@shi-tsuji - Tumblr Blog

Alma doesn't seem to notice Sebastian's hand as she climbs down from the carriage. The knot in her stomach tightened as she gazed up at the entrance of the manor.

She peered over at Sebastian before silently following behind him. She could still feel her knees quaking as she moved, they felt as if they were going to give out. Sebastian could hear her take a slow, trembling breath as they entered the manor.

Upon seeing the inside, her nerves disappeared for a moment. She had never seen the inside of a mansion before! It was decorated spectacularly with art, antiques knick knacks and elaborate rugs. The ceiling was so high she could hardly understand how such an enormous place was built.

However, looking back up at Sebastian, her nerves returned. Overtime, going through what she had, she developed the ability to read people and this butler was a blank page. She couldn't tell what he was thinking at all and it unnerved her.

A tense silence unfolds as Sebastian leads her down the hallways of the manor, shoes clicking against the tile as he walked.

"We will be taking the guest staircase for today, as you are my Lord's guest- be aware that when you begin working with us in an official capacity, you will be required to use the back entrance specifically reserved for staff."

When they reach a closed door near the end of the hall, he opens it and steps aside, gesturing for her to enter. The guest room is nothing special by the manor's standards, but compared to the conditions he'd witnessed in the orphanage, must have seemed the absolute height of luxury. It was well kept, furnishings more expensive than that present in the staff quarters- a small room with a four poster bed, a wardrobe, and a vanity. A breeze from outside crept through the window, bringing with it the scent of grass- he could see Finnian outside, weeding the garden. Fortunately, he was not ripping out the mint that had been planted in the herb garden... this time.

"You may make yourself comfortable for the time being- lunch will be ready shortly, at which time we will fetch you."

As he turns to leave, he pauses, adding-

"Ah, yes... I must ask that you refrain from wandering outside this room for now."

And thus begun the first test.

#{a crossroads; starters and prompts}

wonderful-rp-resources

Send me Ⓐ and my muse will rate yours:

Attractiveness:

repulsive || hideous || ugly || not attractive || unappealing || not unattractive || meh || no preference || ok || mildly attractive || nice looking || cute || adorable || attractive || pleasant on the eyes || good looking || hot || sexy || beautiful || gorgeous || hot damn || would tap that || perfect || godlike || holy fuck there are no words

Personality:

grating || irritating || frustrating || boring || confusing at best || awkward || unreasonable || psychotic || disturbing || interesting || engaging || affectionate || aggressive || ambitious || anxious || artistic || bad tempered || bossy || charismatic || appealing || unappealing || creative || courageous || dependable || unreliable || unpredictable || predictable || devious || dim || extroverted || introverted || egotistical || gregarious || fabulous || impulsive || intelligent || sympathetic || talkative || up beat || peaceful || calming || badass || flexible

How likely they would have sex with them:

not if they were the last person on earth and the world was ending || fuck no! || never || no way || not likely || not sure || indifferent || I’m asexual || maybe || probably || it depends || fairly likely || likely || yeah sure || yes || would tap that || hell yes || fuck yes! || wishing that could happen right now || as many times as possible || we are already having sex

Level of Friendship:

never in a million years || worst of enemies || enemies || rivals || indifferent || neutral || acquaintance || friendly toward each other || casual friends || friends || good friends || best friends || fuck buddies || bosom buddies || practically the same person || would die for them || true friends || my only friend ||

First impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them

Current impression of them:

How good of a kisser:

worst kisser ever || terrible || bad || awkward || just okay || alright || pretty good || good || makes me moan || excellent || exciting || oh god they’re good || I dream about it || fucking amazing || absolute perfection || we haven’t kissed

Ciel took a breath. He knew what Alma was playing at and knew exactly how to counter it. Instead of barking insults back to the girl, his expressions softened.

"Miss Alma," He said, calmly. "I don't mean for this situation to be frightening for you. I assure you that no impropriety will take place."

Noticing Sebastian's repressed smirk, Ciel came up with another idea. "To ensure your comfort, we will have you stay in the guest bedroom." He said, glaring Sebastian down. "My butler will see that you are as comfortable as possible."

Alma glanced over at Sebastian, her brows furrowed with suspicion.

"Isn't that right, Sebastian?" Ciel asked, his smugness apparent.

#wwitch37 #//he's bound to snap sooner or later.

If he's annoyed at all, he doesn't show the slightest sign of it. He doesn't allow them that satisfaction. "Of course, my Lord. It is as you say, I will see to it that the young miss is shown the utmost Phantomhive hospitality."

As they step off the carriage, he reaches out to help her down, still deeply pondering the nature of her true form. He didn't sense danger from her, but also, it was the fact that he didn't sense it that troubled him. He didn't sense much at all.

"Miss Alma, if you would accompany me, I will take you to your new quarters."

The can was silent as they rode along. Alma watched as the buildings became more and more spaced apart as they moved out of the city and into the country. Lampposts became trees and brick roads became dirt paths while the sun began to set.

Alma racked her brain. She couldn't just jump out. She could hurt herself which wouldn't help her get away at all. Then, she had an idea.

"So, what's this about anyway?" She said as she turned and faced Ciel. "Is it your birthday? Trying to dip your wick but didn't wanna be caught with a whore?" She hissed.

This may be the trick. She was as unpleasant as she could be, maybe they would think that they couldn't scrub the street filth off her and send her back.

Ciel's eyes widened. "I beg your pardon?" He asked, trying to keep calm, he didn't want to snap at his new help already.

"Couldn't find a date during the last family reunion, eh?" Alma continued.

#wwitch37 #//'well if it isn't the consequences of your actions milord'

His eyebrows shoot upwards as the girl begins to bluntly- and crassly- antagonize the young Lord, and they don't even stop at that, rising higher until they're pinched together at the peak of his brow in utter surprise and amusement. He nearly has to bite his lip not to laugh.

My, the young miss has quite the mouth on her, nearly one to rival my master... between the two, there may not be enough soap in the manor...

Unlike his master, this girl clearly has no idea when she really ought to hold her tongue. Any other might severely punish her for mouthing off in such a way, let alone to an Earl.

He says nothing, however, merely staring at his master, lip quirked in suppressed mirth. After all, who was he to question his master's choices? This was what he wanted, was it not?

He'll step in when it suits his needs.

Her big, bright blue eyes, full of fear and uncertainty peered up into Sebastian's, almost as if she was trying to convince him to let her go. However, Sebastian watched as, not unlike his own young master, the light in her eyes dimmed and a hardness washed over her. A mask.

She joined Sebastian as they walked through the halls of the orphanage. Girls peeked their heads out of their rooms and their hopeful eyes welled with tears as they watched their chances of a future leave the orphanage with Alma. With every face Alma met, tiny cracks in her shell began to form as she desperately tried to hold herself together.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair to these girls.

Before she knew it, Alma was climbing into the cab and sitting across from Ciel. Ciel smiled softly at her, however all he was met with was a deep and hostile glare. Alma stared at him almost like a trapped animal, calculating anyway to dig their claws in and find a way to escape.

The carriage began to move and carry Alma to her new life. She broke her gaze away from Ciel to look outside. The orphans that followed after her stood by the path and waved her goodbye. She couldn't wave back, she could just look down at the floor, guilt creeping all over her back.

The distinct sense of despair fills the orphanage like a sweet cocktail of human emotion, and he drinks it in as they depart.

The three of them walk across the street towards the hansom cab, Sebastian carrying the girl's belongings in one hand- it didn't seem that she had very much to speak of. As he helps Alma into the carriage, he leans forwards ever so slightly as she steps in, trying to catch her scent.

The brief moment of curiosity seemingly goes unnoticed by the girl, but he feels his master kick him sharply in the shin, hissing low under his breath. "Are you demented? Why are you smelling her!"

He sets his mouth in a thin smile that suggests his patience is running dry. "I am merely ensuring that the young lady is not carrying any disease. Orphanages such as these can be hotbeds for infection, and given your constitution, I cannot allow such things to be brought into the manor, my Lord."

It's half of the truth. He had been hoping to determine more about her nature, but only further cemented his certainty that she definitely wasn't human.

And that meant he absolutely couldn't let her out of his sight.

#{a crossroads; starters and prompts}#{a butler's day begins early; queue}

memepocalypse

Random Suffering Starters

"Ow, that hurts."

"I've had worse. Not much worse, admittedly, but."

"Get your hands off me!"

"Don't touch me!"

"Get it out of me!"

"Fuck, that stings."

"You just stabbed me! With a knife!"

"It just hurts a bit."

"I'll get over it, I just need to be a huge bitch first."

"My chest is killing me."

"S'just a bit of blood loss..."

"Oh, I bled through my shirt. Cool."

"How long did you think you could hide this?"

"Okay, never mind, this is agony."

"I've never felt anything this bad before."

"I think it's broken."

"I think you broke it."

"How could you do this to me?"

"I trusted you, like an idiot."

"Ow, fuck, ow."

"I think I'm gonna faint."

"Wheeeee... woozy..."

"It's just a minor, uh. Well. Concussion."

"Don't freak out. Don't freak out!"

"Can I trust you?"

"You can't tell anyone."

"... I fell out of a tree."

"It's fine, it's fine, it'll heal."

"Oh, that's dislocated, isn't it?"

"That's not meant to make that noise."

memepocalypse

They Lost Control

Memes for when the other character has lost it! Some of these can have heavier connotations so peruse with caution.

"You're hurting me!"

"Get off me!"

"This isn't you!"

"Get control!"

"I trust you - but you need to stop -"

"Don't make me tie you up."

"Take a breath, focus."

"You're here with me."

"I don't like that look in your eyes."

"You are stronger than this!"

"You have to fight it off."

"Come on, come back to me..."

"Take a breath. Remember to ground yourself."

"You're better than the monster."

"Don't let it take you over."

"Hold my hand. Take a breath. You're here. You're safe."

"No! No! Please -"

"Why would you do this?! I thought you were better than this!"

"You're meant to be fighting it!"

"We were friends, weren't we?"

"How could it end like this?"

"Please - don't -"

"You're out of control."

"Someone needs to put you down."

"Like a wild dog, aren't you?"

"Get the muzzle."

"If you don't stop, you're going to make me hurt you."

"Oh, poor thing... so much wildness in you, hm?"

"Someone help! Please!"

"Oh, no. Its too late, isn't it? Far too late."

#{a crossroads; starters and prompts}

Alma looked at the butler, stone faced, the color drained from her face. Her could feel her heart pounding in her ears and her knees becoming weak.

After a deep breath, she was able to muster a small, "I..I don't want to."

She held a small sack full of the little items she had in her trembling hands.

"You... don't want to."

He doesn't want this either, but neither of them exactly have a choice.

"I'm afraid my Lord has decided upon you, and I can most certainly assure you that there is very little that will sway him from his path when he has decided firmly upon something." For better or worse.

Alma quickly snapped out of her shock, trying to shake away the cold tingling of panic at the back of her neck.

"Your butlers right..!" She finally spoke up in a heavy Irish accent. "I'm no good. Take someone younger!" They'll be of more use!"

Alma overhearing Sebastian's comment only made Ciel more intrigued. A servant that doesn't mind her own business would be an excellent addition to the gaggle of fools Ciel had saddled Sebastian with.

"Nonsense." Ciel said, glancing back at Sebastian with a sly grin on his face. "Look at this room. A hard working, tidy girl is exactly what we need. Meyrin would certainly appreciate the company."

The Earl's comment seemed to confuse even the matron. The cots were unmade, the floor was covered in dust, the air was sour with mildew from the cart of unfinished laundry that sat in the corner and even the windows that she had been washing were covered in streak marks.

"You will be coming with us today, Alma." Ciel said proudly. "My butler and I will meet you in the parlor after you pack your things. Don't dawdle."

And with that they walked out, leaving Alma alone and in shock.

#wwitch37 #//this action will have consequences.

He wants to explode with rage, grab this idiotic boy and shake him until there's nothing left of his irresponsible, reckless, enraging whims but an empty husk for daring to do something like this.

The servants were outsiders, but they had been picked by Sebastian personally. This child, nearly an adult, was an entirely unknown element. And likely to make Mey-Rin seem competent by comparison, if this room was any indication.

When he's restrained himself from throttling the young Lord in the privacy of the hansom cab, he returns for the girl.

"Miss Alma, was it? My master is ready to leave- have you prepared all of your belongings?"

"Alma!" The matron snapped. Ciel's eyes landed on the woman with an irritated glare, making her chuckle nervously. "Ahem, come and greet our guests, Alma." The matron said in an almost sickly sweet tone, not wanting to tarnish her reputation in front of someone with such influence. Alma's brows furrowed before she climbed off the windowsill and approached the group.

"This is Alma Doe." The matron cooed, standing beside her. "She is 15 years old and has been in our care for about four years now. The poor dear was found all alone on the streets of London with no family to speak of." Alma kept her eyes on the floor before the matron gave her a hard pinch in the back. She looked up at the two before her gaze inevitably landed back on Ciel.

An awkward silence fell over both the matron and Sebastian as the two stared at each other. They both equally looked puzzled by one another, as if they'd seen each other before. Ciel snapped out of it as he picked up on another feeling in the room. Sebastian was a bit tense. Odd for something like him to be so put off but a poor little orphan.

A small smile crept across Ciel's face. "Hello, Alma." He said in a cordial but friendly tone. "I am Ciel Phantomhive." However, Alma remained silent. She wanted nothing to do with these two and frankly just believed that the matron was simply trying to rub into her face how unwanted she was.

Alma nearly vomited right there on the floor when the Earl asked the matron for the adoption papers. "I believe she is exactly what we were looking for, madam." Ciel said to the matron.

Sebastian himself certainly doesn't look much happier at the abrupt announcement.

"My Lord, have you taken leave of your senses?!" he hisses furiously into the boy's ear. "I daresay three incompetent servants are more than enough to keep in the manor- what possessed you to add even more?" Let alone this particular child, who had such a deeply unsettling presence.

He wonders if his master sensed something as well.

As soon as Alma saw the Earl she felt something bizarre. He seemed so familiar. It was like she could simply walk right up to him and talk like old friends. She shook it off before going inside, figuring she was just surprised by his age.

Once she was back inside, she went back to her work. The orphanage was deathly silent, she could practically hear the footsteps of the boy echoing throughout the asylum as he went wing to wing.

Meanwhile, the matron guided the two, introducing the children one by one. "Were looking for a particular type, my lord? Red or brown hair? Any particular age range?" The way she described the children disgusted Ciel a bit, acting as if she was auctioning off cattle.

He follows his master as if a shadow on the floorboards, falling into step in front rather than behind, eyes sweeping across each room as they walk through.

When he reaches the open doorway to the third of the small, dusty bedrooms lined with cots, he stops mid-stride and stares for a moment. A moment longer, perhaps, than he ought to, if he intended to act as though nothing was out of the ordinary.

He'd met countless beings in his time who were not of this mortal plane, whether they be demons, reapers, angels... or something else entirely. There was a distinct presence such otherworldly beings would exude- perhaps it was a case of like simply recognizing like. Or that his kind was so finely tuned to sense the souls of humans, that any change in the norm was a jarring absence.

Either way, something was different about this one, and that much seemed cause for caution. If he had sensed that she was not as she seemed, then who was to say if this child could not do the same for him? He's quite certain she was not a demon, but he couldn't have said for sure what she was. In fact, he could sense very little at all, and he's surprised at how uneasy that makes him feel.

He's pulled from his momentary lapse by an angry growl from his master and a sharp tug on his sleeve as the boy hisses at him.

"Don't just stop suddenly like that! I almost walked into you!"

He murmured a soft word of apology as they entered the room, eyes still fixed calculating on the single occupant, who seemed to be working.

#{a mirror image; art and images}#//mmm mm mmmmm mm

dragonksenia

Alma sat in one of the windowsills in her wing of the orphanage, her fingers pruned by the wet rag she was washing with. She heard through the grapevine that a wealthy Earl was coming to visit that day. Apparently, he was going to adopt one of them.

To her this was nothing but a fairytale. At her age, nobody would want to take her. She watched the younger girls toiling away outside in the garden, nuns watching them like slave drivers. She could taste the bittersweetness already as she thought of seeing one of them being chosen for a better life and finally leaving this place.

Then, almost as if on cue, the bell wrung. She looked out past the garden and saw the carriage riding up towards the orphanage. She could hear the quick pitter-patter of feet as the children practically fell over themselves to be the first outside. She left the room and followed along with the other girls, not nearly as enthusiastic. Eventually they were all lined up outside, as if they were produce at a market.

She looked down the line at all the hopeful little faces as the carriage opened up and the Earl and his butler stepped out.

@shi-tsuji

His contract seal is burning ever so slightly, little more than an itching on the surface of his skin- his master was clearly still quite angry with him for the events of the last few days, then.

More often than not, that was when the young Lord was at his most unpredictable, most irritating, and most fascinating. They were not the sort to let a transgression go unpunished, and he knows it.

Surely he ought to have learned by now that to give a demon unclear directions was to simply give them power unchecked to do as they pleased. He'd toe the line between the words whenever the opportunity presented itself, sometimes in ways his master found unpleasant or unreasonable.

When his master summoned him and abruptly announced that they would be visiting the orphanage that day, he knew that this was punishment- he just wasn't sure how, just yet. While they had made donations to the orphanage in the past, they had never before visited in person.

He helps them step down from the carriage, handing the boy his cane, and observing the hint of a satisfied smirk upon their face.

He watches quietly as his Lord speaks with the matron and the children are instructed to return inside to be approached individually.

When he watches his Lord accept the papers, understanding blossomed within him, followed by a wave of hot-cold fury. This was a horrid idea in more ways than he could count, and nearly all of them would be...

"This is entirely ill-advised," he hisses into the boy's ear as the two of them enter the orphanage.