video.

[jokesonthem]

[It takes him a while to figure out the NV. (In fact, it takes him a while to realize he has it, busy as he is searching for somewhere to wash the dirt off his face, pacing back and forth a lot, and laying down to will his wounds to stay closed.) He has, in truth, not a clue how it works, except that it seems to respond to his touch. He has poked tentatively through network broadcasts and determined the meaning of "video," the only command the thing offers he doesn't recognize--although he hesitates about touching that command, himself. He is dissheveled and in his pajamas and looks quite rattled, in his opinion, which surely is too embarrassing to show complete strangers.

... But maybe they would have some sympathy for him if they could see his face. He turns on the video...

...giving everyone a lovely view of his nightshirt's collar and the lower half of his face. There is a plaster on his cheek, and some wrapped bandages visible crossing his collarbone.]

Well, is this thing working? [He taps the screen sharply, then holds the NV a bit farther away, which puts the rest of his face (and more bandages!) in view-] How am I supposed to tell--oh, is that me in the corner?

[Serious time, Reim. He squares his jaw and regards the NV with his best business face.] My name is Reim Lunettes. I would like to request several things, if I may: information, something to write with, and-- c, clothes.

[He mumbles the last part. This is humiliating...]

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[He nods, and his eyes dart around in the typical manner of someone who has no idea how to find the 'stop' button, but he gets it eventually, and just before he finally presses it he adds (an afterthought, his voice climbing out of its calm tone and becoming decidedly freaked out by the end):]

If--If there is anyone here who knows me, please come and find me!!

[oh wow this is so embarrassing he has to go FEED CUT]

Comments

[littlest_lord]

_{[Oh. Oh no. If Ciel had the energy he would've smacked himself in the face with his hand. Instead, he simply begins running toward the tank again, storming up to it with his little fists at his sides. Ciel is practically fuming. There is an extent to the damage he can accept to his property, at least in a given time frame. Gilbert and Break already had trashed his ballroom earlier before. Now this.]}

XERXES BREAK, HOW...HOW DARE YOU-!

[jokesonthem]

[Reim is halfway out of the hatch when he notices the very upset--er, child? Well, it isn't a surprise that someone else is yelling at Break. And if this tiny stranger is mad about the gate--

--then Reim should apologize profusely to him. He is sort of responsible, after all. He waves his arms in a gesture that's supposed to convey "please don't ruin us like we did that gate."]

Sorry! We're very sorry--! [beat] I'm very sorry!

[maddeninghatter]

Lord Phantomhive. Good to see yoooooooou!

[ Oh dear, is Reim prostrating himself again? Break takes him by the arm and hauls him the rest of the way out of the tank. ]

This is my very best friend, Mister Reim Lunettes~♥

[ Break is actually counting on your fine manners, Ciel, not to comment on Reim's appearance - that is to say, that he's clad in a shroud and barefoot, obviously dead and buried and just recently returned to life.

That Reim is actually in his PJs is something Break doesn't realize. Nor is he aware of Reim's bandages or his wounds. ]

He'll be your guest for a while, naturally.

[littlest_lord]

<sub>[Just. Just....

Just no.

Flabbergasted Ciel can barely process what's happening. Break is, hands down, the most irritating person he's had to deal with. He's even worse than Undertaker. Right now, at this very moment, Ciel'd rather climb into one of the reaper's coffins than have to deal with this man.

Once he finds his words though, they spew out of him like water from a garden hose at full pressure.]</sub>

FIRST you take complete advantage of my hospitality, then you steal my car and drive it around like some maniac, you EAT ALL of my desserts and steal my candy from the pantry, leave the ballroom in absolute disarray and NOW you drive a TANK onto my lawn, blow up the front gate and invite a stranger to come live in my home?!

I'M the master of this house, Xerxes Break, and yet everyone seems to forget that fact! You're only still allowed to set foot inside this home anymore because Gilbert requested it!

_{[He's catching his breath now, the poor child red in the face as he stands, pointing an accusatory finger at the troublemaker.]}

Get this abomination OFF OF MY LAWN!

[jokesonthem]

[Oh, it's called a tank. NOTED...

Reim spends the duration of this little exchange giving Break the most disbelieving-slash-irritated look he can manage; if it were more dignified, he would gesture between them and say REALLY? a few times, but he resists.

At one point he hisses this isn't even your house, I can't believe you at Break, just before he huffs and shakes his arm free. He considers stepping forward, to... try to reason... well no, to try and prevent someone taking out a death wish on Break, but.

All things considered, he would rather stand here looking ashamed and deeply apologetic. Good enough.]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Break is still cheesed off about the ballroom and what happened therein, so he frowns. But it doesn't last. He hops lightly off the tank, down to the tiny raging Earl and then...

Pats him. On the head. ]

Right, right. Well then - that's settled! Come on, Mister Reim! Enough tank-driving for one day~!

[ Swinging his stick jauntily, he heads up the walk to the main house. He's in need of a lie-down and a blanketfort and some candy, not necessarily in that order. ]

[littlest_lord]

<sub>[What.

What.

No. Pats do not work like that. Pats are not appreciated. Break is not getting through by just walking away. Ciel has more self dignity and pride than that.

Running up ahead of him, Ciel stops in the middle of the path, right in his way.]</sub>

Stop walking. _{[He's not shrieking anymore, but his voice still carries the same cross undertone. It's stable now, when he speaks, but on the inside he's shaking with rage. Every little bit of Ciel is offended by Xerxes Break and while he may not have Sebastian around to order, while he may not have any explicit power, that doesn't mean he's going to let himself get walked all over without expressing his displeasure first.]}

You insolent, self absorbed man. Don't you dare treat me like a child. I'm more than that and while titles may not mean anything here, I am still an Earl and deserve some semblance of respect - something you have denied me since you arrived to this place.

You are not setting foot within my house until you apologize to me. Properly.

_{[His tone is eerily cool and smooth. No more nonsense. He was sick of it, stressed out beyond belief, and if he had to pull the tiny little handgun tucked away in his pocket to knock some sense into this man, he would.]}

[maddeninghatter]

[ He bends over, breaking at the waist. Is it a low bow - or is he simply trying to get down to Ciel's level? ]

I beg your pardon, your Lordship. Unlike you, I am of no noble birth whatsoever. A mere servant.

Does the apology of a servant mean anything to an earl?

[ He'd looked sort of vaguely conciliatory. But now he grins. ]

If you want to drive the tank, I'll let you sit in my lap!

[littlest_lord]

I don't want to sit in anyone's lap.

_{[He grits his teeth, standing as tall as he possibly can. Which isn't much at all.]}

Of course it means something. An apology is an apology, whether it's from someone of noble birth or not - their past doesn't matter. It's their sincerity and character that does.

combo time

[maddeninghatter]

Aaaaah, but I'm afraid his Lordship's feet won't reach the pedals otherwise, and--

[maddeninghatter]

[ Break's grin fades away. Thanks, kid. Try hitting all of his buttons next time, why don't you? ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ His entire persona is based on insincerity, because of his past - because his character is wanting! ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ And this demand for an apology! It's what he owes Reim, it's what he's been trying to say, in one form or another, the whole ride home. Indeed, he's been aching to apologize, ever since he arrived. Eight long weeks of desperation and grief, wanting to beg forgiveness, though he knows himself to be unworthy of it. ]

done

[maddeninghatter]

S-shut up!

[ It's an agonized cry. ]

Leave me alone!

[ He blows past Ciel, towards the manor, at top speed. Sorry Reim, you're going to have to deal with the tiny Earl and his tiny rage. ]

[1/3]

[littlest_lord]

_{[Wait what...just happened what-]}

[2/3]

[littlest_lord]

_{[What a dramatic, strange and irritating man...]}

[3/3]

[littlest_lord]

_{[He watches Break storm off toward the manor a moment longer before just sighing. He doesn't have it in him to keep up his rage. If anything, it's simmered into complete and utter contained annoyance. There's a sigh before Ciel turned his attention back to the man in a nightgown.]}

I suppose that you would like the opportunity to make yourself more presentable, Sir?

[jokesonthem]

[Upon Break's stupidly overdramatic exit, a number of things go through Reim's head, starting with "what the hell is wrong" and ending with "XERXES BREAK HOW COULD YOU LEAVE ME HERE--"

The latter might show on his face, in between irritation and mild panic when he looks at the little lord.]

I-- [He is suddenly painfully aware, again, of how gross he must look. First impression: stellar...] That would be most appreciated...

[He reaches up to remove his glasses and clean them- but he's dirty and so he gives up and drops his hands to his sides with a long-suffering sigh.]

I apologize for Xerxes.

[littlest_lord]

_{[The man before him looks as if he's been dragged through Hell and back and really, considering the circumstances, Ciel wouldn't be surprised at all if that were the case. He gives him a small shake of his head, reaching into his pocket to pull out a clean handkerchief, holding it out to the man so he could clean his glasses.]}

You needn't apologize on his behalf.

If you follow me I'll have fresh clothes and a bath prepared for you.

[jokesonthem]

[Reim accepts the handkerchief with a weary expression; yes, he really does have to apologize, it's practically compulsory.]

He isn't going to...

[He doesn't have the energy left to politely fuss, and a bath sounds wonderful, so he simply nods.]

[littlest_lord]

I'm aware of that.

_{[Painfully aware. Ciel has just learned to Deal With It. It comes with learning to live with a house full of crazies and your own insanity. He sends one of the servants a message to leave fresh clothes and run a bath for the man as he begins to make his way up toward the house.]}

What was your name again, Mister...?

[jokesonthem]

[Dealing With It is the first step. Reim follows, at a polite but manageable distance. #servantlyfe]

Reim Lunettes.

[littlest_lord]

I see.

Well, Mister Lunettes, I suppose I should say welcome to Siren's Port. I'm Earl Ciel Phantomhive.

[jokesonthem]

[Being called something other than just Reim is so weird--]

A... pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir.

[Now what; is it kosher to compliment the house, after having just destroyed the yard? Is he already on thin ice because of Break?? Oh no, this is so awkward-!]

[littlest_lord]

If only I could have made yours under far more pleasant circumstances..._{[Luckily for you Reim, Ciel isn't judging you in the slightest. If anything, he feels pity for you. Reaching the door he pushes it open, waiting for Reim to follow. Today is going to be a long one, clearly.]}

There will be a room prepared for you also, after you've washed up. I assume you'll want something to eat as well?

_{[No one can say the Phantomhive Hospitality doesn't exist!]}