♕039♕ [Live Stream]

[littlest_lord]

_{[When the broadcast starts the image above is shown with a short accompanying tune before it fades away to show Ciel and Oz looking rather dapper as they sit at a fancy little table with tea and pieces of cake. Both are smiling as they greet the feed as Ciel begins to address it.]}

Good Morning Siren's Port! Both Oz Vessalius and I, Earl Ciel Phantomhive, would like to welcome everyone to Funtom's Cake Challenge! Three teams will be pitted against one another to bake and decorate the most elaborate, captivating and delicious cake they can for the grand prize of one thousand dollars to each individual member of the winning team.

But, Ciel! Don't forget, if they fail to finish their cake in time, they'll forfeit the money. [ he sips at his tea ] Isn't there a charity we could give it to instead? [ mmhmm. he's doubting the team's ability to finish. Are you really going to take that? ]

Well, there is the Newcomer Fund, but surely one of the teams will win. Each team will be judged by our team of five judges consisting of Gabriel, Madam Red, Xerxes Break, Allen Walker and Franziska Von Karma. Do your best - they will not be judging your creations lightly.

[ Oz's eyes go wide ] That's quite a list and it certainly won't be easy for our players to make an impression on our judges. [ do some of them even taste their food? But then he giggles. ] Should we warn them to stay on their toes? I know of at least one judge who likes to show up in the oddest places. [ yes, Break. That's you. He has high hopes for you! Just don't eat all the cake. ]

Batter will fly and so will mixing spoons, I believe. Keep your wits about you, contestants, the whole port will be watching!

And don't forget, if you see something you like -- or dislike -- send in your texts, your comments, anything! Our contestants won't be responding, but they might just see something to egg them on because, that's right, they'll be able to see and hear every word of it too as we'll be broadcasting the stream right over their heads.

Honestly, I'm looking forward to it. Things could get really interesting, don't you think?

_{[Ciel nods in agreement, lifting his teacup off the saucer.]} I do. May the best team win - let the competition begin!

Comments

[maddeninghatter]

[ He pats Allen solicitously on the back. ]

No need to get over excited, hmmm~? I think there's enough for everybody.

[debtor]

[And he takes another step back, for good measure.]

I'm certain there is! I was only sampling a few sweets.

[maddeninghatter]

[ Tsk, tsk. You're no fun. Break is just going to link arms with you and attempt to lead you back towards the table. Personal space, what is that? ]

Only a few? No need to hold back.

[ It's pretty clear Allen hasn't quite figured out who he is, ergo... ]

What's your name, by the way?

[debtor]

[Ergh... He'll allow it, but that's because there's food at this table.]

But, we will be having cake soon.

[HE HAS no goddamn idea, it's true.]

Allen. What's yours?

[maddeninghatter]

People call me Hatter.

[ This is not untrue. ]

So - Allen. Candy now and cake later - I don't see what's wrong with that, do you?

[ He produces one of those enormous swirly lollipops - the kind you always wanted as a kid, but your parents never let you buy - complete with a little bow at the bottom of the stick. He makes as if to offer it to Allen, but... at the last moment... bites into it himself. ]

1/2

[debtor]

Hatter, then.

[Eyeing... that lollipop. Almost makes a move to reach for it when it's offered— and blinks when Break snatches it away. WOW, RUDE what just happened.

He is getting the distinct impression he might be in the presence of a troll.]

2/2

[debtor]

[...He'll brush it off, however, shaking his head and looking back at the treats on the table. Mr. Hatter has a valid argument BUT...]

Yes, but, I'll wait to see if the other judges would like some first.

[maddeninghatter]

[ Chomp, slurp, chomp crunch. Break has evidently never heard of licking a lollipop. ]

That's awfully thoughtful of you.

[ He lets go of Allen and takes a seat on the snack table, for better access of course. Everything about him - from his poufy white hair to his oversized, unbuckled boots, to his oversized jacket covering his hands - gives off an air of clownish carelessness. ]

How long have you been in Siren's Port, Allen?

[debtor]

[You're dang right it's thoughtful of him. (He might've just snatched a piece of candy just then BUT ONLY ONE so it's fine!!)]

...Nearly two months, now.

You shouldn't sit on the table. [It's improper to park your butt near the food, man.]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Break just smiles at Allen's remonstrations, swinging his legs and not moving from his perch.

Lollipop finished, he reaches for something else. His fingers bump against a box of Pocky. He opens it without difficulty. He has no idea what it is; but whatever inside is wrapped in lovely, crinkly, cellophane, which he takes to be a good sign. ]

Where were you, before you came here?

[ Break continues to be fascinated by other worlds; he thinks they might be a key to understanding this one.

...though not as fascinated as he is by what's in this cellophane pouch, good heavens! Long, thin biscuits covered with chocolate, by the feel and smell of them! CRUNCH! ]

[debtor]

My own world. [That's about as specific as he'll get.

The Pocky catches his eye as Break lifts the box up. Strange name for a food item, but they look pretty good...

—BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY he was just blatantly ignored...!]

Please, it's rude to sit up there.

Mind if I pop in?

[spiderlilies]

Is he giving you trouble, dear?

[ Having overheard, Madam Red takes it upon herself to intervene. She's seemingly more amused than anything, though! ]

You shouldn't be so mean, Mr. 'Hatter'♥.

please do!

[maddeninghatter]

[ Ohohoho, she's playing along! ]

Weeeeeell, I suppose I ought to behave myself, if ~ladies~ are present. ♥

[ He tosses aside the empty Pocky box (yes, he ate them ALL, Allen!), and reaches for another candy packet. He's got no idea what's in it, but so far his lovely cellophane has not let him down.

He slides off the table and stands. ]

Madam Red, have you met Mister Allen?

of course I don't! :>

[debtor]

[Oh, someone else is here. Allen glances over at her, slightly sheepish.]

No, he's—

[sliding off the table... Well, that works, then. WHATEVER, HE CAN GET HIS OWN POCKY] ...Thank you.

[And then turning his attention back to Madam Red.] Ah, we haven't. [He offers her a polite smile, holding out one gloved hand, like a gentleman.] It's a pleasure to meet you, madam.

<3

[spiderlilies]

Likewise, Mister Allen! [ With a bat of the eyes, she slips her hand into his for a brief and dainty shake. ]

Well, it seems that Hatter has been enjoying himself thus far. [ Sending a wink Break's way! ] How have you been faring?

[maddeninghatter]

Fan~tas~tic~☆

[ And he is. Perhaps Madam Red has noticed how much better he's looking, just in the last week. His pale skin is rosier and his restless energy isn't forced.

He looks like someone who's finally been able to sleep, after years of insomnia. ]

Mister Allen here was just telling me about his home world. Do go on.

[debtor]

[Dropping his hand back at his side, his smile turning a tad tighter when Break speaks to him again.]

Ah. There's not much to tell. It can't be that different from others. [Addressing both of them;] Have you heard of England...?

[spiderlilies]

[ After Break said as much, she'd turned her attention on Alan with an expectant smile. Now, at the mention of England, she clasps her hands over her breast. ]

Oh, yes! I'm from England, myself. London, to be precise.

[maddeninghatter]

[ Break has acquired another lovely cellophane bag of something new, he's not sure what. ]

How interesting! You're from the same country.

[ He makes as if to offer what's in the bag to Allen, before yanking it away again. ]

What did you do in England, Mister Allen?

[debtor]

[Oh, that's surprise! He wasn't sure what the chances were, that there'd be someone else from the same place around here.]

Ah, really! I've spent some time in London—

[HE'S NOT FALLING FOR IT THIS TIME, MR. HATTER. Keep your cellophane!! He snatches a cookie off the table himself.

To Break, he lies by omission easily enough, just as he has before when asked this question here;] I'm a traveling performer.

[spiderlilies]

[ Observing the exchange between them, she only shakes her head, a knuckle pressed to chuckling lips. ]

Interesting, indeed! What sort of performances do you put on?

1/2

[maddeninghatter]

A perfooooooooormer, eh? Is that what happened to your eye? Some sort of performance accident?

[ Break grabs a handful of candies from the bag and chomps down on them, noisily. ]

2/2

[maddeninghatter]

[ Unbeknownst to Break, however, these candies are Warheads Extreme Sours.


Half a second later: ]

GAHHH!

[ Betrayed by candy, sob. ]

1/2

[debtor]

I'm just a clown.

[A sidelong glance at Break.]

No, it's not...

2/2

[debtor]

[wait what is happening]

Eeh—!? Hatter??