It was a typical English day: rain and rain and more rain. The Phantomhive servants were squashed up against a window, watching the water cascade down the window.
"It ain't half a downpour," said Bard. "I hope the master and Sebastian are alright in town."
"Yeah! It would be 'orrible if somthin' 'appened!" agreed Finny. They all continued to watch the rain.
"I must say, it's awfully weird with no master or anyone in the manor, yes it is," said Mey-Rin. She looked around the empty front hall. "It feels like something is missing… there's no Lau or Soma or anyone else about."
"Yeah, I know!" Finny ran into the centre of the cold, dark room. "We can do what we like!"
"No, most certainly cannot," the three turned to look at the oldest man. "We are all but servants, we must respect our household." scolded Tanaka. Finny blew out his cheeks.
"But I'm so bored!" he protested.
"We should play a game!" suggested Mey-Rin. "Hey, what about Hide and Seek? That's a good game, that is." she and Finny clapped their hands. Bard sighed.
"Hmm. I ain't got time to play childish games like that," he folded his arms. "What about doing our actual jobs?" Finny and Mey-Rin turned to look at him.
"Ooh, come on don't lie, Bard, we know you love it as much as we do." said Mey-Rin. Bard blushed and scratched the back of his head.
"N-no, of course I don't…" Finny grabbed him by hand.
"Stop being a spoil sport. Come on, you're counting with Tanaka." Finny pointed to the now tea-sipping man. Bard sighed half-heartedly, trying to suppress a smile.
"One… two…" he turned his back. Finny and Mey-Rin fled to hiding places; Mey-Rin ran into Ciel's study and squeezed under the desk and Finny forced himself into one of the pine wardrobes in the largest guestroom. "Ninety-nine… one hundred!" Bard spun around. "I'm coming, ready or not!" he yelled. He looked at Tanaka. "You coming?"
"Ho, ho, ho."
"Nevermind." Bard thundered up the stairs and down the corridors. Where could they be? "Finnian? Mey-Rin! Where are you!" he shouted, grinning. He listened out for the hyperactive giggling of the former, but could hear none. He must be well hidden, for once, Bard whispered to himself. The sound of the front door opening interrupted his thoughts. "Oh no…" he froze on the stop. He had no idea where his friends were. But, now the master was home. He couldn't call out to them; that would give away that they had been into rooms usually off limits. Bard paced in the corridor, chewing his cigarette.
"Where are you?!" he heard Ciel's voice from downstairs. He sped down the stairs and stood grinning nervously next to Tanaka.
"Welcome back, young master! I'm so glad you weren't affected by the rain." He laughed nervously. Ciel handed his hat and cloak to Sebastian.
"Hm," he sniffed. "We left as soon as it started. Where are Finnian and Mey-Rin?" Bard scratched his head.
"They're… in the garden. Some… err… difficult plants!" Ciel raised an eyebrow, his eye sliding to the window.
"Oh really? Gardening in the rain?" he dead-panned. Bard shrugged.
"Uh…"
"Where are they?" Ciel repeated.
"Playing hide and seek," said Tanaka. Bard let out an angry huff and stared at the now full-size man. "I said no, but they would not listen. I believe Bard was counting." Bard furrowed his brow at Tanaka, a vein pulsing on his forehead.
"Don't tell me, they're still hiding?" asked Ciel coldly. Bard nodded. Ciel rolled his eyes. "Come then. We should probably find them, I'd hate for my guests to be frightened by a stray servant in strange places." Bard shoved his hands in his pockets and followed the young boy and the butler.
Meanwhile, Mey-Rin was starting to get cramp in her legs. She shifted herself about, trying to make as little noise as possible. She could not loose her title of 'Best Hider' to Finnian.
"My, Bard's taking a long time, yes he is…" she muttered. "Where could he have got to? The manor is big, but not that big…" Mey-Rin shrugged and re-adjusted her glasses by wrinkling her nose, and waited to hear the familiar thudding noise of her friend's heavy boots.
Finny, stupidly, had forgotten to take the key out of the wardrobe door, and had managed to lock himself in it. It was starting to get stuffy, and his fringe was sticking to his forehead. He too, wondered where Bard had got to, as it felt at least half an hour had passed. He also wanted to take Mey-Rin's title.
"Ugh, Sebastian, go and find those idiots. I'll be in here." Ciel waved a lazy hand at his butler. Sebastian bowed.
"Of course, my lord." He gestured for Bard to follow him. As the two men made their way down the corridor, they both froze as they heard two shrieks. Bard and Sebastian ran back into the study, crashing into each other at the doorway.
"OOOH, MASTER I'M SO SORRY, I AM, I DIDN'T MEAN IT!" Mey-Rin screeched. She was the same colour as her hair, her red cheeks cradled in her hands. Ciel was stood on the desk, his face also beetroot. Sebastian smirked and Bard laughed outright.
"Is something wrong, my lord?" he asked coolly. Ciel glared at him.
"She was under my desk. Why?!" Mey-Rin wringed her hands.
"We was playing hide and seek, you see, yes we was! And I was hiding! I'm so sorry, I forgot it was off limits!" she wailed. Ciel breathed in deeply.
"Never come in here again without my permission, understood?" he said. Mey-Rin nodded horridly and bobbed him a hasty curtsy. They all jumped as there was a massive crash from down the corridor.
"Finny!" Bard clicked his fingers. "Stupid dope," he and Mey-Rin jogged to the source of the crash. Sebastian smirked and held a gloved hand out to Ciel.
"A helping hand, master?" he asked. Ciel narrowed his eyes, jaw clenched. He snatched his butler's hand and jumped gracefully off the wooden desk. He stalked off down the corridor and Sebastian followed smiling to himself. They turned into the open door. Bard and Mey-Rin were stood around a wardrobe that was face down on the floor. They were making no attempt to help the boy inside.
"Are you alright, Finnian?" asked Bard, nudging the wardrobe with his foot.
"Yeah!" was the bright, albeit muffled, reply. "Can I have some help please?"
"Can't you just bash open the back or something?" asked Ciel.
"Oh yeah! Watch out everyone!" there was a banging from the inside of the wardrobe. Mey-Rin dived behind Bard and Sebastian pulled Ciel behind him.
"We are ready," called Sebastian. "Go ahead." There was another bash and then several bangs, along with muffled cursing. Then, finally, the back of the wardrobe flew off, and Finny hauled himself up.
"Ta-da!" he said, doing jazz hands. Ciel groaned and put a hand to his forehead.
"I sometimes wonder why I keep you all here," he muttered and left the room, Sebastian in pursuit. The three servants stared at each other blankly.
"Hey, you know what Mey-Rin?" asked Finny.
"What?"
"I beat you! I hold the new record!"