The Choice is Mine Chapter 6
I do not own the characters of Kuroshitsuji, however Briar is mine. All mine!
Ciel's Perspective
I watched as Lilith's gaze went straight to Sebastian. I was quite smug about the intensity of the glare. It showed that Sebastian had made an error. One that was strongly disapproved of.
"Are you serious?! Sebastian! You didn't teach him the basics?! Every demon should know this information and as his senior you should have taught him!"
Checkmate.
"Lilith I am very sorry to disappoint you. I was very distracted by my current tasking. There is great importance on it and todays events have made it clear that we must succeed. If I may offer a suggestion to solve this predicament?"
"What is it?" growled Lilith.
"Instead of telling him why this is important I thought that it would be better if Ciel observed Briar in person."
What!
"That way, he can learn to develop his thinking as a demon."
Fuck.
"Hmmmm. Sebastian, I must say, that's a wonderful idea." She was back to purring seductively. Content with the solution to the problem. Sigh. "Ciel, you officially have homework to do."
Great.
"You will go to the surface and observe Briar. Your goal is to figure out what makes her so special. Now, off you go. I'll be expecting a full report after a few days to see just where you are."
And just like that I was outsmarted by Sebastian again. Curse that Demon.
10 Minutes Later
Finally, the surface.
After a century has passed, I still struggle with the basics. Getting to the surface really did feel like hell on earth. However, I was finally able to make it. I stretched my arms and legs, wriggled my toes and took in my surroundings. The world has changed so much. It feels dirtier with all the pollution. We really are a thankless species I think to myself. Sighing I check my watch, it's a quarter to eleven which means I need to hurry. Lunch preparations would start soon and I couldn't think of a better time to observe Briar. Recently I've discovered that it is very hard for people to wear a mask when they are stressed. If what Sebastian told me about her is true, then she will be completely open during this time. The mask will be cracked enough for me to gather something from today. Straightening my jacket I find the direction that I need to go.
"Let's recap." I say to no one in particular.
"Briar is an Airmen in the Airforce. Her career field is Services which provides different items and programs for the base. She is currently in the food portion of her career and her job is to feed cops in a frat-house like building. That sounds shitty, no wonder she turned into a demon. Sounds tragic." I ponder this bit of information as I travel over land.
Two minutes later I am in the kitchen standing over a fallen Briar. Her legs must have given out. The same thing happened when I first became a demon. I used all that power all at once. I felt strong in the physical sense and powerful and then I face planted straight into the concrete. Sebastian laughed his head off for months.
"Here, let me help you."
I grabbed her gently by the arms and lifted her up. I planted her feet on the ground, waiting a few seconds for her to get her footing. From this angle I can't really see her face. Apparently being a demon also helps in the height department.
"Are you ok?" I ask out of habit. Briar, who looks stunned raises her face towards mine. I never really wondered what she would look like. I guess in my mind I always envisioned what I though Briar would look like. However, my thoughts were completely wrong. Staring back at me was a black woman with brown eyes, full lips and acne scars dotting different areas of her face. She wore a camouflage colored hat on her head and her natural hair was tied back in a low puff tail.
"Thank you. You can let me go know." I released her. She swiftly took in my appearance; the vest, pant suit and shoes. Her expression looked troubled.
"Who- " Stopping mid-sentence she then looks at me with shocking recognition. Sebastian, my annoying and sarcastic butler, did he mention me!
"That eye patch. You. You're the Queen's old guard dog."
So, he did tell her something about me. I'm flattered.
"And you are this Nations Sword and Shield. My name is Ciel and it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Airmen Briar."
Briar
So many questions. Would he even answer them? I didn't know much about Ciel, only the facts that Sebastian gave me. Years ago his family was murdered in England by a crazed cult. While Ciel waited to die in his cage, he was somehow able to summon Sebastian. They formed a contract; Sebastian would assist Ciel with his investigations that were assigned by the Queen. He would also assist in tracking down the killers of his family. In exchange, once the truth was discovered Sebastian would be able to devour his soul. However, things got very very complicated.
"Why are you here and where is Sebastian?" Ciel had walked over to the knife block, pulled out the steak knife and commenced with whirling it in his hands.
"Sebastian had to take care of some business. I am here to fill in for him." With a smug smile he sat on top of the counter, steak knife still in hand.
"Oh, how thoughtful of him to send you." I walk over to the fridge and pulled out two heads of lettuce.
"Here. You can start by cutting these up." I placed the lettuce next to him and reached into a drawer to pull out a cutting board.
"I beg your pardon?" For a second I looked at him. His neatly trimmed hair, perfectly manicured nails and spotless wardrobe. From the looks of it dear Ciel got the silver spoon in life. This should be interesting.
"Sebastian helps me in the kitchen when I am out here." I turn and flip over the chickens that I placed on the grill. "Since you are filling in for him you will be assisting me."
"And if I refuse."
"Well then that's gonna look really bad on hells part. It could really sway my decision to just become a grim reaper." From the corner of my eye I could see Ciel. He was grumbling away as he stared at the lettuce. I can see the wheels turning as he contemplates what to do. After some deliberation he jumps down from the counter and faces the cutting. Smiling to myself I flip the chicken again and put on the vegetables for the next order.
Grell
I know I'm technical not supposed to do this, but William is in a tizzy. Something about a young boys' death date going from today to a date in the future. So here I am, encroaching on the demon's day. I'm just gonna take a little-.
"What?!"
I bust through the kitchen door. I honestly can't even believe what I'm seeing. Ciel is in the kitchen! With Briar! Where the hell is Sebastian?! And what is up with all the tension in the air. Ciel and Briar seem to be in an extreme face off. I don't know whether I should intervene or grab some popcorn and watch the shenanigans unfold. Before I can decide what to do Briar spots me.
"Grell. You have to help me! Hell sent an incompetent idiot that can't even cut up lettuce."
"Incompetent! I cut the lettuce up just fine." Gripped Ciel as he gestured the pile of lettuce on the counter. His version of fine was big chunky pieces of lettuce. The size of them makes you wonder if he even bothered using a knife.
"Those pieces are too big! You think I want to hear the customers mouths!" cried Briar who was now clutching my arm.
"If their mouths are anything like yours then I can see why you don't want to hear it." Said Ciel as he threw the knife down.
"Uhm, everyone. Let's just calm down alright." I tried to nullify the situation but at that moment we all smelled something.
"No!" Briar turned to the stove which was the reason for the smoky smell. Someone had placed a plastic drainer on top of a metal pot. The result was a melted mess of plastic and noodles.
"I burned it. I completely forgot about the noodles." Tears started to form as she looked from the mess to the almost covered grill. Ingredients were scattered all over the place. Complete chaos.
"Don't cry Briar." Said Ciel as he reached into his pocket and handed her a tissue. She was overwhelmed and who wouldn't be with the amount of orders she had received. "Don't worry about lunch. Me and Grell can take care of it. Right?" Ciel was suddenly glaring at me, prompting me to give the response he wanted.
"Oh, yes. Yes! We can finish it!" To my surprise Ciel had picked Briar up and had placed her on the counter by the register. He whispered something to her and then he turned away.
"You ready Grell?"
"Yes. I'm ready. Let's get this done." And just for good measure, a little teasing wouldn't hurt.
"Careful little demon-"I whispered as Ciel passed me. "Your humanity is showing."
"What! Do-Don't be ridiculous." His face turned a bright crimson red. "I'm doing this for the sake of Heaven, I mean Hell. I'm doing this for Hell."
"Sure Ciel. Whatever you say."