"Long live the Dark King."
In a dark game room of the Phantomhive estate sat all the guests of the household. Up against a wall a woman covered in red, by her side a gentleman with a sandwich in a chair. On the couch sat a closed eye Chinese man with quiet little tigress of a woman on his lap. At the end of the snooker table stood a well trimmed gentleman with brown hair, to the side of the table was cigar smoking dirty blonde. Further to the side sat two chairs, one holding the small frame of the Earl, the other holding the slightly taller cousin Lord Tously.
The noise of the servants outside outside trying to catch the rats travelled through the door.
"Quite a commotion going out there, It seems you're experiencing a rat problem as well," Sir Randall's voice held distaste towards the Earl as he moved the cigar smoking gentleman taking his place.
The gentleman eating his sandwich spoke up, "Speaking of which, how long will you let the vermin run wild? Filthy monsters. Someone really ought to take care of them, don't you think?"
Lau's voice carried around the room, "And someone will. He is just waiting for the opportune moment."
"Indeed. He prefers to settle things with one blow. Will you pass on this turn too, Lord Phantomhive?" She held a sense of pride to it.
Ciel lifted his head in a smug manner, "I'll pass. It's my policy not to shoot if I know that I'll miss." He turned to his cousin, "What about you Lord Tously? You haven't taken a single shot."
Amber smirked, "I knew the outcome of this game before it began. So why step in when the final shot will be a good one."
"That's all very well, but when will you handle the problem?" Sir Randall asked with an irritated tone.
Ciel smiled smugly teasing the man, "Any time you like. The rats will come soon come looking for their forbidden cheese, and I hold the key to the storehouse."
A soft grunt came from Vanel as he took his shot sinking the white ball into a pocket.
"What a vulture!" Randall's voice held even more hatred towards the boy.
Amber spoke in at that moment, her voice holding utter dislike, "Sir. Randall, I'd be careful how you speak. The Earl is helping you in this matter..."
Vanel laughed and spoke in his Italian accent, "Ha, you're in trouble now, Randall. What next, Lord Phantomhive?"
Ciel stood as he moved to the end of the table, "It's time to put an end to this worthless game, don't you think? How soon can you secure the payment?"
"Tonight, I'll have it by then," Sir Randall's voice had a since of defeat to it.
Ciel sat up on the table and leaned over aiming his cue, "Then I'll send a carriage for you later. We can even prepare some light entertainment for you, does that sound good?"
The man with a sandwich spoke up slightly shocked, "You passed your turn twice and now you're after them all in one go?"
Ciel spoke in his smugness once again, "Naturally."
"Careful, or your greed will undo you," Sir Randall spoke with his normal distaste once again.
Ciel bared the slightly of smirks as he took the shot sinking the red ball then the black, "Am I undone?"
In the drawing room after the main guests had left the place was filled with Lau, Ran-Mao in his lap once more sipping the tea, Madam Red sitting off on side, Amber by Ciel's side sipping the tea and Ciel relaxing in a chair beside her. Of coarse there stood Sebastian and by the door Grell.
Sebastian spoke in a pleasant voice, "We have a special Darjeeling blend to offer from Fortnum & Mason today."
"Smells lovely. Tea can be excellent when made well," Lau commented in his lazy tones.
"Grell," Madam Red spoke in a stern voice causing said man to jump.
He spoke in a slightly nervous manner, "Ah, yes, my lady?"
"Learn something from Sebastian."
He bowed his head with a yes ma'am.
She looked to Sebastian, "Just look at him." She began rubbing his lower back causing the all so classy butler to flatter, "I mean, his physique! You should quit this country job and come work for me in the city."
Amber stifled a chuckle before setting down her tea so she didn't spill. The sound caused Madam Red to looked to her.
"Ah yes, Lord Tously-"
She smiled at her, "Amber is fine, Madam Red. Save titles for formal things."
She smiled, "Amber then. Where did you say you were from again? I can not place your accent."
"Scotland originally. Though I have always had a bit of an odd accent or so my friends say."
"And how are you related to my loving Nephew again?"
Ciel cleared his throat, "Madam Red."
She looked to him, "I am just asking darling."
Amber nodded, "It is quite alright. Ciel and I are cousins three times removed..." She looked off thinking a bit, "Or was it four, I can never remember to well." She turned her gaze back to the Lady, "The blood relation is weak but to me it doesn't matter. He is my family and I will be here for him."
Ciel decided now was time to change the subject. Amber frowned as she started getting a headache from Lau and Red's arguing. She stood leaving with Ciel into the corridor. She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes as Ciel was mumbling to himself as the servants brew up a storm around them. Amber heard Sebastian talking.
"Master. Today's dessert is a deep-dish pie prepared with flesh apples and raisins. It will be ready soon. Would you like to eat with your guests?"
Ciel's voice sounded tried, "Bring it to my study. I'm done here."
Sebastian bowed his head, "Certainly, my lord. And you Lord Tously?"
She continued to rub her eyes, "I am getting a headache, I will sit in with Ciel." She turn leaving with the Earl, "I feel like I should be remembering something but I can't think with this blasted headache."
Ciel's closed the door of his study behind them, "Well at least now we'll finally get some peace and quiet."
Then the both suddenly had a cloth over their mouths causing the world to go black.
The room had a desk, a phone and reeked of cigar smoke. Amber found it horrid. With her hands bound to her sides with belts. Her feet were unbound but only because she had twisted her ankle in an attempt to fight and the pigs thought she couldn't do much now. She was a bit bloody and beaten, her glasses cracked and twisted as they sat on her face. Beside her the Earl was in really no better condition.
She was mainly tuning out the conversation but when she heard one phrase that scent her into action.
"Oh, I think they'll be alright. But you'd better hope your lap-dogs know how to fetch," Ciel's voice mocking in every sense of the word.
As Valen moved to strike the boy Amber lent back and slammed a boot into his stomach. Valen ended up dropping his cigar with she stomped under her shoe as got to her feet. She charged forward and slammed her forehead against his sternum. Valan gave a slight painful grunt before slamming a fist into Amber face sending her to the ground and stomping on her a few times.
"Dam brat! You just sit there and be a good kid!"
He moved to the phone, "Did you hear that? The time for talk is over."
A bit later the phone rang back, "What do you mean you missed? You are complete idiots! Never should have hired-a scum like you. Just get back here."
There was a pause, "Oh, what's-a wrong? You little girl see a bear in the woods?" Valen gave a bit of a laugh before starting to get concerned when they screamed.
"What is it? Did someone fined you? Talk to me... That's it! I'd have enough of your games already.." The sound of more screams and a crash came through the phone, "Uh, hello? What's happened?"
Amber sung softly before Ciel could speak, "Weasel a'hunting in the woods, it wasn't very legal. The Dog and I caught his goods, Pop goes the Weasel."
Amber grunted as she was stomped on more, but Ciel laughed causing him to get a beating under the boot as well, "Just shut your mouth, you damn brat!" Vanel moved back to the phone, "You listen to me! If one of you don't answer right now, I swear I will kill you!"
Sebastian's voice came through the phone, "Hello."
Vanel's voice snapped at it, "Who is this?"
"Pardon me, but I represent the Phantomhive estate. I was wondering if my master might be available." Vanel stuttered and stumbled trying to find his voice, "Hello, is anyone there? Hello?"
"Woof/Meow," Where the sounds giving by the two captives on the ground.
Vanel's face deadpanned before Sebastian spoke, "Very good, young master. I will come to get you both momentarily."
And with that the phone went dead.
Vanel went into full panic mode ordering everyone to man the place and not let anything in. Amber smiled as blood dribbled from her mouth.
"It isn't going to work..." Her voice was a sing song tone. Mocking the Italian.
Valen kicked her in the side again, "Shut you mouth you fucking English Pig!."
She grunted as she felt her ribs crack, she felt her vision fuzzing from the constant beating.
"I am sorry Ciel, if I didn't have a headache I would have remembered."
Ciel smiled, "It is fine Amber. This will be over soon."
"Wake me up when he stops playing dead..." She closed her eyes, "I don't want to miss seeing their faces..."
After a few minutes Amber was awake by the sound of gunshots. She sat up and leaned against the wall behind her. She watched as the demon fell to the ground. She was blocking out the pig's taunting and teasing as he threatened to sell the Earl and herself off.
Ciel recover from his slight shock, "All right, I'm tired of messing around. How much longer are you planning to play dead?"
Amber grinned opening her calm forestry eye on the butler as he began to twitch.
"Not long."
Valen was stuttering out fragments of a sentence as Sebastian got up, "Guns today are so much more efficient than they used to be.. They can shoot so many more bullets now." He hacked up the bloody bullets in her her hands. Amber closed her eyes scrunching her face at the sound. "Perhaps you'd like these back?"
Amber opened her eyes again as Vanel barked orders in fear. Sebastian merely threw the bullets back and complained about his ruined tail coat.
Amber closed her eyes once more and focused solely on her breathing. She felt she had a few cracked ribs, her ankle was throbbing and the room still smelled like cigar smoke. She wanted some rest, some peace and quiet, so she tuned out the sound around her. She felt Sebastian come and pick her up and sat her on the arm of the chair Ciel was now sitting in unbound.
"What about you Lord Von Tously? Are you feeling well?" he asked as he torn the bindings away.
Amber opened her slowly, "Nothing I won't live through but I will need help standing for a few days and I don't have my cane."
Sebastian smiled and nodded, "This will be over shortly."
Amber nodded and sat back to watch the show of the demon slaughtering the pig. She closed her eyes as she was drifted into a soft steady sleep trying to ignore the pain.
They returned to the manor. Ciel being carried like a blooming bride, unannounced to him. Amber was dozing on the butler's back, hands gripping the black coat tight so not to slip. She wasn't quite awake as the mumbling began in front of her, she slid opened an eye when the servants asked about their conditions.
"We just tripped and fell. It's nothing to worry about it," The servants looked at Ciel softly.
To hid her smile, Amber closed her eye again and nuzzled her forehead into Sebastian's shoulder, "I got the brunt of it. We decided on a undesirable path for Ciel's footwear."
Ciel raised an eyebrow, "What, you don't believe what your master tells you?"
"Oh no, we do," Mey-Rin lend in a bit.
Finny moved with her, "It's just... you look so cute, being held like a baby and all..."
Ciel fought against his hold causing Amber to be jostled, "Put. Me. Down!"
Amber slid off Sebastian's and began to hobble towards the doors. Her mind on nothing more than a nice warm bath and a good dose of her hidden stash of sweets. Despite it all though, the pain was nothing compared to seeing the antics in real life. She looked towards the setting sun before turning her gaze back to the kneeling butler and his Master. She broke out with a soft breathless chuckle before looking back to the sun. Eyes drew to the sound unannounced to her, spotting a odd profile in the golden light.
A black eyed, scuffed beaten human with a smile so gentle it would be seen as heavenly by the untrained eye. She turned fully and hobbled further towards the manor that was already seeming like a ordinary world to herself. The servants hopped in actions and moved to help now that they were distracted.
Sebastian stood calmly to watch her with his Master, "She certainly is a odd lady."
Ciel nodded as she showed the servants worries away with smiles, "Indeed. But is is useful... She did take the brunt of our fall as she put it. Whenever I was about to same something that would seemingly enrage our Captor she spoke ahead with something that she seemingly knew would turn attention on to herself... Foolishness."
She looked back seemingly to have heard his comment. She smirked, placing her finger tips to her chin and pulled them away. She then seemed to draw a simple half circle with her finger before moving her hand to do a similar gesture as before. However her hand flicked out from under her chin as she grinned smugly.
Okay I am back to editing and rewriting. Not to mentioned finally looking to get some more practice in story boarding and how certain actions affect... effect worlds. Gah I hate that word and I can't find my little helper.. Any the last bit her with the sign language will not be a stand only thing. Though I will be using Auslan rather than ASL or BSL. Amber is an Aussie after all.
