vingt-six † puppies come in all kinds

[ex_seventh238]

[Phone - Public]

Good morning! This call is addressed to anyone who might be interested in keeping a pet. I have... a number [because hell naw she's not going to say 15 on the phone provided a few didn't get lost along the way already] of Scottish Terrier puppies that are looking for new homes. They're around a year old, purchased at the pet store here a few months back. The previous owner can no longer take care of them, so I was hoping that maybe others would like to adopt them into a different household instead. They're docile around people and enjoy playing outside a lot, they're also all fit and in good health. [Not a direct result of being intimidated at will, forbidden from showing their muzzle in the house when a certain household member is also around, and forced to look for their own food half the time because the food's limited in the backyard, nope... THESE PUPPIES DON'T HAVE SPADES TO SPOIL THEM ANYMORE, but they do look ok and they're drone animals so no one can tell. SHHHH....] If you'd like to meet them in person, please feel free to drop by at 1125 Taylor Road at any time this afternoon. Thank you for your time!

[Action]
I. Taylor Road ;; Afternoon
[there is like

a dozen or something of Scottish Terrier puppies wrestling with each other on the front lawn. Ciel's somehow managed to gather them together after all, what a miracle... She doesn't look too enthusiastic about this, though, adjusting her glasses as she gives the animals a flat stare.

Close by is an angelic boy dressed in white with short and smooth black hair loitering by the fence. ...Oh wait, maybe that boy is the reason for her indifferent mood. Ciel's never happy when Merem (splitthebaby) is around, is she? But Merem at least seems to be enjoying himself with the puppies. It's not like he can talk to animals and is here to judge any potential pet owners because he cares more about drone animals than humans or anything, NOPE

Approach?]

((OOC: Joint prompt with Merem Solomon, tags will be separate to make it easier for everyone o/))

II. Church ;; Evening
[Business as usual. If the Sister isn't in the front pretending to be reading the Bible but actually working on less holy things busying over something, you can probably find her in the back kitchen. The lights are all on there, easily noticeable from the side windows to any outsider. That means the place is open for tea and sweets and dubious sound spiritual advice for any wary of mind. Got nothing especially interesting planned for the night? Why not drop by? Everyone's secretly heretical anyway.]

III. Church ;; Night
[It's past 10pm, and the lights are out. ...That is, except for a very dim one placed above the door to the back entrance of the Church. A robed figure slinks out, headed towards the small cluster of woods past the storage shed. It's late and no one really comes to the Church except for select losers. Yeah, this may look fishy, but Ciel can totally take a few steps around her own Mayfieldian natural habitat without getting accosted, right.

...Maybe...]

IV. Around town ;; Late Night
[Patrol as usual. As we know, old habits can be hard to break. It's not like anything exciting ever really happens after midnight in Mayfield, but heck, Ciel HAS gotten a few kicks in the past stalking vampires and scaring them without actually doing anything because lol OP vampire hunter with all her regains back. GIVE THEM A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE, HAH.

...ER, that is. She'll be swinging by the streets, traveling by hopping lamp posts and roofs and etc as usual, gonna stop by the park and downtown a bit to ultimately end up at Makeout Point. The view is nice, alright... And there just might be something up there, that she may or may not wanted to check up on. Also out for a midnight stroll? You might just run into her! ...Or she might end up stalking you for a bit. Hey, she never denied her line of work to be questionable...]

Comments

[encored]

[she is the wolf....]

The basement? Those aren't exactly five-star accommodations. [ciel what are you doing to your poor familiar... not that he should be talking since the basement is his storage space for people too whoops. good thing they're both so normal!!]

What exactly is your relationship to Ciel?

1/2

[scripturale]

[sadly accurate...]

Master keeps all her things there... It's like a dungeon, a dungeon!! And no one will ever free me from it, it's too bleak, too cruel!! [VERGE OF TEARS SNIFFING SHE IS SO ABUSED CHARLES CAN'T YOU PITY HER ;A;]

2/2

[scripturale]

[--and then.]

Ah. Master is... my Master. [blink. what do you mean, isn't it pretty clear... ?_?]

[encored]

If you're here right now, I doubt you need freeing. It doesn't seem like you're tethered to the drone priest or anything similar.

[HE HAS SO MUCH FAITH in Ciel not being a violent gun nut despite seeing a little bit of the executor himself... SORRY SEVEN very little sympathy here

plenty of irritation though!] That goes without say, thank you very much. I was hoping for an explanation of the title.

1/3

[scripturale]

M-master was... cleaning the parts... and...--

[you don't understand SEE THE 4 HOLES IN HER FOREHEAD CIEL DRILLED THEM INTO HER why can't you understaaaaaaaaaaand w;A;w]

2/3

[ex_seventh238]

--Ah. That's enough, isn't? I'm sorry for the delay, Charles. She hasn't badgered you too much, hopefully?

[...Comes a familiar and completely neutral voice from the hall down the left side. Don't mind Ciel sauntering in, adjusting the collar to her habit while she approaches. She looks the same as always (albeit less n_n than she usually is around him...) and the air doesn't feel really different, but...]

3/3

[scripturale]

[SEVEN AUTOMATICALLY GIVES OUT A SMALL YELP AND SHRINKS AWAY...]

M-Master!

[hide her charles hide her by which i mean she is literally ducked behind you now, so... yeah.]

[encored]

[and he immediately commences with completely ignoring Seven's existence and turning his attention to Ciel. at least he isn't moving just yet... even if in his books, she's already given him ample reason to be mean....]

She's a bit dim, but there are others who frequent this place that are much more bothersome. [waves a hand!! and then, with the accusatory tone of why did you make me wait for my cake:] I hope whatever you were doing was important.

1/2

[ex_seventh238]

I did mention that, did I not? [and while Charles is busy being snobbish she will sneak

a terribly sharp look over his shoulder where Seven is peering from...]

You're dismissed, Seven. We'll discuss of what just happened later.

[the air certainly didn't suddenly grow cold for 0.2 seconds or anything--! but YES, after another faint whimper along with something like 'y-yes m-master', the horse loli just

poofs out of existence behind Charles' back... ah, she's totally gone now, aren't you glad...]

2/2

[ex_seventh238]

[--but back to Charles!!]

Aha, I do apologize. You didn't have to wait for me, but I suppose that you were forced to even if you didn't want to. [because of a CERTAIN hold-up...] Tea's ready now too, at least. Shall we move on?

[no she was not doing anything important, so she doesn't have to answer his question. this is a good judgment call, alright... ANYWAY. Let us mosey off to the kitchen, y/y]

[encored]

[he noticed that. he's going to be on hyperalert for Icy Ciel Aura for the rest of his stay in Mayfield, isn't he... but he glances over his shoulder at that, marginally surprised to see her just kind of

vanish

LIKE A GHOST spooky...]

...Just make certain that it doesn't happen again. I run a tight schedule. [and he'll mosey off in the direction of the kitchen after casting one last look in the direction Seven had last been.

but because he can't help but be a little curious, he'll try to ask a few things while they go.] You've mentioned her before, yes? Is that the one you compared to a pet earlier? [horaces and horse lolis what is it with their idea of pets]

[ex_seventh238]

[what why no need no need, he hasn't done anything lately that'd warrant any slaps on the wrist of her part...!

--yes charles seven is

a ghost

wasn't that established from the start...]

I'll make sure it doesn't. [...said neutrally but wow why did it sound like a death sentence

but she'll briefly glance back and down at his showing of curiosity.]

Hm? Yes, that's right. Seven is my familiar, and it's a surprise that you can see and talk to her openly like that. She wasn't too big of a bother, was she?

[encored]

[from someone who is naturally suspicious of just about everything, staying on guard in those moments is second-nature okay!!

and yes you'd think he would be used to it by now right... nope..... everyone and their supernatural shenanigans can pack up and go home gosh]

I'll hold you to it. [cake > Seven apparently. he's only irritated by the conversation being cut short possibly never to be picked up again because Seven seems chatty and dumb and likely to know more about Ciel than he does...]

She suggested that I ask you about it, since it sounds like something of a rare occasion. Seeing her, I mean. [and not just because she's a forced basement dweller!!] She didn't bother me any more or less than the usual idiots that roam around.

1/2

[ex_seventh238]

[too bad staying on guard probably doesn't help all THAT much when push comes to shove anyhow......

you're stuck with us now charles!!! you can't be part of the magic club but you could start a support group against it if you want...]

Mm, rest assured! [POOR SEVEN... and he'd be right but

like he doesn't know a crapload more about her than like everyone else here save Merem already

her 'bet' that he can get info but won't know what to do with it stays true...

--but yes! At his remark though, she does perk up with a more sober look.]

...She singled you out? That means...

[tic tock tic tock]

2/2

[ex_seventh238]

--!

[Can you see the metaphorical lightbulb light up...]

[encored]

[it's a sad sad truth...

and he will start that support group tyvm even if he will be the only member in it!] Thank you for your consideration.

[he's still considering this delay a great offense obviously

that isn't even a bet she's entirely right already, like he knows how to deal with people well enough to know what to do with sensitive information!! he just likes knowing things... being in the loop is great

and he does indeed see the lightbulb go off but he has no idea what it might mean...] That means...?

[ex_seventh238]

[can't hold all these clubs...

but PRETTY MUCH #reason why you made no progress with abel and everything you know about ciel she threw to you as free bones because you're too sad otherwise... charles

at least she'll clarify now and keep him more in said loop! and such...]

It's just a possibility, but with how this town tends to work, that's probably it. You did have my blood, once. [BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER THAT TIME DO YOU...] Assuming that the effects have lasted, it should be the reason why you can communicate with her as clearly as you have. [a beat.] Could you touch her?

[encored]

[they can be the churchie club and everything else can be a sub... club...

no it's terrible because it's true.... his people skills are so below the starting point it's almost hilarious. at least he has generous people like Ciel to make him feel like he's not quite as distant from understanding people as he actually is]

So I did. [he says with all the bitterness of a kid remembering that one time they couldn't get up from the dinner table without finishing all the brussel sprouts...] I could, yes. Is that abnormal? [he doesn't like where he thinks this is leading okay flying mint bunny was one thing but at least that was England-magic and not voodoo blood magic!!]

[ex_seventh238]

[the churchies is totally already its own club...

AWFUL... she needs to stop spoiling him about his perception of his people skills, too...]

She's capable of interfering with the physical world because of her connection to me, so she can take care of meager chores like cleaning and laundry. That doesn't apply to people, however. Barring exceptional circumstances [because we're never short on these], even if a spiritually attuned person can see her, they shouldn't be able to touch her. [a small sigh as she steps into the kitchen.] This settles it, then. At least until I can think of a better explanation, this must be the reason. It just took a while because she normally stays out of the main hall, but she became bolder about it recently. Ah, how troublesome...

[someone's going to get beaten...

in the meanwhile charles is expected to take his usual seat, make himself comfortable, etc. She doesn't need to tell him that much, does she?]

[encored]

[but then he would actually have to face the fact that he has learned very little about social interaction despite his tsundere efforts!!

and of course he doesn't need to be asked, he moseys over to his chair like he owns it (which he practically does at this point, really....) and takes a seat. his posture is a little less relaxed than usual, if only because he's still stuck on the fact that he's part of bizarre exceptional circumstances... again...]

So she truly has always been here. [SPOOKY. good thing he doesn't have to deal with hauntings in his own world, he's already paranoid enough without having to worry about invisible eyes in addition to all the crazy stalkers in his life.]

...Was it because of your blood, then?

[ex_seventh238]

[At least Ciel can still appreciate his minuscule efforts and there will always be sweets and gold stars waiting for him no matter what..........

She should just start labeling the chairs with names, ALL HER PUPPIES CHURCHIES SEEM TO HAVE A PERSONAL FAVORITE SEAT. But anyway gonna be getting cake and tea ready on a tray, don't mind her.]

Not always. As a regain, she's been in town for quite some time now, but Seven used to be at my assigned house before I moved her into the Church a few months ago. You can see and touch her probably because of me, yes, unless you meant something else by that question?

[encored]

[she really does spoil him...

yes it would be excellent if they just walked into the kitchen one day and each chair had a little decorated corkboard name plate with their names and kitschy pictures and stickers on them. anyway WATCHING HER LIKE A HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPO HAWK.]

Why was she moved to the church at all? [his nose wrinkles] That's what I was referring to, yes, but it doesn't make much sense to me. That happened a fair while ago.

[ex_seventh238]

[babby bat...

SO FITTING... they'd sit on it anyway ESPECIALLY CHARLES oh no that's the cutest and dumbest imagery ever............ and just a sec ok she's almost done]

My 'new' daughter took all the place in the basement, and she has kleptomaniac tendencies. In the end, it was simpler to move all my things here, instead of confronting her about space issues at home. [tiny sigh...] It's just coincidence that you saw her today, though you shouldn't have ever been able to see her if you haven't had my blood first. [...and okay there, she'll be coming over with the tray. Complete with a dainty plate of almond cake topped with whipped cream and fresh blackberries, a teapot full of chamomile tea, sugar container with reasonable amount of sugar in it, two cups on saucers, napkin, fork, etc... the only thing missing might be a cream pot since she doesn't take her tea with cream, everything else is neat and orderly. FEEL FREE TO REMIND HER if that's an issue but otherwise she'll just be setting everything down on the table. Cleanly and gracefully of course, she's not perfect but she sure has enough coordination and common sense to do this properly. ...Not giving him too much reason to scrutinize and judge her, hopefully! If he wants to pick someone apart she's not the ideal candidate to start with, TO PUT IT MILDLY... but then some people just make it too easy JUDGING IS HARD AND NO ONE UNDERSTANDS...]

[encored]

[he would it's true... just sitting there with his cake and dumb little nameplate why is he so ridiculous

he only takes black teas with cream though, so the missing pot goes unmentioned. he doesn't need a reason to get his judging goggles on though okay!! but he isn't exactly aiming for judgment today since he already got most of that out of his system complaining like a brat about her daring to do other chores before serving him snacks... so nice...

and since he did wait so very long for this snack, he'll wait to reply until he's taken a bite of the cake. it's a good thing she has Abel for all the compliments since he's just come to expect The Best Quality from her and wouldn't give any compliments by now since that's the way it's "supposed" to be. SO BASICALLY no complaints from him is as good as a compliment.....]

Does she just stay in the basement here all of the time? That might be why she's so irritating, you know. The drone child is always hyperactive if it manages to get out of the basement. [same principles obviously apply here yep] Even if your blood does have special properties, I don't understand why its still affecting me.

[ex_seventh238]

[BECAUSE HE'S A BABBY...

okay cool ciel takes her coffee black too the cream is mostly for some people but at the rate of things maybe all she needs here is an unholy load of sugar... whelp

and yep in charlesian no news=good news!! she's just come to expect him to point stuff out to her if he wants it changed for future reference, like 'this should be more moist/sweet' even if she's put in the amount of water/sugar you're supposed to. Hence she won't ask either, apart from watching if his expression sours at the first bite...

no? GOOD NEWS IT IS THEN.]

Not always, she has chores to do during the day. She's usually sated as long as I leave a few carrots downstairs, she should know to stay out of the way during the evenings here. [Except Ciel sometimes uses her to basically listen in on conversations that happen in the Church when she's personally not around... +1000 stalker points right there yep] --And ah? No, my blood doesn't have any special properties. It's just richer in prana, so it should theoretically be more sustainable to things like you if you were to consume it instead of a normal person's blood. [a difference that he might or might've not noticed... she's downplaying it too, her blood is probably about a hundred times more potent than your average joe's...] But isn't that obvious? Seven is bound to me, and you've tasted my blood. As a result, there's a connection between you strong enough for her to be visible and tangible. That's all there is to it, so you don't have to look so worried. [our magics are different etc...]