In The Morning
Fog glided over the grounds of the Vamphina manor. It was eight in the morning, and the young mistress was still fast asleep. It had been a loud night, but Selima had managed as easily as she usually had. She squeezed into her corset, pulled up her stockings and laced up her heels, while slipping into a rubicund and charcoal dress, matched with dangly ruby earrings; tonight was a special occasion, after all. Sebastian and Ciel had a meeting with a man that meant to talk business, and Ciel had finally agreed to let the young mistress host the occasion. There was only one problem though…
"Jesus Christ Selima this place looks like a bloody crack house."
"Maybe it's because we left it to your mother's care in our absence. And may I comment on the irony of your use of the Lords name in vain?"
"No, just clean this mess up."
"Yes, my lady." So Selima began her work as any butler did, early, before anyone else. "And what color scheme would you prefer the mansion to be?"
"I don't care as long as this place looks presentable." Spat Alette, choosing a pain au chocolat for her breakfast, and a cut up apple freshly picked from the gardens blossoming trees, which were overflowing with fruit due to no one picking them. The fecundity of the gardens was really a sight to see. "We really shouldn't leave this place that often." Comments Alette, chewing the savory bread with care.
"Indeed." Selima bows, and begins to start her work. After she has serves her master Jasmine Phoenix Pearls tea, and has assured her master is comfortable in bed, she begins her work in repairing the manor. She was sure to watch the time as to avoid upsetting her master's schedule, keeping it consistent and comfortable was part of a butler's job after all. But before she could start, she walked into the kitchen and brewed herself a cup of coffee. Demons did not eat or drink besides souls but this was Selima's guilty pleasure, besides snakes. After mixing in a bit of sugar and cream, she sips the hot drink and prepares to get to work. She peels off the midnight blue wallpaper, that was already starting to rot and peel anyways. She ripped up the once white carpet, now graying with various spills and age. There were holes in the walls she spackled shut, animals she had to remove, walls to repaper, so much to do and so little time, but that was the butler aesthetic. She colored the walls a violet shade, nailed down hardwood floor, then polished it. She burnished the chandelier, clearing it of all cobwebs. Laying out a crisp white table cloth, and arranging a bouquet of lavender and dark crimson roses. Everything was perfection.
As she tightened the corset on her master, she ran through the schedule.
"You have a literature lesson with me today, but that is all we'll have time for, Master Phantomhive and Sebastian will be arriving early at approximately 3 o clock." She informed, all while Alette was grunting in reply, slipping on her stockings "Then at six o'clock you'll be dining with Mr. Cedric Brandel of the Brandel Tea company. And Mr. Lau will of course be checking in with you as well."
"Brandel Tea? Sounds familiar."
"They're planning a tea salon, you looked over the paperwork last night. They'd like us to design the interior of their shop and the tea cups." Alette paused to think for a moment, while Selima laced up her dress.
"It's not as if I have a choice, I can't refuse one of Mr. Lau's acquaintances. We'll remind them of what true Vamphina cordiality is!"
"Yes, my lady."
"Must I really go through such tedious lessons today? I've analyzed the Raven several times already."
"You've yet to reach a deep understanding of it, so you will continue at it until you do. If you wish, we may switch to the Pit and the Pendulum."
In The Afternoon
After analyzing the hypophoras used in The Pit and The Pendulum and writing a forty-minute essay on such, Alette was craving.
"I'm sick of this drab work. I want something sweet."
"You're just like Master Ciel, you know this will spoil your dinner. I'll make you some hot chocolate with some marshmallows mixed in." caves Selima Alette smiles; it was a drink Selima always made her in the winter as a kid. Selima departs, leaving her master to prepare and read over the proposal with leisure.
"Time to prepare." She breathed. "First the dish selection must be precise; we'll use a cobalt rimmed variety to match the design on the tea cups and to complement the wallpaper." She announced, while polishing the silverware until it gleams. She was just about to move to the next task when the doorbell rang. She blushes, knowing the Vamphina Manor was not near as immaculate as the Phantomhive manor usually is, but nevertheless she opened the door to the Earl Phantomhive.
"Is the Countess Vamphina in?" He asked, already knowing the answer, she had been the one to invite them over.
"Yes, my lord. You know, you are permitted to call her by her first name." He grunts in reply. "You may come in." She invites. The Earl steps inside, wiping his feet on the door mat.
"I notice you have some vermin in your garden. Per chance you'd like some help disposing of them?"
"Yes, I would thank you." She leers. Meanwhile, Ciel stumbles throughout the mansion, lost.
"Damn..." he whispers, trying another door, instead, he finds two low voices.
"Mother you can't be serious."
"It was your father's work; would you expect him to disobey the queen?"
"No, but it was— "
"I know who it was, but he organized the arson nevertheless." Her mother was slurring, and he could hear her take a swig of a deep amber liquid.
"Mother, for tonight I'd like it if tonight you were to stay hidden."
"Why? Do I embarrass you?"
"You embarrass the Vamphina name, mother." Ciel could hear her stand up shakily and advance. He burst into the room, and threw Alette behind him, and braced for impact. It never came. He looked up and saw Selima, firmly grasping her mother's hand. Lenora Vamphina was showing all signs of an addict. From shaky hands to alcohol stained breath, she was the epiphany of a woman with a problem.
"Keep your filthy hands off my young mistress, Madame." She sweetly hissed.
"Young master, you seemed to have gotten lost, this is Mrs. Vamphinas bedroom. Come, I'll show you to the office of Alette Vamphina." Cooed the comforting voice of Sebastian. Alette shakes a little but holds onto her resolution. She'd forgotten, never again would she be hit. She followed Ciel and Sebastian into her office. Sebastian clears away the empty cup of hot chocolate and saunters down to the kitchen. Selima has begun to prepare the soup, gathering 60 g unsalted butter, 4–5 onions, finely sliced 50 g plain flour ,2 liters' water, 200 ml white wine, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, 100 g gruyère, ½ cut into cubes and ½ grated, and 1 baguette, all gathered from the French Market the day before, all fresh. She melts the butter in a pain and adds the onion, sautéing.
Sebastian walks in, places the dishes in the sink, and takes a moment to stare as her hips rock back and forth. He slides an arm around her waist, and presses his lips into her neck.
"You look lovely tonight." He breathes into her ear. She gasps as he drags his tongue along her neck, leaving a warm tingly sensation. He holds her tight, all while she continues to sauté. He kisses her neck, grinding against her. The friction was amazing for both of them. She turns around and nips his ear, nibbling while he groans. Their lips crash onto one another, kissing with a feverish need. This time its Selima who slips her tongue into his mouth, catching him off guard. She wrestles with him for dominance, her hands still moving in the pan. He slides his hands down her back, ready to test his boundaries, when the bell from the study rings. They both groan.
Selima walks up to the office, her mind still in the kitchen. She can't hide the snip of her voice when she reaches the two young masters.
"Hmm, my lady?" she asks. Ciel is on the floor with a bright red mark on his face and Alette is on the desk swatting.
"There's a fly." She elaborates. It is quite the sight to see, and if it was anyone but Selima, they probably would have asked. Instead, she pinpoints the source of the disturbance, and squishes it with ease.
"So I've gotten past first base." She returns to the kitchen, the appetizer already finished. Sebastian sets the table while she prepares the Pot-au-feu. Everything is going fine until the bell rings again.
"Yes, my young mistress?" She sighs, exhausted.
"There's a spot on the window." Alette points out. Selma exhales again, and pulls a handkerchief out of her dress, and rubs the window clean.
"I won't commit a blunder so grave again." She vows ardently.
"Good. It is not worthy of a Vamphina servant." she leaves, and finishes cooking soon. Sebastian walks in, with a handful of white roses, finely clipped from the garden. He gives them to Selima, who blushes and smiles, thanking him graciously.
"I took the liberty of picking all the fruit in the garden." He informs her.
"You didn't have to; I could have done it."
"But now you'll have more time for this." He wraps an arm around her waist and kisses her lightly at first, but then she deepens the kiss, draping her arms around his neck. The roses in the center of the table evoke a family pride and winter. The napkins are even folded in the shape of roses, courtesy of Sebastian.
At Night
Alette walked down, wearing her finest violet dress to show off the Vamphina pride. The butlers, Lau and Ran-Mao, Ciel and their guest waited as she entered.
"Thank you for coming today. I am the Countess, Alette Vamphina."
"And I am Cedric Brandel, pleased to make your acquaintance. I never imagined you'd both be so young." A small vein pounds in Alette's temple. She was not young, she was three years Ciel's senior and old enough to marry in some cultures.
"I told you no need to get worked up, they're so small and cute!" gushes Lau. Both of them contain their tempers as Alette changes the subject.
"I've had dinner prepared for us. Shall we?" She gestures to Selima who takes it away, leading them toward the beautifully prepared table in the dining hall. Selima pops the cork on a bottle of cabernet franc[1] and begins pouring it in a tower, each glass filling and trickling down to the next.
"Oh, how lovely."
"I thought simply setting out drinks would be a bore." Recognized Alette, eyes on her guests, continuing walking.
"Alette look out!" Warned Ciel. And then the glasses were crashing around her; except they weren't. Sebastian and Selima jumped into action, scooping up the fallen glasses and caught the plummeting crimson liquid with ease. They set down each glass with lightning speed, and soon were done. Selima caught Alette with ease.
"What just happened?" stuttered Cedric.
"A stumble on my lady's part, she can be a tad bit clumsy. Please have a seat, I'll bring you some wine." Ciel and Alette frowned as Selima served them grape juice, that could have passed for champagne but boy, did it make them feel like a child.
"Goodness, you two could be acrobats!" observes Lau.
"Really?" asks Selima, taken aback, she'd never considered doing anything but being a butler.
"You're joking." Finished Sebastian. "We're merely"
"One hell of a couple." Finished Selima.
"My lady, your home is simply splendid."
"Thank you!" She sighs of relief, aware of how dismal it had been just hours before.
"This makes for dull dinner conversation." Notes Ciel. "Let's get down to business."
"Well." He starts. "I'd like my new company to market to children for profitability. And I'd like the Indicum company to design my tea sets and interior. Both of your companies are nationwide, admired by all. I'd like to work with you both."
"Children are always undersold. They're keener than adults realize."
"Seeing you both makes me more convinced of it. It must be the secret to your company's successes."
"Are you implying that we only succeed because we're children?" inquires Ciel, a tad bit irritated with the implication.
"N-no not at all!" he stammers.
"I'm only joking." Laughs Ciel, Cedric laughs nervously
"You're a wicked one, my lord." He chuckles, the worried man excuses himself to the bathroom.
"My lady, you do know that-."
"Yes, I can smell a rat from far away."
"He's playing us for fools." Spat Ciel
"He'll be eradicated soon enough" reminds Alette. Sebastian opens the door to warn them of their guests return.
"Oh? Where is Mr. Lau?"
"He excused himself, something about business he had to attend to."
"As usual, he has no consideration." Muttered Ciel
"We have a sweet to suggest for your tea salon."
"And the plate design can be used for it as well." Added Alette.
"Now I'm curious." He replies, watching the clock tentatively.
"Here you are." Serves Sebastian, placing the good in front of the smirking Cedric.
"A galette des rois." Chirped Selima.
"It's conventional, but we've done it up with a thick crème de marron to go with your flavored tea." Explained Sebastian.
"In our tradition one piece contains a doll called la feve and whoever receives that along with the crown, will get God's blessing." Alette stifles a laugh. She'd thrown away God's blessing long ago.
"Just the thing for us children, right Alette?"
"Yes, indeed."
"Brats sure think up things no adult would." Mumbled Cedric
"What was that?" asks a bitter Alette.
"Queen's scorpion or not you're just a stupid little twat following the Queens Guard dog around! The two things I hate are cocky brats and bets that don't make money! Drop dead, scorpion!" He dove under the table, fiercely willing the sound of gunshots to fill his ear. He almost believed this delusion for a second, but there was one thing he hadn't counted on…
"Did you drop something Mr. Brandel?"
"I think I of all people can tell when someone's had too much to drink." Giggled Alette.
"Try some of this, and no more alcohol for you." Calmed Ciel
"Yes, my lord." A drop of sweat ran down his forehead Why? Why are my men not shooting? He contemplated while taking a wobbly bite of the dessert.
"Congratulations, it seems, you've won la fève!" announced Sebastian, as the man chokes on and spits out a bullet.
"You friends left this behind." Whispers Sebastian, on one side of him.
"We'd thought we 'd be polite and return it." Finishes Selima on the other side as she topped off his tea. "They arrived a while before you. I've already given them the proper Vamphina hospitality. They think back and show Selima and Sebastian, beating the vermin out of the bush and extinguishing the intruders properly. Ciel thinks back.
"I notice you have some vermin in your garden. Per chance you'd like some help disposing of them?" It all made sense now. By vermin he meant Brandel's men. They had disposed of them with ease. Alette thinks back as well, how she heard gunshots ringing out from behind the manor after Selima killed the fly. Both times after she had been called Selima had sniped from the floor below them while Sebastian took a more direct approach. All his men were dead.
"Th-that's impossible." Stumbled the man, knowing it must be true, where else would his men be?
"There were at least fifty of them! You two fought them...alone!?"
"Lau informed us you were dealing guns on the black market." Reveals Ciel.
"He sold me out?"
"No. He was never yours to betray you to begin with." Snaps Alette. "Her Majesty is most upset about the gun related crimes among the underclasses." Tsked Alette. Cedric twitched at she sips her tea.
"This tea is much too plain, brew me something with more flavor!" she demands.
"Of course, my lady." He pulls out a gun, and Ciel jumps up from his seat as he fires straight at Alette's face.
"For a moment I was almost worried." chuckled Ciel. Brandel stares in amazement as Selima drops the bullets she had caught, clinking against the table.
"W-what is this? How?"
"We simply can't be killed with such toys, I'm afraid." Smiled Sebastian. He shoots at both of them, until Selima does a hand stand, kicks the gun out of his hand, all before gravity could pull her dress down. He runs for the door, but Sebastian walks in, already waiting for him.
"You've forgotten one more thing." He places the crown on the shuttering man's head, screaming about what monsters they were.
"Now now, is that such a thing to call a lady?" clucked Selima. The lights are extinguished as the man falls to the ground, in shock at his realization. Selima tugs off her glove with her teeth, as her eyes glow scarlet, along with Sebastian's. Both of their marks glow as black feathers begin to shed around them.
"Yes. We are."
"One hell of a couple."
"St-Stay away!" he cries, as he is encircled with a cloud of darkness.
"Brandel, why do you suppose no one knows what happens to men who mess with the Queens Scorpion, or the Queens Guard Dog?" Poses Ciel, removing his eye patch
"It's because dead men can't speak." Finishes Alette, giggling as she flips her hair over her shoulder. The man lets out a dying scream as The dark aura form both of them extends, surrounding him, getting closer, closer closer until it consumes him.