It seemed like months had past since he had started working at the Phantomhive manor, when in actuality it was probably just a few weeks. And honestly he still wasn't quite sure what a footman's duties actually were. He helped the other servants with their chores and often found himself helping prepare food in the kitchen. Sebastian had requested that some of his friends explore the estate grounds for intruders and anything that seemed suspicious.

In the short time he had been here he had seen a few odd characters come and go. A Chinese man and woman who Oscar said smelled suspiciously sweet, like some drug. And a young girl who the gardener had explained was the Earl's fiancé. To Snake it was such an odd concept that someone as young as Ciel Phantomhive had a fiancé already. But Emily reminded him that it was common for the upper class folk to have such things predetermined for them by their elders. The blonde girl was the complete opposite of the Earl. She was bright, cheerful, full of light and life. The biggest difference he found however was that she acted her age, (even younger than that, according to Brontë) while the Earl acted mature beyond his years.

It was plain for anyone to see that the Earl had seen much for such a young person. The one eye that he allowed people to see gave away his intelligence. Snake didn't know what the child possibly went through to gain such a complete disdain for the world, and a confidence in his capabilities. Though he suspected it had something to do with the fact the Earl was in control of such a large estate seemingly on his own, and something to do with his covered eye. Brontë claimed to have seen it while traveling through the house one night as the Earl was going to bed. The serpent claimed the mysterious eye was discolored compared to the other one and the pupil was strangely shaped.

No matter what happened, the Earl had accepted him as part of his staff and seemed to already have a sense of trust with him. Not once was Snake locked away, denied access, or asked to wait somewhere else. Of course he didn't really go anywhere besides his room, wherever he was supposed to be working, and the green house where a majority of his friends had chosen to stay.

The other servants were surprisingly welcoming. The maid and gardener had immediately wanted to be friends, and eventually the chef began to treat him as one of their own as well. It was a tight knit group among those three, and while Snake didn't know their histories, he could tell that like himself they each had survived some sort of harsher past.

No one spoke of themselves much at all. (With the exception of Mei-Rin constantly reminding them of how wonderful she thought Sebastian was.) It was mainly everyday small talk, contemplating what was on the Earl's mind, or complaining about how Sebastian worked them too hard. Every once in a while Baldroy would make a comment on how 'inhuman' the butler seemed to be, but it was mostly just the chef venting because Sebastian had once again taken over the evening meal.

Over all, Snake didn't hate it. All his life he had been on display as a freak. As a child it had been as a slave. As an adult he worked with the circus under the pretense that he owed them for saving his life. Now he was not an exhibition. He was doing everyday work that everyone else around him was doing. His efforts were recognized and appreciated by the others he worked with. Though Baldroy had been extremely hesitant at first, they all even accepted his friends and the way he communicated for them without any complaint or judgmental looks. It had taken years with Joker and the others for their group to stop laughing at his abnormal way of communication.

The most surprising of all was the way Sebastian interacted with him. As someone who was clearly of higher status than him, he didn't just not mind the way he spoke, but even asked direct questions to some of the serpents knowing that Snake would translate for him. This was mainly in regards to the selected serpents that would check the grounds for trouble, but it was still refreshing nonetheless.

Currently Snake found himself packing a traveling case for himself. According to Sebastian he was required to travel with the Earl while he was on a cruise.

I hate sea travel. Brontë complained for the hundredth time.

You've never even seen the sea. Emily scoffed.

We move along the earth, we weren't meant to spend days at sea. Brontë retorted.

"You don't have to come…" Snake pointed out.

Nonsense. Of course we are coming. Keats reassuringly tugged at his hair.

"I want you to. But if something were to happen… there is no guarantee that you all could make it out safely. Like Brontë said-"

Brontë is an idiot. Oscar said from the bedpost as he watched Snake pack. Humans travel on these boats all the time. We'll be fine.

Snake shrugged. "Its your choice."

But the crate… Brontë continued his complaining.

"I will be sure that there is a board loose so that you all can come and go as you please." Snake reminded him.

We will be fine. Don't you worry dear. Emily wrapped herself around his leg.

Before Snake could thank her there was a light knock on his door. His friends scattered to various hiding spots around the room with the exception of Emily on his leg and Keats who had remained around his shoulders. It was Mei-Rin.

"Hullo Snake. Mister Sebastian sent me to be sure you were takin' care of packing for the trip. I see you are though."

Snake nodded.

"Right lucky you are to be traveling on one of those fancy ships with Mister Sebastian and the young Master."

It will certainly be an experience. Keats replied.

"It will certainly be an experience – says Keats."

Mei-Rin smiled at the snake at his shoulder and offered her hand to see if she could pet him. "May I?"

In response Keats rubbed his scaled head against her palm much like a cat would.

"You sure are lucky to have so many good friends, yes you are."

Snake nodded in agreement.

"I best be off. Got to set the table for the evening meal I do." She waved before leaving.

I like her. Emily commented.

"She seems ok." Snake agreed shutting the door.

Almost like a human friend. Keats said.

Snake frowned. He'd never had one of those before. Joker and the others called their troupe 'family', but Snake was well aware he wasn't included in that. Their family had been together long before they had found him, and they never really included him in their gatherings other than meetings that were essential for first tier performers to attend. And even then he was mostly reporting what the serpents had seen and heard. That was all. He'd never had family. Or friends that were human. But Mei-Rin, Finny, and even Baldroy were the closest he had ever had to the category of 'human friends', but when was someone considered a friend? Shaking his head at the nonsensical thought he got back to finishing his packing.

"So thiiiis is the Campania, huh!?" Finny's loud voice carried through the crowd as he admired the large luxury passenger liner.

While the others were discussing something or another Snake once again worriedly checked the crate that his friends were being carried in. At the mention of his name however he looked up to hear the butler's response to the gardener's whine.

"A footman's duties include accompanying his master on his travels. I am counting on each of you to carefully see to your duties while we are away."

The other four that had come to see them off, (including the small old man that Snake still wasn't sure who he was or what his job was) saluted cheerfully with a "YESSIR!"

"Well… we'll be off, then." The Earl said turning on the gangplank to give his servants one last glance before boarding the ship.

Snake obediently followed the butler aboard behind their master. The ship was huge. Much bigger than he had thought it would be. They stayed on the main deck long enough to hear the whistle blow and to see the other servants waving with one last goodbye. Though he was trying to pay attention to what was being said his mind was on trying to figure out when he would have time to sneak below and visit his friends. Donne, one of the slimmer snakes gave a comforting squeeze from within his sleeve where he was wrapped around his arm.

Right. There would be time later; eventually everyone had to go to sleep. Besides, this was like a vacation for the upper class folk. Likely they would stuff themselves with rich food, drink a little too much, and then be asleep hopefully before midnight. Snake could sneak below and see his friends once everything was quiet for the night. Though his anxiety from being around so many people was high, all he could hope for was that everything was smooth sailing till they returned back to the port they had just pulled away from.

Please Review! - Says Emily