((CREDIT: OVERTHELOVEOFYOU FOR SUGGESTING THIS. IT WILL BE AWESOME. XD ))
"And why did you paint the statues?"
"They were too plain."
A long blue haired woman with violet eyes was smirking wickedly at a raven haired butler, whos eye was twitching. A young boy was sitting behind a desk, a hidden grin behind his blank expression.
The Butler then sighed with a huff, "Honestly Miss Claudia, your attempts never work in the end. Why do you persist?" He asked, thinking of how much of a pest she was.
"I am a Phantomhive. You can expect no less from me." She said plainly, her eyes turning to look at Ciel, who was now smirking. But it quickly left his face when Sebastian turned around. Ciel cleared his throat. "It can't be helped. Now, about that letter from the queen?..."
Claudia Darlene Phantomhive was Ciel's half sister, but they were more like real brother and sister. Claudia had the same father. But a different mother who died in childbirth. And because of tradition, he had to marry yet another woman to have a son. And thats when Ciel was born. Claudia was named after Vincent's mother. Who died young.
"It seems we are to go into town..." Ciel sighed. "We should pack and get ready..."
…/\/\/\...
Claudia almost expected a rather peaceful evening out in London while Ciel did his silent investigations. But to her shock, upon entering the town house, Her aunt Madam Red and Lau were snooping through the living room.
"Where do they keep the tea in this place?" She mumbled and fussed. Lau was being no help either.
Finally Claudia couldn't contain herself and squealed. "AUNT AN!"
Madam Red perked, surprised at seeing the two of them there. She gave a smile. "Hello Claudia, out for an errand with Ciel?" She asked. Claudia laughed and shook her head. "No, more pressing matters." She explained.
"Well, I came all this way to see my lovely nephew. And I'm even more happy to see my beautiful niece."
"Why Hello Earl. I heard some rumors that something interesting is afoot." Lau greeted. He never really greeted Claudia. Mainly because she didn't approved of his opium dens. He thought she was a little pesky person.
"We apologise for not being able to greet our honorable guests." Sebastian said, putting his hand over his chest. Ciel looked like he was going in implode... "I will have elevenses ready momentarily, so please wait a while."
Claudia then got back to family discussions. Madam Red Always on her about not being married. "And why not dear? Why not find a nice man and settle down?" She asked her. Claudia smiled only a little. "Theres not a man out there who would be willing to accept me for who I am. I don't exactly behave like a woman."
"So you have some quirks. You're still a beautiful woman and you would have most beautiful children. Imagine it, little children's feet running around. Waking you up early in the morning. Singing songs, playing games..." Claudia smiled softly. She loved children...
"I will in the future. I can promise you that." She said with a smile. Madam Red smiled in return. "Thats better."
Soon, Sebastian had brought in the tea. The smell getting to their noses.
"What a lovely aroma, espcially when prepared right."
But of course, Sebastian had to announce it. "Today, the tea is "Jacksson's Earl Grey"." He said, pouring Madam Red a cup. "Earl Grey can taste this different?" She then looked at The brown haired man behind her. "Grelle! You should follow his example!" She scolded softly.
Grelle's eyes went downcast. "Y-yes, Madam..." He said. Claudia raised an eyebrow.
"In any case..." Sebastian's eyes glanced at Claudia for some odd reason. Then suddenly, out of no where. Madam Red was rubbing Sebastian's rear end like no tommrorow. "You are a most handsome fellow! No matter how many times I look at you! What don't you come to my place instead of working at the manor house?!" She asked with a grin. Sebastian looked like something most foul had jerked his crotch. Claudia was silently snickering into her cup.
"Ahem! Madam red!" Ciel quickly interupted. He didn't look too pleased with the idea. Madam Red blushed and looked sheepish. Sebastian was trying to put on a fake smile.
"Lets get right down to it. A few days ago, a prostitute was killed in whitechaple." He explained, sitting up in his chair. I raised an eybrow. Murders happened all the time.
"Whats so special about this murder?" Claudia asked boredly.
"This is no simple murder. It is...Psychotic...Better yet...Abnormal...That's what concerns her." He said, taking a tiny cake. God, it wouldn't surprise her if her brother died from diabetus in his thirties. He was always snacking on something sweet, just the other day he ate the chocolate statues head. She wanted to smack his hand away. But why did it matter? He was going to lose his soul...Why was she fighting to prevent that? The contract was in place.
"What do you mean?" Asked Madam red.
Sebastian was next to speak, as Ciel was too busy stuffing his face. "The victim, Mary Ann Nichols, Was ripped to shreds with some sort of specialized cutting intrument." Her eyebrow raised at that. She hoped he was just exageratting...
"The city police and the local prostitutes have dubbed the killer...Jack the ripper." Claudia raised an eyebrow again. What kind of name was that?
"I too hurried to london to verify the situation..." He finished. Soon, Lau was smirking. "Heh...And I too am very curious...To see what the queens watchdog will sniff out this time. However...Have you the courage to gaze upon the scene if tjhe crime?"
Ciel didn't like where he was taking this. "Whaqt are you getting at?"
"The darkness and bestial odor that saturates the scene will eat away at those with the same karma. You may be trapped in madness should you set foot there." She noticed how much closer he had gotten to Ciel."Are you prepared for that?...Earl Phantomhive?"
Her eyes narrowed as his hand was touching his cheek. Nobody ever touched her little brother...
But to her surprise and delight, Ciel's eyes couldn't have looked darker. "I am here to eliminate the source of "her" distress. Do not waste my time with your foolish questions."
"Yes,lovely. Very lovely indeed, those eyes of yours." He said, satisfied.
Claudia was smirking a little, until Lau grabbed him with a huge smile on his face. "Well then since thats been decided, lets be off, lord earl!"
"Now wait!" Yelled Madam Red. "Men have no patience! At least relax and finish your tea! Then I'll join too."
Claudia was barely listening to the ruckus now. Her mind was wandering. She felt a little ill. She always had health problems as a child. She probably had so much excitement in one day. She was barely paying attention now. She wondered when she would have to go back to her home. She lived far away from society. And only came out when their was a social thing happening. Or when Ciel wanted her to come visit to provide entertainment. (Meaning annoying Sebastian.)
But now Lau looked nervous. "My lord...Don't tell me..." He trailed off.
Ciel looked rather cross. As though unsure of whether or not to go through with this unsaid plan. Claudia raised an eyebrow. What were they talking about? "Yes, thats right. I'd like to avoid that myself. But that isn't an option. He is the most reliable source of information regarding crimes like this."
Claudia blinked tiredly, wondering where they were going with this.
.../\/\/\...
"So...Where are we?"
"Weren't you acting like you knew all about it!" Screeched Madam Red. "The young masters acquaintance is an Undertaker."
Claudia stared at the sign. Why did the style seem familiar. And that name?...Where did she hear it before?
Ciel then barged in, not even knocking. Claudia raised her brows at his boldness. "Are you in...Undertaker?" Asked Ciel. Claudia got a good look around the room. It was slightly dusty, but livable. Several funeral objects had be placed around the room. So it was a funeral home...
Claudia heard nothing. But then...
"Heehee! I have been expecting yoooooou!~" Everyone looked around the room. Claudia however, focused on a coffin lid being pushed aside by long slender fingers. What caught Her attention next was the greenish yellow glowing eyes staring at them all with sheer intelligence.
"I bid ye welcome...Lord Earl..." He was now fully revealed. Silver hair, top hat with a liripipe attached to it. A scar across his face, neck. Pale skin. And wearing dark robes.
Claudia froze on the spot, her eyes widening. This was...
"Has your lordship finally decided to step into the coffin I've made specially for yooou?" He asked in a cackling voice. Grell had fallen on his rump and was in frightful tears. Madam Red and Lau appeared afraid as well. Not Claudia.
"I think not, today, I am..." Undertaker gently tapped his lips to be quiet. "You don't need to put it into words...I understand veeery well, what milord wishes to say." Her held his fingers to his face. "She wasn't a client in the ordinary folk sense of the word. See, I cleaned her up nice and pretty."
"I want to hear about that..." Ciel admitted. But Claudia soon interrupted, Placing herself up front. Her voice was soft.
"Wait a moment...Undertaker?..."
He perked, focusing on her. Claudia was in shock. She hadn't seen this man in years. Not since... His mouth opened into a circle. He quickly knew who she was.
"Well now...Lady Phantomhive." A familiar grin spread across his face.
Claudia's eyes lit up in shock and delight. She had not see the Undertaker since she was just a child. He would always be around Vincent when he was alive and well. And he would play games with her when she was a child. "Hello! I haven't seen you in sooo long. This is a nice surprise." Claudia said with a smile. She couldn't contain herself. He was a familiar acquaintance after all. And he knew her father.
"The feeling is mutual, luv. You were such a wee little thing." He snickered, his hands showing how small she was.
Ciel's throat clearing soon caught them from continuing. She pouted, but Undertaker simply smiled, signaling they would talk later.
"Lets have a chat then, Take a seat anywhere. I'll make tea or somethin'." He giggled, walking off to the back. Claudia eyed the coffin's before taking a seat, half expecting a corpse to pop out and grab her. Oh the irony.
Ciel was looking pouty. Claudia was in deep thought. It had been a long time since she last saw Undertaker. Last time she saw him was when around the time Ciel was born. Then she was taken to to a private tutoring school. But it in her opinion. It was to keep her from feeling jealous over the love and affection Ciel got from her parents.
In fact it was the opposite. She loved Ciel dearly with all her heart. It was that damned Demon that was screwing up everything. She wanted Ciel to live a wonderful life, without the demon lurking behind him.
She was broken from her thoughts as a beaker of tea was held out to her, by Undertaker. She took it, smiling up at him. He grinned in response. Oh the things they would talk about...
"Now then..." Undertaker took a seat in his chair, everyone had their cup of tea ready. "You want to hear about Jack The Ripper. Yeeessss?" He was delicately opening a urn that contained cookies. "The yards starting the to get their knickers in a bunch about it now..."
Claudia had heard about the strange murders before she came back to visit Ciel, it was apparently so famous it reached America. And so many people had been offering their ideas on the killer. Claudia didn't form her own thoughts yet. She'd rather get the facts first hand.
She was surprised when Undertaker offered her a biscuit from the jar. She quietly took one, sniffing it. She soon munched on it, seeing it was just a normal cookie.
"The yards failed to take notice because the murders weren't terribly bloody at the outset...But all the prostitutes killed in Whatechapel had a little somethin' in common..." She noticed he glanced at her when she said this.
"Something in common you say?" Asked Ciel, narrowing his eyes. Claudia simply blinked.
But now Undertaker was leering at them, smirking wide. "Well,what could it be. Whatever could it beee?" He soon closed the lid to his bicuits. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Claudia slowly smiled, remembering how he used to play these games with her when she was a child. He would make her play guessing games or try to make her tell him a joke.
Most of the time she was pretty good at telling outrages jokes she heard from servants. Claudia was broken out of her thoughts when he suddenly leered into Lau's face. "How much? I do not desire a single one of the queens coins! Theres only one thing I want from you!" He suddenly turned his head to face Ciel, his hidden eyes glowing creepily. "Now, Milord..." He was suddenly in Ciel's face, grabbing the sides of his cheeks. "Give it to me..."
He then grabbed his sides, drool dripping down his mouth. "BESTOW UPON ME THE CHOISEST LAUGHTER! Then I shall tell you anything!"
He then collapsed on top his desk, drooling and twitching in delight. "Oh yes!" He squeaked as Ciel mumbled "That creep." To Sebastian. He couldn't argue with that.
"Lord earl. Please allow me to handle this." Said Lau as he stepped forward. She knew this wasn't going to end well. His jokes were crap."People have called me the sleeping tiger of new years parties in shanghai! And now I shall demonstrate that in full!"
"A fool on the futon."
There was an unsettling silence in the room. And Claudia suddenly snorted at how stupid that joke was, earning a glance from everyone. "I think the fool on the futon needs to sleep a thousand more years."
That made Undertaker grin. But now Madam Red stepped forward. "Very well! Madam Red, star of social circles, shall share you with you her best tale!"
Madam Red then began to tell the tale of a man who received a hardy blow job from a random whore. Luckily Sebastian covered Ciel's ears so he wouldn't hear. However Claudia was feeling scarred the further she spoke. And a few minutes later, Undertaker had finally tapped their mouths shut.
"That only leaves, you three..." He smirked in anticipation. "The last time, I was a bit generous, if I do say so myself. But no specials this time." He said firmly to Ciel, who looked angered. Sebastian was about to step forward, when Claudia suddenly interrupted him.
"May I try?" She asked him, Undertaker looked curious now. For once the butler may had been outmatched. "But first, I neeeed everyooone out. This joke is private." She told them. Sebastian looked ready to shred me to pieces. But they were soon out.
At first there was silence outside, before the loudest roar of laughter ever was heard from Undertaker, the sign fell during the ruckus. And finally, Claudia poked her head out, a niko smile on her face. "I still got it."
Everyone walked in, seeing Undertaker had collapsed from laughter and was twitching. His hat having fallen off. "I-I saw my utopia...N-now...to get back to the matter at hand...Guh fuu! I'll tell you anything you want to know..."
Soon enough They got settled again. And Undertaker had yet again offered Her a biscuit, possibly as a reward for making him laugh. She took it, eagerly eating it. "For a while now I've occasionally had clients who are...How shall I say, lacking, you see. Guh fuu!"
"Lacking?..." Asked Sebastian. Undertaker had his back turned. "Yes, quite lacking." He soon pulled out a anatomy of a dummy. His fingers delicately caressing the cheek of it. "Their innards, that is."
Everyone looked grossed out. Claudia included.
"Before my clients can rest easy on their beds. I must get them nice and clean yes? Like putting back whatever spilled out...And examining them as I do my little duty is a little hobby of mine, you see?"
Almost everyone in the room became sickened, thinking He used the beakers in their hands for the bodies. Claudia seriously doubted it. Lau whiped his mouth. "So they were lacking a kidney and somesuch? In that case, the killer is a loan shark..."
"Chinese cellar rats think of the most disturbing things! Thats not what I meant. It is something only a prostitute...A female would posses..."
"...A womb..." Claudia interrupted, earning a grin from Undertaker. And everyone else in the room looked horrified. Of course, never Sebastian. "Goodie. Least we have one bright one in the room tonight. Lately, I've been seeing a rise in such "clientele" all of a sudden...And their crimson "rouge" is becoming gaudier by the day. It's all keeping me veeery busy~."
"Even with few passers-by, committing murder on the street...moreover, in the dead of night...Would it not be difficult for an amateur to cut out the womb with the necessary precision?" Sebastian said, eyes on Undertaker now.
"Quite the bright candle, aren't we, master butler? I have considered that myself." He said, motioning to a flickering candle at his side. He then stood up and walked towards Claudia. Only to surprise her as his hand touched her shoulder.
Claudia's eyes slightly widened at Undertaker's advances. His hand moved delicately on her throat. The other was on her stomach. Her eyes looked nervously at Ciel. He just watched with interest. But then, Undertaker had placed his nose right up against her ear. His breath lightly tickled her. She was trying not to flinch away.
"Well...Lets see..." His first words caught her off guard. A chill went down her back. His voice had been deep. But it was clear he wasn't finished yet.
"First, I'd take somethin' sharp...And slash the throat..." Claudia felt his nails run along the skin of her throat. She swallowed in reflex. "..So the poor dear cannot call for help..."
She didn't remember him being this creepy. And the fact she was getting chills was not helping. But it was normal. Humans always had a sensitive spot. He just unfortunately found it.
"Then I'd cut into this part...Right here..." His hands caressed her stomach, making her swallow nervously in reflex more. "...And steal away the little precious..." Now she was growing uncomfortable as he was pressing his cheek against hers now. "The skill involved,...The lack of hesitation, points to a professional...And most likely, someone from the under world at that..."
"And that is why I knew you would come here...Phantomhives." He smirked wickedly, his hand on her throat now slowly gliding down her neck and down to her arm, which he lightly squeezed. Though it went unnoticed by everyone. He was teasing her for some odd reason.
"If there were a possibility tha' the killer belonged to the underworld...I expected you would be summoned here without fail." Claudia could feel his chest vibrating with his spoken words. It was oddly comfortable.
But soon he stood up straight, letting go of Claudia. She found it easier to breathe. "Heed my words. Another will die...And so will the murders continue... Until someone stops them." He then went back to his desk, leaning against it, his fingers on his chin. "Can you stop the killer...Aristocrat of evil, Earl Phantomhive?"
Ciel had gotten up, and now Sebastian was dressing him. As usual. Why couldn't Ciel learn to put on his own clothes? "By our family coat of arms. I vow to eliminate, without exception, all who defile the gardens of the queen. By any means I find necessary."
"Excuse out intrusion, Undertaker." Ciel ended, but noticed his sister didn't move. "Claudia, are you staying?" He asked.
"Just for a bit dear. I need to catch up on old friends." She said, earning a sly smile from Undertaker. Ciel pouted, before leaving the shop. Claudia the turned to Undertaker, a big grin on her face. "You haven't aged a day. It's good to see you."
He smiled at the compliment. "You've grown into a lovely woman. Seems like yesterday all you wanted to do was chase butterflies and find the white rabbit."
"Indeed. I still am the same now I believe." She snickered softly, earning a sly smile from Undertaker. "I got that impression still. And you still have that chubby face of yours." He teased, earning a pout from her. "Its a baby face."
"But you're no longer a baby anymore, are you?" He asked, reaching out and poking her cheek. She pouted again. "No. I am not." She didn't mind he was being so touchy with her. Who cared? They were alone.
"Now, where have you been after all this time?" He asked curiously. Claudia sighed. "I was in private schooling learning to be a proper noble woman. Needless to say I sort of well, flunked my classes." She admitted. Undertaker snickered, glad she was so open.
"And most private schools are so stiff...Glad you retained that humor and energy in you." He grinned, dusting off some books.
As they began to reminisce about the old days. Claudia had no idea what was unfolding outside with her family. And what would only become of the painful truth later on.
…/\/\/\...
"Claudia! You know the rules! You have to be in bed by eight!" Squeaked Vincent as he was trying to catch a tiny Claudia who kept ducking under the pool table. Several friends watched in annoyance. They thought of her as a pest some times. But never Vincent.
Claudia tried to be quick in her judgment, and quickly darted out from someones legs. But felt someone grab her by her arm. "Gotcha, my dear." Spoke a deep swooping voice. Claudia blinked and slowly looked up, seeing it was one of Vincent's former acquaintance. Undertaker. So it was his legs she darted out from. Her eyes slightly lit up. She knew Undertaker. He would bring her candy or something sweet every time he was around.
"Now, didn't your father say it was time for bed? Are you not tired, little one?" He asked gently, surprising her that he wasn't being scolding. She then giggled. "Nope! Not tired!" She claimed, a goofy smile on her face. She was such a tiny little thing. And her chubby cheeks made her more adorable.
"Tha's too bad. Why stay up late when you can be up and ready earlier tomorrow to play games with your father?" He asked, tilting his head to the side, a yellow green glow emitting from behind his bangs. Claudia paused, as though confused about something. "I d-don't wanna."
"We all have to do somethin' we don't like every once in a while dear." He explained, reaching out with his free hand and slowly petting her head, the touch was odd to her. "...You sure you're not …...tired?..." He asked, his voice changing again. It went even deeper.
Now Claudia was feeling strange. She felt an odd compulsion to go to sleep right then and there. "N-No..." She struggled to speak but she felt heavy. Her eyes drifted closed. And before she knew it she had passed out. Undertaker had a hold of her carefully, and quickly pulled her into his lap, where she curled up in a ball and her hands gripped his sash cutely.
Vincent did not look amused. "You sure you should be doing that to her?" He asked him. Undertaker shrugged with a grin."No harm done. It wears off with no side affects, Earl. She'll simply wake up and not remember what I've done." He said, putting his overly long sleeve over Claudia as a makeshift blanket. "Besides, she's quite taken with me." He explained, watching as Claudia nuzzled her face against his stomach. He probably felt comfortably cool to her.
"That is true. Shes always asking if you brought sweets when you're here." He said, a faint smile on his face. Undertaker chuckled softly. "Children are easily amused..." He said simply, his long fingers gently caressing Claudia's cheek. Her sleep deepened more, as though under some spell. She made faint soft sounds.
"She'll be going to a private school soon. Since Rachel is nearing birth." That made Undertaker smirk. "My my, sending her off early? You sure you'd want to do that before she has the child? Perhaps let Claudia get to meet her siblin' before she goes on this big adventure?"
Vincent stared at the sleeping form of Claudia, his eyes softening. Claudia was his miracle child. Her mother died from giving birth to her. And Claudia herself was clinging desperately to life herself the first few days out of the womb. And her health since then had been iffy. She would some times feel very ill, or even have constant fevers.
"Perhaps you're right...Yes, I'll let her see her sibling once born...But soon after she'll need to get her education." He said with certainty. Undertaker didn't respond, simply glancing down at Claudia. "...She bears an iconic resemblance to your mother...Only more tiny." He smirked.
"She may be small, but she carries some spitfire. I'm sure she'll bare the name Phantomhive well." he said with certainty. He snickered, "Tha' she will...And carry on the Villainous Nobleman bloodline..." He teased, a cocky smirk on his face.
Only this smirk had been different, a pair of fangs gleamed in the candle light. It gave true to his nature, but that wasn't all, his hidden eyes glowed the brightest yellow green, glowing brighter then the candle ever could. Claudia continued to sleep quietly on Undertakers lap, seemingly unaware of the world around her, and even appeared to feel safe where she lay.
Vincent didn't answer, but the look on his face was clear. That she would indeed carry that title. It was almost a curse. A curse that would drag through time and possibly...
Through the blood and mud...
