♕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]

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?

[retraced]

[Gilbert only pouts in response and turns away to look at the wall. Like a mature adult. A mature adult who is currently a table and still holding a bunch of sandwiches.

Plus he's stricken slightly tongue-tied by Break's sudden change in tone. He can't snap back when Allen is right there.]

[maddeninghatter]

Because~

[ Break is trying to lighten his voice once more. Unsuccessfully. ]

He's letting himself be distracted!

[ He pulls away from Allen. He's angry - at himself, at Gilbert, at the whole situation. ]

It's a fatal error - even when you know better!

[ Fatal indeed. That's how he'd let Reim get killed, after all. He'd had too many balls in the air, that night. And had been arrogant enough to think he could manage them all at once (even now, the idea that he could have asked for help doesn't occur to him).

Well, now - he's said too much. This conversation has gotten away from him. He turns away, without another word, and stalks back towards the snack table. Enough of healthy food, he'll salve his guilty soul with more cake.

Xerxes Break is a mature adult also. ]

[debtor]

[Between Break's outburst and Gilbert's reticence over here he's. Somehow getting the impression this doesn't actually have anything to do with the turkey sandwiches.

Just what sort of priorities is Gilbert neglecting?

He blinks at Break's back as he walks off, nearly taking a step to follow after.]

What?

[—but he turns to Gil instead.]

What's he talking about?

[retraced]

[Another unexpected outburst that leaves him silent as he watches his boss' retreating back. He's still holding the two plates up as he keeps his eyes on him, the shock on his face quickly turning to confusion and then finally to worry. Maybe this was putting more of a strain on his than it was taking off after all.]

...Sorry about that. [He steps aside to put the plates down finally, stretching his arms out and rolling his shoulders back.]

We're just having a...disagreement.

[debtor]

It's fine. [His expression is sympathetic (as he briefly eyes the sandwich platter.)

This sounds rather... personal. Would it be wise to involve himself at all? He doesn't want to overstep any boundaries here...]

...It's not something minor, is it?

[retraced]

It never is with him.

[But that's a depressing topic! Let's talk about food instead. Allen likes food.]

Is everything going well so far?

[debtor]

[Do

you two need counseling...

He'll roll with the topic change, though, only casting a quick glance at Mr. Hatter. Allen loves food.]

—Mm, it is!

Thank you, for providing the judges with so much. It's a brilliant competition you've all put together.

[retraced]

Ah - I'm glad.

[This is a perfectly healthy relationship between superior and underling. Very, very healthy.]

I still don't understand why they had to broadcast it over the NV. Who would be interested in watching people bake?

[Reality shows: Victorians don't understand them.]

[debtor]

[Yes, of course that's what this is.

Reality shows: Allen has no idea what a broadcast show is.]

Perhaps... somebody who's interested in baking?

[He doesn't know, but someone must want to see it! He's just here to eat stuff.

Like, maybe, those sandwiches, that Break is currently not eating. That are just sitting there, alone, untouched...

Allen gestures towards them.] May I...?

[retraced]

[He has to admit, he watches those baking shows on TV, but only because they explain their recipes! This is just watching people argue amongst themselves and attempt to not screw up a competition while being judged by their peers and faceless strangers. It's...creepy. And not useful at all.

He turns and looks back at those sandwiches as well. Break seems to have stumbled off in a fit of rage or angst or something and it doesn't look like he's coming back any time soon, so since wasting food is a crime in Gil's book:]

Oh, sure. Please, help yourself.

[debtor]

[You may learn to appreciate it someday.

And Allen agrees wholeheartedly!]

Thanks! [So he'll gladly do his part and inhale the sandwiches. Justice is served.

YOUR LOSS, BREAK, these are excellent, and disappearing at an astonishing (and quite possibly physically impossible) rate.]

[retraced]

[And he will just sit back quietly and watch those sandwiches disappear. Thank goodness he's used to this. And, since he cares about Allen's approval, he asks:]

Are they good enough?

[debtor]

Definitely! They were delicious.

[Grabbing a nearby napkin to wipe off his mouth.

Hm, wait...]

Had you made all of those for Hatter...?