#i was like “oh let's draw ciel” and then

[oneemasan]

bnuuy

[jaythelay]

TADC has this air of "only getting better" I feel because of how well they're setting things up. Kinger being an obvious but well handled example. Definitely feels like they got the story figured out and handcrafted those puzzle pieces for us to discover as we watch.

It's giving me TFS's DBZ abridged vibes, that kind of writing where if you watch through multiple times, ya notice set up that ya missed before. So many jokes in TFS get better on repeat viewing because you remember the set up from long before. (Also might be because I had been a fan since Ep1 and wow I went from child to adult in it's time.)

I do think 3 episodes was a bit soon for such writing on an entirely personal creative level, but it doesn't take away in any regard. However I find it genius aswell, because already people are looking at previous episodes and coming up with very likely theories for future episodes. They showed their cards and it was a royal flush or whatever's Exodia in poker.

That sort of hook is hard as hell for any creator, and they dug those nails in and I will not escape the grasp. I wanna know what happens when Jax holds his breath, if one of the cast is an NPC that swapped places with someone, I want to know what the mannequinn is doin'. Speaking of, I love them all just hanging out experimenting with the world like oh my god please hundreds of these miniature "slice of lifes". Then they tied it back into the plot??? Oh my god??? God Tier???

Mystery. I said it before in far more elaboration, but this is what I mean. If you want a good story, a good creation, ya gotta have people asking questions while having answers for things they didn't consider. Keep them thinking, interested, not overwhelmed but envigorated, because that's what Peak Living is.

Interest in the unknown and discovery of the un-acknowledged.

[xxstraymoonchildxx]

This Couple is Unusual

Prev./Next (WiP)

Chapter 6 This couple, beneath the mask

tw: violence, blood, and a bit of nastiness

In the dead of the night, the smell of rain lingered in the air; a layer of mist crawling over the ground and slipping through the cracks of the shabby houses of Whitechapel. 

He shivered in his modest set of clothes, thoughtfully picked to avoid drawing attention from any unfortunate soul stumbling around the alley. Ciel tried to keep himself warm by wrapping his arms around his torso while he leaned against the wall behind him. His butler was more fortunate being dressed in a black coat and white gloves. Ciel looked around the corner, blue eye fixated on a wooden door at the blind alley. It was the only entrance to the room belonging to the future victim. No one could get inside without them noticing.  

“Does this person really live in this room?” Ciel asked for the ninth time, wishing for the perpetrator to arrive before he caught a cold in this unforsaken weather.

Sebastian refrained from rolling his eyes, giving him the same answer “Yes, my Lord, she does.” The tabby cat, which silently approached him on soft paws, was far more appealing compared to the monologue of his master. The ravenette gently picked the feline up. A round face with large eyes, soft paws, the gentle swiping of its tail… His pets at home weren’t these charming, alien creatures that were domesticated by some demons. So adorable, so perfect.

“Are you even listening to me?” Ciel broke his butler’s reminiscence with a loud hiss and a short argument ensued, reminding Sebastian of the one earlier this day, or what he liked to call it: throwing a tantrum. 

Silence fell over them when Sebastian let go of the feline.

Ciel stared at the house across from him, unaware of two sets of eyes hiding in the shadows.

“Ahhhh!”

The bloodcurdling outcry of a woman cut through the night like the blade of a sword.

“How is that even possible?!” Ciel called out, sprinting around the corner towards the scream. With Sebastian right behind him, he pushed the wooden door, smashing it against the wall. 

Sebastian quickly covered his face, feeling his master trembling underneath, and moved them backward into the open. 

But it was too late. Ciel saw it all. His head felt like it was burning as all color left his face.

Shredded flesh and fabric were scattered across the room, drenched in the blood that was spreading out across the floor, crawling toward the door.

Ciel threw up.

Sebastian moved himself and Ciel backward. Amidst the sea of red, a shadow emerged. 

“This was a bit over the top, don't you agree, Jack the Ripper?” Sebastian chuckled “Or should I say…”

Its steps smacked against the floor when it entered the moonlight outside, revealing the person behind it all.

“...Grell Sutcliff.”

He stared at them with empty eyes, red splatters dotting his face, hair, and suit. 

“Oh, that wasn't me,” they said, adorning an innocent face. “I heard a scream, so I went inside and-”

"Oho? How would you have done that? We've been here the entire time, watching the only route." 

Grell said nothing, looking pitiful with strands of hair clinging onto their face when it started to rain; like an attempt to erase the evidence of their sin.

“You can stop pretending to be innocent with the state you're in. If this isn't enough, you faked your whole persona, right? I must admit, I've never met someone of your ilk.”

Grell’s mouth split into a wide, inhuman grin, baring their shark-like teeth. 

“That so? I sure hope you never met someone like me ❤”

Grell put off their costume as they spoke. 

“I am the greatest actress this world has ever had the joy to witness. So don’t stop there. Flattery must be served in large quantities❤,” Grell flipped her long cherry-red hair and winked. “Albeit you’re one to talk ‘Sebastian’” 

Sebastian chuckled, “That’s the name my master gave me - for now.”

“Oh, a faithful dog yet such a handsome stud - A man after my own heart! So, Sebby-darling, let me re-introduce myself,” Grell swooned, cheeks flushed “I’m the butler of the Burnett Household: Grell Sutcliffe, at your service ❤!”

She blew him a kiss. Sebastian cringed. 

“Now I can finally show you my true colors! Little ol’ me never expected a demon posing as a butler, so, of course, I was shocked at first, y’know?”

“I return the sentiment. Aren’t you supposed to be a neutral party between gods and humans, Grim Reaper? So why would you break the natural order of things?”

“Oh, don’t be such a sourpuss, darling. You could say I fell head over heels for a certain woman. And as they say, all is fair in love and war~”

“That woman is,” Sebastian started, but before he could reveal anything, footsteps were clattering closer until they rose from behind the shadows. 

“There is no need to hear him out,” a familiar voice said coldly “You already knew, didn’t you?”

Ciel, finally breaking out of the initial shock, moved Sebastian’s hand away from his eyes. It hurt seeing her step out. “Madam Red.”

“I was careless,” she said with a bitter smile on her red-colored lips “I never dreamt of having someone by your side who could see through Grell’s disguise.”

“Madam was on the list of suspects, naturally, but had the perfect alibi. The further we investigated, the clearer it became that no human being could be the killer. You included. But your grim reaper accomplice over there…If he can enter Mary Jane’s room without being seen, I assume he can instantly transport himself lengthy distances without trouble. Who would pay any heed to a butler disappearing from a noble’s party, even for a couple of minutes?”

Ciel explained calmly. It helped ground him to reveal his deductions.

“There were more connections that linked you to the murders - the victims being prostitutes and their wombs being missing aside: All victims went to the Royal London Hospital, your workplace, to undergo surgery. The order in which you killed the victims corresponds with the order they went under the knife. Mary Jane was the last person on your appointment list. So we lied in wait in hope of you running into us. Even if it turned out to be futile.”

Madam Red let out a disappointed sigh “How tragic. My lovely nephew. The son of my beloved sister. I wish you hadn’t insisted on taking on that case so that we could play chess again. However…” 

She clenched her fist, determination dwelling inside her chest.

“I won’t hold back even if it’s you, Grell!” 

A roaring noise followed her call.

Within the blink of an eye, Sebastian rushed forward, blocking the chainsaw directed at his ward with his hands, pushing Grell backward. 

“What the hell is this thing?!” Ciel shouted, hiding behind his butler.

“This is the grim reaper tool to capture souls. Although I’ve never encountered something like this before, it’s said to be able to slice through everything. How troublesome, even for someone like me,” Sebastian explained, yet despite his words he felt a wave of excitement.

“A normal scythe is way too old-fashioned for someone as amazing as me. Had this beauty custom-made. I’m a bit out of shape, so how about we do some vigorous exercise together? Just the two of us ❤”

Sebastian narrowed his eyes “Stop putting it in such a revolting way.”

Grell sighed with contentment, laying a hand over her chest with flushed cheeks, “My, how stoic you are - so irresistible! Let me paint you even more beautiful just how I did with those ugly women; with the red of your blood when I tear you up inside~”

Sebastian clicked his tongue, pulling off his coat. “A grim reaper should quietly harvest the souls of the dying. A butler should follow his master like a shadow. Your vulgarity violates the aesthetic of both,” 

“You wound me,” Grell mocked “I’m still a butler of death~”

The demon draped his coat over Ciel’s head and glared at Grell when he turned back around. 

“And I’m still a Hell of a Butler.”

Ciel pulled off his eye patch, revealing a purple eye with a white sigil imprinted like a tattoo:

“In my own name and in the name of the Queen I order you: put an end to this farce.”

Sebastian’s eyes lit up against the darkness, his eyes a sparkling shade of fuchsia. Grinning with sharp teeth with which he pulled his glove off with practiced ease, he gave the only proper answer a butler should.

 

“Yes, my Lord.”

The roaring of the chainsaw disturbed the pitter-patter of rain yet somehow there was no one brave enough to investigate. 

From a narrow rooftop, you watched the scene unfold with growing distress. You clung to Satan under the umbrella, observing the fake butlers playing a disturbing game of tag. Sebastian must've underestimated his opponent, barely avoiding being shredded into tiny pieces. The chainsaw cut through the brick walls like they were butter. 

How was he supposed to protect his charge from the danger right before him? The knife in Madam Red’s hand glistened in the spare light, ready to come at him any moment. 

Your fears were confirmed when the chainsaw nearly cut off the entirety of Sebastian’s left arm, having him retreat further away from the child, resuming the deathly dance.

Perhaps…

…you should get involved.

Manga-heavy chapter this time😊 Hope I did it justice. I'm not sure when I'll be able to write this month because my new job requires me to learn many new things (some in my free time, I wanna do good at work to keep it). Mild spoiler but I definitely plan on disrespecting Sebastian 😋 Critic is appreciated.

Oh, before I forget: If I were to write a sequel for the Campania Arc (I do have a base idea and a title), who would you rather see on Satan and MC's side? Solomon or Simeon?

[fancyfeathers]

I love your blog! Your darlings are so well written, you want to be mad at them for accepting their fates but their backstories are so complex that you actually cant get mad?!

And Eloise is my favorite of the kids.

In one of your posts you compared the noble boy she meets to a Young Vincent Phantomhive… but how messed up would it be for the Moriarty plan if she met O!Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian instead… Eloise is very smart - O!Ciel is too, as well as very determined and a manipulative little shit (which we love).

Good luck Moriarthree dealing with this Queen’s Watchdog and his pet demon.

I know black butler is not in your possible requests but I found the idea pretty entertaining.

Keep up the gréât writing!

*Turns to Kitty*

“Wanna help?”

“Oh yes I do.”

Co-writers on this one baby!

Father Like Daughter (Yandere William James Moriarty and his darling having a genius daughter)

While this would definitely be an AU but it is definitely fun together, if they ever met it would be during the public school arc and I imagine even through it is a boy’s school that all the children in the Moriarty family would be sent due to them needing to be away and safe during a particularly dangerous mission that could take awhile, the girls’ enrollment is managed through Albert and William pulling a few strings with a few friends who work there, along with Eloise’s high IQ, Hyacinth’s high literacy level, and Madeline’s and Marguerite’s high physical performances.

Andrei would be placed in Red House at age seventeen, Hyacinth in Purple House at age fourteen, Marguerite and Madeline in Green House at ages fourteen, and Eloise in Blue House at age sixteen which would place her in along with Ciel.

Due to the the special circumstances I believe one of the members of the crime gang would be keeping an eye on the children, James Bonde and or Miss Moneypenny. Of course Eloise’s circumstances would draw attention especially because she is a lady, but not just a lady but a lady with an insanely high IQ, and any stupid welcome house traditions will be stopped immediately by James Bonde who is posing as the caretaker of the Moriarty children due to their special circumstances which is another curious thing about this family.

Both Sebastian and Ciel notice her lack of effort in her classes and personal studies but still having extremely high marks even in the most difficult of studies. When Sebastian checks up on her as housemaster during quiet time she is reading her own personal fiction literature, and Mr. Bonde has to explain to him that little Eloise had always excelled since she was a little girl, studying Shakespeare and advanced sciences when she was barely five years old, and her cousins and sister were just as talented but in different ways, her sister Madeline of Green House being a top tier fencer and mathematician, her cousin Marguerite of Green House being a skilled markswoman and equestrian, her cousin Hyacinth of Purple House being a talent in the theater along with having a deft hand in sewing and art, and then her eldest cousin Andrei of Red House being the heir to the title of Earl of the Moriarty family and being skilled in the psychological sciences.

When Ciel is late to tea, he spotted Eloise and and Andrei in the gazebo as well which quickly shows the quick favor the Moriarties had won from the prefects. That evening when Ciel is complaining to Sebastian, Eloise comes knocking with her little charming smile but when the door closes her little act fades away.

“You have no actual intentions as a student here do you? You are up to something and that is painfully obvious.”

“How did you-“

“Know? You have no idea what my family life is like, you learn a thing or two in the Moriarty Estate. I have a proposal for you, I can help you if you help me eventually, and need I remind you I have a relative in each of the houses. So do we have a deal?”

“…I-“

“I will let you sleep on it, it is the only fair since I am your senior. You can let me or Mr. Bonde know, or perhaps Miss Moneypenny… but she is looking after Hyacinth in Purple House.”

So the next day when Ciel goes to speak to her, he catches her at a time where Mr. Bonde is at her side, but speaking to her in a tone in much more of a scolding than his usual tone to her, showing that he is no servant of the Moriarty family that he was led to believe, much on how Sebastian is not an actual housemaster.

“Eloise, you cannot have others dragged into the affairs of your family, your father and uncle sent you lot here to keep you safe.”

“I am sorry alright, but something is not right about any of this, that Ciel boy is not hear for school, something is clearly wrong-“

“Stay out of it, or else I will alert your father, do I make myself clear?”

“…Very.”

When Bonde steps out, giving Ciel a smile as he walks off to check up on the other Moriarty children in the other houses. Ciel steps into her room and sees her in pure anger.

“Who is your father exactly-“

“And who is your butler? It seems we find ourselves in a stalemate of secrets.”

After the incident with Cole, I think Andrei would be the one to take his place due to his high level of manners and being the heir to the Moriarty name. Putting more Moriarties in Ciel’s radar, and honestly why he does not really need help from Eloise anymore, he is now curious about what she wants and who exactly her family is. So when speaking to Andrei one day and bringing the topic of Eloise.

“Number one, my cousin is far too old for you to court if that is what you are after, but then again she is already being courted by that gentleman at the university. Number two, if you are trying to find out about our family, we would be fools to tell the Queen’s guard dog, now wouldn’t we? Leave family affairs to the ones who bear the Moriarty name.”

Then he tries his luck with trying to talk to shy, little Hyacinth, but she just hides behind the other students or Purple House.

Then with Madeline and Marguerite in Green House but the two of them refuse to give him any of the answers he seeks.

Their family is so secretive is as if they were related to the Lord of Crime himself

(Both Kitty and I doubt Eloise and Ciel would be friends, rivals at best, enemies at worst since their personalities would clash rather easily)

(Kitty honestly had the idea of Ciel meeting Eloise’s lover and immediately remembering his father and also the idea that her lover could be the reincarnation of his father but that really wouldn’t work because of their ages)

(Also just imagine when the Moriarty kids are all at the gazebo and their father’s pay them a visit and the bunch all just are surprised and slightly yet clearly worried and distressed at the sudden visit, Eloise especially)

[edenityy]

( chapter fifteen ! )

"Music? Oh— or croquet! Boating could be fun?"

Within the walls of Phantomhive Manor sit Leah Barrett and Elizabeth Midford, brainstorming ideas on how to satiate their boredom. Lacking the presence of Ciel to be a mediator and maker of the final decision, the two girls have spent the past ten minutes going back and forth. Still, neither seem entirely interested in each other's suggestions.

Sitting atop one of the lounges in the drawing room, Leah gently rubs her fingers across the material of her amber dress skirts. She is disengaged from the conversation, evident in how she trains her gaze on Elizabeth's canary yellow dress or the relentless way she presses her lips together. Perhaps had she stayed home to recuperate from her time at Noah's Ark Circus, she wouldn't feel so overwhelmed by mere conversation.

"Is it like you are not even listening to me!" complains Elizabeth. "How could you possibly not like a single activity I named?"

Effectively being snapped out of her trance, Leah swallows and reluctantly meets the blonde in the eye. "It is not that I reject your ideas.. It is just— does it not feel like we do the same few things as women? As if our options are limited. You can only have so much fun before you grow tired of it," her voice trails off towards the end of her sentence.

A sigh escapes Elizabeth, followed by a muffled agreement. Silence also fills the room and works to set a tone of slight discomfort, primarily on Leah's end, both girls letting their eyes wander to different spaces of the room.

Leah points a finger to her chin before glancing back up at her friend. "Horseback riding?" she suggests, not expecting a thrilled answer.

The Midford's face immediately lights up in a smile. "That sounds quite lovely!"

"You know how to ride, yes?" asks Leah as she stands from her seat and smooths out her dress skirt. "You can ride on my horse if not."

Shaking her head, Elizabeth follows suit and skips towards the door of the drawing room. "I believe I should be fine! I'm sure if I need help, you are capable," she grins widely.

"My Lady," Thomas interrupts before Leah has a chance to react to Elizabeth's words. "Riding can be dangerous. Surely there are safer activities you can do this afternoon?"

Stopping in her tracks, the young Barrett turns around to face her butler, face displaying utter irritation at the sound of his voice. "Thomas.. just get the horses and riding clothes. If it bothers you that much then ride behind us. Just keep quiet!" she almost raises her voice in anger.

Leah exits the room with Elizabeth on her tail, nearly stomping down the halls for the guest room she was given. Back in the drawing room, Thomas doesn't have the chance to respond before he must arrange everything, heading out of the room as well but purposely taking a different path to give the Barrett her space.

Walking down the halls, the teenagers have slowed their speed now that Leah has calmed, allowing Elizabeth to not have to exert herself to keep up. The sound of labored breathing dissipates as the brunette regains her composure, shaking her head to clear her previous thoughts of anger.

"That butler is so irritating.." complains Leah, moving her hair out of her face. Today the brown locks are styled half down with a braid going across the back while Elizabeth is wearing her infamous pigtails.

Elizabeth's face wears an expression similar to surprise. "He is not all that bad. All he did was suggest a safer activity."

The pair approach their rooms with small steps.

"I know. I think I let him anger me so much over trivial things that now Thomas merely existing seems to offend me.." Leah's voice fades, fully aware that her distaste towards the butler is unjustified.

Steps slowing to a stop, the girls enter their respective rooms to prepare for the afternoon ahead.

— ౨ৎ —

The grand doors of the manor are pushed open by Thomas who stands tall, a display of nature behind him, giving a false sense of security with the February air that nips at their noses. Stepping aside for the ladies, he watches them file out and make their way toward the horses he fetched and brought around to the front of the manor.

Both the Barrett and Midford wear riding habits, Leah wearing one in pine green while Elizabeth chose azure. Leah is the first of the two to attempt to get close to the animals, taking a peek at the horse's face before trying to mount herself, promptly being interrupted by the butler ten steps behind her.

"Allow me, My Lady," says Thomas as he arrives by her side, shifting himself to bend his knees.

Giving him an askew glance, Leah — with the help of Thomas — hoists herself up and places her foot upon his right shoulder. Thomas strictly follows the way to help a lady mount a horse, getting his master on the saddle and strapping in everything necessary. Settling down in her spot, Leah steadies herself on the horse and watches as Thomas assists Elizabeth before getting on a horse himself.

Leah adjusts her riding hat. "Your lead. I suppose we shall just go around the manor," she speaks up and sends a nod to Elizabeth beside her.

"Alright!" Elizabeth muses, slowly allowing her horse to begin a trot.

Following suit, Leah swerves her horse to position herself on the blonde's right side, acting as a stand-in man. Just a couple of feet behind the teenagers, Thomas keeps a respectful distance but acts as a supervisor, ready to intervene if necessary.

The ride is initially quite silent, only the faint sounds of rustling leaves or chirping birds fill the gap. Neither attempt conversation. Beneath them, the horses keep a steady pace and walk around the perimeter of Phantomhive Manor. Only occasionally does Leah glance in Elizabeth's general direction to ensure she doesn't fall from her horse.

Elizabeth glances over at Leah warily. "I am glad we are doing this. It has been some time since we have been able to be together like this," she smiles, trying to strike conversation without making her friend feel uncomfortable.

"Yes, I suppose it has been some time," responds Leah. "Life moves quite quickly, does it not?"

"It does. Soon enough, we'll be of age to make our social debuts. Then get married," Elizabeth has a face that reads of bliss for the future, unlike Leah who shows apprehension at her words.

Turning a swift corner, a breeze passes through the girl's hair. The atmosphere feels serene. Even being beside something as simple as a manor rather than the pure outdoors, it still manages to draw people in. Not far behind them, the shuffles of Thomas can be heard but go unnoticed despite the man watching them like a hawk.

"Sometimes it feels as though I barely got time to be a child.. but I suppose that is just how life is. We all have to grow up eventually," sighs Leah. Her disdain for the future ahead, no matter how prepared she could be, is clear.

Nodding along to her words, Elizabeth pouts in response but it is masked by something almost euphoric. "Well I am happy I get to grow up with you," she turns her head completely to drag her eyes across her friend's face, admiring someone who has been a constant in her life for years.

Leah's hand gripping the lead twitches and tears prick the corners of her eyes, bringing her head up to meet the green eyes of Elizabeth that hold nothing but fondness in them. For the first time in what feels like a long time, a genuine smile pulls at the corners of the brunette's mouth until her teeth show. Despite the internal issues she may struggle with when it comes to Elizabeth, she cannot deny that the girl is indeed her friend.

"I am grateful I get to grow up with you as well.." her face glows under the sunlight, a newfound sense of happiness that comforts the Barrett.

Returning their gazes ahead, the pair let their horses pick up speed and enjoy the feeling of the wind pushing against their face. As the afternoon wears away, they make gleeful — though sometimes forced — conversation and manage to hold onto topics. Even after months of little chance for interaction, Leah and Elizabeth can always somewhat keep the spark ignited within them, bleeding into the cold February air that envelops them like a hug that they cannot currently give the other.

— ౨ৎ —

Crash!

Leah shoots up in her bed with a gasp, the typically heavy sleeper awoken by the unpleasant — and unbelievably loud — sound of a noise that is uncomfortably close to her bedroom. Pushing the undone hair off of her shoulder, she sits up fully in a sideways kneel. Any further sound is nonexistent, making her tense up as she keeps her eyes trained on the door, despite her difficulty to see with only small gleams of moonlight being the lamp of the room.

Shaky breaths escape from her parted lips and she swings her legs over the side of the bed, reaching beneath the plush furniture to reach for a sword she keeps hidden. The cold floor pricks her fingertips while she blindly feels around before grasping the sword handle and gripping it uncomfortably tight, her knuckles would look white if her hands weren't already pale.

Rising from the safety of the soft blankets, Leah steadily approaches the door with quiet steps, keeping the sword held tightly against her back. Her footsteps are the only sound that reaches her ears, lifting a hand to wrap it around the door handle. Cracking the door open, she warily sticks her head out. Standing just a few feet outside the door, Finnian walks in a straight line in her direction, a small patch of blood shining beneath the light on the previously spotless floor.

"..Finnian?" Leah whispers, her hands clinging tightly to the door.

The gardener steps slowly as he stops before her door. "You should be asleep, My Lady! It's late, you need your rest," his words are quiet but his eyes are wide and pupils small, emitting an unnerving aura.

"What were those sounds?" asks Leah. Her eyes are equally as wide, but full of fear rather than the startling look from the typically cheerful gardener.

Finnian's eyes flicker to an undistinguishable emotion. "Don't worry about it.. We're taking care of it. Please get back in bed."

Shifting on her feet uncomfortably, Leah rubs her thumb over the handle of the sword in an attempt to make herself feel better. She opens the door a bit wider but Finnian stops the movement.

"What's happening?" the Barrett demands an answer.

"Please—"

"Answer me."

The sudden shift in Leah's tone is one Finnian has never heard before, stilling his movements. They both stare into each other's eyes. Silence.

"There is an intruder.. but please don't panic," Finnian whispers, unable to pull his eyes away from Leah's.

Leah's eyes trail over to the small pool of blood on the floor and her finger twitches. "Is Elizabeth safe?"

She is only offered a nod in response before gunshots sound from the end of the hall. Flicking her eyes to Finnian's, she glances out the door and runs down the hall, the sound of her footsteps pattering against the floor.

"It's dangerous, My Lady! Please go back to bed!" calls Finnian as he runs after her, surprised by Leah's speed.

Rounding the corner, Leah's breathing is slightly labored and her grip on the sword tightens at the sight. Standing at the end of the hallway is Dagger and Beast, staring back at her with wide eyes. Her steps slowly come to a stop and she can hear Finnian approach her from behind, unable to rip her eyes away.

"Diamond..?" Dagger's voice is low.

A shaky breath is the only thing Leah can offer in response, glancing warily at the knives clenched in his hands. 'What are they doing here? They aren't supposed to be here!'

Leah holds the sword to her stomach. "I'm sorry I lied.. I didn't mean to," she shakes her head at her words, tears pricking the corner of her eyes.

The circus performers glare, observing her uneasy stance with disdain. Against his better judgment, Dagger sends a knife straight past the Barrett's head and listens to her shriek.

"Prying into our lives. Take advantage of our hospitality. You nobles are all the same!" Beast's voice nearly becomes a yell and she retrieves her whip from her side, flashing it to frighten the teen.

There's a flash of something in Leah's eyes. Hurt. It only seems to last for a quick moment, her eyes darkening into contempt.

"You know, I did not think you people were all that bad. But it seems it stands true that the poor are only a burden," Leah clenches her teeth and wields her sword. "How dare you invade my home!"

Dagger and Beast hardly have a moment to react before the Barrett is charging at them, her feet pounding against the floor. Any previous anger she bottled up is released, showing in the swing that she aims directly for Dagger's head, only to have to dodge Beast's whip.

Hastily grabbing another knife, Dagger begins to swing and nearly cuts Leah's nightgown in the process. However, further attempts at injury fail when Finnian takes the chance to send a statue flying their way.

"Leave the lady alone," he calls out, voice lacking emotion yet a wide smile sits on his face.

Rubble and dust fill the air, prompting coughs but that doesn't deter the young Leah from taking the chance to swing rapidly at her targets. 'How is Finny capable of lifting those things? It doesn't matter.. He is giving me the upper hand.' She tries to steady her breathing as she lands a hit on Beast's arm, only to be forced to duck from a flying knife.

Eyebrows knitted in anger, Leah glances back at Finnian who holds another statue before dragging her eyes back to Dagger. "Would you like to make the fight fair?" she asks.

Throwing herself in the direction of a wall, she sticks her sword out at the same time Finnian chucks another statue, causing half of its length to shatter. Taken aback by this, Dagger and Beast don't get a moment to react before Leah violently swings at them again, almost landing a hit on Dagger before he is pulled back by Beast.

"You people are insane!" Dagger yells.

Finnian lifts a statue over his head. "We're just exterminating the mice," he pulls it back and sends it flying.

The circus performers continue deeper into the manner, but this doesn't deter Leah nor Finnian from chasing after them. Glancing behind him, Dagger grunts and throws a knife directly at Leah, missing when she ducks to the floor. But given the advantage, Beast can land a small hit with a whip on the Barrett's leg, only enough to cause pain but still reddening the skin.

Leah gasps and takes ahold of her leg, pain written all over her face as she watches Finnian throw yet another statue. 'Just where is he getting them from?' Nonetheless, she gets back on her feet and tries to follow after the pair flying down the steps but is stopped by the gardener.

"My Lady, please go back to bed. Us servants can handle it!" Finnian looks worried as he smiles down at the girl.

The Barrett pouts. "But—"

"Please.." he nearly begs. "For your safety."

A sigh escapes Leah but she nods, allowing her sword to escape her hand and drop to the floor with a rattle. Reluctantly separating herself from the situation, she heads off down the hallway and steps past the mess she helped create, lacking the will to feel sympathy for Dagger or Beast.

'It truly is a shame. I thought they were quite nice..'

When Leah rounds the corner and enters the hallway that leads to her room, her breath bitches at the sight before her. Thomas.

There is no face. It almost looks molten, like it cannot choose what form it wants to take until it settles on all black amidst the night. The eye holes are gaping and the teeth razor sharp, lacking the lips to keep them contained in it's mouth. His body— It's body is lengthy and mangled, only the legs seeming in tact to resemble any form of a human.

But just as quick as she sees it, the face uncomfortably melts back into the face she's seen since adolescence. Thomas. This can't possibly be Thomas though, can it? This isn't Thomas this is—

She lifts a shaky finger. "You're that thing I saw all those years ago.." Leah whispers, struggling to breathe.

"Whatever are you talking about, My Lady?" Thomas tilts his head, choosing to play coy.

Leah shakes her head and takes a step back, nearly tripping over her own feet. 'No..'

— ౨ৎ —

Cold. The night was cold.

Leah Barrett, freshly five at the time, ventured out of her room knowing that she was not meant to be doing so. That never stopped her though, she always enjoyed the feeling of being able to roam freely on her own. But she wished she hadn't that night.

The soft sound of her bare feet against the floor was the only thing to fill the silent halls, most of the servants were even retiring for the night. It was January. Barely ending the holiday season. The cold on her translucent skin hardly pushed her away, prompting her to walk further into the dark.

Children naturally hold curiosity. Leah was no exception.

She continued down the hall, turning a corner into a part of the manor she had hardly ever gazed upon. But it wasn't the dark she was scared of when she looked into the depths. It was an ungodly sight.

The molten face. The missing eyes. The mangled body. Little Leah cried out, taking the largest step back she could with her short legs. It twitched. To the creature, the young brunette was nothing short of wondrous. It spent years silently watching. Seeing the shining tears that fell down her porcelain cheeks, it was enamored.

But what was it? What invoked such feelings within a being such as Thomas? What was so interesting about a young girl? Whatever it was, the creature's interest had been peaked, unidentifiable sounds ringing out into the void.

Leah tightened her grip on her stuffed bear, breathing shakily and holding back noises of horrified sobs. She didn't even realize she was previously stuck in place until her legs bolted her back in the direction of her room, leaving behind the awful noise that only seemed to echo in her head.

Letting the sounds escape, the young girl ran directly inside her bedroom to find Anna who was no older than twelve at the time.

"Mistress, I was just about to start looking for you. What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" the maid questioned, leaning down to try and get a better look at the child.

The attempt to examine Leah was a failure though, as she immediately collided with her and wrapped her short arms around her legs. Loud sobs rang out and Leah's tears began to stain Anna's dress, the bear previously in her arms was discarded to the floor.

Anna's eyes widened. "What is wrong, Mistress?"

"I saw a monster!" cried Leah, streaks of tears painting her cheeks.

Picking up the small girl, Anna brought her over to her bed and sat her down on the plush blankets. "There, there.. Monsters don't exist. I'm sure you just thought you saw something in the dark." she tried to reassure the child but the lack of emotion on her face was clear.

"But—" Leah tried to counter the maid's argument.

"No buts. Now please try and sleep, Mistress. It is well past your bedtime. The nannies will be upset if you are in a terrible mood tomorrow," Anna stroked Leah's hair and settled her beneath the covers.

The young Barrett couldn't find it in herself to protest any longer, the weight of her exhaustion having hit her the second her head felt the pillow. Beside Anna, Leah always felt safe. But whatever Thomas was.. it haunted her for many years to come.

— ౨ৎ —

Moonlight streams in through the windows, illuminating Thomas' blonde hair and the strange look painting his face when he notices Leah creating distance. Her discomfort is undeniable though, shakily stepping away from him and unable to control the volume of her breathing.

"I— I need a moment.." Leah whispers, unsure of what to say but takes off for the balcony.

Thankfully — or perhaps not so much — the balcony is close by, the fresh air flooding Leah's nose and almost calming her. The wind blows through her hair, the leaves rustling in the far distance. The atmosphere is nearly perfect. 'Surely I'm just going crazy. Yes. This is all a dream. None of this is real. None of this—'

"You know you're not supposed to be around balconies unsupervised, My Lady," Thomas speaks up from behind her, standing in the entryway. "It would be a shame if we were to have a repeat."

Leah's breath hitches. Staring down at the ground beneath her, her body tenses. It only gets worse when Thomas approaches and places a firm hand on her shoulder, his eyes matching the look Finnian previously held. Empty.

The butler's eyes drag across her face. "I would advise you to step away. It is time for you to rest."

Moving back in an act of defiance, Leah's hand hits the edge of the balcony. Stiffening, her eyes connect with the butler staring down at her, unable to form a sentence. It all came rushing back.

— ౨ৎ —

She was awake when she shouldn't have been. She knew that. When is she ever asleep when she should be?

It was a cold April night, silence throughout the house. Not even the servants were awake in Barrett Manor at this hour, only a fourteen-year-old Leah occupied the hallways.

Her movements were slow and coordinated, almost as if she was being controlled. The hems of her nightgown brushed against her ankles, mimicking a small spring breeze.

Approaching the balcony, the young girl took in a deep breath and stared down at the ground below her. It was far. At least eight yards. Leah took a tight hold on the edge, her hands twitched and shook.

A small tear escaped her eye and fell down her cheek, illuminated by the moonlight that shone above her. Lifting a leg to settle her foot on the balcony's edge, Leah stood tall amidst the world below her. It was peaceful. Serene.

'Why am I doing this?'

She swayed back and forth.

'Would it all be worth it? For..'

Leah closed her eyes and allowed her body to fall forward, feeling the air whip across her face as she plummeted towards the ground.

'Sweet release.'

This peace was short lived though. It was all Thomas' fault. Right into his arms, she fell. A grunt from her end, feeling the appendages wrap around her in a tight hold that she hadn't felt in forever.

"My.." Thomas starts. "What are you doing awake at such an hour?"

The Barrett's eyes slowly opened, blue staring straight into the grass as they filled with disdain. "I hate you. I really do," she muttered.

Thomas stared down at the girl in his arms, a sadistic smile forming on his lips. Walking with a shake of his head, he took off for her bedroom, finding the predicament oddly entertaining.

'I just wanted to feel peace.'

— ౨ৎ —

"No!"

Leah shoves back against Thomas, almost throwing herself over the edge of the balcony in the process. Her breaths are shallow, only worsening when her butler grabs ahold of her wrist.

"It is bedtime," says Thomas as he swings Leah over his shoulder with ease.

The girl protests, the faint sound of continuous gunshots becoming quieter the closer they get to her room. Pounding her fists against Thomas' back, he appears unfazed as he forces the door open and places her down on the bed.

Throwing the blankets over her, Thomas moves back from the bed. "Goodnight, My Lady."

Shuddering under his gaze, Leah gives up on fighting back and settles her head against the pillows. She watches Thomas step out of the room and shut her eyes, trying to forget everything she's just seen. It was nightmare fuel.

Sadly her attempts at sleep are interrupted by the sound of an explosion, startling her and earning a rattled gasp. Sitting up in her bed, Leah gets up for the second time that night and shakily approaches the door. 'Elizabeth is surely fine.. The sound is too far for it to have affected either of our rooms.'

"Leah," the voice lacks any emotion. "Get back in the bed."

Pausing in her tracks, the brunette turns her head over her shoulder. There in the corner of the room is Thomas. Standing there in the chilly night air, staring her down. 'I thought he left..?'

Leah cannot bring herself to defy this time. The look in his eyes is much too threatening, she feels uncomfortable beyond belief as she shuffles back over to the bed. Getting under the covers, she keeps a grip on the blankets and stares at Thomas warily.

"Are you going to kill me?" she asks with a shaking voice, keeping a tight hold on her blanket.

There's a silence that overcomes the room for a moment, almost as if Thomas is thinking before he breaks it. "I would never," he doesn't lie.

"Please go away.." whispers Leah.

A hum sounds from Thomas, looking at the girl in the bed before closing his eyes. Slowly walking towards the door, he turns his head over his shoulder one last time.

"As you wish."

[anonymousewrites]

One Hell of a Love (Book 1.5) Chapter Eleven

Sebastian Michaelis x Demon! Reader

Chapter Eleven: One Hell of a Train

Summary: Sebastian, Ciel, and (Y/N) find themselves dealing with multiple issues on a single train.

Mouse Note: Who saw the first Down Bad Sebastian moment?

            “Young Master, would you care for a cup of tea?” asked Sebastian, pouring the tea perfectly despite the movement of the train. “I personally feel the scent of this Williamson Magor Darjeeling, picked in the summer…” He smiled lightly as he saw Ciel wasn’t paying attention. “Young Master, we are simulating a pleasant train journey. If you do not wish to draw the criminal’s notice, you should look a little happier.”

            “I know,” huffed Ciel.

            “Are you that concerned about the Trancy family?” asked (Y/N), nose twitching at mentioning the family. The Trancy family was the one who had taken his soul and attempted to take him. It wasn’t a coincidence that they should be involved in other criminal activity or underground business, for the Queen or for themselves.

            “No,” denied Ciel. “It does bother me, but not that much. Right now, the Queen’s orders take priority.” He parted the curtain and peeked outside the compartment. A man was glancing around nervously. “That man must be Lord Ackroyd. The kidnapped child is his only son.”

            “ ‘If you notify the police, I will kill the hostage. Board this train with the ransom,’ ” quoted Sebastian from the ransom letter. “So the criminal instructed him. And the ransom is five thousand pounds.” He smirked. “You could say that is the price they have set for a soul.”

            (Y/N) grinned, their sharp canines showing at the comparison.

            Ciel ignored the demons’ antics. “The criminal is most likely on this train. We will find him, apprehend him, and save the hostage. That is the only way to relieve Her Majesty’s grief.”

            At least this “Queen” is a good replacement. The other was easily manipulated by a fallen angel, thought (Y/N). “Indeed,” was the only thing they said, however.

            Ciel stood. “We’ll go to the dining car. I’m hungry.”

            (Y/N) and Sebastian followed him as they exited the compartment and went into another car.

            “It could be called the discovery of the century!” said a man pompously to an enraptured crowd around his seat. “I found the Pharoah Smenkhkare asleep in the Valley of the Kings!” He laughed boisterously.

            “He’s boasting about desecrating graves. Talk about bad taste,” remarked Ciel.

            “I met the Pharoah once, when he was alive. He was a most affable and virtuous person,” said Sebsatian. He considered the glimpse of the sarcophagus and mummy he’d seen earlier. “Still, even though he appeared quite dehydrated, his features were quite different.”

            “I always did like the Egyptians,” commented (Y/N).

            “Because you got them to worship you for a while?” said Sebastian with a smirk.

            “Well, of course. It was quite fun being worshipped,” said (Y/N), smiling coyly.

            Sebastian was not one to let his pride go, but the idea of worshiping them he’d get on his knees for (Y/N) if they asked him wasn’t terrible. Of course, he wouldn’t be opposed to them worshiping him, either. Equality in treatment and respect was imperative to a relationship. That and Sebastian couldn’t decide whether the idea of being on his knees for them or seeing them on their knees for him was more attractive, so both would have to do.

            “Sebastian, the Pharoah’s features were different?” said Ciel, interrupting them before they ran away with their strange conversations of past demonic travels. “You mean that was a fake? So, you’re saying he’s the criminal?”

            “I cannot be sure just yet,” said Sebastian.

            “Oh!” a gasp from beside them drew their attention. Another man in a seat had wild eyes as he looked at a book. “The train that left St. Pancreas Station at 9:00 will meet the tracks bound for Cambridge on a level crossing at 10:18 near Bedford! Oh! This is thrilling! I can’t miss it! The train will arrive at Derby Station at 13:05. Oh! There will definitely be a delay! Judging by the station workers and the weather, this will be tough. Maybe seven minutes?”

            Ciel deadpanned. “Is he reading the timetables?”

            “He seems to have a curious attachment to railroads,” said Sebastian in amusement.

            Ciel sighed and walked forward, slightly nudging a parcel at a passenger’s feet. “Hey, what are you doing?!” cried the man.

            (Y/N) bowed. “You must be from Japan. What a fine arabesque-patterned furoshiki you have there.”

            “Don’t touch it! It’s an important family treasure,” huffed the man.

            “I am sorry. He is always so stubborn.” A little old woman walked up to them. “Please accept this by way of an apology.” She held up some food.

            Ciel stared awkwardly, so Sebastian interjected, “Thank you, but it is quite alright.”

            “Oh really?” The woman tottered over to another passenger. “Then, how about you take some? I still have many left. I have some with dried bonito and plum. Please, help yourselves!”

            “I don’t want any,” said a passenger as she pushed the food into their face. “Didn’t you hear that cholera is raging in Japan?”

            “Don’t you dare accuse us—!” The woman’s wife stormed out of his seat.

            “Please, stop this.” A priest stood up from his seat. “Don’t you think it’s rude to treat travelers from such distant lands in this manner?”

            “Shut up! Stay in your place!” shouted another passenger.

            “A passage from the Bible says that travelers are fortunate,” continued the priest.

            “The 14:45 trail will…!” The excited clamor of the man obsessed with the timetable was drowned out by the rest of the drama.

            (Y/N)’s nose twitched. Humans were always so nosy.

            “It must be destiny that we met on this train!” declared the priest, extending his arms.

            (Y/N)’s eyes narrowed. He had a tattoo. Priests didn’t have tattoos. Naughty, naughty. Playing a priest~

            “Oh, my.” Sebastian smirked as he noticed the same thing.

            “Everybody, please calm down!” cried a new voice as a man threw open the car door. “Cool down and sit down!” He flounced through the corridor between seat. He took of his hat to reveal a face that was nearly identical to the late-Abberline’s apart from a mustache. “It’s no wonder you’re so tense! A murderer is being transported on this train.”

            Everyone froze. They had not known that.

            “But he’s under strict police surveillance. He can’t move a muscle,” said not-Abberline. “So, you really don’t need to wo…” He trailed off as he saw the passengers’ expressions.

            “Run!” The passengers ran from the car, nearly trampling not-Abberline. (Y/N) and Sebastian smoothly stepped to the sides, and Sebastian picked up Ciel under the arms.

            Ciel blinked and deadpanned as he was set down. He stared at the trampled man. “That man is…”

            Not-Abberline popped up. “Oh! You’re the Phantomhive!”

l

            “Eating this eel pie is so nostalgic,” said not-Abberline. The group had migrated to the dining car to discuss the situation on the train so Ciel could have all the facts for his own case. “Traditional English cuisine tastes like Mother’s cooking. By the way, that was quite the kerfuffle.”

            Ciel deadpanned. “And who was the cause of that?” He collected himself. “Anyway, Lord Randall will reproach you for having a meal with me.”

            “Not at all. Actually, I’d like to get to know you better. My twin brother was always talking about you,” said not-Abberline. “I’m Fred, by the way, if you don’t want to call me the same name as him.”

            Ah, so that’s why he looks like Abberline, thought (Y/N).

            “Twin? I can’t believe another vexing man like that exists,” said Ciel.

            “Ah, I wish my brother could eat this, too,” sighed Fred.

            Right. Abberline is dead.

            Ciel narrowed his eyes and glanced at Sebastian and (Y/N). The message was clear: Fred had no idea about the kidnapping they were investigating. At the same moment, his gaze caught on the only other passenger in the dining car: a man in a dark cloak and hat with glasses.

            (Y/N)’s eyes narrowed and slid to the man with Sebastian. Golden eyes stared back at them. Claude Faustus of the Trancy estate. Demon butler. Sebastian’s eyes narrowed as Claude’s gaze rested firmly on (Y/N).

            “What is it?” said Ciel.

            “Nothing,” said Sebastian, turning back to him with a calm smile. “Shall we go then, Young Master?” Ciel nodded and stood.

            “That’s not good, Phantomhive. You should rest after eating, otherwise your stomach will hurt,” said Fred, still eating himself.

            “This train is certainly full of suspicious passengers,” remarked (Y/N) as they returned to their compartment.

            “Yes,” agreed Ciel. “A tattooed priest. A bogus archeologist. An unsociable Japanese man. A man who gets excited reading train timetables. Everyone is so blatantly suspicious.”

“And we have a murderer aboard, too,” reminded Sebastian.

            “Excuse me,” muttered a man, squeezing by them with a cap pulled low over his face, the back of his hand scuffed.

            Ciel’s eyes widened, and he grabbed the man’s sleeve. “You were working at the station earlier.” Finny had bumped into him and a box had fallen on his hand. “Why are you on this train, dressed like a traveler?”

            “Damn!” cursed the man, taking off down the hall.

            “He’s the culprit!” said Ciel, running after him. He flung open the door of the car, but the man had already uncoupled the next car, and it was falling away from the main train. “Don’t let him get away, Sebastian, (Y/N)!”

            “Very well,” said Sebastian.

            “He’s ours,” said (Y/N).

            The demons jumped from the end of the car to the platform on the other. They opened the door to find the kidnapper trying to get the money from Ackroyd, who nervously clutched the bag. (Y/N) smoothly pulled the gun from the kidnapper’s pocket with such deftness that neither man took notice. They pulled back the hammer behind the man’s head, and he froze.

            “Now, now, let’s not be talking about a little boy’s life when yours is the one on the line,” purred (Y/N) with a smile.

            “H-How did you…” The kidnapper held up his hands, stammering over his words.

            “Where is the child you are holding hostage?” asked Sebastian amiably.

            “O-On that train,” replied the kidnapper. “But it’s too bad. You won’t be able to save him.”

            Sebastian’s gaze darkened. His contract was also on that train. “Which is to say?”

            “I planted a bomb on that train that will blow up when it stops,” said the kidnapper. “I thought it’d be nice to have some fireworks after swindling this guy out of his money.” He cackled gleefully.

            Sebastian checked his pocket watch. “The train will arrive at the next station in ten minutes.”

            “Take tha—!”

            The kidnapper’s laughter was cut short as (Y/N) smacked him over the head with his gun. They picked up his body and tossed it out the window. “I don’t have time for fools,” they said.

            “Let’s go,” said Sebastian. He and (Y/N) leapt out the window and began running across the train tracks. They had a train to—quite literally—catch.

Taglist:

@technikerin23

@im-making-an-effort

@izzieg3987

@jinxxangel13

@alexpangender

@otomyoli

@neenieweenie

@nex-crowley

@anxious-chick

@bellacastiel

@v1l-ismissing

@agentdedf1sh

@idkhowtoplayhoyoversegames

@iamsexytrash

[ladydaybreaker]

Small rant

Spoilers for Ad Astra ahead.

Since What Friends Are For has started the Absolute End arc I knew that I was gonna go canon divergent. Because how the heckin' heck could I have predicted what we had in the show?!

So I thought I'd just put an author's note at the beginning of the arc and put it right before the chapter starts in bold and I'd be ok. Did that with the Mass Destruction arc and we were fine! Should be ok, yeah?

Oh. Oh no. Ohhhhh nonononno.

I've...gotten a lot of reviews demanding to do what canon did in regards to Uzi (and that they're gonna be depressed if I don't) and they hate the idea that I introduced a second option to deal with the Solver (the killswitch Virus). Or that they liked canon better (which is fine) because they had a certain character a-okay alive but I didn't (less fine). Or the "Um. Actually. This happened." (which reeeeeeally pissed me off not gonna lie because I did say I was going canon divergent. Specially since I started my future AU before ep7's release (I'm sorry guys I couldn't wait. I wanted to write soft fluffy things and let my favorites heal...). And there was no way I could have predicted what they did in ep8.

I'm...not gonna lie I'm a bit heartbroken because I have...this massive plan that I've spent months working on. That I've been drawing up and bouncing off ideas for with other writers...and I didn't want to throw it away. So I stuck to my guns. And then I have people who say they're going to be upset because I don't stick to canon? The heck? It's kinda disheartening because...I mean...it feels you guys don't trust me to deliver a good story. Especially when I've been doing this for multiple books now. And it really really hurts.

Spoilers for Ad Astra below.

I'm not doing the "Eldritch Goddess" Uzi. I never planned for anything like that and while I'm stoked that they kept Cyn alive in some form...that's not what I had planned for Ad Astra.

V is still remaining dead. I felt that her sacrifice means more this way. Does that mean she stays dead? No. Backups are a thing...but she's not gonna ride in on a Sentinel and beat the crap out of whatever is there. Sorry to disappoint. There are other characters who are going to be doing things though that she originally did in the episode.

There will be a different antagonist to fight than J. J's on the side of the heroes here. But that doesn't mean the Solver's going to fight alone.

Nori is going to have a little bit of a bigger screen time. As is Khan. Lizzy and Thad as well but not as much as the prior two.

J and Tessa will have very big roles to play alongside N and Uzi.

There will be a reason why there is no Absolute Solver Uzi. But the Solver will be destroyed.

There will be a new character making a cameo...one that has made appearances before but mia ciel is a little camera shy.

There will be some old faces that haven't been seen in person for a few books. At least...not completely.

I hate that I had to do this. I really do. But I'm just...so angry and so hurt. Because I want to make a good story for you guys. I really do. But you guys apparently don't trust me.

[ryuichirou]

Replies

About moray sketches, Idia’s little affair with Sebastian, drawing and art and other things.

Anonymous asked:

Morays are so derpy

They really are… the more I look at them the more obsessed I get lol those silly faces

Anonymous asked:

Those eels are so goofy-looking. Are they your favorite sea creature? If not, then what?

Thank you, Anon!

To be honest, I don’t think I have a favourite sea creature. For now, due to my love for the Octa-trio, I have a big soft spot for moral eels and octopuses. A couple of years ago we had a phase during which we read a lot about sharks. The fact that baby sharks are called pups!! I’m still obsessed with this fact.

In general, sea is fascinating and truly beautiful, but it was never really my thing, so I don’t know much about different kinds of creatures… Should definitely work on that 🤔

Anonymous asked:

🗣🔥BLACK BUTLER MENTIONED🔥🗣

OOoo Sebastián if Ciel finds out you're in troubleee

HEHE YES even though we still aren’t back to our Kuroshitsuji era and I just replied about it the other day… The desire to ship these two was sudden but too strong to resist.

I think Ciel would just roll his eyes to be honest, maybe he would get a bit disgusted… but overall, the whole thing probably happened due to their investigation, so he shouldn’t complain. Or is it jealousy that sours his mood?~

Anonymous asked:

Idia’s hips are so deliciously grabbable. Grabbing them, nibbling them, groping them, hmmm.

And with how thin he is one would think that he would be too sharp around the edges to probably grab. But I guess his bones make him easier to grab… Cute!

Anonymous asked:

The way Idia looks in the last panel…..I don’t think I would be able to resist going back and “interrogating” him more, perhaps all day even. I’m very dedicated, what can I say? 😔

What a hardworking person you are! This is truly inspiring.

I think the more you “interrogate” Idia, the more “interrogatable” he looks… this is magical.

tardigrade-misfit asked:

I’ve come to a realization that I’ve only ever seen one thing drawn of Leona and I need to see more of the lazy lion man 😭

Omg you’re right, we only posted him once (not counting a chibi drawing + fem!Leona in a big genderswap post). It’s so funny, I feel like I draw him every now and then because of commissions (thank you, everyone orz), but at the end of a day we barely have anything Leona-related. The only character less lucky than him is probably poor Cater…

To be completely honest, Leona just isn’t usually on my radar, and even though I sketch him sometimes, those sketches rarely get finished and are mostly posted on ko-fi. Sorry 😔

Anonymous asked:

my god, imagine a more messed up alternate universe where the Asim family had a "last one standing" competition to decide the successor... The head of the family dies and suddenly Kalim is put against his siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, ecc. He would be so bummed out. As soon as he says "Jamil, I think we'll have to kill my family" Jamil just starts crying from joy. Yes! Let's kill all these rich people! And also make you the new head, that would be cool I guess...

AAAH honestly Anon it would be such an interesting story to read and/or watch. Kalim would probably consider giving up multiple times, but ultimately decide against it because he doesn’t really want to die either lol

To Jamil it would absolutely be a joy though. I think some of Kalim’s relatives would try to bribe him out of helping Kalim though, “kill him in his sleep and we will give you a better life” type of deal. But Jamil would refuse~ Not because he’s loyal to Kalim or anything, of course of course.

Anonymous asked:

Since that other anon asked about Epel might as well join in: Jack and Epel. I can see Epel looking up to Jack because "Oh strong muscle man, wanna be like him" so of course Jack being the goodest boy that he is would help Epel train... in more ways than one ;)

Anon, this ship is so good visually with the size difference and all, and Epel salivating at the thought of Jack’s muscles because he really wants to have muscles himself (in reality he is just attracted to Jack) is such a good idea, and we absolutely see its potential… but unfortunately somehow they don’t click with us just yet. Maybe it’s because it feels too fluffy, with Epel getting in trouble and Jack getting him out of trouble? Maybe we’re missing this spice because we haven’t seen a lot of their interactions. Only time will tell…

Nothing against it of course though! Epel should get railed by a big wolf man.

[phxntomhives]

Hello, it's time for the first "Yana has made me paranoid so I try to look for hints even when hints are not present"

Aka extremely silly theory about the manga, spoiler for the end of season 4 and the manga under the cut!

Ok. Since I hope I hide this well. Here is the incriminatory pannel

They are all dancing and my first reaction was aaaaw 🥺🥺 but then what if there are hints?

I would like to start with the most important thing which is blushing Edward. After you task a good look at him, he is interesting I feel he is there just to not have a white spot. And he is adorable and blushing with I think Lizzie's maid. They are cute 🥺 nothing more I think. I just wanted to point it out!

But honestly that hidden "hole"... Feels a little like they are separating. On the left Francis, Tanaka, Redmond, Joanne and two of Bluewer sisters (the younger one could be one of the twins?). Then on the right we have Lizzie, O!Ciel, Soma and Meyrin.

A part of me wants to say: oh it must be R!Ciel side VS O!Ciel side but then what are Lizzie and Soma doing there? Both were deeply hurt by O!Ciel, can they even go back to be like this? Maybe after (if) undertaker explain of the bizzarre dolls to everyone? And Joanne would also be on the wrong side (unless everyone is against O!Ciel now so undertaker tries to win him over somehow, and they are successful).

What made me start to go insane is that I read another blog suggesting that one of the stars (Vega) could be one of Bluewer sisters. So what if the little girl here is Vega? Joanne, Francis, Takana and Edward are "more important" characters but she is the one that is shown so close? Maybe to let us have a nice look at her and remember her for later? I'm playing 5D chess against myself.

The true answer

More likely: Yana just wanted to draw something pretty and this is her result. Nothing more nothing less. But hey I wanted to try to be smart.

[dandelionterminal]

Invisible String Part 4 Chapter 1 - His Mate, Competent

link to next part

Chapter I - His Mate, Competent

“Master, it is time to wake up,” Sebastian said. Adelaide drew the curtains open and opened a window to let in some fresh air. She was clad in a gray dress and white, ruffly apron. Her dress had a crisp white collar and cuffed sleeves and neat buttons up the bodice.“For breakfast today we have a lightly poached salmon accompanied by a delicate mint salad. I can also offer toast, scones, or pain de campagne. Which dish would you care for this morning?” she asked. 

Ciel sat up groggily, his blue-black hair sticking up in places. His large, oversized white sleep shirt clung to him like a boy wearing his father’s clothes. He shielded his eyes from the light from the window with his hand. “A scone,” he responded. 

Adelaide served him the scone and a cup of tea while Sebastian went through the schedule for the day with Ciel. In the morning, Ciel will be meeting with a Mr. Hughes to discuss the Roman Empire. As he went through the schedule he dressed Ciel in a crisp white shirt. 

“This evening Mr. Damiano will be paying us a visit,” Sebastian rattled off. Adelaide bent to tie a ribbon around Ciel’s neck. When she finished she handed him his cup of tea. 

“Oh, is that the man I have in charge of stuffed animals at my factory in India?” Ciel asked. 

“Yes,” Sebastian said, putting the earl’s shoes on his feet. “I am told he is Italian. We will of course offer him the finest hospitality the estate can provide.” Ciel lifted the tea cup up to his face. “I know this smell,” he said. “Is this tea Earl Grey?” he asked. 

“Yes, my lord,” Adelaide said, hands behind her back. “From Jackson’s of Piccadilly.” The butler stood to his full height and bowed. 

“Adelaide and I shall await you in the dining hall,” he said. He led Adelaide to the door. As the two’s backs turned, the young earl grabbed a dart and threw it at Adelaide’s head. She ducked as Sebastian grabbed it between his fingers. 

“Nice try, my young lord, but let’s save the games for later,” he said coyly. 

—---------------that butler is an able man—--------his mate is quite competent—--------------

In the dining hall, Ciel threw the dart into his gardener’s head. The servants, including Luca, all gaped as blood spewed from the back of the young blond’s head. A hole was drilled into the gardener’s straw hat as he scampered over to his master. 

“Ow, ow, ow!” he shouted. “What was that for, master? What did I do?” he asked. Luca, dressed in a simple black suit and tie, busied himself tidying up dishes so as to not anger the young lord. 

“Nothing. I do not have to explain myself,” Ciel responded, sipping from his tea cup. 

Sebastian burst into the room, Adelaide flanking him and peeking under his arm. “There you are! Have you finished weeding the courtyard, Finny?” said the gardener floundered and stood at attention. “Mey-Rin, have you washed all the beddings?” the maid, blushing and love-struck, realized that she had not. “Baldroy, shouldn't you be preparing for tonight's dinner?” the chef grinned cheekily, a devious glint in his eye. “Luca, you should be preparing the drawing room for our guest and master.” Luca nodded. “Tanaka... well, I suppose you're all right as you are.” the old steward sipped from his teacup, content. “Now all of you, we have no time for thumb twiddling this morning. So get to work!” 

“Yes sir!” Mey-Rin shouted as the servants all clambered out. 

The butler sighed. “Simply hopeless,” he said. 

“What am I meant to be doing?” Adelaide asked, taking the master’s dishes away as he stood to go to his study. “I can handle my own tasks, you know. I don’t have to keep shadowing you.”

The butler grinned, not the plastic smile she had seen before. This one was more like a cat that was close to catching a canary. “I like you shadowing me, Ms. DuPont.” 

Adelaide glowered. “I am no longer a scared little girl. I can handle things on my own. I’m not weak.” 

“Ah and that is why you are so intriguing,” Sebastian said, bending at the waist to look at her in the face. His face was smug, clad with a grin and glint in his eye.

Adelaide slammed dishes down. “I am going to see the master,” she said and stomped out. 

As she left the room and headed up the stairs Sebastian chuckled. “How charming she is when she is angry.”

—----------------------------the silver is polished to a spotless shine---------------------------------

“I’m a bit hungry,” the young man told his governess. “I’d like something sweet to eat.”

“I must advise against it, my lord. You will spoil your appetite for your meal with the guest,” Adelaide responded. 

Ciel scowled. “Why should I care about that? Make me a parfait.”

“No.” 

Ciel sighed. “Fine. But about that portrait in the hallway…”

“The one of your parents?” Adelaide asked, tilting her head. 

“Take it down. I am Ciel Phantomhive, son of Vincent, and I am the head of this house now.” Ciel said, almost as if reciting a script he had been thinking about for a long time. 

Adelaide curtseyed, “Yes sir, I will see that it is done.” and she left to return to the servants’ area. As she entered she saw all the servants, including her brother, being scolded by Sebastian. 

“Now do tell me exactly how all of this happened?” Sebastian said, his eye twitching in irritation. 

Finnian was the first to fess up. The blond boy babbled on like a caught child, tears in his eyes. “I thought the garden would look nicer if I used extra strength weedkiller!”

Mey-Rin was next to confess her sins, a cracked lens in her glasses giving away part of her crimes. “I was trying to reach the tea set that is used for guests but I tripped and the cabinet fell!”

Baldroy looked to the side, scorch marks on his face and in his hair. “There was a lot of meat to be cooked and I thought it would go faster if I used me flamethrower…”

Luca, with paper cuts on his forehead, simply shrugged at the domineering presence and held up a book. Adelaide stepped in to translate for him. “I think… Luca was tidying the books in the drawing room when they fell on him.” Her brother nodded and ducked his head down. 

Mey-Rin and Finny bawled and blubbered out “We’re sorry! We didn’t mean to!”

Sebastian looked at the ground, fingers on his chin as he thought. Adelaide watched him, quizically. “We don’t have time to replace the tea set or meat, not to mention the garden. But might I offer a creative solution?” She stepped over to Tanaka, who was calm and collected against the wall, and gently took his teacup from his hands. “We can offer a Japanese-inspired evening for our master and his guest. Just follow my lead, if you do not mind that is.” 

—------------------------------------we might just save this evening yet—----------------------------

Before the sun had begun to set, a solid black carriage pulled by two brown horses arrived at the Phantomhive estate. A man with tanned skin and clay-colored hair steps out. His eyes widen as he takes in the scene of stones and sand before him. 

Rows of stone are surrounded by seas of neatly raked sand. Mossy islands with flowers and bamboo shishi-odoshi float amongst the sand as well. On a deck, the Phantomhive servants stand in their best dress. Finnian is dressed in a yellow vest, and Adelaide is clad in a neat and clean blue dress that matched Mey-Rin’s, Tanaka, Baldroy, and Sebastian are dressed the same. The servants all bow and welcome the guests to their homes. 

Sebastian steps forward and explains that the garden is inspired by the Japanese stone gardens from abroad. “The manor’s governess and footman has been to Japan and thought it would offer a tranquil atmosphere for the evening.” 

“Ah, prodigioso! Wonderful! Truly an elegant garden,” the man, Mr. Damiano, said while spreading his arms wide. 

“We thought it appropriate to serve dinner al fresco this evening. Allow me to escort you inside until the meal is ready,” Sebastian said, handing the guest off to Tanaka to escort him inside. While walking, Mr. Damiano commented on how intriguing and unique the Phantomhive home was. 

Once the guest was inside the servants breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew, We actually did it,” Baldroy commented. 

Finny gawked at the garden with shining eyes. “Who would've thought a dozen boxes of gravel could turn into an amazing garden?” he asked. 

Adelaide smiled at them. “There is still much to do for the evening,” she commented. 

Sebastian nodded in agreement, “Let's take care of it while the master is talking business with his guest. Look sharp now.”

—---------------------------we serve the Phantomhive family, after all—--------------------------

Inside the drawing room, Adelaide and Luca stood behind Ciel while he played a game with Mr. Damiano. Well, played a game is putting it kindly. In truth, Mr. Damiano participated in a one-sided conversation while Ciel tormented him in the game. 

“The progress we've been making with the East India Factory is quite astonishing. We already have the makings of a top-notch staff,” Damiano said. 

“Bewitched by the eyes of the dead. What terrible luck. It appears I lose a turn,” Ciel cut him off. Adelaide attempted to cover a snicker, her face contorting in a strange, puckered lips state. Luca looked at her from the side, confused. 

Damiano attempted to mask his irritation as he continued talking, making brief eye contact with the former noble lady. “Right now is the perfect time. We should begin expanding the company and building a strong labor force, it would–” 

Ciel cut him off again, leaning back in his seat with his eye shut, “Go on. It's your turn.” 

Damiano, humoring the child earl, “Oh, yes. I just spin this then,” he then spun a top with numbers on each side. “Okay there, five spaces,” he moves his piece across the board. “Now, what I wanted to ask you. Perhaps you could contribute another 12,000 pounds to support our expansion?” Ciel’s sapphire eye opened, annoyed. “I believe it will be quite a profitable venture for you, my lord, and I would consider it an honor to help expand the Funtom Company-”

“Lose a leg in the enchanted forest. And it's your turn again. I lost a turn, remember?” Ciel cut him off yet again. Damiano’s face washed over with shock. 

Ciel watches critically while Damiano spins the top again. “Oh, I see. Right, I move six,” he said. 

“You don’t. That’s three,” Ciel said. 

Damiano’s eyes widened. “What? But…”

“You lost a leg,” Adelaide provided from behind her master, an evil glint in her eye. “You can now only move half the number of spaces.”

“Oh my, ha ha ha ha. This is a gruesome-a board game, isn't it? Is there-a no way for me to restore my leg, then?” Damiano laughed, light-heartedly. He held his piece to move it through the game board. 

Ciel looked at the board intensely as he spoke, “I’m afraid once something is truly lost, sir, that one can never get it back again,” he snatched Damiano’s game piece, still staring at the game board. He placed the piece down, making brief eye contact with Damiano as he said “your body is burnt by raging flames.”

—-----------------------------intermission—------------------------------

Adelaide stepped into the kitchen area of the manor. “How is everything going in here?” she asked the three gentlemen cutting meat. 

“We’re doing it just like you said,” Baldroy smiles. He holds the meat up to show her. “Is this really what you want?” 

Adelaide smiles. “Yes, that is perfect.” 

From the hall, the maroon-haired maid named Mey-Rin came barrelling in. “Sebastian! I found ‘em!” She was carrying some boxes. She tripped over her shoelaces and went flying down the hall, the boxes rushing forward. Adelaide rushes forward to catch Mey-Rin and the boxes. The force flung her backward, where Sebastian caught her and Mey-Rin. 

“Honestly, you must be more careful, Adelaide,” he said, holding her around the shoulders, her back against his chest. She could feel the rumbling of his voice against her. She looked over her shoulder at him, brows knitted together in annoyance. He wasn’t looking at her though, her was looking at Mey-Rin. “I’ve told you to not run in the manor, Mey-Rin.”

Mey-Rin scrambled backward, flushed and embarrassed, “I’m sorry, sir! My glasses are cracked and I can’t see a thing! Are you alright, Ms. Adelaide?”

Adelaide tried to pull away from Sebastian but was met with resistance from the demonic man. He had her shoulders in a gentle but firm grip. “Yes, are you alright?” he asked. Luca glared at the butler from his spot at the counter, trimming meat. He slammed the knife down firmly against the counter. Baldroy looked at the mute boy and whistled. 

He whispered to the boy, “Easy, tiger.”

Adelaide sighed. “I am fine, I assure you, monsieur.” She stood away from the butler and handed him the boxes. “These are the last items needed for tonight’s dinner. I believe you can handle the rest?” She asked. 

“Yes,” Sebastian answered. “You all can rest, leave the rest to me.” He smiled at Adelaide. 

—-------------------------you need to do very well during tonight’s dinner—-----------------------

Back in the drawing room, Mr. Damiano and Ciel were still seated in their respective chairs. A knock sounded at the door, “Pardon the interruption,” Adelaide’s voice came from the door, “but dinner is served.” 

“Oh, dining out in that exquisite stone garden? Shall we go, my lord?” Damiano asked, already in the process of standing up. 

From his still seated position Ciel said “Very well, we will finish the game after dinner.” This caused Damiano to pause. 

“Oh, is there any real need to finish it? It's obvious I'm going to lose,” he said, clearly trying to get out of the game. 

Ciel stood, smiling with his eye shut. “I'm not in the habit of abandoning games halfway through.” Ciel took his leave and headed for the door. Before he was out of earshot, though, Damiano whispered under his breath with a tsk. 

“How childish,” he muttered. This caused Ciel and Adelaide to pause and Ciel glared at the man. Seeing that he was caught, Damiano attempted to cover up his blunder “Oh I, I mean that sometimes it takes a child's eyes to see what's really important. It's a true gift. Maybe that's what's made the Phantomhives the nation's foremost toy makers. It certainly impresses me!” As they walked to the garden, Adelaide narrowed her eyes on the man. 

“It truly is a gift, I agree,” she said, holding her head high. “You should not discount the ways of children easily.” 

The garden was lit dimly with paper lanterns. A large white table was spread before them. Sebastian, with Mey-Rin by his side, introduced the evening’s meal. Damiano looked down at it with disgust on his face. 

“A pile of raw beef… and this is dinner?” he questioned. 

This prompted Sebastian to go on a spiel about the importance and significance of donburi that stunned Damiano into silence. 

From the sidelines, the servants watched with pride. “That’s our Sebastian,” Finny said. 

“He saved the day,” Baldroy said. Adelaide smiled faintly. 

“Yes… he did, didn’t he?” she said with a hush in her tone. 

-

Once dinner was over, the master and his guest returned to the drawing room. Damiano, wanting to cement the deal, attempted to rush into discussion. Ciel, however, was not permitting it. 

“Before we discuss that, we must finish the game,” he said, sat in his large arm chair. 

“Ah of course,” Damiano said. “I do have a pressing appointment. Perhaps another time-”

“Children can be very demanding about their games,” Ciel said with an evil smirk. “Surely you wouldn’t want me to get upset?” 

At that, Damiano stepped out to make a phone call. Down in the phone room, Adelaide waited around the corner and listened into his conversation. 

“...Yes, I’ve already sold off the factory. Now all that’s left is to pocket the extra cash,” he said. Adelaide sighed from her position.

“He truly is deplorable,” she thought. “He deserves all that is coming to him, right?”

From the shadows outside the door, a demonic face appeared and spooked Damiano. Adelaide grinned to herself, knowing who was behind it and returned to her duties. 

Damiano finished up his conversation and began to return to the drawing room. He passed by the portrait of the late earl and lady Phantomhive, that same haunting face following him up the stairs, hiding in the portrait. Ciel’s earlier words, “bewitched by the eyes of the dead”, rung in his ears as he climbed the steps. The man walked around the manor, lost and confused, the haunting face following him down the dark corridors. He scrambled away, petrified, as servants carried the portrait away. 

Down the stairs, Mey-Rin was busy mopping the floors. Adelaide was accompanying her, listening to her blather on about how shameful it was to be that near Sebastian. As she flailed, her pail broke and clambered to the floor. “Honestly, it’s not shameful,” Adelaide said with a laugh. “Don’t take out your embarrassment on our tools, though.” 

Damanio continued to run through the manor, Ciel’s words echoing in his head, as he tripped over the bucket on the stairs. Mey-Rin, shocked, approached him and backed away. 

“Sir, are you alright?” she gasped. “His right leg! It’s twisted ‘round! What ‘appened to it?” 

“Mr. Damiano?” Adelaide asked, much calmer than Mey-Rin. “Do you need help? Should I fetch a doctor?” 

The two carrying the portrait walked by, still holding the painting of the dead heads of house. “What’s happened?” Baldroy asked.

Mey-Rin shouted about something being wrong with the guest. Damiano glanced over at the painting and Adelaide bent down to whisper in his ear, “you lose one leg in the enchanted forest”. He whimpered and crawled away in agony. 

“I’ll follow him,” Adelaide assured the other servants. She followed behind Damiano, a few steps behind. When he reached Sebastian in the servant’s quarters she joined him at his side. 

“Surely you aren’t leaving the manor yet, sir,” Sebastian said. Damiano clambored backwards. “We haven’t given you the full Phantomhive treatment yet. We still have to serve dessert.” Damiano attempted to crawl away, but he was slow and in pain. 

“You’ve lost a leg remember?” Sebastian continued, following behind him. “Now you can only move half the number of spaces, so why don’t you relax a bit and make yourself at home?” 

Damiano made his way into a room and shut the door behind him, panting in exhaustion and anxiety. Sebastian’s footsteps approached him in the pitch black, causing him to retreat into a cupboard-like space. 

As Sebastian entered he lit the oven. “My what an impatient guest we have,” he said. “Couldn’t even restrain yourself until dessert was out of the oven.” 

Damiano panicked, banging on the oven door and shouting. 

“Hmm perhaps the Italians aren’t familiar with British customs,” Sebastian continued. “Plum pudding, mincemeat pie, there are many traditional English desserts that utilize meat. I find them all quite tasty.” He shut the oven window as Ciel’s voice once again echoed in Damiano’s mind. 

-

“Was all that truly necessary?” Adelaide asked Sebastian once Damiano was set free, burnt to a crisp but free. They were in the servant’s quarters. Adelaide was preparing for bed, brushing her hair in a small mirror. Sebastian lingered behind her, still dressed in his uniform. 

“If our master commands it, we must follow through,” Sebastian said. 

“Sure, but why do you follow his commands?” Adelaide asked. “When you visited me as a child you never followed my orders.”

Sebastian hummed and smirked at her. “Would you like me to follow your orders?” he asked. Adelaide glared at him over her shoulder, causing him to chuckle. “You and I do not share a contract,” he explained. He took off his glove and showed her the contract mark on his hand. “While you and I share a bond, it is not the bond of master and servant. I serve Ciel Phantomhive until his wish is fulfilled and I receive his soul in exchange.”

Adelaide examined the mark, leaning forward to view it in the candlelight. “And what sort of bond do we share?” she asked. 

Sebastian chuckled. “All in due time,” he said. “I do not much feel like sharing that with you at present. Just know I will be at your side whenever you call.”

Adelaide sighed dramatically. “You always say things like that. It is annoying.”

“Maybe so,” he said. “However, it is true. Good night, Lady Adelaide DuPont."

[azuresins]

I enjoy your theory and I see the connections you've made. To R!Ciel it would be more about power and control, over his brother. He doesn't fancy the idea of him becoming a man of his own right someday at all, he wants complete access at all times and to know exactly where he is. Ironic, but almost like to R!Ciel, his brother is his favorite toy. I still have a question, that's bothering me though? You don't need to answer this because I have a feeling what you'll suggest but. Who do you think might have began to "help him" achieve his goals only to betray him in such a violent way?

Power and control, yes. You get it. This is a long reply... I believe the Queen / John Brown were the ones who were looking for any excuses at all, to launch an attack on the Phantomhives because for one, they like to do it to test them, the ones that do test them seem to enjoy it. The Queen and her servants just came full-throttle the moment they thought, oh wait! This is actually a deep betrayal worth taking them all out in fell swoop, actually! Let us not forget what we learned, in the Book of Murder Arc. Even when the Queen was allegedly, on good terms with O!Ciel... Just for being mildly displeased with him, and how he handled the Circus Arc. That apparently warranted... Grey (and Phipps, but mostly Grey) introducing themselves by violently breaking into the Manor, and immediately engaged Mey and Bard into a fight. A fight that was serious enough to draw blood, involved lethal weapons, and was able to do serious damage to both Bard and Mey, before Sebastian had to intervene and stop it (with a CREAM puff? No less). They did this, just to test the security of the Manor.

Grey, eventually as we all remember, tried full-on murder Sebastian. So, why ... wouldn't any of the Queen's servants subject Vincent, to the same kind of treatments, when he became the Watchdog? If I recall correctly, he was also pretty young when he took on responsibility? I'm sure they did. I'm sure he was constantly being tested. Vincent was confident about his own security, I don't doubt that part. While he knew it was possible, that he wouldn't live a long life and something could happen to him (He said as much to Dietrich, and it's also not-out-of-the-question considering his Mothers life ended earlier than most) ... I don't think he saw "that day" coming, not in the way that it did, obviously.

Therefore I don't put it outside the realm of possibilities that Vincent couldn't have possibly predicted, something like that happening at all. That perhaps love, clouded any hope or prayer of Real Ciel's motivations being noticed, that it was dismissed as nothing but mischief. If someone hated Vincent enough to manipulate his own son, to get his child involved in such a dark and terrifying matters. Who. Well... I imagine a lot of people hate Vincent for his position and he had a lot of enemies. But it had to be someone close, and someone who could make direct correspondence to the Queen.

Vincent dealt with a lot of shady people, some rich and powerful, much like Our!Ciel does... and I imagine, he tried to keep them away from his family as much as possible... but that's a lot easier said, than done. Especially if there's an ally in your mist that you trust enough to let in that close, but is actually out to betray you. Look at Madam Red. Our!Ciel didn't see it coming until all other possibilities were eliminated. I'm sure he didn't want it to be her, someone so close and dear to him, but it was. It was.

I'm sincerely sorry that I keep saying this because I understand people don't like it, but it needs to be said that. Alexis Midford is someone who also works for the Queen and outranks the Phantomhive Family in social status. Alexis was Dietrich's fag, at Weston. Alexis then married Vincent's sister, and had two children with her. I imagine Vincent felt he knew everything he possibly could about this man, and could trust him no matter what. He became family. That ... does give me pause. "But Alexis loves our!Ciel!" So it would seem. I've said it once and I'll say it again, I don't take anyone in this manga, at face value. Even a seemingly happy and upbeat character like Elizabeth, was harboring a huge secret about herself. Did anyone actually predict Grelle's twist? ... I doubt it. There's always been more to key players in this story, than meets the eye, it's a common running theme. There's also two other prefects, from Vincent's Weston College days we don't know much about at all and whether or not they had much to do with what happened. (Who the HELL, is Lord Polaris? I'm sure a lot of people want to know.) There's one prefect shown for Violet House, with concealed eyes ... and the other, from the snooty-upperclass-I'm-rich-and-everyone-loves-me Red House. I'm not sure I enjoy, the way this nameless Red House Prefect was shown, holding onto Vincent's chair like that, almost with more familiarity than Dietrich in the photograph. Who the hell is he? A relative of Druitt, maybe? If so. I don't trust Druitt, or anyone in that family. The entire Red House, gives me pause. Druitt gets dismissed a lot now as comic relief, but let us not be so quick to forget his black market auctions and that he was willing to drug people at his parties... that he was willing to sell a what he thought was a little girl on the black market, and he managed to get away with it ... because he has money. Come to think of it (this was pointed out by a non-fandom blog, but they don't want to be tagged and I will respect it) What the fuck, WAS Lizzie doing, unoccupied at Viscount Druitt's party? Madame Red didn't seem to know she was there. Paula was no where to be seen. Edward was no where to be seen. Our Ciel didn't know she was there. Sebastian didn't expect her to be there. She was a JUMP scare. Francis likely wouldn't have allowed her to come by herself, to a party like that, thrown by a man with such a reputation -- Madam Red suspected Druitt was sleazy, so clearly, she would have too. WHO, then, pray tell, did she come to that party with and was happy to take her there? Someone let her ride in a carriage all the way to Druitt's nasty house of horrors... and seemed confident, she'd be safe. It's not helping Alexis out. He's not beating my suspicion, alright? It could be any number of people, there's a lot of options, but I am staring at him and I don't trust him because at the end of the day... the shoe fits. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced he had something to do with it.

(As a side note: I also don't know why people give UT so much crap, for not being able to stop the slaughter, or find the twins... his mental state is shot to hell and his moral compass is a little out of wack with his dolls and how he sees them. But he's strong, and he's motivated by love and we know that, but clearly, the Queen has someone stronger around her, at all times. Our!Ciel can not be, the only person who wants/wanted her dead. If it was suspected that Undertaker might have tried to intervene, someone would have stopped him before he even got within miles of the Estate. Perhaps, even John Brown himself. This was a well calculated attack, they even tied the DOG up and muzzled it -- someone did that from inside the manor, knowing what would happen. I am extremely suspicious, that we have yet to see John Brown's eyes... and the way he coddles Victoria with that stupid little puppet. I also find it interesting that Grey, Phipps, and Brown all have this white hair and pristine white clothing... and the Undertaker also has this same white hair, but in contrast, he seems to have strong distaste for the queen, dresses...like that, and lives like a damn raccoon. Yana said when she draws his hair she tried to make it clear that it's a little unkept and dirty. It may mean nothing... but it is an interesting design choice, and it was also interesting narratively that up until the Campania Arc, we didn't see Undertaker's eyes. I think Yana did that on purpose, to make us realize, heyyyy, eyes are important! There's another character who's eyes we haven't seen yet! . . . why is that?)

[yippieitsarvensart]

GRAAAAHH savanaclaw and pomefiore appearance hcs :3

leona- he is obviously muscular but also is kind of bigger bodied because he eats a lot and intentionally puts on weight like a lot of athletes do. he has a flat nose (like a lion/feline) but also because hes BLACK.. I HEADCANON leona has sharp teeth like the tweels because lions do, its just those two canines happen to be a bit sharper. also he has wicks and maintains them well. theyre not in a specific style or anything he lets his hair do what it wants, so some are super thick and some are super skinny! his eye with the scar is almost completely shut and he cant see out of it at all. also hes darkskin OH ALSO has long nails

ruggie- super skinny and lanky. skin and bones. he did put on some weight after joining NRC, i also think he has super slow metabolism!! lightskin with a lot of freckles like a hyena., also has a flat nose. same as leona all of his teeth are somewhat sharp, the canines are just bigger. he has a LAZY EYE because one of the hyenas from the lion king had a lazy eye, and also a bite mark in his ear. he has dark circles under his eyes like a hyena aaaand uhhh has curly hair he can twist. its not 4c but its curly maybe 4a idk :3 has a buncha scars from various fights and activities and like stuff (and cracks on his arm from leonas OB)

jack- muscular but not too muscular. i hate muscular teenagers what r u doing with all those muscles. you are 16. stop that this instant young man. but anyway i think hes pretty toned but i just dont like muscular teens i think theyre uhhh. unattractive(?) personaly. nothing against them. anyway. same teeth as leona and ruggie blah blah blah ALSO instead of that fuckass confusing hair he has he has white locs and stuff :3 his nose is darker than his face like an actual dog. i also think hes a husky so his hair and tail and stuff get super puffy in humidity. has a supr long tongue like a dawg blehhh uhhh yaaa ^_^ i also think he has monolids. has.. very few scars from like tripping and falling during track maybe. brownskin

vil- WHITE WOMAN with a hooked nose. i said this on twitter buttt she has a pudgy body to account for the beauty standards of the 1950s, which i mainly base her off of due to me also basing her off of marilyn monroe :3 nnnd she has a pear shaped body kinda curvy also a thigh gap. she has sharp downturned eyes and kind of curly hair which she straightens. blonde is her natural hair color!! she has sharp bow shaped lips!!! i hc she has bad back acne that she covers up LOL.. uhh also lots of moles! and stuff. she has sharper than normal canines :3

ILL FINISH TOMORROW ITS FUCKING LATE

Goodness GRACIOUS Chef you are COOKING. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥AUGH🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥ciel....🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥you and your🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥beautiful mind🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥thank you for giving me these hcs🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥I lobr you🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Honestly these'll help me so good with whenever I get around to drawing like, any of these bitches. I'm so bad at thinking of my own hcs I gotta steal from all'a'yall XDDD

I gotta say I am so so in love with your vision of Vil... She's an icon she's beauty and grace... Vil oh Vil I love you so... Idk man idk what to even say you cooked you slayed you ate you buried me alive you massacred my family WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME

[edenityy]

( chapter twenty-one ! )

"Mr. Phelps!"

Only the sound of crackling thunder can be heard throughout the room when the body of Patrick Phelps is discovered, a third round of wide eyes and stances of discomfort wash over the guests. This has been the third dead body to be discovered within two days. Paired with the fact that none of them can just up and leave due to the weather, it causes tension to fester.

Arthur, seemingly feeling brave, is the closest one to the body. Nearly everyone else has almost backed themselves against the walls, but the wordsmith crouches beside the body to get a closer look.

"Rigor mortis is already setting in. So he's been dead for a while," says Arthur with a shake of his head.

Standing in the doorway, Grimsby shields Irene from the body. "Are we having some kind of nightmare?" he asks.

'Oh, that would be wonderful.. My dreams have always been strange. Perhaps this is just a long one?' Beside Ciel, Leah stands between him and Anna. The feeling of discomfort overcomes her, and she uses her hands to cling onto them, hoping to feel a semblance of comfort. The girl can only wish to disappear from the situation.

"He doesn't have any external injuries like the other two though.." Arthur points out while searching Phelps' body before his eyes widen in shock when he lifts the collar of his shirt. "There's a wound on his neck like he was stabbed by something! It might be from a needle-like object that was used to inject a poison."

Ciel lets out a noise of question before his eyes begin to drift past a short wall, falling upon the sight of Lau and Ran Mao ransacking his closet full of clothes, hats, and shoes.

"Wow, the Earl sure lives in a nice room~" Lau muses, sifting through the numerous different coats the younger boy owns. Crouched down beside him, Ran Mao carefully places hats on her head as she stares blankly at the floor.

Eye twitching in shock and annoyance, Ciel can already feel his irritation growing. "Don't just search people's rooms as you please!" he yells.

The pair ignore Ciel's words of protest in favor of examining a piece of fabric, earning a smirk from Lau. "You held on to the clothes I gave you~ Did you wear them?" Ran Mao wears the hat Ciel wore when he attended Viscount Druitt's ball, holding up the garment for Lau to see.

"Listen when people are talking!" the earl's voice is nearly a shout when he is ignored, striking even more annoyance within him.

Peering past her fiancé's shoulder, Leah perks up at the sight of Lau and Ran Mao going through Ciel's items. Having lost her will to care in the moment and hoping to feel normal, she shifts and begins walking over to the pair. However, her interest in joining in on the run is short-lived when Ciel grabs ahold of her upper arm, preventing her from moving any further.

"Don't get involved with those two.. No shame," Ciel complains with a mutter, gently guiding Leah back to her original spot while trying to ignore the small pout sitting on her cherry-tinted lips.

Before Leah can find it in her to complain, the sound of Arthur's voice draws her attention. "It also resembles a kind of bite mark, but.."

"A bite mark in the neck.." Irene speaks up, holding a hand towards her heart. "It sounds just like Carmilla."

Ciel hums in acknowledgment. "By Carmilla, you mean Le Fanu's 'The Vampire Carmilla'?" he asks, though his voice lacks much tone or emotion.

With a nod, Irene grips her arm a bit tighter. "Yes. Do you know it?"

Turning her head, Leah looks up at Ciel with a tilt of her head, furrowing her brows to show her confusion. Initially, the Earl can't understand why his fiancé is staring at him, thinking this is her being strange again. But his eyes widen a tad bit moments later, mouthing the words 'a book' and earning a faint nod from the girl. 'I'll have to read that one..'

"You're saying this guy's been killed by a vampire?! Don't be ridiculous!" Woodley shouts, directing his words towards Irene. "You can't say that kind of occult and unscientific nonsense in the nineteenth century!"

Ciel crosses his arms with a shrug, looking unimpressed. "Unscientific, huh.. I guess you could say that."

"Two thirty-eight."

Both Leah and Ciel perk up at the sudden voice cutting through the protests of the others, wandering over to Arthur, who is holding a square-shaped clock in his hands. The glass covering the clock part of the item is shattered and leaves the hands stuck in place, showing the time it broke. Two thirty-eight.

"That's the clock I keep at my bedside, isn't it?" asks Ciel, peering down at the kneeling wordsmith.

With a nod, Arthur places the clock upright on the bedside table. "I guess it probably fell when he was writhing in pain.. It's broken."

Examining the clock as well, Leah tilts her head to get a better view of the details. For half a second, her face lights up at the sight, thinking the item is quite cute.

She turns her head towards Anna, who stands in the doorway, blocking the trio from seeing the dress Ciel wore to Viscount Druitt's ball. "Anna, why don't I have a clock at my bedside?" she questions, beginning to want one.

"You never asked, Mistress," the maid replies. "And you would realize that we wake you up earlier than you request.."

Leah's face contorts weirdly. "What?"

"We wake you up earlier than you would like. You never notice, but if you had a clock, you would," Anna shifts on her feet, preparing for her master to yell at her.

However, the maid feels a sense of surprise when no sound comes from Leah's mouth but a small 'oh.' Leah can't find it in her to care about being woken up early, as she typically only does when she is awoken in a foul mood.

"Well, I would like one," Leah fiddles with her fingers, noting the lack of gloves on her hands.

Anna gives a small nod in response. "That can be arranged."

A comfortable silence falls upon the maid and lady, neither having anything else to say. Both of them have a memory that is quite good, so Leah hardly has any doubts that Anna will fail to remember when they return home. Even if Anna doesn't manage to remember, there is a good chance Leah will and will spend hours bothering her father.

"Leah?"

The sound of her name rings out in her ears, flicking her eyes over to Ciel, who politely passes by Anna in the doorway. His head is turned back towards her, his eyes never leaving her own.

"We are going to the drawing room for tea," he says, realizing she hadn't been paying attention to anything he or Arthur had said in the past minute.

Perking up at the mention of a potential moment to sit down and relax or talk Ciel's ear off, Leah gives a small nod. She motions for Anna to follow her as well but prioritizes latching onto Ciel's arm, determined not to acknowledge that she's walking across the room where someone died. Regardless, a pastry does sound enticing after skipping her meal.

— ౨ৎ —

Gathered around a table, the guests are seated on plush sofas as they reach for cups of tea or pastries on plates. Although she anticipated sitting near Ciel, Leah sits at the opposite end of the table beside Ran Mao, Charles to her right at the other end of the table. Her eyes twitch every so often when she hears his incessant chewing, quietly sipping on her cup.

"Well then, we've eaten dessert, so let's sort things out," Charles chirps, crumbs on his cheeks as he finishes up chewing. "First of all, Lord Siemens. His death was around ten past one this morning. The only one who doesn't have an alibi is Earl Phantomhive. Next is the butler.. His time of death is unknown. Finally, Mr. Phelps. His death was thirty-eight minutes past two this morning.. Am I correct?"

Everyone pays attention closely as the times of deaths are recounted, causing a slight tension in some around the table.

Arthur is the only one to chime in. "No, the butler's corpse was found first, but who was actually killed first is still unknown."

With a nod, Charles agrees as he places a finger to his chin, seemingly in thought as he goes back over the words he said.

"From their condition, we know that a few hours had passed between them being killed and our finding them," says Arthur, using a pen to point at what he's written in a book. "At this stage, me and the Earl, who were chained to the bed til morning, have an alibi."

Charles leans back in his chair with a huff, nearly hitting his foot against the table. He doesn't seem to notice the glares of annoyance Leah sends in his direction, though that is most likely because she softens her face before he can even get the chance to turn his head.

Pulling a cup of tea away from his lips, Ciel responds to Arthur's words with a nod. "Me and the wordsmith got into bed and were chained to it at around two o'clock. Just before then, Sebastian said he had already guided Mr. Phelps to his room. And Mr. Phelps was killed at two thirty-eight."

"So, who saw Mr. Butler last?" asks Lau.

"That would probably be us, but," a bead of sweat drips down Arthur's cheek, "not only was it dark, but the clock was rather far away, so I can't tell you the exact time.."

A short string of silence falls upon the guests, everyone feeling uncertain. The amount of new information being fed to them in so little time is enough to jumble anyone's brain.

"Ah!" Finnian calls out suddenly, raising his arm high. "We saw Mr. Sebastian in the middle of the night!"

Meyrin begins to nod along, standing a little behind the energetic blond with Bardroy at her side."M-Me too!"

"At what time was it?" asks Bardoy, arms crossed over his chest.

"Hmmm.. I'm certain it was around two fifty," replies Finnian, trying to recount the night's events.

Arthur places down a few more notes in his book. On the other end of the conversation, Leah silently gossips in Ran Mao's ears even though she seems focused on the topic at hand. She knows that Ran Mao is listening, even if she doesn't show it, so she continues to talk away, ignoring any strange glances thrown her way.

"So this means Sebastian was killed last," Arthur lifts his pen from the paper. "What did he want?" he asks Bardroy.

"He came to me to confirm the food stock, and he gave me these instructions on cleaning the hearths," Bardroy moves his hands as he speaks. "He asked me to.. take care of a delivery.. owl?"

Everyone perks up at the mention of something so odd, though it is most prevalent on the faces of the chef and Ciel.

"An owl?" asks Ciel, shifting his head to pay closer attention.

Bardroy looks down. "As opposed to pigeons, owls can fly through a storm. It's just like him to think of everything."

Turning her body around, Leah glances at Anna, who stands a bit farther away from the Phantomhive servants. Her gaze is trained on Bardroy as he speaks, but she primarily focuses on her master, which is why she's so quick to notice the look on her face.

"Mistress?" she asks.

"You can just own owls?" Leah tilts her head, her face displaying a look of want.

A sigh leaves the maid, knowing what the girl wants to ask. The only response Anna gives her is a firm shake of the head. Not to say that one cannot own an owl, but more so to deny the inevitable request of asking to have one.

Leah gives a small pout, also understanding the meaning of Anna's silent no. Growing up as the daughter of a wealthy marquess, there's no doubt that she's spoiled. But she knows better than to cause a scene in front of this many people, especially after what she did to Georg Von Siemens.

"He might have sent a letter to the police," says Arthur, drawing Leah's attention.

Ciel shrugs in response, also trying to think of what could have been the contents of Sebastian's letter. "Seeing as the telephone wouldn't connect in a storm like this, I guess so."

"However, if Sebastian was the last to be killed, the story becomes more complex," Arthur glances over his notes and doesn't seem to notice the look Charles casts to the side. "The only ones who could lock the Earl's room would be Mr. Phelps himself, who was in the room, or Sebastian, who had the key. Which means that Sebastian being the killer is the most likely scenario, but Sebastian was killed."

Picking up a cup of tea, Lau decides to chime in from his spot on the couch. "So maybe.. the butler joined up with someone, and together they committed the murders, but then, afterward, they quarreled over the rewards the job would bring, and finally he was silenced?" he suggests, quick with his thoughts.

Ciel leans his head on his hand, casting a glance at Leah, who listens intently to Lau's words while simultaneously running a finger over the fabric of her dress. "It's not unthinkable. In that case, the probability of the killer being someone who would gain from their deaths seems high."

"So it would seem~ Money makes the world go round," Lau muses, causing Woodley's face to darken. "Mr. Phelps was the heir to Blue Star Line, a major company in the marine transportation business. He was a little weak-willed but had enough skill to be entrusted with the foreign trade branch and recently even expanded the business to the Asian region."

Those in the room recall Phelps and the behavior he exhibited throughout the night. It can certainly be a surprise at first glance that he holds such a high title, given that he was quite timid and unsure of himself. But Ciel doesn't seem to care much for Lau's words, laying his eyes upon him.

"Lau," Ciel speaks, catching the man's attention as he points a finger in his direction. "He was your business rival."

A smirk grows on Lau's face at the words, lifting the cup of tea in his hands to his lips. "Well, I guess that's true."

"Furthermore, you walk around carrying a needle in those dragging sleeves of yours, do you not?" Ciel's accusatory finger doesn't budge from its place, though he appears nonchalant despite the weight of his words.

The room goes silent. No one can find the words for what to say when the Earl's words reach their ears. Even Leah is silent, instead sending a side glance in Lau's direction while moving half an inch away in her seat.

"What?"

"Yes, I am carrying one," Lau smirks and retrieves a needle hidden within his sleeve, holding it in between his fingers. "It's used in oriental medicine, though."

"What?!"

The room, previously silent, now erupts in shouts and screams. Leah has now gotten up entirely in favor of standing beside Anna, thinking of a possible escape route in the chance that Lau truly is a killer. 'I suppose I could just throw myself out of a window?'

"Y.. You killed Phelps!" yells Woodley.

Beside him, Grimsby points a finger at Lau. "You bastard! You searched the Earl's room just now, didn't you? Are you sure you weren't just destroying evidence?!" his voice carries throughout the room.

"Oh, my~" Lau shrugs his shoulders and brings his arms up, hands drowning in his sleeves. "Aren't you being a bit too rash about this? How do you think I could make a locked room murder from that far off walk-in-closet? There's no door going outside there, and even though we're Chinese, it's not like we can just pass through ventilation shafts or something."

Envisioning Ciel's bedroom and the way Phelps was found, the guests listen to Lau's explanation.

"And I have an alibi for the time Lord Siemens was murdered anyway," he states, forcing everyone to recall how Lau was drinking with Woodley and Ran Mao. "But the Earl is such a bully~ You don't need to take revenge on me now, you know?"

"Do I really need to hear that from you, who suggested confinement?" Ciel deadpans with Arthur. "Well, in any case, there's no one who could have killed all three, even if they teamed up with Sebastian. I was just teasing you," he takes a long sip of tea.

Arthur is quick to perk up at Ciel's words, peering down into his book. "That's true."

Watching as the wordsmith bends over to begin ferociously scribbling, Irene's brows knit in worry. "What are you talking about?"

The sound of a pen moving back and forth on the paper is all that can be heard for a long few moments, everyone watching Arthur in quiet suspense. He quickly makes a chart full of the names of all the guests, including the dead ones and their times of death.

"If I put it in a simple chart.." Arthur holds up with piece of paper for all to see. "It'd look like this. The only one who could have killed Lord Siemens at ten last one was Earl Phantomhive. The only one who could have killed Mr. Phelps at two thirty-eight was Sebastian. And anyone but me or the Earl could have killed Sebastian at ten to three. So, even if they worked with Sebastian, it's impossible that a single person could have caused this string of murders!"

Woodley's hands clench, and his face becomes agitated. "If it's impossible to do alone, then the people who came as a pair are the criminals!" he proclaims with sweat dripping down his forehead.

Equally as irritated and angered, Grimsby stands abruptly. "Are you kidding me?! On top of being trapped in here, I'm being treated as a criminal?!"

"Grimsby, calm down!" Irene calls out, wrapping her arms around his hips.

Backed up in their little corner, Leah and Anna eye the situation uncomfortably. The high tensions and severe anger dripping off of guests is unsettling, especially for the two of them. The likelihood of one of the men attacking them is low, but neither is necessarily strong enough to fight back if that small chance happens.

However, the Barrett subtly appears somewhat entertained by the idea of Woodley losing his composure. She can't voice that thought in case she draws suspicion to herself, but knowing a man who irritates her is lashing out and making himself seem like a likely culprit makes a smile threaten to break out on her face.

Leah leans down to position her lips beside Anna's ears. "I am inclined to believe some of these people are going mad.." she whispers lowly.

"Who wouldn't?" Anna retaliates. "We are stuck here with a potential murderer, and no one knows who it is for sure."

Eyes focusing on Ciel's face, Leah drowns out the sounds of Woodley beginning to shout and bang his fists on the table. "Do you think.. I killed Sebastian?" her voice trembles, recalling the secret Anna wishes she never revealed.

"No!" the sound of Anna's voice raises a bit too high, almost drawing attention away from Woodley's ongoing outburst. "It's impossible, Mistress. I woke up periodically throughout the night, you hardly moved."

Giving a hasty nod, Leah goes silent. She begins to bite her lips and pick at her manicured fingertips, taking a deep breath as she situates her focus onto Woodley, who is somehow still yelling. 'I want to forget all of this..' her thoughts echo in her head as though they are trying to claw their way out.

But as much as she may wish, it simply isn't possible to escape the chambers she calls her mind. So, to ease the neverending noise that plagues her waking moments, she tunes in on the current topic at hand.

"I'm going home!" the man is quick to swivel around the sofa and point a finger at Arthur. "Like I'd let myself be killed!"

"Please wait! It's impossible in this storm!" Arthur rises from his seat in an attempt to follow Woodley and prevent him from leaving, piquing the interest of Leah. "You should stay here to avoid suspicion as—"

Arthur's words are cut off by the sound of a harsh slap echoing throughout the room, Woodley's left hand connecting harshly to his cheek. It's near deafening and causing a string of gasps amongst the women, though almost everyone settles on wide eyes. Leah, naturally a gossipmonger, leans in a bit closer to hear more.

"I don't take orders from a mere doctor!" Woodley's voice is loud as he sends Arthur flying back until he hits the table, breaking cups and plates as well as colliding with Lau and Ran Mao's ankles.

"Woodley. The one who's telling you to sit down is me," cup and saucer in hand, Ciel's face is dark as he glares at the huffing man, "so sit down already."

Face contouring in utter anger and irritation, Woodley begins to charge for Ciel's seated form. "Don't order me around!" he shouts at the top of his lungs, hand tightly clenched in an attempt to collide with the boy's face.

"Earl!"

"Ciel!"

The room fills with yells of surprise from the guests, but they go up a volume when Tanaka suddenly interferes. Grabbing Woodley by the arm, Tanaka faintly twists it before using the leverage to slam the man into the ground, propping a knee on his back for extra measures. While Ciel appears unfazed, everyone else stares on in shock.

Leah, unwilling to stand idly any longer, runs straight for Ciel's seat with surprising ease for the shoes adoring her feet. She leans down to try and look at his face, worry written all over hers.

"Ciel, are you alright?!" she asks with uncertainty, her voice louder than she typically allows it to be.

Taking another sip of his tea, Ciel gives a firm nod. "I am quite alright," he ignores the words Tanaka directs at Woodley in favor of glancing into his fiancé's eyes, noting a small sparkle and a hint of emotion swirling within them.

The Barrett is incapable of protesting to get a better look or more reassurance due to Ciel reluctantly shifting his attention to the man on the floor. Woodley's expression is of pain and a bruised ego, something Leah can't deny that she enjoys seeing when it comes to men.

"Mister Woodley. You'll obey our orders then?" Ciel's words receive nothing in return from the man, though he can hear a faint giggle in his right ear from a voice he's all too familiar with. "Well then. Currently, the only one who really couldn't have been the culprit is Mr. Wordsmith. I think it'd be safest and fairest to put Mr. Wordsmith in charge of deciding our actions from now on."

"Me?!" exclaims Arthur in surprise as he points a finger at himself, a bruise noticeable on his cheek from Woodley's blow.

Ciel places his cup down on the saucer, brushing past Leah to set it on the table. His expression holds one of annoyance and exhaustion, unlike his betrothed, who now seems wide awake after the violent dilemma.

"Yes," he lets out a puff of air. "I don't really want a criminal prowling around in my manor."

The guests begin to discuss amongst themselves, everyone surprisingly coming to an agreement that Arthur should be placed in charge. Even Leah, who typically likes to stir fights, seems to be fine with it.

But there is one thing she isn't so quick to push aside.

"Would you still love me if I was a criminal?" asks Leah, directing her question towards Ciel.

Furrowing his brows, Ciel glances up in confusion and mild strangeness. "What?"

"Would you still love me if I was a criminal?" Leah repeats her question. "Would you still marry me, or would you have me killed?"

Ciel is quick to begin sharply shaking his head, refusing to answer the question or entertain her antics any further. He knows that the questions are both a trap and something he finds utterly ridiculous. Though, he does find himself pondering in the back of his mind.

"Then it's decided. There's plenty of time until the storm dies down anyway," he swallows a lump in his throat, now casting his eyes upon Arthur to ignore the pouting Leah, who stares holes into the back of his head.

Leaning back in his chair, Ciel brings his hands up and intertwines them. He rests his head on his hands and flashes a final smile at the wordsmith,

"Let's thoroughly corner this criminal."

[nominalbutler]

A prompt- Sebastian and Ciel's respective favorite Disney movies and do they also like the others favorite or have to sit through it? (I swear Seb's has gotta be a musical)

I think they both probably like hunchback of notre dame. Sebastian for the drama of paris being bathed in fire and the lecherous motivations of frollo; ciel because he likes that the main character does not get the girl and it is a much better ending because of it.

"You're humming again."

"Oh. Does it bother you?" Sebastian asked with the most casual, innocent tilt of his head.

"No... I'm just not used to you doing that kind of stuff." Normally, they worked in silence in their shared home office. Ciel shifted at his desk, trying to draw himself up enough to pop his back. They'd slumped rather deep into the couch last night watching their movie, Ciel with his legs twisted, head resting somewhere against Sebastian's chest. It left him with a crick in his neck, and a song apparently stuck in Sebastian's head.

"My bad," Sebastian laughed, then proceeded to take a preemptive breath before he began to sing outright.

"Hellfire, dark fire, now gypsy its your turn."

Seeing his monitor idling, Sebastian stood up and pulled Ciel from his desk.

"Hey!"

"Choose me, or your pyre. Choose me, or you will burn."

"Hmm, I'd rather burn," Ciel laughed, letting himself be spun once between their desks.

"You're so cruel to me," Sebastian said, hanging his head.

"Well, if I were in her position," Ciel reasoned. "A life bound to some dirty, hypocritical old man... I have my pride, just like her."

"Even though she still ends up with the traditionally attractive strongman," Sebastian sighed. After a dramatic flourish and dip, he let Ciel go, dropping him back into his office chair.

"She's still only human, after all. And it is Disney, we're talking about here."

[winterdeepelegy]

Prompt #7 - Noisome

A vigorous knock brought Ciel's attention to her front door. She had been in her parlor, practicing her harp and enjoying a few spare days of peace and quiet. She had no expectation of company, not for tea nor in passing, but she swung the door open to see who had come calling. Glace. This was the second recent visit in as many weeks but this was the first time he had ever shown up covered nearly head to toe in blood. And with that, any visions she might have conjured of restful silence evaporated at once.

"Heavens! Are you alright?" The question was a frantic one as her eyes searched him over in an effort to find where all the blood might be coming from. "I'm fine, Plum, it's not mine. Can I borrow your shower?" At first, she was unsure of how to respond to that and stood blinking and staring until the words finally stammered forth, "That hardly makes it any better!" And though her curiosity nagged to find out exactly what happened, she decided for the moment that she didn't need to know. "I have no shower here." She rubbed a hand across her forehead and sighed. "But you can use the bath. Just... leave your boots outside for Twelves sake, I just swept this morning." She retreated through the kitchen and down the stairs to draw a warm bath while he pulled at the tough hide laces on his boots. Soon enough they were off and he followed the sound and scent of steaming water. The bath was nearly full by the time he came down the stairs and Ciel had already put out soaps and shampoos, and a thick, soft towel for her guest. Wordless, she cut the flow of water and left the room to give the Duskwight the privacy he needed. It seemed as good a time as any to prepare a pot of tea, whether he would drink any or not. Glace started peeling away layers of thickly-slathered clothing and piled them off to one side. He climbed into the bath with an almost appreciative exhale despite it being rather warmer than he was accustomed to, and let himself soak for a moment before browsing over the soap options. Rose water, lilac, lavender... orange blossom, of course. Oat and honey? They all seemed decadent yet feminine, not exactly preferable options for himself. And then there was one more bottle tucked behind the towel. Oh. Oh no. PEACH?! Glace's hand recoiled from the bottle as if it might burn. Did she know? Had she been talking to Annowre? Was this her revenge for the yak?? Oh, there was no worse scent on the face of the star than peach and here it was staring him in the eye like an old foe catching him at his most vulnerable. Thankfully, this moment of tension was broken by Ciel calling down to him, "Everything alright down there?" "Uh... yeah, Plum, thanks." He sank down into the water until it fully covered the top of his head and soaked his violet hair, though he stayed this way for only a heartbeat. The water already showed a change in color from the blood rinsing from his skin. "Oh... there's just one small problem," he called back up to the woman. "Those are the only clothes I had with me." Ciel cupped her hands over her face where she sat at the kitchen table. She had no men's clothing there as she had long since removed what was left of Jonathan's belongings. All she might be able to offer him in the meantime was an oversized, pink, plush bathrobe. Oversized for herself, but likely to come up to his knees and halfway up his arms. It would have to do until his clothes were clean and dried.

[bleachanimefan1]

The Midnight Masquerade Part 9

His Butler, Freeloader,

With that, the Jack the Ripper case came to a close. A funeral was given to Madame Red. The first snow began to fall as winter was coming. London returned to its peaceful state, but only for a short time. Recently, there was a strange case involving British men returning home from India being continuously attacked. They were stripped of their belongings and hanged upside down in the middle of the street in front of a coffee shop in Portman Square. Even noble men and soldiers were meeting the same fate. They all had papers stuck to them as a warning that had a drawing of a tongue sticking out. Several of Scotland Yard officers were already at the scene investigating. Police commissioner, Lord Randall and Officer, Fred Aberline.

"Blast it! This is the 20th one now!" Randall growled crumpling up the warning note in frustration. "You haven't caught the culprit yet, Aberline?"

"I'm sorry, sir!"

"Feh, and the glory of the Jack the Ripper case was stolen from us also by that little brat."

"Sorry to be such a brat." 

The two men jumped and saw Ciel and Sebastian and Cassandra standing behind them.

"Earl Phantomhive!" Randall sputtered.

"Oi, you! How in the hell did you get here!?" Aberline questioned Ciel but the commissioner stopped him.

"Lord Phantomhive, why are you here?"

"Why else, I'm here to clean up the mess made by a pathetic hunting dog. A crime targeted only by people who returned from India. The victims are not dead as well."

"You can't just!-" The police commissioner growled before Ciel showed him the letter stamped with the queen's seal on it. 

"If it was just a highway man, I wouldn't be involved. However, I won't sit by and watch the royal family be insulted." Ciel smirked. The police commissioner glared at Ciel as he started to look at the warning letters taped to the victims.

"The criminals are described as chosen children of sloth and depravity, which is quite accurate. I agree that England would be better off without India's wealthy upstarts."

"They are cowards who are too busy with extravagance and indulged in worthless past times."

"And what's with this mark?" Ciel wondered, sticking out his tongue.

"He's making a fool of us British and the Queen! Targeting only those who return from India means that the criminal can't be anyone else but an Indian barbarian!" the police commission 

"Or someone who's trying to pin the blame on them." Cassandra pointed out.

"A woman like you shouldn't even be involved."

"Wow, I didn't know Scotland yard were such sexists." Cassandra smirked, causing Ciel to make a small smile and Sebastian to laugh a little. Aberline's eyes widen a little in shock while the police commissioner gritted his teeth, narrowing his eyes at Cassandra.

"You watch your tongue, woman-"

"Maybe, you should watch yours. What would the people think if their only protectors are spouting out accusations?" She smiled. 

"A majority of smuggling Indians have a stronghold in the east end. I can see that even city yards don't know what to do with a dark street like east end. It's hard to identify the route or the number of smugglers, right?" Ciel added. "Sebastian, let's go." and the three left.

As they continued walking, Cassandra noticed Sebastian staring at her quietly, shifting his gaze to her every now and then. It was starting to annoy her.

"Is there something that you want to say?" she asked him.

"Tell me, what do you remember the other week during the Jack the Ripper case?" Sebastian asked.

"I'm still trying to forget that it ever happened to begin with. However, I can recall some moments. Grell's not human..." She told him. "And the fact that you're not human as well."

"Anything else?" Sebastian asked her.

"That you have some ties with Ciel." Cassandra spoke and she saw Ciel tense up a little. "Not that I care. Whatever you two have, I don't want to get involved."

"Oh, and I thought you cared deeply for my young master." Sebastian teased. "Even for his safety."

"You do know I can hear everything that you two are talking about, right?" Ciel murmured.

"And do you?" Cassandra asked Sebastian, who blinked at her in surprise. "Will you protect Ciel from every danger that should befall him?"

"What kind of butler would I be, if I didn't." Sebastian smirked. "I am bound to my master until the end."

They stopped in front a dark alley that had some stairs leading down to secret club. They stepped inside and the strong smell of incense filled the air. Cassandra nearly gagged, covering her nose while Ciel did the same.

"That smells awful."

"So, you finally found this place, Earl." Lau spoke. Ran Mao was sitting in his lap. "It feels kind of weird to see me this way, however I always knew that day would come." There were multiple women surrounding Lau, cuddling around him.

"And what kind of day is that!?" Ciel exclaimed.

"So, how have you been? Wasn't your birthday recent? Congrats."

"I don't really celebrate such things." Ciel replied. "I have something to ask you."

"The earl has come all the way to anagura, to ask me about that incident, am I right?" Lau smirked.

"Word spread around fast. I have been investigating that incident. If it's about Orientals, the fastest way to find anything out is to ask who has the strong influence around here. The president of the British branch of the Chinese trading company, KunLun. No, the Shanghai mafia, Qingbang executive, Lau." Ciel spoke.

"I don't like to be addressed that way. It's too formal." Lau sighed.

"Then I'll leave the east end in your care. The number of people who move in and out of this street are under your control, right?" Ciel asked.

"Of course, I have done what you've asked. It's the bribe that allows me to do business in the underworld of this country. So, firstly, I want to ask you one thing. What exactly is that incident?"

Ciel blinked at him in disbelief. "You..."

"It's about the British men that were attacked when they were returning back from their trips from India." Cassandra reminded Lau.

"Ah! That's it! So, you want to arrest that mischievous kid. Since there are no casualties, it must because he's targeting the upper class. Setting an example of the people must be tiring for you, Earl."

"Nonsense." Ciel scoffed. 

"Nevertheless, we've walked a long way to get here. So where is this stronghold of Indian people?" Sebastian asked. Lau began to take them to the east street to the stronghold. 

"So, when are you going to drop this investigation business and come work for me? I could use a woman such as you." Lau asked Cassandra. "Not really my type of thing. Besides, do you even know where we're going?" Cassandra narrowed her eyes at Lau. Lau blinked, looking around and smiled sheepishly. He had gotten them lost.

"You!" Ciel growled in irrigation. Then an Indian man dressed in rags began to walk over to them and bumped into Ciel.

"It hurts! My ribs are cracked!" He cried out. Ciel stared at him in disbelief while Cassandra narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.

"From a small bump like that, very unlikely. Even from such a small child." She remarked. Ciel glared at her.

The man continued to cry out in pain causing more people to come out and they began to surround the group, giving them dirty looks. The man grabbed Ciel by his cape, pulling him up to his face.

"Showing up to a place like this, you're asking for it. That's quite a nice dress you have there, young man! A noble, eh?" He sneered. Ciel smacked his hand off of him.

"Pay me consolation money! Strip off everything you have it give it to me!" the man shouted.

"It seems we are caught amongst irritating punks, yet again, master." Sebastian sighed. "Shall I?"

"Dispose of them." Ciel ordered.

"As you wish." Sebastian smirked.

"All of you noblemen are alike! They brought us all the way from India and dumped us off like trash! All you British are selfish!"

The man pulled out a knife and several people began to pull out weapons from their clothes, cheering along with the raged man.

"Because of you guys we've ended up like miserable gutter rats! Our country was walked all over by your shoes! We'll give you a taste of how it feels to be plundered and humiliated!"

"First of all, I have something to ask all of you! If the answer is truthful, I will treat you all to delicious food as a reward!" a voice shouted.

The group blinked in confusion and looked to see who it was. So did Ciel, Cassandra, Lau and Sebastian. There was a young Indian man with dark skin, purple hair up in a ponytail, dressed in rich, exotic robes. There was another man standing behind him with short white hair, wearing robes and a turban and his arm was wrapped in bandages.

"I am looking for a woman. Have you seen anyone who looks like this?" He asked and pulled out a really bad drawing that looked like a child had drawn. The man with the knife, stormed over to him and threatened the Indian noble with it.

"You're in the way you bastard! Get lost!"

"How rude, calling me such impolite names." the noble frowned then glanced over at the group. "Are you guys joining in the fight as well?"

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

The noble's eyes widen a little as he saw Cassandra, staring at her for a long time, lost in a trance. "Such a rare beauty." He murmured then he noticed Sebastian. "A butler? You are British noblemen?"

"So, what if we are?" Ciel asked.

"Then I shall side with the people of my country. Agni, defeat them." the noble ordered. Agni began to unwrap his bandaged hand.

"You're wish is my command. I shall swing this fist blessed by the gods for my master's sake." He lunged at them. Sebastian pushed back Cassandra and grabbed Ciel, pushing him behind him as well, blocking Agni's punches. The demon was surprised as he was pushed back by the man's fierce strength. Then one of the Indian stragglers charged at them as well.

"Don't forget we are here also!" 

Sebastian ducked, causing Agni to accidentally punch the man in the face, knocking him down. Sebastian quickly grabbed Ciel, trying to gain some distance. Cassandra backed away from the crowd as they moved closer. She didn't want to hurt them, but they weren't leaving her any choice! One of them swung a bat at her and Cassandra quickly grabbed it and tore it away out of the man's grip. She kicked him back, knocking him into a few others and blocked a knife with the bat as another tried to attack her. Agni chased after Sebastian and began to jab his finger striking Sebastian's arm. Sebastian quickly landed on the ground a few feet away from him, unfazed by the attack.

"I've hit your pressure points many times. Your arm should be paralyzed. How is it that you can still fight?" Agni questioned.

"Why are you helping these guys!? We were just looking for answers and they were the ones who attacked us first!" Cassandra shouted. The Indian noble blinked at her in surprise then turned to the man that Agni had punched, who was starting to wake up, and the rest of the group.

"Hey, is that true? Did you really attack them for no reason?"

"Uh? No reason?" 

"That's not right! Picking fights for no reason is childish!" he scolded them. "Our brothers are in the wrong here. We shall help them out!"

Everyone stared at him in disbelief. Agni smiled as he knocked out every single bandit within a couple of seconds, standing on the pile of bodies. "It is done, Prince Soma!"

Soma picked up Ciel's hat and started to walk over to them. "You are not hurt, yes?"

"Er, no." Sebastian spoke. Soma placed Ciel's hat back on his head.

"Kid, this place isn't the kind of place for a kid like yourself to be wondering around in." He spoke then he looked over to Cassandra. "And a beautiful woman such as you, as well."

Cassandra frowned at him. "Who are you?" He smiled.

"My name is Prince Soma. I would like to talk some more but I'm in a middle of a search. Maybe, next time. Goodbye." He and his butler walked away, leaving the three of them confused as they watched them leave.

"Hey, where's Lau?" Cassandra asked. Ciel and Sebastian noticed that he was gone as well until they spotted him on a roof of one of the buildings.

"What exactly are you doing!?" Ciel shouted.

"Just waiting for the right moment to jump in." Lau smiled.

"Well, thanks for nothing!" Cassandra shouted. Lau jumped down, landing beside them.

"Who are those two? They're definitely not from the east end and they wear pretty clothing. And they're English is pretty good too." Lau asked.

"Let's just get these guys to Scotland Yard and call it a day." Cassandra said. 

Grell was sulking going through the piles of paperwork that Will had handed over to her. During the week after the Jack the Ripper case was over. The higher ups deemed "human form" as punishment and wasn't able to use any grim reaper powers to help assist with her work. Grell hated feeling like this. She wasn't pretty. She was weak. Grell sulked in her chair as she was going through the piles of paperwork that Will had handed over to her as well as writing a long-written apology.

"Will! How much longer do I have to do this!? I said that I was sorry!" She whined. "I want to see Bassy!"

"Until the board deems you as forgiven. And you shouldn't be associating with demons.  Sitting here, slacking off, isn't going to help and don't even think about asking the other reapers to do your work." Will told her, sternly.

"You're so mean, Will! That icy stare turns me on even more!" Grell grinned, wrapping her arms around Will's.

'Honestly, you have no standards, do you." Will rolled his eyes, pushing Grell off of him. Grell fell back roughly into the chair, causing it to fall backwards. Grell ended up smacking the back of her head.

Then Will saw a file with Cassandra's picture that was tucked out slightly on the edge of Grell's desk. Will gave Grell a suspicious look, wondering why he was looking at her file. "What are you doing with this? It's surprising to see you fascinated in something else for once."

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Grell asked, rubbing the back of her head, still feeling it throb, painfully. Grell saw Will point to Cassandra's picture. "Oh, her, she's just some silly human woman. Although, she does have something strange going on with her. No ordinary human can see cinematic records. And she even fought against me, a grim reaper, barely lasted a minute though."

"To think that girl is his daughter. I was surprised to see her for the first time myself when I came to retrieve you. The resemblance is uncanny." Will murmured.

"Eh?" Grell blinked at him confused. Will walked away, leaving Grell still confused. 

"Maybe you should catch up on your historic records." the reaper remarked and left. Grell blinked, still confused as she watched him leave. Maybe she can get quickly glance at the records before he noticed that she left. Grell quickly left the room and sneaked past some of the other reapers in the hallway, making it to the record hall. She quickly rummaged through the collections until a name met her gaze. "Gravesfield." 

Grell quickly took it and quickly ran back to the room. Good. Will wasn't back yet. She sat down and opened the file, going through it. 

 Johnathan Gravesfield. Date of Birth: unknown born in Surrey, England. Suicide by-the lettering and pages had faded over time by age, making it harder to read. Grell's eyes widen as she continued going through the file. Grim Reaper Dispatch, Afterlife citizen, #135546. Grell frowned in confusion. Afterlife citizen? What that? And what's with the number? She continued reading. A part of the Technological Advance Research Team. MIA in 1865, whereabouts unknown. Died 1878 in a tragic accident. 

Her eyes widen a little seeing a picture of a handsome young man that she couldn't take her eyes off of him. He had short platinum grey hair, wearing a white lab coat over his reaper suit. He had the same green, fluorescent glow that all reapers had. His facial features were completely identical to Cassandra's. Grell looked over Cassandra's file, looking at the date with Jonathan's, comparing them.

Gravesfield...Johnathan. He was Cassandra's father. He went missing before Cassandra was born four years later. Meaning, Cassandra was half human and half grim reaper. Grell slammed her hands on the desk, completely in shock. "Cassandra!?"

Grell yelped as she was whacked on the back of her head by Will's spear.

"What did I tell you about slacking off?"