After leaving the headmaster's office at Warwick, the Phantomhive and the others ventured to the residence of the school's true head. Audrey was good to have discovered his phone number beforehand just in case, as it frightened the headmaster into doing what is right and got them an audience with the chairman. What was curious, however, is why it was so easy. Most of the others figured that it was the influence of the Phantomhive family, but internally, even Ciel was a tad surprised. Before he could do anything, however, he had to call his spouse and update him on the situation.
"Nyello?" greeted the menace, his voice causing the Watchdog to smile.
"Hello, Jim. I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be a little later coming home." Ciel explained. "We're all going to visit the school's chairman."
"That's fine. I was going to take Luka out anyway." the blonde replied with a smile in his voice. "He needs actual food and I can't cook, so McDonald's is lookin' good."
"Sounds like a good plan."
"Do you need anything while we're out?"
"Hmmm… Somewhere to put all of those flowers." Ciel jested. "They were a good idea at the time, but once the effect is over, that's a lot of flowers."
"Pfft! They are my flowers and I will decide what to do with them." the menace replied. "I'll see you when you get home, though."
"See you. Love you." the Watchdog answered, entering a tug of war of sorts until they both decided that they both love each other and worked up the mental fortitude to hang up. Both had things that they needed to accomplish.
Once that task was complete, the blue Phantomhive hopped on his motorcycle and took off. The others were ahead of him a ways as a result of his dallying, but he wanted to alert the menace of the plan. In addition, he simply wanted to hear the man's voice. Separation had made him nervous since the blonde's latest abduction. Ciel tried to assure himself that everything was fine and focus on the task at hand, however, as difficult as it was. He even missed a turn once in his distracted state and had to turn around.
He did make it, however. The others were waiting as Ciel was the last to show up. Awkwardly, they loitered in front of the Wakefield house until their group leader arrived. The house wasn't as large as the Phantomhive estate, but it was certainly not small. This said, there was flair and trimmings on the structure that gave it a touch of elegance and the garden around back was massive. As Ciel parked and pulled off his helmet, Daniel crossed his arms.
"Where were you? We were standing here like a bunch of idiots waiting on you to show up!" the Westley said impatiently. "I had to listen to Lawrence talk about whatever it is he was talking about."
"Eugenics." clarified Lawrence. "The villain in the movie I'm working on is a big advocate for it. Nasty stuff."
"My apologies, I had to call Alois and tell him the change in plans." answered the bluenette, taking no interest in Daniel's complaining about the actor.
"You're so whipped..." the Westley teased.
"You would understand the importance of knowing where your loved ones are if you were me. Life is unpredictable." the bluenette stated bluntly. To this, a guilty expression crossed over Daniel's face as he recalled recent events as well.
"Yikes..." commented Kristopherson in regards to Daniel's insensitivity.
"Shut up… Let's just go already. I wanna get this over with." the Westley said, turning to walk up the steps leading toward the front door. As he reached for the handle, however, the door opened on it's own, revealing a young woman. Right away, the demon in the group was concerned.
He could sense what she was, even if he couldn't see it. Sharp teeth and red eyes were a tell-tale sign of several species, but sixth sense informed the Phantomhive that this woman was a vampire. She was careful not to step in the sunlight that poured into the house from the door being opened.
"Sir Phantomhive and friends, I assume." she said. "Please, come in. The master will be with you shortly."
Very quickly after they all stepped inside, the door was shut. It wasn't dark in the foyer as it was lit with lamps and an electric chandelier, but the windows were closed with the shutters drawn, blocking out all light. The drawing room was no better.
Internally, Ciel was already going over potential escape routes and concocting plans of how he was going to get the others out as well while walking. His eye scanned his surroundings very carefully while he considered the strengths of everyone in the group. Perhaps he was right to call his husband beforehand. There were supernaturals all over the place, and it was unfathomable how they amassed the wealth required to become the chairman of Warwick Academy, let alone own a house such as this one. Something was definitely amiss. He was the only one standing when the others sat down to wait on the master of the house. He was also the most on edge.
At last, the master of the house revealed himself. He stepped through the doorway with the woman from before in tow. Right away, Ciel knew that he, too, was of a vampiric persuasion; Red eyes and sharp canines being the obvious indicators. Yet Mister Wakefield didn't look at all like he expected. First and foremost, he expected someone older, but this man had the appearance of someone in his early twenties, if not his late teens. He possessed blond hair that was tied in a flowing ponytail in the back, but hung down in front of his face in the front. The man certainly wasn't dressed as a chairman, as he only wore a simple pair of pants and a dress shirt with the top button open. There was a sly look in his eyes that the Watchdog didn't trust.
"Well, if it isn't the notorious Sir Ciel Phantomhive!" the man greeted.
"Mister Wakefield, I presume." the bluenette answered back. "I highly doubt I am as notorious as you say."
"In my circle, you are." Wakefield stated. "I see you have brought the other concerned individuals as well."
"I have." the demon replied, gesturing to the others. "This is Sir Rupert Midford, Audrey Baines, Kristopherson and Anastasia Miles, Lawrence Rose, and Daniel Westley, the one who brought all of this to light."
"Good thing he did, too. This really is something that needs to be taken care of. The safety of the students should be our number one priority."
"Try telling that to the headmaster." Daniel butted in. "He seems keen on protecting the problem."
"We don't know if it's true yet, but an investigation must be launched." the Phantomhive clarified. "I have a hard time believing that the staff at your school has any intention of doing so, however."
"Unfortunately, I don't find that hard to believe. It seems to be common." Wakefield said. "You mentioned an offer to do the investigation yourself?"
"If I have your permission." Ciel answered.
"You have it. Whatever will get the problem solved the fastest. If your investigation finds these rumours to be true, then I will see to it that the appropriate action is taken."
While things seemed to end simply for the others, Ciel was immensely suspicious. He knew that Wakefield could most likely figure out that he wasn't human despite lacking sixth sense. Vampires could at the very least decipher human from non-human. While everyone else stood up to leave, both men kept their eyes trained on each other. Ciel saw the others to the door before the master of the house called after him.
"Sir Phantomhive?"
"Yes?" Ciel answered, stopping just short of the door. He made sure that everyone else was safely in their vehicles before he looked over his shoulder.
"I think you and I need to clarify a few things before you leave." Thaddeus said. "I don't want us to start off on the wrong foot."
"About what?" inquired the bluenette. "Your status as a vampire?"
"Yes… And your status as a demon associate of H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G." the other replied. "My purposes are not nefarious. I'm a simple man with simple desires that are perfectly ordinary to the average person."
"How does a vampire acquire this much wealth, pray tell?"
"How does a demon? I was born into it."
"As was I."
"The Wakefield family has been around for hundreds of years. I remember the Phantomhive family. Everyone from my time does. Aren't you and Trancy close? I recall them as well." the vampire reminisced. "I recall a fellow by the name of 'Arnold' coming over and hoping for free wine from my wineyards. I simply maintained what I had and built upon it."
"As have I..."
"Is there still a problem?" questioned Thaddeus. "I assure you, I'm registered and everything. There is no law that says that I have to live in Gehenna, after all. Phantom House exists, after all."
"Those policies are new, however. If you have been around for as long as you say, then you've been flying under the radar for quite some time." stated the Phantomhive. "That is a reason for me to believe that you are at least somewhat sly."
"True, but what did you do?"
"I'm not here to swap personal stories." Ciel said. "My main objective is complete. If what you say is true, then it will show up in the database."
"Very well. I'll let you go, then." shrugged the other. "Keep in touch if you find anything wrong with my school. Oh, and Phantomhive..."
Trailing off, he waited for the other to start to turn before suddenly closing the distance between them. His arm shot out, but Ciel's reflexes allowed himself to grab his wrist just in time. The demon's eye glowed and his brow furrowed as he waited for the other's next move.
"There was a stray hair on your shoulder." Thaddeus informed, plucking the offending strand from the fabric of the demon's coat. He took it from his trapped hand with his free one, pinching it between his index finger and thumb before holding it up to the other man's view. With no choice, the Phantomhive begrudgingly released the man due to the fact that he hadn't really done anything.
"You could have just told me." Ciel answered, dusting off his coat.
"Mea culpa." apologised the vampire. "It won't happen again."
Without anything else to say, the Phantomhive simply turned away and began to leave once more. What more was there to say? He didn't have a retort or remark. He didn't have any additional information to present. Really, there was nothing for him to do but go home and wait for his husband get back from his outing with Luka. Thus, he took his leave, abandoning the vampire without even a simple "goodbye".
Wakefield was undeterred, however. He stood there, watching after the Phantomhive where the light leaking in through the doorway came to a halt. Between his fingers, he twisted the stray blueish black strand of hair. All the while, he smiled shrewdly.
"Goodbye, Earl Phantomhive. May we meet again in the near future..."
A/N: I'm fuckin' up. I'm fuckin' up reeeeaaaaallll baaaaaaadddd...
Incidentally, this character is actually recycled from a comic I used to write for several years while in school. He was a lot nicer in the comic, actually, despite being an asshole. I feel like the friend that the original character was based on wouldn't like the redesign pffft. More on that in the future when more happens...
Ah... I honestly don't know if I want to go into this arc...
Welp, here goes. Too late to turn back, now.
Until the next chapter, my duckies~!
CHARACTER SHET
Question: "My question to the cast would be "What melts your heart? No copping out with the names of loved ones because I know what our Demonic Duo will say. What is the thing that makes you drop whatever you're doing and smile?"" By Blonde Sunflower lover
Ciel: "Jim's smile, probably."
Alois: "If I can't say Ciel, then probably Luka's tail wiggling when he's happy or excited. It's so little that there's no even enough for a full wag. It's so cute!"
Travis: "My animals... I miss them..."
Audrey: "Finally beating a boss on a game that took a hundred deaths and do overs to beat."
Kristopherson: "Like normal people, cute animals and stuff like that."
Daniel: "I dunno. The not being able to use people thing makes this hard..."
