Evelyn had not stayed for much longer after introducing herself, saying that she must return to Red House before her absence was noticed. It wasn't long after Evelyn had left the Sapphire Owl dormitory, that Ciel and the other students were ordered by Sebastian to wash and head for bed, ironically, for it was usually Ciel giving the orders.
It steadily becoming darker as Evelyn, accompanied by Wolfie, made their way to their temporary home. I knew there was a new student coming into Weston, but the last person I imagined it would be was Phantomhive's son... Evelyn thought to herself. Wolfie licked her hand, "Hm? Did you know the new student was going to be Ciel?" She giggled as Wolfie tickled her hand with his tongue.
"It's against the rules to call a fellow student by their first name."
Evelyn, startled, froze as she tried to find the body of the sudden voice. Stepping out from behind one of the pillars, was Edgar Redmond.
"Oh! Edgar, you startled me! You should know that it's ungentlemanly to spy on a lady. And here I thought that Red House was full of gentlemen. Besides, when do you ever listen to the rules? But if it's against them, does that mean I shouldn't call you Edgar then, since it's your first name?" Evelyn teased with a wink.
"Well, a lady shouldn't walk around by herself at night. Especially when returning from another's house." The Red House Prefect retorted.
"...So you saw me. Sounds like you just confirmed your spying on me. Besides, I had Wolfie with me, and I can take care of myself if necessary." Evelyn turned away from him to make her way to her small apartment in Red House with Wolfie at her hand.
"It's a duty for a Prefect to check that there isn't any students that should be in their dormitories wandering around. That may include you, Evelyn."
"Ah, but you see, I'm as much of a Prefect as you are, Edgar. I might as well be, since I aim for students to enjoy their time here, whilst making sure they attend their studies. I see little difference in our roles."
Redmond's scarlet eyes narrowed in suspicion, "What were you doing in Bluer's dormitory?" He tried to subtly change the subject, though unsuccessfully, with Evelyn
Evelyn waved it off with her left hand, "I was just greeting the new student, Edgar. Nothing to worry about."
Edgar sighed, "...Do you insist on calling me by my name-"
"But I already do, Edgar."
"That's not what I mean, and I think you know it." He feigned thoughtfulness, "You know, you are always full of wit, trying to get the last word."
She faced him with a smirk, "Ha! I'm nothing if not witty. But flattery will get you nowhere with me. So, what do you wish me to call you?"
"You've known me for nearly 2 years, Evelyn. Why don't you give a nickname, like Eddy or something?"
Her smirk disappeared. Wolfie stopped licking her hands, recognizing a once familiar name by barking. Evelyn didn't hear anything after she heard the word Eddy. It almost unplugged a torrent of memories and emotions that she had buried deep, deep, deep down. Evelyn couldn't. It was too similar to-
"I cannot, Edgar. I...I just cannot." She walked on ahead,
"Why not-" Edgar playfully, tried to pry more.
"I just can't. Not right now." Evelyn tried to think of some excuse, "It's, uh, it's not right. We're not officially engaged. Maybe if you win the cricket tournament, maybe-" Redmond sensed the change of of her tone that something troubled her. But he did not press on any further.
"Maybe you'll call me Eddy then?" Redmond suggested hopefully, his eyes softening.
Evelyn's heart cringed inwardly at the nickname, "I make no promises... I must return. I feel a little more tired than usual. Goodnight, Edgar."
She felt a hand on her shoulder. She glanced and saw his blonde hair, "Will you at least let me accompany a lovely lady such as yourself home? It's only what a gentleman should at least do." Edgar looped his arm through Evelyn's.
Evelyn gave in, "If you wish, but then you must return to your duties, as must I."
The day after was a routine that Ciel was not used to. Having to rise with others without Sebastian personally dressing him and getting ready for school was definitely a new experience that Ciel wasn't eager to repeat, but was willing if it would help him get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Derrick Arden and a handful of other students. He was again walking the same path as he did with the other students as the day before.
It was when he was pondering as to what was going on within Weston, that he felt a hand tug him back from again stepping onto the lawn, "Heehee, do you forget things so quickly, Phantomhive?"
"Oops, sorry, 'Only the P4 can step onto the lawn' wasn't it?"
"As well as the Bride. I'm sure it won't be long before you get used to things around here. Don't worry, it took me a while too!" Evelyn assured Ciel. She was a different dress today, but it again bore the crimson color of Scarlet Fox.
"Thank you, Miss Ravenne."
"You're most certainly welcome. Now come along, the Vice-Principal and the Prefects wish to welcome you, so follow me!"
Ciel found himself standing in a vast office, with an organ on each side, and the giant tail of a grandfather clock swung behind the Vice-Principal, Johan Agares. The Principal's office. He was circle by the four Prefects and Evelynn, with Agares at the forefront, looking down at Ciel as a king would a subject. Greenhill was the first to address Ciel,
"It's been a day since you've arrived...How are you feeling, Phantomhive?"
Evelyn chuckled, earning her a few scolding looks, which she ignored, "How very like you, Greenhill, asking how one is coping." She looked towards Ciel with a smile, "I'm sure you've calmed down a bit after the, uh, 'welcome party' at Blue House."
Edgar was the next to speak, "Feel free to join Red House if you can't get used to Blue House. We'd be welcome to have someone of your status anytime."
"Only the principal can decide one's dormitory. No exceptions." Bluer retorted, pushing up his glasses in a matter-of-fact fashion.
"I guess that means I'm the only exception then" Evelyn commented.
"...The dormitories are all the same though..." Violet mumbled.
Agares finally spoke, "This is a high class public school, protected by tradition and discipline. From the moment you enter, you must obey the rules. Normally the Principal would be giving you the welcoming speech, but since he is busy, I will be representing him. I am the Vice-Principal, Johan Agares."
"The Principal decides all matters within the school." Greenhill stated,
"These decisions are absolute." Redmond confirmed,
"And we, as Prefects, have been chosen by the Principal to govern the school." Bluer explained,
"A rather unpleasant job in which we have to subdue all trouble." Violet complained.
"This has been our tradition since the school's founding. And-"
"Tradition is absolute!" The four Prefects chorused. To Ciel and Evelyn, it almost seemed like they had practiced those words for the two years they had been Prefects.
"Do you swear to keep to the rules of our school, and obey our tradition and discipline?" Agares asked solemnly,
Ciel firmly stood as he was faced down, "I do." Agares reached for a book of names,
"Then sign here-" Agares lost his footing, and tripped down the steps, landing on an uncomfortable position, shocking everyone in the premises!
"Mr. Agares?!" Evelyn and the P4 cried out!
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Evelyn rushed to help him up, but Agares climbed back up without her help, and handed Ciel the book to write his name, as if there wasn't any blood pouring from his forehead, "Sign here." Ciel did so, "Welcome to Weston College, Phantomhive." He offered his hand for Ciel to shake, "I welcome you." And the 'deal' was confirmed as Ciel took his hand.
The P4 left, with Redmond waving, "Well then, may you have a pleasant life at school." Ciel saw that Evelyn had stayed behind, almost as if she was waiting for something.
"Hey! When can I meet the Principal?" Evelyn glanced at him in almost shock
Bluer was the first to answer Ciel's question, "The Principal is very busy at the moment, and does not meet with regular students. The only ones who can have meetings with the Principal are us Prefects, and the Bride." And they left, without saying another word.
Regular students cannot meet the Principal? So the Principal is like the absolute monarch of the school... Ciel pondered.
"Quite right, Phantomhive. If I think about it, I haven't seen the Principal in quite some time." Evelyn spoke, halting his train of thought.
"H-how did you-"
"Know what you were thinking about? That only the Prefects and I can meet him, and that regular students could not? It was written clearly on your face. It was almost laughably obvious." Evelyn held a finger to her mouth, "But don't worry. I won't say anything. Just do your best, okay, Phantomhive?" A sudden barking interrupted the brief silence. A large dog bound into the office, towards Evelyn, carrying a letter in between it's teeth.
"Wolfie! Come here, boy!" Evelyn welcomed the wolfhound, catching him as he jumped into her open arms. She stumbled a bit under the weight, but stood her ground, "You've certainly been getting bigger, haven't you, Wolfie? Meet Ciel Phantomhive, the boy we met the other day!" Wolfie left the company of Evelyn's arms, and sniffed Ciel profusely, and barked when he recognized the familiar scent.
"There's a good boy, now come here." Wolfie obediently trotted over to his mistress, dropping the letter at her feet, "Must be a letter from Mother..." She looked at Ciel, "You know, if you're here on business other than learning and expanding your studies, then you can tell me. I can keep a secret."
"What?"
Evelyn picked up the letter, "I know that the role of the family of Phantomhive's is to be the Queen's Watchdog. Since you're the current head of the family, and you've come here so suddenly and so late within the year, I assumed...that it was for another purpose. You don't have to tell me if you don't trust me. As the Queen's Watchdog, I'd be surprised if you were even a little bit willing to share the details of your current case with me. You don't remember me, so I don't expect you to trust me at first." And with that, Evelyn walked onward in the opposite direction of Ciel, leaving him even more curious as to her purpose within the school.
Ciel continued on with his day, quickly realizing that this case may be trickier than he thought, especially as the student's lives were controlled by the sound of the bell. Before he knew it, another day had begun.
"Fag?"
"Yep, Fag! After breakfast, it's 'Fag time'! It's one of Weston's characteristic traditions, where the lower years have to help out one of the upper years." Macmillan explained as he helped himself to a meaty breakfast.
"Help out?" Ciel echoed
"Like cleaning their rooms or ironing their uniforms. And preparing hot water bottles at night."
Another annoying tradition "In other words, acting as their butler. Do the Prefects have Fags too?"
"Of course!" Macmillan answered Ciel as if it was an obvious question, "Bluer, the Prefect of Blue House has Clayton as his Fag."
Clayton...that guy, huh
Macmillan continued on, "A Fag is a little different from a butler in that the upper year will help out their Fag sometimes too. It's kinda like having a brother within the school."
"A brother..." Ciel repeated. He often thought that he didn't want any brothers in his childhood.
"Ah! And the Fags of the Prefects are kinda special. They can wear the dormitory flower on their chest, just like the P4 can! And if you get permission, you can cross the lawn. And...I've heard that you can attend the midnight tea party organized by the Principal, together with the P4." The last statement was certain to pique Ciel's interest.
A midnight tea party organized by the Principal...If I can attend, I can meet the Principal!
Macmillan rambled on, "But access is granted only to the P4 and their Fags. Oh, and the Bride too! I'd like to attend one day too...as if!"
That's slightly troubling. It can't be helped. Let's ask about the students who don't want to go home first, "This is a change of subject, but do you know the Duke of Clemen's son, Derrick Arden? I believe he's a student of the Scarlet Fox dormitory."
Little did he know, that when Ciel mentioned another House's student, all went quiet. It wasn't before Ciel saw all the Blue House students whispering to each other. It was like a cloud of secrecy hung over Blue House at breakfast. Ciel was quickly starting to get irritated at their behavior. "What is it?"
"Pha...phantomhive!" Macmillan himself whispered, "It doesn't look good if you're too friendly with people from the other dormitories!"
Ciel harrumphed at the absurdity of it all, "What? Sounds like the trivial rivalry of women."
"The other dormitories are always competing over something. For example, the P4 are competing for the Bride, or Miss Ravenne!"
"Pardon?" Was Macmillan talking about the girl Ciel had spoken to before? The same one who guessed his actions so soon?!
"Yeah. But I don't really know too much about her...But regarding Derrick, I do believe that student was transferred from Red House to Purple House on exception."
"Transferred?" Things seem to be becoming more odd the longer I stay here...
"Again I don't know the details, but the rumor is that the Principal ordered it. Ah! A-anyway, it's best not to stick your nose into other dormitories' business. Especially Violet Wolf."
"What do you mean-"
"Macmillan! It's Fag time!" Another voice broke the conversation, much to Ciel's annoyance
"Yes!" Macmillan stood from his seat, and gave Ciel an animated goodbye pose, "This is my upper year! See you, Phantomhive!"
What's with that pose? But Derrick's dormitory was changed...There's definitely something behind all of this-
"Phantomhive!"
WAH! Ciel turned around, and saw Clayton standing in front of him, with his finger pointed in Ciel's direction, "Until you've been assigned to an upper year, you're on cleaning duty for the dining hall."
"The dining hall..." Ciel looked around him, the hall was vast, books and tableware scattered about, "All...of this?!"
"That's right! So don't slack off, Phantomhive." Clayton left Ciel to clean the dining hall. Ciel waited for 30 seconds after the upper year left, just to be sure, before he lifted his eye-patch, revealing his seal of the contract, and called out,
"Sebastian. Come here."
And like a ghost, the demon butler appeared at his master's side.
"It seems Derrick was transferred..."
Sebastian took out a register book, "When I checked his name was on the register of Violet Wolf indeed."
Ciel made to leave, "He should be at his dorm now, I'll check it out so you can clean up here."
"Certainly." Sebastian complied. After Ciel left, he clapped his hands as on would before getting started in a project, "Well then! Let's do this!"
When Ciel reached the Violet Wolf dormitory premises, he was slightly reminded of a haunted house from a horror novel. And for good reason. It stood slovenly on a high hill, with unusually, for this time of year, empty trees and tall towers clawing at the sky. A melancholic air hung over the somewhat oddly placed tombstones, and the place in general. Ciel was just standing before the gates, crowned with the dormitory crest and crows, guarded by wolf like gargoyles...
What a place...was Ciel's first thought, As expected from a dormitory housing 'eccentrics' He started to climb the stairs, but as he did, for the second time that day, he heard eerie whispers...
Before he knew it, Ciel was surrounded by what he assumed were the students of Purple House. They looked almost inhuman, with sickly pale skin, and the dark uniform they wore seemed darker that Ciel would've thought was possible...
"It's an outsider..."
"An outsider..."
"That crest is of Blue House..."
When did you all?!-
One voice stood out clearer than the rest of the monotone chatter, "Hey hey, what business does a bookworm from Blue House have with us?"
Ciel met a boy standing at the top of the staircase. He had a white Mohawk atop of his black hair, and a scar, or possibly make-up made to look like a scar, running down his left eye. He looked older that Ciel, so he must have been an upper year. "This ain't the place for people who can't do anything but study!" His statement sent the chatter up again,
"That's right, get out..."
"Get out..."
"Get out..."
The chatter became more loud and emotional. Particularly the emotion of anger.
"People from other dormitories should get out!"
"GET OUT!" Someone shouted out as they threw the first stone.
"Ow!" Ciel cried out as he felt a brief pain on his head
The chanting and shouts continued on, throwing more stones in the process.
"GET OUT!"
"GET OUT OF PURPLE HOUSE!"
Ciel had no choice but retreat down the stairs, else he were to be pelted with pebbles and stones.
"Next time, why don't you bring a big fat dictionary to protect your head, bookworm!" The Mohawk boy called out mockingly.
What on earth is this?! Ciel thought as he ran back to Blue House.
At the top of the staircase, the upper year sat down in victory, "What are you making a fuss for?" a quiet voice broke the upper year out of his thoughts. The upper year turned around, and saw the dormitory Prefect, Violet.
"Violet." The boy acknowledged, "Some guy from the bookworm dormitory came over." He pointed in the direction Ciel came in for Violet to see better,
The new kid...Violet recognized
Ciel came back to Blue House after his ordeal, hoping to finally get some peace and quiet to collect his thoughts, and at least try to figure out what was actually going on in Weston, That was horrible...There's much more hostility between the dorms than I expected...I can't even meet Derrick, let alone the Principal!
Status and money are worth nothing in this school. As long as I'm a regular student, seeking information will just get me in trouble. Which means that there is only one course of action-I must get myself in favor with the P4! But how?
Ciel's thoughts were interrupted when he saw a crowd gathering at the entrance of the dining hall. He was suddenly grabbed at the arms by the upper year know as Clayton, "PHANTOMHIVE!"
"Yes?!" Oh no, did he find out that I snuck out?!
"I don't easily praise anyone. However, just for today, I'll grant you some praise!"
"What?" And then Ciel looked into the dining hall. It looked completely different! Everything seemed to be new and shining!
"Our old- I mean traditional dormitory dining hall looks completely new! Well done, Phantomhive!" Clayton praised
"No, it wasn't that..." Sebastian over did it! Speaking of the devil-in more ways than one, Clayton noticed the dormitory warden walking towards the pair.
"Ah! Mr Michaelis!"
"What is it?" Sebastian calmly asked
"Look at the dining hall! Phantomhive cleaned it all up!"
"My, my, thank you for your hard work, Phantomhive." Sebastian gave a unnoticed coy smile, almost as if to annoy Ciel.
Doing unncessary things... "No, thank you, Mr. Michaelis." A sudden thought struck Ciel's mind But wait. Isn't Clayton Bluer's Fag? I can use him! To get closer to the Prefects, I'll start with this guy!
"I'm really glad you're pleased. Actually, I'm really good at housework. So if you have anything, just ask me, okay, Clayton!"
Well color me surprised, this chapter is quite long! I wonder what the letter Evelyn got? Is it from her mother? Or is it something more...sinister? I don't know, that's why I'm asking you guys! DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-
Nah, but really. I'm glad to write this. And I hope you're happy to read it! I also hope that I'm getting better too, so tell me what you think, it would be GREATLY appreciated!
