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Who: Earl Ciel Phantomhive & Open!
Where: Around the mansion.
When: Early evening, on the last day of the event.
Rating: TBD (might be some zombie gore).
Summary: A disturbing arrival that is fitting for the little Earl.
The Story:

He was not a stranger to mansions, but this one was unlike any he had visited before. The rather diminutive Earl had retraced his steps - multiple times - and found himself in different rooms each time. Nothing made sense and to make matters worse, he was dead certain he was being watched - and followed. Pulling his pistol from his belt, Ciel tried to catch sight of his pursuer.

It was a shame for his general well-being that they were invisible. Their scent assaulted his nostrils first and he identified it without any trouble. Rotting meat. Gritting his teeth, he pressed his back to a wall, listening intently for footsteps; for the inhuman guttural growls he associated with the living dead.

I must destroy the heads. But how did he do that when he couldn't even see them? His free hand rose to touch his eyepatch, the seal on his iris radiating a sudden light behind the covering.

"Sebastian? Can you hear me?"

It was worth a try. He dodged just in time to avoid a ghastly bite, pointing his pistol at the thin air - or so it seemed - and firing once. Then he was running down the corridor, huffing as he sought cover. Any cover.

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"In here!"

That was all the warning Ciel got before he was suddenly yanked into the clinic, the door slamming shut after. A nervous teenager had grabbed him, fresh tears in her eyes, breathing hard in fright.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Gah!" his feet practically left the ground at the yank and he felt his heart skip a couple of beats before he regained his footing. He fully intended to glare at the one responsible. Maybe even offer some harsh words of criticism! But when he saw that she was, one, a lady and, two, clearly distressed, his anger melted away.

"I'm fine." he drew out a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her, "You needn't be frightened. We are far smarter than them."

Invisibility could be combatted. All he needed was something with which to coat the zombies.

To be fair, Mikan is clearly distressed 99% of the time, but the event really hasn't helped. She let him go, trying to look him up and down while tentatively taking the handkerchief. "Th-thank you very much, I promise I'll clean it right away and return to you as soon as possible!"

She hesitantly dabbed at her cheeks, reluctant to get it dirty, even though that was its intended purpose. But his next statement threw her off. "Huh? We are...?"

"Don't worry about it." Ciel was already searching the room she had pulled him into for dust, powder or ink. Anything that could stain, really.

"Of course we are. Our brains aren't rotting in our skulls!" he realized belatedly that his wording might offend her, "I have had dealings with the living dead before. They are naught but dead flesh controlled by ravenous hunger."

Mikan went quiet - so, these things were zombies? It would probably be best not to tell him that one event turned her into a zombie. That would be too much right now.

Instead, she swallowed hard. "Um... well... I-It'll still be okay. When the event ends, they'll all go away. It's just a matter of time now."

She was obviously not amongst their number - something that would baffle him considering death was rather final in his eyes. Wonderland would be an intense mystery for him in many ways as it often escaped the possibilities of logic.

"Event?" he sighed in frustration, resting his back against a wall, "You think someone is controlling them?"

Oh he had heard that story before too and it had proven false.

Edited 2017-05-02 04:20 (UTC)

He didn't know? That could only mean...

"You're a newcomer!" She exclaimed, a hand to her chest. "Oh, of all the times to come... I'm so sorry this happened to you!" As if she had anything to do with it. But apologizing for things that weren't her fault was still a hard habit to break. Anyway, where to begin?

"Things like this happen once a month in Wonderland." She fidgeted as she explained. "Sometimes they're small, nice things... Other times, they're big, scary things... Sometimes it changes your memories, changes the surroundings, changes you... But they always end. Wonderland turns back to normal, and the extra things go away."

"...obviously." he jumped a little at her exclamation, his face paling of color, "Is this a common occurrence? The arrival of those who are nothing more than prisoners to this -" he waved a hand vaguely.

Apologies really wouldn't help him and Ciel was focused with deadly intent on what he should expect. Unless of course she was mad and he was having some sort of fever dream?

"What is the purpose of it? What does Wonderland gain from our agony, panic and confusion?" he had a sore dislike for things that did not make sense or served no purpose.

Mikan said nothing at first, except for quiet whining. Because, well, as far as she or anyone else knew, there was no rhyme or reason to Wonderland. Her eyes met the floor, uncomfortable. She was afraid of giving him an answer.

But, finally, she murmured. "Is it really so hard to believe? There are all kinds of people who enjoy agony, pain and confusion... why not a place that enjoys it?"

"Fair point." his lips twitched helplessly and he even began to laugh. To think a whole world could be like that. Oh he had thought as much of his world - and England in particular - but to have such proof was a bitter amusement.

"I must learn how to arm myself against it." as best as he could with the supplies he kept on his person and what he could find within Wonderland itself.

The sound of a body hitting the door brought their predicament sharply into focus and Ciel stretched out a hand, testing the barrier's strength.

The sound of the possible attacker made Mikan scream in fright, and a new stream of tears flow down her face. She scrambled to get away from the door - but she wasn't running away, not exactly. She was flinging open cabinets and doors, trying ti pull out all kinds of weaponry - the medical kind. Needles, bone saws, scalpels... all while sobbing.

"Uuu...I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die...!"

[Dorian Gray is getting sick of all this. Can't he enjoy the tears without being assaulted by invisible monsters. He could really use a tear that isn't completely messed up-]

[Hang on, what is this one-eyed doll doing here? Dorian barely recognized the clothing style as something from his era, but... How old is this boy, and what is he doing with a gun?]

[All those questions must be answered later. Dorian quickly tries to get Ciel's attention before the monsters return.

"Over here! Those beasts can't follow us through the tears!"

Dorian's gonna lead Ciel to the closest available tear and pray to god he didn't pick a hostile world for refuge.

"Hurry!"

(One-eyed doll, huh? He is thirteen, thank you very much, and definitely not inanimate with how he is moving about! Ciel jerks at the call and decides to take a chance. Surely this man can't be worse than the invisible walking dead?)

A tear? (It is probably too late to question anything. He feels himself drawn into the tear by his momentum and then, suddenly, they are stumbling onto the busy streets of London.

His London.)

What the devil...? (If it had always been that easy to return, he would have done it already!)

Finally... We should be safer...

[Dorian looked a bit tired from running from the zombies, but he did register this tear as something similar to his home...]

[Oh, he ought to explain.]

Ah... Sir? This might sound insane, but you were summoned to Wonderland at a most inconvenient time. Those... Unseen things stumbling about and attacking people should vanish completely soon.

As with these tears...

I would not count on that. (If this is his world, it too has very particular and special dangers.) I think the summoning at all was inconvenient. However now that I have returned to London, I can catch a ride back to my manor. You are welcome to follow.

(Already he is trying to hail a carriage.)

Tears?

Yes... Tears.

[He glances around for the first signs of something different than he's used to.]

Gateways to parallel universes, I'm told. Nobody found a tear that led them straight to their home, as wishful as that is, so I suppose we could expect something you're not so familiar with?

Not that I mind visiting, of course. I think this looks a lot like the London I'm from.

[He's another Victorian aristocrat who'd like to come with you if you're going to hail a cab.]

(Great. Ciel feels his relief wash away and a chill take its place.)

I don't see any of the living dead, so that is reason enough for me to think this...tear...might be safer. (For the moment. He nods shortly and motions at the carriage that stops before them.)

It can't hurt to see if my manor is present.

Edited 2017-05-02 04:23 (UTC)

[Dorian nods.][He enters the carriage after him, partly glad to be riding in one after so many months.]

I take it, you're an aristocrat yourself? It's a pleasure to be in the company of my peers once more.

(Ciel gives directions before settling back on one of the cushioned benches.)

I am an Earl who is descended from many Earls before me. (He raises a brow.) Are you a Lord, perhaps?

An Earl! Why, forgive me, my Lord. I was unaware of your standing.

[Ciel looks rather young to be an Earl. An Earl's son, perhaps, but not an Earl himself. Wonder how that came to be...]

As a matter of fact, I am, but I've found that titles aren't too important in a setting where people from all sorts of classes and societies are gathered and housed in the same sprawling mansion. It gets confusing at times.

[Not that Dorian really minded.]

Now, then. Whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?

How would you have known? (Except for his attire and the two rings he wears - one is too big for any other finger but his thumb.

Generally speaking, he would agree with Dorian to a certain degree. Titles are important at times - especially during cases - but he has found some magnificent talent in those who were born poor.)

To add one more word to someone's name hardly seems a bother. Only family and close acquaintances use my first name.

(He reaches up to touch his eyepatch, ensuring it stays in place.)

I am Earl Ciel Phantomhive and I serve Her Majesty Queen Victoria directly.

Besides the general vestings and grooming of the upper class, it's a bit hard to tell!

[Then again, Ciel tends to wear fashions that are a bit fanciful for someone from the Victorian era. Not that Dorian would complain.]

I highly agree. Especially in the environment I've found myself in for the last few months.

[Dorian's eye is drawn to the eyepatch as the boy reaches up to it. Ciel seems so young, and obviously well bred. How on Earth would he lose an eye?]

[The shocking occupation might explain how.]

Wha- Her Majesty herself?!

I should think my grooming and attire would indeed be above what you find on the streets. (That went without saying, really. Plus the rings on his fingers are telling. One holds the seal of his family and the other is a blue sapphire.)

Tell me of it. (His hand drops from the eyepatch and his expression cools.) Indeed. We Phantomhives have served the monarchy for generations.

Obviously enough. They do suit you, my Lord.

[Now he's taking in the fine details. It's hard to pay attention to those when you're escaping the unseen undead.]

That... That's rather remarkable. I would have never expected a noble such as yourself to play the role of a servant.

[At such a young age as well!]

Huh... Forgive me if I'm being too curious for my own good, but how, exactly, have you served the monarchy?

"Hey kiddo! Over here!" Kay calls out to catch Ciel's attention before he shoots at an undead near himself. He heads toward Ciel. "You okay?"

He feels the body fall nearby, a rush of foul air announcing its descent. Covering his mouth and nose with his handkerchief, he runs towards the voice.

"I have been better." his tone is dry, "Who are you?"

"The name's Kay." He grins down at the kid and jabs his thumb toward a door behind him. "That room was zombie-free a few minutes ago if you need someplace calmer."

"You act as if you are enjoying yourself, Kay." Ciel cannot help but be reminded of his servants - all violence and bloodlust when he found them, "Was free of zombies, you say, but it might not be now."

Honestly, the zombies aren't much worse than creatures he's dealt with before. This is a good way to keep his skills sharp and Kay enjoys a challenge.

"Even if it isn't, I'm willing to bet it's still calmer than here," Kay replies. "It wouldn't take long to clear out."

Ciel will be happy to give him as many challenges as he likes if he takes on a protector role for him. The little Earl is never far from trouble and often the one causing it.

"Would you mind assisting me?" or, you know, clearing it out for him?

"Nope. Just tell me if you hear anything you can't see."

Assuming that means Ciel has agreed to go to the room, Kay leads the way there. He uses his free hand to put a finger to his lips before pushing the door open. And... there! He can hear a zombie in the room. He waits just long enough to figure out it's location before he shoots it.

He enters the room. "Sounds like the coast is clear. You hear anything, kiddo?"

"You have my thanks." and his ears for the time being. Ciel keeps his pistol out, following in Kay's shadow. The man is a true marksman and he nods his approval when he hears the zombie's body hit the floor.

Kiddo. The name earns a slight glower, but it is quickly banished as Ciel enters the room, listening intently. Unless the zombies are good at playing hide and seek, the space is empty.

"No. The smell too is less in here. I think you have been successful."

Unfortunately for Ciel, he is stuck with that nickname and others like it.

Kay shuts the door for now before heading to the closet. He pulls out a bag of flour, which he places near the door for when they are ready to leave, but not before tossing some about the room, just to be on the safe side. Some of it lands on the body he just shot. His face scrunches up in distaste before he reaches for it.

"Here, help me toss this out the window," he tells the kid. Sitting around a corpse is a good way to fall ill.

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You want to invent an AU for Ciel's world to go with this?

Sure!

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The funny thing is, the only clue to Dorian's exact class rank is his family's titles.

I think that was done purposefully.

Thank goodness we have headcannon

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