ᴀ ʙ ʏ s s ᴀ ʟ .

He’s been Oz’s valet for a long time, and Alice also considers him as…part of her property. Since Oz was under her command, and with Gilbert under Oz’s hand—it would make sense, right? To herself, it would be manageable, but to one ordinary person, it’d be considered farfetched. Even if Alice didn’t care about the Raven in one bit, she still had to depend on him.

After all, who else is going to buy her meat and give her head pats? }

I knew it! {Again, it’s Toshi, but the girl never seems to run out of her food-puns and expressing epithet. If it’s hard to remember, then why not make it easier, right?} So he is here! Since you’re here, Seaweed Head, I would’ve figured that Oz would be here, too. {He can’t be stupid enough to not bring him here, right?}

Ah—so you’re comin’ at my place? {It ain’t all yours for long, Alice. You gotta share your home, too. After all, Oz and Gilbert are moving in with you. Well, at least you won’t be as lonesome as you were a day ago.} Now I’ll be able to tell when you bozos buzz around like bees! {Huffs triumphantly.}

And hey, he did fill out that role of meat-giving head-patter (no matter how obscenely lewd that sounded out of context) quite nicely.

"Actually, we've already been by there, but Oz insisted on hunting down a pesky brat who was supposed to be waiting there for us. We all have keys to the same apartment, so it was no problem getting properly situated, at least. ... Your place is a mess, by the way. I've taken the liberty of —" And here Gil pauses to stifle the better half of his complaints toward maintaining barely-hospitable living arrangements before continuing, "— throwing out the trash. You have to be more considerate of others. It might've been alright when you were living by yourself, but since Oz is staying with us, I'll make it a point to knock some hygiene habits into that thick skull of yours. Be prepared, you stupid rabbit. I won't go easy on you. You're going to learn how to clean whether you like it or not." Emphasizing his words with a cajoling edge, he lightly raps her shoulder in a half-mocking, half-serious jest, demeanor blown to mild bemusement.

"You better not skip out on your first day. I'll find out." Raven enunciates the last syllable with a thin chuckle, then comes to a standstill, drawing her aside. Idly, he picks at the discombobulated myriad of objects housed in his trench pocket, shuffling through curios and baubles alike until his fingers catch around a loop. "I almost forgot. Here, hold out your arm. I got you something." And without any further precursor, he retrieves a small metal trinket of a watch, all glinting metal and refulgent glass, and clasps it around her wrist until it securely clicks into place. "I know it's hard keeping track of time, but with this you might be a little less pitiable. Just a little." Continuing back into his brisk walk, he suddenly swivels on his heel, gauging her expression with a measured languidness.

                      Such a complex way of explaining something so trivial, wouldn’t one think~? Ah, but the wording and flow of the notion hardly hardly mattered to the simplistic child of his sort. No matter how complex of a disorder one may possess within, an exterior may always be just as simplistic as any other being roaming these streets. Everyone flowed into a norm of their own personal level that may never be met by another. Oh seems he’s getting off the topic. Nevertheless the invisible attraction pulling these unlikely protagonists together may never come to one understanding; thought as long as they held one another up it meant just enough. A contradicting bunch truthfully, but devoted to one another just enough.

                      “You sure act as if she’s a thorn in your foot.~ Perhaps you need to spend that extra time with her!”

            A jabbing play on the man, a sudden jerk as small bony, shoulder pressed into a toned arm present at his proximity. Bout of pure giggles erupted to jostled laughter, optics watching faceless bodies walk to and fro the walkways of the city, paying no heed to take in the divergent features present on all. “Such a worrywart! We’ll be safe and sound!”

                      “Good.~ I look forward to it!”

            An extension of short yet lengthy legs for his height to bound straight on ahead of the bodyguard, arms at full extension stretched out right behind his back. Much like the leap of a horse over the hurtle, a head of fine yellow locks sticking up from the ends tossed back to get a better look at those following behind. “Slow poke..!” The last words to pass through the atmosphere of clean air molecules unseen to the naked eye as they continued their travels to their final destination. Only then does Oz skid to a halt, a press of palms against fabric covering hips.

                      “Waiting outside is certainly more boring than heading indoors!”

         It had been the same with Oz's father, Zai — Gilbert was more than relieved that there was now some distance between his ward and that ingratiating man that constantly saw fit to put Oz down without even substantiating a reason for neglecting his son. And Jack — was even stranger, nothing like the pure-hearted boy walking alongside him, and in his opinion, it was altogether better for them both that he'd overtaken the task of watching out for the kid. From there, it was a downward spiral through the nine layers of acute concern to overthinking anything vaguely posing a malevolent threat to Oz as an enemy to vanquished.

              ... God, how did things end up like this. 

      "Extra time? Oz, I spend enough time with her as it is. She steals meat from street vendors every time I take her out, even when I'm more than capable of paying in her stead. You think she'd show some shame for being caught red-handed in the act, but she laughs it off every time! Who knows what she does when neither of us are around to watch her?" In hindsight, taking the challenge of Alice on required dexterity, luck, and at lease five pounds of processed beef and two chicken entrees at any one time.

           Absently rubbing the nape of his neck, Gil nearly went cross-eyed when Oz bounded past him, and he'd taken the liberty to promptly (with muttered apologies) elbow past a few grocers and hurriedly sprint across the crosswalk to join his companion at the entrance of the supermarket. "O-z! You can't go rushing across the street like that! What if a car didn't see you? I already told you, you need to think about your well-being more. You could've been hurt!" FRET, FRET, FRET.

     It was an unfamiliar place; Gil didn't even need to have an alibi to dote on the boy in a place where anyone held the potential of being an abductor. And considering Oz's past, he'd likely be the first target of kidnapping. He had every right to be worried. Exhaling with no sign of his neuroticism ebbing away anytime soon, he retracted a shopping cart from the assembly of "I'll get whatever you want, but you've got to stick close to me for now since we're still new here, alright? I'm supposed to watch over you." Retrieving a grocery list from the folds of his trenchcoat's pockets, he gave a cursory scan of the basic ingredients he'd outlined (beforehand) to fill Alice's rather lacking pantry with. Sighing once, he propped one hand on Oz's shoulder.

Uh…I think so. Here is here, right? And—we’re currently in “Tofu” city. Not that I like the name. I don’t even like tofu, either. Wait—what didja say? Oz is here? Where? I don’t see him!

{She doesn’t smell him either. And yes, GIlbert. Alice can walk on her own, she’s got two feet and two legs. Better use them, good for kicks, that’s what Alice would think. The girl simply follows the Raven suit, keeping an eye out for a specific blond manservant.}

With the indelible impressions she left on any myriad of people she happened to encounter, there wasn't any wonder that he was never able to kick the habit of watching out for her well-being. The only difference was, the compassion wasn't an instantaneous combustion of fealty and sworn oaths like Oz was, but something slow-burning as she wormed her way into his better intentions.

SIGH. HE COULDN'T EVEN GO COLD TURKEY WHEN IT CAME TO (INTERNALLY) FRETTING OVER HER LIKE A PSYCHOTICALLY-DOTING MOTHER. STUPID RABBIT. ]

Tofu City. [ Should he correct her — nAH. She'll probably end up forgetting regardless of whether or not he's retroactively correcting her errors. ] I sent him up here ahead an hour before I arrived, so he's probably wandering around like usual. He couldn't wait to see you again. .... You should run into him sooner or later, but we could track him down now if you'd like.

Oh, right. [ An impromptu grimace. ] Against my better judgment, Oz decided we should stay with you. It'll make it easier for me to keep an eye out for you two, especially since you'll be enrolling in public education soon.

rossophantasmagoria

contravener

biribiiri

akanetsunemoe

spiritedredcaptain

No, I was just ... passing by. Pardon my intrusion.

♛}▰───▰{ Drinks? Ohhh, if only that were the real truth! These bouts of enthusiasm always held a part of the young teen’s personality ever since he’d been a child. Even if his condition hadn’t been diagnosed by those days, that amiable optimism that came in strong waves off his slender frame always had been a part of it. It’s a wonder how such a small body held so much happiness bottled up within to let loose on anyone around him, or just simply in his presence. Hands clasped together behind his back while leaning forward just enough to pick up on Gilbert’s expression better.

                        ❝I’ll keep an eye on Alice! I planned to from the start since I know you never quite liked her, even when I introduced the two of you.~ It’s too bad!❞

            His lips briefly tugged to a crooked grin at the snap of paranoia over the guard the very moment he thought the blond was going to run head-on into someone else. Such a worrywart~! He hardly needed to be so afraid of something going wrong, aside from the transitions between his personality in certain situations.

                         ❝Don’t worry, Gil! Nothing’s going to happen to me, besides I said I’d let to know.❞

            Just the thought of food set a stomach growling from an emptiness needed to be filled with the sweets and delectable foods planned to be eaten..! Oooo, but what really sounded good to him at the moment…?

          In a sense, Gil was an archetypal trope. He reacted accordingly to his environment in much the same manner as any other average Joe under the sun, give or take a few irrational slips in the contextual rationale of a working adult life, but part of what drew him to Oz — and Alice, by default — was the paradox they presented. It's wasn't as if the amalgamation of their personalities seasonal tableau of shifting states, but rather the enigma they held in their bones on an intrinsically hereditary level, like coaxing abnormal social tics out of their voices was the norm. Whatever mechanically engineered clockwork of cohesive fealty that kept him tied to them was completely beyond him, but he hadn't regretted choosing them in the slightest. Not then, and not now; head ducked, he sighed once, an accustomed motion of generalized resignation.

                   "It's not that I don't like her, per se, she can just be a handful."

      Releasing the boy's shirt collar just as soon as Oz was out of the imminent threat of head-on collisions with the convoluted, scrambling masses, Gilbert scoffed. "Guess it can't be helped. Just be careful. You'll be the death of me if you don't take better care of yourself, Oz."

♦ | …Yeah, but I’m still gonna call you a seaweed head, Seaweed Head.

{Noope. There’s no stopping this girl. But she pushes that aside once Gilbert patted her head. Alice loves to be patted. And she likes it better when he does it without her consent.}

Exactly. Do you even know where 'here' is? ... Honestly, you hopeless rabbit. C'mon. I don't want Oz finding out I lost you this fast. Unlike you, I have obligations to live up to.

[ And Gil sets off on a rapid-fire pace with Alice in tow, dragging her along like deadweight with a pull rapidly descending from a vice-iron grip to pliantly yielding. If she can walk by herself, then by all means — it wouldn't take much exertion to pull herself out of his grasp. ]

Inbox any of these!

Actor/Actress: Pretending to be someone you’re not? Tell us about your biggest lie.

Butler: Some people are a little more obedient and eager to please than others when they are ordered around. So, how suck up is your muse?

Doctor: Has your muse ever had a injury or illness that has caused them to end up in hospital?

Police: What’s your muse like with the law? Ever broken it? Or just your normal law abiding citizen?

Firefighter: Ever been in any real danger? Perhaps something where you faced near death! Tell us about it!

Maid: Some people like to act this out in the bedroom y’know~ Has your muse ever had such thoughts? Or any other ~wild fantasies~

Model: How does your muse dress? Are they a walking fashion show or someone who has just rolled out of bed?

Salesman: Persuasiveness is a good asset! Has your muse ever talked their way into or out of something? Share!

Teacher: What was (or is) your muse like in school? What was/is their favourite subject?

Pilot: Does your muse have any major fears? Like heights or the dark?

Chef: What’s your muse like in the kitchen? Can they cook? Or do they order take-out a lot?

Musician: A singer? Perhaps a wizard on the guitar? Tell us how musical your muse is!

Interview: Free ask!

♛}▰───▰{ There came with it a wave of relief washing over the Vessalius to see a gentle smile fixated upon the lips of the older raven-haired male’s defined features. That meant as well things went on nonchalantly for the two males even for relocating themselves in a world contrasting with that they were use to, calm and peaceful aside from dark events that hung like tar once before over their heads. Getting away from the stress settled in relaxation well needed for a young blond managing through a problem.

                       ❝Not that I ever expected it not to get better, Gil! I look forward to more ease than ever before.~❞

            At least, Oz hoped it to be as so, in the long run. Swift turn in his spot to return to strolling through the walkways, as to not make contact with anyone when being unable to watch his steps. Pace kept steady in line with that of Gilbert. Chuckling, a nod of his head came in response.

                        ❝Sure! I see no reason to not hand one over properly, but it certainly came as a question I didn’t expect!❞

   Whatever wellspring of boundless positivism and amiable geniality Oz drank from was certainly one Gil never encountered in any probable lifetime (no fourth wall intended). Not that he ever held any intention to go from brooding to jovial mania at the drop of a pin, but remaining upbeat in the face of adversity wasn't an undesirable trait, exactly. But Gilbert's always been like this — teetering between intrigue and bemusement, perennially baffled by the volatile shifts in his companion's attitude. Even with every transgression come and gone, this factor in their relationship remained unchanged. "Hah, you never fail to surprise. I'll hold you to that when we divvy up the errands. I don't mind cleaning after you, but make sure that stupid rabbit doesn't leave the apartment in shambles every other day. I know how messy she can be."

          Absently rubbing the nape of his neck, the valet casts a dubious glance back towards his ward. "I just want to know how you feel. It's hard to tell what you're thinking sometimes." With one swift, punctuated motion, he swivels the boy back around. "— And w-watch it! You're going to trip if you don't keep your eyes ahead of you, yeesh." Experiencing a mini panic-attack wasn't on his to-do list, Oz.

♛}▰───▰{ ❝Of course not! There’s always been far too much going on to really get the chance.❞

            Pivot on the backs of his heels to face his care-taker, his expression tugged to that of an innocent glow with the precise tilt of his head with pupils angled upward for a better look upon him. It came easier in the presence of the older to speak, but he still came around to chat up a conversation or flirt when given the chance as long as he kept to a natural personality of his. Blond strands of hair bounced with his movements, sticking up on end even if he brushed his hair in the morning hours.

            Picking back up a pace through the crowds, Oz continued stepping backward without retracting his gaze from Gilbert.

       His expression softens considerably at the younger boy's enthusiasm, and he smiles goodnaturedly. Grinning's not a habit that comes easy to him, but around Oz, all of his disquiet had a tendency to dissolve. Whatever the circumstances, at least there were some idiosyncrasies he'd always retain. The kid was the epitome of optimism, and it would be a blatant lie to insinuate that it didn't affect Gilbert to a considerable degree. "Good thing you've got all the time in the world now, then. Things will get better, I promise." The heart of his palms folded into his pockets, he quickens his pace among the myriad of pedestrians and fellow stragglers, releasing a low note of equanimity.

           "That goes double for me. Keep tabs on that for me, alright? I'd like a real answer when you're ready." Carding a single hand through the disheveled black mop that passed as his hair, he lifted his shoulders in an innocuous shrug. 

♛}▰───▰{ Just a subtle amount of pressure brought thoughts full swing around to the point emerald optics raised to the taller male once more present at his side the moment those bounds came to a halt, flutter within a small chest as emotions came crashing over only to suddenly become clear as day much like a swift clearing of fog in the morning. A smile after a moment cracked along those rosy lips up to the head of ebony tendrils.

Fixating a sidelong glance at his companion, Gil settles back on his heels, a particularly elongated sigh as he acquiesces a wry nod of his head. "Huh. I guess you wouldn't have had the chance to before, all things considered. It's better now than never to get acquainted." Plucking the cigarette from between his lips, he retracts his other hand and resist the knee-jerk desire to jump the gun on his questions. He'll dole them out one at a time, then. Falling into step beside him, he angles his gaze to the asphalt ahead of them, stifling down the worst of his speculations.

♛}▰───▰{ It came perhaps both strange and exciting to be a part of the streets once more…! Been months since the young blond got to see these sights around him with a different edge than back at home!

And right at his heels, Gilbert's weaving through the crowds with no amount of subtlety, feet alight on the young boy's path. When he does catch up to him, it's on impulse that he rests one hand on his companion's shoulder in a semblance of empathy, wisps of carcinogenic smoke dissipating in one slow exhale.