She never avoided anyone more thoroughly than she had now. When she was still considered an infant, mulling over the words of her peers and rejecting the wisdom of the elder's she had never focused so intently on something. This demon was driving her up a wall.
She stayed by Ciel's side at any given interval which was available. When Sebastian attempted to approach her, she dove into the trio of servants claiming that she had to ask how to properly scrub the floors without tarnishing the gleaming carpet. Sebastian noted her antics with distaste.
"Hellebore I require-" Sebastian began, but stopped when Hellebore pivoted and seemingly sprinted to where Soma would most likely be. "Your opinion…" He mumbled in amusement. He placed a hand on his forehead in mock exasperation. "Really demoness…being so uncooperative…you'll only force me to try harder." He smirked and sauntered toward the kitchen.
(…line break…)
Hellebore looked at the mixing bowl apprehensively. She had never enjoyed baking…particularly chocolate. Not to misunderstand, she couldn't tell the difference…but chocolate was troublesome when attempting to heat. She sighed and wondered why the young master had asked for Gateau Chocolat in the first place. She cracked the eggs on the counter and tossed them into the bowl flamboyantly. She was certain that Sebastian wouldn't be in the kitchen until he was finished with Soma. This would most likely be a while. She perked when she thought she heard the chuckle of Lau.
"You act as if you want your butler to lose." Hellebore smirked.
"Impossible. But…instead of getting the royal warrant…don't you think it would be more interesting to see that butler lose?" She could practically hear the glow in Ciel's voice.
"Ah…what a bully!" Lau teased.
"Silence." Ciel ordered in annoyance.
Hellebore stiffened at the sound of multiple footsteps walking toward the kitchen. And in entered not only Prince Soma but the three servants and Sebastian. Without so much as a word he took his place beside her. He then began to briskly match her movements as he heated the chocolate and placed it in the bowl along with the eggs and flower, allowing Hellebore to continue as he moved onto a large pot in which he seemed to be making curry.
Suddenly he turned to Hellebore. "You have been avoiding me." He stated not once glancing at the servants or Soma. Hellebore looked at the bowl of chocolate and other miscellaneous items. She eyed the four fools in the corner, who seemed completely immersed in their conversations.
"Must we-" She was about to continue when Sebastian's face caused her to gulp. He looked angry. "I insist you give me reliable reason, or else…" Suddenly his eyes glinted with mischief. "I will have to punish you." She shivered at the tone of his voice, a mix between seductive and starved. She felt herself flick her tongue out, her bodies response to Sebastian's teasing.
His eyes followed her tongue as it flicked out, and he smiled. He leaned in then fully aware that she was unprepared. He brought a gloved finger to her cheek. "You have flower right…here." He then removed his hand and turned to the servants. "The next curry is finally ready to serve." When complaints of mutual stuffing went from the four he replied with a terrifying; "Digest it within ten minutes."
Hellebore looked at him strangely. "They are only human." She whispered to him as the four began to eat with extreme concentration. Sebastian nodded glancing sidelong at her. "Yes, why do you think I gave them ten minutes?"
As the four finished and lay about in piles of over the edge food input, the two demons surveyed the damage done to the kitchen. Sebastian was staring at the dirty dishes with disdain when Hellebore tugged on his coat. "Sebastian…I have an idea." She said as she stared at the chocolate in the bowl.
(…line break…)
"A snake charmer!" Finny cried in delight as Soma pointed it out. Instantaneously Hellebore flinched and quickly scampered to the Earl's side, in an attempt not to gain the focus of the creatures that were currently writhing in the hands of the gardener. Soma dove behind a tree and peered at the Earl while he began to speak with West. Hellebore creeped over to him. "Spying?" He nodded vigorously in reply.
Hellebore waited until West had left, she had no interest in politics. She then took her stand beside Sebastian. "Yes my lord." Sebastian murmured smirking. Hellebore eyed him in his coat which fitted him nicely, appealing to all sides of the demon's features. She couldn't help but notice how his hair seemed particularly perfect today.
"I shall go to the competitor's room and wait." Sebastian announced after a moment before he walked through a group of civilians toward a hall where the competitors were to be held. Eventually the judges were brought forth, and Hellebore noted with amusement that Ciel seemed to shiver as a blonde man with a flamboyant attitude entered. "Viscount Druitt, who has a great love of the arts and food!" Announced the announcer. Suddenly he pointed over to the stage where a line of chef's of all kinds stood. But only one seemed to catch Hellebore's eyes, as he was boring into them. His signature smirk was in place and his eyes held hers far longer than was necessary. She blushed and coughed. As the announcer landed on Sebastian's name and occupation, everyone looked at the demon in question. "Butler?" The announcer asked.
"Yes." Sebastian nodded, "I am no chef. I am a butler to the core." He stated confidently. The announcer stuttered. "Well…let the contest begin!"
The crowd's eyes watched wide as each competitors began chopping vegetables, skinning meat and relishing their pots and pans with glistening substances. Everyone looked over when a young man in the crowd shouted out; "Everyone, look!" His finger pointing wildly toward Agni as he unleashed his Right hand, allowing it to create a delicious smell to rise. Hellebore watched, slightly peeved at the human, but suddenly found her eyes drawn to Sebastian as he flitted to and fro lightly sprinkling spices and ingredients with an inhuman grace. As praise rang through for each Ciel frowned. "We won't lose easily either…" Hellebore smiled at her master. "Such a bully!" She cried happily as she noticed West's look of shock.
Suddenly disgust rang through the crowd albeit from the children who preened in joy. Sebastian was tossing in the chocolate. "As expected from a sweets and toys company!" West cried jovially.
But even Hellebore was surprised when Agni pulled out a rare royal blue lobster. As everyone rooted for their competitor's and which curry's they thought were successful, the party of servants, master's and a demon watched as Sebastian began to make his Naan. Soma began ranting about how they weren't going to win because the Naan would be to dry, or something, no one was really listening to him.
"Time's up! Now time for judging!"
Everyone watched as the first chef was knocked down for using curry powder, the second for using an over powering of spiciness. Then it was Agni's turn.
"This is my curry." He said as he lifted the lid from its concealing position. "Blue lobster and seven types of curry, an imperial feast."
Hellebore deflated, that was going to be hard to beat. The judges enthusiastically ate and praised Agni endlessly with absolutely no criticism. As Agni bowed and allowed Sebastian to step forward, Hellebore caught an interesting scent.
"This is my curry." Sebastian said, his entrance identical to Agni's, but strangely far more eloquent. As he revealed the curry, the judges seemed surprised. Hellebore smirked, Sebastian's dish was a white ball of dough, or so it seemed. Suddenly he tossed the dough ball into a pot of boiling oil, causing it to deep fry instantaneously. After a moment of hesitant skepticism, the dramatic Viscount looked at his ball for a moment before exclaiming, "This is…the curry from inside!"
"Yes, the Funtom Company proudly presents the curry doughnut. Please have a taste." Sebastian smirked as he gestured to the curry doughnut. Out of all the words the judges shouted, Hellebore only caught a sentence; "It explodes in the mouth!" She giggled slightly before allowing Sebastian a gentle, 'nod' of approval. She was slowly allowing him in.
(…line break…)
"A tie!" The announcer sang in joy. Hellebore glared as a man wearing glasses whipped the trophy out of the hands of the announcer with a haughty air about him that reeked. "Hold a moment." He said slowly as the clomping of horse shoes appeared behind him, and an elderly woman on horseback with a slightly eccentric outfit appeared.
"Who's that?" Hellebore whispered to no one in particular. Lau frowned then seemed to realize something, "That is…"
Ciel raced forward, "Your majesty! Why have you come here!" Everyone seemed to stop breathing. The man with goggles bent down allowing the queen to use him as a stepping stool. "I am done speaking, but her majesty has something to say." He said as the queen stepped off him.
"Oh Albert! I want to enjoy this curry with you!" She cried as she fell to her knees and began crying. Hellebore allowed her eyes to roll. "What a character." Lau commented casually.
"Shut up." Ciel hissed. The queen stood up and began to dab her eyes with a handkerchief. "As I am a judge, I get one vote, correct? I choose…" She thought for a moment as everyone's breath caught. "Funtom Company's butler Sebastian." She then walked over to him and handed him the warrant. "This is for you." She said to him with a smile. West went into a fury, "But how!" He cried out, "They had a doughnut!"
The queen shrugged and pointed, "Look." She commanded, and everyone did. They were met with children smiling happily as they munched on the curry doughnuts. "I highly approve of the Funtom Company's accounting for our future, the children. Thus, they are the victor." Hellebore grinned and began to walk over to Sebastian, but was cut off when the queen's butler side stepped in front of her.
"Congratulations chef Sebastian! Could we have a few words?" Sebastian smirked.
"I am no chef. I am but a butler to the core…"
(…line break…)
She stared into his eyes, a realization hit her, they were beautifully tempting. "Do explain." Sebastian demanded gently as he had trapped her in her room leaving only under the bed to hide. She felt a childish temper rise within her. "No. I don't want to." She said looking away from him. He sighed clearly annoyed. He looked at her then smiled. Taking a step toward her, "Time for your punishment." She squeaked as he pulled her toward him so that their bodies were pushed together tightly. He placed a hand on her waist while grasping her hand in his. He then began to hum gently as he spun them in a tight circle.
"Now, dance." He whispered as she stumbled forward in confusion more than once. "Is this it?" She asked dumbly after a moment, barely concealing an inkling of disappointment. Sebastian held her at arm's length. "Oh no, this is only the beginning. From this day onward you will be appointed in keeping track of the three other Servants, you are to do the most mundane and hellish tasks I can possibly come up with, and at any interval of the day I am allowed to check in on you." He lifted her chin up and smiled. "Isn't that fair?" He asked as he leaned forward allowing their lips to meet.
Hellebore resisted at first but stopped when Sebastian's tongue flitted across her lips, asking for access, she sighed allowing him to grapple with her tongue as the fight for dominance ensued. Sebastian smirked as he won out causing her to yelp slightly as he nibbled on her lower lip. He pulled back gently. "Of course, I'll be there to entertain you, demoness." Suddenly he pulled away from her completely, bowed and left her standing there in shock.
