video.

[faking]

[The video is moving, when it comes on; it's being set aside. It blurs past legs (and torn stockings, a sock slid down a calf, and raspberried bruises), the owner of which seems to be sitting on a curb. When it's settled, it's clear the NV's been nestled in grass, so there are a couple of blades poking into view. But across the way is what's important: a family of small ducks waddling round a fountain. People are walking all around - you can hear them, their chatters and leather toe taps - and children are pulled away from the birds' paths by the quick hands of their mothers. Not many people are leisurely.

Alois' voice is, though, when he speaks.]

Someone from home, come and fetch me, will you? Bring handkerchiefs, and I want to stop for an ice cream come before we go back.

[There's a great sniff, which sounds a little gruesome. In the camera's peripheral, his foot shifts.]

Here is what I learned today, for those who might be none the wiser. I don't think the concept of defending anyone or anything is really real. I think, when it comes down to it, we see something we don't like so we get pissed off.

It's the truth, but it sounds a lot less pure than saying you're defending justice or friends or your good causes, huh?

[He laughs, too, the sound a little biting. A spray of shredded lettuce leaves arches over the camera, and flutters down a little ways a way. Some ducks start to talk and come clamoring for it. Alois shuts off his NV.]

Comments

video;

[motioned]

What happened? Are you alright? I'll come get you.

[She'll get to How Wrong He Is in a few, most likely.]

video;

[faking]

You can't drive. Or, I mean, it should probably be illegal for you to.

[This time he's brought the camera up to his face, which is kind of messy. His already ruined handkerchief is hovering underneath his nose. He's otherwise nonchalant, though.]

video;

[motioned]

I've taken the bus tons of times, it's not that much different. Where are you?

[Her eyes widen in surprise before she winces slightly.]

Oh my God, what happened? Are you sure you don't need to go to a doctor or something?

video;

[faking]

I'd prefer a car so that someone can put me into the car instead of it being some big hobble-y ordeal. [It's clear he's leaning down a little, but the fact that he taps one of his ankles is off screen.] Ahh, it's not like that, don't do that. [And, because he's gross, he sticks his tongue out and licks his upper lip, since he can feel blood there. Ain't no thang, though.] I'll take a bath when I'm back.

video.

[ferventknight]

[ he.. just..... oh god, what happend?! not.. that he's worried. pfft.. . . . but that's not really what his expression says. ]

What did you get yourself into now?!

video.

[faking]

Elliot~! I am a champion of love and justice! [he chirps, with the end of his handkerchief stuck up one nostril.]

video.

[ferventknight]

Love and justice? What does that even-- [ he's not going to ask. ]

Are you okay?!

video.

[faking]

Yeah, I just really don't want to walk home. Thank you for tutting, but don't tut.

video.

[retraced]

Alois...

[He'll go into the whole 'defending justice' thing later, but first:]

Where are you?

video.

[faking]

You know that shopping square with the dentistry across from the shop whose pies aren't as good as yours? [One can see why he needs more than one handkerchief.]

video.

[retraced]

[It's a testament to how long he's known Alois that he immediately understands exactly where he is.]

Sit still, I can be there soon. Nothing's broken, right?

video.

[faking]

Possibly my thumb, probably not. I've got more lettuce, I can stay here.

video

[infromthecold]

[He really shouldn't ask, but he is.]
Is this trouble finding you thing you were talking about Kid?
Nothing "pure" about ending up in a fight.

video

[faking]

I probably sought this one more than it sought me. [Now that he's addressing the camera specifically, his face is in view, and it's a fair mess. His mouth's tugged up at a corner, though, too haughty for a smile and too languid for a smirk.]

Re: video

[infromthecold]

Hope the other guy came out worse.

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

<sub>[Alois and trouble seemed to go together like milk and honey - they just fit together, although the combination wasn't something Ciel would ever think as pleasant as the latter.

He finds Alois in the bathroom, tending to his knees, putting bandaids on them. He looks a right mess.

Ciel's anything but pleased.]</sub>

You look a mess.

[Action]

[faking]

[Soon as Ciel speaks, Alois is looking up, blinking like he's got no idea what Ciel's talking about - but he leans and cranes his neck to try and make sure Ciel doesn't have anything dangerous like pies in his hands.

Looks safe.]

Yeah, [he says conversationally, but stops short to worry his lower lip with his teeth. (It's the top that's split, so he'll stay away from that.)] ...Um, I wasn't meant to be out so long, I got carried away.

[Action]

[littlest_lord]

_{[A few steps and Ciel's before Alois, reaching out to cup his chin in his hands, tilting it up gently with a frown.]}

You're banged up.

_{[He's irritated and it's showing.]}

I hate seeing you like this. Don't be so foolish.

[ Voice ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Alois is a creepy kid, even by his household's standards. Twisted - perhaps even more so than Oz. Twisted in a different way, at least. ]

You're right.

[ Voice ]

[faking]

A lot of people will be too self-righteous to admit that.

[It should be a given that he's right, but it's still nice to hear.]

[ Voice ]

[maddeninghatter]

But it's all vanity, in the end.

Voice

[hybrid_prodigy]

It might be because we get mad . . . but what if the reason you got mad is because something was threatened?

Voice

[faking]

Right, but trying to justify it by saying, 'I just wanted to protect her!' - it's stupid. People don't like admitting they're fucking angry.

Voice

[hybrid_prodigy]

[No, they don't. Gohan doesn't like that, either. He admits it, but he doesn't like it.] It doesn't justify everything, no. But sometimes protecting really is their intent and that's how it comes out.

[sees_light]

Is there a reason?