{ Video; UN: potentia.regere }

[earlofphantoms]

What am I to make of this? {The voice of this new user is entirely too calm; too collected considering the circumstances. But he has been uniquely trained by, shall we say, a vibrant life? Which, incidentally, ended abruptly (and painfully) in his memory.}

An introduction, perhaps? All of those start to sound the same, I imagine. {He finally comes into full view, smiling in a way that could be polite - if it weren't for the mischievous glint in his eyes.} Something like: I am Earl Vincent Phantomhive? Does that suffice? Should I add "of England"?

{He gives a light chuckle before remarking:}

I must say this is the queerest afterlife I can imagine.

Comments

[somakemelaugh]

[Give him a hot minute. Just like a hot minute.]







[Okay, he's good now.] Milord.

[earlofphantoms]

{Time is ticking~}

Undertaker, I did not expect to see you here? Have you decided to forgo your duties and cross the divide?

[somakemelaugh]

[And then it's like nothing bad here or there ever happened. But boy, is this strange.] Would that I could confess as much, but I believe you know me better than that. None of us are here because we want to be.

[earlofphantoms]

I had no intention of dying. {He cannot speak for others, but he can speak for himself.} Of all the times we spoke on the topic, I never once imagined my own demise. I suppose that was a failing on my part.

[somakemelaugh]

It was unexpected. Very unexpected. The only ones who can be so sure of their own death are those who die of their own hand. [Even disease was unpredictable in some cases... But since they're on the topic of death, and he knows what sometimes lurks in this city, and he knows the last time he saw this man he was little more than pieces of bone in a casket, there is a very real concern for him.]

This may come as a strange request, Earl, but can you describe where you are right now? It may not be safe where you are and we can't have an encore of the last time we met.

[earlofphantoms]

Even then, the pain can be surprising. {But his suffering really doesn't concern him.} I trust Rachel followed me? What of the twins?

{While he manages to keep his calm, content facade, there is a flash of anger hidden underneath. As a father - as a Phantomhive - he will not rest if his sons have been hurt or killed.}

I am in the communal housing. What should I be wary of, do you suppose?

text | @cphantom

[sweetlies]

[There's a moment of panic at the video. He sees the dead in is dreams, in memories, but never like this. He wants to call this man an imposter but...

His eye glances over the username once. Twice. Three times. Nobody else but a Phantomhive who choose that for a username.

What does he say? He'd run from the ghosts of his parents and Undertaker had spoken with him after. He won't run now but finding words, thinking about how to interact after four years...

He knwos he doesn't want to show his face yet at least.]

I can assure you, this isn't the afterlife. I was quite alive before the portal latched onto me.

Text | @potentia.regere

[earlofphantoms]

{Vincent thinks his choice of username is a bit lazy, but it suits its purpose and that is all that matters in the end. Ciel's name, however, intrigues him.}

I am relieved to hear you survived.

{Relieved and...worried. If this is his son, why is he avoiding him? Why is he sticking to text?}

You needn't be shy about it.

Text

[sweetlies]

[Ciel, on the other hand, had gone for something short and simple. Easily recognized.]

Nobody wanted childrens blood on their hands.

[Especially with how valuable that blood was. And if he'd truly wanted to avoid Vincent, he'd have 'misplaced' his phone in a box somewhere.]

I'm not being shy. Text is just more convenient for the moment.

Text

[earlofphantoms]

I cannot say that is entirely true. There are some who would rejoice over the spilled blood of children.

{The world is a weird, sucky place. He wishes he had prepared him for it better.}

Then may I have a name or must I start guessing?

Text

[sweetlies]

Not that night, they didn't.

[Now he's absolutely encouraged to guess.]

Children are quite particular about their games. I wouldn't object to a guessing one, Lord Phantomhive.

Text

[earlofphantoms]

That night, hm?

{That explains his survival in part, but it lacks details.}

Does your name refer to the sky? Or the heavens perhaps?

Text: UN: givesyouhell

[hititwithacrowbar]

Earl Phantomhive? Fascinating. I believe we already have one of those here.

It's certainly a colorful afterlife, if that is indeed what it is.

Text: UN: potentia.regere

[earlofphantoms]

Do you? What is his first name if you do not mind me inquiring?

[hititwithacrowbar]

Indeed we do, alas a lowly commoner like myself has not been honored with the young Lord's given name. My apologies, Earl Phantomhive.

[earlofphantoms]

You are a poor liar!

He does like his games.

[hititwithacrowbar]

That would insinuate I was even trying. Which I wasn't. My loyalty is to the boy.

tiny threadjack | text @cphantom

[sweetlies]

Not a word, I want him to guess.

[Let Ciel have his fun, friend.]

[hititwithacrowbar]

Don't worry,
I wouldn't have told him anyway. But, know I have questions.

[sweetlies]

I'll answer what I can.

[hititwithacrowbar]

I'll contact you later then. Good luck with the other Earl.

text; un: xxreaperxx

[doxxing]

Damn, I really should have added "intro posts" as an achievement.

text; un: potentia.regere

[earlofphantoms]

That seems a strange thing to neglect.

[doxxing]

It seemed a little silly. One of those "what are the odds several people are going to do this" kind of thing.

And here we are. Whoops.

[earlofphantoms]

I am one of a special few, then. {Yes, that is what he read.} Thank you for the acknowledgment!