The air was thick and musty, and Sebastian wished he could turn off his sense of smell.
"Something clearly died here," he muttered.
"You don't say," his young master's muffled voice responded. He held a handkerchief to his nose and mouth, and picked his way through the sewers delicately. Sebastian walked carefully but did not squeal when he stepped in sewage. Another uniform to replace, he thought.
"Talk to me," Ciel finally said.
"My lord, I don't think announcing our presence and making who ever is here be prepared, is wise."
"I need information to keep my brain from telling my stomach to loose its lunch."
"Very well, my lord. Any requests?"
"You, Mey-Rin, and Bard. What the hell is going on?"
Sebastian glanced back at the boy. "My lord?"
"Aw, common, don't play like you are suddenly dumb." He paused and pulled the material away from his face, scrunching it as the foul smell hit him. "You and Bard have had this tense stand off over the care of Mey-Rin. I can see that as you two stalk around place, like two alphas ready for the other to bite first. You seem to be happily adding to the fire."
"I just am not sure where you wish me to start," Sebastian recovered smoothly. He turned and continued to walk, listening to the smaller heels click through the muck. "I did not know Baldroy had anything more than simple friendly feelings toward Mey-Rin. I am not sure if he felt anything before she was hurt. And it's not like she hasn't been hurt before," he added smoothly. He smiled a little; his lover did have a flair of falling and bumping into things, and sometimes he was not there to catch and stop her.
"True," his master mused. "But she has never been laid up for longer than a day because of her injuries."
"I do not see how time would be a factor in Baldroy's feelings."
"But what is going on with the three of you? How does Mey-Rin feel about this?"
Sebastian smiled widely. Ah a trap. His young master was using his Watchdog skills on him again. "I would not know, my lord. I have not inquired about that. I have merely dealt with Baldroy, and that has been in the kitchen, when he is in there."
"He just seems to be spending a lot of time in front of her door, even at the town house," Ciel said, sighing. He shook his head and huffed, "The staff having relations with one another, humpf!"
"You think it has crossed that line?"
"He certainly obsessing over her recovery a bit."
Sebastian stopped and held a hand up as he listened. Voices could be heard down the tunnel and he tried to see down the dark tunnel as well. There were three beings, not sure if they were human or not, but they were moving something.
"I think we best pause our discussion, my lord."
Ciel nodded and walked behind his protector once more. Sebastian used everything he had as a demon to guide and protect his young master. It was a delicate balance; he wanted to satisfy his masters orders because that was how he gained a more perfect soul to consume. A contract that was not perfectly executed made a eatable soul - he rarely passed on any meal - but perfection was his highest goal. He was long done with eating anything he could and looked upon those demons who still did, as savages and lower beings.
The light finally was brighter and he could sense the beings - human. He smiled and turned toward the Queen's Watchdog.
He bent and whispered, "My lord, three human men. They are moving paintings and precious works that were no doubt stolen as well."
"Two cases closed because of one discovery?" His lips tugged at the corners. "I will be the Queen's favorite pet once more."
Sebastian smiled and nodded. "Your plan?"
"To use you as my sword and cut them down."
He placed a hand over his chest and felt the tingle of their contract on his hand. "Yes, my lord."
