"There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable."
-Mark Twain
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Never before was there such an awkward silence between the trio as they walked alongside on another. Mey Rin could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
The maid and the butler exchanged glances as they followed the Young Master down the corridors. Mey Rin's heart still raced; the thrill of almost getting caught had her reeling. She grimaced guiltily in the Butler's direction, ashamed at their delinquency. Sebastian merely smiled in response; he lifted a finger to his lips, silently quieting the maid's concerns.
Ciel dismissed Mey Rin and the other servants from their duties for the night. Sebastian would take care of the guest's needs from then on, but everyone was still responsible for cleaning up afterwards.
Young Master Ciel was feeling quite generous this evening, seeing as his Servants worked very hard without any incidents. They were free to eat and drink what they wished.
Sebastian handed back Mey Rin's glasses before disappearing into the crowd with the Young Master. Mey Rin slid them back over her ears, her wrists shaking uncontrollably. She steadied herself against a table, fearing her knees would give out.
Finny and Bard appeared at Mey Rin's side, startling her out of her bewildered state of mind. Bard draped an arm over the maid's shoulder, causing her to shudder slightly. He reeked of alcohol.
"Y'want some wine, Mey Rin?" he slurred, nearly spilling the contents of his glass. Mey Rin sighed heavily, shrugging the man's arms off.
"Are you sure wine counts as one of the things we can have?" she scolded. "Sebastian will be livid when he sees how drunk you are!"
Finny nodded in agreement as he shoved Funtom candies in his mouth one by one.
"And we still have to clean up later." He added.
"Aw, c'mon you two! Lighten up! We can clean this up tomorrow. Surely Sebastian won't make us clean tonight."
Mey Rin shook her head, "I wouldn't be so sure."
The orchestra began to play a slower number. The guests moved out to the dance floor and paired up quickly.
"Well? Why aren't you out there too?"
The Servants flinched when they realized they had extra company. A red haired man with the grin of a Cheshire cat stood beside Mey Rin, eyeing her curiously. He sported a nearly identical set of black cat ears and tail.
"Well?" He asked again, adjusting his spectacles inquisitively as he leaned nearer.
"Well, I-I'm just embarrassed that's all!" she blurted. "Why is it any of your business, if you don't mind me asking?"
The red head laughed, dramatically throwing his hands up in the air.
"Oh my! Darling, there's no room in life for hesitation! Life itself is like a dancefloor, so therefore you must dance!"
Mey Rin flinched, slowly shaking her head.
"No way." She replied. "Besides, I can't dance unless its.."
"Unless what?"
"If I were to dance with someone, it would have to be with someone who is experienced."
She folded her hands in front of her, suddenly feeling a bad air about in the presence of this strange man.
"Ah, I see." He said. "You must be quite the experienced dancer yourself."
"Hey! At the last Ball I asked you to dance and you said you couldn't!" Bard scowled.
"I'm sorry, Bard." She said meekly.
"Ouch." Said the red head.
"I myself am waiting for that special someone." He purred, "The Earl Phantomhive's Butler is quite the catch, yes?"
Mey Rin shivered again, gritting her teeth.
"And I hear he's quite the dancer as well."
"Yes I know he is. But I don't think he would fancy dancing with another man at his Master's Ball, no."
The red head shot the maid a mean look "I suppose you're right." He pouted, folding his arms.
"Oh, but we can still dance, my fellow kitten!" He cried, practically leaping onto the Maid.
"Wha-What?!"
The red head grabbed Mey Rin by the hand and dragged her out to the dance floor. He whirled around in time to catch her by the waist.
"No! Stop it! I don't even know you!" Mey Rin protested as the man forced her into position.
"Oh, you know me well enough to share a dance." He insisted, his sharp grin never once leaving his face.
"I believe the lady doesn't wish to dance with the likes of you, Grell Sutcliff."
Both the Maid and the red head known as 'Grell' spun around to see the Young Master and his Butler; neither looked very pleased to see this man.
Grell merely scoffed and tossed his red hair back.
"No, I don't think she does." He replied calmly, shoving himself away from the Maid. "To be honest, I don't care to dance with her either, really. I've been waiting for you, my dear Bassy."
Sebastian shuddered quite visibly, shaking his head in disgust.
"Must you be so wanton?"
Ciel rolled his eyes. "Leave this place immediately, Grell." He growled. "I won't ask you again."
"But that's not fair!" he protested, shaking his fists about. "You invite that dreary old Undertaker, but not me?!"
"The Undertaker has a history with the Phantomhives." Sebastian said simply.
"And I picked out a cute little cat costume and everythiiiing!" he continued to whine.
"Yes, and you only remind me of a mangy alley-cat." Ciel remarked.
"Ugh! Well I never!" Grell cried, whirling around on one heel. "I won't sit here and be insulted by that brat! What a terrible Ball indeed!"
"What the Hell is going on here?" Bard whispered to Finny, who seemed equally confused. The gardener shrugged.
"I dunno!"
"Well, that was easy enough." Sebastian commented. "We did not have to get physical in this situation."
"Yes. None of the guests seem to have noticed our confrontation." Ciel agreed, letting out a small sigh.
"Now, where was I?"
The Young Earl quickly returned to his place on the dance floor; with Lizzie. The Butler smiled letting out a sigh of relief himself.
"Who was that man?"
Mey Rin asked, taking a few steps closer.
"No one important, obviously." He chuckled quietly. "Don't worry yourself."
Mey Rin nodded, her attention drawn to the many couples dancing beautifully about.
"Well well." The Butler mused, as if he knew what she was thinkng. "It's been a while hasn't it?"
The Maid's face burned intensely. She brushed her hair back behind her ear nervously.
"Y-Yes Sir." She responded. "It's been a while since you last tutored me in dancing."
"I'm curious." He said, turning to face her. "How much do you remember of my lessons?"
"Wha?" Mey Rin squeaked.
Please. Don't ask me to dance. Not in front of all these people.
The Maid flinched, dreading the man's words.
"But Sir, won't it be a bit…inappropriate?"
Sebastian grinned slyly; his red eyes flickered. He bowed his head slightly, and offered his hand.
"If you would do me the honor my Lady, may I have this dance?"
Mey Rin bit her lip, taking the man's hand hesitantly.
"R-really? But…Are you sure?"
Sebastian pulled Mey Rin closer, placing his hand on her back.
"Please, Mey Rin." He whispered, guiding her hand to his shoulder.
"Don't be silly."
Sebastian led the maid toward the center of the dance floor. Mey Rin held her breath, struggling not to stumble or step on his feet. Oh, how humiliating it would be.
"I'll go slow." He assured her. "Just follow my lead."
The Butler held her tight as they spun about in a slow waltz.
When Mey Rin first came to the Phantomhive Manor, Sebastian was ordered to tutor Mey Rin, for her reading and writing skills were atrocious. When they had the time to do so, Sebastian also took the time to tutor her in proper etiquette skills. This of course, included Ballroom dancing.
"What kind of Lady would you be if you didn't know how to dance?" he would say.
It turned out to be one of the only normal things she was any good at. It was also one of the only things Sebastian would compliment her on.
Mey Rin took a deep breath, feeling the effects of the lack of oxygen to her head.
"Is everything alright?" The Butler asked, his face growing concerned.
"C-Can I ask you something, Sir?" she asked, noticing that she and the Butler were beginning to draw a lot of attention.
"Anything." He insisted. Mey Rin loosened her grip on his shoulder.
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Beg Pardon?" he chuckled. "Whatever do you mean, my dear?"
Mey Rin felt as though she were melting again.
"I mean…" she hesitated. "I thought you hated me."
The Butler's face turned, he seemed taken aback, almost hurt.
"Why, I don't hate you, Mey Rin." He responded, smiling reassuringly. "I never did. Though, I suppose I have been rather harsh on you these past few years."
He admitted. He leaned his head foreard a bit, resting his chin against her forehead.
"I apologize for the misunderstanding." He said quietly, encouraging the maid to hold on tighter as they continued to dance. "Really, I do."
Mey Rin leaned into his embrace, suddenly confident enough in her steps. She smiled widely and closed her eyes.
"Its alright." She said. "I forgive you."
"Just what does he think he's doing?" Ciel scolded outloud at the punch table. Lizzie giggled at her fiance's grumpy attitude.
"Aw, I think they're adorable!" she squealed. Ciel shook his head, and rubbed his temples.
"Of course you'd think that."
"Now, now, Young Lord." Lau and Ran Mao stood idly beside the punch table as well. "He may be your Butler, but he's also a man with needs. Why not just let him have this one night to himself? Does he not deserve some time with a lady for once?"
Ciel rolled his eyes.
"Yeah right."
He hated such unsolicited advice concerning his own servants.
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A/N-Hey guys! This is all I could manage right now. My computer is being stupid…the battery needs to be replaced I think. It keeps dying on me in the middle of writing. So I've lost so much good content T_T