Poor Judge of Character

Redmond approaches Ciel the night before the cricket tournament to ask for a few words in private. Curiosity piqued, Ciel goes with him.

-

"Truthfully, I never got to hear you tell your thrilling tale of your harrowing experience aboard the Campania."

Ciel stirred a cube of sugar into his tea, sipping it thoughtfully. He avoided Redmond's eyes as he spoke, choosing his words carefully. "I'm surprised you'd need to ask, given that your uncle was aboard."

Redmond set his teacup down, leaning forward as he spoke. "Yes, that's true, but you've met him before, then, right? You know how he is... he's..."

"A pain?" suggested Ciel.

Perhaps it was too candid.

Redmond snorted, covering his mouth as he laughed. "That's one way to put it! I can thank him for my looks, of course, but if he's a pain, I hope I never manage to be more than an ache."

Despite himself, Ciel found the conversation drawing him in towards something dangerously genuine. If Redmond truly didn't align with his uncle on everything, Ciel could dig into the fracture if he played his cards right.