Hello, everyone! Captain Spunker here! Here's another fic for you to enjoy!
Recently I started watching the English dub of Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler- and immediately fell in love with the show. Sebastian is a work of art, I have to say, although unlike other fans, I'm more inclined to put him through hell (pun intended). So I began writing different scenarios where he gets into crazy situations that would rattle even him. I do hope I've succeeded.
Like, comment, review, no flames or profanity please! Also, any ideas for future snapshots are much appreciated!
I do not own Kuroshitsuji or the characters. The plot for this chapter is based on Episode 4, "His Butler, Capricious."
"What is it, my lord?" Sebastian asked. "You've been very thoughtful all day." He glanced at something in Ciel's hand. Hmm. "An invitation?"
"Yes. To a ball held by Marquess Avery, no less." The young Earl Phantomhive laid the gilded white card on his desk. "This is our chance to investigate whether or not he's connected to the cultic murders. Of course, if we went as ourselves, he'd recognize us immediately."
"What do you suggest, my lord?"
Ciel leaned back in his chair. "Soma and Agni have been invited to attend as well. We might as well go with them in disguise."
"I see." Sebastian smirked. "Having a repeat of the Viscount Druitt incident, then, are we?"
"With one difference. Avery won't give the time of day to a short woman like Elizabeth. He prefers," and Ciel gave him a nasty grin, "women who are taller, much like he is."
Sebastian blanched in horror, and his stomach flopped. "M— My lord! Surely you don't mean—"
"Are you questioning me, Sebastian? You do know that I could order you to do it and you would have no choice but to carry out my order."
The youthful butler sighed. "While others may find it entertaining, I myself have no interest in crossdressing. I prefer to dress in what polite society expects men to wear."
"Oh? Says the demon who wears high-heeled boots as part of his true form. Come to think of it, you've never shown me the whole of that, not even when we first met."
"I assure you, my lord, that while the boots appear feminine, the overall effect is quite masculine, you see. The outfit itself doesn't pass for inappropriate. I do have standards, you know."
"So you'll follow your standards instead of just going along? That's quite a shame; I had hoped I wouldn't have to resort to this." Ciel lifted up his eyepatch and slipped it off.
"Young master, please! Don't make me do this! We can go as we did before—"
"Silence!" Ciel glared at the raven-haired man. "You will go to the ball dressed as a woman, and you will not complain about it, nor will you try to even think of getting out of it! This is an order! Do you understand me?"
Sebastian's heart sank. He bit his lip, bowed, and gave a timid "Yes, my lord."
I'm doomed.
R-R-RIP! R-R-RIP! R-R-RIP!
Sebastian gasped in pain. "Y-Young… master—"
"Don't even think about it, Sebastian."
R-R-RIP! "My l-lord," Sebastian panted, "please—"
"I said don't even think about it."
R-R-RIP! R-R-RIP! R-R-RIP!
"G-GAAAAAAHHHH!" Sebastian screamed.
"There we go. Nice 'n tight." Bard firmly tied the corset strings and tucked them in. Sebastian choked out a sigh of relief as he slumped to the floor, his arms wrapped around his waist.
Can't breathe… so tight… I didn't think this kind of pain would get to me, but I feel like I'm being crushed and suffocated to death…. It's sheer agony….
Is this what my lord felt when he had to wear this before? He must be getting back at me then.
"Come now, Sebastian, you're not fully dressed yet!" chirped Ciel and clapped his hands. "Do be a dear and stick it out. After all, if you can't endure this when I could, what kind of butler would you be?"
Sebastian gritted his teeth and crawled his way up to a standing position, his left arm still around his waist. He sighed as the other servants bustled around him, preparing him for the ball.
Ciel's right. I have to get through this. I have to withstand this pain and make it through so we can obtain the information we need.
As they traipsed downstairs, he did some breathing exercises to take his mind off his discomfort and make sure he didn't become lightheaded.
"Here's the plan. Soma and Agni will go just as they are. I will be Soma's blind and mute aide and Sebastian will be his lover. Bardroy will be Soma's associate. Sebastian, you will get close to Marquess Avery and persuade him to go somewhere else in the mansion." Ciel sat back as the carriage came to a stop. "Is everyone clear?"
"Absolutely!" "You got it, master!" "Perfectly clear, my lord."
Ciel grinned. "Excellent. So begins our game."
Now Sebastian stood at the edge of the crowd, keeping a sharp eye out for the marquess. The Indian prince and his entourage were enjoying themselves among a little group in the corner, so he was alone.
Thank goodness for my meager shapeshifting skills. He had shortened himself to an ordinary five-feet-six (no normal woman would be as tall as he usually was!), softened the angles of his face, and altered his vocal cords so his voice would sound genuinely feminine (because while Ciel could pull it off, Sebastian, being a grown man, could not). In his human form he couldn't alter much, so he was grateful for the few changes he was able to get away with.
Honestly, though. It made so much more sense when Ciel was Madam Red's niece and I his private tutor— why couldn't we continue with that arrangement and have Soma and Agni as family friends? …But if someone here was part of Druitt's inner circle and witnessed the whole thing, and then found out who Ciel really was, he wouldn't be fooled a second time. So I suppose you could say this was a wise choice on his part. Though I still think this is partly payback for having to endure that wretched viscount and his antics.
He glanced over at the young earl, who wore traditional Indian garb and a blindfold made out of material such that he could see through it, but others could not. His hair had been dyed black and a beauty mark placed on his cheek. Bard didn't look too uncomfortable in his tuxedo; in fact, he seemed to be having a good time. Soma and Agni wore their usual clothing.
Sebastian himself was dressed in a lavender evening gown with silvery accents and white lace. Long white gloves covered his arms up to mid-bicep, and he carried a white lacy fan. His raven hair had been done up in a French twist with a few strands of his bangs hanging free, his eyes sported subtle makeup, and his lips glimmered a deep, wine red. A diamond hairpin, bracelet, and necklace finished off the outfit. When the young butler had looked at himself in the mirror after the others had finished fussing over him, he had nearly passed out at the sight of the… admittedly… gorgeous woman that stared back. He couldn't bear to accept the thought that he had the potential to appear completely feminine. When this is all over, I am never crossdressing again. Not even if my life depends on it. Or Ciel's, for that matter.
"Goodness me, what do we have here? A lovely little blossom like yourself should be enjoying the party, not acting like a sad little wallflower!"
Sebastian glanced up in the direction of the voice and into the flabby face of Marquess Avery.
Ciel had been lucky (if one could call it that) that Druitt had been rather handsome. Avery, on the other hand, was tall and fat, with beady black eyes, thinning black hair, and a greasy smile. If Sebastian was a blossom, then Avery was a beetle. This just keeps getting better and better, the youthful demon snarked in his head. Still, he managed to give the marquess a pleasant smile and curtsy. "You flatter me, my lord."
"Oh, not at all, my sweet lilac! I merely speak the truth! Though I daresay I've never seen such a beautiful bud as yourself before. Would you like a dance with me?"
Heavens, no! "I suppose, although I admit I'm bored of dancing as it is."
"Ah! I see! Shall we go find some… other amusements instead?" Avery slipped his hand around Sebastian's waist and fingered his hips.
Sebastian resisted the urge to shudder and forced out a light chuckle. "Why, certainly, my lord! Why don't you lead the way?"
They made it halfway across the ballroom when Sebastian's superhuman hearing picked up a familiar squeal. "Ooh! That lady in the lavender dress looks simply stunning! She's the prettiest of them all!"
Oh, dear Lord, no! Not this again! I can't let Elizabeth see me like this! He peeked over his shoulder. Sure enough, Lizzie had spotted him and was heading straight for him. Master!
What is it? Ciel replied down the bond.
I'm with Avery, but Elizabeth's seen me! We need to distract her now— she's heading right for me!
The teen gave him a mental eyeroll. Stupid butler, don't you remember that Avery scheduled a little show? It should be beginning any moment now.
He was right: the ballroom dimmed and lights flashed on a stage, revealing three men in tailcoats. Upbeat music played as they danced, their shoes clicking and shuffling. Interesting. He had wanted to learn how to tap dance for some time now, and these men obviously knew their craft.
Avery yawned. "I've seen this all before, my lady. Would you mind if we continued to those other amusements we spoke of?"
"But of course, my lord. Anything for you." Oh, wonderful, I'm turning into Grell.
They slipped out of the ballroom and up several flights of stairs. By the time they had reached the top floor, Sebastian was panting, though he did his best to conceal it. They marquess opened a door off to the side and ushered the younger man in. A single bedside candle lit the room, much of which was cast in shadow; an enormous king-sized bed stood behind the nightstand on which the candle sat.
Sebastian gasped for breath. Can't… breathe… stupid corset… Don't feel so… good… His vision blurred and his head swam. Must stay… alert…
His knees gave out, and he fell to the floor in a dead faint.
Voices murmured overhead in the darkness, which dissolved into light. Sebastian cracked open his eyes and stared up at the ceiling above him.
What… what happened?
"Tonight we'll right the wrongs done to us by the Queen's Guard Dog! Tonight we'll finish repaying the blood he has payed us! Tonight it all ends now!" cried a man above him. Sebastian turned his head in the direction of his voice— and beheld Marquess Avery in a black robe and mask!
Well, this is proof enough that he's the perpetrator, the young butler thought. Best get out of here as quickly as I can.
How did I get here, anyway?
You fainted, Ciel answered dryly. I saw it happen through your own eyes. Don't think you'll be able to live this down for the rest of your life.
Well, you fainted last time, my lord, so there.
The Viscount had a special drug in the air, you idiot! I didn't do it on my own! Apparently you're weaker than I thought.
Sebastian had prepared a retort when the Marquess flashed a dagger over him. He made to move and found he had been gagged and chained to the altar on which he lay. "This darling little bud has volunteered to be this evening's sacrifice. Why don't you give the brave dear a hand, ladies and gentlemen?" Applause rose at the madman's words.
Well, this is just lovely. See, young master? If you were the girl this time, I could have rescued you. Now I have to get out of this myself. He glanced down at the chains, which were black and carved with red runes, thrumming with energy.
Oh, shoot.
The chains were demon-proof.
Hang on, Sebastian! Ciel called, sensing the young butler's distress. Agni's heading over there right now. He should be there any minute.
Sebastian gazed with dread at the knife as Avery brought it down towards his heart, the blade shimmering with the same runes and black material as his bonds. How could he have known?
BLAM! Agni crashed into Avery, knocking the dagger out of his hand. The Indian butler then wasted no time in making quick work of the other cultists, and just as he finished, Ciel, Soma, and Bardroy burst into the room. Ciel ran over to Sebastian and tore off the gag. "Are you all right? Are you hurt?"
Sebastian coughed and winced. "I'm fine, thank goodness. Agni managed to get here just in the nick of time. Though I'd rather not go through that again."
"Here, Ciel!" Soma reached up from where he knelt over Avery's body and handed the earl a key that matched the dark chains immobilizing Sebastian. "Those are some very strange cuffs."
"They emanate evil energy, my prince! Stay away from them!" Agni cried and stepped in front of Soma. The Indian prince frowned.
"Why would someone want to put Sebastian in evil chains? They must be crazy!"
"Well, I can't break out of these chains like I could with ordinary ones," the ravenette replied as Ciel finished unlocking the cuffs. "Agni, Bard, would you help my young master? These are wrapped all over the place."
The three untangled the young butler and helped him off the altar. Sebastian slumped to the floor and wrapped his arms around his waist as he panted, sucking air into his lungs. His vision blurred and swirled. That's not good. Why do I feel so dizzy all of a sudden? Maybe I stood up too soon? Darned corset!
"Sebastian?"
Sebastian leaned back against the altar and looked up into Ciel's face. "Don't mind me, my lord. I just stood up too fast, that's all."
"Ah. I see. Agni, if you could carry him out to the carriage? I don't believe he's able to walk just yet."
"WHAT?!" Sebastian squawked. "Honestly, I'm fine!" He stood up and promptly sank back down again, woozier than before. The others laughed as Soma's khansama scooped him up bridal-style.
"Not so strong and tough, are ye now?" Bard teased. Sebastian rolled his eyes.
"Oh, do shut up, Bard. Unless you want your safety threatened," the young demon grumbled.
"So Avery and his compatriots are in custody," Ciel mused the next day. "Where do you suppose they got the demon-proof chains and dagger?"
"I could be wrong, but it's possible either another demon or even a fallen angel supplied them to the Marquess. Demon-proof items, as you can imagine, are nearly impossible for humans to obtain."
The teen nodded from his seat next to Sebastian's bed. Last night had taken a toll on the young butler, and even as he lay in bed, he could still feel the effects of the poisoned chains. Apparently he'd been bound in them for much longer than he'd thought, and they had significantly drained his strength and stamina to the point where he could not sit up without feeling dizzy. Ciel had insisted that he recuperate until he was back to full health.
"So you think a demon or fallen angel was behind Avery's cult?"
"Well, that would explain how he knew to use those particular chains on me and me specifically. If I recall correctly, his words were to 'right the wrongs done to them by the Queen's Guard Dog' and 'finish repaying the blood you paid them,' so perhaps he thought he could get to you by killing me? Although… he didn't seem to realize that I'm not a woman…. It doesn't make any sense…." He closed his eyes.
"Never mind that, Sebastian. You rest and let me get to the bottom of this." Ciel stood and turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, Sebastian called out,
"Young master?"
"Yes?"
"Never make me wear another corset ever again. They seem to be made to crush the living daylights out of me."
Ciel laughed. "Good. We agree then." He left the room and closed the door, leaving the ravenette to get some well-earned rest.
It's the infamous corset scene! That was the whole point of this chapter, but I couldn't very well write only that scene without an entire adventure around it now, could I?
