"I suggest it is best we leave the door shut until the problem is corrected."
"But why?"
"Whats wrong with the door?"
"I don't know, someone just knocked and Sebastian is getting all in knots."
"Say what you like but for whatever it is worth I must insist that none of you open that door!"
"Who is it Sebastian?"
"I hope desperately that none of you will have to find out-!"
Sebastian went crashing down with the other three servants as all four of them tried to rush out of the hallway on a still wet floor. The butler scrambled out of the human tangle but before he just barely returned to his feet Ciel went walking past him towards the door.
"Did you mop this morning, May-rin? The floors are still slick." He commented reaching for the door.
"Young master please, allow me to handle-" His sentence ended abruptly as the boy pushed open the heavy door.
"Hello miss Allgood. We kept you waiting, didn't we? It's seems my butler is not quite 'up to par' this morning, if you will." He greeted the small woman.
"Who? Sebastian?" Gypsy asked stepping in through the large doorway. "Ah, there he is. Hello again, Sebastian!" she smiled deviously. Sebastian glanced at her small black shoes and cringed,
"I'm going to have to mop the floors a second time…"
"How about you take miss Allgood's coat, Sebastian? After all she is our guest for tea today." Ciel said without a glance toward the tall man.
"Our guest hm?" Sebastian eyed the small woman as he took her coat. The rest of the staff got excited, looking at her and muttering among themselves before being shooed away by Sebastian.
"I thought it might be good for her to get out of that dusty shop." Ciel informed Sebastian, "A place like that is no good for a creative mind anyway. Miss Allgood is a seamstress, you know." he said, practically lecturing the butler.
"How precious." the demon replied coldly, exchanging glances with the other demon.
"Oh, you flatter me~" Gypsy touched her cheeks, hiding some imaginary blush and waved her hand at the other cutely. Today she wore a powder blue, ankle-length dress that was much less severe and somber than her black attire from their last meeting. Sebastian also noted her hair was tied up in two ponytails instead of one as a little girl might wear. Of coarse no softness added to her appearance would sway Sebastian's opinion of her, but he worried about his master. Begrudgingly he left them to one of the sitting rooms and went to quickly make tea. As he walked to the kitchen he stopped at a small dry-sink in the dining room and pulled open a drawer. On top of the silverware there was a letter stamped from the Queen and a few scattered letters that had arrived earlier that day. Sebastian collected them onto the tray and continued to the kitchen. He always held onto mail until he saw the proper moment to bring it to his master.
As Gypsy sat down her lighter-looking skirts fluttered about her legs. "You'er quite the gracious host, Lord Phantomhive." she purred, watching the boy sit down.
"It was gracious of you to offer your help to us like you have."
"Ah! So Sebastian tolled you!" she was genuinely surprised.
"Yes, he did." the boy glanced around slightly, "He hasn't been making you uncomfortable, I hope?" he asked looking at her porcelain doll face. Gypsy smiled sweetly, intentionally looking a bit tragic.
"Oh, no he's been pleasant as it seems he can be."
"He's usually more smile-prone." Seeing Gypsy shift theatrically in her seat, he decided to dismiss the subject. "Maybe it's something he ate."
"Yes. Or maybe something he didn't eat?" she smirked to herself.
"In any case, don't mind him. Whatever it is will pass, I'm sure. "
"That is a comfort. I was afraid he just plain hated like me~" Gypsy pouted her black lips softly. "It is just him isn't it? You like me alright Lord Phantomhive, don't you?"
"I think you'er going to be a very good help to us in the future. That is why I wanted to make sure we were on good terms after my hasty exit the other day."
"The undertaker and I understand you are quite busy." She smiled at him with half-lidded eyes. Ciel shivered involuntarily. "Cold little lord?" Gypsy's velvety voice changed in tone, Ciel jumped,
"What?"
"Tea. " Sebastian broke in, startling both of them.
"Ah, that butler, so swift!" Gypsy marveled with feigned awe.
"That will be all, Sebastian."
"Yes my lord." Sebastian cast a particularly harsh smile at his master and bowed slightly, "Ah, some mail came as well."
"Put it on my desk, I'll handle it after miss Allgood returns home." Ciel said quickly. Sebastian smiled knowingly,
"Yes my lord. That goes for the Queen's letter as well?"
"Her Highness sent a letter?" Ciel double-took and snatched the letter. Gypsy eyed the two and the letter with sudden interest. "You must excuse me for a moment, Miss Allgood." the boy said quickly, hurrying for is office.
"Take your time~" she said pleasantly, teal eyes following him down the hall.
"Sebastian, you stay with Miss Allgood and keep her company." the boy called. Sebastian sighed as Gypsy gave a small chuckle. As the boy's steps faded Gypsy looked at Sebastian. "My word man, you look like you got starched along that shirt you've got on. Relax, I haven't come to cause you so much unrest."
"Really now?"
"If I had come just to aggravate you, I would have tolled you in advance." she teased,
"How thoughtful." The butler glared into the other's eyes. "You've brought a curse to this manor."
"Oh? Ah, right. Lesser demons are bad luck, how could I forget?" she crossed her leg over the other and leaned back in the chair, folding her arms across her full bust. "Funny, you didn't strike me the superstitious type."
"Superstition has nothing to do with it, It's going to be weeks before I can get your smell out of here. Your type is vermin as far as I'm concerned. "
Out of range to hear what it was they were saying, Finny, Bard and May-rin watched from around a corner, discussing them in hushed voices.
"They must have met before."
"Yeah, Young master mentioned something about that."
"Guys! What if they hear us?"
"They won't, Finny. Look at the way Sebastian is staring at her! I can't say I blame him…"
"Bard!"
"Vermin, hmm~? This is coming from a demon who has to prey on a child for his next meal." Gypsy hissed, barley retaining her smile.
"I don't have to explain myself."
"Did you read that letter before you handed it off, by any chance? I know the boy has quite the dog's leash on you but-"
Sebastian placed his hands firmly on the arms of Gypsy's chair, leaning over her menacingly.
"Woah! Go Sebastian!"
"Bard! Seriously, you can't go assuming master Sebastian wants to-"
"Ooh! They'er going to kiss!"
"Finny!"
"Heh, sorry…"
"Oh dear, you'er frightening me." Gypsy mocked, smiling at the other's close face. "You shouldn't flirt with me so, I heard you have a girlfriend." She teased. Sebastian faltered a bit, thrown by her last statement.
"What on earth are you referring to?"
"the old reaper didn't tell me much but from what I gather Jack the Ripper has quite a thing for you. Although I like to refer to her as 'Jackie'~" The woman purred dreamily. Sebastian stood away from her again in quiet interest, "What do you know of Jack the Ripper?"
"That any suspicions that she is dead are false."
"Jack the Ripper is dead."
"A lie and you know it, you made it. You and your 'Queen's dog'."
"What do you want with the mess anyway? Ripper will never kill again and if you ever do I'll make quick work of your death."
"What do I want with it? What do I want?" Gypsy cast a longing look out a near window.
"Wonder what they'er all worked up about..dose miss Gypsy look hurt to you?"
"Lover's quarrel?"
"Boys please!"
"I figure I want to see her for myself. I figure I…want to kiss her." the small demon said at last. Sebastian rolled his eyes slightly,
"I'm not so sure you'er her 'type'." He turned more serious, "and if you pull any more schemes to capture some murderer's attention then I'll break that lace-trimmed neck of yours."
"The heart in the lake had nothing to do with Ripper, accept for maybe him being another sweetheart of mine. " She smiled, "Consider this fair warning, I'll steal her heart from you Sebastian."
As the servants watched the two they were startled by another voice,
"Can you even hear what they'er saying from here?" Ciel asked, looking skeptically at the three.
"Oh! M-Master Ciel! W-We were just going!" they shouted, scattering from the hallway. Ciel shook his head and walked down the hall. The two demons looked up as he walked in,
"Thank you for waiting." he sighed, looking at Sebastian. "Send for a carriage for Miss Allgood, I don't want her to walk home."
"Oh Lord Phantomhive! You'er veary kind but I don't-"
"Please, I insist, for my sake." He looked at the butler, "Quickly, Sebastian." Sebastian nodded and left the room. Gypsy looked at the boy with softening eyes.
"Something disturbing in your letter?" she asked.
"London is never safe it seems."
"Ah." Gypsy turned to the boy and stepped toward him. "Never fear little prince, your black knight will see to it you succeed." she said distantly. Ciel looked at her strangely. The woman touched his cheek lightly and gave it a single stroke, "and know as long as he moves and breaths, no one will hurt you." they looked up as Sebastian opened the front door and walked in, the patter of rain already audible outside...
Ciel sat in his office for the next half an hour.
"Sebastian." Ciel called, seeing a black figure stalk past the office door.
"Yes, my lord?"
"I need to speak to you, close the door."
"Of coarse." The demon shut the door and walked to the desk. "What is it?"
"Read this." the boy handed the letter to his butler. He read it quietly for a moment or two.
"Three girls dead, not a single one was a prostitute." Sebastian said after a moment, "and a letter found on each one claiming to be from Jack the Ripper." He looked at his master.
"Did Gypsy get home alright?" Ciel asked quietly. Sebastian sighed,
"Yes. Is that why you wouldn't have her walk? It wasn't the rain at all." The demon couldn't help but smirk, knowing that the ferocious, pint-sized demon was perfectly safe on the dark streets. "You called her 'Gypsy' My lord." he noted, putting away his momentary smile. The boy frowned at his butler. Sebastian put on a blank face, "It's rather late to go to the scene, where are the letters found on the girls now?"
"They were in the envelope, I haven't read them yet."
"I'll look over them tonight."
"Alight. Good night, Sebastian. We need to talk to the Undertaker about these murders tomorrow."
"Yes my lord." Sebastian tucked the letters away and looked into the boy's eyes.
"Young master."
"Yes?"
"Don't worry about the reaper. If this has anything to do with him we will find him this time. I'll kill him at your command." and with that he left as swiftly as he had arrived. The demon exhaled slightly as he walked, there really was no rest for the wicked.
Sitting at the little desk in his room Sebastian poured over the letters a second time. He sighed and stacked them, leaning back in his chair. "This is not our Ripper." He announced quietly to the small portrait of his master that hung above the desk. "I do not know about you, but to me that makes this even more of a hassle…" he looked to the folder that sat on his desk. He kept one for any case that became too much paperwork to keep track of. He reached for the one he had had out before and pulled out the things concerning Grell Sutcliff. "You'er still under suspicion." He informed the picture, setting it down. He took up a paper he had written 'Allgood' on and took out his pen to add to it;
Name: 'Gypsy Allgood' -very likely she goes by others as well.
Age: No number, she's a rather young demon. She appears to be mid-twenty by human standards.
Gender: Female, I'm cretin of it.
Race: Lesser demon. Nowhere near my power or rank.
Appearance: Small-framed, short (five-foot something, she has a head and shoulders over the young master), pale, blush hair, blue eyes, narrow face.
Hostility: Very little if none. She's not so much confrontational as curious it seems. I think she only aggravates others for a reaction- childish intentions. None the less, she has killed one human- motivation currently unknown
Personality traits: Confident, premeditative, morbid,
He paused to add "possessive" to the list,
Likes: The young master, Sewing apparently,
Dislikes: Me
He paused again and added "Jack the Ripper" to the 'likes' and "-not sure" to the end. He stashed the paper in the folder along with the papers on Grell. He took up the picture of Grell one last time and looked at it darkly, picturing the flaming red-head that had been hiding behind the disguise. He smiled slightly, he was curious to see the reaper again. It would actually be a bit of a disappointment to kill him when the time came…if only they had had a longer game. He put away the picture and blinked. "Girlfriend." he said aloud, recalling Gypsy's words. Undertaker tolled her…how did that crazy old man know Grell was so infatuated with him?
"What a horrid impersonation!" The latest newspaper hit the wall with a splash of scattered paper. "How could someone even dream of taking on my act like this!" Gell fumed from his red canopy bed. "Jack the Ripper was our name! " He shouted, turing to a photograph of him in full butler garb beside his past master. "Oh darling madame, this creep is mocking our very sentiment! He might as well have been stomping on your grave!" he cried, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and slipping his feet into a feathery pair of heels. "What a low-life, what a worthless creature!" He stomped around the room, then he paused. "Then again…imitation is the highest form of flattery." He smiled, "Maybe I ought to give him a real show for his trouble?" He giggled wickedly to himself, "Then maybe if I find him I can teach him lesson~" He looked back at the photo once more, then at his chainsaw, propped against the wall. "A very final lesson~" and with that he was off.
A group of women had already started lingering around one of the all-night pubs in the area. Their intention was fairly obvious. They chatted softly to one another in the night until one of them caught sight of a figure moving down the street. She leaned to another, "look at that, haven't seen that little one around here before." the other leaned back as the young man progressed down the street,
"Me neither, he's cute though."
"Let me have him."
"I don't think so, I saw him first." they watched him slow some as he walked past them, round glasses flashing in the street lap's light.
"Evening." he chimed in a shy tone as he lingered in the women's presence.
"Good evening~" one of them replied, stepping from the shadow of the pub into the lamplight with the young man. "New around her little boy?" She asked in a husky voice. The young man looked at her with a mix of nerves and awe,
"Yes, actually. My name is-" he didn't want use his own name "-William."
"Nice to meet you William, can I call you Will?"
"Yes you may, miss." there was a ripple of laughter from the saucy women at the name 'miss', the man smiled slightly as some of the other girls approached him. "Hello, I-I don't bite." He joked softly.
"We don't either, much anyways~" one of the other girls cooed, hugging one of his arms loosely.
"Boy, you are cute." a woman with a higher voice chimed, pinching his cheek lightly.
"I know, such big eyes~ Or is it just those big glasses?" several of them laughed as the one women brushed the loose strands of dark hair from over his eyes. "What did you say your name was?"
"William- er- Will Spears. And What is your name, miss? I-If you don't mind me asking."
"Jasmine. Why? Looking for some company?" the other girls eyed her jealously.
"Yes, actually. I-If that's alright! " the girls all giggled and cooed, "I-I can pay of coarse…" he added sheepishly. Jasmine smirked proudly,
"I'll even discount the charge for you, darling." The others giggled at her words.
"Oh! How kind of you." he said shyly. "My apartment is just down the street, I'll have to get your money from there."
"I'll walk with you then darling, you look scared. Theres some crack-pot killer out on the streets you know, poor thing like you might get hurt." some of the girls laughed and others whispered nervously as the fidgety young man lead the woman away. As they walked the man turned towards an ally,
"theres a shortcut down here." as they walked far back into the ally the woman spoke again,
"A shortcut is fine with me. Whatever get's us back to the pub fastest, darli-" she was cut off as the young man gagged her.
"Don't you dare call me such a thing again, you wicked woman~" Grell hissed through a shark-tooth grin. The woman tried to scream…but no one heard her...
As Grell wiped the blood off his gloves he slid one off in a dainty fashion and inspected his hand. Passing his inspection it dug into his coat pocket and retrieved a letter written in red with delicate handwriting. The letter read;
"Dear my most darling London. The supposed 'Jack the Ripper' you have been receiving half-hearted murders and love-letters from is not the real Ripper you know and love~ As for my little impersonator, I am flattered. I see that your intentions were to mimic me even if the meaning has been lost. London darling, tell your supposed 'other Ripper' that if he walks the streets tomorrow night I will seek him out. I look forward to meeting you, flattering impostor. I love you always people of london.
Your ever-faithful, Jack the Ripper"
He placed the letter under the woman's hand and stalked off quietly into the dark, whispering "Good night" as if all of sleeping London could somehow hear him. Many hours later into the night, the houses with their backs to the gloomy ally would be startled awake by the horrified shrieks of the girls who had looked for and finally found Jasmine...
"This one was a prostitute." Ciel stated, shielding his eyes from the bright morning sun as the Undertaker loaded a coffin into his cart. Sebastian glanced down the ally again,
"What a mess." he muttered to himself. The undertaker walked off the back of the cart and over to the two of them.
"Look at what our victim had in her cold little hand~" He flapped the paper in Ciel's face. The boy snatched it, cringed at the dry blood stain on it's corner and handed it to Sebastian. The butler read it aloud as Ciel stared in disbelief.
"Sounds familiar." Sebastian muttered.
"The real Ripper?" Ciel breathed, looking at the butler.
"Looks like Mr. Sutcliff couldn't stand to let someone take his title." Sebastian sighed.
"Looks like it." Ciel looked at the Undertaker, then around him.
"Looking for my little companion, M'Lord?" he cackled. "She went to do some shopping~"
"Ah." Ciel nodded and turned to Sebastian, "Did you learn anything talking to the authorities?"
"There were several women there when she was lead off by what they described as thin, dark hair, green eyes and round glasses. They said he was meek, shy and soft-spoken. Said he seemed very nervous."
"Sounds like your former 'butler-in-training'. Any name mentioned?" Ciel raised an eyebrow as the butler smirked and quickly covered his mouth as if concealing a small chuckle.
"A few of the girls recalled him introducing himself as 'William Spears'." he chuckled. Undertaker broke down into a crazed fit of laughter and the two looked at him and shrugged.
"Sutcliff's idea of a joke, no doubt….yours too, obviously." he said, glaring at the grinning butler.
"A bit, perhaps."