A/N: I was thinking if Ciel's aversion to dancing...and thus, Kurt's own childish aversion was born. And what is this? Hespera using magic?
Chapter 28: Stupid Carrots
"So who is this woman you're looking for?" Kurt asked the question on Ciel's mind as they sat by each other.
The Earl's eyes met Kurt's for a brief moment before he snapped his gaze away, a light blush on his usually pale cheeks. Sebastian didn't miss it and stored the information away for later in the evening.
"She was my servant ever since I was born, you could say she was like a nanny. We've been together for as long as I can remember..." Soma reminisced.
Felix watched curiously as Agni seemed to look guiltily towards the floor. The indian butler looked a bit depressed. The publisher shrugged and passed it off as slight envy for this woman who had known Soma longer than he had.
"My father has no interest in me," The prince continued, "And my mother only strives for my father's attention, paying me no heed. So I'm always alone in the castle. But Meena is always by my side. She's cheerful, pretty, and taught me a lot of things, just as an older sister would. I don't feel lonely as long as Meena is with me. I love Meena and Meena loves me as well."
Agni visibly flinched and looked a bit pained. Felix was hardly surprised, the butler had always been by his Prince's side and yet it seemed Soma was completely forgetting his loyalty and existence. Felix tried to imagine Kurt talking as if he weren't there...it was a bizarre (and painful) picture.
"However that fellow...after the arrival of the english nobles, they took Meena away with them!" Soma's fists hit the table and the two English butlers tried to hold back a menacing glare.
Really, you'd think a prince would have more manners. Felix was starting to really dislike him. Soma was presumptuous, selfish, arrogant, dependent on others, and a spoiled ignorant fool. Kurt was wiser than the Prince. He knew he wasn't the only one to think so by the furrowing of eyebrows surrounding the dinner table.
"Queen Victoria recognizes that Bengal enjoys political autonomy, but in actual fact more than half of the political matters are managed by political consultants sent by England." Soma scoffed, "In reality we are just like any British-ruled colony...3 months ago THAT fellow went to pay a visit to a political consultant. THAT person showed interest in my Meena after seeing her in the Caste..."
Kurt winced as Soma stabbed his mackerel rather viciously, like a spoiled child who didn't get the toy he wanted.
"HE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF MY ABSENCE WHILE I WAS OUTSIDE THE CASTE ON AN OBSERVATION!" Soma growled, "THEN HE SHIPPED MEENA OFF TO ENGLAND!"
Felix thought it might be a good idea to try and calm down the Prince. There were enough dishes broken without another idiotic person around.
"So in other words...he brought the woman back to England and you're here to bring her back with you?" Felix calmly tried to summarize the Prince's long drawl on his missing maid.
Soma huffed and took a bite of his fish, finally seeming to calm a bit, though Felix kept his guards up in case he'd have to dive and catch a few expensive tea cups.
"Correct, I'm definitely bringing her back to the country with me." The Prince nodded.
Lau looked curiously about the table before his eyebrows furrowed.
"Why Earl, it seems we are short three guests..."
Ciel blinked before realizing that Lau was right. Where were the Pendragons? Felix smiled calmly.
"They are currently on an outing and had informed both Sebastian and I that they will miss dinner and return shortly after nine this evening. Forgive me for not informing you Master Ciel." The publisher stated.
Soma growled angrily that the conversation had drifted from his missing maid, "We must finish discussing the fate of my Meena!"
Ciel scoffed, "But you are just kicking a big fuss over a female servant."
"THIS IS NOT JUST A MINOR MATTER! THE CASTLE IS LIKE AN EMPTY BOX WITHOUT MEENA AROUND!" Soma yelled and Agni flinched as his Prince rose angrily from his chair and strolled towards Ciel, "DO YOU KNOW THE DESPAIR I FELT WHEN I WAS FORCED TO SEPARATE FROM MEENA?"
He grabbed Ciel's arm and shoulder roughly. Felix inched forward as did everyone else minus Lau.
"I NEVER FELT SO-!" Soma started only for Ciel to cut him off with that dead voice.
Ciel's voice sounded hollow and ancient, yet at the same time Felix felt an underlying sense of childish sadness and annoyance.
"I dont."
The air froze and became thick by those words.
"Wha?" Soma looked confused.
Kurt looked up with slightly understanding eyes. They were a sad emerald green that reminded one of a dreary rain forest.
"The meager feelings that arise from that degree of matter, I cannot and do not wish to comprehend them." Ciel continued, "There are some things you can never have back no matter how much effort you put in. Just as there are some feelings of despair you can never shake off. You're probably unable to comprehend that."
Soma's fists clenched, as did Kurt's. It was quite obvious that if someone besides the Prince or Ciel said anything...the very air itself could explode. Ciel put his hand on the door, the Prince refused to let the Earl have the last word.
"But...even if that's the case..." Soma almost pouted, "I still do not wish to stay alone in that castle of mine..."
Ciel left almost silently, Felix had to focus to hear the retreating footsteps and the close of the door. Kurt was shaking slightly.
Was he okay? Felix wasn't too sure as he stepped towards his charge with worried golden eyes.
Kurt flew up into a standing position, his eyes narrowed at the Prince. His green eyes darker than Sebastian's aura. Those eyes darted towards a fork on the table and before Felix could reach him, Kurt aimed to throw it at a surprisingly fast speed.
The table cloth ruffled.
"Master Bell...it seems you had misplaced your neckerchief..."
A red bandanna was calmly pressed into Kurt's palm as the fork-turned-weapon was unfurled from the small boy's clenched hand. Sebastian calmly put the utensil back in it's rightful place on the table. Felix let out the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding, while Soma just stood with wide eyes. Agni relaxed his position, having been posed to defend the Prince.
This is the second time I've had to stop a human child from harming an oblivious idiot..., Sebastian thought tiredly.
"Kurt...come on, I'll heat you up some hot chocolate." Felix murmured as he turned his charge towards the door.
"He's a bloody fool. He's ignorant and too bloody stupid to be acknowledged as anything more than a spoiled brat." Kurt muttered spitefully.
"...a wise man would laugh." Felix smiled as Kurt snorted and the boy's shoulder's relaxed.
Felix stopped by Sebastian for a mere second.
"...thank you." He barely stated before leading his charge from the dining hall, trying not to shout profanities as the demon butler smiled a Cheshire grin.
As soon as Felix closed the door Kurt looked up with mischievous eyes.
"So...does Sebastian get brownie points?"
"Oh would you look at that! It seems there was a writing essay I forgot to assign!" Felix pulled out his pocket book and scribbled the new assignment into his schedule.
Kurt smirked impishly, "I don't care."
Felix clicked his book shut and pointed his pen accusingly at his charge.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?" Kurt blinked innocently.
"You know...that smirk."
"Oh you mean this?" Kurt made the same smirk but this time pressed a finger to his chin and tilted his head, "Or this?"
Kurt bowed at the waist with a hand over his chest.
"Yesh my lord." He tried to lower his voice, "Ha. I sound like a pirate."
Felix walked slowly up to his charge.
"Arrgh me lord! Shiver in ye timbers for I be a demon butler! Grah!"
Kurt yelped in surprise as he was thrown over Felix's shoulder like a child. He paled as the red-head's shoes clicked as they walked towards the kitchen.
"F-Felix! I was just joking! Don't do it! Come on don't make me!"
Felix sighed and clicked his tongue as he pushed open the door and walked over to the counter. Kurt saw the color orange and started to struggle.
"Ah, but what kind of guardian would I be if I didn't make my charge eat his carrots?" Felix asked.
Kurt saw the orange little pointed devil veggies on the counter top. Five to be exact. No...no...NO!
"ANYTHING BUT CARROTS! A-ANYTHING!"
"You leave me no choice Kurt..."
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Sebastian blinked up from his current accounting after hearing a slight wail in the distance.
Oh well, Felix was probably taking care of it already. No doubt one of those idiots had knocked something over again.
Thinking of Felix...
The pen stopped on the number he was currently calculating as his thoughts drifted back to the young human that had caught his interest...no...not HUMAN. But something a kin to that. There was no doubt in Sebastian's mind that there was something more to the publisher than met the eye.
Everyday he grew more and more restless and less patient. Sebastian was a curious demon, if the fact that he was playing the part of a butler were anything to go by.
No. He wanted to know the truth as soon as possible...
Sebastian desperately wanted to know what made the other man so desperately appealing to him. Perhaps it was the puzzle and challenge of destroying one man so controlled.
Yes...it was his unwillingness to be corrupted that made him so tantalizing. Sebastian wanted to see Felix shed tears in his presence, see fury, fear and a bit of attraction in his bizarre golden irises, and watch the young man fall apart beneath his claws.
No, he didn't need to see love in those eyes. He was a demon after all. Such things like love were beyond him, that feeling of love that only lasted one lifetime is easily broken. Attraction is something that lingers, something you can't get rid of nor deny. That's what Sebastian wanted from Felix.
And by hell he would receive.
"Demon of Phantomhive..."
His head snapped up to the three returning women of the Pendragon coven. H and S were holding some clothing boxes while L seemed to be enjoying the accompaniment of a new sword. How unnerving for a witch to have a sword.
"I see you're awake now." S gave a soft smile.
"My apologies, my mind has been occupied by many things as of late." Sebastian took off his glasses and tried to make himself presentable.
"Sebastian, we've come to tell you that we will be leaving tomorrow. My sisters and I are sure that Felix has very good reason to stay, and that he will realize it soon enough." H smiled warmly.
It occurred to Sebastian that the indian woman and Agni would make a good match.
"Don't get so excited yet demon." L spat, her long black hair falling wildly about her, "We aren't going far, in fact, I'm sure we'll still be seeing each other quite the bit. We have a london house just as the Phantomhives, only about ten miles away actually; really interesting."
"I plan to visit as much as possible!" H smiled happily, "As long as my work allows it."
"I myself shall be coming here twice a month to collect Felix's...other work." Sol stated, "Otherwise I assure you I won't be a bother."
"I'll pop in to see how brother is treated and how this manor is kept. In a house with only one woman no doubt my expert eye will be of help to you." L scoffed.
"I'll be sure to thank you when the time comes Lady L Pendragon." Sebastian forced a smile.
L paused for a moment before shaking her head, "No. Lumina Pendragon, or Luna for short."
"Sol Pendragon." The oldest sister stated.
"And I am Hespera. You can see our names are a bit foretelling of our personalities, seeing that Luna is two-faced like the moon, Sol being bright as the sun is, and me being the medium as is the evening star." Hespera gloated slightly.
Luna sighed and pressed two fingers to her temple, "Dear now I have quite the headache, let us hope Felix isn't as much of an idiot as he's trying to be."
"Yes, I'd like to see my fiancee as well since we are in London." Sol added, "It would be quite troublesome if I had to wait longer."
"You two, come on let's get to bed. I'm exhausted from all that shopping." Hespera yawned and the other sisters moved out the door.
As soon as they were out of sight Sebastian watched as the strongest of the three turned to him. Her eyes glinted silver for a second and before Sebastian knew it he felt something cold and unfamiliar crushing against his skull. He growled angrily and thrashed as she moved forward.
"This is a gift Sebastian. I am simply giving you a taste of what you've long lost..." Hespera murmured.
Something warm washed through him and clenched at his chest like a stake to the heart. A fire burned through his skin and he felt an uncontrollable sense of fury. His head pinched and he felt upset for the witch having these powers while he did not. He clenched his eyes tightly and he felt like he couldn't breathe as a slowly boiling pain echoed through his body and made him feel empty. Irritation echoed in his mind. Then out of nowhere he felt completely alone in the world. After that he felt like the luckiest being in the entire universe. The next sensations came easier and familiar, he felt a power rise in his chest and thought of himself boastfully, he wanted something to devour, he wanted Felix in his hands, then extreme exhaustion and slight laziness. He felt blood rush through his skin and he became overwhelmed with this feeling of disappointment and embarrassment. He felt that yearning of wanting to know more. These feelings...these...emotions.
"Stop this..." Sebastian grunted.
Sebastian ground his teeth together as he felt a terrible emotion run through him. He didn't recognize it. The lightheadedness, the air seemed thinner and his heart thudded, his body unwillingly relaxed and suddenly everything was right with the world. As long as this feeling was there nothing could keep him from having the world. Yet as he thought of taking the world, Sebastian felt like giving it away.
Then it stopped all at once. The exhaustion crept into his mind as Hespera's almost ghost like abilities disappeared from inside him. Yet he felt heavier than usual...he felt fury come in and he tried desperately to stop it. He stood up.
"It took me 500 human lifetimes to lock those idiotic emotions away and you ruin them in a mere matter of minutes..." He breathed.
"This is a gift Sebastian, don't waste it."
"This is a CURSE." Sebastian growled.
Hespera didn't make any retorts, "You could easily kill me, just as I could just as easily summon a demon of higher level to combat against you. Like you I do not tell lies. Your ancient emotions will disappear in a few months...unless you grow attached to them of course."
"I shouldn't get attached to them." He stated and felt angry.
"No you should not. However, there is always the possibility..." Hespera smiled, "Good night Sebastian, and try to enjoy the short time you have with your 'curse' as you so put it."
The door clicked shut and Sebastian couldn't help but feel...just feel.
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"Sister...I know what you did."
Hespera jumped slightly as Sol appeared out of thin air. She looked a bit scoldingly at the biggest-yet youngest- of the three.
"...I won't apologize for it."
"Do you know the consequences of giving a powerful immortal emotions?" Sol asked, "If he's angry he could accidentally kill someone. He is a high level demonic entity that you and I both know could only be summoned by an extremely persistent occult with plenty of sacrifices and insanity...I've studied demons in the past. We all have because our parents made us."
"I know what you're going to say, and I already know."
"Demons like Sebastian...ones who don't really possess people, but play with them. Ones that have thoughts, feelings, taste, more physical abilities like having an animal form...one of the rarest being a human form." Sol stated, "Those that witch's refer to as the untamable kind."
"...he's still capable of loving someone. I-I think that he could be good for Felix. He could make brother see himself for what he really is. Then maybe-"
"Hespera. Demons live for pain and suffering. What you just did will force him to go against his own nature. His heart will command his mind for once."
"Is that a bad thing in the end?" Hespera asked.
"Yes...if Felix realizes his affections for Sebastian, receives those affections back, then months later has his heart broken..." Sol frowned.
"No...that shouldn't happen. If Sebastian holds onto his emotions he should be able to-"
"Then let's hope for the best."
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"I bet Ciel doesn't have to eat vegetables when he acts out!" Kurt growled as he shoved the last carrot into his mouth.
Felix smiled, "Who knows what Sebastian does to discipline the young earl? Besides, you two are very different anyway."
"Well I'm done! Now can we go to bed?" Kurt huffed.
Felix chuckled and led his charge from the kitchen.
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Ciel darted his eyes around the kitchen before moving to the ice box. He opened it up with the prospects of finding some leftover dessert.
He saw a bowl with a frozen orange substance and he smiled. Orange sorbet?
Pulling out his special spoon, one specifically for such childish occasions, he scooped up a decent amount and put it into his mouth, expecting sweet fruity juices to swipe over his taste buds
He turned a little white before spitting the contents out into the nearest trash can. Blegh! He caught Bard as he walked out of the icebox and pointed to the bowl.
"Young master, what are you doin in-"
"Baldroy, that orange soup is to be disposed of this instant." Ciel spat and wiped his mouth as he stomped off towards Soma with his playing cards.
"Stupid carrots..." He grumbled.
A/N: Okay, I'll give you three guesses on Sol's fiancee. Here's some hints...One: his hair is white.
Two: Has never met Kurt or Felix.
Three: Has a very important job that includes the Queen.
Four: He's a big eater with a fast metabolism. (that I am jealous of)
And no I don't hate carrots! Unless it's in anything other than cake. Gleh. :b