♚ First Move - {Video}

[faustianphantom]

[The screen shakes as Ciel tries to operate the - to him - foreign device. His pale fingers are wrapped so tightly around the camera that his knuckles are white. To add to this picture of desperation, the boy is clenching his teeth.

Oh and his hands are covered in blood.]

Where the hell am I?! [He shudders intensely, his one visible eye filled with betrayal and pain.]

I want answers now! [The only saving grace for the dear Earl is that he was able to change out of his nightshirt. But it's clear that he is only partially dressed.]

It's too bloody cold out here... [He stumbles and falls to his knees, dragging in short, pained breaths.]

Comments

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I was brought here against my will. Why should I try to endear myself to anyone?

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

Because observation indicates that you are covered in blood, partially dressed, stranded in the snow, and in agonizing pain. Hardly an advantageous position, and certainly not one from which to easily make demands.

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I can handle pain. [His voice lowers.] I'm certain I can find shelter if I look hard enough. But I would rather return home.

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

You and everyone else here. Or at least, everyone else that hasn't succumbed to Stockholm Syndrome.

If you're currently near a fountain, look around for a sign that reads Welcome Center. It'll cut down on your chances of getting hypothermia.

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

Very well. [He rises onto his feet, releasing a misty breath.] What is your name? I might have need to contact you again. [Especially if this Welcome Center proved as unhelpful as everything else thus far.] My name is Earl Ciel Phantomhive. You may call me Ciel, however.

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

Oh, boy. Another earl. As you've probably noticed by now, this isn't England.

And I don't do consulting without payment, which you are most likely unable to oblige, given that you've just arrived.


[OOC: Rudy has...kind of a roundabout way of being helpful, I'm sorry. D:]

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I can pay you. [He is wearing a rather valuable ring.] But I would rather not go that route unless you have something truly spectacular to tell me.


[OOC: Ciel is used to people like him.]

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

Ah, a willingness to barter. Marvellous.

What year is it, as far as you know?

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

Deals can always be made.

1888.

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

A wise thing to appreciate around here.

...Queen Victoria?

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I am a businessman.

Indeed.

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

Interesting business, if it results in you half-dressed and covered in blood.

By popular reckoning around here, it's the year 2010. You've advanced more than a century through time. Spectacular enough yet?

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

That had nothing to do with business.

...2010? [The year is almost incomprehensible to him.] That's impossible. Surely there is a better explanation than that? [Such as this "City" lying to its guests.]

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

Personal matters then, I gather.

If it's impossible, then explain the means by which you're talking to me right now.

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

You are correct.

What year are you... [He scowls. The madness was catching, apparently.] What year were you born?

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

I stand to gain nothing by telling you. Quite the contrary, doing so will likely only undermine any credibility I might have, since it's clear you still don't believe it's any year other than 1888.

But I will tell you that I'm twelve.

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

You might be correct again.

Ah. I am a year older than you.

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

Rest assured, you're not the only inmate displaced from their own time. Nor are you the earliest resident here; there's at least one from a century in your past, as well.

I cannot stop you from disbelieving me. However, bear in mind that you are still currently in a disadvantageous position, I have as yet done nothing but attempt to assist, and I have no motive to mislead you.

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

You are speaking of Grell Sutcliff, are you not? I am aware of him.

I am no fool. No matter what position I am in, I refuse to make a decision until I have all of the facts about my current situation.

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

No. I'm speaking of Madame de Pompadour, chief mistress of Louis XV of France. You may have heard of her.

Purely for the sake of curiosity, what proof would it take to convince you? It would save us both a lot of time and guesswork.

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

Ah. I have heard of her, but I have never met her in person; though I have been to France quite a bit.

It's...hard to believe anything right now. The unthinkable happened before I arrived here.

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

Do you speak any?

The unthinkable happens a lot here, too. You start to adapt to it. Also, the Welcome Center will have clothes and a room, both of which you are generally welcome to for the time being. Try to remain in the proximity of other people if at all possible, or you'll begin to hear a ticking sound that will gradually drive you insane. And maintain a healthy amount of skepticism when interacting with the natives. Several of them are kidnappers, murderers, or monsters of some variety.

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I am nearly fluent.

...tch. [Ciel has no choice but to bow before these words of caution, however.] Am I to believe that you are not one of these natives? What proof can you offer me that you are not a kidnapper, murderer or monster?

[prefers-chess.livejournal.com]

Marvellous.

You are. I'm an inmate, the same as you. And considering the difficulty, if not outright impossibility, of proving a negative, I suggest you take proof from simple reason. If I were a kidnapper, murderer, or monster, it would be counter-intuitive to warn you about myself. You have nothing I want, I currently stand to gain nothing by causing you harm, and you can see for yourself that I am too rational to be a deranged psychopath. Therefore, my proof is, once again, my complete lack of motive.

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I do not know you one bit. Your claim that you lack a motive and that you are reasonable cannot be proven no matter how much you say on your behalf. However, considering that I have no other choice, I will follow your instructions and find myself a room.