Frantically, Ciel made his way through the halls of H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. headquarters like a madman. His butler came with him, as Sebastian was worried about Ciel's well-being. An update in Alois' capture had arisen and it was so important, that the Phantomhive was called back to the intelligence center. The poor man almost tripped over himself with the haste he was in. He certainly tripped several other people along the way.
Suddenly, he burst through the doors and whipped his head back and forth to find someone who was going to tell him the news. To his surprise, both Hellsing family members were in attendance, bringing Ciel both hope and concern. There was no way that he wasn't noticed as he came in and both Integra and Elizabeth turned to face him.
"Ciel..." Elizabeth began. "We know where he is." Ciel's face immediately melted from concern as he dared to feel a bit of joy.
"How?" he asked, and the head of the organisation held up an envelope.
"The turncoats sent us an update." Integra stated. "This time, with a return address from the micronation of Sealand. When we called in for clarification, we were informed that they had been given the envelope to be sent by a woman in a boat with a flag that matched that of the turncoats. They also said that they had been warned of the current occupants of the Red Sand forts south of them. If that's our mole, then they've just given us the Scarlet Order base."
"Are we going in?" the bluenette questioned with great enthusiasm.
"Yes, a plan of attack is being formulated as we speak." the organization's head replied before pulling a plastic bag out of the breast pocket of her jacket. "Before that, however… We need to return this to you..."
Suddenly, Ciel's slight smile faded as his eyes landed on the bag. Carefully, he took it, unsure of the contents but doubtful that it was anything good. Opening the bag, he reached his hand inside and felt cold metal. He didn't have to look at it to know what it was. One could see the man's heart sinking just by the change in expression on his face. Carefully, gently, delicately, he gripped the object with feather-like touches of his fingertips as he pulled it out of it's prison.
The hand with the bag in it fell limply to his side as he peered at the object. The colour was drained from his face. It was Alois' wedding ring. Ciel knew it was, and he didn't even have to read the inscription on the inside. He didn't want to. It would only remind him of his concern for the blonde's emotional state. There was no way that he could shield himself from these thoughts, however. They crept in and stayed there as Ciel stared down at the ring in his palm. Dried blood covered it, rendering the bluenette speechless. He was almost without life as the world moved around him without his mental presence, and it caused those who knew him to ache.
"The blood was a positive match to Jim's DNA." Integra informed, clarifying what the man already knew. "According to the letter, Omid ordered it to be removed from Jim and disposed of, but it ended up in the hands of our author, who felt it best returned to his spouse."
"Thank you..." was all Ciel said in response, trying to hold himself together while amoung people. The others turned to look at the many screens and discuss the best methods of extracting the menace, but the bluenette stayed silent, entranced by his husband's ring.
He had no input to give. His mind could not manage it. Others noticed it, but failed to acknowledge it; all but Elizabeth, who turned her head. The woman looked over her shoulder at her cousin, watching him as he turned around so that his back was facing the others. What was in his hand was all that he was really needed for. Putting his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, Sebastian startled the woman by grabbing her attention.
"Leave him to his devices." the butler said in a hushed tone. "He can be filled in on the plan later."
Heeding his advice, Elizabeth looked forward once again and tried her best to ignore her cousin's status. She did not see him as he gazed longingly at the ring or caressed it gently. Ciel held it with care, as if it were the most valuable and delicate thing in the world. This was as close as Ciel could be to his husband for the time being and he was going to savour it the very best he could.
It was uncertain how much longer Ciel was going to be able to hold out, but it definitely wasn't a great amount of time. He ached to have his spouse back in his arms safely and to see his face every day. He was being torn to pieces worse and worse by the minute as he agonised over the blonde's well-being. At this moment, Ciel wanted nothing more than Alois to be alright. Finally, he was going to see his beloved again, and even if he wasn't in the best of shape, Ciel would do everything in his power to make him well.
"The author of the letter says that they are supposed to do more reconnesance, but are waiting for or arrival instead. They will join us during the attack and ask that we do not attack their crew." Integra stated. She signaled for the person operating the computer to put the image of a black heart with a sword run through it on the screen. "They will be wearing this logo or something similar. For now, it's best to keep them alive. They could possibly be an asset during combat. After all, we can only send in so many people. Elizabeth, Ciel, and August will be going in. Once we have taken that base, we will acquire coordinates to the Brahmastra and take it down."
"Can you pull up the map again?" politely asked Elizbeth, prompting the technician to do so. With a lazer pointer, she drew attention to a specific building. "This building houses the radio, so we need to clear it first. We can't have them calling for reinforcements."
"It's a good idea, but not essential." the other Hellsing said. "If they do call, it may bring Preston right to us."
"It's easier if we can strike them down from above. There's less risk of injury."
"Right. But as a backup plan, the option exists."
"Oh, I didn't know you were talking about backups."
"It's alright, I didn't make it clear."
The two Hellsings discussed the plan in as much detail as they could along with the Phantomhive butler. When both Sebastian and Integra were occupied, however, Elizabeth took the opportunity to look over her shoulder at her cousin once again. She couldn't help but worry about the man. She wanted to make sure he was alright, still.
It wasn't surprising, but the man still looked down. Elizabeth wasn't sure if he was oblivious to being watched, or if he just didn't care. Gently, Ciel pressed the ring to his lips, blood and all, and began to walk away.
He didn't announce his departure to anyone, nor did he give any indication of where he was going. All that Elizabeth was certain of was that he would return when it was time to depart. Ciel wouldn't miss rescuing Alois for the world and it was probably his anxiousness to do so that made him so restless and impatient. He would be back and so would Alois. Most likely, the Phantomhive was going to prepare himself for combating the Omid once again. This time, he would end it for sure.
A/N: A lot of you were concerned with what happened to that ring...
Here it is.
We're getting close. Real close...
On a (kind of?) lighter note, this chapter is named after a Tegan & Sara song.
Chapters 278 and 279 are both lyrics to Thievery Corporation's "Sound The Alarm".
Are there more titles named after things? Yes.
Do I remember all of them? No. Not one bit.
Until the next chapter, my duckies~!
CHARACTER SHET
Question: "To Preston: You are so dead. Sincerely- Everybody" by Thisisloopy
Preston: "Fuck you."
