[ Video ] 2: Pool of (Gilbert's!) Tears

[maddeninghatter]

[ This bright Sunday morning finds Gilbert Nightray sitting behind the wheel of a black jaguar convertible. ]

I'm realizing that I've been a rut, lately. All I do is look after my young master, fret about things uselessly, and work.

[ It isn't his car. ]

So I thought I'd go for a drive, reacquaint myself with the city. Would anyone care to join me? You could point out some things that I've been taking for granted.

[ In fact, he's never driven a car before. ]

I'd be happy to exchange a lift in exchange for a bit of tour guiding, what do you say?

[ Xerxes Break is "borrowing" Ciel Phantomhive's car and Gilbert's body. The feed ends with the sound of a powerful engine growwwwwwwwling to life! ]

Comments

[debtor]

[That was fast... And Allen is waiting outside! He comes to the car—

to the drivers side, opening Break's door, blocking the exit.]

Xerxes Break?

[maddeninghatter]

Hellooooo~♪

[ As broad a smile as he can manage, and a finger-wiggling wave! ]

[debtor]

[Allen is making considerably less effort to appear friendly.]

What are you doing with that body?

[maddeninghatter]

My, myyyyy~! You seem quite put out about something.

[debtor]

[WAITINGGG FOR AN ANSWER.]

1/2

[maddeninghatter]

[ Just gonna smiiiiiile! ]

If you want a lift, you'll need to go 'round, and sit over--

2/2

[maddeninghatter]

Allen! Allen, it's y-you! Please, I need you! I don't have long!

[debtor]

[Even if that smiiiiiiiile could have been a little bit telling, he has no reason not to assume Gil's life is in danger. DON'T WORRY, HE'LL SAVE YOU. FROM WHATEVER IS GOING ON.

He flinches back, eyes wide. Urgently!!:] What do you need me to do!?

[maddeninghatter]

[ He clutches at Allen's shirt desperately. ]

F-first... I... I need sugar, I know it sounds strange, but it takes a lot of energy fighting him off. I need s-something to sustain me.

[debtor]

[Allen's desperation begins to ebb slightly...]

You need sugar?

[maddeninghatter]

Hmm?

[ A little start; Break stares at his own hands in confusion. He draws them away from Allen's chest. ]

Ah. Sorry about that. Not sure what happened, haha! So - you wanted a lift? Where did you want to go?

1/2

[debtor]

[...There's a silent pause, as he stares at Break...]

2/2

[debtor]

[And then there's a fist flying towards his face.]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Break usually just rolls with punches. His real body is about as substantial as a porcelain doll, so he's light and fast enough to dodge most anything. But Gilbert's body is much larger, much slower. Allen's punch makes contact-- ]

Oo-oh!

[ --which is a problem.

Locked deep within Gilbert's body is a dark creature called a "Chain." It's the natural tendency of Chains to come out when their vessels are threatened.

As Break's body recoils from the blow, a flurry of black feathers billows up. Break, himself, looks genuinely dismayed! ]

[debtor]

[The angry tirade he had planned is cut short!]

Ah--! [Because this is. Not exactly as planned.

Allen pulls his hand away, as he stumbles back, eyes locked on the creature. He can guess what it is, since Gilbert had kindly explained previously. But he definitely hadn't been expecting it to show up... like that. Right now.]

The Chain?

[He can't tell if that was on purpose or accidental-- Break's genuine dismay could be another act. What he really doesn't want is to have to fight this thing, though.]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Gilbert had actually warned him about Raven. Break had brushed him off. His own chain, Mad Hatter, is much darker - and much more insane. Yet Raven is unexpectedly difficult to control. He is... different.

What Allen is seeing now is merely a shadow, merely an impression of the massive, fire-spitting bird. ]

Nnngh...

[ More black feathers float in the air; and that's the only sign of Raven, now. Break is just managing to suppress him.

Just. ]

[debtor]

[He can't tell a half-formed Chain from any other, though Raven in all its glory would be a bit more shocking.

He looks between it and Break now, watching both warily. Not really a lot he can do to help, but he's prepared to act, if things quickly get out of hand.]

Xerxes...?

[maddeninghatter]

[ It's over. Raven is suppressed, hidden away. It's tiring, but not the same as when he uses Mad Hatter. No feeling of incipient death nor decay; no sensation of life, being drained away.

Give him a moment, Allen. Eventually he'll realize you're there. He glances up. ]

Any chance of a cup of tea?

[debtor]

[...Lets out a breath.

Does he want to deal with this guy... He doesn't feel terribly bad about punching him, after that stunt. He'd like to have yelled at him as well, but now he's completely thrown off.]

I haven't got any tea. [Worst British person.] Are you all right?

[maddeninghatter]

[ It may come as an enormous, astounding surprise to you, Allen, but Break's friends punch him in the head on a fairly regular basis, for his antics... ]

Mn.

I'd be better with tea.

[ He turns the key in the ignition. The motor growls alive. ]

People call me Break, by the way.

[debtor]

[He. He can't imagine why.]

[Something else doesn't add up!] Where did you find a car, Break?

[maddeninghatter]

Haha~! Same place I found this body~!

[ He pulls forwards, slowly, just enough to get clear of Allen, so he can shut the driver's side door. ]

[debtor]

[GRHGH. He'll have to ask Gilbert about the car later... He walks alongside Break as he rolls forward, calling out;] That was an awful thing you did, you know!

And please drive more carefully!

[maddeninghatter]

[ He slams the car door shut. ]

I can see why you and Mister Gilbert are friends. Nooooooo sense of humor!

[ Sorry, Allen. You don't know this, but you push several of Break's many buttons. You look like him, a little; and you're a friend of Gilbert's, hence: pranking. ]

[debtor]

[In a voice probably not loud enough to make out through a closed door;] Not when it's something like that.

[It was a prank in particularly poor taste!! Not that Break would know why.

HE LOOKS FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH YOU AGAIN.]