Imperfections & Flaws
Chapter 2: Goodbye Old Friend, Hello New Friend
The memory of the talk between Lance and I had been burned into my memory. I mean, when someone talks to you hysterically while yelling about people that didn't exist, or rather things, you kind of have it lingering around your head for days. I didn't do it the next day, though. I had told him I would try it, give it a chance. I just didn't know when I would, or if I even could. You see, here it's hard to get outside. We have these things called privileges. In order to get them, you had to be a good toy and listen to your owner. I didn't want to do that, however, and I was immediately deemed as a defected toy apart from the rest. I wasn't about to go and hand myself over so easily.
I sat in the corner of my confinement with Ret snoring lightly on the other side of the room. This was for precautions as there would be dire consequences if the both of us were caught within a foot of each other. Gideon had agreed to let us board together, but as long as he and I didn't come into contact with each other. It often felt as if we were separated by an invisible wall, hearing and seeing each other but not being able to touch or hold. It was a painful experience as we had been caught before and given a painful punishment to help remind us where we stood. This place was a hell, a hell like no other. A hell I desperately wanted to get out of, no matter what the cost. This was when I had decided; when I was sitting on the opposite end of Ret watching him sleep. I was going to do it; I was going to try to contract a demon.
In order to do that first, I needed to either be a good toy and hand myself over like I didn't value my existence or individuality, or I could attempt to find a way out via escape route. I chose the latter.
I had waited for Ret to wake up before I tried to come up with my plan. I wanted to tell him personally that he could not be involved and that if I got caught, I would be solely responsible.
The bad part about this plan was that his reaction was different from what I expected. Instead of the calm approval, he tried to lash out at me. Grab me. Anything that would pull my body to him. It didn't work because I backed up, remembering the consequences of what would happen if contact were to happen between us. Once he, too, remembered, he backed up a bit back to his corner. His gaze didn't shift and his glare intensified.
"When did you come up with this? When were you actually going to tell me? Why are you abandoning me? What happened to the blood compact? What happened to us?" He kept firing questions after questions, not giving me any time to reply to them.
"Look, Ret, I'm being honest here. I came up with the plan today while you were sleeping. I was going to tell you once you woke up. The only reason why I'm doing this is because if I were able to succeed in my plans, I would be able to free us both. The blood compact still applies, I would never abandon you. Ret, you've been with me through thick and thin, the last thing I want to do is to leave you hanging. Don't lose your faith in me, just believe. I'll be okay," I tried telling him. His facial expression didn't stir as he still gazed at me with a frantic look in his eyes.
I felt sorry; I honestly didn't expect him to react like this. I thought he would be supportive of my decisions. I mean, after all, it was for the benefit of us not me.
"I don't like this idea, but I want to do whatever I can to help. I won't feel right unless I do something. It doesn't matter what, just as long as I'm helping you," he told me, looking away. His body slumped even further, displaying that he had admitted defeat.
I smiled weakly and moved my hand so that my chin could rest on it. "Ret, thank you. You don't know how much this means to me; I mean, it means a lot. Like…you don't even know."
Ret turned his head around and narrowed his eyes. He then whispered, "When were you planning on escaping? That way…you know… I could work out a time frame…"
"About early in the morning, before the sun rises."
"That'll work. Everyone's asleep by then and the researchers are in their labs or in bed. Yeah, that'll work. Tomorrow?"
"Tonight."
"What! Why?"
"I need to do it as soon as possible, Ret. The sooner the better. Just think of it as your freedom, it's better to have it now than later."
"Y-yeah. Alright then. Let's start now. What's the plan?"
"I was thinking that you stay here and I sneak through the halls, but since you want in I guess you can be my lookout."
"Alright then, let's go."
That was that. Ret and I stood up, nodded to each other, and both headed towards the door. Ret opened it and peered down both sides of the hall. It was empty, save the candles that poorly lit the dim halls. Ret turned back to me and nodded. That was when the escape started.
I ran to the left first, following Ret. The halls here were like a maze, but good thing the researchers didn't do any renovations to it. It was the same as the old Weather Fain's we had grown up exploring. It didn't take long as we both reached the front entrance. We were so close; I could practically smell the fresh air wavering in through the small cracks in the door's hinges.
"Where do you defected toys think you're going?"
At that voice, my eyes went wide like deer caught in headlights. I turned around slowly to see Gideon throwing me an irked look of annoyance as it was early in the morning. He was holding something, something squirming in his arms. Only then did I notice that the 'thing' squirming was Ret.
"Ret! Let him go!" I yelled. My heart started pumping faster; I could practically feel the blood flowing through my veins. My breathing became ragged, my palms sweaty.
"How do I say this…no. I refuse. He's my property and so are you. Now be a good toy and head back to your room with me, I promise your punishment won't be that bad tomorrow," he replied. The left side of his mouth twitched upwards into an eerie grin. His hand reached forward and beckoned me to him.
"I-I refuse! Let Ret go!" I repeated once more. My demands were easily ignored as Gideon reached into his right pocket and pulled out a tiny syringe. He adjusted Ret so that his left hand could go to the syringe and flick it, releasing droplets of a translucent liquid. His eyes shifted slowly from the syringe, to Ret, then to me.
"Do you want to know what this is, dear Ophelia? This," he said holding the syringe closer to Ret's neck, "is a poison sample retrieved from a deadly spider here in these labs. It's so potent and has the ability to kill off forty men in ten minutes if the antivenin is not administered within that time frame. Just imagine what it would do to one adolescent boy." His grin grew even wider, a few chuckles escaping from his mouth.
Seeing the needle inch closer to him every second, Ret started kicking harder and harder to try to get away. I panicked. I didn't know what to do. How would I save Ret? How would I save myself? I didn't even know that I was panicking so much until I felt the watery liquid that had dropped from my face hit the floor.
"Now, now Ophelia. Don't cry. It'll mar that disgusting face of yours. I believe the death of your beloved friend will make you evolve as that is what I am striving for: evolution and the purification of the disastrous genes that came before it."
I stood there frozen; the needle was practically at Ret's neck now. It was threatening to puncture his neck and hit his veins. My eyes locked with him, sending signals of desperation, regret, and apologies towards his way. His eyes seemed to soften and his face shifted from frightened to accepting. No words had left his mouth, but his lips formed the words, "I love you". Those words hit Ophelia hard as they snapped her out of her trance.
It was too late, the needle had slipped into his flesh and the syringe had been pressed. Once the syringe was empty, there was a minute of silence before a scarring scream was heard from Ret. He screamed, kicked, and bashed. Gideon released him and shoved his body to the other side of the room. There, Ret had fallen still. From where I stood, I could see that Ret was foaming at the mouth, his face twisted and frozen in a final scream of agony.
I didn't blink. My best friend had just died before me. I looked back to the monster who had taken away the only thing left in this world for me. He was only standing there, smiling happily as if nothing had ever happened. No, this wouldn't do. This isn't justice. This isn't fair.
I turned around and ran. On my way out, I could hear that heartless man say, "That's right, run Ophelia. Run and run, but in the end, you'll run back to me. I own you. You are mine. Nobody else's! Grow strong Ophelia, and let your hate for me nourish you. Mine and mine only until the end~!" Then chuckling, wicked slow chuckling.
I didn't know where I was running as I wasn't paying attention. Only Ret's death was replaying through my head, over and over. I couldn't take it anymore. I stopped and collapsed on the ground, trying my best to catch my breath. My hand instinctively reached up and grabbed my chest right above my heart. It was aching so badly that I didn't even know what to do. Maybe water, yeah water. It would calm my nerves and I'll just sit to clear my head by a tree or something.
Finding a stream wasn't as hard as there was a rushing sound followed by splashing nearby. I walked over to the stream and fell on my knees. My face hovered over the stream and I stared into the reflection. The girl in the water was looking at me with an empty look in her eyes. Her hair was in a horrible condition, the brown started turning into a black from all of the grime and dirt that had collected over the months. Her face was filthy as well as her outfit. The girl in the water was practically just wearing rags. I narrowed my eyes in sorrow as I realized that girl in the water was me. I took this opportunity to clean up a bit and wash away the filth as best as I could. While doing so, I looked up and across from me was a forest of trees. It seemed that I had run off into a forest or field of sorts.
After washing up, I stood up slowly. Trying not to apply even more pressure on my already weak legs, I staggered over to the nearest tree and sat down under it. The sun was already rising and it seemed as if it were early morning. I looked around, not noticing anything significant but three other trees surrounding me in a circle. At first, it wasn't anything suspicious as they were just trees, but the way they were placed seemed like they surrounded me in a circle. I glanced around and noticed that the other trees nearby were scattered and not placed like this. Then it hit me. Was this the place Lance was talking about? To contract the demon?
My interest was piqued as I tried to stand up, using the tree as a support. I looked around frantically for a spider web covered in morning dew. When Lance was talking about this, he made it sound simpler than it was. It took me a good twenty minutes before I could actually find one, and this one was a tiny one at that. There was also a medium sized spider resting on it. I didn't know how to go about this as I didn't want to disturb the resting creature. I slowly reached my hand out and held it up to the spider.
Even though this spider didn't seem poisonous, it was best not to trust it as Ret's death gave me a whole new reason to fear these creatures.
The spider didn't move at first, but then slowly started to crawl down the web then onto my hand where it rested. I turned my body, holding my hand still, and placed it on a nearby branch. The spider crawled off and towards the inside hollow of the tree. I let out the breath I was holding in and turned my attention back to the spider web. It was starting to get warmer, so I knew that early morning would be over soon. I sucked my breath in and walked into the spider web. The dew and web didn't feel any different on my face. It felt as if there was a thin fabric on my face, but it wasn't noticeable. I looked around for any trees that stood out from the rest, and found that there wasn't any. I turned back around and was about to wipe the spider web off my face when I remembered the tree that I was sitting under. There was three other trees surrounding it and I was sitting in the middle.
I quickly walked back to where I recalled I sat and looked at the tree. At first, I didn't do anything but marvel at the tree as I took in the details that it exhibited. The leaves were different from the other trees surrounding it, instead of being circular and pointed at the tip like any normal leaf; the leaves on this tree were pointed at odd angle. The color was a slightly darker green and took on a blue-ish hue. I shook my head and snapped out of my wandering thoughts.
"Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel. Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel," I kept repeating these words, but nothing happened. I closed my eyes and tried again. "Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel."
That was when I noticed the sounds around me disappeared. I no longer heard the nearby birds or the sound of the stream flowing. I opened my eyes only to meet pitch darkness.
"Are you the human who called for me?" A voice echoed from a far distance.
"Y-yes…Show yourself!" I exclaimed in all directions.
"Quite a bold one you are. What do you wish for? I can grant you anything, in exchange for something else of course. Something I want," the voice sounded like it was getting closer and closer.
"I-I don't know what I want yet," I replied. My eyes started to flick all around me, trying to figure out where I was.
"Foolish human. If you do not know what you desire the most, then do not waste my time," the voice boomed back. Now, it almost appeared that the voice was right in front of me. I looked forward and there it was, a giant spider crawling down a web towards me. Instead of the normal eight eyes, there was a mask. A human mask.
"No, wait! Just let me think for a few seconds! You say I can have anything I want right?"
"Yes, that is a part of the exchange. Anything you desire, I will grant it."
"In exchange for what?"
"You do not know? When you contract with a demon, you are exchanging your soul for what you want. Of course, do not let that deter you from making your choice."
"…Before I do make my choice, I want to see what you look like. Show me your face."
The demon seemed shocked at my request, as if nobody had ever asked it to reveal itself.
"What form do you want me to assume?"
"You can change forms? Well…the one that you're most comfortable with. I don't mind."
"Very well," he said. Then, there was blackness again. I tried to adjust my eyes but failed. Once the darkness was over, there stood in front of me a man appearing to be in his late twenties. His hair was parted. The majority of his hair was swept upwards to the right with bangs caressing the sides of his face. He had sharp facial features and golden eyes that seemed cold and emotionless. "As you requested."
"W-wow…you actually look handsome," I muttered subconsciously.
"Yes, my previous master was a slightly older woman than you that only wanted riches and fame. She preferred beautiful people, as she stated."
"My, what a vain person she was," I replied nonchalantly.
"Indeed. Now, back to the topic at hand. What is your request of me?" He asked, bowing in the process.
"I…I wish for revenge. However, during that period in which you help me enact my revenge on the people who have wronged me, you are not to hurt me. You are to always protect me, never hurt me, and are to answer me at the beck and call. In exchange, you will get my soul when all of the people who have ever given me injustice have paid. Is this a reasonable request?"
"Very well, your request is granted," the demon stated before he started walking closer to me. Although he started off with a walk, he was in front of me in no time.
There was barely any space between us save the small gap that was threatening to close.
"Where would you like me to place the sign of our contract? May I note that the more obvious the place, the stronger the contract." He whispered. His breath hit my face and sent me spiraling elsewhere as I never had contact with anyone else outside of the orphanage this close.
"M-my...tongue. That's obvious right? But when I talk, people won't be able to see it."
"Very well, my lady," he said before grabbing my jaw and opening my mouth. He then dipped his head closer to my mouth and placed his lips on mine. My eyes opened wide as I've never kissed or been kissed by anyone. I had no idea what he was doing as I tried to shove him away. It didn't work as he was a demon and physically stronger than me. He then looked me straight in the eyes and then I started to relax more. His eyes were red and glowing now, as if he put a charm over me. My body went from tense to relaxed as I began to slump and lean on him. His tongue found mines and lifted it up. He proceeded to bite it hard, causing me to jolt and scream in pain. So that's why he kissed me, he was applying the contract's seal. After a minute of searing pain, he let go of me and helped me stand up. "I'm sorry. I should have told you first that the contract is applied via my fangs. My venom is what creates the seal tying me to you. As you can see, my seal was previously placed on my neck. Where would you like to place my seal?" The demon asked, bowing once more in an attempt at an apology.
"…Don't do that again, ever. I'd prefer it if the seal was somewhere obvious on you too…your tongue. Place it on your tongue. That way, when you talk it won't stand out seeing as you don't open your mouth as much. By the way, what did your previous master call you? That way, I don't have to keep referring to you as 'demon'," I replied, inspecting my tongue in my mouth to see if the puncture wounds were still there. They weren't.
"As you wish, my lady. On my tongue it is, then. My previous master referred to me as Claude Faustus, even though that is not a very flattering name."
"Alright then. By the way Claude, do you have anything you can wear over your eyes? Like glasses or can you change their colors? Your piercing eyes make it hard for direct eye contact," I stated as I my eyes drifted away from his gaze.
"I can not change them, as I do not like altering my form often. However, I do have glasses from my previous master," he said as he reached into his front pocket of his vest and pulled out glasses with a thin steel frame. "Will this do?"
"Yes, it'll do fine. Thanks. One more question though, where would I start with this…with my revenge?"
"I can not tell you, as this is your revenge. I am only here to assist you. I would recommend, however, finding shelter first. There is a town near here, quite vastly populated. London, I believe it's called. Shall we head there?"
"Yes, let's head there first. Claude, what can you do as a human?"
"I used to be a butler, but I am proficient at anything and everything."
"Then I need you to pick up an occupation while I find one for myself. This is your first order."
"Very well, my lady. As you command, I am loyal only to Lady Ophelia."
"…How do you know my name?"
"I'm a demon, I know everything and anything."
"I don't feel safe knowing that, but since you know my name I might as well introduce myself first. My name is Ophelia Lockhart Gray, according to the files that I was registered under at the orphanage. I don't use my last name though, as I feel it no longer has any significance to me. You can just call me Ophelia, no need for the 'master' or 'lady' titles," I told him blatantly.
"As you wish, Ophelia."
"Good, now go off and find yourself a stable occupation. I believe an inconspicuous place will be good, try a bakery or book store."
"Yes, Ophelia. As you command."
Claude left immediately, leaving Ophelia to sit and wait for him to come back. It had only been about thirty minutes before he reappeared before her and knelt on one knee to address her.
"As you have commanded, I have obtained a job at a bookstore. It is a part time job, but it will sustain us while you figure out what you want to do with your revenge. I have also found a small flat across the street from a morgue owned by a man that keeps to himself. We should be fine there for a long time."
"You were faster than I thought, Claude! Oh, and good job on finding a job and a place to stay. Thank you."
"I've also found you some clothes to change out of, as it would be suspicious if you were to come to London dressed like that," he said pointing out the state of my clothes which had seemed to turn to rags, exposing a large portion of skin. More skin than a lady should reveal.
"Ah, yes. Thank you," I said as I took the clothes he held out to me and ran behind a tree to change. The corset was the hardest to put on as I haven't worn one in such a long time. "C-Claude? I need help! I…I don't know how to put on this corset. Can you please help me?" I asked shyly.
"Of course, Ophelia. Anything for my lady."
Claude appeared behind me and started to weave the laces through the matching holes. Soon enough, he tightened the corset and tied it then left to give me privacy.
"Thank you!" I exclaimed quietly. I continued to slip on more articles of clothing until I was wearing a slim dress that didn't flare out as much as other women's dresses would. "I think you did my body frame justice Claude, this dress fits me well. Again, thank you."
"Anything for my lady. Shall we head off Ophelia? I have called a carriage already and it is waiting for us."
"Yes, let's go."
A/N: Well, how is it so far? :] Please tell me if you have suggestions or comments. Anything to keep me going will do.
So the part with Claude kissing Ophelia was not expected, was it? ;] It doesn't mean anything though, as he was just simply placing the contract's seal on her via his venom. As his demon form is shown as a spider, I figured to have a creative way for his contract to be formed as it doesn't speak about it much in Kuroshitsuji 2.
Thank you for keeping up with this story! ^ u ^
