Chapter 3: His Butler, Punished
Sebastian grimed as the "excited" Pluto licked his face. In the back, Lailah giggled as she watched the figure of a man licking that of another man. "Puru-puru!" Finnian screamed trying to get the demon dog off of Sebastian. Once the dog was taken away from the room, Sebastian stood up and dusted his coat of dirt. Lailah continued to smile as she noted the Demon's hate for a poor, innocent dog.
"I hate dogs." He mumbled as he looked over at Tanaka. "I will take the Young Master to his room. Can you show the new handmaid and our new...ah, messenger boy, to their rooms please."
"Right away Sebastian." Lailah watched as Sebastian took Ciel Phantomhive into his arms and carried him up the stairs. She wasn't sure if she should trust Sebastian. Then again, she knew when his life was in danger. She could sense it. If his soul was in trouble, she would be there in an instant to save him. There were no worries. "Ms. Lailah, and Zachariah, let me show you to your rooms."
"Thank you Mr. Tanaka." Lailah smiled. Tanaka-san looked at the girl and smiled. His body filled with hope.
"Not at all dear, please follow me." Tanaka-san walked down the hall and into a small room. "This is where the men sleep, Zachariah's bed shall be in that corner. About clothing, do not worry, I shall take him the next morning to get the fittings as the messenger boy. For tonight, I am sure Finnian has something to cover the boy." Tanaka-san looked over at Zachariah. "Do not worry, your sister is just down the hall." Lailah looked around the room to find that there were only four beds: one for Finnian, one for the cook, Mr. Tanaka, and now Zachariah.
"Where does Sebastian sleep?" She asked softly.
"He has his own room as the head butler in the front of the Villa." Mr. Tanaka smiled. "You will be sharing a room with our dear maid Maylene. She may be a bit eclectic, and clumsy, but she is one of a kind." Mr. Tanaka led Lailah to her room. She looked behind her to see Zachariah already jumping up and down on the bed. "Maylene is with Lady Elizabeth right now. Tomorrow morning, I shall introduce you to Lady Elizabeth, as you will be serving her in the future." Lailah nodded and then followed Mr. Tanaka into the room. "Here we are. As for your maid uniform, Sebastian will handle it. For now, please borrow a pair of Maylene's clothes."
"Thank you Tanaka-san." Lailah smiled. She watched as the older gentleman closed the door behind her. Walking in, she noticed the large room. It was meant for more than 2 or 3 people Lailah thought as she walked to the empty cot on the other side of the room. "Now what?" She wondered as she laid down. "What to do now?"
"I suggest you get some rest." Lailah found herself shocked that she hadn't even heard the door open. To her left, she saw Maylene, the maid walking in with a smile on her face. "Welcome to the Phantomhive estates, we have a lot of work ahead of us."
"What do you mean?"
"Since the Mansion burnt down, I am sure Young Master will erect a new building on top of the old one. It will probably be our job to furnish it and give it a feminine touch." Maylene chattered as she took her head piece down. Lailah watched as the young maid took off her apron. "Poor Young Master, he has so many troubles."
"Tell me, how long have you known the Young Master?"
Maylene sat down on her bed thinking. "A little less than 2 years. I have been here since Sebastian called me over. He picked me because of my special gift, as he did with Tanaka-san, Bard, and Finnian."
"What do you mean?" Lailah asked curiously.
Maylene turned to look at the new maid. "It means that we were chosen for our skills. Bard was chosen for his long range accuracy, I was chosen for my short range accuracy, and Finnian...well he was chosen for his strength." Lailah looked confused. "In order to protect the Young Master." There are always people around trying to kill the poor thing. We protect him." She laid down on her bed. "So what were you chosen for?"
"I'm not exactly sure." Lailah spoke as she lifted herself off the bed. "Maylene?"
"Yes?"
"May I borrow one of your uniforms tomorrow?" The pink haired maid nodded her head. "Thank you." Lailah watched as the maid turned off her light. "Good night Maylene."
"Good night- what was your name?"
"Lailah."
"Lailah. Goodnight." Lailah sat down in the dark and waited for the sounds of Maylene sleeping. It didn't take longer than 5 minutes for the young maid to be out. Sighing, Lailah steeped out of the room and out into the dark hallway. Using the wall as support, she walked out into the main hall and slowly started to creep out of the door.
"Running away so quickly?" A voice asked from the shadows. Lailah continued to walk, ignoring the voice. "It seems you a frightened of a demon." Lailah snorted, opening the door to the Villa. Stepping outside, she breathed in the cool, crisp air of the night. "I am very curious, what are you doing?"
"It's a beautiful night." The sky was clear for the first time in a few days. The fire had cast a large shadow over the city of London, but now, it was peaceful and serene.
"That doesn't answer my question Fallen."
"She came out here to meet me." A man giggled from the side. The demon turned to look over at the Undertaker, smiling at the couple. "Dear Sebastian, how are you?"
"Mr. Undertaker?" Sebastian asked, amused. "What brings you here? And a relationship with a Fallen?"
"She called me, or rather paid me humorously." The Undertaker spoke as he glided up the porch steps.
"I need to know if his name is off your list." Lailah didn't care about introductions and such; she wanted to know the truth. "I want to make sure he is off the registry and he is safe."
"I am not a shinigami anymore, you know that." The Undertaker laughed as he watched the woman. "And no, for now, Ciel Phantomhive is safe. I see a future of that boy. Now, if you excuse me, I have some work to do." Lailah and Sebastain watched as the Undertaker walked down the steps and towards a wheelbarrow. Inside the wooden cart was a pile of bodies; charred and black. "After the fire, many people came to me with bodies to prepare...they should just cremate them, since they're half done, it's cheaper!"
"That was all you snuck out for?" Sebastian asked holding onto a candelabra. Lailah noticed that the flames from the candles illuminated Sebastian's face, making him look ghastly. "And to think things were going to get interesting."
"As long as Ciel Phantomhive is safe, I will do anything. Even lead a boring, gray life." Lailah walked past Sebastian and into the Villa home. "What time would you like me up tomorrow?"
"At the crack of dawn, you get to help me prepare breakfast...I want to be around you, in case something interesting happens." Lailah turned around to see Sebastian disappearing behind a door in the lobby. "Goodnight my dear Fallen Angel."
"Goodnight demon." Lailah walked back to her room and laid down, waiting for sleep to claim her. Mentally, she punished herself for not getting to Ciel before the monster. If Sebastian Michaelis had never come into Ciel Phantomhive's life, then the boy would be living with his aunt and ruling a toy and candy empire morally.
Maylene gently shook Lailah awake the next morning. "Hurry, Sebastian'll kill us if we aren't in the kitchen in 10 minutes!" Lailah got up out of bed and noticed a set of clothes on her bedside table. "He dropped them off for you a few minutes ago. Get ready!" Lailah nodded and then started to change into her work clothes. Maylene helped by tying the apron while Lailah bunched her curly, black hair up and tied it in a knot. "Let's go!" The girls ran to the kitchen and stood there, waiting for Finnian, Bard, and Mr. Tanaka to come in.
"Good morning ladies." Sebastian smiled as he noticed Maylene and Lailah there.
"Good morning Sebastian." Both replied. Sebastian smirked at Lailah and then turned to a piece of paper. "Maylene, I want the guest rooms to be complete today and that means no destroying any valuable china. Understand?" Maylene nodded blushing. "After breakfast, you may start." As soon as Sebastian was done, the men walked in groaning. "Good morning, good thing you are here. Bard, I expect you to do absolutely nothing with the meal plans today. Instead, go to the shop and buy what I have requested on this list." Sebastian handed Bard a list. "You may go after breakfast." Sebastian pulled out a bag of coins and handed it to Bard. "Finnian, the porch needs to be cleaned. I expect it to be done by today, and also...mind your strength."
"Will do Sebastian."
"And take Zachariah with you. Afterwards, show him around. You may begin after both if you have taken your breakfast. Mr. Tanaka, you know what you have to do."
"Ho ho"
"And Lailah, I will introduce you to the Young Master once he is awake and decent. As I am helping the Young Master get ready, I would like for you to help Lady Elizabeth and her maid Paula in preparing for the day. You shall do so--"
"After breakfast." Lailah added smirking. Sebastian nodded and then let the group go into the servant's dining room. Sitting down, they all started to take their meals. Finnian and Zachariah spoke. Lailah watched as Pluto came towards her, burrowing his head into her lap.
"Who let the dog in?" Sebastian asked, angry.
"It's raining outside!" Finnian tried to defend his friend.
"Yes, it's raining outside." Lailah provoked Sebastian. Before the butler could say anymore, he heard a yell that sent the whole table into shock. "Who is that?" Lailah asked standing up. The yells became clear. Someone was demanding Sebastian's company.
"I will be back, Zachariah, Lailah, please follow me." The two new additions and stood up. They were about to meet their master.
