Author's Note: I should really begin this one right away. Or at least the author's note. I only got like four reviews for my last chappie how lame is that? I'm losing my ground severely :-P. Oh well. I'm going to finish this if it kills me. This is my take on Ciel's b'day with Ivy included. Hmm…now let's see how I go about this. I'm hoping not to change too much about it. Anywayz I hope you guys enjoy this one. Read and Review. Ciao!
Disclaimer: I do now own anything cannon mentioned in this fic. Sorry to say. I would crack myself up so bad if I did.
Chapter Fourteen: That Maid, Under Pressure
"'Well-behaved women' rarely make history." Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.
Ciel felt like he was falling. It was dark. There were black feathers drifting about… and he was falling. His white night shirt billowing about his weightless self. He could see his feet in the air above him through half lidded exhausted eyes. The feeling this evoked was like… that incident… that month. Yes. That horrible month that he wished to forget but never could.
"That incident happened during a stormy night. On that particular midnight. It took away all my dreams and hopes."
He could hear his own voice. His thoughts felt as thought they echoed around him. Telling his own story to himself.
"The me that was face to face with Death, saw a black raven fly over my head."
He blinked a few times in the darkness and shapes began to emerge. His heart pounded and he felt a very familiar twinge of fear grasp his breath. Ciel could feel his breathing become slightly shallow as red eyes opened and beamed down at him.
"That raven held me with it's gaze, that seemed to be filled with illusion and mirage and said to me…"
"The dead can never return to life…" That voice… so deep, electric, so familiar. It filled him with dread. "Never more…" Ciel could make out the bottom half of a shadowed face with pointed fangs just peeking out from behind this creature's lips. A finger with a long, sharp, black claw was placed in front of said lips, as though in a gesture of silence. He felt a panic rise within him yet he was unable to react properly. He simply just continued to fall in silence.
The scream threatening to rip from his throat was unexpectedly soothed away by a gentle feminine voice. Singing?
"Beautiful dreamer…wake unto me…" He frowned in confusion. Familiar and far away all at once, as if in the unseen background.
"Master…" That other voice repeated, it sounded different this time and much more tangible. "Young master…" Then there was the silhouette of people. Those people. That incident. Not again. No! He tried to jerk away.
"Starlight and dew drops are waiting for thee…" …Who was that?
"Young master!" A hand was suddenly reaching out to him. So close and dark. It was right in front of his face when he finally snapped out of it. He let out an angry, petrified gasp as he flailed aside. Then he was awake. A gun whipped out and held in front of the face of a familiar demon. His eyes were wild and he could feel his trembling arms as potently as the sticky cold sweat upon his skin. Dark grayish bangs clinging to his dampened forehead.
Sebastian looked at him with a mildly surprised expression on his face. The young earl's now conscious state still barely registered that he was no longer in any danger. The familiar surroundings of his room hadn't pulled into focus around him. The open drapes that allowed the sunlight to spill in through the large window, his canopy bed beneath him, all of it escaped him. The gun remained poised where it was defensively as he panted. "Don't…. touch me." His voice came out as a rasp between labored breaths. Sebastian looked at him blankly for a few moments before pasting on a smile once more.
"Beautiful dreamer…wake unto me…" Ciel flinched and his head whipped toward the door at the sound. It was getting closer. "What was that?" he demanded, nervously. He still held onto the gun tightly. Sebastian was surprised that he hadn't accidentally pulled the trigger yet.
"Good morning to you as well young master. What you are hearing is nothing to worry about…Miss Ivy often sings while she works." He explained. Just as he did so the door was nudged open cheerfully and quietly.
"Here is the morning tea you asked me to bring up." The half neko's voice softly spoke up. She hummed the tune of what she was singing. "Am I to-…" she trailed off upon noticing the young boy's state. Green eyes looked back and forth at the two of them. "What in the- Get away from him, what have you done!" She snapped at Sebastian's insensitivity. At her shout Ciel aimed the gun at her sharply then back at his butler, unsure of who he should have been aiming at. Clearly he was in some sort of a state of shock. "Scaring the boy to death, what is wrong with you? Are you alright Ciel?"
"Get away…both of you." His voice shook. "I am…not…afraid." he growled. Ivy gave Sebastian a look.
"It is nothing to be ashamed of, Ciel. If it had been I who'd woken up with him in my face I would have had a panic attack as well. I am honestly surprised that you did not shoot him already." She remarked. The butler simply took the tray and began to pour as if nothing was wrong.
"This morning's tea is Assam black tea, with added milk." He informed, mechanically and as routinely as always. "A milk tea, which I myself have prepared." He added in. As distant and curt as he seemed, the routine calm serenity seemed to be getting through to the boy as he watched. Ivy paid attention to the scene wondering what exactly made him this way. "The warm milk can help to soothe one's nerves and calm them down." He turned with the cup in had to face his young master, spying his inquiring gaze. "Especially after a nightmare." He added in a subtle, meaningful sort of way.
Slowly, Ciel let out a breath and shut his eyes as he shakily lowered his weapon. Ivy felt a twinge of worry and dare she say it…envy. She had nothing to offer the child, who seemed to be so dependant on his butler. "I apologize for my conduct." he said in her direction, now back to his normal self once again. She looked at him.
"It is not a problem. Do you often have nightmares?" she asked, tilting her head curiously. He took the teacup from Sebastian's gloved hand. He shook his head no, but Ivy had a feeling that it was a lie. Still she said nothing. "Hmm." she nodded simply. "I should get back to my duties-"
"Sebastian says that it was you singing a moment ago." he spoke up, surprising her. She looked at him again. Walking over to him slightly she apologized.
"Yes. I am sorry, did I disturb you?" she asked him. He shook his head no, and there was a look of contemplation on his face. Then she caught sight of the book on his bed beside him. It lay in its place on the sheets so innocently as she read the largest letters on the cover that it was almost laughable. Edgar Allen Poe one of the most depressed, morbid writers of the day. That explained a lot. She let out a sigh and massaged her temples. Sebastian had apparently noticed it too because he soon picked it up before she could reach for it with a slight smirk on his face.
"It must be because you were reading Edgar Poe's works before bedtime." He deducted almost smugly. Ivy rolled her eyes.
"Thank you for the insight. Let me see that." she demanded. He moved it out of her grasp. With a frown she tried and second time only to fail. Still she kept trying to get at it getting more irate at each attempt. The whole ordeal soon turning into an immature dance of demon keep away. "Seb-! Mister- Mis-ter- Mich-!" She kept jumping at it in frustration. Sebastian truly did have a penchant for pestering Ciel's newest made. The intelligent boy took note of it quite easily.
"Sebastian. Stop behaving like a fool. Give it to her before the two of you break something." Ciel grunted in annoyance at his two servant's immaturity, sipping from his cup. He could call him out on it later. It was no wonder she ran away from the manor and made such a fuss if the demon had tormented her like this all the time. The butler gave a graceful bow at the waist before allowing Ivy to snatch it from his hand. With a curt puff of air, she eyed the book cover.
"Never more… The Raven?" She raised an eyebrow. Suddenly she chucked it at the tall demon's head, barely missing as he dodged. "Why would you let him read 'The Raven' before he slept?" Her hands were on her hips. "Never more? As in all that is lost can never be returned! Lovely for a child who lost their family in a traumatic experience."
"Miss Ivy… and how precisely was I supposed to kno-"
"I thought you were supposed to know everything! Insensitive bastard. The bloody Raven of all of Poe's writings… and how exactly would you have known that a hot milk tea would be the best choice this morning? How very convenient. I do not care if you care nothing for this child, you are still his butler for now, and while you are his butler you are supposed to look after him, Sebastian!" She stated. Sebastian stared blankly at her. "Shut up." she held up a finger. "That was a slip up. Anyway the options are that either you knew about the book and thought it would be funny to let him have nightmares over it, or that you actually, for once made yourself look like a useless lout. Take your pick." she tapped her foot.
"I have the pleasure of doing anything I please in my home." Ciel spoke up, taking another sip of his black tea. Ivy rolled her eyes. Typical of a little boy. "What is the schedule for today?" he asked, mechanically as if he really did not care but figured that he needed to ask anyway. Ivy huffed and walked back to stand by the tray.
"Today you will have to assess the paper work sent in for the company, and in the afternoon you will be having the Marchioness Middleford, and her daughter Lady Elizabeth as guests." Sebastian informed as dutifully as any butler should. Upon these words however, Ciel practically jumped five feet in the air and for a second Ivy thought he was having a heart attack. Sebastian did not seem to notice however.
"OH NO!" he bellowed in a panic the volume of his voice making Ivy wince at her now ringing ears.
"…Also young master…"
"Shut up! Hurry and make preparations! MOVE!" he urged. Ivy was slightly confused. Was it the guests? Sebastian looked equally out of the loop.
"There is no need to be so anxious. The Marchioness will only be arriving in the afternoon…-" He tried to calm the boy down but the little earl only snapped at him, more anxious than ever.
"YOU IDIOT! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THIS IS AUNT FRANCES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!" 'Aunt? Shouldn't she be legally in charge of the boy then?' That was what Ivy thought to herself upon hearing the name. Even if he was the sole heir to the Phantomhive estate and all properties included, it was still the norm that a legal guardian aid the child in preparation for his duties. Was he perhaps… decorated early for some reason? Sebastian seemed to understand Ciel's meaning once he thought more about it.
"Understood." he nodded. He stooped to begin dressing him. "Miss Ivy. Take the tray back to the kitchen if you please, and cover up those ears." He ordered without looking up at her. She nodded simply before she rolled said tray out of the door to allow Ciel some privacy as he got dressed. "Oh and do check up on the other servants will you?" He grinned after her. She only looked briefly over her shoulder.
"Of course, Mister Michaelis." She nodded calmly. "Have a good morning, young master." The young lady made sure to nod to Ciel before making her way off, shutting the door behind her.
…..
All was going well with the servants. Ivy came across them just as it appeared that Finnian was in the middle of a passionate speech. She rolled in with the tray with her usual calm and smooth mannerisms. They had become used to her being there and barely noticed her enter anymore. "Oh hi Miss Ivy." The young gardener smiled before turning back to them. She simply gave a brief smile before turning to wash up the saucers and teacups. "Really…have you all forgotten! Today is a special day!" He declared.
"Hmm?" They all looked at the calendar. Ivy tuned in to the conversation curiously. "Special…?" The servants trailed, still obviously quite clueless. Ivy simply picked up a rag and began drying them up.
"How so?" She asked.
"Why it's the young master's birthday of course!" He piped up in exasperation. Green eyes blinked in surprise. He was turning thirteen today? He never said a word about preparing for a birthday party. Could that have been why his Aunt was visiting him? Ah yet another thing that separated Ciel Phantomhive from other children it seemed. He did not like birthdays either. Putting the saucers neatly away she sat beside the others.
"That is odd. Neither him, nor Sebastian mentioned anything about it." She mused out loud. The four other servants exchanged glances. Miss Ivy seemed to have an esteem with the young master and with Sebastian that was different from them. As though she was partly within the secretive loop between the butler and master.
"Say Ivy…" Bard began with a gleam of mischief. Ivy raised an eyebrow at the smirk fighting to pull on his lips. "Anything interesting happen last night?" he asked 'casually'. The neko girl honestly hoped that he was actually trying to be obvious. Otherwise she would have a problem with him. She folded her arms and pursed her lips.
"If you have something to ask me Bard, please be forthcoming and just ask, because I honestly have no idea what you are talking about." she sighed wearily. He snickered.
"I mean I saw you kicking Sebastian out of your room last night." His grin would not be kept at bay any longer. Ivy internally gave a start. Damn it. Fortunately she did not outwardly react. The other three servants practically jumped from their seats. Oh please. Ivy let out a sharp, annoyed breath. Maylene let out a squeak and turned beet red at her friend's implications.
"Listen Bard." Ivy massaged her temples. "I do not like where I believe this conversation is going. I will explain myself, and hope that you will not jump to conclusions again." Straightening her posture she cleared her throat. "Yesterday, I got caught in the rain and Sebastian was being of help, by picking up my wet uniform so that I could get to sleep. He and I got into yet another disagreement and after some bickering I threw him out. The end." She completed her story. Still he didn't stop grinning, and deep down, somewhere deep down, Ivy admitted that she wanted to punch him on the head like a certain demon often did.
"Let's just prepare things for the guests." she muttered.
…..
"It has been a while since we last met, Marchioness Middleford." Ciel greeted his Aunt. A tall, stern looking but not unattractive woman stood before him with a grim, professional expression on her face. Her light blonde hair was pulled into a prim, elegant style, only a single long, curled strand of hair out to frame her face in a more feminine yet practical manner. Nothing about her appearance was out of place. She was every bit the perfect image of a proper English noblewoman. Standing beside her was her little daughter Lady Elizabeth. Or Lizzie as she preferred to be called. A pretty little blond thing with large green eyes and a pink bonnet that screamed girly girl, her golden curls emerging from beneath it to frame a heart-shaped, doe eyed face.
"As always you have arrived earlier than expected." he added with a nod. Sebastian stood a few paces behind him offering a polite nod and a smile. They had only barely gotten him dressed before she had arrived. Early as always. Aunt Frances eyed the place critically, before looking back at him.
"Skip the formal greetings, Earl Phantomhive." She said in her usual dominant manner. "Anyway, judging by your fresh out-of-bed look, can I presume that you have just awakened?" She raised an eyebrow. Lizzie gave a giddy blush looking at him, a wide smile taking over her features. With a girlish squeal she barreled into the young earl, giving him a killer embrace that was customary for her.
"Ahhh! Ciel looks so cute just out of bed!" She giggled. Squeezing and snuggling her fiancée. 'I'm being strangled to death!' Ciel thought to himself. Sometimes Sebastian was utterly useless. The moment was broken up by the woman's stern bark of reprimand.
"Elizabeth!"
The two children froze. Lizzie stared at her mom fearfully. A vein protruding from the woman's forehead. "It is not proper for a young lady of your station to be engaging in such behavior." she scolded. "In any case you should be greeting him first. This may be where I once lived but I have still emphasized that you must behave like a refined Lady in another household." Strictly to the point as always. The young girl quaked but had not released him yet.
"I am so sorry, Mother!" She relented obediently. Ciel practically gasped for air. Sebastian eye caught sight of a rather anxious and flustered looking maid, hurrying for the door leading out to the garden. Fortunately her ears were well covered seeing as she did not seem to pay those around her any mind. The Marchioness quickly noticed the unfamiliar face.
"I was unaware that you finally saw that the manor was in need of some new help." She told Ciel. "You should have told me. I would have had recommended workers to you." Ciel was not entirely sure that she was displeased or not. Aunt Frances was always so weird. "Good. This house needs more women tending to it." She added. Ivy turned and looked at the woman, who started ever so slightly, looking at her face. She quickly gave a polite curtsy.
"Ivy is perfectly qualified help, I can promise you." Ciel stated. Sebastian smirked ever so slightly out of the corner of his eye. Ivy was nervous about something it seemed. Aunt Frances looked at her oddly for a moment.
"It is a pleasure to be acknowledged Marchioness, I hope that we servants can accommodate you exceptionally today." Ivy calmly greeted the noblewoman. The older woman eyed her almost critically, making her quite uncomfortable.
"Her manner is acceptable, and her posture is perfect. I commend you for that young lady. How long have you worked here?" She asked. Was this some sort of late interview?
"Almost two weeks, my lady." she bowed her head respectfully. She sweat dropped ever so slightly. There was a wordless nod.
"She is up to standard for now. As a maid her appearance is very striking and could prove a problem seeing as servants are meant to attract very little attention." She told Ciel simply. "She resembles somebody I once knew actually…" She shrugged it off. "You may go about your business." Ivy noted Sebastian's covered up discomfort. Was he intimidated by this woman? Ha ha ha! This she had to see. She lingered discreetly above the staircase in a corner that casted more shadow.
"It has been quite a while indeed, welcome Marchioness and Lady Elizabeth." Sebastian spoke up graciously. The Marchioness simply gave him a hard, angry stare. Never had she been very fond of the butler. "Thank you for taking the time to travel all the way to…" Sebastian trailed off, noticing her dark glare as a shadow seemed to pass over her face. Now what had he done? This woman was out of her mind. He cleared his throat. "May I ask if there is something… on my face?" Sebastian was unused to being put on the spot by anybody.
"That face of yours! What indecent features you possess!" She blatantly disapproved. Ivy grinned ever so slightly. Yes. Another woman who didn't fall over him. Ivy found that despite her scary over bearing presence that she liked this woman already. Sebastian obviously did not feel the same.
"I was born looking this way-"
"ALSO!" She snapped obviously not liking his back talk. It was when she forcefully yanked at his hair that Ivy nearly broke her silent demeanor and died laughing. Her mouth gaped in soundless glee. "You and your master are both the same! Men should not have fringe hanging in their faces like this! Seeing it irks me! Kindly learn from Tanaka!" She pointed out the old male servant who Ivy had just noticed was standing there. Heh. So he was pretty good at sneaking around too. She smirked at Sebastian. Well it was good to know that he too was man handled now and then. Ivy took pity on her young employer when the woman then reared on him, however she knew better than to interfere.
"Aunt Frances?… Aunt?… Please?…Wait a moment! AAAAHHHHHH!"
In no time both butler and master were spot on. Ivy covered her mouth, stifling the giggles. She had to get out of here. "I apologize that I have to trouble you with all of this, Aunt Frances." That was also something quite amusing, this woman was so terrifying to these two that they were the ones apologizing to her after being roughed up so. Putting her nature to good use she slipped away to check on Finnian so that she could hurry and check up on Maylene, then back to Bard. Once again the bastard had left her in charge of everybody. At least he was around but still.
When she opened the door, she gaped at the horror story that was unraveling in the garden, courtesy of Finni. Uh-oh. To say the very least. The young lady nearly had a heart attack when she heard Sebastian leading the Marchioness right toward the very same door. "…Roses brought in from Germany are exceptionally beautiful…" Internally she cursed her lack of foresight. There was no time to scold Finnian. She tried to get the butler's attention discreetly but only Ciel seemed to notice her warnings. His silent protests were left unheeded as well.
"Pardon me, Mister Michaelis.." she gripped his sleeve through gritted teeth, giving a stubborn tug. He frowned and looked at her. She motioned him down to her level and quietly explained the situation when he complied. The Marchioness frowned suspiciously at the two servants. Unable to hear precisely what happened. He straightened up with a serious expression before opening the doors slightly to take a look. The sight of winter roses being mutilated by clippers mercilessly and tossed into a pile on the ground met his eyes. He shut it before Ciel's aunt could see anything. Lizzie had been quiet and slightly confused the whole time and continued to be so.
"I have made a mistake." Ciel and Ivy both shifted and sweat dropped with extreme nervousness. "I actually wanted to allow you to explore the main hall." he said. This was so stupid! Obviously the 'guest' was not very impressed either. With a bow she ran to the dining room as Sebastian continued to struggle with the situation.
"Maylene! Is everything okay?" she asked. To her surprise nothing was broken and she let out a breath of relief. "I will be back in a moment…Bard is being rather quiet." she explained with a worried expression. Maylene nodded with understanding. She had to polish the plates next and she was dreading it. If she dropped something with guests coming over she would be in big trouble. Ivy gave her a smile and a nod before hurrying off. To the kitchen she went.
….
"What's going on in here?" Ivy stepped into the kitchen, frowning when she found Bard bent over and half way inside the oven. She rose an eyebrow and folded her arms. "What are you doing?" Her head tilted ever so slightly. He tried to sit back too quickly and knocked his head against the top. There was a cuss and a grunt of pain. The head chef of the household seemed to be quite used to pain by now.
He backed out, attempting to wipe some soot from his forehead, it was only smudged by sweat. "Hey there. Ugh…I tried to turn on the oven but it only kept making this weird sound and it won't get to heating up." The cigarette between his teeth was chewed almost in half in his frustration. Ivy noted that it was lit and frowned.
"You had best be careful of that cigarette in there." she scolded. He said nothing as he went back in to check it out some more. "Bard…if that oven explodes, Sebastian will kill you and then I will have to somehow revive you so that I can kill you myself." She told him simply. On the counter she noticed a glimpse of orange. She walked over with a smile. Tangerines. That is right the season for tangerines was from around September until April, winter fruit. Who knew right? Trust Sebastian to stock up before they were unavailable. They smelled wonderful.
She picked up two of them in either hand and took a fond whiff. Her mother used to buy them for her simply because she loved the smell. Once again she had let down her guard… and it all happened within a split second that had her impressed with her own speed. She barely caught the "WOAH!" That had ripped from Bard's lips as it happened.
-KABOOM!
The heat nearly scorched her as she cart wheeled out of the way and behind the island in the center of the room with a screech. "OH MY GOD, BARD!" She screamed, thinking he'd been completely roasted. The sound of him coughing near by gave her great relief. Her sensitive nose scrunched at the assault of smoke and she coughed a bit herself, covering her mouth. Well so much for the smell of tangerines. She pouted. The baskets had been entirely destroyed save for the four fruits that were in her hands when she had leapt.
"I'm okay." he huffed. Ivy stood up with a glare.
"Excellent. Then I can finish the job." she growled, attacking him.
"AAAIIIEEEE!"
…..
"Have you made a mistake again?" Marchioness Frances Middleford was extremely annoyed by now as she looked at her nephew's butler. When she got no response from the smiling servant. Obviously a forced smile. She gave an angry puff of breath. "You are such an indecisive man!" Her eyes practically held fire in them, and Sebastian could have sworn she was imagining his demise within them. Ivy exited the kitchen and winced when he gave her a dark look. Obviously the day was going dreadfully for him. She took pity on him for once. Looking back at the fuming woman, he simply bowed at the waist with a hand to his chest, and an apologetic expression, shouldering all the blame.
"I am so sorry…my way of handling things are just too…" Ivy touched his arm and gave The Earl and his aunt an apologetic nod.
"Mister Michaelis." She whispered. "Perhaps the Marchioness would be impressed by the pains you took caring for the young master's new steed?" She was grasping at straws truly but she seemed as though she would appreciate the art of horse husbandry. He said nothing but stood up and gave her a 'no really?' expression. She glared at him. How was she supposed to know anything about a total stranger? Well he could just forget about getting the four surviving tangerines. They were hers now.
"I have just been reminded that there is a place that I have been meaning to let The Marchioness explore even though you may find it inappropriate for ladies to explore… Anyway allow me to show you to the stables." He smiled politely. Ivy let out a breath. She was certainly on a roll today. Why did she have to have an off day now of all times? Words could not express her relief as they headed out. She had opened a window and asked Finnian to help a certain busted up head chef clean up the kitchen, and now was about to check the dining area. Something told her that she had been away for too long.
…..
"All day? All day?" Ivy was in horror over what the butler and master had told her ever so casually. A hunting trip. All bloody day. Sebastian simply maintained his faux smile of serene politeness. That meant that she would be alone until they returned for dinner.
"Of course." Ciel stated, in some sort of dark 'Fear-me-I-am-an-evil-noble-after-vengeance-rawr' mode. "A hunt normally does last for most of the day, and as it is just afternoon, we shall have to return for dinner. Lunch will have to be a picnic come to think of it." He added in, his posture proud and rigid. Something was making his stubborn childish pride go into overload at the moment. Ivy wanted to bury herself in a hole. A deep hole…and never come out.
"That means I will be alone here?" She kept the whimper in her voice at bay. Sebastian went off to prepare the baskets for lunch. "Is there any way you can take pity on me?" she asked them miserably. "I barely managed to keep things together the last time the two of you were gone." Not to mention that this time she had been doing a fairly -how do you say-… lousy job so far. She grabbed onto the back of the butler's coat wearily. "Sebaaastiiaaaan." She dragged out his name with a tired, shaky voice. She head walled between his shoulder blades. "Have pity for once." she pouted. Ciel looked at them and Sebastian simply shrugged and shook his head.
"Miss Ivy…if you do not stay here things would turn significantly worse than they already are…wouldn't you agree?" Sebastian was quite amused by her reaction. She paled and her left eye twitched. He chuckled and she glared at him. "Where is the bell?" He asked suddenly, he had been able to hear the little trinket all day but had not seen it visibly on her person. If she only knew the significance of the sound of a bell to a demon.
She glared at him and folded her arms. "It is hidden." she answered vaguely, ignoring the fact that she had tied it to one of her garters. "I was right to do so as well. I believe that Bard has begun to develop some fairly unsavory ideas in his head." She muttered. He gave a signature smirk before she pushed past him to sit somewhere, dark eyes following her path. Any seat would do, considering what she was in for.
"Stay here and make sure that they do not destroy my house." Ciel stated firmly. "…And Sebastian keep your eyes to yourself, you're digusting." he said cryptically, making Ivy feel a bit alarmed. She frowned.
"Alright. I have made my decision. You are both evil." she sulked. Ciel smirked ever so slightly. "Ah! I am still much more fond of my cute, tiny, wee, little master than I am of his demon however." She smiled brightly, enjoying how the boy's eye twitched and darkened. "Anyway! I'd best make sure there are no repeat mistakes inside. Good luck on your hunt, Earl Phantomhive." She nodded with a wink. They watched her hurry off. It was strange how easily she switched from miserable to cheerful sunshine so quickly. Ciel turned to Sebastian with an odd expression.
"Do not look at me." He shrugged and gave a smile, seemingly glowing.
…..
Ivy had gone insane, replacing the rose bushes. Having a weakness for flowers, she needed them back right away, guilt ridden for not being able to save the last ones. Upon returning into the manor she came across a pretty sorry sight. Tanaka, Maylene, and Finnian were huddled around Bard as he nursed his injured arm. She tilted her head. "I did not do that did I?" she asked, not recalling doing anything that severe to him. He shook his head no as he continued to tend to it. "Good…here, let's make some room for your fingers." She stooped to help him. The cast was covering his entire fist, which would not do. His leg was also pretty messed up, considering he now stooped on a crutch. She looked at their surroundings.
What in hellfire? The place was ridiculously over done with roses everywhere and there was a horror story cake sitting near by. "What have you been up to while I was fixing everything?" She asked with a sweat drop. Ciel's birthday. They all smiled proudly. It seemed as though they were all still fairly roughed up from the effort it took them to do this. If only they didn't have such good intentions every time, then she would not have to feel so damn sorry for them all the time. "Um…very thoughtful…how about I see what you've-" The doors were opening. Shit. She was screwed along with them.
"I shall show you what I am capable of doing with all of these…" Sebastian trailed seeing the disheveled servants. Ivy stood among them, looking terribly embarrassed.
"WELCOME BACK!" Finnian and the others greeted cheerfully in a chorus. Ciel looked like he was given a death sentence.
"Why do you all look like this?" He asked, sweating.
"Look! This was made by all of us!" The little gardener held up the horror cake gleefully and Ivy smacked herself in the forehead. They showed them into the dining hall and she felt her stomach drop. It was a mess. They should have asked for her help or at least told her that they were planning something! Some help Tanaka was! Apparently Bard had cooked a donburi, Finni has used the mutilated roses to help decorate the table and surroundings, and of course the table setting was done by Maylene…thank heaven nothing else was destroyed.
The Marchioness looked livid. "They are actually one step ahead of me…I came here today especially for the sake of saying this…" Ciel seemed to nearly shrink and she walked towards him, everything moving almost in slow motion. "Happy 13th birthday Ciel." Her face softened into something warm and affectionate as she ruffled the boy's hair. Ivy smiled. Ciel did have somebody who loved him, and that made her feel warm and pleased. Pleasantries were exchanged and soon they were all gathered to sing Happy Birthday to Ciel. She stood off to the side, observing everything as usual. Her sharp eye caught sight of the butler slinking away into the kitchens and she sighed.
….
"Oh my…it seems the cake that I have made has gone to waste." Sebastian eyed the carefully made pastry. His voice breaking the silence in the dark kitchen. It was decorated with strawberries and a small quaint little top hat. Happy Birthday written in a neat, sugary script.
"Unless somebody eats it." The sound directed his attention to the little half neko, seated atop the counter as if she had been there all along, hands on either side of herself, legs kicking out slightly over the edge. It astounded him how she managed to sneak around him lately. "I owe you an apology." She said, oblivious that she had caught him off guard. He turned to face her, impassive as ever.
"Oh?" he inquired. She sucked her teeth in response.
"For all of the embarrassment today of course." she admitted. "I allowed myself to be far too distracted." Foolish girl. She honestly thought he was still upset about that? He raised an eyebrow at her, making her uncomfortable. Running a hand through her hair she reached behind herself and held out four tangerines. "Here. I took the liberty of putting in a new order before they go out of season again, it should arrive sometime this week, in the meantime this should suffice to make the young master a proper orange black tea." She stated softly. He gave a slightly surprised expression. "Which reminds me that the new tea set should be here by morning tomorrow, and do not worry about the garden…I already took care of it." she pursed her lips. So she had been doing all of that during this time, it explained a lot. Such a clever girl.
He gave a grin and she frowned slightly, tilting her head. "You know, you can put your hair back to normal." she gave a chuckle. "You look miserable like this." Her hands ruffled it back to its usual state much to his surprise.
"…Hmph." he looked back at the cake. "It is truly hard to comprehend what creatures like humans are thinking…" The butler freed his hand from its glove revealing the seal of the contract black and imposing against his pale flesh. She stared at it curiously.
"Do those hurt?" she asked, catching his wrist. He just grinned and pulled his hand back, before he stuck his fingers into the frosting of the top hat and pulled out a piece, tasting it slowly. The grimace on his face made Ivy scoff.
"They actually find this kind of stuff delicious." He seemed incredulous.
"So do I in case you have forgotten." she stuck out her tongue. "It is not something that can really be explained, it just tastes good…the same way I will never understand how you can't like cake, and chocolate too, shame on you." She pulled the scarf from her head to free her ears, shaking out her hair. He smiled at her. "You don't have to eat the cake Sebastian." she laughed at him. "Just give it to me, I would hate to see a grown demon cry." She slid it towards herself.
"What a kind sacrifice." he drawled with a smirk. She stuck out her tongue.
"You are welcome." She completely missed his proximity to her. Only she could be so oblivious to him. Her ears shot up and she practically elbowed him out of her way to rush the window with a chirp like purr. "It's snowing!" She whispered happily, placing her hands on the glass. "It's lovely is it not? The best things in my life always happen to me when it snows." Her eyes were wide and starry.
"Indeed." he smirked.
….
Ciel was working late that night as the servants were playing out in the falling snow. Lizzie and Aunt Frances had gone already so he was mildly surprised when the doors to his office were pushed open. "Good evening." Not his butler. His maid. "I know that it is rather late, and that Sebastian's baked goods outshine anything I could make, however I felt it only appropriate that I make this for you." The neko spoke up.
"Why are you not prancing around in the cold like the others?" He asked, looking back down busily. She placed a chocolate cupcake in front of him much to his surprise with a smile.
"I will be in a moment, and if you were not as you are then I would invite you to join us." she teased. "However, all that aside…I never had anybody to do something like this for…" Ciel blinked up at her in astonishment. "Listen I just thought that upon my first arrival here, you and I got off on the wrong foot is all. Consider this a peace offering. My mother always made me one on my birthday, so I pass the tradition on." she added jokingly. "Happy Birthday, Ciel Phantomhive." As she left the office of the stunned boy, he spoke up.
"Wait."
She turned to face him curiously. "Sit down. I have a story to tell you about my birthday." He said gravelly. With a nod she did so.
Author's Note: Alright. I PROMISE! That Grell will be in the next chapter folks! Happy Holidays! I hope this one was good! Writing with the manga and changing as little as possible was a problem for me, but hey what can ya do? Fortunately I had help from a friend xD, who nearly cussed me out when I was being unintentionally stubborn about ideas. This was a long one no? Anyway, it's done. Thank goodness. I am on my way to being finished officially with this revision. I am so close that I could cry xD. Wish me luck, Ciao!