A flash of purple was all the troupe and Michelle saw of Joker as he dashed as quick as a lighting bolt from his bent position at Michelle's feet, to the big top entrance and out to where his own horse was tethered. There was literally not a split second spare to either stop him or even question his motives, all the sobbing countess could do was follow her fiancé as fast she was able to the paddock, she only just managed to wrap her manicured fingertips around his curly circus shoe as it swung into the stirrup.
"Joker -," she began, but was silenced when a one gloved hand and one large prosthetic skeleton hand harshly grabbed each side of her face and pulled her head up into strong, forceful, wet full on goodbye kiss. He took his time to fully absorb her sweet taste, his tongue making itself at home in her mouth before he broke it off suddenly, her flavour now embedded on his lips. He hoped it would last until they would be able to meet again,
"My Michie, I shall get her back. I promise upon me life I will return with her safe and unharmed but I must hurry. And please, forgive me." he for the briefest moment placed his palm on her cheek, without warning, Joker suddenly slammed his heels into his horse's flanks causing the animal to rise upon its back legs, whinnying loudly before setting off at the fastest pace. The still weeping bluenette stood routed to the spot, watching until the horse and rider was nothing but a blur in the distance.
x-x-x-x-x-x
The young earl sat brooding at his wooden oak desk, brow furrowed as he examined the letter and envelope his demon butler had presented to him, trying for the millionth time to make sense of it. Reading the note through over and over, the cogs working frantically in his 12 year old brain attempting to finally crack the abduction case with this new compelling piece of evidence.
"My Lord, forgive me for saying so but I would of thought you would be in a much more cheerful mood now you have concrete proof your nemesis is tied up in the kidnappings," observed Sebastian, gracefully placing the three spoons of Ciel's favourite tea leaves in the pot to brew, "you can now eliminate him."
"I would of done anyway, but Sebastian this only raises more questions than answers them. At least we know Joker is not the mastermind behind it all, merely a puppet. Not that surprises me, I doubt a bit of rotten, armless bit of flesh dumped in the gutter would possess an IQ high enough to come up with such a plan.."
"Ironic isn't the ring leader isn't in fact the ring leader of the abductions," chucked the demon pouring the hot, steamy boiling water over the tea leaves, "Have you any ideas My Lord of who maybe pulling the strings in the background?"
"Tom, The Piper's Son? Hmm. There is one name that springs to mind. It must be someone Joker is strongly affiliated with to obtain such a level of trust. Someone with the assets to fund a circus which is obviously just a mere cover for his crimes. Baron Kelvin. The filthy gutter rat's adopted father."
"Do you wish to investigate this Baron?"
"The problem is I am unaware of his current location. Us Phantomhives had never had the need to venture to his lower-standard estate so the address of his manor is a mystery to me. However I trust it won't be for you Sebastian."
"If I could not find the home of a well-known noble for my master then what type of butler would I be?" smirked the black butler, placing his master's tea on the desk beside him. Standing, straight back as he watched him take a sip, waiting for approval of his taste,"My Lord, this envelope. Have you noticed the seal wax stamp?"
"Ah yes, but the seal seems extremely shabby, haphazard and lacklustre. The sender took no care or time to press it down it's difficult to make sense of the motif. It assures me even more that the brute Kelvin is the perpetrator, it's fits his boorish, coarse nature exactly. Unrefined.," Ciel paused only briefly to take a sip of sweet tea, made to perfection. "However am I correct in assuming that as a demon, your eyesight is beyond par therefore able to decipher this waxy mess."
"You flatter me My Lord. Actually demons are not automatically gifted with pure eyesight, a fellow spider demon who I've had acquaintances with who needed spectacles but as luck would have it, my eyes are indeed of excellent quality, may I examine the letter My Lord," Sebastian took the letter from his Master's hand, training his demon like gaze upon the green wax stamp that had previously sealed the letter, "ah it's very simple Bocchan, not intricate as the Phantomhive coat of arms. The motif is only a plain K with a horse."
"I am not in any way sure if the Baron is into equestrian past-times but the K is is definitely certain. Sebastian, fetch my outer garments, we leave imm-" Ciel wasn't able to finish his latest order for as soon as he took to his feet to leave for his latest mission as he was knocked back down on the floor by what appeared to be a rampaging life size doll who happened to be choking him now.
"I'm herrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Did you miss me Ciel?" she asked in her high-pitched, sing-song voice, "its' been ever such a long time, you
shouldn't keep a lady waiting so!"
"Uhhh, Elizabeth, hello. You could of warned me you was coming."
"Oh don't be silly!" she pouted in what she thought was an overly cute manner but was in fact a pathetic flirtatious attempt, "I don't have to let my fiancée know I'm arriving. Where's the surprise in that."
"Elizabeth, I meant -,"
"Call me Lizzy!"
"Lizzy, I meant to say that I wish I had of known beforehand for right now I have a job that I must attend to so I am unable to entertain you as my guest at present My Lady."
"Not fair!" she cried, crocodile tear erupting from her giant green eyes, "you mustn't deprive me when I have ventured all this way just to see you my dear Ciel. How un-gentlemanly of you!"
"Lizzy, I am simply unprepared for you, I have -"
"But Ciel I hoped you would teach me to play chess, My mother always says a lady is not worth her salt if she does not know how to play chess. I was ever so hoping you could teach me Ciel."
"I am the Queen's guard-dog, therefore my duties must always -," the boy earl stopped halfway, breaking under the strain of Lizzy's feeble puppy dog look to convince him to play, "Oh! Sebastian, you shall bring us the best chess set from my closet. Then you shall excuse yourself while you go to the heraldic authorities records and identify which family that crest represents. I want a full name and address Sebastian. Is that clear?"
"Yes, My Lord."
x-x-x-x-x-x
"Father, I'm home." announced the ring leader unceremoniously, ramming open the large, heavy double doors to his adopted father, Baron Kelvin's grand manor. Whether the time was very, very late e, evening or the very, very small hours of the morning, Joker did not know but the level of darkness surrounding him both during the horseback ride here and inside the mansion told him it was one or the other. The lack of lights and sound also informed him that his Father had since retired to his room on the upper levels, whether he was sleeping at such an hour was a different story, sleep wasn't something that Baron Kelvin seemed to enjoy any more, maybe it was insomnia. Nonetheless, Joker lit a spare candelabra that waited for the convenience of guests in the hall which he held high to illuminate his path up the main staircase, and onto where he knew his Father would be
"Pardon me Father," he apologised politely for his intrusion whilst knocking - on his chamber door and entering, "I'm sorry for calling so late, but I'd like to ask a request of thee-"
"Oh Joker, welcome home! What a good lad you are, coming back so soon! Now where is he? He's with you, isn't he?" boomed the over-excited voice of the Baron from the depths of the room.
"Ah, no, not yet..."
"Oh, so you're a bad boy?"
"I am so sorry Father for disappointing thee so but Ciel is not the reason I have to see thee, I 'ave a request to make of thee."
"Tell me."
"The child the troupe delivered to thee but only a few hours ago, I beg of 'ee Father, please release her, let her go Give her to me an' I shall return her," by now Joker had dropped to one knee with his hand covering his heart as if a sign of showing how earnest and desperate his plea was.
"Answer me, my son, why should I grant your wish when you've disobeyed your order? Whatever do I owe of you. Remember your place Joker!"
"Father I know I have no right to make a request of thee when thee already has done ever so much for me an' me siblings, more than I can ever repay thee for but please I 'ave not disobeyed 'ee Father, it simply hasn't been carried out yet but thee must understand, I must have that child back!
"That child...? The pretty brunette? Aye, I bet I can guess why you'd want her back Joker. A right little beauty to keep you entertained on them cold nights in your tent. Hmm, give your dear, bored old Father first-hand viewing pleasure and once we both have fully satisfied ourselves, you may take her," Baron Kelvin offered excitedly, beaming through his heavily bandaged face at the thoughts if the sights he was going to see.
"No!" screamed Joker in absolute horror, choking back vomit at the sickening idea that his Father was suggesting, "it isn't like that at all Father. She … she is me daughter and I wants to return her safely."
"What?!" the Baron roared in surprise, "has my precious son been sowing his wild oats when he should of kept them all for me? You naughty boy! GET HERE NOW"
"Thee has it wrong Father, she is the daughter of Michelle Phantomhive. My one and only true love," Joker obeyed his Father as per usual and started to rise.
"Joker, prove to me you're still my faithful little lap dog – CRAWL!" the Baron clapped gleefully at his son's humiliation as Joker abided by yet another order and crawled on all fours, head bowed as he pitifully scurried over to halt at his adopted parent's wheelchair to which the Baron took his chin firmly in his fist, jerking his son's face upwards to him, "what did you say about the female Phantomhive?"
"I said she is my one true love Father. She is the mother of the child that was brought here this evenin' an' I'm the father. So please, I beg thee Father, give my daughter back to me," Joker let the first few tears roll down his cheek as the words my daughter left his lips, as if confirming it out loud finally made him realise the gravity of the situation. He stared at the covered face of the Baron, eyes pleading up at him, yet he only saw carpeted floor when the Baron backhanded him hard enough to knock him down.
"YOU DISOBDIENT URCHIN! I WARNED YOU NEVER TO SEE HER AGAIN!" screamed Baron Kelvin, striking him repeatedly with Joker's very own cane, "I WILL HAVE TO PUNISH YOU SERVERLY FOR THAT MY BOY!"
"Yes, Father, I apologise but I could not help myself." Joker flailed his arms up hopelessly for protection, an act that proved futile for his father ordered two children, or more like puppet-slaves now with no minds of their own, to hold his arms down as the Baron continued to rain down blows upon him.
"Phantomhive you say …." Baron Kelvin uttered suddenly during mid hit, so joyfully it was as if an epiphany had just occurred to him suddenly Throwing down the cane he made a grab for a handful of Joker's ginger braids, yanking his head into his lap which was nothing more than two bandaged stumps, to which he then proceeded to stroke to stroke his hair as if Joker was nothing more than a lap dog as he started to confess his master plan, "surely the when the Phantomhive wench realises I have her daughter she will send our dear little Earl to rescue his niece and when he does not return she herself will come in search of her brother and we will have the perfect family reunion. And it thanks to you my good, good boy! You brought her! You kidnapped your own daughter. Very clever my boy. My good, good Joker.
"I didn't know it was her Father!," exclaimed Joker, neck aching from the angle into the Baton's lap, "I 'ad no idea she was mine. Plus I'm sorry to upset thee but thy plan is useless, don't assume thee knows how the Phantomhive family bond is an' anyways Father, we needs not involve Michelle, the troupe is on orders to attack Ciel soon."
"Ah why didn't you say Joker! I shall finally have my darling little Ciel for my own! I've been dreaming of this ever since that day!" he gushed happily.
"Father, please, may I leave now and get me Lily? Ye only 'ave to tell me where she is. I take her 'ome with no mention of 'ee, I'll go straight for Ciel after."
"You really are a tease. You bring me a beautiful perfect doll and want to take her away again so soon?"
"Father, she is no doll, she is me baby girl! Give Lily back to me an' I promise 'ee I will return with 5 more children, an' Ciel in her stead," Joker dared raised his head to plead, "please Father, 'ave a heart."
"YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT! After all I have done for you and your siblings! I could easily send you all back to the streets! I can close the orphanage with a snap of my fingers," Baron Kelvin changed instantly from anger to exploding into laughter at the look of pure despair upon Joker's face, "I find it ever so strange you questioning my heart Joker, I am a loving, caring father whereas you – what type of father are you Joker? You abandon you pregnant girlfriend, swan off for 5 years and then when you finally meet her, what do you do? Kidnap her!
"I … didn't know," whispered the broken ring leader.
"As you are my special little obedient boy Joker, I shall make you a deal," said Kelvin, once he'd finished rubbing salt into his wounds with his callous words and laughter, "once I have what I want, the prize Phantomhive, you can have your child."
"Thank 'ee Father," sniffed Joker quietly, beginning to stand.
"Wherever are you going son?"
"To get Ciel."
"Oh no no no. You're not going anywhere. The troupe are more than capable alone but you, you'll stay and keep Father company won't you?"
"Yes of course Father," Joker dropped to his knees again, hand over heart, "I have had a long, tiring day, please may I retire to me room?"
"Give a thought to your dear Father! How about me? Help me to my bed first," Kelvin raised his arms up the same way a child would for a carry. Joker sighed heavily at the daunting task of lifting a heavy-set full grown man but he unwillingly obeyed.
Sweat dripped from the ginger circus host after 20 minutes of struggling, heaving, half-carrying half dragging the weighty old Baron to his bed, Joker was a second from his back giving in and collapsed with his Father down onto the mattress. Kelvin wasted no in time in letting his fat hands roam Joker's body.
"F-father, p-please may I leave now?" stuttered the manipulated juggler.
"Don't abandon me when I need you most, my beloved, special, handsome son," he cooed at him, holding him tight against his chest "I hardly get to see my favourite boy, months since I got to hold you last and you want to just go to your room? No my son, you will stay and satisfy me... Just like you used to."
"No! I love me Michelle, I do not want to do such vile things any more Father."
"Joker! Are you talking back to me? The world had forsaken you at birth, I raised you and gave you bodies that can move freely. Yet you talk back to me."
"I apologize Father, it's just-"
"You do want that girl ALIVE when you get her back?"
"Of course!"
"Then you'll obey your father like a good boy, won't you, Joker." the bear-like hands pawed at the horrified ring-leader's clothes in an attempt to relieve him of them.
Cringing inside at the horrid memories of what he was forced to do in the past, anything to keep his siblings safe, now he had to keep his daughter safe. With no other choice, he sighed deeply, eyes closed firmly as he unbuttoned his pants, wishing the bloated, paraplegic fool would hopefully got soon bored. No such luck.
x-x-x-x-x-x
"She's asleep," announced Doll to the rest of the troupe left in the big top. The princess of the circus had followed Michelle when she had followed her fleeing lover to his horse. Seeing the absolute state she was in, Doll was worried for the countess' safety, which was a fortunate act for poor countess whether it be the worry, the anxiety or the drink she had consumed almost fainted into Doll's arm. With just enough consciousness left, Doll was able to support Michelle by the arms and aid her to Joker's tent for the one thing that solved most problems – a good sleep. She knew Joker would have no objections at all at her placing his fiancée in his tent, Michelle had already experienced of his camped. The stress of it all had taken it's toll on the distraught noble and she drifted off to a very peaceful deep sleep instantly.
"Where's Senpai?" asked Dagger.
"He's...gone. To Father's.".
"Who'd a thought ol' Joker has a kid!" laughed Peter.
"But where does that leave us?" asked Beast sadly, "if Joker has a family now, he'll give up on the circus. And us."
"That's Joker's choice and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it but isn't there more, urgent pressing problems at hand?" inserted Jumbo.
"Jumbo's right. The missing letter. Scotland Yard. Michelle. Just cos it was her outside and not the copper's don't mean it wasn't her that took it, doesn't mean she hasn't informed them. We have to stay wary," explained Wendy cautiously, "and mainly, Ciel. What do we do about him?"
"Let's wait for Joker to return and then go," offered Beast.
"The copper's may get us if we waste time hanging around for Joker, we'll lose everything,. It's clear it dangerous for us to remain here now." replied Wendy.
"Well nothings changed. I say we still follow Joker's orders, with or without him!" exclaimed Peter.
"Father said this target was special. If we fail, he is sure to be angry. Getting this boy should be our first priority."
"And what of Little Miss Prissy?"
"I'll stay with her," offered Beast, "I'll keep her company so she's none the wiser to know that you've all disappeared."
"Without you, we're down a fighter we might need. Doll! You stay." ordered Wendy.
"Fine."
"That's settled. Come morning, we start packing for the new town and Come twilight, Earl Phantomhive will be at the mercy of Father!"
x-x-x-x-x-x
The water was hot enough to scald the flesh but Joker did not care in the slightest as he stood under the shower. He felt numb both inside and out by now anyway. His only hope was the water was boiling hot enough to scorch every last trace of his father from his skin.
"Do not stay in that shower too longer Joker my son, if you wasn't lying father and the troupe will soon be here with our wonderful young then a feast, no an extensive, exquisite, massive banquet needs to prepared in his honour! Get moving!" came the crass, voice of the Baron, calling from his bed.
"Yes Father..." replied Joker sadly, switching off the water and steadily making his way at last to his own room. Once there, he painfully managed to slip into his shirt and pants, winces at each bruises. Now came the bowtie and make-up which he applied in the same broken, solemn manner as his sad voice rung out through the manor.
Tom he was a piper's son,
He learnt to play when he was young,
And the only tune that he could play
Was O'er the hills and far away.
O'er the hills and a good way off
The wind shall blow my top knot off.
"O'er the hills an' far away eh?," he made a grab for his midnight blue necklace which a real teardrop had fallen on during his application of the fake on his left eye, "If only a place where to exist. I promise Michie, I would take thee and Lily there. I will protect thee both with me last breath.. When this is all over, we will be over, o'er the hills and away from Father"