10
Acacia was speechless for a moment, "what do you mean? I am but a common servant."
"Indian's are much more superstitious and aware of the supernatural than you British. Please don't try to play it off as nothing," the Prince waved over Agni.
The brown liquid assaulted Acacia's nostrils, "I am truly sorry but I don't think we have anymore to say to each other."
"Your master is not expecting you until later, and I am afraid I cannot let you leave so easily. Although Ciel trust you I can't. I have heard of what your kind can do."
"My kind?! How dare you judge me off some crazy fable while I know exactly what the likes of you do. You Princes think you own people and because you have some made up power you can just tell everyone what to do and say. You always make others fight battles for you, and you know the funny thing is that they actually do it! You all promise a better country, but I've never seen it. Once you get out of your realm of pretend it's a dog eat dog world and only the strong survive. If you were to ever fall Prince you would be ripped to shreds in no time."
"I suppose we know about the same of each other…what we've heard. So let me start. My name is Soma. I came to England to learn to be independent and break away from my spoiled childish attitude."
"I'm Acacia a servant for Master Phantomhive. I wanted to work for him to get off the streets, and thought it would be much better than my previous occupation. I will do anything for him and entirely devoted. I have known my Master for a few years, although we fell out of contact in between then."
"Were you a noble?"
"No we met in rather unusual circumstances. I was in a desperate situation and Ciel was not faring much better. Unlike me he kept up his spirits and found his own way out through his own determination. His example inspired me to keep up my spirits. Although I couldn't get away on my own Ciel managed to find me and free me, and so to him I am indebted."
"Ciel was in trouble? What happened?"
"Please don't make me relive such memories, and I beg you not to bring it up with my master. It is something he is not fond of reliving."
Soma took a long sip of tea, "I guess I was wrong about you then."
"I'm sorry?"
"I thought you were a demon. A seducer of sorts that could read into people's souls and eat them. It sounds quite ridiculous to say out loud doesn't it? I suppose I let some childhood fables get the best of me no? Please excuse my brashness, but I wanted to make sure Ciel was in good hands."
"It doesn't sound ridiculous. There are men out there that seem to stoop to that level and in a way steal your soul. It's not a fable, you just have to know where to look. Enough with such dreary topics if you don't mind I would like to look around to make sure that everything is in order for you as he ordered. Although I am sure there won't be much if anything out of place with what a good butler you have," Acacia bowed and excused herself.
The townhouse had quite an assortment of colorful tapestries and exotic smells would drift up from the kitchen. She was drawn to what looked like a small study ill used if at all. As she started to clean off books making sure to read each binding quickly and see if there were any notes shoved into them her back prickled. The looming servant stood in the doorway and was striding toward her.
"Hello Agni," Acacia's voice broke.
Agni clasped Acacia's hand in the two of his, "what do you see?"
"Excuse me?"
"The Prince may not understand what you are but I do. I assure you I won't say anything if you but tell me what you see."
Acacia agreed mostly because she could tell Agni meant what he said, "a noose, with the sun setting….terror. Standing before the setting sun is Prince Soma as he orders everything to wait. Relief and gratitude. An Indian among a crowd of Englishmen…heartbreak. It's the dark of night and you bow before someone else…grief. The Prince sits before you smiling inviting you to sit down…ecstasy."
Agni pulled his hand away, "thank you. Please keep yourself safe and use it wisely. I think you have more power than you understand. If you are ever in trouble please don't hesitate to come here. You really helped out my master today."
"How so?" She wondered aloud.
"Acacia there you are! Ahh you found the messiest room in the house. You really are trained as a good servant. I have something for you!" The Prince called at the doorway.
"I don't deserve any gifts," Acacia apologized.
"Look," Soma beamed flashing a pink sari, "this fits you much more than that drab black!"
"I don't know what to say," she breathed truly confused at the linen.
Soma sensed her confusion, "it's a sari from India. Only the most beautiful women from my country get to wear them."
"Your generosity knows no bounds Prince, but I wouldn't have an occasion to wear it or a place to put it. Why don't you keep it, and if I ever need it I will take a visit and pick it up," Acacia dodged.
"Will you be joining us for dinner?" Agni extended his invitation.
"I am afraid I have encroached too much on your generosity. I really should be getting back to the estate. I am sure there are chores just waiting to be done. Thank you so much for the offer though," Acacia bowed, "I will be looking through a few more rooms and taking my leave. Please relax and act as if I am not even here."
"I don't think it fit for a young woman to be returning home at this hour," Soma protested.
"I know these streets quite well, and exactly where to avoid. I will be fine," she retorted.
"You really are stubborn aren't you? Well alright," The prince sighed as he walked away.
Acacia rummaged through a few more rooms and cleaned up a few things here and there, but overall the place was pristine. The moon was just starting to rise and she couldn't help but stare out the window. The moon lit up everything in such a terrifying and beautiful way.
A knock at the Prince's door caught Acacia's attention. She started to gather her things and planned to slip out a back way to make sure she didn't intrude on another guest. A quick note explaining her sudden disappearance would suffice.
As she made her way down the stairs as silently as possible Prince Soma called, "there you are! If you are all done I have someone who wants to see you."
"Me?" She gasped.
The prince led her toward the doorway where just outside that figure loomed. Sebastian.
"I knew the Phantomhive's were too much of gentlemen to let a lady travel home by herself," the prince sighed, "send my regards to Ciel in appreciation for letting us borrow your servant for the day."
"But of course," Sebastian bowed, "let's go Acacia."
And she was looking forward to the walk home alone very much too. Freedom couldn't be found no matter how hard she tried, but could she blame them? It would be much too easy to run off and blather about Sebastian's little secret. She had no doubt that he could locate her and finish her off quite neatly, but how many other people she could tell and all the people they could tell…there would lie the real problem.
The wind blew cold as they walked into an alleyway and the silk voice crooned, "come let me carry you home. I will be able to get there much faster than you could on foot. "
"If people see us like this they may get the misconception that we were close," she spat.
"Nobody will see with as fast as I will go," he advanced placing his hands on her.
"Don't touch me. Please just let me be alone," she turned facing into the winter wind.
His brow furrowed, "excuse me? I am trying to get us back as efficiently as possible. It's part of my job."
"I don't understand…no I think I do and that's the problem. You're heartless. You will do whatever is necessary to get Ciel to depend on you just to prime him for your meal. I can't believe I actually thought you cared about anyone," Words poured out of Acacia's mouth faster than she could think.
"Bravi," a voice called from above, "I never thought I would get a free show when I came tonight."
Acacia's head whipped up to see an androgynous…thing…standing on the rooftop with a chainsaw and a crooked smile. Its red eyes were so similar to his. Long red hair trailed behind it like a flag, announcing its presence.
"Have you forgotten me so easily Sebby?" it crooned, "I knew that you'd flee from that terrible master of yours to find me. Don't worry I took care of him already so let's go."
"What the hell happened to Ciel?!" Acacia growled.
Its eyebrow raised, "don't you want an introduction first? My name is Grell, and I haven't seen you before. Are you trying to replace me with another lover?"
Acacia gapes at Sebastian in disbelief as a heavy sigh escapes his lips. He glides toward the creature faster and more gracefully than Acacia thought possible. While he floated past in unnatural speeds he directs, "go back to the mansion and check to see if the young master is there, and if so inform the other servants of the threat."
Acacia stood there dumbfounded at first at how much to take in a millisecond. She doubted it happened until the grunts of true struggle and a roar of a chainsaw clamored into Acacia's ears. Instinct, not Sebastian's directions, took over. Her legs pumped faster than she had used them in a while the catacombs of brick loomed. Deeper and deeper she fled instead of the freedom of the countryside. Her heart thrummed against her chest. Between the twists and turns she collapsed in the heart of London. The silence was oppressing.