Chapter 35

"Elora, what's bothering you?" Ciel cocked his head a little as I hesitated to get into the carriage with him. "Are you worried you'll get sick again?" He smirked childishly.

"You get sick on carriages?" Bard asked hesitantly as he packed my suitcase on top of the carriage.

"O-Only recently!" I folded my arms, "As a child I never had such problems, in fact I enjoyed riding in the carriage."

"I'll sit with the Young Master; that's if you don't mind." Bard tittered as he leaned over and looked at Ciel.

Leaning back Ciel waved his hand, "I don't mind."

My face becoming warm I pursed my lips, "Oh! Be like that, will you!" and stomped into the carriage. "You don't have to come!" I barked, slamming the door behind me.

Folding my arms, I gave a humph as I fumed in my seat. "Why are bringing them anyway?"

"Skyhart is a great resort area, we'll be staying there for a while anyway, so I thought it would be nice to give them a holiday."

I couldn't help but snort, "Really?"

"You don't think I treat my servants well?" He grinned at me.

"I wouldn't think you'd be so quick to reward them after blowing up the manor. If it were…" I began to trail off a little as I giggled over an old memory.

"What?" He cocked his head, the smile still in his voice.

"Nothing." I waved my hand as if swatting the memory away. "Anyway," I spoke seriously as I leaned forward, keeping my voice low. "Ciel, this case…"

"What about it?"

"It's too easy. You must have noticed it too. If it were that important, she would have sent you before she even knew there was a dug causing these problems." I gripped my hands together as I frowned, "So, the only reason why she would call you now is if…"

"Whoever was investigating it prior suddenly stopped sending reports." Ciel's frown mirrored mine as he intertwined his fingers. "Of course I thought of this as well when I received the letter, so I went out to the Undertaker to see if he'd received any significant 'clients' through the underground. But…" He shook his head.

"There was nothing." I finished his sentence.

"Exactly."

Leaning into the plush seat I sighed as I rested my head back. Running a hand through my bangs, I once again forgot how short they'd become as it practically shot out and almost hit the roof. I gave a disapproving growl to the action as I tried to brush it off, but Ciel gave a childish snigger as the carriage door opened.

"Oh, you guys are already here." Finny chirped as he climbed in next to me.

"Is everything read-" I immediately gave out a squeal as I felt something begin to curl up my leg under my skirt.

"E-Elora, what's wrong!?" Bard panicked as he jumped down to see what the commotion was about.

"S-S-Something is…" The thing quickly made its way up my waist as I frantically undid my tie and ripped open my blouse as much as I could as it was tightly held in place by the dress' vest.

"W-Woah!" Finny jumped back as he, Ciel, and Bard all turned bright red. "Th-There's something in your dress!" He exclaimed as the creature's figure could be seen as it forced its way up.

I was about ready to rip open the vest, but before I could, the head of a snake suddenly poked out from the small opening in my shirt.

Jerking back, I pressed into the seat as I began to panic as Ciel mirrored my action. "A snake!?"

"How'd you get there?" Finny cocked his head, not seeming even half as worried as I.

"'Forgive me for startling you, Siren, but you just smell so nice.' says Wilde." I heard Snake say as he was suddenly standing next to Bard with a snake coiled around his neck.

I sat in silence for a moment as my mind struggled to comprehend the situation. "What?"

"'Hello.' says Wilde. 'How do you do?'"

"'Hello'? Is that all you have to say after invading me like this!? Snake!" I barked, my face on fire and my cheeks rosy.

"'Oh! My deepest apologies!' says Wilde." Thus the snake slithered out of my dress and around my neck as it rested there. "'I told you not to act so carelessly!' says Bronte. 'You almost gave the poor thing a heart attack!" The snake on Snake's shoulder hissed in disapprovement.

"Snake, what are you doing?" Ciel demanded as he settled back down in his seat.

"'Please don't blame him! It's my fault this happened.' Says Wilde." The snake around my shoulders raised her head and bobbed it in an apologetic way. "'I acted rashly because…" Recoiling, it hid its head bashfully, "It's just that Siren has such a distinct smell… I kind of missed it…"

"'Ha! You sound like a pervert, Wilde!' says Webster." A second snake popped out of the sleeve of Snakes shirt as he lifted his arm.

"'Speak for yourself!'" The snake on my shoulder hissed viciously, "'At the very least I don't sneak into her room at night!' says Wilde."

"What!?" I raised my eyebrows in disbelief, "How long has this-"

"That's enough!" Ciel barked as he folded his arms. "Snake, if you're not going to get in we'll leave you behind."

"'Alright.' Says Bronte. 'No need to shout!'" Thus, Snake walked around the carriage as Bard gave an awkward cough and returned to his work.

By the time Snake had sat next to me and Wilde reluctantly returned to him, Bard was done fastening the luggage. As he jumped down, Sebastian, Maylene, and Tanaka approached the carriage. "Is everything packed?" Sebastian asked as Maylene climbed in next to Ciel, her heart beating a little erratically.

"Even a tornado couldn't shake this luggage loose." Bard puffed out his chest as he cracked a smile.

"Good, then we best be off." Sebastian nodded as he stepped up and onto the coachman's chair.

"Is Mr. Tanaka not coming?" I leaned forward and cocked my head a little.

"Oh ho ho, it seems I've grown too old for such a long trip. Maybe next time I'll come."

Sighing, I leaned back in my seat as the old butler bowed softly to his master. "If you say so."

"A'right, let's get going!" Bard grinned as he quickly sat down on the other side of Ciel and closed the door.

Yet, just before Sebastian could get the carriage moving, the door of the manor flew open as Soma came flying out. "Ciel!" He called. "Where are you going this time without telling me!?"

"Sebastian, go!" The little Earl panicked as his butler quickly snapped the reins and set us into motion.

"Wait!" The prince called after us desperately as he ran, but he couldn't catch up and we were gone.

T-T-T-T-T-T-T

"I wonder what kind of place this 'Skyhart' is." Maylene pondered.

"I hear it has this great big lake and a river that's perfect for swimming during the summer." Finny wriggled in his seat a little. "It's probably still too cold to swim in though, since it's only spring."

Maylene lit up immediately after the mentioning of the lake, "Really? I bet it still looks wonderful even during this time of the year, it'll be a perfect place to have a walk during sunset." Her voice almost sounded dreamy as she brought her hands to her cheeks.

"Yeah, if you want to catch a cold." Bard joked, "It'd be better to stick in town and watch for any street performers."

Finny quickly caught Maylene's contagious attitude as he chirped. "I wonder if there'll be time to try their caramel while we're there."

All three, including Snake, looked over to Ciel with sparkling and begging eyes.

"I'll think about it." He huffed a little.

I couldn't help but snort while I lowered my head, trying to make it look like a cough or sneeze. Yet, I wasn't convincing enough as Bard caught on.

"What're you laughin' at?" He folded his arms and cracked a grin.

"I-It's nothing, really. I'm glad you guys are excited." I waved my hands and shook my head; I really shouldn't spoil their fun.

"Come on, tell us!" Finny nudged me playfully as he and the others continued to badger me until I finally caved.

"Alright! Alright! It's only that, do you guys really not know what that place was originally called?"

"'What was it called?' Says Wilde." Snake said as the snake around his shoulders lifted its head curiously.

"Widow's River." I said.

"That name seems to make more sense than Skyhart, why would they change it?" Maylene brought a hand to her cheek in thought.

I couldn't help but give a small mischievous smile; if they wanted to know so badly, "Well… you see, when the town was first established it was relatively small, unlike how it is now." I began in a casual and lightly animated voice. "There was this one married couple -their names have been forgotten- who, no matter who you asked, were the most darling couple of the entire town. With their house by the flowing river, they seemed to have a world all to themselves by it, and that's exactly how they wanted it. For, you couldn't see the lady walking around town unless the man was with her, and if you ever did, her eyes would always be cast up in longing for her husband. Likewise, the man refused to use any hankerchief unless it was one his wife had made for him, and he didn't dare to look at any other woman unless it was necessary; his eyes were only for his wife."

"How romantic." Maylene sighed as she brought her hands to her cheeks as she began to get lost in a daydream.

Ciel simply rolled his eyes and was about ready to make one of his usual comments, but I quickly spoke before he could.

"Yes, indeed, but…" my voice dropped into a low and haunting town as I quickly changed the mood. "Even though their future should have been so promising, with one son and another child on the way, disaster suddenly struck. No one knows how, but the man's body was suddenly found dead next to the lake. No struggle, no markings whatsoever. Just dead, as if his body suddenly decided it was fed up with life and stopped. The entire incident shook the town as it caught everyone by surprise. No one dared to think it was a heart attack, he was far too healthy of a man to have such problems! Yet, no one was as surprised as the lady; absolutely heart broken! No one saw her for weeks, months even, after the funeral."

"W-What happened?" Finny asked, his voice shaking a little as I could smell the very slight scent of sweat.

"It happened on a warm summer day when one of the maids was doing the washing down by the river. While she was working, she looked up to see the lady at a distance coming down and leading her son by the hand. She looked much happier than usual, which pleased the maid, for lately the lady had been… well… you don't want to know how she'd been…"

I couldn't help but smirk as I heard Finny and Maylene quickly fall into their usual quirks when they were anxious; the snakes on Snake's shoulder coiled in anticipation. "Still, even after she waved at them in greeting, they didn't seem to notice her. So, she just returned to her work, feeling it unnecessary to call out to them. As she scrubbed away at the clothing, she could hear the boy splashing about in the water quite excitedly. She paid no attention until she stopped as she realised something: Did the boy ever come down in his bathing suit? She looked up in horror it see the mother holding the child under the water, his body thrashing about as he tried to fight her off, but in that moment she was much stronger than him. The poor maid could only watch, her voice and body frozen in fear and disbelief as the boy's body slowed until it fell limp entirely. Then, without letting go of her son's hand, the lady picked him up and cradled him in arms as if he were only sleeping, and walked into the water as the weight of her clothing immediately pulled her under. The son's body did rise back to the surface after some time, but the lady's body was never found; never to be reunited with her lover and her child. The story doesn't end there, though." I smiled deviously as Maylene, Finny, and Snake leaned in with wary curiosity.

"For, to this day, her ghost haunts the streets at night...and drags away any naughty children who stay out past their bedtime!" I suddenly turned and grabbed at Finny, who gave out a shriek as he practically jumped up and through the roof.

Bard and I roared with laughter at the youth's reaction as Maylene and Snake giggled awkwardly, relieved that they were spared from being the victim.

"Elora!" Finny whined as he tried to compose himself, but the racing of his heart only made me laugh harder.

"C'mon, Finny, it's just a story to keep kids in their beds." Bard laughed, "As long as you behave you won't have to worry about anythin'."

"Don't act so confident, Bard. The lady doesn't discriminate." I teased the cook.

"Ha! Don't think you can scare me with yer fairytales, Elora, I've heard scarier stories." He folded his arms as he leaned forward, grinning.

"'Y-Yeah, it's only a story! R-Right?' Says Wilde." Snake stuttered as the snake called Wilde bobbed her head nervously.

I just smiled in my seat as Snake, Maylene, and Finny all shifted uncomfortably.

"That's enough, Elora, I'm getting a headache from all this." Ciel grumbled as I couldn't help but snigger at the skitterish pace of his heart.

"I've been cooped up in a bed for almost a month, let me have some fun." I sighed, "Still…"

I placed an apologetic hand on Finny's shoulder, a smile still on my lips. "I'm sorry you had to be the victim of my boredom, Finny. Will you forgive me?"

"Y-You're forgiven." He pouted a little while nodding, obviously still a little upset about the incident.

"W-Who could have ever come up with such a story?" Maylene nervously smoothed out her skirt as she calmed herself down.

"Yes, how do you know that story Elora? From how you've told it, it seems to only be a local story." Ciel cocked his head, his eyes a little suspicious.

"My father used to tell it to me at night as a child, he must have heard it from someone else and thought it funny to tell it to me." I said as I twisted my words effortlessly. I paused as I rubbed at my ring finger. I tittered softly "He was always such an ass… I will admit though, that he never liked that place."

"How so?" Ciel cocked his head.

"They aren't fond of outsiders, and they're ridiculously superstitious, not to mention tight lipped only when convenient. That is, if your pockets aren't deep enough." I grumbled slightly, "I hope you have some sort of plan set up, because I have no idea how you're going to investigate such a place as the terrifying 'Earl of Phantomhive'."

Scowling, Ciel replied curtly, " I do have a plan, so listen carefully, alright? This is what we'll do…"

T-T-T-T-T-T-T

"Are you going to be okay?" Finny asked as he helped me out of the carriage.

"Y-Yeah, it's just... been a while since I've had such a long…" I covered my mouth as I gave up on speaking.

"I never knew you could turn such a shade of green, M'lady." Sebastian sniggered softly in my ear as he closed the door behind me.

"Don't even…" I could feel my stomach churn the moment I opened my mouth. "Ugh…"

"Let's get 'er inside before things escalate." Bard ushered us along, which in the end only made things worse for me as I couldn't count my steps properly.

"Oh my!" A man gasped as he quickly came to our aid, "Bring her to the bar, I'll get her some water, the poor thing."

Seating me, Bard and Finny propped me against the bar and leaned me over, which helped a little.

"Here, drink up." The man said in a deep, scratchy voice.

Standing on the other side of the bar he gave me a glass of chilled water. "But drink slowly." He quickly warned.

Sipping from it softly, I heard Bard walk away as he went back to go and check on Ciel while Finny stayed behind with me.

"You look whiter than milk! Who on earth was driving that carriage?" The man, who I assumed now was the bartender, asked as he served another customer.

As if summoned by the very implication of him, Sebastian came in with Ciel next to him.

"Forgive me, M'lady, I know you have trouble riding for long distances but," he put a comforting hand on my far shoulder, "it seems that even as careful as I was you still had to suffer."

Taking another sip from the iced water, I nodded my head as it took all of my energy not to vomit right there and then from how naturally he touched me. Damn he was scary when he acted nice.

"How're you feeling now, sweety? Any better?" The bartender asked, quickly becoming familiar with me as Sebastian dismissed a reluctant Finny.

"Much better, thank you for helping me." I gave a charming and sweet smile, which quickly gave me the reaction I wanted as the man chuckled.

"Don't worry about it, it's on the house. I couldn't possibly leave a pretty girl like you in such a state! What brings you to Skyhart anyway, little lady?" He asked as the glinking of glasses chimed while he wiped them down, staring hard at my blindfold.

"Our parents sent us here for a week or two, sir." Ciel suddenly chirped as he came up next to Sebastian and I. "Sis won't tell me why, though."

"Well, how do I put this…" I forced a blush as I dropped my head shyly, "Um… It's…" I blushed harder as I made my act perfect, thus the barman gave a laugh in understanding.

"Well, then, you'll be needin' a place to stay! If you don't mind this humble inn of ours, we have plenty of room upstairs." He grinned as he leaned in, making it difficult for me to restrain my natural reaction of leaning away.

"Really?" I remained unmoved as I kept my head aimlessly level, "That's very generous of you, mister! Thank you!"

"I'll take care of the rest, M'lady. Young Master, why don't you take her upstairs so you can rest, it's been a long day." Sebastian helped me out of my seat as I continued my helpless act, but before I could even pull away the bartender suddenly reached out at me.

"Wait!" He said, but was suddenly stopped as Sebastian grabbed his wrist.

"I would like to ask you to not touch the lady so familiarly, sir." The butler smiled courteously.

"Sebastian, that's enough," I scolded him as I held onto Ciel, "let the man be." He quickly let go as I addressed the man kindly, "Please, forgive him, this Young Master tends to get into trouble. So, he's a little wound tight." I had to restrain myself from snickering as I could hear Ciel give a scowl. "Is there something else you need, sir?"

"Your name." He said bluntly.

"Oh, well, the but-"

"I'll need your name too."

"My name?"

"Yes, lately there's this whole hogwash about clients that don't pay." He waved his hand in a disapproving manner, "I honestly think it's a waste of time, but, if I want to keep my livelihood, I gotta listen to the lady of the house." He gave a small chuckle to his joke as he waited for my answer.

"Florence, come on." Ciel whined childishly as he tugged me forward, "I want to lay down."

"Alright, alright." I hushed him as I was quickly dragged away. "Sebastian, please take care of things down here."

"Yes, M'lady." He gave a slight bow before turning around, ready to do business.

Yet, the bartender still wasn't done with me. "One word of warning, Miss. Bad things happen after dark, so I advise not leaving here once the sun sets."

"Thank you." I said curtly as Ciel pulled me along even faster as I bumped and slammed into almost everything along the way.

After making it to our room, Ciel helped me find the bed after giving a wry remark about my walking.

I gave a groan as I felt at my hips, "It's probably going to bruise."

"It'll heal." The little earl snickered childishly.

"Why you little-" I was about ready to give him a taste of my thoughts when I suddenly heard the door begin to open.

Grabbing Ciel's hand I quickly tugged him in as I held him on my lap and cradled him.

"Hello." A woman's voice said warmly as I could smell the soft scent of soap. "I've brought fresh sheets and quilts for you to use."

"T-Thank you." I stuttered, keeping my head aimed away from the door. "Place them wherever is convenient." How had I not heard her coming down the hall?

My heart raced a little as I listened to her slowly walk over to the opposite end of the room and place the sheets down, her eyes never quite leaving us.

"Is there anything else you'll be needing?" She spoke as she rocked a little on her heels.

Ciel rubbed at his eyes as he began to whine softly.

"N-no, thank you. That will be all for now." I curtly dismissed her as I feigned rocking him back to sleep.

"Good night, then." She bowed her head and closed the door.

"That was close." I said softly while laying down on the bed, after letting Ciel get off my lap.

"Yeah." He agreed, tired from his act. "'B-"

I put a finger to my lips as I tapped lightly on the wall. Understanding, Ciel came over closer to me to continue our conversation.

"'Bad things'? This might be an easier case than I thought." He whispered while I turned over on my side, my stomach still a little queasy.

"Ciel, please, be patient. Don't do anything on the first night, please. I am begging you."

"What are you talking about?" He looked down at my as he leaned against what sounded like a dresser.

"Don't leave your room tonight, or tomorrow night. I know it will be hard but please, we need to earn their trust… and keep your dog on a hold. Gossip travels faster in this town than fire does across hay."

"I thought you said they weren't loose lipped."

"Only when convenient." I corrected.

"And especially in a place like a bar…" Sighing, he looked around the room as he inhaled deeply, "I can't believe he calls this place humble, I can practically see my reflection in the wood of the walls and floor."

"Not even the scent of mold or dust can be found." I commented flatly.

Hearing the thumping of heavy footsteps, it wasn't long until Bard opened the door, bringing in Ciel's luggage.

"Yer stuff is gonna be next door… M'lady." Bard said clumsily as I snickered at his awkwardness.

"Will I be rooming with Maylene, then?" I asked as I lifted myself from the bed and let my feet slide over the edge.

"Yeah." The cook nodded as he set the luggage down. "Finny will be in 'ere with the Young Master, and I'll be with Sebastian in the room at the end of the hall, two rooms down. Snake will be by himself in the room before us, so be careful to open the right door if you need us for anything."

"Alright, could you help me?" I nodded, reaching out my hand in his general direction.

Bard was obviously puzzled by this as he just looked at me, but after a cough from Ciel as he jerked his head at the wall, Bard quickly understood.

"Oh, of course!" Quickly coming over, Bard helped me stand as he began to lead me out.

"How long do we have to do this?" He whispered to me, his voice suspicious of his surroundings.

"Until we go home." I grumbled quietly to him, understanding his feelings.

"A'right, 'ere you go."

"Thank you." I nodded as he helped me down onto the bed, "I'll get a chance to feel around and get a good 'look' at the room later."

"Finny'll come in with yer luggage soon, tell him where you want it to be when he comes, ok? After we're done unpackin' I'm going straight to bed since it's already gettin' dark outside."

"No problem, good night, Bard." I nodded as I began taking off my boots.

"Good night… M'Lady."

(Line Break that doesn't work)

Heh heh heh he... h-hey guys... it's been a while huh? *sweats nervously* Sorry I haven't been too good about updating recently, I've been trying to finish up high school and get ready for the big bad college world... so that's been eating up a lot of my time. Also, I will admit, I've lost my soul to a trash fandom with wacky skeletons brothers and punny jokes. I guess I just needed a break too seeing as this is going to be my first original arc, and I'm desperately trying to work out any possible kinks in it, because I want to give you guys the best experience possible!

Put some words in that comment box, you sexy thing~