Chapter 1: Boredom
In the enigmatic city of Reveil, the years overlap and blend together. The "Era of Tranquility" (where nothing, but conciliatory meetings and trivial events occur) is taking place and has been for many decades. Although war doesn't come and the citizens are safe and sound, life is terribly dull in Reveil. There is no shocking news, no gruesome history or stories to investigate, and no noticeable traces of egotism, rebellion, or greed in her (Reveil's) people.
The prosperous and wealthy noble house that is located in Reveil, the Vessalis house, runs the city with a negligent hand. The Duke, Oz, mainly sits around the house and explores the vapid corridors with his younger sister, Ada. It isn't like Reveil needs any careful observation in its harmonious, almost utopian state anyway.
"Brother what should we do today? I'm bored," Ada sighs while staring at her taller sibling's apple green eyes.
"I have no idea. We can go shopping in the marketplace; maybe the bookstore has the latest volume of Holy Knight!" Oz replies. He pats his little sister's head and smiles, hoping that he can solve his sister's dilemma.
"That sounds wonder-..Eh?" she starts to say before a young man clamps his firm, huge hand over her mouth. He gives Oz a disdainful stare while handing him an ornately painted kettle of tea with his free hand.
"Young master Oz, I highly suggest that you not leave the house, it's one of your main obligations to stay in the house. I'll get the book for you," the brunette, glasses-wearing servant warns. He fiddles with the rim of his glasses and gives Oz a deadpanned, vapid stare.
"How boring, Liam! Why exactly did you have to be my valet?" Oz groans while pouting and crossing his scrawny arms.
"That's what the Master orders, I don't make the rules," Liam explains nonchalantly. He smiles softly to his fresh-faced young master.
Oz scowls back. "So? Shouldn't I come first?" he teases, continuing to grimace at his older, more serious servant.
Liam nods to him in reassurance. "You do," he notes, "but I'm also concerned about your safety. Just let me take care of it." He nods once more before leaving and shutting the door behind him.
"Liam's like a robot sometimes, it scares me," Oz comments while staring at the exquisite window in front of him. Outside, a young girl with two poorly braided chocolate braids sells flowers from her little basket to complete strangers while a group of adolescent, 2nd class nobles cluster around a pastry stand with hungry eyes.
"Oz, we can't help it, we have to stay here," Ada sighs, responding to her lean brother's longing stare. "Earth to Oz?" she shouts while tapping his bony shoulder. He flinches in response. "Oh, Ada, hi," he blabbers sheepishly. "I must've spaced out again." Ada laughs jovially at his almost romantic spaciness. "Yes, yes you did," she chimes.
Oz and Ada explore Miss Kate's dinky bedroom out of boredom, since they don't have that much to do anyway. Oz stares at Kate's weathered oak closet and forcefully opens it, releasing a messily stacked pile of wigs. One of them falls on Oz's head without his knowledge.
"I never knew Miss Kate was that into collecting wigs," he laughs, rummaging through the vast array of hairstyles and colors.
Ada stares at her brother and laughs. "Look in the mirror!" she exclaims before pushing him towards the plainly framed piece of glass. Oz giggles at the sight of himself in a girl's wig; one with long, wavy blonde hair. "I look a little like you," he jokes while continuing to laugh at himself. He then looks at his younger sister and grins mischievously.
"Wait a minute…," he pauses, "looking like-…Ada! I have an idea!"
His younger sister gulps and gazes at his devilish grin with concern. "W-what are you planning?" she stutters, the pure definition of puzzle sketched all over her feminine, youthful face.
((Author's comments: Hello everyone!~ It's my first time writing fanfiction for the Pandora Hearts series, so my interpretations of the characters aren't exactly perfect. Oh well. Critique is appreciated, since I'm far from perfect and need to learn, but just reading the story is an honor for me as well. I hope you like it so far. ))