[ 4 ] video; un: @altin ( early morning 11/1 )

[bringbackgold]

[ Otabek wants to post the video relatively early. There’s a calm when the video comes on. Otabek’s hair is is still fuzzy from having just woken up, having not been styled yet. There’s a sense of ease about him, too. While he’s normally pretty calm, it’s just different from what one normally sees from him. Also, it appears his laptop is set up in a different spot than normal. It’s on a kitchen table, and behind him is a counter, on it - a container with remnants of cake.

He’s wearing a tank top, but it’s not hiding the markings on his neck and shoulders. He finally speaks, but not without a small meow in the background from the little black cat who seems fond of making appearances. ]

Thank you for coming to the party last night. I was glad to see everyone. Also, as of yesterday --

[ A pause. ]

I’m nineteen. I don’t really celebrate birthdays. It was a good birthday, though. I’m curious...

[ Leans forward, is quiet. ]

What birthday traditions do you have?

[ He sits back. Clearly, his tone is about to change. Otabek never leaves it at one thing. ]

Also... As you may or may not know, I am in charge of entertainment at a few clubs here. So - this is also a job posting. Singers, DJs, musicians, and otherwise musical acts are all welcome to apply, either for one night or something more long term. It is a paid job, of course. You can either reply here, come visit me at the club, or send me a message privately.

[ He’s said a lot more than he typically does in any given moment. Then, something seems to grab his attention, and he turns back towards the bedroom, then back to the camera. He turns it off. ]

Comments

video | @cphantom

[sweetlies]

[Ciel is leaning back in a chair, chewing on a small piece of chocolate. After a moment, he sets it down onto a small saucer and straightens.

He won't comment on the marks, so Otabek is spared that from the younger teen.]

My family always made a bit of a spectacle for my birthday. Since it was in December, the presents were always under the tree, everyone on the estate knew what day it was so there were a lot of birthday wishes, even the servants had presents ready.

I remember sneaking into the kitchen to try to steal a peek at what kind of cake was being made... It never worked. I suppose that's tradition enough?

[Almost as an after thought:] I don't really celebrate them either now. My fiancee usually insists on marking the occasion though.

video;

[bringbackgold]

[ He's grateful. It wasn't something he thought about...but, he was more interested in the answer he'd get. ]

Near Christmas, then?

[ An other holiday that's not really something he does. He realizes that there's a lot of people here that seem to celebrate quite a variety. It's interesting to him, and feels almost like he's traveling without traveling. ]

It sounds like a tradition.

[ He's curious about the fiancee thing, since this kid seems so young. ]

video;

[sweetlies]

Almost two weeks before. [Most people would probably be annoyed at it but since he doesn't celebrate it anymore...]

We would sometimes watch the meteor shower, if it wasn't too cold out. It felt like the stars fell just for us. [That, at least, sounds more like a tradition than the rest.

And he's welcome to ask. It's one of few things Ciel doesn't keep a secret, being a Victorian.]

[bringbackgold]

That sounds like a good tradition. Really relaxing.

[ And a great time with family. He's always been a little disconnected from his own because of what he does. That's alright. ]

[sweetlies]

[He's actually smiling, thinking back.]

It was. And we never had lessons that day either.

[Ciel can understand that well. All he has anymore are memories, really.]

[bringbackgold]

That sounds great.

[ A break from the world to enjoy the company of family, enjoy the stars. But still didn't have all the noise of a party. ]

[sweetlies]

I'm still not sure entirely about this place but there must be something peaceful like that you might do for your in the future.

[No pressure of socializing to be a good host or whatever you did when you had a large party.]

[bringbackgold]

It easier to find peace here than home.

[ There's always pressure there with his career. And his drive doesn't let him, anyway. ]

[sweetlies]

[Slowly, Ciel nods.]

I find myself agreeing, honestly. I still get a little uneasy at having so much free time now.

[He can sympathize.]

[bringbackgold]

I've found ways to fill the time with work, training, and practice. Had to. It's easy to get restless.