The two left from Lau's place, Alois at Ciel's side with a sweet smile, Sebastian was to the other side. Alois pat his stomach, full and content for once.
"Boy those moonquakes' really 'it the spot, you should become a chef Sebastian, you're a genius!"
"You flatter me, it's merely in the detail of my being a butler, to prepare and serve exquisite, high-class, top of the notch meals to my master and his guest. Really now, if I couldn't do something as simple as that-"
"What kind of butler would you be?"
Sebastian looked at Ciel who had finished his line for him. Had he really said it that much over his time serving that now Ciel could pinpoint when he was going to say it? Could Ciel accurately guess his other actions?
"I think you got an amazing butler, Ciel, you should be lucky to 'ave a friend like 'im."
"Friend? You think he's my friend?"
"Why acourse 'e is….isn't he?"
Sebastian knew the answer, Elizabeth had assumed the same thing once, the answer meant nothing to him really for he knew it was true.
"No, he's just a pawn, a chess piece if you will, to move as I please until the checkmate."
"That's not right at all. That doesn't 'urt you Sebastian?"
"Not in the slightest, for you see, that's all I am to anyone I serve but especially to my master."
"You don't think it's the littlest bit cruel or cold?"
"Preposterous. A butler can be a friend to his master, if he is allowed to, if it is stated in the details of his work, but it is not customary for such an action thought it does happen often, however, in my case, there is no such need to be a friend, for I am everything but."
"I dunno, it just feels….wrong. After all Sebastian has done for you…I mean, he does everything perfect, right? Just for you. Now that's devotion…that's love right there. Yet…to you he's a chess piece? 'Ave you no heart?"
Again, Sebastian was well aware that Ciel both did and did not have a heart. The heart that he had was fairly small, covered in a dark mass of destruction, sadness, anger, vengeance, a volatile mixture that made this little boy a man in his crimson eyes. He was not 13, no not at all; he was twenty three at least. So mature with a child-like frame and face, so ready to gut somebody if the stood in his way, so prepared for the world and it's horrible truths, he faced each task like a man in battle; strategically, swiftly, justly, without hesitation yet with much thought, and bravely.
"A heart? What do I need one for? Hearts are good for breaking, for petty emotions like love. I feel none of those, all I feel is this burning for revenge on the murders of my parents and that I belong in this world solely for that purpose."
"You have a heart, I know it! I see it! You love somebody…somebody matters to you….without him you can't even exist. That person in Sebastian. He's more than a chess piece, ya hear me? Don't deny the feelings you have, for if you didn't have them then you'd be miserable shell without any purpose at all. You must have loved your mum and pop very much to want to exact their revenge. Ya got a big everything ya know. Big heart, big brain, big eyes to see the world with and big plans. I'd love to be in your shoes, to have what you have, if we could just switch then maybe you'd feel what it's like to never know if Grell will kill you, to never know if today might be your last, to be honestly alone, to have to struggle, and maybe you'll look back and be grateful for whatcha got, cuz hell, I'd be."
He would have gawked, but it was against his judgment and nature. Sure his accent slipped on and off a bit as if he couldn't make up his mind but it was what he said that struck Ciel in his very core. Did he love Sebastian? Of course not, it was unpractical and unmoral. Did Sebastian love him…well, he had to care about him…somewhat, or else he would have quit by now. Ciel looked up at Sebastian who was dumbfounded and lost in thought. He did love Ciel, in his own little way, it was more than a butler master love, he cared for the boy-deeply. He stroked his chin, smiling broadly at Ciel.
'So what do you do now, Master? Do you play your royal flush or put out a joker, or do you draw this stray wild card back into your deck? You are your own chess piece now….make your move, my king.'
"Wait…Alois, say that last part again…I think I may have an idea to benefit us both."
"I said maybe you'll look back-"
"Before that the part about switching."
"Oh you mean… I'd love to be in your shoes, to have what you have, if we could just switch then-"
"Stop. That's it! Alois you are about to hear words that are never uttered from my lips-EVER…you are a genius."
"He is?!"
"I am?"
"Yes, you've given me an idea, a brilliant idea. We should, you know, switch places."
"You should?!"
"We should?"
"Yes, of course for I can get information from Hannah, Grell, and Drocell while not being myself so that Drocell can…keep his hands off me…and Hannah will trust me. I can move around the shop and hear information without looking too suspicious. Of course while I'm doing this somebody has to take my place and who better but you? We look alike so nobody will notice. You'll get to see how my life is, and I get to see yours while obtaining information."
"You thought all that up just now? You're quick! It sounds brilliant! Jolly good plan only…two problems…"
"Just two?" retorted Sebastian, beside himself with his master's plan.
"Yeah. Ya see, I'm yellow-haired and you've got…well blackish hair…plus I don't walk like you, talk like you, I'm not all proper and stuff…oh yeah, and I don't know everything about your life, your people."
"Simple, Sebastian will teach you it all, and you can teach me how to be like you. I know this wig shop not too far from here; I suppose I can find an exact replica of your…locks…and mine, with a bit of help. We'll switch clothes too…that I am not looking forward to, at all. "
"Want me to wash 'em first?"
"No…it needs to be realistic…unfortunately. Sebastian, make preparations to teach Alois how to be like me, act like me, and all that, make sure he knows who is who and what to do and that the fork goes on the left of the knife. Alright?"
Sebastian WANTED to say "hell no", take Ciel, and leave. He WANTED to but he couldn't, it would be against regulations. This boy, this Alois Trancy, was running everything; he was getting in the way and Sebastian couldn't stand for it. But, If his master wished him to he'd change his moral code. With a proper bow, hand upon his heart, kneeling on the ground he said:
"Yes, My lord."
"Good. Well we should start right away but it is rather late…"
"Ya kiddin' me? It's only 4 'o'clock in the afternoon, the sun is still in the sky. We got plenty of time, 'asides, I can't got back…no way, no how."
"Alright, fine, I know some people you can stay with until the morning."
Ciel and Sebastian traced their steps finding their way to the drab little boarding school that belonged to Mildred Witherspoon, her daughter Prudence and her son Eugene. Knocking on the door they were greeted by Prudence yet again, who smiled a tiny shadow of a smile at them. Mildred instructed her with a hefty tone to move out of the way. They were seated in the study; Eugene was requested to bring them tea. Eugene was shaking in his boots quite literally when seeing Sebastian. Alois sipped the tea then spit it out, it was disgusting. Ciel hated it too; it was too damn strong for his insatiable sweet tooth. Alois put two lumps of sugar and a dollop of cream in it, as did Ciel. Sebastian took note; they liked their tea the same way. They stirred it the same way; they even held their pinky up the same way which was odd seeing as Alois was no nobleman.
"What brings you back to my establishment, Earl Phantomhive, have you come to collect those brats? And why have you brought a filthy rat into my home? You must know I don't approve of filth here, especially on my things."
"Well, if you want your ladyship, I'll kindly stand, it's no trouble ta me."
"How polite he is, you stand over there, yes that's a good boy, how well he listens."
"Thank you very much Mum."
"You see were here to enroll him, for a short time, his name is Alois Trancy, an orphan with no past, can you find room for him? He is very important to me as of lately."
Alois blushed then beamed warmly. He was important? That made him feel like sugared candy and sunshine. Sebastian sipped the tea, he liked the bitter black tea that coursed past his teeth and tongue, it wasn't like the Undertaker's tea which was lukewarm and extremely distasteful but it was just as bitter.
"Oh, but of course we have room for him, he can board with the two boorish piglets that call themselves boys. Their names are Felix and Cecil Lemouite, and they shall be your roommates from now on."
"Roommates? I don't have to sleep alone?"
"No, how preposterous, there are about three to four boys a room, and since there are only two in their room well, you shall be a welcomed addition to that mess. I shall think you should teach them a lesson in proper etiquette, for you seem to have it."
Ciel scoffed and Sebastian snorted inwardly. As if, the boy was just being polite, it was natural. Alois had the etiquette of a wolf. Alois bowed, trying hard to copy Sebastian.
"Acourse, your ladyship, I will do my best!"
"You will do just fine here, yes, I approve, but you may be in need of a bath…Yes, Eugene, come here at once."
"Yes mother?"
"Please take Alois up to the lavatory, bathe him, and get him settled with those…ugh, monstrosities."
"Yes, of course mother."
Alois was taken away by Eugene who was still trembling at the thought of Sebastian breaking almost his whole body in half-which was hard to explain to his family. Alois turned, smiled and waved. Ciel gave him a lazy wave back, sipping his tea. He put his cup down, the same way he always did with the handle facing inwardly on the left side, but so did Alois. Sebastian raised an eyebrow, it was exactly the same. A coincidence, he thought vaguely, and shoved it away.
"Well is that all you came here for?"
"It is, I'll be taking my leave now."
"Good day to you then, Sir Phantomhive."
"Good day Miss Witherspoon, Prudence, Eugene."
"Good day sir!" Called Prudence merrily, yet quietly.
"Eugene? What do you say?"
Eugene darted from his mother, to Alois in his hand, to Ciel to Sebastian who was looking rather cross with a curving leer.
"Good day Master Phantomhive and company. Have a pleasant evening."
He smiled at him, made eye contact and did a practically perfect bow. Sebastian nodded in approval then as they left he patted him on the back and whispered;
"Good work, I taught you well."
Ciel and Sebastian headed home; all was well…with them.
"DROCELL! DROCELL HE'S GONE!" Rang Grell's voice all throughout the shop
"Missing….vanished…gone…"
"YOU! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO WATCH HIM!"
The Triplets and Ash sank back, sweat on their forehead, hearts rumbling fast. They had screwed up, big time.
"So I guess this means no promotion…"
"OF COURSE IT MEANS NO PROMTION YOU DUMBASS!"
"Calm down Mistress Grell," Soothed Paula, massaging Grell's shoulders.
"Ugh…thank you Paula, I can always trust you…sigh…well, this was NOT a good time…where could he have gone….you don't suppose…"
"Silver and gold…."
"Damn…you don't think he's really?"
"My fair lady…."
"Drocell speak English, for Christ sake…well, my plans are ruined…now we have to go find the brat before he finds the other brat….we've gotta do it quick or else everything we've planned will all be for nothing."
'Plans? The other brat? Did he mean that Ciel character? Where is my little Alois now? I hope he isn't in too much trouble…Ciel…I hope, whoever you are….that you are keeping my baby safe.'
Ciel was, but for how long? And how could he possibly keep him safe from the wrath of Grell and Drocell…and possibly another force, ready to strike at any moment, when he least expected it.
