Hello again fellow readers! If you think the story is lame, boring or it just plain doesn't make sense; Let me know by putting reviews. I haven't even gotten one review yet so I am kind of upset but you know you got to live with it… As usual if you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know. No angry mobs okay? I got a very angry email saying that I disgraced Black Butler… If you think that, I shall stop this story…
Awesomeness!
Fallen_Angel
Chapter Three: Those Girls, First Impressions
This manor was the most beautiful place I have ever been to (it even beat the shop we went to earlier!). Beauty couldn't mask the unholy presences that sent of an uninviting atmosphere in the air. There was an awful feeling around the hellishly handsome man that led us into this large windowed room. Weirdly he had a tendency to make my cheeks heat up with that deep voice of his. The thunder was still rumbling away. The ominous sound made me shudder uncomfortably, if the scary feeling wasn't enough.
When nights were dark without any light or there was hope lost inside if me, my heart longed for the girl who is more than a mother figure to me. Her soft voice made all fear disappear again. Speaking of that, I looked around for Autumn. The room was actually big enough to get lost. I wonder what else I have left to see in life…
I never really noticed how pretty the now called Autumn was. All the dirt and grime was gone, the usual mud caked hair was now washed and combed and she was sitting with her fist on her chin bearing a thoughtful expression on her face. Straight ebony hair was placed neatly into a lose pony tail. The dark brown eyes were glossy near the candle light. Was she crying? It was difficult to tell. The depth in them was deep, there was undeserved pain in them, but even with that, her soul was impossible to decode, every fibre of her being a big complex mystery itself. She was always cheerful for me, the strong one, never giving in while there was I, who cried in her arms every night. A single long tear slithered its way down her face, she didn't even bother to wipe it…
"Autumn?"
I whispered. It had become a habit to, communicating late at night in those horrid places we were kept. The name felt unfamiliar in my tongue.
"Yes Girl?"
"You know, since we thought of our own names, let us just keep them, things might get suspicious if that butler catches us. From now on it is Chantelle, am I clear Autumn?"
"I never heard you sound so grown up Chantelle dear."
"I hate it when you mock me."
"You are welcome. I need to be mean sometimes too."
"Chantelle, the man…"
"What about the man?"
"Just stay away from him."
"Why?"
"I don't exactly have the best feeling around him."
"There was another guy near the stair case remember?"
"Yes. Have you noticed that this place has a rather… interesting atmosphere?"
"You mean that an overly creepy and secretive aura."
"That's true. I never have seen so much dark colours around one person, not even Gabe."
There was a brief painful silence at the mention of the name. My hatred for silences made me break the ice.
"You know, no matter how disturbing this place may seem, that butler is something."
"What do you mean?"
"He is… very handsome."
"After all that we went through, please make sure that I don't have to hear that my little sister has married some kind of creep butler."
"Don't be this sick, I am way younger than him."
"So you do want to marry him…"
"Idiot…"
"OOOOHHHH…
"God I haven't even gotten to register how hot he is and you are already planning marriage?"
"I call dibs on being a bridesmaid."
"What have I gotten myself into…?"
The ebony haired one smiled in triumph.
"Can you sing me to sleep?"
"It has been a while since I did that, hasn't it?"
"Please Autumn?"
"You know I would never say no to you, little monkey."
With a satisfied smile, we cuddled up, never were we this toasty warm in a cold night. I closed my eyes as a soft haunting melody invaded my ears, nothing seemed scary now, not even the feeling in this place.
"Softly, softly the Raven cries,
"In the field of Roses the Moon collides,
"In the palace of Thorns the mighty Kings lie…
Was all I heard before I faded into the land of dreams...
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
A long red licorice hung loosely from the silk pyjama clad boy, who was sitting with both his legs up in another comfortable dark velvet chair. A hard covered collector's edition of The Wuthering Heights lay lazily on his lap. Anybody not of this wealth would have gasped in shock the way the boy treated his book. It was obvious that the owner of this rare possession was dozing off in boredom. The story was not to his liking but he did like the setting and the sadness inside it otherwise the love triangle thing was too prissy for the boy's liking.
His dozing was interrupted as one of his two butlers came to view.
"Your book selection was horrible Sebastian."
"I am sorry to hear that you did not like it Bocchan, apparently it is quite popular with young readers these days."
"Do you think I care if a man got revenge on another man for stealing his woman?"
"Probably not."
The look Ciel gave the taller man was colder than ice.
"Why are you here Sebastian?"
"I needed to inform my Lord about some unexpected guests."
"Didn't those three take care of the unexpected visitors?"
"If you excuse me my Lord, I said unexpected not unwanted."
With this comment, Sebastian could see he had hit his grumpy master's nerve point.
"You let complete strangers in without permission?"
"I deeply apologise for this inconvenience but due to the rain, it was only polite to let them in."
"Politeness huh? Common curtsy towards my kind doesn't seem like your style Sebastian. Explain your actions."
"Two young ladies hardly are dangerous-
"You let whores in?"
"No my Lord," the butler said clearing his throat.
"Do you recall the event today at Trafalgar Square today my Lord?"
"What event?"
"When the gentleman near the alleyway had his money bag snatched by a couple of thieves?"
"Mm hm, what about that?"
"If I remember correctly, the two ladies have a surprising resemblance to those pick pockets."
The boy thoughtfully looked at a dusty bookshelf, suddenly interested. He motioned for Sebastian to continue on.
"The way they are dressing now are exactly opposite of how they were dressed this morning. They could easily pass of as genteel women."
"Get to the point. You are wasting my patience."
"They looked like from some major trafficking gang this morning. So my point is that there might be a group Her Majesty is unaware of. But most importantly, they give of a rather peculiar aura. Strong emotions that bear pain. I could sense it."
Sebastian looked at Ciel with the ever present smile on his face. Ciel simply glared hardly, his handed balled into fists.
"Peculiar aura?"
"It is a kind that I feel once in every seven millennias."
The Lord was used to having his butler change the subject when he asked a question that had to do with his origins. He knew this time it will be pointless too but he had a feeling that only time will explain.
"I don't see your reason for wanting to employ them as servants.
Ciel said quickly understanding what his butler was getting at.
"Young master, always clear in his words."
"Talk to them about the issue at breakfast tomorrow morning. I can sense that I have got my hands on a white hot trail that might lead to the gang cases throughout England."
"So would you like me to present this proposal to them tomorrow morning?"
"Do whatever you think will be right. I don't care. If you find them worthy, they are completely yours and Claude's responsibility. I feel like reading more, so get me some tea and quit bothering me."
"I thought my lord did not like the selection of the book."
"Go."
"Yes my lord. Thank you for understanding… personal requests."
"Don't make it sound like I am being all gushy to you both. I just want to know if they bear any certain connections that may help me.
"You both, my lord?"
"How can you forget the presence of Claude in this manor I cease to know?"
"Forgive me my lord, now if you will excuse me."
As he was to go for the exit way, suddenly turning around he said:
"One more thing young master."
"What is it?"
"If you look at the younger sibling closely, I am absolutely sure you would see what else I am talking about."
With a little bow he glided out of the library, leaving his master dumbfounded on the cryptic remark.
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
"Would you like some more tea Miss Thorne?"
The statue like man we saw yesterday near the stair case said.
"No thank you. Pardon me but what was your name again?"
I tried to keep the little chat going since the master of this house failed to show up again. The uncomfortable feeling never left when I saw Chantelle busily chatting away with her little crush. The one called Sebastian was certainly shameless, flirting away carelessly with a twelve year old. With a closed eyed smile he sure does look like one hell of a rapist… or a very gay stripper… or an incredibly lecherously paedophilic good looking person. The man to my right replied.
"Claude. Claude Faustus."
"I have never heard about any Faustus families before."
"How could a beautiful noblewoman such as yourself have heard of names as lowly as mine?"
"Don't say that to yourself, I am just saying that it isn't a very common name."
"I am deeply honoured to…
Claude was cut of pretty harshly as the door to the dining hall burst open dramatically revealing a small male figure. Holding a freaking cane in his hand. The small boy possessed a high sense of authority that any snobby noble would yet it felt different, more hurt and rather lost. Just like from the hellish night with the mad girl and the good looking man. I see why the damn butlers have been dropping annoying hints around Chantelle. After I looked at the boy I couldn't blame them one bit. There was a major reason to be shocked.
The Earl looked exactly like my travelling companion I have fled with, shared adventures with for eight continuous years.
When I mean how exactly they look alike, I mean exactly.
The boy had the exact same round blue eyes and the peculiar shade of midnight hair that was not quite black and not quite brown. More of the bluish kind. The only difference being the plain yet expensive looking eye patch he wore.
I caught the eyes of all the members of the room except for Chantelle who was too busy mentally figuring out how to consume a lavish looking breakfast item in front of her.
"Young master, our visitors have been patiently waiting for your arrival. As I have informed you they came around last midnight."
Sebastian declared boldly while "young master" grunted lightly for a response.
God these rich people… how they think of them above their servants.
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
Chantelle
Oh no.
The approach of extreme infinite awkwardness has begun with my sister and the grumpy kid. I looked at my Sebastian for extra reassurance but he was instead staring at the scenario ahead. After a few moments when we all realized that this was not going to work out, the butler sprang into the rescue.
"Bocchan, I am glad that you have been able to join us in breakfast. These are our unexpected visitors. This is Lady Autumn Thorne and this is her dear little sister Lady Chantelle Thorne. They are as English as they can get…
Sebastian snarffed the last part out as if it was some inside joke he was thoroughly enjoying. Even I have to admit, that comment was rather stupid in a way. Ciel stayed unaffected at the off topic comment.
Ladies, this is our Earl of the manor, Earl Ciel Phantomhive, owner of the Funtom Company of Sweets and Toys."
"It is an honour to meet you my Lord Phantomhive. As your butler Sebastian stated, I am indeed Lady Autumn von Thorne and this is my one and only sister."
I fixed a little smile on my face and bobbed my head in happiness…
Holy Mother of God. My sister could be an actor, the way she said those lines with epic profession. Soon he was definitely going to ask us our destination and where we are from and our cover was two seconds away from being blown. He was a kid but he didn't seem that naïve, at all. Autumn's stories of unicorns and rainbows were not going to save us now.
"Pleasure." Ciel said briefly. His one visible eye glinting dangerously. It was beyond of freaky how he resembled me bit by bit.
Slowly he descended into the chair at the head of the table.
The spectacled man already had the chair out spreading a sparkling white apron on the kid's knees, serving a lavish looking piece of unknown food immediately. Wow, that was fast. I swear I saw him by my sister's side a second ago… I am already regretting on stepping a foot on this manor. What were we thinking? Asking shelter in a noble's house with their fancy looking silverware… According to my knowledge, there aren't even any well-known Thorne families in England. My body froze when the conversation of doom began.
This is something like how it kind of went...
"The Thornes' you say…"
"The one and only family in England Lord Phantomhive."
In the mentioning of his name he visibly shifted uncomfortably, for an instant second the cold blue eyes once locked into my nervous pair. His aura was in massive bluish and red flames. And I did not like what they symbolised.
Meaning of Extreme Impatience, suspicions, curiosity and irritation.
"Please do not address me as such for I fear this matter puts me in midst of awkwardness, our age groups are not that far apart and assuming you are a noble woman, I am simply Ciel at your service."
"Oh Lord Ciel, do not flatter me to such a privilege." As she flashed him a charming smile. The blush effect were immediate. No matter how hot headed this guy might seem, he was still a man. Ah men and their urges…
"I do hope my servant s provided with both your needs."
"Yes they did my Lord. I show my deepest appreciation for letting us stay for one night."
I noticed that he did not acknowledge this complement but instead now staring at me again very intensely. Again.
"Your sister, Lady Chantelle, does she not speak?"
Damn, he noticed me.
"In fact she does actually but she is not your very talkative girl, not to mention her health is fragile these days."
"Oh really?" He said in mock surprise. "I thought I saw her chatting away rather talkatively away to my butler."
How did he know? Sis was right about walls having ears…
"Interesting…" Autumn stated shortly, chewing on a piece of buttered toast. Thank God. This finally indicated that this subject was closed.
"Lady Thorne, where are you travelling from, even at this season?"
"We were travelling from Transylvania, Romania my lord."
"For whatever reasons?"
"Personal family reasons that should stay strictly confidential for now."
"It would appear that you bear the typical English of a British noble woman without a single word bearing the pulls of a Romanian accent."
"Er, you see my lord; our noble house has been a bit… troubled for a few years, resulting in a very complex tangle of situations. We have our other reasons to have departed this family anyhow, meaning in simple words, we have abandoned our whole clan, travelling from place to place with the title "half-noble" wherever we go. Fallen nobles basically."
"Forgive me, but I fail to understand this tangle of situation which I should not have asked since it is not my business at all. Answer me my Lady, how come the Queens' Watch Dog has never even heard of the Thorne family let alone see a member?"
"I am hesitant to answer."
"Don't be."
"People have been fed money and threatened to keep their mouth shut about how the family fell from the Church of England's grace by making a very cruel conspiracy against the royal Tudor family, resulting the beheading of couple of members. Some survived, leading to make offspring. Since then the story of the wretched family of Thorne have been lost amidst history, residing in its darkest corners. I don't know exactly but since I can remember it has always been like this, we have been travelling from place to place like a pack of Gypsies."
"If I am not mistaken I heard you say that your family resides in Romania then how come you are…
"I think I have mentioned that we have some personal reasons to leave the place behind."
"Tell me my lady, are you working anywhere right now?"
"Excuse me?"
"I mean fallen noble or half-noble whatever you call it, straight on, are you low on money, travelling around in random?"
"I am sorry but I do not understand what you are saying."
I am one hundred percent sure that she was sure.
"Would you like to work here as a… nobleish Phantomhive servant?"
"My lord! I am offended!"
Autumn cast her hands dramatically over her oh-so-offended heart. Wait. Did I hear that correctly in my bloody ear? Did he just…
"Apologies my dear lady," Sebastian dutifully broke in.
"I am sure our Earl meant to say that would you, perhaps like to stay for a bit maybe help out here and there…
"That is practically the means of a servant! Thank you for letting us stay for the night and this delicious breakfast. Come on Girl we are leaving!"
Our hasty attempt to escape was blocked again by the nasty chatter of Sebastian.
"Please do not be offended my lady, our Earl would never have meant it that way. He was merely interested in you. By that I mean how you travelled around in distant lands. My lord is interested in all sorts of fascinating adventures. Maybe staying here could be a very pleasant experience for you. But of course I am not to decide that since I am a servant, a butler to the core."
As soon as Sebastian said that I swear I saw the kid give Sebastian the most murderous look without being impolite if that is possible.
I thought, Autumn was really good at telling stories about travelling and things. It was once in a life time opportunity. A million times better than staying in the comfiest alley ways, always running and running the fear of being sold or captured somewhere, never having a sense of peace. Seriously what could go wrong. Right? Plus I am really fond of the lavender bath salts.
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
"We really like the offer you gave us, it was very generous of you." I blurted out sheepishly. Autumn pinched my hand, now being the second one casting a murderous look around.
The minute I said it, I regretted it almost immediately. The thousand things that could go wrong suddenly came flooding back in my head like a very huge unwanted tsunami. What if Sebastian behind his good looks was actually some kind of evil person that takes kids hostage? What if the creepy dude Claude was actually a mutant cannibal? He sure did look like one with how he was giving all of us hungry looks. I cannot even begin to explain the mad auras around here. Ok, calm down… Autumn told me too many scary stories down in the streets…
"Excellent. The young lady likes the idea so what about you Lady Thorne?"
"Um, we appreciate it but it would be a terrible burden on your shoulders. We have so much more travelling to do so…
Wait, using the noble's powers' we can find out so many things about ourselves that we didn't know before. Surely he got access to places that normal people couldn't go to? I also need to know why I look like him, coincidence or something much more? I could see a whole dark conspiracy right in front of my very eyes.
"Please Autumn? I mean we could use a break from all this travelling. This kind offer Lord Phantomhive gave us so thoughtfully, it would be rude to turn it down."
"O-Ok. If that is good with you…
"Consider it done. Claude will immediately provide two rooms for both of you and your luggage would be placed in appropriate places"
"No. Actually there are some articles in our trunks that needs to be handled with utmost delicacy…
"I assure you that it will be handled with as much delicacy as possible madam…
"Please."
"As you wish."
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
After a Day of Sitting about doing nothing in the library, at Autumn's Chamber, after getting mad at Chantelle at night…
"Did you notice something Girl?"
"What?"
"The way they suddenly made that offer."
"I think it was nice of them."
"Imagine you are a high class noble with a snotty top hat. Two unknown strangers turn up at your door at midnight in the middle of storm and rain, one of them female yet dressing like a male. They show a peculiar lack of manners yet claiming to be nobles with a bad history, Who speak informal English, who travel a lot and who are unsupervised women. Their story is very suspicious. I am not going to even talk about if they were seen in rags near a dark alleyway pick pocketing a fat guy, seen by your trusted butler. Now tell me, if you were a noble with a right mind, would you out of the blue say to them if they want to stay at your manor for some time and mope around? Meaning offering them a permanent home by any means?"
"Probably not."
"Exactly! He wants something form us."
"I was wondering the same thing that what could he."
"We could have busted out of here if you didn't start talking."
"Sorree!"
"There is nothing to be done, we might as well stay and find out what this bull is all about."
"Right."
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
At the same time…
"Did you notice something Sebastian?"
The Earl said not even bothering to acknowledge the lurking shadow of Claude in the room.
"I did indeed. Lots to be exact"
"Do you think they can see through your charm?"
"I do not think so if they are not who I think they are."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing of importance. You should retire to bed now young master, we have a long day ahead of us since your friend Alois is visiting."
"What?!"
"Good Night young master."
At the corner of the room somewhere at the mention of the name, Claude flinched slightly.
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
Sebastian and Claude's nightly ramblings…
"So are you getting hungry for any certain souls yet brother dear?"
"I thought I told you not to call me that you bastardy…
"Now, now, no need to get touchy there, I was just wondering."
"If you do not stop, I will spill the real name of yours."
"Do you think I cannot do the same to yours?"
"If you even know how to say it proper."
"What makes you think I cannot?"
"It is something that can be only be pronounced by the light whispers of the spiders, the soft drop of the morning dew against the thin crawlies' web…
"I get it how it is soo special."
"You don't even rule an important part of Hell."
"You don't even rule a part in Hell."
"That is because I rule my own dimension."
"You mean the sidekick of Hell? How lovely."
"At least ruling another whole alternate dimension is better than ruling a little piece of a tiny place only the size of the mortal earth."
"Nobody even knows about you little world."
"Do you think I care if mortals did not record it in their little books?"
"I never said anything about mortals caring…
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-
Let's just say that went on for two more hours straight.
I am sorry that took soo much time to post and stuff. Don't forget to follow, favourite and review! Do you guys want the SebbyVsClaude ramblings on every chapter? Let me know!
Stay Epic
Fallen_Angel