checkmate.

"Actually, Ciel, I can think of a couple of things that require us to be much closer than two inches if you prefer." He closed the space in between them with an arm snaking around Ciel’s shoulders, "I don’t have to be here on business, you know."

       “It doesn’t seem so extraordinary to me. Or rather, I do not care of what        other people might say: meaning, I do hope it is not a problem for you,         for I don’t plan to change my wardrobe." The girl spoke with a sharp tongue,        rarely someone pointed out her fashion tastes and perhaps he was quite        bold if he decided to do so; although the frown furrowing her eyebrows slowly        disappeared to leave place to a more relaxed expression, after all she hasn’t        gone there to talk about trends.

       “Instead of wasting time with such idle talks, I would prefer to talk about        the reasons I am here in front of something sweet to eat." She has been        informed about the Queen’s watchdog, although Victorique couldn’t deny the        fact he was expecting him to be a bit different. “Perhaps you already know it,        my name is Victorique De Blois, and I was asked to assist you in this case.”

A slight eyebrow raised at her response--hah, it seemed the rules of polite society didn't matter to her either. Perhaps that was for the best; she was stepping into the underworld by involving herself with him, and it would be easier for the both of them if she didn't expect to be guided gently by the hand. In fact, it was likely she was already one with that world. "No, not at all," he says shortly, smooth smile remaining on his face for now. "An observation, nothing more."

Her words prompt a slick, "Of course," butler called and platter set down, explained in that beast's low, luxurious voice to be macarons. Not a coincidence in the slightest, and yet not something he will draw attention to--it was better to let others marvel silently than beg for attention. Such things would belittle a reputation, no matter how impressive your moves. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss De Blois--and to have your assistance. I've heard much about you."

Lucy put on her best smile as she saw someone walking by. “Wanna lily?” She asked, holding up a orange lily. “Only costs a penny.” She chirped, sweetly despite the fact that pain shot up her arm. A clean-up squad had found her while she was resting and kicked her around a bit. It had taken up most of her energy just to get up and walk to the sidewalk to sell lilies to passersby. Still, she faked a grin and kept offering flowers so that she’d be able to afford food.

A lily? He hardly looks at the flower. He has no need for it, but he has no need to kick her down either. If her attempting to climb out of her own pit didn't interfere with him climbing out of his, then why bother?

He was honestly quite sick of being supervised, and yet 'Doll' left him alone so little that he had no choice in the matter. Being unable to sleep alone doesn't mean you can't be alone. Who would want constant companionship? Friendship wasn't only peculiar, but also a nuisance.

↱⋆★⋆▐▐  acquiescence shown through

                            a bowed head and a modest gaze directed at                             his shoes. A sign of submission. She has no wish                             to displease him as he is human and therefore better.                             It’s ironic how simple life is once you accept the truth.

       ❝Yes. No mistakes, sir.❞

       Human voice, robotic words. It is a well-rehearsed        speech, recited to perfection to all those who show

       interest in First Place Co.’s products; special formality        is imbued in each syllable as this potential customer is        of higher standing than most — a Phantomhive, was it?

                                ❝IA. Or Aria of the Planetes. Whichever title best suits                                   your preference.❞

It certainly was humble. Some people seemed deterred from accepting his authority due to his age, or how they saw it as handed to him. It was honestly pleasant to find someone acknowledging it. Though the extent to which it displayed humility was amusing, to say the least.

There's no need for such formalities, could be something someone else would say. Yet, there was no need for closeness. Formalities, all those aside from small talk, served to ultimately assist him. Besides, formalities could be all this machine was capable of processing.

"In that case, IA will be enough. The other is wordy." So convoluted, but ultimately meaningless--the title meant nothing without accreditation. Perhaps there was a manual to consult.

Apparently having a demon by your side in virtual reality was hardly as beneficial as in real life. He'd already heard many a remark about the slow mechanics. It was unfortunate, but Sebastian would adapt, no doubt better than Ciel, who, under instructions to avoid being spotted, was trying to shoot at least one low level monster in this place. Put some strength into it--!

...Perhaps he just had no grasp of the controls, but that went less towards the monster and more towards a passing player.

           ❝ I’m especially fond of the                sweets served here, you see. ❞

If he had honestly spoken his opinion—- it’d have been the total opposite of that. Lying was the best part of his friendly facade though. Lifting the cup of tea set out for him, he takes a long sip as eyes remain on the Earl sitting across of him.

"I'd have thought her majesty would provide better. How strange." Obliging with a beguiling smile, knowing neither of them were likely to be truthful, he might as well poke fun at his excuses. Without being outright hostile, the situation in its entirety would be mere fun and games. "Or perhaps you don't have permission to eat them?

It probably wasn't unusual for Sebastian to say he recognised a person, but it was unusual for him to say he'd seen them a few hundred years ago. So, with Sebastian absent, in case of recognition, here he was, in hopefully subtle pursuit. The demon was being lazy, in his opinion; it was that or crafty, as in setting his young master up for a distasteful experience, in order to laugh about it later. Distasteful, certainly...

Ciel kept up with trends for the sole purpose of making use of them, but VOCALOID was one of the more peculiar he'd come across. People would scream and cry and offer their hearts to these androids as if they were real celebrities, unaware of the illusion. No, they knew they were fake. They just didn't mind. Perhaps that was the attraction.

Avoiding the human tendency towards greed and self destruction must be useful for business... huh.

A kids party? With dress up, perhaps, but this kid was alone, and it was getting late. It meant little to him. He was sure someone else would pick him up. Except when that someone else seemed to be watching him, he... had some kind of reputation to keep up, after all.

The priest’s ears perked upon hearing an accent quite similar to his own. It wasn’t something he heard often, as most people in his area didn’t have such an accent. Turning from the notes he was organizing, chocolate optics locked with the singular cerulean one that sat within the young boy’s face. Carmichael’s church had been complimented, and this caused a smile to light up his features.

       “You think so? Thank you, young man! It was built quite a bit of time before my birth, and it’s look has never been changed.” And you could obviously tell.

“Are you all by yourself?” He wasn’t trying to pry, it was just that he’d never had such a young child come to the church alone.

He wasn't describing anything particularly unusual. Most churches seemed old, at least the ones that people cared for the most. The new churches were hollow boxes in comparison... and yet, wasn't the lavishness of old ones ever more so? The more embellished, the more effort put into worshipping something that did not exist... well, perhaps it did. As one contracted with a demon, he didn't have the luxury of dismissing the existence of their opposites any more. Yet the thought remained. As if a being of that power would pay attention to pitiful human efforts.

"Ah, is that so? You've kept it in good condition." He had no reason to aggravate this priest, so he'd continue with compliments, albeit simple enough and not yet lies.