メリークリスマス! Merry Christmas!
Ello, guys. My deepest apologies for the late updates. This story, however much I like it, takes a lot of concentration to write. It's really fun, don't get me wrong, but I must remember things about Elias' character since I guess you could say that I don't really know him that well. I need CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! But really, the hardest thing to remember is that he's still a kid, no matter what. Even if he is angsty and grumpy and misunderstood, he's still a kid.
Well, a teenager but…
I don't own Kuroshitsuji!
The skin on my forearm felt like it was being pulled by tiny threads, the needles pricking everywhere before lighting on fire and melting into my skin. Someone screamed, and I realized the sound had been ripped from my own throat.
"I am Ciel Phantomhive. From this day forth, I shall serve you."
It had been one week since that incident. Since then, everything had returned to normal—save that there was now a young demon in my class who everyone seemed to think was named 'Alan Humphries' and had been there all year. His report card even allegedly had a 'B' (Most likely in his butler's class. I still don't understand their relationship). Despite the contract, though, Ciel has been as much a friend to me as oil dissolves in water.
I tapped my pencil on my chin, looking at the back of his dark-haired head. He was scribbling something (presumably notes) in his notebook as the Professor spoke. The woman droned on in monotone, but seemed to get particularly monotonous during our class. I wasn't sure if that was a bad thing or a good thing.
Turning my gaze to the window, I mentally screamed at it to open. Ever since the contract was made, I had to wear long-sleeved shirts. England was never this hot, especially in October. It was as if the weather chose to be hot just because it knew I had to wear jackets and long sleeves now. Curse that stupid demon kid for making this appear on my forearm (although, he'd told me it was my subconscious decision. Why don't we just avoid that and blame the old guy?).
As the bell finally sounded, I picked up my things and made a beeline for the door. I was sure if Phantomhive got into any problems, he'd be able to get himself out. If I got into any problems, though, he or Sebastian (Over just the course of two days, I'd gotten extremely used to calling him that) would come to my aid. All was good so far. Making it down to the first floor, I shoved my books into the locker and pulled out my final textbook. 'Sebastian's class,' I thought, 'shouldn't be too bad. This is the last class of the day.' Putting on a brave face, I headed back to the second floor to attend the History class.
Dodging several hands making various obscene gestures in my way, I ducked into Michaelis' class, plopping down by the door out of habit. The idiots spread throughout my last-hour class were chatting loudly, unaffected by the sound of the school bell. Pulling out the last notebook I hadn't completely covered in drawings or the like from under my chair, I began on the assignment on the board for the class labeled "7th period History". It'd be better to get it over with now and not have to worry about it later. Now that I thought about it, this was probably one of the reasons they assumed I was a grade-obsessed freak. In reality, I just didn't want homework.
After a record ten-seconds later than the second bell, the door closed and in walked the black-clad, crimson-eyed teacher. His expensive shoes clicked on the wooden floor as he went to stand in front of the bleach white board. He cleared his throat.
"Now, if I am not mistaken, we left off yesterday on Victorian Era aristocracy." He enunciated, causing a groan to float from the mass of students in the middle of the room. At Sebastian's unamused –and slightly intimidating—expression, they were immediately quieted. "Now, I'd like to continue with a rather impressive young man named Ciel Phantomhive."
"Ciel Phantomhive was born on December 14, 1876. His parents were both killed in a fire which also burnt down the Phantomhive manor, and the boy went missing—allegedly kidnapped by cultists. One month later, he reappeared with a mysterious butler at his side. His lack of parents forced him to grow up and become the Earl of Phantomhive, head of Funtom Confectionaries and Toys. You might know the company today under the name 'Hershey' and 'Fisher Price.' You see, Phantomhive passed away at age thirteen. It was then that his fiancée, Elizabeth Middleford, and her family took over the company. Unable to keep the large company running, they eventually sold the Funtom recipe to a family in Pennsylvania in the States. The toy manufacturing sector was also sold and, as you can see, is still very successful. It does make me wonder what the young earl would say about it, today, though." I caught a teasing glint in his eye. Did Sebastian find it amusing that Ciel's company was sold and probably ruined like this?
The rest of the classroom wasn't nearly as silent as I'm sure the tall teacher would hope for. He seemed pleased with himself anyway. Despite the rest of the students, I was actually rather intrigued. I had no idea my demon lived such a life as a human—if he was human, then. And if Sebastian was that butler he was speaking of, then this contract had lasted a long time. I smirked slightly, wondering if I could somehow trick Ciel into postponing eating my soul or whatever it is he does like he had seemingly done to this man.
Just then, a bright burst of red shot through the door. I jumped back, almost knocking over my desk in the process. Prostrate on the floor in front of me was a girl. Her hair as a bright burst of auburn, and as she sat up, I could see she was fiddling with a contact. Under slightly closer inspection, I could see it was...
"Abbie?" I inquired, a little louder than I meant to. One eye closed, and a hazel one turned toward me, she smiled.
"Hey, it's you!" she interjected, the entire class looking my way. I squirmed under their stares. Standing, brushing herself off, and having seemingly fixed the contact, the girl pulled a slip of paper out of her too-long sleeved jacket. She held it out to the demonic teacher, who gave her a look of distaste. "You've got me for the next forty minutes of class," she stated, "so where do I sit?" My eye twitched slightly at her abruptiveness.
Sighing slightly, the crimson-eyed man replied, "Anywhere is fine. Please, sit." Abbie nodded and took the seat directly behind me. I could see the discomfort of the 'Professor.' He glanced at Abbie once more before replacing the snickers with his tenor voice.
"Now, another young aristocrat of this time was Alois Trancy."
I shuffled to my locker, only to find the fiery redhead at the one directly next to mine.
"What are you doing?" I questioned.
"I'm sharing a locker with Ciel!" she said excitedly. I sighed slightly, having had enough of the paranormal (Including disappearing girls who showed back up at my school after scaring me TO DEATH).
"You can't call him that," I said, "He's Alan here. He doesn't want people knowing who he is." I cut it off at that, the hallway beginning to flood with people returning from a class that was released late. The redhead said nothing after that, which made me immensely glad. At least she knew when not to blurt, it looked like. It was then that I finally realized it.
"Wait a second, so are you..." I leaned in, "are you one of them, too?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" She scoffed (rather defensively, might I add). Turning on my heel and heading for the door as quickly as possible, I could hear her shuffling behind me.
Her chatter started up again a mere ten meters from the school. From what I gathered so far, she seemed utterly disgusted at the thoughts of demons—besides Sebastian. She wasn't anyone normal, either, not that I had a problem with that. She was annoying, but not overly so. It was an alright balance, but I'd definitely prefer it if she kept her mouth closed, sometimes.
I'm not sure how she managed it, but the sound of her voice didn't fade until we'd reached the dark manor, its shadow still looming above all else. To be entirely honest, It'd been a long while since I stopped listening, turning my focus to things more along the lines of where the heck to turn and which streets to take. I pulled out the small flip-phone I carried at school and turned it on as I began up the leaf-empty walkway, the red-head behind me. The device lit to life, the 'swoosh' of the blasted start-up screen sounding quietly.
A hand stopped me just before the manor's door swatted me in the face. I blinked, Sebastian standing in the doorway with a ridiculous grin adorning his lips.
"Welcome, Master Elias... and Miss Sutcliffe," His smile faltered a bit at the mention of the newly learned last name of the girl who accompanied me. Glancing back at her, I noticed her regular smile was holding up nicely…but there was a glint of something behind her eyes. It almost looked…teasing?
Abbie skipped merrily through the doorway, heading straight for the large flight of stairs. I'd no clue where she was going, but what did it matter? I'd probably end up trying to ignore her, anyway. Setting my black schoolbag at the foot of the wooden coatrack, I wobbled exhaustedly towards the stairs. Sighing, I plopped down on the bottom step and leaned back, having nothing better in the room to sit upon.
"I'll make tea…" Sebastian stated, sounding a bit exhausted; something I never heard when the other demon was around—which was just about always. I blinked and stared up, following his retreating form with tired eyes. The crimson-eyed demon swayed slightly in his step, also something I'd never noticed before. His aura, which had always been suave and kept or dark, was laced with a tiredness matching centuries of exhaustion and frustration. I felt a pang in my chest. Did I feel sorry for him?
I shook my head as he disappeared down the long corridor. Why should I feel sorry for a demon? I stood and turned on my heel, heading up the stairs. Even though it'd been a week, I still knew little to nothing about this whole contract.
This mansion never ceased to baffle me, either. I probably spent more time trying to figure out which hallway to take than I did cursing under (and over) my breath at this place. After about ten minutes, I gave up.
I sighed in exasperation. A large, yet plain, oak door stood no more than a meter away from me. Figuring there was somewhere to sit inside, I shuffled over to it, turning the small, brass handle.
What laid inside almost took my breath away. Compared to the rest of the rooms in the manor, this one was gargantuan. Shelves upon shelves of books lined the walls, a few pots of flowers standing here and there upon carved mahogany end tables. Comfortable looking muted blue and green chairs sat scattered around the room, begging to be sat in. A stark white easel was propped near a towering window.
It's not that I liked to read, no. It's definitely not that I liked to read…but this room was fantastic. Slowly, I began walking around the room, feeling the small, ornate carvings on the tables and shelves. I ran my fingers along age-old books, the bindings tattered and torn. The gold lettering on many of them was chipped, or altogether gone, revealing age and use. I questioned where and when they were from, but was soon distracted by the artistic woodwork again. 'Wish I could do something like that,' I thought.
"There you are!" I jumped, spinning quickly, losing my balance. My back met hardwood. I groaned.
Light footsteps quickly approached me as a certain redheaded girl came into my line of vision.
"Oh my Reapers, are you alright?!" she exclaimed. I blinked.
"Reapers?" I asked, pushing myself up into a sitting position and rubbing my back.
"Ah," she started, suddenly looking away.
"Nevermind," I interrupted, sensing her nervousness. Standing, I finished, "It's not important." Her normal perkiness returned almost immediately. I opened my mouth to speak when the door once again slammed open, this time a very angry-looking young demon occupying the space. He marched in, a dark aura surrounding him as he grabbed Abbie's arm and began grabbing at her fingers, claws extended.
"What are you doing?!" I fumed slightly, extremely confused and rather irritated. Why, I haven't a clue.
"This, this THING stole a very important item of mine!" He borderline shouted, small fangs slightly visible as he spoke. Abbie winced visibly, trying to pull her now bleeding hand out of Ciel's strong grip.
"Let go of her," I said as a few drops of her blood splattered against the floor and carpet. Ciel continued to claw at her hands. "I said, let go of her!" His grip did not loosen. His eyes still flamed with anger. I balled my fists, I could feel my short nails digging into the skin of my palms.
"Ciel Phantomhive, this is an order! Let go of her hand!" Almost immediately, the young earl let go of her hand, as if it had suddenly set on fire and burnt him. The demon quickly stepped back a few centimeters as well, his normally red eyes suddenly flashing magenta, then a strange sapphire blue, then back to the magenta I'd not seen on anyone but Sebastian. His face showed a look of defeat. A part of me lit up with pride as the rest of it twisted in confusion. Before I had time to respond to his obscure response, he crossed his arms and stormed back out of the room. Light laughter erupted from the girl who was now nursing her hand, causing another super confused look from me. What was wrong with these people!?
Ciel Phantomhive stormed into the kitchen, his butler nonchalantly making tea for their human and inhuman guests.
"It seems young master has gotten a taste of his own medicine," piped up the tall, crimson-eyed man as the young earl took a seat on the counter and crossed his arms. His lower lip stuck out slightly in a pout.
"Sod off," he stated, turning his head away from the older demon. This earned a chuckle.
"You realize that since you have two contracts, I am also affected by your inability to follow directions."
"What does that have to do with me telling you to sod off?" inquired the younger.
"Nothing, my lord," Sebastian replied, a small smirk on his face. 'But I do know when you're being punished as I have for all these years,' he thought merrily. 'This is indeed my favorite plan.' "My favorite, indeed."
"Your favorite what?"
Sebastian chuckled again. "Once again, it is nothing. It seems my old mind has started to go."
"Hmph. Well, just don't become as incompetent as they were," The teenager replied, his pout turning into a frown, eyes turning a purplish color, such as they always did when he remembered his human life.
"Of course, my lord. Now, shall we serve some tea?"
My hands lay folded in my lap, a cup of tea poured and sitting idly on the small coffee table in front of me. The steam danced around the air above the cup as I watched it, as if I were in an unbreakable trance.
'It's been a week, right?' I asked myself, turning my attention to my forearm. I rolled the sleeve up, examining the new mark there. I could make out a star and a circle, but the rest was entirely too ornate for me to identify. 'It feels like nothing's changed.'
A hazel-eyed glance brought me out of my trance and I turned my attention over to the sender. Abbie sat in a similar position to me, hands in lap and eyes cast downwards. Something told me this wasn't right, but who was I to judge? I'd known the girl for less than a day in total. Maybe she was bipolar?
The young demon I was contracted to sat with his legs crossed, pretending to sip tea—which was really just hot water. I'd asked him why, but he never replied. I wondered about ordering him, but I realized it was a waste of whatever power that word had over him. Sebastian stood stoic and tall next to his master, obediently awaiting any orders he may be given. Overall, the room was quiet.
"So," a feminine voice popped up, "what is it you like to do exactly? This time period is rather different from my original one." I shrugged, not feeling the need to waste words. A raised eyebrow was given to me in return.
"Surely, there's something you enjoy doing. You were in the library, so I take it you read?"
"No," I answered, going back to inspecting the contract mark. Abbie seemed to be watching with intensity, making me curious as to why she was doing it.
"Then maybe you were in there for the easel?" He took a sip of the water. I could feel his eyes on me as I lightly shook my head.
"Your manor is too big, I get lost." I mumbled, praying it was indistinguishable.
"Maybe you'd like a map?" He questioned.
"No."
"Then I'll gladly show you around. Seba—"
"No. Just leave me be. I have to go home soon, anyways. It's getting late." I could a twinge of anger inside me. "My mother will—"
"As I recall, your mother doesn't give a rat's hat where you are."
Silence.
I stared at the lazily steaming cup of tea. He was right, she wouldn't but…that doesn't mean I didn't want to act like she did.
"I'm going," I stated. Within minutes, I had grabbed my jacket and was headed through the halls, looking for the way to the exit.
"Would you like help, Mr. Elias?" piped a tenor voice, belonging to a certain man in a tailcoat. I walked faster. "Because you're going the wrong way."
I stopped, sighed, and turned around. The man who was my teacher and demon's demon butler was bowed towards me, ushering the way towards the exit. I grudgingly went along.
"….Mister Elias seems troubled."
"Well, as we say nowadays, 'duh.'"
"Might I inquire why?"
"Because Ciel's a—"
"Pardon my interruption," the butler started, forcing me to cut off my sentence. "but the young master was merely attempting to fulfill his main duty as your servant and contracted." I glanced at him.
"It's not rocket science to be friendly." I walked a little faster.
"Are you a rocket scientist, then?"
"What do you mean?" I inquired, hoping the confusion wasn't entirely plain on my face.
"I mean, you aren't very friendly, either," If there was a better time to slap somebody…
"You can't be friendly to someone who isn't friendly to you." My steps quickened again, and the butler matched my pace. His lips were pulled into a demonic smile. "What are you smiling about?"
"You may want to take a word of advice from yourself," he answered. I stopped suddenly, almost tripping. A word of advice from myself? What'd I say?
"Though, the sooner you do, the sooner you lose your soul." Sebastian's smirk fell, wiped straight off his face. "The longer you wait, the longer that Sutcliffe girl stays."
"Abbie? What does she have to do with any of this?" I asked, purely confused. "I thought she wasn't a demon?"
"She is not."
"Do you just not like her, then?" A shallow shake of the head was my answer, most likely one intended to go unnoticed.
"She is...a different sort of being, and she is also waiting for the time to take your soul." The demon butler suddenly reached into his coat, pulling out a small, golden pocket watch. "Ah, please excuse me. It is time I return to the young master." He opened an oak door in front of me and gently pushed me into the main lobby, bowed, and left.
A different sort of being…waiting for the time to take my soul…what?
I apologize for the lateness! I hope 8 pages makes up for it!
Sorry, guys. I know you're just like GET OVER IT, ELIAS. YOU HAVE PARENT PROBLEMS, WE. UNDERSTAND. But the poor thing...I don't know.
Also, I'm fairly sure you all know what Abbie is. Excited? Mad? Have you figured out exactly what this means, my darlings? HAVE YOU!? D:
Anyone have a design for Elias' contract mark? Go ahead and share in the reviews!
Reviews?
Well…hasta la pasta.