Sebastian went about his daily chores, duster in hand. He took books from the shelf and gently wiped them down. Several photos were taken of him.
~o/0o~
Tanaka, Meyrin, Bard, Finny, and Yuri were standing in front of Ciel in complete silence. Having this has the first time Yuri's been out and about since the recent drama, going out on another task wasn't exactly Yuri's best idea.
"So, young master, you wanted to see us?" Meyrin asked nervously. Yuri couldn't understand her fear. Surely if he wanted to fire them, he would've done it long before now.
"Ah yes, I have a job for you three," Ciel spoke, looking to the three.
"J"
"O"
"B" The three hugged in celebration, whining about how they shouldn't have been worried.
"Surely you should wait until you hear the job before you start celebrating?" Yuri said, trying to bring their attention back to the task at hand.
"Will you not be joining us?" Bard asked. Yuri shook her head.
"I have some private matters to discuss with my brother." She smiled. "Nothing too exciting. Just paying bills and collecting some debts." Ciel could tell by the look in her eyes that this was going to be a lot more fun than she was letting on. Ciel placed a camera on the desk table.
"This is a camera from the famous Talbert Collection. It has a story behind it." He paused, noting their reactions. "It had been missing from the collection for some time, so when it came up in the auction, I bid immediately." The servants had puzzled looks on their faces.
"Who's Talbert?" Finny asked. Behind them, Tanaka returned to his former self.
"Full name William Henry Fox, he was a renowned english scientist and one of the inventors of the photographic technology," Tanaka said. "There were strange rumours about his last camera he used, the one our young master has acquired. Rumor is if you used that camera to photograph someone, whoever or whatever they care about most in the world will appear in the photograph as well."
"Oh, my! That sounds too incredible to be true!" Meyrin exclaimed, watch Tanaka return to mochi form.
"Does such a camera really exist?" Bard asked. "Or is just a rumour?"
"Perhaps we should take a picture and find out," Ceil said, going under the veil of the camera. Yuri stepped out of the way, the lens looking to Finny. "Stay still, the exposure takes ten seconds."
"What exactly is 'exposure'?" Meyrin asked.
"Basically, the camera is taking an image down of Finny, and then printing it," Bard explained. Finny twitched.
"Stay still, or the image will blur and we won't get a good image," Ciel scolded. "8... 9... 10. All done." Finny sighed in relief as the picture printed. "You didn't have to hold your breath the hold time," Ciel said. Finny looked shocked at the revelation.
The photo was dropped in a liquid Yuri couldn't remember the name for. It printed the image, or more enhanced it. Ciel held it up.
"Hey look, it's my bird!" Finny exclaimed.
"Huh? Since when do you have a pet bird?" Bard asked.
"Awww, it so cute!" Meyrin said.
"I gave it food every day. Eventually, it started eating out of my hand. I was so happy, I went to give it a gentle pat and..." The head of an ornament fell to the ground, causing Yuri to jump. "My little friend never moved again." Bard looked at the boy shocked, while Meyrin looked on the brink of tears.
"Are you saying that he...?" Meyrin exclaimed. Tanaka took a sip of his tea.
"Ho." The old-man Tanaka reappeared. "Oh yes, I forgot to mention something. The camera has one other unique attribute. The new soul is not one of this world. To put it plainly, the dead appear." Yuri's eyes widened as she looked down at the camera, her face going pale.
"Yuri... are you alright?" Bard's hand shook her shoulder gently. She blinked a few times.
"O-oh me? Yes, I'm fine." She forced a smile before looking down at the camera again. "I'm just interested, that's all."
"Well, then why don't you have your picture-"
"No, I'm fine," Yuri said, interrupting Finny. The servants noticed her quick response. "I do not meddle with the devil I don't see." Ciel couldn't help but sense the irony and the two exchanged a look, a smile creeping up on their lips.
"Yes, you can see why I was so interested in this camera," Ciel said, a familiar smirk on his lips. "Not only does it know who you love most, but it reaches into the other world to photograph them." Meyrin and Bard took a gasp of horror together while Yuri still staring at the camera. 'Otherworld... Photographs the dead... Ones we love... Mhmm... I'm not sure if I believe this or not...'
"This is the nineteenth century, surely no one believes a story like that now?!" Bard said, his voice in panic.
"That sounds amazing, what an incredible camera, master!" Meyrin exclaimed. A little way away from the desk, finny huddled on the floor, his eyes watering.
"I miss my poor little birdie!" He shouted, fresh tears pouring down his face. Ciel placed his hand on the camera before moving the topic back to his job.
"Take a picture of Sebastian with this camera, but do it discreetly. I don't want him to know what you're up to." A smirk broke out on Yuri's face.
"Quite crafty, My Lord. I should give out to you," Yuri said. Ciel smirked.
"You sound like a mother." Yuri smiled at Ciel's words, absentmindedly rubbing her fingers through his hair.
"It's not like you're complaining," She said, withdrawing her hand. Ciel nodded. She wasn't wrong. Her hand slowly returned as he saw her mind drift. 'Instinct.'
"You want us to take a picture of Sebastian?" Bard asked.
"That's right," Ciel said.
"Really? The photograph will show us who Sebastian cares about most?" Meyrin asked.
"That's something I'd like to see," Finny inputted.
"Bloody right Finny. He is always bossing us around and mocking my artistic cooking methods. He's as human as we are!" Both Yuri and Ciel gave a tiny smirk. "He's got have at least a weakness or two." Ciel had a clear idea that one of those weaknesses was the girl who was calming a headache by fiddling with his hair. "And now is our chance to see 'em!" Bard said. Meyrin nodded, the thought of Sebastian bringing her to utter bliss.
"You'll handle it?" Ciel asked.
"As you wish Young Master!" They chanted in unison.
"Yeah, that was a pretty good impression of him, eh?" They all clapped, happy to be getting a job. 'there's no telling what'll appear if we take a picture of him with this camera...' Ciel thought to himself. He looked at Yuri as she absentmindedly stared out the window. 'Or maybe there is one thing guaranteed'
"This should be interesting," Ciel said.
"Yes, but you must remember, the other realm is one that shan't be messed with," Yuri inputted. "'The spirit one has seen may be the devil, and the devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape' Shakespeare, Macbeth." Yuri was about to leave before she turned around. "Could you not just order him to stay still and take the picture?" She asked.
"He would never do it," Ciel said. Yuri raised an eyebrow.
"If you're so sure..."
~o/0o~
The clock stood tall, reading quarter to six. Ciel moved a piece into a small house. Three soldiers block off a black sheep.
"Let's see, at this time of day... he's in the library," Ciel said.
The three servants were hiding behind the bookshelves, getting the camera ready to take the photo. There was a knock on the door and Yuri opened it.
"Just letting you know I'm off," Yuri said.
"Do you know what time you'll be back?" Sebastian asked, looking over at her.
"Tonight. Very late though. Maybe even the early hours of tomorrow," she said.
"Be safe and don't get yourself killed or in trouble," Sebastian said, giving her a soft smile. Yuri smiled back.
"I'll do my best." She gave him a smile before closing the door, leaving the trio to their job. They stayed behind the bookshelves. Peeking out to see if Sebastian had stopped moving.
"He needs to stay still-"
"For a full ten seconds, yes," Meyrin said, finishing Bard's sentence.
"I hope this works," Finny whispered. Sebatians fixed his glove before whizzing around the room.
"He's fast!" they all gasped.
"He's so fast that I can barely see him!" Meyrin said.
"Damn! We'll never get that picture!" Bard exclaimed. Sebastian raced around before placing a vase of flowers. He placed the vase down before stepping back, examining them further.
"Look! he's stopped!" Meyrin said
"Great! Let's go!" Bard whispered. Sebastian pulled his napkin from his breast pocket before whipping it, transforming it to a blood red rose. As the servants watched it awe, Sebastian excited the library, leaving a sparkling room behind him.
"I forgot to take the picture..." Bard said, in awe.
"He's so wonderful to watch!" Meyrin said, her hands on her cheeks. Finny clapped silently.
Back in his study, Ciel knocked down his black sheep with one of his soldiers.
"And next, he'll straighten up every room."
~o/0o~
Yuri trod silently alone the stone pavement, a large coat over her. Ryu walked beside her, wearing an officers uniform.
"You remember the plan?" Ryu asked as his sister nodded. "Remember, if we mess this up, we're toast." Yuri looked straight ahead, her blue eyes locking to a building that seemed to be at the end of an endless street. The corners of her lips kicked up silently as she bit down on a smirk.
"I know." This was going to be easy.
~o/0o~
Sebastian smoothed out the cover on one of the many living room coffee tables. Finny burst in, pushing a pool table far too fast. he screamed out as Sebastian's head jerked up. As Bard took a collective of photos, each depicting Sebastian using the red cloth as a bullfighter would. Finny rammed through the wall, creating a massive hole in the wall, before tumbling down into the gardens. Sebastian placed the blood red cloth gently back on the table, the massive hole still dented in the living room wall. Meyrin and Bard looked at each other, both of them sweatdropping at the massive mistake that was staring them bang in the face.
Back in Ciel's study, he picked up the fallen knight, a look of boredom on his face
"And after that, he'll work on records in the office."
~o/0o~
Yuri stepped into the musty building, men walked around. Women were wearing little to no clothing as men awed over them. Yuri slowly took off the trench coat, wearing the waitress uniform. The skirt barely covered her behind and the top buttons straight over her chest. It was a bright pink and she prevented herself from cringing. Ryu giggled.
"Good luck," he whispered and Yuri shot him a quick look before her eyes met a gentleman from across the room. Yuri gave him a coy look before she retreated to the bar. 'I'm only here a minute and I'm about to shoot it up.'
~o/0o~
Sebastian crunched the numbers, enjoying the silence of this room. He wrote down all the transactions that had happened this month. A bell went off and he looked up.
He knocked on the study door.
"Come in." Sebastian opened the door.
"Yes, did you need something master?" Sebastian asked. Ciel had turned his chair so he was facing the window.
"It came undone." Sebastian only looked confused until he noticed Ciel's neck tie had loosened. Sebastian looked thoroughly unamused.
"of course my lord." He tied the necktie. Meyrin popped up from outside.
"He's beautiful, yes he is!" Finny held the ladder for her as Bard called up to her.
"Right, just take the picture and get down!" Finny counted up to ten. He made it to six before Sebastian looked over. Meyrin jumped down as Sebastian stood up. Meyrin hung onto the ladder for dear life as Sebastian opened the window, peering out, looking both ways before stepping back into the room, giving Ciel a smile.
"Let's air this room out a bit, shall we?" Sebastian asked while Bard and Meyrin recovered from the sudden fall.
~o/0o~
Yuri stood at the bar while a man came up behind her. His hand went around her waist as he whispered things in her ear. She let out an innocent giggle.
"My, would you say such things to a lady, monsieur," Yuri said, batting her eyelashes.
"But, ma chére, you are not the lady are you?" He asked, bearing his yellow teeth. "But I can make you one, at least for tonight." Yuri hid her scowl.
"Oh, how you tease, monsieur," Yuri said. "Maybe we should continue this upstairs?" She suggested. The beast of a man nodded and Yuri took his hand before leading him away, but first shooting Ryu a quick look. He nodded and disappeared from her view. She smirked, opening the door before closing it softly behind her.
~o/0o~
The three servants sat in a circle in a large room with portraits hanging on the walls. They were completely exhausted with the day's work.
"This is turning out to be a lot harder than I thought it would," Bard mumbled. "Getting one measly photograph should be this tough." The other servants sighed in agreement, their shoulders slumped. The perked up slightly when the doors opened, revealing a not so amused looking Sebastian.
"There you are, I have a task for the three of you."
"What it is, Sebastian?" Meyrin asked.
"Over there." The three turned their gazes to the window, where a giant red eye was staring at them. Bard and Meyrin looked shocked, while Finny on the other hand...
"The mangy pooch, what do you want us to do?" Bard asked. The demon hound had its paws on th window sill, waving its tail madly.
"We have a guest this afternoon. That thing is offensive. You are to transfer is out of sight before the guest arrived." The three walked over to the window, Sebastian behind them.
"He's kind of a big fella, so where shall we put 'em?" Bard asked.
"I'll let you three figure that out," Sebastian said, walking away.
"Oi, we've got our own jobs to take care of too, ya know?" Bard shouted as Sebastian stopped moving.
"You do have until this afternoon, I'm sure you can take care of it between your other task," Sebastian said, giving them a shit-eating smile.
"Will Yuri be back by tonight?" Meyrin asked. Sebastian looked back at her.
"I don't know actually." He closed the door. "Maybe now I can do my own job without interruption." He looked out at the window before continuing on his way.
~o/0o~
"You tricked me!" The man shouted, struggling against the rope.
"It was your idea to use the ropes, monsieur," Yuri mocked, holding her gun out to the man's forehead. "If you're anyway smart, you'll have figured out who we are and you'll know why we're here."
"I suppose it's the Japanese twins, eh?" The man said. Ryu smirked, standing beside his sister.
"If you give us what you owe, we'll leave you in peace and you'll forget all about us," Ryu said. "I'll give you a week." he bent down, pulling at the man's hair, forcing him to look up. "Do not make me have to find you because I will. And I will skin you."
"The Ravens can feast on your skin," Yuri said, lowering her gun. They both turned to leave,
"Untie me! I'll get you your money, so untie me!" The man shouted. Yuri turned around.
"Sorry, I prefer upfront payments."
~o/0o~
"Plu Plu! Come here!" Finny called, trying to get the hound's attention. Finny pulled hard on the rope, but Pluto struggled against it. Finny's strength, however, forced the dog to move forward, even as it dragged its paws in the ground. "Off you go!" Finny pulled on the rope, propelling the dog into the air. The dog opened its mouth, breathing fire on Finny, who cried out. The rope snapped due to the increasing heat. Pluto jumped to freedom, leaving a charred Finny behind.
"Oh wow, now there's a surprise," Meyrin said. "Who knew Pluto could breathe fire."
"Well, that's a demon hound for ya. Wait, we don't have time for standing around!" bard exclaimed as Finny cried, while Tanaka cooked fish on the burning around Finny.
In the library, Sebastian served Ciel his dinner.
"I think I'll take my supper in here today," Ciel said. Sebastian, with his hand on his heart, bowed.
"Of course my lord," He said. Sebastian noticed the figurines that Ciel was using before and a sceptical look swept over his face. He smirked. Ciel looked up at him from the corner of his eye. Without his facial expression changing, he looked back down. The black sheep stayed where it was.
~o/0o~
Yuri walked out of the dark building, a white bag tightly in her grip. Ryu ran up beside her, a cocky smirk on his lips and his hands stretched behind his head.
"Ya know what this means?" He asked, referring to the bag in his sister's hands. A smirk crept up on her lips as she tied her jacket around her waist.
"I don't know, brother, do tell me," She said.
"Wow, all this time with the lord and you're developed a rich man's accent. I'd better be careful because, before long, you'll be kissing my cheeks when you see me," Ryu joked.
"Oh how you tease," Yuri said, now taking the piss. Ryu hit her head. "You little fucker!" She shouted, chasing down her brother.
"And there she is!" Ryu said. They both slowed down, walking down alleyways. "But do you know what all this money means?" Ryu asked again.
"We've established this, no, I don't. Tell me," Yuri said.
"WE EATIN GOOD TONIGHT!" Ryu shouted at the top of his lungs, proceeding for his sister to burst into laughter. The sound shouting came out.
"Stop! Gangsters!" A policeman shouted from not too far away. The twins looked at one another.
"Are we about to race?" Ryu asked, reading his sister's face.
"Damn straight," Yuri said. "Last one back to the base has to clean up." They both shook their heads as the cop came running down the alleyway. The twins split in different directions, resulting in the cop freezing for a moment. By the time he had composed himself, he had lost sight of both of them.
~o/0o~
Sebastian stood at the top of the stone steps that led to the front door of the mansion. Pluto was lying at the bottom, unaware of the demon looming over him.
"They couldn't handle one simple task?" He asked aloud. He put his hand on his throbbing head. "I'm beginning to think those three would be more useful as dog food." The sound of a meow brought the demon back to reality. A black cat walked past him, attracting the demon to look at it. "How lovely." The cat meowed happily as Pluto slept. He heard the meow, opening his eyes. He saw the cat in Sebastian's hands. Sebastian stretched it out, rubbing its stomach gently. "A light subtle body... And paws! Such soft paws!" He said. "Uh, cats are perfect." Pluto looked over at Sebastian while he swooned over the cat. He combusted into a pile of flames, turning back to human before ran forward, throwing the cat out of Sebastian's hands and throwing his head on Sebastian's chest. The demon was less than amused at the dog's whining. Sebastian let out a sigh. "Interrupted again? Can a butler get no peace around here?"
~o/0o~
Ryu ran into the large sitting, looking around. When he didn't spot his sister, a smirk took over his features. The smirk, however, was short lived when he saw Yuri coming in from the hallway. She was rubbing a towel through her hair.
"Wow, you're only back? What took you so long?" She said, a smirk on her face. Ryu stuck put his tongue.
"Now that we're back, we have to discuss some... not so pleasant subjects," He said, and Yuri sighed.
"I know you're right. I've been avoiding it for too long now..." The girl took a seat on the couch.
~o/0o~
Ciel placed the three blurry pictures on the table while the three servants nervously scratched their head.
"We're so sorry, Master," Finny said, head lowered.
"But Bard thought of a really good plan, yes he did!" Meyrin said enthusiastically.
"It came to me earlier when I saw the dog go on fire," Bard said
"I hope this plan doesn't involve a flamethrower," Ciel said. The three looked down shamefully. At that moment, the door burst open and Lau entered.
"My Lord, hello!" He said, entering the room
"Oh, it's Mister Lau," Meyrin said as they moved aside to allow the man access to the desk.
"And just what are you doing here?" Ciel asked, setting a hard look on the man.
"I heard what you were up to. I thought I might assist," Lau explained. Ciel was silent for a moment
"Go away. Yuri will be home so, so we won't need 'assistance'," Cie said, looking away.
"My Lord, please don't be so hasty. Why not relax and leave this up to me?" Lau suggested. Ciel looked shocked. "I have already woven a spiders web to trap him, and the more he tries to struggle, the entangled he'll become. Escape is impossible." Lau helped the sheep figurine in his hand. "Against me, no prey stands a chance. It is only a matter of time."
"Very well, but I will tolerate any kind of failure. Is that understood?"
"Yes, of course, My Lord. I would not allow failure sully the Phantomhive name. I would surely be booted out of the country if I did such a thing," Lau responded. The three servants looked at the man, looks if confusion on their face. "So. What are you up to?" The three servants collapsed at the man's stupidity.
~o/0o~
"So, you see, we can go on like we did. We need to-"
"Shh!" Yuri interrupted her brother.
"What are you-"
"Shhhh!" Ryu looked at his sister with confusion as Yuri listened carefully. "Oh no."
"Oh no?"
"Oh no," Yuri repeated. The door burst open, Mai and Mei came in, arguing with two older boys.
"They've done it again, Yuri! They've broken one of the rules!" One of the boys said. He had dark black hair and dark brown eyes.
"Did not!" The twins said in unison.
"Did too!" The other boy said. He had red hair and light brown eyes.
"Mark, stop sinking to their level," Yuri said, addressing the redhead. "What rule did they supposedly break?" Yuri asked the other boy, Johnny.
"They went through the bar! Bottles are missing!" Johnny said.
"We didn't!" Mai defended. Yuri rubbed her temple.
"So much for peace and quiet," Ryu said, patting his sister's back.
"Peace and quiet have never been associated with us, we both know that," Yuri said. "Now, the bottles..."
~o/0o~
A carriage drove down the long path to the Phantomhive Manor. A man approached the door and Sebastian welcomed him.
"Welcome, Sir," He said, bowing. The man removed his hand.
"Hello, I'm the writer from Brit Business, Paul Jones, sir," He introduced himself.
"Indeed, Mister Jone, we've been awaiting your arrival." Sebastian motioned inside. "If you would follow me inside." The man trailed behind Sebastian down the corridors. As they passed a pillar, Ciel and Lau popped out from behind it.
"Now. Our plan begins," Lau said. They watched as Sebastian and the visitor walked up the stairs. A woman sat on the handrail of the stairs. The guest caught sight of her before a blush set on his face. The woman and uncrossed her legs before crossing them again, looking down at the man with golden eyes. She has long dark braids and a pink flower in her hair. Sebastian had continued walking while the guest stayed, transfixed on the woman.
"That was your big plan?" Ciel asked, aggravated as Lau looked on confused.
"Quite odd, how could it not have worked. I mean, look at her, My Lord, I'm sure even the butler would stop and look at her." The woman changed poses as the man's tongue hung out and his face a deep red.
"I was a fool forever believe you could handle something like this," Ciel said.
"I have only begun to fight!" Lau stepped out from behind the pillar, his hands out as he signalled. The three servants jumped in action. Meyrin and Finny waved large fans as the woman's skirt went up. The man looked on, his mouth open. Bard pointed the camera up before pulling it back down.
"Not her," he said, shaking his head. "Where is Sebastian?" Sebastian stood at the top of the stairs, watching the man make a fool of himself. He stood still, a look of confusion on his face.
"Coming, sir?" The man pulled himself back to together at Sebastian's words.
"Oh, yes!" He said and he followed up the stairs to where the butler stood.
"How strange, I don't understand..." Lau said, his hand on his chin as he pondered Sebastian's 'out-of-character' behaviour. Ciel shook his head.
"What a spectacular waste of time that was," Ciel said. 'There is only one girl who can turn Sebastion's head long enough..."
~o/0o~
Yuri plopped on the couch.
"Next time there is an argument, just kill me. So much easier," She said, looking at Ryu.
"Can't," He said, looking up from his book. "Then I'd have to sort the argument out."
"Wow. At least I know someone cares," Yuri said sarcastically, her face deadpanned.
"Love you too, sis," Ryu said, returned to his book. Yuri looked away before sighing.
"I should probably get back to the mansion," She said, Ryu looked up.
"Why?" He asked.
"I said I would go back," Yuri said, standing up. Ryu raised an eyebrow. "They were doing a task as I left and I'm nosy to figure out how it turned out."
"Did this task include the butler?" Ryu said, turning the page in his book. He dodged the glass and it smashed to the ground. "You need better aim," he commented.
"You need to shut up," Yuri said, retreating to her room.
~o/0o~
The man sat at one end of a very long table.
"If I may, sir, allow me to introduce Funtom's's general director, Tanaka," Sebastian said.
"Ho ho ho," Tanaka said. The man's wide and confused eyes set themselves on Tanaka.
"Okay, I'll start with my questions."
~o/0o~
Yuri sat on her bed, looking at the photo of the three of them. Khun, Ryu and herself. She smiled softly at Khun. Why she'd picked it up and suddenly felt reminiscent she didn't know. There was a knock on the door and Miki entered.
"Hey- Oh." She looked from Yuri to the picture. "How're you doing?" Miki asked, sitting down beside Yuri.
"Fine. I just miss her, a lot," Yuri said. "But it's strange, I don't feel like crying." Yuri looked at her friend before resting her head on Miki's shoulder.
"You know she was someone who never caused a single moment of sadness in her life. Maybe this is her, telling you its okay," Miki said. "telling you its okay to move on with your life." Yuri nodded.
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Miki ran her fingers through her hair.
"So, what's the deal with you and the butler?" Yuri looked at Miki. "Oh come on, you know you can't hide anything from me. I know you too well."
~o/0o~
A 'Do Not Disturb' sign was hanging from a wooden door. The three servants and Tanaka sat outside the door, the camera beside them. They all looked on in shame at their failure to complete a task.
"Whats wrong? Why is in there all by himself?" Lau asked. "Is he sulking or something?" The three servants looked up one by one, their eyes on the door and slightly different expressions on each other their faces.
"He said he wanted to talk a little time to think things over on his own," Meyrin said, her facial expressions sad.
"He seems to be taking this quite seriously..." Bard said.
Inside, Ciel had placed his four soldiers around the black sheep, locking it in.
"We need him to stand still for ten full seconds..." he sighed, leaning his head against his hand."This is the one thing I didn't want to resort to..." his hand hovered over his eyepatch. "But he's left me with no other choice." Sebastian felt Ciel calling him and turned and looked at the door. He smirked, a chuckle escaping his mouth.
"And now," The man said and Sebastian looked back down at him. "could you please tell me about Funtom's business strategy moving forward. Tanaka looked on, steam rising as he grew very hot. He was coming close to his limit.
"Allow me to explain," Sebastian said. "Currently we are focusing on toys and confections. But we intend to expand into other areas as well." Tanaka shook in the chair before steam escaped him. The writer looked up as Tanaka reverted back to his smaller form. Sebastian slammed his hands on the table. "As I was saying, sir."
"Ah yes."
"The company is working on plans to build outwards towards Europe. We'll begin with branches in Paris, Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam and Athens. We intend to expand into thirty countries in the next five years, including those in North America." The writer struggled to get everything down. "We'll also build a convections factory in Provence, in the South of France, and a toy factory in Salzburg in Austria. This will ensure an amped supply of our goods is available." Tanaka looked from over the table. "We at the Funtom company always strive to maintain and improve the quality of goods and services supplied to our customers. No item leaves one of our factories without first being subjected to numerous quality insurance tests. Only then can the product bear the name, Funtom!"
"Ho ho ho," Tanaka added. The writer struggled to keep up with Sebastian as he continued to babble on.
"Our motto is the customer always come first! Our delivery service always us to arrive and your business or residence, toy in hand, in record time, no matter how remote the location," He said passionately. "Customer satisfaction is guaranteed! This is the Phantomhive way!" Sebastian winked. "See?" The writer struggled to keep up with how quick Sebastian was speaking. "That's everything." Sebastian's voice went serious and his face held no emotion. The man wiped the sweat off his face.
"Uh, thank you very much," He said, an exhausted smile on his face. "But before I go, I would like to get a photograph in I may?" Sebastian's eyes widened.
"Photograph?" He asked. The man picked up the camera.
"I would like you to have you in the photo, if you don't mine," The man suggested.
"I'm afraid I must decline," Sebastian said politely. "You see I am simply one hell of a butler."
~o/0o~
Miki braided Yuri's long hair.
"Maybe you should get it cut?" Miki suggested. "It's looked kinda dead..."
"All hair is dead the second it leaves your scalp," Yuri shot back.
"I meant it looks bristly. It feels sort of dry as well," Miki said. Yuri sighed.
"Long hair has always been me. I'll probably just find that herbal cure my grandmother always goes on about. I might write to her," Yuri pondered. She stood up and smoothed out her Phantomhive uniform.
"Or maybe you should brush your hair?" Miki suggested. "When was the last time you ran a brush through it?"
"Hey, I used to twice a day, but then I started working, and I don't have that time anymore," Yuri said.
"So a month then?" Yuri nodded.
"If I brush my hair, I'll start crying with pain," Yuri said.
"Yes, but the longer you leave it, the worse it'll get," Miki responded. Yuri inspected the neat plait that travelled the whole way down her back.
"I supposed," Yuri said. "If I don't leave now, I may never." She hugged her friend before grabbing her coat and making her way to the Phantomhive residence. "Seeya!"
~o/0o~
The man left in his carriage, all his energy drained from him.
"Today we are serving demon hound bean cakes, manufactured in HoundsWorth," Sebastian said, placing a cup of green tea beside the cakes.
"Why are you serving me this rubbish?" Ciel asked, taking one and eating it.
"Bard and the others purchased quite a few of them," Sebastian said. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Yuri popped her head around the door before stepping in, closing it after her.
"Sorry, I'm only back now," Yuri apologised, bowing.
"It's fine. What were you up to anyway?" Yuri pretended she didn't head him. Ciel, deciding it would be best to move on, addressed Sebastian. "How was the interview this morning?" He asked.
"I only wish that you could've been there, my Lord," Sebastian said, though his gaze fell to Yuri's neck, where a bruise was peaking out from her collar. "Tanaka was really quite extraordinary." He moved his gaze back to Ciel.
"That's good. A distinguished old man makes for a suitable face of the company," Ciel said, a grin on his lips.
"Yes. The interviewer dained to take a photograph before he left," Sebastian said. Yuri's brain remembers the task assigned to the servants before she had left, and by the tone of his voice, she already knew Sebastian was aware of it.
"Did her?" Servant and master exchanged a look.
"Apparently portrait photos are all the rage among the nobles lately," Sebastian said. Ciel looked away.
"Are they?" He asked. Sebastian's grin was clearly noticeable.
"I know, Young Master, why not try your hand at it yourself?" Sebastian suggested and Yuri snickered.
"Sorry, my throat was itchy," She commented, fighting a grin. Sebastian didn't acknowledge her. 'Pfft, rude. To think, I ran back here for this?' Yuri thought. 'Wait, Yuri, don't go flying off the handles yet.'
"No." Ciel took another one of his cakes before eating it. Sebastian raised his hand to his mouth, suppressing a snicker.
~o/0o~
Yuri followed Sebastian down to the kitchen as he brought Ciel's cup and plate to the sink.
"Hey." Nothing."Hey!" He continued to ignore her. "Sebastian?!"
"Whats on your neck?"
"What?"
"Your neck." Yuri's eyes met his, searching for an answer. They were clouded in anger.
"Sebastian... you're scaring me..." Yuri said as Sebastian backed her into a wall. His hand twitched and Yuri's defences kicked in. She raised her face to her hands as protection. Her collar sank down and Sebastian saw what was there. Sebastian stopped, the anger leaving him. He gently removed her hands.
"I'm sorry," He said and she looked up, judging his facial features. "I thought you... I thought someone... I thought the cut on your neck was something else." Yuri's hand went to her neck.
"I had a job, and it included working with a nasty man. He must have cut me when I tying his up," She explained, jumping up onto a counter beside her. Sebastian took a step closer to her and his hand pulled down her collar.
"Do you want me to heal it?" Yuri hesitated for a moment before nodded. Sebastian removed the top button of her shirt and let his tongue glide over the cut. He hovered above her pale skin before placing a soft kiss. A soft moan left Yuri's mouth, so soft he almost didn't hear it. He trailed kisses up her shoulder blade to her jawline before continuing back down. Several soft moans escape her lips and Sebastian's eyes threatened to change. He looked in her eyes, his mere slits now. Her eyes widened at first before they were entranced by his. He leaned in, kissing her lips softly. He was about to kiss her again when he felt his master calling me. "Timing..." He muttered his face millimetres from hers.
"He's looked for you, isn't he?" Sebastian took a step back as Yuri buttoned up her front. Sebastian began to walk away before he turned back at the door.
"You know the uniform includes a bonnet, don't you?" he asked a cheeky smirk on his lips.
"I'm not wearing a bonnet," Yuri said. "Now go, before you get me fired." He was about to respond, but he had to 'dodge' the tablecloth thrown at him. "Go."
~o/0o~
The demon hound howled at the full moon above his as he sat on a brick wall. Small figures moved heavy objects through the dark yard as Ciel watched from a window.
"its almost time," He said, observing the ongoings outside. "Let's go," he addressed the room.
A large angel statue was lifted by Finny. Yuri looked around, confused.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Finny asked. Ciel stood a little way ahead of him, smirking.
"Yes," Ciel answered.
"I don't know..." Finny said.
"Do it, Finny!" Ciel snapped.
"Right!" Finny spun the statue around, getting into the groove before flinging it ahead of himself. It shot into the night sky. Both Ciel and Finny looked up. Yuri, still completely perplexed, watched the blonde bend low, covering his head. The statue began to fall and Ciel stood, knowing its course. Ciel stayed still as panic rose in Finny. He ran forward, trying to block the statue. Yuri, acting on reflex, dove forward quickly
The statue hit the ground and Ciel stayed in Yuri's arms on the floor. She had a skid mark on her cheek and her hair was covered with dirt and ash. Sebastian hovered above them, having blocked them from the brunt of the statue's pressure. The wings were positioned perfectly on Sebastian's back as he gave a very unamused face to the pair. The wings crumbled to the ground Yuri let Ciel crawl out from under her as she sat up, wiping the blood from trickling down her cheek.
"It's always me who is injured..." She muttered. "I just washed my hair..." Finny sat, dazed, a little way away from Sebastian, Ciel and Yuri. Sebastian slowly brought Ciel up before sparks exploded around them. Three large dragons stood on either side of them, spewing sparks that seemed to light up the sky. Sebastian was helping Yuri stand when she tripped. He grabbed her waist and she clung to his shoulders.
"My, what a lovely pair you make..." Lau said, emerging from the sparks.
"Did you plan this?" Yuri, a mildly amused smile on her lips.
"I wish I had but I'm as clueless as you," He said, matching her smile.
"You're late," She said, staring into his eyes.
"I was preparing dinner," He said and he noticed the cut on her cheek, as well as the ash and dirt in her hair. "For tonight's entree, its-"
"A French dish I can't pronounce or understand?" She said, her smile growing.
"What gave it away?" He asked.
"Something about the way you said it," She said, giggling. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be nice."
"You do know, My Lord," Sebastian brought Yuri to her feet, before turning to the impatient Ciel. "You could've just ordered me to pose for a picture."
"What?!" Ciel said, shocked.
"Had you ordered me to, I would've had no choice but to do so," Sebastian said, bowing to Ciel. He giggled as Ciel looked down. Yuri didn't want to say 'I told you so' but she really wanted to. Ciel looked away.
"I don't know what you mean..." Ciel said, faking innocence.
~o/0o~
A red screen was placed over a candle and a liquid was poured into a plastic tray. The three servants stood over the table. gleeful that they had finally completed their task.
"We finally got the photo!" Finny said a large grin on his face.
"At last, we'll see the fruit of a hard days labour," Bard said.
"The young master will be happy, yes he will!" Meyrin added, excited. Bard placed the photo into the liquid, and the two gathered around him to see what the picture would reveal.
"Okay, I can almost make it out," Bard said. Their curtain was pulled back. They turned as Pluto walked in, growling. He bore his claws at them and pounced.
"Whats wrong with you!" Meyrin said as the demon hound opened his mouth, flames engulfing the trio. They screamed, and from a room over, Lau and Ranmao could hear.
"I wonder what all the noise is about?" he asked. "Do you know, my lord?" Ciel faced the window, watching the night. he was silent, his mind pondering.
Meanwhile, Pluto went running down the hall to where Sebastian was standing, barking happily. He stopped in front of the demon, who bent down to pick them up.
"Good," He mumbled. Yuri entered the room, picking sticks out of her hair. 'Maybe if I had brushed it this would be easier, but - OW!' She pouted. She silently noticed Sebastian giving the hound a dog treat. "Our Lord has outdone himself." He stood up as Pluto munched away. "That's quite the bit of mischief he concocted." He looked at the dog. "You do know you're sleeping outside." Pluto looked saddened and it was then that Sebastian noticed Yuri silently watching him. She would try and hide, but she knew it was no use.
"Why is it, no matter whose plan it is, I always seem to be injured?" She asked, lightly touched the skid on her cheek.
"Maybe it because that means I can heal you," Sebastian said coyly.
"Not until I got all these sticks out of my hair," she said.
"Do you want me to brush it?" Sebastian asked, transporting himself behind her and undo her plait with one swift motion.
"You'd break your brush. I haven't brushed it in an age," Yuri said.
"There is a shampoo that you could use," Sebastian said. "It helps strengthen your hair."
"I've used all the brands," Yuri said. "None of them work."
"My mother makes it," Sebastian commented. 'Oh, so it's a shampoo from hell... Well, that's a first.'
"Well, my hair can't get any worse so it's worth a try," Yuri said. "After we put Ciel to bed." Sebastian nodded as he looked at the clock.
"Let's go."
They walked into the study to find Ciel asleep in the chair.
"Falling asleep, slumped in your desk chair? How irresponsible of you," Sebastian said. Yuri walked as his thin chest rose up and down. From the corner of his eyes, Sebastian noticed the camera. Yuri already knew what plan was forming in his mind. "Typical, I suppose," he said, thinking about the many things that needed to be fixed in the mansion. "Once again you have given my unnecessary work." Sebastian looked from the camera to the sleeping lord.
From outside the window, Pluto howled into the night.
~o/0o~
Yuri looked at the green liquid in Sebastian's hand as she said inside the bath, the water drawn. The bubble covered her body, but Sebastian could probably see through them if he tried. But order strict orders from her, he was to turn when she said and not turn back until she allowed it.
"ARe you sure this won't burn my head off?" Yuri said, sniffing the bottle. It smelt of smoke, but with a mix of flavours she couldn't recognise.
"It won't, I promise," Sebastian said.
"Why do you have this anyway?" Yuri asked, "Your hair is hardly long enough."
"My mother gave it to me and I was meant to give it to you, but I forgot," Sebastian said as he massaged her scalp.
"I don't believe that," Yuri said as his fingers worked into the dirt and knots in her hair. She hummed in appreciation.
"Does it burn?" Sebastian asked.
"No. Should it?" Yuri asked, opened one eye, resulting in suds going into it. She jumped forward, hand over her eye. "Ow..." She mumbled.
"Lean back," Sebastian gently pulled her body. "It'll go away in a minute." He continued to wash her hair until it shone. "I'll rinse it out-" Before he could finish, Yuri ducked under the water, taking a large breath. Sebastian smiled at her childishness. She re-emerged, the suds taking the blonde dye out of her hair. She had taken out the contact before getting in, so her eyes were pink. She looked down.
"I forgot the dye would come out," She mumbled, looking down. Sebastian lifted her head back up.
"That's another thing." He kissed her nose softly before pulling out another bottle. "It blond dye that lasts for longer." Yuri looked at the bottle. "You don't have to." Yuri looked Sebastian.
"But I do, if only to prove a point."
Yuri wrapped a towel around herself as Sebastian walked in, holding a clean nightgown. Water dripped from her shoulders and hair as she stared at him, blushing. he slowly stepped to her, placing nightgown down. He was right in front of her and he saw her hands clutching the towel. He kissed her shoulder blade, leaving marks from there up to her neck and back down again as his hand slid slowly down her back. She moaned softly before mumbling.
"Stop." He immediately withdrew at her words. She had to rebalance herself after his quick movement. "For now... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-" He kissed her softly.
"Its okay, you did nothing." She gave him a faint smile before yawning. "Get changed and get some sleep. You can stay in my room or your own." She ended up picking his room.
~o/0o~
"Wow," The trio said in unison has the kitchen lay in a mess. They held a picture.
"So, it's Yuri and Sebastian the young master cares about most," Meyrin said. "That is how Tanaka said the camera worked." In the picture, Sebastian was smirking down at the young master and Yuri was wearing a playful grin on her lips as Pluto clung to the window.
"Awh, they're good friends!" Finny said.
"Yuri and Sebastian do look a picture," Meyrin added wistfully.
"Yuri doesn't like Sebastian," Bard said. "Yuri wouldn't." Finny noticed Pluto, resulting in the trio freaking out over how he got there, while the hound himself was crying outside.
~o/0o~
Sebastian set the table for Ciel while Yuri served him.
"I'm honoured master," Sebastian said.
"Oh, shut up," Ciel snapped.
"It's your own fault for falling asleep so defensively like that," Sebastian said with a smirk.
"How-"
"Maybe we should've come earlier," Yuri said. "So he could've gone to bed earlier and slept in his own bed." They both looked at the girl.
"Whose side are you on?" the asked in unison. She simply put her hands up, saying nothing.
"The image in a photograph isn't real. Only an illusion," Sebastian said. "But that is humanity's way. Seeking to preserve the image. Because one day your fear it may be forgotten." The picture on her bedside locker came to Yuri's mind, the last and only picture of all three of the Amari siblings.
"I don't think it's a fear of being forgotten, more a hope that the picture will remind someone of a better time," Yuri said. The boys looked at her, unsure of where she was going. "Sometimes it's not the moment that needs to be remembered, more the people inside the picture." After her statement, they realised she as talking about Khun.
~o/0\o
Bard and Meyrin were chased by a fire-breathing Pluto as Finny took a closer look at the picture in his hands, ignoring the pleas of his running colleges.
"Wait a minute, I thought the pictures were only of the things like my dead bird," he thought aloud. "Weird... If that's true, then why is Sebastian and Yuri in the photograph..." The cries of his colleges broke him from his trance. "Plu Plu!" he shouted, running to the demon hound with open arms. He grabbed the hounds mouth before flinging him on his back. "Well, who cares!" he said happily.
~o/0\o~
"Yuri..." The girl looked up from the tea trolley as Ciel stood by the window, looking out over the playing servants. "Do you like it here?" Yuri was unsure where this question came from.
"I do, my lord," She answered. "Can I ask where this question came from?"
"It's just..." the boy paused, considering his words. "You've never really spoken to me formally before." He paused, studying the girls face. "But recently, you've become a bit more drawn." Yuri paused, considering her own words.
"I figured you'd want me to speak like this," she said. "I figured, since I'm technically your servant, you'd want me to talk to you formally. As my employer." Ciel tried to figure out the best way to describe his feelings.
"It's not that I don't appreciate the effort, but..." He struggled for words. "To be blunt, I don't like you talking to formally."
"So, you want me to talk to you informally?" Yuri asked, confused.
"Talk to me like you would talk to Sebastian or a friend," Ciel said.
"But why, My Lord?" Yuri asked.
"I guess speaking formally doesn't suit you," He said. "And you can drop the 'My Lord', you're just about four years older than me." Yuri smiled.
"I'll be eighteen soon if that eases you," She said.
"What date?" Ciel asked, but Yuri only smirked, tapping her nose.
"Do you need anything else, My- Ciel?" Yuri asked, correcting herself halfway through.
"Can you see if Sebastian-" As if on cue, the butler entered, carrying a cake. Yuri smiled before taking the tray down to the kitchen, closely followed by Sebastian.
"You were listening, weren't you?" She asked as she threw away the used tea leaves.
"I have no idea what you mean," Sebastian added, taking the teapot from her hands and washing it.
"Something tells me you're lying," Yuri said, heading for the door.
"Would I lie?" Sebastian asked as Yuri turned around, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you really want me to answer that?"
What?! Me actually posting for the first time since August 2017?!
Is it still acceptable to use 'homework' or 'exams' as an excuse? No, well, rip me
I really wanna say the chapter is worth the wait, but, honestly, its not. But it's one of my best. A lot of people stuck through this, and new people follow it every odd day, so I guess this is a thank you.
Anyway, before I got off on a rant, GOODBYE!
Fairy OUT!