Kuroshitsuji © Yana Toboso
OCs © reaper-of-lost-souls
A/N: BAM! More office work scenes! Maybe we'll get along in the story a little more XD Well I WOULD be taking a walk right now, but instead I'm inside my room drinking a soda because my little brother is being a douche. Oh well ^^; I'll go for a walk next week (I just don't feel like it right now anyways). ENJOY!
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"Hey Boss!" Lewis yelled, dashing down the halls and almost slamming into her chair.
"Yes?" Sophie asked, not raising her head up from her work and grumbled under her breath.
"Jericho has a few forms for you," Lewis said as he set down a stack of papers in his hand onto Sophie's desk, "and Alex has a few also," he finished, setting the rest of the papers on her desk.
"Great~~" Sophie rolled her eyes sarcastically, grabbing a hold of Lewis' shirt before he took off again. "Since you're running errands, could you do a few for me?"
"Sure Boss," Lewis shrugged, "whatever you want."
Sophie nodded, grabbing a large stack of papers from her pile of finished paperwork and shoved them to Lewis' hands. "Give this to Jericho," she said as she set another large stack down, "that to Alex," and then one last stack, "and this one for Mrs. Obki, alright?"
"G-got it!" he yelped, staggering a little as she set the last stack of papers in his hands.
Sophie smirked, "Good~… run along now." Lewis nodded and dashed away, careful to not lose any of the papers in his haste for fear that his head would be lopped off. She sighed, sitting back down and going back to looking at her work.
"Sooooophieeee!" Ronald yelled, rushing as fast as he could up the stairs and running towards his desk. "Wasn't expecting to see you here in the middle of the day!"
"Yeah?" Sophie shrugged, "Hello Ronald. Need anything?"
"Nope," he grinned, "just done with a large job. Fifteen souls in less than five minutes, and then twenty five in two? Mr. Spears is working us to the bone!"
"Oh really?" Sophie nodded, "We're just busy Ronald. There are some~ things we have to get done; it's our job to take souls after all."
"I know," he sighed, "but –"
"Hey guys," Alan waved, setting his papers down on his desk and looking over at them. "What's up?"
"Another big run!" Ronald complained. "You're lucky Alan! Mr. Spears gives you easy~ work."
"I have my reasons Ronald," Alan shook his head as he sat down at his desk and began to work on paperwork, "and it's not like I ask for them. He gives me easy work without asking me. I can work perfectly fine like anyone else around here."
"Oh?" Sophie asked as she continued to write, "Why?"
"Why? I don't know," Alan sighed, a knowing look on Sophie and Alan's faces as they exchanged glances before going back to their work. "It's not like he knows anything… I don't think. Besides, Ronald, you're young. You need to be given hard jobs. Call it… experience."
"You're mean Mr. Humphries!" Ronald huffed and stuck his tongue out at Alan.
"Are you causing trouble Mr. Knox?" William said from behind him, walking past Ronald as he walked into his office.
"No sir!" Ronald yelped, giving him a mock salute before grinning. "Just joking around! Right Alan?"
" You could say that," Alan shrugged, deciding it was best to not look at Ronald and instead work diligently on his paperwork.
William shook his head, walking into his office and closing the door behind him. "Ah Sophie~!" came the giggling voice of Grell, walking over to her desk and leaning against the wall of her cubical. "I was wondering if you were going to come over tonight?"
"… I wasn't planning on it unless I'm being forced to," Sophie shrugged as she signed a piece of paper and set it aside. "Why? Need my help with something?"
"Yes~~" Grell giggled, "We need extra help for a dinner party tonight. I hired extra cooks and butlers and maids for the night, but it would be nice to have you around to help!"
" Okay I'll think about it," Sophie looked over and gave him a smile.
Then they heard a now hiss coming from under Sophie's desk, making Grell cringe back in fright. "What the hell?" Grell yelped as a sharp claw scratched the bottom of his shoes. "I just got these!" he cried, growling at the shadow under Sophie's desk.
"Ahe…" Sophie grumbled, grabbing the kitten by her black leather collar and glaring into her sapphire and golden eyes. Ahelie yelped and tried to avert her eyes, unable to keep away from Sophie's daunting gaze. "What did I say about having you at the office?" The kitten let out a low mew as if she was grumbling to herself. "And~?" Sophie demanded more as if she understood what Ahelie was saying. The kitten mewed some more, getting a satisfied smirk out of Sophie as she roughly set Ahelie back down on the ground. "Now apologize." The kitten walked up to Grell's shoes and licked them, looking up at Grell with an apologetic look on her face.
Grell's eyes sparkled, her excitement unable to be contained as she picked up the little kitten in the palm of his hands and giggled. "Who is this?"
"Ahelie Orb or that's what her tag said. See?" Sophie said, turning a thin metal collar around the kitten's neck. "That's all I could make out because the rest of the words faded away around the collar. It's pretty old." Then she placed a gentle palm on the kitten's head, getting a purr from Ahelie as she petted the top of her head. "Ahe meet Grell Sutcliff. Be nice to him now."
Ahelie's eyes lit up and she stood up, cuddling up into Grell's arm as he giggled unexpectedly. "Oh gosh! An affectionate little kitten aren't you!"
"Yeah…" Sophie shrugged as she watched Ahelie purring contently, "but she's only this way around me and anyone I tell her can be trusted. That's all –"
"When did Ahelie show up?" came a voice from behind them, Sophie looking up with a sweet smile forming on her face.
"Hey Jay. Just a few hours ago," Sophie explained, "Why?"
"Wondering, that's all," Jericho chuckled as he walked over and scratched behind the kitten's ears. "I figured this little demon cat would show up sooner rather than later."
"Oh," Sophie huffed, "and how do you assume that?"
"No reason," Jericho shrugged, "just figured. So when will you send Noco back?"
" When the situation is settled," Sophie smirked, grabbing Ahelie from Grell's hands and set her on the top of her desk, "so I can alert Rob. Duh! Now is there something you can down here for or what?"
"… Nope," Jericho shrugged, his eyes looking away from them, "I needed a break I decided to check up on you."
"Ahhhh~" Sophie smirked. "Got it. Now that you know I'm alive you can be on your way."
Jericho paused, "That's it?"
"Yep," Sophie grinned, shooing him away. "Go back to work. Are you slacking off again~?"
"No," he huffed, "but I'll j-just go then," he answered as he went back up the stairs.
Sophie grinned till she turned back to her desk, noticing that Ronald and Alan were commenting on Ahelie as Grell scratched her neck. Then Eric came up the stairs, raising an eyebrow as the shinigamis were gathered around Sophie's desk. "What's going on – little Sophia has a little kitty cat?" he chuckled, reaching his hand out to pet her.
Ahelie hissed at him and swat at his hand, causing Eric to frown and take back his hand. "It's alright," Alan explained, "she does that to all of us."
"Oh boy," Sophie sighed, sitting on her desk and setting Ahelie on her lap. "She doesn't like crowds. Ahe this is Ronald Knox, Alan Humphries, and Eric Slingby. They're my coworkers, alright?"
The kitten just huffed, curling up on Sophie's lap to go back to sleep. "Doesn't like us?" Ronald frowned.
"Nope," Sophie shrugged, "because you probably woke her up. No matter. She'll like you guys later. I just need to keep her here for now till I get off of work… that's all."
"Ah," Grell nodded, "will you be coming over?"
"Yes!" Sophie huffed, "and Ahelie will probably show up too."
"Show up?" Grell raised an eyebrow. "Don't you mean you'll bring her?"
"Not at all," Sophie shook her head, "because she tends to show up and leave whenever she wants. Why Ahelie hasn't left yet is beyond my knowledge, but whatever. Now get back to work y'all. I have to get paperwork done before I leave."
"Turning into William eh?" Eric chuckled, sitting back at his seat as the others reluctantly walked to their own desks.
"Noooo…" Sophie growled at him, "I am not. I don't want to be distracted today."
"Whatever you say," Eric shrugged, going back to his work and snickering to himself. Sophie rolled her eyes and sat down in her chair, rubbing Ahelie's ears as she mewed for affection.
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"… This is who we have working for us today?" Sophie huffed, her black hair slicked back into a pony tail as she stared at all the workers she would have to put up with for the night.
"Y-yeah," Grell said in a meek voice, almost too quiet for her to even hear. "I found them around the bend. Madame Red's party is late notice so it was hard to find –"
"Okay I get it," Sophie sighed. "Who am I in charge of?"
Grell smiled, jumping over to a few of the woman and pushed them forward. "The maids, waiters, and cooks. I have to keep everything organized such as entertaining and etcetera, but you'll be in charge of the behind~ the scenes~ and keeping everything in good, working order."
"… Great~" Sophie said sarcastically as she let out a tired sigh. "Okay, but if something happens can I pull you from the party to help?"
"Of course!" Grell smiled, "It's what a butler, like me, does."
"Okay," Sophie nodded, taking a few steps forward to look at the group. "Okay everyone," she spoke loudly to get everyone's attention, "If you have not already heard, my name is Athena Ernest. Thank you for coming here to help us with the festivities for tonight. Sorry this is short notice, but what can you do?" she shrugged. "I am going to split you off into groups. Each group with have manager who will come talk to, instead of myself, if anything goes wrong. If something extremely bad happens, like the kitchen burning to the ground, come find me as soon as possible and I will get everything done. If I am not available then go to Mr. Sutcliff… any questions?"
"Yes," a woman coughed as she stood forward and combed her hair from her eyes. "I heard that you are the wife of a noble. Is this true?"
"… Doesn't anyone have any relevant questions?" Sophie glared, the woman taking a few steps back in sudden terror as Sophie's eyes glared crystal blue and shinigami green for a few split seconds till it faded away and she smiled to them. "No? Good. You girl," Sophie pointed to a maid.
"Y-yes me?" she chuckled sheepishly and pointed to herself confused.
"Yes you," Sophie growled, getting slightly irritated with the slow responses. "Name?"
"Stefanie Dorte –"
"Mrs. Dorte you will be in charge of the maids," Sophie said roughly. "If anyone of them does not do their jobs or bad mouths your authority bring her to me. Understood?"
"Y-yes, but –"
"Good," Sophie smirked, "and meet me after this meeting. You boy," she huffed at a man quickly stiffening at her presence before him. "Name?"
"Owen Gwilym –"
"Mr. Gwilym will be in charge of the waiters, understood?" Once he gave her a nod she smiled. "Meet me after the meeting. What's your name?" Sophie asked again, standing before a man who had his dark gray hairs slicked back.
"My name is Francis Pascal, madam –"
"Good," she smiled, causing him to stop slightly as he began to bow. "Mr. Pascal will be in charge of the butlers around the mansion. Come to me after the meeting so we can discuss your role. You, what's your name?" she pointed to the end of the group, a man looking over at her and scratching the back of his head.
"Carlos Bernardo –"
"Okay," she nodded, "Mr. Bernardo will be in charge of the cooks. Come see me after the meeting." Then Sophie looked over at Grell who looked stunned with her performance, but she could tell that he had a hint of pride hidden behind his plain green eyes. Sophie grinned before looking back to the group, her eyes glaring and fixating on anyone who may have fallen asleep. "I will tell you right off of the bat that I can be kind and nice, but get on my bad side and you'll be kicked out without your pay before you can think of an excuse. That being said, if you come to me with legitimate reasons then I will have no reason to hold it against you, correct?" Sophie frowned noticing their gazes, "Correct??"
"Correct!" Francis said, the rest of the workers repeating him right after they noticed her demeanor.
"Thank you Mr. Pascal," Sophie smiled, giving him a nod before looking at the rest of the group and glaring at them. "As I said, tick me off and you'll be kicked out. Now you're dismissed. Spend your time looking around the mansion and being accustomed to everything. Mr. Sutcliff will show you around."
"W-what about the madam's –"
"I'll attend to her lunch," Sophie reassured Grell with a smile, "now git." She shooed him away, the group following Grell till only five people remained in the servant's quarters. "Okay," she smiled to them. "I can see that you're worried? Don't worry. From your credentials I saw that each one of you have been working for at least ten years in the industries you were hired for. So I don't see a problem, do you?"
"N-no miss," Owen sighed, "but I don't think I can handle this."
"Why?" Sophie frowned, "You are simply in charge of the waiters that will come in and out of the kitchen to retrieve food. Have some place food on the table while others will walk around with trays. Does this sound difficult?"
"… No miss," Owen shrugged as he looked at the ground.
"Hey," Sophie huffed, mysteriously appearing right in front of him and startling him as she tilted his head up so she could see him face to face. "If you are going to be working here then you need confidence in yourself and confidence in your subordinates. Is that clear?"
"Yes miss," Owen told her, standing up tall as Sophie let go of his chin and continued walking down the line. "Okay so this is what we need to get done," Sophie sighed. "Stephanie, you are in charge of… I guess every female staff member we have," she shrugged, "except for two, who will be cooks. Before two o'clock make sure every maid is wearing their uniform, and every room is cleaned from top to bottom and checked to the last detail. Have a few in the ballroom hanging up décor around the room, which the supplies will be found in RM 2-G, located on the second floor and to the left of the stairs. Alright?"
" O-okay Mrs. Ernest," Stefanie nodded with a slight smile.
"Good," Sophie grinned back, "Now you are dismissed." Stefanie curtsied and took off, going off in the direction where the group had fled off to. "Owen, you, of course, will be in charge of the waiters. Before one o'clock you need to have tables set up in the ballroom… about six along the east side of the room and three along the north side. Tables will be found in RM 1-N, which is located on the first floor and next to the closet by the kitchen. Since that job will go by quickly, have your subordinates help Stephanie with setting the place up. Correspond with Carlos about how the food will be set out before and during the party. Have approximately ten waiters at a time roaming the ballroom, five on food and five on drinks. By make sure every waiter has their uniform on by two o'clock. Understood?"
"Understood Mrs. Ernest," he bowed deeply.
Sophie chuckled slightly, still noticing how nervous he still was. "Don't worry Owen. You'll do great! Now you are dismissed." Owen bowed again and quickly left, Sophie letting out a tired sigh as she looked at the other two. "Okay Francis, you are in charge of the butlers. Have every butler situate themselves around the mansion because they will be opening and closing the doors for everyone who comes in and out. Every guest will have an invitation with the name of the house and the name 'Scarlet Banquet' on the invitation. If they do not then ask them to politely leave. Keep everything under control during the party. In the meantime have the butlers help clean the place up. If I need one of them for something I will ask. You will mostly be working under Grell because he is the head butler around here, but first come to me if you have any problems. If you go to him I won't mind… but I want respect," she glared. "By two o'clock have every butler in their uniforms. Any questions?"
"… No Mrs. Ernest," he smiled. "I understand completely."
"Good," she smiled, "Now you are dismissed." Francis gave her a bow and took off, his head high as he opened the door and left the room. "Okay now it's down to you Carlos," Sophie sighed. "So you are in charge of the cooks. I want you to go over the inventory and make sure we have all the food and drink we need for the night. We are expecting one hundred to six hundred nobles by the end of the night. The party will start at about five o'clock, and at that time have little horderves out and pastries for the guests to snack on. At eight o'clock you can start serving better food, setting out roasted ham, pig, and etcetera. At ten o'clock you can set out the deserts, the puddings and everything else. The order for the wine will be the 1860 year old wine first, but by seven have the good and expensive wine… about dating back to 1820 I think," Sophie shrugged, "out and served. Use the cheaper wines by the end of the party or if you run out completely. You can talk to me if you run into problems. The cooks don't need a uniform, but have them wearing something for the kitchen by two o'clock. Any questions?"
"None," Carlos shook his head, "but I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity."
"Hey no problem," Sophie chuckled, "but don't blow it," she huffed glaring him down. Then she crack another smile, "Okay you are dismissed –"
"Wait," he said holding up his hand. "Do you need help with Madame Red's lunch –"
That's alright," Sophie grinned. "Mr. Sutcliff and I have been working here alone for eons now. Plus I know how to cook, so I can manage."
"Okay," Carlos nodded, "just wondering."
"That's alright and thanks for asking," she clicked her teeth and winked her eye, walking towards the door and to the kitchen. "Now get going. You only have two more hours till everything needs to be set up and the food getting prepared."
"Yes ma'am!" he saluted, running out the door and down the hallway. Sophie chuckled to herself, walking into the kitchen and finishing Madame Red and Grell's meal for them.
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"Here you go Madame Red," Sophie smiled, setting down a tray and uncovering the morsel of food under the silver cover.
"Soup?" Anne asked as she grabbed a spoon and began to dip into the food.
"Yeah," Sophie chuckled, "I didn't really have time to come up with anything so I made you a beef stew that Dora taught me to make. It's Germanic, may taste funny because it's a much newer style then it is today, but I think you'll like it."
Anne cooled down her spoon and slurped up the stew, her eyes lighting up at the new acquired taste. "Sophie this is delicious!" Anne gasped, "Even for soup!"
"Thank you madam," Sophie smiled, pouring out earl gray tea into a cup and setting it down on the table. "I also have a German style cake for you. Would you like me to set it now or wait till later?"
"Now is fine dear," Anne smiled, "I know Grell and you are running around trying to get the mansion in working order. Tell me, how is it going?"
"Great… I guess," Sophie sighed. "I haven't checked on everything yet, but with Grell in charge of decorating I don't think he'll let anyone mess the place up," she smiled. "Thing is I need to leave around now to go reaping. I'm taking over Grell's field work so he can stay here and set everything up."
"And when will you be back?" Anne asked as she slowly sipped her tea.
"Two o'clock ma'am," Sophie smiled, "and I hope that will be fine?"
"Indeed," Anne nodded, "it's only two hours. I will see you when you come back. Now run along."
"Alright – Oh wait! I should warn you…" Sophie quickly realized.
"Warn me about what?" Anne raised an eyebrow.
"I have a little black kitten following me around, so if you see her don't freak out," Sophie tried to explain. "She must have followed me back from America… but I know she's hiding around here waiting to pounce on me."
"Oh really?" Anne smirked, "You have a cat? Well that's funny. She won't damage anything correct?"
"Nope," Sophie shook her head. "She's well behaved unless provoked. As long as no one is poking her or pinning her into a corner she'll be fine."
"It's perfectly fine for the kitten to hang around my mansion," Anne nodded. "Now you may go."
"Thank you ma'am," Sophie bowed before taking off back inside to look at the ballroom. When she came in Sophie couldn't help but smirk, noticing as Grell yelled to the servants running around to get the place decorated. "Can I interrupt your important speech Mr. Sutcliff~?" she grinned as she swooped in from behind and poked his side.
"Ah! – Oh Sophie hello," Grell grinned, his teeth normal but showing off its pointy luster for a quick second before converting back to being flat and dull. "Need anything?"
"Only informing you that your lunch is ready," Sophie smiled, "and I was going to have mine right now before I left."
"I see! Let me just finish a few things before I meet you," Grell explained as he talked to a few of the waiters and told them were to set the tables around the room.
Sophie nodded and left him to his work, walking into the kitchen and pouring herself a bowl of stew. She cut herself a piece of bread and dipped it into the stew, slurping up the liquid in the bread before double-dipping into the bowl again. She knew it wasn't ladylike for her to do this, but it was only a force of habit now and she was in a rush. Just as she finished her bread and most of her stew Grell came in letting out a tired grunt. "Frustrating right?" she chuckled as she bit into the beef and carrots she had on her spoon.
"Yess~~~" Grell groaned as he grabbed his own bowl and served himself. "This is why I'm not in corporate management."
Sophie laughed, "Ah… I'll go off and do your field work. Should be back… around two I hope. In the meantime try to not burn the place down. I know you're putting up an act, but I'd rather not have more on my plate then I already have."
"Got it!" Grell grinned, "And I'll make sure everything is in tip-top shape by the time you come back. Do you plan on changing out of your uniform? I'm sorry for dragging you and not letting you change, but there was no time –"
"Depends on what happens," Sophie smiled, "I have to not only get your~ work done, but my own as well. Plus I need to clock you out once I'm finished… so yeah."
"Alright," Grell smiled, "thank you for helping me."
"Hey no problem," Sophie chuckled as she finished the last of her stew and slurped up the liquid in the bowl. "Happy to help. Now I really have to go," she explained as she set her bowl and spoon into a sink and waved to him as she ran out the back door.
"Bye!" Grell waved. "And have fun~~" he winked before tending back to his bowl of food so he could get back to work.
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"Good, fifteen minutes to spare," Sophie smirked to herself as she put her pocket watch back into her pocket and trudged through the snow. She pulled her hat down on her head and her coat tighter around her body, feeling a fearful wind crawling down her back.
As she made her way through the snow she noticed tracks, bear tracks. Narrowing her eyes she made her way into the forest, making her way to a small village in the middle of nowhere where she could get the help of the local shinigamis there. Then she heard a growl, a large brown bear standing on his hind legs and growling at her, striking at her and causing Sophie to suddenly dash. "Serbus!" it cried, pawing at the snow and running after her.
Sophie narrowed her eyes and pulled out her two guns, firing them at the bear and penetrating skin. "Hello Otso Horsetooth," Sophie smirked, "I knew you would be waiting for me. What? You didn't want me to meet with Patrick McClelland, why?..."
"Blood~" Otso growled, glaring his red eyes at her. "Delicious blood~" She frowned, firing a few more rounds till she took off again. The bear growled and swatted at his face, taking off once he noticed Sophie had left. She kept running till the snow got too deep and climbed up a tree to escape the bear. The tree hanged over a cliff that was several miles away from the village. Otso was stirring her away from her course and she had to think fast, closing her eyes as she thought.
The bear grabbed the tree trunk and tried knocking the tree down, unable to get Sophie to come down. "That can't stop me!" the bear roared, beginning to climb up the tall evergreen tree. She let out a sigh, concentrating till an idea hit her. Then her eyes shot open, beaming with yellow swirls trailing around in her crystal blue and shinigami green eyes, and she summoned her black haze. She jumped, missing the bear's claw and falling from the high tree. She began to descend down the steep cliff, her black haze summoning a shield under her feet as she grabbed hold of it with one hand and hit the snow. Snow flew behind her, leaving the bear up the tree and crying to her. "They'll get you Serbus!" Otso roared at her. "You're only a pawn to them!"
Sophie took out a bow and arrow from her black haze and pulled hard on the string, letting go and sending the arrow flying towards the bear. Otso cried out in pain as the arrow penetrated him in the heart, the bear falling out of the tall tree and hitting the snow dead. She smirked to herself and released her bow back into the black haze. "Geeze…" Sophie sighed, "What's up with the threats today?" she sighed, using the shield as a sled as she slid down the snow and eventually coming to the village she was looking for. Once she got to the village Sophie sent the shield back into the black haze, letting the black haze fade away in her fingertips and disappear into the snow.
Then she walked around the village looking at the directions in her hand, eventually coming across a small cabin on the edge of the village. Taking one last glance at the note in her hand she knocked on the door, the wooden door opening to find a man only a few inches taller than her with white hair, as white as the snow, and shinigami green eyes piercing into her own eyes. "… Is this the McClelland residence?" she asked with a bow.
"Yes miss," he smiled, "and you must be Serbus. Do come in." Sophie nodded and followed the man inside, looking around the small building as he ushered her to sit down on a couch. "I'm sorry that this place is small, but I have to stay in hiding from the outside world," he explained as he walked into his kitchen. "Would Serbus like some vodka?"
"I'm trying to hold back on the alcohol content, but I'll take a small glass," Sophie told him politely, a smile coming to the man's face as he sat poured out two glasses and handed Sophie a glass, setting the bottle down on the table as he sipped his own.
"You are polite for only being around for a few decades," he commented. "Does the English lady know any Russian?"
"Да," Sophie smirked, "я делаю."
"So the lady does," Patrick chuckled. "как?"
"Well…" Sophie thought as she set her glass down and thought to herself, "English is my first language, Greek and Latin my second and third… and the rest came after that. Only from experience and that I I don't want to hire a translator for fear he could be a spy. Did you originally come from Russia sir?"
"Yes miss," he smiled. "My family did years ago. Russian is my fifth language, but English is my second and Scottish my first. If you haven't noticed, I have been around for a long time," he grinned. "How is the world now?"
"At war as it always is," Sophie sighed, "and I don't know the movements of my enemies. That's why I'm here… I heard you know something about Earthborn? Is this true?"
"You would be correct," he grinned happily. "I used to work for him. I was one of his supporters."
"What happened?" Sophie asked as she picked up the glass again and drank down half of the glass.
"I didn't agree with his ideals," Patrick shrugged. "He had his way of thinking and I had my own. I may be a God of Death, but I liked the idea of centralizing our activities. It would make things easier in the long run, since the world was getting bigger and bigger… but his approach was unorthodox," he sighed. "The man wouldn't agree with anyone else's ideas. Only his own… and when he killed so many with his hands… I can't bear to stay working for him."
"Let me get this straight," Sophie said to herself, "Earthborn is a shinigami, a man who had died and became a grim reaper. He is one of the men in the council in London. He used to have great ideas, but had hidden agendas behind them. Currently he is sending a bunch of his subordinates into Europe and specifically England. Would this be correct?"
"You tell me," he shrugged, "I don't know about his movements anymore; only the things I hear from other people. England hmmm… how large?"
"Ten thousand demons, three hundred angels, and several other beings in between. The grand total is about… eleven thousand?" Sophie shrugged.
"Then he must be gathering his army for a frontal assault," Patrick told her. "Listen to me, Serbus, because of your predecessor's death he must be planning on trying to take over again. You can't let him do this… you just can't. The deaths will be tremendous and so many lives lost. Can you promise me you'll keep everything under control… servant of darkness and God of Death?" he asked her.
"Да," Sophie nodded, "I promise. Now I have one last question, did you hear from the demon, Viktor Czernobog?"
"Count Czernobog ?" Patrick asked her. "… The last I heard of him was last spring. He disappeared after that… and so has his minions."
"Thank you," Sophie smiled, standing up and setting her vodka glass down. Then she popped open her pocket watch and looked at the time before putting her watch away. "Now I must take my leave McClelland. Thank you for letting me into your home."
"No worries Serbus," he smiled, "and good luck with everything."
"Thanks," she grinned, summoning a portal with her black haze and walking through it.
Patrick's smile turned into a frown and he sighed, finishing his glass and glugging down the vodka bottle. "My my~ Undertaker," he chuckled quietly to himself as he swished the bottle around in his hand. "No wonder you keep her close. She's like your old lover yes? You can see that same fire in her eyes…" he said to no one in particular, finishing the bottle and walking back to his kitchen.
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"What's with the snow?" Grell huffed once Sophie jumped down from a tree on the edge of Anne's property and brushed the snow from her hair.
"Snow? Oh! I was somewhere cold," Sophie chuckled, untying her coat slightly with the wave of heat that went through her body. "God it's hot here! How much time do I have?"
"… About five minutes," he said as he glanced at his watch.
"Oh good!" Sophie sighed. "I'm going to go change into a uniform. Something more… formal~ I guess?" she shrugged.
"A dress?" Grell gasped excitedly.
"нет," Sophie huffed as she walked up to the steps leading into the mansion. "A suit and tie, or something similar to your uniform I suppose. I'll add the red and white tie… but not that vestment. You know what; I'm just going to take off a few layers. I feel hot right now," she gasped as she rushed into the mansion, keeping a grim demeanor as she trudged through the hallway and ran a glove through her wet and cold hair. "Mr. Pascal!" She called into a room, "Have the servants gather in the main servant room. I'll be there in… five minutes?" she shrugged as she continued down the hall and to her designated room in the mansion.
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"Ugh! Ahe you're all wet!" Sophie huffed as she wrapped the little black kitten in a towel to keep her nice and warm. "Now I have to get going, but I'll be back in a few minutes." Then she took off out of the room and down the hallway, not noticing the kitten walking out of the open door and creeping behind her. As she passed by servants she ordered them into the main servant room, passing by them as she continued along. Eventually she made it back and walked up to Grell, who was looking behind her with an eyebrow raised. "What?" she huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.
"Someone is following you," he smiled sweetly, Sophie raising an eyebrow and turning around.
She noticed a group of servants behind her following the kitten into the room and trying to pet her, but Ahelie just evaded their hands and growled at them. "Ahe~…" she frowned. The kitten just meowed with a grin and jumped from a bed to a ledge, out of the reach of the hands that were trying to grab her. Sophie sighed, rubbing her forehead in frustration. "Anyways… how did everything go?"
"Tip top shape," Grell smiled, "The ballroom is decorated and the food is being prepared."
"… You didn't make the tea, did you?" Sophie frowned.
"Oh no!" he chuckled, "Well… no. I want this party to be perfect~~"
Sophie gave him a nod and looked at the servants, who lined themselves up in order and were awaiting further instructions. She glided through them as quiet as a mouse, inspecting their uniforms and intimidating them with her glare. "Tuck in your shirt… Pin your hair up… for god's sake polish those shoes! We need a form of elegance and decency tonight. Madame Red's party is to start the noble's annual season and we need to show them our best. Will you do that?"
"Yes," half of them said loudly, while the other half answered her meekly.
"I said… WILL YOU DO THAT?"
"Yes Mrs. Ernest!" they all yelled, causing her to grin.
"Great!" she giggled slightly. "Now go back out there and show them your best! The guests will be arriving around five o'clock, but be ready by four if anyone arrives early. Everyone is dismissed," she nodded to them, the group trailing off to their individual duties.
Once they left Sophie let out a tired sigh, leaving her stance and walking over to the ledge where Ahelie was sitting. "How was everything?" Grell asked.
"Your job was easy," Sophie grinned, "but the job I had to do was difficult. Ran into a demon as I made my way to someone's house for information… Oh well. From the looks of it I think Ahe followed me there. I bet you this kitty is chilled to the bone."
"Where did you go?" Grell frowned, "and why were you covered in snow?"
"Oh," she shrugged, snapping her hands to try to get Ahelie's attention, "nothing, just some business. I can't tell you details Grell," she smiled. Then she gave a sharp whistle and the kitten shot up her head, jumping down from the ledge and falling into Sophie's arms.
"What was that?" Grell asked as Sophie held Ahelie as if she was a small doll or a baby.
"A bird call," Sophie shrugged. "I learned it how back in the Americas. It saves up on time and energy when calling on orders." She giggled slightly as she held Ahelie, covering her back up in a small blanket and cradling her in her arms. "You little stinker! Did you eat that soul back there?" she asked the kitten, Ahelie meowed happily before yawning and curling up into a ball. "Good girl!" she chuckled as she rubbed Ahelie's belly, making the kitten purr and wag her long, thin tail.
Sophie sat down on a nearby bed and continued to keep her attention on Ahelie, while Grell sat down next to her and watched as she played with the kitten. "What is she really?" Grell decided to ask.
"A demon cat," Sophie shrugged, "or a devourer if you want to get technical. Ahelie here has three different forms: a small black kitten, a black panther, and a large demon cat about the size of this house." Then she sighed, "She can breathe… well breathe black smoke made of the same consistency as my black haze. So I'm not sure if she was made by my soul or a different demon all together."
"Demon?" Grell gasped. "Does the department know?"
"Obviously not," Sophie shrugged. "She's too sneaky to alert any triggers. Plus she just shows up… I don't know how to explain it. Oh! And if you're afraid that she'll eat the souls in the library then don't worry. Ahelie doesn't eat good souls, only bad. Right Ahe?" she asked as she scratched behind the kitten's ear, causing Ahelie to purr louder with content.
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"Go to Mr. Sutcliff and tell him everything is going by smoothly," Sophie told one of the waiters who took off to the ballroom. Sophie sighed and sat down in a chair, her stomach grumbling as she yawned. The ball had been going great so far, but she wasn't allowed to leave the servant rooms because she was in charge of keeping everything in order behind the scenes. It's probably a good thing too because if she went out there then one of the nobles may recognize she's not really Athena Ernest.
Suddenly she sensed that something was amiss, or rather Ahelie found someone amiss. Sophie looked up, knowing in the back of her mind that she had to stop this intruder. "Oh Mrs. Dorte," she said as she stood up and brushed some dust from her outfit, "I need suddenly need to go urgently. Can you tell Mr. Sutcliff to come down here and cover for me?"
"Ummm… yes Mrs. Ernest," she curtsied, taking off to call upon Grell.
Then Sophie let out a sighed, leaving her post and walking out the back door. As she walked she hid herself behind a bush, emerging with her shinigami outfit on and pulled her black hat down on her face. Looking around she spotted the creature she was looking for and noticed Ahelie leering at the creature as she sat in a tree and stared at him. "Aww…" the creature grinned, "Serbus here to stop me?"
"What business do you have here demon?" she growled. "You are not a guest, but yet you see a reason to be here?"
"Actually…" he paused looking at his knuckles, "I was looking for you!" Then he lunged at her, his nails turning long and sharp and his teeth barring at her. Sophie jumped back and stopped him with her long black scythe, her crystal blue and shinigami green eyes glaring into his red glowing demon eyes.
She growled, pushing him off of her scythe and lunging back at him. He let out a yelp as he was pinned to the ground, her scythe embedding itself into his shoulder. "Why would a lowlife be after me?" she hissed, twisting the scythe in his shoulder as he screamed out in pain.
"I was sent by him!" he yelled in pain. "You…" he suddenly chuckled, his eyes looking back up at her as he grinned demonically, "he told me I wouldn't live and he was right… he has a message for you."
"What?" she narrowed her eyes.
"You will die on the tenth when the clock chimes three times at midday," he grinned, "and this will be the end for you, fy forwyn bach."
Then he let out a yelp as Sophie stabbed deeper into his shoulder and loomed over him. "Who are you sent by?"
"Earthborn of course!" he crackled.
Sophie narrowed her eyes and ripped her scythe from him harshly and gripping his neck tightly. "You mule," she growled at him. "There's no saving a blackened soul like yours…" The demon shuddered as the black haze suddenly circled around him and gobbled him up. He screamed out in pain and grabbed for her, his hands barely reaching her as his body disappeared into the black haze. Sophie stood up and staggered around a little, propping herself up with her scythe. Then a large black panther showed up next to her side, a sigh escaping Sophie's lips as she ran a hand through her auburn hair. "T-take the soul already," she said as she held her hand to her forehead. "I'm getting dizzy."
The panther nodded and leaned into the black haze, Sophie closing her eyes tightly as she heard gobbling and ripping sounds. "Thanks Ahe," she smiled slightly, opening her eyes and letting the black haze disappear on the ground, "I don't think I could stand his soul in me." Ahelie purred and rubbed up Sophie's leg, trying to get Sophie to scratch her back. "Tell you what, after this I'll feed you some sweets, alright?" Ahelie grinned and purred some more before turning back into a small kitten and disappearing back into the house.
Sophie shook her hand and thought to herself, her head still discombobulated. Then she whistled loudly, looking around at the sky for a few moments before whistling again. "Come on Noco…" she growled under her breath, letting out a sigh of defeat once she noticed he was nowhere to be found. Then she pulled out a flute, a long plains flute that had two strings attached to the end with feathers handing down the ends. One of the feathers was a long crimson red feather, which was one of the first feathers she had ever been given. Bringing the instrument up to her lips she blew a long sound that echoed all around her and into the sky. Just then Ahelie came back purring with curiosity and Sophie took the flute out from her mouth and shook her head. "Ahe go back inside. I'm not calling for you right now." Ahelie huffed and turned back to the mansion, jumping in the bushes as she waited for Sophie to be done. She blew back into the flute and waited, waiting for Noco to hear the sound and came flying. Grumbling to herself she decided on a different alternative, blowing into the flute and playing a long tune. Ahelie sat there tall against the wall like a statue and purred, enjoying the sound the flute was making.
She kept playing for several minutes, letting the wind blow past her head and causing her hair to blow carelessly in the wind. She kept her eyes closed, letting the wind tell her what she should play as she continued to follow along with the rhythm of the wind. Then her eyes opened up, hearing the beat of a large hawk wings as Noco swooped down and landed on a tree branch. "There you are," she chuckled, a caw coming from Noco's beak as she grinned. She coughed, pulling out a pen and paper and scribbling something down on the paper. "Go to Jericho with this message," she told him as she walked over to the tree and grabbed Noco's talon. "This is urgent," she continued to say, tying the paper on his foot and then scratching his neck. "Thank you so much Noco," she chuckled, getting a coo from the hawk before he took off back into the sky.
Then she gasped, running into the bushes were Ahelie was as a few guests opened the doors leading out onto the balcony and looking out into the garden. "Didn't you hear that? Wasn't that music?"
"I think," another person said, "but it seems they have stopped playing. Oh well," the person shrugged and walked back inside.
Sophie let out a sigh and scrambled back to the servant's door, her outfit back to the servant outfit she was wearing as she slinked back inside. "Sophie!" she yelped when her name was being called. "Why did you call me down?" Grell huffed as he had his arms crossed over his chest.
"I ummm…" she chuckled nervously, "had to take care of something okay? Sorry, but you can go back now. I got everything under control."
"… I'm going to expect an explanation from you tonight," he huffed, leaving the room and letting Sophie stand there before she let out a tired sigh. She walked back into the kitchen and looked around; making sure everything was in working order before stealing some food off of a tray and gobbling it down.
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A/N: WOOT A PARTY! I love parties don't you? XD Well what do you think? Think I portrayed shy little Grell Sutcliff well? I hope you guys liked this chapter. I know I had fun writing it ^^ And I'm glad that I got two chapters out in one day. I needed to do that! I have so many chapters already written up that it is ridiculous =O
Да – Russian – yes
я делаю– Russian – I do
как – Russian – how
Viktor – Slavic – conqueror
Czernobog – Russian – black god
нет – Russian – no
fy forwyn bach – Welsh – my little maiden