Phantomhive Banquet Party-Preparation

For Snake, he knew he has a lot of work to do, as he is being taught by his intended bride how to read and write, and have better Penmanship, as well as education Servants should have. As Head Maid, she is the Trainer of new Servants.

Tanaka told him that due to a life of abuse, Linnea fails to comprehend what even he knows and he's mostly raised by snakes!

'You have a lot ahead of you to do until she finally understands what you wish to convey and hope for.' said Tanaka. 'She never knew the love of family. She was never nurtured by family. Humans learn to love from their family first. Linnea fails to understand love because she never got any.' he told him sadly. 'The reason she gets along well with the other servants is due to the fact that she moves based on her ideals, logic and beliefs, as well as her set of morals and sense of honor and justice. But she never truly felt she cares for her colleagues who are once, her students. She is also deeply conflicted with this as they are kind to her but she just could not feel anything she felt she was a 'heartless human' as a result of her upbringing. But one thing gets her angry...and that would be an adult hurting or exploiting children. All she ever knew is pain. Hatred. Grief. Loneliness. Getting castigated and abused. Treated worse than a dog. If you truly care for her, its up to you to teach her what its like to be loved so she will eventually become your bride as you hoped for.'

'But she likes hugs.' Snake noted. Tanaka smiled sadly. 'She told me that she got her first hug from you!'

'Yes...she likes hugs because for her, its a symbol that someone truly cares and a source of warmth. I once hugged her out of sorrow and dismay when I heard her story and how she came to be here three years ago. I could never imagine family being cruel to their own children of all things yet Linnea suffered such a fate. For her, being hugged is a symbol that someone finally cares. That somebody finally gave her the affection she unknowingly craves and longs for. For now, take it slowly. Do not rush or she would run. Love and loving is patiently done. In time, she will understand and return your affections. Just that you have a really rough road ahead of you but if you truly care for her as you claim, you will not give up no matter how long it takes.'

So now he became a Footman of the household. He's good looking and tall enough for the job if one ignores his scales and his slitted eyes and a Footman has the potential to become the next Butler. His main job was to be tall, handsome, and represent the estate's grandeur. He is to accompany the lady of the house on shopping expeditions, served the family meals and assisted the butler in his duties. He is thus a rank higher than Linnea who is a Head Maid. However, his education must be strict as he is next in line to be Butler that after getting education from Linnea in regards to his writing skills, ability to read and mathematics, he will be training under Sebastian. His scales are removed with a visit to St. Mungo's before the other Servants met him. So now he is scale-less. Sadly, nothing can be done about his eyes. But at least he no longer has scales the Healers thought 'somebody gave him a nasty hex'. He even has his teeth fixed to be straight and he can make it pearly-white with a brand of magical mouthwash.

He learned that Linnea is a Witch, and she can use magic and that, there's a community of them. However, she flatly stated they are 'extremely prejudiced' she wanted nothing to do with her own kind as to such extent disgusts her. She gets along better with the much-scarier bankers and as far as relationships are concerned, she's only there for shopping purposes and occasional benefits. She bought him beautifying products for the sake of his job as Footman. However, the fact that magic exists is kept a secret from Bard, Maylene and Finny. The only ones who know, are Ciel, Sebastian and Tanaka(he's aware of the supernatural because of Undertaker but he has no clue what Sebastian is) until he came.

Right now, its a month since the Circus is gone.

He also heard what truly happened that got his former friends and the closest thing he got to a human family arrested. He was in shock but they were just as helpless as let's face it...who'd believe them? Nobody would believe them over a Baron, a noble so they had no choice!

But the case also caused Ciel considerable trouble...given the Baron's freaky interest in him on disturbing levels he stayed outside with Sebastian in who-knows-where that its just them in the house. Just them Servants.

But still, there's another side to this life. The household servants is also the private army. The ones in the front lines, those often active in missions are the Earl himself, the Steward, Butler and the Head Maid, the three strongest servants of the Earl. But due to an injury that crippled Tanaka, he is a proper house steward who is also in charge of Ciel's Funtom Company business. Then there's him, the Chef, House Maid and Gardener...they protect the house and guests who may be inside at the time. They are first and foremost, soldiers and assassins under a special investigative agency who serve the Royal Family.

Should Sebastian die, Snake would become Butler.

'That's impossible!' Linnea told him. 'Sebastian is freaking strong and not even I know what he is(a lie). Only Ciel knows what he is. You'll be a Footman for a long time.'

His salary is based on ahem, how tall he is. He is as tall as an average young man of his age(he's 18 who's courting a 13 years old girl) that his salary is 50 pounds(4 pounds and 16 shillings a month) a year as he is as tall as Tanaka. With that kind of money, he could happily support his ideal family, he thought.

He would do his best to prove he is worthy of his mate. Such is the laws of nature.

He is tall, good-looking and now able to provide should the time come.

His challenge?

Courting her until it sinks in. And he has to use unconventional means as she is...a very unusual girl. He would lavish her with the love and affection she craves(yet fails to understand) until they finally mate!

xxx

At the end of January...Ciel and Sebastian came back. Wordlessly as the Servants had no clue until Sebastian came, startling the be-jabbers out of them and instructed Bard to make Ciel's favorites.

'Sebastian, is there something wrong?' Sebastian paused in the silent hallway as behind him, she was there. 'You guys took a month to come back from the castle.'

'...Baron Kelvin let out quite an interesting tale that sickened the court, as well as his...unhealthy fascination of the young master and beautiful children below age 10.' Sebastian told her. 'It caused a lot of trouble we really had to take our time in the palace. The young master has been in a foul mood for about 26 days.'

'Ah...what of the First Tier?'

'They were sentenced to labor, a year per family whom they caused to grieve because their children died to become prosthetics. Jumbo was sent to the Mines and Peter and Wendy who could never grow up to do adult work is made to do so in a Workhouse.'

'That's essentially a life sentence.' Linnea sweatdropped.

'Exactly.'

'Do I tell Snake?'

'You'd rather not. I just gave you the bare bones because I'm forbidden to give details.'

'OK.' and she disappeared again.

xxx

Two weeks later...

The kitchens...

Linnea was teaching Bard how to taste, prepare and combine spices so they can add curry to the menu for future guests only...when the kitchen's backdoor somehow gained a few extra lines and BOOM!

'Wha?!'

'I'm coming in~!' came a man's cheerful voice as a pair of men dressed in white came in. 'Is Earl Phantomhive home for a visit?'

And considering they're armed...they mobilized to Snake's disbelief.

'E-eh?'

'Watch and learn newbie! This is our job!' Bard cried as Linnea lunged first, blades coming out of her sleeves and attacked.

'Ooh! Blades from the sleeves?! That's cool!' the loud man beamed as the two fought violently, all the while dodging gunfire.

'B-Bard, she might hit Linnea?!' Snake fretted worriedly while also shocked that the maids in this house are SCARY.

'Meh, Maylene's our best marksman! She's the last person to miss or we're gonna start worrying!' Bard also armed himself with a kitchen knife and joined the fray on a 3 VS 1 fight. The other literally didn't do anything so Snake watches him warily. Maylene eventually ran out of bullets, leaving the fight to her superior and Bard.

'That's enough playful antics.' came Sebastian's firm voice as the kitchen quickly fell silent.

'But they're intruders!' Bard protested.

'...These two are...' Sebastian sighed as the longhaired swordsman sheathed his sword.

'Ah, you guys haven't met us yet.' he said. 'My name is Charles Grey.'

'My name is Charles Phipps.' said the stoic one.

'We're codenamed Double Charles.' said Grey, going back to his partner. 'We are her majesty the Queen's Private Secretarial Officers and Butlers. Nice to meet you.' he said, holding up an envelope. 'Today, we're delivering her will in person~!'

'...before you leave...the broken door and the preparation table. Reparations please.' Linnea demanded in her most flattest and deadpan expression she could muster in her most flat monotone.

'You DID slice it to pieces.' Phipps said wryly to Grey who looked sheepish.

'Yes yes, I'll go pay the Earl young lady!' said Grey sheepishly. 'But for now, business is business! Let's go butler!' Sebastian handed out a money pouch to Linnea.

'I'll charge them later for the door and table but it is imperative they be replaced immediately before the bad weather starts.' he said. 'And also, the young master has shelled out money to refill our pantry based on the list. Linnea, Snake, go.'

'Yessir.' and the pair left.

'...if Sebastian says so that they're OK guests...' Bard muttered. 'That longhaired dude is a real nutcase.' he scowled before looking at Maylene. 'Maylene, your guns?'

'They're OK...' she said but her pistols fell to pieces. 'Wha?!' she gawked.

'...that bastard's that fast?!'

xxx

Using the Family Wagon...they went to London to the most extravagant market that caters to nobility.

'L-Linnea, the food here looks too good...' Snake croaked out as they looked around. The produce in the market are picture perfect and big. 'I've never seen foodstuff like this!'

'Well, this is a market that caters to the wealthy, the nobles, and the Royal Family. High-class fruit, vegetables, seafood and meat are available here, reared by farmers who specialize in great care during production. You won't even see a head of cabbage with a damaged leaf here. The ones with er, flaws, go to the market of commoners. Unfair, I know but that's how society works.'

'...'

'Well, before the stormy weather comes, feed all the snakes. Set them loose in London and prey on all the rodents they can find to last until the incoming bad weather ends. Tell them to hunt only at night to avoid a panic among the people when we get back home.'

'OK,' with that, they began ordering a lot of food, with Linnea knowing full well there will be a party...and she ordered a lot of high quality liquor in advance.

To be paid for later of course. But considering they can only carry so much, the rest is to be delivered to the Phantomhive Mansion after getting a new table and door to be delivered as well.

xxx

'Young master, considering there's a party coming and a storm might make the guests stay here for a couple days, I ordered liquor ahead of time. Is that alright?'

'So what kind of liquor did you order?' Ciel asked her.

'I ordered Wine, Whiskey, Champagne, and Beer. Enough for at least, a week just to be sure since we have no idea what the guests' preferences are.' Ciel twitched. That costs a lot!

'I-I see...' he choked out as he calculated the costs that almost reaches over a hundred pounds before sighing. 'Then again, might as well give the target a good send-off.'

'Ah, someone's gonna die in this house?' Linnea caught on. 'For the Queen's butlers to personally deliver our next orders instead of usually mailed to us...'

'Yes, someone will die in this house so I hope the blood will be easy to clean on the carpets later.' Sebastian smiled. 'And we'll have to play along with her wishes. Not to mention Earl Grey will...supervise.'

'Geh?!' Linnea gawked out. 'That nutcase weirdo?!' she almost whined.

'Yes, he will be here because while our target is to die, it'll be a chess game from here on out.' Ciel grumbled. 'And I must make sure I win, not the Queen who is represented by Earl Grey.' he said with cold fire in his eyes. 'In one week, the party will begin. Get ready. A grand hospitality...of death.' he grinned maliciously.

'Of course.'

And so...

'Finny, before the lousy weather starts, tend to the garden's usual problems, and scrub off the moss off the concrete and make sure our clotheslines and clothespins are clean! Then Bard, if Finny finds the clotheslines and pins dirty, please clean them thoroughly. Laundry's a real pain you know.' Linnea ordered the two men. 'Bard, plan out a grand menu for over one straight week because we received a special job from the Queen that only the young master and Sebastian will work on. We are NOT to interfere unless ordered to or unless the young master is threatened. The guests for this party are very notable people, some of whom may be future business partners. The famous Producer Grimsby Keane and his girlfriend the just-as-famous opera singer Irene Diaz. Then Karl Woodley a notable Diamond Dealer, the son of a Shipping Magnate Patrick Phelps, Mr. Lau and since he's free to bring anyone, he'll most likely bring Ms. Ran-Mao. Then that nutjob we fought earlier.'

'HUUUUUUUH?!'

'HIM?!' Bard yelped in a high-pitched voice.

'He's here because of that job only the young master and Sebastian are privy to because they alone must do it so we are only to be proper bodyguards and servants. Be always equipped.' she warned before looking exasperated. 'I hear he gets...playful once in a while.'

'What an idea of playful!' Bard moaned, throwing his arms up in the air. 'And he'll be here for a couple days due to shitty weather? Fuuuuck!' he wailed in dismay.

'Sentiments are shared.' said Linnea with a wry smile. 'But as good servants, we put up with it. Make sure you put out our best menu so Curry Training will be put on hold.' she told him before facing her fellow maid. 'Maylene, we have to work. Fast. The washing and all the bedroom linens, and we clean the whole mansion top to bottom! I'll ask Snake and Sebastian to do the windows last since Sebastian's training Snake. Snake won't be functioning offensively until his education is complete.'

'Yes ma'am!'

And thus, everyone worked real hard to provide the best hospitality once more.

With that, all is ready.

'Looks like luck is on our side today huh~' Maylene said cheerfully as despite the dark-cloudy weather, it did not rain. 'The laundry's all good!'

'I'll say, we're really lucky.' said Linnea in relief as Snake and Finny helped out in taking the laundry off the clotheslines. 'And now we're out of our best soaps now. Our new batch will be ready by next month too...'

Laundry day is as hard as cleaning the whole house and the second hardest job for maids after cleaning the walls, floors and stairs and polishing what needs polishing.

19th Century Laundry is back-breaking hell.

If people in the 20th century are bitching about the laundry, let's have them do it 19th century style, shall we?

Laundry in the 19th century is like this:

For folks in the 19th century the laundering process began long before wash day. Households made their own soap, which was a week-long operation involving making lye, rendering tallow, and combining them to make the soap. The soap was then cured for at least three months, so prudent homemakers/servants ensured they made plenty of soap at one time! Lots of soft water was needed for the washing, so poor households collected rainwater to use for the washing if at all possible. While for those with money plumbing is affordable, the poor people had to do with backbreaking gathering of well-water, or scooping them out of the river.

Then what both social classes have in common, is that laundry, takes at least, three-four days. For rich households with piles of clothes, linen and other fabrics, more than a week. Then this nasty process:

Gather up and sort clothing. Then soak in warm water with a little bit of soap and soda, with each item pressed in one at a time.

Next day, wake up very early, and heat up boiling water. 40 Gallons for a rich household.

Then the Four-Stage Process where the real horror begins.

Firsting- with clothing turned right side out, soap and rub the clothes until they are clean. Wring each item.

Seconding- turn clothes inside out, and using fresh water repeat the soaping, rubbing and wringing.

Boiling- Boil white cotton clothing and linens in soapy water. Remove from the boiling water using long sticks. Wring the items out again.

Rinsing- Thoroughly rinse all items in fresh clean water. You definitely don't want to wear lye-soaked clothing! Wring out everything one more time. Then move them all to dry.

It's important to note that this washing process was done primarily to body linen(the clothing worn under the outer clothing) and to household linens like bedding, towels, kitchen cloths and so forth. Most outer clothing couldn't be washed with this harsh process and some items could only be brushed. Body linen helped protect the more delicate outer clothing from the sweat, body oils and general griminess the body put out.

And now, the worst part begins for the two maids, after they gathered the dry laundry.

There's no electric ironing here folks!

Ironing is the most hated part due to the fact that its really painful on the hands, and its really miserable in the old days...with good reason.

Because after the items were dried, they needed to be starched and ironed immediately. No awesome electric iron to glide effortlessly and safely across your clothes. In the 1800's, a typical household flat iron weighed anywhere from 5 to 10 pounds(or more, for tailors' irons), and had to be heated on a stove. A homemaker needed at least two or if affordable, more of these irons so that one could be heating up while the other naturally cooled down as it was being used. Another popular type of iron called a charcoal iron or box iron utilized hot charcoal in a reservoir within to keep it hot. Of course the whole thing – handle included – became farking hot, so our happy homemaker of the 1800's had to use a thick rag or pad to hold the iron. The irons had to be kept scrupulously clean, which was no easy task in a dusty dirty kitchen. End result? Burned hand pads with blisters!

In Linnea's first year, after learning she has magic, she could do copious cheating. But now that there's company, that luxury is now beyond reach and like any maid, has to do the most hated painful chore in the house that she almost missed the 20th century's washing machine!

Then there's the soap! Linnea read enough culture books to know that actual powder soap won't be invented until three-four decades later. Until then, they have to make their own damn soap. Good thing she really is a witch or life will be harder. Much. Harder. She makes their own brand of soap that's much better than the formulas of that era, found a way to make fabric conditioner(good thing the servants know it doesn't exist yet). But still, Ciel sees business potential but waits until she makes a perfected one because her end products aren't perfected yet.

But she's on her way to making an iron that's way better than the design of Mary Florence Potts. It's still taking her several tries and she's getting closer.