A/N: A big thank you to Carrie and Phantom of the Fiction! You keep me writing, even when I'm not sure about if it's good or not. You are great!
Chapter 9: Unveiled? A confrontation.
"Oh, by the way." Gregory Violet leans away from the sign, stretching his shoulders like a large cat. "You're being followed…"
Sebastian gives Gregory a solemn look. Why are you even addressing me?He raises an eyebrow, resisting the urge to steal a glance at Ciel. "And you're telling me this…why?"
"Oh. I dunno. Thought it'd be interesting…" Gregory's smile is taunting, amused.
Sebastian frowns. Why did he have to do this in front of Ciel?"And you have this information because…?"
Gregory smiles and gestures with his cellphone. "Because they've been out here for the past quarter hour."
Sebastian turns slowly, and sees three figures. And so the P4 confronts Phantomhive. Did Violet set this up, or is this part of the plan?Sebastian, usually so fluid in his movement, jerks his arm towards the door Ciel has just closed.
"Perhaps we should go back inside. Leave through the back…"
Ciel juts out his chin. "Why? Gregory. What's going on here? Are you in on this?" His blue eye narrows, and he turns his cold anger towards Sebastian. "So you're doing something interesting enough to warrant being followed?" He scoffs, a dainty sound suited towards his doll-like face.
The three young men cautiously come forth. They stand there, looking both like the miserably(cold) sods they are, and yet they also seem imposing, high-born thugs.
"Good evening, Master Phantomhive!" Redmond's clear tenor voice carries through the night. He adjusts the collar on his winter coat, and produces a frozen flower, the tips gleaming with ice.
"You're late, Mr. Violet." Bluer's voice is cold and severe. He frowns at Ciel and Sebastian. "What are you doing here?"
Gregory shrugs elaborately. "I wanted to settle things. I don't trust Sebastian to be completely honest with us."
Ciel had been eying the group suspiciously, but at the mention of Sebastian's name, he smirks. "Naturally, Sebastian knows what this is about. Honest? Him?" He casts his eyes down, looking altogether unconcerned. "I'll be leaving. Finish up your business, then. I don't care."
"Wait." Greenhill frowns at Ciel, and takes a step to bar his way. He towers over Ciel. "This concerns you. Gregory wants to settle a matter concerning you."
"Heeeh. Is that so? What an interesting game you have going." His smile is bitter and goading. "If you want to talk to me, you have to do what I say. Answer my questions." He motions towards the shop. "And let's be gentlemen and do it out of the weather, shall we?"
"If I could, Ciel, my apartment is available, as is Lau's restaurant—" Sebastian begins, but Ciel cuts him off.
"No. Let's go back inside. I'm sure the Undertaker is still loitering."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Bluer turns his disapproving stare to Ciel. "I also know of a place, a discreet Italian restaurant not too far from here."
"If you want to talk to me, come in. Whether or not Sebastian comes in as well is up to him." Ciel doesn't spare the group another glance; he turns on his heel, and retreats to the only place nearby he could consider his territory.
"Are you sure about this? Involving the Undertaker is hardly wise…" Bluer pushes his glasses up his nose.
"Ah, but we can hardly decline our guest's invitation! It would be the height of rudeness." Redmond curls his lip. He follows Ciel in.
Slowly, they filter in, brushing snow from their shoes and taking off their winter coats.
Undertaker smiles like a Cheshire, all teeth and poor humor. "Welcome." His smile thins, and he looks at Sebastian. "A pot of Earl Grey for the table? Or do you prefer coffee?"
Sebastian sighs, and pulls out four chairs opposite to where Ciel has already made himself comfortable.
Undertaker places a china teacup before each prefect and sets a large pot of tea before Bluer and shuffles over to set a smaller pot and cup by Ciel. He slinks away from the table to a darker corner of the room. He serves Sebastian no tea.
Ciel breaks the silence. "And? Who are you? Why do you want to talk to me? Were you following Sebastian or me?" His voice is acidic, but curious. Besides, he knows he can't leave without the possibility of being followed. He has no confirmation that their group is limited to the four before him.
Bluer calmly pours tea while Greenhill answers. "We're prefects from Weston University." He watches Ciel carefully for some sign of recognition, some hint of understanding.
Ciel reveals nothing. Sebastian smiles bitterly, still at odds with the situation.
"Your father is an alumni." Redmond explains, his voice arrogant and polite where Greenhill's is businesslike.
Ciel nods, and looks to Sebastian. Clearly he has not yet puzzled through Sebastian's role in today's topic.
"We hired Sebastian," Gregory drones. "He was to get information first about you, and then your family."
At this announcement, Ciel's reserve cracks. "You wanted my—" He glowers at Sebastian, and looks around the room suspiciously. Everyone but him seems to know about the plot.
"Your soul, Ciel. I gave up on their plan ages ago…" Sebastian drawls. He gives up on sitting, and moves to stand behind the boy.
"You can't possibly believe him." Bluer raises an eyebrow.
Sebastian casts an ironic; if somewhat annoyed, look at the group. How am I supposed to get info when you keep revealing shit?Exasperation makes him restless.
Ciel's single blue eye is dark with suspicion. "You just wanted information on me?" He turns to Gregory for clarification. "Is he working for working for you or not?"
"He is."
"Even now?"
"He is."
Ciel snorts, and fixes Sebastian with a sour look.
"Who says I can't mix work and play? I still like you, Ciel…"
Ciel only glowers.
Sebastian gives the P4 an icy glare. "They wanted information about your father…" He doesn't care for abasing himself before them or Ciel. He spills the most vital information himself. Not that it matters anymore. "And why you didn't apply for Weston University, when obviously," gaze slides over the peeved prefects, "that's what they wanted you to do."
Ciel purses his lips, skeptical and surprised. "That is a bit heavy on the recruitment…"
Sebastian shrugs. "Your father is an alumni. If he's involved in the black market, or any darker organizations, and people connect his name with the university…things will be bad for the school. Do you understand?"
"My Dad isn't doing anything wrong!"
"Even when you're the one who's doubting him…"
"It's just because he doesn't run the business well." Ciel makes a dismissive gesture.
"Is it?" Sebastian leans in, forcing Ciel to look him in the eyes.
"Besides, it has nothing to do with you all." Ciel is sulky as a child. "Nothing to do with an university." Ciel leans back into his chair, cocking his head. He looks to each prefect in turn. "I have nothing more to say to you."
Ciel stands up, crossing his arms and looking severe. "Sebastian, you suggested that we make a contract. To give me victory. If we're to work together, then you do what I say." He gestures to the others.
Sebastian nods slowly, his crimson eyes bright with curiosity or triumph.
"Don't. Feed. These. Snakes. Information. I forbid it. Instead, tell me all you know about them." His smile is thin and cruel. "As to the Phantomhive business, I'll get to the bottom of it on my own. Your posh school can stay out of it."
Redmond raises a delicate eyebrow. "Surely you're not going to investigate your own father..." he shakes his head. "That's not very reassuring..." He casually tosses his hair and takes a sip from his tea. "On your own?"
Ciel stares stubbornly at him.
"Well then. Let's make a deal, Phantomhive." He smiles in the same manner as his uncle.
"Why should I make a deal with any of you?" Ciel lifts his chin.
Gregory stirs a lump of sugar into his tea. He reaches into his bag to pull out a sketchbook and pencil. "There's something you should know about your...partner, Ciel."
Ciel waits expectantly, a haughty, bored look just barely masking his curiosity.
Sebastian freezes. This is not something he anticipated for this confrontation. Did they really take my actions so badly?Or was this the plan all along?
But what little dread he might have felt at Ciel learning about his past is irrelevant. However black his sins or past, Ciel will not look away. His soul is perfectly blemished, the perfect balance between childish innocence and callous, self-absorbed hatred. Ciel may not be yet, but one day his wrongs will rival Sebastian's.
Gregory leans forward, and glances from Ciel to Sebastian. "He's a demon of a man."
Around him, Bluer scoffs, and Redmond looks away. No one says anything for a moment, before all three other prefects begin to mutter.
"Why did you—"
"-honestly, don't you think we—"
"—the most effective—"
Gregory sits back and watches for a moment. Undertaker, from his position across the store, watches the young man curiously. He stirs a cup of his own drink.
Sebastian laughs, and all fall silent.
"I couldn't say it better myself…" he smirks, but does not lift his face. He merely raises his eyes, and the curtain of black hair cuts vicious lines across his face. "I do one hell of a job."
Gregory looks at Undertaker idly, and then back at Ciel.
"Is that all?" Ciel purrs.
Greenwood sighs stiffly. He shakes his head twice, and looks up. The prefects share a glance, and seem to come to a conclusion.
"He was involved in a murder incident." Redmond deadpans. He closes his eyes and waits for the inevitable eruption.
Instead, Ciel nods slowly. "Hm."
Redmond looks up, surprised. "We're not here to hurt you, Ciel." He extends one hand in invitation. "Why don't you come over to us, and let us help you?"
"I refuse." Ciel's voice is refined, arrogant.
Sebastian smiles. "As is your wish, sir."
Greenwood snorts, and leans forward, his hands clenching on the table. "Michaelis—"
Violet laughs. "Don't be so hasty in your refusal, Ciel." He stirs his tea. "Are you sure it's all right to be associating with a man like that?"
Irritated, Ciel shoots him another look. "But it's ok for you to employ him?" He shakes his head stiffly. "I should say that's a lot more incriminating than anything my father has done, if Sebastian—if he's a—if he's involved in an open murder case."
"And it's ok for you to date him?" Gregory retorts.
Sebastian smirks. "I should think that's enough for today…"
"Fine then. If you're going to enter university, you'll have to clear your and your father's name in the next two months, or you'll get nothing but rejection letters wherever you go."
"My, my. But wasn't that a delightful after-dinner snack. Such proactive recruiting for the prestigious Weston University…" Undertaker smiles. Half of the prefects start. "What have we got here…" he begins spilling a dark, molasses like substance over broken biscuits. "The P4 are concerned about his father's actions." He dollops a large glob over a piece. "Ciel claims it's merely business management troubles."
Bluer gives Redmond a significant look. He does not seem pleased.
Unperturbed, Undertaker continues in a half sing-song voice. "Sebastian is ma~ybe involved in a murder incident." Undertaker nibbles the messy stuff.
Ciel smiles sweetly. "Do you know anything about that, Undertaker…?" He leans in.
Sebastian, leaning over the boy, moves his chin with two long fingers. "I will tell you all. Tonight, if you would."
Gregory rolls his eyes.
"You want to hear the bloody tale…" he pulls back, jerking Ciel's chin up. "Learn my secrets." His smile is thin and mocking.
Even Ciel wonders if he'll hear truth from those lips.
Ignoring the drama, Undertaker continues after wiping his mouth. "Ciel claims he'll get to the bottom of everything on his own—thus finally accepting Sebastian's proposal of a contract…" He chuckles. "I know you'll be perfect for each other."
Redmond scowls. "Phantomhive, you ought consider other options. At university, they teach you how to support yourself. You wouldn't need him—"
"Thus, Sebastian is dismissed from the P4's employ, and everyone leaves with a new demand on Ciel's University entrance applications. Poor Ciel."Undertaker laughs, not sounding the least bit sorry.
Ciel sighs. "Yes, Undertaker." He shakes his head. "I'll be seeing you day after tomorrow."
With that, he takes his leave, Sebastian a black shadow behind him.
tbc...
End Note: so, Undertaker recaps nicely for those of you who were surprised. (Maybe others of you caught the foreshadowing. The mention of P4 involvement in earlier chapters. (: I like them...)
Please let me know if there's something dreadfully, inexplicably confusing. ^_^
Be advised! I revise best with specifics—like, "this part: XYZ. It made no sense to me. Who is it that did that?" (a "W" question specifying what confused you makes it much easier to fix.) Critique is lovely!
HEARTS and MASSIVE THANK YOUs to anyone who can take the time to review. (:
