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

[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.

[somakemelaugh]

[It will be temporary, but it will afford him rest, and that's the biggest thing the poor Earl needs right now. He can relate more than he can say, and he feels the weight of the chain around his waist acutely as Vincent moves in against him. He doesn't push Vincent away, never would, and lifts a hand to rest at the small of his back in comfort, voice softening.]

If I could make it right for you, I would, my lord. There isn't anything I can do or say that will make this easier for you, but you've my services as you need them, regardless.

[earlofphantoms]

{He will likely rest quite well with the help of the whiskey and after unveiling what weighs so heavily on his heart. Yes, Vincent Phantomhive has one of those and it has been injured both physically and emotionally.

There is something strangely soothing about being close to Undertaker. He has felt the draw before and he is loathe to move.}

What of you? I have not heard you complain once.

[somakemelaugh]

[His own mind will rest easier once he knows Vincent is able to sleep, though it won't be but a temporary relief from the pain. Agony like that is nothing new to him, and it hurts him to see Vincent aching so, all carefully hidden behind a smile.]

Why should I complain? It isn't complete, but it's more than I could have asked for to have you and your son in good health, physically if nothing else. The rest, we can work on, but that we can work on it is what I care for. [Putting Vincent in his grave had been no easy task. To this day, it drew tears to his eyes and made him thankful for the long hair over his face.]

[earlofphantoms]

{Smiles are easy to produce. They needn't be heartfelt to have the desired effect. Vincent is well-practiced in them and he hides his thoughts well, seeming to be at perfect ease when, within, he is ripped and torn. Gently turning his head, he frowns at Undertaker's features.}

It was difficult for you too, then. I'm sorry. {His arm slips around Undertaker's waist, giving him a soft embrace. Then Vincent pours himself another drink and sips on it.}

I will be back to myself soon. I know better than to let a band of murderers get the best of me.

[somakemelaugh]

[Something about that look prompts a different reaction in him. Didn't he always tell them to look after their souls? He'd let this man go once, always at arm's length, always support from the shadows. Habit, or something like it, tells him he shouldn't move further, and yet something gnaws at him.]

[He accepts the embrace and lets him move back and watches as Vincent takes another glass.]

You'll do this on your own, will you? [It really isn't a question.]

[earlofphantoms]

{He downs the contents of the glass and sets it on the counter, making a small sound at the more immediate effects. Whiskey is definitely a harder drink than he is accustomed to, but Undertaker is entirely right about its relaxing qualities. Hopefully, too, Vincent will be gifted with a dreamless slumber.}

I do not know how to go about it any other way. {His smile is small, but genuine.} I have those I want to protect.

[somakemelaugh]

[That second glass seems like it should do the trick, and he's watching the Earl closely, closer than before, if it's even possible. He wasn't lying when he said he wasn't sure of Vincent's tolerance, but he does know it's strong enough to hit faster than it might seem.]

I do sympathize, my lord, and I will be there right with you [Or in front of him.] if those individuals need protecting. [He lifts a finger and points, right at the Earl's chest.] But you misunderstand. I refer to you in that.

[earlofphantoms]

(The kitchen...blurs. He reaches out to catch himself against the counter, staying upright through sheer stubborn willpower.}

Me? You wish to protect me? {The idea makes him feel warmer, somehow. Happier. He grins and tips his head, dark strands falling over his eyes.} I was referring to you as well. I will protect you.

[somakemelaugh]

[Oh, that did hit the Earl fast. He chuckles and moves to cap the bottle again to cut Vincent off in case he thought about going for round three.]

[It won't help the pain still, but he'll crack his wall, just a little, to see that smile again.]

You and your son are all I have left in this world. You've got my protection as long as you want or need it. But for now, my lord, I think your bed is calling. [He offers out a hand and curls his fingers to gesture for Vincent to take it.] Come. I'll get you to bed and make sure you're good and rested and have a glass of water waiting when you wake.

[It seemed like he was to be guardian to both father and son. No surprise to him, he was okay with that.]

[earlofphantoms]

{It has been some time since he last drank! Oh he had a glass of wine or champagne here or there and sometimes brandy, but nothing like Undertaker's whiskey! He feels his cheeks flush, but he laughs off his embarrassment.

That is until he hears what the other man has to say. His grin softens and he grasps onto the offered hand without hesitation.}

You have us for good or ill, my friend. I knew the first time we met that you were meant to be with us.

{His words come a little too easily and they are even more unfiltered than usual. He follows Undertaker's lead, stumbling a few times along the way.}

I thought you were one of those only I could see.

[somakemelaugh]

[Had it not been for the circumstances and the reason for needing the drink, Undertaker might be more amused at this than he is, which isn't saying much and isn't much at all. Vincent must have been suffering terribly to have lost so much sleep and he'd not noticed it. He hasn't been watching closely enough.]

[He'll amend that now. They're very careful on their way up the stairs, and he's mindful of the man's footing to keep him from ending up face first on the floor.]

I'll take the good and the ill. [That comment, that gets a curious look from him, but it's not surprising, not entirely. Vincent is a smart man. He would have noticed that Undertaker hadn't aged all his life, but he must ask, if only to keep the man engaged until they make it to the bed.] What makes you say that, milord?

[earlofphantoms]

{He has pretended to sleep and he is good at keeping his nightmares quiet. When he wakes in a cold sweat, he is able to stay still and comfort himself - as much as he can anyway. Then in the morning, he acts like all is normal.

Sleep can only be missed for so long. Vincent concentrates on each step, his grip tightening on Undertaker's hand until they reach the second floor.}

You must expect equal amounts of both with the Phantomhives. {He blinks at the question, finding it comical.} I have seen men in suits on cases for Her Majesty a bit too much. I thought they were hers, at first, but others did not seem to notice them.

[somakemelaugh]

[The death grip on his hand isn't missed, though he doesn't complain. His patience has no end as they make their way up to level ground again, then just across a short hall and to the bedroom.]

Indeed, I do. One wouldn't be without the other. [He spares the man a glance at the confession, brows raised behind his bangs. That Vincent could see grim reapers wasn't new to him. That he had seemed to see so many was. He thought it might be something that came and went.] There are some things that people are not meant to see. How often had you seen them?

[earlofphantoms]

{Better a death grip than a face-plant! Vincent relents when they are in the hallway, moving closer to Undertaker's back.}

Life cannot be any other way. {He cocks his head with care, considering how frequently he spied the strange men.} I saw them most on cases that needed your touch.

{i.e. dead bodies were involved.}

I'd say every other case, at least. The Queen's justice is swift. {If she wants the matter silenced, Vincent saw to it.} But I saw them before I became Earl too.

[somakemelaugh]

[Once in the room, things get even easier on the Earl. Undertaker leaves him standing alone by the bed for just a moment, long enough to tug the blankets down.]

You certainly did. [He pats the edge of the bed, inviting Vincent to sit or lie down, whichever he wants.] There exists a world after death, one most people won't ever see. They go on about their lives, they die, then they go to wherever they're meant to go after that. It's much like a business of its own, making sure souls get from the body to the right place. Those were the people you saw.

[No sense hiding it from him anymore, now that they're here.] They're called grim reapers. You know the term, I believe.

[earlofphantoms]

{He won't be complaining. With the bed turned down, he clumsily toes off his shoes and loosens his collar. He has no qualms about laying down - it keeps the room steadier - but he watches Undertaker curiously, riveted despite his impaired senses. Maybe sleep can wait...a little longer.}

Grim...Reapers? You sound serious. {But it's a lot to understand.} How do you know about them? Do they visit the funeral home?

{A yawn interrupts his thoughts and he wrinkles his nose.}

I saw them around Mother...