"Quite a commotion going on out there. It seems you're experiencing a rat problem as well," the police commissioner remarked.
"Speaking of which, how long will you let the vermin run wild? Filthy monsters. Someone really ought to take care of them, don't you think?" added another man, sounding like he had a mouthful of something.
"And someone will. He is just waiting for the opportune moment," rebutted yet another man, this time Asian and with some girl on his lap. This room seemed to be brimming with men, but Robin hadn't dared look up to see anything above the waist. Eye contact could lead to conversation, and Robin was there for business reasons only. No talking needed.
"Indeed. He prefers to settle things with one blow. Will you pass on this turn too, Lord Phantomhive?" a woman inquired. A nice change of pace, hearing anything but gravelly male voices.
"I'll pass. It's my policy not to shoot if I know that I'll miss," said a boy next to Robin. What a pretentious load. He was no older than she, and at least by now she knew that misses could hit you over the head with unimaginable stealth. Ciel Phantomhive, what a joke.
"That's all very well, but when will you handle the problem?" the commissioner piped up yet again.
"Any time you like. The rats will come soon come looking for their forbidden cheese, and I hold the key to the storehouse."
A white-clad Italian man clucked his tongue before leaning down and taking his shot. Robin jumped as they made brief eye contact. There was a scar running across his face that she found rather discomforting.
"Even so, locating the nest and eliminating the vermin promises to be a tedious task. You should concentrate on preparing me a suitable reward," Lord Phantomhive purred, and she could hear the slight smile in his voice. This seemed to shock the commissioner.
"What a vulture!"
"Sir. Randall, I'd be careful how you smear my family name."
Although her respect for the Phantomhive boy was miniscule already, she still felt a chill go down her spine when he said that. The child's mere presence was threatening to her, but Robin figured it was all in her head.
As the balls stilled, the scarred man leaned against the pool table and laughed. "Ha, you're in trouble now, Randall. What next, Lord Phantomhive?"
"It's time to put an end to this worthless game, don't you think? How soon can you secure the payment?" the earl replied.
"Tonight, I'll have it by then," Robin looked up slightly to see Randall grit his teeth. It was amusing to see the police commissioner of the Scotland yard have to bow to a mere child. The boy might be strange but he did of some sense of humour.
"And Miss Mastontree? Have your associates agreed to leave me alone, as to make my job easier?" Lord Phantomhive turned his head slightly to inquire.
"Yes. My associates will not interfere with your work, as you have requested," she replied. A day's trip just to say two measly lines. They would give the worst actors these lines in a play.
"Perfect, I assure you that you and your family will be paid in full for your kindness."
Just as she thought it was settled, that large man from across the room decided to throw in his opinion. "Say, why would you tote around your servant with you wherever you go, girl? Isn't it… embarrassing?"
"And why would that be?" Robin replied. "She's my personal maid, that's very common among ladies my age."
"Well, considering her… appearance, you'd expect-"
"I'd advise you to stay in your lane, sir."
For the first time, Robin fully lifted her head to meet the man's gaze. She couldn't stand Rune's discomfort behind her any longer. Her intense grey eyes threw the man off- people were often surprised when they saw her father's eyes in the small, delicate face of her mother.
"If that is all, I'll send a carriage for you later, Randall. We can even prepare some light entertainment for you, does that sound good?" interjected Lord Phantomhive. Robin quickly lowered her head, embarrassed by her outburst. Keeping calm, cool, and collected makes a successful business deal.
The earl rose from his seat, preparing to take his aim. "You passed your turn twice and now you're after them all in one go?" Randall asked, shocked.
"Naturally."
"Careful, or your greed will undo you."
The boy only smiled, watching as every ball sunk into a hole. "Am I undone?"
Robin sat in the much brighter drawing room. She had no idea why she was asked to stay for tea, and Rune had opted to help the servants in the kitchen. Everyone but the Lord's aunt and friend had left, so she was in a room practically full of strangers. "Your tea. We have a special Darjeeling blend to offer from Fortnum & Mason today," Lord Phantomhive's butler announced, pouring the tea into cups. Robin could have sworn she heard the Lord call him Sebastian.
"Smells lovely. Tea can be excellent when made well." murmured the asian man, after he and his lady friend received their hot cups. Robin agreed- the teacups themselves were exquisite;they were flowered, with red and gold. The reddish tea complimented it perfectly.
"Grell!" the Lord's aunt called. An awkward looking man with glasses jumped to attention. "Learn something from Sebastian," she ordered. Grell, confused, agreed. Perhaps he was ashamed? "Just look at him. I mean, his physique! You should quit this country job and come work for me in the city!" she babbled, pawing at the tall butler who almost dropped his tray. Robin was shocked- the woman's serious demeanor had vanished, leaving only a blushing schoolgirl in its wake.
"Ah, wait," she said, retracting her hand. "This isn't the best of first impressions. I should introduce myself." Robin jumped up almost as quick as Grell had done moments previous. The woman offered a red-lipped smile. "I'm Angelina Dalles, but feel free to call me Madame Red."
"I am Lau, and this is my dear sister Ran-Mao. It's wonderful to meet your acquaintance," the asian man added, while the woman on his lap gave a small wave. Robin meekly returned the gesture.
"My name is Robin Masontree. It's lovely to formally meet you all," she replied.
"You're so young, you look no older than my nephew… what are you doing here?" Madame Red asked. Robin gripped her dress. You answer that, Madame, what do you think I'm doing here? She thought, keeping her words to herself.
Lord Phantomhive cleared his throat, signaling Madame Red to apologize. "Us doctors have inquisitive minds, you know! Old habit," she laughed, clearly making excuses.
"So, do you believe the drug trafficker you're after was one of your guests today?" Lau interrupted, settling Ran-Mao more securely in his lap.
"Perhaps."
The drug trafficker was at the meeting? Robin had no idea about that- but this made sense now. He had asked her to stay to show that she was not a suspect. Who would it have been? That sandwich guy was kind of a jerk.
"Why not leave the extermination to Lau? A rat knows best where the rats' nest is, doesn't he?" Madame Red spat.
"I'm but a tame guinea pig dedicated to my lord. If the earl instructs me not to act, I'm bound to do nothing," assured Lau as he got up and placed his hands on the earl's shoulders.
"Watch it! You'd best keep your filthy paws off my darling nephew!" she shouted, yanking her nephew out of the man's grasp.
"You wound me. I would never paw at him in his own home, dear madam."
"Are you saying you would if you were elsewhere? Careful, you're on thin ice now, sir!"
Lau burst out laughing, but his laughs were slightly panicked. "Sorry, I'm joking of course."
The earl pried himself out of his aunt's hold and started for the door. "Master?" Sebastian called, watching his Lord leave. "The rats are here," he murmured, stepping out into the hall. He watched his servants speed across the hall in front of him, chasing a single rat. "And here too…"
"Master? Today's dessert is a deep-dish pie prepared with flesh apples and raisins. It will be ready soon. Would you like to eat with your guests?" Sebastian suggested.
The boy sighed and replied, "Bring it to my study, I only have one guest I need to speak to further."
"Certainly, my lord."
The young earl came back into the doorway. "Miss Masontree, I'd appreciate it if you joined me in my study. I have some questions about your line of work." Lau and Madame Red temporarily stopped fighting as Robin ducked to walk between them. "Of course."
As he and Robin walked away to the study, Sebastian walked down the hall to the servants who were still chasing the one rodent. He effortlessly snatched it up and dropped it in their net. "That's enough of that. Stop playing and get back to work."
The servants could only comply disappointedly.
Lord Phantomhive entered the study first, and closed the door behind them. "Finally, some peace and quiet. Now, I wanted to discuss-"
Suddenly, a man burst out from the window and catapulted into the young Lord, covering his face in a white cloth. He quickly went limp, signalling Robin to run. Before she could get to the door, however, the assailant had stopped her with a similar cloth. She tried to call out before it all went black, but she failed.
"Young master. I brought your pie and afternoon tea…? Master?" Sebastian ceased his knocking and opened the door to the study. To his surprise, the room was empty.
"Mistress!" Rune called out, distressed. She didn't even want to imagine where Robin could have been taken.
"This is terrible, the refreshments will all be wasted!" Sebastian exclaimed. Rune, of course, wanted to sock him, but knew much better than that. "Come now, madam, let us find our charges."
The room was well decorated, ornate to say the least. However lovely the room was, though, being kidnapped detracted from the sight. Robin awoke facing the wall, but fought through the haze to hear a familiar voice. "The policeman of England's underworld, one of the nobles who have done the royal family's dirty works for generations. The Queen's guard dog, tasked with disposing of anyone who disagrees with her. Just how many nicknames do you have, and how many families have you crushed, Ciel Phantomhive?"
The speaker prepared a cigar and had a snarky tone to his voice. Discreetly, Robin rolled over to see the frightening scarred man from before hovering over her. "Oh, look who woke up! Good for you, I was getting ready to wake you up myself." Robin recoiled at the venom in his voice. She didn't even want to know how he would wake her up.
"I thought that it would be you. You shame your family Azzurro Vanel." Lord Phantomhive's instantly recognizable growled. If Robin craned her neck, she could see that his face was slightly bruised. Apparently he was considered precious cargo. Hopefully she was too.
Vanel took a puff of his cigar and laughed. "Come now, my little lord Phantomhive. Do you know how hard it is for the Italian Mafia here? You Englishmen have nothing but tea on the brain. It's difficult to penetrate those small minds of yours, so we have to think outside the box to make money. So found the drug trade."
"The Pharmacy Act of 1868 listed opium as a restricted substance. It is the Queen's decree. And I will eliminate those drugs and the vermin who sell them." He failed to sound threatening in the least. He sounded more like a brownnoser than the "queen's guard dog". Whatever that meant.
Vanel seemed to more or less share her sentiments, complaining, "Ugh. You know this is-a why I hate all you Englishmen. The Queen this, the Queen that. You act like this-a woman is your own mother. You line-a your pockets while pretending the whole time you're better than the rest of us. But in the end, we are no different from each other. Why can't we get along?" He sneered, leaning in.
"I've left orders about your key. If I don't come back, my servants will make sure the authorities get it. I'm sorry, I have no interest in getting along with someone like you." the earl replied with a smirk. Big words for a little guy, Robin thought. I hope he isn't fragile.
These words enflamed Vanel, aiming a pistol right at the earl's head. "You brat, don't underestimate me! My men are already waiting at your estate. Where is the key? Spit it out soon or your servants will start dying one by one."
A mysterious, almost innocent, smile spread across the young lord's face as he said, "Oh, I think they'll be alright. But you'd better hope your lap-dogs know how to fetch." This snarky comment earned him a sudden kick to the face, and Lord Phantomhive toppled over. Vanel furiously stamped out his barely smoked cigar and screamed into a nearby landline. "Did you hear that? The time for talk is over!"
"Are you alright?" Robin whispered. He had landed right in front of her, his head just below her chin. "We'll be out of here soon. I wouldn't worry too much." he murmured in reply. Robin chose to ignore that and looked around the room for anything she could use to call for help.
Sebastian, holding his now abandoned pie, walked down the corridor, in no clear hurry. "This is worrisome, where could my young mistress have been taken to?" Rune fretted, nervously tugging at the end of her apron. There wasn't a trace of her charge to be found. Suddenly, a red-headed maid came barrelling down the hall, calling out for the house's butler.
"I found this letter, yes I did!" she cried.
"Who is it addressed to?" Sebastian countered, stopping. The maid kept coming and said that is was for all the servants of the house. For a split second, Rune saw the butler's wary glance go out the window and the maid tripped at the same time. Time seemed to slow down as Sebastian tossed the treat in the air and caught the young maid as the window shattered. It appeared to be a bullet, seeing as the vase behind them shattered. Rune jumped forward and caught the pastry as it fell.
"Mey-Rin. The letter, please," said Sebastian, lying flat on his back. Rune helped the red-faced servant up. "Eh? Letter? Oh, yes sir!" He sat up to receive it.
Rune leaned over to read the letter over his shoulder. It read: ...If you want to return your little children safely, Come to Nova garden Bethmal Green as soon as possible. If you don't come before sunset, We will cut your Master's finger one by one, and send it. You'll see what happens to the little girl.
"What a vulgar letter," Sebastian murmured, tucking the letter into his jacket pocket. The guests and servants of the house came forward, hearing the loud crash and gave their concerns. Sebastian smoothly assuaged them and apologized for the commotion. "I have business to attend to. Would you mind cleaning this up for me?" Rune handed over the pastry to the older servant and hurriedly went after Sebastian as he walked away. She could hear the servants calling out a question, but she had sped away too fast.
"I'm just a human, Miss Rune," Sebastian smirked, "How could I keep up?"
"You're a dirty liar. You can keep up just fine."
"Anything for my master."
Vanel was screaming into the phone again. "What do you mean you missed?! You are complete idiots! Never should have hired scum like you. Just get back here." The other voice on the line began to sound worried. "Aw, what's wrong? You little girls see a bear in the woods?" Vanel teased, but his face changed when Robin heard screaming on the other line, interrupted by short bouts of static.
"What is it? Did someone find you? Talk to me." Vanel's words quieted, but there was only uninterpretable yelling. "That's it! I've had enough of your games already." he yelled, but the static only worsened. "Uh, hello? What's happened?"
The young earl could clearly hear the telephone too, as he laughed. "That's too bad. Sounds like your little game of fetch is ov-" His words were interrupted by a brutal beating. "Just shut your mouth, you damn brat!" Vanel screeched. Why'd you have to open your big mouth, thought Robin, panicking. "You got something to say, little bitch?" he said, his angry eyes meeting Robin's. She shook her head furiously and pressed her back to the wall. Vanel snatched up the phone and exclaimed, "You listen to me! If one of you don't answer right now, I swear I will kill you!" A familiar voice was on the other end.
"Hello. I represent the Phantomhive estate- and temporarily, the Masontree estate. I was wondering if my master and Miss Masontree might be available. Hello, is anyone there? Hello?" Vanel's frightened eyes looked back to the young earl, who though he was faced away was still graced with a poisonous looking grin.
"Woof woof." Lord Phantomhive called.
"Ah, very good. Miss Rune and I will come get you and the mistress shortly."
"Thank you for the use of your field telephone. And now there are few things I'd like to ask you about, if that's all right. First, I'd like to know who you work for. Hurry up now. I'm not exactly what you would call a patient man. And you do remember what happened to the Humpty-Dumpty, don't you?" Sebastian asked, kneeling on the hood of the automobile as it precariously balanced on the edge of a cliff.
"Ah, our employer's name is Azzurro Vanel. He has a hideout up in the city. It's in the East End. We just work for him!" one passenger said in a frightened voice. I knew it, Rune thought, I saw the look on that bastard's face in the pool room.
"But of course, I understand. I'm very sorry to have interrupted your work, gentlemen. I'll let you go now. Have a safe trip!" Sebastian said cheerfully, tossing back the phone as he let the car fall. "Oh dear," Sebastian said as he checked his pocket watch, "look at how late it's gotten. If I don't move quickly, we shall never have dinner ready in time."
"One more quip about your cooking and I think I'll want some roasted butler."
"You never fail to have such gentle words of encouragement."
Vanel opened the door to legions of minions and ordered them about. "Listen up, the Phantomhive boy has help on the way! Move it! Tighten security at the gate! Not so much as a single rat gets through!" You could hear people stomping down stairs all through the house and slamming the gate. Soon after you could hear shooting from outside, then below. Vanel was getting more restless by the moment, especially after the shooting ended.
Lord Phantomhive, seemed completely at ease as the footsteps of two people came down the hallway. The door opened, and lo and behold, Rune and Sebastian were on the other side. "We have come to retrieve our masters." Rune said, and they both gave the appropriate bow. "Thank goodness," Robin whispered, but was still a little confused. Rune wouldn't have helped the Phantomhive butler and he seemed more than just dedicated.
"Is this a joke? I was expecting giants and instead I got some scrawny dandy in a tailcoat and some nurse! Who are you two anyway? There's no way that you're just servants." Vanel mused, his pistol aimed at the two. "No, sir. You see, I am simply one hell of a butler… although, I cannot speak for this maid."
"Yea, sure. It does not matter anyway, I have no intention of fighting you," Vanel said, suddenly pulling the earl by the hair and putting him at gunpoint. "Not yet… But you better have what I asked for!"
"I do, it's right-" Sebastian started, and Rune pulled out a key. However, the exchange was cut off by copious amounts of gunfire to the head, chest, and every other part of the body. The young lord, almost compassionately, tried to call out for his butler. Robin could only watch in shock. Rune only could stand there, key in hand.
Vanel began to laugh nervously. "Sorry, dandy, but it's my game! No way I'll go up against a Phantomhive without a trump card! Looks like they missed you, old nurse, so I suppose I'll have to take care of you again!" Vanel said, his gunmen aiming his pistol at Rune. He spared a glance at Lord Phantomhive. "I damaged the goods a little, but if I put the brats together they'll still bag me a fair price- and with so many enemies, little Phantomhive won't live long. I can't say anything for you, little girl, your fate is yet undecided!" The scarred man's laughter was nearly hysterical as he pulled off the boy's eyepatch with his gun.
"Hey there, how long are you intending to play dead? You're becoming too melodramatic for my tastes…" Rune said, staring down at the dead(?) butler with annoyance.
"Not too long," he said, and the gunmen jumped away in fear. The earl seemed unphased by an undead butler rising from the ground. "Guns today are so much more efficient than they used to be… They can shoot so many more bullets now." His body almost contorted upwards, and he coughed into his hand. "Perhaps you'd like these back?" The shining bullets glittered in his palm.
"W-What are you waiting for? Kill them!" Vanel screamed, terrified. Sebastian quickly tossed his handful of bullets at the gunmen, and they fell to the ground dead. Vanel released Lord Phantomhive's hair, only speaking in half words and scared noises.
"Oh dear, it was a good suit too," tittered Sebastian, dropping the ripped tails of his coat.
"You could have avoided that if you wanted to, idiot." the boy replied.
"Dear mistress, it appears that you haven't been treated well," Rune cooed, beginning to come forward to retrieve her charge.
Vanel panicked and he dove backwards, yanking Robin to her knees and pressing their heads together, the earl's at the pistol. "D-don't come any closer! Stay back or they're both dead meat!" Both servants stopped.
"Hurry it along. This guy's breath smells awful and this isn't too comfortable." Phantomhive complained. I don't care if you want to waste your life or what you butler even is, but I don't want your petty attitude to cut my life short! Robin thought.
"But if I come any closer, he might kill you," Sebastian replied, smiling.
"Are you saying you want to break the contract?" the earl accused.
Robin made eye contact with Rune from across the room. She wanted out, now. "No, of course not. Nothing has changed; I remain your faithful servant, lord." Sebastian said.
"What the hell kind of nonsense are you two talking about?!" Vanel exclaimed.
"Master, you know what you have to do... Now just say the words."
"This is an order. Save us now!" The eye closest to Robin flew open and she could almost feel her heart stop. She'd read about contracts like this.
"No, it's over!" Vanel screamed as he pulled the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoed all through the room. However, the man only looked down to see two sets of eyes glued on him. "Wha- That's impossible!"
The bullet was frozen between the miniscule gap of Ciel's head and the barrel, and Rune kneeled down before him. "Pardon me." The bullet suddenly burrowed itself into the man's shoulder, and his arm twisted up, releasing his captives. Rune scooped up her mistress, as did Sebastian with his master.
Robin pressed her head to her maid's chin. "Took you two long enough to finish talking- you could have frightened my poor mistress," complained Rune, and her charge realized she was never in any real danger. That actually kind of pissed her off, now that she thought about it. Vanel suddenly cried out from behind them.
"No! Wait! You both come work for me and I'll pay you ten times what they do- no twenty! Plus all the liquor and drugs you could ever want!" Vanel was desperate.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Vanel, it's an attractive offer, but I have no interest in such materialistic things. You see, I am simply one hell of a butler. Miss Rune, would you like to partake in his deal?"
"I wouldn't make a deal with a rodent like him on my life."
Vanel seemed confused and defeated. "Ah, yes… well…"
"As long as my master holds the contract, I am his loyal servant. A wish, a sacrifice, and this... all of these things keep me bound to Lord Phantomhive. Until the day I swallow his soul." The room was filling with feather shaped shadows, and the butler's eyes were glowing. Rune pressed Robin's face into her shoulder, and she luckily couldn't hear a thing after.
Later that night, Robin was once again in the study. This time, though, it was lit by candlelight and she sat across from the earl. "I'm sure you know why you're here," he said.
"Of course," Robin replied.
"Now you know you could very well die at any moment now that you know about my contract with Sebastian."
"Honestly, I'd like to see you try."
He seemed discomforted by that sentence. Good. He was too precocious anyway.
"I suppose it's best that I explain what I am. I am an earth sprite, guardian and protector of life in this world. And, of course, protector of my mistress as well," Rune explained, setting a tender hand on Robin's shoulder.
"So I assume you know that you must stay here, at least until a better solution is reached?"
Robin looked up to her maid, with a worried expression on her face. "Don't worry, I'll take it up with your family and make sure they know." Rune assured.
"Good. We'll have Mey-Rin show you to your room. I'll have you speak to me about your family business tomorrow, I assume you're tired."
"I'll answer whatever I can, Ciel." Robin waved a hand.
"When did you get so friendly with me? Did I miss it?" he sneered, clearly upset by the use of his first name.
"I'm not going to force you to be civil, but I'd advise it. After all, I figure living in the same house should be friendly enough."
Ciel pursed his lips. Robin had no plans to be friends, and that was to be made clear. Mey-Rin timidly knocked on the door and Robin rose up to take her leave. Rune respectfully wished them goodnight and bowed, and the door was only open a crack when Robin heard the earl's voice float out.
"Goodnight, Robin."
A small smile spread across the red-head's face.
"Goodnight, Ciel."