YAAAAY! I have fanfic groupies! :D Special thanks to chukaliteluvver and Lazy Gaga!
Thanks for your support! I think that what happens in the coming chapters may create a fannon explanation of what I'm trying to get to... um... never mind my wind bagginess LOL
Okay so, as this is an EdgarxGregory fic (but not yaoi, technically) and while I know you all are just totally itching terribly to find out what happens next with Gregory, this chapter is more focused on Edgar. But Greg is in this one too ;)
Chapter II: The Violet Rose...
That night was a very difficult one. Each Perfect returned to their dorm with grave despair; after learning about Gregory's terminal illness; no one hardly got any rest.
At the Red House, Edgar was pretty distraught like his colleagues. No matter how old one is, dealing with issues concerning death takes a toll on youth. To think he had planned to work on his literature tonight. Edgar rests his head on the back of his wing backed chair, unable to move or think. He simply couldn't imagine the P4 without Gregory. A knock on the door shakes the blonde from his thoughts, causing him to go and answer, seeing Joanne there with something. Joanne bows "Sorry to bother you boss, but I forgot to give you this... a telegram from the Viscount of Druitt" "Oh uncle... I should have received this earlier" the blonde Perfect replies, taking the note from his fag. "Most apologetic. It won't happen again... have a good night..." Joanne goes to walk away, and Edgar shouts back, "And... let's keep the Perfect of Violet in our prayers..." Joanne nods before continuing on.
Edgar sits and sips his tea, actually happy his uncle wrote him this time. He usually didn't like being bothered by his relatives, but this would help get his mind off Gregory. He opens and reads, "Many salutations my dear Edgar, I have been anticipating a follow up with my favorite darling nephew and his most recent endeavors concerning Sir Reginald of York III's coming visit to London. This greatly accomplished man of eloquently profound status is of worth his weight in gold as I've researched, and the possibility of him mentoring our family's newest blossoming rose, truly raptures my soul! I hope you are with some inspiration for your short novel to present, time shortens by each moment we breath, and Sir Reginald is to arrive next month, so do conclude your work in time, my sweet nephew. With kindest regards, Your Uncle Aleister Chamber..."
Edgar all but cringed the whole way reading. He had forgotten what his uncle was like and never savored his notes. Druitt was a bit... well, embarrassing with how froufrou he was, and it never sat well with him that the other Perfects knew of Druitt being his relative. There was always a thought that he'd inherit traits of his queer uncle. Suddenly, there's another knock on his door. Edgar grumbles to himself before kindly shouting, "please come in". He sees Herman Greenhill and Lawrence Bluer enter. He so did not have time for them.
"You do realize the time. We have class and other duties to attend to early tomorrow, you know" "This is more important I feel" Herman starts, straightening his tie, "these are Gregory's last days with us... in all honesty, I think he will... depart from us sooner than a month's time... I feel we should gather with our fags and accompany Violet for some time tonight. Its best to atone for any issues we had with him and have his life ending on a good note..." "While in a normal setting that would be so, but tradition is absolute" Bluer starts while fixing his specs, "There's nothing in regulations sanctioning such. My suggestion is to report Violet's issue to the vice principle and during fag time tomorrow, visit Violet". "Lawrence..." starts a calmly irate Perfect of Green Lion, "Gregory Violet IS DYING... Does that matter to you at all? He may not even wake tomorrow, and I want to at least clear my conscience and have my last moments with him be in good terms"
"Pathetic!" Lawrence retorts as he starts developing irritation. "PATHETIC?! Now just who are you to call pathetic... bookworm?!" Herman's emotions were getting the best of him. Not a good thing for a man his height, weight, and athletic status. "Tradition ranks supreme" Lawrence continues, "the traditions of Weston College always has the verdict. Faltering in the slightest shows a lack of discipl-AGH!" In a swift flash, Lawrence found the front of his entire wardrobe knotted in one gigantic fist, as he faces Herman nose to nose. "Lack of discipline you say..." Herman hisses, clearly offended with being labeled "pathetic". "How would you like to experience a good dose of my, lack of discipline, eh chap...?!" Edgar couldn't believe his eyes; Herman looked as if he'd really sock Lawrence in the face. "Gentlemen, that's quite enough!" the Perfect of Scarlet stands with a strong sense of disapproval. "We are supposed to be the PERFECTS. I'm surprised with the way all of us are behaving. Where's your sense of dignity? Both of you?"
Greenhill and Bluer immediately back away from one another in shame. The trio kinda were just glaring at each other before their eyes settle on Edgar, who was most unsatisfied with them. "Herman, Lawrence, this is the last time to not-" before he could finish, it hits him that all of this trouble is stemming from Gregory's illness, and the thought of losing a member was simply having a negative effect on them. He calms down before yelling and shakes his head. "We need time to ourselves, at the moment. I suggest that it's most advised to discuss this with the vice principle, and possibly visit Violet later. It wouldn't be advisable to drag our current qualms around Gregory. He's ill and just learned... that... He needs some time to collect his thoughts and cope with... with all of this..."
Edgar couldn't bring himself to say it. It's so hard to face losing a member, let alone a Perfect. In all honesty, it comes to the poetic Scarlet Perfect that Lawrence probably doesn't want to face this at all. Very understandable. "Please leave..." Bluer and Greenhill said not another word. They leave with nothing to say. The young blonde slowly makes his way to his desk, his mind was even worse off than before the visit from his friends. He takes his uncle's telegram and decides to reply. With a clean paper out, he starts writing back, "Dear Uncle, my kindest appreciation for your interest in my affairs. Though the excitement of possibly mentoring under Sir Reginald of York is beyond measure, I just received word that my friend, Perfect of Violet Wolf Gregory Violet, has befallen a fatal condition. The campus doctor gave him approximately 30 days before expiring..."
Edgar pauses right there... eyes glassing up again. After taking that moment, he starts writing again, "It has devastated all the students. The other Perfects and myself plan to accompany him with all our free time, assuring his last days be filled with happiness..." From here an idea comes to Edgar as he writes, "I will offer him a violet rose commemorating our friendship, and that it may never end, regardless of death-" GASP! Edgar was struck with inspiration, he begins to finish his letter with great excitement, "... my inspiration, uncle! The Violet Rose: a short novel centered around an everlasting bond between two souls, great enough to heal, and even stave death away from the other... This work will be a dedication to Gregory Violet... I'll have a copy made for you to review once completed. Sincerely, Edgar Redmond..."
Edgar was thrilled right now, and finally overcame some of the sadness he was feeling. The problem is time. He didn't know when Gregory would... well, leave them. He needed to act now and have his work completed soon enough to at least share it with his expiring friend. He gets a pin and starts to write another note, one for himself. Ideas flooded his mind left and right, as he tried putting everything in mind on paper. This ran a course of a good long six hours...
Its daybreak, rise and shine time for the students. However, this was a difficult morning. Edgar spent nearly half the night writing, and now, he was wasted, in no shape to get to school.
Ciel was completely aloof of the disparity hovering over Weston, as were most other Sapphire Owl students. When it came to class at 6:30am, most all the Blue students were on time, all the other dorms, it was a different story. A few from the Scarlet Dorm never makes it to class, while some from Green Lion are also absent. Ciel notices something and using his contract, he signals Sebastian to investigate immediately. "Now this is the suspicious activity I've long been anticipating. Hopefully I will have results..."
Before he takes his seat, the Earl of Phantomhive sees Clayton with a strange expression on his face. Ciel had to know what was going on, wishfully hoping this would turn into a lead. "Good morning, Clayton" he starts cordially, "pleasant morning so far..." "Unfortunately I cannot say the same..." Clayton responds with a sigh, "Is that so?" Ciel inquires as Clayton shakes his head, "I'll... never mind..." "You can tell me... I'm your trusted fag?" Ciel says with a coy smile. With a breath taken and a thought gone, Clayton answers, "I'm... concerned about Lawrence Bluer, the Perfect of our dorm..." "Oh, is something the matter?" Ciel was utterly curious, not remembering Sebastian's report from yesterday. Clayton continues, "Bluer didn't even speak to me yesterday evening, or this morning. He seems terribly distraught about something, not sure what it is. My concern is it's something severe; nothing shakes his ground, he's the strictest of the Perfect 4..."
Ciel just shrugs in response, as the memory of yesterday struggles to rekindle, "oh yeah, I bet it has to do with that quarrel between them, but... what was it?" Ciel ponders, his answer to Clayton is different though, "I'm sure it's nothing really... for all we know, it could have been an argument of-" "Never!" Clayton exclaims, "The Perfect 4? In any form of argument? Never happens". Ciel just cooly leaves that alone, and gets to his seat in class. He can feel something is wrong or something about to go wrong...
20 minutes into class session, Vice Principle Johan Agares was up on a ladder placing a book back in its place high up the bookshelf. All of the sudden...
"Meester A'ch'gareez!" The sound of the yell and the door slamming open, causes Johan to slip from surprise, tumble off the ladder, fall to the floor with books tumbling on top of him. The Austrian art instructor stumps his way to the anthill of books piled atop Johan's head, yelling, "weir dh'a studints a'ch'ar? Evr'non iz een clss not!" Johan rises from the pile with a noticeable black eye, straightening his suit, and emotionlessly replies, "you're students aren't in class? What about the Perfect? Surely he's there" "NOT DAR IZ!" Arnold exclaims, "not perzen hav een clss, dis day!". Johan got the message. It was alarming that NO ONE from the Violet Wolf dorm showed up for class. However, the Purple House does have a history of atypical behavior, so this could be one of those times. "Let's investigate-" "Principle Agares!" goes two more voices, belonging to instructors for various classes. Johan learns from them the Perfects of Green Lion and Scarlet Fox weren't in class, as well as several students from those dorms. NOW Johan is alarmed.
"Very well, let's all investigate this shenadigan and get to the bottom of it. I'm certain something is seriously wrong" They all headed out the door, Arnold slamming the door shut behind him as he ran out. "De clss iz gon fi'ch'sen, and dis mus'ch't kno wat wrong iz" Arnold explains as he ran, only to not get a response. He looks behind himself to see the vice principle was not behind him. As he runs back to the office door and opens, there Johan stands, with a bloody handkerchief over his nose, "please mind me" goes a very calm Johan, "the welfare of the students is far more important than my nose". From there the vice principle follows Arnold out to investigate what's going on.
Ciel was in class, but receives a signal from Sebastian through their contract. He then raises his hand, "Pardon me, sir" Ciel says to their instructor, "allow me to use the restroom, thanks" He hurriedly runs out of class and into the hall, right where Sebastian stood. "Sebastian?" "Master," starts the faithful demon, "There's uproar about to happen. Many students have not attended any classes today, and the instructors have all reported this to Vice Principle Agars. The entire Violet Wolf dorm did not attend class, nor did the Perfects of the Green Lion, Scarlet Fox or Violet Wolf Dorms" "So thwart's why Clayton is acting strange..." Ciel begins to conclude, "I believe it may have something to do with Gregory's ailment, OR, that's a cover for something far more sinister" Ciel thinks a moment more, and makes a decision, "I can't leave at the moment. I order you to follow the instructors and learn what you can. IF there is something sinister happening, immediately let the instructors know, so you'll look legitimate when investigating them" "Consider it done master" Sebastian bows before nearly vanishing.
While it was definitely alarming for the instructors to not find the missing students anywhere, one missing Perfect was definitely somewhere other than in class. His dorm room to be exact. It is sometime after 8am now, and Edgar's is still asleep. The only thing that would have woke him before 12pm, was the knock on his door. From that sound he finally wakes, realizing "Oh great Caesar!" he shouts to himself. "I'M LATE!" He leaps out of bed and dashes into the bathroom, trying to get washed up as quickly as humanly possible. "How did I over sleep?! How could I have done this?! ME?! Late?!" By some miracle, he's dressed and ready in ten minutes. Just as he's about to answer the door, he passes his desk and sees his notes. That's when the realization hits; he was up writing his ideas for his novel last night. He then remembers what happened to Gregory, and that his inspiration would be a dedication to him.
With that mentally said, Edgar lifts his notes, thinking, today could be Gregory's last day. In fear of Gregory passing sooner than a month's time, he wants to share his work with him, almost as a gift. "Gasp! Violet!" He needs to see if he was okay. He knew he was already late for class, so meeting Gregory easily becomes more important now. Edgar quickly grabs his notes and places them in a folder before answering the door. He opens to see, Herman of all people standing there, "I've been pounding for the longest" Herman starts, "where were you? I couldn't find you anywhere and now we're late for class" "My deepest apologies" Edgar starts, "I was struck with inspiration last night and decided to dedicate my short novel to Gregory. I suppose I was up longer than anticipated..." Edgar explains, gaining a nod from Herman. "I wanted to visit Violet before attending class, but I wanted you there" Herman says, as Edgar agrees he was off to do the same. As both men were leaving, Edgar turns to see something mighty peculiar left outside his door. A slender vase was there with a... violet rose? Edgar has never even heard of a purple rose of any kind. This sight makes his heart skip some beats. He lifts the rose and stares at it, never had he seen a flower this perfect, not a flaw in sight. He decides to take it with him as he follows his friend to the Violet Wolf Dorm.
Walking to the Purple House was not pleasant for Edgar and Herman. Teachers, instructors and the vice principle were combing Weston for missing students. They encounter their fags who were waiting accompany them in visiting Violet. They finally arrive, after so much dodging and maneuvering, the place was silently eerie. They knock some, and wait. Nothing. That wasn't a good sign. Herman twists the knob to find the door was open. The quartet walks inside finding no one in the hall, or anywhere else on the lower floor. "Where... where is everyone?" Edgar wonders, "I don't know, but I don't like it" Edward replies, looking for a single soul. Joanne was very unnerved, and couldn't help but ask "W-What if Violet already passed, and they... they're having a funer-" "IMPOSSIBLE!" Edgar exclaims, "HE CAN'T BE DEAD! NOT YET!" Edgar cries, and runs off. "Edgar!" Herman cries as he chases after Edgar. All four follows the frantic Scarlet to the stairs, all trying to get to Gregory's dorm room.
They clash at the door to the stairs, before opening to see... it was jam packed with the Violet students, and those from other dorms. Everyone was weeping, mourning, and seemingly trying to get to the Perfect's dorm room as well. As Perfects, Herman commands them to make way so he, Edgar and their fags could see Violet. "Is... is Violet... okay?" Edgar asks one Violet Wolf student, "I-I have no idea!" the boy sobs, "I've been here all morning trying to find out for myself" Edgar pats his shoulder, for the first time, feeling for a student outside his dorm. "Lord... please don't take Gregory from us..." the boy whispers to himself, as he starts weeping." Edgar come, we need to make it to Violet" Herman yells from some higher steps. Edgar was getting a bit emotional for some reason, and found it very hard to leave the boy there. "I'll let you know what's happening when I return" Edgar promises before leaving him, hoping to give him a little hope.
As Edgar follows Herman and their fags, they squeeze around and through the students, mostly Violet Wolf, but some from Scarlet Fox and Green Lion. A very sparse number of Sapphire Owls are present. Everyone is crying and depressed, it was like going up a dark stairway of sorrowing souls, mourning the passing of someone greatly important. This felt so surreal to the poetic blonde Perfect. Soon enough, they are at the top, squeezing by more students who crowded the hallways and are all but camping on the floors. These were all the more privileged students this level. A couple of students zip by as if in a hurry to get something, nearly colliding into Edgar and his group. Finally, they arrive at the door of Gregory Violet's room. The spirit was so heavy and moving; anyone present right now can feel the strife of those by Violet's side.
"I'm Herman Greenhill, Perfect of Green Lion" Herman states to the one blocking the door, "The Perfect of Scarlet Fox is also with me, and our fags, we're here to see the Perfect of Violet". The young man immediately knocks to let them in. Someone answers and then calls for someone inside, who you could hear, called for someone else inside. In a minute, Edgar, Herman and their fags were allowed in. They walk through Gregory's dorm room, which had several Violet Wolf students there awaiting instructions from the bedroom just beyond. The quartet steps into the bedroom, Edgar was the first one in; the bed was surrounded by anxious hooded individuals blocking the view, constantly questioning the fag currently in charge.
"What business you have here?!" Cheslock glares the other Perfects and their fags entering the bedroom. "What do you mean? We're here to see about Violet!" Herman yells, gaining a loud "SHHHHH!" from the hooded crowd encircling the elegant, violet bed. "Get out of here!" Cheslock boisterously protests, "Boss doesn't need to be bothered! He doesn't need anything else making him sick!" "*wheeeeeze*" a groan from the bed catches everyone's attention. There was a low whisper that barely could be heard. Edgar approaches anyway, walking around the crowd, finally seeing Gregory. He was lying on his back, under thick covers, dressed in his silken blue violet sleepwear. On his head was a wet towel, indicating he must have a fever. Along with all that, Gregory was terribly pale. Edgar, cautiously, sits beside the ailing Perfect, while trying not to offend the eccentric fag who's taken charge of the whole affair. Herman and the others also come to stand beside Violet's bed.
It was a moment of silence, Gregory doesn't move nor make a sound, he was just still and seemingly asleep, slowly, shallowly breathing. Edgar wished so much he could hold his hand, but dares not to touch him, unless it's welcomed. "Cheslock..." Edgar starts warily, "How... how well... how has Gregory been?" "Humph" Cheslock was not in a cooperative mood, as usual, "Wouldn't you like to know..." The other surrounding Violets seemed to not be receptive of the other Perfects and their fags, much like Cheslock. "He's ill, what else you think?" He continues, never looking at Edgar, "Boss has had a terrible fever, and puked more than once, can't eat at all. He... he was screaming last night... and was in violent pain" His voice drops while saying that, as he was reflecting on everything that had happened from last night to this point. "All of us did what we could to make him as well as he is now" "Why didn't someone get a doctor?" Herman reasonably questions, "That brain dead already marked him for death, what good would he be?!" the Violet fag snaps, in time for Gregory to moan.
"Boss!" He cries, anticipating a need from Violet. Edgar looks as reddened amethyst eyes open, shifting to peer into worrisome scarlet ones. "... E... Edgar...?" the ill Perfect finally speaks, weakly stretching an anemic hand out towards the figure sitting by his right side. Edgar instantly has Gregory's hand, gingerly cradling it. The poor Violet Perfect tries to lift his head, but to his avail, he just falls back against the pillow. Cheslock swiftly gets a small pillow to lift his boss' head some. So sad, to see their friend wither away like this, in pain, and in misery. Gregory looks at everyone before looking at Edgar, and then, he smiles, very faintly though. "I'm okay... I'm okay..." he whispers, holding onto Edgar's hand, the sight draws tears from the blonde Scarlet. "I... came to see how you were doing..." Edgar says with a forced smile, "So did myself" Herman interjects, walking a little closer.
"Hey, don't get too close!" Cheslock protests, "He needs his air! Back off" "They're... fine..." Gregory struggles with his reply. "Gregory" Edgar starts, "I... I started on a novel I want to dedicate to you. I... won't tell you the whole story, I know how sick you are... but... I wanted to dedicate this novel to you, it's called The Violet Rose, and..." Edgar pauses, failing to remain composed, "it's about the fact, death won't stop our friendship... and... today, I found this Violet Rose for you..." Tears stream from Edgar's eyes, as he offers the rose to his bedridden friend. Gregory takes the majestic purple flower, never having seen one before. "Thank you" he says with a teary smile, "I'm confident, I'll live on through... through you-" "Don't talk much, boss" the Violet fag cries, "you need to relax!" "It will... do me know well, Ches-..." Gregory starts, his eyes falling closed "Don't say that!" his fag cries again, angry tears threatening to fall, "Please... You'll be okay, I know you will. That doctor is wrong! He's wrong, just-!" He grips Gregory's hand real close to himself, as he totally falls apart. Cheslock was lamenting right now, not wanting to face losing his Perfect; it was a sight to see. This seemed to hit him harder than anyone, or, was he just expressing what everyone else was about to? "Don't cry... please don't waste... your tears" Gregory gets upset again, seeing Cheslock of all people cry like this. It was inevitable that everyone would eventually follow suit in shedding tears, as they did. The more they saw and experienced, the closer Gregory's death seems.
It also silenced everyone. Edgar couldn't even finish what he wanted to say, too painful. It grew calm some long minutes, and tears subside finally, it became a reflective moment... until... "I see Bluer isn't here" Cheslock breaks the silence, making an ill remark on the Perfect of Blue House, "I didn't bother to get him" Herman replies, a bit spiteful in tone, "I decided he wouldn't be healthy or encouraging to Violet. I'm not telling him anything else". Something about Herman's spite towards Lawrence softens Cheslock's attitude towards the "outsiders". "I never liked those self absorbed bookworms" he replies, as he leans over to feel Gregory's forehead. "His temperature... it's high again... Marcel, fetch some cold water... and make it quick this time" he orders, "yes sir" says one of the hooded men, who leaves to yell the same instruction for another to carry out.
Gregory rests his weary eyes, as he moaned from horrendous pain. One hand held onto the violet rose from Edgar, while his other hand held onto Cheslock's. His comrades stood around him, letting him know he wasn't alone. The young Perfect slowly drifts into sleep, no one bothered over anything, or cared about any of their usual affairs. Being present with Gregory Violet in his last days took all precedence...
POOOOOR Gregory TTATT what's going on?! At first it was stomach pain, then the bleeding, now fever, vomiting, and he can't eat anything D"X
Well... some shit is about to go down. So many students aren't in class, what will that mean? What will that entail? Will the vice principle learn about Gregory's illness?
Lawrence Bluer may be on reeeeeally bad terms with the other Perfects now. Herman already wanted to sock him in the face, so it's gonna be bad for him now. What do you think will happen to Bluer in regards to the others?
So much happening and going on! Stay tuned! Plz support this fic! And yes, this wasn't the first fic to feature the Public School arc, but I'm the first who's story uses those characters ;D
~GNXmike