Sebastian was expressionless as he walked through the dark night. London was a truly marvellous place at night, but also a terrifying one. Not that he had much to worry about unless a certain red haired reaper ambushed him. Putting the vile thought out of his head, he continued down a dark alleyway, ignoring the sing-song calls from the women in the shadows offering him the time of his life.
He finally arrived at his destination and walked down the stairs of the establishment, puffs of smoke clouding his vision momentarily. He found it amusing seeing all the pathetic humans high of opium. He was careful not to stand on one of them by accident as they continued to smoke the opium. Women with their long, unblemished limbs on display waltzed about the room, engaging in any man high and wealthy enough to grab their attention.
Sebastian ignored it all to the best of his ability as he walked to the end of the room, standing before the opium lord himself – Lau.
"Sebastian! What do I owe this pleasure?" He inquired with a grin as his dark haired assassin wrapped herself further around him, looking blankly up at Sebastian.
"I was wondering if she was here?"
Lau's face darkened.
"Yes she is, through that door on the left and down the hallway. I should warn you though, she is in a terrible mood."
Sebastian smiled easily. "Thank you."
Following the previous instructions he walked swiftly through the door and closed it softly. The stench of blood hit his nostrils instantly. He saw the shadow of figure moving gracefully through the hall.
"Stupid piece of filth!" A highly feminine voice sneered from the darkness of the shadows in the hallway. Sebastian smirked to himself. Ah, she was certainly here and her temperament had not changed in the slightest.
"P-Please Miss Carlyle, it was an honest mistake!" A man spluttered.
Sebastian came closer, despite the dark he could clearly make out what was going on. A young woman was standing at the door frame of a room leading off the hallway he was currently in, her back was to him and she was completely unaware of his presence behind her. In the room she was facing was the man who must have been bleeding profusely, going by the stench.
With an exasperated sigh, the girl leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "Mistakes, mistakes… a man can only make so many though can't he? With those massive debts, how many more can you afford to make, Mr. Johnson?" It was mocking voice, no kindness ever present.
"Please, I will pay you back, just give me more time!" The man begged.
The girl hummed to herself, twirling a fallen curl of dark hair around her finger.
"Why do I believe you're lying?"
"Miss Carlyle, please! I beg of you, another two months, that's all I need! Please!"
There was a horrible silence, one filled with tension and the soft choked sobs of the man in the room, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Oh very then you pathetic excuse of a man." She murmured. "You have another two months to repay your debts. If you do not meet the conditions… Well… I won't let you suffer."
"Oh thank you, you are most merciful!" The man cried.
"But you didn't let me finish, I won't allow you to suffer, as once I am through with you, you will have suffered enough. But… you fail to repay me, I will have no qualms about allowing your daughter suffer in your place. She's what… about fifteen? I imagine she would last possibly… ten minutes. The choice is yours."
Even from where Sebastian was standing behind her, he could feel the terror seeping out of the man's every pore.
"Now… what to do about you now…" She continued menacingly. Before the man could protest, the girl had pulled an incredibly thin blade from her hair, causing the dark curls to fall down her back. She launched it at the man before it registered to him.
This followed with a terrible howl of pain and a dull thud of the man falling to his knees.
"The opium lord will let you out in a few hours or so! And so long as you don't move too much, that blade won't get further stuck in your shoulder blade." She called cheerfully, shutting the door and locking it from the outside. She let the key hang from a small hook next to the wall.
With that she turned and paused, all her movements stilling.
"My, my what do we have here? Sebastian Michaelis back again asking for my help? Aren't I honoured…" She smirked tauntingly, crossing her arms over her chest. This is why Sebastian liked this girl. She wasn't intimidated by him, nor madly in love with him. She played the same game he did. At one point he thought that she may have been a demon herself, she certainly acted like one. She loved taunting people as much as he did as well as scamming people without them even realising what was happening. In the underworld, she was known as one of the best con-artists to have ever lived. She had even conned Lau into giving her enough money to sustain her for life, as well as having the Chinese Mafia whenever she needed them at her disposal. It was a handy power to have. Hence why she did all her dirty work in his many opium dens. He offered her protection.
He probably would have done it anyway, even if he wasn't indebted to her. He saw her as his little pet after all.
"What has dear Ciel gotten involved in now? And how much is he willing to pay to get out of it?" She purred, smirk still in place as her caramel eyes sourced out any hiding places where a substantial bag of money could be. A frown flickered across her features when she could not find it.
"Thankfully, Bocchan has not gotten into any trouble with people in the underground world. But, he is requiring your services, Abigail." He clearly had her interest as her name rolled off his tongue easily. Abigail leaned against one of the grey walls casually, running a hand through her ringlet filled hair. "Oh? What can I help the Earl with this time?"
"He is looking for another servant." Sebastian didn't see the point of beating around the bush.
She looked at him in disbelief. "You must be joking." Her smirk vanished and a frown replaced it. She pushed herself off the wall and turned. "Tell him I have no interest," She said, waving him off dismissively and walking further down the hallway.
Sebastian grabbed the dainty wrist that she had so rudely dismissed him with and suddenly pinned her to the wall, catching her off guard. He pinned her hands against the wall quickly, knowing all too well what this was capable of with just her fingers.
She looked at him blankly. "This isn't helping your case. It isn't convincing me anymore. Who wants to be a servant? Above everything, who wants to be a servant to Ciel Phantomhive? He has got to be the biggest brat out there." She said rolling her eyes.
Sebastian smirked, leaning close to the seventeen year olds ear. "Ms. Carlyle… As much as I agree with you, please remember your position. My Lord could still quite easily report you to the Queen… and if he reports everything, I highly doubt her majesty will be lenient." He let his cool breath tickle her neck, making her shiver.
"B-But that's not fair! We had a deal!" She said furiously. Everyone knew what happened when you double crossed Abigail Carlyle. "Do you honestly believe that will stop him?" He asked slowly, the teasing tone only all too evident in his voice. She let out a furious hiss beneath her breath. One thing the Carlyle family was known for was their honour. It was how Abigail's older brother met his demise. Due to his unfortunate bad luck, he was caught in the wrong place at the completely wrong time.
It was a dark and cold night when her brother was walking home from a business meeting.
Had he left possibly five minutes earlier he would still be alive and well. But due to the fact he had helped a young woman out of her carriage, he was delayed slightly.
It was that night his best friend ran into him, quite literally. The friend he had known for years was slathered in blood, nearly from head to toe. Trembling like a leaf, the blood coated man shoved the bloodied dagger into the coat of his best friend and continued running down the street.
It was moments later that the police stopped him and searched him. The poor man, who was still in shock from seeing his best friend covered from head to toe in blood, merely paled at the sight of the knife.
But Mr. Carlyle refused to snitch on his friend. He stood by his honour and protected him.
It was a pity really, as the man was sent to the gallows that day for a murder he didn't commit.
It hadn't been a heroic death either.
For the best friend killed again, was caught and was sent to the gallows about a week later.
All just very unfortunate really.
"You're blackmailing me?" Abigail asked venomously. Sebastian chuckled. "Yes. We wouldn't want this beautiful little face in a cold stone cell like your brother would we? Or possibly even have your neck snapped from the force of a noose choking you…" He smirked, gently tracing his fingers down her cheek before running down her throat. He noticed her pulse jump slightly.
She sighed in exasperation. "Very well then, as I have no other choice anyway." He chuckled. "Good girl, I thought you would put up a fight." He moved away from her and stood straight, letting her move away from the wall.
"I'm too tired to, if you hadn't noticed I'm having a bit of an ordeal getting my money back. But be very prepared. Do you honestly believe I'll be an obedient little servant?" She asked with a slow, sly smile coming across her features. He frowned slightly. "No, I never guessed you would be. But let me warn you know Ms. Carlyle, if you so much as place a finger on my Master the wrong way-"
Her bell like laugh interrupted him. "Relax Sebastian. I will not do anything to the Earl as long as our deal is still withstanding." She said, walking down the hallway to her room to pack some of her dresses and other things she would need. "The rest will be picked up tomorrow right?" She asked. Sebastian nodded, watching her wrap a silk shawl around herself. Sebastian took the bag from her and she chuckled. "Always the gentlemen hmm? Even to someone like me?" She smirked as they walked through the various people to an awaiting carriage.
"Well what type of butler would I be if I wasn't polite to a young Lady such as yourself?"