December 25 2013 (Christmas Day)

Dina's POV:

I stood beside Ciel, arms folded and feeling the hilts of my knives press into my wrists and elbows. "Thank you all for waiting! Welcome to the Curry Festival and the best curry London can offer!" The same announcer and the same judges from the Ice Festival were all gathered at tables, waiting to judge, and I sighed, Subaha and the others resting quietly at my feet. 'The demon knows you know. He knows about the Diamond and our purpose with the Earl.' Śāma said quietly, sheathing and unsheathing her claws against my toes. "Huh…this guy again." Lau sighed, holding Ran-Mao close to his chest as Ciel snorted. "Attention-seeker." I blinked as I saw Soma turn away and walk towards another part of the glass house. "And now let the cooking begin!" The announcer shouted, but we all paused as I heard a familiar fanfare. "Gee-hai?" I muttered, turning to look as Rāta squirmed around in my arms, jumping up to my shoulder to see as Subaha unobtrusively took human form, squinting under her hand. "It sounds like…" Lau mused, turning with us as a red carpet edged in gold rolled towards the dais, two lone figures walking towards us on it. Ciel gasped. "Her Majesty!"

The Queen was completely hidden from view in a black dress with a black hat and veil, and I narrowed my eyes at her escort, a man with pale hair and brilliant purple eyes, an odd smell reaching me even from here, even in all the closed-in stench of humans and animals alike, muffling Sebastian's smoldering-brimstone odor so completely it was almost intentional. A sharp, clear scent, like snow and lilies. Interesting…very interesting. A hermaphrodite…Fallen or otherwise? Gah, it's so hard to tell with Sebastian here… "Oh my word! Our gracious Queen, Her Majesty and Mother of England, Queen Victoria!" the announcer said ponderously, and I whistled under my breath. The Viscount stood, beginning to lead a song. "God save our gracious Queen, long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen. Send her victorious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us, God save the Queen."

I snorted softly as the Englishmen and women stopped adoring their monarch, the cats around me mewing quietly to themselves as Subaha folded her arms beside me, her brown eyes dubious. 'But what may I ask are they saving the Queen from, hai?' I thought bitterly, and they all nodded. The man bent down to listen to his queen speak, and although I strained, even our cat-blessed hearing couldn't pierce the fog of murmurs and shifting that surrounded us, blocking out her words. The man straightened with a slight smirk. "Her Majesty bids me tell you "I am so sorry I have been unable to appear before you, however I am now in such perfect health that I may even enjoy curry again. My late husband was exceedingly fond of curry as well. I look forward to your food." he said clearly, followed by immense cheering from the crowd. "And with that, allez cuisine!" the announcer shouted, and I curled my lip. Tch…she was so distraught over something so simple as her husband's death. She knows nothing of real pain and sorrow. Spoiled woman.

I pulled my hood over my hair, walking silently through the crowd as Subaha sighed and followed, smiling a little at the children clinging to their parent's hands. 'You shouldn't be so bitter Dina. We paid our price in blood, therefore we must change our ways. I don't want to go through another Delhi.' Rāta admonished me, and I shrugged irritably. 'Eye for an eye and arm for an arm. Bread for bread, blood for blood. It sickens me to see it when a so-called noble leader is just as soft and weak as the peasants they command. It is hypocrisy at its highest.' I snapped, and they collectively sighed, leaving me to stew in my anger. Sorrow, anguish, pain, suffering. My mind shrieking in my ears as I was battered and bruised, slung from rooftop to rooftop by my stumbling feet. Tears filled my vision, and there was a throbbing in my chest, a lump in my throat. Despair…darkness…nothing left…no hope for me…But then, there was something else. A hint of blue in the blackened night. Then it grew, and grew, forming a matrix of sapphire around me as my eyes were opened to the truth…

Subaha's POV:

I blinked pleasantly as the smell of curry hit my nose, flaring it a little. Agni was in the throes of creation, but Sebastian wasn't far behind. I blinked as I saw him adding…chocolate? What on earth… I saw West starting to laugh, but started as Agni spoke softly behind me. "He is wrong; that is a legitimate ingredient. Blending cacao provides aroma, and bitterness, and gives it a mellow, full-bodied flavor." Sebastian stirred his concoction with a flourish. "Where did you get an idea like that? You're an Englishman are you not?" Agni asked him, and he smirked. "It was an order from my master. I do his bidding. No matter how reckless his orders seem to be. You see I am simply one hell of a butler." he said smugly, and I rolled my eyes. Agni gritted his teeth, then turned and reached down to grab something out of a basket as my tail poofed between my legs, seeing the vibrant blue. NO! My senses screeched urging me to flee as I felt my even my ears fluff, my slim tail so poofed that the fur brushed my legs.

I managed to relax a little as I saw it wasn't the item I feared, but merely some kind of lobster. "Ah! Homard bleu! It's the legendary blue lobster said to exist only in the seas of Brittany! Its beautiful bleu shell wraps around it like a dress wraps around a woman! So perfect, so magnificent… And it's flavor is simply exquisite! The sweetness of the blue lobster has been known to paralyze men before!" The Viscount shouted, nearly swooning as I giggled a little. What an idiot. "Exactly! You can't just add anything to curry! You see, mine is the truly sophisticated recipe." West said smugly, and Agni narrowed his eyes. "Whatever happens I shall defeat you! Prepare for me! I HAVE THE HAND OF A GODDESS!" he shouted, and his hand glowed blue as he rapidly swept it across the table, separating the lobsters from their shells and the meat into tiny pieces. I blinked as I saw a young man pull out a packet of something and pour it into the curry he was preparing. What on earth is he doing? I've never smelled something like that before!

"Time up! And now, for the judging!" the same friendly announcer from before shouted, and I rejoined Rāta and the others as Dina walked up, still scowling. It seems it's her time of the month again…I do hate it when she's this grumpy. I thought with a small sigh, and we all quickly turned to the curry judging. "First we have Parson Tub's Beef Curry." I leaned forward in interest as even Dina shed her scowl, her sky blue eyes gleaming with curiosity. "The beef is thickly cut and served in generous portions. I say, not a bad recipe." one judge said admiringly, but another cut in. "But the dullness of the flavor makes this a disgrace. A professional chef, using curry power?" The cook started guiltily. The viscount was next. "I assume your company blends its own spices, correct?" The man nodded rapidly. "Uh, yes we do!" The noble considered the spoon with a frown. "Interesting. There's one particular scent in here that I like." The man I saw who had the strange spice jumped. "But if that particular scent stands out, that means the whole dish is out of balance." The one who had first disapproved said sharply, and the Viscount shrugged. "Well we can give them credit for trying."

Agni walked up to the stand, holding a covered platter. "Next, Harold West and Company!" The Hindu servant carefully raised the lid. "I am happy to present my curry. Seven types of curry, with blue lobster." he said calmly, placing it before them. "So vividly colorful!" the grumpy one said in excitement, raising the spoon. "Delicious! Perfect sweetness, and the taste is like butter melting on your tongue!" he said in awe, and I blinked. "On top of that, he's given us seven different varieties of curry!" another said, and I grinned in anticipation as the Viscount swooned. "Ooooh! Oh! This is you! The beautiful woman I met at the ball that night! The seven jewels that adorn your neck, the brilliant gold brooch! The perfectly matching bracelet, all pearls and sapphire! The garnet choker, the lovely cameo! And on your finger, a ring of diamonds and emeralds, all showing off your natural beauty! My love, you stole my heart right then!" he said dramatically, and I giggled as the audience gasped. "Extraordinary praise! Perhaps his victory has been assured! BUT WE HAVE ONE MORE COMPETITOR LEFT TO GO! From the Funtom Company!"

Sebastian slowly walked forward, probably smirking. "I hope you enjoy what I have to offer." he said softly, raising the lid to reveal…buns. "That's…that's curry?!" the most negative judge said in surprise, standing in outrage. "No! Just what are you playing at sir?!" he snapped, and Sebastian simply took a bun and placed it in batter, frying it. "What are you doing Sebastian!? We aren't making doughnuts here!" Baldroy shouted, and I sighed. "They're all ready now. This is Funtom Company Curry." Sebastian said happily, placing them before the judges. "Odd, I don't see any curry." the grumpy judge snapped, and the Viscount started. "Hold on a moment. Look at it!" he said, and carefully cut it down the middle. "Eh! What's that?!" the grumpy one yelped, and the Viscount gaped. "Curry on the inside!" Sebastian took the stage as both Agni and West stared in a mix of anger and surprise. "The Funtom Company presents our special brand of curry. Behold! The Curry Bun!" he said dramatically, and the judges started tasting this new wonder.

"Oh dear me! This is wonderful! The bread covering the curry is crunchy yet fluffy, giving the dish incredible radiance of texture." the grumpy one cried, and the one who praised the beef curry nodded. "What's even more amazing is the structure, which traps in all the flavor of the curry! Cut it open and it's all there!" I grinned unabashedly as the Viscount started to swoon even more than before. "Ah! You are the lovely young maiden I met at the soirée! By day you appear to be but a twittering robin, but then night falls and I see your beautiful face, your true face! I want you badly! I want to embrace you my love!" he shrilled, and there was a collective "ooh" as Ciel shuddered slightly, as if affected by the words. "Yet another rave review! Everyone, I really do think we have a contest here!' the announcer said, and I looked sharply towards the two butlers. "Sebastian, tell me. Are you a-" Agni started, but the demon merely smirked. Interesting…so Agni is not truly blind to what Sebastian really is. This is going to get complicated. I thought with a little sigh, seeing Dina flick her hood back over her ears, the scowl firmly locked on her mouth.