Very belated voice practice + reserving at adstringendum

[bosomist]

Let us be quite clear from the start off, shall we?

It has been approximately close to nine months since you and I last came together, Mundane. While I appreciate the interest and more so than that, I do appreciate that he will be there, I would very much like to remind you that I am far from an easy task master. Your determination would be admirable if it were not so decidedly foolish.

My only consolation is that you are not sending me in to be on my own. It would not be so unforgivable as much as it would be pointless and entirely futile.

Comments

[wishgrant]

Hannah! [ as always, there is a luca attached to your dress ]

[bosomist]

[And as always, a smile just for Luca. ]

It's been some time, hasn't it?

[wishgrant]

Mm. I miss you.

[bosomist]

[A momentary pause, wherein Hannah lowers herself down to his eye-level, cupping his face with both her hands. ]

And I, you. It won't be too long now, little one.

[wishgrant]

You'll hurry, right? Brother's coming too. [ he places his hands over hers. ] I can't wait to see you both again.

[xthearaneae]

[ See the visible acid in that gaze, lady? Yeah, he's none too happy to see you. ] My writer is a creature of impulse it seems.

[bosomist]

I shall be the most prudent I can, little one.

[bosomist]

[None of the fucks she gives, Claude. None.

There is a very smug quip of her mouth, coupled with a cool gaze. ]

As is mine. You are unhappy with these turn of events?

[xthearaneae]

[ Adjusting the glasses and running his fingers through his hair to get it back to that... arranged mess it usually is. Not sparing you a second more, sheath. ]

The master is said to come from a time before our contract, Ciel Phantomhive nowhere in sight and the promise of both you and Michaelis in the same place.

I see no reason for my writer's sudden enthusiasm.

[bosomist]

Oh my, how terrible for you, Claude. It must be quite disheartening having all your hard work be for naught.

[The chance to gloat is simply too good to pass up, he will understand. She smooths down the front of her dress and makes no secret of the smirk on her face. ]

[xthearaneae]

[ Yeah, yeah, rub it in. But hey, spiders are the most tenacious of creatures, are they not? There's the barest of glances over in her direction. The kind of glance that could probably paralyze a weaker being. No way. Not backing down. Not to you, not to Michaelis and not to his mun who he has lost to the throes of giddiness. ]

Merely a setback.

[ That smirk infuriates him. Why is every demon he associates with such a smug piece of arse?! So he seeks to wipe it off with a sudden lunge to her throat. ]

...Know your place.

[bosomist]

[It's a very cool, even stare that she responds with at first. A calm, calculating look follows it as she places a hand over his, an eyebrow raising. ]

My place is no longer in your shadow nor is it at the bottom of your foot.

[She doesn't tug, but the warning is there. Let go. ]

Checkmate was mine.

last one from me tonight! o7 It's a pleasure so far!

[xthearaneae]

[ He knows this, knows when he's been beaten down, knows when impending defeat is right at his door... and he has no one to blame but himself. Though resentment toward her, oh, it's there. It's all there. It causes his grip to tighten, the flare in his eyes as challenging as her warning. ]

The last game ended on a poor note. The next round is just beginning.

Hannah.

Anafeloz.

[ Still just a sheath to him, man. ]

likewise! :3

[bosomist]

[It's a challenge she doesn't take seriously. He might call it overconfidence, but Hannah knows when she's won and she has won here on all accounts. ]

It is not a game you will win, Claude. You would make an enemy of me in a place where Alois Trancy does not exist?

[wishgrant]

...You didn't leave the Port 'cause you don't love me, right? [ bc that is what Brother said ;u; ]

\o\ Hope I'm good enough!

[xthearaneae]

[ That little note elicits just the tiniest bit of of added fury but she's right and he knows it. The grip tightens for a moment more before he shoves her away. A moment more before he sets himself to rights, exhaling, adjusting his glasses and all that. Not right for his temper to flare at an inopportune moment.

Hey, he would've gotten away with it if it wasn't for her and those meddling kids. ]

In a place where I have no reason to be as far as reasons go. But what will you do? Hide the boy away? Jim Macken, Alois Trancy, our meeting will be inevitable one way or another.

[faustianphantom]

Entirely futile? You jump to conclusions awfully quick.

[bosomist]

Not so, if you will pardon my argument. My loyalty lays with only two - if neither are there then what, may I ask is the point?

Self disocvery is something I am far too old for, Earl Phantomhive. I do not want to be without that which I worked hard for. My patience is strong, but is not absolute.

I think it's me who should be worried! I'm so rusty ;a;!

[bosomist]

You seem to be overlooking my obvious advantage, Claude. Do your glasses need cleaning?

[A pleased smile works its way onto her face. She smiles as though the rough treatment doesn't bother her. (And why should it?Y]

I thought perhaps we had overcome this childish game the moment I gave you eternal Nirvana.

I don't think you have anything to worry about at all! :3

[xthearaneae]

[ Calming down. Tooootally calming down now. Back to the usual Ice Prince facade. ]

You speak as if I'd reached it. My writer draws me from an earlier point, one that comes before redemption.

The anger is still fresh.

[ ie, he still thinks you're a meddler. ]