video | un: undertaker

[somakemelaugh]

[Undertaker pops on screen, looking like his usual self. Smiles all around, hair veiling his eyes, dark though not black clothing. He has mastered the phone-thing as of some time ago, but he hasn't had any real reason to need to use it until now.]

[Now, he has a message.]

I understand there's to be a special holiday coming up around these parts. Hygge, it's called. They say it's about family and friends, whoever you might be.

[He shrugs, grinning a little more, and though it might look wild on him, it's not entirely unfriendly.] So here's what I'd like to do. Some of you know me from the little cafe on the corner, some of you don't at all. If or not we've ever met and you feel so inclined, I've a kitchen in my house what needs using and a want to make all the hot cocoa we can handle. Stop on by and I'll welcome you to a cup of it.

[He has directions for the house, if anyone needs it. Then, with a tip of his hat, Undertaker ends the feed, leaving the invitation open to any who might take it.]

Comments

{Video; UN: potentia.regere}

[earlofphantoms]

Hygge? Where does the name originate, I wonder? {Also hot chocolate? Count him in for at least one of those cups!}

[somakemelaugh]

[Griiiin. Always.] I have no idea. I'm not familiar with it in the least.

... Milord, are you at home right now? Why are we speaking over these?

[earlofphantoms]

{He gives a small yawn, eyes lidded.} I will do some research.

Mm? I suppose I have no other excuse besides laziness?

<-- action!

[somakemelaugh]

[He shakes his head and closes the feed on the man and goes Earl hunting.]

Milord? Really. I should be the one you're kicking into action.

[earlofphantoms]

{This is what becomes of him after spending a late night reading. The nightmares don't help matters, but he won't speak of those without prodding. Vincent is reclining comfortably in a chair, one book open on his lap and another laying on the desk before him.}

I am active; just not in the physical sense!

[somakemelaugh]

[He sees that and he knows, and it bothers him, but not enough that he'll harass the man about it right off.]

Clearly not. How much effort it must be to turn those pages? [Still, they need to open that door one way or another. He'd offer tea, but Vincent looks exhausted.] Is it any good, at least?

[earlofphantoms]

It is an easy read, but not terribly informative. Or, rather, the information comes in spurts like some sort of dying engine.

{He sets the second book by the first and rises to stretch.}

I'm not any good at accepting change, I've noticed.

[somakemelaugh]

[That was easier than he imagined. He doesn't even bother to look at the books after Vincent stands.]

It isn't an easy change to accept. Nothing in our world could have prepared any of us for this, let alone you and what you suffered. Would you like something to help you sleep?

[earlofphantoms]

{He looks thoughtful.} What do you have to offer? I fear I am beyond the hot milk and honey stage.

{Not that he doesn't enjoy a sweet treat now and then. Such is the downfall of being human (and a Phantomhive).}

[somakemelaugh]

[He gives a soft, amused sort of sound and gestures with a finger for the Earl to follow him into the kitchen.]

If only you had asked. No, what I have is something a little stronger. [Without waiting, he reaches up into a cabinet and pulls down a bottle of amber liquid and with it, two small glasses. Not quite shot glasses, but he doesn't need them to be.] It's not quite the high class stuff you're used to, but it'll do its job on you.

[Those glasses, he'll fill with two shots of whiskey each before setting the bottle aside and offering a glass to Vincent.] You've not eaten for a while, have you?

[earlofphantoms]

{Intrigued, Vincent follows Undertaker, holding back when they enter the kitchen. The question makes him chuckle.}

I know this trick. The effect will be stronger if I do not eat, hm? {He doesn't mind in this case. However he does look around warily.} Will you see that he does not see me inebriated? His mother would never forgive me.

{And that isn't something a son should see. Vincent takes the glass and toasts his friend before downing the alcohol.}

[somakemelaugh]

[He downs his own glass after a toast and sets it aside. That'll be it for him for now, but he'll allow Vincent a second if he wants it.]

Always. And don't worry about your son. I did say it would help you sleep, I don't intend to put you on the floor in a stupor. I regret I don't know your tolerance, but we'll trust you not to make a fool of yourself. There's the room upstairs that you can take if you still feel a need to hide.

[earlofphantoms]

{Exhaustion mixes well with the alcohol. A slow heat fills him and his worries begin to fade into the distance. The effect will be temporary, he knows, and he approaches Undertaker, resting his cheek against the man's shoulder.}

I didn't think I would ever have to live without her. I don't want him to see...to worry. He has enough to think about. But I feel like half of me is gone.

video; @cphantom

[sweetlies]

[Ciel looks a little amused, resting his chin on one hand.]

We're going to be busy, aren't we?

[somakemelaugh]

[He has no apologies to offer.]

Well, I will. I'm sure I don't know what you'll be doing.

[sweetlies]

It's a celebration of family, isn't it?

Of course, I'll be there. You're family, after all. [He is now, anyway. What else could he be?]

[somakemelaugh]

[They've only been acting as such the past several months. Why it's so strange to hear a word put to it now, he can't say.]

I suppose I am, if you say. I haven't really considered it myself.

[sweetlies]

[But that's long enough in Ciel's book.]

I have though. I'm working on gifts for everyone for the holiday.

[somakemelaugh]

[He won't argue, but he does find himself feeling strangely coy about this.]

I'm flattered, milord. Thank you.

[sweetlies]

[He wouldn't accept any arguments anyway.]

I hope you'll like yours.

[somakemelaugh]

[Not about the acceptance into a family of sorts, but the gift? He reaches up, below the view, and rubs at a certain spot on his chest where the skin has long since healed.]

Ah, milord, you don't have to give me anything. You are alive and well and that's all I care for.

[sweetlies]

I know but I want to.

[It's strange, even for him, to want to give out gifts. He'd done so for his servants, technically, Mey-Rin's glasses and Finny's cap and book but those serve him as well as them. This? Not so much.]

It makes me happy to do this.

[somakemelaugh]

[That takes the fight right out of him.]

Who would I be to tell you to stop if it pleases you? Knock yourself out, then.

[sweetlies]

[Ciel: 1]

I'm glad to hear that. I'd still do it, mind you, but it's nice to have approval.

[somakemelaugh]

[This isn't over. You haven't seen his birthday gift to you yet.]

Did you think you would need approval? Really, I must know.