Chapter 4-One Hell of a Brother

"So last but certainly not least on our stop is the cafeteria!"

The young girl raced towards the tables and began going off in a lengthy, high pitch rant. Even when talking about something so trivial as table clothes Ivy's eyes were gleaming with light. There was something about the girl that just made people smile and when around her they felt right at home. It was one of the main reasons why she was elected president of the welcoming comity even though she happened to be the youngest member.

Though for most her age wasn't a concern for joy radiated out of her every pore, and you had just to smile when she was with you. Her light shined upon everyone and everything, and she had never come across a person who didn't immediately brighten when they saw her.

However, it seemed that she might meet her match in Ciel Michaelis.

He hadn't even smiled once during her entire tour. She began to wonder if something was wrong with club procedures. They had always worked before, but then again she had never met anyone so glum and melancholy before. The boy seemed lost in the darkness that radiated from his soul, and since he had no guide to speak of, so he was forced to wander through the shadows all alone.

For a moment, her spirits began to dwindle, and she feared that the day would end with the new student's continuing frown. But she wasn't one to give up, and her faith soon returned with a merry vengence. After all, the tour wasn't over just yet and there were still a few faculty members to introduce him too. Perhaps one of them could cause a smile.

"Does anyone know what time it is?" she asked.

"Miss Ivy, I do believe it's around eleven thirty."
"Perfect! Come on Ciel! I need to introduce you someone!"

"Another someone you mean?"

She giggled.

"Whatever you'd like to call it just come on!"

She grabbed Ciel by the hand and dragged him behind her as she glided over to the kitchen doors. Without even bothering with a single knock she and the boy entered with the comity following close behind.

"Ronald! Ronald are you here?" she asked.

Near the back of the room there stood a tall, rough, and tumble man who instantly recognize the girl's voice. She and her friend often visited him when a new student had arrived. Though he wasn't expecting one today the sight of a fresh face was a welcomed one. He smiled.

"Well hey there Ivy. Who've ya got this time?"

"His name Ciel Michealis. He just arrived today. Ciel, this is the cafeteria chef. His name is Ronald McClellan."

Ciel exaimned the man with a condescending eye. He certainly looked like a common worker. His clothing was stained with various materials, oil and grease being a few, and his dark brown hair was dishevled and knotted. He had a strong, wide jaw and a muscular build, well suited for the grueling labor he performed. Standing nearly seven feet tall he seemed to be an intimidating man, but his kind green eyes put the frightened as ease. He was a gentle giant, and grinned widly as he introduced himself.

"Well hey there Sport. It's nice to meet ya."

The man extended his hand for boy to shake, but Ciel brushed it away.

"Yes I suppose it is," he said.

Ronald quickly grew angered as his shock at Ciel's gesture began to overtake him. He had never known a boy to disrespect someone so close to their meeting. Now he was aware that the morals of the world had been disappearing over the years, but that was no excuse for such behavior. A vien began to rise in his neck, and a dark red color shadowed his face. He wasn't an even tempered fellow, and was known for boughts of fury. However, it was merely a child, and he did have some tact...

"Ya know Ivy I don't mind ya stoppin' by, but this one might be a problem."

...Thought little may it be.

"I'm sorry!" she gasped,"It won't happen again. Ciel apologize!"

The world seemed to shatter around him.

Apologize? To a common cook? He could hardly fathom the thought. He, a Phantomhive, a noble, an earl, believed himself far above that of a cafeteria worker. As such the boy had difficulty processing the request. Thus, he refused to comply.

"Why should I?" he asked,"I don't see why he's making such a big deal about everything. I refuse to shake his hand, not bite my thumb at the man. I do not believe an apology is nessesary."

Ivy was shocked.

"B-But you must! You were rude to him and you have to make amends!"

"Again, I ask why."

Sebastian sighed. In less than a day his Master had managed to find himself in trouble yet again. He began to wonder whether sending him to school was a favorable idea. Surely this wouldn't be the last time he would have to rescuse Ciel from his own nature.

But again his mind drifted to thought of solitude and sweet, refreshing isolation from his bothersome Master. Surely, getting him out of this small predictament would be a breeze for the demon. After all...

He was one hell of a butler...

"Good sir, you misunderstood my dear brother,'' he said.

"No offense, but I understood him just fine. The manners on this one ain't too polished are they?"

" , please allow me to explain. Germaphobia runs in the Michealis family. It is the reason why both my dear little brother and I wear these gloves. Ciel holds nothing against your person, good sir, he merely does not wish to get any bacteria on his person."

"You trying to say I'm dirty?"

"And now it is me that you are misunderstanding. You work in a rather hard profession and surely you must sweat or come into contact with less than desirable food products."

The man sighed.

"Eh, I guess so. Sorry I took it the wrong way Sport."

"Dear Brother, why don't you accept the man apologies?"

"I suppose I should. Thank you, ."

"There we go. You ain't such bad kid when it comes right down to it."

Ivy's heart sunk. Even after they had made amends and even after getting a compliment, Ciel continued to frown. She just couldn't imagine how someone could go so long with smiling, and couldn't even recall if she had ever heard of such a thing.

'There has to be something that can make him smile,' she thought.

The way she reasoned things everyone has to have something in life that can make them happy. The niave girl couldn't fathom how a person could live their life without happiness. It was a strange and foriegn idea for her, and call her a xenophobe you may, but she didn't like the idea. She hated it in fact, and her friends could see the change in her mood.

"Ivy is something wrong?" asked Miss Cromwell.

Suddenly, the girl was shaken from her thoughts and the smile returned to her face. She couldn't allow herself to get so down in the dumps about things. If she had then her dear friends would feel sad as well, and she couldn't let that happen.

"Just peachy keen!" She replied,"Ronald could you serve us lunch now? We'll just take it to the clubroom and eat there while we explain the school rules to Ciel. Would you mind?"

"I don't see any problem with that. What would you like?"

"Meatloaf!"

"Salad!"

"Burritos!"

"Sandwhiches!"

"Apples!"

Ronald laughed at the differing answers. He could always count on the comity for a good, hardy laugh, always finding amusement in the way such a varying group could find friendship in one another.

His attention turned to Ciel.

Now there was a boy who could use a friend. There was something about him that put Ronald out of ease. He was dark and cold, like a moonless night that hid some kind of evil in its shadows. Now, the man had seen many children come through his kitchen, some gothic, some depressing, even suicidal, but never before had he felt such a black aura radiate from a young boy. He was frightening...almost...demonic...

Even so, Ronald couldn't help but feel a strange attraction to the boy. Something about him was alluring, and the darkness of the boy seemed secondary to the magnetism. Ciel struck a chord within him, something familar yet something he hadn't experience before. He wanted to protect the child, protect him from the overwhelming darkness that seemed to be consuming him.

"Ronald?"

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Miss Cromwell shaking him softly.

"Ronald? Hello? Can you hear me?"

"Wh-What? Oh, Miss Cromwell. Sorry 'bout that. I must've zoned out for a second."

"It's Violetta, and that's fine. The kids decided on meatloaf. Do you think you could serve us up a batch?"

"Will do Ma'am!"

Violetta smiled as she watched the children eagarly await their meal, but her attention was divided between them and the man known as Sebastian.

"You're quite quick on your feet," she whispered.

"Why whatever do you mean Miss Cromwell?"

She smiled.

"I'm talking about that little excuse you were able to come up with. I must say, I'm rather impressed with your speed. You didn't miss a step while coming up with that lie."

"What causes you to believe I was lying?"

"Well for starters Ciel seemed to have no problem while Ivy was dragging him about the halls, yet when Ronald offered his hand he cast it away like yesterday's rubbish. Would you care to explain?"

Sebastian smirked. In all honesty, as little as a demon can posess, he hadn't expected someone to catch onto his lies with such haste. Perhaps he was losing his touch and wasn't adapting so well to the new enviornment. Ciel would be most displeased if he discovered so much as a single flaw in his servant's abilities, and since he was already bothersome when satisifed, Sebastian couldn't allow his error to be discovered. If it was, consequences would not be to his liking.

"Such a pity, it seems you've caught onto my decietful nature. If you would be so kind, I'd appreciate if this stayed a secret between you and I. Ciel has never had a talent for first impressions, and I've often had to save from himself. I do so hope you will comply with my request."

"Well I suppose I could, if it's for the boy's sake. You certainly are a fine sibling, Mr. Michealis."

"Well,'' he said,"I do like to think of myself as...one hell of a brother."