Disclaimer: I do not own Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji or any of its characters. They belong to Yana Toboso.
Soma looked outside as their carriage pulled up outside the Phantomhive Mansion. Someone had draped a long, fancy red carpet across the stone stairs leading up to the grand mansion doors, which in semi-custom Phantomhive hospitality looked like an alarming trip-hazard. Roses which appeared to be long deceased were scruffily tied round the pillars. A homemade banner hung precariously from the door arch, spelling out in multi-coloured letters, 'Happy Birthday Your Highness!'
Soma's cheeks glowed with delight. From the seat opposite him, Agni smiled.
"They have certainly put in a lot of effort."
The carriage drew to a halt. Soma flung open the door and dashed outside. Agni followed him, laughing. He overtook Soma, picked up the corners of the red carpet and deftly shook the ruffles from it, making it safer to walk on. Soma nearly tripped up the stairs anyway in excitement, but managed to keep his balance and eagerly opened the huge doors to the manor.
They were pounced on as soon as they set foot in the manor. Each had a hand seized by an astonishingly well-dressed lady, whose expression was positively thunderous.
"Men," she fumed, narrowing her eyes from behind her spectacles. "Almost always forget to dress properly for the occasion! You're coming with me, the both of you, before anyone sees you." She turned round, switching her grip before they could escape and towed them up the stairs, her brunette side-ponytail swinging like a pendulum. Soma cast a look at Agni, implicitly asking why he was letting them be abducted by an angry fashionista, but Agni shook his head as if to assure him they should just go with it.
Their captor looked around craftily before pulling them into one of the manors' many guest bedrooms. She pushed them both onto a settee with impressive force. Brandishing a tape measure, she started prowling round the room, observing them disdainfully. Then her expression softened as she appeared to take in Soma's bright, distinctly Indian attire.
"It's not that you're not dressed well, it's just that you're not dressed appropriately. You're in the presence of Her Ladyship the Marchioness Midford, you know, whose standards of presentation are higher than Her Majesty Queen Victoria." Soma looked down at his clothes, wondering if what he was wearing was really so shameful.
"This is what I usually wear back in Bengal. I am the twenty-sixth child of the Raja-"
"I'm informed of who you are, and I hope one day you will be able to go to Bengal and spread the word of how your tailor-of-choice is I, Nina Hopkins. That aside, we have actually met before. You might have somehow forgotten me, but I remember you, if only for your purple hair."
Soma internally cringed. How could he have forgotten this woman?
"Now, without further ado, I shall measure you and adjust your outfits I specially prepared accordingly. Don't be shy - this is my job, and if you stay still this needle will not go anywhere near you!"
"Outfits?" Agni questioned. Nina gave an evil smile.
"Did you really think Lady Elizabeth would throw you a party and not make it a costume party?"
Soma padded down the stairs, holding up his lion's tail in an attempt to not trip over it. His 'mane', made of a brown feathery scarf, tickled his neck, making him shiver. Even after their 'prime time with Nina', he still felt elated with excitement. He sat on the lowest step, waiting for Agni to escape from Nina's artistic fingers. He grinned as his servant appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Agni, what are you exactly?" His khansama was dressed in a yellow-and-brown patched one-piece and now sported black gloves, clopping shoes and what looked like a pair of small rounded horns on his head. He too had been given an impractical fabric tail. Agni rubbed his neck, which had spots painted down the sides.
"Apparently I'm a giraffe," he replied, amused. "Luckily we were short on time, otherwise I'd be fearful that our tailor friend would try to stretch my neck."
"No guesses for what made them decide on that," Soma said, looking up at the top of Agni's head. He often had to crane up slightly in order to do this. Agni happened to be the tallest man Soma had ever met, which was an appropriate quality for a bodyguard.
Agni pushed the door open for them. Soma gasped a little at what he saw. The ballroom had been transformed into a jungle. The floor was covered with sand and green leaves. Long tables were stacked with fruit, trifle and cake. Vines hung from the ceiling, begging Soma to swing on them. Other trees lined the walls, trees which looked like the lack of sun and the cold of England had no effect on them…
"Impossible," Soma heard Agni whisper. Soma raised his eyebrows and shrugged. With Sebastian around, did the word 'impossible' even exist? This thought was immediately abolished when he spotted a flurry of pink whizzing towards them at a speed that could only be deemed 'impossible', assuming this pink blur was not Sebastian.
Lizzie, dressed in a feathery gown of the loudest pink, ground to a halt before she could careen into Soma, her blonde ringlets bouncing. The hugest of smiles was plastered across her face as she clasped her hands together.
"Prince!" she squeaked. "Did you have a nice day? Please say you did!" Soma remembered her card from that morning.
"It was adorable," he said with a grin, humouring her. Lizzie squealed with delight and made as if to hug him.
"Elizabeth!" A sharp woman's voice made Elizabeth flinch back. A tall, magnificent lady with her blonde hair tied back in a bun and a stony expression came walking slowly towards them. Soma remembered at once that this was Lizzie's fearsome mother. "It is not proper to scream at one's guests."
"Yes, mother."
"Furthermore, your fiancé shall be arriving here within five minutes, or so I hope."
Soma nearly laughed. Honestly, was this how the British saw every sign of affection? No wonder Ciel acted so embarrassed whenever Soma tried to give him a friendly cuddle or stroke his hair. The implications that crossed Soma's mind as he connected these events together made his laughter harder to suppress. Lady Francis shot him a cold look. Lizzie's face lit up.
"Ciel is going to come down? Hooray! I can't wait to see him in his costume – he'll look so cute! I'll go and find him. Are you coming, Prince?"
"Yes! Let's bring him down!" Soma slipped away with Lizzie. He was becoming unnerved by the way the Marchioness had her eyes fixated on his hair as if she was fighting an urge to cut it. He looked back, realising Agni had not followed, but then remembered that as a servant Agni would be expected to help out at the party, and even if he wasn't, his khansama was the sort of person who would offer to help anyway. He glanced around the room. There were perhaps twenty or so guests, but he barely recognised any of them. It didn't help that they were all dressed as wild animals.
"Sorry about my mother," Lizzie said sheepishly. "She likes everything to be proper. She's actually the most severe on Ciel and Sebastian." This made Soma smile. "Be sure to complement her dress, won't you? She designed it herself and worked awfully hard on making the skirt look like a peacock's tail!"
"I will," Soma assured her.
They pelted through the door, where Ciel stood in the entrance hall, talking to Sebastian. They looked like they were discussing a very serious matter, which meant that Soma and Lizzie were naturally obliged to interrupt.
"Ciel!" Lizzie called, running forward to take Ciel's hands. "You look soooo cute!" She giggled as she twirled him in a fast circle. Soma beamed as he saw Ciel in a monochrome striped suit crowned with pointy ears stuck on a headband. Lizzie's right, he thought as he joined their hug. Little Ciel makes a very cute zebra.
"T-that's enough!" Ciel gasped as he tried to wriggle free of both his fiancée and his self-proclaimed best friend with some difficulty. Lizzie took the folds of her skirt and spun around.
"What do you think of my outfit, Ciel? I'm a flamingo, can't you tell?"
"You look a picture, my Lady," Sebastian said politely. Soma hadn't realised he was dressed up at first because he was in his standard black, but on closer inspection Sebastian was wearing small round ears and a long thin tail. Soma guessed he was a panther. Surprisingly Sebastian actually looked happy to be dressed up by the way he swished his tail around. Lizzie gave him a grateful nod, but her eyes were still gazing at Ciel hopefully.
"Hmm? Oh, yes…" Ciel cleared his throat as he fiddled awkwardly with his 'ears'. "Lizzie, might I ask why we are dressed like this?" Lizzie laughed as if he had said something silly.
"Why, we're dressed as African animals, for the Prince's birthday!" She gave Soma a warm smile. "To show that England can be like your home. You'll begin to feel like it soon." Ciel raised his eyebrows while Sebastian smirked.
"Africa?" Soma laughed.
"Lizzie, Prince Soma isn't African." Lizzie's eyes widened with horror.
"But…Bengal..?"
"Is in India."
"…Right." Lizzie's entire face went crimson from embarrassment. She turned to Sebastian. "Sebastian, did you know the prince was Indian when I asked you to collect some African trees?"
"I did, but I was unaware that it was your intention to recreate the prince's homeland." Lizzie put her head in her hands, ashamed.
"I'm so sorry, Prince! I thought… I wanted to… oh, it would be so useful if ladies could be taught geography!"
Soma was unoffended. He felt sorry for her. She had gone to a tremendous effort even if she had got the wrong country. It would have been nice if someone had taken a moment to tell her I am from India. Does no-one tell her anything? He pulled her hands away from her face.
"Thank you for thinking of me. I've never felt so welcome here." He smiled. "I've always wanted to visit Africa, anyhow. It was very clever of you to know that without even knowing!"
This lifted Lizzie's spirits completely.
"Well, that's lucky!" She smiled like a squirrel that had found a lost acorn. "Now, let's head back to the ballroom." She took Ciel's arm. "Sebastian has made this trifle which tastes heavenly! I'm sure you'd like it, Ciel. Maybe we could dance the waltz again, hee hee! I'd love that."
Lizzie took Ciel back through the door, Sebastian following like a shadow. Soma watched them for a moment. Lizzie certainly devotes herself to trying to make Ciel happy, he thought, as does Sebastian and all his other servants, as do Agni and I. You would think that there were enough people trying to cheer him up to clear some of the gloom…
"My Priiiiince!" Soma turned round to see his giraffe approaching. "Lord Edward was wondering where you had gone," said Agni, pressing his palms together. "I was starting to wonder myself!"
"Lizzie and I just met up with Ciel. Poor Lizzie thought we were from Africa, hence the theme!" Agni chuckled, shaking his head in bemusement.
"I take it the Midfords are not a travelling family?"
"Maybe not, but still! I can't believe she hasn't been taught more about basic geography." Soma fidgeted with his 'mane'. Agni paused before replying.
"Women are often taught different skills to men," he said. "Perhaps because men are admired for intellect, strength and status, whilst women are admired for being presentable."
"Presentable, huh?" This didn't rest comfortably in Soma's mind. "So, simple things, like whether you are taught to tell India and Africa apart, are decided from…being born a boy or a girl?"
"Much of our fortune is predetermined."
"It isn't right."
"…No. It isn't."
Soma's mind drifted back to the day of the curry contest, that day when Mina told him how she really felt about being his servant.
"Because I was born into a lower caste, I was forever doomed to be a servant. Sorry for not wanting to live my life bound to my social class!"
His mind kept drifting until he reached the day after he met Ciel. Bored with watching Ciel drawing a bottle, he had suggested drawing a naked woman instead, before ordering Ciel's bashful maid to undress. The memory made his cheeks burn with shame. He was jolted out of his thoughts by this very maid, who came bursting through the door as clumsily as ever.
"M-Mister Agni!" she called frantically. "The mansion is coming under attack! Mister Sebastian told me to come and find you immediately!" Agni narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, Miss Maid!"
Soma made to follow her when Agni suddenly pushed him to the side and launched a kick over his shoulder. Soma turned to see a man dressed in white crumple to the floor, dropping a rope that he had been holding with both hands. The prince traced his neck with his fingers anxiously, disturbed that he had been one second away from being strangled without even realising his peril. Agni took his arm and pulled him through the door.
"Sebastian!" Agni called out. "There might be some already in the manor!"
The guests and servants were all gathered in the centre of the room, in a circle around Sebastian and Ciel. Sebastian gave Agni a dismissive wave and returned to addressing the guests in a remarkably calm voice.
"Consider this not an ambush, but a challenge, and a pretty poor one at that. There is no need to worry; a number of us are well-trained in dealing with these matters. For those of you less experienced when faced with this scenario, all you are required to do is retire to the west wing with His Lordship. For the rest of you…" He cast a look at his company. The Marchioness answered for him.
"Battle stations, everyone!"
Soma looked around. Lady Francis, Lizzie, Edward and their father Lord Alexis all dashed to the sword display on the wall and drew a blade each. Mey-Rin and Bardroy replenished their guns with bullets. Sebastian slipped his hand into his tailcoat pocket and pulled out some shiny silverware. Tanaka sipped his tea.
One of the doors swung open, nearly crashing against the wall. Lau sauntered in, looking faintly amused at the sight of everyone with a long-distance weapon looking ready to open fire on him.
"Am I a little late, Lord Earl?" He strolled across the hall as if the party was still at ease. Ran-Mao followed him, swinging her lethal clubs. Ciel pressed his brow with his thumb and index finger.
"A little. You do realise we are about to be attacked?"
"Well, there is no harm whatsoever in being fashionably late, whatever the occasion!" He laughed loudly at his own statement, seeming unaware of the looks of bewilderment of the entire circle. Ciel coughed slightly.
"Everyone who wants to take no part in the fighting, come with me. Sebastian has prepared us all tea and cakes in advance to have while we wait." His uncovered eye caught Soma's. "Prince, you should come too," he added in an undertone whilst everyone divided between fighters and non-fighters.
Soma looked over at Agni, who had removed his gloves and was unwinding his bandaged hand. The sight of his selfless servant made up his mind. He clenched his fists.
"No. I want to help." Ciel sighed like a father dealing with an unruly child.
"You wouldn't be of any use."
Ciel's words sent a jolt of hurt through Soma's heart. No use? What kind of person was he if he was no use? He wanted to be useful more than he wanted to live. He was an adult now – it was about time he stepped up to his responsibilities. If you can't protect your people, then you're a sorry excuse for a leader. He stood his ground.
"I will help. There must be a way I can help."
Ciel looked at him with an almost pitying frown.
"Fine. If you want to do something, extinguish any flames you see. Candles, fireplaces, anything. If these turn out to be our arsonists, we might as well strike while the iron is hot." Soma nodded eagerly. Ciel held up his index finger. "Just remember; if you overestimate yourself and wind up in a position where you have to be rescued, then you are not being useful, you are being a hindrance." Soma grinned, linking his little finger around Ciel's outstretched index finger.
"Got it. Take care, little Ciel!"
"I wonder if you listened to anything I just said," Ciel replied in a monotone. He led the procession up to the west wing. He looked over his shoulder as he left. "Take care yourself," he muttered before disappearing among the following crowd.
Soma waited alongside the others with baited breath. Then eight windows smashed at once and all hell broke loose.
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. Thank you for reading! Thank you to those who have reviewed too: feedback is always greatly appreciated :)
