My name is Ciel. How I came to be at the doorstep of a known opera house is anyone's guess. William only informs me that he found me huddled in a blanket with only one name stitched on my clothes; Ciel. That was how I was named when I became another mouth to feed.
William threatens to send me to the oprhanage nearly every day. But I know him better.
William runs the opera house. It not only has showings of opera, dancing, but also plays. He is often known for picking up strays and turning them into world famous performers. However, it's not as easy as one would think.
He expects nothing but perfection.
William is harsh and cruel when he critiques our performances. I was only lucky to arrive here already able to walk, otherwise he would have turned me over to an orphanage. Soon as he accepted me all I did for years was clean.
Everyone living here must do their own weight in work. Whether it be practicing, cleaning, cooking, or running errands. And during the nights of events, everything must go accordingly. If one mistake happens, someone is thrown out that very evening.
So, despite myself I cleaned. I don't remember my initial shock of being used to work. I barely remember anything before my life here. I can remember scents and colors, but nothing definite that would give me any clue as to where I came from. William only spoke of my arrival a couple of times, referring me as the quiet child too timid to hold a broom properly.
He often told me the only reason why he kept me despite being so young was because I was quiet, and I understood enough to get anything asked of me done. Even if I didn't do so well at first. Can't help it if I was only four. But I can imagine the feeling that having a quiet child around a bunch of noisy ones was a sigh of relief for William. That is why I believe he puts up with my antics.
I don't often play pranks. When I do, they're usually harmless. And only centered on William.
He never smiles. So I made it my mission to try and make him smile. I guess my stubbornness after all these years warmed his cold heart over to me. That doesn't mean he shows me any favor. He's just as harsh on me as he is with everyone. Not that I care.
One day, as my so called thirteenth birthday grew close, which is the anniversary of my arrival here, William asked me what I've been waiting years for.
"Which department are you looking into for actual work?"
I knew what this question meant. I stopped what I was doing and stared at him. This was my chance to do more than simple cleaning. He was writing in his notebook, going over the months expenses and earnings. I don't know a lot of details, but last few years we've been having trouble remaining on our feet with a major competition of a recently newly built opera house. A fancy and bigger one in a better location of London.
Since then the two opera houses were at war with each other on giving best performances. Whichever one gets the most visits from the queen would be the deciding factor. However, Queen Victoria has taken a few years hiatus from these sorts of events. So as of yet there is no winner of this bet.
"You know the answer already. Why do you have to ask?" I rebuttled bravely. I was testing a very short line with this, but I was still processing what he had said.
Was this really happening?
"I would prefer hearing a verbal confirmation. Are you still passionate about acting, or have you given up that dream like most of these vermin?" He paused writing for a moment to adjust his glasses, his eyes looked up to gaze into mine.
"I want to perform on stage." I said a bit too defensively.
From around the age of six, I got to watch one of the plays as a reward for best at cleaning. It was one about Peter Pan. I fell in love with the play and found my passion. I knew then what I wanted to be once I reached the age when William tested the strays. Soon as it was over I had raced to his side and boldly announced that I was going to be the next Peter Pan.
William was taken aback at first, as I was usually reserved and had no passion for anything. I can imagine how that must have been a shock to watch a mindless doll, as he used to call me, to suddenly have the motivation to dream. From that moment onwards I slowly came out of my shell. That was around the same time I started my pranks on William to see him smile.
"The time will come for me to decide what to do with you once you reach thirteen. Until then, work hard everyday and don't make any mistakes." William told me after he regained his composure.
So I did as he suggested.
There was a reason why I wanted to perform so bad.
I wanted all eyes on me. The center of the stage. It didn't matter to me if I was main cast or not. I wanted my face to be seen and recognized. And maybe, just maybe I can finally have the answer that's haunted me for years.
Who am I? Who were my family? Why was I abandoned? These were answers I needed. I was grateful for whoever decided to anonymously leave me at the opera house. Otherwise I would be wasting away as I have seen other oprhans do at the oprhanages. Not a lot of us will be taken in by good people. I was lucky to be placed somewhere that was known for taking in strays, but not usually any so young.
Having someone like William telling us to redo our chores if it wasn't to his liking wasn't too bad. I didn't count having to do it over and over again as any trouble. It taught me patience. Soon came a time I didn't have to do them over again too often, leaving me to pull a few more pranks on William when I felt brave enough.
A lot of the other children don't particularly like me. They believe that I'm William's favorite. I don't care. Having Finny around is enough socializing for me anyhow. He's a few years older than me. He's a dancer and on the verge of fame. He's stronger than he looks, sometimes causes freak accidents. That's why he's an outcast, like me.
Together we formed an unusual bond. He talks his head off and I just listen and give a bit of advice. Whether he takes it up or not is up to his attention span. But I've gotten through to him a couple of times over the years. It would be safe to say I'm the reason why he made use of his strength to help with the staging during plays. Once he mostly mastered his ability to not destroy everything he touched, he found his passion.
I don't understand why dancing of all things, but considering how fast he can talk it would be better off for Finny. And when he gets nervous his voice grows a higher pitch, almost like a lady's, scarily enough. He also has the endless energy to perform.
And now I will soon be acting.
"Starting tomorrow you will be part of Grelle's Beginner Class of Acting. Do not be late. Attendance is right after the mornings chores."
I considered for a moment. While I didn't mind scarfing down a bit of breakfast during chores, I didn't like the idea of having Grelle as my first teacher. I must have cringed at the thought as William suddenly stood up. He stared down at me coldly, and I boldly stared back to hold my ground.
"I have high hopes for you, Ciel. Don't disappoint me." With that silent threat of sacking me, William turned and walked away to his office.
I watched him leave, heart pounding. Not out of fear. Excitement.
I finished my chores, careful not to make a mistake as I rushed, then raced my way to find Finny. I found him practicing for an upcoming performance. The door swung open a bit too loudly, but I didn't care. I stopped to breathe, regretting to have not taken care not to run that fast. I felt the verge of an attack coming, but my excitement shoved it back enough for me to look up and grin.
"I get to attend my first class tomorrow." I proclaimed proudly to everyone in the room. My news was only for Finny, but today he was practicing with his fellow classmates. I hear congratulations from all around, but Finny's was loudest.
"Congrats, Ciel! I'm so happy for you!" The slightly taller boy pulled me into a hug. I almost couldn't breathe, but I didn't care.
"Hmph. I bet he's going to be sacked after one day." Another boy snickered.
I glared at my rival. Alois and I were like two stray cats that can't get along. Instead of physical fights we have verbal ones. Because of how strict William was, we rarely argued loudly. Since Alois was brought in a few years ago, he's had it out for me. We were the same age, yet he gets to perform. He had already passed his test earlier this year. Unlike me, he remembered his birthday.
He performed in plays. Although he has taken up roles that required a lot of flexibility. Which meant that even though he wasn't a dancer, he still had to practice ballet with others in his age group.
If I were to aim for the role of Peter Pan someday, before my body started changing, then I would have to endure the painful process of ballet lessons. I have watched someone I know who is also in ballet, Elizabeth. When no one would help her when she cried after a bad day of practice, I started making her teas. I don't consider her a close friend in comparison to Finny, but I couldn't watch her suffer alone.
I rarely get to interact with her often, as William forbids boys and girls to play together. Didn't matter if we were of age or not. Anyone caught pregnant William will throw anyone involved out. He had no room to concern himself of taking care of an infant while the parents worked. Especially allowing a performer to take time off just to have the baby. I've seen him throw out couple's when they were caught.
It deterred me away from girls.
Or any want for a romantic relationship. The forefront of my mind is to find my family. Any leads will be found once I've started acting. And, if somehow I don't find anything out, then at least I didn't give this chance to make something for myself go to waste. Someone had the heart to leave me at this opera house, knowing I had a better chance. My fate would have been worse off at an oprhanage, since I was often sick when I was younger. Last few years have finally given me a break from fever induced colds to just regular and fewer colds.
I was scared because of my health William would never test me.
"Like you have any room to talk." I rolled my eyes at Alois.
He excelled into a higher class after a short span of a few months. He has become quite the hopeful for William. However, he needed more work in his flexibility. Something I had an advantage of. Elizabeth had taught me some stretches earlier this year, shortly after Alois was selected for classes. She said that I had a good frame for dancing, and should work on some stretches every chance I could.
I've taken advantage of a ballet dancers stretches to where I'm so light footed even William can't detect me sneaking up to him at first. Unfortunately for me the floor boards always like to give me away once I'm close enough to him. I've practiced with everyone else and managed to catch them unawares. However, when I attempt with trying to eavesdrop on William something always gets me caught. I'm starting to wonder if he has some outside force or really, really good luck on his part.
For as long as I can remember he hasn't aged since I became a member of this opera house.
"Hey, wanna celebrate by getting some cocoa later? It's cold enough that they're making hot cocoa affordable again!" Finny intervened, not wanting to watch another fight between two actors to be.
"Yeah, I like the sound of that." I saved up on my allowance.
Although I couldn't always save everything I earned, I always stashed away enough to enjoy the rare outings and special occasions. I was sometimes too giving when it came to Finny. And if I know William was short on pens, I leave him enough to get one pen to last until he could get more. I never give it to him outright. Each time we were having a hard time, I snuck what I saved up onto his desk.
When I would see William with a new pen, ready to tackle the accounting to keep this place running, I felt better. Although he never mentions it, I believe he knows the small amount came from me. Lately we've been doing decent despite winter upon us. So one night out wouldn't place me in harm's way of my savings.
"Next it'll be alcohol." Alois commented.
"Yeah, I bet you're already familiar with booze, aren't you?" I shot back.
At the rare occasion William was generous, he let me have a sip of wine during Christmas holidays. This doesn't happen every year. Only when we had an overly successful winter year, when our performances brought us more than we bargained for. He always had dark reds or ports, strong and sour with a hint of sweetness. So I was somewhat familiar with the substance. However I wasn't going to let Alois know that.
"Piss off, Ciel." My rival glared daggers.
The fact he didn't deny my accusation was enough proof for me. I always had a feeling he grew up different than the rest of us. Most of us were runaways or orphans Grelle brought in, begging William for one more to take in. As far as I know I was the only case of being dropped off that was allowed to stay. I wouldn't say Alois was from a high class, but he knew their ways and how to act accordingly.
Last few years I have often been allowed to mingle with the crowd during social events. My job was to ensure everything went smoothly, and to report anything suspicious to William soon as possible. After a while having to watch the higher class became a bore. I found them distasteful. Clearly the masks of perfection they try so hard to create is nothing but a fake. Despite this, I picked up a few phrases and habits that were recognizable from the more fortunate families.
Alois stood out to me the second he appeared.
"Okay, I'll be done with my practice soon. Then we'll head out!" Finny was excited as ever, and probably relieved that the verbal fight didn't escalate.
"If you plan to have an outing tonight, do not be any later than eight o'clock sharp. Else you two will be spending the night outside."
I almost had a heart attack. I didn't hear William sneak up from behind. By the reactions of everyone else, they didn't either.
"Don't you worry, we'll be back before you know it!" Finny promised.
"As rising hopefuls, don't disappoint." William turned and briskly left.
"I'll be at the kitchen, Finny." I informed him after the strict man left. It was almost time for Elizabeth to be done with her practice. Lately she's been having aches and pains, her body changing into a woman. I at least wanted to leave her some tea before I left for the night.
Just as William strove for perfection for performance, I strove for perfection with teas. I grew a liking to making them since Grelle made them so awful some of us got sick once. One day I had enough of his plain leaf juice and tried making it myself. Although I only make it anonymously. Only Elizabeth knew my secret.
I knew if my talent was known then my future would be set in the kitchens rather than acting. Perhaps once I made myself a rising star then I would come forward. Until then only Elizabeth knows my little secret. Thus far she has kept it safe. Hence why I can trust her with certain details about myself.
I had just finished making a blend when William came into the kitchen. I was startled once again by his ability to sneak up without any sound of movement. I turned around and nearly bump into him.
"Uh..." I panicked inside. He caught me red handed.
"So. You're the one who has been making these teas." William stated, for once his gaze was not on his notepad.
"I um...this isn't going to change your decision, right? About my classes?" My stomach twisted in knots.
"No. But I will suggest you make these a little more often." William reached into the cupboard for a tea cup. I wordlessly nodded, surprised to learn he drank anything besides water. I didn't count the special occasions with whine since it hasn't happened last two years.
"Good. I believe Finny should be on his way at any moment."
Not even seconds later I could hear Finny approaching. When he's not dancing he has the footsteps of a drunken elephant. He was running and the entire hallway could hear him. Finny's entrance into the kitchen was a close call for a disaster. He almost tripped, but his dancing career gave him enough balance to remain on his feet and not crash into the table.
"Let's go, Ciel! It's been ages since we last went outside!"
I don't understand how someone can still have so much energy after extensive practice in ballet. Finny was a living wonder among us strays. A lot of us find the adult staff close to William were a bit strange, too.
"I'll meet you at the door. I need to grab my coat." I had forgotten to grab it beforehand. Although I had saved a bit, I wasn't going to go out of my way of buying a new one quite yet.
"Okay! See ya!" Finny rushed out the same he came.
"Ciel." At the sound of my name I stopped and turned to William, confused. He rarely said my name. I stared to find William, concerned? Why was he acting strange today?
"Do be careful tonight. I have been hearing odd rumors lately about the streets of London at night. Something demonic is about."
Hearing him talk like this put me on edge. But nothing was going to deter me from going out. I could only nod in answer before I went to grab my coat. I met Finny at the front door and we excitedly made our way to the streets of London.
At first things went well. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Then Finny pulled me inside of a pub. I had wanted to go back at this point, as we had our hot cocoas. But Finny wanted a little more excitement to celebrate.
"Are you insane? We're children!" I grew nervous, unable to escape his hold on my wrist.
"Don't worry! They won't mind us so long as we don't drink!" Finny laughed me off.
I was beginning to suspect this wasn't his first time coming here. Was he sneaking off here without even me knowing? When we entered the pub, the reaction from some of the regulars gave me the answer. They greeted Finny with mixed emotions. Some were delighted, others not so much. Which meant Finny had a history here.
Finny let go of me and made his rounds to greet everyone, even those he didn't know. Then the music started. People danced or drank. I soon lost sight of Finny. And no amount of shouting could make him hear me. I was beginning to panic inside.
This was a total recipe for disaster.
Suddenly I tripped over someone's feet. I would have landed face first if a pair of arms hadn't caught me. But I couldn't fully recover at this point. My asthma had caught up to me. Everything was overwhelming. Too many people in a cramped space, moving and having a good time. My lungs burned for fresh air. My chest hurt from the panic settling in.
"Are you all right? Let's take you outside for a moment." A smoothe voice told me.
A part of me wanted to panic. I could possibly be kidnapped at this moment. But something about that voice made my body relax as this man escorted me outside. Soon as I was out I gasped loudly, gulping in the cold but fresher air. For a few minutes I did nothing but breathe to gather myself. A gentle hand rubbed my shoulders and upper back to help.
"Are you feeling better? You don't need a doctor visit, right? I can arrange for one if you need a doctor."
"Thanks, but I got it." I managed to say.
Once the dizziness went away did I finally look up. My breath left my throat again when I stared into deep red eyes. He had a pale, long and narrow face. His hair as dark as a raven's, framing his face. He was tall and lithe for an adult. The first thing that came to mind was demonic. Somehow my brain connected the word William had stated earlier to these eyes. I just didn't understand why I made this connection.
"My, what lovely eyes you have. They're like two precious sapphires." The playful smirk on his face was more dark and less friendly.
I was too stunned by him to reply. I often get comments about my eyes. Usually I adored the comments, as it meant that as an actor, I would stand out. My hair color happened to be a bonus. However first thing people notice were my eyes. This was a first that I didn't know how to react to a compliment. A hand raised to gently hold my chin up a little higher.
"What's the matter? You can sense what I am, can you?" He was leaning in close, and my heart raced. Despite how terrified I was, I found myself leaning into his touch.
"Yes, you can. What a rare treat. And you smell so divine." His eyes glowed, pupils became more cat like. His voice reached a deeper tone, smoothe but sweeter. Hands cupped my face, and my entire body shuddered from the touch.
"I can daresay I can almost eat you here and now."
At those words my body moved on it's own. I hear myself giggle, somehow my voice came back. My arms raised to wrap around broad shoulders. My head tilted to one side playfully, as I give him a dreamy look and playful smile. By the expression on his face even he was just as surprised.
"If you want me, you'll have to work harder than this, demon."