{ Video; UN: potentia.regere }

[earlofphantoms]

{ Vincent is in the theater and the ballet is in full costume, practicing one Act or another. They are lovely to see - full of bright colors, like proud, graceful birds. This might be an archaic art to some, but, as the camera turns, the Earl is beaming. }

Well worth an hour or two, I assure you. The full-length numbers are considerably longer, but amendments can be made and stories can be told over several nights. We're not going anywhere, after all.

{ He rises from his seat and paces towards the stage. Thankfully he stops before he ends up in the orchestra pit. That would be embarrassing. }

Tell me your favorite story, hm?

Comments

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[sweetlies]

[Agreed.]

Mm, people can be terribly dim and tasteless. Have you read them all?

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[earlofphantoms]

Most, yes. Which ideas shall I attribute to you?

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[sweetlies]

Hmm... [That's a good question actually.]

Perhaps bits of the Hounds of Baskerville?

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[earlofphantoms]

Fitting! I did like that one; it felt almost too supernatural to be easily explained by science or otherwise.

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[sweetlies]

It did, didn't it?

[He and Undertaker had told Vincent about his sons circumstances so he's sure Vincent can put two and two together.]

It made for a good read, either way.

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[earlofphantoms]

I take it that much of your life would make for a good read and I am sorry for that.

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[sweetlies]

I'm sure it would be interesting! It isn't your fault though, you didn't mean for us to be... caught up in so much. I'm stronger for it and in no danger here at least.

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[earlofphantoms]

I would be one of the first to eliminate any danger to you here. { That's a father's job. }

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[sweetlies]

[There a little laugh, lacking any real humor.]

You'd have to race Jason and Laura and Undertaker, I think. And good luck to anyone trying to beat Undertaker.

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[earlofphantoms]

Don't underestimate me. I am a hell of a shot and I don't mind doing what is necessary. { Poisons are fun. Vincent is also skilled with knives and likely a sword. }

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[sweetlies]

Neither do any of them.

Really, I'd be interested in seeing some kind of contest between the lot of you. I'm not sure Laura would be interested but Jason and Undertaker, perhaps.

[Ciel isn't good with knives. Nor is he fond of them.]

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[earlofphantoms]

Ah I feel like I should prove myself now. { Vincent, no. }

Only if Undertaker is not allowed to use that scythe of his.

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[sweetlies]

[dad no]

The man is a mortician. I don't think he needs a scythe to do damage, with all the tools in his trade.

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[earlofphantoms]

In that case, we might be better matched. { Knives, scalpels... Underhanded distractions... } I am curious about his strength, being what he is.

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[sweetlies]

[Oh look, something Ciel can help with.]

He cut a cruise ship in half. In one swing.

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[earlofphantoms]

With the scythe. { Right? Otherwise Undertaker must have been incredibly gentle with him when they had spent time together. }

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[sweetlies]

Well, yes. But the scythe is a tool. [Are you going to argue semantics, dad?] He'd have to have a great deal of strength to use something like that.

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[earlofphantoms]

I agree. I have held it. { Briefly because his arms began to tire. } I wonder if the strength comes with his profession. A human shouldn't be able to do things like that.

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[sweetlies]

A bit of both, I would imagine. Tending the dead, digging graves and moving coffins, none of that is for the weak. [He would never be capable of it.]

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[earlofphantoms]

He is awfully spry for his age. { That's putting it lightly. } I like testing my limits, though.

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[sweetlies]

I'm sure it helps that he isn't human. [His son just shakes his head.] Don't get yourself hurt. I imagine Doctor Crusher gets exasperated enough when she sees me. I imagine she'll worry if she finds you can be just as reckless.

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[earlofphantoms]

Not anymore. { But humanity is always a hop, skip and a jump away. } I can't say I've ever needed hospitalization for my...ah...recklessness.

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[sweetlies]

[So dryly and in a tone that very much shows how much his son believes him:] Madam Red was a doctor. I imagine you didn't.

[Sorry, which twin was the sassy one?]

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[earlofphantoms]

Oh I never let her play doctor on me! { For...reasons. Just don't ask. }

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[sweetlies]

[He doesn't want to know.

Mostly because he knows his aunt was in love with his father.

A lot of things came out as she tried killing Ciel.]

You let her deliver us though.