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...you are right. {He tilts his head, leaning towards Undertaker.} I did not injure you when I pulled you inside? I am anxious, as you guessed, and I feel I could run laps around the city without tiring.

{What good that would do is questionable.}

...I can't say I've thought about it. Being alive. {He flexes his hands, his fingers.} My body has memory of the pain, the blood and the loss of breath, but there is not much there for me to mentally decipher.

[His smile softens, glad to see Vincent finally coming down and around a little. He does feel for the man. He knows what it's like to die and then suddenly find himself in shock a second time to see that it's not all done, and his sympathies don't just end there, but he'll keep mum on the specifics of it for now. One thing at a time.]

Don't worry yourself over me. Getting dragged into another room is the least of my concerns right now. But being that I've some experience with at least one side of death, the least I can do is offer an ear if you feel a need to talk about the other.

[He stands and gestures for Vincent to follow him.] Come, milord. Everything about your stay here thus far has been all too unpleasant. You're alive again, and this should be a happy time for you. Not many get that second chance.

{Many will say, swearing even, that Vincent has no heart; that he is a brutal tactician that kills without conscience. But that is only true when he is behaving as the Watch-Dog. His true self is far more empathetic. He loves his family and his friends - even if he gives them a hard time - and he is not taking what befell them easily. How can he?

But Undertaker has a curious effect on him - he always has - and Vincent is calming. He looks comforted by the fact that he hasn't hurt the other man.}

Something might occur to me later. I fear I am one-track-minded at present. {All he wants to do is see his son.} Yes. {He rises and moves to Undertaker's side, a little more color to his cheeks.} This is a special place where the rules of life and death are bent. Obviously others are given a second chance here. But are there cases of it in our world?

[His head lulls just so to one side and he turns as Vincent approaches, taking a step or two away before he'll respond.]

Count on it. This place gives one time enough to consider what he will, whether or not he wants. [He opens the door and gestures again, for Vincent to leave before him.] As far as I know, you and your son and I, we're the only ones from our world, or our own time, whatever the case may be. I'm rather enjoying it.

{There is an etiquette that is expected between nobles and commoners, but Vincent doesn't feel much like adhering to it. He is gentler this time when he tugs Undertaker through the door along with him, but he is just as insistent.}

I can listen too if you have need of it. {He shrugs and smiles faintly.} That does make the place more interesting. Would you say others are from the future or the past more often?

[Vincent can lower himself to the mortician's level if he likes, and he'll treat it like he always has. The man will always be an Earl to him, he and his son both. The tugging won't get any resistance.]

That's very generous. I'll keep it in mind, should I need it. [He won't ask after it.] I've found they're almost all from the future, a very distant future. We hail from the year eighteen ninety-nine. I've yet to meet someone outside of our world who came from a year earlier than somewhere near a hundred years later. Fascinating times, those.

{He doesn't see it the same way. He isn't lowering himself; he is walking with a friend. It really becomes bothersome when people set expectations for you and Vincent isn't one to listen to anyone's opinion unless he chooses to do so.}

Do as you please; the offer stands. {He walks at a leisurely pace, letting Undertaker lead.} How does one greet someone from so far in the future? Do they even communicate the same?

[They're in no hurry here and he's glad of it, though he knows Vincent is anxious to see his boy and know what's going on with him.]

Get one face to face and they're no different, but they have these neat little bothersome devices that we've already used once to talk to people across distances. [He pats the weight of his in his pocket.] Can you believe that's what they call a phone? That little thing! They probably taught you a bit about it when you got it, but there's so much you can do with it, it still amazes and disgusts me.

{Anxious, yes, but nervous too. He needs to prepare himself in the same way that "Ciel" does. Well, perhaps not in the same way. But close. His mind and his heart have definitely been thrown off course.}

I thought that was a jest! {Phones should not be without chords or wires and they certainly should not be so small!} But I saw typed words as well as moving pictures! All was clear as if I and the caller were standing side by side.

{He pulls out his phone, grinning.} I suppose it is a little nauseating.

[It doesn't take enhanced senses to know the Earl is a ball of nerves, but that will pass. What he'll do is to pretend this is all very normal, very much an everyday occurrence. Technically, it is, when new people arrive on a somewhat regular basis. It's just the first time that he himself has known one of them personally.]

[His grin turns decidedly wicked with thrill. Finally! Someone to empathize with him on this!] That's what they call it! But yes, you're very right! Through this, you can see who you're speaking with and not even be in the same building with them, and the moving pictures... Oh, Earl. [He shakes his head.] I should show you what they call movies some time. But be prepared to sit on the couch for a few hours. It's terrible.

{He is in good company. Vincent considers himself lucky - blessed - in this at least. Stretching his legs too is helping; he has often used exercise to clear his mind. If only he could ride.

Oh he empathizes heartily! These devices should not be. Their very existence is unnerving.}

Movies? {Akin to moving pictures, surely, but...hours long?} How can anyone sit and stare at a piece of cloth or canvas for so long? Or are they like the phones?

{Incredible, yet somehow it all turns his stomach.} What happened to spending time out of doors?

Edited 2017-10-30 04:17 (UTC)

[He shrugs and runs a hand down his small braid, fingers left to hold onto the strands above where the end was tied off.] Not quite like the phones. Think of a movie as a play in the theater, but instead of seeing it all performed on stage, you're watching it on a large screen in your own home. It helps to pass the time before sleep if I don't feel like reading or there's nothing more to do.

[He and Ciel had spent many a night on the couch, watching one or the other movie before eventually migrating to the bed and passing out. He hoped the tradition would continue, but in his own place would be Vincent, watching something with his son.] The first time I saw one, I had to get up and leave the building after. The performance was a good one, the story quite exciting, but milord, you would not believe some of the things these people can think of until you see them.

{He blows out a long breath, causing his dark fringe to flutter before his eyes.} Does he enjoy them? These...movies? There were certain radio programs that they attended regularly, but I did not pay them much notice.

{If his twins were calm and happy, he could attend to his work.}

I think I can imagine. People can envision all sorts of horrendous deeds. If they could not, the underworld would not exist, would it?

Edited 2017-10-30 04:35 (UTC)

He seems to. We sit down regularly in the evenings and put something on, just to sit and listen to and wind down. He'll pay attention to it but if I don't like it I'll bring out a book or something else while he finishes what's on the screen. [Modern comforts are something he can only enjoy so much of, being from a world that had nothing of the sort.]

It's not all horrible, but some of it is terribly graphic. Not that it bothers me any, but they'll put just about anything on display, these people. Intensity of a fist fight, autopsy in the morgue, passion in the bedroom... You name it, they've likely put it in one of these movie things somewhere.

That sounds cozy. {Can he join? Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?} I think I should like to learn what...movies...bring him enjoyment. Does he read too, at times? What of music or plays? I am sorely lacking in all the information a father should know!

{His eyebrows rise.} Fights, corpses I can understand, but bedroom scenes? Is that truly necessary?

{He can only guess that has one intended purpose.} Perhaps the populace is not imaginative enough in certain endeavors and needs the movies to...ah...assist them?

[What remains of the end of his braid below his fingers, he lifts and twirls.] This place has all of that as well. We both read quite a bit, but the means of their music is... odd. Seems we've been building a small library of both. I can't imagine he would object to letting you borrow any of it. Might find it's to your liking as well, though I confess I've not asked after much of what he keeps, just if he finds anything interesting.

[That and he really hasn't cared what the boy gets himself into so far as that goes. Those scenes in movies, however, he has had to pause the show to skip it altogether. What an adventure that was when they came across one the first time.] Afraid you're asking the wrong person, milord. I hardly know why they feel those scenes are necessary where they were. They said there were action movies or horror movies or science fiction. Not all of them contain something such, but we're careful about it now. Only so much I can tolerate [Around the boy anyway.] and your son is of the same mind.

I must grow accustomed to the oddities. {There really is no other choice. Vincent can adapt, but it's rather like learning to walk or talk again.} I will discover his treasures for the both of us, in that case! I know they will be in good condition; he was careful with his toys.

{Adventure is an interesting way to describe it. Vincent might have broken the television set if he had seen it.}

There are no warnings? {Well that says something about society, doesn't it.} Fourteen is too young to know of such activities. I was not even as well-informed as I liked when I was married!

{...actually that's probably not the case, but his point stands. Baby will not be seeing sex scenes.}

Edited 2017-10-30 05:23 (UTC)

It's only your first day here. This is a lot to absorb, even for an Earl of our time. But this world does have its conveniences, despite the strangeness. [Vincent is already well aware of the boy's illnesses, so he'll go on with it.] There was an incident some time back where your son had one of his asthma fits.

[Before Vincent can panic about that, he'll lift a hand.] He's fine now, don't worry. But he was rushed to their hospital here. You would be amazed at the way they treated his condition. Asthma is a thing of the past just about. He was breathing well again within a few minutes. Now he carries with him something they call an inhaler which gives him a little puff of a medicine that opens his lungs again so he can breathe, should he need it.

I'm not his father, but I'll put up with a little indecency if it would save his life like that. [The smile on him softens when he looks back to his companion. He can't see so well, but he wants to see the look on him at that news.]

The conveniences are what stretch the imagination. {But how can he complain when one of his main worries is soothed? Asthma has frightened him since he first encountered it in Rachel. Then imagine holding a tiny baby who cannot breathe and being helpless to do anything to comfort him. Yes, Vincent detests the disease.

The color leaves his face for a moment, but then it returns.} It works so quickly? Each attack felt like we were dancing on a knife's edge. All I could do was try to comfort him.

{He breathes a sigh of relief.} He need not live in fear of that attacking him unawares. I did not expect him to be so strong. The family name might be secure after all.

Would you? {Only for the baby, hm? Vincent looks amused.} I believe you have put up with more than that for his sake.

Edited 2017-10-30 06:02 (UTC)

[No more fear of death by asthma. It's a beautiful thing, really. One of them.] Yes, just so quickly. I haven't a clue as to how often they happen for him, but look what they've been able to do with the ailment. Now you can save those efforts to comfort him for and put them toward reacquainting with him.

[He flicks his braid once more and lets it flop back down at his side.] I don't think you need to worry about the family name, milord. He'll carry it on, that's for sure. When you see him at work, you'll see what I mean. [Has he put up with more than that? Oh, if only he could say.]

{He smiles as if his worries have been lifted from his shoulders. Vincent does not belittle any joy - no matter how long it lasts.} They happened so frequently when he was a child that he was isolated indoors. It seems as if they have improved on their own with age - and now the medication can give him added security.

{His voice warms.} I am looking forward to reacquainting with him.

{The braid is caught before it falls back into place and, idly, Vincent toys with it too.} Elizabeth is well? She was betrothed to Ciel, as you know, but if that is not meant to be, he is the best solution.

[He glances down at the hand that has caught his hair and then away again, unconcerned. He knows the Earl knows how sensitive his head can be sometimes and trusts that won't be used against him.] That would be a wonderful thing as well, if he'd get over it on his own. I've read it's a chronic illness that never truly goes away, even in this world. But at least it can be maintained and controlled.

[At mention of the young Earl's bride to be, he shakes his head.] I'm afraid I don't know what became of her, other than that she is alive and well. Your son was my focus, you know. [And what a focus that had been. Had things been different, had that damned demon not been involved, this would have been simpler.]

{He won't even tug. The soft silver hair is very fetching and since Undertaker has grown it so long, it's basically asking to be touched. Or so that is how Vincent thinks anyway.} I can ask for no more. An illness can be a fine teacher. He will need patience, perseverance, cunning. He must be the calm in the midst of a stormy sea.

{Little Lizzie has his fondness. Her golden ringlets and fierce fencing skill have ensured she will be a great Lady Phantomhive.}

She can help him. You wouldn't believe the things that girl can do.

[He won't mind a little exploration. Too much and he'll be tempted to drop into a pile of boneless flesh, but he won't mind that either, so long as they get to the young Earl first. Vincent doesn't yet know where the Funtom business is headquartered, after all.] Eloquently put.

[He is well aware of the girl's "hidden" skills, but even if she is quite formidable an opponent on the fencing ground, he still has his sights on Ciel.] I might, I might. If she thinks he is your intended Earl, I imagine she can. I'm told love can heal in ways no one can understand, or is that too fanciful a thought?

{Vincent has a penchant for pretty hair. He won't stop at fiddling with a braid if the Undertaker doesn't complain. But, yes, his sights are set on his son. Once he has had a good assessment of him, he will feel far more like his playful self.}

Eloquent or not, it's true. I thought his character might be too weak, but he is a Phantomhive after all.

{He lifts his hand and studies his wedding ring.} No, it isn't fanciful at all. Those we love can represent better parts of ourselves and they can serve as reminders of who we need to be.

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