checkmate.

alois:

Prefer? Really? "Definitely not." Nose wrinkles in disgust, agitation, though his quick movement away involves a lot more fear than he could ever admit, even to himself. What an irritating boy. "If that's so, you'll be escorted out. I don't have time for your playing." Truthfully, he doesn't quite understand him... and doubts he ever will.

victorique:

A slight eyebrow raised at her response--hah, it seemed the rules of polite society didn't matter to her either. Perhaps that was for the best; she was stepping into the underworld by involving herself with him, and it would be easier for the both of them if she didn't expect to be guided gently by the hand. In fact, it was likely she was already one with that world. "No, not at all," he says shortly, smooth smile remaining on his face for now. "An observation, nothing more."

Her words prompt a slick, "Of course," butler called and platter set down, explained in that beast's low, luxurious voice to be macarons. Not a coincidence in the slightest, and yet not something he will draw attention to--it was better to let others marvel silently than beg for attention. Such things would belittle a reputation, no matter how impressive your moves. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss De Blois--and to have your assistance. I've heard much about you."

A sip of tea, and his smile slips seamlessly into a serious expression. As she wishes, with a subtle clearing of his throat, courtesies are over. "I trust you aren't squeamish?" A document slid across the table. "For your reference. It's quite the unusual case. I can provide a brief summary, but I'd recommend you familiarise yourself with it."

urchin:

A lily? He hardly looks at the flower. He has no need for it, but he has no need to kick her down either. If her attempting to climb out of her own pit didn't interfere with him climbing out of his, then why bother?

"Alright," he agrees, half to avoid a conflict, holding out a few pennies. "I'll take some." Though, looking at her closely, was she injured? Curiosity piqued, but both sympathy and pity absent, he decides the matter is none of his business.

He was honestly quite sick of being supervised, and yet 'Doll' left him alone so little that he had no choice in the matter. Being unable to sleep alone doesn't mean you can't be alone. Who would want constant companionship? Friendship wasn't only peculiar, but also a nuisance.

An idle chat about the issue might get him out of the situation, or it might get him at least out of lifting for much longer. Either scenario was a win. "Freckles," he says, voice light and curious, but whispered. Secrets were secrets (when around the person who owned them). "Why don't you spend much time with the first string?" Socialise with them, not me.

IA:

It certainly was humble. Some people seemed deterred from accepting his authority due to his age, or how they saw it as handed to him. It was honestly pleasant to find someone acknowledging it. Though the extent to which it displayed humility was amusing, to say the least.

There's no need for such formalities, could be something someone else would say. Yet, there was no need for closeness. Formalities, all those aside from small talk, served to ultimately assist him. Besides, formalities could be all this machine was capable of processing.

"In that case, IA will be enough. The other is wordy." So convoluted, but ultimately meaningless--the title meant nothing without accreditation. Perhaps there was a manual to consult.

Business was business. Soon he will cease playing around. "I believe you have quite the repertoire, IA. Can I consult you directly about your capabilities?" Or, naturally, the humans behind them. He has half the mind to answer himself.

Apparently having a demon by your side in virtual reality was hardly as beneficial as in real life. He'd already heard many a remark about the slow mechanics. It was unfortunate, but Sebastian would adapt, no doubt better than Ciel, who, under instructions to avoid being spotted, was trying to shoot at least one low level monster in this place. Put some strength into it--!

...Perhaps he just had no grasp of the controls, but that went less towards the monster and more towards a passing player.

So much for not being spotted. The only option now was to avoid getting labelled a player killer, if a useless one. "Sorry about that!" A look of concern carefully placed as he stands, before deciding (might as well go all the way) it was worth running towards her. "I mustn't have gotten used to this yet..."

earl grey:

"I'd have thought her majesty would provide better. How strange." Obliging with a beguiling smile, knowing neither of them were likely to be truthful, he might as well poke fun at his excuses. Without being outright hostile, the situation in its entirety would be mere fun and games. "Or perhaps you don't have permission to eat them?

"Pity," he continues without confirmation. His voice rolls, pleasant but false. "Perhaps you'd like some to take home?"

"Trancy, I assume you have heard of the term personal space. Unless you have any business here, I'd appreciate you getting out of mine." Of course, the boy was hardly known for his obedience. Ciel expected as much. "If you're perhaps unsure, there is absolutely no business that requires you being two inches from me."

It probably wasn't unusual for Sebastian to say he recognised a person, but it was unusual for him to say he'd seen them a few hundred years ago. So, with Sebastian absent, in case of recognition, here he was, in hopefully subtle pursuit. The demon was being lazy, in his opinion; it was that or crafty, as in setting his young master up for a distasteful experience, in order to laugh about it later. Distasteful, certainly...

"Say, sir," he says, slickly enough to shake off any apprehension about what exactly he was talking to. "You wouldn't happen to know a lot about history, would you?"

Ciel kept up with trends for the sole purpose of making use of them, but VOCALOID was one of the more peculiar he'd come across. People would scream and cry and offer their hearts to these androids as if they were real celebrities, unaware of the illusion. No, they knew they were fake. They just didn't mind. Perhaps that was the attraction.

Avoiding the human tendency towards greed and self destruction must be useful for business... huh.

Would it prefer a human greeting? If it preferred at all. Knowing he doesn't believe it, he opts to be straightforward. "So this is a VOCALOID. Unless I'm mistaken? Miss." Title added as an afterthought, almost a joke. Of all human farces, this must be the worst yet.

A kids party? With dress up, perhaps, but this kid was alone, and it was getting late. It meant little to him. He was sure someone else would pick him up. Except when that someone else seemed to be watching him, he... had some kind of reputation to keep up, after all.

"Are you lost?" How did people talk with children? Even being young himself, they're... unfathomable. Perhaps there's only too much cheer in them.

priest:

He wasn't describing anything particularly unusual. Most churches seemed old, at least the ones that people cared for the most. The new churches were hollow boxes in comparison... and yet, wasn't the lavishness of old ones ever more so? The more embellished, the more effort put into worshipping something that did not exist... well, perhaps it did. As one contracted with a demon, he didn't have the luxury of dismissing the existence of their opposites any more. Yet the thought remained. As if a being of that power would pay attention to pitiful human efforts.

"Ah, is that so? You've kept it in good condition." He had no reason to aggravate this priest, so he'd continue with compliments, albeit simple enough and not yet lies.

His expression doesn't shift as he continues, only blinking. "That's right. I just decided to worship suddenly. There are moments when it feels right, don't you think?" When he needed to make himself look respectable, and then alone.