♕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

[retraced]

[So much unsure about all of this...

But Gil only continues to frown curiously at his superior as he turns and starts for the buffet table.]

I'll get you some, wait here. How many do you want?

[maddeninghatter]

A dozen!

Oh - and by the way...

[ So casually ]

How are you holding up, hmmm?

[retraced]

[A dozen? Well, they're small, but he's still not sure that Break will be able to stomach that many. Though, he doesn't have a chance to voice his concern over the size of his boss' stomach after he asks that question. There have been a few sleepless night after the initial crash, kept awake by the memories of that crazed laughter and anxiety in general. His pale skin probably reflects the exhaustion, but his voice definitely doesn't. And he thanks the fact that Break can't see again...]

Like I told you before, everything is fine.

[That's all he offers before he turns to leave and get all of those turkey sandwiches. And yes, he'll bring exactly 12.]

1/2

[maddeninghatter]

[ There's enough ambient noise in the room and the lighting is such that Break doesn't immediately realize that Gilbert has gone. ]

You know, whatever point you were trying to make--

[ Softly, through gritted teeth: ]

Fine. You've made it. I'm... I'm impressed with your ability. But it's time to stop playing around. Stop being a spoiled brat.

2/2

[maddeninghatter]

[ ... ]



--Gilbert?

[ He's gone. ]

[retraced]

[It takes him a few minutes to return. He has to stack 12 stupid sandwiches onto 2 equally stupid plates and return without spilling, after all. But he makes it back all in one piece, and is blissfully unaware of those cheesy words of yours, Break.]

You asked for these, so you'd better eat them all and not waste anything.

[Grumble grumble.]

[maddeninghatter]

There you are. Hadn't realized you'd gone. I was speaking to the air.

[ He reaches for the plates. Gimme! ]

Ha! Ha! Ha! Though where yooooooooou're concerned, Gilbert, there's little difference, right?

[retraced]

[Oh, that actually makes him sad...

Not that he has much time to feel sad. Just offended!]

Stop saying that like sandwiches just appear out of thin air!

[See, he's good for things. Take the damned sandwiches, he doesn't want to see them anymore!]

[maddeninghatter]

I suppose I never thought about where sandwiches come from. ♥

[ Break begins to reach for the plates; but reconsiders. Instead, he selects a sandwich from one of the plates, leaving Gilbert to continue holding them.

He eats it in a single bite. ]

Oh, that's -- hmmm!

[retraced]

I'm not a table either!

[Is that a good hmm or a bad hmm, boss?]

[maddeninghatter]

It's not... sweet...

[ And then, adding words to make a full sentence that he never thought he'd utter, at least not in recent memory: ]

...but it's not bad, either.

[ Ignoring that table comment. You're a jerk, Gilbert, expecting your old blind boss to be able to manage two heavily-laded plates and his cane. He's good, but he's not that good.






...well, actually, he is that good. It's just more fun to make you hold them. ]

[retraced]

Oh.

[Yep, that's all the intelligent response he has for that statement. Suddenly he wonders just how much influence his contract had over his sweet tooth, or if this is just some sort of bizarre new leaf he's trying to turn over. Either way it's a little unnerving.]

Break. My arms are getting tired.

[maddeninghatter]

Oh?

[ Chomp! Another sandwich gone. ]

If there's anything of mine that's burdening you, by all means - set it doooooooown.

[retraced]

Huh?!

[Is that a challenge????

Fine, he'll just stand here and be a freaking table in silence, then. That'll really show him!]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Break dispatches three more sandwiches, chewing noisily. ]

Hmmm, I'm feeling a bit thirsty, all of a sudden. Wait here. ♥

[ He wanders off, presumably in search of tea. ]

[debtor]

[PASSING BY— oh, sandwiches!

...But also Gilbert?? Allen stops short of grabbing one, feeling as though there might be some kind of reason why he's standing here, unmoving, holding plates stacked with turkey sandwiches.]

Ah, Gilbert? Why do you have those...?

[retraced]

[Break, he hates you so much more than usual right now. Which is to say A LOT. His hatred meter is officially in the red.

His body language screams ANNOYANCE!!! as he turns to face Allen. Through gritted teeth:]

I'm...holding them for someone -

[maddeninghatter]

[ Returning, a little while later, with teacup and saucer. ]

Ah - hello again, Mister Allen.

[ He takes another sandwich, not even acknowledging Gilbert's role as table! ]

[debtor]

[He's not sure he's ever seen someone with sandwiches look so irate before. It's kinda startling.

...And there's Mr. Hatter again, helping himself to one. Allen could probably hazard a guess as to who the 'someone' is.

Tersely;]

Hello, Hatter.

[And to Gilbert;]

You can set them down, can't you?

[retraced]

Not at the moment...

[He could! He could throw them at Break's stupid feet and stomp off! He has things to do after all! But pride is at stake here, so no, he's going to keep holding this shit up like a boss.

He sighs angrily.]

'Hatter'? What's with that nickname? [He directs the question towards both of them.]

[maddeninghatter]

Bit ironic, hmmm? All things considered.

[ A wry smile and a nod towards Allen. ]

Would you like a sandwich? Mister Gilbert thinks he can hold plates for everybody~!

Even though I'm quite suuuuuuure he's getting tired.

[debtor]

[He raises an eyebrow at Gilbert's question. 'Nickname'?]

He told me that's what he's called.

[Glancing at Break, unimpressed. ...Though still not entirely sure what's actually going on here.]

No, thank you. I don't need him to hold plates for me.

[retraced]

[He'd clarify the nickname thing and blow Break's cover, but unfortunately he's too peeved by those words to bother. Break, he's going to kick your ass when he's done holding these plates.]

I'm not tired at all! I can hold these up all day without any trouble!

[maddeninghatter]

Well, you see - I feel the same, Mister Allen.

[ He's just going to rest his elbow on your shoulder, Allen, all sympatico-like. ]

I don't need him to hold my plates, either. But still he insists, even though he's got other - more pressing - priorities.

[ His voice had been smug and teasing. But just now, the facade cracks. He sounds almost sad. ]

[debtor]

[...Nnnnope, still baffled by the both of you.

He does allow Break to leave his arm there, though.]

Then, why is he insisting?