3rd [action]

[splitthebaby]

[There's nothing suspicious here. Nothing at all. Well, except for the moe faced mechanical doll and the carpenter working hard on the side of a garage. The garage at 1125 Taylor, as a matter of fact.

Sitting on a chair watching is Merem. With him are quite a few rats and a few birds. Also, surprisingly, both of his arms are gone....]

Did Ciel really say that? That's rather embarrassing, I'd imagine.

What was that...?

[One of the rats chitters and then they all start rolling around, one flopping right off the chair. Merem ends up laughing along with them.]

A good king likes to help out but...heh. He can't help his appearance. I think they call that Plumber's Disease, by the way.

No, no, don't keep making fun of him. You'll hurt his pride. And Lady Windup doesn't exactly have a sense of humor. She'll take what you say literally so be careful.

Though did you hear? The Rat King has been hanging around with girls lately. I wonder if he's taken a liking to them. He might end up being more human than me before it all ends.

[He tilts his head as another rat speaks up.]

Well, he is more properly behaved and groomed than you. Of course he'll get free food. What? You think that's all it is? Hm....

Instead of pondering that, how about you get back to work. I'll have something special for you once it's all over.

[All the animals bound down from the chair and start to help out, carrying tools here and there and keeping things level. Thankfully, the creepy one sided conversation is over but it's like he's really Snow White.]

Comments

[splitthebaby]

Only for you, Princess.

[tsukihime]

I didn't know you liked big projects.

[Going to do her best not to fall for any conversation bait. HER MIND IS STEELED. Well, she THINKS she can be clever enough to figure out what Merem's doing without directly asking.

The way he talks to people seems kind of fun to try sometimes okay? Shut up.]

[splitthebaby]

I'm just making a home away from home, that's all.

[tsukihime]

[Don't laugh. Don't laugh.]

You're...building a house...at Ciel's house?

[splitthebaby]

Of course. What else would it be?

[tsukihime]

[Yea, she can't really hold it in. She's snickering...loudly.]

Y-yea...what else? [Why she finds this kind of creeper-activity out of Merem funny she's unsure about.

The other side of it is how hilarious this is on the "messing with Ciel" front.]

And...why?

[splitthebaby]

So I can bother Ciel more. It's more efficient this way.

[tsukihime]

[Yep, letting go and laughing.]

You do realize how creepy you are, right?

[Though she is obviously pleased.]

[splitthebaby]

Only towards Ciel.

[tsukihime]

That's cute. It's like what little boys do to girls they have crushes on.

[splitthebaby]

[If it were Arcueid that was being spoken about, Merem would have blushed and tried to shy away from the topic.

But it's only Ciel.

Merem just shrugs with what little shoulders he has.]

That is the conclusion everyone jumps too, which is sad. I'd expect a deeper view of it from you, Princess. You who has apparently committed quite a few actions with Ciel that would constitute you having a much more intimate relationship with her than I ever will.

[tsukihime]

Well I guess I'm not as good at teasing people than you.

Plus, I was really drunk ok? [Arcueid looks away as she makes her last statement, pouting a bit.]

[splitthebaby]

They say alcohol loosens inhibitions, Princess. It doesn't create feelings. That is quite telling in itself.

[tsukihime]

It wasn't "feelings," you little monster. I fell and discovered something that I had to investigate. That's it.

[Pokerface.]

[splitthebaby]

I'll take monster as a compliment.

[tsukihime]

I know you do.

Jerk isn't a compliment, though.

[splitthebaby]

It can be in the right circumstances.

[tsukihime]

What circumstances would jerk be considered a compliment?

Being a jerk isn't something to be proud of.

[splitthebaby]

If someone was a jerk to a jerk, wouldn't that make them a hero?

[tsukihime]

No, it'd just make everyone jerks.

I guess. I don't know that's a dumb question.

[splitthebaby]

Regardless, my sources tell me your friend Shiki could be something of a jerk at times so I do take it as a compliment.

[tsukihime]

[Arcueid ALMOST seems a bit disgusted to have Merem bring Shiki up. She's trying so hard to not look like anything he's saying has any effect on her.]

Okay so maybe he was a jerk but he was a jerk in a different way.

[splitthebaby]

Therefore, not all jerks are bad and I could be that kind of jerk.

[tsukihime]

He was pretty bad when he was a jerk, so don't let that go inflating your ego or anything.

Who cares, anyway.

[Aw, Arcueid looks a little sad thanks to the topic of conversation.]