2014 Wilma: Channeling my inner weeaboo by writing this while watching kuroshitsuji ii. It's been forever since I watched and this show is so cringe worthy omg but I love it. Still think Sebastian is hot af, I can't deal.
2022 Wilma: Oh thank god, you're kind of cool now. Alright, let's go.
Angeline woke to see no butler in her room. Though Angeline had given no indication that she was afraid of Sebastian or didn't trust him, he seemed to have decided to keep his distance ever since he brought her back from the church. They had worked well together in the kitchen that night and Angeline thought they'd started to establish a mutual companionship, but she seldom saw him in the weeks following.
They hadn't been playing chess and she had to seek him out herself if she wanted something from him, but she didn't want to bother him if he didn't want to be near her, especially if it interrupted his day-by-day as the Phantomhive butler.
After getting dressed, Angeline went into the kitchen to find Bard trying desperately to fix his burnt breakfast. She made a face upon smelling burnt meat and exited the kitchen, opting not for the kitchen or breakfast with Ciel, which meant she wouldn't be eating this morning.
Angeline found Sebastian in one of the Earl's lounges. "Good morning," she said.
"Good morning, Angeline," Sebastian greeted.
"Can we go for a walk?" She asked. "I know I'm not to leave the estate, but I haven't seen the gardens."
"I'm afraid there isn't much to see," Sebastian said. "The garden is quite bare in November."
"Please?" Angeline asked. "I haven't been outside in weeks."
Sebastian reluctantly agreed on the condition that Angeline wear a coat so she wouldn't catch a chill.
Ten minutes later, Angeline walked among the gardens slowly, feeling the sunlight that struggled to permeate the cold touch her skin after so long in the stuffy manor. Sebastian was right; the gardens were quite bare. Angeline could see where the spring flowers were meant to go, but there was only bare grass and dirt plots as she walked the grounds. Even the leaves that she'd admired so much were gone, the trees having completely shed their vibrant colors with the passing of a new month.
A distant howling distracted her. Her head turned about the gardens before her and her eyes widened upon seeing a lumbering beast making his way across the expansive land.
Dear God, is that a dog? she thought only seconds before it descended on her. She let out a startled scream as she was tackled to the ground. She felt a long, slobbery lick go up her cheek and opened her eyes, lurching as she saw a very naked man on top of her. "What the hell?" She exclaimed, beginning to fight the strange man off. She felt shaken- and, quite frankly, violated.
Within seconds Angeline was free and she gasped up at Sebastian, who had the man by the scruff. "Apologies, Angeline. Only our mangy mutt, Pluto."
Angeline's face filled with heat and she knew she must have been flushed. She had never been good at hiding her embarrassment. She coughed a few times and Sebastian helped her off the ground, steadying her as she tried to brush the dirt off her dress. "I thought Ciel wasn't fond of animals," she said, recalling her talk with Sebastian about his lack of a pet cat.
"He isn't, but we didn't have much of a choice where Pluto was concerned," Sebastian confirmed as he watched the naked beast romp after a butterfly.
Angeline turned to Sebastian with an eyebrow raised. "You have a giant dog who turns into a person? Are there any other inhuman servants or pets around here I should know about?"
Angeline looked behind her to see Bard, Finny, and Mey-Rin standing in the garden and observing the scene. Upon noticing Angeline see them, they all busied and whistled. Angeline scoffed and turned back to Sebastian, who had lifted a fallen oak tree and thrown it at least a mile away, causing Pluto to transform and go after it.
"He's a hellhound," Sebastian said as if he were talking about his preferred prize breed.
"Of course he is," Angeline said, watching as Pluto chased the tree. "I'm beginning to be concerned with how unaffected I am by seeing things like this," she admitted, gesturing to the huge dog as he caught the falling tree in his mouth and trotted back to the garden.
Sebastian threw it again, Pluto dashing after it. Angeline watched, her arms crossed and head tilted in interest. "Does he know any tricks?" She asked.
"Just fetch," Sebastian answered.
Angeline hummed thoughtfully. Just as Pluto caught the tree a second time, Finny dashed up to the pair, telling them far too quickly and in far too many words that Ciel wanted to see them in his study.
"Very well," Sebastian said. "Please watch the mutt."
Finny stopped the frantic waving of his arms at Sebastian's request, pausing only a moment before saluting Sebastian while he and Angeline started their way back inside.
"You wanted to see us?" Angeline asked, walking into Ciel's study. He looked up from his paperwork and nodded, putting down his quill.
"I'm to be at the harvest charity ball tonight for the company and I never go to gatherings without Sebastian. You'll have to come with us."
Angeline shook her head. Her family hadn't been as well known or wealthy as the Phantomhives, but surely her disappearance was known. She wasn't ready to be around other people and answer their questions while others gossiped as her back was turned. "I can't," she said.
Ciel raised his eyebrows. "Do you have other plans?"
Angeline gave him an exasperated look in response.
"Sebastian is coming and you and I both know Ash will use you being home alone as a chance to strike. I'm sorry, but you have no choice. It's for your own safety."
Angeline sighed, tapping her fingers against the desk and looking at Sebastian, who gave her a small encouraging nod. "Fine."
Ciel gave a satisfactory nod, excusing Angeline from his study.
Hours later Angeline had been forced into a violet gown, her chestnut hair worked into an intricate style, half pinned to her head and the rest in ringlets down her back. Though she was dreading how she would be perceived at this event, she did have to admit she'd missed the balls she'd gone to with her family. And Lancaster, she thought. She quickly shook it away.
Her anxiety grew as the carriage made its way through London. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts that the ride seemed to be over in an instant, but she knew at least half an hour had to have passed. As the carriage pulled up to the estate, she saw people heading toward the house in pairs and realized she'd be one of the few going in alone.
Ciel was the first to exit the carriage and Lizzie followed with his help. She was preparing to exit the carriage alone when a voice sounded next to her.
"May I?"
Angeline looked up quickly, startled to see Sebastian holding a hand out to her. "What?" She asked.
"I would hate to see you go inside alone," he said.
Angeline smiled, taking his hand in hers and allowing him to lead her to the entrance.
Angeline stood near the wall with a flute of champagne as she watched the party. Indeed, people had been approaching her asking where she'd been all night. She was grateful that Ciel had given her a backstory- they couldn't pretend her family was alive with the news coverage of the earthquake, but they could act as though there had been an alliance between the Redthornes and Phantomhives. In reality, Ciel had never heard of her family before she came about, but it was easier to say Ciel was happy to have her as a guest after all her late family had done for his.
Ciel was talking business with a couple that looked the same as every other snobby individual at the party while Sebastian stood obediently behind him. She sighed, sipping the champagne, which was settling her nerves exceptionally.
Her eyes drifted around the room once again, landing on a handsome man talking with Lizzie. Perhaps I should have her introduce me, Angeline thought. She scoffed quietly at her own thought. She was hardly charming and had nothing to offer a suitor, but thinking about it too much would remind her that there seemed to be no future for her beyond the day Ash was defeated.
Distracted with these thoughts, she was completely oblivious to a man with long platinum blond hair admiring her from across the room.
Such purity. The way she walks, so graceful and delicate, comparing her to a lotus blossom would not do her justice, he thought.
Angeline's gaze scanned the room again in search of Lizzie or Sebastian, someone familiar she might be able to talk to, when her focus landed on a familiar face and slicked back tawny curls. Lancaster! She thought, her heart jumping in her chest. Seeing him tore her between yearning for her old life and apprehension at what she would say if he approached her.
As if he knew she'd spotted him, his eyes met hers. Her heart pounded as he turned back to the person he was speaking with. She braced herself to talk to him but was suddenly swept from her spot and onto the dance floor. She watched as her flute was placed on a tray for her and looked up, startled that the long-haired blond man had been so bold.
"Have you no one here to keep you company? A lovely robin such as yourself shouldn't be alone," He purred, attempting to loop his arm around her waist. "Who might you be?"
"Angeline," She stuttered out her answer, her brain trying to catch up with the situation.
"An angelic name for an angelic girl," He started, making Angeline bristle. Was he trying to be charming? "I'm the Viscount of Druitt, Aleister Chamber. Come Lotus Flower, we shall dance the night away!" He proclaimed, pulling her onto the dance floor.
Robin? Lotus flower? Where does he come up with this? She thought as she was swept around the floor. She could see why women fell for his charms, but she wasn't fooled in the least. But she knew in order to get out of this she'd have to play nice.
After a few dances, Angeline smiled up at Aleister. "Excuse me, but I'm getting a bit tired. If I may rest-"
"Nonsense, the night is still young! You can dance on my feet if you're so tired,"
Relentless, She thought.
"Excuse me, but I'm going to have to request to steal your dance partner."
Finally! Angeline thought, looking gratefully at her rescuer. She was much less grateful when she realized it was Lancaster when she had been expecting Sebastian.
Aleister reluctantly let Angeline go and Lancaster danced with her with much more grace than the Viscount had had. "Lancaster," Angeline greeted as they spun around the room.
"Where have you been, Angeline?" He asked. "I thought you died in the earthquake, why didn't you reach out to me?
Angeline's eyes flicked away from his face, shame overtaking her. "I've been staying with Ciel Phantomhive," she said.
"The Earl?" Lancaster asked. Angeline nodded.
"He has been very gracious. I had no idea his family was so close to mine."
Lancaster cast her a doubtful look. "Neither did I," he said. "Perhaps he'll let you stay with us. After all, we-"
"I lost everything, Lancaster," Angeline interrupted. "Not just my family, but their legacy, business, and fortune. I have nothing. I don't think your family would like to have me, as a guest or... or ever."
There was a long pause as Lancaster considered her words. "I see," he said. Angeline had to fight to keep tears from forming in her eyes, her yearning for the life she always thought she'd have barreling through her at full force.
The song ended and Lancaster and Angeline stopped dancing. She was about to excuse herself when Sebastian approached, asking Angeline to dance. She was grateful to switch dance partners instead of standing alone after what she'd just confessed to Lancaster and took Sebastian's hand as his other rested on her waist. Then, Sebastian swept her away from Lancaster, away from her old life, and into her new one.
"Where have you been?" Angeline asked.
"Does it matter?" Sebastian countered.
"I only thought you had meant to keep me company is all, and it would have saved me from having to dance with the Viscount and..." Angeline trailed with a shrug and a sad smile.
"Who did I steal you away from?" Sebastian asked.
"Lancaster," she answered, "My cousin."
Sebastian suddenly looked up and pulled Angeline closer to him, making Angeline's heart race as they made their way to the side of the room. His eyes swept over the crows and their surroundings, his brows furrowed in concerned concentration. He held her with surprising strength, his fingers digging into her corset. Her thoughts flashed to what it might feel like without her layers of clothing and she quickly shook them away. Now is not the time, something is clearly wrong, she scolded herself.
"Sebastian, what's wrong?" Angeline asked. He simply glanced down at her then up again. Her eyes widened upon realizing what was happening. "Ash? Here? Now?" Angeline asked.
"I'm afraid so," Sebastian replied, looking at Ciel. The Earl's eyes flashed knowingly and he tipped his head forward, a silent agreement. "We worried he would take advantage of you being away from the manor. We need to leave," He continued.
Angeline stifled a sigh. She was just starting to have a good time, especially since Sebastian had seemed to forget he was avoiding her.
Sebastian looked at her, his tight grip that held her to him never slackening. "He's going to come in here to find you, we are going to make a quiet exit and forego the carriage. I will carry you to the manor instead. There are many people here, hopefully he will be distracted long enough for me to get you back to the estate where it is more secure."
Angeline nodded along to his instructions, voicing her understanding and Sebastian gathered Angeline in his arms, swiftly and quietly leaping onto various furniture and rails until finally they exited out of a second story window. Angeline clung to him, unused to the feeling of being so high in the open air. Though she knew Sebastian's hold on her was secure, her instincts worried about the fall should he drop her.
Angeline looked back at the party as Sebastian leapt onto the neighboring roof just in time to see the front door open and Ash barrel into the room to find her.
Angeline was sat at the end of the bed in her nightgown, brushing through her hair as a distraction from the fear that Ash would come looking for her tonight. The harvest ball had been a close call and her fear was amplified after seeing the angel again after so long, even if he hadn't seen her.
She instead thought about her conflicting emotions toward the Phantomhive butler.
She started at a knock on her door then sighed, continuing to run the comb through her hair. "Enter,"
The door opened to reveal Sebastian with a silver platter holding a teacup and pot. "I have tea, if you want it."
"That sounds lovely," She said. "What kind?"
"Green tea imported from Japan," Sebastian replied, pouting the steaming liquid from the pot to the cup. Angeline lifted it and blew softly at the surface, still overtaken by her thoughts. "Is something bothering you?"
Angeline sipped at the scalding liquid despite it burning her tongue in order to think a few seconds more. "Why won't you speak to me?"
"We're speaking now," Sebastian replied.
"You know what I mean," Angeline said. "When I came back, I thought we were on good terms, but you're keeping so much distance..."
"Just because you had to come back here does not mean you are forced to be around me," Sebastian said. "I know what I am makes you uneasy. Rest assured, you are safe- I am on a constant watch to ensure no harm comes to you- but I will not force proximity."
Angeline smiled unconvincingly. "I want to be around you," she admitted. "If I can have nothing else in this world, I would like a friend."
She looked up from her tea to him. "Unless, of course, you do not want my companionship. I would understand. Perhaps you prefer the loneliness, having lived so long."
Sebastian shook his head. "It seems we've had a misunderstanding," he began, "I've always enjoyed your presence. After you fled to the church, I assumed it was because you found out who I am. Then you said you needed to sort out your feelings toward me, and giving you space to do so seemed right."
Angeline shook her head. "I was frightened, yes, but I know who you are. I'm in no danger and I don't need space."
Sebastian nodded. "I have missed our chess games," he said. "You should rest tonight, but perhaps we will resume them tomorrow."
Angeline nodded and Sebastian turned to leave the room.
"Sebastian," She said before he could leave and he stopped, not turning around. "I'm afraid Ash will come tonight. He tried to find me at the party, he could try again tonight."
"I assure you nothing will happen to you." Sebastian said.
"Stay with me, please," she said. "I'm scared."
Sebastian nodded and came back into the room, sitting in the chair in the corner. As her breathing slowed, sleep overtaking her, his thoughts warred.
He should know better than to get close to a human, but she said she needed a friend and Sebastian knew he wanted to be that for her.
It had been so long since he'd had a friend. Perhaps, selfishly, he wanted that, too.
2022 Wilma: The second authors note was just my 2014 counterpart's thoughts on Kuroshitsuji II, literally nothing important. See you next time!