♚ Thirty-Fourth Move - {Video}

[faustianphantom]

[Ciel is sitting at his desk, writing in long fluid strokes. While he does look better, there is something...off about him. Perhaps it's the way he's shifting in his seat or perhaps it has something to do with the tight, angry expression on his face. Whatever it is, the Earl is unnerved.

Finally, he puts down his pen and struggles to stand up. Grimacing, he grips the desk and struggles to steady his breathing - which is suddenly becoming shallower and shallower. Tipping sideways, he falls to his knees and curls into a small ball.

His entire body is trembling and, though it is barely audible, it seems like he is whispering "Not again" over and over again.]

It's not the same. [He mutters, forcing himself to look up. A moment later, he scrambles back into his chair and bites back a hiss of pain.] I'm free.

[Glaring, Ciel reaches across the desk and pulls the recorder closer.]

What is causing this?

Comments

[sparkling-by.livejournal.com]

It's not something you can see, trolloborous. Oh, Ye of Little Faith... or just very, very little in general!

And I'm not bothering everyone with it, if you aren't even sure. This kind of thing can be a hassle for the people exposed to it, so, so! Yes, or no?

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I haven't a clue what you are talking about anymore.

1/3

[sparkling-by.livejournal.com]

...what a difficult person, Mr. Phantomdwarf. Difficult, difficult, difficult!

[sparkling-by.livejournal.com]

All right: it's not a golden star, and it's not something you can see! Two conditions, ready... set... go!

audio;

[sparkling-by.livejournal.com]

[ ...presto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6OQpkOUijE&feature=related), if only the first two minutes, and a little cantabile. There's absolutely no explanation for how such an imbecile could ever have made a piano virtuoso, but there you go, Ciel. ]

audio; 1/2

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

...get on with it.

audio;

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

[His eyes widen and he looks...surprised. Not that Tamaki can see that. But...

He is shocked.]

Where did you learn to play like that?

audio

[sparkling-by.livejournal.com]

[ ignoring that question entirely, closing the piano with a quick click. ]

Feeling better? Hmmmm? Hmmmmmmmmm?

audio

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

It was...nice.

audio

[sparkling-by.livejournal.com]

Ehhhhh... that's just a polite way of saying, "That's all right, but it didn't solve anything," right? Hmmmm... back to tea, back to tea!

audio

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

Actually...no. You're talented.

audio

[sparkling-by.livejournal.com]

Well, well. Is that it?

It's more that a patron, an audience... these are all special. Giving anything less than a memorable performance isn't acceptable. You'll see.

audio

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I'll...see? What do you mean?

audio

[sparkling-by.livejournal.com]

When you find someone whose happiness you want at any cost to yourself. That's when you'll know why giving a performance your best and beyond is the only real choice.

[ pause; ]

...in any case, you're too young for that. And small. Very, very small. Unbecomingly short, come to think of it...

audio

[queens-guarddog.livejournal.com]

I am perfectly capable of understanding that feeling. [Though he hasn't given it much thought - if any at all.] I do have a fiance, you recall?

[He sighs.]