Harmony's amber eyes sag with sullen, and her head just the same. Her feet dangled over the cushion seat in the carriage, heading back to the manor. Letting out dulling sighs one after the other. With each sigh that came her shoulders dropped more. Lifting it seem nearly impossible, by the bit of tears in the corner of her eyes her little self, tried to hold back. It was understandable, yet also shuttering. The others weren't sure what to do, knowing how she was when she became like this.
Sitting across from her, with only Tanka sitting by her. Drinking tea. Harmony's sighs became louder and flared. Looking at her bunny she held tight in her lap. Tears begin to trickle, her hand quickly wiped them away.
Baldroy looks at the others, gesturing on what do to. While Finnian looked on differently. Along with Snake. Their eyes never left the girl. The heavy clouds matched the mood inside the carriage all the same.
She doesn't even want to look at the pasture, Finnian thought. It's her favorite. Oh, lady Harmony.
His shoulders droop slowly, clenching his fist, he couldn't take and stands up to others confusion and surprise. "Lady Harmony, if you...if you don't..." he places hands on her shoulders. Biting his lip, fighting back his own feelings and pushes out with a smile."if you don't look up, you're gonna miss the cows. Remember? You love the cows and the sheep! They're coming soon. They always make you smile."
Realizing what he was doing, the others join in. "Yeh! He's right!" Baldroy adds. "Ya love the sheep and all right? Remember you named one?"
"That's 'ight!" Mey-Rin springs with joy. "It was the one...the one that was...umm..." Killing it now, Baldroy tries not to panic. Luckily someone came in and kept it going.
"Dottie, says Wilde." Snake spoke. For the snake to sliter over to Harmony and around her shoulders.
"Yeah! That's right!" Baldroy snaps remembering. "That little sheep, ya named it." He turns looking out the window, searching for it. "Now, were could that little sheep be?"
Mey-Rin joins him. "I don't see it? What about you my lady?"
Glad his fellow friends where helping Finnian's smile brighten more, turning back to Harmony."Yeah, let's look fo-"
Tears began to run and the cheerful mood was gone as quickly as it came. Her chin began to tremble. "Stop it!" She yells glaring at them hard. Eyes puffy and swollen. "I don't want to look for a stupid sheep!" She slams her fist down on the seat. Beating it again and again. "I don't want that! I want my sister! I want Ciel!" Her voice rose in demand.
The others flinch staring, their mouths nearly fell open. Under her flaring gaze. "...L-Lady-" Mey-Rin tries to speak, sputtering.
To have Harmony scream that the whole carriage came to a complete stop. Jerking nearly everyone. "I want my sister! I want Ciel! I want them back!" She bares even more. With a low growl, demanding they deliver now. While also stirring up inside.
They could see it in her eyes, the dark anger that started to rise, that a tint of glow sparked. Gulping, Finnian bravely stands and wearily tries to talk to her. Remembering their words, before departure. "Lady Harmony.." his voice soft. "I know you want the master and your sis-"
"I want to go back!" she gets up shoving him when something quick grabs her and holds her close. Pressing her body against their chest. Fighting against them, when she hears their heartbeat did she begin to settle. And cling to them, crying.
Stroking her hair soothingly, Tanka smiles kindly down at her. "Now, now Lady Harmony, you know it is unladylike to through such a behavior around." He tells her. She buries her face more. Muffling in him. He seem to be able to understand her because his smile deepened. And he gives her a light squeeze. "We understand, you miss the young master and the Baroness, but, you have been instructed to return back to the manor for the time being. Correct?"
The others froze waiting for Harmony's response, patiently Tanka waits for her nod. He then lifts up her chin wiping away her tears. "I know.." she cries, trying to wipe away her tears. "But, I just want them with me. And Mr. Sebastian too. We have to go home together."
Her sniffles filled the carriage, the others look on softly, Finnian bends down and gets her bunny handing it to her. Not afraid at all. "Don't worry, they'll come home soon." He smiles cheerfully."You'll see. They've just got stuff to do."
Looking in his eyes, Harmony searches them for the truth find it. With his sweet words. Still, she refused her eyes remained watery. Sniffling still, Tanka takes out a handkerchief and wipes her nose and eyes. Wilde and a few other snakes come over and lick up her tears. Which kind tickled making her laugh just a bit.
"God a smile," Baldroy sighs to himself. Mey-Rin nods agreeing.
Taking her bunny back, Harmony stares it for a few seconds. Afraid she as going to start back up, Finnian hugs her. "Don't cry anymore lady Harmony. Okay?"
Raising a hand behind him, Baldroy and Mey-Rin gasp trembling, to nearly shriek and stop seeing she hugged him back. "...Okay..." she agrees. To his joy, he hugs her more, only for the others to freak out, but he was careful.
Letting her go the mood lighter now, he looks out the window. "Why don't we look for Dottie? Huh? I know you like to look for Dottie with the master, but, maybe you can look for Dottie with us? If that's okay?"
It was true, Harmony enjoyed looking for the sheep with Ciel. Becoming excited and even turning it into a game with him. That he barely paid attention to. The sheer thought of doing it with others...looking back down at her bunny. Wanting to cry, smiles instead.
"Yes! Let's look for Dottie!"
They all cheer, Tanka claps glad to hear. "And when find it, we'll stop the carriage so you can pet it. How does that sound?" Baldroy added, to Harmony's glee. Her eyes sparkled clinging to leg.
"Yes! We can? Really?"
He nods. "We can do pretty much anything since it just you." He crosses his arms with a proud smirk. "Without the master and Sebastian, we'll do so much fun things."
"Yeah!" Mey-Rin agrees. Becoming excited about the thought. "It'll be so much fun, yes it will!"
"Anything?" Harmony bounces up and down, clapping her hands the more the others added something on. That she just couldn't wait. Not considering the repercussions. "Mr. Sebastian said I was not allowed to do that, and Ciel. But, now I can! Can I eat as many cookies as I want?"
They all nod. She squeals.
"This will be very fun, I cannot wait!" Throwing her hands. Laughing. Forgetting out everything from before. Though stops for a second and stares out the window up at the sky. "I do hope...Ciel and my sister are having fun, with Mr. Lau. At his party."
The temperature was lower by the water, by the docks at this late hour. Four people walked along, three in front one in the back. Passing ships and boats until it reached a certain one. A gloved hand reaches out and knocks on the door. In just a few seconds it opens and a man in his late 30's steps out.
"Yeah?"
A polite and humble smile greets the man back. "Good evening sir, I have come to deliver your company, for the evening. Courtesy of Mr. Lau."
The man's eyes changed with delight, looking behind the tall-dark stranger at the cute and pretty women, in their short oriental dresses. Holding a few things. His face flushed with a lucid smile, steps aside. Welcoming the girls. When he noticed something wrong and stops one of the women. Pointing at them.
"Who is this? She don't look like the usual," he looks them up and down. "What happened to the other one?"
Thinking quickly, the dark stranger pulls the woman back, placing their hands on her shoulder. "Why, she has just arrived. Recently employed and purchased to Mr. Lau. His Lovely Flower, quite the delicate one is she not? She has become Mr. Lau's favorite actually. Which is why Mr. Lau thought having her come is a kind gesture to his most favorite customers. He believed by sending this delicate flower it would make things much more...lovely. As you can see, she has quite delicate petals. And softens that is well in bloom. Why bees fight just to get a taste of her honey. Why it is so rich and fair. It can give those who taste it a sweet tooth."
Their words purr, laced with temptation. That the sailor could not resist, looking her up and down. Her dress was a different coloration than the others, white and magenta with dark-golden feathers printed on it. A flower cut over her chest allows eyes to get a glance. And white flats. Her hair was pulled back in a mid-ponytail. It was just so cute and sensual. Still, it seem like the sailor wasn't fully sold.
So the stranger offered more. "Did I mention this Lovely flower has soothing vocals," their hand lightly wraps their throat. "It is said to ease even the most troubled of souls. Can you sing for the man, Lovely Flower?"
Doing they what were told, sings a lovely tempo, just a small one. And it worked, the sailor became wrapped and completely opens the door. "A Lovely Flower indeed. Come in...what is her name?"
With a sweet and innocent smile, she speaks in a light voice. "Fen-Hau." Introduces herself going inside, still carrying her smile. The man follows shutting the door though not before tipping the man.
Once his job was done, he turns and leaves. ding towards some of the crates. Coming around the corner, finding Ciel there dressed like a page-boy. With Lau. "Well, that went well." Ciel said a bit shocked.
"Why, master did you have your doubts?" Sebastian coyly asked. Discarding their oriental robe.
"A little," he peers a little around the crates at the craft. Where he sent May. "the fact she managed to pull it off is what astounds me."
Which Lau comments. "Why, my lord, who could resist such a flower? With features such as your cousin's? My Lovely Flower scent can enthrall any man."
"She's not yours," Ciel reminds him sternly.
"I'm not sure, considering the words you butler used," Lau refutes lightly. "I believe it is safe to think otherwise. I mean, she accents so well in her dress and clearly will become the favorite to many. She is almost up there with Ran-Mao. I could start her off very well. Yes, my Lovely Flower."
Ignoring him, Ciel focuses back to the actual purpose. His eye reads the name of the ship on its side. "Urd? What a rather odd name."
"Ah, Urd, one of the fates of Old Norse." Sebastian explains."Part of time, I believe if my mythology is correct."
Lau looks rather amused. "Well, it is an interesting name. What does it stand for again?"
Ciel hushes him, with nothing to do but wait. He does so, leaning up against the crates. Closing his eye, it was rather late and passed his normal time of resting. Unsure how long this was going to take, he might as well rest. While Sebastian kept watch. With Lau. "So, they are the ones who come into the docks after late hours." He speaks to Lau.
"Yes, their captain and his crew have become fairly lively consumers," Lau begins to fill him in. "before they use to come into the den until a few weeks they decided to arrange more...personal and private services. Who would I be to deny them such a luxury, they do pay rather hefty. And tip well too. So my girls have brought back to me. You know, butler, I am surprised my Lovely Flower agreed to do this. And," he looks to Ciel. "the fact the Earl played such a tactic upon her agreeing into this, this life. I mean, surely her beloved aunt did not intend for this route for her children."
"It comes with the title, as my master stated to her. The Baroness took upon more than Madam Red's status, she took all that came with it."
"So I see, though I also see this life of darkness does not suit my Lovely Flower. She seems too innocent for such."
If only, Sebastian thought. "Innocence can only last for so long."
"True," Lau nods looking up at the covered sky of grey. A light frown replaces his smile."No stars tonight. A shame. I do hope my Lovely Flower is not becoming de-pedaled. Those men are known for being rat-"
"Would you mind keeping the talking to a limit?" Sebastian asked briefly closing his eyes. "And reframe from calling the Baroness your Lovely Flower. When she clearly is not."
Lau drops his eyes to him. "Oh, but she is." To quickly cover it from the low irritated grow from the butler."For these next few hours. Of course. Tell me something, has the lord accepted any courtship for his cousin?"
This mundane talk was starting to become a rather bothered. "That is a subject for only my master."
"Oh, well, it did seem that the Lord's cousin Lord Edward seem to take quite a fancy to her, as well Prince Soma. Both seem like well and appropriate matches. One of royalty and the other to be head of the Order of the British Empire. As well Marquess. She would be very well off."
"Indeed she would, perfect as it may seem...it does not mean the piece is considered the right fit. Now, if you do not mind, can we focus on the matter at hand?"
Noticing something rather interesting, Lau keeps it to himself. "Yes, of course."
A few more hours went by and still nothing. How long was this going to take? Ciel eventually woke up from his quick rest, finding that nothing had happened. Patience thinning, as nothing happened.
"What could be taking so long?" Crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Has she not reached it yet?"
"Oh, I forgot to mention, they do enjoy their pleasure a bit longer than most." Lau brings up. "Sometimes it can go all the way into early mornings."
That was information needed to know. "And you decide to tell me that now? If that was the case then..."Stopping himself, cursing under his breath Ciel had to think of something else. "Sebastian. I-"
Someone exits the ship and jumps on to the dock quickly. Being careful not to make any sort of alarm. Looking behind them to make sure all was still. Once it was, stands up and lightly walks away. Glancing back every so often at the ship. Stopping a few steps away from the stacked up crates.
No need to look around, already knowing there was another presence behind it. Waits for them to come out. "Here," you hand something to Ciel. He takes it looking it over. "It's their log. They're all out."
Flipping through some of the pages, Ciel finds a few things not alarming, but some rather. Reading the weight and ounces, which didn't make sense. "There's something here missing, there is no record of whom they shift their load off to. A log should keep a record of this."
You did not really care, your mind was somewhere else. Mainly the fact you stood here in the cold late morning, in reliving clothes that did not provide any real protection against the cold. Also, being the presence of Lau. Was what made you shiver. You kept your eyes and back to him.
"And after the lovely gift, I gave you too, my Lovely Flower."
Blocking out what he said, look at Ciel who was nearly done. "Are you done?"
"In just a minute...what's this?"
Normally, the cold wouldn't affect you, but it was right now. There was a strange chill in the air, that you just could not shake. Looking to the side see nothing. "Baroness, is there something wrong?" Sebastian asked.
You quickly turn to him. "No. Nothing. I just would like to get out of this dress. It is rather chilling down here, by the water."
"Oh," Sebastian takes off his jacket offering it to you. "if that is that case then here. Please take my jacket."
You hold up a hand. "No. I would rather freeze than take that."
"There is always my arms," Lau offers.
You shot him a nerving look. "I would rather just freeze to death."
Finally finished, Ciel hands it back to you. "Return it." Taking with a slight frown from his demand. Turn and head back. "Once done, come back out."
Nodding you head back, they watch you re-enter. This life...was all you could think about...this life was not what you wanted.
You have taken up the Baroness title of Angelina Dallas-Burnett, meaning you have taken on her life and all that comes with it. Ciel said.
You refused. Against it. There was nothing that he could say that would make you take it.
The choice is not yours to make, he said. Otherwise, if you do not wish for me to export any buried information to Harmony, I would advise you to take it.
And take it you did. Was this the secret behind Madam Red's eyes you remember seeing?
