TITLE: When Souls Cry Out, Demons Answer the Call
SUMMARY: Children are to be seen and not heard. They are a status symbol, property of their parents to do with as they please. When your parents are this powerful you will...obey. When your children have demon servants you could...die... This is the story of three children bound by status, the honor behind their name, and ownership to parents who abuse them.
Rated M.
Author's Note: An old story from a previous account. I had originally lost it in the move process, but thanks to fate I was able to recover it. If you remember this review and I'll add the rest.
A Demon Servant's First Day Part 2
Ciel went downstairs with Sebastian at his heels. When he emerged in the dining room his father and mother looked up, and Lady Rachel jumped from her seat entirely, running to her son's side. "How is it?" she asked placing a hand on the side of his face.
"…Fine," Ciel answered her pushing her hand away in an annoyed manner.
"My apologies Lord Phantomhive," Sebastian said bowing courteously. "It would seem Ciel has lost sight in that eye."
His mother let out a gasp clutching her hands over her mouth.
"Damn," Vincent sighed. "That may just compromise his value…"
"Sorry," Sebastian glared, his red eyes narrowing, he turned to him. "I didn't catch that…"
"Nothing, I was speaking to myself. Son, if you are well enough come and eat. We have church in a few hours…" he turned to Sebastian and added offhandedly, "Have you been baptized Sebastian?"
"No Sir," he said truthfully. "But your son could probably use some rest."
"Well, we shall have to get you baptized then…" he said ignoring his second comment. "I shall not employ a servant that has not been given over to God's name. I am quite surprised that her highness did not make such a thing mandatory…"
Sebastian said nothing to this as he was busy handing out their breakfast dishes which was a perfect display of a culinary masterpiece.
"That is a good idea, but…maybe we could do so next week. With Ciel's eye, perhaps he and Sebastian should remain—" his mother began, but one glare from his father cut her sentence short.
"I will not have Lord Trancy glaring at me, making snide comments that my son found himself too busy to attend church on the Lord's day," Lord Vincent sighing taking a bite of Sebastian's meal. "This is excellent."
"I am honored Lord," Sebastian said bowing.
"Well then, we'll have to get there early so we're not stuck in the balcony seats," Rachel said in a somewhat annoyed tone.
After breakfast Ciel and Sebastian went back up to his room so he could be dressed in the proper attire for church, and when Sebastian had finished dressing him, he had to suppress a laugh. The Child was wearing an altar boy uniform.
"What!" Ciel snapped.
Sebastian glared at him, "That outfit, it makes you look rather foolish."
"Tsk, of course it does…but more importantly…"
Sebastian turned following Ciel as he walked over to his desk grabbing the hat that goes with his outfit and putting it on his head. "You're a demon, correct?"
Sebastian placed his hand upon his chest, "Of course, as I said before I cannot lie to you…"
"Then, what happens when a demon comes in contact with holy water?"
Sebastian thought, "Holy water can burn us as lava burns humans…"
"Just what are you planning to do then? My parents are going to have you baptized today…" Ciel asked.
"I suppose I shall just have to find some way around it…" Sebastian said nonchalantly.
"…" Ciel glared. "Well…let's hope for your sake you can…"
"You still have no faith in me," Sebastian sighed softly, a soft smile spread across his face that would have made a grown woman swoon.
Ciel turned away looking slightly upset, "As of yet, you have given me no reason to trust you."
Sebastian's smile weakened as Ciel left the room.
We'll have to change that… Sebastian thought his eyes glowing…
No one actually wanted to attend Church. To sit for three hours listening to a preacher telling you all your sins and just how you should be living your life was not fun. In fact there were days it was believed the Priest himself didn't wish to be there. However to not attend was far worse than attending, as the nobles took the opportunity, of one's absence, to spread rumors about them or degrade their name. To ensure such atrocities didn't occur you had to attend. So within the hour the Trancy household, the Phantomhive household, the Middleford household, as well as others had arrived at church promptly. Sebastian (who had been instructed to steer the carriage held the door open for the Phantomhive family and assisted each of them from the carriage.
"Ciel! Ciel! C—" Elizabeth had been rushing in his direction but stopped at the sight of him. "Ciel…what happened…your eye…"
"It's nothing Lizzy," Ciel said softly. "Pay it no mind."
"But…what happened!" she fell silent the moment after. Knowing that to ask might upset Ciel's father.
An eruption of laughter met their ears, and they turned to see Alois who had just climbed down from his families' carriage. He pointed at Ciel, "Still in that baby outfit I see, look at you, you look like a toddler—"
He stopped when he came closer and noticed the eye patch on Ciel's eye. His exultant expression fell immediately, "Ciel what happened…"
"Nothing, just a mistake," Ciel snapped. He hated receiving too much attention.
Their parents had already formed their own little group off to the side, fervently discussing the church goers who arrived, and pointing out whatever would be relevant discussion. Their demon servants were expected to stand at the parent's side so this left the children a chance to talk alone.
"Ciel… Alois," Elizabeth said softly taking each of their sleeves in hand. "I have to tell you two something… can we talk away from everyone?"
They nodded quickly finding a place behind the stone church to discuss in private.
"What's wrong Lizzy?" Alois asked softly. "Is it your mother?"
"She didn't go overboard did she?" Ciel asked.
She told them, "Of course not." In truth, they didn't know the full extent of her mother's cruelty; in the same respect that she didn't know the full extent of theirs. It was a sore subject for each of them, so it wasn't the main subject of their few talks together. It wasn't about to be the subject of their discussions now…
"Listen, I…I think I did something bad…"
"Something bad?" Alois asked, and sighing he placed a hand on her shoulder. Her head perked up slightly at the touch and she stared into his eyes. "Listen Lizzy, don't listen to the Priests, masturbation is a healthy part of—"
Ciel grabbed the front of Alois' hood pulling it down so he couldn't see. Elizabeth's face had lit up like a candle with embarrassment.
"Never mind him Lizzy, what's wrong…" Ciel asked turning to her concerned, as Alois fixed his church robes until they were straight again.
"I…um… I sold my soul to a demon last night!" she gasped.
Ciel blinked, and Alois' smile grew. "You too!"
You too! He said those words as if they were talking about a common occurrence that literally anyone would have had occur, especially on night before church.
Ciel gaped, turning to face him.
"I did as well," he said.
"You did! Who?" Elizabeth asked, hoping he just wasn't being sarcastic. Alois motioned for her to follow and the three of them peeked around the corner of the building where Alois proceeded to point out a tall dark haired man with glasses. "That's Claude, my demon servant."
Elizabeth blinked, "That's her… My demon governess Paula." She pointed out the woman beside her mother with long brown hair.
"Hhmm…" Alois said staring. "She's hot."
Sighing Ciel pointed. "There the black haired man beside my father… That's Sebastian…my demon butler…"
Elizabeth gasped. "We all…all of us have demon servants!"
"What a coincidence," Alois indifferently throwing his arms behind his head.
"Coincidence my ass…" Ciel snapped. "I don't trust any of them…"
Alois sighed, "You don't trust anything to begin with."
"So, you two have funny glowing marks too?" she asked removing the ribbon around her neck, and showing them the contract symbol Paula had placed on her. Smiling Alois stuck out his tongue, and Ciel reached up pushing his eye patch up and showing the other two his eye.
"So that's what happened to your eye…"
"Children?"
Elizabeth gasped pulling her hood up over her head, due to their having been no time to retie the ribbon. Alois' tounge shot back in his mouth as quick as lighting, and Ciel played off replacing his eye patch by pretending to push his bangs aside. Then they looked up to find their Head Priests standing before them. "Don't you think you should be preparing to head inside?"
"Uh, yes…sorry!" Elizabeth gasped rushing around the corner back to her mother.
Laughing Alois followed, and Ciel made to head after them only to hear, "Wait just a moment Ciel…"
He stopped immediately…
"How have you been doing?" he asked walking over to him placing a hand on his shoulder, pinning him against the wall of the Church. "You're still obeying you father correct? And you still remember your training do you not?"
"…"
He reached out placing his hand on the side of his face.
(((FLASHBACK BEGINS)))
It had been the longest quietest carriage ride Ciel had ever known. Carriage rides with his parents were usually loud and fun with his father and him playing games one what they saw of the scenery passing by. Days when he was tired, he would put his head on his mother's lap and fall asleep as her gloved hand would stroke his hair. This ride however was different from any other…
It was quiet, with the same tense air Ciel usually allied with the death of a close relative. Had he known how close that thought was to the truth…
They pulled up outside the church he and his family had been attending for years only this time, the Priests and Nuns were lined up outside the front door holding candles leading the path up to the front door.
"Daddy?" Ciel asked softly.
"Come along Ciel," his father said climbing out opening the door.
His parents walked him up to the church doors where their Head Priest stood.
"I want him to be strong, unbreakable, the perfect successor to my legacy…" Lord Vincent said to the Priest.
"Consider it done…" he said bowing. "Come along Ciel."
Ciel hid behind his father's leg. This wasn't at all like a normal day of church…well it was night time for one, and they usually didn't attend church at night. "Daddy, it's scary in there… I don't want to go."
Lord Vincent looked down and placed his hand on Ciel's head ruffling up his hair. "If you do this, you shall be one step closer to being my perfect heir, and an undying servant to the Queen. Plus, Mommy and Daddy will be so proud of you…"
"…" Ciel looked down thinking as hard as a ten year old could. He looked up. "I will! I'll do a really good job Daddy!"
"Of course you will," he said pulling Ciel's hands away that clutched at his coat, and turned him to face the Priest.
"He's all yours," Lord Phantomhive said shoving him softly forward.
"You may return in four months," the Priest said softly. "I promise you won't recognize him when we're done…
Four months later Lord Vincent and Lady Rachel were called back to the church and taken down to the third floor basement where they met with the Priest in a small study. "I am happy to inform you his transformation is a complete success. We have reconstructed his entire way of thinking through training. He is as you wished…the perfect heir."
"Where is he?" Lord Vincent asked.
"Someone is bringing him along momentarily," the Priest said taking a sip of the tea that was set out on the coffee table before them. "Earl Grey, is to your liking Lord Phantomhive?"
He took a sip lowering his cup. "I could decide better with my son here."
"Of course someone should…" the sound of a door creaking open met their ears. "Ahh…here he is now. Ciel come in."
Escorted by a Priest Ciel, walked into the room wearing nothing but a pair of pants, and blank expression.
"Ciel my baby!" his mother gasped at his entrance though Lord Phantomhive held up a hand to silence her.
"What can he do?"
"He has been taught to dedicate his entire mind to a task allowing him to learn skills far faster than the average man. We have educated him to be well versed in politics, and business. Also, he is a human lie detector now, so it would be best to keep him at your side during business proceedings."
"And?"
The Priest smiled, getting up from his seat from across Lord Phantomhive he crossed the room to stand behind Ciel.
"He knows nothing but obedience to you, his father, as well as his Lord. To ensure he brings you only success, as well as a sharp mind," The Priest reached around tilting Ciel's head upwards so he was looking towards the sky, "we have trained his body to be the perfect offering for clients to spend a night with."
"I have no intention to whore out my son," Vincent Phantomhive said curtly.
"Of course you shouldn't. With what Ciel has learned he is far more valuable than any back alley whore," the priest said sticking his middle and index fingers in Ciel's mouth which he began to suck immediately. "He should only be handed over to your most prized associates, for you see he is just like a drug."
"How do you mean?"
"Well, how do you hook someone on a drug Lord Vincent?"
Lord Vincent knew the answer to that immediately, having major dealings in Lau's drug business and all, "You give them the first hit for free, and make them pay more and more for each hit after…"
"Exactly my Lord," the Priest said removing his hand, Ciel letting out a moan of the deepest longing…
"Now," the Priest said walking back over to sit before the Phantomhives. Lady Rachel looked horror struck. "The longer he spends with you the more he may fall into remission. So it is important to keep on top with him, and when he does something you disprove of to jump on it immediately by way of punishment. If you slack off too much he will defy the ideals learned here, and be of no use to you at all. Fortunately, should you find he has fallen too far you can always send him back to us..."
"For double what we paid the first time I'm sure," Lord Phantomhive said softly taking a sip of the tea.
"You know how this business works Lord," the Priest said softly bowing as a courtesy.
"Ciel," Lord Vincent said acknowledging his son directly for the first time.
Ciel turned towards him.
"No matter what, above all else you are to serve her majesty to the fullest of your abilities," he said, giving his son his first command.
Ciel immediately fell to one knee a hand crossing his chest, "Consider it done."
"Splendid," Lord Vincent said grabbing a Jacket from the bag on the floor by his feet and removing a shirt for Ciel to wear. He got up holding it out to Ciel who put his arms through one by one. As he turned Lady Rachel noticed the Church's symbol branded upon her son's back. She let out a shuddering gasp that none of the men in the room took notice of.
"Here you are then Ciel," Lord Vincent said. "You have earned the first half of your inheritance…"
With that Lord Vincent removed his ring placing it on Ciel's thumb as it was not small enough to fit on any other finger.
"Let us get going then," Lord Vincent said softly escorting his wife and his son from the room. Before they left he turned back to the Priests.
"By the way," Lord Phantomhive said before leaving. "The tea was excellent."
"I am honored you approve."
(((FLASHBACK ENDS)))
Ciel immediately slapped his hand away.
"Hhmm…" he said staring down. "I'll have to inform your father that it may be time for some retraining…"
"Excuse me?" said an elegant voice meeting their ears.
They turned to find Sebastian had just rounded the corner. His eyes glared from the Priest along his arm to where he had Ciel pinned by his shoulder. Swiftly, Sebastian placed his hand over his chest, "My Lord has requested his son come to his side immediately… Do forgive me…"
With that Sebastian grabbed Ciel picking him up spinning him around and whisking Ciel around the corner. "What are you doing you idiot!" Ciel snapped. "Put me down don't carry me like this!"
"Why not my Lord?" Sebastian asked.
Ciel glared, "It's embarrassing…"
"As you wish then," he said setting him on the ground. "Service is going to begin soon… You should join your parents…"
"What about you…" Ciel asked.
"Well I have to sit with the commoners and servants of course…"
"That's not what I mean, what are you going to do about the holy water?"
"As I said before, I shall figure out something…"
"..." Ciel glared. "Never mind, I don't trust you to do this correctly, I will do something about it…"
Sebastian's expression lightened with mild interest, "What?"
"Never mind I said!" Ciel snapped spinning around to walk back into the church. "Just don't do anything…"
He went inside taking a seat in the pew behind his parents. "Ciel where have you been?"
"Sorry," Ciel answered pulling out his bible, just as the Head Preacher walked in and began his rather long story which he tried to relate to their daily lives. Meanwhile the demons were in the back of the church putting on white robes.
"What should we do!" Paula asked Sebastian.
"You should have fooled them like I did," Claude said standing at the window.
"Just because you got the idiot Lord who would believe anything doesn't mean—"
"I will be doing nothing," Sebastian said softly looking down at his white robes.
"Sebastian, it will burn us!"
"It will not harm our human forms," Sebastian said softly. "Besides, my master told me to do nothing… So that is what I will do…"
"Well," Claude said turning, "as I have no reason to be back here, I'll take my leave… Enjoy burning," he said with a wave of his hand as he left.
They could hear the music from the songs they sang upstairs. The voices seemed to echo through the walls and float down to where they were just one floor below, and Paula shivered. She had never enjoyed the sounds of God's songs.
"I have to do something then…" Paula said. "I'll um…"
"Paula," Sebastian said smiling. "Consider this your first sacrifice to your soul…"
"Sebastian! I am one of the sexiest demons in hell I do not need that ruined!" she snapped.
"Next to Hannah you mean," Sebastian said softly.
"You Ass!" she snapped hating being compared to that wretch, and she made to hit him only to see the door open. She stopped immediately.
"Oh, are you being baptized too?" the woman asked. She had long brown hair and eyes, and appeared to be around sixteen. She walked in picking up one of the white robes, and shamelessly began to change right before them. "When did you to realize you wanted to give yourselves over to God?"
"…"
She turned, "Come on don't be shy. I realized it just the other day in London when Jack the Ripper almost took my life. By God's grace I escaped him, and knew my entire being was to be the Lords from that day on. I shall give myself over to him, and become a chaste nun from today onward."
Sebastian and Paula blinked at her.
She stared… "What?"
The twenty minutes of song had ended above them and the doors opened to reveal two nuns. "Come, it's time," they said.
Paula had a sinking feeling as if they were heading to an execution. No demon had ever been baptized before, and while they knew that holy water hurt them greatly, they had no clue what the effects the ceremony could have. Paula grabbed Sebastian's arm fearfully as they were lead from the room and up a staircase and up onto the stage behind the Head Priest. They could look out into the crowd now…
"Where is Elizabeth," Paula asked slightly fearfully. If she was going to do this she wanted Elizabeth's face to be the last thing she gazed upon before…
Sebastian was wondering the same thing… Ciel and Alois were gone too…
He looked up at the balcony above where Claude was sitting, with one flicker of his eyes to the corner, Sebastian glared in the direction of his eyes had pointed. He saw the three of them coming up from a staircase off to the side, and they quickly snuck back to their seats behind their parents. Sebastian tapped Paula pointing Elizabeth out to her, and her expression softened after gazing upon those curls.
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The Priest had been spewing nonsense all the while, and finally he called the brown haired girl to his side.
"This young lady has given herself to God's name, and in her quest to be nearer to the Lord has requested to become a nun here at our chapel. This baptismal being just the first step in a long line of service to our Father," he said and two Priest carried out a large white basin filled with water, which she stepped into immediately. "Today I baptize you in the name of the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
He placed a cloth to her mouth and leaned her back into the water until it covered her completely. Then he pulled her out. Everyone applauded. She was smiling brightly and quickly thanked him before climbing out and going to sit with the commoners in the pews.
"Which one of you is next?" the Priest asked softly, and Sebastian stepped forward.
"Alright come forward my son," he said. "This is Sebastian Michaelis the newest servant in the House of Phantomhive. He is willing to have us share with him his walk down God's path. You may step into the water now…" the Priest said. Sebastian looked up. Ciel was seated his legs crossed, his arms folded a slight smirk on his face. He knew it was alright then… What Ciel and the others hand done he didn't know, but he knew they had done something… He stepped into the water and it felt like just that…water… It did not burn, it did not hurt in anyway. Smiling he put the other foot in. "Today I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
He placed a cloth to Sebastian's face and leaned him back until the water had covered him completely, before bringing him back up. He climbed out to the sounds of applause and motioned to Paula that it was completely alright. She seemed happier then running up for her turn.
Sebastian walked back heading to the balconies where commoners and servants sat. As he walked by Ciel who sat at the end of his pew, he ever-so-lightly tapped his shoulder. After he passed Ciel turned his head glaring after him… He still didn't trust him…
Ciel looked up again when he heard, "Today I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." A cloth was placed to Paula's face and she was plunged into the water, before coming back up supposedly a new child of God…laughable…
They clapped and church service continued as normal…
When it concluded. Sebastian, and Paula changed back into their clothes and sat in the servant section for the remainder of the service. Then they went out to the carriages where their masters where waiting.
"Seems Lady Cornelia couldn't be bothered to attend service today," Ciel's mother was saying to Elizabeth's.
"Indeed, what a pity… our Lord must not be so important to her…"
"Ciel!"
Sebastian looked up at the call and saw Ciel's father who was standing beside the Head Priest had called his son to his side. Ciel walked over, and so did Sebastian.
"Yes I do believe it's time for—" the Head Priest stopped upon seeing Sebastian suddenly appear at Ciel's right side.
"It is alright," Lord Phantomhive said. "He is a trusted servant, you may speak freely in front of him…"
"Yes, well… It has been a few years and it would seem your son could do with some retraining. I can take him in today if you—"
"Not today, it is the beginning of the social season," is father said. "I cannot have my only son disappearing for four months right now. I'll contact you with the most appropriate time."
Ciel stood unmoving the entire time…
"Then we shall be in contact," the Head Priest said placing a hand on Ciel's shoulder. "Be good to your father then…"
With that he turned heading back to the church.
"Come along Sebastian," Lord Phantomhive said turning. "We have to return home."
Lord Phantomhive invited those of the house of Middleford, and the house of Trancy back to his manor for what he called, "Good times." They piled into their carriages and headed to the Phantomhive estate. Lord Phantomhive took the time apart from the others to interrogate his son for his father at least had noticed Ciel, Elizabeth, and Alois had disappeared during service…
Been so busy lately. Gonna try really hard to get the rest of the chapters up soon.