Rosalie was once again in a carriage, dreading the destination. I did want to come back, but not as soon as this. And NOT with this tiny earl and Sebastian of all people in tow. I was hoping I'd have more time to mentally prepare myself.

Ciel and Sebastian sat opposite of her, Ciel looking out of the window and not realising how distraught Rosalie was. Sebastian, on the other hand, was watching. Knowing her for so long, he had an advantage over other people and could more easily see the emotions she tried so very hard to hide. Rosalie was staring at Sebastian, but not really seeing, as she was so consumed by her thoughts. Gradually, as she steeled herself for whatever feelings being back in the place she had so fondly considered home might bring, she became aware of the fact that she was staring at Sebastian. Likewise, he was also watching her intently. Moreover, with something akin to concern on his face. Rosalie raised an eyebrow at him to signal her curiosity at his surprisingly caring attitude. it was then that Sebastian realised that he wasn't doing nearly as good of a job of hiding his inner thoughts as usual. But then again, neither of them seemed to be having their usual amount of success in that endeavour. Both of them opened their mouths to speak, but before either got a word out, Ciel spoke up still facing the window.

"Rosalie, what exactly should I be expecting from all of this?"

Rosalie and Sebastian quickly looked away from each other and Rosalie replied, "Um, I-I honestly couldn't tell you. Earl McQuillen is quite the enigma. Even to me."

"Hmm," Ciel turned to face both of the other worldly persons in the carriage, "Well then, I want the both of you prepared for any and every thing, understood?"

"Yes, my lord." They both answered. With that Ciel turned again towards the window, oblivious to what he had interrupted and once again drowning himself in his thoughts.

Rosalie, for her part, was quite bewildered at the odd moment that happened before Ciel had spoken. I wonder what he was going to say? For that matter what was I going to say? Ugh, why is this so weird?! Why isn't it like before we parted? It was simple. I used him and he used me, sometimes we were friends, but in the end he had no trouble leaving, or rather I had no trouble leaving him. What's with all these weird "moments." I'm not sure I like this...I'm not sure I can handle it...

Rosalie once again looked over to Sebastian, hoping that maybe he would be watching again, hoping that something in his eyes would give her answers, but unfortunately Sebastian had taken a note from his master's book and was steadfastly gazing out the window. Moreover his face bore its normally stoic, expressionless countenance. Disappointed, Rosalie cast her eyes down toward her lap and her hands folded neatly in it. She sighed inwardly and did the one thing that always helped to calm her mind, she started to think of her favourite songs.

A short while later, the carriage had arrived. The manor stood looming over the trio as they exited the carriage. Much like Ciel's manor, ivy crawled up the sides and pillars of the house and the lawn was immaculately manicured. However, unlike Ciel's manor, the McQuillen manor was awash with a plethora of exotic smells and colours. Bird of paradise flowers circled the trimmed bushes, Purple and white jasmine dotted the vines of ivy along with plumeria. Passion, egret, and twisted cord flowers ringed the edges of the manor. The overall effect left anyone who saw it breathless and in awe. Rosalie wasn't surprised, however, to see the tiny earl and Sebastian continue on without even a second glance. She shook her head at the two of them, wishing they would appreciate beauty a bit more. She followed behind them letting their words and conversation fade into the background. Rosalie started looking around, trying to see if any of the servants were out working on the lawn. Much like she expected, there wasn't a soul to be seen. At that time in the afternoon, the workers would be taking their lunch and would either be in the back garden or inside. Rosalie wasn't quite sure what to feel. On the one hand she was back in the place that had felt so much like a home, something she hadn't had in a very long time. On the other hand, she couldn't stay, and she knew she couldn't. Should she feel happiness or sadness? Joy or resentment? Relief or bitterness? She'd never had such an emotional overload and wasn't handling it in the best way. She couldn't even begin to sort through the surprisingly strong emotions seeing the place had stirred up and was quite unprepared for the tugging her heartstrings were currently experiencing. As such, she was dazed and spaced out when Ciel asked her to knock on the door.

"-alie. Rosalie... ROSALIE."

"Hmm, what?" Rosalie muttered as she finally snapped out of it and blushed slightly as she looked at an irritated Ciel. She chanced a quick glance at Sebastian to see what his response would be to her obvious inattentiveness. She was expecting his usual smug smirk, or some kind of taunting lift in his eyebrow. But instead the butler was determinedly looking toward the manor door. Oh, great he's ignoring me. I think I prefer the mocking.

Ciel huffed at Rosalie's evident lack of focus and repeated what he said earlier. "I think it would be a good idea to have you knock on the door and enter first, since you did work here and would be able to navigate us through the manor. I don't want to follow the standard procedure and wait to be escorted or have McQuillen come to us. I want you to ask whoever answers the door where the earl is and then take us there. Think you can handle that?"

Rosalie gave herself a mental slap. Get yourself together! Who is this flimsy, emotional woman? The real Rosalie doesn't let a few feelings shake her up! Time to get a grip and get to business.

Out loud Rosalie said firmly, "Yes, my young lord." She schooled her features and steeled herself from those damned emotions. Ciel looked relieved to see Rosalie acting as he would have expected as she strode confidently toward the door with an air of poise and purpose.

Rosalie loudly knocked on the door three times. After a short while the door opened to reveal a 6 foot 5 inch giant of a butler. Confusion was clearly displayed on his face as he incredulously and tentatively inquired, "Rosalie?"

Rosalie smiled warmly, looking up into the large man's face. "In the flesh. It's good to see you Aster."

To everyone's, except for Rosalie's, surprise Aster swooped down and wrapped his arms around Rosalie tightly. He laugh a hearty laugh of joy and glee as she squealed in delight. "Rosie! The boss said you'd left but here you are! I knew you couldn't have left without saying goodbye!"

Rosalie felt a slight pang of guilt, but pushed it down and instead manoeuvred her arm out of Aster's embrace. She patted him on the arm and said, "Haha, all right Aster, time to put me down."

Aster bushed slightly and gently placed Rosalie back onto her feet. After making sure she had her balance, he looked her over and felt a warmth in his heart and a tickle in his belly that seemed to always accompany any time he spent with her. Her bright smile that seemed to be just for him. That adorable laughter. His smiled increased as he saw her favourite purple moon hair clip resting in her hair, and oh her air. It was a strange colour, but he didn't mind, in fact he loved it, along with her oddly coloured eyes. Those sparkling pools of dark violet that seemed too beautiful to be natural or real. But there they were, there she was, his Rosie. Well not in so many words his, but all the same he couldn't deny the feelings he had developed for the gorgeous woman. It wasn't every day you met some who was beautiful inside and out and Rosalie was absolutely stunning in so many ways. It hadn't taken long for Aster to fall head over heels for her, but speaking to her of his feelings, well that was a different story entirely. However, he could hold a conversation and he had a few questions he wanted answered.

"Rosie, where were you? What happened?"

At this Rosalie's smile fell a little, but she recovered quickly, putting her smile back at full force but her eyes still seemed slightly distressed, "I can't really explain right now Aster, but I actually don't work here any more. I now work for Earl Phantomhive." Rosalie turned slightly to point out the tiny and slightly taken aback earl and a curious looking butler behind him. Rosalie couldn't quite put a finger on what expression Sebastian was wearing, but at the moment she couldn't be bothered to puzzle it out. She turned back to a crestfallen Aster who seemed to realise what this meant. Rosalie had indeed left.

"Oh, well, um... sorry Earl Phantomhive, for my lack of propriety." Aster apologised and gave a bow to show respect to which Ciel nodded and then looked pointedly at Rosalie.

"Aster," Rosalie said as she laid a hand on his arm to signal for him to straighten up. At this point she felt a very ominous, foreboding aura coming from the demon butler behind her, but she decided to ignore whatever was going on with Sebastian and his oddness. "I need to know where Earl McQuillen is."

Aster straightened up and couldn't help smiling as he looked at Rosalie's face. "Right now he's taking tea in the garden, by the fountain."

Rosalie smiled back and gave Aster's arm a slight squeeze before saying thank you. She then turned to Ciel and motioned for him to follow her. After Ciel began moving towards her Rosalie followed the still familiar hallways to lead Ciel and Sebastian through the quickest route to the place the earl would be.

After a few moments of pondering what could have possibly happened to have Rosalie leave so abruptly, but be back the next day, new employer in tow, Aster decided he'd only get answers if he was around to hear whatever conversation Rosalie's new boss needed to have with Earl McQuillen. Plan of action in mind, Aster also left toward the garden.

In just a few short moments Rosalie had led Ciel and Sebastian back outside, only this time behind the grand McQuillen Manor. The garden was even more breathtaking than the front lawn and was home to both exotic and classic plants alike. Lavenders, tulips, roses, and daisies nestled in prettily right amongst the jasmine, plumeria, and other foreign plants and flowers. The almost paradise look was completed by the whirring of hummingbirds darting in and out of the bushes and many multicoloured birds calling out their song in the trees.

Rosalie almost couldn't help the smile that bloomed onto her face as her heart melted at the sight of it all. And there in the midst of this paradise, this image of life itself, was one of the only humans she ever truly called friend, Travis McQuillen. He looked pensive as he raised a teacup to his lips and after taking a tiny sip set it back down. He appeared to be absorbed in his own thought world as he hummed distractedly to himself. Rosalie began to walk toward him but before she could Ciel extended his cane out to stop her. Ciel, not bothering to turn to her and instead glared steadfastly at the other earl, said, "Thank you Rosalie, for showing me the way, now I must speak with the earl."

Rosalie understood that her role was now over, she wouldn't get to speak with Travis like she wanted, but maybe if Ciel spoke with him, she too would get a few answers at least. She stepped back and with a slight bow replied "It is my pleasure, my lord."

At this Ciel nodded and then more loudly than when he had stopped Rosalie called out "Earl McQuillen! A word?"

With this the mad earl was taken out of his thoughts, and looked around, surprised to have been interrupted. He turned slowly around in his chair, teacup in hand, to see who was intruding on his personal time. His perplexed expression quickly turned into a greeting smile upon recognising he trio comprised of Earl Phantomhive, the earl's butler, and his own former maid and good friend Rosalie. "Why welcome! Please come sit!"

And with that the trio walked over together and began what must have been he oddest conversation any of them would ever experience.