Time Beyond Time
By: Wydrin Williams 178


A/N: Thanks for reading my previous chapter, I hope you all enjoy this one.


Time Beyond Time
Chapter 2


Ciel sighed once again as he continued signing his name at the end of the sheets of paper. They were all so boring; proscribing deeds to the wealthy, loans to the poor, and replying to the various letters from servants of the Queen.

That woman claiming to be a time-traveller was most peculiar. She was a mystery to him, her backstory, her speech, and her reason for being here. Her language was quite colourful as well. He frowned slightly at how she had spoken to him and Sebastian. She was a commoner! How dare she raise her voice to the likes of him! He dropped his quill on the table in frustration and watched as the black ink sank through the pile of paper. Why couldn't he get her out of his head? He certainly was musing about her positively, to be frank, her presence here made things all the more stressful; another job for the Queens Guard-Dog to tackle. A knock sounded at the wooden doors and sighed happily. He permitted the knocker entrance and Sebastian entered, bringing with him a tray laden with cups and plates.

Ciel piled up the papers and moved them to the side so Sebastian could lay the tea saucer in front of him. As his butler poured the tea, the distinctive smell of the Assam blend invaded his senses; the sugary scent was heavenly.

"Did you take care of the... woman" He said with a frown as he picked the green rimmed tea cup, taking a small draught.

"Yes, young master, however, there are some things about her I would wish to discuss." Sebastian stood in front of the large desk, both his hands clasped behind his back.

Ciel picked one of the biscuits from the plate prepared and bit into it, delighted by the orange-chocolate taste. "Well, do tell. The more information we can get of her the better."

Sebastian nodded once. "Yes, I noticed while changing her bandages that she has an abnormal healing rate. She says she has had this from birth." Ciel awarded Sebastian with a critical gaze, the biscuit in his hand pausing from the bee-line to his mouth.

"She may have demon blood in her veins, is that what you're telling me?"

"It's a possibility, My Lord, however, the blood on the blanket I wrapped her in and the cloth I used to tend to her wounds possessed no scent of a demon." The young Earl gave the butler a quizzical look. "However, her blood didn't smell completely normal, either.

"We'll have to look into this then." The bluenette unfolded the smooth paper his butler had brought with the tea. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes, I was wondering how you intended to keep her here. She isn't accustomed to the traditions of this era so having her around while guests are present may be a challenge."

Ciel's lip twitched downwards slightly. "I don't know, and frankly I couldn't care less. If she isn't comfortably with our traditions then she should just suck it up."

"Is it possible that the Young Master isn't comfortable with there being a woman in the Manor?" Sebastian chuckled.

"No, certainly not! Unless you've forgotten, Mey-Rin in a woman and I pass her daily while she completes her chores, albeit terribly." Ciel sighed in irritation. "I simply wish for this to be done and sorted soon, I'm not fond of that wanton."

"Such vulgar language," Ciel glared at Sebastian. "If you ask me, I think Miss. Pendleton would be good for you. She's young like you, and her rambunctious behaviour may help 'loosen you up' as I believe she put it earlier."

"Pfft, I'm not here for fun, I'm here only for vengeance for those who defiled the name of the Phantomhive's."

Silence followed this exchange and in that window of pin-drop quietness, the soft sound of piano keys filled drifted in from the open door. It was a hauntingly beautiful song, but all the same, it was unexpected.

"Who in the earth is playing the piano?" Ciel said gruffly, dropped the paper he was reading on the desk and raising from his seat.

"I wouldn't know, My Lord." Sebastian had a good idea on who, however.

"Well then," Ciel walked round the desk and headed for the sound of the music. "Let's find out, come, Sebastian." His butler bowed his signature bow and followed closely behind his master, closing the door quietly behind him.


Aurora looked around her in awe. It was almost exactly how it was when she was here in the future. The same wine-red curtains falling heavily to the ground, the golden hem strands brushing the night-blue carpeting. Her footsteps were muffled by the plush fabric adorning the floor. The same oak wood in the railings, polished to gleam a deep maroon brown.

Aurora ran her hand down the railing, relishing the smooth feel under her hand. She sighed as she looked around and breathed in the smell of polish and the clean scent of fresh air, much different to the small of carbon polluted air back home.

Her mind was soon clouded with the Earl. What's with that guy anyway? She thought. He hadn't shown her a good impression of himself at all. She frowned at the way he had shouted at her, demanding an answer to something even she didn't understand. All the same, there was no denying he was handsome. She felt her cheeks grow warm when she thought of his breath on her neck. Although he treated her like trash, she still felt an unnerving connection with.

She shook her head and washed her mind of those thoughts. "So stupid, thinking things like that…" she muttered to herself. She turned a corner on the hallway and entered a large open- pan room. It probably was a room identical to the Earls study, but the large changing in furniture made a huge difference.

Instead of carpets, the floor was of a pale oak, with only a square shaped blue rug in the centre. The window at the far end was a massive window, showing a large view of the gardens; the grounds was littered with pink cherry blossoms. Aurora surveyed the other objects in the room and gasped when she spotted a large, grand piano in the centre of the room, its lion pattered legs resting of the rug. She trotted up the piano and ran her fingers across the ebony keys and sighed gently when her fingers glided effortlessly across the keys.

She looked around nervously, searching for anyone that might be in the room. When she saw no-one, she let out a breath and hitched her skirts, sitting on the leather clad stool in front of the Pianoforte. Aurora closed her eyes and thought of a song she could play. Before, she would have been able to think of any song to play, but now that she actually has to think about one, her mind was blank. She racked her brains and finally settled on a song she hadn't played in years. She positioned her fingers over the keys and took a deep breath before drawing out the first chord. Pleasant chimes filled the room, the sound lulled her into relaxation. She closed her eyes and sang in time with the music.

I close my eyes, the touch of your fingers

Through monochrome the memory lingers

Into your hands I'm resting the pain inside of me

You and me

I see

A dream of blind destiny

And it's into your arms I'm melting

And it's the first time I've ever felt like this

You are the hand that's dealt me

The tempter sealing my fate

With a kiss

And in a flash, the stars align

I search beyond the words, wanting a sign

But lost inside your eyes

Lies become clearer to see

They tell a different story

So take the reins and don't let go

I want this pain to scar deep, for I know all our past receives healing, with memories concealing

we cry to the light of the moon

This night's become a wonderful haven and in my it's what I've craven

Addicted to this sea, I've even lost the need to breathe

And it's out of my life your fading and it's the warmth of your arms I still desire

Stuck all alone I'm praying to never share my one kiss with a liar

And in the dark I'm left alone

My heart inside is losing every tone

And spotting all your lies wise of this path to be free

I'm writing a new story

I fall asleep to tainted I know that there is more to all that seems wanting all my desires to never retire I live by the night of the moon

And it's straight to the sky I'm flying

And it's the knowledge that you will not be there struggling through, I'm trying to find my own escape out this snare

And in a flash, the stars align

I search beyond the words, wanting a sign

But lost inside your eyes

Lies become clearer to see

They tell a different story

So take the reins and don't let go

I want this pain to scar deep, for I know

In spite of every sign crying this night to be true

The sun will rise out you

So here's another kiss

To tainted bliss

A toast to empty promise

With virtue pretending love as our ending

We fall by the light of the moon.

Aurora has been so absorbed within her own world that she never noticed the door to the music room opening quietly. Three people entered and observed her with looks of awe on their faces.

"Wow, she's amazing…" One of the three said, his small hands clasped together in front of his chest. His green eyes gleamed with admiration. The man next to him nodded and flexed a bicep on impulse and clasped it with his palm. He spoke around the cigarette that was in his mouth.

"Yeah, and she's right pretty too."

The last of the three was a woman with thick rimmed glasses. "She's brilliant, yes she it!" She exclaimed, nodding her head vigorously.

As the three inconspicuous visitors were too busy admiring her musical skills, Earl Phantomhive and Sebastian also entered, leaving the door ajar behind them.

Sebastian smiled as she confidently played complicated chords and melodies on the grand piano, he was slightly surprised at her talent but her voice was of a different level entirely. Her sonorous voice was similar to that of an angels ringing tone. Her solo soprano emanated throughout the room, lulling everyone in the room into a daze, their focus solely on her.

Ciel held no expression what-so-ever; it was the wont behaviour of the young Earl.

As Aurora stilled her fingers on the last chord and the vibrato of her final sung note subsided. Her breathed deeply from her mouth and opened her eyes. She jumped with a gasp and whipped her head to the door when she heard the encore of claps. In the door way were three people she had never seen before and the butler and the Earl Phantomhive. The three unknowns were clapping enthusiastically, so much so that Aurora feared their hands would be raw and red afterwards. The raven-haired and bluenette clapped softly.

Aurora smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of her head. "Wow, I didn't realise I had an audience."

"Oh yes, miss, you was magnificent, yes you was. I wish I could play like that." One of the people she didn't know said avidly. She was the same height as Aurora and had two high fluffy ponytails which were the colour of red plums. Her outfit was that of a maid attire. The other two people she hadn't the foggiest at who they were, nodded their heads in unison.

"Yes, she was quite spectacular, wouldn't you say, my lord?" Sebastian said, leaning forward as to speak in Ciel's ear. The Earl only hummed dismissively. As the three intruders practically threw themselves at Aurora, a fourth man entered, locking a conversation with Sebastian.

"I do say, what is this ruckus?" He was dressed similarly to Sebastian, and his hair was cleanly cut, streaks of grey showing through his blond locks. Sebastian looked to the other butler and decided that an introduction was due.

"Well then," He said loudly, catching everyone's attention. "Miss. Pendleton, might I now introduce everyone to you?" Aurora nodded. Sebastian inclined his own head and started. "The woman over to your right is May-Rin. She is the maid of this estate. However, 'maid' is a little too extravagant a word for someone as clumsy as her." The woman, May-Rin, turned beat red and began poking her index fingers together. Sebastian smiled again. "Although I assure you, however clumsy she may be, she is harmless." Aurora returned the smile apprehensively.

The butler gestured to one of the men on her left. "The small one is Finnian, he is the gardener of this mansion. You might see him in the gardens during your leisurely strolls, but he is normally in the kitchens, trying to catch mice and keeping them as pets." Aurora looked to the man, who looked more like a boy in her eyes: His hair was shaggy and was a cute shade of strawberry-blonde and his eyes were bright green. His clothes were simple enough and he had a straw hat slung over his shoulders.

"Hiya, miss. You can call me Finny." Aurora beamed at him, she could tell that from his friendly nature, they were going to be fast friends.

"And I'm Baldroy, but you can call me Bard." Exclaimed the larger man, he strode over to Aurora and grasped her hand in his callused one, and gently laid his lips briefly on the back of her hand. Aurora turned a deep red at the contact and recoiled slightly from him. He didn't seem to notice as he drew away and smiled at her flirtily. He had ruffled blond hair and inquisitive sky blue eyes. He had a scattering of stubble along his jaw. Aurora noticed he had a black apron tied around his waist and his white shirt was partially buttoned all the way to his throat. Curiously, he had a pair of goggles hung from his neck.

"Yes, this is Baldroy, our cook, although I dare say he takes advantage of that role…" Sebastian stated, looked at Bad tiredly. Aurora smiled again, but this time in humour. This group really was something. There was still someone, however, who she didn't know. She looked pointedly at him and Sebastian smiled. "Ah, and this here is Tanaka…" The elderly man, Tanaka, smiled and with a poof, he changed from his humanly form into a chibi version of himself. He sat cross legged and sipped daintily from a Japanese yunomi.

"Ho, ho, ho…" He said quietly with a wide smile.

"What's up with him?" Aurora said with concern. Finny laughed.

"Don't worry yourself, miss. It's just something that happens when he runs out of energy. You know how old people are." Finny and May-Rin laughed aloud. Aurora joined them with a small giggle.

Sebastian quietened everyone down with a loud cough. Ciel was still standing to the side, looking disinterested. "This is Aurora Pendleton, she will be staying with us for a while. For now, I hope you can make her feel welcome here."

Finny looked to the red-head with surprise. "Oh, are you the new music tutor for the young master?" May-Rins and Baldroys expression seemed to ask the same question.

Aurora ran a hand though her red curls and smiled sheepishly. "Well, I am learning high level music pieces, but…" May-Rin interrupted her.

"Ohh, could you teach me how to play the piano miss, I would very much appreciate it, yes I would!"

"Me too!" Said Finny. "You're voice was just heavenly, if only I could sing as perfectly as you…" He sighed dreamily.

"Now, now, everyone." Said Sebastian, shushing everyone with his smooth voice. "Let's give Miss. Pendleton some room shall we?" The three servants backed away from her obediently. "I believe you all have some work to do?" He looked at the three pointedly.

"Yeah, but on a more important note," Bard said, giving Aurora a look that made her quiver. "Where's she gonna be sleeping. I don't mind sharing my bed for someone as pretty as you, m'lady." Aurora blushed deeply.

"That's enough." A voice said, and Aurora looked around to see that Ciel had spoken up for the first time since the gathering. "Get to work, immediately!" As his voice shook, the servants scurried out of the room, but not before Bard could spare another breath-taking glace her way.

The red-head shook her head and turned her attention to the Earl, who was looking her in the eye. "If you would follow me, please." Ciel turned and walked out of the room, not bothering to look to see if she was following. Aurora trotted along to catch up to him, Sebastian and Tanaka followed, only to separate at the first junction.

Ciel and Aurora continued walking until they came to his study once again. When the entered, the Earl sat behind his desk and gestured for her to sit. She hastily shut the door behind her and took her place in the ornate blue cushioned chair in front of the desk.

"Right, then." Ciel started. "Something Finnian said earlier gave me an idea. As you will be staying with us for a while, it is only natural that you would work as a servant while I painstakingly search for a way to send you home." Aurora frowned at the implication of her working for him against her will. "You will pose as my music tutor and you will perform the usual duties of a maid, helping May-Rin along the way."

"Hold on," Aurora said, standing from the chair, a look of anger prominent on her feminine features. "I'm not some animal that can be bossed around by some pompous brat!" Ciel's own features began to contort with rage.

"How dare you! You are under my roof and shall comply to my rules you rash wanton!"

"I don't bloody care if you're some Earl or whatever, I won't work as some scullery maid!" Aurora shot back.

"Didn't they teach bitches like you manners back where you came from?" That struck a nerve. In an instant, Aurora made her way round the desk and raised her hand and brought it down. Her hand would have made contact with the delicate skin of the Earl, but his hand had shot up and clasped itself around her wrist. Aurora widened her eyes as she met Ciel's fiery gaze, which were the colour of a stormy sea.

Ciel leaned forward until their noses were almost touching and whispered harshly. "If you ever raise your hand to me again, you will find yourself out on the street." Aurora clenched her held hand into a tight fist.

"Try me." She whispered back, before yanking her hand back from his grip and storming out of the study, slamming the door behind her.


"Miss. Pendleton is pretty, won't you say?" May-Rin said, as she polished glass thimbles with a white rag. All three of the servants were in the kitchens, Bard was chopping up carrots and Finny was refilling the vases for the dining room table. Finny stopped and looked to May-Rin with a wide smile.

"Yeah, she's lovely. I hope we can be good friends."

Bard scoffed. "And while you're trying to be friends with her, I'll be at third base." He said with a smirk.

"Bard!" Exclaimed May-Rin, "She's our guest, you numb-skull!" Bard only shrugged his shoulders. The door to the kitchens burst open and Aurora stomped in, her dress skirts hitched high over her knees. She huffed, threw herself down on one of the high wooden stools facing the kitchen table and laid her head on her folded arms she had placed of the table surface. Blood-red hair was slayed all around her.

"Hello, Miss. Pendleton!" proclaimed Finny. "What's wrong?" Aurora raised her head and looked into Finnys' jade eyes and laughed, confusing everyone in the room.
"Oh, nothing. Other than that stuck-up Earl of yours bossing me around as if I were his property, I'm perfectly jolly!" May-Rin, Finny and Bard exchanged concerned looks.

Bard walked around the table, wiping his hands on his apron and drew up a stool opposite her. He pushed a large plate of cookies towards her and winked when she looked at it hopefully. May-Rin hurriedly rummaged into various cupboards until she found a clear glass and a bottle of milk. She poured a glass and set it beside the cookies and smiled at the red-head. Finny sat next to Aurora and hesitantly placed his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into an awkward one-armed hug. Aurora smiled at the effort these people were taking for a person they hardly knew.

"I know he's a little difficult to handle," Finny said, "but you get used to him and he's not all bad."

"Yeah!" Mey-Rin agreed, clapping her hands together. "Anyway, he's the one who hired us, so we have to put up with him."

Aurora sighed, "Yeah, but he shouldn't have the right to boss me around."

Bard leaned forward and frowned. "Just out of interest," he said. "What even happened to make you hate him so much?"

Aurora closed her eyes and was about to speak when she stopped and thought hard about what to say. These people were lovely and so far seemed understanding and trustworthy, but that didn't mean Aurora should open her entirety to them without knowing what could happen should someone's tongue slip. She could just tell them about Ciel demanding she pose as a music tutor and maid, but that would only raise the question why she had the pose when the three servants were under the impression that she already was a hired music tutor. This is turn would mean she would have to tell them about her time-travelling experience and how the Earl was trying to send her to her own time; that was too much hassle to deal with, the red-head decided.

Unbeknownst to the trio, Aurora groaned inwardly. Now that she thought about it, Ciel was right: It would be better for to pose as a maid and tutor to prevent anyone from finding out about her secret. But that wasn't why she groaned (because she would have to work) but because Ciel was right, and that infuriated her. But for now, she would just play it as if she were still fuming over their argument

"He's just an ass-hat, is all," she mumbled. "An ass-hat with no manners and no respect what-so-ever."

Aurora attempted to shift the subject of conversation and picked a cookie from the plan china plate, breaking it in half and dipping it into the milk. "So, anyway. What exactly does Lord Phantomhive do other than operate toy companies?"

"Oh he does all sorts of things, yes he does. May-Rin answered. "He answers for people in government issues, attends parties and hosts them and he also helps the queen here and then with things even Scotland Yard can't figure out."

Aurora's eyebrows raised a little in admiration. "Really? What, so he helps figure out things like murders and stuff?" The three servants nodded their heads vigorously. "Wow, that's amazing… I've always wanted to be involved with solving a murder."

"Yeah, but we never get to help, no directly at least." Said Baldroy, he was still leaning against the table and he was pouting sadly.

"But when the master and Sebastian are away, we can eat all the cake we want!" Exclaimed May-Rin.

"I believe you can only eat all the cake you want if you make it yourself." The group of four twisted their heads round at the smooth-as-wine voice and sure enough, there was Sebastian, clad in familiar butler attire and had a crisp white cloth draped across his shoulder. He was smiling at the four, it was a smile filled with both amusement and resentment.

May-Rin leaped up from the chair she was seated in and pulled her hand up into a saluting position, her face scrunched up into concentration and she exclaimed: "Yes, Sebastian!" Both Finny and Bard did the same, however without the enthusiasm. Bard rubbed the back of his neck and puffed on his cigarette.

"Yeah, what is it, Sebastian, here to chastise us again?" Although his words were harsh, Aurora could see from his expression that he had a deep admiration for the man deep inside somewhere.

"Yes, I came to see whether you three were up to task with your chores, bearing in mind we need to prepare a suitable dinner meal before five-thirty," Sebastian opened a silver pocket watch and proved his point by indicating the time; four-forty-eight.

"But, Sebastian," said Finny timidly, looking up to the taller man from under his eyelashes, "We were trying to make Miss. Pendleton feel better, you know. She's been feeling bad after what the young master said to her."

Sebastian frowned at the boy. "Be that as it may, you still have a task and that task is your priority, now chop chop!" He clapped his hand to extenuate his point and immediately, the three servants rushed to complete their given jobs; May-Rin began polishing all of the cutlery, Finny began rearranging flowers in vases for the many tables in the Manor, and Bard began peeling potatoes and chopping carrots at breakneck speed.

Aurora hopped off her stool and patted down her dress, brushing off lint and crumbs from the cookies. She approached Sebastian hesitantly. "Do you mind if you could take me to Ciel again, only I want to apologize for what I did." Sebastian only gave her a curt nod and a smile.

"Of course, if you would follow me." He presented his arm and looked at Aurora expectantly. The red-head realized that he expected her to hold his arm. To his surprise, however, she didn't take it, instead bustling past him into the corridor and looking behind her to see if Sebastian was going to show her the way or not. He smiled inwardly and discretely licked his lips.

My, my. What a strong-spirited young maiden. I bet her soul would taste as satisfactory as my Master's will. I wouldn't mind taking her for a new master, not at all.

Little did Aurora know that Sebastian was plotting a plot in order to get her for himself. But she had more pressing matters, one being the Earl, one being a man of which she had a high disdain for. Little did she know that her hatred wouldn't be as long lived as she'd hoped.


A/N: Thanks for reading this. Please review and comment. Song was 'Monochrome Kiss' By Sid.