Hi guys I'm sorry for not really updating like I know I should but….I'm lazy. Not just lazy, but I don't know what exactly I'm supposed to do. So the bandages are coming off today. Wish me luck in PM's and reviews.
Sebastian came into my room with a tray of tea and a serious looking face. I immediately was worried. He sat down on m bed, still saying nothing.
"Good morning, Sebastian…" his expression was grim. "Are you alright?" I reached out and gently touched his arm. He brightened a little bit.
"I'm fine sweetie. Now, eat your breakfast, today…" he faltered. "Today you're going to get those bandages off." I breathed in.
"M-my bandages?" In my weeks of healing they had practically become part of me. The splint for my wrist was already off and my wrist was back to normal thankfully, but I had been stuck with them day and night only being allowed to take them off long enough for Sebastian to change them. They were mostly on my arms, reaching all the way up my shoulders and on my back too, but they definitely weren't as bad as we initially thought they were going to be. "I'm finally going to be able to get them off?" Sebastian smiled but looked pained.
"Yes. Now, should we get started?" it looked like he was worried, about what the scarring would look like. I braced myself. Sure I had a bunch of little scars from scrapes I had gotten while living on the streets with Clara, but never something as significant as a real burn scar. I mean my god. I had actually been set on fire.
"Sure." I said smiling at him. I laid down straight so he could do my arms first. He clipped the edge of it, and gently carefully began to roll up the bandage. I distracted myself with memories of Clara.
I think you guys know about how she found me. Smoldering in the ashes of my house. The two of us lived together when I was a baby. Taking care of me seemed to be a breeze for her, or at least that's what she always told me. The cops were always out to get us. She wasn't supposed to have me I was supposed to be in an orphanage. Read: Hell hole of depressed children. They claimed that a young nun like herself was 'not fit to care for a child.' I was willing to bet that they also said it was 'most unorthodox' for a girl to do anything other than sew and cook. I learned how to walk and talk a lot faster than other kids, and let's just say it was probably more because I needed to learn how to survive. Not that it was a loving environment or anything! Clara was sweet and loving, but she always had a sparkle of mischief in her eye, despite the way she reprimanded me when I got into trouble. I was a fast little nipper, stealing a nip of bread here a nibble of cheese there, a strawberry for Clara. Then naturally, everything just had to come to an end. The police found me. First time I'd ever actually physically been caught. It was really weird. Clara had told me that they were mean, and boy oh boy was she right. They grabbed my arm and jerked me up painfully.
"Brat! We saw you steal from that man!" he yelled in my ear shaking my arm. Then he looked at me and eyes widened in disgust. "You're that kid we see everywhere, popping out and getting underfoot. We've been trying to catch you for months!" I rolled my eyes. (Yes at three years old I could roll my eyes) They took me to the orphanage, and I couldn't do anything but sob. Course I wasn't there for too long, Clara appeared outside of the window in the snow. In a second I was out there too with her. I couldn't explain why or how, but all I knew was that I was there and reunited with my guardian. I hugged her, when she smiled at me. She wasn't a particularly jolly person per say, but I loved her nonetheless. In a way she was a parent, because I had never met mine, the only person I had ever known who I could trust. I looked up into her odd red eyes and told her I loved her hugging her legs tightly. She stiffened, but then softened.
"You too, but you must know, I will only be here until you can take care of yourself." I looked at her my little raven haired eyebrows furrowed.
"What are you saying? I can take care of myself, whoa….whoa…WHOA!" I fell over in the snow, landing on my butt. "It's cold." I complained as she helped me up.
"Looks like you can't." She said giving me a small grin. "But one of these days you will." She assured me picking me up. "You will I promise." She looked down and frowned, like there was something playing on her mind. Then I fell asleep. The memory ended, leaving me to ponder what she was thinking that night. Odd I had never picked up such a detail before
"Do you want to see?" a voice asked me. It was foggy, sounding so distant, and yet, so far away. "Cat?" I started up my eyes flying open, my shot up from the bed, bonking heads with a surprised Sebastian.
"OH! I'm so sorry Sebastian!" I exclaimed. "It doesn't hurt does it?" I asked reaching out to touch his forehead.
"Don't be silly Cat, its fine." He said smiling at me. "Don't you want to take a look at your arm? You haven't seen it in over a month." He, dare I say it, joked. I looked down in amazement at it. It was as if….as if it was so minor, I also noticed that it took Sebastian a lot longer to take the bandages off than normal…hm…it was like that with her too, Clara, I mean.
***Flashback***
"Ow! Ow! ow ooooow!" I exclaimed. "Clara! That hurts!" I yelled.
"Then don't fall out of trees." She said sharply. "Honestly again? This is the second time you've done it! You're lucky you didn't break your arm last time." She said as she stitched up a large cut on my arm. She looked around. "This place makes me sick." she muttered. We had run into the nearest church. I looked at her confused.
"But…you're a nun." I said. She petted my head.
"You're a sharp one aren't you?" she said laughing. "I just don't like the smell. It smells like old people, like potpourri and soap…and cotton." She and I had to camp out at the church for the night, but at least the police didn't get us in there. The next day we set off doing who knows what for who knows how long. I won't bore you to tears about the boring things we did. I think it was a week or two later she looked at me worriedly. "Hey, is your arm getting any better?" she asked as we panted in an alleyway. I scored a whole loaf this time.
I gasped for breath, "Um, it's fine why?"
"We need to get the bandages off. Close your eyes." My eyes closed automatically. I don't remember completely, I think I may have even fell asleep. It took about twenty minutes but when I woke up, my arm didn't hurt at all! I didn't even have a scar from the stitches she had given me, but something had stopped me from questioning her. And the oddest thing was, when she left. I slept at the orphanage which made it safer for me, but…one day she just upped and disappeared. I don't even remember if I was given a proper goodbye or not. All I remember was a note : you are able, I must go- C .She was gone and yet I continued to live as normal. If anything I got more involved with crime, I was able to grab more food, and I actually started to gain some weight. Of course then I started to bring food to the other kids. I knew that I couldn't eat there, but that was because I had means to provide for myself, they didn't. Their food was rotted and they ended up sick more often than not. I just remembered tiny bits of living with her. She disappeared and I didn't even question it. When I was five I moved out of the orphanage for good. I couldn't do it anymore. I still brought them food when I could, but I never stayed there again. I never even took a second thought about her, only to remember how she told me to do something. Now I was curious about why I didn't want to know anything at that time. Sebastian tapped me on the shoulder.
"Your other arm's done, I just have to do your middle." He moved my nightdress, and unwrapped the middle slowly. I was still wondering about Clara. Had it always been like this? She made me feel entirely safe…like….like Sebastian did. Why did she make me feel safe if she left me out of the blue? I had always said that the reason I survived was because of her, but she left me in the middle of winter. I don't know but something tells me that a good parent doesn't leave you for any reason, let alone no reason at all! I didn't understand. Did she have a reason? Why was it in the middle of winter? It was…around the same time as Ciel's birthday. Was this some sort of unseen connection? I must have had a distressed look on my face as Sebastian asked me if I was okay.
"We can stop if it's hurting you." He said looking worried himself.
"No, I'm okay." I said quietly. "Continue." Sebastian did continue, but made an attempt to make conversation with me, not wanting me to be caught up in my worries.
"Are you happy that you have the bandages off?" he asked sitting me on his lap when he finished. I nodded. "Is there something wrong?" he asked turning his head to look at me.
"No, I'm just thinking that's all." I said quietly.
"Pray tell what you're thinking about?" he asked. I sighed. He was such a good man, all he wanted was to help me figure out what was wrong, after all I hadn't worried about it for four years, why worry now?
"Just about Clara. There's something about you that reminds me of her." I said looking at him. "I just can't think of what." I smiled now trying to turn to my regular cheery demeanor. "Can I go show my brother?"
"Of course you may." He corrected. I sighed he smiled. "Come, I believe Ciel is in his study." He set me on the floor, though for the life of me I don't know why. I was nine not five, not that I had people do that to me when I was five either. I opened the door and started off towards Ciel's study. I knocked first, and then entered.
"What is it now Sebastian?" he snapped and then looked to the door.
"You can't get a visit from your little sister?" I asked, and then went over to his desk. "Sebastian unbound my arms. The scars don't look that bad at all. In fact you can hardly tell." I added, hoping that would make him happy. Now I was worried that he was upset or disappointed about it. "You aren't mad are you?"
"Why in the world would I be mad Catherine, it's wonderful that you got your bandages off." He said making me a little less worried. What a stupid question Cat. "Do you care to show me?"
"Yes of course!" I rolled up my sleeves and his eye widened. He touched them gently. "Don't worry it doesn't hurt." I assured.
"You CAN hardly tell. I was sure there would be more discoloration that this!" he exclaimed. "How the hell did Sebastian manage?" he stopped himself. "Either way, you look wonderful, and I am so happy that you're okay." He gave me a kiss on the forehead. "Now, I unfortunately, have paper work to do, so I have to get back to work. I'll see you at lunch okay?" I nodded smiling at my brother, he really was a good man once you got over how cold he acted to people sometimes. I left, and turned bumping smack into Finny.
"Oh! Hi Finny I'm sorry I bumped into you." I said helping him up.
"Hello Cat!" he said cheerily. "What were you doing in Ciel's office?" he asked.
"I got the bandaged off my arms, I just wanted to show my brother." I said.
"You got them off that's wonderful!" he exclaimed picking me up and then setting me down suddenly but carefully, "I'm so sorry Cat, I had no right to pick you up please forgive me." He said and lowered his head in shame.
"I was giggling! There's no problem with it Finny, it was fun." I smiled at him and he instantly brightened. We walked together towards the library. "May I see?" he asked gesturing tentatively to my arm.
"Sure." I rolled up my sleeve.
"Oh my goodness! You're all healed! It looks so good, almost like nothing happened." He exclaimed turquoise eyes shining with happiness. "Oh that's just wonderful Cat! I think that it looks great!" I blushed.
"I probably should be out of my nightdress." I said looking down and blushing bright red. "I doubt I look presentable right now."
"Cat you would look presentable in a potato sack." He said making me laugh, and yet also making me blush harder. "Must be itchy though." I laughed harder at that.
"But really I need to go change. I will be in the kitchen a bit later (If Sebastian let's me) I'll see you then." I walked back to my room to find Sebastian sitting on my bed. I smiled at him sheepishly. "Why didn't you tell me that I was still wearing my night dress when I went to go see my brother?"
"I didn't think it would bother you my lady. Your face is flushed. Do you have a fever? Nothing a dose of cod liver oil could cure I'm sure." I looked at him nervously.
"No Sebastian. I'm fine." I said fearing the thought of him cramming two huge tablespoons of the foul tasting, foul smelling, and all around foul stuff down my throat. He smiled at me, I had hoped he was bluffing but you never could be too sure with Sebastian. "Can-" I paused correcting myself. "May I see my clothes so I can get dressed?"
"Don't be ridiculous, I'll have something picked for you." He pulled a dress out of my closet, grabbed some white stockings and black shoes. I dressed quickly without his help besides the top button on my dress. I thanked him and was about to walk out when he caught me by the back of the bow on my dress, that due to my haste hadn't been tied. "Cat, where in the world are you going so quickly?" he asked pulling me back. "The least you can do is let me tie your dress." He tied it into a quick neat bow, "Now you can tell me." He gestured to the bed.
"I just was heading off to the library." I said looking down.
"Oh really? And I suppose you forgot that you were supposed to have lessons today?"
"No, but I was hoping that you could let me have the day off?" I looked over at him hoping he would let it pass.
"Unfortunately not. But…I can let you go early if you cooperate and work quickly today."
"Deal, what do we have to do first?" I grumbled.
"Someone was set on going into the library today." Sebastian mused.
"Well I was planning on reading a bit and then going into the kitchen to visit with Mey-rin, Bard, and Finny. " I said truthfully. You know what? You try lying to a Sebastian!
"Ah, I see now. The library was just a cover."
"I really did want to read though." I said looking up at him.
"Sure you did." He laughed. "Go."
"What?"
"Go ahead, but you'll make up for it tomorrow."
"Really?" I asked amazed. Sebastian never let me do this! He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Do you want me to not let you?" he asked.
"NO! no not at all thank you Sebastian!" I exclaimed giving him a big hug surprising him and running down the hallway sliding down the banister. Finny was at the bottom once again not prepared to see me. I almost fell off the banister but he caught me. I gave him a cheesy smile. "I told you you'd be seeing me later."
"Well, I can't say that it's not bad. Come to the kitchen?" he asked.
"Yes I will! Sebastian let me out of lessons today so…we have time!" we walked together down to the kitchen. Where I proudly showed Mey-rin and Bard what my arms looked like without the bandages.
"That looks wonderful yes it does!" Mey-rin quipped her glasses slightly askew.
"Aye it does, I wonder how it managed to heal so well?" Bard asked trying to take a closer look at my arms.
"We should just be happy that it healed! We shouldn't question it! Just be happy that it happened." Finny said. I smiled gratefully at him but I couldn't help but wonder why still was there so little discoloration. It couldn't because my skin was so white. Bard went off to do whatever it is Bard does. And I'm sure Mey-rin had some dishes to break or something of the sort, leaving me and Finny alone in the kitchen.
"The dishes are going to start piling up if we don't do them soon." I said looking at the ever growing pile.
"Sebastian doesn't really like me to be around the dishes. He says I'm too strong for them." He blushed making me smile.
"I don't think so, I think if you just pretended it was something you'd be gentle with, like an egg or maybe a newborn kitten." I said picking up a china plate, and placing it. Just imagine, and wash. Simple.
"If you say so." He said being careful and the plate coming out a sparkly clean. The two of us continued laughing talking and all the while actually getting work done! Granted the two of us were soaked to the bone
"I'm gonna get you!" I cried sloshing a cup of water at him.
"Not if I get you first!" he said doing the same. Soon were slipping and sliding nad falling in the water but we didn't care despite it being winter and the fact that we were going to come out with some pretty good bruises on our legs. Neither of us had gotten it in the face yet, so we made it the rule that if the other got it in the face the game would end.
"HA!" I said splashing a cup in his face only to have a Sebastian glaring back down at me. My eyes widened. Oh shit. "I'm so sorry sir!" I exclaimed.
"And what may I ask happened to going into the library?"
"Well I came down to spend some time with everyone, but then we did the dishes…." I trailed off.
"You are in so much trouble." He said taking my hand. Finny was blushing bright bright red.
"It wasn't her fault!" he said sticking up for me. Thank you.
"I know, I know that you were also to blame. That was very irresponsible of you." He scolded. But that was it. No threat no 'We'll talk later' no nothing! What the hell? Why was I probably going to get my hide tanned and he wasn't? I mean it's not like I wanted him to be in trouble but he could at least have gotten yelled at a little more. He pulled me up the stairs none too gently or harshly either. He brought me to my room and closed the door.
"What were you doing in the kitchen?" he asked.
"Well we were washing dishes…" he stopped me.
"That is where you went wrong. A girl like you shouldn't be doing dishes." He said. "Continue." I did so not wanting to piss Sebastian off any more than he already was.
"Then I splashed him and she splashed me back." He stopped me again.
"That's another thing, you shouldn't be doing that either." He said then gestured again for me to continue.
"It escalated until it became war and I was the general." I said. He sighed.
"Look, I think that I don't to take this too far, you are a child. But I think that you know you aren't allowed to do this, normally you would be in a lot more trouble, but I suppose that for some odd reason, I will let it pass."
"YES!" I exclaimed. "I mean, thank you sir, I appreciate that opportunity, sir." He gave me a hug but pushed me back a little bit.
"You know I love you unconditionally right Cat?" I nodded looking confused. "However, you smell like dishwater and dirty dishes…..I'll go draw a bath." I laughed. Well I guess you can say that was a close one.
"You missed lunch you know." He said brushing my hair. I jumped up.
"Oh god! I promised Ciel I'd be there!" I said.
"Would you say you owed it to him to have a nice late lunch with him?" he asked tying my hair back.
"Yes. I feel terrible." I said looking down.
"Well then," he said setting me on his knee. "Why don't we dress you in your best gown, and then we will have a huge feast." He said.
"Smashing idea." I said hopping off. He left off to tell Ciel my plan. Unfortunately, Lizzie had apparently been in the office at the same, double unfortunately I didn't know until it was too late….