Chapter 6

Working for Undertaker may have taken some getting used to but in the end, it wasn't all that bad. When he asked her to help clean the body, it turned out that Luciana wasn't at all squeamish when it came to blood and flesh. The only thing she couldn't stand was the smell. And in Undertaker's parlor that scent of death and chemicals hung heavy in the air. It was gag worthy. It may also have had to do with the fact that he never opened his windows or curtains. No matter what she said, he wouldn't open them. Apparently, it would ruin the atmosphere. Or so he said. It didn't matter anymore. After spending a few consecutive days working there the smell faded into the background. She became used to it. 'Not that it is any less disgusting.' She wrinkled her nose at the thought.

Another thing she discovered was the mortician's knack for making bone shaped biscuits and serving tea. She had to admit; they were good. But she wouldn't live on only that. Luciana still stayed at Nick's lodging and he still kept some food for her at the end of the day. But since she now spent a lot of her time working for Undertaker there wasn't much left for other inquiries. Yes, with his pay and her own winnings, she was quickly saving up money but the working hours interfered with her former routine. That had meant she had to alternate between thieving and research. For now Luciana didn't mind, she could use a break from reading those awful heavy books and it wasn't like she made much progress anyway.

Being at the mortician's parlor was interesting and fun in its own way. One time when she came from her short 'break' Undertaker noticed the fancy looking pouch. He didn't even question her, all he did was grin. He was odd that way- but she wouldn't complain. Then on a different day he gave her a thigh long navy blue dress with white lace trims and a corset. When she asked him about it he only waved her off by saying his 'guest' wouldn't need them anymore. The answer made her cringe and pale but he did have a point. Needless to say she washed it several times before wearing. Surprisingly though the corset wasn't too terrible. It took some getting used to but she had yet to faint from it. So Luce counted that as a win. On another day, she was admiring his long black nails as he stitched up another of his guests. They were really nicely done. She questioned him about where he found the black nail polish thinking that maybe she could pocket one. But apparently he mixed it himself; clear lack and coal. It was smart. Lucky for her he gave her a bottle but then fell over laughing as she instantly started to color her nails. Obviously, the sudden shaking made her mess up and she had to start all over again. It was annoying.

Currently, Luciana was on her 'break'. It was another fine day safe for the shouting pageboys and anxious murmurs. She sighed to herself as she walked down the side walk. Another victim. She already knew. Undertaker and she received her just this morning. This time Luciana hadn't been at the crime scene with the mortician. She was too busy cleaning his beakers. 'He could make such a mess when 'entertaining' his guests.' She shook her head at the thought. It was kind of disgusting.

She was still in the east end and came close to white chapel as the girl noticed a crowd just ahead of her gathered by an alleyway. 'That must be the crime scene.' She mused quietly. 'May as well check it out.' Drifting through the crowd, Luciana made an effort not to be too noticeable; all she wanted was a look at it.

Standing in the front row with her hood propped over her head, she looked past the officers and quietly observed the blood splatters on the ground and walls. Like all the other Ripper cases, the scene was a mess. If the amount of blood was anything to go by then it seemed like good old Jack thoroughly enjoyed his kill. Luciana frowned at her morbid thoughts. 'I'm beginning to sound like Undertaker...' All that was missing was that maniacal laugh of his. She really should be more disgusted by the gore.

Sudden loud murmurs brought her out of her musings. Looking up, she noticed a young noble stand before officer ginger- what was his name again? Todd? Ted? Fred? Fred sounds about right- the boy snatched Fred's papers away looking them over. "It seems as if you haven't got many clues." The young boy's comment made Luciana scoff. 'Of course they don't.'

"We of Scotland Yard will solve this case. There is no need for your interference." Sir Randall, the commissioner as Undertaker had explained to her previously, took back the papers and looked down upon the child. It was unlikely they would. Oh who was she kidding? Luciana knew for a fact that the yard wouldn't solve this case. She chuckles silently, there was just no way the history books could be that wrong. Luciana watched the young noble leave with a tall, dark, handsome fellow in tow. She watched him in awe. 'Who is that?' She didn't know people could be that good looking. Well, there were the really handsome celebs and sportsmen but they weren't exactly people you would meet in the back alleys of London. 'Hot damn.' With those thoughts she walked off into the commercial parts of the city trying to concentrate. The thief was intent on finding some winnings for the day.

Returning to the parlor Luciana found the young noble from before standing before it along with three other adults. 'We actually have living customers? The world must be ending.' She looked around thinking that maybe they would soon be overrun by zombies but no, nothing. She moved past the four, confused by the sudden visitors and entered the parlor. She hadn't even done anything and suddenly there was a rapturous bout of laughter. Quickly gathering her bearing she looked at the two occupants of the room, her eyes going from mister tall-dark-and-handsome to a drooling Undertaker.

"I'll never catch a break, will I?" She mumbled going back to her east end dialect and rubbing her forehead in frustration.

"Luce~ he he he~ You're back. He he he~ Thought you got lost." He grinned at the new entry.

Taking off her cloak she reveals her modern black coat and navy blue dress beneath. "Why does everyone ask that?" She answered in an exasperated tone and adorning her face with furrowed brows. "I can handle me self well enough, thanks." Her tone mocking.

"How're your winnings?" Undertaker giggles out, completely ignoring her.

"Same as always." Luciana set down a heavy pouch of coins for show.

"So eager for money. He he he~" Undertaker was still lying on a coffin with drool running over his chin.

"It makes the world go round. Besides, winter is coming." She stops in her tracks blinking as the words left her mouth. Game of Thrones- really?! Why was she quoting so many movies and shows lately? She was beginning to sound like a bad TV mash up. Shaking her head she took a seat on one of the coffin as Undertaker giggles at her behavior. She turns to look at amused crimson eyes as he moved to open the door for the awaiting quartet outside. "So, who are you?" Her accent gone as her head tilts with curiosity meeting red with grey.

"Sebastian Michaelis, butler of the Phantomhive household." The butler bows with his hand over his heart and a business smile.

"Sebastian Michaelis?- That sounds oddly familiar." Her brows furrow in thought. She knew that name, but from where? It was on the tip of her tongue, so why couldn't she remember?! "Have we met?" She asks cautiously. She doubted they had but maybe if they had met before then it would explain why his name was so damned familiar.

"No." His answer was short and unfeeling, straight-faced and any amusement gone only a stoic mask remained as his master entered the shop. Well, so much for that theory. She nods her head with pursed lips and turns her attention to a still giggling Undertaker.

After serving his usual tea in beakers and bone shaped biscuits the mortician began to explain their latest guests. "These days I often get customers who are incomplete." He giggled slightly while stroking the face of the human anatomy model; Kal. That's right she named it.

"Incomplete?" Sebastian's voice chimed from behind the young noble. The mortician's assistant nodded her head to the inquiry. She already knew that from having read up on the case in her time.

"Yes, incomplete...the wombs are missing. Though the killer makes quite violent splatter, the wombs themselves are neatly cut out." The Undertaker giggled with his wide grin. "It was interesting to experiment." Needless to say their living guests instantly looked at the beakers in hand with disgust and paled when Luciana kept drinking. 'Nothing to be disgusted about, I cleaned them properly.'

"It was done on a public road; even if it was not a high traffic one...wouldn't such an excision have been difficult for an amateur, particularly in the middle of the night?" Sebastian kept the conversation going as he seemed to be the only one not affected by the gory details.

"You're a sharp one butler. That's my opinion as well. Luce?" The mortician grinned at his assistant making her tilt her head.

Well, from what she remembered,..."Aye, quite true." She considered saying more, but would it change the timeline if she did? Then again wasn't it already different with her simply being here? Although, that didn't have to be the case, maybe she was here the first time around too. Did that mean her future was to be in the past? 'Huh?' She shook her head. Just thinking about it made her head hurt. It was better to focus on the topic at hand.

She watched Undertaker move to the young noble and take hold of his neck making a slicing notion as he explained. "First the Ripper slashes their throats with a sharp hand weapon."

"Switch blades, ring knives, pen knives, dagger, razor, surgical equipment." She mumbled thoughtfully and more to herself than as actual input. But the mumbling didn't go unnoticed by the handsome butler. He quirked a curious brow at her as if he had perfectly understood her silent chatter. 'Nah, that's impossible.'

Undertaker continued his monologue and display. "Then cuts this part open and takes what's precious to him. I'm sure there will be others killed. People like that don't stop until someone stops them. Can you do it, o villainous noble Earl Phantomhive?"

"On the honor of my family crest, I eliminate anyone who defiles the Queen's garden, without exception...and by any means necessary." With that the party left. Luciana looked curiously after the young noble. 'He's an earl? Kinda young.' She furrowed her brows as her mind raced with interest and confusion. She just couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity, but that was impossible. She hadn't ever met them before, so why?

Thank you so much for reading!
Also, I finished the chapter for my other story Anything but ignorant! YAY! I'm just gonna read it over again. So I'll probably post it Monday, since I want to try and have a regular schedule for my updates.