Sebastian Michaelis walked calmly down the silent road, fantasizing about his young master's soul. Oh, how he longed for the day when he could finally devour the luscious soul that his young master possessed. Cold and cunning, but yet also affectionate to the ones he loved. That's what made his master's soul so desirable.
Still in his fantasy, Sebastian rounded a corner and entered the gates to a large brick house. As he was climbing the steps to the front door, the butler was brought back to reality by a voice coming from above.
"That sure took you long enough," Ciel Phantomhive remarked irritably. He was leaning on a second floor windowsill with his chin resting casually on his hand. "I would think that a measly task such as retrieving the post, would be quite simple for a butler like you."
"I am very sorry, Master. I ran into Inspector Abberline on my way back. He required some persuasion to satisfy him as to why my Lord is residing at the town house."
"And what did you tell him?" The Earl asked annoyed.
"I told him that my Lord was taking a summer holiday," the butler replied.
"Good. We don't need the Yard poking their noses in this case. They've already done enough," Ceil said more to himself than to his butler.
"Well, don't just stand there, come inside and bring me some tea," the Earl ordered recovering from a brief moment of being lost in thought.
"Right away, Sir," Sebastian replied and proceeded into the house.
Sebastian entered the study a short while later, with a platter filled with letters and a tea cart filled with sweets and the afternoon's tea. Ciel was sitting at his desk drumming his fingers impatiently.
"You're tea Young Master, accompanied by lemon meringue pie."
"Hmm," Ciel said unimpressed. "Show me the post." The butler nodded and handed the young Earl the day's newspaper followed by a small bundle of letters.
"You've received an invitation to a ball at the Viscount Druitt's estate for tomorrow evening," Sebastian said handing Ciel the letter. Ciel noticed that the date in the corner was from almost a week ago.
"What a bother. Do I have to attend?" Ciel asked cringing as he remembered the last time he showed at a ball at the Viscount's.
"You must, Master. Social events are crucial for an earl with your standings to attend."
"Can't you just tell them I'm ill or something?" Ciel argued.
"I'm afraid not, Master." Sebastian replied. "Besides, my Lord could use a nice little break, and the attire will be different so my Lord needn't fret," the butler smiled.
"Shut up." Ciel snapped. Sebastian continued to to smile, amused by his master's outburst of frustration.
"Very well, I'll go if I must," Ciel mumbled displeased. Sebastian nodded. Ciel sighed and picked up the newspaper that was sitting on the pile of envelopes and started to read while the butler cleared away the tea.
"Still no attacks," Ciel stated looking through the pages of the paper. "That makes a whole week since Jesse's last victim." The Earl didn't like the sudden absence of killings by the vampire. It made him feel uneasy. It was true the vampire was weakened by their last encounter, but not enough for him to stop feeding.
"He's up to something, I know it. I must stop him." Ciel stated determinedly. The butler paused and stared at his master quizzically. He had never seen the young earl so perturbed by a case before. He found it quite interesting.
"What's my schedule today?" Ciel asked after a minute of silence.
"My Lord has a French lesson at one, accompanied by a fencing lesson at three," the Butler replied.
"Very well. Go into town this afternoon and get me a costume for tomorrow night," Ciel ordered.
"As you wish, Sir." Sebastian replied with a slight bow and exited the study.
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Ciel sat in the study with his forehead resting in his palm. He was once again, deep in thought about the vampire. The mesmerizing flickering from the candle light illuminated the dim room. "Why did Jessesuddenly stop attacking?"Ciel thought. He had to be doing it for a purpose; his craving to feed was too strong to just stop. So what was it?
Suddenly the Earl shot up in realization. "Of course," he murmured.
Ciel got up from his chair and tugged on a long strip of cloth close to the fireplace, summoning his butler. A few seconds later, there was a knock at the door and Sebastian entered.
"You called, Mater?"
"I need to talk to you. I think I have an idea..."
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The thirteen year old Earl arrived at the Lord Druitt's estate at exactly 8:30 p.m. accompanied by his butler. Ciel shuddered when the carriage pulled into the manor's gates. "I hate this place," he said flatly.
"Remember the task at hand, my Lord," Sebastian replied calmly. The earl said nothing as the carriage slowed to a stop and was greeted by one of the Viscount's butlers. Ciel sighed as he and his butler exited the carriage and headed up the staircase and into the manor.
The ballroom was absolutely exquisite. Lavish decorations filled the room, waiters were stationed with silver trays of champagne and wine, and an orchestra was seated in the corner playing the beautiful melodies of Mozart and Beethoven. Thehe guests were just as beautiful too, in marvelous gowns and suits. Ciel was surprised to see so many unfamiliar faces.
"There are a lot of foreigners attending tonight," Sebastian stated.
"Yes," the Earl replied. "That makes everything easier."
Suddenly, a man with long flowing blond hair entered the ballroom. Whispers of excitement filled the hall.
"There he is." Ciel heard someone say in the distance. "That's the Viscount!"
The Lord Druitt made his rounds around the room, shaking hands and greeting his guests.
"Ahh, Earl Phantomhive! How nice of you to come," the Viscount exclaimed when he finally got to Ciel. "It's such a pleasure to meet you at last."
"The pleasure's all mine," Ciel replied forcing a cheery smile.
"Oh, such beauty in one so young! My heart leaps with joy at the sight!" Lord Druitt cried. "You remind me of someone I met a while back. A pretty little robin." Ciel clenched his fists, but continued to smile.
"Well, I do hope you enjoy yourself tonight. Perhaps we shall talk a little bit later." Druitt grinned, shaking Ciel's hand.
"Yes. Thank you," Ciel grinned back.
"That was very well done, Master," Sebastian stated smiling, once the Viscount was out of earshot. Ciel shot him a glance then turned to face the crowd.
The orchestra had struck up a waltz and everyone was beginning to gather in the center of the room and positioning themselves to dance.
Sebastian's smile faltered. "Would my Lord care for something to drink?" Ciel nodded.
The butler made his way around the dancing guests, concentrating hard. He knew that smell. The foul smell that only something that vile could procure. He was almost there...
"Oh Bassy!" A shrill excited voice called. Sebastian halted. Someone emerged from the crowd, dressed in a fancy red gown and strikingly red hair to match.
"Grell?" Sebastian asked. "What are you doing here? And why are dressed like that?"
"Aren't I lovely? It's not very often that I get to show off my good looks in a wonderful dress," the reaper exclaimed.
"Why are you here?" Sebastian asked again irritated. The sent was getting harder to make out.
"Ooooh, so stern. I love a man who means business." The demon glared.. "Alright, I am here for work. Someone is slated to die tonight, here at the ball."
"Who?"
"A woman by the name of Victoria Jones."
Sebastian started to turn and walk away, when Grell grabbed him by the arm. "Where are you going my dear Bassy? Aren't you going to ask a lady to dance?"
"No." Sebastian replied sharply. The sent was fading even more.
"Now, don't force me to make a scene. I know you wouldn't want that," the reaper smirked.
It was gone.
Sebastian had no choice but to oblige to the reaper's request. He couldn't afford for Grell to draw attention to him.
"Just one dance," the butler said indignantly.
"One is all I need, Bassy!" Grell replied grinning widely.
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Ciel stood waiting on the other side of the ballroom tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for his butler to return. The earl glanced around at the dancing guests, examining each person.
"Excuse me, Earl Phantomhive?" A voice said to his left.
Ciel turned to see a young man, who couldn't be older than twenty, with auburn hair and large brown eyes facing him. "Yes," Ciel answered.
"I am very sorry if I disturbed you," the young man said in a high voice, nervously tugging on his suit cuffs. "I am Earl Edmund Stanley. I am so honored to actually meet you. You see, my little boy absolutely adores the products your company makes. When I saw you standing there, I just had to introduce myself and thank you for all of your hard work. You make so many children happy." The man gave a shy smile.
Ciel stared for a second. He didn't know that there was a young Earl Stanley. He knew the name, but not very well. Nonetheless, he smiled back. "I am honored. It always brings me great joy meeting my costumers and knowing that they are enjoying my products."
The young man grinned even more. "You know, I would love for you to meet my wife. I know she would absolutely love to meet you!"
"Well I-" Ciel began hesitantly.
"Come on, I insist!" The man said. Ciel paused, but then agreed. They were paying costumers after all, and he did need to keep up his public image.
"Excellent!" The Earl Stanley clapped his hands together in excitement. "This is going to make her night!"
Ciel forced smiled again, and followed the young man out of the ballroom and into the main hall.
"She's just in the other room. She wanted to get away from all the commotion for a little while. The poor thing gets these horrible headaches. So, the Viscount was so very nice as to let her stay in one of his rooms."
The man led Ciel around a corner that led to another, smaller hall, and then turned to face a closed door. "Come. In here," he held the door open to let Ciel in first.
The room was large and very dark. Ciel looked around, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. He noticed an open window next to the bed that was letting in a trickle of moon light. The Earl's wife was nowhere in sight. He heard the door close behind him.
"Are you sure you have the correct room?" Ciel asked starting to feel uneasy.
"Yes, this is the one, Ciel Phantomhive." The voice that came from the man was different now. It was deeper, airy, and cold. Ciel knew that voice.
The man slowly turned around. Two glowing red eyes now faced Ciel. The man smiled exposing two razor sharp fangs.
It was Jesse.