Chapter 21: A Birthday Gift for Ciel

Hello my lovelies! It's so good to be back and see two spankin' new reviews waiting for me. ^.^ Anyways, here is where the magic happens.

LynnStark: Welcome back my lovely! It's so good to hear from you again! :D I find that I agree with you on the subject of Pluto. I didn't even see him giving advice until I finished writing the conversation between Pluto and Ariel.

fandomenforcer: Hello to you new lovely! I agree with your words too. This is kind of how I came up with the conversation between Ariel and Pluto. I have my own dog and I find that when I talk to her about my problems and she looks at me, I think I see the answers in her cute brown eyes. As for in Ariel's case, Pluto literally told her the solution.

Now for the quote.

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."

-Oprah Winfrey

So,there goes the annual chapter quote. Besides this, I don't really have anything to say besides I'm heading back to college on the 27th so around that time I maybe unable to get anything down for more chapters. However, I will try my hardest to get more chapters up in the meantime. So, without further ado, here is the next chapter of An Earthbound Angel!

o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o

Later that day, true to her word, Miss. Nina came and took both Ciel's and Malphas's measurements for their costumes. Soon after that Lizzie went home for the day but came back the next day and the ones after that to help Ciel with paper work or to help him relax while doing it. Just seeing those two working together brought a warmth to my heart at the sight. They really were meant for each other. The days seemed to pass in a sort of schedule until it was December 12th, two days before Ciel's brithday. I had already gotten Ciel his gift, a game called Ta-Ka-Radi, but Lizzie had yet to get him one. So, due to this occurance, only Ciel, Malphas, and I went to the Frost Fair by ourselves.

"I see. 'Frost fair' is an appropriate name," Malphas commented while we watched people ice skate on the frozen Thames river as well as play bowling along with all the stalls.

"I'm told this is the first frost fair on this scale to be held on the frozen Thames as the foot of London Bridge since the year 1814," Ciel commented, bundled up under layers of clothes. I on the other hand wore a semi-thick white dress with fur around my shoulders, leaving the tops bare, that went to a skin tight bodice down to my hips where the outer skirt had slits to show the ruffled white underskirt and white sleeves that went down to my wrists with a sort of glove like cover only covering the tops of my hands to my middle fingers. As for my hair, it was gathered in a high ponytail with the hair being held by a strip of white fur and my makeup consisted of only a light dusting of silver powder in my eyelids. On my feet I wore ankle high boots and a spritz of snowberry water on my person. Considering I am an angel of animals, you are probably wondering why I am wearing fur. Allow me to explain. When I was looking for some warm clothes to wear in the snow, I completely avoided the fur laden dresses in my closet. Before hand I had pleaded with my brother to see if I couldn't have faux fur instead but he had scoffed at the idea of me wearing such things. In retalition I had told him that I would not wear dead animals like that and would wear my fall dresses instead. Malphas did not like that one bit. After that discussion with Ciel, he had followed me to my room to tell me that if I did not wear the winter dresses, he would personally strip me and dress me himself. His reasonings had been that he did not want me to get sick. So to avoid that possible scenario, I simply dressed in one of the dresses much to my dismay. Well, that looks to be all of it so on with the story. While the three of us walked through the Frost Fair, Ciel only glanced at select few stalls while I skipped beside him and made sure to look at every single stall we came across. However, there was one stall that had both of our attention plus Malphas's who was shouting about prices so low that they'd blow away Jack Frost. This instantly caught my attention and I drifted close to see what resembled one of the Funtom Arks of which only three were made. But because of the fire at the mansion, there are no more in existence. Which means that this was not one of them, no matter what the seller says. Although I couldn't help but remember how Lizzie, Ciel, and I would play with one when we were younger. How I miss those days, I sighed to myself in my head.

"Noah's Ark," spoke up Malphas after hearing Ciel talk about the Funtom Arks. "It's like this nation itself." This managed to confuse both Ciel and myself.

"What?" questioned Ciel for the both of us.

"A boat led by a single herder," he began referring to the Queen. "The only ones saved are a select few." I guess this would be a reference to the nobles, I think. "It's an arrogant way of thinking." I guess it could be seen as arrogant, I suppose.

"You're," Ciel said, looking at someone behind us. I turned to see none other than Fred Abberline from Scottland Yard. "If a Scotland Yard inspector has time to frivol about here, I suppose there must be peace in London...for today." Fred's mouth opened to talk but the words died on his tongue when he saw me.

"Aren't you cold?" he asked me in slight concern. A small smile appeared on my face at his concern for me while the cold nipped at cheeks. I could imagine how I looked in his eyes, long white hair blowing in the wind, creamy ivory skin with pink rosy cheeks from the cold, dark blue eyes wide and vibrant from the wind, and the white dress that I wore. I probably looke like the angel I was dressed like this. Fred's eyes widened at me to which Malphas growled at through our link.

Oh hush Malphas.

"No, I'm not," I assured him softly. "But thank you for your concern."

"It was nothing," he replied before he remembered what Ciel had said. "I'm not frivolling! I'm on duty!"

"Oh my," Ciel commented. "Well then Inspector, earn your wages in faithful service to Queen and country." Ciel then turned to leave so I made to follow him when Fred called out for us to wait and reached out to me. Before his hand could even think about touching my bare shoulder, Malphas slapped his hand away.

"Pardon me, but can you please refrain from touching my Young Mistress so familiarly," Malphas offered as an excuse.

"Forgive me," Fred offered sheepishly. "I just had some questions to ask you. Would you two care to come with me to this tea shop where we can warm up and talk?" A nod was given from Ciel so Fred then led the both of us to a Chinese influenced stall. I wonder if Lau owns this, I wondered as I sipped some warm tea and nibbled on a cookie that I had ordered. While eating it, I couldn't help but yearn for Pheobus's bone cookies. Sigh.

"Well, what's a detective from the Yard doing here Inspector Abberline?" Ciel asked, getting straight to the point.

"This morning a man's corpse was discovered underneath the ice. He was a member of a certain criminal organization. We're looking for his killer and the ring he stole. There's a blue diamond set in the ring that's supposedly worth two thousand quid." Like the Phantomhive family ring, I couldn't help but think.

"The diamond," came a new voice which caused everyone to turn to see none other than Lau. "The gemstone that gleams in eternal radiance. Legend has it that those bewitched by its sparkle are compelled to pursue it even when they know only destruction awaits."

"Why do you know about the Hope peice?" Fred demanded quickly as he rose from his chair. This had an exasperated smile appearing on my face. Lau was probably only pulling the poor Inspector's leg rather than actually knowing about said Hope peice.

"The Hope peice," Ciel echoed, at once interested in the topic of conversation.

"Hmm. What's this? There really is such a jewel?" Lau questioned in hsi carefree tone with his arms around Ran Mau. See. "Oh my..."

"What?! But you said- "

"He was just blathering," Ciel told him. "Don't give him any attention. Nevermind that, Lau, what are you doing here?"

"I own this place." Another point to me.

"I see," was Ciel's only response.

"Say, this 'Hope' thing sounds really interesting my lord," Lau remarked as he sat down in a chair with Ran Mau on his lap. It was things like this that made you wonder if those two were romatically involved or if they were just family. "Will you tell me more?"

"You've never heard of the blue diamond we call the Hope because it was a part of Henry Philip Hope's collection?"

"Nope." Because I already knew about the history of the ring, I retreated into my mind and began to think of ways I could get Malphas to agree sharing me with Pheobus. He can be a very stubburn demon. The rising of everyone around me brought me back to reality to see that we were leaving Lau's shop. Because I didn't have a coat or any other acessories that I took off, I was the first outside where I could hear a kind of creepy wind box version of "London Bridge is Falling Down". Where on Earth is that coming from? I looked this way and that frantically, trying to find the source because all I could feel of of the tune is darkness and despair. It also gave off an aura that seemed familiar but I couldn't quite place who it belonged to.

"Ariel, are you alright?" Ciel called out to me when he saw my frantic eyes searching around me. I used that as an opportunity to let the incident slip from my mind and focus back of the group.

"I'm fine Ciel. Now, where are we going?"

I couldn't help but give a squeal of joy when I saw Pheobus's stand among the vast others around us. Everyone, save Lau and Malphas, looked dismayed at its appearance while I lauched myself inside.

"Ariel!" Ciel scolded after me. I didn't have to go far to find Pheobus because he was waiting in the center of the stand with his arms open wide so that I could hug myself to his chest and he could wrap his arms around me.

I missed you, I sent him as I sighed contently.

As I have missed you, he retuned as he nuzzled his nose into the crook of my neck where it met my shoulder. A pleased noise left him when he was met with bare skin. A giggle left me after I heard it. When we both heard the sound of someone entering the shop, Pheobus turned me around in his arms so that they rested on either side of my head and ended at my stomach. I guess this kind of resembles how Lau and Ran Mau looked earlier.

"Hello," Fred greeted Pheobus after he had tripped into the shop, causing both Pheobus to snicker and me to giggle. "I am Fred Abberline of Scotland Yard and I was wondering if a corpse you had recieved had a ring on its finger."

"Weellll," Pheobus drawled. "I can't just give out the information. You have to pay me first." At this Fred's face turned a nice puce color and anger and indignation rolled off of him in waves that had the both of us laughing a little bit harder. It was so hilarious to see they way his face changed color and how his nostirls flared in his anger.

"How dare you," he gasped in equal parts anger and shock. "You are an Englishman! Surely you'd give information to help the Queen and your country." Because I knew about Pheobus's dislike of Queen Victoria, it was laughable to think he would do anything for her. This caused the both of us to bust out laughing so hard Pheobus fell back onto a coffin with me on top of him laughing because he was. This was what Ciel, Malphas, and Lau walked into moments later. Malphas glared at how Pheobus and I were situated, Ciel had a frown but said nothing, and Lau looked like it was common place. Fred on the other hand looked at us like we were doing something scandalous. Well, I guess in his eyes we were. Slowly the both of us caught our breath and Pheobus pulled the both of us to our feet. I still hadn't caught my breath so Pheobus held me like I was a doll while he talked with Fred.

"You're amazing! I tell you, you're in the wrong business. You could rule the world of comedy!"

"What did you do?!" Ciel asked as he turned to Fred.

"I-I was just conversing normally," Fred objected. "But out of nowhere they..." To prove his point both Pheobus and I let out a titter that had Ciel looking at us in exasperation while Malphas's glare went from Pheobus to Fred. He seemed to debate on who he should rest his glare on but he ended up resting it on Fred.

"Abberline, you're a man to be feared," Ciel commented only to look at Malphas who was glaring at Fred.

"It appears you are very skilled, Inspector," Malphas ground out.

"I, I didn't," Fred tried to say but his words died in his throat when he saw the heat within his gaze. Wow, Malphas is really competative.

"Tell me about the ring, Undertaker!" Ciel demanded, slamming his hands on a coffin in front of us. I could feel him lift an eyebrow at Ciel's demand from under his silver hair covering the top part of his face. "We were told a frozen corpse you took care of this morning had it."

"It might be buried around where the body was found," Fred offered heatedly. "As an upstanding citizen of London, I call on you to cooperate with us." Another giggle escaped the both of us as Pheobus turned us to face him.

"I'm profoundly impressed, Inspector," Pheobus remarked. "I'll tell you all about it. The ring is...," In a matter of minutes our whole group stood in front of an ice sculpture of a lady who wore the ring we were looking for. "Right there, see?" Instead of holding me like a doll, Pheobus set me back on my feet and put his arms around me again like he had at his stall. Fred was the only one to freak out.

"It looks like the artisan happened to find the frozen ring and designed a sculture to compliment it," Lau commented.

"Collect it! Right now!" Fred ordered two other Scotland Yard members who gave a "Yes sir!" before they ran up to the sculpture.

"What are you doing you fiend!" shouted a new voice to the side of our group. We all turned to see a group of five people that included the Viscount Druitt that had me recoiling into Pheobus. After the Jack the Ripper case, I had hoped that I would never have to see that man again. He creeps me out way too much. Though this is coming from a girl who thinks Pheobus being creepy is cute, but I digress.

What's the matter Ariel? Pheobus asked me while the Viscount was spouting off his usual spheal in his unique, disturbing way. All I could do was show Pheobus what had happened during my so called 'undercover' mission and he was glaring at the man across from us. If I was him, I would feel scared seeing as though he was getting glares from both Malphas and Pheobus. From the commotion around me, I could gather that our dear Lord Druitt got himself out of jail. Fred then went on to plead for the ring in the name of Scotland Yard, but the head person refused.

"Beauty is something to be admired," Viscount Druitt flourished with his white rose just as his eyes fell upon me. Oh no. Please no. "Like this little swan right here." He then strode over towards me with graceful glides that had Pheobus tensing around me, Malphas to growl through our mental link, and for Ciel to scowl at the man. I could feel muself start to shake in fear of him while I leaned farther back into Pheobus. Please let him go away. The head guy of the group then brought the Viscount's attention off of me and back to the sculpture while talking of a ice sculpture contest. Oh thank the heavens. At my relaxed posture against his frame, Pheobus lossened up as well but kept his arms around me. I had a feeling that he wasn't going to let me go until I left for home. While we stood there and Ciel talked over the contest, I pulled bits of Pheobus's hair in front of me so that I could braid and unbraid it. All I got from the conversation happening around me was that the ring was connected to a series of kidnappings of young girls and that Ciel was having Malphas enter the contest.

"Do you want to go look at some of the stalls?" I asked Pheobus, looking up at him with his hair in my hands.

"I would love to Ariel," he replied happily, turning us around towards the stalls.

"Ariel!" Ciel called after me. "Don't just run off!"

"I'm not!" I answered. "Undertaker and I are going to go look at the stalls. I'll be fine." I could hear a faint grumble from my brother that had the both Pheobus and I chuckling as we walked through the festival.

"Let's get some hot cocoa," I suggested excitedly, bouncing in Pheobus's hold.

"Alright, alright love," he chuckled while steering us towards the stall that sold the warm drink. "What kind do you want?"

"Peppermint." He ordered two peppermint hot chocolates for the both of us then led us over to a bench where we could watch adults and children alike play bowling.

Hey Pheobus.

Yes, love?

Do you keep in contact with other grim reapers?

Only a select few.

Oh. Could you tell me about some of them.

Well, there is Grell, whom you have already met.

Yeah, but I wish I knew the real him over the act he gave as Auntie Anne's butler?

Are you sure? He's taken quite a liking to Mr. Butler.

Really? Show me. Just like that the night of Auntie Anne's death appeared before me except through Pheobus's eyes and I could see the flamboyant way Grell flirted with Malphas. I made the mistake of trying to sip some of my drink right then because as soon as I saw it I choked on my drink in an attempt to laugh at what was shown to me. Pheobus gently patted my back to help as he laughed at my antics.

D-Do you keep in touch with him?

No. I keep in touch with his so called partner.

So called?

His name is William T. Spears and I'll show you. Again I was taken back to that night to see a well dressed brown haired man in a sharp suit with business like glasses and pruning shears as a death scythe. I also saw the way Grell had reacted when William had shown up, like he was seeing the center of his world. I did however see how rough William was to Grell. It was like William was unhappy with Grell for some other reason besides him killing people not on the to-die list. This had me thinking.

Are Grell and William mates?

Yes, they are but William is denying the bond because they are both men.

Why? There's nothing wrong with that. William should be overjoyed that he has a mate who is immortal like him.

We can technically die, but yes we do live for a long time. But I do agree with you Ariel. The more William denies the bond, the more it's going to hurt them both. A sigh of agreement left me as I thought about how I was, in a way, denying the bond I had with Malphas. Once we finished our hot chocolate, we looked around at more stalls before Pheobus bought me some bread pudding that was being sold.

At three o'clock, Big Ben rang out that signaled the beginning of the judging for the ice sculpting contest. Upon my request, Pheobus took me back to the stage where the contestants stood at attention.

"First, we have Scotland Yard and Its Merry Men," announced the appointed host of the event. "With 'The Guardian of London'." I turned to the group of Scotland Yard members saluting a sculpture of Lord Arthur Randall. Wow, talk about dedication. The scores for this was one from the first judge, two from the second, one from the third, one from the fourth, and a zero from Viscount Druitt which resulted in an overall score of five.

"Next we have an entry from team All China Dresses Should Be Minis." I looked up to see two men holding up two banners that covered a sculpture of a nude Ran Mao. A blush sprang up on my cheeks at the sight while Pheobus shook his head. "But I'm afraid for various reasons I'm disqualifying it." Thank goodness. Why would Lau make a sculpture like that?

"Why?" questioned Lau from beside my brother.

"How could you think it was alright to exhibit that here?!" Ciel demanded harshly.

"I think hiding the bits like that makes it even more erotic," Lau remarked. This caused my blush to darken while I buried myself back into Pheobus. I had no words for Lau. Every single one of the judges had an x on their card except for Lord Druitt. Pervert, I commented in my head while a shiver of disgust rolled down my spine.

"And next from the Queen's Puppy," I couldn't help but giggle at the name Malphas gave Ciel's entry. "Noah's Ark!" As soon as I saw the sculpture, my mouth dropped open in awe of the grand ark that sat before me. I knew Malphas was good at things, but I didn't know he was this good. Just as I was getting over my shock, Malphas snapped his fingers that had the roof of the ark burst open to show the combined sculpture of many animals. Oh...my...goodness. This is remarkable. All of the judges gave high praise for Malphas's work. When Lord Druitt began his rant, I tuned him out and began to play with Pheobus's hair again.

"Alright! Let's have the scores!"

"Hold it right there!" interrupted a man who stood by the prize sculpture for the contest. "Sorry, but this ring belongs to us. We're taking it back."

"What?!" Fred exclaimed in shock. "Don't tell me you're -,"

"That's right," confirmed the man with the gun. So this must be the certain criminal organization that Fred was talking about earlier. "We're the team of bomber theives that all of London is talking about." He then pulled his jacket so that we could see the dynamite strapped around his middle and two other people knocked over a barrel that held more explosives.

"I'll count down from ten," he announced to the people on the ice. "If you don't want to die, get the hell out of here. Ten!" This cued everyone to start running away except for Ciel, Malphas, Pheobus, and I. I knew we would all be alright. Ciel repeated his order to Malphas while I calmly kept playing with Pheobus's hair. I had complete faith in Pheobus and that he would pull the both of us out of the way of danger before we got hurt.

"My order remains the same," Ciel told Malphas in a calm voice.

"What are you waiting for?!" Fred demanded when he saw that Ciel and I weren't running away. "Run away!"

"You can run if you want to," Ciel dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Forget about us."

"We'll be fine," I assured him, playing with another lock of Pheobus's hair.

"I can't do that!" Fred insisted which shocked Ciel but made me smile sadly. "I joined the police to protect the citizens! To protect everyone!" This made Pheobus chuckle while I gave a small sigh. It was admirable to want to save everyone, but I knew that not everyone can be saved.

"Fool," scoffed Ciel with a smirk as Fred ran towards him.

"Stay away," warned the criminal with the gun after he shot at Fred's feet. The gun was then aimed back at Ciel and I. "Only three left. You sure you don't want to run?"

"There is no need," Ciel answered for the both of us.

Pheobus, could you jump us to the ark sculpture?

Of course.

The exchange between Ciel and the criminals escaped us as Pheobus launched us through the air until we landed safely on the ark. Once we were situated, we turned to see Malphas tear through the group of criminals on a pair of ice skates. Very resourceful, I thought as I saw Malphas get a perfect score due to his skating abilities.

"Mr. Butler sure likes to show off," Pheobus commented while he hugged me closer to his form. We calmly watched the scene as Malphas grabbed Ciel so that the both of them made an ice skating duo. Both Pheobus and I laughed at the sight before us while Malphas skated out of the way of the dynamite sticks that were thrown at them. It seemed the leader forgot that he was standing on ice so he threw them in a circle around him so that the ice he was standing on grew weak. Then came Malphas swinging Ciel in a circle while he skated before he let Ciel fly towards us on the ark sculpture. A yell escaped Ciel as he sailed through the air and I jumped up so that I could catch my brother before he hurt himself. During the collapse of the whole frozen layer of the fair, Malphas joined our little group on the ark.

"Your methods were very violent," Ciel commented to Malphas in irritation.

"I apologize, my lord," Malphas remarked with a neutral smile. "When baggage drags you down, it's best to toss it." This only served to make Ciel irritated.

"The Hope peice will sleep at the bottom of the Thames," Ciel commented while looking down at the water. "I suppose that end has its own charms."

"London be cursed," Malphas questioned.

"If that's all it takes to destroy this city or nation, they were never meant to survive," was all Ciel said. Malphas and Ciel continued to have their talk, which resulted in calling Fred arrogant, while I continued to play with Pheobus's hair. This kept a peaceful aura around me until I heard "London Bridge" again which had the hair on the back of my neck. What is going on? Why am I so scared if the tune? Pheobus seemed to pick up on my fear so he tightened his hold on me to calm me down.

Are you alright Ariel?

Yeah, I'm fine Pheobus. I just heard something weird. With that response he seemed satisfied so he rested his chin atop my head. Well, today was pretty eventful. Then when is any day not eventful in the day of the Phantomhives.

o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o

'Ello my lovelies. I already have the next chapter almost all the way mapped out so I will be starting on it as soon as I finish posting this chapter. As always if you have any questions or have any comments or concerns, please leave a review. Remember, reviews are magic!

-White Wolf