Kuroshitsuji: Another World

Chapter 4: Breakfast at...Ciel's

After the bath, Meirin helped me put on the borrowed dress. As I had overheard yesterday (at least I think it was yesterday), the dress top was tight, but I could still breathe. I also wore a pair of shoes (also borrowed from Meirin) that resembled calf length combat boots. She even went so much as to brush my hair, styling in the style I was wearing earlier (and yes, when we finished tying my hair, I did clip the ears back on.) Afterwards, Meirin led me to a spacious dining area, already Ciel had walked in, through a different door, with Sebastian escorting him.

"Good morning, master." Meirin called, bowing slightly, "Nnng…Good morning, S-Sebastian~"

"Good morning, Meirin." Ciel answered, nodding to dismiss her.

I bowed as well, "Good morning, Ciel Phantomhive. Good morning Sebastian."

"Yes, good morning," Ciel replied, he then motioned towards the table (which was set for two). "Care to join me?" he asked as Sebastian seated him.

I guess I must have hesitated a bit too long, because Sebastian guided me (much like he did last night) towards the table, and seated me on Ciel's right. I sat with my hands in my lap, admiring the mirror-like sheen of the eating utensils and decorative platter (not really willing to touch them in fear of leaving behind far too many fingerprints upon the well polished silver), doing what I could to avoid starting a conversation.

"So," Ciel started, breaking the silence, "What matter of demon are you? Since you have the ears of a cat, I assume that you're unable to fully hide what you are…"

"I-…What?" I stared up at him, meeting his gaze, "Oh! No! I'm not part cat, nor am I a demon."

"That's not what those ears say." Ciel countered, concentrating upon my face as if looking at a difficult chess move.

I laughed, "Ciel, please," I reached up to unclip one, "These are decorative hair clips, meant for decorative use."

I handed him the ear I unclipped, after he examined it and handed it back, I clipped it back on just as Sebastian wheeled in a tea cart complete with a tri-tier tray containing an impressive array of delicate pastries. My mouth opened in silent astonishment, never have I seen such talent pastry decoration (and yes, just so you know, I do have some skill in baking and pastry decorating.)

"I see you went all out on today's breakfast, Sebastian," Ciel stated in a near-bored, selecting one to eat.

"They're so beautiful," I sighed, selecting one as well, "I don't know whether to frame it or eat it."

"If I were you," Ciel said, sipping a burgundy tea sweetened with honey, "I'd eat it. Trust me, for you'll find no other taste like it."

"But then the artwork will be ruined," I exasperated.

"Please do," Sebastian smiled, also giving me a cup of tea, "if not I'll feel insulted."

"Ha," I scoffed, "playing the 'guilt' card…that is SOOO like a man. Fine then, I will."

I lifted the pastry to my mouth, expecting a run-of-the-mill taste, only to have heaven burst inside. My eyes closed as a scene of an opened field covered in wild winter roses danced within view. Just savoring the taste of the individual, yet distinctive flavors allowed enough sensory details to my vision for me to want to reach out and touch one of the roses near me. It all faded when I swallowed what I had bitten.

"Oh, Sebastian," I whispered," How did you do that? How? I-…oh, my god…"

Ciel chuckled, "well, what did I tell you. Wasn't it good?"

I glanced up imploringly at Sebastian, who was standing next to Ciel, "I must know what you did to make me taste the freedom and beauty of nature."

Sebastian placed a finger on his lips, smiling, "Like any good magician worth his salt, a good chef never gives out his recipe's secret ingredient."

"I'm a chef too," I commented, "but I've never made nor tasted anything as heavenly as this!"

"I thank you for the compliment," Sebastian bowed.

"So you're a chef too?" Ciel asked, licking powdered sugar from his fingers, "what can you make?"

I stared at Ciel, "Oh no, compared to this level of intensity, you'll not want anything I can make." I gazed morosely at the pastry before finishing it, "Sebastian, you put anything and everything I've ever made to shame." I smiled sadly before sipping my tea and reaching for another, "The tea is perfect too…"

"Hey," Ciel reprimanded, "if you thought THAT was good, you should have been here two and a half years ago when Sebastian was my only employee. Back then his cooking was so bad, not even a beggar would eat it. Everything he made was either too spicy or too salty."

Sebastian sighed, "Need you poke fun at my pre-culinary skills, master?"

"If it'll make her feel better," Ciel sighed," then yes. Besides, you're a man; you can take a little insult now and then."

Sebastian smiled ruefully, "Then I take it you've asked for her name already?"

Ciel froze, grimacing, "No, I was just getting to that! Must you under-mind every moment of my life?"

"Master," Sebastian answered," I hope you'll find this piece of information useful…"

"Oh," Ciel raised a brow, "and what might that be?"

"Know the name of a human and demon's offspring and control the rest of their-"

"She's no demon's child." Ciel interrupted.

"Really?" Sebastian asked, partially shocked, "and just how are you so sure? After all, trickery is a demon's most noted trait."

"Speak for your-self," I muttered, sipping my refilled cup. I sighed and took off the cat ears, "See, I'm no more a demon then Ciel is a women."

Sebastian stared open-mouthed at me, "You…you just…wait! I'm confused…" He replied, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"She was wearing hair adornments." Ciel sighed as if bored with the conversation. "I suppose those are all the rage in America, I'll need to invest in that-"

"Um, actually," I muttered, "I, uh, created this myself…" I replied to hide the fact that I had bought them from a different world, "I did this because I like cats but cannot have one due to my allergies."

"That makes two of us then." Ciel commented disdainfully, glaring at once at Sebastian (who appeared to be strangely pleased with him-self).

"Well, if you won't ask me my name," I mused, finishing the second cup. "Then I'll just tell you."

"No," Sebastian interjected, "The young master will ask like a proper gentleman, won't you?"

"If only to shut you up, Sebastian," Ciel stated, also draining his cup. "What is your name?"

I smiled, "My name is…"