School Conspiracies?
At his room, when Edward read the roll of paper given to him...
He could NOT believe his eyes, considering from top to bottom, he just can't believe what he's reading.
1. his cousin and butler infiltrated as teacher and student respectively under orders from the Queen to investigate why students disappeared.
2. said students have faked their accomplishments for four years, bullying, hazing and threatening students to do their fag jobs for them.
3. all of them came from Scarlet Fox originally, before transferred to Violet Wolf and nobody saw them ever again.
4. they intend on asking for testimonies.
5. investigate Maurice Cole if he's 'another Arden' as it may be him who may disappear next.
6. they want him to say all he knows, if any before they pay the Ardens a visit...using Linnea as a representative.
His mind was spinning.
xxx
Three days later...
Linnea sent a letter Ciel wrote and personally sealed to the Duke of Clemens, and waited for a reply. Until then, while doing her daily duties, she gets called on for Fag Times impossible for Ciel to do, given his abysmal physical condition. He couldn't last long beyond 30 minutes of physical exertion but for someone with a bad hereditary Asthma, he came far compared to most people.
She got a reply four days later, summoning her to the Domain. So she dressed in her best clothes and left in a carriage.
She's armed, of course. She dressed well for a maid. Well, given how huge her salary is, of course she can afford some decent trendy outfits. Just that, outfits made of high-class fabrics is beyond her believable reach as a maid. But as Lady Potter, its well damn within her range, and more. If she converted her share of fortune into Guineas, Pounds, Florins, Crowns, Shillings, Half-Crowns, Pennies, Half-Pennies, Farthings, Half-Farthings, Groats and Half-Groats, 12 Pence, 6 Pence, and Thruppences, bloody hell, she's richer than Ciel by two notches at present date, before he outriches her again as unlike him, she has no business and her job is a maid.
Learning these coins forced her to study Victorian Era Mathematics(and master it) as their salaries are in Shillings and Pennies. So she'd know her change, and not get cheated and passed on this knowledge to new Servants.
It took her around night to arrive.
'Welcome, Miss Linnea.' Duke Clemens greeted after a maid led Linnea to the Drawing Room. He's clearly grief-stricken and hasn't slept a wink.
'Have you thought of the matter, Duke Clemens?' she asked him kindly, but sternly considering what his son was doing.
'I have thought of it. I just never expected my son to do those things. Things criminals usually do.' said Duke Clemens in dismay. 'Its tradition for high-ranking gentlemen to go to Weston with the Phantomhives being the lone exception. He wasn't happy with going, constantly sending nagging and demanding letters to pull him out...I never dreamed he'd do such deeds to who could be future colleagues! I'm pretty sure those boys he and his friends hazed wrote home about it and as you know, word in society goes real fast.' he said. 'If my son is found, he'd be persona non grata and I fear for the future of the title Duke Clemens. And his sisters! Who'd marry them now?' he moaned. 'I suddenly received mails from three families that they withdrew their offer of betrothals to my daughters!'
'Does the Queen know? This hazing might be reason why he disappeared. Someone else might have seen, and out of indignancy decided to avenge the boys who are too cowed in fear to even think of revenge considering who you are related to as a result of getting them to confess. And they are still locating...physical evidence and the culprit or that could be plural. May we have those letters he sent you in all his years? Young master would like a look to further understand why he did it all.'
xxx
Weston College, next night...
'Well?' Ciel asked her as Linnea arrived in Sebastian's Office.
'Duke and Duchess Clemens hasn't slept a wink since we sent them that letter.' said Linnea, giving the original copies over. 'If Arden is ever found alive, the couple feared from society's reactions if those boys wrote home about the hazing they suffered and their fears came true. And this was made fact as Arden's younger sisters lost their fiancees as the three families withdrew the engagement. I feel that the only ones who don't know, are the students of this school. If he makes a debut in society, he'll be persona non grata if we find him alive and due to his actions, his sisters won't have any friends left.'
'I see...anything else?'
'Yes. Duke Clemens admitted that his son really hated the idea of coming here. and considering what's in the Love Letter, the queen is fully-aware hence the term 'rebellious phase'. He still hasn't told the queen what we just told him. And clearly unlike their son, Duke Clemens is a nice person.'
'So a spoiled, highly-privileged upbringing with the knowledge of powerful connections, is it?'
'That would be the case.'
'Good work...and while you were gone, we took to asking around.' Ciel twitched. 'Each and everyone!' he burst out angrily. 'Teachers and student said the same thing regarding the transfer. 'it's the principal's decision' without even thinking of possible reasons why when normally, its against the rules even in the rules in the handbook. They just go with the flow.' he said darkly, clearly none-too-happy. 'Even Edward of all people! Trained dogs is too flattering to call this situation, the more appropriate words for this so-called Elite College is Sheep at a Farm! Draft a letter to the Marchioness and express my displeasure even if it means revealing the situation here. As a Phantomhive, she knows to keep quiet. Edward should be retrained every school break from now on.'
'Sir.' and she vanished.
'Sheep at a farm led by a shepherd indeed.' Sebastian smiled darkly. 'Well, training starts at age 13 and the younger the mind is, the more impressionable it is, is it not?'
'No kidding there! And these morons are to be future whatever-titles-they-get? Don't make me laugh!' said the young Earl in disgust.
'Well, on the bright side, given your job, you hardly have to deal with them.'
'I won't, yes, but sadly, my future children will!' Ciel huffed. 'Man this is stressful. Since you found something out, its highly understandable what happened. Now we just have to make them fess up somehow. But for now, closer relationships is a must. Ugh.' came the annoyed grunt. 'And there's Fag Work as Clayton wants a Custard version of that Molten Lava Cake with custard filling...yeeeeah.'
Sebastian was glad for Linnea as well as this is their most difficult job yet...
xxx
Midford Estate...
The Marchioness received a letter from Linnea.
Good day, Madam,
The young master asked me to inform you of a situation
in his stead.
You see, he's on a mission in Weston College to locate
Derek Arden, son of Duke Clemens and his friends Hans
Hardy, Richard Greenson, Robert Isaac and Ewan Thewlis
who have gone missing since half a year ago. He and
Sebastian infiltrated as Student and Teacher respectively
while I am outside support and what we uncovered wasn't
pretty.
Despite Weston College's stellar reputation, as a Phantomhive,
young master sees that its nature in regards to not allowing
outside interference no matter what conceals what shady
things that must have happened and keep up appearances.
Not only that, the students he feels, are brainwashed into
becoming like mindless sheep unable to think for themselves
and have their own opinions if one looks thoroughly in the
school's rule and handbooks, and its emphasis in 'tradition
and discipline' and the words 'Tradition is absolute' and the
'Principal's words are absolute'.
Such an example was various students young master approached
when asking about Derek Arden, they all gave the same cookie-
cutter answers, including young master Edward, finishing those
same answers as 'the principal decided on it, it can't be helped'.
Young master isn't too happy as he respects young master Edward
yet he became like a sheep, he strongly recommends you train
young master Edward every school vacation to use his own brain
and think for himself, and see things the normal way any normal
and sane person would think and feel as a non-Weston associate
and rouse up his Phantomhive blood to think like you and he do.
Master is of the opinion Weston is bad for mental health.
As this 'brainwashing' starts at age 13 up to 19, its basically
a Farm of Sheep with the Principal being their Shepherd. In the
master's words, 'these guys are to be future whatever-titles-they
-are?!'
Enclosed is a roll of paper inside regarding our mission.
-Linnea
Marchioness took out a rolled paper secured with a blue ribbon...
After about an hour of double-reading everything...
She shook and her eyes flashed while black fire rose out of her background, creeping out the poor maid who delivered her the letter...
xxx
At Weston, while doing Fag Work...
Edward felt a chill down his spine.
"Why do I feel like my doom is near?" he thought while sweating buckets while shivering.
xxx
Weeks passed by and not even Linnea can find anything and so could a being stronger than her, Sebastian.
'Heeey...since both of us can't find one dude in this school, managing to hide from Sebastian of all people...what if other beings are involved?' Linnea pointed out.
'Other beings?' Ciel blinked.
'You don't mean...them? Unless its the rogue whom we never found, impossible.' Sebastian frowned. 'But let's consider all possible factors since they managed to hide from US and a final factor...they ran away without anyone knowing with a mysterious benefactor which also has a low probability.'
'Can't you just barge in the Prefect's heads?' Ciel asked them.
'Witches have Legilimency right?' Sebastian asked as the two males looked at Linnea.
'I tried that, but in the rules, you must ask a Trigger Question. This triggers memories to surface whether they like it or not. Then Eye Contact must be made.' Linnea recited from a rule in a book. 'And those four are never alone, I can't just say hi you know.' the two males sighed.
'Oh yeah...great, the hard way it is and the Cricket Tournament at June 4th.' said Ciel. 'I'm now Clayton's Fag since I managed to expose Cole not long ago and I earned their respect. But the problem is I'm not a player type which means I'll secretly ask you to help me out. Again. Blue House must win so while Sebastian supports the other players, you will support me on things I might miss.'
'Oh dear...'
xxx
And so...on June 4th...
The Phantomhive Army came to school as its an event open to the public. Well...as far as public can go as its only the families and friends of the students and their servants who are allowed to come!
'Whoaaa, so this is the famous Weston College you told us about...but still, for young master to be in a place like this since you guys have a low-low opinion of it...' Bard pointed out.
'It can't be helped. Work is work.' said Linnea airily while escorted by her boyfriend. 'But an off-day is real nice after we finished all out chores on the 2nd.'
'Yep yep, real nice!' Finny chimed. 'We made it! Yay~!'
'...who are the first opponents?' Snake asked her as they sat together.
'Scarlet Fox, the house of high noble birth and gentility...but, where ALL the good-looking-guys went and also future casanovas.' Linnea said wryly. 'The high-nobility and gentility is just bullshit excuse.'
'Ooooh!' her fellow servants gawked.
Upon settling down, its the seniors who went first and the Fox house is quite impressive while Owl house is quite, terrible...
'This is bad...' said Bard, feeling bad for his boss' house. 'Linnea is the young master gonna be OK?'
'He'll be alright.' said Linnea. 'Because of his asthma that will get in his way as an Earl, he trained a lot, combining medical rehabilitation after I was hired.' she said. 'Sebastian trained him ever since he started his education. I think he is currently Sapphire Owl's most-capable player...but he has a limit because of his asthma.' she added grimly. 'So far as I know, 30 minutes.'
'30 minutes?!' the Servants, McMillan and Elizabeth cried in disbelief.
'And a Cricket Game lasts really long!' Bard squawked.
'Well, for someone with hereditary asthma going for 30 minutes on high-level physical output is a miracle already.' Linnea sweatdropped. 'But as long as there are breaks in-between, he can recover those minutes. Even better if he wisely uses his best physical state limit.'
'S-so he'll be OK, right?' Elizabeth asked her hopefully and desperately.
'If those conditions are fulfilled, yes.' Linnea sighed. 'I hardly know what he and Sebastian are doing every after paperwork since being a maid is very very busy so that thirty minute thing might be outdated information.' Elizabeth, McMillan, Bard, Maylene and Finny lit up. 'Don't light up. The outdated information might be a good or bad thing because ever since he turned 12, he got too busy I never heard if they still had time for physical training or not.'
'Awww...' they all went gloomy.
Soon, the two hour break came.
'Alright everybody! I brought snacks over!' said Bard as he took out numerous small cakes and pies. 'Linnea what kinda tea do you got?'
'Well, I ordered from Mr. Lau a good stock on Blooming Tea.' said Linnea as each cup has a tea bud that blossomed after some time of being in the water. 'We can use the buds two more times after the first use before we can throw it away. Well, its for my personal use though since I have no idea if the master would like it.'
'This looks gorgeous though...' Elizabeth pouted, looking at her tea. 'Seeing tea bloom while releasing tea is just too cute.'
'Well, everyone's point of view in beauty vary...some like it flashy some like it simple and some just don't care.'
After a break...
It begins next. Ciel's batting up!
Ciel, have you kept up your training? Linnea asked telepathically worriedly.
Of course. But as of summer last year, I hardly had any time.
Your 30 minute limit...?
I'll signal you and Sebastian if things go down.
If you say so...
Soon, batter up! The Pitcher, is Harcourt.
'Let's do our best, Phantomhive.' too bad he's a genuinely kind boy...against a demon child with a twisted personality.
'Likewise, Harcourt.' said Ciel in his fake smile.
And so...when Harcourt began pitching...Ciel changed his stance, bat over his shoulder with his feet a good distance apart with a little squat...
Ciel struck it to Six Points, a Homerun that caused an uproar.
'Boundary, 6!' the referee cried as even Ciel's own teammates are stunned.
'Wha...?' Bluer gasped out. 'Phantomhive's that good?!' and Ciel struck. And kept striking...and getting to score although the problem, was his teammates, so it seems he has to carry the full bulk of the burden.
He's used to Sebastian's Fast Balls so to him...
They're. Too. Slow.
When its Red Team's turn, he was able to catch a break and rest his weary body but hey, Scarlet Fox is scoring but they're catching up fast...
Linnea, help me out later when its my turn to Pitch. Ciel contacted. My arms are a little... he's a little sore right now...
OK. she healed his body and restored his stamina.
When Ciel began pitching, he created yet another miracle...with Linnea's help.
'What kind of throwing form is THAT?!' almost everybody gasped as Ciel's form is...highly unusual. His body was twisted all the way to the left, with his left leg raised so high...
What form is thiiiis?! Ciel sputtered, highly embarrassed as his maid controlled his body.
Ooh you'll see you'll see! and when he threw the ball, the ball went fast. Super Fast! 'Take that! Lightning Ball!' Ciel cried, controlled by Linnea.
'A WHAT NOW?!'
But because Ciel is the only capable player, Sapphire Owl won...by one point. And this was without Sebastian as Sebastian is needed against Green House.
'Unbelievable!' Redmond cried as Sapphire Team threw Ciel up high in their victory.
"...for now she saved the game but I have to prepare for Green House." Sebastian thought. "This is because they're the real opponent here..." thankfully they planned in advance. Scarlet Fox is just used as a patsy to show what Ciel can do
The tournament will be held three hours in the afternoon for the final round.
xxx
'We won...for the first time in years, we won!' Bluer choked out. 'I can't believe it!'
'We didn't know you're THAT good!' Coward exclaimed at Ciel who sighed, massaging his shoulders.
'Well, if you're the Head of your House, a lot of expectations are on you whether you like it or not.' said Ciel. 'For an heir about to inherit their father's title, you cannot afford to shame the name to society. That's what I was told growing up so I had to put a lot of effort.'
'I guess being a Head at a young age isn't all its cracked up to be.' said Clayton, shaking his head. 'You're good out of necessity.'
'Of course.'