♚ island.

[pactum]

Who: Ciel and you!
When: afternoon of the 26th.
Where: the island--the beach.
Style: whatever you prefer!
Status: open as open can be.

[ he's been in Vatheon nearly half a year now, yet he has never set foot on the island before. he'd seen no point to it, really. tropical climates don't suit a young Englishman who prefers to wear starched fabrics and would not take kindly to sand in his well-polished shoes. but with all the bustling about in the bubble lately--'Fisholympics,' how absurd--he's looking for a more quiet spot to spend an afternoon. and since looking at Sebastian's smirking face would no doubt utterly ruin his mood, remaining in his own home is not an option. after deciding that the sunlit warmth of the island might, perhaps, be pleasant (in a small dose), he had opted for that, instead.

it's more peaceful, at least, up on the island, even if the heat makes him a bit uncomfortable. but he's dressed down today, in a simple white Oxford shirt with short sleeves, and a pair of his usual knee-length trousers; no further embellishments. and he's staying well back from the ocean, for the moment. a blanket has been spread on the sand closest to the trees on the edge of the beach, under the shade, and there is a picnic basket atop it, its former contents laid out beside it on pretty white china plates, summertime sweets and finger foods prepared for him by Sebastian: raspberry tartlets with flaky crust and whipped buttercream, delicate teacakes drizzled in honey, crisp gingersnaps with fresh vanilla icing, and small sandwiches with fluffy white bread. quite a lot of food for such a small boy.

Ciel himself is seated on the blanket, legs bent and feet bare, his shoes set neatly aside, stockings stuffed into their toes. the ribbon which had once been in a perfect knot around his neck is set atop the picnic basket for safe-keeping. he's undone the first and second buttons of his Oxford, and looks quite relaxed as he reclines against the tree behind him, an open book propped up on his knees. ]

Comments

[angelphones]

[Katsu's been exploring more of the island, and thankfully he left the cloak back in his apartment, otherwise he'd be dying of the heat right now. He pauses briefly when he sees Ciel, and heads over towards him. Now there's someone he hasn't talked to in a while.]

Hey, Ciel. Come to enjoy the weather?

[pactum]

Come to enjoy the quiet, more like. The city is abuzz, and I want no part of it.

[ he might as well just say 'bah humbug,' really. but he doesn't seem to mind Katsu's presence, at least, as he sets his book aside for a moment, tucking a slim bit of paper into it to mark his place. ]

And you, Mister Aoki?

[ forgive his constant formality. ]

[angelphones]

Understandable.

[He sits down nearby, but not too close. Ciel seems like the kind of person who likes his personal space larger than others.]

I thought I'd explore the island some more. I grew up in a city, so there weren't a lot of chances to explore nature like this.

[pactum]

[ he's right about that--so that extra bit of distance is much appreciated. ]

I see. My home is in the countryside--but I spend a great deal of time in the city, myself.

[ he replies, as he gestures with a wave of his hand to the array of snacks laid out on the blanket. ]

You are welcome to any of it, if you like. As usual, my butler has prepared far too much.

[angelphones]

Thank you.

[He reaches out and grabs a sandwich, taking a bite of it. ... Sob if only he wasn't terrible at cooking.]

It's very good. What sort of food is your favorite?

[pactum]

I have a weakness for sweets, I'm afraid. As though that weren't obvious.

[ a pointed glance at the various pastries laid out between them. ]

I admit that I've not given much thought to the island before now. Have you discovered anything of interest in your exploration?

[angelphones]

Yeah, actually. There's a forest at the south end of the island, and it's like it throws people out. You can't go far into it before you end up out of it. I'm thinking of gathering some people to explore it.

[applepies]

[Ciel, would you like to play with the most adorable puppy ever ? Asato is walking Cinnamon on the beach today.]

[pactum]

[ sorry, Tsuzuki--dogs who aren't hunting dogs of a certain pedigree are typically below his notice.

...unless they come nosing too close to his food, of course. ]

This isn't yours.

[ Ciel tells the puppy sternly, shielding the array of sweets with a hand and not yet acknowledging Tsuzuki himself in the least. ]

[Threadjacking shinigami]

[cheapshinigami]

[And Tatsumi arrives just in time to pick up two stray puppies.]

We're sorry about that, Phantomhive-san. Cinnamon is new, he's just being house-trained. It's his first walk on the beach.

[applepies]

[Why does Asato have the feeling that Tatsumi is talking about him and not Cinnamon ? Anyway, he picks up the puppy and looks at Ciel with a little smile.]

I am sorry, he's really a curious puppy ! [And those sweets look truly yummy.]

[pactum]

Mister Seiichirou.

[ Ciel's greeting is grudging, at best, before he glances at Tsuzuki. ]

In that case, it is even more paramount that he be carefully controlled.

[cheapshinigami]

[Should he bother to correct him? He now has started to use the western order when giving out his name.]

Don't worry about it, Phantomhive-san. We'll make sure of it. By the way, may I introduce you to Asato Tsuzuki-san. He used to be my work partner a few years ago.

[savemegermany]

[ well of course all seems quiet until suddenly from the water emerges an amazingly large fish, followed by a country holding it up victoriously. ]

Haha, dinner!

[ fish goes so well with pasta, but suddenly the fish wiggles, smacking Italy in the face, then escapes. ]

No, no, fishy! Come back!

[pactum]

[ ...well, that's shocking, to say the least. but Ciel remembers speaking with Italy before; his first impression had left Ciel thinking him more than a little odd. ]

Perhaps you should consider proper fishing gear.

[ the suggestion is wry. ]

[savemegermany]

[ Italy shakes off the water before waving. ]

Hi, person who likes pastries~!

Ve, I've tried a fishing line but I never seem to catch anything~

[pactum]

[ sob why does he always attract such strange people ]

'Earl Phantomhive' will do, thank you.

And fishing requires patience--or so I've been informed. Just how long did you try your fishing line for?

[savemegermany]

Ve, that's a nice name.

I tried for awhile but I couldn't catch anything.

[pactum]

Yes. And I do not believe that you ever properly gave me yours.

And guess who finally decided to do tags?

[lamorteblanc]

[ He never really considered Ciel as a beach goer. If anything, meeting him on the boat during that little party was a surprise in itself. Though he must admit, the boy does cut a rather aesthetically pleasing figure as he is now.

No, gawking is rude so he doesn't do that. Instead, he just comes over with the same smile as always. ]

Fancy meeting you here, Earl Phantomhive.

OH HEY

[pactum]

[ Ciel never really considered himself a beach goer either. which is why it's taken him nearly half a year visit it. ]

Ah, Doctor. Here to escape the festivities below, as well?

[ with a sweep of one hand, he gestures for the man to take a seat, if he should so wish. the blanket is plenty large enough. ]

I just met you and this is crazy, here's my creeper, tag him maybe?

[lamorteblanc]

[ If anything, the sun and sand might actually do good for the kid's pallor. Of course, he's not one to speak but this paleness is due to a natural albinism. ]

I'm afraid not even a year's residence will ever be enough for me to get used to whatever this city dares to throw at us.

[ But he takes the offered seat with a nod, undoing his jacket beforehand and folding it under him to use as a cushion of sorts. ]

The... fisholympics, was it, this time? I can't say I'm surprised.

[pactum]

[ after tucking a slip of paper between the pages, Ciel closes his book. there's a brief glimpse of the cover--Lady Chatterly's Lover--before he sets it aside. ]

Neither am I. [ he scoffs. ] I could not even begin to count the number of strange occurrences I have experienced over the last few months. Though it has occurred to me today that I have been here near to half a year already. I feel I must express my gratitude for your care and companionship over that time, Doctor. Your medical expertise has been invaluable--and, dare I say, your friendship even more so.

[ but don't think he's getting sentimental here. there's still a hint of a smirk playing over his lips. everything has a purpose. everything has a reason. each phrase is a carefully calculated move.

he does so love games. ]

And do feel free to snack, if you are so inclined. Sebastian has made too much, as per usual.

[lamorteblanc]

[ Oh hey. Taking his suggestions into account. He knew you'd agree with the material, Ciel. You're mature enough. There's a small smile though as he loosens his tie, stretching out somewhat. Maybe this was a good idea. Knowing Vatheon and it's more-than-enthusiastic residents, the medical team will be in full swing during this little mess. ]

Earl Phantomhive, you flatter me. To think you hold me to such high regard.

[ Ah, these games. A smirk back to match his though. ]

But really. I was only doing what a physician and to use such a term, fellow foreigner would for another. Time does pass rather quickly here, if you'll notice. Half a year gone in an eyeblink, then a year. I must say, it's been quite pleasant with your presence.

[pactum]

[ now that he has gotten over the blatant eroticism--he'd wondered, briefly, how such a thing was ever allowed to be so widely circulated--he's actually finding it an enthralling read. yet another recommendation received positively. ]

You know that I do not say such things lightly. Honesty was my intent, rather than flattery. An expression of gratitude, on my part--praise merely for its own sake. After all, what is a little ego-stroking among friends?

[ he picks up raspberry tartlet from the nearest plate, biting into it and licking the residual frosting from his lips before he continues. ]

But you give yourself too little credit. I enjoy your company, and I am glad to have provided you with companionship that you find pleasant in return. [ his lips quirk as he jokes, ] Or perhaps you are merely flattering me, now?