[Ciel would say that it feels more alive to him, though that could be a hold over from when the tree wanted his to lifeblood to survive.]
Or maybe it left a trail for me. [The lights had seemed to almost shimmer on his way here, fading as he reached them, lighting up ahead and beckoning him along. Ciel takes a few steps, touches the bark. The phrases seem to appear faster now that he's pressed his fingers against it.]
It certainly seems intent on exposing all our inner fears.
[If that's what these phrases are. The glow of I'm terrified of my parents coming here is just starting to form when Ciel jerks his hand back from the tree. The words fade. He holds his breath for another second before letting it out slowly and asking:]