ronderotarel | [video/Action: 003]

[video/Action: 003]

[A big living room can be seen through the camera. A huge, lavishly decorated Christmas tree takes half of the space in the room, and other Christmas decorations are placed on every single other piece of furniture. There are small golder cherub statues, candy canes, huge wreaths and Santa-shaped candles.

Scattered all over the floor there are dozens and dozens of presents. Some are wrapped up in brightly-colored gift paper, others aren't. There are toys of every kind. Mechanical toys, plush dragons, a huge train toy set, toy castles, lincoln logs, toy soldiers and more.

On the table, looking quite glorious, there is an enormous chocolate birthday cake with seven little candles on top. Sitting on a nearby chair is Alois Trancy, pink-cheeked and looking quite pleased. He's wearing a new soft red coat, new stockings with intricated lace patterns, and new high-heeled ribboned boots.

He used Ciel's money to pay for all of this.]

Today it's Luca's birthday! You can come over to say happy birthday, but you can't touch the cake because it's all his. [He giggles happily.] I also decorated the whole Manor for Christmas because I know Ciel secretly wanted to, even though he said he didn't. [He gets distracted by something and the camera shifts. There are weird noises in the background but his voice can still be heard.] Luca! Come open your presents, I have a special one for you!

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I'm plenty capable of taking care of myself, really! But I enjoy having your help nonetheless.

There's no reason to be grateful to me. It's my job.

I think Ciel really does not thank you enough for your services. [He's being very sweet. Kind of still holding Gilbert's hand. Also kind of moving closer to him.]

He's the master of the house. For someone in his position, staff should be like air.

[ He's actually thankful for the proximity, because know he can kneel slightly, tug Alois' hand more towards him, and fuss over the cuff. There's something about the lining that's irritating him... ]

It isn't in his blood to notice it unless there's something wrong with it, or there's none left.

[When Gilbert starts fussing over his cuff, Alois is reminded of Claude more strongly than ever. He sees Claude in everything Gilbert says and does. He stays still to let Gilbert check whatever he needs to, and looks quite pleased.]

Well it's in my blood to care about my servants. [Unless they are female. In which case he'd only want to poke their eyes out. But that's not Gilbert's case, and Alois is still giving him that angel smile for now.] And I'm happy you work here. I really am. [He really is!]

[ Said stupid lining is now the subject of a few frowns, mumbling and great vexation - ]

It's no good. It'll need sewing...

[ He stares at Alois' face for a moment. ]

Were you expecting someone different?

I-- I was actually expecting my own butler to be here to serve me. [Claude not being here is so upsetting he can barely mention it.] But you are a very good replacement, really. [He notices Gilbert's fumblings and smirks.] Would it be helpful if I took my shirt off? In case you needed to fix it?

I'll have it when you give it for cleaning. There's no need to bare you before the cold.

[ He lets go of the cuff entirely. ]

What was your butler like?

[Claude and was are not two words Alois likes to hear in the same phrase. It's like admitting that Claude is part of his past and that he will never come back to him. But at the same time he doesn't want to get mad at Gilbert. There aren't many other people he can about Claude with.] His name is Claude. He always takes care of me and bakes the best cakes. He can crochet and do origami and he's the best dancer ever. He can also talk to birds. He's very tall and has dark hair, sort of curly. And golden eyes. [Does this physical description remind you of someone, Gilbert.] And he can't sing. [Alois' tone is sort of melancholic.]

[ This entire description - of which Gil might note the physical resemblance if not for the sudden mention of bird-talking - seems to fit a... brother more than a butler.

There's not one mention of this apparently exceptional bird conversationalist delivers breakfast. ]

And what is the... Earl's butler like? He mentioned one. I suppose I should... do my best to reproduce his service.

Sebastian. [It's incredible how much hatred and despise Alois manages to converge in that single word.] That's the name of his butler. He's a disgusting, disloyal bastard. He was probably the one who dumped Ciel here in the first place. He's arrogant, annoying and a piece of fucking shit in general.

...language.

[ But he has the sense to say that softly. Little boy, that's quite a bit much.

And unlike Break, the most Gil learned about diplomacy was to keep someone's ire in the realm of very, very hopeful neutrality. ]

Was there anything he did for the Earl specifically? I'm afraid the head of the house doesn't speak about himself often.

[For some reason, being reprimanded by Gilbert is something Alois finds extremely endearing.] Oh yes. He manipulated him behind his back, that's what he specifically did. [Suddenly smirking.] I should advise you not to try to act like Sebastian, Gilbert. Otherwise I will have to punish you the same way I eventually punished him. [He giggles innocently, despite that he's really not kidding at all.] Claude is a much better example to follow anyway. Ciel liked his tea too. [Even though Alois would rather not think of when Claude prepared morning tea for Ciel.]

[ So little real information, so much of it questionable. ]

I... see.

[ No, he doesn't. His hand comes down to pat Alois's head lightly in, but even he knows the gesture's more awkwardness and kindness. The Earl doesn't want the boy listened to, but looked after and... instructed.

Better to treat him as if he's an unruly pet, then, a pet who acts out. ]

Thank you. You've been of help.

[And after all, Claude himself always treated Alois like a child. Sebastian was the one who treated his master like a little adult. So Alois doesn't mind being petted. On the contrary, he's quite enjoying it.] My pleasure. I have a favor to ask though.

Edited 2011-12-23 23:40 (UTC)

[ Through small favours and pleas is how all of the Abyss' gates open. ]

I - yes? Do you want your shirts pressed in a certain way?

No. I don't want you to kill the spiders in the house. [He says this as if it were a matter of the utmost importance. Gilbert definitely ended up in a weird household.] The spider is on my family crest. Killing a spider is an insult to me. [And because "personal space" is still not a practice he's been instructed into, he reaches out to play with the buttons of Gilbert's jacket while he says this.]

The... spiders.

[ He takes a moment before covering Alois' smaller hands with his, trying to stop them. ]

We'll trade. I'll leave them be, if you behave for the earl.

[Alois affectionately laces his tiny fingers with Gilbert's.] I have no idea what you're talking about, I always behave. [coy smile.] I even bought a puppy for my brother because I know Ciel likes dogs too. [And this means you have to take care of a dog too, Gilbert.]

[ ...charming. On both counts.

A sigh. ]

Where is it? We'll need to have it washed.

[ The plural, Alois. You are not the Earl. ]

I'll count on you to teach your brother how to play with it carefully.

It won't hurt Luca. It's a really sweet puppy. [Well thankfully Alois likes the idea of washing the puppy with Gilbert.] I'll go get it. [He runs out of the room and returns quite promptly with this adorable little thing in his arms.] They told me it's a sa-mo-yed. It means it will become very very big once it grows up.

Edited 2011-12-24 00:24 (UTC)

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