Songs of Our Lives
Ch. 5
"Ugh! Carriages- ow! Are so bumpy!" I smacked the side of my head on the window of the carriage as we hit a rock. Currently we were heading to London because Ciel received a silly letter from the silly Queen. I don't like the Queen. She just dumps all this crap on Ciel and still acts like she cares for him. And I don't know if this will go by the manga or the anime. However, I still don't know if in the manga the Queen was the one to kill Ciel's parents because the manga hadn't gotten that far by the time I stopped reading. Damn.
"Well, you wouldn't hit your head if you sat up straight." Sebastian chided. I humph and stuck my tongue out at him, our legs brushing as I sunk lower into my seat and leaned heavily on the side of the carriage. He sighed and shook his head.
When I had said we were heading to London, we meant Me, Sebastian, Ciel and Steven and Kelly. Ciel sat across from me giving me a disapproving look, with Kelly next to him. She looked positively thrilled to be going to 19th century London. Steven sat on the other side of Sebastian, chatting with Kelly. We had already been in the cramped carriage for quite a long time, but what made it worse was the fact that I was stuffed into this death trap called fashion.
Because we were no longer at the manor Kelly and I were required to wear dresses for this trip. Steven was also put into a much nicer suit than his normal faded T-shirt and black jeans and combat boots. His facial piercings were removed and tiny retainers now sat snuggly in his lip and eyebrow. My own noticeable facial piercing had to go. I mourned the absence of my lip piercing. At least my hair covered my ears so I could keep the multitude of metal piercings.
Kelly was lucky, only having to wear a choker to hide her rose tattoo on the back of her neck. Ciel was shocked to find out how many body modifications we all had combined. I had the grand total of eighteen piercings, eight on each ear plus a lip piercing and a dermal piercing in the hallow of my clavicle. I had only one tattoo of a simple triangle around my bellybutton. Steven had his lip piercing and four piercing on each ear and a full sleeve of tattoos on his left arm, which was now covered by a black fabric. And Kelly had her ears surgically pointed and had three piercing in her ears and her rose tattoo. Our total being 33 piercing, technically 3 tattoos (if you count a sleeve as one), and one major body mod. Sebastian was intrigued and Ciel was horrified.
To cover our hair, since the three of us did not have a natural color, I had to use a simple potion that changes our hair color for a short while. My normally ombred purple hair was now black as was Steven's and Kelly's usual fiery orange hair was dulled to a natural ginger. Yay! We looked normal…! Ehhh…
"Look! We're here!" Kelly gasped, pressing her face to the window. Looking outside I saw grand buildings going by, all with bright flowers in planters contrasting with the gray of the sky. We stopped in front of the town house. I opened the door first and jumped out, Sebastian following me. He helped Ciel out then Kelly, Steven had gotten out from the other door.
"Young Master, it's been a while since you last went out, isn't it?" Sebastian inquired the blue-eyed boy.
Ciel adjusted his top hat saying, "I couldn't care less who sent that letter… I hate going to crowded places." I grunted.
"Same." I mumbled. Kelly chuckled.
"But being away from the mansion is okay too, for a change," Sebastian grinned. "Isn't it much more peaceful without those four by your side?"
I sent a look to Kelly and Steven, trying to hold in my snigger.
"Yes, but I just traded them for three more idiots…" The door was opened just then.
"Hey!" Kelly, Steven and I shouted.
"I wasn't talking about you." Ciel growled, his blue eyed fixed on the three people inside the room. My friends and I sweatdropped. Oh.
"Jeez, where did they put the tea leaves in this house." A woman dressed in red complained as she scoured a cabinet.
"I can't find them either…" An Asian man said from the floor, peering into a vase. Well, no shit you're not finding any! I could see Grell just behind an arm chair. I had met the Madam and Lau briefly when Ciel was kidnapped by that Scarface dude.
"Madam Red! Lau! Why are you here!" Ciel shouted. I thought his vocal chords would rip.
"Ah, he came back so quickly." Madam Red chirped. So quickly? Did Sebastian not just say it had been a while? Kelly seemed to share my thoughts fro she leaned forward to whisper in my ear.
"Didn't Seb just say…?" She trailed off. I nodded my head and told her to just go with it.
"Oh! And who are these two new faces accompanying you today, Little Earl?" Lau sang, after He and the Madam explained why they were here. "I have already had the pleasure of meeting Miss bodyguard, here."
"Ah! That's right! We've never introduced ourselves! Pardon our rudeness." Steven said in his best fake accent. He grabbed Madam Red's hand and kissed it. "I'm Steven Whitthorn and this is Kelly Clare. And this young lady is…?" Kiss ass.
Madam Red gushed over how "Charming this young man was~." Ugh gag me. Kelly rolled her eyes.
"I'm Madam Red, that is my butler Grell." Madam Red sobered up a little.
After the formalities, we got down to business. But the details were exceedingly boring so I won't torture you with them. I'm sure you've read this scene millions of times.
When everything was said and done, with some input from me and Kelly and Steven, we found ourselves outside a gloomy looking building. A black and purple sign overhead reading 'Undertaker.' I was practically buzzing with excitement. I bounced up and down in my spot next to Ciel.
"WHY ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THIS KIND OF PLACE?!" Madam Red exploded. I sniggered and opened the door for Ciel.
"Undertaker?" Ciel called out. "Are you there?"
"Hee~ Hee~ Hee~." A high pitched giggle came from somewhere in the dimly lit room. I shivered in excitement. Not in that way, you pervs! "I knew~ That you would come~." The gray-haired mortician stepped out of a coffin. "Welcome, Earl~ And Milady~ Hee hee!" Undertaker giggled while taking my hand and kissing the back of it. I felt my face warm and I quickly snatched my hand back. Kelly and Steven sniggered behind me. My eyes flashed gold and I shot them a piercing glare, they immediately silenced.
"My name's Willow Eliot and behind me are Kelly Clare and Steven Whitthorn." I introduced myself and friends. He gave us a little bow before Ciel intervened.
"We didn't come here to play today." I heard Ciel say.
"Will you tell us what you know about 'Jack the Ripper'?" I asked getting down to business, being a little more polite than the blue-haired boy next to me. Undertaker turned to me and gave me a wide grin.
"Well~ Since your Royal Highness," I saw Madam Red and Lau give me odd looks, which I just waved off, "and the Earl went out of your way to visit me." He reached forward and gently took a piece of my hair, stepping close. "I'll certainly do everything I can to help~." He chuckled before stepping away, moving back to his desk. Of which was just a coffin made of a dark wood. "Go ahead and take a seat first, I'll go make tea."
Everyone looked around bewilderedly as if they didn't know where to sit. Steven, Kelly and I plopped down on one particularly long coffin. Undertaker walked off into another part of the shop, only to return minutes later with tea and an urn of bone-shaped cookies. By this time everyone had finally sucked up the courage and sat on the coffins that may or may not have a body in it.
"You wanted to know about Jack the Ripper?" The retired Shinigami asked in an uncharacteristically serious manner. "Everyone's been scared of this disturbance…" He trailed off, grabbing a cookie and taking a bite.
Underneath his silver bangs I could see his green eyes flashing over to our red-clad friend and her timid butler. So, he knows as well. It wasn't really a feat since he seems to know everything before Ciel or Sebastian knows. I felt a pang move through my chest as I followed his gaze.
"But! This isn't the first time I've handled this kind of thing." Undertaker munched on his cookie as he stood from his seat making his way over to Ciel.
"Isn't this the first time? What do you mean?" Madam Red asked, a drop of sweat sliding down her neck. As if you don't know, I thought sarcastically. Undertaker, too, seemed very unimpressed with the Madam's act. However, I must give the woman credit for being able to trick Ciel and Sebastian so far.
"It's happened before, a case where prostitutes were killed." Undertaker offered Ciel a cookie from his urn, to Ciel declined with a slight shake of his head. The Mortician then spun to me and instead of offering me the urn, directly handed me a cookie, as if he didn't want to be rejected. AH! Poor baby! I eagerly to the bone shaped sweet and took a bite, and holy shite. These were divine~ My lips spread into a content smile, to which Undertaker responded with a grin of his own.
"Were they killed in a similar way as these victims?" Kelly asked grabbing a cookie from the urn. She did always like some good food. Undertaker nodded at her.
"They were, Miss Best Friend~!" Undertaker praised. "But in the beginning, the police didn't think much of these cases. Though the murdered prostitutes all had something in common."
"Something in common?" Ciel leaned forward.
"What is it?" Sebastian asked.
Undertaker held his urn of cookies close to himself as he chuckled. "Well now, I wonder what! I wonder what it is indeed~ Is it bothering you?"
"I see. So that's how it is." Lau said with his nasty voice. "You're very good at doing business, Undertaker." I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "How much money do you want for this information?" I face palmed.
"How much money!?" Undertaker rushed Lau, getting into the Asian man's face. "I don't want any of the Queen's money!" He yelled. Turning to Ciel with a sinister smile. "Now then, Earl~"
He approached Ciel in a staggered walk, gripping either side of Ciel's face. "I have only one requirement~ Show me a 'First Rate Laugh'! If you do, no matter what you want to know, I'll tell you~!" He held himself while drooling. He collapsed back over his desk, still giggling to himself.
"Weirdo." Ciel sweatdropped. Undertaker looked up slightly, I could feel his eyes piercing through me.
"Or… perhaps…" Undertaker mumbled to himself. I rose an eye brow, tilting my head slightly. He gave me a soft smile, that I couldn't help but blush at. I barely caught Sebastian's glare directed towards Undertaker before Lau opened his dumb mouth. I just tuned him out and his lame 'joke'. Steven booed lowly. Kelly stifled a laugh at Steven's jeer.
Then it was Madam Red's turn. I stepped up behind Ciel and covered his ears as his aunt dived into the most perverted story that my ears have ever been burned with. I gave her a disapproving glare as she finished.
"Well, how about you, Miss Willow? Care to give it a shot?" Undertaker grinned.
"Hmm~ Or I could just tell Ciel what's hidden in your mind~?" I sang. He dropped his smile and sauntered up to me. I felt Sebastian take a step closer to me.
"Now, why would you do that~?" Undertaker asked sadly.
"Because it would be faster than the hour we just wasted listening to Madam Red's story." I said plainly. "Come on, Ciel!" I grabbed Ciel's hand and headed for the door. Everyone looked at me in shock. However, I wasn't concerned. Because~ In Three. Two. One!
"Wait!" I win! I turned back to Undertaker with a sly grin.
"Yesss~?" I drawled. He sighed and mumbled under his breath, something that sounded distinctly like "You never change…"
"Okay… One laugh but not a 'first rate laugh'…" He lamented. I smiled and agreed and walked up to him. Sebastian was being really weird lately from how he's been sticking close to me. Even though since we came to an understanding the pain we felt has stopped. He stood closer than I would have liked, but not close enough to be noticeable by the humans in the room.
Ignoring Sebastian's possessiveness, I leaned forward and whispered into Undertaker's ear. He was silent long enough for me to step back before he exploded into peals of laughter. I chuckled to myself at my own joke, which was might I say, extremely funny. Thank you, Tumblr.
Everyone was quite shocked at how hard he was laughing, despite him saying just one little laugh. There was a crash outside and I was pleased to know that it was the sign that hung over the door. The mortician was practically rolled on the floor, his hat falling of his head. After a while he finally came down from his high and held himself up on his desk.
"Ah~ Come, let us continue…" He chuckled and snorted as everyone settle back down into their seats on the coffins. He composed himself as I handed him his hat. He thanked me for the 'brilliant laugh' and placed the black top hat onto his head.
"So, about those prostitutes?" Steven implores.
"Ah, yes. Actually… I've always thought that there weren't enough… 'Guests'." He chuckled. Sebastian looked curious at this.
"Not enough?" The demon question. Undertaker confirmed his previous statement with an anatomy doll in his arms. He held it delicately and stroked its face fondly. Not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous. Like shit, bro, why can't an attractive guy like him hold me like that!? I looked over to Kelly and could see she felt the same, if her looking in between the doll and Steven were any indication. I gave her a sly look when she looked to me. She blushed and punched my arm.
We tuned back into the conversation to see everyone, beside Sebastian, with disgusted looks.
"This could have stored a kidney before, right? A criminal could've given it to a loan shark…" Lau coughed behind his sleeve. For a being that can change emotions, I felt the irritation pour off Undertaker. Seems we have a similar dislike for the Asian man.
"It could've come from the slums of China." Undertaker shot back. "That prostitute isn't a whole woman anymore." I looked down solemnly. I understand Madam Red's reason for all these killings, however I don't agree with them. I may hate demons and any supernatural being that kills needlessly or irrationally. But humans are just as guilty. They are not perfect being and if needed I will be the one to stop them. As my job as Life Source.
"Her womb is gone." I murmured just as Undertaker spoke the same thing. I could feel Madam Red's blue eyes pierce through me. I ignored her as Undertaker explained how the bodies came to him. He walked up behind me and wrapped him arms around me, I felt my heart skip.
"If he had to act within such a short time, He should slit the throat first," He dragged his black nails along my throat, his skin barely brushing my flesh leaving a trail a fire. "And proceed to cut open the stomach." Again he traced his nails over my body, only this time much lower. At his touch I felt a wave of dizziness flood over me.
"My dear, what are you doing out here? It's nearly nightfall and you are unwell! Come inside." A voice said. I know that voice… But it's much more sophisticated than the one I am used to. I felt my head turn and a smile spread across my lips against my will. When I was facing the owner of the voice, I was filled with shock.
Undertaker?! He looked the same but different at the same time. His bangs were out of his face and the long tresses were pulled into a low ponytail. He lacked the scar that now ran across his face.
"Oh but my Love, you know how I love sunsets… They signify an end of a day. Just as soon, I must leave as well." My lips move with the words, but the voice is not mine. Undertaker sat next to me on the stone bench. I grabbed his hands in him, noticing that his nails were short and unpainted. "Adrian my dear, my duty here is fulfilled and it is my time to go."
"No!" Undertaker, or rather Adrian, protested. "I'll find a way! I'll find a way to save you! Please, Alessandra." He released my hands and cupped my face. He leaned in closer and I felt a slight panic. H-he was going to k-kiss me! Just before our lips met I felt something smack my cheek.
"Oi! Willow! Hey, are you okay?" I found myself lying down inside a coffin with everyone surrounding me. I take it that Kelly was the one to smack me, because she's the only one who could and live. Undertaker was at the head of the coffin, wiping a cool cloth over my forehead, from my point of view I could see his green eyes glowing with concern.
I pushed his hand away gently and sat up. My head was pounding and my vision was fuzzy. Kelly reached into the shoulder bag she was carrying, clinking glass could be heard. Her arm disappeared up to her elbow as she searched for something. Madam Red and Lau's eyes grew at the sight. Kelly made a small noise of triumph and pulled out a small vial of blue liquid. She uncorked it and passed it to me, but my hands were shaking to badly to grip the bottle.
Sebastian took it from the orange haired girl and cupped my chin, using his thumb to pry open my lips. He tipped the bottle to my lips and I drank the bitter liquid. As I drank I felt my body relax and my headache go away. Sebastian didn't let me go, rather he tipped my head back so he could look into my eyes. His gaze was intense and concentrated. And his touch was warm and gentle.
"Are you okay?" He asked, a layer of concern in his voice. I nodded and pushed my way up out of the coffin.
"I'm fine." I said. I was sure I was fine now, but what was that? Why did I see Undertaker? Who was Alessandra? I turned to look at Undertaker, who was oddly quite. What did he and Alessandra have to do with me? I closed the coffin and sat back down. "We can continue, just a dizzy spell." I waved off the strange incident.
They all gave me an unsure look but I just ignored them.
"Are we just going to turn a blind eye to the fact that Kelly just stuck most of her arm into that small bag like it went into another universe!?" Madam Red shouted. Her voice was loud and irritating and she was getting on my nerves. All of this was getting on my nerves. I know she's upset that she can't have kids anymore and these women where throwing it all away. But it's their lives and their bodies. I don't support abortion or the like but I won't go killing women over it.
I stood up and walked up to her, getting in her face. She backed up a little at my forceful glare. My eyes shifted to Lau and he too recoiled slightly.
"You will both forget the past…" I looked to Kelly with questioning eyes.
"20 minutes" She replied. Damn I was out for a long time.
"You will forget the past 20 minutes and shut the hell up." I hissed. They both went silent and their eyes glazed over then focused again. They looked around confused.
"Oh, I'm sorry, what were we talking about? I must have dosed off~!" Madam Red laughed. I stepped back and looked to the others. Their eyes were wide, save for Kelly and Steven.
"What?" I asked raising my hands. "Let's just get back to what we were talking about." I gestured to the coffins for them to sit with my eyebrows raised when they didn't move. I sat down and crossed my legs with a flourish. They all just need to stop worrying. I'm fine. I'm not dying. So why are they acting like I am?
We got back to our conversation and soon it was time for us to leave. I sighed in relief. I really wanted to take a nap… or something… We stood and put our coats on, I made sure my gun was still strapped to my thigh and that my charm bracelet was around my wrist. Two silver katana charms hung from the chain. It's not like a woman could carry around two swords in broad daylight.
Everyone exited the building, but I hung back. Kelly sent me a questioning look but I waved her ahead mouthing to her that I'll meet up with them later. She nodded and jumped up on the carriage next to Grell and Steven took the rear. I closed the door as they drove away, but not without seeing Sebastian looking out the window of the carriage at me.
"Oh~ Stayed back did you?" Undertaker asked from the door way that led to another room, after putting away the beakers of tea.
"Cut the crap, Adrian." I spat. "Who the hell are you?"
He giggled and back up through the doorway, beckoning me with a long pale finger. I hesitated before following him. He led me through a dark hallway and stopped at a black door. He looked back at me with an eerie grin with a finger lifted to his lips. Undertaker then pushed the door open to reveal a room with black leather couches and a fireplace lit on one wall. There were no windows but dark purple curtains hung on the black floral walls.
Undertaker stepped aside to allow me to step inside, as I did he drew a finger over my cheek. I pulled away from him. I was afraid. I was afraid to see something else. I already had an idea of what that vision was and I hoped to God that I was wrong.
I settled down onto a couch closest to the door. He chuckled to himself and sat down on the couch across from me. We sat in silence for a few minutes, I wasn't sure what I wanted to say or ask. I didn't know what I was feeling at the moment. I didn't know what I wanted. Do I really want to know who Alessandra is? But, it seemed Undertaker was going to choose for me.
"So, care to tell me what you saw~?" He sang with a straight face. It was creepy but familiar. I gave him a steady look but my heart was betraying me. It beat rapidly and it felt like it would break out at any moment. He tilted his head at my lack of response.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Recalling the sunset. His voice. The way his hands held my face so gently. It felt like he was hold me, not Alessandra. I opened my eyes to see that he had moved his bangs from his face and pulled his hair into the same ponytail as in the vision. I gasped, sitting up rigidly in my seat. Is this another vision?
"Alessandra." He said. I stood up, my hand gripping the charms of my swords. "I thought so." Undertaker sighed and smiled softly. He had completely changed from the crazy mortician that was asking for laughs as payment. He was Adrian Crevan the Grim Reaper.
"Who is she? And who are you to me?" My voice was like steel when I addressed him. He didn't seem fazed at all.
"Well, now… I wonder who she is? Would you like to know?" He chuckled and stood up from his seat and came so close to me that our noses were nearly touching. "You'll have to give me something in return for that information." The vibrations of his voice passed through me.
"And what do you want this time?"
"A kiss."
He pressed his lips to mine.