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Chapter 5

Following Riff was almost pitiful. Honestly, Sebastian thought that a man of his stature would give him some sort of challenge but, as usual with humans, he was mistaken. There was something off about the man. Something inhuman, but, the man acted too normal. Too unlike the manservants Sebastian had grown to known. Most were bitter, like himself, or appeared too concerned, however, Riff seemed almost devoted to Earl Hargreaves.

When did humans get so loyal? He himself, was simply bound to a contract, but with Riffael Raffit, it was like it was innate. It was almost sickening. However, Sebastian sensed something. Something, different.

"What is he hiding?" Sebastian murmured, peering over a corner. Riff was going about his usual business, preening the gardens, talking to the maids and butlers, tending to the accounts, tending to the brat he called a master. Sebastian chuckled, at least they had that in common.

Thankfully, his master had decided that keeping the loons at the manor was too much of a risk, and well… they were certainly keeping Riff on his toes. Baldroy and Finny had already almost burnt down their kitchen and garden at the same time, while Mei Rin almost had left their priceless tea cups shattered all over the ground. Riff almost seemed exasperated with the experience, sitting quietly on a park bench among the ruins of the once pristine garden.

His eyes were closed, unthinking and almost at peace. Clutching his knee, the young man was taking deep breaths, probably trying not to kill the fools. He didn't blame the man. That was often his thought process too.

Strolling up to the younger man, Sebastian settled a friendly smile on his face, "I am awfully sorry for the mess they cause," The young man opened his eyes, unwavering his distasteful scorn that had settled there, "They often almost burn everything down too in the manor, we frankly couldn't leave them behind."

Riff sighed, "Why keep them around then?"

"Why not have a little fun?" Sebastian grinned at him, "And besides, each of them are essentially good people. Any interesting places in this manor?"

Riff was taken aback, "What?"

Raising an eyebrow, Sebastian smiled, "Well, usually manors have secrets. Places and areas that are well interesting, I have a thing for history," More, like you are history, the little thought nagged in his mind, "I am merely curious."

"There's nothing," Riff snapped, standing up, "I suggest you tend to your master." And with that, Riff was off.

Touché. Sebastian smiled, putting his hands in his pockets while Riff walked off out of sight. Staring down the manor, Sebastian knew that the stash of poisons was there, somewhere. Maybe even a secret lab for Delilah. Oh no, he hadn't forgotten. Neither had Ciel, he knew for sure. Perhaps he could get the idiots to find it, but Sebastian could tell that would create too much of a stir. Strolling deeper into the garden, he could sense the girl watching him, hiding from the bushes.

Yes, humans were pitiful creatures.

Mary Weather couldn't be prouder of herself, even if she tried. She had followed the strange butler since he decided to go for a walk. Riff looked positively dismantled by the man. She would tell Cain, but… No, she would find out what this man wanted. All she had to do was get closer and-

"You know that stalking people is illegal, right?" Mary jumped, landing on her butt. The ground was hard, unforgiving and wet from the summer dew. Rubbing the back of her neck, Mary looked straight up at, it was the chef from before. With a cigarette between his teeth, Baldroy peered down at her, "Didn't your mamma ever tell you that?"

"Mind your own business," She snapped, standing up and straightening herself out, "What are you doing here anyways?"

Baldroy held up his hands, a metal looking weapon in his hands, "I tried cooking, but the cooks here have no imagination so I was kicked out for using my trusty flamethrower on their pork."

Mary looked perplexed, "But you don't use a flamethrower?"

"Yeah you do!" Baldroy smiled, holding up his fists with delight flickering in his eyes, "I used it when we were bunkered down in the trenches, enemies all over us, and we were as hungry as dogs," there was a joy there, something almost infectious. Mary cocked her head to the side.

"Bunkered down in the trenches?"

Baldroy shrugged, "I was a sergeant in the military, back before I became a chef for the Phantomhive household." With his cigarette dangling from his mouth, the man seemed to become older than what he was. His chef's uniform was overturned, goggles hanging loosely around his neck and a settled grin on his face.

"Why did you become a chef then?"

Licking his lips, Baldroy sighed, "Long story, little lady."

"I have time."

The man looked at her, eye brows raised, "Maybe another day. Just don't be going around following strangers."

And with that, Baldroy left her alone in the garden.

Ciel was positively bored by the older Earl. The man was what, 17? 18? 16? 19? Ciel didn't care, Cain Hargreaves acted like a fricken old man who needed his bottom wiped every two moments. The manservant was useless too, like a loyal lap dog. It was a waste of time coming here, Ciel knew for sure.

Cain seemed so highly of himself too. Was he going to become as hopeless as this man? Maybe he should be thankful that he was going to die before reaching adulthood. Ciel's mind wandered out to the frivolous gardens, aching their way out to the serene gardens surrounding the manor.

"You seem bored," Cain cocked his head to the side, fingers settled on his temple, "Does the child need to sleep?"

Ciel shook his head, "You obviously don't want me around, why don't we put an end and do something."

Cain smirked, "Lucky for you, I invited guests for tonight."

"Guests?"

Standing up, Cain looked at him, "I suggest you get changed Lord Phantomhive."

"Hey Bard, you alright?" Finny asked Baldroy as he stepped into the pavilion.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Baldroy replied, taking a long drag of his cigarette. There was tension on his friend's face, something off about Baldroy. Finny knew better to push the veteran, but none of them really had any choice but to lay low. Their master had an important job here. They never knew what the important jobs were, but they knew it could become life and death. Although, Finny turned back to Mei Rin and Tanaka, he watched as Baldroy sat, leaning against the cool marble, "You all were unwanted too?"

They each nodded. It was beautiful here, soft and quiet. Statues of fallen angels lay, their marble faces glinting in the sunlight. The beautiful flowers of lavender and rose, scented the little scene with a peaceful serenity.

Finny looked up at the enormous painting. There were black and white lambs on a field, and an older looking man staring back. Finny didn't know art. Sebastian would often tell him that he was too uneducated to "appreciate the fine lines" within the pieces hung on the Phantomhive walls.

"What are we supposed to do?" Mei Rin mumbled sadly.

Baldroy sighed, "Nothing. Not with that dog lurking around." Bard threw the flamethrower on the ground, "I don't get why we even here."

"To help the master," Finny laughed as he stretched his arms.

"FINNY NO!" But it was too late, his hand pressed against the old man in the painting. Beneath their feet, there was crumbling as the wall Bard was leaning against slowly slid inside the wall. Each of them clung on to each other, as the darkness loomed from where the brick wall was.

"What the hell did you just do?" Bard cursed, grabbing the flame thrower.

Finny burst into tears, "Sebastian is going to get really mad at us."

Edging his way in, Bard lit his lighter and headed inside the doomed chasm, much to Finny's dismay, until, "You know how these people are famed for their poisons?"

"Yeah?"

"Arsenic, Aconite, Hemlock, Cyanide!" Bard emerged, mouth open in shock, "We need to tell Sebastian."

"Tell me what?" Of course, he would come, "What have you guys just done?"

"We just found their stash."

End of Chapter