001 ♞

[cruelties]

[All filtered from Gilbert Nightray C:]

[The feed clicks on a young man laying down on what looks like a bench at the ubiquitous stadium with his eyes closed and his blond hair mussed. There’s sounds of people talking off-screen but their voices are indiscernible and the young man seems unconcerned about them as well. His eyes open in a squint, one red, one wine gold.]

At home, it’s Spring. I am entirely undressed for this weather. Heh. [He extends his arm so one may see his light long sleeved dress shirt and vest with no coat. His outfit may also be of noble or Victorian design depending on what sort of world the viewer is from. Wherever he's from, it is no where like Siren's Port.] My older brother scold me so much if he saw me but...

[The feed moves out of range of his expression and onto his neck tie.] Not now.

[The feed lifts back onto his face that is now contorted into a beaming grin.] Who can keep a secret? I wonder. How do you keep one?



[Filtered to Jack Vessalius]

I have your earrings still. To get them back however you must come and do something for me.

[Filtered to Ciel Phantomhive]

I see you are still here too. My condolences though I am certain you are in a good way. I imagine Gilbert is still with your household...?

[Filtered to Raul Creed]

Would it be too uncouth to ask for my old job back?

[Filtered to Elliot Nightray]

Little brother. I am sorry. I...

[He sighs.]

I told him what you wanted me to. Please don’t tell Gil I am here.

[Filtered to Xerxes Break]

It seems you may be having trouble with your inbox Mr. Hatter. Perhaps this will help.

[Tee hee.]

Comments

[ Video ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ The screen freezes, and there's no sound. A moment (or several) later, it's back on again. Break doesn't comment on the interruption; his voice is calm. ]

I saaaaaay. I'm flattered by your concern, Lord Vincent. ♥

[ The sugar bowl is still off-camera, but now it's in many pieces, on the floor. And there's a dent in the wall. ]

[ Video ]

[cruelties]

[Oh but Vincent knows Break-- he knows.]

But of course Miss Rainsworth and I have nothing but a cordial relationship! My, I do wonder how you get along without her! An old man like you with no one to help you across the street or fetch you your cane!

[ Video ] 1/3

[maddeninghatter]

[ KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL-- ]

[ Video ] 2/3

[maddeninghatter]

[ and yet.... ]

[ Video ] 3/3

[maddeninghatter]

[ Vincent's words cut deep, there's no denying that. His heart hurts, every moment that he's parted from Lady Sharon. However... ]

A city like this is no place for a lady, I'm sure you'll agree.

[ ...it's a source of strength: this pain, this loneliness. Because it means that Lady Sharon is safe from Vincent's wiles, not here at least. ]

Well! I'm sure your brother will be delighted to see you. I'll go and tell him you're here, shall I?

[ Video ]

[cruelties]

I already have. [Vincent beams pleasantly, his ready reply helping conceal that it's a blatant lie.]

[ Video ] 1/?

[maddeninghatter]

Ha! Ha! Ha! Is that so?

[ He's eavesdropped on enough of the public feeds to have at least some idea what Vincent has been on about. For whatever reason, he doesn't want Gilbert to know. ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Wait, hang on, no. That doesn't make any sense. Vincent is obsessed with his brother. His first action ought to be to fly to Gilbert's side. ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ And announcing to the Network, "I've got a secret," and then being not at all discreet about what the secret is... well! That's monumentally stupid. And Vincent is.... ]

[ Video ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ HE'S A DIRTY SEWER RAT! KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL!!!! ]

[ Video ] done

[maddeninghatter]

[ ...




Whatever Vincent is, he's not stupid. This is some ploy, some plan. Directed at... him. Of course! That message in his inbox, the private filter here. It's designed on purpose to infuriate him, to make him go snarl to Gilbert.

And how very Vincent it would be, to make Break himself the author of the brothers' happy reunion. His jaw twitches. No, no, no. He won't be Vincent's tool, he won't be played, not this time! ]

Well then. I wish you all the best.

[ Video ]

[cruelties]

[Vincent knows to not look relieved that his bluff was not called.

He is, however, going in the back of his mind -- neener, neener, neener!

Games between nobles are truly complex and intricate movements of intellect and cunning.]

Thank you.

[ Video ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ With that, he signs off, triumphant in the knowledge that he hasn't been played this time...





...


...or has he? Damned Sewer Rat!

He needs to hit something. Where's Elliot? ]