video | undertaker

[somakemelaugh]

[In pops Undertaker, all smiles, as per his usual. Not even recent events seem to have taken that away from him. From the view, he seems to be seated on a couch indoors, but in an unusual twist, there seems to be a head of dark hair leaning against his shoulder, one much smaller and certainly not his own. But he doesn't acknowledge this person, not right away.]

Those of you on Floor 2 of the community building, we'll be having a guest for a time. I seem to find myself in an interesting sort of way and I can't rightly say no to this one. [He's well aware that there may be worries about food and the sort, but he isn't taking no for an answer on this one.] No need to worry about him minding his own business or taking space. I've worked that much out so it won't fall on any of you, of course. Only fair. Feel free to speak with me if you've any concerns. Ta.

[The view shifts down and to the side, offering up a brief flash of Ciel leaning in against the mortician's side as he reaches with his other hand to power down the feed.]

Comments

[sweetlies]

No, you can't. [He concedes, watching Undertaker for a moment before standing, glancing at the floor and the space between them, trying to remember just how much space he'd have to compensate for before making his way forward.

It's getting a bit easier, at least, to make up with his depth perception.]

[somakemelaugh]

[Much easier. Much better. The small tasks are a test of the boy's adapting to his newish condition, but more for his confidence than anything.] Not so bad now is it? You're already doing better and it's not even been a few hours.

[sweetlies]

I guess not. [It's still strange, some things seeming like they should be within arms reach but the tips of his fingers just missing.

At least this time, his fingers meet Undertaker's as he makes his way over.]

[somakemelaugh]

[Rather than take hold of the fingers touching his this time, he lets his own slip away and backs away a few steps, gesturing with the same hand for the boy to follow.] See how well you do with moving targets.

[sweetlies]

[He opened his mouth to object that it wasn't fair but immediately let his mouth snap shut. Whining isn't going to help him and that's what Undertaker is trying to do, he recognizes that.

He does wonder how often he'll have to deal with trying to reach a moving target though. Where's he going to go that he won't get lost?

after a few moments pass though, he does try, trying to avoid reaching out until he's at least somewhat confident he's within reach of Undertaker.]

[somakemelaugh]

[The hesitation isn't missed by him, but he doesn't make a fuss about it. Ciel will need to learn on his own time how this works and what to do about it. This isn't anything that he can do for him and he knows the boy knows it. When that hand comes within reach of his own, he lets Ciel get close enough to brush his fingers before stepping back again, just out of reach.] One more time.

[sweetlies]

[There's only a little sigh this time as he watches Undertaker, and the moves himself. It goes over his head that each time Undertaker has him do this, his steps get a little more sure, his judgement of stances a little better.

He does remember how frustrating it is when he fails though, even as those failures become fewer. In part because he's determined, just as he is this time, moving towards the older man and reaching out again. It occurs to him that it would take more practice than either are prepared for if he ever wants to run about but, with his asthma, that hasn't been a real option for him.]

Better?

[somakemelaugh]

[He shrugs a shoulder, but this time when Ciel reaches for his hand, he doesn't move away, opting to give the boy a break. One step at a time, little by little. He'd get it down to an art eventually.] It looks better from where I'm standing, but I'm not in your shoes. How does it feel?

[sweetlies]

[When Undertaker doesn't move away again, he takes the opportunity to just hold onto Undertaker's hand, just letting the touch reassure him still.]

It's still weird but I guess it's easier.

[somakemelaugh]

[He doesn't mind the hold, letting his hand stay where it is. For now.] It'll keep getting easier the more you try it. Why don't you pick your next practice round?

[sweetlies]

Can we go for a walk?

[Fresh air would be nice, and he didn't get out often. Then again, he had run off to find his brother so quickly, he wasn't exactly dressed for it.]

Actually... maybe not.

[somakemelaugh]

[He would have protested that if Ciel himself hadn't. It might be a bother to the boy to find himself walking around in broad daylight in not much more than his nightgown and a strip of gauze.] We'll need to do something about that. You won't be bothered about it indoors, but people might take issue with it if you need to wander the place.

[It really would have been so much easier if he knew where the boy lived.]

[sweetlies]

[He looks down at his feet, a little embarrassed, squeazing his toes a little and then looking back up at Undertaker. Ciel has realized that this inconvenienced Undertaker, and he feels bad for it.]

Sorry...

[somakemelaugh]

[He tilted his head, watching the gears turn in the boy's head.] Oh? Why's that?

[sweetlies]

I can't remember anything. It's not fair for you.

[The guilt complex remained, even as a 'child.' Although it was at least diminished, to the level someone his age might normally have.

[somakemelaugh]

There's a lot of things not fair to me, but not much I can rightly do about any of them. I'd say it's not fair to you either, taking your memories away for no good reason. What's the point in leaving you alone and frightened and the last thing in your mind is the worst day of your life? I've got my own tastes in manner, but that seems downright cruel even to me.

[sweetlies]

[He hasn't thought about it like that but he really can't argue it. Everything had been awful, and he'd woken up alone. It had been luck that Undertaker had been close to catch him, stop him from yelling for his brother and covered his eye.]

I guess... I can't think of any reason anyone would. I have you though so I'm not alone.

[somakemelaugh]

[Ciel had that in his favor at least.] There's that. But since you can't quite go out on a walk yet, why don't we make that the next thing we do, finding something to cover you a little better? I don't have anything that would fit you proper, but this coat might do for something a bit more decent than what you've got on now.

[He took his hand back and set about removing his sash and undoing the large buttons down his front. It might drag behind the boy a bit, but it could work.]

[sweetlies]

[He stares for a moment, a little surprised. Undertaker's coat is big, he'll swim in it, but it would be comfortable at least and warm. And much better than a night shirt.

It's also strange to see Undertaker without it. He doesn't think he's ever seen the man visit the manor without so many layers on.]

Are you sure it's okay?

[somakemelaugh]

[It's not different than the coat itself in color, just not quite as loose. Beneath is a dark shirt covering one that's white in contrast, both long sleeved and buttoned near up to the collar, and pants just as dark concealed by high boots and leather straps along his legs. He takes the coat and holds one sleeve out for him.] It won't hurt me not to wear it for a while. Here, let's try it on you, see how much of you it swallows.

[sweetlies]

[He reaches out and takes the coat, a little unsure for a moment and then slips it on.

Undertaker is a good bit taller than him, so he definitely swims in it, the sleeves hanging well over his hands. Enough so that he lets out a little laugh when he lifts his arms and the sleeves droop over.]

[somakemelaugh]

[He hums over the sleeves, but he had expected that. They're long enough that they hang off even his own arms, and that was the way he'd had it designed. But the rest of the coat does indeed drag behind the boy as he'd thought. It would tatter the ends, but really what could he do about that? It might not be too bad. They only had to make one trip out to the shops so Ciel could find something more his size to wear.]

[That laugh though, that gets his attention. He hadn't heard that from the boy in years, not since Ciel was much, much younger, and even then it had been on accident he was sure. As surprising as it had been, he makes no note of it outwardly.] Well, it will do for now.

[He moves to crouch in front of Ciel and works the buttons back in place again. It's not anything he's required to do; he's not a butler or the boy's father, not that Vincent would have done this himself anyway. But he does it anyway, and he's not sure why. Really, he should make Ciel do it himself. He'll need to learn anyway and it would help him get used to his one eye's vision.] Let you get used to this, walking around in it, and we'll head out to the market here and get you a wardrobe or two what fits you so you're not having to run around in your night clothes all indecent.

[sweetlies]

Thank you.

[He smiles, watching Undertaker work at the buttons and the, pushes the sleeves up, reaching to help. His fingers move a little awkwardly but he'll manage well enough if it doesn't disturb Undertaker as he works at the buttons. Otherwise he stops.]

I never really shopped for clothes before.

[somakemelaugh]

[Oh? There are little fingers working the buttons? He takes his hands back and lets them lower, letting Ciel do the work this time. So the little lord does have some dignity. Instead, he'll focus on talk instead.] No? Well, I suppose you would have had people come to you to fit you and make clothing for you. It's not part of what I do though, so for our purposes, we'll just have to show you what it's like to live as one of the commoners. How does that sound?

[sweetlies]

[It's a little clumsy but he does manage, slower than Undertaker would have but he does. And without any crooked buttons, much to his own satisfaction.]

Mother and I are too delicate to always go into London for new clothes. [He... kind of hates that.] I'm sure it'll be okay. You're here and I'm not sick now.