1 | Route 29 -> Cherrygrove

[tangorines]

[The feed begins with a normal sight: a pokémon tinkering with the pokégear. It's a ledyba, which is strange considering how cold the weather has been these last few weeks days. Stranger still are its surroundings. No warm rooms for this little buggy, it's exploring the great outdoors! ...A bug-type? Wandering in the snowy outdoors? Without its trainer? From the lopsided view of the camera, the ledyba seems only steps outside of Cherrygrove City. It continues wandering until it comes towards the city's entrance.]

Ledyba. [The small pokémon hurries towards the voice and calls back with its own name. From its position on the ground, only so much of the world around it can be seen. The lower half of a young boy approaches it, his steps lithe even in thick snow. From the waist up he cannot be seen but a smile can still be heard in his voice.] Ledyba. What are you doing here?

[The pokémon and its camera hobble towards the boy, only to meet with a swift kick of his boot. The camera spirals backward and the ledyba with it.] I said go back to the old man! Get out of here, stupid!

[The boy doesn't kick it again. He kneels down beside it, his face easily seen now. He seems almost remorseful, as he reaches down to touch the ledyba. He picks up the pokémon by two of its limbs and stands up.] You know I don't like doing things like this, ledyba, but if you don't become stronger how am I supposed to have you follow me? You couldn't even fight against that rat. Maybe you're no better than bait. Is that it, ladybird?

[Ledyba shakes its head which entices a laugh from its trainer. Satisfied, Alois starts to walk back towards the city only to stop in his tracks. The pokégear was directly underfoot. With a smile, he picks it up and shuts off the feed.]

Comments

[video]

[usedcalmmind.livejournal.com]

Ciel is hardly your responsibility. [ He says it firmly, almost sharply. A beat, then: ] However, it would be prudent of you to watch this Trancy boy closely, regardless.

[video] sebastian u mad

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[the tone catches her off guard, and that clearly shows. She adopts that straight-faced "Ciel" expression, unamused.] He's my friend and I care about him and I'll do what I have to to make sure he's safe, regardless of what it is I have to do.

...I'm not a child. [it's said a bit quieter and her expression softens]

I'll watch him, of course.

[video] stop that, lmao

[usedcalmmind.livejournal.com]

[ There's a pause before he can school his expression into something with softer edges. After a moment, he dips his head. ]

My apologies, Miss Chrome. ... I understand that you are quite capable of looking after yourself. I simply wish you would understand that you don't need to.

[video] neverr

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

...I know, but I can't accept it. I have duties I have to do; I have to train and keep my mind and my body in the best condition I can.

I'm...not a lady. I'm part of the mafia, a Guardian and a fighter.

[If she were there she'd be reaching to grasp at his sleeve, but she's not so she just looks downwards]

...I just like being useful. [It's a quiet admittance, nearly whispered and she sighs] I'm sorry. I didn't mean to turn this into an argument. I do appreciate everything, a-and I even enjoy it, but... I want to be able to stand and move on my own two feet, and carve the path myself, so to speak. At least some of the time.

[she really means "ALL OF THE TIME" but figures "some of the time" sounds more like she's letting Sebastian win some of this, though she has no doubt that Sebastian could force her into doing, or not doing, things.

And it irritated her, the implication of not being strong enough to handle herself, even if that's not what Sebastian was going for exactly.

But now Chrome just looks tired. :C She probably skipped out on some meals today]

[video]

[usedcalmmind.livejournal.com]

[ 'Some meals?' Fuck, kid, you've only got three.

Sebastian listens quietly throughout, and when she falls silent, he smiles again, looking just a touch tired, himself. ]

Would you come speak with me in person? I'm in my room; Ciel is out training.

[video]

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[what's a couple days between meals?

She blushes brightly]

Yes, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to talk like this over the network. [And especially not here. Derp Alois.]

I'll be over right away.

[action] sorry for hijacking your post, Cyn xD;

[usedcalmmind.livejournal.com]

[ Sebastian is waiting, settled in the armchair, with Gressil perched on the back of it, his front legs on his trainer's shoulder. Sebastian strokes his legs lightly, absently, and calls a quiet 'come in' when Chrome knocks. ]

[action] we're the reason people can't have nice things

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[Chrome slips in, closing the door behind her. She pauses a moment, leaning against the door and assessing Sebastian's position and trying to gauge the mood.

She glances to Gressil, blinks, and moves forward in surprise.] He's evolved?

[Sebastian, despite being a very intimidating figure in his armchair and the giant fucking spider looming like a harbinger of doom behind him, doesn't strike much fear in Chrome. A sensible caution, yes, but never fear.

Which is probably why she has no problem moving right in front of him, until her knees brush his, to see Gressil closer, because what are preservation instincts?]

[action]

[usedcalmmind.livejournal.com]

[ Sebastian looks on as Gressil examines Chrome, all parties involved completely unworried. He remains quiet, though, waiting for the two to finish reacquainting themselves before he speaks.

Gressil touches Chrome's face with one long leg, the fine hairs on it bristling a bit. Then he retreats, back along the back of the armchair, so that only his front legs remain visible. ]

[action forevs]

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[She smiles softly, giggling a little for the touch that tickled her cheek.

But he retreats, her hand that had been petting Gressil drops to her side again and she faces Sebastian fully. There's a flutter of anticipation, unable to judge which way this conversation will end up going]

You wanted to talk to me?

[usedcalmmind.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[ Sebastian studies her for a long pause before he speaks. ]

I'm sorry.

[ He leaves the words there for a moment; they're different from the usual 'my apologies,' maybe more sincere, definitely more candid. ]

I'm... not sure what it is that's made it so difficult for me to recognize that you and I are the same, but I understand it now. You are, just as I am, a guardian.

... I require no assistance in looking after Ciel. As weak as this place has made me — [ there's a harshness in his voice; a bitterness ] — I am still more than capable of defending him, and he grows... more capable by the day, himself. [ His voice goes quieter, unhappy for just a brief moment. ]

But I can hardly object to your help, either. He is your friend, which is more than I can say about him. One might argue that you have more of a moral right to protect him than I do.

... But he belongs to me. [ There's no flash of pigeon's-blood, but his eyes are sharp when he looks up at her. ] He won't let you protect him from me, but if you can live with that, then you can protect him from everything else.

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[Chrome stands there quietly, a feeling like the floor just got dropped out from under her starting from the moment he says he's sorry. A bewilderment, heart pounding with an adrenaline and anxiety that she can't place the origin of.

But even when his gaze pierces her, she doesn't move away. She lifts her hand, reaches for him a moment in a quiet sort of understanding and companionship. She understands, touching the side of his face, his cheek; it's similar to what Mukuro would say and she's struck again by the similarities between them.

And with her as well] I understand.

And I understand-- [A pause, because she might be wrong] I think you're afraid. Even if you don't realize it yourself, or refuse to admit it. You don't want to lose him, to anyone-- and neither do I.

Ciel-san... What I feel for Ciel-san... [Another pause, because Chrome can't quite bring herself to name the feeling the stirs in her, because that makes it tangible and scary and she trembles with the weight of it momentarily before steadying herself] He means a lot to me as well.

I don't have to protect him from you, because I trust you. Maybe more than I should, and maybe you or others would think I was foolish for it, but... His soul--he, himself... He's yours', just as I'm Mukuro-sama's.

I understand that, at least. [Another pause as she realizes she might not have gotten to the point exactly] I'll protect him with my life, if it comes to that. But I think you already knew that.

[usedcalmmind.livejournal.com]

[ He retreats only slightly when she reaches for him — it's not that he doesn't want her to touch him, only that, as usual, her fearlessness is completely unexpected. Once her hand rests at the side of his face, he stops moving, just watching her.

It takes a great show of will not to look away at the word 'afraid.' It's the truth, and he knows it. He has no concern for other people, whether they might try to save Ciel from his fate. The only one who can save Ciel is the boy himself. Should he someday no longer need Sebastian, he is the only one who can sever their contract. Johto has turned their entire relationship around, and more and more, Sebastian fears that Ciel is growing independent.

Chrome's understanding, like her courage, surfaces unexpectedly every time. Somehow, he hadn't thought she'd grasp it at all, but just like that, she's taken hold of the very core of the contract itself.

He might like to have her, too.

When she falls silent again, Sebastian smiles — it isn't a particularly friendly expression, but it is a pleased one — and takes her hand from his face, pulling it back so he can kiss her palm before he releases it. ]

Thank you.

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

I think he'll always need you; some part of him.

[The kiss to her palm is like an electric shock that makes her lips form an 'o' of surprise, inhaling sharply. Her fingers curl in and she drops it back to her side when he lets her go.

He'd have to be sneaky about it, because Chrome, first and foremost, belongs to Mukuro. It's one of the three driving forces in her life along with being a guardian to Tsuna and, now, protecting Ciel]

I said before...I like to be useful. I don't mind being used, not if it's Mukuro-samam, or you. [or Tsuna, but Tsuna would never utilize Chrome's talents without extreme reluctance]

[usedcalmmind.livejournal.com]

[ Standing slowly, he smiles down at her and leans down to kiss her forehead. She really is quite the charming girl. ]

I will use you as I see fit, then. [ It's a promise. ] And Ciel will, too.

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[The kiss catches her off guard, making her eyes widen and her face turn bright red.

She steps back at last, embarrassed and nods]

I look forward to it. [it will occur to her, much much later, that she probably should have laid down some boundaries here]