Endure with me now. If you've read my stories I usually get right into...it...you know...IT. I'm trying a new approach. Just wanting to build up some well needed tension. Enjoy the ride. As always, I don't own the Kuroshitsuji anything, I only own and own up to my crazy mind.
...
The boat was monstrous. Its' form reminded her of a large bumble bee, Black with yellow trim. Large steam pillars at center, long bow with a sharp stinger of a spirit jutting forth, slicing through the air. Its stern was wide and massive. It was a large bee.
Unfortunately the size of the vessel could not mask its' sway. Cecilia was a somewhat cloistered child. She travelled to and from destinations in carriages and on foot, few hoarse rides out with her father. The only boats she'd been on were the dainty paddle boats on the lake near her home. Their ebb and flow could not even hint at what the actual version could do. From the beginning, she tried to be strong. Her heart beating in her throat as the juggernaut of a boat slowly pulled away from port. Being on the top deck, with the wind rushing over her, the smell of the ocean and cool spray, that was not a problem. The problem was in the cabin. She shared a cramped room with Sebastian. Though her father made sure the finest furnishings were provided for his daughter, the space was not negotiable. The ship they had taken was bound for Morocco. A place she'd read about in books. She was yearning to set her feet on foreign land, to claim a piece of the unknown for herself.
Currently land adventure was far from her mind. She had been ill since the first night when they retired to the cabin. She was exhausted from the land trip to port that she fell asleep instantly. Once her body had gotten a bit of rest, woke to the realization that it was no longer on solid ground. She roused to her stomach churning and immediately lost her bearings. Sebastian was instantly at her side. She didn't even notice his presence until a cool cloth touched her forehead. Her blurry vision focused on the handsome face before her. She was mortified. That thought made her stomach lurch even more.
"Sebastian I apologize for my loss of composure" she stated as proper as she could considering the circumstances.
"There is no need for apologies Mistress. You haven't adjusted to your sea legs yet."
"I think sea fins would be more suitable" Her voice quivered with discomfort
He let out a small laugh. She is a cleaver girl, a combination of her Father and her Mother's wit.
Cecilia felt dizzy and turned limp. Sebastian guided her back to the down pillow. At least she could get some sleep, even if it was from exhaustion. The butler began to notice her flushed face and red lips as he gently wiped her face with the damp cloth starting from her forehead, down her chin, to her neck, down to the seat of her collar bone. Her night gown was slightly opened to reveal a bit of her soft…
Snap out of it fool!
He quickly averted his eyes back to her face, which didn't help the situation. Instead, he focused on wringing the cloth into the water basin. Her breathing was calm and even, the pattern of deep sleep. He sat for a spell on her bed.
"What would your father do if he knew what I was thinking?" he said to the quiet air.
He placed a bit more weight on the bed. He situated his face close to hers. He felt her warmth radiate onto him. He then silently returned to his corner, not to sleep, and not to dream. Demons don't sleep, demons don't dream.
Celia wasn't sure if it was her bad humors or the rocking boat that made the nightmares come. They were filled with horrible creatures; dark figures, solid shadows with piercing red eyes, plumes, tails, fangs, claws. She was a practical girl and could not imagine where the source of these images came from. They started the after first week on the boat when new became routine. She was too exhausted to wake herself up from them. Her days were filled with studying the culture she would be engulfed in and making herself useful on board. There she sat in her dream, crouched behind some bush or tree or piece of furniture, where ever the particular setting was at the time, a silent observer of the macabre show.
Sebastian noticed the furrowed brows as she slept the roll of her eyes under closed lids. The nightmares.
One particular evening when she was stronger, she managed to break the trance. She sat straight up in bed, almost letting out a scream but quickly swallowed that ridiculous reaction to such a childish notion. She saw Sebastian at his corner desk, his back to hers. He was writing away in that ledger journal of his. She stole it one time when she was a child. In her mind then, she thought a bit of color would improve the boring slant of thick black ink. He had caught her in the act. The stern look on his face caused her to swallow her panic, and then with an equal gaze she met his eyes. They stood facing one another for some time as if in a staring contest. Sebastian then let out an amused chuckle. His eyes glinted, hers became confused. He patted her on the head and gently removed the book from her gripping hands.
"Mistress, I would have been happy to have your artwork grace the pages of my book, no need to be secretive" He had said. Sebastian then did an odd thing. It was the first time she had seen him do this gesture to anyone but her father. He knelt down to one knee to level his height to hers, one hand over his chest, the other arm behind his back. "After all, I didn't allow my Mistress to express her passion, what kind of Butler would I be?"
She found it odd at the time. But that signaled the beginning of Sebastian's presence near her, at all times.
She sat silently staring at his back, broad shoulders, and slim frame. He had taken off his overcoat and was in his white pressed shirt with rolled up sleeves to his elbows, still, his gloves remained on. Since the start of their journey together he had been somewhat more formal in her presence. He kept a little more distance between them. He barely made eye contact with her even in their conversations. He still fulfilled his duties as her caretaker with the utmost precision. She was happy to have this butler at her side, but times like these, during the night in unfamiliar rocking boats on unfamiliar seas; she would rather have a friend. She didn't think herself any more than a charge for Sebastian. He still looked at her as if she were a child; he still treated her like one. She didn't want much, just a friend. She hadn't had a true friend for so long.
She quietly stepped out of bed slowly making her way to the seated figure. She thought she was unnoticed. All the while, Sebastian sat, poised, pen in the air, pausing his writing, holding his breath, calming himself as he felt her presence come closer. He had been at her side during the waking nightmare. He swiftly returned to his current position as he sensed her consciousness. He had yet to calm himself from watching her face flushed and her breathing deep, hurried. The sight conjured some feelings, feelings of a mere man, somewhat uncontrollable and very problematic.
She was almost to him, almost within reach. Her arm out poised to touch his shoulder. What then? She asked herself. It was strange. There was some sort of gravity pulling her in despite her shyness, despite nervousness, despite better judgment. Suddenly her senses caught up to her. She retracted her arm as if a snake had snapped at it, then slowly and silently returned to bed. He felt this; he had a moment of relief then a moment of uncalculated action. He turned towards her.
"Mistress" he called out, almost gently. It was too late to take it back. Though it was soft and low, it could be heard in a ships cabin, on the sea, in the middle of a dark and silent night.
She turned towards him. The soft lamp light near her bed surrounded her with a halo. Her gauze gown draping her body to the floor, her dark hair mused and wildly cascading down her shoulders. Her eyes were wide as they met his. Her heart skipped a beat.
"You'll catch a death of a cold without your robe on" He replied. His tone was calm and matter-of-fact.
"Thank you Sebastian. I apologize for disturbing you. I'll go back to bed now" She said turning away from his gaze. Facing him any more right now would be quite an ordeal. Her blushing face would be very evident. She quickly positioned herself back in bed. "Good night Sebastian"
"Good night Mistress" He was very good and hiding himself. Composure was his forte'.
Why did he almost loose it?