Hey Cupcake thanks for the reviews! Glad you like it!
Oh FYI readers we are starting to get in to more AU territory starting now but mostly it is adjustment to the timeline and that is it.
Laire was up in a tree deep in the woods surrounding the mansion. The squirrels had informed her that there was a strange man in purple creeping around in the forest. They said that he had been here before but this time was spreading a smelly powder on the ground. Instead of going inside and warning Sebastian and the others Laire decided to do a bit of investigating first. If she could take care of this problem herself then there was no need to raise the alarm. Finny and her were the first lines of defense at the manor. She would take care of this problem as much as she could.
Below her the man was saying something in a language she did not understand but she realized that it was a spell. One that people without inherent magical abilities could learn. He was sprinkling something on the ground now and Laire climbed down a couple branches to get a better look. Whatever he had sprinkled on the ground began to glow and suddenly Laire recognized what he was doing: a magic revealing spell. A spell perfected by witch-hunters.
"I knew it," he said in perfectly clipped English despite his soft tone. "The witch is here and has recently used her magic too….they said they broke her staff but she still seems powerful."
Up in the tree Laire removed her dirk from the holster at her side. Then from somewhere next to her she heard another voice.
This man means harm.
She looked down and saw Webster hanging off the branch in the tree over.
Snake told me to protect the house. This man means Snake's mate harm. I will protect her and the house. Webster darted down the tree on to the ground. Laire watched as Webster snuck up to the man. Then without warning struck. The man yelled in shock and pain.
Now she is safe. I will tell Snake. Webster slithered off leaving Laire in the tree and the man on the ground dying. By the time Laire had climbed down from the tree the man was already dead. Bending over Laire hefted the limp body on to her shoulders. Her ribs were mostly healed meaning she felt very little pain from the action.
Snake's mind was full with thoughts of the mansion, Smile, Black, and Laire on the way back. He was glad that the horses knew where to go, because he surely would have taken a wrong turn or two otherwise. When they got closer to the mansion, he saw a familiar snake darting through the grass.
Grateful that the horses either didn't notice or didn't seem to care - Webster was fairly well hidden, coming in from the side than from the front - he pulled the reins for them to stop. A man tried to harm your human, but I took care of him, Webster said as soon as he found a way up the carriage.
What?! Snake asked him to explain it all as he snapped the reins, quickening their pace. Webster explained what had happened, wrapping comfortably over his shoulder as if to protect him from further danger.
When they got to the mansion, he all but jumped off the carriage. "Laire! Says Webster!" He called out.
Laire heard the carriage coming up the road faster than usual and she heard Snake's cry. She came out of the stables where she was going through the man's belongings. "Och, ah am right here. Are ye alright?"
Snake seemed to deflate slightly, his shoulders lowering once he realized she was walking, talking, and safe. Still, his jaw was set and his tone tense. "Am I alright?! Are you alright, asks Emily?!" He walked over to her, his hand outstretched for her to take. It as close as he could stand to simply hug the woman, knowing it wasn't proper and...feeling strange about it.
"What happened?! Demands Emily!"
"Aye, Ah am alright. Ah am assumin' ye are talkin' ay th' man Webster jist took care ay. Th' man was sent tae find me by mah old village, he was a witch-hunter. Webster killed him afore Ah could. His venom is amazin', so quick."
Laire's calmness and matter-of-fact attitude brought Snake back down from his worry. He inhaled slowly before speaking, this time softer, "Yes, he told me that he took care of him. Does that mean there will be more, asks Webster?" Damned if there wasn't a bit of pride and hopefulness in the snake's hiss.
"Ah hope nay, Webster but there could be. Good thing Ah have such a wonderful snake tae help protect me." Laire said with a smile. "Thank ye fur yer concern Snake 'hat was vera sweet of ye. Ah do have a question though, Webster why did ye call me Snake's mate?"
More witch hunters...he'd have to have his friends be on sharper guard. At the woman's question, he froze and a slow red crept up his neck. "...I'm...n-not sure, says my-myself."
Webster said something very different, but he opted to ignore it, forgetting in his own fog that Laire could hear him clear as day. Because she is your mate. You wish it, for the coming of the season.
Laire opened and closed her mouth slowly. Well that answered that question. As Snake's face turned red so did her own. "Ah-och-Ah, is 'hat so Webster? Ah….Ah think we should unhook the carriage."
Without waiting for a response Laire moved and started to undo the clips and straps to release Betsy and William. Her hands were shaking slightly though making it more difficult than usual. Finally she was able to free the horses and take off their gear.
Snake gave a sharp look at the snake next to him head. How was he to respond to that, to cover. Luckily Laire seemed to move on quick. Or...was it so lucky? Snake heard the voice in the back of his head whisper that perhaps the idea disturbed her. Perhaps she just saw him as a friend, nothing more. To think of being a snake-human's mate…
"S-so," she said to Snake, "do ye want tae help me look through the man's things? There might be a clue in there fur if there are other hunters or nay."
"It's a smart idea, says Webster." His voice was lower than before, hiding the crack before he cleared his throat. Walking over to the corpse, he had to admire Webster's work before kneeling, digging into his pockets to start.
Laire sat next to Snake on the ground. She had removed most things from the pockets already and there was something she found that she could not read. It might have been in the same language as he was speaking earlier.
"Snake Ah found this, in his pocket. Ah think it is French but what do ye think?"
He took the note from her, careful that his fingers wouldn't brush against hers. After a moment of studying, he said, "I'm not sure of it the all, but certain words are familiar: England, your name, witches...burn." He frowned deeply. "It is good that he did not send this yet, because I believe it has Smile' location on it. Something about...the witch he spoke of before, says Webster." He wanted to crumple the paper to ensure it wouldn't be seen, but knew he had to wait. "We should find out the person who he was hoping to message, adds Webster."
A frown crossed Laire's face. He had told someone else. Someone else who might come. She leaned against Snake with a sigh. "Aye, ye are right an' since there might be another we have tae tell Sebastian an' Master Ciel. Ah donna want tae deal wit' this, why ken they jist nay leave me alone? Ah have nay done anthin'."
Snake gave her a sympathetic look-knowing the feeling of being persecuted far too well-before raising his hand, as if to rest it on hers or even her forearm. But then her earlier stutter came to mind, bringing up his doubts once more. So he let it fall. "Nothing will happen to you, Laire...says Webster." He stood, careful to dust off his pants in case Black saw. "Let's go tell them...then we can figure out how to dispose of the body, says Webster."
"Thank ye Snake. Ah suppose we should go." They walked back to the mansion in silence. Once inside Laire headed up to Ciel's office where she knew he, and probably Sebastian, would be. She knocked twice against the wood door and was told to enter.
"Master Ciel, we have a problem. Webster killed an intruder on th' grounds. He was a witch-hunter come tae kill me but he has friends. Ye have th' note Snake?"
Snake nodded and walked over to Ciel's desk, placing it down before standing next to Laire. His jaw was a bit tense as he waited for Smile' reaction.
Laire watched as Ciel read over the letter. His expression did not change but still she could see the cogs working in his mind. Over his shoulder Sebastian read the letter as well.
"I see," Ciel said finally setting down the letter. "Well it appears that the person he was writing to did not know our precise location as it is detailed in this letter. However, that does not mean he does not have some idea. Seeing how he only referred to as Francis there is no way of knowing who he is. Was there any identification on the body?"
"Nay, jist the letter, a notebook, some money, an' then some charms."
"Very well, then we shall do nothing for now. If this Francis that the letter refers to comes looking for you then we shall deal with him then. Currently, Sebastian take care of the body. As for you two get on with your daily chores but keep an eye out for anything else suspicious."
Laire inclined her head, "Aye, mah lord."
They are hiding chicken eggs instead of eating them? Victor sounded suspicious. If snakes could scoff.
They also color them with brushes and paint. Emily seemed to be amused more than anything.
"You cannot eat the eggs, says Oscar." Snake said sharply to Victor who was tracking the movement of Bard with the cartons.
They were all helping out with the decorations and preparations of the Phantomhive manor for Easter. Though, Snake had a suspicion that all would be for naught and redone once the Lady Elizabeth arrived. They weren't quite in their newly made outfits, of which Snake was grateful for. It took quite a while to adjust, let alone like, the suit he wore now...to wear another, he grimaced.
He took a roll of ribbon and walked over to the living room, pausing to glance out the window. Where was Laire?
Maybe she's eating the eggs. Victor sounded irritated, almost pouty. The man smiled slightly but let Emily hiss at their friend.
"Donne, says Emily?" He called out softly.
In here. Donne raised his head just slightly to reveal that his new home was a beautifully arranged vase of lilies on the window edge. "Lady Elizabeth will want to see you, says Oscar."
I will enjoy visiting if she has another lovely crown of flowers.
Snake started up the ladder that Tanaka - or was it Sebastian? - left near the columns. Where was everyone? Finny was outside, Bard was in the kitchen, Meyrin was preparing the rooms, Sebastian...was probably waiting for Ciel to stop work to dress, and Laire…
Snake's hold on the ribbon softened, the item resting on the top of the ladder as he looked towards the window. Maybe she is putting ribbons on the horses, Oscar hissed in his ear.
"I do not think William would enjoy that much...Betsy might, says Emily."
"Sugar cubes!" Betsy yelled kicking her back hooves in excitement. The cry was repeated around the stables even with William tapping his hooves in pleasure.
"Aye, sugar cubes, but only if ye behave. Lady Elizabeth will want ye all bonnie an' dressed up fur th' holiday. Ah have decorations fur ye tae wear when we go ridin'."
"All of us are riding?" Anne asked curiously.
"Och aye, there is Master Ciel, Lady Elizabeth, Prince Soma, Agni, an' Sebastian. So all ye need tae be dressed. Betsy will be carrying th' Prince, Anne will tak' Agni, an' William Sebastian will be rindin' ye. Now ye get sugar cubes fur gettin' dress an' if ye behave yerself Ah will sneak ye some peppermint from th' kitchen."
"Sugar cubes and peppermint! This is the best day ever!"
Laire laughed at Betsy's and Anne's excitement and William's displeasure at the idea of being dressed up.
"Now Ah spent all night threading these so donna ruin them….or eat them." Laire said pulling a flower wreath out of the bag she had brought with her. These would go around the horses' necks. Also in the bags was long ribbons that would be braided into their tails and finally small buds that would be laced into their mane.
It took well over an hour to get everyone ready. When they were all dressed Laire lead them to the gardens where the guests would be hosted. Partially so the were ready to ride and partially so she could make sure William did not undo all her hard work.
It didn't take long for Snake to hang up the ribbons, but since Meyrin was prone to trip and fall while carrying large stacks of things...he had to set up the ribbons twice. A few of his friends helped that time, enjoying the ability to stretch far and high. When he was finished, he put the ladder away and went outside. The Grandfather clock down the way told him it would soon be time for the guests.
And perhaps he wanted to see where Laire was as well. Though it had only been a few days, he found himself caught up on their last lengthy interaction. The one where his friend had opened his mouth and Laire….did not seem to react terribly well to the idea. At least, that was how Snake saw it.
He replayed it in his mind more times than he could keep track of throughout the days. It bothered him to think that she, a woman of similar talents, might only see him as a friend and be disgusted with the idea of...anything more. After much introspection, he realized that it was because he wanted...that something more. To think she did not, well…
He saw the horses and raised a brow, deciding to walk over to where they and the redhead would be. "They look very festive, but won't they crush the eggs, asks Emily?" He called out, his tone neutral and almost bored if one didn't know him.
Laire smiled when she saw Snake. They had not really talked since the "purple-suited" man incident. Perhaps because they were both busy getting ready for today but also it also felt like Snake was avoiding her.
"Nay," she said in reply to his question. "Th' ridin' is afta th' egg hunt an' they will be staying' right here so there is nay danger. But Ah am glad ye are here Snake Ah have somethin' fur ye."
Reaching into her bag she pulled out another though smaller wreath of flowers. "They are Gardenias. Ah had some extra flowers an' thought ye might like tae wear them fur Donne or somethin'. Usually Ah only make flower wreaths fur Beltane or May Day as ye would ken it but Ah donna ken if Master Ciel will let me celebrate this year. Therefore Ah am doin' it now."
She held the wreath out to him, truly hoping that he would not realize her lie. None of the horses were wearing these flowers. She had chosen each of the flowers specifically for their meaning and dressed each horse in their own flowers to suit their riders. White heather for protection and well wishes for Master Ciel. Freesia for Lady Elizabeth meaning innocence and thoughtfulness. Larkspur indicating levity and fickleness for Prince Soma. Gladiolus for Agni for his strength of character, faithfulness, and honor. And finally Foxglove for Sebastian she meant it as an insult for it could mean harm as the flower taken in large amounts would kill but the others would see its other meaning as healing because they believed he helped heal Master Ciel.
The one she had made Snake….well that held a very special meaning and in some ways she hoped he would not get the message as it would be far too embarrassing.
Snake blinked at the item she was holding up to him. They smelt nice, the wind wafted the scent towards him lazily. His eyes narrowed slightly. Gardenias? He knew from common knowledge that they meant purity and sweetness. There may be something else, but right now he was caught up on the first two meanings. Why would she be...because he was pure and sweet?
As a friend, he thought, they were just friends. Friends could be sweet and pure.
"Thank you, says Emily." He took the wreath and placed it on his head. His eyes flickered towards the horses though, seeing the different shapes and sizes of each flower, the different flowers period. "Where did you pick these from again, asks Oscar?" She had some left over?
From the looks of it he did not know the meaning she meant: secret love and you are lovely. Laire had been thinking hard over the past day about Webster had said. She had once been burned very badly by someone she loved a man she thought she loved but Snake was not him. Snake had been burned before though in different ways.
Although she was not sure if what she felt for Snake could be considered love she was willing to try. A witch had to be very careful about whom she loved because if whoever a witch laid with first she became bound to him forever. Laire had very nearly made this bond with a man who betrayed her and she did not want to risk that again. This time Laire would be more careful about giving her heart away.
"Ah got them from th' gardens in th' greenhouse. They are verra bonnie, nay? Ah thought they would match yer outfit….Ye should go change. Ah am goin' tae right now if ye want tae walk back wit' me."
He nodded, the wreath shifting just an inch on his head to make a petal cover his eye. Glancing up at it, he moved it back appropriately and said, "They are fresh, perfect for today, says Oscar." He made a mental note to look up the full meaning in a book he thought he saw in Smile' library. Though why Smile had a book on flowers...perhaps it was a family book, his mother's.
"Have you seen the outfit that Nina made for you yet, asks Emily?" He turned to signal that he would walk with her. Snake hadn't seen his yet, but he had tried to picture Laire's.
"Ah have nay seen th' whole thing but Ah really donna want tae." Laire confessed. "Ah am nay comfortable in girly clothin'. A skirt ken be fine but nay a dress an' Ah know 'tis a dress. Nay tae mention Ah have tae do mah hair up proper. Ah have nay idea how tae do 'hat….Have ye seen yers yet?"
He looked over at her as they walked, taking in what she said. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen her in such an attire, especially with her hair up. He had seen it wild and free, and hidden, but...up proper?
"Not yet, and honestly I forgotten what it was, says Oscar." He paused, the sound of grass crushing under their feet filling the air. When they got to the rocky driveway, the crunch sharper and louder, he said softly, "I think you will look stunning...says Emily." And himself. Especially himself.
Laire paused briefly at Snake and Emily's admission. "Thank ye, Ah think ye will look verra bonnie as well. Miss Nina may be a loon but she does ken 'er fashion….Ken ye….Ah mean ken Ah….if Ah cannay get it mahself ken ye-might ye-be able tae help wit' mah hair? Ah donna trust Meyrin nay tae stab me wit' a pin." And she wanted him to be the first one to see her and her him.
At her hesitation, Snake turned to face her with great interest. He offered her a gentle smile, nodding once more. Again, the wreath slid just half an inch. "I used to help the Bearded Lady with her hair; if you trust me…" was it appropriate? Life outside of the circus was so….strict, and weird. Odder than the circus sometimes. "...I can assist if it takes some of the pressure away, says Emily."
What would her hair feel like? It would probably smell like the outdoors, the wind and the sun. Not like he could find out in everyday activities.
"Thank ye, Snake, 'hat means a lot." Laire looked at him with a smile. They had a arrived at their doors. "Ah will see ye soon then."
Laire ducked inside and sighed at the sight of the boxes on her bed. One for the dress, one for shoes, and one for the hat. She refused to wear the hat. First things first Laire stripped to her underthings and then dug her corset out of her closet. This thing was nearly as bad as wearing a dress but at least she wore one semi-regularly.
After putting on the corset she pulled out the dress. Unfortunately she had to admit that the dress was beautiful. It was a lovely blue just lighter than her tartan and without too much frill just like she prefered. The hoop skirt went on first and then the dress over it. Laire struggled briefly with the ties at the back but finally the dress was on. It was a little bit tight and the design with the hoop skirt prevented her from bending over.
Next came her hair. Laire sat down in front of the small vanity she had. First she brushed her hair out as much as she could which was not saying much. Then hesitantly she took out the pins from the box Meyrin had given her. Pulling, twisting, pinning. Laire tried everything she had seen other women do but it was not working. Eventually she gave up and ended up just pinning her up as much as she could using all the pins in the box to keep it in place.
Still at the vanity she applied a little face powder to help cover her freckles. Then she pulled on the grey kidskin gloves. Finally it was time for her shoes….Laire frozen. She was such an idiot. The dress and the hoop skirt prevented her from putting on her shoes by herself. But she couldn't very well take off the dress, not with the trouble she went through to get it on. There was only one, very embarrassing, thing to do.
Peeking out of her room Laire was relieved to see that the hall was empty. Slipping out of the door she crept to Snake's room. In her hands were her stockings and her shoes. At Snake's door she knocked twice hoping that he would answer quickly.
There were several boxes on his bed when he returned. He figured it had to be Black who put them there and not Meyrin since all his friends were resting on them. A few were curious what it was. After asking them to move, he picked up the first box and opened it.
It did not take long for him to get dressed in his light grey undershirt, which he noted had the sleeves a bit short. Likewise, the double buttoned gray vest fit like a glove. He then fought with, and won, putting on a light green cravat. It didn't look too bad. He turned to ask his friends what they thought when a shark knock was heard.
Snake blinked and walked over, opening the door without hesitation. "Laire, you fixed your hair, says Wilde." With a lot of pins, he noticed. He decided he didn't like seeing her wild hair so...held down. His gaze traveled down the rest of her, not noticing the stockings and shoes in her hand, but the outfit. He was, for the moment, speechless.
"A-aye, Ah doona ken if it is verra good though…." Laire scratched the back of her head awkwardly, displacing a few of the pins. "But Ah was wondering….Ah-och-this is embarrassing. Ah forgot tae put mah shoes an' stockin's on afore Ah put on mah dress an' wit' this hoop skirt….well ken ye help put on them fur me?" Laire knew her face was a solid red by the time she had finished.
He watched Laire's expression as she asked, slowly raising a brow up at the request. While he was certainly capable, it did seem a bit odd...but then, she had been so worried about her hair and the dress, of course the shoes slipped her mind. Spotting the items in question, he stepped back and nodded for her to come in. "Women's clothes seem too complex for their own good, says Keats." He mused as he shut the door after her.
Wordsworth raised head from the seat and got off at Snake's silent request. Then it really hit Snake what putting her stockings and shoes would entail. While he was accustomed to helping people with their outfits for performances, thinking very little of it to have to violate what society apparently thought was "personal", he realized something else.
The hoop skirts required an all new manner of walking and, worse, sitting least they raise and show the woman's ankle or worse. Even the slightest breeze could jostle it.
Now his face was red.
Why didn't he realize that when she first asked? It should have been obvious. Then he realized, it was because he was so focused on her hair. And something else...something that was different, that… "Your freckles are missing, says Hugo." The man sounded surprised when it finally came to him.
"Aye, Meyrin told me Ah should wear some face powder tae cover them up. Look more ladylike." The chair in his room was covered in snakes so she sat down on the bed very awkwardly and set the shoes with heels much higher than she was used to and stockings next to her for Snake. "Ye look verra bonnie in 'hat. Nina may be annoyin' but she did good wit ye. Th' green looks good wit yer skin an' hair verra nice."
She lifted her leg for Snake to put on the shoes. "Please donna tie th' laces tae tight an' be careful mah ankles are ticklish."
Ladylike? Was that important to Laire? Then again, Snake thought, she could pass as human because she looked it. Snake, however, would forever be known by his skin and no powder could fix that - not that he wanted it to. Still, the recollection brought him back to the issue at hand from the other day. They were just friends and...of course she would be displeased to imagine him as a mate. He was merely someone that shared a similarity with her, one that she could hide.
Despite her trusting and friendly nature, as well as the flowers, past experience told him that they would be nothing more. Snake knew he should be grateful for it alone, but...he wanted more. Could anyone blame him? His dark thoughts won out for now, just as they had when he snuck a peek into the flower book Smile had. Secret love...clearly Laire didn't know the meaning of her flowers, his negative side whispered. A secret bond is what she meant, of their gifts. It had to be.
Brought back to reality at her comment though, he flushed with pleasure and smiled slightly. "Thank you, says Oscar." He had to agree with her though, Nina had quite the talent. He knelt down and took the stockings, pausing as he studied them. For a moment, and not the first one either, he thought about how Victor once pointed out that humans wore skins rather than shed them. It was odd, he agreed.
Snake glanced up at Laire, heat under his cheeks despite his self-degrading thoughts, and gently slid the stockings over her legs. His fingertips glided over the material as he did, feeling the warmth of her legs as he did. There wasn't a second of too much pressure or trembling against her skin, despite his feelings. He kept his eyes on the bit of flesh that was exposed from the skirt, just at mid-calf. If he looked up, he'd feel embarrassed, but if he kept his eyes on the task...Yes, task. Not an intimate moment, but a task.
Once they were both on, his fingertips glided with a mind of their own with feather-like lightness down to her foot before turning to take the shoes. "They do not look comfortable, observes Wilde." He muttered before undoing a strap. Gently, he guided her foot into the first one, only stopping when he thought it was fit.
With a more confident movement, he laced them appropriately to where he was sure they wouldn't fall and cause her to trip - though if that did happen for whatever reason in these horrid shoes, he hoped he'd be near to catch her. He tied them in a simple but effective bow, glancing up as he spoke, "How does this feel, asks Emily?" His fingertips brushed against her ankle as he asked, his attention clearly elsewhere.
With Snake down below her Laire thought she could blush freel but then she remembered the presence of the snakes. As his fingers brushed against her ankles he tried not to giggle but a small one slipped through all the same.
"Purfect, thank ye, Snake." His fingers brushed against her ankles again and another giggle slipped out. In an attempt to stop the tickle she jerked her ankle out of his hands. Carefully she stood her arms spread wide to help her balance. She took a step forward and her foot slid from underneath her. Laire pitched forward with a shout of surprise.
Had anyone walked by at that moment, they may have thought Laire was flirting with him - no, they would have wondered if they really heard a female in Snake's room at all, actually. Or maybe that was what Snake thought at first.
When he stood to follow suit, his eyes were lit with amusement at the sight. Before he could comment, the woman started to fall. Snake moved quickly, side stepping and holding his arms out just in time for her to land in them. He suspected that although she wasn't terribly heavy to hold, she would have been lighter without the silly hoop skirt. "Perhaps you should...ah, wear other shoes. Says Oscar." He muttered, realizing after the thrill of the moment was gone that their faces were just inches apart. So close, in fact, that he could see the freckles despite the powder, just hints of them.
The jolt of fear that shot through her as she fell was quelled as Snake's strong arms wrapped around her. Her own hands clutched Snake's shoulders in an attempt to keep herself upright. Laire opened the eyes that she had not realized she had closed and saw Snake's face very close to hers.
"Ah donna have any other appropriate shoes. None match nor are tall enough….maybe this would work if ye escort me. At least until Ah get used tae them."
Escort? Snake swallowed at the word. That meant he'd have to be at her side, arm in arm, for a while. Would Black be upset? No, so long as the Lady Elizabeth was happy, Smile would be happy...and that meant the shoes. "I can do that, says Wilde." He murmured, relishing the warm fabric he felt under his palm. He held her just a bit tighter, wanting to pull her closer and hug her, not just save her from a fall.
Using Snake as support Laire stood properly once more. She smoothed out the wrinkles she had caused, then straightened his cravat. With a small smile Laire pressed a kiss to Snake's cheek. "Thank ye fur helpin' me Snake, ye are verra kind tae do so."
His arms were still around her so she did not move she simply stood there waiting for him to let go and offer his arm.
His heart sped up when she straightened his cravat. It was all so intimate, this moment, so..so casual, so comfortable. He didn't want to let it go. Couldn't they just stay in his room a while longer surrounded by friends, holding her close to his body, his heart? There was a slight ache that he hadn't felt in awhile when he reminded himself the answer was No.
"My pleasure…says Oscar." He muttered in a distracted sense. Then he released her slowly, ensuring she was good to stand, and held his arm out.
Laire smiled shyly and took Snake's arm. Perhaps this dress was appropriate for her at least when she was with Snake as he made her feel more feminine she had ever felt before. As they made to leave a few snakes joined their entourage. Emily, Keats, and Donne slithered up onto Snake while another-Laire did not know who-decided to go up her skirt and wrap around her leg. Laire stopped and looked down at her skirt.
"Ah donna know who ye are but Ah ken barely walk wit' these shoes. Ken ye nay be on mah leg? If ye want Ah ken carry ye around mah neck. It feels naked anyways witowt mah hair doon. Ye might help."
It took only a second for Snake to realize who had hissed, his voice sharp with disapproval - and perhaps some small bit of jealousy. "Oscar! You might trip her, come out, says Emily!"
That is not possible. Oscar said although he did maneuver himself from her leg to her that dress was difficult to put on and wear, it was equally difficult to climb. But if it will make you feel safer about your mate…
Snake walked then, choosing to ignore his friend's comment. He opened the door for her, smiling, or trying to at least. His cheeks were a soft pink, the scales standing out with a hint more shine than usual. "Shall we, asks Keats?"
Laire was no longer sure if she should pretend not to hear the snakes or not. Snake must be more comfortable if she acted as though she did not hear them but it was very, very hard to ignore them when they kept calling her his mate. They hadn't even done anything. Snake might not want to do anything. She was not even sure if Snake was the one she wanted to be the first to do something like that with. Perhaps since Oscar was riding with her tonight she could get him alone and ask him about Snake's feelings towards her. Though she would prefer to hear it from Snake himself.
"Aye," she said in response to Snake's question.
Laire thought she did pretty well as they walked through the mansion to the gardens outside where the Easter party would be held. She only stumbled three more times.
"Ah was wonderin' did Ah do a good job wit mah hair? Ah have never done it afore so Ah am nay sure. Ah feel like Ah used tae many pins."
As they walked through the mansion, Snake felt his spirits lift a bit. To be in such a huge home, to even call a solid building 'home', to be in such fine clothes with a kind friend, who looked quite pretty in a dress no matter how she protested...it was never something he would have hoped for. Or, for that matter, daydreamt of. There was the silver lining, he thought not for the first time as he glanced at Laire, his arm reaching up in preparation when she stumbled. This was the silver lining in the dark cloud that came with losing his friends. It eased the hurt and anger, along with the hope of finding them one day.
At her question, he glanced from the corner of his eye. They were outside and others were soon to see them. "Freedom cannot be tamed with ease...says Keats."
"Ah-Ah guess nay." Laire said with a smile. The main doors out to the gardens opened and the guests come out with the other servants.
"Oh! You two look sooo cute together!" Lady Elizabeth yelled running up to them despite her maid's protests that it was not lady like. "Snake is Donne with you!?"
Elizabeth reminded Snake of the children sometimes, before their mothers yanked them away and instilled their fear into them. She made him smile, in fact, happy and...feeling normal, even. Like Laire. But no, with Laire it was a special kind of normal, if that could even make sense - which Keats said it didn't.
Brushing off the thought, he nodded and bowed at the waist, allowing Donne to poke his head out from behind Snake's ear. To anyone looking, it looked like Snake was whispering a secret to the young Elizabeth - a scandal, given the classes, but he looked spiffy enough to pass as...well, not a servant.
"He is quite glad to see you, and that you are wearing a beautiful flower in your hair, says Emily." Donne slithered over to Elizabeth who held her hand out just enough for him not to fall between the pair. Then, while Donne wrapped contently around the Lady's flower against her ear, Snake stood tall once more.
From the corner of his eye, he saw purple - ah, Prince Soma and his servant, Agni wasn't it? Snake's free hand slid to rest on Laire's forearm, keeping a firm stance for when…
Prince Soma, having spotted the pair, all but ran over. "You're the one from before, what was your name again?!"
"Snake, says Emily." This sounded familiar.
From nearby, Ciel was heard to snap something about not leading any stranger to his house, but was drowned out by Prince Soma's laugh. "Of course, that's right! Oh, she is quite a beauty, isn't she?" He tilted his head to see Emily better.
Catching on, the snake sat on Snake's shoulder tall and proud.
Laire smiled at Snake's interaction with Lady Elizabeth. When he had bent down she had released his arm but when he stood back up she took it again. It was actually very nice to hold on to him like this. She liked it.
When Prince Soma came over Laire realized that he had never seen her as a woman and only as the male carriage driver. It would be interesting to see his reaction to her, if he noticed her at all. She thought at first the compliment was meant for her and was a bit offended when it was aimed at Emily.
Agni was the first of the two to notice Laire, though his eyes, sharp as a hawk in order to guard his prince, caught on quickly. Prince Soma, however, was not quite as swift. He turned his wide eyes to Laire and blinked. Then, with a warm smile, stepped aside from Snake to get closer.
"I don't think we've met! I am Prince Soma of India, and this is my servant, Agni." He gestured to the man behind him, who nodded with a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "What may I address a beautiful woman such as yourself?"
Laire smiled but she did not blush. Soma's compliment did not mean as much to her as any of Snake's. "Ah believe ye are mistaken Prince Soma. We saw each other jist last week when Ah delivered 'hat bill fur damages tae ye from Master Ciel. Thotch Ah was dressed verra differently at th' time. Ah am Laire, th' stable master."
Soma's face fell slightly when she spoke. "Wait," he stood tall, "you're telling me that...you've been...hiding your beautiful self under such plain boyish clothes all this time?!"
He turned to Agni, "Did you know about this travesty?! We must go speak to Ciel at once, that is no way to treat a lady!" The purple haired boy stormed off before anyone could stop him.
Snake smiled at Agni, as if sharing a secret grin with the servant, before looking at Laire. "He called you a 'lady'."
"Aye, he did. Jist wait until Mater Ciel tells him 'hat Ah prefer tae dress 'hat way." And indeed soon after there was a cry from Soma as Ciel revealed the news. He would probably grudgingly apologize to her later.
"Should we go sit doon? Och, ye might nay ken. On holidays if we only have close persona guests th' servants get tae join everyone at th' table. Sebastian will serve us all, if Angi doesna insist on helpin'. Then we go on th' egg hunt and when th' Master an' guest are off ridin' we clean up."
Snake grinned, laughter in his eyes at the sounds. No doubt the prince would forever have the image of Laire in a dress in his mind. Not that Snake blamed him, of course. "We all eat together?" There was a hint of nostalgia in his voice, of being far away. "Like the circus…" he mused, "...says Emily." As they walked towards the table, he added, "All the performers, no matter what level, ate together when we didn't have a show, explains Keats."
When they got to the table, he pulled Laire's chair out for her. "My...lady...says my-myself." He whispered, as if someone else would hear.
Laire sat very carefully on the chair Snake had pulled out for her. This hoopskirt was very inconvenient for sitting down in.
"Thank ye, mah laird." She said with a grin. After he was seated next to her Laire leaned over. "Ye ken ye will have tae tell me abowt th' circus sometime. Ah want tae know what yer life was like afore this."
There was a bit of mischief and playfulness in his eyes that matched his smile. Lord, eh? He glanced at her as the other servants took their seats. All of them together looked quite stunning, thanks to Nina. "Only if you trade me stories about your life before this, says Keats."
"Aye, 'hat sounds fair….Och here comes th' food."
Indeed Sebastian was pushing a cart out of the house with a large soup pot on it. It seems that he had won his fight with Agni as the other butler was seated at the table. The bread and some cold appetizers were already out on covered tray but with was the first of the three main dishes. First was the soup, then the main course, and then dessert. Usually there would be a vegetable course between the main and the dessert and maybe even a cheese and wine selection after that but as there were so many-and he did not want the servants drinking too much-Sebastian was limiting the courses today.
"For our first course we have a fine Mediterranean fish stew paired with a Grecian white wine." Sebastian served the guests and Master Ciel first before the other servants which only made sense but it also allowed the servants to get the large meaty chunks of fish that had sunk to the bottom of the pot.
"It smells nice, says Emily." Snake muttered as the pot was uncovered. His mouth salivated from the scent alone. As the others were being served first, he glanced over to see Donne peeking out of Lady Elizabeth's flower, perhaps baffled or amused by what the humans were eating.
As Laire took a bit she let out a small moan. "Ah love it when Sebastian cooks fur us. Ye have neva had his cookin' afore, what do ye think?"
When their bowls were filled with stew and Laire tried it first, Snake's eyes flickered towards her at the sound of her moan. Though quiet and clearly of pleasure from the food, Snake felt warmth spread through him.
Bringing himself back from where his mind went - wondering what else could make her repeat that sound - he shook his head slightly. "I haven't, says Keats." He then tried the stew and blinked, flavors that he hadn't tasted before in such complimentary intensities flooding his tongue. "This is amazing, says Emily!"
"Aye jist wait until ye taste th' desserts." Laire took a sip of the wine. It was sharp and just a little bit sweet. Indeed it did compliment the fish very well. "How did ye celebrate Easters in th' circus? Or did ye even celebrate them at all?"
"We tried to celebrate it once...but Victor ate all the eggs, explains Keats." He answered neutrally before trying the wine. It was alright, but he found that he didn't like much alcohol. Outside of him making the tea from the circus, Snake didn't often touch the stuff. And since he hadn't consumed any in awhile, he suspected he should take small sips least he...well, he was still in company. "After that, we would just wear the bunny ears certain towns made during performance. Did you celebrate it, asks Emily?" Since she was, after all, a witch and of different religion…
Laire took another bite of the stew before answering Snake's question. She knew her answer would be controversial in some circles. "Nay, Ah didna celebrate it. We didna have a pastor in th' church fur th' longest time so Ah didna even pretend tae….Ah celebrated somethin' similar, th' thing is all th' eggs an' bunnies an' even th' name come from th' celtic celebration of Beltane. Th' English now call it May Day an' th' only thing they kept is th' meaning of fertility, th' comin' of Sprin', an' th' May Pole. Have ye eva done a May Day celebration afore? Ah feel like it would fit a circus more 'cause of th' dancin' an' costumes."
"Beltane," he repeated after another spoonful, "no, we never celebrated that...but I have heard of it, says Emily." He ate more, his memories starting to crop up bit by bit. "Although...the May Pole, does it have ribbons on it, asks Emily?"
"Aye," Laire said with a smile. "Th' unmarried lads an' lasses dance aroond holdin' a ribbon each an' meet in th' middle. 'Tis more ay a English an' Celtic custom than true Scots Gaelic wit' Beltane but 'tis still fun an' we incorporated it a long time ago. A true Beltane festival has fire dances at night when th' spirits an' fae come owt tae play."
"Doll told us about one of those before, she read it in a book, says Keats." Snake spoke softly this time, as if unwilling to share this memory with anyone but Laire. He placed his spoon down, finished with his first course, and looked at the red head. "Do spirits and fae really play, asks Emily?" There was humor in his eyes to bat away the darkness of nostalgia, of longing.
Laire's smiled faltered just a little bit. "Nay in England. They have all been driven owt or killed….an' they are becomin' rarer in Alba tae. Skye an' the farthest reaches ay th' Hielands are th' last large refuges. There used tae be some where Ah lived but Ah doona know if they are still there now 'hat Ah am gone."
Snake understood all too well what she must have been feeling. To be uncertain of a friend's existence, that was. When he first came to Smile, he was relieved for the offer to stay and help him find the circus folk. But as the days went by and turned to weeks, he wondered where Smile was looking. Because he had to be looking still, just...where?
"Even if they are gone," he said, "at least you were fortunate enough to see them at least once, says Keats."
"Aye, Ah suppose ye are right. Nay many get tae see th' fae….Ah think ye would like them they are verra shy an' gentle an' they love nature….they would come an' join mah mum an' Ah in our dance aroond th' bonfire….ye were a snake dancer right? Would ye….never mind."
Laire turned away from Snake. He probably would not want to join her at a Beltane Fire let alone dance for her.
A dance around the bonfire with her mother...Laire was indeed sharing a great amount. Snake would have to make up for it, match it, when they were alone. He caught the trail of her sentence before guessing what she was going to ask. He was, after all, more of a performer than he was a footman. "I did and am a snake dancer, yes...perhaps I could show you sometime, since you shared the faes with me...says Keats." Which meant he'd have to wear his proper attire. This suit wouldn't do, even if it was "proper".
It had been a long time since Laire had felt her face light up in excitement. "Aye," she said just a little too loudly causing Sebastian who was serving the next course to glare at her from across the table.
"Ah-Ah mean," she said much quieter, "Ah would really like it if ye would….Ah will wait tae burn th' old hay an' we ken have a Beltane Fire. Ah doona care if Master Ciel will nay let us go tae th' May Day festival we ken have our own Beltane at night."
"Just the two of us...asks Keats?" He spoke without thinking. The idea of being alone with her at night was exciting, almost too much to dare hope for. It was only the scent of the main course, apple cranberry stuffed pork roast, that broke his dangerous path of thinking. He already heard the others, particularly Prince Soma and Lady Elizabeth exclaim their praises for the butler. Elizabeth's maid, who sat with them, did the same.
Laire reached over and touched Snake on the arm. "Nay Snake, nay jist th' two of us donna be daft…." She leaned in and spoke into his ear, "yer snakes ken come tae."
His gaze shifted, and for a moment it felt like many others did too, to Laire when her hand rested on his arm. It was just a small touch really, something to catch his attention. Innocent, really.
So why did his heart speed up?
"Of course they can...and will...says...Emily." He spoke almost hoarsely, trying, and failing, to hide the shudder of his shoulders. Her hot breath against his ear...he had to force himself to look away, to pay attention to his meal, to his nearly full wine glass, to even the tablecloth - anything! Otherwise he thought he might...lean forward and...her lips...simply looked…
Laire saw Snake's look of near panic when she spoke into his ear and she pulled back quickly. Obviously he did not like her that close. It was then that she saw Bard looking at her with a pervy grin. She stuck out her tongue just a little bit to avoid Sebastian's notice. Finally she started to eat her portion of the main course. The pork had cooled a bit but it was still marvelous.
Taking a sip of the red wine that came with the course Laire grimaced. This wine was not to her tastes. Bard laughed at her expression.
"You are such a lightweight."
"Perhaps but Ah am thinkin' 'hat we should start havin' red wine whenever ye make dinner. It would certainly cover th' taste ay yer cookin'."
"Yeah, well," his brow furrowed as he tried to come up with an insult. "Just fuck Snake already it would loosen you up."
The entire table fell silent. They were staring at Bard.
"Paula," Lady Elizabeth said innocently, "what does fuck mean?"