Harmony's hand picked the colorful flower before her, adding to her growing bouquet, seeing another she goes picks it. So far she had three blues, four purples, two whites and five reds. The one she picked was a blue so she had four now. Humming with a carefree smile, all these lovely flowers where just so..so beautiful. She loved being here in her garden, it was green and filled so many colors. Spotting another she goes to it, unaware someone was behind her.
"I like this one." she said gleefully picking and adding it. Her smile remained on the plant. To drop from the shadow that cast over her, looking up at the person, her smile widens and she squeals. "You're here!" Spinning around throws herself around their leg, squeezing it tight. Forgetting about her flowers.
They chuckle hiding their snicker, pat her head tenderly. "Yes, I am. Sorry, if it's been awhile. I've been busy."
"That's okay. I'm just glad you're here. Do you want to pick flowers with me?" she offers holding out a hand. They take it, watching her cheeks tinge with pink. Taking their hand leads along. "Come on, there's so many over here. Aren't the flowers lovely?"
A delightful idea. "I would love too," They take her hand carefully. "my such a strong grip, but, that hasn't changed with you." She laughs as they walk along the rows of the flowers.
Stopping a few times to collect new flowers and another time to make flower crowns, which Harmony presents to them. They accept it. "Yeah! Now you look lovely." She claps with glee. "Very pretty. Not ugly at all! So cute."
The cackle softly behind their sleeve. "Yes, cute indeed. Are you ready? For your birthday?"
"Yes, I am. I get to turn a year older soon! I can't wait." Harmony hums, skipping to the next flower bed deciding which flower she wanted. "Mr. Finnian and the others are really happy, Ciel said he was going to throw me a really cute party. Mr. Sebastian said I can have any kind of cake I want. I want a pink one!"
Clearly those where not her words or desire, but they amuse her. "Really? My, how lucky you are. A pink cake. And what of your sister?"
For a moment Harmony stops and thinks about it. "May, she hasn't really spoken about my birthday, I don't know why," Harmony shrugs lightly. "She always use to get so happy, now, she seem worried about something."
A thin smile curled on their lips deliciously. "Oh, you don't say, and why is that?"
Again Harmony shrugged. "I don't know. I'm worried though." Her voice murmured, they could see the tears behind them and sullen corner glimmering in those amber eyes. That squeezed shut.
Laying the flowers down, they go over and provide her comfort. Bringing into their chest gently stroke their hair with a soothing hush. "There, there my little mouse. No need for tears, you're going to be a big girl soon. Now, now," they use their sleeve to pat those eyes dry. "I hate seeing you, my precious little mouse cry. It makes me sad." They say woefully, nuzzling their cheek against hers.
After a few more whimpers Harmony stops and opens her eyes. Rubbing them dry herself. "I-It's not cute to cry. Lizzie told me that. So, I won't cry. Auntie Red said it too. I have to be a good little girl. So, no crying."
"My, what a big girl. My little mouse." They proudly say. Still stroking her hair lightly. Resting their chin on her head. Hum softly, a tune Harmony knew and begun to sing.
"Hickory, dickory dock..the mouse ran up the clock..." She gives a slight yawn, muttering the rest of the words off to the side. Their time was up, she knew when her eyes started to get tired. Gripping their sleeve, curls in their arms. "I-I don't want to leave."
"I know, but, we will see each other soon."
Which was true, but still. "Will you come...come on my birthday?" She asked groggily, her words started to slur and body weigh down with sleepiness. Their eyes watch as she struggles to stay awake. It was cute and precious.
With a few more yawns leaving her, Harmony's eyes closed. Asleep in their arms, lay her down gentle, take her arms and rest them crossed over her body. There was something missing, ah, her flowers. Collecting a few, place them under her hands. A nice bouquet of red, blue, yellow, and just for flavor a single black rose. Leans down and kisses her forehead tenderly. Stroking the area lightly.
"Oh, my precious, precious little mouse." they hum, running their long fingers through her hair. "Another year older, hmm, your sister has every right to fear. My flower is aware of the closing shadow that is ready to swallow her up. Oh, my precious little mouse, you have no idea how much you mean." Their eyes fall to the bracelet Harmony wore and smile.
Yawning Harmony wakes, rubbing her eyes, there was no sunlight that woke her. No, the sky was still heavy and dark. She could still hear the rain pouring like a mighty shower.
Sitting up with a small stretch, reaches out to the left to grab a cookie. "Huh?" she brings her hand back finding it empty, there was no cookie. Not even a crumb, that and no Sebastian coming in to greet her with a morning smile and light pat on the head. "W-where is Mr. Sebastian?"
Tossing her covers aside, climbs out of bed, realizing something was different about that too. She actually reached the floor rather easy. Not dangling for a bit or on her tippy-toes. Also, there was no scolding from Sebastian either. Not even a peep from him. The floor was cold when her bare feet touched it, not warm or soft. It was hard, like wood. Like the floor back in the cabin. Why was it cold and hard? Why could she reach the floor and by looking around, why did her room have two beds? Wait, she shouldn't have two beds, she should have one. A big one, that was fluffy and warm. Her toys weren't all here either, sure some where in the corner, but not all of them.
Where was her dollhouse? Her rocking horse? Tea set? Wait! Her rabbit! Where was her rabbit? She turns around like a windmill finding it back on the bed, good, it was here. Grabbing squeezes it close. She'd hate to lose her favorite toy. "It still smells like Mr. Sebastian." She inhales a few times. "Where is Mr. Sebastian? Where is everyone?"
With no one to answer her questions she goes to find them, opening the door and leaves the room.
It didn't take her long to find her way out, she was glad knew the way, playing games of hide-n-seek really payed off right now. Climbing the stairs was a little tiring, but she did it. Normally, she be holding someone's hand or have a piggy back ride up. These steps where a little stepper than the ones in foyer. Reaching the top takes a quick breather and fans herself.
Panting a bit. "That...was hard." she groans, dusting herself off. She couldn't look dirty, Sebastian would be upset. The thought of him started her searching up.
Reaching the kitchen she peers in hoping to find him, seeing no one. It was empty, this would be perfect for her to go inside and grab a treat. But, she didn't and walked right by. Making her way to the center of the manor, it was as grand as it was empty. No wonder she felt so small. The grip on her rabbit tightens.
Where was everyone? Where was Mr. Sebastian?
Was all her little mind kept asking, a good question indeed. That was answered far away from her innocent eyes to see. But, for the mature eyes of everyone else. It wasn't the question of where was Sebastian, but, what happened to Sebastian, was the actually one.
How did he end up like this, on the floor with a fireplace poker through the chest, was one of the questions burning in your mind, along with another.
That showed knotted on brows that was mistaken for another meaning. The other guest where shocked at the sight before them, that the fact there where two deaths in similar rooms. Not even a few hours had passed in finding another body, the body of Sebastian. Laying before the hearth, eyes open looking up to the ceiling, a pool of blood beneath his body slowly soaking and spreading out further on the carpet. There seem to be more blood from the back of his head. Your eyes try to search if this was a ruse or not, but the lifelessness couldn't be clearer. A part of you wanted to test it, but you didn't react, your hand curled together you had to cover it with your other to hide it from shaking.
Remaining together was what you did, though you couldn't say much about Finnian and the others who remained in pure shock at the death of him. You had a strange feeling something was wrong, something was off while you sleep. And when you woke, felt the shift too, there was also a presence you faintly felt in your room. Like someone was there or was had been. That was factor and the fact not hearing a morning knock on your door, from the demon. Either way you rose yourself and the minute your foot touched the floor get a pounding knock on your door, before you could answer, it was knocked down by Finnian who was shaking uncontrollably screaming for your presence.
Not sure what he meant, the sight of him was enough for you rush out still in your nightgown (which was not deemed appropriate) follow him closely. Ending up where you stood now. You nearly stepped into the blood when you rushed in, if not snatched back by Baldory you surely would have ended up upon Sebastian's body. A sight you where still trying to...comprehend.
"Young Master." Baldory voice turned your head around finding Ciel.
Your heart dropped like stone, quickly reach out to him. "Ciel!" He pushes you aside, startling you, luckily Tanka caught you. Asking if you where alright, all you could do was just nod, caring less about yourself but more about Ciel. Who in denial demands Sebastian to wake, going as far as slapping him. Breaking down over Sebastian's body. Standing you try to go to Ciel, but Tanaka held you back.
All you could do was watch, watch Ciel succumb to anguish grief, grief that you knew all too well. And now had to stand and witness it in its physical form, if you could just break from Tanaka's hold (which you could) to go and shield Ciel take him away from it all, just like...Harmony. Make a better life away from such pain, he would be better. You'd be able to fix it, so he wouldn't have to go through this...you'd make the deal..you'd make sure he would join Harmony in her garden and...
"Mr. Sebastian! Mr. Sebastian! Where are you?" Harmony's call catches everyone ear, if your heart dropped, it sunk that.
Harmony, you...everyone nearly forgot and she was making her way here. She couldn't see this...she just couldn't..you hide it this from her for so.."Harmony!" you rip from Tanaka and push through the others, get restrained back again.
"Snake!" Baldory orders, right away Snake races out to her.
God, you hoped he got there in time . Waiting was becoming agony. Ciel, now Harmony. This had to be a another sign, it just had to be. It was getting closer, you could feel it. And another saw it plastered on your face.
"Baroness," Tanaka kindly yet sternly speaks in your ear. "you must calm down. Snake will tend to Lady Harmony." Everything felt hollow, but you heard every word and nod, feeling his grip on you lighten. But, the trembling didn't stop. "Mr. Grimsby, would you mind offering the Baroness comfort?" He asked the man handing you off to him.
Grimsby nods. "Yes, of course." He didn't mind nor did Irene. She tries to offer you comfort, but you remained in a state of absence. What was amazing to Irene is the tears you had not bother to shed. Maybe the shock was too much and you would do it in private.
Or maybe...you remove yourself from their company and the room. Excepting you to go towards your sister, surprised you went the other. Returning back to your room, enter being careful not to step on any of the shattered pieces of what once was your door. Walk over the wall, rest a hand on it slip your fingernails in the slits and start to remove it, stopping hearing approaching steps. Quickly hurry to your bed and sit.
Right then Ciel comes in with Tanaka. "Ciel, are you alright?" you asked concerned. He nods solemnly for a moment, clears his throat and presents himself composed walks over with Tanaka behind.
Stops before you, his eye looked down towards the end of your night gown. Following his attention nearly gasp at what you saw. There was blood on your feet and some on the edges. But, how? It made sense now, why Tenaka stopped you from going to Harmony, so she wouldn't see this on you, you never wanted her to see this color on you like this before her. Not...when it had been before. If she saw this...
"May," Ciel speaks bringing your attention back to him. "forgive me. I shouldn't have put you in such a position."
He didn't need to apologize. "No," you disagree shaking your head. "there is not need to apologize, if there is anyone," you stand meeting his eyes, "it is myself. I should have been able to handle such a incident before you came. So that I could have spared you from such a sight." Your words surprised him for a moment, Tenaka smiles to himself at the two. "Though you are the Earl of this manor, I am also the eldest. Both as a sister and cousin, as such it is my job to provide protection. If cannot do that, then.." your eyes fall for a moment reflecting. Rise back up to Ciel's. "I have not at all fulfilled my position. So, there is no need to apologize Ciel." You raise a hand and rest it on the side of his face softly. Smile. "Tenaka," you move to the older man a grateful look glimmered in your eyes. "Thank you."
He nods. "You are most welcome, Baroness. Now, I believe it is time to change your attire. A lady such as yourself should not ever be seen in such a way. There is no need to worry about the Lady Harmony, she is taken care of. I will tend to the young master first then I shall come and tend to you."
"Yes, of course, please tend to my cousin first. I believe I can manage on my own." you say looking at your broken door, sighing. Mumbling. "In some way. I shall."
They leave you and your smile dropped, raising a hand grip the area over your heart. Nearly fall on your shaken knees catch yourself. That damn demon...he made a promise, you made him promise and now...squeezing your eyes shut.
Harmony. Ciel.
They needed to be...that damn demon didn't he know...all you asked was for him to...how could he leave you like this? The idea of...if Harmony saw...no..she couldn't see something like that, not ever again. You'd make sure of it, she didn't need to see such a color. Not like that.
