Author's note: I realized that I accidentally made Chene 19 in some of the previous chapters, so I'll go back and fix that... because she's still supposed to be 18 at this point. (¬_¬;) Also...
[For the purposes of this chapter, the cinematic record happenings/memories will be written like this.]
I own nothing but my OC.
That Butler, Reflective
'thoughts'
"speech"
"Demonic speech"
{setting/stage directions?}
SOUND EFFECTS
An entire sentence like this, without quotes, is narration for dreams or stuff like written letters.
=†=†=†=†= scene shift/time shift
Previously:
"—In the name of the Queen and mine own evil title..." Ciel said, removing his eye patch. "... I command you! Hunt them down!" Ciel ordered Sebastian. Sebastian bit the cuff of his glove and tugged it more snugly on his hand with his teeth. His face was partially cast in shadow as he stared at his new prey, his crimson eyes glowing, like burning embers.
"Yes, my Lord." Sebastian said, smirking.
[I despised my red hair, which was just like my father's. And I loathed the color red.
"An's red hair is really beautiful. The color of red lycoris, a color that blazes the earth. Red really suits you."
I began to love the color red because you complimented me. But... But...]
SNAP. FLAP.
"Right, then." Sebastian said calmly, removing his black overcoat. He plopped it straight down over Ciel's head.
"!?" Chêne said, slightly surprised by the sudden movement. She hadn't been expecting that when Sebastian had looked so eager to fight, but she was glad he did it. They were all standing out in the cold, while it was raining, and getting soaked to the bone. At least Ciel would be wet and warm now, instead of wet and cold...
"Wha—!?" Ciel said indignantly, vein mark throbbing on his forehead. What the heck was Sebastian doing all of a sudden!?
"Please do not catch a chill. You would not want to be scolded by Chêne later for being so careless of your health now, would you? I will prepare some hot milk when we have returned to the town house, and I shall sweeten it with honey or brandy or something of the sort." Sebastian said, smiling at Ciel and Chêne as he wrapped the coat around Ciel. Chêne sweat dropped. Just how many times was she going to have to remind him that human children under a certain age shouldn't have alcohol, because it affects their physical and mental development... Ciel could possibly even become an alcoholic.
'Although... I have a feeling I'm going to want both a little honey and brandy in mine by the end of tonight...' She thought, sweat dropping, as she smiled wryly and wrapped her arms around Ciel, hoping they could share each other's warmth.
"He's right, you know? We both get sick easily." Chêne said.
"..." Ciel said as he allowed Chêne to hold him, and he gripped Sebastian's coat.
"Ohhh? I'm not going to let you go running home just like that, you know!?" Grell said, smirking as he revved up his scythe again. He was tired of being ignored. "Little Death Scythe here and I are both full of soooo much pent up energy these days 'cos our quarry has been much too easy to...hunt!" he yelled as he leapt high up into the air above them.
"!!" Ciel and Chêne said, surprised. They suddenly felt themselves being shoved away by Sebastian as he jumped back, and they gritted their teeth when they hit the ground. In that instant, Grell slammed down his Death Scythe, just barely missing them. Chêne's eyes widened in shock as she watched the Death Scythe's spinning blade cut the street's cobblestones. It was actually shredding stone to pieces!
'Holy shi—take mushroom!? That is not normal!!' Chêne screamed internally, turning blue with shock. There was no way a normal chainsaw could do that! Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly when he noticed Chêne's reaction. It was obvious from her reaction that although the two weapons looked alike, there was just no comparison between their cutting power.
"I much prefer doing the chasing myself to being chased, Sebas-chan!" Grell yelled, grinning maniacally, as he pulled his Scythe out of the ground and did a rocker sign with his free hand. "So let's have ourselves a marvelous round of tag, shall we!?" He shouted as he charged towards Sebastian.
"I have asked you before... to refrain from uttering such vile... drivel!" Sebastian said as he did a back flip to avoid Grell's attack.
"Don't be like that! You'll get hooked on my little one once you've had a taste... I'm sure~!" Grell said, smirking evilly as he immediately swung at Sebastian again. Sebastian grabbed a nearby lamppost and instantly ripped it out of the ground, holding it up to block Grell's blow.
GYRARARARA!
Grell's chainsaw squealed when it hit the lamppost.
"!" Chêne gasped in surprise. She knew Sebastian was strong, but that was just ridiculous. Who just rips an iron lamppost out of the ground like it's a freakin' toothpick!? Sebastian was a beast!
"Ooh~! You don't look it, but you're pretty powerful, Sebas-chan! That warms my cockles too, that it does~!" Grell said, grinning. Sebastian furrowed his brow, and Chêne sweat dropped.
'WTF...?' Chêne thought. She hoped that didn't mean what she thought it did...
"However..." Grell said, smirking. Chêne's eyes narrowed slightly. There was something odd about the way the Scythe was cutting the lamppost... wait sec—!? It was cutting!!
"Sebastian, get ba—"Chêne yelled.
"—The real show begins now!" Shouted as the roar of his Scythe drowned out Chêne's voice. "The Death Scythe... can cut through a gas lamp... like a twig!" Grell declared haughtily as he suddenly sliced through the iron lamppost like it was melted butter. He managed to graze Sebastian's arm as well. Sebastian's eyes widened in shock. He was frozen, stunned, as he watched his spill from the cut, and it transformed into what looked like rolls of film.
"Wha..." Sebastian said, too stunned to react properly, as he watched the scenes unfolding before his eyes.
["From this day forth... you are my faithful dog." A ten-year-old Ciel commanded as he stared up at him with cold eyes. There was blood on Ciel's hand... the blood of the dead cult members.] This was from the day 'Sebastian' had been accidentally summoned by Ciel, and he met his small new master... and Chêne.
'This... is...—' Sebastian thought, shocked as various scenes from his current life as 'Sebastian Michaelis' flashed before his eyes.
["You know, you're gonna need a last name, too, if you want to fit in as a human..." Chêne said thoughtfully.
"Hmph. Whatever is fine." Ciel said indifferently, not the least bit interested.
"Then... How about 'Michaelis'? Yeah, Sebastian Michaelis!" Chêne said triumphantly, smiling at Sebastian.
"Why that name?" Sebastian asked curiously, although, after hearing Ciel's reason for naming him 'Sebastian'... he wasn't sure he really wanted to know.
"Because it'll be funny since it's ironic... but at the same time, it still sounds dignified, right?" Chêne said, glancing at Ciel for support.
"How is it ironic?" Ciel asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow. Chêne grinned impishly.
"Because, it sounds the same as 'Sebastien Michaelis,' a human who wrote a classification for the demons in Hell." Chêne told them, smiling brightly.]
There were a few scenes of the other servants' mishaps, Ciel conducting business, and then...
["Sebastian!" Chêne yelled as she ran up to him, miffed.] She looked rather adorable when she pouted like that... like a petulant kitten.
["Sebastian!" Chêne called out to him, smiling as her eyes shined with excitement. "Look, look! Sebas—"]
"Sebastian!!" Chêne screamed, terrified.
"Ha!" Sebastian gasped when he heard her scream, snapping out of his trance.
Sebastian whipped his head around to look in the direction her scream had come from. She and Ciel were both sitting on the ground where he had last seen them. Chêne looked scared, but other than that, she appeared to be perfectly fine, and she looked just as shocked as he felt by what they had just seen. Ciel looked confused, as though he had no idea why they were freaking out.
"Se-Sebastian... are you all right!? What was that...!?" Chêne asked anxiously.
"—How was it for you, hm? The pain you felt must've been rather dramatic, no?" Grell asked Sebastian, leering at the demon butler as he licked his lips. "That just now was a little talent we Reapers have... the 'Cinematic Record'."
"Cinematic... Record...?" Chêne asked, eyes widening.
"Yes~! Grim Reapers receive a list of those who are scheduled to die and judge them by playing back their memories using the 'record.' We look at what sort of humans they were... and what sort of lives they lived. Should we allow them to live? Or should we kill them?" Grell explained, smirking. Sebastian narrowed his eyes slightly at Grell. "People say a magic lantern passes before their eyes when they are on the verge of death... but that's just Reapers like lil' ole me playing back that human's 'memories.' For those who receive the judgment... 'This human should die'... We use our Death Scythes to sever their memories and soul from their bodies, and for them, it is 'the end.' Although... most humans cannot 'see' another's Cinematic Record like that. Sometimes a contractor, like that brat, might be able to catch a glimpse here and there, but to be able to see the whole thing so clearly should be near impossible..." Grell said thoughtfully as he glanced at Chêne. "Perhaps I should cut you open and see what makes you tick~!" He leered at her. She took a step back, putting Ciel behind her, just in case Grell decided to do a 'two for one' special.
"What are you—!?" Ciel said indignantly, wondering what the bloody hell they were going on about.
"I had assumed you were only guilty of poor taste, but..." Sebastian said coldly, drawing Grell's attention back on him. "... A Peeping Tom as well, are you? Truly the lowest of the low."
"Non, Non! That is our job! But..." Grell sang as he suddenly rushed at Sebastian again. "Yes, all right! I admit, I am a wee bit curious... about what lurks in the past of fine men such as yourself!" Sebastian dodged the attack and spun around, but... Grell was gone... "Especially..." Grell said, teleporting right behind the demon butler.
"!" Sebastian said, surprised, as he turned to face the Reaper.
"... When they seem to be the bad boy type!!" Grell yelled, swinging his Scythe down at Sebastian. Sebastian managed to stop the blade by clapping his hands against both sides of 'guide bar' of the 'chainsaw' and pressed, holding it so as to not get his fingers sliced off. However... holding it that way made it significantly more difficult to get the leverage he needed to be able to force Grell back completely. "... Tee-hee-hee-!" Grell giggled maniacally as he forced Sebastian back up against one of the alley's brick walls. "You can't play make-believe with yours truly like you can do with humans, Sebas-chan." Grell said as he started to push his Scythe's cutting edge further down, digging into the brick wall, as he tried to get it closer to Sebastian. "The Death Scythe can slice right through... memories... souls... dimensions..." Sebastian's eyes narrowed as he glared dangerously at Grell. If Chêne had heard that... there would be nothing to stop her from leaving. He turned his head slightly, trying to catch a glimpse to see whether she had indeed heard Grell or not. "... and even devils!" Grell shouted gleefully as he took advantage of Sebastian's moment of weakness, and cut the demon butler.
Author's note:
I added two new links for pics to my profile. One is of Chene's parents, and another is of her Halloween costume (that I will be writing into one of the future chapters! ;D)
