Thalia: *is cuddling Ciel* Aw, you're so cute Ciel!

Ciel: WTF? Get off me woman!

Thalia: I don't wanna~ *tries to kiss cheek closest to her*

Ciel: Sebastian!

Sebastian: *appears* what is it, young master? *spots Thalia and smirks*

Thalia: Goddammit! *Runs away*

Me: Uh…I don't own Black Butler! SEBASTIAN, PUT MY OC DOWN!

On Thin Ice

Three minutes later, we were standing right next to the ice statue of the queen that we had passed by earlier. The Undertaker pointed at one of her folded fingers.

"See, it's right there~."

On her finger glinted a beautiful blue stone that very much resembled the stone in Ciel's ring, except this one looked thinner. It was set in a gold band, unlike Ciel's silver one. Normally, sparkly things attracted me, but the ring seemed to be giving off an aura that told me to stay away. The same way a child wants to play with flames, I wanted to touch it, but something told me not to.

I folded my arms under my coat. "Huh," I said. "To think that it was right there in plain sight. Scotland Yard really needs detectives with better eyesight." Ciel snickered quietly at my statement.

"I suppose one of the ice sculptors here came across it while building," Lau suggested. "And decided to make use of it in the sculpture. How creative!"

Aberlain ordered two of the policemen two move the statue, but before they could lift it off its pedestal, a voice cut through the air. "What do you think you're doing, you ignorant whelp?" A man with a suitably Santa Clause-like appearance was glaring at us furiously. Behind him were three other people that were also glaring at us, and one man a little to the side.

He was handsome, with spiky blonde hair. He was also holding a rose, which he appeared to be sniffing. "This holy maiden will be presented to the winner," he kissed the rose, and wagged a finger at us. "You mustn't touch her."

Beside me, Ciel froze up and developed goosebumps. "Viscount Druitt!" My eyes narrowed with barely repressed fury.

How did I know the Viscount? Well, he was a seller of black market goods, namely female slaves. The girls were either sold whole, or in pieces. I was about to be one of them once before I escaped. I wondered if he recognised me. My hair was hidden by my cloak hood, so I highly doubted it.

I scowled at Aberlain. "Why is he here?" I snapped. "I thought he was in jail for human trafficking!"

Aberlain didn't look any more pleased than I did. "He was," he replied. "He got out early for good behaviour." I snorted. More like he bribed the law to let him go. Money does talk after all. Money and social standing.

I glanced at Ciel. "So, what's your problem with the Viscount?" I quizzed.

He shuddered. "You don't want to know." I glanced back at Sebastian, who was hiding his laughter behind his glove. "Anyway," Ciel stared at the men and women. "Are those the contest's judges? Why is he one of them?"

"Money and good looks will get you a long way," I shrugged.

Aberlain tried to reason with the judges. "I'm sorry, but Scotland Yard will have to take this statue into its possession now. It's very important evidence!"

"No!" Santa Clause snapped. "Even if you are from Scotland Yard, we will not allow anyone to have their way with the Frost Fair! It is the peak of excitement for the townsfolk." Because, apparently, ice fairs and games were more important than legal police work. London really needed to work in its priorities.

I resisted the urge to shudder when Druitt spoke again. "Beauty is something to be adored," he said. "Are you trying to force shame upon this beautiful maiden?"

"Like you're one to talk," Ciel and I deadpanned at the same time, and then we stared at each other in surprise.

"If you want her," Druitt smiled. "Just bring out enough beauty to satisfy her, and she'll be yours."

Santa Clause gave a pleased nod. "Well said, Viscount Druitt," he said. "As expected of one who loves fine art, beauty and cuisine." And selling people in the black market. He suddenly pointed at us. "It is as he says: if you want the statue, then you must win the contest!"

"I see," Ciel smiled. "I can agree with that. The ring will belong to the one who wins the contest. It's simple and clean," he smirked at Aberlain. "I will obtain that ring."

"You can't!" The inspector gaped. "That's a stolen object! And it is a piece of invaluable evidence in a line of kidnappings of young girls!" He then clapped his hand over his mouth, eyes wide at what he had just revealed.

I arched an eyebrow with a smile. "Oh? No wonder Scotland Yard wants it so badly."

He glared at me. "Even so," he said. "Anyone who owns the ring suffers a brutal fate. It is a cursed stone, and yet you still want it?"

Ciel looked up at him with a shadowed smile. "Cursed, huh?" He lifted the hand that held his ring to his chin. "Then it really does fit me."

The Undertaker spoke up at that moment. "That reminds me," he lilted. "Your ring also has a beautiful blue stone, doesn't it earl?" Ciel nodded. "Then you should be careful, earl," his voice dropped. "Diamonds are hard, but for all their hardness, they are fragile. If you overexert yourself too much, you may shatter."

But diamonds can take so much pressure before they crack, I thought. They are beautiful, and hard, and valuable even after they are broken into shards. There is beauty in every piece, although they may never become whole again. And, even if you stick them all back together again, you will still see the thin, spider-like fissures. It will never be the same.

I realised that I was stroking my ring under my coat. Because of its value, and my current station, I had taken to wearing it on a chain around my neck. I usually had it tucked under my collar and out of sight of thieves and probing eyes. I lowered my hands back to my sides and focused back on the conversation.

"This body and ring are both things that have shattered and been revived," Ciel said. "Like I would fear them shattering after everything I have been through," he turned to Sebastian. "Win the contest, Sebastian."

The butler smiled and bowed. "Yes, my lord." Yeah, because of course you can do this. Why not? Sometimes, his overwhelming ability to do pretty much everything really grated on my nerves.

I jerked when I suddenly realised that he was staring at me. "Uh, I think I'll just stay with Ciel," I stepped behind the young earl, almost like I could hide behind him. "Yeah, I think that would be best..."

Ciel stared at Sebastian, and then back at me, and then he smirked. "Oh, that isn't necessary, Thalia," he said to me. "Sebastian may need your assistance." I stared at the young earl blankly. Sebastian may need my assistance? What are you, nuts? "Why don't you go with him?"

NO! DON'T DO THIS TO ME CIEL! I THOUGHT WE HAD A BOND! "Excellent idea, young master." I yelped as Sebastian picked me up and threw me over one shoulder and proceeded to walk away while I whined quietly. I could see the confused look on Aberlain's face, and the amused smiles of the other three.

I groaned quietly. "Can you put me down?" I asked him when Ciel was out of sight. "I promise not to run away. Honest." LIES! I'M GOING TO SPRINT FOR MY LIFE THE SECOND MY FEET TOUCH THE SNOW!

Either Sebastian knew me too well, or he could read minds, but he just chuckled and continued walking with me to the place where the contestants were meant to sign up. There he put me down. Now's my chance! Then he grabbed my wrist and smiled beatifically at the man in front. "We're here to sign up for the Ice Sculpture contest," he said.

A white breath of air puffed out of my mouth when I sighed. "You know," I glanced pointedly at my wrist, which was still shackled in his grip. "You do not have to grip me so tightly. Even if I ran, there would be no point. You'd just catch me in the next ten seconds."

"True," he pulled me onstage with the other contestants and let go of me. I rubbed my wrist and folded my arms across my chest. My gaze slid to the side and I eyed the men beside us. They looked shady and impatient for some reason. I faced out again as the announcer came onstage and stood in front of us.

"And now," the bearded announcer waved a hand at us with a large smile. "We will commence the traditional Frost Fair Ice Sculpture contest! The deadline is 3 p.m. Well then, begin!"

I followed Sebastian to the place where the other contestants were starting on their own sculptures. Lau and Ran Mao had also joined us, and the younger girl had started on the sculpture, and was drawing some stares from everyone around. How is she not cold?

"So…" I wandered up to Sebastian with my hands behind my back. "What are we building?"

He glanced down at me. "What am I making," he corrected me. "You'll just get in the way, so just sit back and watch."

I scowled. "Then what the hell was the point of carrying me away?" I hissed up at him. "I wanted to stay with Ciel! You don't even need my help!" I wanted to kick him, or punch him, but I knew that wouldn't help. I sighed resignedly. "You know what? Fine. I'm gonna go sit there," I rolled a bunch of snow into a suitably large snowball-chair and plonked myself on top of it with my legs crossed. "There," I waved a hand at him. "Build the most spectacular ice sculpture ever."

Sebastian walked over to me and leaned down. My eyes widened as he took my hand in his, and brought it to his lips. "Yes, my lady." It's like he amped up the flirting since the whole photograph thing!

Which reminds me, I watched Sebastian as he began darting around a patch of snow. The sculpture was beginning to rise out of the ground, smooth and gleaming. What was on the back of my neck anyway? He reacted pretty strangely back then. I remembered the way he had started, and then tensed behind me.

Maybe it's a particularly bad scar? I didn't remember ever getting any scars on my neck. Maybe a few accidental ones when I scratched my neck too hard with my nails, but those were thin and disappeared quickly.

As I was contemplating this, a shadow fell over me. I looked up, fully expecting to see Sebastian standing above me. Instead, I came face to face with an unfamiliar looking man. He radiated charm, and looked as smooth as an oil slick. I arched an eyebrow at him and put on my most deadpan expression. "Can I help you?"

He must have thought I was just playing hard to get, because he became even more charming. "I couldn't help but notice that you seem to be having some problems with your sculpture." I glanced down at my snowball chair, and then back at him. "Such outdoor activities are beneath a lady of your beauty. Why don't you come with me and let me treat you to a drink?"

What is it, Flirt With Thalia day? I folded my arms across my chest. "No thanks," I snapped. "I'm fine here. Besides, I'm with that guy," I pointed behind him at Sebastian, who was gazing at us darkly from the more-than-half-formed sculpture. It looked like some sort of ship.

The guy frowned, and then smiled at me again. "He shouldn't have left you alone then," he cooed. "Come on," he suddenly grabbed my right hand tightly. I promptly coiled my left hand into a sharp fist and jabbed him under the arm. "Argh!" He released me, clutching his useless arm to his front.

I arranged myself back on the snowball, which was beginning to melt and conform to the shape of my body. "I'm not interested," I told him coolly. "So could you please leave me alone?" And leave he did, muttering something that was probably insulting under his breath. I crossed my legs and turned back to Sebastian, who looked pleased.

I did not do this to make you happy! I did it because guys like that irritate me! I told him as much when he finished the ice sculpture (which was actually a giant icy remake of Noah's Ark) and came to stand beside me.

He just smiled. "I'm still pleased anyway," he replied. He pulled out his pocket watch and pressed the button to release the catch. "Hmm, we have five more minutes. We should get back now." I followed him back to the decorated, raised platform, along with the other contestants.

The bearded announcer stepped forward. "Now we shall commence the judging of the Ice Sculpting contest!" My arms folded over my chest and I rested my weight on one leg. "First up, the Joyful Scotland Yard team with their Guardian of London!"

The team was just Aberlain and two other policemen. They had made a sculpture of some surly looking guy with a lot of facial hair, which I assumed was their boss, and were saluting to it. It was actually quite nice, and realistic, but not what you'd call beautiful. As it was, they got very low marks for it.

"Next is the A Chinese Dress is Best in Miniskirt Form team," the announcer smiled nervously. "But uh, due to the sensitive matter of their sculpture..."

Lau and Ran Mao had sculpted a nude version of Ran Mao standing in a provocative pose. I assume she was nude, as two men were holding up pieces of cloth to cover up the uh...more private bits. I sweatdropped.

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are not able to judge it here." There are children here! Why would you sculpt that? "Well, judges, please give your marks!" All the judges gave no marks, except for Druitt (no surprise there) who gave the risqué sculpture a ten.

Lau pouted. "Why couldn't they judge it?"

"There's no way they could show something like that in public!" Ciel yelled back at him.

He still looked a bit put out. "I think hiding it like that is more perverted."

You would, I rolled my eyes. Ciel exhaled beside me, and then glanced up at Sebastian. "You can win, right?"

"Of course," he replied. "Once you give an order, I exist but to fulfil it." I smirked a little at that, and then faced the stage again as our team was called out.

"Next up is the Queen's Woof Woof team," the presenter announced. I clapped a hand over my mouth to hide my giggles. Ciel turned and glared at Sebastian and me, as the former just smiled innocently.

"Was that absolutely necessary?" He asked, voice clipped.

"He did it!" I pointed at Sebastian quickly, still trying not to laugh. "That was his idea!"

"Their piece is entitled, Noah's Ark!" The man gestured to the side. There were gasps of awe as the large curtain was pulled aside to reveal a beautiful ice rendition of Noah's Ark riding on a cresting wave. The ice was smooth, gleaming, and perfect. I couldn't help being impressed, even though this was Sebastian. I patted him on the arm without looking at him. "This is amazing! Judges, please give your results!"

"Please wait one moment." I blinked and stared at Sebastian curiously. "You have not seen anything yet." What is he going to do? Sebastian raised a hand and snapped his fingers. for a second, nothing happened, and then there was a sound of ice cracking as the roof of the ark cracked into two and fell apart neatly to reveal…

My eyes widened in shock. He had created a rising tower of animals, all perfectly formed and beautiful! I suddenly wanted to punch him in the face because goddammit can you not do things so perfectly!?

"I see!" Santa Clause (yeah, I'm still calling him that) yelled. "He made the joints in the roof weak so that, over time, they would melt and break away!"

Druitt was also getting excited, which just made me want to punch him in the face. "Oh!" He gasped. "Oh! God's rage! The only one to escape the blazing storm unscathed was Noah, leading his paired animals and waiting for the time of regeneration as they drifted upon the waves!"

Calm yourself, I thought. "Young man, I am completely astounded!" Santa Clause said to Sebastian. "To be able to see such a high class ice sculptor…"

Sebastian faced him with an innocently amiable smile. "No, I'm just one hell of a butler." I glared at him. Every time you say that, I get the urge to kick you. As though he could sense my stare, he looked down at me, the smile turning to something more taunting.

"Well then, let the judging comme-!"

"Wait right there!" There were gasps as the crown turned in the direction of the prize statue. He was holding a gun in one hand and a cocky smirk on his face. "Sorry, but this ring belongs to us. We're going to have to take it back."

"What?" Aberlain's eyes widened. "But you're…!"

"That's right," the man grinned. "We're the bombing thief ring that's been the talk of the town recently," he pulled his jacket aside to reveal a belt of dynamite sticks. Behind him, two other men kicked down a barrel to reveal more dynamite. He held up a lighter and flicked it on. "I'll count down from ten. If you don't want to die, then get lost!" For a moment, no one moved. "Ten!"

The crowd suddenly went wild as everyone ran screaming from the obvious threat. Well, everyone except Ciel, Sebastian and me, but we were special. "Young master?" Sebastian asked.

"My orders haven't changed," Ciel replied to his unasked question. "Do it, Sebastian. Thalia will stay with me."

"Nine!""

Sebastian bowed. "Yes, my lord." I draped an arm around Ciel as Sebastian dashed off to do…whatever it was that he needed to do.

"Eight!"

Aberlain, who was guiding the panicked rush of people, suddenly spotted us. "Ciel, Thalia! What are you doing? Get out of here this minute!"

"Seven!"

Ciel barely spared him a glance. "If you want to run, then do so," he replied. "Don't pay any attention to us."

"Six!"

"Like I could do that!" Ciel turned to stare at Aberlain in surprise. "I became a police officer to protect the people!"

"Five!"

Ciel just smiled and shook his head. "What an idiot."

I sighed as he started running towards us. "That's a rather noble statement," I said to Ciel. "But there is bravery, and then there is naivety." Because you cannot protect everyone, even if you try your best. Aberlain was suddenly stopped in his tracks by a gunshot.

"Don't get one step closer," the thief snarled, and then he swung the gun around to where Ciel and I were. "I'm down to three," he smirked. "Are you kids really not gonna run?"

I shrugged. "We don't need to," Ciel told him coolly. The guy blinked, and then grunted as something knocked the gun right out of his hand with the majestic grace of a swan. Sebastian landed on the ice and swerved gracefully around the statue.

"What?" The other men gaped, and then quickly collected themselves and began shooting at Sebastian. Sebastian suddenly leaped into the air, still with the majestic grace of a swan, and performed a complicated looking jump.

"It's the legendary quadruple spin jump!" I heard Santa Clause gasp. Alright, now he's just being a show-off.

"It's the gallant blackbird dancing upon a world of white and silver!" Druitt gushed. "Enchanted by that smirking face, ladies are overcome with delight and reach for those wings!"

Ciel and I shuddered, most likely for both similar and differs reasons, and then I pushed him behind me when a bullet ricocheted a foot from us. I flipped myself over to the shooting men. It wasn't that Sebastian couldn't dodge them, but their bullets were flying too haphazardly in their frustrated attempts to hit him. if Ciel got shot, I was going to bust some heads.

My knee connected with one in the stomach, and then I kicked the other one squarely in the chest. They fell, gasping and groaning in pain. "Ah!" I froze as Druitt began to gush again. "Her beautiful movements upon the ice," he said. "The graceful way she moves, it's like a dance with the falling snow!"

Why do I feel so violated? I shuddered again, and then stepped on the hand of one of the guys reaching for his gun. Sebastian landed again and swerved towards me, neatly picking me up and carrying me bridal style in his arms. I sweatdropped as all the judges lifted their paddles to reveal ten marks: a full score. "I hate you," I muttered to him. I wasn't sure why I said it, but it made me feel better anyway.

He just smirked. "Of course you do, dear Thalia."

"Damn you, brat," the guy suddenly pulled out one of his dynamite and lit it. "He blown to smithereens then!" He chucked the stick at Ciel.

"Sebastian!" I didn't need to have said anything, as said butler skated over to Ciel and neatly plucked him out of the way. I looked up as Ciel as he was being held aloft by Sebastian in a grand show of balance. The dynamite exploded behind us, sending pieces of ice flying. Soon the ice began to crack and fracture.

"Sebastian!" Ciel yelled, and then he yelped as he was suddenly spun and thrown into the air.

"WHAT THE ABSOLUTE FUCK?" I yelled at Sebatsian as Ciel soared through the air. "YOU CAN'T JUST THROW PEOPLE!" And then I found myself airborne as well. Well fuck you too. I twisted myself in mid-air and landed, feet-first, on the ice ark. Ciel sat up dazedly, and I checked him over for bruises.

He waved me away. "I'm fine, Thalia," he stood and straightened himself. At that moment, Sebastian landed beside us. The three of us turned to face the prow of the boat as the icy mist cleared and awed gasps rose up from the crowd of people on land. Druitt began to rant something, but I deliberately tuned him out.

Ciel folded his arms across his chest. "That was a rather rough method, wasn't it?" He asked Sebastian.

I snorted. "Rough? He freaking threw us across the Thames!"

Sebastian looked like he wanted to laugh. "I'm sorry," he inclined his head politely. "I just thought that the best course of action would be to rid myself of the excess baggage weighing me down."

Ciel scoffed. I stared at Sebastian blankly for a few seconds. "Did you just call me fat?" I asked. His eyes widened slightly.

"And so the Shard of Hope will rest at the bottom of the Thames river," Ciel stared down into the dark depths of the icy water.

"It will curse London," Sebastian noted.

I shrugged and folded my arms into my coat. "London is already pretty cursed as it is."

Ciel glanced at me briefly, and then looked away. "If it ended like that," he said. "It would show that was all there was to this town and country," he raised his hand and stared at the matching blue stone on his finger. "After all, we Phantomhives have always…"

I sighed, and looked up at the white-grey sky. This day turned out to be more tasking than I bargained for.