Winter marked its territory in England covering in a mild blanket of soft white, it was beautiful and pure. Not a single drop of taint in it. Oh, it presented a world outside of reality, a world all its own. Magical. Spirits were high and warm, it melted away the season. Smiles became a trend the most during this time. People greeted one another with kindness they only seem reserve for this time, it only made sense, humans had a habit of spewing false care when the holidays rolled in.

How sicking and yet entertaining. A smile curled upon their lips tastefully, watching the people down below all of them going about everything, for some reason being up high allowed one to see everything so clearly. There was no light needed, even with the small bit that slightly pierced through the winter clouds from the sun.

Taking a deep breath their smile grew wider. "I wonder, how my little mouse and precious flower are doing?" They thought running their black painted fingers through their long gray hair smoothly. "They are growing well..." they hum touching the tip of their lips lightly. "the holiday is approaching, I do hope they have a wonderful time. Little mouse does enjoy it and I know the precious flower will make sure."

Their eyes lock on a certain carriage. "Well, look who is out. Now, where could they be headed too?" Tempted to follow when the bell chimed loudly, reminding them of the time. "I suppose I cannot," turning their back. Shaking their head lightly. "They can become rather impatient if I'm late, I wonder how development has going." Before leaving they stop for a minute and listen to the wind. Smiling. "My little mouse, continue to sing our song." Taking a step leap off.

The snow fell so softly it was soothing, made one stop and think. Deeply. Golden eyes flickered with such calming thoughts, letting a small sigh escape his lips, Soma sat still watching the snow drift down from inside. It covered the townhouse grounds, especially the garden...someone's favorite place to be. The memory came so vividly, yes the prince could see it as if it was happening now.

Harmony, she'd be running through the garden, out in front. Being either chased by the others or by her own imagination. Playing her favorite game of Princess of the Garden. All with a smile on her fasten on her innocent face. Or she'd be sitting picking them, making crowns for everyone. Expressing her appreciation for everyone, the thought brought a small smile. It spread more with a warmer thought. One that caused his pulse to race and cheeks to flame. Even if he tried to remain calm. It was hard, closing his eyes envision it. To see her...sitting there in the garden with her book. Reading to Harmony, to anyone who joined. Even Ciel who was forced to join. The words came off her tongue so light and good. Bringing life to the words.

The world around faded and it was just the time at that moment, listening. Each word was like poetry in his ears, Harmony enjoyed it, but he loved it. May, she always read in the part of the garden that had fresh berry bushes, a new addition Ciel added because of Harmony. The young girl enjoyed them, something from her old life, Ciel covered. Which he thought it to be rather pathetic. While May read, he and Harmony would be eating them or Agni would have a bowl ready for them.

Smiles all around, whenever the two sisters came here to the townhouse. But joy filled him when May was around or even mention. His mind often consumed by thoughts of her, wondering when time would allow them to meet again. A few weeks ago they did at the event, but, that was all...nothing else. There was the zoo before that, nothing more.

Grumbling at the unfair thought, Agni comes in carrying a tray of something warm for his prince. "My prince-" he stops noticing the young man's yearning sadness, it was clear to Agni what weighed on the prince's mind. When his eyes downcasted like they did now. Smiling lightly to himself quietly walks over. "Something warm to knock the chill of, my prince."

He sets what he had next to Soma, who quickly glances for a second at what it was uninterested. Another sigh comes from his lips. "Angi, it feels so empty."

"Yes, Lord Phantomhive has not been by recen-"

"No," Soma pushes that aside." not that. Do not get me wrong, I miss Ciel and wish he was here, but.." his voice lowers. "I miss her more."

"The Baroness?"

Soma nods his head slowly, turning around to the man with woeful eyes. "There is this hole in my heart without her presence, winter..seems colder now. I was hoping that...I would get the chance to share the holiday with her and Harmony. But, she is not with Ciel, so she cannot come around much. If I could see her smile...right now everything will be well."

A smile slowly appears stopping mid-way. To quickly fade. "I agree. But, you know as well I do and from Lord Phantomhive she must prepare for her new title and her Aunt know best. She will return soon. I understand you missing her, I am quite sure your thoughts reach her an-"

Soma suddenly sneezes to his joy. "Yes!" he cheers in high spirits. Leaving Agni rather lost. "My thoughts are reaching her. I have been told if one is thinking of another they sneeze. May must be thinking of me! Krama is being very kind to me, I am so fortunate!"

The sight of his prince in such a colorful mood relieved Agni, should Soma wish to think such way, let him. "Yes, my prince. That you are."


A black carriage arrives on the outskirts of the East End, opening the door Sebastian helps the young earl out. Just as someone walks over welcoming him. "Ah, my lord what a pleasure it is to see you again," Lau said with arms open.

Though did not earn the same greeting back from the boy. "Enough, you have information for me?"

"Ah, straight to business as always, why of course, this way. It would be best to talk out of the cold, I am sure you would prefer a warm place to discuss our exchange."

Turning the man walks back the way he came, with Ciel and Sebastian following. They arrive at Lau's Opium Den, greeted by one of his workers, quickly Ciel covers his mouth gagging and coughing slightly. Fanning the light fumes away. Quickly Sebastian takes out something in a small brown cloth pouch tied on the time for him.

"My lord, please." he presents it under Ciel's nose. "Inhale slowly."

Still coughing Ciel pushes it aside stubbornly."I..*cough* I will be..." he wheezes clenching his chest a bit. Turns his head coughing. Fanning.

Growling lowly Sebastian deeply insists he inhales."Master, I implore that you use the treatment in which your cousin the Baroness has provided for you. She has insisted that you use it when your asthma begins to act up."

Still, Ciel refused. "That woman is not to mandate my health. I do not need her bewitching remedies." His cough worsens along with his whizzing.

Such a bratty child, as his master's servant Sebastian, must make sure his master was well and in good health. Though he understood why the young man didn't want to use it. Even so it would help him, as it has before. May made it especially for him when she got word of his illness. It took her a full day to make the amount that she did, going as far as putting it under Ciel's pillows so he could sleep well without having trouble breathing, she even made a special oil to help rub upon his chest. Something he didn't like that she did.

It was ugly, the demon could still remember the furious yelling that shook the whole manor from the two. Because both fought the other. the victor ended up being May. And since then she's made sure he was always treated. Though with her absent now, Ciel slightly slacked off. Kindly as he said refusing it. Just as he was doing right now.

Stepping back Sebastian sighs. Shaking his head. Holds up the pouch. "A shame after all the Baroness went through to make this for you, it would be a shame" his eyes quickly flash red with a curling smile."to inform the Baroness you refused to take your treatment."

The mention of such a subtle threat sent a small tremble through Ciel. Breaking out in a small sweat, feeling a May's anger presence over him glaring down with eyes redder than Sebastian's, growling at him with impending consequences. If it wasn't one it was the other that would eat him. Those two females...turning around Ciel snatches the pouch from the demon who smiles at his victory. Opening the little thing Ciel takes a few whiffs settling his cough and opening his lungs. The aroma made it easier to breathe in this atmosphere. Tucking inside his coat close so he could still smell follows Lau into a more private room. Where Ran Mao was waiting, she quickly latches herself onto Lau.

Who pets his precious kitten. "Please, sit." he offers to Ciel.

Sebastian pulls out the chair and Ciel sits. Snapping his finger one of the women comes over with a tray of tea, setting it down before both Ciel and Lau. Getting comfortable Lau kept his smile with Ran-Mao hung around him waiting for Ciel to speak. Fighting the urge to recoil from the tea, Ciel just left it be.

"My, such a picky one aren't we my Lord."

Ignoring his patronizing Ciel gets to the matter at hand. "Just recently the Scottland Yard stumbled across another body, correct?" Lau nods. "And there was no evidence in which they found. The body was again...I believe mummified from my sources. In fine sheets. Clean ones."

"Yes, the poor individual was found drifting in the water, a local stumbled across her."

"Her?! It was a woman?"


Lau nods taking a sip of his tea."Yes. A woman and a child." Shocked from what the man said, the air became heavy and thick. "Wrapped with the woman, the child seem around the age of your youngest cousin, Lady Harmony. I believe. A young girl as well, with the woman. Are they related, not sure, but," he digs into his sleeve and pulls out something setting it before Ciel. "this was recovered at the scene. Or should I say traded."

Lifting his hand reveals small pure silver pin with emblem engraved in it, picking it up Ciel runs his thumb over it the bulb emblem. "A...fig?" Looking closer his eye notices something etched in it. "A, b? Coiled in a wine vine? This was found on the woman?"

He looks to Lau who shrugs his shoulders thinking about it. "I'm not sure, the kind gentleman who traded it found it hidden. I must have fallen off from the ones who put the bodies there. Though," Lau slightly opens his eyes locking them with Ciel's. "there have been rumors of a mysterious shrouds coming in the night. Some have begun to call them Fates."

"Fates?"

Lau nods closing his eyes. "I know it does sound rather ridiculous, but, from what has been spoken there seem to be sightings an-"

What was the time? Taking out his watch Sebastian quickly glances seeing it. His eyes widen, this wasn't good Ciel would be running late if they stayed here any longer than needed. Closing it tucks it away, looks at the young boy deciding whether or not interrupt. Should he decide not too, than they would be late and Ciel would rather upset and so would they...then again if he interrupts Ciel would upset not being able to gather all the information Lau had for this case. Biting his tongue he made his choice.

"Excuse me," he clears his throat getting their attention. Bowing his head humbly. "master but you are running a bit behind. Should you want to make it we need to leave quite soon."

Knowing what he was talking Ciel sighs pinching his brow. Grumbling to himself. "I completely understand," Sebastian said and turns to Lau.a "Mr. Lau do you happen to have a telephone in whic-"

"Don't bother," Ciel stands, to Sebastian's surprise. "I have enough information to start at a point. Lau, send the rest to my manor."

"Yes, my lord." the man nods. "Curious my lord, why are you off in such a hast?" The question stopped Ciel, observing carefully Lau figured it out. "Well, this is another side if I might say. I do hope you send my thoughts to them, especially my Lovely Flowe-"

A deep cough from Sebastian stops him from finishing. "Nevermind. Oh, though before you do leave, I have a gift. I do believe it will be rather lovely." Snapping his fingers in a second one the woman come in carrying a colorful box presenting it to Ciel. "I do hope it is adored." Was all Lau said.


What was taking so long? Harmony wasn't sure, which made her rather antsy her feet paced lightly back and forth over the snow in front of the Midford manor. Her eyes began to swell with each second that passed. Hope remained strong in her chest but also started to flutter away. Where could they be?

It was heartbreaking to watch the young girl pacing back and forth as she waited, there seem like to be no words to say that would ease her nerves. The fire of hope flickered any wrong word would just put it out. She was bold fighting back the tears that demanded to be shed. Sighing, your eyes cast to the sky, it was pass the time they said they'd be here. You didn't need a clock to tell you, you could tell. If you stayed out here any longer with her, Harmony would surely catch a cold. That wouldn't be good.

Standing there silently watch as her little eyesight did their best to stretch out as far as they could to see, only finding nothing but a white covered road and nothing else. Not a single sign, her dress starting to become ruined. Which wasn't good. Normally wouldn't mind but now you had too. Gripping your skirt pick it up and walk over to Harmony.

"Harmony, Harmony," you call reaching out to her. Grabbing her gently by the shoulder. "Harmony, come your dress is dragging in the snow. It isn't proper."

Those weren't the words she wanted to hear and you could see it in her glossy eyes that searched yours for a reasonable explanation. One you could not give but had too. While her lips curved downward, yours curved up. Taking her hand in yours ignoring the throbbing pain bend to her level. "Now, what is with all those hidden tears? Hmm? It's a beautiful day aren't you excited?"

She nods sniffing. "I am...but...we-" she tries to get the words out but her bottom lip kept trembling so she couldn't.

Sighing softly your smile remains with your tender eyes. Just as you get ready to speak you felt their presence that made you growl in disdain. Standing up look behind Harmony at the approaching black carriage. Noticing your attention behind her, Harmony turns around as a beaming smile took its place. Quickly wiping her eyes elated throws herself just as the carriage stops and they come out. Nearly knocking them down.

"Ciel!"