SECOND ORDER --> [Voice]

[playstheking.livejournal.com]

[Yes, Ciel's a bit beaten up, because he insists on attempting the fights himself first, before calling in Sebastian. Still, there is a definite smirk in his voice when he speaks. ... He's also still learning to use the Blackberry, so there are a few clicking sounds and a period of silence before his voice sounds.]

Mr. Conan, well done.

And, Sebastian. I need to speak with you.

Comments

[In Person]

[playstheking.livejournal.com]

[And sting it does. Ciel winces at the contact, but says nothing, knowing that any weaknesses of his will provoke a smile from Sebastian. He won't give him that satisfaction, after he's been pitifully dragging himself through the week.]

Hmph. Don't patronize me. I certainly didn't ask for any of this.

[Yes, he called Sebastian in. But, what if he hadn't? The pressure of the fight, in addition to the allergies and whatever else, would have finished him before long. It would have tarnished the name of Phantomhive. Sebastian knew that, of course. Perhaps people would suspect him a bit more, but they couldn't deduce much.]

[In Person]

[demon_andbutler]

[He smirks anyway, keeping his head bowed so that Ciel can't see the devilish grin behind the veil of black hair. It's been awhile since he's been able to snark so openly. He has missed this banter.]

Perhaps if you weren't so easy to patronize.

[Not entirely a fair statement, he knows, given that nothing about Ciel's current state is his own fault, but nothing about their relationship is entirely fair, is it? Sebastian finishes cleaning the wound, puts aside the disinfectant for now, and begins wrapping Ciel's wrist in the gauze.]

What was it you wished to speak to me about?

[In Person]

[playstheking.livejournal.com]

[He turns his head away and stares pointedly at the wall, instead of glaring daggers at Sebastian. ... His ears are starting to itch again...]

Tch. I was only going to point out that if both of our respective teams continue to succeed in this tournament, then we will end up pitted against each other.

[Quite the conundrum. Sebastian certainly couldn't help him in that situation. If the other team were to win, then he would be losing to his own butler, which would be a disgrace... even though Sebastian and Meirin were obviously (obviously) the better combatants. And, if his team were to win-... well, there was no chance of that, without Sebastian's help.]

[In Person]

[demon_andbutler]

[Oh, he would be more than happy to scratch your ears for you, young master. But he knows he'll never get permission. So he settles for the enjoyment of feeling the pulse pumping through the boy's wrist. His master is so wonderfully alive.]

Mm, yes. I had noticed that as well.

[Of course he had. But it was unnecessary to mention. If Ciel wanted protection, he wanted protection. Never mind that eventually, even Sebastian couldn't be two places at once. At least with an audience.]

What do you wish me to do?

[He finishes dressing the wound, secures the bandage, and moves on to Ciel's other wrist. Again he dabs the disinfectant gently on the raw skin, awaiting his orders.]

[In Person]

[playstheking.livejournal.com]

["What do you wish me to do." A very loaded question. He would like Sebastian to return him and his servants to his own manor, but that couldn't be done. In this situation, however...]

It can't be helped. As conspicuous as it is that my butler is doing so well in this tournament, there is no way for us to win without your help. And, as that would impossible in that fight... it seems the only real option is to lose.

[Sebastian and Meirin have already proved themselves to the others to be talented. He couldn't have Sebastian defend him in a fight against his own team without repercussions.]

[In Person]

[demon_andbutler]

[Yes, he had come to that conclusion already as well, so that doesn't surprise him.]

For me to lose, or for you?

[Oh, he knows Ciel most likely means it's Sebastian and Meirin's team on the chopping block. But maybe he still hasn't entirely forgotten that back in their own world, Ciel had just ordered him to what was likely to be a painful and flashy false death. This is new fare for the young master. Usually he's ordered to succeed, not to fail or even to die.

He wraps the bandage over Ciel's other wrist, with such delicacy it almost seems like he cares. He looks his master in the eye for the first time in the entire conversation.]

Or perhaps both of us? If secrecy is also a priority?

[He can endure those blows a long time. Even the strongest human magic is still human magic, and quite weak on the larger scale. Each one feels like a slap on the wrist to him, if anything. He also knows Ciel likes to win. Giving up for the sake of secrecy has never exactly been his strong point. Everything, right down to Sebastian's very appearance in his life three years prior, hasn't exactly been inconspicuous.]