36th Blood | Day late and a dollar short

[tsukihime]

[Arcueid Brunestud, white princess of the true ancestors, with sharpened killer instincts and always completely on top of things picks up the phone today.

She is likely about to address the fellow residents of Mayfield with something important, something to think about, something that will stimulate the mind and show that she truly is a superior being. Take heed, Mayfield.]

[Phone | Unfiltered]

Hey...did anyone else get a weird letter in the mail? I haven't really been awake for a while. Did I miss something?

[Oh, wait, it's Arcueid Brunestud. Airhead vampire.]

Comments

[ex_seventh238]

I'm not talking about the backup, that I know full well is a supply you've been completely cut off from. You can still affect reality that's directly around you to a certain level, however, and playing around as a magical girl is open testament to that. Sheesh... For such a supposedly powerful being, you really lack imagination. Just keep in mind that you may be able to do more than you think, okay?

[...

she breathes out quietly.]

It won't be just you two. Other people will be going in, too.

[this is leading somewhere, yes...]

[tsukihime]

The only reality I can affect is limited to illusions, it's not what it used to be.

Does that make me sound like an old lady?

[Arcueid pauses for a moment, seemingly thinking about that before continuing.]

Anyway, what are you talking about with these other people?

[ex_seventh238]

A fake imagery can still exert more power than you may be giving it credit for.

[there's a certain sobriety to the statement that may be alarming to any lesser being...

but it's just ciel, right?

just ciel.]

...

I have a favor to ask, Arcueid.

[...okay scratch the previous statement, she's still far too sober right now, at least compared to her usual tone and behavior around arc. The chiding and nagging Executor isn't here anymore. Now, it's just...

a heavy-eyed woman bearing a request, nothing more.]

[tsukihime]

That's true, humans are pretty stupid.

[Though, all things considered, Arucied has at least indeed picked up on the very different air this conversation holds.

She at least feels compelled to sit up. She'll remain planted on the ground, but she's at least looking Ciel dead in the eyes, all failing attempts to keep up the usual banter gone.]

I guess I'm not in any position to deny it. What's the favor?

[Okay, maybe not ALL attempts.]

[ex_seventh238]

...It shouldn't hinder you, really.

[her voice lacks strength and drive. The eyes that look down at her shows vague signs of fatigue, but other than that, ciel'll just briefly rub her temple and continue on like always.

her chest softly heaves a bit.]

I have other acquaintances going tomorrow also. I won't ask you to follow them, but... if it's within your reach. Can you keep an eye, on three people?

[tsukihime]

[Damnit, Ciel. If there's anything that can constitute as "vulnerable" for you this would be it.

It's not like Arc OWES you or anything. Damn stupid nun. Not like she could say no to something like this even if Arc really didn't owe Ciel anything at all.]

Well that's gonna hinder my adventure a little bit, but I guess I could. I can't promise anything, but I guess I could try.

Who are they?

[ex_seventh238]

[lies

ciel is

never vulnerable!! x(

The answer may as well be a quiet confession.]

A boy of ten with short blond hair, a tall man of around 6'4" donning a silver white ponytail, and a woman of my height with red hair. The latter two will be donning a black priest's cassock and a white nun's garb. They're... regulars of the church, here. They won't be hard to spot.

[tsukihime]

Ugh...church members?

[Ew, Ciel c'mon.

But...seriously wow this entire situation right now is a little uncomfortable. Arcueid's curious just HOW much these people mean to Ciel...but she's not going to pry.]

So, what you want me to make sure they don't get hurt? There's still stuff this town does that I can't do anything about, you know.

Besides, I'd think you could nag them out of going into the portals.

[ex_seventh238]

[heavy sigh...

yes, churchies. but from other worlds, alright!!]

Two of them are normal humans. It's not reasonable to expect them to come out perfectly okay even if Marisa and you were to miraculously be able to stay with them through the whole ordeal. Just... help if you see things going badly, is what I'm asking. They should already know to be careful on their own.

[not even addressing the nagging bits. its complicated and you don't understand!!

--but yes just... extra firepower, if needed? sob this is difficult for her too you know...]

[tsukihime]

[Gurl, c'mon. This isn't even Ciel to Arc. What did you do with the real one?]

Yea, yea. I'll keep an eye out, but only because it seems really important to you.

Why aren't you going with them if you're so worried, anyway?

[ex_seventh238]

[the real one is right here :|

at the 'why aren't you going with them' inquiry, her posture stiffens and her expression sharpens.]

I'm going on the last day, is all.

[tsukihime]

[Uh...no, not dropping this quite yet.]

Yea, but if you're so worried about them you can just join them instead. That would be the most logical thing.

[ex_seventh238]

[it's not like


she's secretly gritting her teeth

or anything

just turning aside to watch the stars, clearly...]

That's-- out of the question.

[tsukihime]

You do realize the way this conversation is going is enough to even make me worry something's going on, right?

You're dodging something and I don't like it.

[ex_seventh238]

I can't go tomorrow because I'm already booked. We wouldn't be having this conversation otherwise if I wasn't, Arcueid. What are you suggesting?

[the slight unease has completely vanished from her demeanor. This is... Ciel with her business face, yes.

(The most dishonest one by far.)]

[tsukihime]

Well why didn't you say that before, idiot?

Jeeze, why do you have to act so stupid about everything?

[Arcueid makes a dismissive hand gesture, making a very obvious attempt to move back into her callous act.]

I'll keep an eye on your friends or whatever as long as it doesn't interfere with my fun.

[ex_seventh238]

I have. I've just told you I'm going on the seventh day. The letters clearly noted that you may only traverse through them once, have you missed that part?

[At least her lineface melted now, leaving Ciel looking more like how she usually does when speaking to Arc. ...That's still quite the frown, though...]

...

[tsukihime]

Yea, but then you started acting weird about it. Sometimes I think you just do that on purpose.

[Arcueid stands up, taking the time to pat out her dress a bit. She gives Ciel a sidelong glance, knowing full there's something to her behavior, but it's pointless to press it now.

Instead, Arcueid gives Ciel another vapid smile.]

I'm kind of surprised you even have this many friends.

[ex_seventh238]

[...pfffffft--]

Just don't waste time on idle chatter and repeat to them the reason I just told you, goodness knows that only someone like you would need to be warned.

[IGNORING THAT LAST PART...]

[tsukihime]

[Arcueid pauses to think, apparently figuring out what stupid thing she's going to say to Ciel's little friends.

That is...until a wider smile spreads across her face.]

One of those people wouldn't happen to be...extra special to you, would they?

1/2

[ex_seventh238]

[...]

2/2

[ex_seventh238]

Ah, one of these people has even dumber tendencies than you do, which is saying a lot. That's why I can ask a favor of this sort to you, because you're actually more sensible than he is.

[pronoun slip WHAT PRONOUN SLIP]

[tsukihime]

[That grin....that grin could shatter worlds with how pleased with itself it is.]

Okay, since I really owe you bigtime I'll take care of your lover for you. Then we'll be even.

[ex_seventh238]

--Don't be ridiculous. You don't even have to talk to them, so stop getting the wrong idea!! [oops she can't really handle being teased about this because uh

reasons

but arc srsly

SRSLY...]

[tsukihime]

[Arcueid laughs.]

That's cute! You suddenly don't want me to talk to them now? Are you embarrassed of me?

[Okay, okay Arcueid's done.]

I don't know what it's gonna be like in there but I'll do my best. You said two of them are human...is the other one easy enough to feel out or am I going to have to actually look the hard way?