How pathetic isn't it that what's expected has come to mean "no success whatsoever" instead of "of course I had no trouble". By now Sebastian has had to deliver these disappointing news to Ciel hundreds of times. It almost doesn't hurt come this point.]
We need a game changer for it to be any other way, I expect.
[But speaking of game changers and potential power sources worth investigating... despite his casual words just now, Sebastian doesn't care for the sakura tree. Left a trail for the young master, did it? Sebastian certainly hasn't forgotten how eager it was to have Ciel's blood that one time; how it kept calling for it.
Ciel already removed his hand from the tree trunk, but Sebastian, as he approaches, grabs it anyway, gently. Pointedly chooses to kneel in such a way that he's between Ciel and the tree.]
Inner fears, huh. Is that what they seem to be?
[Sebastian has no fears (so he says). He wouldn't recognise one.]