"This is absolutely ludicrous…"
"I told you you did not have to participate in this all you know."
"If I didn't you'd surely do something stupi- ACK!"
"That's enough, Earl Phantomhive."
Ciel scowled, rubbing his mouth while holding a bread bun Isabelle had promptly shoved into his mouth to shut him up. They were both dressed in peasant dress and attire, ready to go undercover for their second mission.
To expose the production, use, and secret service of dog and or cat meat in the place of that provided by livestock.
"How could you even tell it was something so… vile?" Ciel asked, Sebastian buttoning up his white, collared shirt. Isabelle's fingers twitched over her hair as she braided it to the side.
"That is none of your concern, Earl Phantomhive." she retorted quickly and bluntly. Enobria narrowed her eyes, adjusting Isabelle's corset, earning a gasp and groan as her mistress caught her breath. Dressed in a simple beige, ankle length dress, Isabelle let her braid rest over her shoulder, blowing her bangs consisting of stray hairs out of her eyes.
"I'm ready when you are." she muttered, turning to Ciel as he fixed his medical eyepatch. He gave her a quick nod before going to her side, dressed as a poverty stricken lad matching her.
"You've remembered the story correct?" he asked, fixing her necklace, a plain ribbon tied in a bow to conceal her contract mark, round her neck.
She gave a quick and simple nod, glancing over her shoulder into his eye, "yes, of course. I'm more than ready for this."
Isabelle quickly rubbed her hands in the soot of their hotel fire place, located across the street from the restaurant district, and patted herself down with it. She stained her dress with the black before assisting Ciel, doing the same to him.
He wrinkled his face as she patted down his cheeks, nose and forehead before coughing, "q-quit it!" he protested, grabbing her wrists.
Isabelle blushed lightly before a smirk crossed her lips.
She smacked her sooty hand right against his lips, dyeing the petal pink black with a laugh. Ciel made a sort of gah as he back off, sticking his tongue out in disgust as he attempted to rub it off. He glared at Isabelle before rubbing soot on his hands.
"You asked for it…" he growled, throwing his hands at her. She yelped and laughed, dodging him as she used the beds, nightstands, and other furniture as obstacles while Ciel, helplessly, gave chase.
The maid and butler sighed in unison when Ciel had finally caught up with the duchess.
"I've… got you now!" he declared, tackling her to the ground. With a childish grin he hovered over her, cupping her cheeks with his dirty hands. But, soon, his smirk faded to a soft gaze and, accompanying it, a light blush upon his features.
He hovered over her, staring down into her waiting, azure gaze.
Her skin twitched at his touch and she fluttered her lashes slowly, not once daring to break their silent stare. He rubbed his thumb gently against her smooth cheek, skin soft like the finest silk. But not flawless.
The earl furrowed his eyebrows some as his thumb traced an almost invisible scar tracing from her cheek bone to her temple. It was only Isabelle's gentle voice that finally halted him as he explored the cracks.
"Earl Phantomhive…" she cooed, "we must be off. Don't you think?"
He let a soft gasp escape him as he quickly stumbled to his feet, clenching his jaw as he spun on his heels. Ciel kept his back to her as he spoke.
"Y-yes… let us be off, Lady Tonnerre."
Shortly after, the quartet exited their residence. Ciel and Isabelle were set on earning jobs at The Edison. They were determined to learn the truth.
… … … … … … … … … … … … …. …. … …. …. …. …. … … … … … … … … … … …
"A job?"
"Yes. We both would like- no we NEED work sir."
The manager heaved a sigh, arms crossed over his chest as he dropped his head in thought. Ciel and Isabelle stood helpless before his desk, their butler and maid awaiting their return outside. He finally lifted his eyes to meet their anxious gazes.
"I'm sorry but there's nothing here for you to do." he said, shutting his eyes once more.
Ciel sighed in defeat but Isabelle gritted her teeth with a low growl. She threw her hands against the desk, causing the man to jump in his chair and, before he could ask, Isabelle threw her head up, voice roaring frantically.
"Please sir! We'll do anything- absolutely anything! The most vigourous or vile work- please leave it to us!" she demanded before dropping her head with light pants. Ciel watched with sheer surprise before tensing.
Tears escaped Isabelle's eyes and were slowly meandering down her pallid cheeks. He managed to hold himself back for only a moment before he was at her side, rubbing her back and closest shoulder. The manager furrowed his brow, watching them before muttering as he eased back in his chair.
"... Anything?"
They both tensed before raising their heads. Isabelle gave him a few hectic nods, tears still sparkling fresh in her eyes. He breathed a soft laugh before resting his head on laced hands.
"Then I may have.. one thing… for you both to do."
… … … … … … … … … … … … Later that Night … … … … … … … … … … … …
That night, as instructed, Ciel and Isabelle hurried to the restaurants back entrance after closing, London's night life dying out as the night wore on dark under a new moon.
"Wait for us here," Isabelle instructed the demons, gazing up and down the streets adjacent to the establishment, "we will come for you shortly."
Isabelle and Ciel met with the manager after dark and we're given their first job.
The manager handed them each a series of nooses and steel traps. In confusion, they both held their share carefully before he spoke, explaining how to use them. Finally, he offered Isabelle a bucket of raw meats and fish. Ciel's uncovered eye widened as he looked on, realizing Isabelle was completely correct.
"This'll be your bait. You can round up some subjects back the docks usually. Try to fetch them not too gamey ya hear?"
"The strays you mean…" Isabelle muttered, eyes narrowed.
He nodded, "it's cheaper to use meat that hasn't quite expired yet right? Besides- not like anyone'll miss 'um. Just a bunch of stray animals fillin' up the streets and fightin' the bums." he stated. Isabelle listened closely, but, deep down, she wanted to barf.
But instructions alone, word of mouth, wouldn't be proof enough against The Edison. No, they had to bring a living specimen as proof.
Isabelle and Ciel returned to their waiting butler and maid, Isabelle informing Enobria of everything they had been asked down to the very letter to which she wrote down for later reference.
"Let us be off Enobria." Isabelle muttered, letting her hair down from the loose braid. Her maid nodded but Ciel abruptly cut in.
"Woah what?! I'm coming as well!" he demanded, scowling as Isabelle blinked in surprise.
She scoffed, "that's quite enough Earl Phantomhive. I'd don't need your assistance any more- much like I didn't require it in the first place!"
"Like hell you don't need me!" he shouted, suddenly gripping her forearms. Isabelle let a soft yelp escape her and her eyes widened as Ciel stared into her eyes before suddenly lowering his tone and loosening his grip.
"... I've come this far with you. There is no harm in pushing out a little further."
Isabelle froze as her cheeks flushed red. Ciel studied her reaction closely before moving his hands to her shoulders, giving them a firm squeeze before walking past her. Isabelle had to catch her breath.
Her hand shot up to her chest and her eyes widened some. It's beating… again… it's beating so fast…
She only snapped back when Ciel called for her. Isabelle spun on her heels only to be greeted by a warm smile and hand extended to her. Ciel waited patiently for her to take his hand and, eventually she did.
They both gave a soft squeeze to the other before heading off, demons murmuring behind them as they began their trek to the docks.
The manager had not bluffed, for, around every corner it seemed, stray cats and dogs were causing a ruckus as they scavenged the grimy alleyways. Isabelle clicked her tongue, looking around.
"Well… pick one I suppose." she muttered, glancing at Enobria who held one of the nooses and some bait. She nodded, glancing around before a plump cat, dotted with grey and greyish brown spots on white fur, caught her eye.
However, when she proceeded to lure said cat, it was Sebastian that stopped her.
"What do you think you are doing?" he scoffed, protecting the confused feline.
Enobria blinked in surprise before furrowing her brows in annoyance, "catching the damn thing as ordered!"
"Why this one- and why a cat in particular?!"
"Because it looks small enough and easy enough to handle!"
"Then locate a dog of the same size!"
"That will take forever you oaf! Just let me at the damn cat!"
Ciel and Isabelle looked on in disbelief as the demons yelled at each other, Enobria wielding the trap as Sebastian held her back away from his precious cat. They're arguing over a damn cat.
"I guess we'll take matters into our own hands." Isabelle muttered in annoyance. Ciel sighed before nodding, following her down the alleyway as their help's screams could clearly be heard blocks away.
"Keep a lookout- preferably for something small…" Isabelle called, Ciel walking ahead as she lugged around the bucket of chum, "it would also help to know why children could be so readily employed to do so- so this experience may be beneficial with us doing it alone..."
Ciel nodded and waved, watching out of the corner of his eye as he walked on ahead. Isabelle heaved a sigh, setting the bucket down with a rattle.
She shut her eyes. So heavy…
When she did open up her eyes, she gazed up at the star lit sky and breathed a peaceful sigh before lifting the bucket once more.
It was only then that she noticed a large dog barreling down the alley toward her.
ISABELLE IS GONNA GET EATEN! Or will she? Would be nice if Sebastian and Enobria stopped arguing over a damn cat and watched their reckless young masters for a change. Aw geez. Anyways I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
Stay creative my friends~