so little time for them...until now. If only his soul didn't feel so heavy! }

What else can they do but shine like stars?

{ His gaze is sharp, assessing all of the sudden. } If I were to guess, I would say I favor you more than Francis does.

[What better way to keep everyone wondering if they never see anything but the smile? He knows that trick well.] Me? No, not I, milord. I wouldn't have a reason and you'd put up too much of a fight.

[A small shrug is what he has for that. Of course they would.] They're Phantomhives. It's what they do. [It's what they always do.]

[That look gets one back, through the long bangs, not assessing, not anything, just waiting.] You favor your mother. Both of you do. At least I think so.

Greetings from the afterlife...

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