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c: undertaker

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[Undertaker... has been dreadfully silent these past several days. Indeed, these past several weeks. Anyone who knows him, the few who may have known he takes daily walks around the city at least, might have noticed his lack of voice, met with a half hearted smile and a nod of the head, when he can be found at all.]

[With the recent heat waves and his penchant for wearing longer sleeves, it might seem to explain itself. But then, there may yet be another reason.]

[One that happens to have been caught on video, as some may find here. In a room in one of the temple chambers, the man sits on the edge of a bed, looking down at Ciel as the boy sleeps peacefully. He should be smiling, perhaps, glad to see the boy safe and warm and alive. Normally, he would, but something is wrong and he can't explain it. He can't even name it.]

[Worse yet, despite his efforts, despite anyone's efforts, nothing has yet reversed it.]

[So for now, he sits at Ciel's side, watching over the boy. And before the feed ends, a single tear slips free and trails down Undertaker's cheek.]

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[Of course, he stirs while Undertaker is sitting by him and reaches out to touch a hand. Don't think he can't see that tear, sir. He most certainly does! And gives the man a smile.]

You're fretting again. [And that hand gets a squeeze.] Where's my clever housemate with a laugh just waiting? Look, I'm already clearing up, they'll let me home in no time at all.

[It's a bad joke and whether it was intentional or not, if it gets Undertaker to even chuckle, it's a win for him.] When's the last time you slept or ate or anything?

[This isn't the first time that Astre has passed out on him and come back around again, as if nothing had ever happened. If he thought this was anything like the common cold or occasional seasonal allergy or even another full blown asthma attack, he wouldn't worry quite so much. But he has seen much in his unnaturally long life, and a body quite literally disappearing before his very eyes is beyond him. And that does him a worry.]

[Still, he shows the boy a smile as he comes back around and gives that hand a gentle squeeze in return.]

Allow an old man his moments. It's hard to make a sleeping person laugh without waking them.

[Attempt at humor or no, he can't help but return the sentiment.] Oh, I don't know, but I'll keep. Don't worry your little head over me when you're the one lying in bed.

[He grasps at Undertaker's hand then instead, lifting it up a bit, showing he's just as solid. At least for now and hopefully for good by now. He hasn't had any real scares for a bit.

And he hasn't missed how his questions got sidestepped. So he pushes himself up into a sitting position, still holding that hand.]

You look exhausted. And- [With his free hand, he reaches to wipe at that tears trail.] And I wouldn't mind a bit of company. We've slept in more crowded spaces. Or we could sneak home now, if you wanted.

[Hopefully. He can't bear the moments when Astre feels like he's slipping away, in more ways than one, and nothing Undertaker or anyone can do will slow or stop it.]

Loathe as I am to keep you here, it seems the best place for you to be right now, until we're sure you'll be okay. [He's not overly fond of that fact either, but when it's better than the alternative, he'll go with it.]

[All the same, he is exhausted, as Astre notices. So he moves to stretch out at the teen's side, the hand held draping itself over Astre's chest.]

But I do think a nap may be in order. You could use the rest.

[Neither can he. It terrifies him every time, afraid of leaving Undertaker and going back to London. Of the Undertaker he might find there instead of his Undertaker, who might not recognize him or not care for him the same way.]

I was afraid you'd say that. [But he smiles all the same, turning onto his side on the bed so they can both be comfortable. That hand draped over his chest feels nice and his smile gets warmer.

He can't help lifting that hand a moment to kiss at his knuckles before cuddling close.]

So could you. I think this might be the best part of this entire stay.

[The kiss doesn't bother him, and he rubs the back of one finger down Astre's cheek for it in his appreciation. But rather than leave their hands joined, he takes his back and drapes it full over the teen's side, set on keeping them both in bed and warm rather than falling out while they doze.]

[Because they will at some point. He has no intention of getting up again unless his ward finds himself hungry or in need of something.]

Staying in bed like the one we have in our room, but smaller and a little less comfortable? Sounds like you've downgraded us a little.

[He laughs, feeling much more like himself with the reaper. It's almost like they're back home, aside from the bland room and cramped bed. So long as he can curl into the reapers arms though, he won't object too much.]

Just a bit. I'd just as soon go back home if I could.

[A bit of guilt settles heavily into his gut then.] You should be able to sleep comfortably at home. If I hadn't gotten sick.

[What sound he makes then isn't so much a laugh as a soft sigh of amusement, as much amusement as he can muster for their current situation.]

Ah, my lord, don't let it bother you any. It isn't as if you asked for this to happen. But it did, and we'll deal with it the same as we deal with anything else and get you all better again.

[There's a moment where he just buries his face into Undertaker's chest, trying not to let it bother him. It's hard though. Even if he's right, it's still his health that's had Undertaker here the whole time he's been sick and missing sleep.]

I'll have to get well soon then. So I can make sure you're resting well again. We don't need you getting sick and staying in a temple for a month as well.

[He senses without needing to ask that this bothers Astre a great deal more than either of them will outright say, for the moment at least. Where they're each concerned, the other has grown to worry, too used to having each other around and too unwilling to let anything pull them apart again.]

[He lifts a hand and curls it around Astre, fingers resting between the boy's shoulders over the blanket.]

Oh, I wouldn't count on that being a possibility. You're already ill, and we can't rightly care for the other when we're both down. That would be quite the challenge.

[He can't help himself. Without the constant threat on his life from a demon and his role as the Watch Dog, he's had the chance to thrive and grow and learn to care about other people.

And Undertaker has so much of his love and care.]

True enough. [He gives him a smile and moves closer to hug him and tuck his head into the reapers shoulder.] If it did though, I'd sneak out to find you. And you know I would.

[He knows well enough that Astre isn't lying to him, and wouldn't about something like this. And that makes the thought all the sweeter and him more convinced than ever to stay healthy himself. No promises, but he knows he can push himself if he needs.]

Oh, I believe you. All the more reason for me to stay well and help you to get there myself, eh? You're every bit of your father.

[He'd probably stay put if something did happen, and Undertaker asked him too. And if it didn't seem too serious. He knows the older reaper is tougher than anything and anyone, so it would take a lot to worry him.]

I wish I could change gods. Then if anything did happen, I could stay close to you.

[Verstael recognized the boy, though he didn't know the man. Of course. Ciel Phantomhive, who had been working on the baths. He had started a project that Verstael wouldn't have time for and supplied useful information.

In other words, Verstael thought rather positively of him.]

Ciel Phantomhive has gone into slumber?

...I've experience with this. Tell me of his symptoms, and we may be able to take an educated guess of what is happening with him.

[He hadn't realized he was being observed. The smile is quick to reappear, some small attempt at recovering his public face, but he makes no effort to wipe the tear away. Not that he can be seen with an audio communication in any case. If it really still is audio.]

I'm afraid so. It doesn't seem permanent, but it has been going on far longer than I would care to see. [Which is not at all. And just for the sake of doing so, he gives the man a brief rundown of what he has seen.] The locals say this happens from time to time, and it can all stop at any time. Me? I don't know if I can believe it.

Does he appear to be aging rapidly?

Not that I've seen. [That's an odd symptom, but given what he has seen so far, he's on the lookout for anything unusual at this point.]

Is he turning translucent at all?

Now and again, like a ghost, but still solid.

Based on my previous data, it would appear that his 'connection' to this world has weakened. I have only thoroughly recorded one incidence of this so I cannot guarantee any result. However, in the case I witnessed he did return to consciousness.

I have had some learning of newer technologies since we left our world years ago now, but I'm afraid I don't fully understand your meaning.

Knowledge of technology won't be necessary. This seems to be more closely related to the gods of this world. Whatever method they use to draw us here may either need to be maintained or may occasionally be undone for reasons unknown.

What you have described sounds as if he may be trapped between being present here and returning elsewhere.

That is the understanding we have thus far of such situations. It's very possible we are being lied to or misled.

[That's bothersome, but gods always did bother him, one way or another. But this time, it concerns Astre directly, and he can't abide that.]

So then it affects us each individually somehow. He and I are from the same world, and here I am, unaffected.

Likewise, the two incidents I observed where people from the same world as I, but I and others from my world were unaffected.

So I agree. It is individual.

I would appreciate if you would inform me of the results. I was on amiable terms with Ciel Phantomhive. It would be a shame to see him go.

It would be a shame, indeed. Not much these days can pass for someone as amusing as he can be.

[Among other qualities.]

Ah, but I'll be sure to do just that. The more this world knows, the better, I suppose, yes?

I agree completely with that sentiment.

[Highly agreed, to the extent that he saw Undertaker more favorably.]

I am Research Chief Verstael Besithia of the Imperial Army. And you?

[A research chief? That explained a lot.]

Undertaker. A pleasure to meet you, though I suppose this isn't exactly meeting. Not yet.

I'm sure we will run into each other if you are around Ciel Phantomhive often. Though we have different projects, I fully intend to check on his progress.

Oh, I should say we might. He and I are housemates, after all. I would encourage a visit, if you please. A familiar face might help his mood and speed his recovery, should you find yourself in the neighborhood.

Hmm. Perhaps.

[He hadn't really... visited others houses much. He usually didn't even get an invite. At first he almost wondered 'why', so zealous was he about his work.

But perhaps it wouldn't hurt to drop in and see about Ciel's status.]

Then may we see each other well in the near future.

We'll look forward to it. And I'll be sure to have an extra cup of tea waiting for you.

[It's not like they run out of tea, regardless of how strange this world makes tea out to be.]

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