Notes: This story is generally for my own self amusement, but I would still love to hear what you may have to say. I would especially like to know if I'm portraying the characters properly. Thank you for reading c: I realize that I've only just uploaded the prologue. I just wanted to give a better idea of how this collection will work. For this series, at least.
"The balance of the worlds are in danger." His voice called out to me from the emptiness. "They will crumble into Nothingness if the wounds are not mended."
I stood as His voice echoed around me. Time was absent in the realm that I was in, and I was currently a newborn. I waited until I was brought to a state where I could speak, which happened to be middle-aged. "I'm guessing you want me to help you fix it?" The time it took for my words to reach Him,and then for his response to reach me was two lifetimes. He responded when I was a child again.
"That is correct. I apologize for giving you such a burden, but you have a physical form while I do not."
"I've done more exhausting things for you already. Travelling through the worlds is not so much of a hassle. What is it this time?' I got a response when I reached my mid-teens.
"Each world has a Key. Each Key is needed in order to lock the worlds back in place. I wish for you to obtain these Keys so that I may stop the worlds from collapsing."
My hand grew twice as large as my face while my legs started to blend into one-another. My face was pulled in all sorts of directions. There is no sense of space or boundaries in here, either. This is Nothingness, after all.
When I found that I could control my mouth once more, I gave Him my response. "That sounds simple enough. Where do I start?"
"Where a child is in the company of a black demon; where the darkness of old England may consume thee; the path to the Key is through a mansion; take thyself to the world of Kuroshitsuji."
I close my eyes and feel Nothingness around me, but I know that what is around me changes. Soon, I hear a number of voices around me. I hear carriages and horses; vendors and customers; parents and children. I open my eyes and see that the ground beneath me is cobblestone. The people around me wear neat clothing, but with dull colours.
The carriage of a nobleman caches my eye and I feel a pulse within me as it goes by. That's one of the few hints that I'll be getting during this quest, so I react to it immediately and begin following the carriage.
I seem to blend in well with the others, since nobody takes much notice to me as I follow the carriage down the road.
As it leaves the town and enters a more secluded route, I find myself slammed against a tree in a split second. My breath hitches from the sudden impact and I lock eyes with a grotesque creature before me. Information immediately flows into my mind as I identify the being before me.
Sebastian Michaelis, butler of the Phantomhive Household. Contracted demon of Ciel Phantomhive, affiliated by the Faustian Contract. Male. Demon. 6"1. Debuted in volume one, chapter one. He is one hell of a butler.
"And what business to you have, following the carriage of the young master?" He asks, his voice smooth and unfitting of his current image.
"Ah, the black demon. That was a lot easier than I expected." I murmured, content with finding the plot so soon after my arrival. I assume that He would have dropped me off nearby anyway so that time wasn't wasted wandering about.
His eyes narrow, most likely questioning my choice of words. The beings of this world don't know about Reality after all, but my words would do no harm, so long as I don't tell them that their world is a figment of another person's imagination. "What a rude little girl, calling me a demon." A smile spreads across his lips, but it's far from welcoming. I offer a faint smile in return.
"Sorry. My eyes haven't adjusted to this world yet. Just give me a moment and I'll no longer see a grotesque demon, but a handsome young butler instead." He says nothing as I close my eyes and reopen them to see the Sebastian that Reality is most familiar with. He wears his signature tailcoat and white gloves. A single black lock of hair settles between his eyes. "I'd appreciate it if you'd let me go. My physique isn't all-too impressive. Well, I suppose I'd be strong enough to pummel a child of Ciel's stature, but that's not what's written in my agenda so there's really no need to worry."
"It would be more reassuring if you didn't say such things, or I may have to end your life here." He does not let go of me, nor does he seem any less wary of me.
I sigh and let my eyes droop for a moment before catching his gaze once more. "Unfortunately, my death with be correlated with yours, as well as Ciel's death, as well as all the other beings of your world. Personally, I'm not sure if I can deal with a kid like him, but I'm afraid it's my job, much like it is yours." My expression is calm, yet somewhat amused.
He seems a little exasperated, which I refrain from smiling at. Finally, he loosens his hold on me, but continues hold me by the shoulder. "It appears that you have some sort of important business with the young master, but I advise you not to act recklessly. I obey all orders given by the young master, after all."
"Oh, I'm well aware of that. In a household with a sniper, a war veteran, and a young boy with inhuman strength, I'd rather not step out of line. Ah, I should be cautious around Mr. Tanaka as well." I smile, now looking up at the demon by my side as we walk towards the mansion. He gives me a curious stare. Subtle, but curious. "Don't worry about what I know. My intentions lie for the greater good for this world, and the Phantomhive Household plays a large role here. If my actions disrupted the balance that has already begun to falter, my own master wouldn't be very happy."
Sebastian seemed to accept this for now and it wasn't long before I reached the grand entrance of the mansion. He stepped forward and opened the door for me, to which I thanked him for. I was guided in and was immediately greeted by the cold glare of the young Earl Phantomhive.
"You never told me I had an appointment today, Sebastian, and with a stranger no less. Who is this girl?"
This was a cue to introduce myself, so I began to filter out names until I found one that fit this kind of era. It had to be at least somewhat elegant. It didn't appear although I was of another ethnicity; I seemed Caucasian enough. A few seconds passed until I nodded my head just slightly as I introduced myself. "My name is Alaine. Pardon my intrusion."
"My sincerest apologies, young master. It appears although Lady Alaine has some business here at the Phantomhive Household, and she has travelled a great distance in order to get here. As the master of this mansion, you should welcome her, should you not?" The butler spoke gracefully and Ciel clicked his tongue slightly, but looked back at me nonetheless.
He seemed to size me up with those dark eyes of his and as he did so, I gave him a rundown as well.
Ciel Phantomhive. Son of Vincent and Rachel Phantomhive. Human. Birthday; December 14th, 1875. Ah, that's right. This is old England that I'm in. Age twelve, thirteen at most. Male. 5"0. Earl of Phantomhive and watchdog of the Queen. Debuted volume one, chapter one.
Finally, a small sigh escaped his lips and his nodded once. "Very well then. Please guide our guest to the dining hall."
"Thank you for your hospitality." I responded with a sweet smile, similar to the one Ciel is so used to faking.
I was seated in one of the extravagant chairs and immediately afterwards, Sebastian was already pouring tea for the two of us. Once everything was set, Ciel got down the business in a way that felt a little hostile, but with good reason. I'd be suspicious if I were in his position as well, after all.
"Would you care to explain the business that you have with me?" He asked while calmly taking a sip of tea.
"The entirety of my task doesn't specifically concern you, but everybody in this world. The process that I'll apparently have to take in order to fulfill this task is what concerns you, however. I believe that I'll need your help in finding whatever it is I'm looking for." I started while keeping eye-contact with the young Earl. He seemed curious about my words, but I didn't elaborate any further. I would tell only the necessities and see how much more detail he wanted after I was done. "Before you decide anything, I'd like for you to know that my eyes see Truth. As such, I know what you hide behind your eye patch. I also know what you hide on your back, as well as whom, or should I say what, Sebastian Michaelis really is."
I immediately felt the tension rise and Ciel's eye narrowed at me. With a nearly inaudible cling, he set his teacup back into the saucer and stared down at it for a brief moment before finally responding. "How can you prove that you won't use Truth against me?" I was relieved that he at least decided to go along with this story for now.
My lips curl into a reassuring smile. "It may sound a little arrogant, but the state of this world rests in my hands. That's my purpose for being here, right now, of all times. If I were to use my knowledge to break you and your household, don't you think that would be counterproductive?" I asked rhetorically before continuing.
"My job is to meddle with the affairs of this world as little as possible while accomplishing my goal. I have very few leads to work with, and this household is an important part of this world. You could say that you and Sebastian are the centre of this world, so any unnecessary harm inflicted upon you and anybody else around you would be useless. In fact, it would be something that I'd like to avoid completely, since it would make my job a lot more difficult."
Silence returned once more. He took another sip of his tea and set it down before speaking. "I have a final question regarding this matter." He stated while looking up at me with eyes full of doubt. "How do you expect me to believe this story?"
A faint laugh escapes my lips and I glanced towards Sebastian, who has been standing in silence and observing all this time. "The world of demons and Death Gods exist. Why not believe that I come from another world, seeking something from yours?"
"Very well then," Ciel murmured as Sebastian refilled his cup. At least, he tried to, but the tea seemed to waver and the teacup faltered, causing a small puddle of tea to spill onto the tablecloth. "Sebastian, what do you think you're doing?" The young Earl demanded, but wore an expression of confusion when he saw that Sebastian had a rather uncommon, puzzled expression.
"Aha." I mused with a faint grin, catching their attention. "Well, there's some solid proof. I said that your world was faltering, and surely this world is collapsing when your flawless butler makes such a mistake, don't you agree?"
They remained silent for a moment, as if trying to understand what had happened. My expression became more serious as Sebastian was already cleaning up the mess, pulling out the tablecloth with ease so that it could be cleaned and replaced.
"If you chase me out now, it won't just be a mere spill. Sense of time and space will gradually cease to exist, and it's my job to prevent that. So, what do you say to that, Earl Phantomhive?"
There didn't seem to be any more need for proof. He seemed to comply and rested his elbows on the table as he spoke. "How do you expect to carry out your task?"
"I'll be a sort of shadow to you. The events that occur around you are my best chances at finding a lead on what the thing I'm looking for is."
"You don't even know what you're looking for?" He seems irritated, but I smile.
"I just don't know what form it's in. I was pointed to this direction by Him, however, so I'm afraid I'll have to intrude until I'm brought to it."
His irritation seems to grow, as does my smile. I'm reminded that he can be rather cut, and I find amused by the childish attitude he conceals with maturity. Maybe I can have just a little bit of fun while I'm here.
"If you want to stay here, then you'll have to work." He states with a slight furrow of his brows.
"I figured things would turn out that way." I sighed with a slight shrug. "Unfortunately, I'm incredibly unqualified to be a servant of the Phantomhive Household. I know minimal self defence and have never held a gun. I don't know how to cook, nor do I excel in academics."
"You seem to be rather helpless for a person who apparently has such an important task." Ciel comments with an unimpressed gaze that slowly loses interest.
I laugh and nod. It's true, after all, and I'm aware of this. However, His tasks don't require any set athletic abilities. The children use Truth and the subtle hints we get in order to accomplish our tasks. We use the world that we are in to lead us the right way, and since Ciel is the protagonist of this world, he will lead me to the Key.
A thought crosses my mind and I look back at the young Earl. "I'm pretty good when it comes to music, however. Perhaps the young master would like a musician? " I offered with a faint smile. In Reality, I began playing piano at the age of four and have been playing ever since, so maybe I could make do with that. "I'm aware that the young master plays the violin himself. This could be the opportunity to learn some duets, no?"
"I thought you weren't meant to meddle too much with this world." He pointed out with a slight frown.
"This is irrelevant to the main course of this world. Think of it as an extra leaf painted onto the background of a play. Nothing notable would change whether or not it happened, so it's alright." For the first time, I took a sip of the tea and absorbed the rich flavour. As expected from the Phantomhive butler.
A moment of silence passed again until Ciel let out a sharp breath. "I've seen enough. If what you say is true, there's no reason to doubt you. For now, I will accept your story, but do know that I will be keeping an eye on you."
"I'm very grateful."
He seems pleased and for once, offers a faint smile. A somewhat sinister one, of course, but it's better than the cold scowl he wore throughout the duration of our conversation. "Since you know so much, I expect that you know that the reputation of this household is high. As such, if you are to be a musician, temporary or not, you will be a formidable one."
I let a small laugh slip as I nod, humoured by his pride. "But of course. I wouldn't be anything less."
He seemed satisfied with this outcome and stood up. Sebastian immediately handed the young Earl his cane and with a light tap, he turned to face me. "Then from now on, you will be the musician of the Phantomhive Household. I will allow you to perform your work in the sidelines, but you will be my servant to the outside."
I slip out of the chair and kneel on the ground, one leg bent up to my chest and the other carrying my weight.
"Yes, my Lord."
All was well, but that still didn't stop the demon from tailing me that night. I feigned ignorance and retreated to my new bedroom for the night. It was shortly after I opened my door that I felt his hand touch my shoulder gently. He towered over me, but I merely looked back and gave him a questioning look.
"It's quite unfair that a young lady such as you has to take care of such a burden." He murmured, and I felt my eyes droop for a moment. I realized what the demon was trying to do after he uttered his next set of words. "To be so full of stress at such a young age...to have to tell such heavy lies..."
"I assure you that I've told no lies." I responded while turning to face the taller figure. "I would also like to inform you that although your powers are concealed, I know what they are. They will not work on me. Report this back to your young master as proof that I have told nothing but the truth."
I see that he's surprised. Shocked, even. It was only natural, though. It happens all the time. After all, who would believe that a complete stranger is a being from another dimension? I figured that they would be able to believe my story more easily since Sebastian is a demon and Death Gods are present as well, but I suppose my story is incredibly implausible.
Nevertheless, the demon's smile soon returned and he gave a slight bow. "My deepest apologies, Miss Alaine."
"It's quite alright. This isn't the first time something similar has happened. I understand that the young master, of all people, would be particularly skeptical about my story." I reassured with a faint smile. I was left to have a good night's rest after that, but I'm almost certain I still felt like I was being watched up until the point I drifted off to sleep.
