Author's Note: Okay so getting to this took waaaay longer than expected, u_u. I apologize. I will try to keep up my own plot more often, just gotta finish this here curry arc. More curry time. Not much else to say. Anyway newest manga update comes out NEXT month apparently. How sad. D8!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Kuroverse…*munching on cookies from a cremation jar* I think I'm in the clear for now. *grimace* I'm trying not to think about what may or may not have recently been kept in this jar. Other than that I kind of like Undertaker's place. Huh, go figure….what did I say about cameras?
Twenty One: That Maid Observation
"Language: The music with which we charm the serpents guarding another's treasure." -The Devil's Dictionary.
The servants all aided in bringing in the many sacks of spices onto the manor grounds. Most of the lifting was done by Finnian with many reminders to be gentle from Mister Sebastian as he gushed about how wonderful everything was. Sebastian opened the bags to examine the quality of the spices for himself. Soma looked on at them clearly impressed. The smells were everywhere and so familiar and delightful. "Amazing!" He marveled over two handfuls of coriander seeds. "These are all things that I have seen in my country!" On his cheeks he sported a pleased blush.
Sebastian sniffed a handful of curry leaves with a smile. "It all smells wonderful." He praised honestly. "They are premium spices." Lau shrugged with a confident air and a smile on his face. Ciel stood beside him, in an exceptional mood in comparison to his usually much darker demeanor.
"To prepare them all in such a short amount of time…the Earl sure has a rough was of using people. I'm not even an expert in spices." He stated jovially. Ciel smirked in response, one hand resting on his hip.
"You are only useful at a time like this." The young Earl chuckled. Lau was undaunted by the bluntness of the boy's statement.
"Meh, its never a bad time to do the Earl a favor." The chinaman grinned like a Cheshire cat. Taking all of the idleness around him as a cue Sebastian stood upright dutifully.
"Then, I'll begin to cook curry with these spices right away." He dusted off his gloves. "Prince Soma." The butler's voice called the attention of the young Indian monarch. Soma turned to look at him. Still terrified of the tall dark servant clearly. "Only you know Agni's Curry of God. Could you please give me some advice regarding the taste of it?" He inquired with smooth politeness that he had learned to make flow so well.
"I don't mind." The prince assured. "…but does a British man like you know how to use all of these spices?" Catching the thought that he perhaps had sounded rude, he flew into a brief panic. "That is-! I mean its just that not something that you should just fool around with- well- I just thought that it would be hard for you if you were not used to it…" He hid behind Ciel who was sweat dropping at the older boy's demeanor. Sebastian simply gave an amused grin.
"I understand your concern." He promised. "Please give me a little time and I will see what I can do. Wait patiently for me to finish please." Placing a hand over his heart he gave a slight bow. Soma sweat dropped, obviously still worried as he stared at the confident Sebastian.
"Is it really alright?" He asked Ciel from the corner of his mouth. The younger boy just yawned with disinterest.
"Who knows." He responded. A nap was probably in order by now. He really liked that idea.
….
Chocolate…she'd been quiet enough, Ivy was certain that she was going to once again successfully sneak herself a small snack. Opening the cabinet and reaching in, she grinned like a little child. "Ah-ah!" Sebastian's voice scared the living daylights out of her as he drew her hand away by the wrist. He frowned at her, as he whirled her to face him. "Really, Miss Ivy?" He raised an eyebrow at her as she blushed. A sheepish expression overcame her features and she cleared her throat. "This is bordering onto the definition of an addiction." He remarked. She stuck out her tongue at him. "I have no time or desire to stage an intervention."
"Then save yourself the time, and give me a chocolate bar." She pouted trying to grab at them. The butler rolled his eyes, blocking her with his arm.
"Do you honestly question why I treat you like a child?" He gathered her easily under a single arm like a potato sack. "Do not give me any unnecessary trouble today, or you will be punished." He warned, tapping her nose with a single finger. She swiped at his hand.
"Fine. Let me go." She growled, wriggling. He chuckled. Why she even bothered trying to resist his strength was a very amusing thought. She simply refused to take anything lying down. He held her just a bit longer just to see how quickly she would become frustrated with him, grinning smugly. "Sebastian!" She pounded on his ribs angrily. With a laugh he simply let go and she dropped to the ground, catching herself only due to cat like reflexes. "Ooh! You are such a vicious, insensitive, jerk!" The demon scoffed.
"You asked me to let go. You should specify next time." He grinned, stooping to rub her ears happily. Catching his wrist, she pulled herself to her feet and tossed the offending limb aside.
"How many times have I told you not to touch me." she stuck her nose in the air. He smirked at her. She almost always seemed to find a way to be impossibly adorable. "What is it that you hear when I speak to you? I never gave you any hint that I wanted or required any unnecessary contact. Does everything sound like dolphin squeaks to you? You must be the most annoying creature on the face of the earth." The poor neko dead panned.
He listened only absently as he prepared a table of spices to test out and sample. She frowned curiously at him. "Wonderful. I believe you have chores to do." His tailcoat was removed and he rolled up his sleeves. He was ready to get to cooking. "The other servants will be missing you…and we wouldn't want them getting the wrong idea would we?" He smirked over his shoulder. Ivy's face dropped slightly. He was never going to let that one go. She just knew it. Quite possibly his best ammo yet, of course he wouldn't, and it was not even her fault. Stupid Bard. She allowed herself to pull at her hair expressively with a whine like groan.
"I am never going to live that down! Shut up about that!" She blushed. How humiliating the thought was. "It was all your fault! If you didn't insist on pestering me and behaving like a completely unprofessional jackass on an daily basis they would not have made any assumptions." She pointed a slender finger at him. The only response he made was an absent nod. "…and now you have the nerve to ignore me." The maid clearly saw the grin forming on his face and narrowed her eyes. "Why am I even talking to you? Good day." She huffed. It was apparent that he was enjoying her discomfort. Nothing new. She would just have to leave.
"I hope you've been drinking more water, I will be getting to you today one way or another." He reminded. As if she would forget that she needed to stand there while he bossed her around and critiqued her singing for an hour or so. She rolled her eyes.
"Yes! Yes! I did…and I used the stupid text book, and the broom, and I studied the bloody material you gave me. Thank you for ruining my sleeping hours all the more by the way." She ranted, waving him off dismissively. "Is it possible for me to be on my way?" He chuckled.
"My how thorough of you, I will hold you to that claim. Certainly, Miss Ivy." The butler promised. "…Your sleep hours hm? How much of that is my fault in comparison to your repeated night terrors?" He drawled absently. Ivy looked at him sharply.
"Wait…how-"
"I've told you before that you mildly talk in your sleep. You had been getting louder as of recent. The other night I had to come in a settle you down before you broke something. You were thrashing quite a bit." He stated dourly. The neko covered her face in embarrassment, ashamed to have been so disruptive and for revealing an aspect of herself that she did not wish to share. Her mood became very somber. With a sigh she lowered her hands.
"I apologize for the disturbance." She muttered lamely. His eyes watched her from his peripheral vision.
"Not at all." He spoke up with one of his sunny smiles. "After all, you were quite grateful by the way you held onto me and ran your fingers through my hair. I had to be careful not wake you, lest you jump to unsavory conclusions." That got her back to how he liked her quite effectively. Her eyes widened a little bit more than a fraction. Dear Gods! That had been him? Her subconscious had taken that a ran with it.
"You-…what?" He chuckled and that was it. She groaned and pulled at her hair. "Oh no. No. No no no no no no no no! Damn it!" Her feet stomped a few times. Noting his grin as he turned to face her she pouted. "Can I leave now without any remarks about this? Or is that too much to ask?" Slender arms folded. He just nodded and moved aside expression not changing in the slightest.
Walking past him cautiously she paused…thinking. In the blink of an eye she snatched a chocolate bar and made a mad dash, grinning impishly. "Miss-" The busy demon just cut himself off with a sigh and a shake of his head. He would just have to collect penance for that later. He couldn't help but grin slightly. Cheeky girl. Now then…where would he start?
….
Soma stared in complete shock as Sebastian addressed his master and guests. "I apologize for the wait." He bowed, holding his dish. "Here is a curry featuring soft chicken, boiled with spices and onions. It has been seasoned with coriander and yogurt." The prince held his set of cards in his hands, unable to stop gawking. He swung around in his chair completely.
"You made this?" He gaped. "It's only been two hours." Sebastian sighed sadly at the statement.
"Yes I had to spend a whole two hours working on it. I apologize for making you wait." Who on earth did Ciel Phantomhive have as a butler? This was crazy! He brought back his cool, despite his sweat drop.
"Its fine. Besides…this smell…" He took a whiff of the air. "It is very similar to the smell of Agni's curry." Incredible. He placed his hands down on either side of the plate eyeing the appetizing food set before him. "How did you do it in such a short time?" Now the butler grinned with a devious tone of arrogance playing at his lips.
"It was an easy task." He assured. "I simply tasted all of the spices." The smile on his face was characteristically bright and deceptive. Soma already knew that he had a very dangerous undertone to his personality. In any case Soma's cool was now lost again at this new piece of information. How could it be so in just two hours?
"All of them?" He shouted in shock.
"All of them…?" Even Lau was openly awed by this. There had been so many spices that he had provided the Phantomhive manor with. This butler tasted all of them in under two hours?
"Yes. I tried to combine the spices that would achieve the same smell as Agni's curry from the other morning." He told them, dutiful as ever.
"You could do this just from the smell?"
"My nose is better than an ordinary human's." There was a strange light of mischief in his eyes as he smiled brightly and pointed at his nose. The prince was not entirely sure he knew what he meant by that…but he was even less certain that he wanted to know.
Lau spoke up, ever curious to try this curry dish. "Meh, Prince…When we get to the mountain, there will be a way through." He recited a Chinese proverb. "How about trying to eat it first?" The proposal was reasonable enough. Soma saw no reason to object, even if he was rather skeptical about this whole thing. He sat down slowly.
"Eh…sure…alright." He nodded. "Let's give it a go then." They both examined their meal. It did look very good. Very promising. "The smell is totally different from before. These spices give off a very nice smell." Lau slowly tasted his.
"This is…delicious!" He praised his friend's servant. "The taste of the hand ground spices really stimulates the appetite! Oh and the well prepared chicken is so soft that it just melts in the mouth." Well Lau was impressed, however he was not the one who's seal of approval was needed in this scenario in order to know that they were back in business.
"Prince Soma, what do you think?" Sebastian asked him. The teenaged boy looked quite forlorn.
"Nah, the smell is good but…the flavor is an entire different thing." Shaking his head, he began to feel as though they were running fast and getting nowhere. Maybe they wouldn't beat Agni's curry after all. The tall butler in black, stroked his chin in thought. He was facing a real challenge for the first time in a while.
"Is that so…then I'll try another combination that will give the same smell, but a different flavor." It seemed that Sebastian would not be phased. It was very admirable. The prince felt so utterly useless compared to this servant. He was beginning to really feel the weight of his dependency on others and he hated it. He clenched his fist at his side, looking down.
"It would have been good of me to know Agni cooked his curry…even if just a little." The boy grieved. "I really do know nothing. Even though I really want to help…I just cant! In the end I'll always have to rely on you." His hand rested over his face in shame. "I'm such…" He could not finish his sentence as a firm hand rested on his tense shoulder.
"Please do not blame yourself." Ciel's butler spoke up. "There is something I need, that even you can do." His smile was obliging and full of his own definitive charm. Soma's honey gold eyes were filled with apprehension and curiosity all at once. What could he do to help? He gave a nod of agreement right away. "Wonderful." Soma vaguely wondered if Sebastian were really human sometimes. "Please accompany me to the kitchen then."
…..
There were large sterling silver pots. Almost miles and miles of them, filled to the brim with still steaming curry. Curry of many different types and smells. The teenaged monarch's jaw nearly hit the ground as Sebastian stood beside him with a big smile. Cheerful and pleased with himself for thinking ahead. The servants all stood proudly beside their supervisor. He motioned to all of the selections with an arm. "I have prepared many curries with similar smells but each with different flavors. Please taste them all and select the one which resembles Agni's the best."
"You made all of this!" Soma exclaimed in disbelief. "Alone?"
"Yes." Sparkles dancing around the butler. Ivy shook her head. Despite any preference or aspect of his personality, anything that fed his ego always secretly made him happy. She could see it clearly. Still it was a very thorough job and it all smelled wonderful to her delicate, keen senses. "As the butler of Phantomhive, what would I do if I were not capable of such things?" Oh boy, she couldn't possibly have seen that stupid phrase coming.
"Impressive. Mister Michaelis. I give you props for being prepared." She nodded reluctantly. Soma was looking fairly anxious about this.
"But…I do not think I can eat so much curry on my own." He explained.
"Prince Soma…" The intimidating butler trailed. "Please collaborate with me in order to make a curry similar to that godly curry of Agni's…quickly." His smile was mildly sadistic as he filled a plate with curry from one of the pots. That meant that he was extremely happy to do this.
Soma looked at the dish that was handed to him with a very weary expression already. "Ugh." Taking a deep breath he steeled himself. "Okay. I get it now. If eating this curry will help you out then I will eat all of it. No matter how much!" He clenched his fist in determination. Bard, Maylene, and Finnian raised their spoons in support. Ivy remained as she was with her arms folded. Like hell she was going to eat all of that. Sebastian was just being a sadistic bastard again. He could have very well just made small amounts for the prince to sample but he chose to torment them. Why nobody else thought about this frightened her a bit.
The taste tests proceeded as she watched Soma and the servants devouring the different curries. One by one the butler introduced each dish as a gourmet chef would. They kept eating more and more and getting sicker and sicker. If they didn't eat it all, it would have been a waste of food. Like Ivy cared a lick about that. As things progressed Finni seemed to be a bottomless pit filled with glee. Ivy tilted her head and observed him curiously. Would he ever fill up? Soma continued with a short critique of each plate.
"This taste is too heavy and its too spicy." Next.
"This taste is a bit better but the smell is not that similar." Next. His face was getting more and more strained and glistening with sweat. The neko girl predicted a dreadful outbreak of indigestion in the household pretty soon. They weren't looking so good.
"How come Ivy's not eating?" Bard whined. She raised an eyebrow at him and was about to respond that Sebastian was just taking advantage of them but was stopped.
"Miss Ivy, due to one of the young master's current investigations. Is under obligation to eat moderately since excess food causes an excess of flem. It would be dreadful for her voice for this to happen, especially since I only have a few days to polish her. By the way Miss Ivy. No dairy, or sitting in the same room with Bard and his cigarettes for too long." He stated curtly. Since she was a half breed, the normal diet and routines of a soprano were mostly unnecessary but it would be best if she avoided irritants just in case. Sebastian would not take the risk. She gaped at him. Bard gave a huff. "Butler's pet." He muttered to himself.
"This time it's just not spicy enough….It feels so…" Next. By this time Maylene and Bard were on the floor. Finnian was still perfectly fine, his face covered in food and a huge smile on his face.
"This one is too strong and heavy." His hand covered his mouth like he was about to vomit. "I feel like there is curry stuck in my throat." A head of brown hair fell onto the table as he laid down with a thud, still sweating. It was apparent however, that Ciel's butler was not yet finished with him.
"Now the next curry is ready." He sparkled, unable to see the horrified look on the prince's face from behind his hair. "Cardamom with garlic." The plate was slid in front of his eyes mocking his illness. Then he caught a whiff and he sat up stiffly with a start.
"This!…This curry. It's different from before." Everybody perked up, extremely happy that maybe they could not stop eating now. Sebastian gave him a questioning glance as the young man took a bite. He stared in awe as though he were being transported into some sort of religious experience. They all exchanged glances.
"Perhaps all of the curry is getting to his head." Ivy sat on the counter, crossing her legs.
"Hey you think something to wash it down would help?" Bard inquired. Sebastian simply took the pitcher of tea and poured it with a curious frown. Abruptly, Soma jerked in his seat and looked at Sebastian.
"Ag-!" Blinking in recognition he stopped himself. Silence.
"Prince Soma?" Sebastian called his attention. He shook himself out of it.
"This. This curry is the best replica of Agni's!" He then told them confidently. There was cheering all around. Well that seemed simple enough. Ivy tuned out the many exclamations of praise. Sebastian simply stroked his chin in thought. "But…it's still different." The commotion stopped. "The flavor, smell, and spiciness are both identical to Agni's…but something is still missing. Something is just not right!" Soma was stroking his chin in thought.
"Something?" Sebastian was unimpressed.
"I do not know how to explain it if you asked me. The best I can say is that Agni's curry has a deeper taste…that's it!" He exclaimed suddenly. "Substance! There is not enough substance!" This did not seem to help the butler at all.
"Substance?"
"Uh…Yes!" Great. That was so eloquently specific right? He sported a deep and thoughtful frown, knuckles over his lips in concentration. It seemed to Ivy that the demon was displeased. She slipped soundlessly from the counter. If she was not going to be of any help here then she may as well be working anyway.
"It seems that this is a very had fight." He remarked. Ivy was headed for the door when it opened and she nearly collided with Ciel, backing off with an apology. Lau trailed in behind him as he simply nodded curtly to her.
"How is everything going?" He asked with a smirk. His visible blue eye dancing with amusement at his servant's apparent predicament.
"Young master." Sebastian acknowledged. Ciel strode over to stand beside Finnian and sample a taste of some of the curry with him. "You should not be down here right now." He informed. The boy paid him no mind as usual.
"Three days until the contest. It looks as though you are researching very hard." He grinned. Ivy slipped past Lau and out the door to go complete a few household tasks. Making herself useful often eased her nerves. Ciel did not stay in the kitchen for very long and on his way out he turned about to give his butler a crescent look over his shoulder. "Oh, by the way. For today's dessert I would like to have gateau chocolate. Bring it to me later." Why that little- the demon reminded himself of why he was a butler in the first place before bowing at the waist.
"As you wish…" He closed his eyes serenely. As the dashing butler found himself preparing the young master's desert the servants chattered around him. He only listened absently and perked up when he heard Finnian suddenly declare that he was leaving for the garden and invited the prince to join him. "Everyone." Their attention was called. He turned to them with a dark expression masked by a smile. "The next curry is ready to serve."
"But…I can't take it anymore!"
"Digest it within the next ten minutes then."
….
Night fell and the servants of the Phantomhive manor could not be found writhing in agony on the cold tiles of the kitchen floor. The dark haired servant stood cleaning up the pots with a bewildered expression and a sigh. "No luck?" Ivy's voice called his attention wearily. Doing all of the manor's work by herself had taken it's toll on her. Sebastian gave an annoyed grunt. "Well excuse me, and you say I behave like a diva." She drawled.
"What exactly is there not enough of?" He shook his head. Upon looking at the dishes on the counter she nearly fainted. Her eyes became slightly glassy. Stupid manor. Stupid competition. "From today's experiments I learned how to make the right colors, spiciness, and smells by combining various spices. I also figured out how to use the softness and sweetness of fruits, sourness of yogurt and the mildness of dairy products."
"That much is evident by the mess here." She responded. He absently touched her ears to relieve himself. Creep.
"Even so the 'substance' that the curry of God has is a completely different thing. Hmmm. You're right. This is not a good place to stop for the day…unready for tomorrow." He never liked to be unprepared. His aura seemed very settled and somber to her as he began to wash, still mulling over the situation. "The problem is that this 'substance' must not destroy the complex combination of spices…yet it must lead to a high level of fresh flavor." It was almost obsessive of him but she could hardly blame him. Like her compulsive need to ask questions when she did not understand certain unimportant details.
"Such an ingredient sounds like some sort of super food." She remarked taking the wet dish from his hand to dry it off. It seemed dish washing had become something habitual for them to do at night together. The demon hummed in thought. "Heh. Can't be of any help there Mister Michaelis. The only super food in my book is chocolate. Especially yours." She drawled. "There is just something…special in the way you prepare it. If I didn't know you I'd marry you to have access to it." She laughed at the absurd statement. He stopped short…staring.
"This is…" He trailed off.
Ivy blinked at him. "What?…Hey I was not serious alright? No need to get nervous now." She rolled her eyes. It wasn't that bad. He didn't have to be so dramatic. With a cry she was lifted off of her feet from under her arms and spun around. She was placed down to now stand out of his way.
"Pardon me." Taking one of his clean pots out, he began to cook again. Moving quickly as he took out several chocolate bars. Her eyes followed his movements swiftly. Ah he was brainstorming again. With chocolate? His presence swayed around her benevolently and she felt like she was under water, being carried in a swaying bobbing current. Her natural reaction…was a small smile. He was…happy. Not smug. Happy. She'd never seen him happy before. It was almost endearing. "There is no need to stare so hard Miss Ivy. I know I'm quite easy on the eyes but I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." He teased over his shoulder. Okay…the good feeling was over now.
"Drop dead." She spat with a scowl. He laughed and she just continued to wash the dishes that he wasn't using angrily. The silence was broken eventually when she began to hum the tune of Wagner's "Liebestod" an aria from the opera Tristan and Isolde if the butler was not mistaken. Ah it was almost done. He could smell it…and by the way Miss Ivy continuously looked his way reluctantly here and there he knew she could as well. The devious grin was inevitable as he pulled off one of his gloves.
"It's done." He murmured. Green eyes looked curiously over the young lady's shoulder. He placed the lone plate onto the counter and the pot beside it.
"Do you remember what you did?" She asked, walking over to take a look. "It certainly smells Godly." There was that smile. He held out a piece in front of her with a smile.
"You are the only awake that can taste human food." Despite the statement he was filled with self confidence. "Tell me. Is it good?" There was a hidden edge to his voice as he held out the morsel in his hand. Ivy's hands were still sudsy so she simply let him this once feed her. Just. This. Once. Of course it was more than good. It was like reaching nirvana. Her mouth closed around his thumb and forefinger, effectively cleaning them off with her tongue and she completely missed the way his eyes gave off a brief amber reddish glow.
"Mm." She wiped her mouth. "You are too good at everything. It's not fair. Soma is certainly going to go crazy when he tastes this. Even if he probably does not even wish to look at a curry dish for a long, long time." The neko once again fell into the ordinary obliviousness that she dallied in.
"Indeed." His voice rumbled. "Now then…I believe I promised to get to you today." She gasped in horror.
"Mister Michaelis! Noooooo." She whined. "It is so late!"
"I can understand your concern, however. You only have three days. Two as of now. Come now. Tell me what you know of the most sought after sopranos." He gripped her arm and lead her behind him. He was going to be the death of her.
…..
The curry had been a hit with Soma the next morning. After another apparent trip into the supernatural for the boy, he had announced that Sebastian's curry was sure to be worthy of competing against the 'Curry of God.' The day went on fairly smoothly and normally…until of course…
"Ca va~!" Sebastian could have sworn that he paled significantly and lost some hair just at the sound of that woman's voice. Why was she always doing this? The man-hating, annoying, shrew of a tailor. No doubt currently in search of Maylene. Without being invited in and once again ignoring his demand that merchants always enter the manor through the back entrance. Stepping out from the stair case he intercepted her.
"Ah, Miss Hopkins. You're early. What an unexpected and blood curdling surprise. If you are looking for Miss Maylene, she is currently busy at the moment. What can I do for you?" He faked another smile. She frowned at him.
"Mister Stiff…" She greeted. "How typical of you and your narrow, inartistic, mind to send me measurements and expect me to come up with something inspirational without seeing the beauty of my subject." The woman set down her suit cases of materials. "Now where is she? I must see her, the colors, the styles that I choose must be flattering to her body type and skin tone etcetra, etcetra and so forth! Where is my canvas?" She demanded very bluntly. The demon pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Please Miss Hopkins. There is no need to behave so outrageously. Miss Ivy simply has need of two or three gowns. If you wish to see her-"
"OH MAYLENE! I'VE MISSED YOU!" The blond busty woman grabbed onto the maroon haired maid like a leech, kissing her cheek a bit over zealously. Hearts floated around her head like bumble bees. Sebastian shook his head at her. "Oh dear, Mister Stiff is so stingy, hardly calling for new uniforms. I will have to make new ones for this season." The tailor pushed her glasses back up her nose.
"Maylene. I assume you've seen Miss Ivy about." He called to the extremely nervous and fidgety maid who squirmed in the woman's grasp.
"Y-y-yes!" She nodded furiously. "She is in the attic, looking for something about the f-family history of this place-eek!"
"I see. Well just a moment while I-"
"No. I do not need a moment, I'm here." Ivy came down the stairs with narrowed eyes. "Who is this woman and what the hell does she think she's doing to Maylene?" Nina's eyes lit up upon sight of her newest canvas. "What? Do I have something on my face?" Sebastian cleared his throat, annoyed.
"May I introduce our tailor Miss-"
"Yes! My name is Nina Hopkins! The tailor who indicates the seasons!" She introduced herself dramatically. "I am most happy to say that it is a pleasure to meet you…Ivy was it?" She bounded over to the new maid of the household. Ivy twitched at the informality. Bard could get away with it…but then again he did not grope women against their will or kiss her hand so…she should say flirtatiously but it came out as 'vulgarly'. Her upper lip curled. Her eyes slid to Sebastian as if to say 'I really hate you for bringing this to me you know' as she wiped her hand on her skirt.
"Right…what can we do for you?" She inquired.
"Well…firstly…I must see that lovely hair of yours!" She beamed reaching for her white cap. Ivy jerked back with a loud screech of protest.
"No! Never touch my hair! Never! And if you so much as imagine grabbing on me the way I just saw you grab May, I will break all of your fingers!" Her eyes were wild, as she practically hissed. Nina blinked at her.
"I've tried to tell you Miss Hopkins that all we need are simple gowns. You see Miss Ivy is very…touchy." Sebastian beamed cheerfully. Nina gave a slight pout. It was not as though she did anything inappropriate. This would be a long day.
"No matter!" She brightened. "I have just the ball gown for this beauty! However she will have to try it on once it is finished otherwise there will be nothing I can do." A gloved finger waved at the half neko in warning. Ivy deflated but said nothing, sparing a glance at Sebastian. There would be no way that she could put on one of those dresses on her own. Corsets…she shuddered. He grinned.
"Why certainly."
…..
Ivy hated her life as she stood behind the folding screen of the room divider. Nina had offered her help with the corset, a request which she vehemently responded with a whole hearted 'No thank you!' The other servants were gone. Busy. Oh how she wished she could have Maylene's help, but the clumsy maid would probably end up killing her. Thus she only had one option. "Ugh. Sebastian…"
"Yes?" She could hear the smug amusement in his voice from where he stood and let out a sigh. Rolling her eyes to the heavens as if to say 'Really? Really? Do you hate me that much?' she steeled herself.
"Get your arse back here, and not-one-word. Understand?" Snickers could be heard outside.
"Are you sure?" He drawled.
"Damn it, butler!" She stomped her foot. Nina stood outside, looking taken aback by this ordeal.
"Does she not think it-"
"Look! As of this moment if you do not have black hair, a pointy nose, and a butler's pin you stay the hell away from me! Is that clear? Don't even think about lecturing me on propriety, woman in short-shorts and garters!" Ivy poked her head out from the side with a black scarf tied over her ears. "Please. Let's just get this stupid fitting over with." She sighed drearily, her cheeks pink and warm. Sebastian walked past the tailor with another smug grin.
"Very well…let's have a look then." He stated, disappearing behind the screen. The tailor folded her arms impatiently at this ridiculous situation. She began to absently tap her foot listening to them bicker softly.
"Its this stupid contraption." Ivy whined.
"I can see that, y-*sigh*…..give the corset back, Miss Ivy." He told the girl.
"You want it? Sorry you just don't seem to have the figure for it." She teased stubbornly.
"How witty of you. If you are not going to let me help you, did you just call me back here to stare at your undergarments?" She could be heard squeaking. "They are quite nice but it is very unprofessional would you not agree?"
"It's an entire bodice you idiot and seriously I assumed you of all people would be mature enough to not laugh like a buffoon but apparently I was wrong! Fine! Take the stupid medieval torture device!" Rustling could be heard. Nina just scowled.
"It is difficult not to laugh when you are behaving like a little girl who refuses to take her medicine. Come now it's only a corset."
"Then YOU wear it!"
"I'm afraid you yourself said that it did not flatter my figure. Turn around and brace your hands on the wall." Much better. She could deal with his dry sarcasm much better.
"I-!" His expression left no room for argument obviously. She let out a long sigh. "Please be considerate…" She sounded nervous as she did as he said. "I am after all about to have my internal organs smashed up into my rib cage." Ah, and the demon laughs, placing the loathsome thing around her waist. Of course he would laugh. Sadistic son of a bitch.
"You are being quite dramatic. You sound like the young master." Before she could make an inquiry on that he tugged sharply on the strings making her gasp sharply at the sudden constriction of air. "Might I just say you are much more durable than a human being. Much easier to work with." He remarked. She scowled and the wall in front of her. The butler was going to murder her back here damn it! At another tug she gave a small abrupt whimper.
"It…hurts." She breathed. "Ow!"
"Be careful with her you brute!" Nina scolded from the other side, muttering something about men. Sebastian smirked to himself, eyeing finely sculpted shoulder blades and the graceful curve of her neck.
"I can assure you Miss Hopkins…she is in the most capable of hands." He responded. Ivy gave a low cat growl and he chuckled. "Really Miss Ivy, I doubt there has been a woman that has been killed by a corset alone before." He tsked, lacing up the back nice and tightly. "There now. The worse is over." He backed away from her.
"As a matter of fact- you ignoramus- there have been several woman who passed out and or died because of these stupid hellish ideas for a fashion statement." She responded heatedly. "Many causes. Internal bleeding, air constriction, etc. It's squishing my breasts horribly." She whined the last part angrily. He just grinned, probably thinking the irony of such a death to be amusing.
"I said a corset alone. Most of those ladies were doing something strenuous did you not know? In any case perhaps what they say is right then…pain is beauty." The butler teased, gathering up the skirts of the gown. "Now for all of the rest of this outfit. Do not make that face, Miss Ivy. You will only be wearing it for a moment or so…for now." His features pulled into a smirk. The neko stuck out her tongue. This was officially a day in the ninth circle of hell.
She snatched the blue and white fabric from his arms and squirmed into it, being fully dressed was such a relief. Even if the dress was so unnecessarily weighty. It meant little to somebody with her strength but it made her think of the excessiveness of humans. She looked down at it, while Sebastian diligently laced the strings on the back up. "Why the hell is the bust line so low! I look like a street walker!" She protested. Once again he was laughing. "I'm not leaving this screen like this." This girl claimed to not behave like a diva?
"It looks fine. Just allow Miss Hopkins to take a look at it." He cajoled. Another growl. With a sigh the handsome butler simply swept her up into his grasp. After all he had a schedule. She screeched indignantly. Before he knew it he was stepping out and taking an entire curtain out behind them in the process. Ivy wrapping herself up in it. Shaking his head at her, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "That will be an annoyance to repair."
"Ah~! Let me see, let me see!" The blond tailor was excited to see how her creation came out and paid little mind to the curtain she had wrapped herself in stubbornly, making quick work of it by tugging at it with surprising strength and sending the girl spinning out like a whirlwind. The blur of black and blue collided with the butler's chest, reminded that he was very much male as his arms reflexively caught her. She turned beet red looking up at him. Big mistake upon noting the smirk which he wore.
"Ah…you're right…the bust line is a tad too low." Ivy shoved herself away with a yelp.
"Eep! Stop ogling, you pig!" She hugged her chest defensively. Nina paced around her critically tapping her lower lip with her forefinger. She was overjoyed at how it came out.
"It's beautiful! So many ideas! Pastels! I need more pastels for the other dresses! I will fix the bust line for you without a problem!" She was starry eyed. "The next gowns! Yes!" She was in a fervor. This was going to be one long afternoon. Ivy frowned at Sebastian with a groan.
Author's Note: I had originally planned on finishing the curry arc…but there were so many things I was missing for my own plans Dx. I need to keep the timeline up. Hopefully I'm not missing any errors. Just so anxious to get the chapter up. It took soo long after all. *~*. Please tell me what you think. Leave reviews. I hope you liked it and I shall try to get to the action dag flab it.