true frans don't need permission to break into each other's places!! ...wait

[ex_seventh238]

Who: Ciel and Charles
What: Charles' house looked weird from her stalking angle for a while now so Ciel just decided to go ahead and break in gets a surprise housecall that he wasn't supposed to know about!! Shenanigans ensue, alas.
Where: 767 Bunker Street
When: Oct. 19th, ridiculous hour in the morning like at 2AM
Warnings: Possible spoilers for Tsukihime/Blood+, also casual talk of gore... will update this as needed!

[Not that Charles has been acting particularly suspicious of late, no. If anything, Ciel can honestly say that the babby bat's temperament has been improving. She'd know, with how much time she spends around the Chiropteran even if they're not remotely close in living together... How did this even happen.

BUT! What's essential is that for a while now, he seems to act... not quite as he used to, back at his place. NOT that Ciel actually keeps an active watch all the time to his house, but woman's intuition + her inherent passive perception + predisposed mama henbear instinct + legit stalking has tipped her off to something unusual. ...Which coincides with around the time when Charles confirmed to her that he's traded Horace back at the post office, come to think of it!! He never DID tell her what he received in return, though there has been another few rounds of regains distributed since also, if she recalls correctly.

Either way, it's been something at the back of her mind for a while now, even if she's never given any serious thought to act upon the desire to investigate... Until now, apparently, when she just so happens to pass by during her usual patrol at ungodly hours. Ciel's no amateur at this, specializing in stealth and well deserving of her true profession and title of 'agent', so even if there are non-drone members within the household, she ought to be quiet and discreet enough to slip in by a window completely unnoticed. This theoretically shouldn't take long, she's just wondering if there's anything noteworthy in the house! That means checking the basement would be top priority, buuut she should be able to afford a side trip or two in the living room/study... Charles is out now, probably for his usual midnight stroll, so it should be fine, no worries!~

...Except when have things ever gone to plan, huh. Time is definitely going to end up passing faster than she'd expected, after coming across a certain discovery that she definitely couldn't have guessed. Now when is Charles coming home, she might just need to ask him about this in person, even if she has initially planned for him to NOT find out about her impromptu break-in...]

Comments

[encored]

[it sure would be nice if he could go on a walk without running into other rabid vampires or rouge nutballs or stray countries or stalker nuns!! ....and wow, today he actually gets his long-standing wish. it's almost

too good to be true

how about that...

but he's not one to look a gift horse in the mouth too often, so he will enjoy all of the glorious solitude this particular late-night stroll has to offer. he's actually in quite a fair mood by the time he walks back into his own house, somewhat noisily since he clearly doesn't care about the sleeping habits of anyone else in it... he almost has half a mind to turn in right then and there, but remembers just before stepping onto the stairs that he doesn't have any wine to go with his book! TRAGEDIES... so off to the impromptu wine cellar/basement/storage area he goes......

and fancy that, the closer he gets to the door, the more "off" things start to seem (or smell and sound, in this case). WHY... he's still trying to preserve his delicate mood though so he's just telling himself that nope he's just imagining things definitely imagining things, but he might be moving to open the basement door with just a little more haste than usual.]

[ex_seventh238]

[just give yourself in to the universal truth

rank E luck for everyone

The lights are off, as they should be, but is it just him or right before he opened the door, there was a flicker below... Aside from that quick flash that he might or might not (and hopefully the latter) has imagined, things LOOK the same as always...


Except it sure doesn't smell or sound like usual, huh. He might pick up the faint scent of blood that also just ~coincidentally~ happens to be recognizable, AMONG... OTHER THINGS.

So

what now...]

[encored]

[sometimes it's nice to pretend otherwise...! but yes maybe he indulges in that pretending a little too often for his own good, since he always seems surprised when things go foul for some reason.

EITHER WAY the smell of familiar blood that is not a drone or any of the people he occasionally kills in his basement to make himself feel better is a little alarming. it takes him a second to place it and he's already reaching for the light switch beforehand. AND HE FLIPS IT ON TO FIND.....]

[ex_seventh238]

[one would think charles has gotten used to unpleasant curveball surprises after the first dozen times or so because that's just how often it keeps happening... but nope, still the same gaping unsuring shotapire after every time. Sheesh babby bat, this isn't how you've been trained to react...

AND THEN THERE WAS LIGHT





He will find Ciel, in her habits, sitting on her knees on the floor by the corner where he normally leaves a certain regain of his to rot. Said regain in question is currently


seated in her lap


while chewing on her right hand..............

wow there is nothing wrong with this image whatsoever huh. His almost-mirror image does wince a bit and huddles himself up in her chest to get away from the sudden light (but not letting go of her hand, now Ciel has babby bat clone drool (and her own blood) over the sleeve of her robe, how tragic), as Ciel herself just



Gives Charles a small wave with her good left hand and smiles up sheepishly to him with that 'herp derp obviously not obfuscating stupidity here' expression of hers.]

--Ah, good evening, Charles, and welcome back home!

[...

your life, charles

and more importantly

your acquaintances...]

[encored]

[his reactions are a far cry from what they ought to be in any given situation...

KIND OF LIKE RIGHT NOW

where he just stares at his clone, stares at Ciel, stares at the light overhead and then the floor, and quietly walks back out of the room and shuts the door behind him. ...that sure is a scene he just walked in on. sure is. he'll collect his thoughts out here for a few seconds, don't mind him. as far as the clone goes, he seems to shy away from the door after actually noticing Charles has walked through (and back out) it. good sign...

no less than twenty seconds pass before he cracks the door open again and peers inside like he expects the scene to be any different. OF COURSE IT ISN'T... with a sigh that's obviously one of his "trying not to fly off the handle right now" ones, he quietly steps back into the basement and closes the door behind him.]

Thank you. Now what, pray tell, are you doing here?

goodness what fitting keywords you have there...

[ex_seventh238]

[it's so hard

it's so hard being curveballed (pants-on-head retarded) situations he's never had (the sheer unimaginable misfortune) to deal with before

it's so hard and no one understands

But a...h. Ciel will drop her smile a bit to just blink at the door after Charles coolly backs out like his jimmies were totally unrustled, but after a short pause, gives a nod to herself because fair enough, it was a reasonable response! This made complete sense. The clone now, on the other hand... It surprised her a bit, but she's very quick to recover. Hmm, so does Charles has a similar relationship to this one as how she might treat Seven? (No Ciel nothing compares to how you abuse Nanako, don't project on the babby bat(s) here)

Perking back up once he returns though, oh good she was waiting for this.]

I was just passing by when I got curious, and you know meddling is a bad personal habit of mine...

[While absentmindedly petting the clone (and his cowlick....... man that thing is truly eternal) with her free hand, to try getting him to calm down if he's bristling at Charles' approach.

Ah... yep. This sure is a thing that is happening right now...]

and you.......

[encored]

[it's true okay, his life is hard and only the most ridiculous people in the most ridiculous situations ie other churchies can truly understand.

he does seem to be doing a relatively good job at not flipping his shit, to his credit, but the terseness in his movements and the unusually placid expression are all warning signs that Ciel has most likely learned to read well by now.]

Curiosity killed the cat, you know, and meddling ones are skinned twice as fast. [an irritated click of the tongue, and his gaze shifts to his clone who he surprisingly DOESN'T beat unlike a certain person with a certain familiar here. nevertheless, said clone (who will now be referred to as 06 since that is easier and also the number on his nearby helmet) does seem incredibly wary of him and will tuck himself up and away when Charles begins to descend the stairs.]

Meddling aside, which I certainly don't appreciate, let's leave rubbish where it belongs and speak in a more appropriate location.

it keeps happening, and now i see you aptly raising me your gold star inquiring one in turn...

[ex_seventh238]

[it would sound less bad if said ridiculous people weren't the very cause for his ridiculous predicaments...

HE TRIED HIS BEST :D :D :D --okay no really. The fact that he somehow hasn't exploded is to be commended, all things considered. Except as always, any sign of Charles' irritation has absolutely no effect on Ciel. Warning implies danger, and how can she feel threatened when she... doesn't see him... as anything remotely LIKE a threat...

The reason why his comment is brushed off, of course.]

I'm more of a dog person, actually, and it smelled funny here for some time now. [CIEL THAT'S NOT THE POINT... But re: not a trace of tension here, welp. She's also keeping Charles in her peripheral vision, but in the meanwhile, she'll be busier watching over 06 instead. Stay close okay, she'll stand between him and Charles...]

You would have kept dodging the questions if I only asked, though. [tilting her head a bit and looking at him curiously...] So what is he exactly, Charles? [Sure clone might be the logical idea to jump to, but with what wired vampire 6th sense she's honed and all, this one seems... Different than Charles on a few levels, nevertheless? Bah. Her readings were never as clear when dealing with alien inhuman beings, especially when technology's also been largely involved. Pinning down Dead Apostle powerlevels from home was much easier, ignore the fact that these 'vampires' were also technically the byproduct of 'aliens'...

And she's ok with moving, even with leaving poor 06 here (because she sure knows what this feels like yep), but you'll have to give her more deets first!]

and nanny poses everywhere now this thread is going places

[encored]

[IT REALLY WOULD BE.....

he's still somewhat offended every time he doesn't get a reaction out of her even months later, how sad is that. he will probably never not be offended, in fact... BUT right now there are more important things to deal with, like his grossy gross alien clone being the center of attention. not that he's jealous or anything...!

the question earns a scoff and he eyes 06 with something that might be contempt if it wasn't so... apathetic.] Not much of anything, really. [the way he says this, it's clear that it's not a poor attempt at hiding information but him brushing off 06's existence on a whole. 06 seems to understand that much, and looks unhappy, making an angry nonsense noise from his spot behind Ciel.

ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE since he knows she wouldn't be satisfied with that alone, and he really just wants to vacate the basement area:] If you're looking for a detailed answer, I'm afraid I haven't much information to give you. I only had a partial hand in its creation, after all.

it's always going downhill did you really ever had any doubt

[ex_seventh238]

[how sad is it that she makes a point to not react precisely also because it rustles his jimmies as much as it does... it doesn't account for 100% of the reason, but STILL...

WELL 06 ACTS CUTE ON HIS OWN UNLIKE A CERTAIN TSUNDERE HERE...!! That is. She sort of recognizes this, actually... Setting aside the fact that Ciel just so happens to indeed recognize a lot of things based on her... vast experience with differing matters, she IS catching on that Charles doesn't so much dislike the clone, as he just doesn't want to acknowledge him period. Now why might that be, hmmm...

Still resting a hand idly on 06's head while she focuses her attention back on Charles, now that it's kind of confirmed the babby clone's locked down here because Charles doesn't want to be reminded of the fact that this little guy exists. He's neglected and ignored, not abused. Interesting...]

You don't sound very enthusiastic, but if he looks so much like you, you must have participated quite actively in whatever that's been done to create him. [Lab rat alarms starting to ring in here...] Does he have a name?

of course not when has anything we've ever done not gone downhill

[encored]

[she's trolling even when trolling isn't her main goal... or he's just that easy to troll either way how sad is that.

IT'S NOT HIS FAULT 06 GOT ALL THE MOE GENES!! there is a distinct lack of acknowledgment going on here though yes, and some definite scorn even if he can't seem to muster up the care to actively despise 06.]

I'm not very enthusiastic about it, no. I traded in one useless thing for another, would you be enthusiastic in my position? [careful side-stepping of the addressing a statement? him? never. he gives her a somewhat dubious look at the question though, waving a hand.] Of course not. What need would something like that have for a name? [06 seems to disagree and if he could articulate himself, he'd probably be laying a verbal smackdown here. sadly it just comes out as miffed caveman noises which are met with a look of mild disgust.]

Are you done yet? Contrary to what you might think, I actually don't enjoy spending much time in dimly lit, cramped and cold places.

when what we're doing isn't downhill for us but for other people indirectly involved

[ex_seventh238]

[not sure but either way clearly there is enough sadness to pass around for everyone...

Which just backs up the 'ignore ignore ignore' theory all the more, although at this state it's more like confirmed fact rather than mere hypothesis, huh...]

You're asking me? [Replying lightly at the rhetorical question here, though there might or might not be something vaguely unsettling about that small smile of hers.] It would depend on the regain, but whenever I received something unpleasant, I find some sort of use for it and bear with it. It'd be childish to reject what was once mine, so I'm not in the habit of denying things I get back or making trades. ...But that also depends on the individual and the type of things they get receive, right? [So don't sweat it Charles, she's not targeting you at all with what she's just said...

A small beat. She's still looking up at him, but also not letting go of 06.]

If you insist. I won't ask you to let this one come upstairs, but I do intent to come down here again once I hear more about this. Does that sound fair? [She's asking, but nothing in her expression or posture hints towards any shred of willingness for negotiation there...]

[encored]

No. [whoops there's nothing hinting negotiation on his end either. he keeps the clone down here for a reason!! her ignore ignore ignore theory is completely accurate, of course, and he's already feeling that just by interacting with Ciel, 06 is encroaching on his territory.]

You've already overstepped your boundaries by far. I don't owe you anything and you certainly don't have permission to treat my home and my property as though it were your own. [wow it's been a while since he's pulled the no-sharing card, huh... ye olde defense mechanisms are kicking back into gear, that much is obvious. he evens his stance out on the stairs, crossing his arms over his chest.

and as a quick counter-jab revisiting her first comment which he has indeed all but ignored:] Either way, finding use for something useless is an exercise in frustration I don't particularly enjoy, especially when it can hardly be considered something that was once mine to begin with.

[ex_seventh238]

I was hoping to have your consent, but if you're going to be stubborn... [not finishing that sentence


but the 'guess I'll just have to do without' is kind of. Floating there, isn't it. It's not like he can win against her in a fight or anything...

o o p s]

Someone has to do it, if you're not willing to step over the boundaries of your own affairs, Charles. [Turning her back to him for a second to get on her knees again and pet 06... Ignoring the fact that Charles can hear anything she says from there] I have to get going now, but don't worry, okay? I'll bring you something good next time!

[...

SO MUCH FOR BEING SUBTLE

but yes, that said she'll be detaching herself from 06 and headed his way.]

It'll help you in the long run though, but I can understand how difficult that is to impatient people with short tempers. So where would you like to talk? [because she sure isn't leaving here without a thorough explanation, nope.jpg]

[encored]

[another derisive snort. his apathy seems to be turning into a more solid contempt the longer she coddles 06, good job Charles. 06 doesn't seem to mind at all, at least...! he's quite pleased to have someone in the house that doesn't ignore him, and he even got a meal out of it, so he looks plenty eager at the prospect of her revisiting

which Charles promptly takes upon himself to crush under the heel of his nicely polished boot.] That won't be necessary. The time limit for trades is up, so I'll be trying my luck at the post again shortly. [not that he had been rushing before today, but there's a bitter taste he knows he won't get rid of until he's rid of the clone now.

EITHER WAY his patience with the situation is stretched pretty thin so he's just gonna mosey his way back up the stairs, assuming Ciel will follow after him after she's done fussing over his big dumb clone.]

[ex_seventh238]

[man all these babby bats sulking how will she deal with it all

...same as always, supposedly...]

My, how callous. [She doesn't comment further, but she will follow him to wherever he wants to talk. Not going to push this any further until she gets more deets too, it's already blatantly obvious that Charles is stretching himself much thinner than she's seen him for a good number of months now. LEAD THE WAY...]

[encored]

[she's practically developed a patented method for dealing with babby bat tantrums by now anyway, huh...

the statement is met with a shrug and then he steps through the threshold back into his house. he will of course be turning off the light and shutting the basement door once she's out despite the verbal but relatively mild noises of protest from 06, and then going to mosey off toward the kitchen. all of his stressful topic conversations seem to take place here...!]

I'd rather like to call it a night at this point, you know.

[ex_seventh238]

Yes, but you should know me well enough by now to make a few predictions of your own, may I presume that much?

[she'll just offer him a small smile with that. so about them options, charles...]

[encored]

Of course. You've never made things easy. [so exasperated! but she might find it interesting to note that his relationship with 06 is, visually at least, an out of sight, out of mind one. though it's clear he's still agitated by the topic itself and the discussion he can foresee, the apathetic chill and jealous agitation is rapidly dissolving.]

[ex_seventh238]

I could say the same to you, Charles. [does he need some headpats too because she's got plenty to spare... you can pretend to not wilt the moment someone gives you affectionate physical contact too, Charles, just a fyi

NOTED AND FILED AWAY no doubt this may come into play soon enough.


and d-daw IT'S OK YOU'RE THE ONLY SHOTAPIRE IN HER LIFE... (Merem's a different tier)]

Do you feel stressed?

[just

wondering]

[encored]

[that's how he's programmed to react to physical contact it is hard getting over himself enough to actually admit he enjoys hugs and headpats okay!! so instead he just seethes in jealousy when they go to someone else... healthy....

REGARDLESS, he waves the statement away and goes to sit on the edge of the counter since it's his kitchen and he does what he wants.]

Not any more or less than usual when you're involved.

[ex_seventh238]

[to be completely honest she

didn't expect him to get THAT jelly

maybe a few rustled feathers, but CHARLES...]

Your muscle structure should still be similar to that of any other normal person, right? I could knead your back and shoulders, if you'd like.

[is this an indirect acknowledgement that she causes him stress, the world may never know...]

[encored]

[EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OKAY... being an envious person to start with definitely doesn't help.]

I've never suffered from muscle tension permanent enough to cause any lasting discomfort. [oh the varied and ridiculous benefits of being a chiropteran...! even the tiniest issues sort themselves out quickly. he seems somewhat proud charles why NOT DIRECTLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT SHE'S THE CAUSE OF MUCH STRESS EITHER]

If you'd be so kind as to state your terms so that I could get on with my night, that would be appreciated.

[ex_seventh238]

[just sit tight

he'll get a boobsquish before the game ends yet]

It could still feel good, though. I can eliminate tension in my joints by myself too, but it's not so bad sometimes to have someone else help you. [well okay then!! she'll just lean by the doorway into the kitchen, she's good standing.

Crossing her arms and adopting a more sober expression, then!]

I'd like to hear more about your look-alike, of course. Especially why he's modeled after you, but I have a feeling that you probably didn't have any say in its creation to begin with. Am I close?

[encored]

[marshmallow hell: level nun why]

It would be shameful if I needed the help for something so minor and trivial. [now he's just being a brat because he doesn't want to feel like he's coming in second place to his own clone, even if that'd only be the case in his own head....

he responds to the slight decrease in the relaxed atmosphere by upping his own uncaring air, complete with briefly swinging one of his legs in what would be a somewhat child-like fashion if he wasn't... him.]

What is it you'd like to hear? I've already told you I can't explain much about it. Receiving it in return for that mouse of mine was a surprise even for me, you know. [because he had vague ideas of what the test results were being used for, but he had never really seen a "finished product" (though he kind of doubts that's the case since IT'S SO DUMB...)

as for not having a say in its creation, his skipping over that question entirely is likely a good enough answer in and of itself.]