Hello, people! I hope everyone is doing great! :D
Chapter five is here and... I guess we could say the stage is finally set for the continuation of the story. But I won't say anything more. Please, enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kuroshitsuji or its characters. I entirely own only my OCs, arcs and ideas/themes not mentioned in any form of the franchise (manga, anime, games, movies or musicals).
Chapter 5: The Tutor, Hired
The stern of the ship was already under the water when Sebastian, with Ciel in his arms, jumped out of the ship into the air. At the last minute, he grabbed an almost panicked Selina by the forearm and pulled her with him, forcing the woman to also grab on him, as she squeaked lightly quite shocked by the speed and height of the demon's jump; yes, she too had the ability to run and jump, her thorough training had helped her evolve, but this was too much for her.
Sebastian soon landed on the bow that had fallen back on the surface of the water but would follow the other half in no time. He ran at full speed at the edge of the bow, grabbing a life-ring, forcing it on the child and then hurling him into the water apologizing but also ignoring the boy's protests.
"Can you swim?" He asked Selina, still gasping and shaking. The woman nodded positively, struggling to even her breath, but did not have time since the demon grabbed her, quite unceremoniously, and also threw her in the water. "Stay with him!" He commanded her and then also jumped as most of the ship was already under water.
Selina fell in the water and immediately felt like she was swallowing ice and everything inside and outside freezing; the water was that cold. She managed to resurface gasping for breath and thinking that her wish would finally be granted, her heart would stop beating... No, not before she completed her mission!
Deaf to the screams of people in water freezing or being attacked by the zombies, she blinked a few times and her breath along with her heart calmed down enough for her to find what she was frantically searching; Ciel hanging for precious life from the life-ring. She swam close to him and saw the child's eye looking at her with evident pain since he was already quite frozen. She circled his waist with her arm under water and squeezed his hand.
"It's okay. I'm here and Sebastian will come soon, everything will be fine." She said trembling and kicking under water to keep them floating; it was the only thing she could do at the moment.
However, she soon realized she was too numb and so was Ciel who started slipping from the life-ring. She tried to pull him up but her muscles did not obey and so she let go of the life-ring following the child, managing to hug him as tightly as she could with both hands and struggling in vain to keep her legs moving.
Thankfully, a strong hand pulled them both out of the freezing water and they immediately came to. They landed on the wooden surface of a lifeboat, coughing water out of their lungs; Sebastian was saying something but Selina's mind was still unable to process it, as her frozen arms could not loosen their grip on Ciel. Sebastian pulled them away drawing the frozen shocked woman's attention to him. He looked at her with eyes saying she could let go; they were safe. That helped her compose herself and now she released a shivering Ciel, who was soon wrapped in the butler's soaked but somehow warmer tailcoat, while Sebastian was still in water. More horrible screams drew everyone's attention into the darkness as more people, invisible in their eyes, were struggling and losing the battle with the freezing water.
"If we go back, this boat will be dragged down as well. Let us depart." Sebastian announced and started pushing the boat away. "Young master! You must not fall aslee-" He screamed in a while towards a frozen, sleepy Ciel, but did not finish since he felt something pulling violently his leg.
Looking back he saw one of the undead sinking its teeth in his calf. Ciel woke up for good and Selina was trying to convince her frozen fingers close around her sword. Sebastian kicked and smashed the undead head sending the creature to eternal and final death.
"These things can move into water?" Ciel asked not wanting to believe it.
"Since they do not need to breathe, it would follow that they also do not drown." Sebastian said and then hushed the child, sealing its mouth with his hand. Sounds of something coming out of the water were heard all around them as more and more living corpses surfaced and started towards their way.
"Get in, Sebastian!" Ciel screamed giving his hand to the demon.
Sebastian pulled upwards but suddenly found himself almost on top of Selina, since the woman had grabbed and, with what strength was left in her shivering body, pulled him by his clothes, and it seems it was good that she did, since some undead threw themselves on the boat as soon as Sebastian was out of the water. Sebastian grabbed an oar and started smashing their heads. One of them snatched Ciel's hand but soon let it go, since Selina's blade was sheathed to the hilt in its head.
"Just how many of them are there?" Ciel stuttered, but neither Sebastian nor Selina could answer him, Sebastian could only explain why they were desperately trying to reach the boat; they were hunting for souls and the only living human souls in the vicinity was young master's and Miss Clark's.
"Then, we cannot run… If we do, Lizzie and the other survivors will be targeted. We cannot expose them to danger. We will stop them here. You can do it, right Sebastian?" Ciel asked.
"You do not need to ask your servant. Simply command what you will of me." Sebastian responded, his eyes flashing a vibrant red in the darkness, his teeth shining white and pointy.
Ciel removed his eye patch determined, exposing his right eye with the seal of the demon contract and commanded the demon to exterminate all the undead. Sebastian did not need anything else to begin anew his deadly dance. Using nothing other than the oar in his hands, he started smashing and bashing the monsters; soon he seemed amused by the avaricious nature of human beings, that even in death they were willing to kick and even devour each other in order to get the thing they desired most.
"Not all humans do it or at least not in the same extent, but… whatever… it is called survival instinct, if you need to know." Selina informed him, sitting close to Ciel, almost hovering above him like a protective hawk mother, and getting rid of any of the creatures that managed to pass from Sebastian even for a millisecond. The demon butler chuckled obviously entertained.
When dawn finally arrived, the sea surrounding the boat was filled with bodies, their heads adorned with great holes wherever they had met with the oar or with the twin blades. Sebastian still standing in the boat, scanning the water with his eyes, covered in blood from head to toe, panting almost out of breath but still clutching the boat's oar, his only weapon.
"Is it over?" Ciel asked from the bottom of the boat with a little stutter due to cold.
At some point during the night, the boat had become pretty unstable for him to remain properly seated and Selina had almost forced him to lie down, herself covering him with her body for greater safety and an effort to keep him warm. Now they both lifted their heads to look at the butler.
Suddenly, the oar slipped from Sebastian's hand clattering on the boat, the butler's knees gave out and he almost collapsed with a groan full of pain as his hand pressed his chest where the wound from the death scythe still burned and bled. To his surprise, he heard a child's and a woman's voice calling his name with great concern and then felt the woman's hands steadying him. The tingling sensation he received from the mysterious Miss Clark became stronger and it seemed to be pulled in by his wound unexpectedly lessening his pain even for a while.
"The blow of the death scythe… was hard, even for me." Sebastian said trying to even his breathing.
"It's only logical and expected. Death scythes are quite close to ultimate weapons. And it is so frustrating that my knowledge is lacking in this part; I don't know any demon healing potion, balm or something that can heal a scythe wound!" Miss Clark said and her genuine frustration was evident in her voice.
Sebastian half opened his eyes and glanced at the woman, looking at his wound with a really worried expression on her face, as her brows were furrowed and she was biting her lower lip deep in thought. The demon wanted to laugh but the pain was too much. He thought being bound to such a capricious and spoiled brat as his master was would be the closer and most troubling relationship with humans he would ever had, but now a human - a mysterious one but human nevertheless - was worrying over him and his health… a human worrying over a demon… it was quite hilarious.
"The Undertaker… What on Earth was he after?" Ciel said lost in his own thoughts.
"That is beyond my comprehension, but… as long as you keep that chain with hair lockets, I trust you will see him again, young master. He seemed to have no intention of harming you, but I personally can do without that reunion." Sebastian said and then a cough seized him making him spit a little more blood on his already soaked glove and causing even more frustration to Miss Clark; the demon thought he heard something like "Fuck!" escaping the woman's lips, but it was so low that even he was not sure.
"This is the first time I see you in such a state." Ciel said looking almost expressionlessly at his butler.
"Pardon me for being so ungraceful… I am unfit to be the Phantomhive butler." Sebastian said trying to bow before his master and thus missing Miss Clark's expression, who was looking at him with her eyes clearly saying "You are joking, right?" and one eyebrow raised in disbelief.
Ciel remained silent and after a while a honk took him out of his thoughts. A rescue boat was approaching.
"Sebastian…" Said the child with an authoritative tone. "I cannot afford to have the butler of the Phantomhive family stay in that state forever. Make sure you rest up when we return to the manor. You did well today." He finally declared.
"Young master, please stop. I cannot believe I am hearing you say these words." Sebastian said, with a humble look on his face that made Miss Clark look at him even more confused.
As the boat was getting closer, Ciel felt a gentle hand pulling his hair away from his right eye and when he turned, saw that Miss Clark had retrieved his discarded eye patch from the bottom of the boat, with a smile she placed it on his marked eye and fastened it on the back of his head. Only then the child realized how thoughtlessly he had exposed his secret in front of a stranger… although it seemed this stranger already knew quite a few things about him and the true nature of his butler. He looked at the woman cautiously.
Selina Clark smiled at the child. "It's okay, young lord." She said in a clearly American accent. "Your secret and that of your butler's have nothing to fear from me. I have no intention of talking to others about any of this."
"And why should we believe you? You are a stranger, quite knowledgable regarding us but we know nothing about you. Unless... you rely on mutual confidentiality... or even blackmail. You keep our secrets and we keep yours, those you have already revealed to us... like that you are not entirely human." Sebastian said looking at her cautiously with obvious hostility in his eyes.
"What? I thought she was just American and blessed by... You know, something like Agni!" Ciel said dumbfounded.
Selina smiled unfazed by the look the demon was giving her. "You are both right, actually. I am American and not just human. However, allow me the advantage of not sharing everything with you, all at once. Perhaps in the future." She said with an amused light in her eyes, like she was enjoying toying with them and stirring the curiosity of both child and demon.
"Then the question remains, why to believe you?" Sebastian asked again. His voice harsher, even laced with obvious pain and discomfort. He hated it so much! To be in such a pathetic, helpless state with a potential enemy beside him... an enemy that for some reason he foolishly already trusted with his lord's life.
The blond woman nodded. "You are free to not believe me and do whatever you think right with my person. What I can tell you for now is, that I am sent here by someone whose interests are the same as yours. Deal with Undertaker and make sure your contract is fulfilled unobstructed."
That alarmed both demon and boy. "Who on Earth knows about my deal with Sebastian and is also interested in it being fulfilled?" Ciel asked but signalled Sebastian to stay back; the demon was prepared to pounce and end the woman if he had to.
Selina's sharp eyes did not miss any of that but still... Sebastian sensed no caution or hostility from her... what a peculiar creature. She just smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"Even if I reveal the identity of the person this instant, you will not be able to cross-check it... But what I can provide you with is a guarantee. Normally, I have an ability quite harmful to supernatural creatures..." She stared at the demon and her blue fiery eyes, quite casually, confirmed her words... but had no desire to act on them. "...but that person sealed my ability so that you will be certain I will not turn against you for any reason. I am wearing an armband sealing my ability, a human or another supernatural can remove it but I, myself, cannot."
As proof to her words, she pulled open her left already ripped sleeve enough for a leather armband to peek out. She attempted to touch it and it electrocuted her quite powerfully. Then she turned to Sebastian and invited him to touch it, he did and with a look of deep thought and covered confusion nodded to his master.
"It emanates the energy of a blocking seal... very rare to be honest."
"So, for the time being... you ask me to trust you my secret, perhaps even work with you, relying solely on your words and this so-called guarantee?" The woman nodded again with an honest smile that reminded them Finny to an annoying level. Ciel saw the rescue boat getting closer and let out a puff of air. "The risk is great, but it seems we cannot avoid it at the moment. However, be certain that you will be closely watched no matter where you are." He finished and looked at his butler, silently issuing the order the demon already expected, his sharp smirk enough evidence as he bowed his head.
Selina Clark nodded once again, no surprise or hesitation in her eyes and entire posture. The boat arrived, the rope ladder was thrown to them. Ciel got ready to climb first, but then he turned and looked at the woman.
"Is your name at least right or should I call you something else from now on?"
"Oh no, do not worry, my lord." The woman responded having already switched back to British accent. "My loving mother named me Selina right after my birth and my dear family's name is Clark without a doubt." She smiled and helped him climb up, before following and then it was Sebastian's turn.
Once they were safely on the rescue boat, blankets were given to them to keep them warm and a young doctor insisted to take a look at Sebastian's and Selina's wounds, since they both looked quite battered up and bloody; Sebastian with his through and through wound in chest and back, and Selina with holes from the undead fingers gaping on her arms beneath her ripped sleeves. However, they both kindly denied repeatedly until Ciel reassured the doctor he would personally see they would both receive proper care once they reached land.
Soon enough, the voice of Snake calling "Smile, Black" along with a girly squeal of "Ciel!" reached them and a running Lizzie launched herself on an astonished Ciel. The girl, crying from happiness and ignoring her mother's and brother's reprimands, hugged Ciel around his neck with so much force that she managed to throw him down, on the deck, with her on top.
Selina was observing the two children and a soft smile reached her lips and eyes; therefore, she did not pay attention to the rushing footsteps getting closer, or see the young lady Dankworth approaching, not until she felt a sting and burn from the strong slap that landed on her cheek. So strong that her head turned violently to one side and she lost her balance, not falling down only because Sebastian caught her in time and steadied her with his chest.
"How dare you appear before me, you insolent woman?" The young lady screamed; her face red from fury. "Why are you even alive after having disobeyed me so ostentatiously?"
Selina lowered her eyes and bowed her head lightly, trying to ignore her burning cheek. "I am deeply sorry, my lady. I had no other choice. Staying with Lord Phantomhive was of grave importance to all of us, for everyone's safety." Her voice was cold but kind, even if it was just for pretence.
"Like I would believe your nonsense, you fool! You simply lost your mind over this butler..." She said glaring Sebastian disdainfully "...and followed him in whatever foolishness he was into." She finished and then reached out towards the blond curls of the older woman.
"My lady, you are mistaken-" Selina began, shocked by the groundless accusations of the young lady.
However, she did not manage to say anything else, as she felt being pulled away from the approaching hand and found herself leaning more on Sebastian's chest; with one arm wrapped around her, he was pulling her to stand on his other side, and with the other hand he gently pushed back lady Dankworth's threatening hand.
"My lady, whatever you may think of the situation, do you find this kind of behaviour appropriate for a noble lady like you?" Sebastian asked with his distinctive cool, silky kind voice.
"She must be punished!" Lady Dankworth insisted.
"Oh Mary, no!" Lizzie was heard pleadingly. Now she was standing up, Ciel followed. "My dear Mary, Selina is absolutely amazing. You should have seen her how perfectly she protected us whenever needed! Her skills are a perfect match to Sebastian's and I am sure they make an amazing pair in action. You do not have to punish her, she indeed worked for all of us; those monsters were horrible!"
"I do not care! She was my servant and she disobeyed me, she must-"
"Mary, enough!" A male voice was heard and a middle aged gentleman approached. "I have repeatedly told you to stop acting like a spoilt child in your age. Yes, you are right that since Miss Clark was working for us she should stay by your side… under normal circumstances, but the circumstances were far from normal."
"But Dad-" Lady Dankworth started.
"Hush! You will stop this instance. You will not punish anyone. However..." Her father said and lifted a finger in order to hush his daughter again. "...I know you well enough and I know that you will make a living hell every single day for Miss Clark… So, in order to spare her from that…" Now he looked at the blond woman apologetically. "I am sorry Miss Clark but I have to fire you. Please, forgive me."
"Huh! I might not get my revenge, but I am so glad that you will lose your job. And do not expect a recommendation letter from us!" The young lady said with an arrogant look.
Selina, having recovered from the shock, was standing next to Sebastian, who was observing her closely, and was accepting her master's decision by bowing to him respectfully. Either way, she did not really mind not going back to that little bitch of a lady, she was already making her everyday a living hell with her capricious and extremely stubborn behaviour. However, that last part concerning the recommendation letter really troubled her; if she could not gain access to another noble family, how would she maintain a contact with the Earl Phantomhive? At that moment, the silent up to that point Ciel spoke surprising everyone with his words and his lord-like tone.
"Oh do not worry, lady Dankworth. I do not need any recommendation letter and actually, I have to thank you for making it easier for me. I was very troubled on how to ask of you to let go of such a competent and worthy servant, but you saved me from that. I thank you with all my heart." The boy said and smiled absolutely pleased with himself.
"My lord?" Sebastian and Selina said at the same time looking at the child not sure that they had heard correctly. Lizzie clapped her hands happily and Snake, along with Lizzie's family and Lord Dankworth, was left speechless.
"Lord Phantomhive, what do you mean? Do you intend to hire her? Her?" Lady Dankworth said for a second time after watching the boy nodding his head. "What for? She is absolutely useless as a tutor, she cannot teach anyone anything and she does not even know how to knit!"
"Embroidery is surely the last thing I will have to be taught, my lady. I am certain that Miss Clark has the perfect qualifications to work for me and she will live up to my expectations, in the position of tutor or in any other I might place her. She has already given me a good demonstration of her abilities and skills; I am impressed." Ciel went on with great confidence.
"Pff! Just because she can swing around a sword? All right then, do whatever you want with her, I do not care. She is a useless dog either way." The moody and defeated lady said turning her gaze to tutor and butler. "I am not going to wish you for a happy marriage." She turned and left with her head high and a fake victorious stride. Lord Dankworth thanked Ciel bowing his head, apologized to Selina one more time and then followed his daughter, looking troubled by her bratty behaviour.
Selina was left speechless and seemed in shock. "What marriage? Is she serious? A human and a demon?" She mumbled to herself low enough for not to be heard by anyone, or so she thought.
Sebastian of course had heard her and could say he absolutely agreed with her. Only the thought of finding himself tied up, for real, in that pitiful human convention made his stomach turn. A demon would never lower himself to that level of bond with a human, even if the human was so interesting and mysterious as Miss Clark was. He was pleased that the woman was of the same mind; having another human woman acting like Mey-Rin, blushing, stuttering, trembling and stuff when around him would be too boring and tiring... especially since he had no desire to trigger such reactions.
"Miss Clark, please forgive me. I took the liberty of hiring you without asking you. I would be very pleased to have you in my household, but if you do not wish for it, I will help you find a suitable place in another family and will write a letter of recommendation." Ciel announced, receiving a happy squeeze of his hand from Lizzie, an encouraging pat on his shoulder from her father and an approving look from her mother, his aunt. Even Edward seemed to mildly like the younger boy.
"You do not have to do all that, my lord. Of course I accept your generous offer. Actually, I would be really glad to work for the Earl Phantomhive. You have already helped me so much; I feel indebted to you and you can definitely lay your trust in me, as I have already told you, my lord." Selina said and in a flash she was kneeling and bowing respectfully in front of him.
"All right then. Sebastian, once we get on land you will take a carriage and escort Miss Clark to the Dankworth manor to collect her belongings. I want her done with this supposed lady as soon as possible. And when you get home, appoint her to a suitable room." The young Earl ordered his butler meaningfully.
"Yes, young master. How about you then?" Sebastian said bowing lightly with a hand on his chest in his signature pose.
"I will get another carriage and head home with Snake, we will be fine." Ciel did not get the chance to say anything else, because Lizzie hugged him again, praising his great kindness and stating how relieved she would feel knowing her beloved fiance had Sebastian and Selina to protect him at all times. She then pulled him away and made him sit to rest; the boy was indeed too exhausted to resist her.
"Welcome… says Emily and Oscar." Snake said quite hesitant and extended his hand, which Selina took immediately in a handshake.
"Thank you very much. I will do my best to prove myself worthy of our lord's and everyone else's trust." Selina said smiling and lightly caressing the two snakes that rushed to circle Snake's hand and reach the woman. Snake's pale cheeks seemed to slightly blush at Selina's smile and when the handshake was done he excused himself and went towards Ciel and the others.
"Well, Miss Clark. I must admit that I am genuinely pleased with the outcome and that we will work together; you seem a really capable and intriguing person. I do hope you will live up to my master's expectations and prove worthy of his trust. Although, I strongly believe that you will, since he already relies on you... and I know how carefully he chooses his dogs." Sebastian said, also offering his hand.
Selina's brows lifted getting the meaning of his last words, and gifted him an even wider smile that lightened her quite cute face as she was taking his hand in a firm, strong handshake. "It seems that nobles have a thing about their service… dogs. Anyway, thank you, Mr. Michaelis, and please, rest assured that I will. Besides, you and our young lord will see to it. Having me so close is extremely convenient so that you can observe and watch me if I will remain true to everything I said, correct? Oh please, I do not feel in the least insulted; actually I expected nothing less by the Earl Phantomhive and his so mysterious yet so perfect black clad butler." Selina said when Sebastian feigned innocence and then smiled even more showing the truth of her words. "Now, would you like us to go and sit somewhere and rest since a… human with such a grave injury as yours would not be able to stand, especially after a long, hard night of fighting monsters?"
Sebastian accepted her reasoning, followed her in a vacant space close to their already asleep master and sat down side by side with Snake joining them right away.
The demon might have been ordered to be cautious around the woman - something he would be either way, by nature - but could not deny he was indeed intrigued by her. He could sense she was not entirely human but also that the core of her existence, her soul, was human. Willingly she had admitted both these facts and even told them the reason for being there, obviously knowing he could snuff out her life right there and then, but... she did not seem horrified or appalled by it. On the contrary, she seemed to know and understand the demonic way of thinking - if not the demonic nature - accepted it and knew how to work her way out of a normally dangerous situation by triggering a boy's... and a demon's curiosity, he had to admit.
It was like the woman wore a mask that removed it when dealing with him and his master. It was also happening this very moment, as the woman covered young master and Lady Elizabeth, having fallen asleep side by side, with her blanket and barely restrained herself from stroking the boy's soft hair; a tender look in her eyes. She obviously had a special sentiment of sympathy for his master, something that, normally, would make Sebastian feel threatened; having around a mysterious human who has already admitted she could harm a demon of his level, as well as working for someone else in reality, but strangely enough he did not. Even though her liking for the child Earl could prove strong enough to drive her try and break their contract and save the master's soul, Sebastian somehow could sense the woman was indeed honest in her words and intentions, that she would not oppose him... at least for now. Regardless, the demon would be cautious and alert in case her honesty was one more mask, underneath the one for the public eye.
"Oh Mr. Michaelis, can I ask for a favor if it is not too impudent of me?" Selina asked, pulling him away from his thoughts and plans. He nodded for her to go on. "If it is possible not to be placed in a shared room with another servant. I have a habit of reading until very late at night, it helps me sleep, and my sight is not that strong for reading in complete darkness, so I would be very sorry if my ways prevented someone else from getting their rest."
Sebastian remained silent for a while looking at the woman. He was just thinking of the ways with which he would keep an eye on her and she immediately presented him the best and easiest way; he could not help but think if she was that stupid… or perhaps that smart. Could it be that she had indeed nothing to hide so did not mind being actually spied by the demon? Curious.
"Well… normally female servants' quarters are upstairs and males' downstairs but I think I can make an exception for you, Miss Clark. There is a room next to mine that I think will be suitable although it is a little small."
"Oh, no problem. I do not really mind since my belongings are not that many. Thank you very much." She said and smiled again whole-heartedly.
Yaaaay! Selina is officially member of the Phantomhive gang... umm... household I meant! :P
I hope I made it come in a more natural way instead of just seeing her and Ciel simply deciding to hire her for no actual reason. But, if you like, please let me know what you think! Thanks again! Till next time! :D