Beyond Ordinary Understanding.

Mirabelle bathed the young woman's limp body, careful not to dampen the bandages of her newly treated infections and burns. Filth already sullied the water as she massaged the girl's scalp, running water through her tangled hair.

"Cela va prendre beaucoup d'efforts.." She muttered, sighing heavily.

She scrubbed gently, assuming her skin would be sensitive after such an ordeal.

"Oh, vous pauvre fille.." she whispered, rinsing the soap off of the girl's bony body.

She changed the bandages one more time after drying the girl off, pausing when she saw the infection had already healed, a horizontal golden slit in its place.

'Comment étrange'

Bandaging the burns, which seemed to have a silver sheen over them, she put a loose, white, nightgown that contrasted against the skin that Mirabelle found so refreshingly familiar. Tucking her into bed and gathering up her soiled clothing, Mirabelle left, wishing the young girl une bonne nuit.

Ciel stared with mild disgust at the 'food' in front of him. He looked to Eilish, who was drinking from a disturbingly tall glass of whisky. When she and Ronan had returned from their errands, she had told him that she was going to have Ronan make some Irish dishes for dinner. And what sat in front of him was white pudding, which was made of pork meat, something called suet, bread, and oatmeal. Eilish, on the other hand had black pudding, which Ciel assumed was much worse than what he was served. Ciel sighed, eating it so he wouldn't appear rude.

Next was Irish stew, which was a stew of lamb, potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley. Ciel actually liked this one, but of course didn't say that. Eilish– who was seemingly unaffected by the tall glass of alcohol she had just chugged– moved her attention to the young earl, propping up her chin on her hands.

"So," she began as Ronan and Sebastian picked up their dishes, "What did that butler of yours find in Rhys Castle?"

Ciel and Sebastian shared a brief glance. The boy set down his utensils, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs. He looked to Mirabelle, who was standing next to Eilish with a pleasant aura. The redhead chuckled.

"If you're wondering how, Mirabelle told me."

Ciel's eye narrowed. "She didn't say a word about the castle."

Eilish smirked deviously. "Serviette de table, s'il te plait."

"Bien sûr, madame."

Mirabelle took a napkin from her pocket, placing it in Eilish's open palm. She coyly dabbed the corners of her mouth before turning it over and sliding it to Ciel. He reached for it, and frowned.

" واحد طويل القامة ذهب إلى التل."

"Oh dear, it seems we've been found out." Sebastian said, reading the napkin over Ciel's shoulder.

"I wouldn't take you for a scholar, Lady Kiernan." Ciel said with a seemingly indifferent tone, eye slightly narrowing. Eilish gave him a shit-eating grin.

"Language is one of my many passions. It also comes in handy often. You'd be surprised how few criminals speak and know Arabic," she said lazily, picking up a wine glass that seemed to have replaced the tall glass that just sat in its place.

"Your company has foreign partners correct?" Ciel asked. He looked at her closely. She wasn't even buzzed.

Eilish nodded, running her tongue along her upper lip to lick off the wine that remained. "I meet with them personally and frequently. I believe it's important to connect with your business partners, to get to know them. Once you get to know their mannerisms and patterns, you can predict their every move. So, to connect with my foreign partners, I speak to their hearts instead of their brain."

Ciel nodded in understanding. "Something familiar to make them feel comfortable. Smart."

"Yes. Now, i'll ask you again, young earl." Eilish's eyes narrowed. "What did your butler find? Because there is an unconscious girl in my manor, and i'd like to understand what the fuck she's doing here."

Ciel huffed like a child who was just told to do his chores. Ronan and Sebastian came out once again, with two very different dishes in their hands. Sebastian, an odd wafer sandwich type dessert, and Ronan, a bowl of fresh fruit and berries. Ciel eyed it suspiciously, mostly because it smelled delicious.

"Are you familiar with stroopwafels, Earl Phantomhive? It is a combination of two cookies and a gooey caramel center. You can have it once I get a detailed and truthful explanation."

Ciel scowled as Eilish took the plate from Sebastian, a smug grin on her face. "Ik weet waar Abraham de mosterd krijgt, so don't lie, little Phantomhive."

Ciel let out an exasperated sigh. "Sebastian found her in the lower level of the castle. Apparently there are many of her kin being held there as well, along with many other creatures."

Eilish's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward. "So, no one in that castle is human, correct?"

Ciel nodded curtly. "Yes. That's all I know so.."

Eilish clicked her tongue. "Didn't you hear what I just said? I know you're still hiding something from me." Eilish's eyes were focused. "C'mon, let it out."

"Sebastian has also informed me that this young woman he has found might possess otherworldly abilities."

"That's a good boy," she teased. "But one more question."

Ciel rolled his eyes. "What now?"

"Why is she in my home if she is a potential danger to my staff and me as well?"

Ciel smirked. "It's just like your business strategy. We're going to get information out of her by creating a bond and speaking to her heart."

"And afterwards?"

"We'll leave her to her own devices, simple as that."

Eilish sighed, as if she was disapproving of his plan. She handed it back to Sebastian, who took it and bowed down to the ear level.

"I must say, you're quite the manipulator, Lady Kiernan," he whispered.

Straightening back up to his full height, he addressed the rest of the room.

"My Young Master must retire. Please excuse us."

Ciel stood,raving the room, Sebastian close behind him, the plate still in his hand. Eilish shook her head, standing.

'Such a naive boy.'

"I suppose i'll go to bed as well," she said, stretching. "Good night, Ronan."

Ronan smiled, bowing. "Good night, Eilish."

Mirabelle approached the door, but froze. Everyone tensed a little when they heard it the quick pitter-patter of running footsteps approaching the dining room doors with great speed. With inhuman speed.

Eilish reached under the table, where a gun was holstered. Ronan and Mirabelle shared a glance, and nodded, taking out small pistols from their pockets. The footsteps stopped once they reached the doors.

After a few seconds, the doors flew open, a large gust of wind blowing throughout the entire room, blowing off Mirabelle's headscarf and knocking over the empty bowl at Eilish's seat.

A young woman with a willowy, unnaturally thin build stood there, her skin riddled with golden slits and sliver sheens. She had no bandages, despite having severe burns and an infected wound when she was carried by Sebastian. Her honey eyes set on Mirabelle, who had quickly replaced her gun inside of her pocket.

Walking towards her, the girl began to cough, her eyes literally darkening. She tried to speak, but her coughing got worse until she had crumbled to the floor, her body quaking. Blood flew from her mouth, spattering onto the floor. Mirabelle lunged for her frail, quaking body. Holding her delicately in her arms.

Mademoiselle! Mademoiselle!"

The girl grabbed Mirabelle's wrist, gripping it with unnatural strength. She began to heave, looking at Mirabelle with glazed, bloodshot eyes.

"J'ai besoin d'un verre d'eau."

Mirabelle and Eilish's eyes widened as they shared a glance, looking down to the girl who trembled in Mirabelle's arms. The woman gave her a warm smile, picking up her light body and setting her down in a chair.

"D'accord, mademoiselle."

"Merci."