As legend had it, Halloween was a day when the power of the spirit world was most intense. As so many humans celebrate the ancient holiday all at once, spirits are naturally attracted. They are drawn to the human energy like a moth to the flame. Acting as torches in the dark…
Sebastian could feel the energy as well. The air felt thick somehow, he could feel a static-like charge surging through his body; his senses intensified. It was almost too tempting to act out on his demonic impulses; but his contract ensured he would remain a tame, leashed dog.
It was a relief, however short-lived, to escape the Phantomhive household. It felt strange to be alone, temporarily without anyone at his side to order him around. Mey Rin of course was an exception; she was at no position to do the demanding here.
He glanced at his pocket watch; it was almost ten o'clock. He urged the horses to pick up pace. Mey Rin sat beside him, looking flustered still. Her attention was turned to the landscape around them; hues of red, orange, yellow and brown littered the countryside. Only the sounds of crunching leaves could be heard, as the two of them remained silent the rest of the carriage ride home.
Though, nearly one hundred percent of the time, Sebastian found her to be a complete nuisance, she was much more tolerable when not in the presence of her annoying co workers.
In fact, Sebastian found her to be quite lovely without her glasses. Indeed, it was a shame such a woman was concealed behind those thick rims, not to mention that accent.
He caught himself smirking at his dabbling thoughts of the Maid. As much as he tried shaking them off, they continued to return.
He couldn't help but notice her lovely aroma days prior; when she first fell ill. She exuded such a sweet scent that billowed from her fevered skin; it was enough to send him into frenzy, had he not been obligated otherwise. Her vulnerability provoked the predator that he was.
He could still taste the young Maid's lips on his; her flavor was bold and sweet enough to linger for a while. It was enough to suffice his craving for her; knowing he could never have her. Of course, stealing a simple kiss was nothing compared to what he wished he could do. He found it rather amusing to toy with the girl; like a cat that plays with the mouse rather than choosing to kill it.
He bit his lip and ran his fingers through his hair, as it was becoming tangled in the wind. Even he found his obsessive fixation on the Maid disturbing, for he should only think of his Young Master for the time being.
Mey Rin glanced over at the Butler; her face seemed in a permanent shade of pink ever since they left town. Sebastian smiled reassuringly. Mey Rin diverted her eyes away quickly, unable to say anything at all.
Sebastian sighed; amused by the way she acted around him. She was so easy to charm; he found that he literally didn't even have to try. He had her undying devotion, and really, had done nothing to earn it.
It was hard to resist a human that was so blindly loyal to a demon; with a willingness to do anything he pleases. Surely she could be useful as something other than food…
"Lizzie's here!" Mey Rin said, silencing Sebastian's racing, nagging thoughts. They were still quite a way from the Mansion.
"Looks like Prince Soma and Agni are here as well." Sebastian added, taking notice to the carriages in the back.
"My, my, those eyes of yours are magnificent." He complimented the Maid. She smiled in response, adjusting her glasses.
"Thank you, Sir."
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"Finally!"
Ciel groaned as Sebastian and Mey Rin entered through the front doors. The sitting room was littered with decorations already. Lizzie made short work of the young Earl, as he laid helplessly on the floor wrapped like a mummy with orange streamers.
"Don't laugh at me, Sebastian!" he scowled. Sebastian tried hiding his smile with his gloved hand, but it was too late.
"My apologies, Young Master." He responded. He and Mey Rin quickly knelt down to untangle him. Mey Rin suppressed a fit of laughter herself.
"Where's Lizzie?" Sebastian asked. Ciel brushed what remained of the streamers off himself as he rose to his feet.
"She's in the garden, carving Jack-O-Lanterns with Agni and Soma." He huffed. "But she's supposed to be in here decorating."
The Young Master seemed thoroughly displeased with this day entirely.
Sebastian turned to Mey Rin, taking their shopping bags off her hands. "Please, continue to decorate until Lizzie returns. We left this job for the ladies, specifically. It needs a woman's touch." He said to her gently.
"Y-yes sir."
"I will place your costume in your closet if you wish."
Ciel cocked his head at his Butler, extremely irked at his demeanor toward the maid.
"Sebastian?"
The mere tone of his voice made Sebastian straighten. Realizing his mistake, he turned slowly.
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Come."
Ciel narrowed his eyes at his Butler before turning on his heels; summoning him to follow. Of course, Sebastian obliged, leaving the maid to her duties.
"Bard is working on lunch preparations I hope."
"Yes, you returned just in time to help."
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.
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At long last, the party was finally coming together. Sebastian and Ciel were thankful that Soma and Agni showed up to help; they surely would not have finished everything on time if it weren't for them.
They had both been eager to participate in Halloween tradition, so they brought pumpkins, and carved jack-o-lanterns to add for decoration. Ciel and Lizzie helped with that one.
Bard, Sebastian and Agni finished food preparations. Bard certainly could not have done everything by himself. Lizzie and Mey Rin decorated inside and out, and made sure everything was nice and neat. They also helped Sebastian with arranging the homemade Funtom candies where guests could freely sample them.
The sun began to set; it was almost five o'clock. Guests would be arriving soon. Sebastian dismissed the servants to prepare themselves beforehand.
Mey Rin rushed to her room, already tired and worn out from all the decorating. She found her outfit hung up in the closet, as Sebastian had said he would. Mey Rin smiled, feeling the butterflies in her stomach once again.
Mey Rin pulled out her favorite black corset dress to match her cat ears and tail. She had it for a long time, and was excited that she finally had an excuse to wear it. She rummaged through her drawers for black stockings that would match her shoes as well.
She slipped on her ears last, and studied herself in her full length mirror; stopping to straighten and brush out any imperfections. She smiled; satisfied by what she saw.
"Not bad." She said to herself.
She jumped at the sound of knocking on her door.
"Mey Rin?"
Sebastian?
"Yes? Come in!"
Mey Rin's door creaked open slowly.
"Are you ready? I'm going to need your help serving the guests..."
The Butler stood in the doorway, holding a candle to light his way in the dark hallways. It appeared he was in costume as well, though not very noticeable in the dark, Mey Rin could make out his fangs and black cape. Dracula, she assumed. It suited him in a peculiar way…
"Y-yes Sir." She said, bowing her head. "I'm finished here."
She took a few steps closer to the Butler, ready to follow. Sebastian cocked his head slightly and grinned at the Maid; flashing white fangs. His red eyes glinted as the candlelight danced upon his face.
"What a splendid costume." He marveled.
Mey Rin nearly collapsed; certain he was saving some criticism for her.
She grasped for the right words, unable to swallow the lump in her throat.
"Th-Thank y-"
The Butler placed a hand upon her check, running his fingers down the length of her jaw line before gently tilting her head up by her chin.
She let out a shaky breath as he stared into her eyes.
"Let's not waste time now." He said softly, almost seductively.
"The guests shall be arriving soon."
Sebastian drew his hand away from Mey Rin, beckoning her to follow.
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(A/N-HEY guys! I'm thrilled that you like this so far…I mean…I'm trying to make it work. Especially in this chapter…Sebastian doesn't want anything from anyone unless he can benefit somehow…He's still a demon, and we can't forget that. Sure, he's capable of doing lovely things, but think of his underlying intentions.)