Ciel Phantomhive got to his knees before he attempted to do anymore, checking to see if he hurt anything. He was surprised at the sudden reappearance of Merianna, but it proved to be a stroke of bad luck more than a blessing. He was sure his words would've made her leave on her own terms, but that plan failed as she was back here. Her bad leg meant she couldn't escape the breaking ceiling as fast and suffered a hit to the head. As she fell unconscious, she had the luck of knocking over Ciel as well and both of them tumbled down the set of forty-two steps. Sebastian appeared, dropping down from the newly formed hole in the ceiling.
"I thought I saw her coming back..." He said with disgust. "Although it's a shame that blow didn't kill her."
"Sebastian! Where's Lizzy? I thought you were going to keep her safe!" Ciel accused.
The demon butler looked at Ciel, a mixture of impression and uncertainty crossing his face. He muttered a disapproving 'Yes, my lord' and disappeared. Ciel figured he could escape to the servants' quarters under the house, the safest place in his own. It was his cousin that worried him. He heard a sound behind him and whipped his head back.
From the hole in the roof, eight ropes dropped down and able bodies slid down the ropes. As Ciel was about to run, a sharp pain ignited in his leg. An arrow found lodged in his calf. Soon, ten black-clad bandits landed in the mansion, laughing wickedly at the immobile boy.
"Earl Ciel Phantomhive, you are your servants shall be spared…but your belongings…It will all be taken by the Rouge-Gorges!"
Ciel had to watch as they quickly drew out bags and spread out, the one that spoke directing them. Two of them headed for him and another two went to the unconscious Merianna. They held him still, holding his arms as the others looted his pockets.
"Blue…diamond…" one mumbled as he took hold of Ciel's hand.
"Let go of me!" He screamed, but no one paid heed.
He saw Merianna twitch, and slowly getting to her feet, although her white hair was being mixed with the blood from her head wound. There was nothing on her to loot, of course, so the bandits did not bother with her.
"Merianna! I command you to get over here and get these thieves off of me!"
Unfortunately, the bandits were now alerted of her (good job, Ciel…). She mumbled something and picked up a metal pipe that broke off when the bandits crashed in. It looked way too heavy for her as she dragged it along the floor with two hands.
"Get her, boys. It shouldn't be long." A deep voice ordered.
The thieves pocketed Ciel's pocketwatch and slipped the ring off his thumb. One bandit threw a knife that nicked Merianna's shoulder, drawing blood. She stopped for a second to wince, but continued walking forward. They engaged at melee at the same time and Merianna swung the pipe in her hands. With a sickening 'thwack' it collided with one's shoulder, and the other's thigh, causing the whole leg to twist the other way.
"This is getting stupid!" the leader snarled as he picked up his crossbow and aimed it at Merianna's head.
He pulled the trigger, but a black blur suddenly intercepted and returned the arrow to its owner, lodging itself in his face. The only one left stared at the butler staring back at him. Sebastian held the knives intimidating in his fingers.
"Sebastian, you're late!" Ciel erupted.
The thief backed away from the boy and started running away, not noticing the direction he was running to. Merianna held a hand out and pulled at the man's clothes, tripping him as she threw him to the ground. With a yelp he tripped and the heavy metal pipe connected to and broke his spine.
Sebastian turned back to his master.
"Dear dear, what I fragile Master I have. Was this girl not good enough at protecting the Young master?" Sebastian said.
He pried the arrow out and took Ciel into his arms, turning towards Merianna with a smug look. It melted away when he saw that Merianna was still pacing towards the tool, not even responding to his insult. Blood from her head was dripping down and mixing with the blood of the bandits on her clothing. He stepped in front of her and looked into her eyes. They were like that of a dead fish's- blank and silent.
"Well, I suppose I shall have to leave the clean-up to you, if you can handle that."
He finished talking just in time to block the swing of the metal pipe against his arm. He took hold of it with his free blocking arm and wrench it away, throwing it to the side. Merianna didn't seem to respond, staring into the distance. Sebastian narrowed his eyes and snapped his fingers in front of her face. She only blinked her eyes and breathed.
"What shall we do with her, Master?" Sebastian questioned.
"We'll leave her here for now. I want these thugs out of here now, Sebastian! Take me to Elizabeth!"
"Yes, my lord."
Merianna was left standing there as the house shook with sounds of guns and people. The bodies around her were being drowned in their own blood, but she didn't react at all, even when it was pooling around her feet. Even when the sounds died down, she stood silently before finally passing out from blood loss.
When Merianna heard the birds chirping and the sun streaming from the window, she figured it was time to arise. She kicked the covers off and smoothed her nightgown-that-she-never-owned-before. The room was little, but she liked it that, and the ground was chillingly cold to her feet. However, something struck her as odd, unordinary. She looked at the bed that she climbed out of moments ago and the dresser she had never seen before. She suddenly recalled returning to the Phantomhive mansion, how she got there in the first place and…something dark suddenly hitting her on the head. She pulled at the nightgown, embarrassed to have not noticed it. It was a simple room with concrete walls, a window seemingly peering out at ground level, a dresser, nightstand and a bed.
Something was placed on top of the dresser, a pile of clothes and a familiar green pack. She pulled at the pile of clothes that revealed a dress, apron, headwear and other clothing necessities (ahem, of the undergarment kind) and was excited to put them on. A small piece of paper flew freely to the ground, a drawn picture of Meirin, Tanaka, Bardroy and Finny on it. She smiled and dressed, hiding the pack of her tarot cards in her bodice. On the nightstand, she found the map Bardroy had given her and a key for the room. Finally, she braided up her white hair and closed the door behind her, eager to find her friends.
Her back ached heavily, more than usual. But luckily her foot seemed to have improved greatly, as she was walking around without trouble. She thought it would have taken a month of no walking, but she was no medic.
Merianna finally found the trio at the servants' room, where they had their own breakfast while Tanaka and Sebastian attended to Ciel's morning. They greeted her and asked her how she slept while she grabbed a plate and sat down at the table. She replied and in turn asked them how it went after she left. They all had confused looks.
"Merianna, Finny went to bring you back, don't you remember?" Bardroy explained.
Merianna fuzzily recalled the small bluebird and clinging onto Finny, who was running back to the mansion.
"Oh…yes…I'm sorry, I think I must have hit my head again yesterday. But I am glad to be back now. Thank you for the wonderful clothes."
"Er…Merianna, it wasn't us that gave you those." Meirin replied. "Bardroy moved all the pots and cleaned your room, Finnian got the bed and nightstand from town and I moved my old dresser there for you."
Merianna puzzled over this, but she put her thoughts away when they invited her to eat with them. It wasn't too long before a bell under the label of 'game parlour' rang.
"It's probably for more cookies. After all, Lady Elizabeth is here." Bardroy commented. "Why don't you go, Merianna? You may as well introduce yourself."
Merianna nodded and followed his instructions to get the cookies from the pantry and arranged them on a plate that she carried on a tray. She used the map and found the parlour open. Ciel and a blond-haired girl were sitting opposite to each other, a chess game sitting between them on a table. Sebastian, as always, was by Ciel's side. Merianna subtlety placed the tray on a table near the chessboard and moved the whole table closer, catching a glimpse of the standings.
Ciel's black pieces were everywhere, surrounding the few pieces the petite girl had left. She was deliberating her next move, deep in concentration until she turned her attention to the new servant.
"Oh, hello." She greeted.
Merianna curtsied politely.
"You must be the new servant here. Nice to meet you! I'm Ciel's fiancée, Elizabeth Midford."
Merianna nodded. "Merianna Carolce, at your service, ma'am."
She stepped back to let them resume play. Just as she was about to leave, Elizabeth angrily cried out and slapped the board.
"I don't want to play this stupid game anymore!"
The pieces went flying to the walls and the board fell to the floor as the young lady burst into sobs. Ciel Phantomhive looked like he was about to murder someone. Sebastian saw it as a pinch to step into.
"My Lady, why don't we go for a ride into town? Perhaps a new game will have your interest."
She stopped crying and suddenly burst into excitement again at the idea.
"Ciel?" She asked, implying that she wanted him to accompany him.
He put his face in his hand, remaining silent.
"I'm too busy. Sebastian, why don't you take her?" He suggested in a dark, sarcastic tone.
Sebastian glowered back, but said nothing as he led the young pouting lady out the door. Ciel sighed deeply, frustrated with all he had to deal with.
"Merianna, pick up all the chess pieces, would you? And bring them back over here."
She obeyed and picked the board up from underneath the table, noticing a bandage around her master's leg.
"Ciel, sir, did you hurt your leg?" she fretted.
"Of course, Did you forget about it already?"
She wasn't sure what he meant, and kept quiet. After going around the room and collecting the pieces in her apron, she went back to the board and started arranging the black pieces on Ciel's side, who watched as she put them in order.
"So you know how to play…"He concluded. "Sit, I want to talk to you."
She obeyed again, and kept her eyes down while still putting the white pieces back in play.
"Why did you come back?"
The question caught her off-guard and she struggled to form words in her head.
"I was sure that you were going to leave."
He picked up the black king and fiddled with it between his fingers. Finally, Merianna found the strength to speak.
"I have to be a Phantomhive servant. I realized only after…That's why I came back…I simply have to."
Ciel put the king on the board, in the centre.
"Do you know what it means to be a Phantomhive servant? If this is me, and this is Sebastian…"
He moved the queen forward.
"These are the other high-ranking nobles"
He pushed the bishops forward.
"This being Scotland Yard and the police force."
He advanced the knights.
"-And these are the current Phantomhive servants,"
He pushed the rook to the centre.
"Where do you think you stand?"
Merianna knew what he meant, pushing a single white pawn forward.
"That's right." He said. "You're simply a pawn in this game and…What are you doing?"
Merianna kept pushing the pawn forward, through between the stronger pieces and past the black pawns until she reached the end on the opposite side of the chess board.
"I'll just have to be promoted then." She replied wittily. "But I don't like thinking of it like this."
She took back her white pawn pieced and replaced it on her side while Ciel replaced the back line. With the now cleared centre, she drew out her pack and laid the cards out on the chess board. Ciel looked at her with a quizzical look.
"Children should be playing dolls and storybooks, not chess!" She muttered, clearing her throat.
"In the major Arcana," she continued. "Every card is special, unique, has its own purpose and meaning. When they mix into a team, they make a future and story together."
"Is that so?" Ciel questioned. "Then what am I considered to you?"
She cleaned up the cards until three remained facing him.
"The Tower, The Hierophant and Wheel of Fortune."
"Hm? So what do those mean?" asked Ciel.
Merianna hoped she hadn't needed to explain, but she could tell she held Ciel's interest. She pointed to the first card in front of him, the Tower.
"Strong foundations, but yet it's still made of individual blocks. Take one away and the structure would fall."
"High-ranking, all powerful, keeping everything in order…even emotions."
"And finally…Wheel of Fortune…maybe it was chance that I was drawn here…and fate that I stay."
He gave a scoff. "Is that what they teach you in the streets now? I'd be okay if you ran off back to wherever you came from."
To this, Merianna gave a small laugh. "Sometimes I am reminded by you of this fairy tale I heard as a child. A bestia who is rough and roguish as a bear but has the heart of a principe inside."
She stood up and excused herself to continue carrying out her chores. Before she stepped out of the room she heard her master call her name.
"This time, don't forget to close the door when you leave."
Later that evening, Ciel announced that he was going to Elizabeth's house for a while and told the servants to carefully manage the estate while he was away. Elizabeth and Sebastian returned with new games, but Ciel hastily pushed her into the carriage. Protesting that she had to pack, Ciel waited impatiently in the carriage. Sebastian was repairing the roof at a tremendous speed and efficiency as the rest of the staff was helping to move the suitcases and bags into the carriage.
Sebastian took his place at the head of the carriage. With Tanaka's help, Elizabeth climbed into the carriage and was shuttled off with a crack of the reins. The servants waved them off into the distance.
Bardroy shook off a few ashes from his cigarette.
"The day is still early, how about we go into town for a bit?" He suggested.
Meirin immediately squealed in delight. "I would love to go; we can go and try on skirts and dress, Merianna!"
Tanaka offered a light-hearted laugh as he deflated. Merianna felt uncomfortable about the disappearance of her master, but their enthusiasm filled her up.
"Yeah! We have an extra carriage and horses, and Tanaka knows how to drive it!" Finny exclaimed.
He and Tanaka ran around the house to fetch it. Merianna's ears perked up when she heard a dog barking, looking around for the source.
"Who…is that?" She asked, pointing to a man running towards them on all fours.
She immediately recognized his white hair and dog-like behaviour, but at least this time he was wearing a suit. The man stopped at where she was and started sniffing her.
"Oh…we should have told you earlier!" Meirin said. "This is Pluto…he's…a devil dog. I hope you don't mind."
Pluto was sniffing at her heels until she let a hand down for him to smell it as well. Although he looked like a man, his behaviour was dog-like, even the vocalisations. She patted his mangled hair, its colour resembling her own. A few moments passed before Tanaka was seen driving the carriage down the road. He stopped it in front of them and they got it.
Merianna was excited; she had never been in a carriage before and was glad to have her first ride with her friends. She sat beside Finny and peered out the window. Bardroy, in front of her, rapped his knuckles against the side of the carriage and it suddenly jolted forward. Merianna was not used to it and almost fell onto Bardroy before she could balance herself. They chuckled light-heartedly at her surprise. She enjoyed the ride, watching as they passed by numerous trees, along the path and over bridges as they entered the more urban areas. Buildings took the places of trees and soon she saw buses and other coaches.
For the first time, Merianna watched as other gave way as she passed by. She recognized various places, where she used to sell flowers. Although it was only a couple days ago that her fate changed, she felt a sense of nostalgia, almost home-sickness. If she ever wanted to return to her old life, all she had to do was get of the carriage.
"Where are we going to first?" She asked.
"Well, we have to buy more flour and sugar. I think blueberries are in season now." Bardroy recalled. "Finny broke the pitchfork for hay and a couple other tools. Don't worry, Snowy, we'll still have fun."
She smiled at the new nickname given to her; it made her feel closer and a proud sense of belonging. She spotted the bakery just as Tanaka stopped in front of it. They got off and Bardroy addressed the driver.
"Thanks, Tanaka. You can park the carriage and take a rest. We're going to go eat afterwards, so you can go do your things."
He replied with his laugh and drove off. They faced the bakery and large loaves of bread of all types, colours and length were displayed in the front. They stepped inside and Merianna stayed quiet and passive as Bardroy picked some loaves, weighing them and even crunching them. When he was finally satisfied with three long baguettes, Meirin drew out her purse and paid, slipping it back into the pocket of her aprong. They broke the long pieces in halves and put it into the paper bag, which Finny held.
"Would you like me to carry it?" Merianna asked courteously.
He blushed and thanked her, but refused her help. It was a busy day and people were bustling around. Merianna hooked her arm around Meirin's so they wouldn't get lost, following Bardroy and Finny. The former motioned to a street on the left and they followed. It was less crowded here and they regrouped.
"Have you been here, Meri?" Finny asked.
Merianna shrunk; apparently they hadn't noticed how well she manoeuvred around the people and recognized so much.
"How about Finny and me go looking for the tools while your girls go look for your dresses and what not? We'll meet by the Pocketwatch Pub afterwards in…two hours?" Bardroy suggested.
Meirin checked her watch and nodded. She reached into her apron, and then the pockets of her skirt. She even took off her boot and shook it upside down.
"What's wrong?" Finny asked, noticing the sweat on her face.
"Gone! It's gone! The money!" She panicked. "Was it stolen?"
Bardroy calmed the two who were freaking out and wailing. Merianna felt like she should speak up.
"We should…! We should split up and try to find whoever took it! We'll cover more ground that way!"
"Good idea, Snowy!" Bardroy commended.
He dropped his cigarette and stamped it out. "No one steals from the Phantomhive servants! We'll regroup here in thirty minutes!"
The servants gave a resounding cheer as they split up. Two headed back to where the bakery was, Finny taking another route. Merianna chose to slip away into the busy street. She dodged people as she always did. Her old street-name was 'Ghost-Walker' before that incident after all.
She kept going until she reached the poorer district of the town. The cobblestones giving way to muddy pathways and the neatly kept shops and buildings turned into ruddy shacks and tattered ruts. She casually asked a passer-by the time, setting a limit of ten minutes before she had to disappear from the district. There was an old board lying inconspicuously on the ground in a small alleyway, and old boot sat atop to further deter any interest. She lighted the boot and placed it to the side before lifting up the old panel. There was the secret entrance to the thieves' hideout. They crused out the concrete beneath and into the underground basement of the abandoned building that used to be a butcher's. She crept down, preparing for the challenges awaiting. First was their dog, Stikes, but he would recognize her scent and allow her entrance. As she expected, the chestnut and white bulldog came trotting down from nowhere and sniffed her before losing interest and disappearing again.
A drunken man turned on the patched couch, grumbling "Ay, who 'sit?".
Merianna replied. "Oliva, sirrah! Just droppin' a 'ankachief on the table."
The man grunted without opening his eyes and Merianna proceeded on. She proceeded until she reached the centre of the hideout. It was musty and cold. As quickly as she could, she sifted thought the stolen belongings. Handkerchiefs, pocketwatches, knapsacks and even a suitcase, until she spotted Meirin's pouch. Usually the man was supposed to guard the treasures while the boys were out, but security has gotten lazy and he was used to being drunk off the gin. She took off her maid cap to wrap around the pouch to muffle the sound and disguise it. She crept back to the front and lifted the board again, tossed the bag up and hoisted herself up. Knowing that she must have past her time limit, she replaced the boot on top of the board and ran the way she came from, hoping that it was the last time she would have to return to that hideout.
"Thank goodness, Merianna! We thought something happened to you!" Meirin cried.
She seemed out of breath and unwrapped something from her head covering. It was the pouch, which she handed to Meirin.
"Merianna! Where did you find this?" Bardroy asked, amazed.
Meirin counted the money, almost half was stolen but it was better than everything.
"I…I found it…near a sleeping man." Merianna mumbled, leaving out select information.
"Did you clobber the bastard?"
She laughed and shook her head, and let Bardroy pat it, muttering 'good job'.
Meirin checked her watch. "I don't think the stores are open anymore…It took longer than expected, but we have some of our money back."
"So let's celebrate!" Finny jumped in. "It's not much, but it'll be Meri's welcoming party!"
Bardroy cheered and led them down the streets. Merianna was growing increasingly anxious as she recognized more and more familiar places, but she did not want to ruin their merry moods. Finally, she felt like she had to ask.
"Where are we going?"
"I heard this great and cheap place from a friend once and though we'd celebrate there. Called Ruth and Beer, heard of it? I'm pretty sure we're all allowed drinks there, women and underage!"
Merianna tried to suppress her worry. How many would recognize her and her white hair? She melded into the middle of her party as they entered. She recognized the tavern and scanned her surroundings. As normal, there was the musician at the piano, slamming another composition he created the night before the missing link between noise and music. The owner and his son were tending to the customers. Bardroy led them to a table and they sat down.
The owner's son came over and introduced himself as their waiter.
"Hey, Merianna, you can drink right? How about a beer?"
The owner's son looked upon her with narrowed eyes, eyes that couldn't meet. She shook her head at the offer. He shrugged and asked the others, although only Meirin took up the offer. He nodded and gave them their menus. His eyes were still on Merianna, but both of them knew he would stay silent. She saw the same people there, rowdy men who claimed to have been pirates, yet could not read a map. There were the Strauss couple who were addicted to gambling away all their money. At the table to the side of her, close to the wall and dart board (which was illegal), there was a group of people around her age talking in hushed voiced and sipping various beverages. She quickly turned when she caught the face of one who lifted the mug to his lips. Cuffs.
She shrank in her seat and participated very little in the conversations. Finally, they all ordered fish and chips, the standard meal. A million escape plans were forming in her mind just as the owner himself delivered their food. He also narrowed his eyes at Merianna. Although that particular bar had a 'bond' with the neighbouring thief gang, it wasn't out of place suspicion. She took a look beside her at her old friends. They were playing a game of cards, slamming them down viciously.
"What's wrong, Merianna?" Finny whispered.
The others had already started eating, but she was so distracted that her plate was still full.
"Don't you have the feeling we stand out a little too much?"
He looked around as she took up the knife and fork in her hands and shrugged at her. The owner came back with two mugs filled to the top with beer, placing it in front of Meirin and Bardroy. A different mug was placed in front of Merianna, no doubt a different beverage.
"What? I didn't order this!" She protested.
"It's from a gentleman from over there." The owner replied.
He pointed to no one, but Merianna understood.
"It looks like Snowy's gonna be joining us today!" Bardroy exclaimed.
She glared at the card table from over her shoulder, and she could tell as well that Cuffs, Briar-Red, Swallow-Cuts and a couple others of the boys were watching her from their peripheral visions. Cuffs was discreetly playing with a similar mug in his hands.
"I'll drink it." She announced, loud enough for the other table to hear.
She picked it up and put it against her lips. It was gin, but mixed with apple juice, the standard alcoholic beverage to the standard meal. It burned going down her throat, and she had to stop midway to catch her breath. Something brushed against her lip and when she finished she slammed down the mug on the table. She completed her challenge.
"Way to chug that down!" Meirin shouted. "Do you want another?"
Merianna immediately held her hands up to say no. She peered into the mug and pulled out a piece of wire with a loop in it. The three others looked at it in surprise.
"Probably part of the vat when they filled up the mug. Must have fallen in." Bardroy explained.
Merianna knew what it was. It was a reminder of her days as the Ghost-Walker along with several other street names. She distracted her friends by conversation and slipped the wire into her boot. With an ample amount of alcohol in her, Merianna felt no reason anymore to hide her identity and joined into the conversations. She found out how Finny used to be subject to experimentation, that Bardroy used to fight in wars, hence his leadership skills and most surprising of all, that Meirin used to be a sharpshooter. They were all freed from their pasts when Sebastian took them in and now they served the estate. The food slowly disappeared as time went on. Merianna excused herself to go get some fresh air. She was never that good with alcohol, mixed or not.
The outside air was cooler and she felt nice to sit outside, leaning against the bricks of the pub. A voice called her name.
"I won…didn't I? I finished it…!" She mumbled waving her hand around.
"Merianna? It's me, Finny."
She looked up to meet his eyes, and he squatted down beside her, asking how she felt.
"I'll be fine. Just a bit sick."
They stayed like that for a while, watching the world go by. Bardroy popped out momentarily to tell the two that after a few more drinks he would pay and they would go. A slurry of thoughts ran though Merianna's head, and she wasn't sure which ones should be vocalized or which should be kept secret. In order to keep her mouth shut, she had to have Finny talk.
"So…where did Pluto come from…? I like dogs…"
"Err…Houndsworth. A beautiful woman there called Angela used to keep him secretly…She was kind to us when we went and after we helped her free from her abusive master well…she asked us to take him with us." He said as he scratched his cheek thoughtfully. "In fact, she had white hair too!"
"My white hair…comes from my mamma. It must be a disease or something, because she died a long time ago and the doctors couldn't tell me why…"
"…I think it's pretty…It's the colour of-"
"I never knew…that everyone was so special." Merianna cut him off "…Makes me feel left out…and scared you'll rip me apart if I annoy you"
Finny laughed, but not in a rude way. "Merianna, of course you're special, at least in my eyes you are... I would never hurt you!"
"You know…I think that you break things because you love them too much….All that love overflows out into everything you do. I think that's a nice, heart-warming trait in someone…so open with their feelings…If I ever try to run away again, please use your super strength and drag me back to the Phantomhive mansion…!"
"What if I pull too hard and I accidentally break you?" He whined, although a blush formed on his face from the compliment.
Merianna laughed. "Well, you're a gardener no? If you plant me into the ground and give me a smile as warm as the sun, I'll surely come back!"