#Harold West Jeb

[every-ciel-phantomhive]

[blackbutlercharacterpoll2023]

Harold West Jeb

[idontthinkimokaymentally]

Hello there Harold West Jeb fans.

[azuresins]

What character do you think is most misunderstood by the fandom or casual watchers/readers?

Agni. *Edit: the people he assaulted weren't actually dead, that's my mistake-- But the point is he should have been in jail, and our!Ciel and Sebastian "redeemed" and pardoned him in England. * I'm of the opinion that newcomers or people who want the full picture of what's going on in the story, need to disregard SI entirely and are better off just reading up until Book of Circus. I don't feel like SI makes the events clear enough. In fact? I'd go as far to say SI FUCKED up the curry arc immensely? And chapter 23 never got animated the way it was supposed to. Bits and pieces but not the way it should have been, we missed the best parts. Even in Book of Circus! It's such a shame! It's one of my favorite chapters and so many people are missing out. Agni post-events of the curry arc DESPERATELY tries to turn himself into the police to atone for his crimes because scotland yard is in the manor at the same him he and Soma are, ... and Sebastian literally wont allow it. Some highlights:

A lot of casual watchers and readers I find get really, really confused and somehow miss the point that during the Curry Arc, Agni was betraying Soma and going behind his back to protect his well-being and his feelings, yes, but... he was willing to go SO FAR to do that, that he went back to his first "sinful" nature (before meeting soma) in order to do so and dirty his hands again... And yet, Sebastian still considers him an excellent butler and sings nothing but praises. Regardless of why, Agni *assaulted, stripped, humiliated and hung people-of-import upside-down on display on the East End, and was one responsible for a lot of tension between Indians and British at the beginning of this arc. Even though he accepts he's guilty and in a sense "relapsed" back to his old ways and betrayed Soma (and his own culture and race), someone who he considers god-like in his eyes. ... he's given a second chance, but not only that, Sebastian (and Ciel) go out of his way to try to protect him. Of course it's under the guise of "Don't inconvenience us!" but they COULD have turned him in, and they didn't do that. I know a lot of people chant HE'S A CINNAMONROLL AND DID NOTHING WRONG (and Sebastian is one of those people) but I sincerely think it's beautiful that even though he "fell" and "betrayed" Soma and went back to "Sinning"... he still possesses his right hand and is forgiven and seen as good, he gets his second chance and not only does Soma consider him still a good person and declares him "redeemed" but this time, our!Ciel does the same thing for him and declares him "redeemed" and covers up his crimes, too. To me that's a really big deal?... but I rarely if ever see people talk about it, and when I talk to new readers or anime-only-watchers they seemed to miss that he LITERALLY assaulted those people and should be in jail, he didn't merely "help" or was running errands or anything like he ...literally committed a string of crimes in England for Soma because he was being blackmailed. Not just any people either, specifically British Lords of import that had come back from India. -- The East End is also Lau's territory, and one very final and important detail that never got animated or talked-about in the anime was that Lau and Ran Mao KILLED Mina and her husband, Harold West Jeb, because of what they were doing... and also, curiously, Lau spared Agni even though he was the one who was actually physically did the crimes and made problems for him. Agni got not a second-chance but a third-chance and I think it's very beautiful in the most tragic of ways that he continued to spend his life protecting Soma ... but it's also very, very sad because unfortunately... it makes a case for Real!Ciel's bizarre doll, because if he was truly 'watching' as close as he claimed the entire time and knew what Agni had done, all he has to do is say "He shouldn't have been allowed to live anyway he was anti-british a trouble maker, violent and terrible person! 💕" prompting me, personally, to jump into the manga like steve from blues clues and strangle him myself,,,,, But you get the point, basically what I'm trying to say is Agni is even cooler than he seems and more complex and I think people miss it.

[braveryhearted]

More obscure muses ( Introduction ) series.

Fandom: Black Butler.

Muse #1- Lau

Age 25-30

Lau is a Chinese nobleman, the British branch manager of the Shanghai trading company "Kong-Rong," the top official of the and Chinese syndicate Qīng Bāng.

In order for Lau to conduct business in England's "underworld," he must follow Ciel Phantomhive's orders to the letter. That being so, Ciel has left the administration of the Oriental quarter and the East End to Lau.

Lau is a placid, even-tempered individual who is apt to make facetious remarks and act as though he is aware and well-informed of an important matter, only to later reveal that he is, in truth, clueless; Sebastian Michaelis believes that he simply chimes in whenever "he thought it appropriate." He has a personal assassin named Ran-Mao.

Lau is an enigma; Baldroy once mused that he is uncomfortable around him, since he can never tell what he is thinking. Furthermore, Lau is, for the most part, unprincipled and mercenary. He curries favor with those he thinks will allow him and his business to advance and those who are ambitious, such as Ciel Phantomhive. He once suggested that he has no qualms about ingratiating himself with Scotland Yard, despite his criminal origins, so long as he can profit. Generally, he does not assist others without expecting payment in return; for instance, after rescuing Ciel and his household from Scotland Yard, he stated that he must be repaid "with interest."

Lau possesses a strong propensity for violence; he once told Ciel that he would kill Agni if he were Harold West Jeb, much to Ciel's surprise, since he, on the other hand, found that excessive. While Ciel was willing to spare Harold and Mina, Lau had Ran-Mao terrorize both of them. Moreover, in his zeal to aid Sebastian in distracting Elizabeth Midford with a magic trick, which involved sticking swords in a chest Sebastian was in, Lau did so without delay or leniency and even immediately attacked from the top; Sebastian admitted that Lau had managed to inflict minor pain on him, a demon.

Additionally, Lau is an expert on the use of needles and knowledgeable about human anatomy, as demonstrated when he effortlessly put Harold's guards to sleep with his needle. He is not particularly fond of English dishes; to him, they taste "only of salt and pepper."

According to Yana Toboso, Lau's special feature is his "adaptability." She also states that he may be the character with the strongest nerves as he does not let himself get worked up easily.

[abybweisse]

Harold West and all his stuff, part one:

His London townhouse:

Other than it being a bit large for a detached London townhouse, it’s not too remarkable. Modern for its time, so he might have had it built once he returned from India to England with his new wealth. It’s outer walls are taller than usual; that fact and the presence of guards are probably simply because he’s concerned with keeping what’s his. He might have beefed up security since the “hangings” began, since he’d like to make it seem as if he’s a potential target.

His trading company and Hindustani coffeehouse:

There were several Hindustani coffeehouses around at the time, and I was unable to narrow it down to any good leads for what might be the exact inspiration for his; Yana-san probably named it after him to avoid making references to anything historical. Same goes with Harold Trading. Named after him... but otherwise a pretty generic name.

His Havana cigars from James Fox...

Robert Lewis had been in business (in London) since 1787. James J. Fox was established (in Dublin, Ireland) in 1881 and didn’t have a London location until 1947. Fox acquired Lewis’ business in 1992, and both are now run as JJ Fox (St. James’s) Ltd, which now also operates the cigar department at Harrods and Selfridges. Combined, the company has received 7 Royal Warrants. Taking the company timeline into consideration, I’m going to assume that Harold got his cigars shipped from the Dublin store. However, Yana-san does use a lot of anachronisms, so who knows? More on that in a moment....

Those shoes...

...I had to do some comparisons to make sure, but they are definitely snakeskin. I do not know the maker of this pair, but these genuine, modern ones by Vangosedun would set you back $550 (USD).

As far as the manufacturer or trading company for the shoes is concerned, it could be Arthur Knights Shoes (formerly Walker & Gunn) in Northampton since 1910. I know that’s a bit late, but Harold also mentions General Trading, which didn’t exist until even later.

That Gieves & Hawkes suit:

Gieves & Hawkes has been around since 1771. They are a bespoke menswear company, meaning that Harold must have special-ordered the suit.

[shitsuji-hcs]

Aight. Tiniest prompt for the tiniest of characters: AU in which Mina [somehow] escaped Ran Mao’s fists. What is she doing with her life? (Is Lau still looking for the mouse that escaped his cat’s claws? :} )

Sen: This emoticon :} looks like how Sebastian smiles… Anyways, I’ve tagged this instead as “UA tag”, just because only Mina’s fate has changed. We use AU for really big changes in the universe.

No longer the trophy wife, Mina’s plans of a free life are shattered once more. Grief for a husband like Harold could never be owed, not when she’d only used him for her passage to Britain in the first place. But, she’d try again. That’s all she had the power to do. 

It would be easy enough for her to ride the coat tails of pity from the wives of Harold’s associates, but never the men themselves. Asides from the brief condolences, Mina expected to try for another man to take her in. Maybe someone else would see what Harold saw in him. The only person she’d refuse assistance from however would be Soma - she wouldn’t stoop that low.

There was no way that she’d be able to run his company, due to both her lack of education and the discriminating ideas against women. All of that was seized by a male relative of Harold’s that she’d never known existed. What she could manage however was a placement at her late husband’s coffeehouse… for about two months until it shut down due to financial difficulties. 

Unable to earn a living wage, Mina was cast out onto the streets again. Nothing could be claimed as her own. No man to protect her nor the funds to survive, Mina would have no chance surviving the East end if Lau still had any care to hunt her down. It’d be a pointless venture, given that she lacked any power to do anything, but the fears of execution would be too terrifying to drag her back.

No place to call her own, even the coffin beds of hostels could only hold her for a night at most. There’d be no way that she’d survive so long without a husband. Staying as a servant would have just added utter embarrassment to her already miserable existence but the streets would have been too rough for her to last long enough to find any work. Mina’s existence would have ended quite quickly without Harold to help her.

[elcinelateleymickyandonie]

Harry Carey Jr.

Filmografía

Película

Senderos desesperados (1921) como Young Baby (sin acreditar)

Rolling Home (1946) como Dobey

Perseguido (1947) como Prentice

Red River (1948) como Dan Latimer

Moonrise (1948) como Jimmy Biff

Blood on the Moon (1948) como Cowboy (sin acreditar)

3 padrinos (1948) como William Kearney ("The Albilene Kid")

Llevaba una cinta amarilla (1949) como el segundo teniente Ross Pernell

Wagon Master (1950) como Sandy Owens

Barranca del Cobre (1950) como el teniente Ord

Rio Grande (1950) como Trooper Daniel 'Sandy' Boone

Warpath (1951) como el capitán Gregson

Cattle Drive (1951) como Train Passenger (sin acreditar)

The Wild Blue Yonder (1951) como el sargento. Coctelera Schuker

Monkey Business (1952) como reportero (sin acreditar)

Niágara (1953) como Taxi Driver (sin acreditar)

San Antone (1953) como Dobe Frakus

Los caballeros las prefieren rubias (1953) como Winslow - Equipo olímpico (sin acreditar)

Sweethearts on Parade (1953) como Jim Riley, también conocido como James Whitcomb Riley

Isla en el cielo (1953) como Ralph Hunt

Bajo el arrecife de 12 millas (1953) como Griff Rhys

Silver Lode (1954) como Johnson

El paria (1954) como Bert

La larga línea gris (1955) como Dwight Eisenhower

House of Bamboo (1955) como John (sin acreditar)

Mister Roberts (1955) como Stefanowski

Spin y Marty: La película (1955) como Bill Burnett

Los buscadores (1956) como Brad Jorgenson

La gran persecución de locomotoras (1956) como William Bensinger

Gun the Man Down (1956) como el diputado Lee

7 de Caballería (1956) como Cpl. Morrison

La orilla del río (1957) como Chet

Béselos por mí (1957) como el teniente Chuck Roundtree (sin acreditar)

Del infierno a Texas (1958) como Trueblood

Escort West (1958) como Trooper Travis

Rio Bravo (1959) como Harold (escenas eliminadas)

Soga para un pistolero (1960) como Jim Ferguson

El gran impostor (1961) como Dr. Joseph Mornay

Dos cabalgaron juntos (1961) como Ortho Clegg

Un asunto público (1962) como Bill Martin

Los Raiders (1963) como Jellicoe

Cheyenne Autumn (1964) como Trooper Smith (sin acreditar)

Taggart (1964) como el teniente Hudson (sin acreditar)

Shenandoah (1965) como Jenkins (soldado rebelde)

La rara raza (1966) como Mabry.

Billy the Kid contra Drácula (1966) como Ben Dooley

Cyborg 2087 (1966) como Jay C

Álvarez Kelly (1966) como Cabo Peterson

The Way West (1967) como Mr.McBee

La balada de Josie (1967) como Mooney

La brigada del diablo (1968) como Capitán Rose

Bandolero! (1968) como Cort Hayjack

Muerte de un pistolero (1969) como Rev. Rork

El invicto (1969) como Solomon Webster

One More Time (1970) (sin acreditar)

La guerra de Moonshine (1970) como Arley Stamper

El sucio Dingus Magee (1970) como Charles Stuart

Un tren más para Rob (1971) como Red

Big Jake (1971) como Pop Dawson

Trinity Is Still My Name (1971) como Padre

Algo grande (1971) como Joe Pickins

El hombre del este (1972) como Holy Joe

Corre, puma, corre (1972) como Hank

Cahill US Marshal (1973) como Hank

Colmillo blanco (1973) como John Tarwater

Take a Hard Ride (1975) como Dumper

Nickelodeon (1976) como Dobie

Los jinetes largos (1980) como George Arthur

Especies en peligro de extinción (1982) como Dr. Emmer

Los jinetes de las sombras (1982) como Pa Travern

Gremlins (1984) como el Sr.Anderson

Máscara (1985) como Red

UFOria (1985) como George Martin

Crossroads (1986) como Bartender

Las ballenas de agosto (1987) como Joshua Brackett

Cherry 2000 (1987) como Snappy Tom

Érase una vez un tren de Texas (1988, película para televisión) como Herald Finch

Ilegalmente tuyo (1988) como Wally Finnegan

Irrumpir (1989) como Zapatos, jugador de póquer

Bad Jim (1990) como JC Lee

Regreso al futuro, Parte III (1990) como Zeke, Saloon Old-Timer # 2

El exorcista III (1990) como el padre Kanavan

Tombstone (1993) como Marshal Fred White

Wyatt Earp: Regreso a Tombstone (1994) como Digger Phelps

Sunchaser (1996) como cajero

Last Stand at Sabre River (1997, película para televisión) como James Sanford.

Televisión

El llanero solitario - "El regreso de Dice Dawn" - Dice Dawson, Alias, Jay Thomasson (1955)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "El camino a Wickenburg" - Sheriff Jack (1958) Goodfellow

Have Gun - Will Travel - "El hombre que no hablaba" - Bud Sorenson (1958)

El fantasma gris - "El picnic" - Caldwell (1958)

Raiders de Mackenzie - "Uprising" - Ed Gary (1959)

Gunsmoke - "Horse Deal" - Deesha (1959).

Have Gun - Will Travel - "The Posse" - Sheriff (1959)

Bonanza - "Vendetta" - Zack Morgan (1959)

Wagon Train - "Chuck Wooster, Wagon Master" - Willkins (1959)

Cuero crudo - "Incidente del hombre tambaleante" - Tanner (1959)

El fusilero - "El desertor" - Teniente Paul Rolfe (1960)

Bonanza - "La misión" - Cabo Burton (1960)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "The Sanctuary" - Jonas Quincy (1960)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "The Legacy" - Banker Burton (1960)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "El chico del mariscal" - Frank Gulley (1960)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "El padre equivocado" - Sheriff Stander (1960)

El fusilero - "El viaje de regreso" - Teniente Vaughn (1961)

Laramie - "La deuda" - Harry Markle (1961)

Gunsmoke - "Bad Sheriff" - Bill Turloe (1961)

Whispering Smith - "Válvula de seguridad" - Sargento. Curt Stringer (1961)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "The Revenger" - Sheriff Conlon (1961)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "El recaudador de impuestos" - Jess Turner (1961)

Perry Mason - "El caso del río itinerante" - Guardabosques del distrito Frank Deane (1961)

Wagon Train - "La historia de George B. Hanrahhan" - Tim Hogan (1962)

Laramie - "La época del traidor" - Hobey (1962)

Gunsmoke - "Abe Blocker" - Jake (1962)

Laramie - "Lost Allegiance" - Whitey Banister (1962)

Jaque mate - "El audaz y el duro" - Phil Cassidy (1962)

Lawman - episodio - Cort - Mitch Evers (1962)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "Jonah and the Trout" - Jonah Quincy (1962)

Laramie - "The Barefoot Kid" - Dan Emery (1962)

Gunsmoke - "Quint Asper llega a casa" - Grant (1962)

Estreno de Alcoa - "Flashing Spikes" - Man in the Dugout (1962)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "La mujer de Taylor" - Thad Taylor (1962)

Cuero crudo - "La patrulla de los desertores" - Walsh (1962)

Ripcord - Carl Devlin - Para enfermera (1962)

Ripcord - Cheyenne Bronson - Una estrella en caída libre (1963)

Have Gun - Will Travel - "Face of a Shadow" - Earl Tibner (1963)

Wagon Train - "La historia de Martin Gatsby" - Jeb Colton (1963)

Have Gun - Viajará "La dulce dama de la luna" - Ben Murdock (1963)

Gunsmoke - "La búsqueda de Asa Janin" - Sheriff Hank Colridge (1963)

Wagon Train - "La historia de Molly Kincaid" - Charlie Hankins (1963).

Wagon Train - "La historia de Sam Pulaski" - John Jay Burroughs (1963)

Bonanza - "La pistola de boca de franela" - Phil Shelton (1965)

Wagon Train - "La dama de plata" - Walt Thompson (1965)

Gunsmoke - "Bank Baby" - Jim Fisher (1965)

De marca - "Leap Upon Mountains" - Teniente John Pritchett (sin acreditar) (1965)

De marca - "Los Vindicadores" - Teniente John Pritchett (1965)

The Virginian - "The Modoc Kid" - Bob Archer (1967)

Gunsmoke - "Baker's Dozen" - Will Roniger (1967)

Bonanza - "Juicio en Red Creek" - Mapes (1967)

Gunsmoke - "Waco" - Nathan Cade (1968)

Mannix - "Missing: Sun and Sky" - Floyd Brand (1969)

El virginiano - "Sigue al líder" - Thad Miley (1970)

Gunsmoke - "Gold Train: The Bullet" partes 1-3 - Kelliher (1971)

Banacek - "Caballo de un color ligeramente diferente" - Dean Barrett (1974)

Hec Ramsey - "Scar Tissue - Prospector" (1974)

Gunsmoke - "Trail of Bloodshed" - Amos Brody (1974)

Mujer policía - "Sons" (1978)

BJ y el oso - "Fuego en el agujero" - Joe Pogovich (1980)

Little House on the Prairie - "Un nuevo comienzo" - Sheriff Pike (1980)

Dallas - "End of the Road: Part 1" - Rojo (1981)

Knight Rider - "Ni una gota para beber" - Josh Morgan (1982)

CHiPs - "Flare Up" - Grandfather Cross (1982)

Hollywood Greats - documental de la serie de televisión - "John Wayne" - él mismo (1984)

Biografía - Documental de la serie de televisión - "John Wayne: The Unquiet American" - él mismo (1987)

Cowboys: Ben Johnson y Harry Carey Jr. - documental (1988)

John Wayne Standing Tall - Película para televisión - Él mismo (1989)

BL Stryker - "Auntie Sue" - Jones (1989)

Thank Ya, Thank Ya Kindly - Documental de película para televisión - él mismo (1991)

Omnibus - TV Series documentary - "John Ford: Part One" - himself (1992)

Leyendas del oeste americano - video documental - él mismo (1992)

John Ford - documental de película para televisión - él mismo (1993)

Ben Johnson: tercer vaquero a la derecha - documental - él mismo (1996)

Howard Hawks: artista estadounidense - documental de película para televisión - él mismo (1997).

Créditos: Tomado de Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_C

HONDURASQUEDATEENCASA

#ELCINELATELEYMICKYANDONIE

[tothelasthoursofmylife]

Kuroshitsuji Tarot (Minor Arcana)

And here’s the Minor Arcana!

Unlike the Major Arcana, I made sure to put in more side characters. (Ha!) But that is not the only difference - for quite a lot of cards, I thought certain parts from the manga were more fitting than characters. I linked them to the first page of the particular part because they often span quite a lot of pages so that you know what I mean with my card titles. Sometimes, I linked the titles to two different scenes.

Just like with the Major Arcana, the meanings may not be 100% accurate.

To the... Major Arcana of my life

SUIT OF WANDS

1.     Ace [The Return of the Earl]

success, assertiveness, starting something new, creativity, passionate phase

2.     Two [To Be a Butler; To Be an Earl]

planning phase, stamina, approaching something with serenity and care, no desist from goal/aim

The rest is under the cut.

3.     Three [N. McMillan]

a positive view of the future, turn towards new goals/aims, solid fundament

4.     Four [The Easter Hunt]

peace, stability, joyful time, festive activities

5.     Five [Grelle Sutcliff]

challenges, standing up to the opposition

6.     Six [Sapphire Owl]

victory, fame, glory, enjoying of popularity, success despite opposition

7.     Seven [The United Kingdom (Queen Victoria & John Brown & Charles Phipps & Charles Grey (& Cecily))]

fierce oppositions, permanent defence, enmity everywhere

8.     Eight [“I finally... found you... !!”]

change in limbo/hanging in the air, an event impends, good change

9.     Nine [Sieglinde Sullivan & Elizabeth Midford]

worries, bravery, anxiety for existence, contrarious instance

10.   Ten [Our!Ciel Phantomhive]

worries, depression, carrying a big burden

11.   Page [Gregory Violet]

a passionate person, but doesn’t commit oneself to someone, youthful/juvenile mischief, heart-breaker, adventurous, vanity

12.   Knight [Herman Greenhill]

a militant person, needs an opposition to feel comfortable, looking for conflicts, hard shell, soft core

13.   Queen [Lawrence Bluewer]

a very confident person who likes to command, support of family and friends; if you accept her and her ways she will always support you; if you disappoint her she will get vengeful

14.   King [Edgar Redmond]

imperial person, noble and polite behaviour; public morals, in the case of rivalry he can, however, forget any civility, strong assertiveness; very tolerant, however, if you defy his ideals he won’t be merciful

SUIT OF PENTACLES

1.     Ace [Lau & Ran-Mao]

visible success, material well-being, wealth, plenty

2.     Two [Irene Diaz]

mobility, flexible, give-and-take, no problems with vicissitude of life

3.     Three [Rian Stoker]

recognition, successful test/trial, proud of own handiwork

4.     Four [Azzurro Vanel]

compartmentalisation, abruption, an exaggerated security requirement

5.     Five [Joker & Beast & Dagger & Doll & Jumbo & Wendy & Peter]

crisis, loss, poverty, dependency on charity

6.     Six [Looking Different]

tolerance, lordliness, benevolence, justice and helpfulness

7.     Seven [Tanaka (OR Undertaker)]

patience, thoughtful decisions

8.     Eight [Vincent Phantomhive & Diedrich (von Weizsäcker)]

erection phase, developing of a solid headstone

9.     Nine [The Blue Miracle/The Miracle of the Sapphires]

a sudden stroke of luck, unexpected wealth, overabundance

10.   Ten [Arthur Conan Doyle]

wealth, plenty, stability, wages of work

11.   Page [Joanne Harcourt OR Grelle Sutcliff]

a generous person, loves money, but isn’t aware of its value now, loves wealth and security, but has to learn how to get them

12.   Knight [Cheslock OR Undertaker]

a persistent person, knows exactly what he wants and would do everything to accomplish his goal/aim, schedules everything, but has to remember than reaching his goals/aims isn’t everything

13.   Queen [Edward Midford OR William T. Spears]

an objective person, reliable and indulgent, down-to-earth, loves sensual pleasures but isn’t extravagant

14.   King [Clayton OR Ronald Knox]

a successful person, good business sense, values the good sides of life, but isn’t averted towards work, helpful but doesn’t let someone use him

SUIT OF CUPS

1.     Ace [Angelina Dalles & Vincent Phantomhive & Rachel Dalles]

luck, love, mercy

2.     Two [Etiquette Lessons]

it’s time for a new love, beginning of friendship or love, a new acquaintance, meeting someone new

3.     Three [The End of the Tournament]

lightheartedness, festivity, cheerfulness, having a reason to celebrate, celebration

4.     Four [He came back.]

a new and unnoticed chance, not noticing something good, not wanting to let go of everything you already have/remaining in the present/remaining everything like always

5.     Five [“Father... Mother...”]

loss, melancholy, grief, pain

6.     Six [Doll/Freckles]

infantile joy, openness towards other people without ulterior motive

7.     Seven [Nightmare Sequence]

illusions, living in a dreamworld, good imagination

8.     Eight [Sieglinde Sullivan & Wolfram Gelzer]

departure for the unknown, leaving everything behind, a shift in the direction of your life

9.     Nine [Harold West Jeb & Mina OR Maurice Cole]

swank, greed, possessive mentality, stinginess

10.   Ten [Aleistor Chamber, the Viscount of Druitt]

hopeful future, everything’s fine, collective luck

11.   Page [Edward Midford]

a witty/keen/spirited person, good in flirting, no serious feelings, can capture everybody’s hearts

12.   Knight [Elizabeth Midford]

a romantic person, honest heart, idealist, would do everything for the person he/she loves but can become quite jealous

13.   Queen [Francis Midford]

an empathetic person, calm, understanding, listens to everybody(’s problems)

14.   King [Alexis Leon Midford]

a profound person, great life-experience but isn’t embittered, believes in the good aspects of persons, puts mercy before the law

SUIT OF SWORDS

1.     Ace [The Solution]

clarity, insight, understanding, sense of justice, analytic mind

2.     Two [“I, for one, cannot return to that side!”]

doubts, insecurity, not being able to make decisions

3.     Three [She’s... gone.]

painful experience, love-sickness, a feeling of guilt, bad conscience

4.     Four [Radiance]

hold-up, stagnation, withdrawal from life for thinking, meditation

5.     Five [Real!Ciel Phantomhive]

furtiveness, cleverness, evilness

6.     Six [“Does he mean... me?”]

worries, unwound future, reluctant departure for the unknown

7.     Seven [The Revelation]

fraud, malice, anxiety for direct confrontation, being able to give someone a false sense of security and then to deceive them

8.     Eight [William T. Spears]

only being able to feel comfortable in regulated activities/process/procedure, anxiety for taking risks

9.     Nine [Our!Ciel Phantomhive]

nightmares, unsolved problems, sleepless nights, worries, being depressed because of something

10.   Ten [Elizabeth Midford & Soma Asman Kadar]

optimism, indestructible hope (even if everything has turned against you), recommencement after a painful end

11.   Page [Real!Ciel Phantomhive]

challenging person, loves to provoke others, bragging, anxiety for serious confrontations, shallow

12.   Knight [Our!Ciel Phantomhive]

a brash person, can be very cynic, militant, loves serious confrontations, fights eagerly, unstoppable

13.   Queen [Rachel Phantomhive]

a careful person, makes wise decisions and only makes them after she regarded every side, sense of justice, doesn’t make decisions based on sympathy but on facts

14.   King [Vincent Phantomhive]

a sagacious person, very intelligent, a quick thinker, loves brainy conversations

[every-ciel-phantomhive]

[blackbutlercharacterpoll2023]

The following is the lineup for the polls by date, made using a random number generator. New characters introduced in chapter 199 will automatically be added to the end of the roster.

April 19th - April 26th

Chlaus

Rian Stoker

Lord Ackroyd's son

FOL Orphanage staff

Timber

Claude Faustus

Tanaka

Conny

Emily

Baldroy / Bard / Baldo

Finnian / Finny

Sharpe Hanks

Mabel

Burnett

April 20th - April 27th

Soma's elephant

Beast

Sophie Smith

Theodore

Finny's hat

Funtom Corporation's unicorn suit

Karl Woodley

Oscar

Chris Heathfield

Sieglinde Sullivan

Fred Abberline

Stella Rose

Charles Phipps

the orphan that called Sebastian an old guy

April 21st - April 28th

Nick

Joanne Harcourt

Purple House dorm master

Agni / Arshad Satyendra Iyer

Yana Toboso

Grete Hilbard

the Mad Dog of Venice

Abbie

Johnny

Mina

Rachel Phantomhive

Charles Phipps's chicken

Haku

Sascha

April 22nd - April 29th

Jumbo

Mrs. Mayell

Goethe

the Rowdy Count

Georg von Siemens

Margaret Connor

Al

Cedric Brandel

Mathilda Simmons

Wendy

Sam / Old Man Sam

Grelle Sutcliff

Ellery Nixon

Eric Slingby

April 23rd - April 30th

Edward Midford

Luka Macken

Queen Victoria

Lord Ackroyd

Layla

the other children in the lab Finny was kept in

Betty

Reaper trainees

Green House dorm master

Vincent Phantomhive

Drossel Keinz

Kelvin

Lawrence Bluewer's sisters

Charles Grey

April 24th - May 1st

Margaret Turner

Akashi

Snake

Edgar Redmond

Derrick Arden

Ronald Knox

Aurora Society member

Bloodbath Johnny

Wilde

Soma Asman Kadar

Claude's birds

Sebastian's silverware

Chef Rickman

Susannah Connor

April 25th - May 2nd

Susan

Artie

Damian

John Brown

Saneatsu Nekoma

Peter

Lawrence Anderson / Pops

Chef Wollest

Chris Heathfield's maids

demon Crow

Nina's assistants

Ludger

Prince Albert puppet

Miranda

April 26th - May 3rd

Blavat Sky

Vicar Rathbone

Julius Pitt

walking stick shopkeeper

Grimsby Keane

Ciel's horse

Edward V

Jay the Undertaker

Gregory Violet

Canterbury

Jeremy Rathbone

Doctor

the cat from the live action movie

Henry Barrymore

April 27th - May 4th

Lawrence Bluewer

Prince Albert

Higham

the Panzer

the train kidnapper

Donne

Heinrich

Chef Lach

Dagger

Doll / Freckles

Sam's grandson

Bitter Rabbit

Japanese man with a katana

"Ciel" Phantomhive / Our Ciel / O!Ciel

April 28th - May 5th

Mey-Rin

Undertaker's mourning lockets

Webster

Purple House prefect from Vincent's year

Patrick the Grey Wizard

Diedrich

Johann Agares

Bronte

Carter

Othello

the cultists

Baldroy Jr.

John Brown's horse

Sphere Music Hall staff

April 29th - May 6th

Jackknife Haywood

Nina Hopkins

William's death scythe

Angela Blanc

Wolfram Gelzer

McDowell

Ronald's lawnmower

Arthur Randall

Aleister Chamber / Viscount of Druitt

Keats

Annie

Terry

Hao

Maria

April 30th - May 7th

Irene Diaz

Polaris

beggar boy that Soma gives a necklace to, mother, and baby brother

kenpo master

Red House dorm master

Ran-Mao

Shiori Genpou

Cedric K. Ros

Lau

Clayton

William T. Spears

Patrick Phelps

Japanese woman with a lunchbox

Oliver

May 1st - May 8th

Arthur Conan Doyle

the bear

Grelle's chainsaw

Trancy / Former Head Trancy

Richard

Aristocrat of Evil with the scarred face

the archeologist

Joker

Jan

the cats Sebastian rescues from the rain

Hilde Dickhaut

Rin

Cloudia Phantomhive

"Deer"

May 2nd - May 9th

King's Bear prostitutes

McMillan

"Her"

Undertaker's death scythe

Daniel

Ginny

Sieglinde Sullivan's father

Charles Bennett Sato

demon Ciel

Ada

Arnold Trancy

Ciel Phantomhive bizarre doll / Real Ciel / R!Ciel

Arihito Genpou

Thomas Wallis

May 3rd - May 10th

Chef Tarpin

Queen Victoria (Season 1)

Lau's ladies

Fennian

Harold West Jeb

Nicholas

Professor Sullivan / village crone

Anne Drewanz

CGI horses / driver

Margaret Connor's father

Ciel Phantomhive child / R!Ciel child

Jane

Paula

Wordsworth

May 4th - May 11th

Maurice Cole

Alexis Leon Midford

bizarre dolls

the turnspit dog

the "werewolves"

O!Ciel's land renters

priest

Pluto

Sebastian the dog

Red House prefect from Vincent's year

the Sebastian Roomba

bizarre doll horses

Baldroy's cow

Undertaker

May 5th - May 12th

Hanae Wakatsuki

the iceberg

Alan Humphries

Ash Landers

Thompson

Snake's unnamed snakes

Milly

Munemitsu Aoki

Alois Trancy / Jim Macken

Elizabeth Midford / Lizzy

Aurora Society purified water seller

Drossel's dolls

the timetable guy

Herman Greenhill

May 6th - May 13th

Azzurro Vanel

William's pigeons

Joanna

Reaper managers

Dove

Countess Trancy and her baby

German countryman

Scotland Yard officers

Haku's henchman

Lorraine McDowell

demon "pet" (the xenomorph)

Hannah Annafellows

Angelina Dalles / Madam Red / Aunt An

Pitt

May 7th - May 14th

Vincent Phantomhive's staff

Paul Jones

Francis Midford

Sebastian Michaelis

Cheslock

Phantomhive family ring

James

Edward Abberline

Baron Ridley

Sebastian's owl

[itunesbooks]

Black Butler, Vol. 5 - Yana Toboso

Black Butler, Vol. 5 Yana Toboso Genre: Other Price: $6.99 Publish Date: April 8, 2014 Publisher: Yen Press Seller: Yen Press, LLC For an impeccable gentleman's butler like Sebastian Michaelis, the word "impossible" is just not in his vocabulary. Everything demanded of him under the English sun is well within his grasp. But do his talents extend to things under the scalding Indian sun?! As Harold West-Jeb's plan to use Agni, Prince Soma's superhuman butler, in a curry battle to win himself a Royal Warrant is exposed, Earl Ciel Phantomhive sets Sebastian to the task of creating an incomparable curry to defeat the despicable West-Jeb. But how can Ciel's devil of a butler possibly best Agni, the man with the Right Hand of God?! http://bit.ly/2VLrY3N

[fandomlife-giver]

His Maid, Supremely Talented: 1

Summary: The true face of Ayani that no one knows. No matter what reasons she may have, hiding things from her master makes her a terrible maid. I am not hiding anything behind a second face. If you like, you can peel it off and see. Here we go...

Next time on Black Maid, "His Maid, Supremely Talented" You see, I am simply one hell of a maid.

Pairings: Eventual Sebastian x Demon!reader

@wintersdoll

Warnings: Violence

Word Count: 3560

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"Young master."

You all turned towards the window, where Sebastian's upside down figure was hanging from the roof. "She has made her move."

"Good." Ciel stood up and looked at him. "Let's follow her."

"Take me with you."

Your eyes moved to the door, where Soma stood. Ciel looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You? Why?"

"I know that Ayani has been sneaking out after I fall asleep." He looked down at the ground. "I want to know what she has been up to." He looked back at Ciel. "That is my right."

Ciel narrowed his eyes as you leaned over to whisper with your face beside his. "Perhaps it would be best for him to follow as well. It would be wise, he is a prince of royalty, after all."

His eyes looked at you, then at Soma with a sigh.

. . .

Soma stared at the large estate you had all followed Ayani to with awe. "A nice place. Who lives here?"

You watched the front gates creak and swing open as Ayani walked inside. "This estate belongs to Harold West Jeb. He imports a wide range of goods from India."

You tuned Ciel out as you watched Ayani, unintentionally pressing closer into the brick wall corner...and closer to the person next to you.

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw his grip on the wall tighten and it was then that you noticed what part of him you were pressing into. A small smirk curved at your lips as your eyes traveled up to look at his...and they had darkened over. You saw this because he was staring directly at you.

"My, it seems you two have a lot of arousing frustration to release." You froze as you looked back at Lau, who was smiling, with a glare.

You moved away and focused back on the estate, only to see Ayani had already went inside. Your eyes moved to Soma. "People at one of his businesses have been found trust up and hung upside down. Mr. West happened to be away, however, fortunately for him, he managed to escape unharmed."

You all moved away and out of sight. Soma rubbed his chin while Lau smiled. "My, isn't he lucky."

Ciel looked up at you. "Shall we have a look, then?"

You smiled. "Certainly." You and Sebastian wrapped an arm around him, then bent your legs and jumped up into the air.

. . .

You peered around another corner inside the estate, and as Soma went to walk in, you held out your arm. The sound of footsteps thumped above you, until they faded away. You put down your arm and you all tiptoed across to the opposite wall, and cracked the door open to peer through the small sliver of a room.

A room Ayani was in, sitting stiffly on a couch, appearing to be frozen.

"Why don't you relax with a nice scotch?" A man, Harold West, came into view as he walked up behind the couch. "An excellent one from Justerini and brooks. They hold the royal warrant, you know." He offered the glass of scotch to her, but she didn't move.

He retracted his hand and walked around the couch. "Our plan is working so far. You've done well for me, Ayani." He stopped in front of her and smirked. "I think we've done all we need to, stringing anyone else up won't be necessary." He threw down a newspaper beside her, the headline showing the hanging bodies.

He leaned closer to her and grabbed her bandaged arm in his hand. "With this blessed hand of yours, the royal warrant may as well be in my pocket."

Ciel's brows furrowed. "A royal warrant? That's what this is?"

He smirked and used his other hand to grab her chin. At first, roughly, but then, he caressed her cheek. "Oh, how lucky I am to have you, Ayani."

She finally looked at him, her eyes shaking. "If I carry out the plan as promised...then Mina--"

Soma's eyes widened, and before anyone could stop him, he slammed the door open. "Where is Mina?!"

They looked back at him with wide eyes. "What the...!?"

Ayani stood up with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment. "My prince!"

Ciel stepped forward with intention to yell after him, but you quickly clamped his mouth shut and pulled him back in before he could. You leaned down to whisper in his ear. "West is almost certain to recognize us, my lord. We must stay back."

In anger, Soma grabbed Ayani by her arms and narrowed his eyes. "What is this?! You have known where Mina was all along, Ayani?!" She stared at him with glazed eyes, but didn't speak.

West put a hand on his hip and smiled. "I see. This intrusive young man is your master."

Soma looked at him with a sneer. "And you are the man who took Mina away." He let go of Ayani and pointed at him. "Get him! Do you hear me?"

She clenched her teeth and looked down, almost struggling to speak, which made Soma scoff. "What are you waiting for?!"

Ciel sighed and moved your hand to turn around and face the three of you. "Let's grab that idiot prince and get out of here, right now."

Lau tilted his head. "But West will recognize you as soon as you walk in."

You looked back and spotted a deer head mounted on the wall and smirked. Sebastian followed your line of sight and also smirked, then looked back at them. "We'll take care of it."

Lau hummed. "But there is only one deer head. So, who will wear it?"

You folded your hands over your stomach and fluttered your lashes at Sebastian. "Well, the gentlemen act would be to volunteer himself, would it not?"

He chuckled. "And you say you're not a lady."

Lau smiled bigger. "Oh, and when did you say that Y/N?"

Sebastian smirked as he snatched the deer head off the wall. "The details aren't important, but it was a time when the lady was wet and her clothes were in another room."

You growled at him.

West smirked at Ayani. "Well, Ayani? Are you going to take care of this brat for me?"

Soma looked at him. " 'This brat'?!"

Ayani's hand began to shake as she shut her eyes and clenched her teeth. Soma's eyes widened while a grin spread on West.

Her entire body shook, until her eyes opened, and with a yell, she raised her hand to strike down on Soma.

Soma watched with frozen shock. "Ayani...?" But right before she could, she was stopped by Sebastian, who was...wearing a...deer head.

The three of them froze in awkward shock. "Deer...?"

You couldn't help the small laugh that escaped you.

West jumped back in fear and frantically pointed at him. "A deer man?! What's going on here?!"

Sebastian stood up and looked directly at West, but it was slightly creepy since it was a deer that was staring at him. "Yes, thank you for stating the obvious. I am a deer." His voice was a little muffled, but you could still understand it. He put a hand over his heart and bowed his head. "I have come for the prince."

West's eyes widened. "He's a foreign spy!" He looked at Ayani. "Get him!"

Sebastian looked up and held up his hand. "No! I am simply one hell of a deer."

"Kill him! Do something or our agreement is over!"

That made Ayani's eyes widen. "Now!"

Her fists clenched and she fell to her knees as blood streamed from her eyes. "Since I was reborn, I have only had one god and master. I vowed that I'd never swing my fist for anyone but him. I am guilty of betraying that vow." Her eyes shot open to look at Soma. "Please forgive me!"

"Don't do it, Ayani!" Soma warned as Sebastian pulled his gloves tighter.

She grabbed the end of her bandage and ripped it off. She screamed as her being glowed purple and her eyes turned white. She lunged forward and threw her fist down where Soma stood, but Sebastian grabbed him, threw him over his shoulder and jumped back, her fist instead smashed into the floor.

She swung again, but he dodged her, making her once again collide with the floor. West screamed as she destroyed the room. "The crystal! Do you know how much that is worth?!"

You picked up Ciel bridal style and smiled at him. "I believe now is the time to leave, young master."

Lau glanced in the room. "My, it sounds like trouble in there."

Ciel wrapped his arms around your neck and looked back in the room at Sebastian. "Hey! We're drawing too much attention! Grab the kid and get out of here, Sebastian!" After he said his order, you looked to see Lau was already gone, then with a sigh, ran forward and jumped out the window.

Sebastian landed on one knee with Soma still over his shoulder and looked back. "Yes, sir." He jumped as Ayani came down again, then ran towards one of the windows, proceeding to jump through it.

. . .

"With that kind of punch, this girl is no ordinary human being." Lau spoke after sipping his tea.

Soma placed his head in his hand. "It is a mental technique she uses called 'Samadhi'. When she gets like that, no one can touch her."

Ciel crossed his legs. "Never heard of it."

"I imagine it's some type of trance. Ayani has absolute faith in her master. Consequently, from that faith, she is able to produce a superhuman power." Sebastian looked at Soma and placed his hand on his heart. "Her skills are born from something we can never understand. From complete trust and love in another person."

You glanced down once you felt Ciel's eyes on you, but once you caught him, he looked down.

"But this betrayal. Why would she do it?" Soma slammed his fists on the table. "Why do the people close to me always leave?!" What happened next made your eyes widen. He used his arm to push the entire tea set off the table and it shattered upon hitting the floor.

Ciel's jaw dropped. "Prince Soma!"

Soma stood up, shaking with tears. "All of them...but why?" He muttered to himself, before running out of the room.

Ciel also stood up, but didn't say anything as he left the room. Sebastian sighed as he stared at the broken set. "Oh, just look at the javelin tea set I ordered. It so well suited to my master."

You ignored Sebastian and walked off after Ciel. He was storming down the hallway, but you didn't know why it was he who was upset. "Master!"

He froze for a second, but kept walking until he reached his door. "What?"

You stopped and tilted your head. "I know you're troubled about something, but I'm sure it's not Sebastian's tea set. Is everything alright?"

He kept his head sown and scoffed to himself. "As if you would even care."

Though he spoke quietly, you heard him clearly and rose an eyebrow. "Of course I would, I have the greatest concern held for you, master."

His fists clenched. "Don't you dare lie to me. You are only a demon, you--"

"Demon or not, I care for your well being, that includes if something is bothering you, it is my job to rid of it."

He peered at you over his shoulder. "You can't rid of this."

You chuckled. "Well, not if you don't tell me what it is that's has you so distressed."

"You."

Your smile dropped as he turned around, but kept his head down. "Ever since that day, it's always been you--you are the only thing left to leave me in despair. Two years...two years you were gone and now, you're back! You just had to come back!"

His voice shook, but he finally rose his head. "To hate something you used to love is such a painful feeling. Especially if it comes back to haunt you for it."

A frown formed on your face, and there was a long moment of silence, until you asked a question that should've been asked since you returned. "Do you hate me, Ciel?"

He looked to the side. "I'm trying to, but it's more difficult than I thought."

"Why do you wish to hate me?"

His lips twisted into a sneer. "Because of what you are. Because any ounce of emotion I felt for you was a lie! And that's all you are..." He said it more as if he were to convince himself.

He looked back, and nearly jumped once he saw you were now standing right in front of him. You knelt down to his level to stare at him. "A demon is what I am, yes. But know this. Unlike every demon, I do not crave or hunger for your soul. My master wished for me to protect you, but he did not order me to stay by your side."

You stood up and smiled. "You have no idea how much I risk being here. Every day I deepen the whole of my grave just by being here."

He looked down. "I'm sorry...for my action the other night."

You tilted your head. "What action would that be, my lord?"

He glanced up at your cheek and his hand clenched. You smiled. "It was only a minor slap, truly it was nothing."

"You're wrong! You're wrong!"

You both looked towards a room down the hall. "Well, it looks as if Sebastian has taken matters into his own hands."

You both walked down to Soma's room and Ciel opened the door, seeing Sebastian tower over Soma who was crying on the floor. "It's time to face facts. Nobody ever loved you."

Ciel leaned in the doorway. "That's enough of that."

Sebastian turned around. "Master..." He looked up at you as you stood behind him. "Y/N."

Ciel shrugged. "Who knows, I easily could've ended up the same way as him. If it hadn't been for that month..."

Soma stood up and looked at him. "What are you talking about?"

"My family. They were killed and my home was burned down. I was treated worse than any animal. I was hopeless. Just a child." His fist clenched. "But I came back. To make the people who did that to me suffer the same humiliation. And I will find them. My parents were killed for a reason, if I remain the family head and make myself a nuisance to the people who hurt them, they'll target me. That's what I'm waiting for, someday they'll come to take my life as well."

Soma looked at him as if he were crazy. "But why? Why do it?"

He looked down. "Because the alternative is grief. If I stand still, I might as well be dead with them. But I am alive and still standing." He looked back up at him. "Moving on my own two feet. I am going to die someday and I'd rather do it without regrets. I'm not going to pretend that I'm doing anything noble. This is no grant revenge, it's just a game. I'm waiting to see who wins."

You tilted your head as a smile pulled at your lips. Hmm, a game, eh? Hmph, like father like son.

"How far I fall, as long as there is so much as a thread left, I use it to climb." He opened his hand as if reaching out for an invisible thread. "I'll take hold of it. I refuse to give up. I am still human, I can do that much."

Soma stared at him with a sense of surprise.

Ciel crossed his arms. "But every person must decide on their own whether they'll grab it." He glanced at you. "Enough of this idle talk, we must get back to work." You nodded and he looked at Sebastian. "Sebastian, we need to talk about West now." He turned and you both walked out of the room. "Come."

Sebastian walked after the both of you. "Yes."

You didn't make it far, until... "Ciel!" You all turned back and saw Soma run out after you and stop. "I am seventeen, but you're right. I am still only a child. I am nothing more than a spoiled brat!" He sighed and put a hand to his head. "I knew there was something bothering Ayani, but I didn't bother to ask, did I? Now, I want to know. I want to see them in person and ask why they left me!"

His eyes widened as he reached out to Ciel. "I'm begging you! Let me come!"

Ciel held up his hand. "Don't think so." Soma's face fell as Ciel put down his hand.

"You're a naïve idiot, I don't want to chaperone you." He turned to resume his walk, but stopped. "Of course, I'm not gonna go through the trouble of locking you in here." And with that, you all walked back to the room Lau was in, leaving a perplexed Soma.

That was, until Soma tackled Ciel into a hug from behind. "Thank you!"

Ciel's eyes widened. "Get off!"

He let go of him and clamped his hands together as Ciel turned around with a glare. "I am sorry I lost my temper earlier and destroyed your tea set. Please, forgive me." He looked behind him, and once he saw Sebastian standing behind him, he jumped behind Ciel. "Ahh! O-Oh yeah, and you too. I am very sorry."

He smirked and put a finger under his chin. "It's alright."

You chuckled, making them look at you as you smirked and put your hand on your hip. "We should have you more often, prince. I find you very entertaining."

. . .

Ciel rested his chin in his hand. "I didn't realize West was after the royal warrant. Though, giving his obsession with status, it does make sense."

Soma put his hands in his lap as Sebastian walked over to him with a cup of tea. "I was wondering, what exactly is a royal warrant?" He jumped away from him once he placed the cup down.

"It's an endorsement bestowed by the royal family upon their favorite vendors. Royal warrant holders are official conveyers to the crown." Lau informed.

You smiled as Sebastian gave Ciel his tea. "Yes, indeed. And in one week, a curry exhibition will be held as one of the festivities at the crystal palace. I expect it shall be quite the event."

"Curry?" Soma looked up.

Lau looked at you. "I wonder, how did you obtain that knowledge, Y/N?"

You smiled and looked down. "When under the command of her majesty, I was given many duties, including royal event planner. I know of every event held by the royal family."

Ciel scoffed. "Well, you could've mentioned that earlier."

You glanced at him. "Once more, her majesty has a unique love for curry. She may be in attendance, that day."

He lightly shook his head. "Nothing more than a rumor. Ever since her husband, prince Albert, passed away, her majesty consents to rarely make any public appearances."

You hummed. "Well, we shall find out soon, won't we?"

A smirk formed on his lips. "Are you betting with your master, Y/N?" When he didn't hear you deny it, his smirk widened. "Very well, we'll discuss the details of our bet later."

Soma leaned forward. "What do the curry exhibition and the recent string of crimes have to do with each other?"

Ciel leaned his cheek on his fist. "The connection is the curry, it's a specialty at West's coffee house. If he obtains a royal warrant for his curry, his sales are sure to increase dramatically. My guess is he was using Ayani to target specific men. They were probably his rivals for the curry exhibition."

"When she hanged the men, she included notes that were insulting to the English. That was made out as the attacks were by a bitter Indian. Likely, Mina was bait. She was probably the only reason Ayani got involved." He looked at Sebastian, who held out a file he had taken, which Ciel took and pulled out the note  Arthur read. "I'm guessing she did it all for you."

Soma gave a look of surprise as Ciel pushed the note over to him. "You worship Kali, a goddess who is depicted with her tongue sticking out. Ayani worships you as her god, along with Kali."

He leaned back as Soma looked closely at the letter. "The connection is obvious, she clearly signed those letters as a way of apologizing to you."

Sebastian looked at Soma. "She may have left, but everything she does is for you, no one else. Ayani lives only for you."

You smiled. "She is a fine maid, indeed."

Soma stared at the symbol. "Ayani...all this time...it was you..."

Lau smiled and clapped his hands. "My, my, my, I do love a happy ending. It looks like everything's wrapped up, no need to get more involved. I'm sure the yard can handle the rest."

Soma's eyes widened as he stood up. "Wait, no! There's Ayani and Mina. What will happen to them?"

Lau laughed while Ciel looked at him. "We know the criminal underworld isn't involved in this, which means it has nothing to do with us."

The note scrunched up in Soma's hand. "You're right. This is my problem. I need to be strong and find a way to deal with it on my own."

Ciel smiled and stretched his hands out. "That's the right attitude. And it affords me the liberty to look after my own agenda." Soma sighed and sat down in defeat. "I was called during winter to deal with this idiotic case." He smirked. "I think I deserve to be compensated for the inconvenience, don't you?"

Matching smirks came onto the lips of you and Sebastian as you looked down at him.

"Thanks to West's nefarious activities, the competition at the curry exhibition this year will be considerably slimmer than it normally would be. So, perhaps the Phantomhive company should enter it's own curry. We would only have to beat West." He looked up at Lau and Soma. "Then the royal warrant would fall into our hands."

A small gasped escaped Soma as Ciel smiled and looked down. "I was already considering expanding into the food industry anyway. Winning the royal warrant for our curry would generate some buzz and would be an excellent way to get started."

Lau leaned forward. "But you only have a week before the contest. Can you find an adequate curry chef and gather the equipment in time?"

"I don't think that will be necessary." He looked up at you. "Isn't that right, Y/N?" You smirked while Sebastian tilted his head.

"Master?"

He looked at Sebastian. "Considering Y/N is the only one here that has gotten close enough to the queen, it's a good chance she will pick her curry over experience and favoritism." He frowned. "That and you are still being punished for your actions, I don't think winning a competition and being praised for your food will be that annoying."

He sighed as Ciel looked back at you. "So, will it be a problem?"

You kept your smirk and bowed your head as you placed a hand on your stomach. "If I couldn't make a good curry for my master, then what kind of maid would I be? I shall secure the royal warrant."

"Impossible!"

You looked up at Soma. "There is no way you can win. They have Ayani cooking for them." He looked directly at you. "And her hand was blessed by the goddess, Kali."

[frontmezzjunkies]

Jacqueline B. Arnold as La Chocolat, Robyn Hurder as Nini, Holly James as Arabia and Jeigh Madjus as Baby Doll from Moulin Rouge!. Photos: © Matthew Murphy, 2019

My Top Ten Theatrical Experiences of 2019

By Ross

So here goes. I’m not that good at making lists, especially in an order that defines saying one thing is slightly better or somewhat worse, because on any given day, the order and assigned number might shift around quite dramatically.  But on this cold NYC morning, this is what I was thinking. Of course, my special mentions are as long as this list of my top ten (by twice), but so be it.  I feel grateful every time I walk in the theatre, particularly since becoming an Outer Critics Circle voting member. There is just so much to love about New York City’s dynamic and eclectic theatre scene, and although I wanted to add a few from London, England, Washington, or Toronto, I tried my hardest to keep it tuned in to what is happening on Broadway and Off this calendar year. So disagree or agree. It’s all good, and let me know your thoughts. I always love hearing about someone’s passionate loves.

J.D. Mollison (center) and the cast of Octet. Photo by Joan Marcus.

10: Octet

“This one certainly got under my skin and had me thinking late into the night. It also forced me, quite intensely and wisely, to think twice before each and every impulse I had to look at my phone…It’s insanely beautiful and achingly real emotionality that forces itself on me even as I attempted to fall asleep after I got home from this enlightenment…The simpleness of this musical has one of the more important messages that the world seems to be desperate to hear and learn.” Full Review 

Danny Burstein. Photos: © Matthew Murphy, 2019.

9: Moulin Rouge!

“Truth. Beauty. Freedom. And above all things, Love. That’s what is splashed before our hungry eyes and ears at the Moulin Rouge! – The Musical decadently and gorgeously mashing together with high-wired spectacular spectacular-ness…Within this new musical, directed dynamically and deliciously…” Full Review

MaYaa Boateng and Roslyn Ruff. Photo by Henry Grossman.

8: Fairview

“Utterly fascinating and forceful play. Like a good food fight, it wildly throws out implied conventions and disturbing vantage points…It transitions dramatically into a heady examination of race, strongly held expectations, and white privilege. Layered on top is an upsettingly accurate internal dialogue…Directed with resolution and unabashed confidence…the piece pounds us forward dramatically, challenging us to overcome.” Full Review 

Heidi Schreck. What the Conststution Means to Me. Photo by Joan Marcus.

7: What the Constitution Means to Me

“As directed with a free-flowing and creative hand by Oliver Butler, it hits us deep and sharp, almost as complicated as the ripples of distrust and pain that strike through Schreck, shaking and overwhelming her composure that feels, most definitely, out of the box…It lightens my load, seeing the smart and funny ‘What the Constitution Means to Me,’ although my broken heart stays confused and perplexed in these trying times.” Full Review

James Jackson, Jr., John-Michael Lyles, Jason Veasey, Larry Owens (in red jacket and hat), Antwayn Hopper, John-Andrew Morrison, L Morgan Lee. Photo by Joan Marcus.

6: A Strange Loop

“Directed with crafty ingenuity…The thrills of that first number sent me into joyous giggles of delight and surprise. And it just kept getting deeper and smarter, wittier and wiser with each effervescent and boundary-free song. The show is like no other…There are times we don’t know whether to laugh, cry, or clap along to the sounds of this collision of hurt and humor, as the players all bring forth an authentic slap to each well crafted song.” Full Review 

Eva Noblezada, Andre De Shields, Reeve Carney. Photo credit: Matthew Murphy.

5: Hadestown

“The ‘Road to Hell’ has never been finer…With Mitchell’s spectacular retelling of the old Orpheus myth…It’s clear from the hot and fiery opening that…Chavkin has a pure vision of tense and muscular motion…The songs are beautiful…’Hadestown’ delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience, filled to overflowing with passion, artistry, and love, even as are hearts are crushed in the end by our human frailties.” Full Review 

Zawe Ashton, Charlie Cox, Tom Hiddleston in Pinter’s BETRAYAL at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre. Photo by Marc Brenner.

4: Betrayal

“A triangle built with a ballet-like precision within a circle against a long rectangular wall. This is the essence of this masterful revival. They are poised for interaction from that first visual, one by one, in pairs (for the most part), as directed with tight thoughtfulness by the gifted Jamie Lloyd.” Full Review

The full cast of SLAVE PLAY (On Ground L to R): Ato Blankson-Wood, James Cusati-Moyer, Sullivan Jones, Annie McNamara, Joaquina Kalukango, Paul Alexander Nolan. (In red boxes L to R): Irene Sofia Lucio and Chalia La Tour. (photo by Matthew Murphy)

3: Slave Play

“It’s provocative and uncomfortable, pushing boundaries and buttons that are hidden within every single soul in the theatre, daring us with staggering urgency to take notice and check our own prejudicial thoughts and politics…So sign up for this sexy and dynamic experiment and become engaged in a conversation that will likely continue long after the last group member leaves the stage.” Full Review

2: The Sound Inside

“The piece floats forward in segments, delicately ushering in the ideas of encapsulated loneliness and the acceptance of praise that resides within, ever so quietly…The two come together in a (Tony deserving) way that will haunt your imagination as you try to make sense of the imagined.” Full Review 

1: The Inheritance

“‘The Inheritance’ truly surprises us, moment to moment, with its tender power and strong parallel story-telling. It slides in almost unsuspecting, finding a way to deliver a heart breaking truth and an emotional reality that sends me, almost, over the edge. ” Full Review 

  Steven Skybell, Jennifer Babiak in Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

NYTW’s Sing Street, LCT’s Greater Clements, PH’s The Thin Place, Little Shop of Horrors, St. Ann’s Warehouse’s History of Violence, PH’s Heroes of the Fourth Turning, Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, ATC’s Blue Ridge, Public’s Sea Wall/A Life, ATC’s The Mother, St. Ann’s Oklahoma!, Gary: A Sequel…, Public’s White Noise, Rattlestick’s No One is Forgotten, LCT’s The Rolling Stone, Broadway Bounty Hunter, MCC’s The Wrong Man, 59E59’s Square Go, TNG’s one in two. I did not get a chance to see Fleabag or many others, as I only have me, and I do need to work occasionally and make some money to live and eat…And I have yet to see The Lehman Trilogy, but I will get my chance in the Spring. Along with the new West Side Story directed by Ivo van Hove and choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker that started previews early December. I’m guessing they might make my Best of 2020.

Heroes of the Fourth Turning Written by Will Arbery Directed by Danya Taymor FEATURING Jeb Kreager — Justin Julia McDermott — Emily Michele Pawk — Gina Zoë Winters — Teresa John Zdrojeski — Kevin Scenic Design: Laura Jellinek Costume Design: Sarafina Bush Lighting Design: Isabella Byrd Sound Design: Justin Ellington Fight Direction: J. David Brimmer Production Stage Manager: Jenny Kennedy Assistant Stage Manager: Madolyn Friedman

Greater Clements LCT 11-09 257 Greater Clements, written by Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Davis McCallum Lincoln Center Theater 11/13/19 Lighting Design: Yi Zhao Costume Design: Kaye Voice Scenic Design: Dane Laffrey Sound Design: Fitz Patton Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography tcepix@comcast.net

Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes

White Noise By Suzan-Lori Parks Directed By Oskar Eustis David Diggs Sheria Irving Thomas Sadoski Zoe Winters

#frontmezzjunkies gifts u his #bestof2019 #OctetNYC @MoulinRougeBway #TFANAFairview @TheatreforaNewA @constitutionbwy #astrangeloop @phnyc @hadestown @betrayalbwy @SlavePlayBway @nytw79 @SoundInsideBwy @Inheritanceplay My Top Ten Theatrical Experiences of 2019 By Ross So here goes. I'm not that good at making lists, especially in an order that defines saying one thing is slightly better or somewhat worse, because on any given day, the order and assigned number might shift around quite dramatically.

[abybweisse]

Harold West and all his stuff, part two

Chest from General Trading, (Émile) Gallé lamp from Thomas Goode, Royal Worcester tableware, and Lock & Co. hat:

I couldn’t find an exact match for anything, and I hit some sort of dead end regarding that chest (so far). The closest I have been able to find is this:

...and that’s still kind of far off.

But these Gallé lamps are pretty close.

The lamp in the manga uses the base shape from the top one and the shade shape from the bottom one.

Thomas Goode is now called The Rumi Endowment Company Limited, but it was incorporated in 1918 as Thomas Goode & Co. (London) Limited. I’m assuming it was initially established earlier than that.

Royal Worcester has been around a long time, but I couldn’t find an exact match to the rather dainty-looking set in the manga.

I couldn’t tell whether it’s meant to be a bowler or a top hat, but Lock & Co. Hatters makes all sorts, and it’s the oldest hat company still in business....

Limited edition Meissen cup:

Meissen is mentioned again, during the blue sect arc, when our earl destroys a Meissen vase at Funtom Music Hall. Meissen has been in production, officially, since 1710 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meissen_porcelain. Here, the words are in a different panel from the item being mentioned. This:

...might be the Meissen cup, but I’m not sure. It doesn’t look typical of Meissen, so it might actually be something we don’t get to hear him mention. Perhaps it’s the “special-ordered” item that is cut off by the panel edge.

And yep. Your “poor” house, too. 😆

[every-ciel-phantomhive]