So finally after a long hiatus I'm back! :3 Sorry for the wait, life has been very crazy lately for me, so I haven't really had the time to sit down and write for any of my stories. But I've noticed that this story and my other one with Sarah is gaining popularity, which is why I hope that I don't piss off to many people with this rewrite. *Sweatdrop*
Yes, I have switched this to an AU story that takes place in Modern times. I realized that as funny as it would be to have a character like Rebecca try to function is the strict Victorian age, it would a bit awkward to write because let's face it, the Victorian age was hella strict. On top of that, as much as I really dislike the ending of season two, I do like the idea of what could come from it. Basically I like the idea of Ciel running around as a demon. I don't like how be turned into a demon, but being a demon is an interesting idea. But enough of my nonsensical ramblings. I only own Sarah and my characters. Rebecca and the Archer family belong to White Pedal, who was amazing to let me borrow them for this. Thank you so much man. :3
Now without a farther due, enjoy!
The room was cold and dark as a lone child sat bond and gagged in an isolated corner of a dark room. Her silver hair was covered in grime and dirt and her piercing green eyes held an anger that should not have belonged to a child of fourteen. Her cloths were ripped and dirty from the scuffle that had gotten her into this mess. She didn't move a single muscle as she waited for her captors to return from wherever they were. She had become resigned to whatever fate awaited. Rape, slavery or murder, or possibly all three. Either way, she knew that she wouldn't see the light of day ever again. Then she heard footsteps from a distant hall and growing closer. The footfalls were light as a feather despite the hard floor. An unseen door opened and closed without a sound and the child glanced around.She couldn't see who was in the room with her, but something inside of her told her that whatever had entered the room was not human.
"What poor thing. So lost and lonely." The voice was soft and sweet like honey, but also melancholy for some reason. The girl felt something soft brush her cheek. A hand covered by a velvet glove. It was the first soft thing that she had felt since she ended up here. It was comforting. That was when she saw the brilliant blue eyes of the woman. She had never seen anything like them, they were the eyes that belonged to something older then a mere human. The woman untied the gag around her mouth before speaking again.
"I sense a deep desire in you, little one. Perhaps I would be able to quell it."
"Who are you?"
"That is something you will learn in due time. Now, I have an offer for you..."
Rebecca Archer groaned as the morning sunlight filtered through her eyelids. She shot a sleepy look as her head maid opened the curtains and began to list off her breakfast menu for that morning.
"Today we have a potato andspring onion pancakes with a side of eggs and sausage. There is also the opinion of fresh biscuits, bread or scones. Which would you prefer today, My lady?"
"Biscuit."
"As you wish." Rebecca threw off her covers as the woman began to pour tea into a white and silver teacup.
"Today's tea is a raspberry medley with a hint of lemon. I've also brought honey if you wish." Rebecca smiled.
"You know me well, Sarah." The woman turned and smiled at the girl, her brilliant blue eyes twinkling.
"I remember the important things, don't I?" Rebecca only nodded, accepting the cup of tea. As Rebecca sipped her tea, she took in the older woman's appearance.
Sarah appeared to be in her early twenties with long hair black as night that she tied back into an intricate french braid with a deep blue ribbon. The black and white maid uniform commented her soft curves and even Rebecca had to admit that Sarah was a beauty. After finishing her tea, Rebecca stood and allowed Sarah to dress her in her favorite black and jade sun dress that made her pale locks stand out.
Once the dress was on, Sarah gently picked up the black choker with the single sapphire on it and placed it around Rebecca's pale neck.
"You have your English lesson at ten with your tutor, then your piano lesson at eleven as well as a number of documents in need of your attention." Rebecca nodded before sitting down at her vanity and watching Sarah run a brush through her silver-blond hair. Rebecca only stared at herself in the mirror in silence.
"I sense that your mind is uneasy."
Rebecca grunted.
"You know as well as I do, that there is an appointment you didn't mention. My uncles are coming."
"Indeed. It seems that the men of the Archer family won't let you live in peace." The younger cast a sideways look at the maid in the mirror.
"I am the only child of the family. However, why they would reach out now, I haven't the slightest idea. However they won't anticipate you." Sarah chuckled lightly.
"I'm flattered that you think so highly of my talents, My Lady. What are your orders?" Sarah stepped back as Rebecca rose to met Sarah's blue gaze.
"Set everything up for their arrival, I want this over and done with as quickly as possible." Sarah curtsied.
"As you wish, My Lady." She then turned and left the room, leaving Rebecca with her breakfast.
Sarah made sure that everything was flawless. The china glinted bright and the table cloth was white like fresh snow. Just as she placed the tea time treat into the hot belly of the oven, the doorbell rang. Sarah ran her hands over her skirt before opening the main doors to three older men. Sarah curtsied, despite her inner cringing. The eldest of the three looked absent-minded, like he was dreading this meeting just as much as the young mistress of the house was. The second had his lips nursing a small bottle and the stench of alcohol was thick around him, and last was a younger man that gave Sarah a look. Sarah did her best to ignore the look since she could practically hear the man's thoughts. Sarah allowed the men to enter and the third slapped her behind. She didn't flinch, but she shot a glare at the man's back as she closed the great double doors before she excused herself to tell Rebecca her uncles, Wendell, John and Samson had arrived.
Rebecca stepped out of her study where she had been tending to her work since the end of her piano lesson and walked to the stairs with Sarah trailing behind her. The eldest, Wendell, managed a rigid smile as his niece walked down the stairs.
"Ah, there she is." Rebecca glared down at the three men as she slowly descended the stairs.
"Uncles." She greeted coldly.
The second uncle, John looked up from his nursing with a half-stern look.
"Well, aren't we hostile today?" He spoke sarcastically before returning to his bottle.
Sarah shared a glance with Rebecca before the younger spoke.
"Shall we head to the dining hall?"
"Of course." Sarah gestured to the dining hall door as the uncles followed Rebecca.
Sarah and another maid by the name of Mary, served the tea and the orange and raspberry cake that Sarah had made before hand. After the tea was served, Sarah stood behind Rebecca. The uncles attempted to make small talk with their niece but to no avail. Rebecca then called Sarah forward and whispered something in her ear, making the woman smile.
"If you all will excuse me for a moment." She said with a polite curtsey before leaving the room. As soon as she was out of earshot, Samson smirked at Rebecca in a crude fashion.
"I must say, Rebecca, your new maid certainly has nice... Assets." Rebecca lightly wrinkled her nose before standing.
"Oh, that isn't the only thing that she has, trust me." She said curtly before leaving the room as well. John turned to Wendell.
"What are we doing here again? You never said anything about this new maid." He whispered.
"Aw, but she was quite the looker." Samson chimed in, only to have Wendell hit his head.
"Keep it under control, idiot. We're here for the will."
Suddenly the lights went out, and the room grew very cold. The three brothers stood and glanced around in the darkness. They all felt a shiver run up their spines when they heard light running footfalls, growing closer. Samson began to hyperventilate and Wendell hit him.
"Don't lose your heads."
"That is very bad advice." Sarah's voice rung out from the darkness and the three Archer men tensed. Sarah gave a full-hearted chuckle as she lit a candle-bra. The light cast eerie shadows across her face, making her features seem both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. A shudder ran through the brothers as they came face to face with what they knew was not a human woman. Wendell was the one who spoke.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sarah gave them a pleasant smile.
"My lady ordered me to find out why her estranged uncles would come calling for her now of all times, and while we both had our own suspicions, it appears I have my answer. You three and your father are after the will of Rebecca's father, Hiram Archer." Rebecca stepped next to Sarah. Sarah's coy smirk didn't leave her face as she continued.
"You see, your niece has allied herself with forces that your tiny minds can't even begin to fathom." Great wings of shimmering black feathers grew from Sarah's back and outstretched at a great length. Samson, and John cowered behind Wendell who looked at the head maid in intrigue.
"So what is it you desire? We could give you whatever you wish, oh mighty one." Sarah gave a laugh.
"I have no interest in the material things that you humans can offer me. In fact, you three disgust me. You lie, you cheat and you kill for your own gain. I chose Lady Rebecca because she is different. She has a burning light inside that you three lost long ago."
She took a deliberate step forward, her wings folded as a black cape trailing behind her. Her eyes seemed to burn.
"Sarah."
"Yes?" Rebecca glared at her uncles.
"Escort them off the grounds." Sarah's smirk broadened.
"Yes, My Lady." Black feathers flew forwards towards the men and Sarah could see fear in all three of the Archer men's eyes.
"Boo."
The men screamed before bolting out of the manor as fast as their legs would carry them. Sarah then turned to Rebecca, curtsying deeply.
"It is done." The lights then flickered on and all was as it had been. Rebecca just smirked.
"You're so over dramatic." She teased her maid as she turned to walk back into her study.
Sarah straightened with her own smile on her face.
"What can I say? It makes things interesting when one is over dramatic."
"As long as you are not over dramatic all the time, I can deal with it."
The older woman chuckled, when an older maid stepped out of the kitchen only to scowl.
"My Lady, what happened to your uncles?"
Rebecca glanced at Sarah, who stepped forward.
"They all had pressing appointments. I believe that it is safe to say that they are not coming back any time soon."
The older maid glared at her, wagging her finger in Sarah's face.
"I wasn't asking you, Ms Sarah. When the lady's family comes calling, we as servants have no right to-"
"That's enough, Ann-Marie. You are dismissed." Rebecca cut her off.
Begrudgingly Ann-Marie walked away, casting a dirty look at Sarah before disappearing. Sarah placed her hands on her hips.
"Well, I was waiting for that outburst."
Rebecca sighed.
"What did you do this time to get on her bad side, Sarah?" The lady asked as she began to walk up the stairs with Sarah not far behind her.
"I believe that she dislikes me for simply existing, My Lady. Though I suppose I can understand why."
Rebecca shot Sarah a teasing look.
"You just make friends everywhere you go, don't you?"
Sarah chuckled, shooting her own teasing look at the youngster.
"I suppose so."
"Hmm, well, now that my uncles are gone, I'm going back to my paperwork."
Sarah curtsied.
"Is there anything I can bring you, Mistress?" She asked, the teasing look melting under a professional mask. Rebecca shook her head.
"No, that's all."
"As you wish."
Sarah went about the rest of her day as normal. She hung the laundry out on the cloths line in behind the manor. She made sure that Ann-Marie and the other maid Mary did their respective chores that she had assigned them that morning. She even helped the chief, George prepare dinner that night. After dinner, Sarah helped Rebecca with her nightly routine. She helped the girl into her nightgown and under her covers before checking the window by her Mistress' bed. Locked like it always was. Rebecca noticed the head maid linger at the window.
"Sarah?"
"Yes, My Lady?"
" Something wrong? Do you see something out there?"
Sarah took a moment to reply.
"It may be nothing, but I've had the sense of something being.. Off."
This made Rebecca sit up.
"What do you mean by off?"
Sarah turned to her master.
"It's difficult to explain, but I sense that there is something else out there."
Rebecca lifted an eyebrow. She reached under her pillow to pull out a pistol.
"Well if it's an intruder I'll be ready."
Sarah smirked, lowering the barrel.
"I believe that whatever is out there isn't just a mere human, My Lady. In that case, you should leave such business to me." Sarah straightened, adjusting the black velvet gloves on her hands. Rebecca sighed, placing the gun back in its hiding place.
"Alright, I trust you, Sarah. Just be careful."
The woman winked, blue eyes shining with a mischievous light.
"Always."
Then she blew the candlebra out, letting the room be engulfed by darkness. Rebecca lay down. There was something so comforting about the dark. She knew that whatever may be hiding there, Sarah would come and bring light. At least, that's what she believed.