Kuroshitsuji © Yana Toboso
OCs © reaper-of-lost-souls
A/N: Geeze! Wasn't expecting to write so much for this chapter… but oh well! I got transfixed in the dancing part X3 And just a heads up that I won't be writing as fast as I have been. School is starting to gang up on me and I have a lot of assignments to get done. Other than that, I hope you enjoy this next chapter! Yeah chapter 3 was a bit hard for me to write also. It was getting long and I had to add the reason why Undertaker sleeps in a coffin! =D I just noticed how close in time Sophie is with Ciel… it's getting on my nerves. Some of my ideas may not work now… oh well! Go ahead and comment if you like. X3
!#$%^&*()
Sophie yawned, sitting up in bed and stretching. She rubbed her eyes, noticing it was late in the day. "Oh I must have overslept again," she giggled to herself, jumping out of bed. She walked over to the bathroom and combed her hair, her natural waves of a color combination of light and dark auburn fell past her shoulders and stopping halfway down her spine. She smiled, her blue/green eyes matching her slightly pale skin perfectly. She touched the green ring that hanged around her neck, noticing how it seemed to match the green in her eyes. 'I wonder why Undertaker didn't wake me up like he usually does,' she sighed, taking off her white nightgown and replacing it with boyish looking clothes. She smirked, her femininity hidden behind a big gray collared shirt, dark green slacks, and black boots, which were just as stylish as the Undertaker's boots that disappeared underneath the slacks. She rolled her hair into a bun and pinned it up, adding a brown newsboy cap on top of her head. She giggled to herself, again checking herself in the mirror before walking out of the bathroom and into the front of the morgue. Sophie saw the Undertaker hunched over a coffin, obviously working on something. She shrugged, grabbing a black trench coat off of the coat hanger and tying the belt around her waist, which hid any type of accusation that she was a woman. "Hey dad," she smiled.
He looked up, holding a needle and thread in his hand, "Good evening little maiden," he smiled back, setting the tools in his hand down in the coffin.
She frowned, "Why didn't you wake me up sooner? I could have helped you with something."
"Oh I just didn't want to wake you up," he chuckled to himself.
"Why?" she looked at him sternly, her eyes showing from under her cap.
"You were sleeping like a little angel, and I couldn't possibly wake you up when you sleep like that ~" he laughed, her eyes growing wide.
"Undertaker!" she glared, her face turning bright red. "Don't do that!"
She huffed, plopping down on a coffin and crossing her arms and legs. She glanced over at him, but avoiding contact with his face. "Well now a days I never get to see you're beautiful figure," he chuckled, "so what do you expect your dear old father to do? ~"
Sophie quickly turned her head in a huff. "That's just creepy!" she frowned, rubbing the back of her head. "B-besides, I don't like walking around town in big poofy dresses. Those gentlemen, as they call themselves, always staring and gawking at me. EWwww!" she twitched.
The Undertaker chuckled, and then laughed heartedly causing Sophie to give him a death glare underneath her cap. "I guess people gawking at you can get annoying," he walked over, tilting her head up so she was looking up at his face, "but you shouldn't hide your beauty. It won't last forever."
She smirked, "I'll think about it." He chuckled, giving her a kiss on the cheek, before going back over to the coffin he was working at. Sophie sat there a while, in deep thought, before looking back at the Undertaker. "Dad?"
"Hmmm?" he hummed, his attention still at the corpse.
"I've always wondered what color are your eyes?"
He smirked, his mischievous grin yet, "You'll learn in due time."
Sophie let out a sigh, getting up from the coffin. "I'm going to make some cookies for be leaving in half an hour. Do you want me to have dinner at the orphanage or here?"
The Undertaker shrugged, closing up the coffin and wiping his hands of the blood, "It's up to you little maiden."
She shrugged, beginning to walk out of the room, "Then I think I'll stay longer this time," she smiled. "I heard there is a young couple staying there. I guess it's the church's hospitality policy or something like that," she shrugged.
"Oh that church. All talk and no –"
"Action? Yeah I know," she giggled, "but Miss Robin has helped me so much that I can't just turn away. I think you understand dad." She smirked, leaving the room and walking down the hallway.
He chuckled, "Sure I do little maiden. Sure I do…"
!#$%^&*()
Sophie smiled to herself, leaping up the steps leading up to the orphanage. She knocked on the door, breathing in the newly fallen rain. As the door opened her eyes widened, "Miss Robin!"
The elder woman laughed, "Sophia!" they laughed, Robin quickly inviting her out of the cold. "So how are you? I haven't seen you in a while."
"Well I've been stuck at home tending to the new residents that have been showing up because of the cold, but now that the weather is getting warmer dad and I aren't getting as many customers as we used to. So I was thinking a visit was in order!"
Robin chuckled, showing her down the hallways of the orphanage, "Is that so? Well that's great! So what did you make today?"
"Hmm?" she shrugged, handing over the tin can. Robin opened the lid, the fresh smell instantly roaming her nose, "Oh it smells yummy!"
"Well I had some leftover ginger so I made some gingerbread men!"
"Just gingerbread men?" Robin questioned her.
"And women! Of course I did that," she laughed, the building shaking from her loud laughter.
Robin giggled, "I can see why the rumors of Undertaker and you being father and son are true. You even laugh like him! Though I wish you'd wear more tasteful clothes so those rumors would be turned to daughter instead of son."
Sophie shrugged, "Let the general public make their assumptions about me. I'm just happy the way I am and where I'm at. I don't want anything to change." She smiled happily, grabbing a cookie from the tin box.
Robin closed the tin roughly, to Sophie's dismay. "Are you staying for dinner?"
Sophie nodded, biting off a limb from the gingerbread man in her hand and eating it. "Yep. Hopefully I can get home before nightfall. I don't want to walk home by myself in the dark, even though I look a young boy."
Robin nodded, walking into the mess hall. "Just have a seat wherever you want and we'll start dinner shortly."
"Okay," Sophie nodded, looking around the room. She smiled, remembering when she was as young as the children seated around the tables. She looked around, her eye falling on a young man and woman in the corner. She smirked, walking over and seating next to them. "Hello," she smiled.
"Oh hello there," the woman greeted.
"I'm not intruding am I?" she said rather sheepishly.
"Not at all friend!" laughed the man, obviously full of energy. "This is the first time we've met someone your age here."
"Yeah," she chuckled slightly, scratching the back of her head.
"My name is Maria and this is my fiancé Ricardo," the woman smiled, gesturing over to the man.
"Yeah, but you can call me Rick," he smirked, shaking her hand.
"Well mine is Sophia, but you can call me Sophie," she smiled happily.
"Oh Sophie?" Maria smiled, nodding in disapproval.
"We thought you were a boy," Rick laughed, "Sorry about that."
"Oh that's all right!" Sophie laughed with them, "I get that a lot."
Maria smiled, "Well it's nice to meet you Sophie." She nodded, looking over at Robin. She was talking to the priest and she wondered what it was about. "So Sophie," she began, causing Sophie to turn her attention back to the happy couple, "do you live here at the orphanage?"
"Why no I don't," she smiled. "I actually live at the morgue, a few blocks east from here, but I used to live here! That's why I come by and visit every once in a while."
"The morgue?" Maria frowned, "That's not a very good place for a young lady like yourself to be living."
"Yeah…" she shrugged. "But I love it there! I wouldn't trade it for the world," she grinned happily.
Rick laughed, causing Maria and Sophie to look over at him. "We'll have to walk around and see it sometime, right Maria?"
She looked at him disgusted, "Perhaps…"
Sophie smiled, "Oh you don't have to do that. Actually it's less scary if you go during the day."
"Well we'll make sure we go at night then!" Rick laughed louder, eyes turning on them.
Maria rolled her eyes, "You have to excuse him. He tries to have too much fun."
"It's ok," she smiled, "I understand what you mean." She looked at them, their features bringing her to the conclusion that they were foreigners. Plus the accent, but she met a lot of people in London with different accents. "So why are you guys in town?"
"Well I'm looking for a job," Rick shrugged, "Once I find a good job with decent pay I'll get an apartment house for the two of us in the city."
Maria nodded in understanding, "but we're really here to dance."
"Dance?" Sophie asked, looking at them confused.
"Of course!" Rick laughed, beating his chest with his hand. "The flamenco, the dance of passion!" He jumped up, raising his hands up high, causing Sophie to giggle.
"Ricardo don't scare the girl," Maria smirked, making sure he was situated till she began talking again. "The flamenco is a type of dance that's started in our homeland, Spain, by the gypsies. You have three main players for the music: the cante, the singer, the toque, the guitar player, and the palmas, or handclaps. With these three elements you add dancers and the dance comes alive!"
"Oh really?" Sophie smiled, intrigued, "Sounds interesting… flamenco you say?"
"Of course," Maria smiled. "We were hoping to introduce the art of flamenco here in Great Britain. Though…" she sighed, "I have my doubts anyone here will like it."
Sophie smiled, "Well that's okay. Just because of our climate the British are already in a crabby bunch of people, but perhaps this new style of dancing will thrive! Of course there's the ballet."
"Yes the ballet," Rick smirked, "we know how to dance ballet, even the waltz. We're primarily here to influence our homeland's dance, but we're here to study different styles of dancing too."
Sophie nodded, understanding their situation. "Well sounds like fun! Perhaps you'll teach me sometime."
"Of course!" Maria giggled, putting a hand on top of Sophie's. "We know other people here from Spain who have moved here for dancing. We're trying to get a group together to promote the flamenco. You're welcome to come by anytime and see us practice if you'd like."
"Oh really?" Sophie gasped.
"Yes really!" Rick laughed. "We'll have to get you a dress that fit, but you can come and dance with us whenever, wherever."
Sophie giggled, "Well that sounds fun then."
They heard a noise from the front of the room, causing them to hush up. "Oh and Sophie," Maria began.
"Yeah?" she whispered back.
"I'm happy we met you."
Sophie smiled, putting her free hand on top of Maria's. "So am I," she giggled, turning her attention back to the front of the room.
!#$%^&*()
)(*&^%$#!
"Hey dad!" Sophie yelled from the bedroom.
"Yes little maiden?" the Undertaker said, washing his hands.
"I'm going to go out now."
"Again?" he looked over, watching as Sophie walked hastily to the door. "W-woh hold it dear," he said, grabbing hold of her hand before she opened up the door, "dearest," he chuckled. Sophie let out a sigh, turning around to face him. "You've been leaving every day for the past week. What's going on?" he said with no smile on his face, but sternness in his tone of voice.
Sophie frowned, looking at him with worried eyes. "Okay…" she walked back into the room till he let go of her hand. "Well I've been hanging out with these dancers from Spain, and they're teaching me a dance, the flamenco," she smirked at him, raising her arm up and putting one on her hips, "a-and it's really fun!"
"You mean that couple who came by the night you came back from the orphanage?" he questioned her.
"If you mean Maria and Ricardo, then yes," she smiled. He chuckled, rubbing her head and taking her cap from her, making waves of auburn hair fall over her face. "Undertaker!" she giggled, moving the hair from her eyes and started jumping around to get her cap back.
He grabbed her around the waist, bringing her into his chest. She grrrr-ed trying to spin around to look him in the face. He nuzzled his face into her hair, causing Sophie to giggle. "Awe my little maiden is growing up!"
"Undertaker!" she giggled, trying to pry his hands off of her body, "Undertaker okay I told you! Can I have my cap back?"
He smirked his signature grin before letting go of her waist. "Here you go," he said, putting the cap on her chest so she immediately grabbed it. Sophie looked at him, her cheeks holding a tint of red. "I didn't want that to be a daily ritual for you, but if you must go then you can." She smiled at him, about to leave, "but –"
"But?" she frowned, not liking the tone of his voice.
"But can you stick around for just a few minutes. The Queen's newly acclaimed Watchdog, Earl of Phantomhive, will be arriving to get some valuable information from me. Seeing as you're always asleep when he comes by, I was hoping you'd at least stick around ~"
Sophie frowned, "That sounds more like a statement then a question."
"Indeed it does," he smiled. "W~ell…"
"How long will it take?" she asked, glaring at him.
"Just a few minutes. He doesn't tend on staying long," he chuckled to himself.
She let out a sigh, "Alright," she said in defeat, "but I won't stay for long. Okay? ~"
"That's all I can ask," he smiled, walking over to the other end of the store and scratching his head.
Sophie frowned, sitting down on a coffin in the corner. She rolled up her hair and pinned it back up, securing her cap back on her head. She sat there for a while, watching as the Undertaker fiddled around with the paperwork on his desk. 'Geeze I'm in here wasting time! Maria must be having a fit by now… well I'm sorry guys. I'll show up when I can, I guess,' she grumbled to herself.
She heard a carriage stopping right in front of the store. "Oh," Sophie heard from the Undertaker, causing her to look over at him, "and do be a dear and try to make a good first impression."
"I'll only show him an impression that he's fit for," she glanced over at him, before looking back at the door.
The door ringed open and in stepped the Earl, almost the same age as herself, almost. He was obviously a few years younger, giving her a reason to smirk at him. He had short-dark matted hair and brown eyes. He took off his top hat, noticing the person he wanted to see. "Hello Undertaker," he said with a bow, "It's been a while since I've seen you."
"Ahh~ the Queen's newly acclaimed Watchdog ~" he chuckled, causing Sophie to roll her eyes.
She looked over and noticed a butler behind him, obviously older then the Earl. She smirked, 'Probably just became in charge of the Phantomhives or something.' She watched as the conversation unfolded, Sophie letting out a bored yawn. 'So you just fool around with them, give them the information, and let them be on their way. How booooooring,' she groaned. She looked over at a spider on the wall, wandering how to end up there.
"Sophie ~" she heard her name be called.
She glanced over, sarcasm in her voice, "Yes father?"
"Do you think the joke Young Earl said was any good?"
She glanced over at them, noticing how frustrated the Earl looked. "Nope. Not at all," she snickered.
"Oh is this your daughter?" the Earl asked, finally noticing her.
She rolled her eyes, "Yes I am, boy. Thank you for actually noticing."
"Boy?" he looked at her confused.
She smirked, "Yes, boy. You're obviously younger than me, aren't you?"
"I guess…" he looked at her confused. "Shouldn't you teach your daughter manners?" he looked back at the Undertaker.
Sophie hissed at him, "He teaches me plenty," she said, venom in her voice.
"Now, now Sophie," the Undertaker interrupted, "let's not frighten the Earl too much ~" he glanced over at her. "Now," he smirked, "back to the joke." Sophie rolled her eyes, turning around so her back was to them and she was facing the wall.
She kept her stature tall and proud, and she waited till the door opened and closed shut. Her arms were crossed, her mood foul. She heard big boots clanking on the ground, walking to the coffin and then stopping. She glanced over to see the Undertaker sit next to her, Sophie grumbling to herself and moving away from him. "Now what was that?" he asked.
"He insulted you," she hissed, "I couldn't let that fly, even if he's an Earl."
She moved away from him, noticing out of the corner of her eye that he was going to snag her cap. "He's a very good customer of mine, Sophie," he said, grabbing her cap and twisting it between his long black nails, "You didn't have to be rude to him."
She looked over at her cap, then at his eyes. She couldn't help but let out a sigh, "Sorry…" she frowned, "I just didn't like him, okay?" She turned around, looking at him straight in the eyes, "And why do you suddenly want me to show off my figure? Is it because you want men to notice me… because you don't want me around anymore?"
The Undertaker looked down at her. She looked hurt, and it was hard for him to keep staring at her. He smiled a sincere smile, wrapping his arms around her waist, "No," he simply said. Sophie still frowned, not sure if she wanted to believe him. "I'd never want you to leave, Sophie." He pulled her in a hug, her hands wrapping around his waist.
They sat there for a while, before Sophie broke it and pried his hands off of her. She stood up, walking to the door and putting her hand on the handle. She let out a sigh, and then looked over at the Undertaker. "Then don't act like you're trying to give me away," she frowned, her eyes full of sadness. Then she opened the door and closed it, leaving the Undertaker there as he looked down at her cap and scrunched it a bit.
)(*&^%$#!
Sophie ran down the streets, almost colliding into Maria and Rick. "Oh Sophie!" Maria cried out, as Sophie slipped and almost fell on the pavement, being caught by Rick.
"Thanks Rick," she smiled, brushing herself off and combing her hair out.
Maria smirked, "You have your hair down today?"
"Well that's because dear old dad stole my cap from me," she frowned, slightly annoyed. "Sorry for almost being late!"
"Hey no problem kid," Rick chuckled, swinging an arm over her shoulder and leading her down the road. "It's good that you're joining us. A bunch of us are planning on gathering at the local tavern for a drink. Would you like to join us?"
"M-me?" Sophie replied timidly. "Sure… I guess," she shrugged.
"And we're going to have to get you into a dress!" Maria giggled, causing Sophie's eyes to look at her surprised.
"A dress? I-I don't want –"
"Oh don't say that!" Maria smirked. "We are going to get you into a dress if it's the last thing I do," she giggled.
Sophie let out a sigh, "O-ok… but I'll decide the dress, ok?"
"Sure," Maria shrugged, linking her arm with hers. "Besides we haven't seen you in a dress this whole time. Just that horrible outfit! You need to show off more class then that," she smirked happily. Sophie giggled at her comment, smiling and skipping down the street.
)(*&^%$#!
"Here how about this one?" Maria said, holding up a red gown. Sophie shook her head. Maria let out a sigh, "Well you have to pick something! We're running out of dresses."
Sophie bit down on her bottom lip, looking around the room of clothes. Then she smiled, her eyes perking up. She picked up a dark cerulean dress with some emerald accents. The dress was long, but flowed so it wouldn't stick tightly to her body. "H-how about this?" she asked, shielding the dress in the face so she wouldn't see Maria's expression. "I-I know it's a bit distasteful, but I like that color –"
"Distasteful!" Maria laughed, "There's nothing distasteful about that! Actually…" she said, walking over to Sophie so she could get a better look. She took the dress from Sophie's hands and held it in front of her, measuring the dress and imagining how it would fit. "It may be too loose… but if we add a belt or something around your waist and tie off the back I think it'll look great on you."
"R-really?" Sophie looked at her confused, trying to see the dress through Maria's eyes and how I'd look on her.
"Sure! Now come on and put it on so we can get back to the festivities," Maria said, tossing the dress back at Sophie and walking out of the room. "And don't worry," she yelled though the door, "I'll be here so no one will walk in on you."
Sophie giggled, "Okay Maria." Quickly she slipped off her clothes, first her boots and coat, and then her shirt and slacks. She looked behind her, making sure no one was coming into the room, and slipped the dress over her head. The dress flowed down as she stood up, the dress almost touching the ground. She noticed that the dress didn't quite cover her bust, so she pulled on the back of the dress to keep them hidden.
"Hey Sophie are you done in there?" Maria yelled through the door.
"Y-yah…" she said unsure.
Maria opened the door and walked in, her eyes lighting up like candle lights. "Sophie that's beautiful on you!" she giggled.
Sophie put her arms down, lifting up the dress slightly, "Y-you think so?"
"Yeah," she smiled, closing the door behind her, "but let me help you with that dress a little." Sophie nodded, letting Maria fiddle around with the back of her dress. The dress had no sleeves, but had a tie in the back to tighten or loosen around the neck. Maria took the tie and untied the back of her dress, tightening it so the dress didn't sag on her too much. Then she turned Sophie around, looking at her from head to toe. "There we go," she smirked, causing Sophie to blush a little, "but I'm not quite done with you yet."
"Y-you're not?" Sophie frowned.
"Of course not, silly." Maria chuckled, grabbing a dress from the pile. "To look like a proper lady, you'll need some decent shoes. Also we'll need to find something to tie around you waist… Oh don't worry Sophie," Maria giggled, noticing her expression going vague, "you'll look great by the time I'm done with you!"
Sophie chuckled, cracking a worried smile, "Well all right. W-whatever you say."
"Good," Maria said, opening a closet to find different shoes and accessories. "You're luckily I'm already dressed Sophie, or else I wouldn't be able to help you with half of this."
Sophie smiled, watching as she went through the closet. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a thick black ribbon. "Will this work?" she wondered, holding the ribbon in her hand.
"Perfect! Now for shoes… ah here we go!" Maria said triumphantly, grabbing low-heeled black shoes. "I noticed that those boots you have seem to be heeled a little, so these shoes should do nicely," she smiled.
Sophie tied the ribbon around her waist, then sat down on the bed and put the shoes on. She looked over to see Maria putting Sophie's clothes in a bag. Sophie stood up, looking at herself in the mirror. "W-wow…" she thought, noticing how the dress caused her eyes to pop out.
Maria wrapped her arms around Sophie's shoulders and giggled, "I know right? A whole new you! What do you think?"
She looked in the mirror sheepishly, her hand going to the ring around her neck. Then she nodded, "Yes I love it," she smiled.
She turned around to find Maria throwing a black shawl and fan at her, causing her to look at her with confusion. "You look every tasteful Sophie, but you don't want to give the men too much to gawk at."
Sophie giggled, throwing the shawl over her shoulder. She flipped open the fan in one swift motion, hiding her face except her eyes from Maria. "So what do you think?"
"Perfect!" Maria giggled, taking out her red/black fan and imitating Sophie. "I've taught you well," she said, flipping her fan closed.
Sophie giggled, closing the fan closed. "I-I guess so…"
"Ok enough doddling! Let's head down." Sophie nodded, following Maria down the stairs.
)(*&^%$#!
Sophie giggled, watching Rick and Maria dancing across the room. 'What a beautiful couple,' she smiled, taking a sip of the drink in her hand. To her knowledge, it was very hard for her to get drunk. What came so easily to others was hard for her. She swirled the drink in her hand, taking another sip. Looking at the table they've had a few pitchers of beer and some random glasses of liquor and rum.
Rick and Maria laughed loudly, sitting back at the table once the song was done. "Come on Sophie," Maria giggled, bumping her in the shoulder. "You haven't danced with anyone tonight."
"Yeah," Sophie looked at her with a sigh, "but no one has asked me. Plus I don't really care so much about it."
"Oh but Sophia," Rick said, turning her head to his so he saw his expression, "we have taught you the art of dance. Don't you have a lot of love and passion stored up just waiting to come out in one big explosion?"
"Plus you've had a lot of alcohol," Sophie chuckled, pushing him away from her face. "I just haven't found the challenge I'm looking for."
"Challenge?" Maria said, thinking deeply. She turned and looked at a rowdy group next to them, causing her to smirk. "Ricardo."
"Yes amor?" he said, his faced red and flushed.
"Go over there and ask Andrés and his group if uno de ellos quiere bailar con una mujer joven y bella aquí." Sophie raised an eyebrow as Rick gave her a wink and got up, walking over to the group.
Sophie let out a sigh, looking at the bottom of her glass and drinking the rest of the alcohol. Maria giggled, looking over at the group as they looked over and Maria gave them a wink, nudging at Sophie. She looked at Maria, then the group. Then she shrugged, looking back at her drink and filling it back up. Maria let out a sigh, until they say Rick coming back with a tall man. "Are you Miss Sophia?"
Sophie looked up, putting her glass down, "Yes I am, but I prefer the name Sophie."
"Do you know how to flamenco?" he asked, taking her hand and kissing it.
She smirked, "Of course I do, but you don't seem like you'll be a challenge."
"A challenge you say," Sophie lifted her head, noticing a man walking over. He pushed the man aside, "If it's a challenge you want, then I'll gladly deliver."
She smirked, taking his hand. "Okay," she said as he took her to the floor. As the music started to play, couples began to dance around the room.
Rick let out a hearty laugh, sitting down next to Maria and clapping to the beat of the music. "H-how did you get Andrés to come over? I wasn't expecting him to."
He chuckled, "He couldn't take no for an answer, once I gave him a desafío."
"Desafío? What was it?" she looked at him with curiosity.
"That he couldn't tame the young maiden over there," he pointed to Sophie, before letting out a laugh.
Sophie stared intently into Andrés' eyes, her mysterious blue/green eyes staring into his brown eyes. He smirked, grabbing her waist and spinning her around. She moved her hips, her moves clean and crisp. He laughed, clapping his hands to the beat and following her lead. "You're pretty good at the flamenco."
"Why thank you," she smirked, not taking her gaze from his face for a second. "I've had good teachers."
"I can see that," he said, grabbing her waist and turning her around again, "but what about other dances? The waltz? Have you been taught the waltz?"
Sophie shrugged, "Just whatever Rick and Maria feel like doing for the day. I usually just go along with it."
"Well you seem to be getting the steps down," he said, bringing her body close to his and startling her, "but have you found the passion yet?"
She flipped around, pulling away from him, and she stomped her heels on the ground. "Perhaps," she said, her hip swaying at Andrés, "perhaps not, Ole!" She yelled at the flip of her dress as the song ended. She laughed, noticing Andrés still staring at her.
He walked over to their table, to Rick and Maria's surprise. "You know what Andrés means right?"
"Warrior, correct?" she shrugged, taking a sip of beer.
"Oh you're a smart one," he chuckled, grabbing a glass from the table and filling it up with beer. "Which means," he began, drinking down the beer, "that I don't back away from a challenge."
Sophie smirked, "And what do you propose on doing? I've said that I don't care as much for dancing as you obviously do."
"Did I tell you that I used to be a fighter?" She raised an eyebrow, intrigued with his response. "I thought dancing was a joke like you do, but then I found my own way of dancing with passion.
"Well first off, let me say that I don't think dancing is a joke," she glared, drinking from the glass in her hand. "And second," she said, setting the drink down, "how did you find this passion, fighter?"
Andrés chuckled, setting the glass down, "I learned that dancing can be a form of fighting. When you fight, you use your strength to overwhelm your opponent. In dancing it's the same idea, except you're not trying to kill them." He smirked, staring intensely into her eyes, "And I see the same fire in your eyes as I see in my own when you dance. You just have to find that little trick for yourself."
"I see…" she chuckled, "and how do you suppose I do that?"
"Hmm…" he thought, "How about a challenge then?"
"All right," she smirked, "Name it."
"We'll dance like normal, but move to and from different styles of dancing. The first to stop dancing has to buy everyone here a round of beer!" he laughed, causing people to look over and cheer.
"And to make it more of a challenge," she smirked, causing him to look over at her, "how about we take the dancing outside?"
He chuckled, "Excellent! Come we will dance outside under the moonlight!"
Everyone seemed to get up, the musicians bringing their instruments and walking outside. They walked into the streets of London, the moon high in the sky and the smog drifting through the streets. The music began, everyone clapping to the sound of the beat. Sophie chuckled; the music was just a combination of notes with no real style to it. She looked over at Andrés, who had begun dancing. She followed pursuit, twirling around into a leap in the air. She dipped her hands, her body going with the flow of the music. She felt hands around her waist, Andrés grabbing her hand and turning her in a waltz. "Now close your eyes and listen to the beat of the music." Sophie closed her eyes, her body automatically dancing with him.
The music was beautiful, fast, but powerful. Her body began to speed up, her eyes opening up as she left go of his hand. She chuckled, "Yes I feel it, but the waltz doesn't seem like the appropriate dance right now." She began leaping around, gaining air and speed as she moved faster.
"The ballet?" He questioned her.
"Of course," she chuckled. She spun around, then leapt in the air and jumping back and forth, her legs moving on their own, "but just more than ballet."
"Then what is it?" he asked, dancing to the beat.
"I'm just winging it," she giggled, flapping her hands behind her. "Get it? Winging it?"
She turned, her dress flowing freely in the wind. Andrés laughed, "Oh I get it!" he twirled in the air, flapping his arms behind him. She smirked, jumping to and fro into the air. All of the sudden Andrés grabbed hold of her waist, lifting her higher into the air. The moon cast a glow on her necklace, illuminating the crowd in a green haze. Everyone gasped in awe as he set her down.
They danced together for a while, Sophie spinning around the street and Andrés spotting her so she wouldn't fall on the cobblestones. Their dancing seemed almost magical, like a dream out of a fairytale. Then the music changed, to something darker and faster. Andrés chuckled, grabbing a broom from a nearby spectator and aiming it at Sophie. "Now I'll show you that dance also have a fighting style to it," he smirked, throwing a stick at Sophie.
She gasped in surprise, clutching the stick in her hand firmly. Andrés ran at her, using the broom to propel himself forward into a high kick. Sophie smirked, quickly dodging out of the way. "Hah I get it!" she smiled happily, flipping her stick forward and lunging it at him.
He jumped away, his body looking as if it was still dancing to the beat. "Remember to follow the beat, white swan," he laughed, noticing she looked mystified.
"Alright fighter," she laughed, lunging the stick at him again. This time she stayed close, spinning with the stick in her hand trying to find a place to strike. He kept evading her attacks, finding a weak spot and lifting his broom so she dropped the stick. He grabbed her waist, bringing his face close to hers and his hand with her hand. She glared slightly, flipping him away and spinning away from him, quickly grabbing hold of the stick. Frowning, he picked up the broom. "I don't go down that easily," she smirked.
She spun, both of them lunging at each other to get a hit. He swung at her feet, causing her to jump away, and then she took off towards his chest, pushing the broom away from his hands and poking him in the stomach. She giggled when he turned to her annoyed. Just then it started to rain, causing the spectators to head for shelter under the roofs. The music kept playing and Sophie smirked. "I don't see what the fuss is," Andrés shrugged.
"Yep," Sophie giggled, twirling in the rain. "Besides the streets always look better after it rains," she smirked. She spun around, her hair twirling in the rain and her feet splashing the water around her. The masses stopped retreating, noticing as Sophie and Andrés stayed out in the rain. She began leaping in the puddles, her clothes getting soaking from head to toe, but she didn't care. The music and dance kept her from stopping. Andrés slowly stopped dancing, watching as she kept dancing without fear or hesitation. The water twirled around her, entrapping her in its cold embrace. She jumped and leaped into the air, her hair and dress flowing behind her in the moonlight. As the rain stopped, she kept twirling. The water kept soaking her, but her soul kept telling her to move. She lifted her arms up to the sky, spinning faster and faster in the water. Then the music came to a close and she slowed down, coming to a halt as the musicians stopped playing and the rain stopped pouring. She stood there triumphantly, looking at the spectators. They all began clapping for her, cheers and applauds ringing through the crowd. She walked over to Andrés and gave him a nudge on the shoulder, "You stopped dancing. That means I win!" she giggled.
He let out a sigh, "I guess it does, huh." Then he chuckled, "Alright drinks are on me!" Everyone in the crowd cheered louder, leaving the streets and packing back into the pub. As Sophie began to walk in, Andrés slung his hand over her shoulder, startling her. "You did good out there white swan."
"Oh… t-thank you," she blushed.
"No I should be thanking you. You really taught me something today."
"Oh?" she asked, "and what was that?"
"That even little gutter rats can learn how to control their passion," he chuckled, her eyes going wide.
"Hey I'm no gutter rat!" she growled at him.
He laughed, "Sorry, gutter mouse!" She rolled her eyes, walking ahead of him into the pub.
"So I'm just a mouse to you?" she frowned, grabbing a beer off of the counter.
"Nope," he smirked.
She rolled her eyes, getting tired of his teasing, "Then what am I?"
"A white swan," he smirked, grabbing a beer and drinking it. "I thought you figured that out, white swan." Her face went bright red and he chuckled, rubbing her hair before heading back to his group of friends.
Sophie put a hand to her face and smirked, "White swan huh?" she laughed. 'If Undertaker finds out about that then he won't live it down,' she giggled, walking back to Rick and Maria as they jumped up and down in excitement.
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"I still can't believe you took on Andrés, The Warrior of Dance!" Maria giggled, as they walked down the streets.
"Yeah," Sophie giggled back, clutching the black shawl tightly around her body and holding her bag of clothes in the other. "I didn't know he was famous."
"He's only one of the best in town!" Rick gleamed happily. "At least he was back in Spain. He probably has a high reputation here too."
"So what was up with is method of dancing?" Sophie asked, letting out a slight sneeze towards the end of her question.
"Well…" Rick thought for a second, "He used to be bull fighter before he got involved in dancing, and before that he was a sword fighter. I think he grew up as a sword fighter because that's what his father was… though people say his methods of dance are bizarre. So he hasn't found a good pupil, but it looks like he just did," he smirked, putting an arm around Sophie's shoulder.
"Y-yeah," she smiled, her mind drifting off a little. "You know, he called me the White Swan. Does he usually give people nicknames?"
"Nope," Maria giggled. "Only a select few! You should feel honored Sophie."
Sophie smirked to herself, "Y-yeah I guess…" She looked up, seeing the gates leading into the graveyard. "Thanks for escorting me here. I don't think I would have made the trip if you guys weren't going to bring me."
"Oh don't worry about it!" Maria smiled, "You're our amigo and amigos help each other."
"Hey while we're here, can we go into the graveyard?"
Sophie looked up at Rick suspiciously as Maria turned to him in fright. "Ricardo! Usted no va a entrar en la trampa mortal, estás?"
Sophie looked at them sheepishly, "It's ok if you guys want to come in, but you have to quiet. Though if you really don't want to go in Maria, I understand," she smiled at them.
Maria looked into Sophie's eyes. They looked innocent with their crystal glow. She let out a sigh in defeat, "Well… fine I guess, but you two can't leave me behind!"
Rick chuckled, "Of course I won't amor! Now go ahead and give us the tour Sophie."
She smiled, opening the creaking gate and walking in. Maria hesitated, staying behind Rick. "If you don't want to go in then this is your chance to turn around." She looked at Sophie, then at Rick. She clung to his arm, letting in a breath and walking into the cemetery. Sophie smiled, her hands behind her back as she walked up the dirt-gravel road. "It's really not scary once you've lived here as long as I have. Actually," she chuckled, "my favorite times to come out is during the night, when it had just rained and the smog from the city had disappeared." She looked behind, noticing Rick and Maria slowing their pace. "Since we're here, I was going to show you a nice spot."
"There's a nice spot in a cemetery?" Maria hesitated.
"Yeah!" Sophie giggled, "It's just at the top of the hill. Come on!"
Maria looked at Rick, and then giggled. "Race you to the top Ricardo!"
They laughed, running the rest of the length of the road to the top of the hill. Maria, finally catching up with Sophie, gasped in awe at what she saw. At the top was a massive tree, hidden until you walked over the top of the hill. As you stood there, you could see the outskirts of London and the rolling fields from far away. The moonlit glow cast a shadow on the hills, giving the night an eerie glow to it. Sophie turned to them and smiled, seeing the awestruck look on their faces. "This is where I go when I just want to be alone and think. It's actually a really nice place to sit down and enjoy the view."
"I…" Maria began, walking over to Sophie and wrapping her arm with hers. Maria leaned her head on Sophie's shoulder and let out a sigh, "didn't know there was something this beautiful here."
Sophie nodded, "Yep," noticing Rick joining them and wrapping his arms around Maria's waist. They stood like that, for what seemed like hours, just staring off into the distance and enjoying the night. Then Sophie heard rustling from behind them and she turned around, to find the Undertaker walking up the gravel path. "Oh hi," she smiled happily, causing Rick and Maria to turn around.
They flinched, watching as the creepy, black-robed man walked up the gravel path and joined them. "Little maiden, you didn't let me scare them ~" he frowned childishly.
"Sorry dad," she chuckled, waiting till he stood next to her before giving him a hug. He looked at the couple with a creepy grin, causing them to back away. Sophie looked over, letting out an annoyed sigh. "Stop scaring them, seriously," she glared, walking over to them. "If you scare them anymore then they won't come back!"
"Oh is that so? ~" he asked with a smile, walking over to them. "Hello there. You must be the couple from Spain that Sophie has been hanging out with."
Rick nodded, holding Maria tightly, "Yes that's us."
Sophie smiled, "Dad, this is Ricardo and Maria. Ricardo and Maria, this is the Undertaker."
"The Undertaker?" Maria asked, and then chuckled. "I've heard of you, though you're not as scary as I'd thought."
"So I'm gaining a reputation now?" He chuckled, "Well I'm glad it's daunting demeanor." He walked up to Maria, gently grabbing her hand with his long black nails and giving her a kiss on the hand. She blushed slightly as her other hand going to her face, and he chuckled. Then he looked at Rick, seeing Rick flinch. "And this must be your… fiancé?" He asked, holding out his hand.
Rick looked at the hand, then smiled and shook his hand, "Yes I'm Maria's fiancé. We were going to get married once we headed back home to Spain in a year or so."
"Is that so?" he chuckled into his sleeve, "Well it's nice to see a nice couple around, right Sophie?"
"Yep," she answered with a wide smile on her face.
"Well we've been out for a while. I think it's time we head back to the orphanage, right Maria?" Rick asked.
She nodded, "Yes I think so. Good night Sophie," she smiled, grabbing her in a hug.
"Good night Maria," she giggled, hugging her back. "Oh and I'll give you back the dress first thing tomorrow."
"Oh you don't have to do that!" Maria giggled, "Keep it. No one will mind if it's there or not."
"Y-you sure?" she questioned. Maria smiled happily, hugging her tightly before letting go. Sophie smiled at her, and then she looked up at Rick, "And good night to you Rick. Make sure you take care of Maria and the others," she chuckled.
He chuckled back, "Of course. Good night Sophie." Then he looked up at the Undertaker, "And good night Undertaker. Take care of our little Sophia, okay?"
"Of course," he chuckled, snaking his hands around her waist and pulling her to his side. "I always do ~" he smiled. They nodded, walking down the dirt path and walking out of the cemetery, vanishing from sight. The Undertaker chuckled to himself, looking at Sophie who was staring off after them, "Such a nice couple."
Sophie looked up at him and smiled, "Yep!" she giggled. She let out a sigh, resting her head on his arm, "A very nice couple."
"And I see you're in a dress?" he chuckled, causing Sophie to roll her eyes.
"Yeah we went to a pub and Maria made me dress up."
"A pub?" he said sternly, causing Sophie to flinch.
"It's not like that!" she frowned, "We were there for dancing! And I actually learned a lot, could you believe that?" she smiled happily.
The Undertaker looked down on her, no expression on his face. She looked at him and frowned, until he cracked a smile, "Sounds like you had a good time."
"Yep!" she laughed relieved. Then she let out a sigh, "but now I'm tired…"
"Well let me escort you back to the house," he smirked, linking his arm with hers and walking down the dirt road.
Sophie smiled and let out a yawn, her eyes getting droopy. "A-and I'm sorry about this evening," she said, nuzzling her face into his sleeve.
"You're sorry? About what little maiden?" he asked, a smirk on his face.
She groaned, "I think you know what I mean." She frowned, "I-it's just…" she let out a sigh, "you know I don't like nobles. They seem nice on the outside, but on the inside they're conniving swine that are only working for their own goals."
Undertaker hugged her close and kissed her on the head, tilting her head up. "I know," he smiled. She smiled back, liking the sincerity on his lips. "You don't have to like him, but just give him a chance. Besides, I know he'll invite us to his manor sooner or later. You might as well accept that you'll be encountering your fear soon."
"Y-yeah…" she thought, letting out a sigh. "Well," she said, tightening her grip on his coat, "as long as you're with me, I'll be fine," she looked up with a blissful smile on her face. He looked down, smiling contently. Then she closed her eyes, trusting that the Undertaker wouldn't let her fall or trip on the rocky road.
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A/N: You know, I've never written a chapter on dancing and this was my chance, so I took it! =D It was very fun to look up different styles of dancing and incorporate it into this chapter. I think I was able to portray passion in the chapter… or at least I hoped I did. I hope you guys enjoyed this latest chapter. Hopefully I'll be able to get the next chapter up this week, but if I don't then I'm sorry in advance! And as always, if you have any ideas then comment me!
Ricardo – Spanish – strong power; hardy power
Andrés – Spanish – man, warrior
uno de ellos quiere bailar con una mujer joven y bella aquí – Spanish – one of them wants to dance with this beautiful young woman here
desafío – Spanish – challenge
Usted no va a entrar en la trampa mortal, estás? – Spanish – You are not going to let me into the death trap, are you?