(Author s note: To make this quite clear, I really don t like Ciel, and I absolutely hate Alois. I don t even really watch Kuroshitsuji for the plot, I do it for Prince Soma and Agni only. Second, due to my really shallow knowledge of Kuroshitsuji (I only know of major plot points) lots of canon points will be consciously and unconsciously broken so if you don t like non-canon stories, please don t read this. Thirdly, the time in which this story takes place is of no particular interest or importance, but it does take place in Season 2 of the series presumably a little after the latest episode released as of August 9th, 2010, episode 6 (if I remember correctly...). As such, Alois characterization is complete BS, because I don t know him well enough. The story itself can be considered a 'side-quest'-esque sort of thing. Let it be known, this is my 'retaliation' against things I'm not that fond of in Kuroshitsuji (lol), but there will never be outright trolling in any of my text and if there is, it is for stylistic/characterization purposes only.
So, if you don t mind any of my previous biases and just want a story involving someone not as annoying and as contemptible as either Ciel or Alois, but involves Ciel and Alois anyway, then you're welcome to read. Also, I know I may have pissed a few fans off, but no trolling, kay? And please forgive any punctuation errors. I don't have Word at the moment and NotePad won't allow apostrophes or quotes, apparently...)
Prologue: I, Briar Rose
Alois looked at his pocket watch. He did not think that Claude would take so long with such a simple task, but he was, apparently, wrong; he did not like being wrong. But, after squinting through the glared windows of his carriage, the young noble saw his butler walking toward him; nothing was in his hand. Alois' eyebrow twitched and he grit his teeth, but his line-tight lips did not betray his feelings. There was a light thud as the door disengaged and Claude climbed elegantly into the carriage, seating himself opposite of his lord.
"You didn't do as I ordered."
Claude made no sound for a second or two, but his delayed response came as self-assured as ever.
"I have done only one part of numerous. What you desire will be on its way soon, your Highness," bowing his head, he gazed at Alois momentarily before raising it again. "What is a Trancey butler if he cannot perform a task with the utmost care?"
Alois waved his hand while staring out the window, evidently paying little to no attention to Claude's response through the butler's entire sentence.
"Whatever. See to it that it's done, Claude."
Their carriage began to move, the light clip-clopping of horses hooves sounded through the gold-dusted wood panels. They had only ridden a few metres before the horses made an irritated whinny and the carriage ground to a sudden halt. Alois, not expecting such a sudden stop, was almost thrown from his seat, but Claude set his master back as soon as he felt himself leaving his seat. The sharp blue eyes grew ever more malign and he glued his face to the window to see which moron had blocked his path.
"I'm so sorry..." came a soft voice from outside. Alois squinted, hoping to see a face to the voice. From what he had heard, it was probably a woman and he scoffed, but the path was soon cleared for his three drivers had once again commenced their route. As they passed the vicinity, the master caught a glance of those who had blocked his supposedly comfortable ride. Yes, he was right. It was a woman, but there was a man next to her, holding her hand firmly; the other gently against her back, guiding her. His eyebrow arched as he examined the scene. And then her head tilted upward and she flashed her eyes. They were a pale blue, paler than Alois own and they, hollow and uncertain, stared into emptiness. She was blind.
"What is this?" his voice grew high. "Which family would frivolously spend money hiring a butler for a blind woman when a simple surgery would cure her ailment all together?" he began laughing and fell back into the back cushions of his transport. "Oh, Claude. Aren't people delightful?"
He made no reply.
Ciel Phantomhive was in his study as he was usually. There was a newspaper on his desk that had yet to be touched and tea that had only been half consumed. His butler was not in his company at that moment and, while he could, Ciel had capitalized on the free minutes he had, staring out the window located directly behind his desk, contemplating the meeting that would soon occur, but his musings were cut painfully short when the sudden knock at his door broke his thoughts and left them shattered on the floor of his consciousness. He turned and, with utmost control, seized the chair he had momentarily vacated.
"Sebastian," Ciel's voice was calm.
The wooden double doors parted. Sebastian was first to enter, his strikingly pale skin contrasted against the pitch of his smooth hair. Peering from beneath the charming, though slightly unkempt bundles of hair were his scarlet eyes. He, immediately after entering, proceeded to the side, allowing the two visitors to enter without any obstacle.
Ciel rose. "Welcome to the Phantomhive estate," he said in all seriousness as the pair came forth. One was a girl. By the modern standard, she was what men considered pretty, very pretty. She had healthy skin, glowing with a slightly peach hue. Her hair was a rich chestnut and fell in thick locks about her face, which was slightly round and youthful, and shoulders, small enough to make her too delicate to touch. Her eyes, too, were of a colour most desirable. Perhaps her only flaw was the fact that she had dressed in the colour of mourning. In all, she had a look, don t touch air about her, but the beauty was that it was all utterly unspoken. After his quick examination, Ciel continued, "I received word of your arrival prior to this date, but the purpose of your visit was not revealed to me, so please, tell me why is it you request the House Phantomhive?"
The girl shook her head and smiled. She looked directly at Ciel, peering into his eyes without the slightest care as to his status. "My lord," she said with a slight, indescribable accent, "my name is Avent Faron. I was not sent here to ask for assistance. I was sent here to provide it."
"What is it you do, then?" Ciel replied, taking quick note of the second visitor who had resigned himself to silence.
"I'm what you might call a Jack-of-all-trades. I will do most anything. My only occupation is to assist."
"Haven't I heard that before..." Ciel was bothered by the description. He had no need for such a 'Jack' when he had Sebastian in his company. "Unfortunately, I have no need for assistance at this point and so I must kindly decline your offer though I hope you find a willing taker."
Avent nodded and her eyes returned themselves to Ciel's own. "I understand. I will simply return to my sender and report tonight's occurrences. I'm sorry to have taken your time, but if you would be so kind as to take this," she had been holding a small packet of papers which she now held out to the side for the other visitor to take. The second visitor was a man, perhaps a few centimetres taller than she. He had a dark shock of hair even more unkempt than Sebastian's and yet it perfectly fit his face which was slightly more youthful than Ciel's own butler's face. His eyes, too, were of a lighter, purer quality than Sebastian's, light blue like the skies with hints of compassion. The male visitor took the stack and gently placed it on Ciel s desk before returning to the girl's side.
Ciel looked at the stack and furrowed his brow, but it was not noticeable. "It's quite dirty..."
"Yes, I'm sorry. There was a little scuffle earlier and I lost my papers during the incident. I don't have another copy, unfortunately. I hope it doesn't tarnish any future relations our two parties may have."
The young earl nodded and stepped to the side to escort the two out. "I see. It s fine. Perhaps in the future I may call upon you," he said for formality's sake, "but for now I don't need anything." And then he looked up at the girl, but she was staring blankly at the spot he had once occupied. His eyes widened for only a moment and he looked at Sebastian who, from where the Ciel stood, seemed to have a subtle smile which was enough of an acknowledgment of his master's glance.
Avent's smile radiated something bright. She nodded. "I'm glad. Certainly, I hope to see more of you, Ciel Phantomhive." Her hand moved, searching for her companion's. When she found it, she held to it tightly and he turned her around and began to walk her out.
Ciel's brow had not yet eased, but he followed them as far as the doorway and had Sebastian guide them the rest of the way. Confusion still hanging overhead, Ciel wandered back to his desk and noticed the stack of papers that stared him directly in the face as strikingly as the girl did. Taking them up, he quickly thumbed through the first few pages, but realized the package had close to nothing relating to any kind of business venture. Just as he was about to set the papers aside, he noted something, a gilded seal depicting a young female rider on a horse being led by someone. Ciel touched the image and began scanning the words that made the circumference of the seal. He recognized it and he was quite surprised to have not noticed it earlier. Then the young lord reread the first line of the first notable paragraph of text.
"By order of the Queen, Her Majesty's Rose will be in service to the House Phantomhive up until Her Majesty terminates this contract."
Ciel took up the text again and began reading.
(Well, I hope I don't give up on this one like I've done the others, but hay, have fun reading?)