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kevin cecil

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Who: William (

notsolomon ), Kevin (

senseandcecilbility ) & random visitors of any kind! Debt collectors not allowed.
When: 2/13 ~2/14 (during the effect event to right before the Nexus Code event).
Where ~~The Twining Manor.~~ They wish! No, it's just their little pseudo-Victorian apartment.
What: An amnesic aristocrat and his exhausted butler. Enjoy?
Rating/Warning: None so far.

[The usually clean and cosy Twining household is in a state of disarray. Books are out of their shelves, unwashed coffee and tea cups are spread everywhere. There are even particularly dangerous sigils scattered on the floor. In the kitchen, dinner met a tragic end and sits quite carbonized on the counter, waiting patiently for the last rites that will never come, since the resident house servant and priest is occupied elsewhere.

Like the rest of the apartment, the living room is the result of William and Kevin's combined efforts to create something close to their Victorian tastes, in spite of their modest budgets. It seems relatively unscathed and almost tidy, and the lemony scent of cleaning products is proof enough that someone really, really tried. Too pity such valiant attempt ended up with a butler lying on the sofa, dozing off with his mouth wide open and his cravat undone in a uncharacteristic ungentlemanly fashion. Since reaching for a pillow was too much effort, he is currently resting his tired head on top of a particular useful schoolbook on quantum physics, which he will most certainly return to its shelf.

Later.]

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[There's been a change lately and William isn't sure what it is, beyond a feeling of something being disjointed in him, something being off. There had been matters that had worried him when he came here, people he had thought were important and grieved over losing. And now he cannot figure out why.

Why was he so distraught over Dantalion of all people? A demon who had come into his life to harass him and ruin his life? The same with those other demons as well. So what if the Headboy was a demon? Why should he care? Or tolerate someone who flaunted their school's dress code and acted like a girl?

He had pondered this over and over the few days, coming to realize that there were significant gaps in his memory where there shouldn't be. Somehow he knew that much. Was it the work of those demons? Or was it the man that was staying with him...

Kevin... His butler Kevin. Who he was staying with, because well, it was easier right? But, he was also the angel Uriel who had tortured him in a past life and had gotten close to William for what could be no good, well meant reason. He didn't really know at this point, other than for some reason he had decided to tolerate him. That much he could remember clearly, that he had kept Uriel in his life, but...

The reason why was escaping him. Protection from those demons mayhaps? But wasn't he in just as much danger from angels? Hadn't Michael proven that? So why were they in this situation?

And why was the house so trashed?

Sighing, he had been picking up various sigils scattered on the floor, because some of that was his. William could make that concession. Still, why tolerate having a barely trustworthy person around if they couldn't even do the one thing they were supposed to?

Sighing he walked over and rather roughly yanked the book-pillow Kevin was using out from under his head.]

You!

[As usual, he had been dreaming about gambling. Except that, even in his dream, he had been too tired to cast bets. Double Delight and Buttercup Blizzard had stared down at him with their judging equine eyes, waiting impatiently for him to make up his mind. But the probabilities were...

You!

He sits bolt upright. Oh, young master! Young master is back! He remembers how worried he has been about him. Indeed, his most important human has not been himself lately. Definitively grumpier than usual, as he tends to be when he is facing a problem he cannot quite figure out.]

My apologies. I was about to-- [Whatever explanation Kevin had in mind is interrupted by a long, heartfelt yawn. After the initial shock, he smiles affectionately, blinking his bleary violet eyes at the obviously annoyed young man in front of him.] My, what time is it? Would you care for a cup of coffee, sir?

[Did you just yawn at him? Really?

Not that William is entirely without pity, even in this state. But still...]

...as long as you make sure to have a cup yourself.

[And suddenly his courage is faltering just a bit, because he's not sure how to breech the topic that's really bugging him. Why are you here? What do you want?]

And then get to work on this place. It looks like a sty.

Yes, young master. Right away.

[He is...actually yawning again.

However, there is some additional blinking at William's expression. What is bothering him so? Since standing up is a little too much trouble right now, he leans forward to feel young master's temperature. Human beings break so easily. Maybe having a commoner's work schedule is just bad for the young man's health!]

[The motion is unexpected and William freezes for a moment. Why? Why is he being so familiar? He's...

A servant? Something not human and that shouldn't even exist.

After a moment he comes to his senses and recoils back.]

Keep your hands off me.

[The words feel wrong somehow, but William doesn't know why. But as always, when upset or pushed to his limit, his instincts become to pulls away, to demand distance in the most excessive and brutal way possible.]

[Kevin just stares at him, hand raised in the air. The horror on his face is honest and profound. This is not normal. ]

Young master, what is wrong?

[He stands up now, exhaustion be damned. What have they done to Master William?]

[He takes another step back and then steadies himself. He's losing control of the situation and that cannot stand.]

What is wrong? Why don't you tell me.

[He's able to school his expression into something more impassive, though there's still a flicker of unease there.]

Why are we even living together like this? Is it just so you can watch me? Is it under the orders of that other one? Michael?

Edited 2015-08-07 01:45 (UTC)

[Some of the horror gives away to immense sadness. He doesn't need to be a genius to know young master has been brainwashed. He happens to be a little of an expert in the matter. Unless all this time being pursued by demons has driven young master insane, a likely possibility he'd rather not consider. ]

He brings and clutches his hands to his chest, offering William a resigned look. ]

Young master, I have told you I shall remain by your side no matter what. Have you forgotten?

[Kevin lowers his voice, as if heaven and hell could spy on them even in this world.]

No matter what...or whom you stand against.

...really? That is completely new to me.

[He seems so sincere. But it is easy to fake that sort of thing. After all, apparently Kevin had managed to pass himself off as a perfectly normal butler for all these years.

How had he never noticed? Why didn't he remember the moment he found out this man was Uriel?]

...can you prove that though?

[Completely new? That only proves there is something very wrong with young master, doesn't it?]

...Not by means you would approve of. I would have to search into your memories, you see.

[In spite of his own fears, he offers William a uncomplaining smile. He cannot possibly argue with young master when he is like that. Cannot force him even if he wished, having been thoroughly kicked out of the young man's soul at least once. No, this is about trust, isn't it. And young master had asked Kevin to trust him too.]

Ah, it seems to me that the best course of action is allowing young master to judge for himself.

[Which would be much easier if he didn't feel as if he were carrying a couple of well sized planets on his shoulders. No, he cannot allow whatever is affecting him to upset young master.]

Coffee for two, wasn't it?

[He gingerly sidesteps a fallen book and walks toward the kitchen.]

Edited 2015-08-11 02:22 (UTC)

Search my memories? Well that certainly does sound untrustworthy.

[He frowns though, because why are you being so reasonable? It makes him feel like a heel, even though he is in the right here and has every reason to distrust this man, this being that as planted itself into William's life without permission.]

...yes please. Make it stronger than usual.

[He's going to sit down in one of the chairs now and massage his temples, because his mind is suddenly overwhelmed.]

The logical solution to all of this would be to just walk out the door and not look back...

[He muttered to himself. Though that would be futile, because this man could just find him. But well, it would also feel really damn good. For a split second.

Ugh. He can feel a headache beginning to flare up, a painful bit of tension radiating through out his scalp.]

[It is a good thing William knows his Kevin would follow him anywhere.]

...I thought you would say that.

[He manages to ruin just his coffee, and is glad to see that young master's is almost perfect. He comes back with the two cups on a tray. William's cup has a couple of pills by its side - this age's most wondrous invention: the aspirin.

Perpetually attentive to young master's woes, Kevin lingers behind his chair, resisting the temptation to massage that suffering blond scalp.]

It is concerning, though, that someone could change your memories when I could not.

[He half-expects Solomon to make an appearance.]

[Well that's because he thinks Kevin is a creepy stalker right now.

Eyeing the pills, William then swallows them, downing half the cup of coffee well. It is actually just right, thankfully. The last thing either of them needs is for William's currently hair trigger temper to be set off over something so trivial as bad coffee.

He shifts around in his chair, not liking Kevin behind him. Not right now. Even if he knows this would have been perfectly acceptable to him the past. He just doesn't know why. All these little pieces are missing and it's driving him up the wall.]

...are you saying you tried? Because just so you know, when defending your innocence, it is better to not incriminate yourself.

[He'd be right about that too.

Kevin's eyes widen slightly. Doesn't he remember his confession at all?]

...

[He knows that his silence probably counts as a confession. And this time, without forgiveness. It is not like he doesn't deserve worse, of course. So why does he feel so miserable?

He lets out an unsteady sigh, focusing his attention on the plight of the young man before him. Master William is confused, angry and on his own. That is not right.]

My apologies, sir. I know too well I am unworthy. However, I cannot leave. You are not quite yourself right now, and the idea of any harm befalling you is unbearable.

[Well this is just getting worse and worse. What was he thinking staying here? Did this man do something to compel him to? But no, he just admitted he couldn't change William's memories. Why even own to that when it invited suspicion? No, that wasn't why William had chosen this living arrangement.

Was it some childish fear of being on his own? Ridiculous! William could handle himself. The duties he had taken on at Stratford necessitated a kind of independence and even without that, William had always been more capable than most of his peers. He had nothing to fear from being on his own save for minor inconveniences. Inconveniences that William would have gladly take on over living with someone he didn't trust.]

Why would you even care about what happens to me? As I understand it, my breathing is a big problem for Michael and your kind.

[He can't contain a pained gasp at the idea of young master's death. He steps around the chair and kneels down in front of him, looking a little like a kicked puppy.]

Your breathing is a blessing to me, sir. We have been together since the Master and Mistress' passing. However, you don't need to believe me. You know there is something wrong, don't you? And that is bothering you. I know you will not stop until you find the truth.

[Since Mother and Father had...

And once again there is something out of joint in his brain, because he doesn't remember when that was. He knows that they were dead and that he has thought about it, but there's something missing, pieces of emotion that he knows should be there.

He grips the arms of the chair and would push himself up if Kevin wasn't in his way.]

...so you are just going to stay here, regardless of how unwanted you are?

[He doesn't know what to believe any more. Why? Despite his own arrogance, he knows that he's just another human being, nothing more, nothing less. There's no reason for any of this.]

What a pain?

My apologies, sir, but that is a promise I cannot possibly break.

[Nor would he wish to. He offers William another apologetic smile. Yes, he will stay no matter what.]

If that is any comfort, young master is reacting as bravely as one would expect. Tampered memories can be terribly disorienting.

[Once more, he resists the longing to embrace him. Indeed, Kevin has an extraordinary young master, even if William is extremely frustrated at him right now.]

Everything will be all right, I promise. [He will make sure it will be, or else!]Meanwhile, I shall attempt to be as unobtrusive as possible. And ask whether others are experiencing similiar symptoms. However, I should stay close in case that person tries to...steal your body.

[Talking about human beings...]

You are being ridiculous! What promise?

[And then he pauses because something strange was said. Something very, very strange.]

...steal my body? What? There's something I have to worry about other than you?

[Instead of ending, the insanity seems to just be piling on at this point.]

I promised you I would always be by your side.

[Always by his side. The closer the better. But now young master is even more concerned. Perhaps telling the truth will jog his memory?]

Do you remember Solomon?

Well promises are just words.

[They only meant something when they came from the right person. And there was no one like that in his life.]

...the man who is the cause of everything wrong in my life? Yes. Why?

...

[His promise are not just words. Not to Kevin. But he also said he would allow young master to make his own mind about his situation, and so he doesn't contradict him.]

Solomon has emerged before, when certain memories were activated. The scent of herbal tea, in particular, tends to make young master more vulnerable.

[He starts at what he's hearing, just a little disturbed. But well, that would explain certain blackouts, wouldn't it?]

...that would be quite bothersome, wouldn't it? Though it does explain one or two things. Does he cavort about as me often?

[Kevin leans forward and whispers, as if he too were afraid mentioning Solomon would attract him.]

...At least three times since the demons came back.

[All right, so the third time was entirely Kevin's own doing, but there were attenuating circumstances. No need to trouble young master with that too.]

[He leans back because Sir, you are too close. And he thinks about what was said.

Because it would explain a few small gaps, though it doesn't explain any of the large ones he's experiencing right now.]

Is there a way to make him stop? Because I do not need anything that troublesome happening to me.

[Does that mean they won't be sleeping together tonight? How distressing!]

I do not know, sir. I wish I did. You, after all, share the same soul.

[Probably one of the most precious souls that ever was, and one of the trickiest.]

[That is the least distressing part of this whole situation.]

So in other words, I am stuck with this... affliction. Just what I need.

[His mood has gone from stressed agitation to something more bitter and sour. What a mess his life is.]

Mm...it is not as bad as it seems. [He adds, with nothing but canine faith:] As expected from young master, you can overcome the most difficult challenges!

[And since he can't see Master William grumpy for too long, he says with a slightly teasing smile:]

Though I bet strawberry shortcakes would make this whole situation slightly easier to bear.

Actually, I do believe it is pretty horrible. I might as well be insane.

[This guy is taking all of this far too easily. It's almost more off putting than if Kevin had actually lot his temper right back at William. He could handle it when people fought him back, even if they managed to lay a low blow. Positivity and kindness was far more distressing.]

Cake?

[And he was just now realizing that he was hungry. Stress and a lack of good will towards the world apparently gnawed at one's stomach.]

...fine, but do not think you can bribe me.

[He was not going to allow himself to be mollified by this of course.]

That would never cross my mind, sir. [ He says, though he sounds somewhat amused. Kevin knows the way to his young master's heart. He seems, actually, very pleased to be able to offer him any sort of comfort.] Young master is impervious to both bribery and mental disease.

[And if Ceres doesn't fix him soon, he will burn the whole damn city to the ground.

Murderous thoughts aside, it's time to fetch that cake!]

Of course I am. Possession aside.

[This is far too easy. There has to be a catch. What if it's poisoned?

But the possibility of poisoning has never stopped him from eating food made by supernatural creatures before, now has it?

Sighing, William leans back in the chair, stretching out his legs, hand resting on his face.]

What a nightmare. Why me? Of all people.

Young master, you are special beyond words. You are...[Special to me, he would have said, but thinks that would not go well at this point. ] Sometimes, special humans have a hard time, because they attract all sorts of unwanted attention from weirdoes.

Though do not fear, I shall never let them harm you.

I do not believe you should be speaking of weirdos.

[The moment he gets the cake though, William just looks at it, because he still has some doubts.]

...never? Hmmmph.

[Those words resonate with him, for some reason. He shakes his head and then just gingerly takes a bit of the cake.

Oh blast it all. It's really good. Why is it good?]

...do not think you have won me over by the way. I just prefer to not cook.

[That's a very very indirect "I am not going to run away in the middle of the night/report you to the police" promise.]

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