Chapter 22

"So I think it's safe to say that Mr. Prince and butler are amongst the 'annoying people' you'll meet." Luciana grinned, referencing their little heart to heart. She didn't actually mind their guests. Agni was an amazing cook, helped around the house and was an overall sweetheart. Soma on the other hand seriously needed a reality check in her opinion but other than that she'd definitely chill with him. He knew how to relax. And to make it all better; the two knew how to annoy Ciel- and she just loved seeing that.

The boy let out an annoyed grunt. He figured that much out himself. "What about the case? And that butler's strength..." His eye suddenly widened as a new idea popped to mind. "...you don't think they have something to do with the case?" If he was strong enough to fight on par with a demon, then hanging people up on display wouldn't be much of a challenge.

Luce hummed thoughtfully, eyes quickly flicking over to the butler. She wanted to see what he thought, but as always he was like a black coloured canvas hiding a picture beneath the shade; nothing portrayed his thoughts. "Who knows..." she shrugged, "Want me to do some research?" Luce couldn't keep the sneaky grin off her face; it had been a while since she got to roam the streets of London. So naturally she was excited- maybe she could even go for a quick visit to Undertaker. 'And get some cookies!'

Looking at her expression, the kid earl wasn't so sure he wanted to let her loose, but they did need the info. "...fine, be back before dinner." He begrudgingly agreed and her eyes gleamed with mischief and amusement.

"Who are you? My mum?"

He ignored the comment. "Sebastian will go with you."

With a sigh Luciana dragged the demon out of the room. 'So much for cookies...' She peered at Sebastian from the corner of her eyes, taking in his appearance; that damn butler just looked way too classy. 'We're going to the East End not the NY fashion week!' She internally grumbled but doubted that he could actually look bad. 'Hell! I could probably give 'im rags and he'd work them like a bloody male model.' Luce clicked her tongue in annoyance. "You know, technically he never actually ordered you to come with me..." She began, leaving the rest up to his interpretation.

"Oh?" Sebastian leaned against his door, an expression of false hurt crossing his face. "You don't like my company?"

Her eyes narrowed at his theatrics, not minding that he looked like someone had just kicked a puppy- or kitten. "Fine. We're going on foot." Her eyes again scanned his appearance. 'We are so going to stick out...' "And put your coat on." She left him to his vices, quickly going to the women's quarter, taking a bundle of her savings and some Funtom candy. Nick was sure to love them. Then she wore her modern jacket and didn't bother with the cloak- it would look too weird if Sebastian was all prim and proper whilst she donned a worn-out brown cloak. With a sigh she exited the room. 'Happy thoughts, Luce...think happy thoughts.' Maybe she could excersise her nimble fingers a little. With a enthusiastic nod she met Sebastian at the back door.

"Where to?"

"Commercial street first." She grinned, striding through some shortcuts and alleys with the butler right behind her.

"We have about two hours, otherwise dinner will be late." Luciana rolled her eyes. 'Him and his stupid punctuality.' The girl could already hear the bustle of the wealthy and they reached their first destination in no time. 'Why does he think we took the short route?'

"Happy?" She scoffed when he nodded. "Sometimes I wonder just how much of your act is actually real." Sebastian smirked at her, no intention of giving an actual answer. "Fine, don't tell me." She turned to the bustle looking for a certain carriage. 'I spy a little eye...' Luce grinned when she found what she was looking for- and fittingly enough a rich guy was just stepping down, trying to pocket his pouch. "Let's go." She grabbed onto Sebastian, clinging to his arm like a woman in love.

He frowned at her abnormal behavior and sent her a questioning look. A mischievous smirk graced her lips in response and Luce moved her glinting grey eyes to the man's pouch she intended to steal. 'Some exercise for my nimble fingers.' She kept the man in her peripheral vision, calming her breath as the adrenaline rushed through her veins.

Meanwhile Sebastian viewed the item critically. He didn't see any reason to steal when they had money of their own, but he was curious to see how the little thief would go about it. After all she had apparently never gotten caught. His eyes took in her appearance; a calming breath, glinting grey orbs trained on the desired item and her face was turned to him. She intertwined their fingers with a small smirk.

As the man approached closer she began tapping a finger against the back of his hand, creating a steady rhythm that matched her target's walk. Soon, her hold on the butler tightened, making Sebastian slow his walking as they were just few steps away from her goal. Her gaze then fully flickered to the pouch. The girl waited for the man to drop the coin pouch into his pocket, inserting her slender hand into the hollow space, letting the pouch fall into her grasp and picking it out as they walked past. Luce then hid the item in her hand, grasping onto Sebastian's arm and calmly walking away. The victim never noticed his loss. The demon chuckled quietly.

Arriving at an open carriage Luciana stepped up and took a seat with Sebastian opposite to her. The driver waited for them to be comfortable before asking for directions. "To the east end, James." She grinned over her shoulder.

The driver clicked his tongue when he looked at the familiar female but drove nonetheless. "I do 'ope ye can pay." She jingled the previously stolen pouch in front of his face and watched as he snatched it away. James was a grumpy guy, but by no means heartless. He just preferred high paying customers.

"So...James." It had been a while since Luciana had last seen the driver, so the little thief decided to begin a conversation- and of course she had a hidden agenda. He probably knew that too.

The carriage driver narrowed his eyes but focused on the road. "What do ye want now?"

"Well, since yer asking." Sebastian chuckled at Luciana's comment while another scoff sounded from the driver's seat. "Ye know of any noble wif an Indian woman?" She looked at the man to see him scrunch his brows in thought. If their Indian guests were looking for a kidnapped woman then she would probably be with the wealthy upstarts.

"Aye." Luciana smirked at his answer. She had thought as much. "The lad likes 'is brands. Middle class. Name's West or somethin." He explained as the carriage halted by the side of the road having reached the outer parts of the east end. Well, she never did specify where exactly he was supposed to go, so it was all good. "Off ye go."

Luce took Sebastian's outstretched hand as she descended the carriage. "Nice doin' business wif yer." The girl grinned as James drove away. She turned to see the butler look at her curiously. "What?"

"You chose an interesting approach. Why not ask for his address?" He asked as they begun walking the back alleys of the east end.

Luce hummed thoughtfully. "Well, if history has taught me anything, then with colonial rule comes the want for 'exotic' prizes." The demon agreed with her knowledge. Humans tended to want what they can't have. They turned into a narrower side alley. "Namely; wives, slaves, young boys." 'Thank you history channel.' "As for your second question..." She stopped in her tracks to turn back to the demon. "Ciel should do some of his own work." She grinned cheekily making the Sebastian chuckle. So she enjoyed toying with the boy as much as he did. He hummed appreciatively. The girl was certainly sneaky. Another trait of hers he seemed to enjoy.

Luciana then led him further into the narrow back alleys of the east end, passing the usual sight of prostitutes, orphaned kids, drunks and gamblers. They were in the deepest and darkest parts of London. The shadows of this city, it was somewhere Luciana always enjoyed being. They made her feel like she could disappear from the world and drone out all her problems. It was a miserable attempt at running away from reality, but the dark soon became her comfort. Sitting in the dark below the night sky with the moon as your constant companion, it was reassuring. "Here we are." She announced as they stopped in front of the lodging. Entering the common room she took her usual seat by Nick's table and gestured for Sebastian to do the same. It just wouldn't do to have him stand there like a stick in the mud.

The lodging's keeper lifted his brows in surprise as he peered at the two people in front of him. "Yer a sight for sore eyes." He grinned at the black haired girl. "And who ye got wif yer?"

"I'm sure y'know already." She waved his question off with a chuckle. "Got something fer ye, Nick." The man's face lit up like a child's at Christmas as Luciana handed over a heavy pouch of coins that would definitely last for a few weeks along with some candy.

Nick laughed. "Ye sure kno' how to please people." She gave him a simple shrug. "So what's it ye want to know." Sebastian lifted a curious brow. This guy was her informant? He remained silent and watched the proceedings.

"Well, I've got a specific question, but firs' care ta fill me in on lates' news?" Nick had gladly obliged. He'd told them about the latest happenings ranging from newcomers, be it customers or sellers, to how business was for the prostitutes after Jack's disappearance and to the latest on the black market. Obviously, Luce knew he hadn't gone into detail. Nick always kept some information private or would simply not mention unless specifically asked. It was smart not to show all his cards. But she also knew that he normally wouldn't tell people even this much. "Thanks, seems I've missed a lot." She chuckled.

"Aye, it hasn't been borin."

"Tell me 'bout them newbies." She poured the man some rum and watched as his face scrunched in displeasure.

"Them lads been not'in but trouble." Luce shared a look with Sebastian and waited for Nick to continue. "They been bringin coppers 'round for days." He took a chug of rum and rubbed his forehead. "Too many eyes..."

"So them lads are bad for business." Luce concluded with a frown. If that was true then it wasn't any good for Ciel; bad business meant more aggressive behavior.

"Aye..."

"Ye kno 'bout the pantsin?" Nick nodded, so she continued. "Them coppers think its them newbies." Sebastian was surprised the girl had decided to share this information, but it explained why there were plenty officers coming into the east end. Nick scoffed. "We kno betta don't we?" She grinned at the butler and thanked Nick for his cooperation.

HAPPY MERRY CHRISTMAS MY LOVES!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all have a nice Christmas Eve, get lots of presents, may your wishes come true and eat lots of good food!