More Old Faces

Moving on.

xxx

"THRUST!" A young man bellowed. Five rows filed with ten men, hands to sword sheaths, thrust their rapiers with a loud HA! "THRUST!" The young man's keen emerald eyes narrowed to the last row. Another powerful thrust echoed by loud grunts. "PARRY! GUARD!" Spiked silver locks combed over toward one side jerked in his sharp movements. Swords diagonally flicked, warding imminent attacks, and then instantly after erected straight up, guarding against potential blows. "NOW! THRUST, PARRY, GUARD, THRUST!" Echoing the chocolate skinned commander's orders, the entire platoon of disciplined swordsmen grunted vociferously, executing the motions swiftly and with an intent to kill. "AND...SHEATH!" The commanding officer ran his green serpent embroidered rapier to the white serpent, black sheath. "Excellent! Take a breath, go shower, and enjoy your day off! You've all earned it! DISMISSED!"

Heels clacked and hands snapped to a salute. "WEE, CAPITAINE!" The platoon dispersed. Ornate coats were disrobed, used to remove the seat soaking their brows. The commanding officer followed their lead and dropped his officer's coat from his black sleeveless undershirt. The fresh air felt magical on his sweaty arms. He dropped to a bench, dunking his hands into a bowl of water. Splashing the water to his face, he bat his green eyes to clear the grim, and spotted obscure reflections in the rippling water.

"Hard at work as usual, Lieutenant Myers." Phoebus chuckled.

"COMMANDER!" Myers snapped to attention, saluting phoebus. "Sir! I wasn't aware you'd be joining us!" He nervously darted around to the scatter troops leaving the training field. "I can reassemble the troops and-"

"Francois! Please! Calm down!" Phoebus raised his hands, laughing loudly. Strict and fearless on the field. A mouse when in the presence of his commander. Always eager to please the superiors. "Drills have to a close at their proper time, AND," He bent forward, pressing a finger to Myers' brow, "We promised them today and tomorrow off." Myers' cheeks flushed. He glanced to the ground, mentally cursing himself for being so frazzled. An unfamiliar pair of boots crunched the grass. He trailed his sights up, brow furrowing tighter as the exposed legs, ridiculously short skirt, led to shamelessly dressed Alliahnna smiling at him.

"And who might this...uniquely dressed guest be?" Unique scrunched Myers' nose.

"COMMANDER?" A voice bellowed exuberantly. Myers, Phoebus, and Alliahnna twisted. A middle aged man and his two younger friends beaming elatedly rooted with their equipment steadily lowering to the ground. "Commander Phantomhive?! Is that you?!"

"Commander Phantomhive?" Myers whispered familiarly.

"OLIVER! Maximillian! RAY!" Alliahnna ran for them, arms wide open..

"WE DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Oliver dropped his things and lifted her in a bear hug. Hearty laughter warmed Phoebus. Myers was beyond words he was turned off by this...reunion. Alliahnna jumped between Oliver and the other two, receiving hugs and loving ruffles of the hair as they boisterously recounted the lost time.

"Commander Phantomhive!" Myers finally recognized the name. Sour flames lit in his stomach. "ALLIAHNNA...PHANTOMHIVE?! Lord Schneizel's adopted daughter who used his name in place of hers to run his task forces?!"

"What other name would she use?" Phoebus quizzed. Myers' tone was expected. Many who learned from last year's trial of Alliahnna's family name were outraged. Even in Paris the Phantomhive's have a down the middle fan base.

Myers lowered his voice, huddling close so the growing crowd around Alliahnna would caught wind. "Commander, her family is known as Queen Victoria's Guard Dogs! Operators of the Criminal Underworld who utilize means beyond the norm of depravity to execute England's most heinous!" Phoebus doesn't need to be told that. He's aware of the lengths the Phantomhive's have gone to. "THIS GIRL has a rap sheet and a list of complaints longer than Lord Schneizel's estate in regards to her abuse of power!"

"You forget, Myers, I helped raise this girl and I was present for a lot of the baseless verbal hazings SHE'S received." Again, Phoebus remained calm in the face of the prejudicially opinionated allegations. He stressed she and earned a disgruntled growl. Myers diverted his attention to the ground. "I also indoctrinated and vetter her myself when she was inaugurated as Schneizel's commander. I was also the one who brought many of the allegations you listed to her attention and ensured she was charged." Phoebus and the guard are subjected to the same laws as the civilians they protect. None of them escape justice. Least of all his superiors.

"Then why bring her back?!" Myers would no longer keep his voice down. A mistake. Alliahnna heard him. "Any association with this girl will tarnish the honor of the guard! Paris hasn't forgotten the crimes she's connected to!"

"Neither have I." Myers jumped out of his skin. Alliahnna, joined by her rekindled entourage, inserted herself. The grim glares by the men unnerved Myers. "Roland, Roland's Wife, the incident at the Bastille, Mooska, Sumano, and many, many more. Neither I nor Paris have forgotten the blood I've painted to these streets." Alliahnna approached him. A rather short man as she locked her hard stare to his wavering orbs. "Just as we will never forget the lengths I've traversed to protect it."

"Protect?!" Myers scoffed. "Give a woman a sword and suddenly she's a knight!" Alliahnna rolled her eyes. There it is. "Regardless of your years of valiant service, someone with such a questionable history shouldn't be associating with us during the peak of hour drop in crime."

"A drop only possible because of her work, and the commander's!" Maximilian smacked a hand on Alliahnna and Phoebus' shoulder. The gleam of his shoulder length golden blond hair and full beard paling to his disdainfully burning hazel orbs. "You, Greenhorn, haven't been here long enough to make a difference in traffic!" Oliver and Ray snorted, curling as they laughed. Myers lit up like a thermometer, shaking infuriatingly. Phoebus just waited.

"Enough!" Alliahnna barked. The laughter and berating words stopped on a dime. She hates chauvinists, but she hates officers berating fellow officers more. "Seven months Myers has been your Lieutenant, and in those seven months has brought down drug rings, stopped animal cruelty in clinics, and exposed ten corrupt politicians!" Myers was stunned she came to bat for him. He cast an inquisitive glance to Phoebus, wanting follow up on her knowledge of his cases. Alliahnna bore a harsh glare, "And it hasn't gotten past me that you three skated on a drunk and disorderly at Leon Square Park in mid july!" The vocal trio moaned guiltily, scratching their head and necks. The sensation of feeling naked in their own clothing.

Myers wore a proud smirk. Not grateful for the save by Alliahnna. But because he was out of the hot seat and got to watch three big burly men be reprimanded by a little girl with a pretty face. "Don't look so smug, Francois." Phoebus interrupted his victory. He gestured to Alliahnna whilst she laid into the three boisterous men. "The young lady here is the one who nominated you to be my second." Myers gaped shocked. A foot found its way into his mouth. "I would recommend showing a little respect. Especially since she will be aiding us."

"What?!"

"WHAT?!" The trio perked up from their reprimand. The day held room for good news after all.

"Don't get to excited!" Alliahnna stopped the cheers. "I am a private contractor under Phoebus. Orders come from him and your lieutenant! Do not let our history replace that!" She earned understanding nods.

"You're all familiar with the vandals case striking Paris, correct?" Phoebus announced.

"Wee, Commander!" Rays stepped forward. His darkly tanned skin glistening in sweat. The neat combing to his mustache ruined. "Ze ne'er do wells leaving trace of zare presence as zey cover Parie in zis fecal funk!" So disgusting it made him spit and stomp on it.

"Well Alliahnna has identified a pattern we can run on." Phoebus let her have the spotlight.

"Our group of vandals may be targeting foster homes famous in our area. Some of which were part of a fraud case involving compensation for the families." The trio bobbed the head collectively. They recall the case well. Oliver is a foster parent himself. This case strikes home for him. "We need to confirm the remaining four are foster homes and see their back logs of the kids who have come in and out."

"Oliver," Phoebus caused the man to snap to attention, "You will visit the Heralds on Louis Vuitton." He handed him the case file. "Rays, I want you to visit the Kruschev's in the village." Rays saluted, accepting the charge. "And Maximilian, I need you on the Monroe's Living at the Eiffel Inn on Kerwin." Another happily accepted assignment. "Myers, Alliahnna, and myself will visit the Calista Estate. Report back here when you are finished."

"YES SIR!" The three gathered their dropped equipment and were off before anyone had a chance to stop them.

"The Calista Estate..." Alliahnna murmured. A nostalgic family. "Can't believe anyone would go after them."

"Apparently your time away clouded your memory FORMER Commander." Myers enjoyed saying that a little too much. "The - ahem - mother of that estate was-"

"The beneficiary of the fraud case in question. No, I haven't forgotten." Alliahnna smiled smugly. "I also haven't forgotten the Hell the father endured the last two years trying to at least erase every trace of mom from that estate."

"Once a blood stain sets, you can't remove it!" Myers snapped.

"No. But you can pour enough elbow grease to make it fade!" Alliahnna replied more curtly, moving in close so Myers will see her appeasing his haughty persona was also fading. "And that's what we are! What YOU signed on to be!" Myers grunted at her finger jabbing his chest. He rubbed it with humiliation. "Phoebus, on your orders, when shall we depart?"

"Now would be preferred." Phoebus cleared his throat.

"Then I'll follow you."

Phoebus nodded graciously. "Myers. Get a coach ready. We depart in 15."

"Yes sir!" Myers grudgingly agreed, expediently storming away while muttering curses under his breath.

"Making friends as always, Allie." Phoebus sarcastically remarked.

"What can I say?" Alliahnna nudged against, strutting her skirt side to side to acquire and gun and sword. "I have that charm!" She flipped her hair flauntingly.

"A snake's charm!" Phoebus called back, turning on his heels snorting.

xxx

Ciel lied limply in a crudely woven hammock. Draped arm obscuring his melancholic expression from the passing noon sky. Hammock swaying leisurely left to right to the rhythm of the bobbing ship. The young Earl's mind was racked by guilt, anger, sadness, and twinge of loathing. The ocean and winds conspiring to prolong his agony. A majority of the time since he boarded he spent pacing from bow to stern, stumbling in the holds, and even cursing the Captain and his crew for not being able to make the ship sail faster. Under the insistence of Sebastian - and the idle concern he would not be of sound mind when they reach Paris - Ciel was placed in a hammock with a port side view of the passing ocean.

Half the day passed as the morning - transitioning unto noon - Autumn sunshine massaged Ciel to a rocky state of ease. Able to close his eyes, listen to the fizzy hisses of the salty water, Ciel let the rapture drift him to sleep. Another half and the ship will be in the Parisian harbor. A few meager steps from the gang plank, and he is one step closer to finding Alliahnna.

Knots in his stomach ruined the bliss, jolting Ciel awake. He let his arm drop. The bright sky blinded him momentarily. Thoughts of Alliahnna encased his spine in ice. The pile of ill timed and unfortunate circumstances leading to this situation stacked higher and higher. The arguing and yelling. Resentments of the past building their way to the present, and reducing Ciel to striking his own sister. Sebastian and Alliahnna severing their relationship in its prime. The retreat to Paris where Alliahnna's nightmares began. The pressure on his head dropped to his shoulders. Everything hurt. He was hurting. Not because Alliahnna ran away from him. But because he let this build to an exploding point...yet again.

"Clean hands…" Ciel muttered.

Sebastian was on his elbows admiring the sea. He twisted from the passing sea, unnerved by Ciel's dismay. "My Lord?"

"Alliahnna...for as long as I can remember…" He placed a hand to cover the shame on his face, "Strived to keep my hands clean. No spilling blood, dealing blows, or contributing to the harm of others. It was always her who threw the first punch, and chased the bullies away." Sebastian leaned his back to the side, resting his elbows to the sanded wood. Intrigue in Ciel's woeful tale pressed him to continue. When Sebastian thinks about it, he rarely hears much in regards to Ciel and Alliahnna's past. Ciel laughed lightly. "There were these children of the Spear Family. Eustace and Muriel. Their cousins - Alexander, Lyra, and Miles were visiting. And those kids HATED me and Alliahnna. Especially me."

"What on earth for?" Sebastian will not deny a similar discontent for Ciel. But he doesn't hate the boy. He is an acquired taste.

"Our ties to the Queen lessened their ties with the Archduke. As the Queen's Guard Dogs our entire family was privy to means and immunity."

Sebastian nodded comprehensively. "The same is not said for the Archduke."

"And because of that, those kids developed a resentment for our parents, and took it out on me."

"Because, as the son, you would be the next to be matriculated as the Queen's Guard Dog." Sebastian added the pieces together. What many people made the mistake of assuming was Rachael wasn't more than a decoration on Vincent's arm. Rachael Phantomhive was a femme fatale like Alliahnna. Possibly better. Top of her field. Batting her eyes, wearing little to nothing, administering death's kiss to the weak kneed meat surrounding her. While all eyes watch Vincent, enemies plotting to stab him in the back or shoot him in center brow, Rachael maneuvered in the shadows and eliminated them all.

"Alliahnna and I were...nine years old. The five lured me to their basement during a party their parents hosted. Claiming to wanting to play a game." Ciel swallowed a massive lump. Unadulterated fear crept upon him as he regressed to the stifling darkness surrounded by sinister children. "The game was...pinata. Named after a popular party favor in Southern Europe. The object is to strike the object with any blunt object until the candy falls to the ground." Sebastian's expression confirmed to Ciel that he may skip the gory details. "My consciousness was slipping. Blood spilling from my nose. Everything numb, burning, and swelling. My head pounding like a drum. The next blow seconds away from connecting. Then I hear Alliahnna warning them to stop." Sebastian incidentally released a held breath. "Naturally she was laughed at. None of them are aware of what she's capable of."

"Capable women like Alliahnna are often underestimated." Sebastian chortled at the common mistake. The number of stories he could wow Ciel with. "I can assume she subdued them swiftly."

"Miles broke her nose, but she left them all on the floor, beaten with their own sticks." Ciel managed a laugh. These kids, three years older, crying on their knees for their moms and dads. It went without saying, Ciel and Alliahnna got a slap on the wrist while the Spear Family faced criminal charges. "They were moaning on the floor, licking their wounds that were minor to mine. I picked up one of the sticks that cracked when Alexander hit me on the back. He was to be the first I bury that stick in."

"Lady Alliahnna stopped you."

"She ripped the stick from my grasp and said, 'One of us needs the clean hands.' And she showed my her bloodied fists."

"She worked to ensure you'd never have to be dragged to your most primal of instincts." Sebastian responded. He couldn't quite grasp it. The depth of Alliahnna's honor, and dedication to protecting her brother. She'll make a fine demon butler one day. "She prevented such an outcome at the Trancy Manor. In spite of what Alois has done." For reasons beyond her sense of honor.

"It doesn't make sense though!" Ciel smashed his palms to his eyes. Alois is the hand that ripped his mother and father from him. In doing so, Alliahnna retreated to Paris to escape Ciel. The boy is damaged, certifiably insane, and a sociopath on every level. Years of searching, venturing to the darkest depths of England's Criminal Underworld, traversing to lengths most would lose their stomach considering to travel - amounted to nothing when Alliahnna intervened. What boggled Ciel and Sebastian more was she was desperate enough to call for Claude. "Why would she stop me NOW? She watched as I shot that man! Why not Alois?"

Sebastian surreptitiously diverted his glance to the side. "Her motives are a mystery to me as well, Master." He faced the ocean, allowing himself to recover from the blatant lie. He scoffed at himself. A promise to never lie. How revolting. In all honesty, Sebastian is as baffled by her change of heart as Ciel. "Perhaps a greater light will provided once we find her."

xxx

"Thank you so much, Monsieur Calista!" Phoebus shook hands with the ebony haired Noble. "I apologize that we bothered you and you beautiful family." He lovingly ruffled the hair of the brown haired infant in his arms.

"Not at all, Commander." Richard Calista chuckled. He stroked loose strands of long locks behind his ear. "To be honest, I have missed your presence. It's been a rough couple of years." Rowdy children chased a woman in the background, coveting the candy she was keeping from them in a bowl. Kids of different ethnicities trying to ambush the poor blond woman for a bowl of chocolates. "My wife, Amber, and I appreciate you coming by!"

"HELP ME!" Alliahnna tripped exhausted on the threshold, falling to a faceplant on the welcome mat. Twin red haired boys piled on her back. Wiggling wildly and laughing as they screamed for another horse ride. The twin near her hair snapped her hair like horse reins. Myers snorted under his breath, rolling his eyes scathingly. "OH! Monsieur Calista, they've gotten so big! And stronger!" Alliahnna strained. She bucked her back. The twins hovered briefly. Alliahnna flipped on her back and caught them, cradling them in her lap. "They definitely take after you!"

"I always thought they took after Amber." Who happily accepted the compliment as she strolled to the door. "They're pigheaded and stubborn like her."

"Hey!" She smacked his stomach.

"Regardless…" Alliahnna had to pour her strength in her legs to stand. "They are lucky to have you both." He rubbed her nose to theirs, giggling in a fit when it tickled them.

"Thank you, Lady Britannia!" Amber flushed bright pink. The past two years - year and a half, technically - the highest regard she has received from strangers is being Richard's new patsy. No more than a whore to help with his tainted house. It pleased her to know someone holds held her in higher esteem.

Alliahnna returned the twins to their mother, showering her jewelry with slobber. Amber just laughed, falling in love with her children ten fold the tighter she hugged them. Alliahnna imagined herself in that same position. Holding her little boy or girl. An obnoxious clearing throat turned Phoebus and Alliahnna to Myers. He tapped his wrist, reminding them of their work. "Ah! Yes! We must be going! Monsieur, Mademoiselle," Phoebus crossed a fist to his right shoulder, bowing at the hip. Alliahnna bent her knees, curtsying the nobles, "By your leave."

"Please, Commander Phoebus. Lady Alliahnna," Amber hugged her sons closer, putting her cheeks between them, "Find the ones who did this. Before they aren't satisfied with simple vandalism."

"We will. We promise." Alliahnna promised with her gentle touch to the infant girl's cheek. She wondered with the deepest rancor how anyone can hassle a loving family.

Phoebus, Myers, and Alliahnna gathered in the coach. Two taps and the coachman snapped the reins, guiding the horses down the smoothed stretch of dirt. Myers and Phoebus mulled over the strike they received so early in the investigation. They remained in idle silence, watching the cared for yard pass by, mentally mulling Amber and Richard's testimony repetitively through their minds. Tempo in their voice remained the same. Hardly any contradictions in their statements. Body language suggests no pretense and or deception. Both were on the same page, recalled unfortunate events from when Melony Calista - the lead conspirator in the fraud - tarnished their family name, leading to when their home was vandalised several nights ago.

The head butler was in the yard inspecting the grounds. Storms the previous night ravaged the yard to the brink of being unrepairable. As he rounded the corner to the stables, he spotted the vandals. Gloves as they dunked the towels in manure. Masks so the smell wouldn't render them unconscious. And plastic covering so they would not be covered in their own mess. Identifying them was made impossible. However, by their voices and height, the head butler was certain they were teeangers. Boys and girls. The head butler chased them away before they retracted their arm. The manor was spared their immature wrath. The kids, thankfully, were unaffected. They were none the wiser due to the servants helping distract them.

Alliahnna reviewed the notes she took during the interview with the Calista family. Thanks to Phoebus's thorough questions, she was able to gain insight. Not case breaking, but enough to forge a raft for them to float on. The head butler confirmed his story with his masters. Because of his steadfast actions he prevented a secondary scandal from filthing a home that is trying to scrub itself clean of the embarrassment. Aside for what Melony Calista had done, neither Richard nor Amber can think of who would still carry such resentment to tarnish their home with fecal covered towels. Melony was a petty woman at her trial. Placing sole blame on her husband, and threatening to end him should he testify against her. The children nearly suffered greatly. Luckily, Melony was to remain in solitary confinement for another 10 years. Her fraud scam caused the harm to several foster children. No jury was going to show her mercy.

Moving on in her notes...NOTHING! "GYAAHH! BUST!" Alliahnna threw her notepad in the air. Phoebus kept his eyes closed, catching it effortlessly in one hand. Myers was impressed by his impassive catch. Alliahnna leaned an elbow to the window sill, folded her legs diagonally to her thighs. "Guess I can't be surprised. Until Oliver and the other come back with their findings. There isn't much for us to go on."

"There wasn't much for us to go on in the first place!" Myers scoffed. Alliahnna's learned to give him a wide berth. He's a 17 year old boy with power. She's doesn't expect much maturity wise. But Phoebus - even with Alliahnna - demands a high standard of discipline and decorum. "The sole reason we ventured here is because the homes are foster homes. THAT'S IT!" A smug smirk stretched his lips, "Did you consider, before initiating this baseless search, that it might have been random! Coincidence in the making."

Alliahnna returned dull eyes to the passing France streets. "Of course I did. Right before I was graced with an introduction with you." Myers blinked taken aback. Phoebus remained silent. Though he disapproves of the tension, he enjoys watching Alliahnna argue with stubborn people. Until she gets out of hand. "While highly unlikely - it is entirely possible these homes were chosen simply by random. Or because they made the papers in the fraud case."

"But we have to consider ulterior motives besides random acts of violence." Phoebus cut his silence short. Myers venomously bit his lip. "The Calista Estate and Lord Schneizel's home aren't easy marks. Both require trekking half a mile of estate."

"Precisely." Alliahnna wafted her uniform coat, gusting fresh air to her face. "I'm sweating just thinking about the work. And the smell…"

"Regardless!" Myers refused to accept. "Vandals in the past have been known to strike high priority targets just to make a name for themselves. Or create dissolution in an area!" Myers directed his heated protest to the uninterested Alliahnna. "The only link between these families is that they are foster homes! The fraud case be damned! We have nothing!" Alliahnna exhaled through her nostrils. Myers, in an obnoxious way, made a valid point. Thus far, they have nothing. By all appearances, they may pile nothing on top of nothing. Their next move depends on Oliver, Maximilian, and Rays.

xxx

"LADY ALLIAHNNA!" A red haired girl darted from Phoebus's office and tackled her to the ground. Phoebus and Myers, along with Oliver, Rays, and Maximilian who waited at the desk, blushed at the two girl on the floor. "I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH, LADY ALLIAHNNA!" She buried her face in Alliahnna's chest.

"HANA!" Alliahnna wrapped her arms around her. "I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!" Alliahnna sat up, cradling the girl on her lap. "Look at you!" Alliahnna played with her newly curled, recently cut red hair. And her cheeks were rosy and full of life. "I wish Bard would have come! He'd be knocked to the stars!"

"How…" Hana blushed at Bardroy's name. "How is Bard?" Alliahnna answered her question by giving her a jeweled turquoise hair brooch. Hana's eyes lit up like the stars. She recognized the brooch as the one Bard said he'd get fixed a year ago. The postponement was due to the original creator moving to...England. "He...he fixed it?!"

"Yep." Alliahnna clipped it near her ear, propping her curled locks slightly. "And he says he looks forward to your next visit." Hana burst with unrelenting joy and plowed her face in Alliahnna's chest again. Tears of joy soaked her uniform. "ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! HANA!" The gentlemen let the girls roll around a little. It was heartwarming.

After five minutes of a tearful reunion, Hana excused herself - and her behavior - and let Phoebus and his team return to work. She made them tea before departing. An apologetic gesture. The tea hit the spot. Especially with the bad news hovering in the room.

"NOTHING?!" Phoebus set his tea aghast to the round table. Alliahnna feared as much. Myers obscured his pleasure in Alliahnna's failure.

"Afraid so, Commander." Oliver regretfully replied. "We investigated the families, asked all the procedural questions and the questions that require follow up."

"Though different accounts, the families claimed the same thing." Maximilian sighed somberly. "A bunch of kids, no one saw who they were, and no connection to the fraud case. They were just minding their own business when that Hell Storm hit their home." That's another thin lead down the drain. The fraud case isn't the link. Only the foster angle. "What's worse is these families were living normal lives until these vandals struck their homes."

"According to ze family I investigated," Rays input, a confused look on his face, "One of ze vandals broke a ze windows of zare home and ran."

"Ran?" Myers gasped.

"Like bats out of Hell." Rays flew a hand. This surprised the group. "Ze daughter was roused by her window breaking. Said she heard ze vandals panicking when lights started to appear. Zen zey vanished wizsout a trace." Alliahnna made a note. Possible - no desire for severe damage. Her hum caught their ears. "What are you zsinking...Lady Alliahnna?" The urge to call her Commander was strong. It's all he's known her by for years.

"Trespassing on Britannia and Calista grounds is bold in itself. Ground for being executed on sight if caught." Alliahnna closed her eyes, able to see bullets piercing the skulls of their mysterious ne'er do wells. Seven young souls lost for what can be considered a harmless prank. Considered. "Running when shattering a window is expected. Draws attention and rouses whoever hears."

"Do you have more than the obvious?" Myers hissed.

"They all vanish without a trace in a matter of seconds." Alliahnna responded curtly. Her furrowed brow plunged her point through that mule skull of his. "Until that ONE HOME," She erected a finger, "These seven entered properties, caused their damage, and disappear right as authorities are on their tails. Their fun was cut short by the broken window and they had to scramble."

"Meaning…" Myers was losing patience with this roundabout investigation.

"They have a safe house!" Maximilian darted to the desk, grabbed a rolled up paper, and sprawled it across the table. Everyone lifted their tea as the corners folded over. Paris seems so large on paper. In reality, it's massive. Maximilian made dots where the homes were hit and drew a circle. "This is the area in which the vandals have chosen to remain. The farthest of the reaches being Lord Schneizel and the Calista's." The two homes were the focal points of the large circle. The others were inside, going towards the center. "They chosen to go far, but are staying close so they can disappear. Their next target will be near their safe house. Wherever that is."

"And how do you propose we find this safehouse of theirs." Myers asked with a genuine curiosity.

Alliahnna smiled menacingly. "Phoebus…" She crooned. She drummed her fingers, leaning with a flirtatious malice, "I'm going to need a chaperone for tonight." Phoebus and the others felt a familiar chill scroll their spines. Their chairs creaked as they scooted back. Myers, however, wasn't sure what was happening.

xxx

The stark night engulfed the vast channel. Lanterns lit the bobbing ship in a profound orange glow that highlighted the lapping waves. A serene sparkle prickling the salts. Sebastian grunted, furrowing his brow. He stared hard to the ebony horizon. No moon was in the sky to illuminate Paris's border. But in the darkness he could see...a twinkle. With it came a strong desire for...mischief. He smirked to himself, chuckling triumphantly. There is fun transpiring in Paris. And Sebastian might very well miss it.

"Alliahnna. What are you up to?"

xxx

The Armaun District - One of Paris's second oldest districts. Historically recognized as a landmark, the Armaun District stands as a safe haven for the refugees who wished to escape the wars plaguing not only the world, but were also started within Paris itself. Mile spansion of home went through rigorous renovations and repairs. Two out of every five had to be demolished to nothing and completely reconstructed. The uniformly knit tile stone streets bathed in gray, brown, and red coloring are rumored carry the blood of soldiers and civilians fighting for dominance of the district.

Lanterns lit to help late night wanders find their way were carefully extinguished. The small glass doors were opened, and cups connected to sticks snuffed them out. Lanterns for one block had been extinguished, blanketing the block in night. Fervent feet rapidly darted down hill. Two figures stood before a large three story home, setting down buckets and towels. The rancid smell were impeded by their face masks. Two more spread to the sides. The same buckets, towels, and masks. The final three went into the backyard. Their plastic covering wrinkled slightly.

Thick rubber gloves snapped at their elbows. Whistles signaled the group was prepared. The towels were submerged in bunches. Slowly were they extracted, bundled to loose balls. The seven figures took aim. "NOW!" The call froze them like animal in a light. Oliver shot from the backyard's dog house, capturing one of assailant's in a nelson. The other two tried to run. Rays and Maximilian darted from the bushes and tackled them to their stomachs.

"WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" One of the other assailants panicked. Another guard emerged behind one of the side figures, wrapping his arm around their neck. "OYE! LET ME GO!"

"RUN FOR IT!" One of the others bellowed. He spun on his heels to sprint to freedom. A sword tip at his nose stopped him in his tracks.

"Bonjour, my little pigeon." Myers sniggered. He spotted the last two trying to escape up the street.

The two managed to make it past the third house. Hands reached from the darkness, twisted their arms behind their backs, and slammed them to the ground. "That's far enough!" Phoebus declared, holding his catch by the scruff. "Please do not force us to harm you!" A silent plight also to Alliahnna who had her captive's wrists at his back by her foot.

The boy in Phoebus's capture went stiff in his hold, able to see Alliahnna's face in a very dim lighting. No way...she came back?

With great reluctance, the vandals submitted to their captors. Phoebus had them escorted to a nearby alley where they would be able to talk to their vandals in private. Prying eyes were already swarming the street. The buckets left question marks above their heads. Bracelets bound their hands and feet. The seven were placed on their knees. Phoebus, Alliahnna, and Myers towered over them while Oliver and the others monitored the alley's entrances.

Myers extended a lantern to grant them some light while they interrogated their criminals. The transfer coach was ten minutes out. "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GOT US!" One of the girl frothed under her mask. "No way in Hell you guys are this smart! Or this efficient!" Phoebus and Alliahnna snickered to one another. They seemed to bring out the best in one another.

"WHO TOLD YOU?!" The other girl roared. "WHO RATTED US OUT TO SCHNEIZEL'S DOGS?!"

"Schneizel's dogs?" Alliahnna hummed in nostalgia. "There was a young boy who called me that a while ago." The boy in the middle twitched, dropping his head. "I'm glad the term hasn't been abandoned! Dogs are loyal if nothing else." Alliahnna flashed her teeth in an animal grin. "And we love to bite those who threaten our homes!"

"ANSWER US!" The gruffest of the teens bellowed. A boy by the sounds of him. "How did you know we'd be here?!" He's getting sick of these stupid games.

"Would you believe this was a very lucky guess?" Myers bitterly responded. The skepticism in their blank stares made Alliahnna smile.

"You're joking!" One of the boys argued. "There's no way this could have been a guess!"

"Truthfully, there was no guarantee you'd arrive at that location. At the same time, it is the next biggest target in this immediate area." The lanterns orange gleam ominously reflected off her grim grin. "And after your debacle with the window, there was no doubt in my mind you'd pick a close location." The seven teens hissed under their breath, cursing themselves for being caught so easily. "Now then…" Alliahnna grabbed the first boy in the middle's mask, "Let's take a look at one of our mischief makers. Shall we?" Horror widened his eyes.

"NO! WAIT!" He flailed wildly. Alliahnna tore the mask away. Matted blond hairs fell to a terrified face. Alliahnna and Phoebus both paused in stone. Their minds being blasted to the past as a familiar set of grey eyes gazing fearfully upon Schneizel's top lieutenants.

"ROBIN?!"

To be continued.

For those who forgot Robin, read Farfetched Fights in Demon of Paris.