Yay chapter nine! xD last chapter was a good change from the original one :D come's closer to a certain character's personality x3
Let's head to the Thank You Corner for right now ;3
-Tris PhantomEvans : thanks so much for the review! x3 For this story, you've been a very constant reviewer and I love reviews like that. I love knowing how my work is going and what I can do to improve c: So thanks again do very much! :D
For now let's continue with the next one :D
Chapter Nine
Under the Hunt
"It was only a miscalculation of mine, that is all. You needn't treat me so foul."
"Miscalculation, my ass!" I raged at Break after giving him the silent treatment the whole ride back home. "You planned this!"
"Now, you're giving me too much credit." Break simply waved his sleeved-covered hand at me and grinned. I gave him a pout as response and glared away trying not to rip his head off.
He said he found me about three hours ago in Visulle's care. From what she had told us both, she had found me that same night after hearing the ruckus that the fight had caused. She found the priestess and I both unconscious inside the almost destroyed place. From there, she called reinforcements and took us back to be taken care of. From the many injuries I got from that one fight, the one that seem to persist was the one to my ribs. The wound itself had closed but it was still tender.
In retrospect, I suppose I failed the mission since the Baskerville got away. Then again I got their priestess back and that was good. At least I helped someone. I kept on raging against Break until we stood before Sharon's parlor back in the Rainsworth's. It had taken much longer than expected. So now that I had some time to relax and have some tea with him and Sharon, he told me what had happened to the others while I was away.
Apparently, they had gone to investigate the mansion where Oz had his coming-of-age ceremony. From what Break told me, it seemed that they too were attacked by another Baskerville. Odd, really. How would they have known where and when each of us would be at our locations? It didn't make sense at all.
"Could they be keeping tabs on us?" I inquired once I served myself my sweets and tea.
"Not out of the realm of possibility—" Break began as he sat to my right and next to Sharon as she quietly drank her own tea. "But it is highly questionable to why they would be keeping a look out for you. Oz-kun, I understand but you..."
"It's weird any which way you look at it." I picked up my cup of tea expecting to feel the mildly tepid beverage against my lips but instead find it empty. Not a drop inside it. "What in the—" At glancing up I notice that the cup in Break's hands was actually mine and that he'd exchanged them. I heaved trying not to rip his head off his shoulders. Putting the cup down, I turned to face Sharon, "Where are they now, anyway?"
"At Gilbert's house in Reveille," she replied while taking a sip of hers. "Break suggested that they remain there while he researched about what they saw in the mansion."
What they saw... "About that..." And with that I took on explaining to them what had happened to me at that shrine. The Baskerville that I fought and that he was Lacrimosa's contractor. And about the memory that I encountered about my broche. "And that's when I noticed—" I took my broche out from my pocket and placed it upon the table on my left. "Both my broche and Oz's pocket watch have the same engraved insignia."
"That they do," Break agreed after further inspection of the intricate jewelry.
"That's why I wanted to ask if I could borrow Oz."
"Borrow...Oz-sama?" Sharon repeated a bit perplexed.
Nodding and putting my broche in its place, I continue to explain. "Because of what I witnessed I now know that whatever Oz is looking for could also guide me to a clue about my own past. Perhaps...Alice and I have more in common than I thought in the beginning."
"Well, even so, I cannot allow it."
"Why not?" I inquired trying to make some sense appear in the hollow head of his. "It would be completely safe."
"Until we are sure of what the Baskerville's want from him, we cannot allow Oz-kun anywhere out of our sight. He is a vital piece that must be guarded," he explained while eating his tenth desert. "But worry not, I will try to seek out some information about that insignia and see where it leads."
"In the meanwhile," Sharon intervened and spoke to me. "You must stay and rest your injuries. You were far too wounded in the last mission. Even if they are healed, I am sure that your exhaustion still remains."
And she was right, I was exhausted as hell. But even so, I can't just stand around and do nothing. "I'll be fine Sharon, I promise. Mrs. Belle must be worried sick about me as well. I'll go visit her and then give those three a go around too while I'm at it."
"That could wait then." I turned towards Break as he finished his eighteenth cake. Damn, how can he eat that much so fast?! "I'll be paying them a home visit tomorrow early. Maybe you could accompany me then."
Blinking a couple of times, I end up smiling and nodding. Sharon then spoke up once more, "By the way, there is one more thing." My ears perked up at hearing that she needed something more. "It would be much in everybody's benefit for you to remain in the Rainsworth mansion from now onwards."
"What?" I asked completely taken aback from her request.
She nodded before continuing to explain her reason behind my sudden transfer. "Now that Oz has met the Will of the Abyss, we must remain together now more than ever. As if the Baskervilles weren't enough, he and Alice-san seem to be it's main objectives and without proper watch could end up harmed or worse. It is essential for us all to be together."
"The Will of the Abyss..." I muttered under my breath and glanced down at my empty cup. I've only heard about it from the little information that Pandora has but it sounds like a pretty fearsome entity if we have to huddle together to protect the brat. But I guess I have to do what I have to, even though I know Mrs. Belle won't like it one bit. "If I am to do it then I want to ask for something in return."
"What would that be?" Break asked taking over the conversation.
"If anything about Alice's memories rises I will also be informed. I have a feeling that if I follow Alice, she will guide me to what I'm looking for."
"Easy enough."
After that and assessing other minor things, I excused myself and returned to my room to rest. Stripping myself of the heaviness of a uniform, I lie in bed with my nightgown and keep repeating the memory that I had seen in my head.
No matter how many times it came to my mind, it always had that same warmth. It was so tender and loving that it lulled me to sleep.
Vincent sat in the appeasing darkness of his room. The only sound that came from that darkness was the quick snipping of the scissors he held while mauling it to its components.
All of a sudden, he felt a slight disturbance behind him and not much afterwards felt and heard the whistle of the dagger that narrowly missed the left side of his face and came to be lodged a good quarter inch deep in the mahogany desk before him. The hand of the holder that had done such treacherous act, retracted slowly. The adopted Nightray finally chuckled as if amused before continuing to snip at his already broken doll.
"What an unexpected surprise. It's so much like you to come barging into one's room, uninvited—is it not, Sir Red?"
The boy stood tall and was clad with the same scarlet cloak as his brethren. Despite being covered from head to toe by it he stood proud and deadly, like a well doted predator that only nature's harsh fires itself could create.
"Enough of your nonsense, you bastard rat!" He snarled baring his teeth at him. Even though he knew he couldn't be seen, the hoarseness and begrudging tone in his voice was enough to send a chill down anybody's spine. "You knew—You knew that she would be there. That is the reason you sent me there, to make us face each other. You planned it!"
Vincent's slight chuckle filled the air as he snipped an ear off from the stuffed bear in his hands. "Now, Sir Red, is that anguish I perceive in your voice?" Finding this quite amusing, he laughed a bit more before continuing. "But if you must know, yes, I did knew beforehand that she would be there. Aside from that, shouldn't you be thanking me? After all, it was because of me that you finally got to see her." He gave another slight chuckle that he attempted to muffle, "It was amusing to see that gleam in your eyes return, though. Pray tell, when was the last time you felt that, if ever?"
"I'm not here for your entertainment." With a wave of his hand, the dagger that he had plunged on the desk turned into a sealed enveloped through the usage of his powers. "I am here because of my job. Had you not misled me, I would have gotten this to you sooner."
Vincent left the doll aside and pulled the contents out from the envelope before meticulously reading them. Afterwards, a small grin formed on his lips in delight. "So, it is true then. That tome actually exists—that your people hold it in their custody."
"That seems to be the case," Sir Red replied while languidly stalking his way towards the window and undoing the latch. "If it is then once I obtain it..." he let the thought hang in the air as both knew exactly what would happen once they obtained it.
"It's so nice doing business with you, Sir Red," Vincent added as he stood up and threw the letter into the heart of the fire that rested in his fireplace. "But know that this must be kept quiet even from Miss Charlotte."
"I'm not an idiot." Sir Red then draped his legs over the windowpane. "And let this be a warning for you. If you even think of laying a hand on her for your games, I'll come back and gut you were you stand." With that last threat, he left as swiftly as he came.
Vincent stood beside the roaring fire, staring intently at it. Walking over to the destroyed doll at his desk he came back over to the fire with scissors in hand.
"Oh, Sir Red. You have no idea..." He punctured the doll through the stomach making a hole right through it. It was broken beyond repair and at noticing this, he simply tossed it into the fireplace and watched as it burned. "You have no idea."
Out of the blue, I couldn't help but give out a shriek of terror as I woke up from my dream. Or more like my nightmare.
I glanced around to find myself alone in my own room. That's right, I was at the Rainsworth's mansion. Morning hit already since I could see the sun rising from my balcony door. Without giving my prior nightmares any thought, I began to change and soon found myself at Sharon's parlor were the two usual ones came to have their morning tea.
"Good morning, Claire," Sharon said to me with a smile that I returned.
Break simply waved while Emily answered, "About time!"
"Shut it." I grabbed the back of the chair while I glared at the demonic doll.
"Are you not joining us?" I shook my head as an answer which surprised her a tad bit by her expression. "How come?"
"I've got some stuff I got to do." Turning to face Break, he glanced up from his strawberry shortcake to direct his eyes towards me. "I'll catch up to you an meet you all at Gilbert's."
"That's all right." He licked the plate clean before finalizing his dangling thought. "But may we now where it is you are heading so early?"
"Just some place. I need to clear my mind," I simply answered and walked off, waving and leaving without hearing another word.
Once outside the mansion, I stood before one of the free coachmen and asked him to take me to where I needed to go. It was the afternoon when we finally arrived to the next city of Bethlem.
"Miss, are you positive that this is the correct way?" the coachmen asked me, his voice shaky clearly from the fear the place evoked in him. I, for one, didn't like the place much either but it was where I needed to go.
"Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry though, where we're going won't be as bad as the main city, I hope." My assurance did little to calm his nerves but it was only reasonable considering how bad the place was.
Bethlem, as it was, was a slum city, if it could even be called that. It was in ruins but it was partially functional. A small quarter of the city was somewhat normal but that quarter left the other 3/4 alone as the slums that they were. In the brink where the two united was where I needed to go. I closed the curtains as we begin passing by the most horrible part of the city. Murder happened here a lot. Homelessness was another big thing. But mostly people came from all ways here just because it was such a good place to hide bodies. Nobody would come seek out a dead body from here. It would be like looking for a leaf in a forest.
I felt the carriage come to a stop and hear the coachman call to me. "We've arrive, Miss." Coming out, I notice that the huge hospital hasn't changed much. Except for its decadence. "Are you sure you will be all right?"
"Yes, don't worry." I nod his way and point out towards the quarter part of town, "Head northward and you'll find the sheriff's office. You'll be safe there while I attend to my business. I'll find you when I'm done."
He gave a curt nod as silent thanks and headed his way. Turning back to the hospital I walked through the semi-broken gates and entered the hospital. At going in, an old nurse came up to me with a mean glare.
"What, you here again?" she asked harshly.
"I've come to visit," I replied as calmly as I could. "Is he free?"
She tsked and simply motioned for me to follow her. As we walked through the crummy hallways, I kept my eyes downward trying not to make eye contact with any of the other patients as it was asked of any visitors. But it was hard not to when hearing all those different people. It was sad to say the least.
Finally, we arrived at the door of a lone room. Two buff guards stood on each side of the door not letting anyone in from the outside, or anybody out from the inside. The head nurse turned to me, "If anything occurs, we'll be outside."
I give her a curt nod before the guards open the door to let me in. Once inside, they leave it open in case of emergency but I know there's no need for any caution.
Inside, I immediately see the back of a man sitting down before a table. His hair was coal, black and long and was tied behind his back and traveled to the small of his back. He hadn't turned when I walked in the room that was well furnished and didn't pull his head up to look at me as I began rounding the small round table.
He had good features albeit being pale from lack of sunlight and the medicines that they gave him. His eyes were as dark as his mane of a hair but they were glazed over as if delirious from those same substances. He was sitting in front of that table with his right leg on the chair while holding a black queen of the chessboard upon the table.
"I had expected your visit a bit earlier, χάσετε το χρόνο." I didn't react at the name he had given me the first time I found him in this hell hole. From what he told me, he was Greek and that name chásete to chróno that meant Miss Time was how he referred to me as. I came up to the opposite side of the table were the white side of the chessboard was set. I never understood how he knew I would visit. He was something else for sure, just as much as Break, if not more.
"I just barely had more time free from work." I took my first move on the board from which we started a game. "I've found some other clue about what's happened."
"Have you now?" he asked with his accent showing through his English words. "Finally gotten more information from that friend of yours?"
"No, Break didn't get me through this time," I continued chatting with him nonchalantly as we continued playing. "I found it out in the desert."
"Interesting. So, what was it?"
My hand twitches a bit and I pull my broche from my pocket and show it to him. "I found a pocket watch with the exact same insignia. I was wondering if you ever stumbled upon that."
He glanced up lazily from his piece. "Where did the watch come from?"
"It was found on a grave. The name was too faded out to know whose it was," I explained as he began to move again. "So, anything on your vault of knowledge?"
"Negative on the grave, dearie. The insignia seems a little familiar." He took over my knight before heading on towards my king. "But that you already knew. We have talked about it before, after all." I sighed and massaged my temple to think of a move to beat his ass. Trying a lame attempt, I went on ahead and kept on explaining to him about what the others had seen. "It doesn't ring a bell, unfortunately for you. But I might know of someone who might have even more knowledge than I do."
"Who would that be?" I asked as I risked it and move my king towards his side.
"A person in your vicinity. He is a duke, the oldest of four." Out of nowhere, he took out my last pawn and grinned. I cursed under my breath as I saw that I didn't have any other move left. "And with that I believe I've won."
I sighed, defeated, and grimace at him. "I don't understand you at all. Will you ever tell me your real name?"
He wiggled his finger at me, "Too soon, μικρή κυρία. I don't give things out like that. What I would like to know is why you believe me. I am here for a reason after all."
I smiled warmly at him and shake my head and whisper what I have to say. "That's not true. You and I both know that what you told the hospital isn't a delusion. Where you were and from where you escaped from, it exists. I'll never understand why you don't allow me to call Pandora's attention to this. If I did, they could get you out of here and you could start anew."
He scoffed and hugged his lifted knee. "I have nothing to return to. Here, at least, I have some comfort. Here, at least, I know nothing bad will happen. I'm always high from the medicine they give me. As it turns out, I am crazy but not because of what they assume." He began putting the pieces back in order. "I appreciate your offer, but I'll have to politely decline it. I have no intentions on leaving this place anytime soon."
I nod, accepting his answer. "If you ever wish to, in the future, I would gladly vouch for you and will get you out of here."
He gave me a curt nod before waving goodbye at me. "You're getting better at this. I'll look forward to your next visit, dearie." Waving my goodbyes at him, I exited and left the hospital.
I treaded my way towards the sheriff's office where I found the coachman whom, after finishing his lunch, took the reigns and we headed back to Reveille.
That man, whom I only knew as Skiá, was not mentally ill as the hospital thought. I had found out about him through some gossip that had traveled from Reveille. By my own volition, I came to figure what all the rumors of 'some crazy guy emerging from the depths' was all about.
When they first told me about his delusions, it hit me right then and there. This man had been swallowed up by the Abyss...and escaped. When I informed Break about my suspicion, he confirmed them that instant. Apparently, he had known of the man for some time and had talked to him about releasing him. But, just like he had done with me, he refused with appreciation of our offer. He really never wanted to come out of there.
Having nothing to return to...huh? I suppose—If I ever lost Leo and Elliot and the rest of them, I wouldn't have anything to do here anymore. I wouldn't matter either. I would simply cease being. So, his reason is valid to some extent at least. I can't decide for him or force him to do something he does not want to. I guess I'll just have to go back to visiting him from time to time to give him some sort of company.
"We're here, Miss." The coachman's call snapped me out from my train of thought and got me to glance around at our surroundings. It was already way in the afternoon when we arrived at Gilbert's vicinity. At leaving, I thanked him and went up to the staircase of the old apartment building to the third floor. Once up on the correct floor, I began hearing a very obnoxious yelling and cursing from the apartment's general direction.
It sounded like a girl's screeching and a lot of things breaking. I heaved a sigh of stress and feel the rumbling of the floor as I catch up to the door and knock. Not much to my surprise, it is Break who opens it with a grand smile on his face while Alice is on the background screeching at him for obvious yet unknown reasons to me.
"Welcome, welcome! We've just gotten to see each other after so long!" he waved me inside as I took the invitation.
"We saw each other this morning," I interject and walk into the living room that overlooked part of the city. On one of the coaches was the little Duke-in-training Oz Vessalius drinking a cup of tea. At seeing me, he left the cup on the table and stood up to meet me. Immediately, I noticed how he barely came to be a few inches higher than my minute five foot one inch.
"You must be Miss Claire which Break spoke of." He sported a sparkling smile and took out a rose from goodness knew where and gave it to me. "What a wonderful name for such an angelic face."
"Y-Yeah, thanks." I took the flower without another word but left it on the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. "I am guessing that the codenames are being thrown away, huh?"
Gilbert sighed as he passed me a cup that he had made. I glanced in and noticed what it was: warm milk and honey. My lips formed a smile as I thanked him and took a small sip of the delicious beverage. But not even the delicious sweetness of it could take my mind out of what Skiá had said. A duke that knew more than he did, the oldest of four... I have it at the tip of my tongue but I can't figure it out.
I had ignored Break's talk with Oz so far until he turned to speak to me. "Is what Skiá told you bothering you by any chance?"
All faces turn up to me which I only ignored. The reason he put me in the spotlight was because he hoped I would be flustered by the attention and unintentionally let slip something that I heard from Skiá. But I had nothing and I knew that he knew I didn't.
I wasn't even shocked by this point that he knew where I had gone and to whom. "You followed me?"
"Only asked the coachman that took you there," Break corrected me as he threw me a candy that I caught with my empty cup. "You learned anything?"
"Just another lead but I can't really approach it as of now." I stood up and took the strawberry candy out of the cup before unwrapping it and placing it in my mouth. "But for now, I'll stick with being this kid's bodyguard. If anything I have privileges as such."
"Don't get cocky," Break intervened with a little scowl. "Whatever you're playing—"
I raised my hands in surrender and gave him a grin. "I'm only researching. Besides, he gave little to no useful information. Just to ask the oldest of four."
"Oldest...of four?" Oz repeated, obviously a bit lost at our conversation. Giving him an assuring smile, I waved his confusion away before heading for the door.
"Leaving already?" Gilbert asked me just as I touched the doorknob.
"I promised Mrs. Belle I would be home after my mission. I never break a promise." With that I left the apartment and began descending the stairs.
It took me about ten minutes to get to Mrs. Belle's and my home. As I stared at the building, I heaved a sigh and lowered my head. I can't think about disappointing her. If I tell her that I'm leaving, she'll be broken, shattered.
Giving myself no time to chicken out, I went ahead and opened the door. I was met with a pitch dark living room which surprised me. "Mrs. Belle?" I called out walking into the house a little more. Out of nowhere, the lights turned on and many voices called out 'surprise!'. I blinked once, then again, but I just couldn't believe that so many people were here. It was all of the people I had met when I came to live here. "W-What is this?"
"Your farewell and good luck party," Mrs. Belle announced as she stepped forward while a couple of people brought out a cake and tea. The smile on her face was kind but it was saddened.
"But...how did you—"
"That kind man you work with, Xerxes, he came by a couple of days past and broke the news to me. Said that you were sorely needed for something very important. And I understand completely, Tom was the same." She came up to me and tenderly touched my shoulder, "But you aren't Tom, dearie. I believe you'll come out of this and return so we can have tea some other time."
Smiling and blinking my tears away, I nodded and thanked everyone for coming to see me off. We enjoyed the party for a couple of hours before everything started to calm down. By the time night fell, only Mrs. Belle and I remained cleaning the remains of the party. After it was all said and done, she stood with me in the doorway. I stood still while she fixed my cloak one last time. Whatever this job was, it was going to be for the long run and it would take time for me to return.
"It'll be fine, ma belle. I will be here when you come," Mrs. Belle reassured me as she finally finished adjusting it. I nod having no words to say much more than a hushed 'goodbye and thank you'. She nodded and hugged me with such strength that it surprised me. I hugged her back trying to fight back my tears that choked me.
Yeah, these were good people. People who even living in this harsh place were kind and tender. And most of all loving. The only time that I've felt part of something even close to a family was with the House of Fianna. Now, I have Mrs. Belle and all these amazing people.
The streetlamps were on as I walked back to Gilbert's place. The sky was a bit darkened, the clouds starting to tumble around the city. It'll probably rain later tonight, so I should get there as soon as I can.
Suddenly, a chill went down my spine and a coldness hit my lungs as the air became denser. I leaned against the nearest wall right under the street light.
"W-What's happening...to me?"
"You're reacting to a very prominent essence."
"Essence of what...?"
"A Chain. One that I haven't smelled the putrid stench of since the Abyss. A very nasty maggot."
Well, how was it? :3 This one also changed quite a bit compared to the original. Back then was when I was hinged on Black Butler but since I didn't find any other use for the character, I decided to throw it out and start from scratch.
Skia is, in the least spoilery way possibly, a character that could come back in the future. Either just because of for a good plot-wise reason, haven't really given him much thought yet. But I really liked how he is and how he likes being thought of as demented. When I thought of him, I imagined what Break would have been had he not been taken in by the Rainsworth. So pretty much the darker side without the cynical part x3
So yeah, that's it for right now. I'm really writing out the chapter with a speed. It's proofreading that's dragging me down cx I've gotta at least get past the Head-Hunter Arc before school starts again for me cuz when that happens, I'll barely have time if any to write, proofread, and upload :b
But for now that's all there is c: Stay tuned for the next chapter ;D
