Chapter 2: The Girl with the Icicles

Sebastian had returned from the tailor's shop and was reporting what he found out from the boss to Ciel in his study. Alexandra was also in the room, leaning against the wall and listening to the conversation. From what she could tell, the victim's boss snapped and confessed that he was not the one that killed Lawrence. He also said that the victim had a rival in the tailoring business and things had been abnormally tense between the two of them as of late. Then maybe this rival killed our victim because of the tension causing them to snap. Alexandra concluded as she continued to listen to the conversation between Sebastian and Ciel. She heard Ciel speak after Sebastian had finished his report,

"So we must investigate this so-called rival and see if they killed our tailor."

"Yes." Ciel sighed somewhat loudly and pinched the bridge of his nose in slight annoyance. Alexandra noticed this and pushed herself off of the wall, walking over to where the earl was. She laid a hand on his shoulder, causing him to glance up from his lap.

"It'll be alright. We can find the criminal. You and Sebastian have faced much worse culprits, from what you have told me." Ciel could've laughed at this comment. It was true. The tales that they had told her about their past experiences with criminals revealed that they had faced tougher foes than the one they were facing right now. Then again, we don't exactly know who this rival is. We have to remain cautious throughout this investigation. The last time that we weren't careful, Alexandra got hurt. Sebastian went nuts and nearly killed the guy and would have if Azaja hadn't been there to restrain him. Man, was that rough. He sighed and nodded in agreement with Alexandra.

"You're right. We just need to be careful."

"That's not exactly going to be an issue." Alexandra replied calmly. Ciel couldn't help but smile at this. He had to admit, she was similar to both her fathers in many ways, especially when it came to dealing with tough situations. It was amazing how calm she could be. They certainly taught her well. He removed his hand from his nose, letting it drop into his lap. Alexandra lifted her hand off of his shoulder and glanced over at Sebastian. She noticed that he had on the same face as every time before when they were dealing with a case. She caught herself wondering how in the world he managed to keep a straight face when in the middle of an investigation. She knew that she could do it, but she would become nervous each time that they got more evidence leading to the culprit. She would never show it, but she could feel it clawing at her insides, desperate to get out. I guess they've been doing this sort of thing for a long time and have gotten immune to being nervous during an investigation. She sighed softly, causing Sebastian to look over at her with a hint of concern in his expression.

"Is something wrong, dear?" Alexandra snapped out of her trance and looked over toward Sebastian. She then calmed down and shook her head.

"No, nothing's wrong. I was just thinking about the case, that's all."

"If you say so." She could hear the concern in his voice as he said his statement. She had heard it quite a few times during her years of living. Whenever she would get herself into a situation that had even the slightest sliver of danger, he would be worried about her and get a bit antsy sometimes. She couldn't blame him. He was one of her fathers, after all. Her other father, Azaja, would worry as well, but not as much. She remembered one time, when she had just gotten out of a fight with a boy her age (she was only five at the time), she had asked her other father Azaja why he had not intervened with Sebastian. He answered with this: "I didn't intervene because your other father had it quite handled, and so did you. I will only intervene when the situation becomes too much for you or Sebastian to handle. This doesn't mean I don't care about you, because I do dearly. It's just that Sebastian jumps into things before I can." She hadn't quite got the meaning when she was five, but now that she thought about it, she was getting it. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his frame, squeezing him slightly. Sebastian looked down at her, somewhat confused as to why she was holding him.

"It's going to be okay, father. I won't get hurt this time. I promise that."

"I know, dear. I know." Sebastian patted the top of her head softly, making a smile curl itself onto Alexandra's lips. Ciel watched the whole thing and exhaled through his nose softly. He had seen many moments between Alexandra and Sebastian, whether they were big or small. It was touching to him, to be honest. He had never really known about his own butler's soft side until he had Alexandra. She was the key into unlocking his tender side, he noted. At first, it had been sort of awkward watching Sebastian take care of a little infant, but Ciel grew used to it the more he saw it. He smiled a bit at the memories. Alexandra let go of Sebastian and she bowed slightly to him and Ciel before making her way out of the room. As the door closed, Sebastian grew serious again, which Ciel noticed.

"We'll need to wrap this up quickly. The Queen will want this solved as soon as possible."

"Yes, my lord."

"Bring me some tea. I need to ponder over what we have so far over it."

"As you wish." Sebastian turned swiftly on his heels and made his way out of the room. Ciel leaned back in his chair and closed his eye. He placed his hands in his lap folded and crossed one leg over the other. He began thinking about the evidence, and what more they needed to find out before they could call it case closed. He wanted this wrapped up as soon as possible, since he didn't want to spend too much time dwelling over it.

Alexandra traveled down the stairs quickly and into the main lobby. She had her black shawl wrapped around her shoulders tight. She went to the front door and opened it, but not before looking in every direction to make sure that no one was following her. Satisfied, she stepped out of the mansion and into the evening air. She closed the door behind her and walked along the path that led away from the mansion. She could feel the air getting slightly colder, but this was not going to stop her. Her eyes glanced upward and noticed the sunset in the distance. She had always been fascinated with sunsets ever since she had been a little girl. She smiled a bit and looked back down to focus on where she was going. As she was walking along the path, she began to notice a presence behind her. She stopped and turned her head slightly.

"Papi." She voiced. A deep chuckle told her that it was the person that she had called her other father; Azaja. A black figure stepped out from the shadow of one of the trees and walked up to her. She noticed that he looked the exact same since she last saw him; the same jet black hair with bangs that covered his right eye, the same blood red eye that could pierce anyone's soul if he stared into their eyes, the same light tan skin, and the same black clothes along with the trench coat. The figure then spoke in a deep voice,

"Alexandra. What are you doing out here at this hour?"

"I just needed to take a walk for a bit. You don't mind, do you?"

"No, I don't. I'll tell Sebastian this. He'll expect you back by dinner time, though."

"I know." She waved good-bye to him and walked off. Azaja watched her go off into the distance with a calm, almost apathetic look on his face. He then turned around and walked up the path to the mansion. He knew that Sebastian was going to be concerned when he told him that their only daughter went for a walk alone again. However, he didn't really focus on this matter. He had confidence in his daughter. After all, he was the person that taught her how to fight hand-to-hand combat when she was only six years old. She knows how to defend herself. She'll be fine without our assistance. He thought with a slight smile on his face as he opened the door and stepped inside the mansion.

Alexandra walked toward the city of London at a somewhat slower pace than usual. She really had nowhere she particularly wanted to go in the city, so she figured that she would just roam around until she had to go back. A breeze came, playing with her long, raven black hair. She didn't mind it and kept on going. She then began to see the lights of the city from a distance and smiled slightly. She picked up her pace a little and reached the beginning of London several minutes later. She looked around, seeing lights come alive in the many buildings that her eyes saw. Groups of people swarmed around her, enveloping her in them for a short time before she was alone again. She kept her hands on the knot that kept the shawl on her shoulders. She glanced around some more and found that nothing seemed to be catching her interest at the moment. She sighed and walked along the sidewalk. Sounds were bombarding her ears, but she seemed to ignore them and go about her own business.

She then noticed something that caught her attention in the flower shop. She couldn't tell exactly tell what it was, so she crept closer to the shop and realized that it was a person. She suddenly had to know who this person was. She didn't know why she had to, but she had to. Maybe it's just curiosity. She took off at a run toward the flower shop, startling some people. As she came to the door, she had to try her hardest not to fling open the door and smash the wall with it. She felt something connect with her chest hard and lost her balance, causing her to fall straight onto her butt. The air had been forced out of her lungs, but she regained it quickly. She rubbed her head and opened her eyes to see a white-haired girl with crimson eyes standing over her with a panicked look on her face. Alexandra managed to stand up on her own and brush herself off any dirt that got on her white dress. She then stared at the girl and spoke calmly,

"Sorry about that. I wasn't looking where I was going. I hope you ca-"

"No, seriously, it's my fault! I was running out of here trying to get back to my mother so we can have dinner and I was picking up flowers for the bouquet that sits on the dining room table! I realized that I was late and that I needed to get back quickly and I tried to rush out, but then I bumped into you and oooh! I'm so sorry! Please don't hate me for this!" Alexandra noticed, as this girl was explaining herself, that she was flailing her arms around frantically and her voice had risen to a near squeak. She just didn't know what to do to calm her down. She suddenly grabbed the girl's arms, shoving them to her sides, and looking her dead in the eyes. The girl went quiet and stared back in fright.

"It's alright. I forgive you, and I don't hate you. I just met you, that's all. You need to calm yourself down. You're going to damage your reputation as a lady if you keep this act up."

"I'm sorry. I just panic easily."

"It's alright. We're not perfect. By the way, who are you?" The girl somehow managed to escape Alexandra's grip and spun around two times before coming to a standstill facing the black-haired girl with a smile on her face.

"I'm glad you asked! I am Ivy Manchester, an ice elf! I am originally from a small town in France, which I don't exactly remember the name of, but moved here when I was five years old. I've been here ever since, and London's a fantastic city to live in, isn't it? I live with my parents, which is kind of obvious because I told you about my mother in my apology. I don't have any siblings, but I don't really mind, since I like having a big room to myself. I don't really have many friends, but I am well-known in England and I wish to become either an ice sculptor or a detective! That would be so exciting!" Alexandra blinked, surprised and dumbfounded at this girl that called herself Ivy. She was clapping her hands together and jumping up and down with a big smile on her face. Alexandra could not come up with an answer to continue the conversation. What was she to say to this girl? This had never happened to her before, not being able to come up with any response whatsoever. She averted her eyes away and stared at the stone ground. Ivy seemed to notice this because she poked Alexandra's shoulder, making her glance back at her.

"Who are you, exactly? I feel like I know you from somewhere." Alexandra snapped out of her trance and cleared her throat. She breathed in deeply a few times to calm herself down. She stared Ivy right in the eyes, not willing to let the girl out of her sight. Ivy soon noticed this and stared back at her, eagerness in her eyes. Alexandra then spoke,

"I am Alexandra Michaelis. I work as a part-time detective."

"A detective? That's so cool!" Ivy piped up.

"Part-time detective, Ivy. And if you are wondering, yes, I am currently working on a case."

"What case? I wanna know!"

"It's the one with the dead tailor named Lawrence Manchester."

"I heard about that in the newspaper. You're working it?"

"With some assistance from Ciel Phantomhive."

"I've heard about him from my parents, but I don't really know much about him. What is he like?"

"Well, to be truthful, he is a quiet, mysterious man who likes business taken care of immediately. And he likes playing chess. Definitely likes playing chess."

"That's nice. Do you mind if I help you work this case?"

"Pardon me?"

"Can I work the case with you? I'm good at snooping around and getting random information. I do it all the time." Ivy said the last part nonchalantly.

"I don't want you to put yourself in harm's way just to help me catch a criminal." Alexandra meant this when she said it. She didn't want this girl risking her own life just to help her, Ciel, and Sebastian get the criminal that was responsible for Lawrence's death. That would've been going against her ways. Alexandra had to force herself not to show the turmoil that was going on within her on her face.

"Alright, you can help me with the case, but you have to promise me something, Ivy." Alexandra said in a serious voice.

"Yeah, sure, anything."

"Promise me that you won't get caught by the Scotland Yard or the criminal himself or herself, whichever one it is. Just don't get caught."

"I'm one of the best in the business!" Ivy declared, pointing toward herself with her thumb and a big smile on her face. Alexandra wanted to slap herself in the face for it. I warned her, and she doesn't seem to be taking it too seriously. I just hope she lives up to it. She thought somewhat miserably. She was about to turn and walk back to the Phantomhive manor when Ivy placed a hand on her shoulder. It was somewhat cool to the touch, making her shiver a bit.

"Don't worry. I can always freeze them if they catch me." Ivy spoke gently.

"But how are you going to escape if you freeze them? Ice isn't exactly the easiest thing to break." Alexandra replied, genuine concern in her voice.

"You're forgetting, I'm an ice elf. I can break out of it easily."

"I just hope you're right..." Ivy took her hand off of Alexandra's shoulder and the fire demon warmed up a little. She then saw the smile on Ivy's face and caught herself wondering what in the world she could be thinking of at that moment. She pushed the thought out of her head, not wishing to be distracted from the situation. Ivy checked the golden watch on her wrist and her eyes widened in shock, causing Alexandra to ask,

"What's up? Is something wrong?"

"I've gotta get back to my mom! She'll be waiting for me! Sorry for my abruptness, but I seriously need to leave."

"Well, go on ahead. I'm not stopping you."

"Thanks! See you around, Alexandra!" Before Alexandra could say her own good-bye to her, Ivy ran past her and through the crowd with dignified grace toward some destination that the fire demon wasn't so keen on knowing. She turned around on her heels and walked along the sidewalk, now wanting to get home quickly. As she was walking through the crowds, there was one thing on her mind; how the hell she was going to explain this whole situation to Ciel, let alone her fathers. A loud, defeated sigh escaped her lips as she continued walking. She knew that it was probably going to be a very long conversation when she got back to the manor.

Yay! Alexandra made her very first friend! (I do believe so...). The next chapter will come out soon, so please review this one and be on the lookout for the next one!