IV
"So: three fired, and two new managers added in their place, is that right? Two experienced workers given advancement from within the ranks and one girl returned to the regular work force. And you feel confident these two new managers will prove more trustworthy and be able to handle the work without abusing the other workers or scarpering with the petty cash like their predecessors?"
"They had been faithfully doing the work already, my lord, without being given any title or due compensation for it, so yes. They should prove very grateful for their advancement. Also, they saw the discipline and firing of the other managers who had been abusing their positions, so I feel confident they will realise it is in their best interest to give Funtom their loyalty and best efforts, relying on you to care for their interests as faithfully as they serve you, my lord." Sebastian had reported all this with a fairly sober mien until he got to that last bit when the wicked smirk seemed to burst through. He licked his lips savouring the memory of those three managers' 'discipline'. The boy certainly didn't envy the three men having come down on the wrong side of his butler.
The creepy leer was in no way lost on the boy. "You're... not going to tell me what you did to them, are you."
"Why, whatever do you mean my lord?" The dark, vicious grin on the demon's lips stretched to disturbing proportions. "I disciplined them and fired them, just as you directed, my lord."
"Hmph, thought so."Ciel said, muttering damned demon, under his breath. "Anyway, I'm glad that's all over and done with. This manager nonsense has been interfering with my sleep for far too long!" He scooped up and stacked the pertinent papers from his desk, slipping them quickly into a folder and then into the dark depths of the big desk's locked drawer, fastening it securely after having replaced the false bottom with a tired sigh . Then he stood up and stretched, reaching for the ceiling, bending backwards and dropping his head back. When he stood back up Sebastian was quick to come straighten his collar and smooth away several non-existent wrinkles. Eventually the boy batted his hands away and said "I'm done for today, Sebastian. Prepare a milky chamomile with honey and something sweet, and bring them up to my bedroom straight away. I want to make an early night of it for once. I'll worry about baths and the rest of this Funtom nonsense tomorrow."
"Understood, sir" said the dark butler with an easy, cheerful smile.
"Hmm," the boy intoned, looking his butler up and down. "I notice you're having less of a problem focusing and paying attention to my words when I give you direction, now. I find it a distinct improvement, I must say. You seem quite relaxed and focused. "
The butler breathed in deeply and let go a rather contented-sounding sigh. At the same time, Ciel noticed a sudden far-away look in his eyes. "Indeed, my lord, I quite agree. I must say I found the change of scenery...quite stimulating and most refreshing."
"Huh," the boy barked out a sharp, soft little noise of sarcasm, looked up and grinned crookedly at his most dangerous servant. "I really don't care, Sebastian. You know that, don't you?"
"Sorry?" the faux butler inquired with his best, most angelic expression. "I'm afraid I don't quite—"
"Don't feign innocence with me, demon. I know you better than that. I'm telling you do whatever you need to do to maintain your edge, alright? I can't have you acting the way you were acting before you left. It might cost me my life one day-or yours! So consider this an order: do whatever you must to remain sharp and able to focus on our work. I'm relying on your aesthetics not to take advantage of this open-ended command, Sebastian: do not make me regret trusting you like this. Whatever it is you're getting up to, take care to cover your tracks and... and try not to piss off the death gods! I don't want another one planting a death scythe in your chest again. You're..." the boy's voice faltered uncharacteristically. "You're not much use to me after they've been putting ventilation holes in that carcass of yours you know!" he trailed off, turning his back on the demon.
Sebastian smiled quite an un-devilish smile at the boy and when he turned back around, gave him his very best bow of fealty. It would seem as though his little master had actually been quite worried about his pet demon while he was off behaving badly in Salford. Sebastian felt a queer little flutter in his chest at the thought of someone worrying over him that way, as if he'd swallowed a hummingbird or something: very odd indeed.
"My master is wise beyond his years and wonderfully magnanimous."
"Yes well I...I don't care to know the details, but I do know what you are. I do realise it's probably too much to ask for you to keep up this human guise endlessly, so... just so long as you return to me fighting fit and ready for work the next day, it's all fine with me."
"Yes sir."
"Just ... addle their brains... or make certain to bury the bodies where they'll never be found, or eat the evidence or whatever it is you normally do to cover your tracks! I just don't want Her Majesty to end up sending us out to investigate ourselves some day. Carry on as you have done. Be canny and careful. Understood?" They exchanged dark, knowing looks and the servant smiled broadly: a smile full of dangerous, sharp-looking teeth and somehow terrifying good humour. The earl suppressed the shiver that ran through his frame.
"O yes, my lord," the butler intoned with a bow and a heart full of joy. "Understood."