#ciel says no to chinese dress

[xxstraymoonchildxx]

This Couple is Unusual

Prev. / Next

Chapter 4 This couple, danse macabre 

cw: human trafficking, violence, swearing

“What is she doing here?” Ciel slightly panicked as Sebastian forced him to face away from his fiance. “She cannot, under no circumstances see me in this…this…” 

“Oh, look at that pretty girl over there, her dress is so cute, too! Please excuse me, Miss.”

“Oh, stay-” 

The blonde girl swiftly followed the girl in her pink dress who vanished within the crowd with the man dressed in black.  

“...safe.” 

You let out a sigh, shaking your head with a smile on your tinted lips.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” Satan popped up next to you, handing you a drink. “Are you alright? You look confused.”

You leaned in, voice low “I think I just saw Ciel Phantomhive crossdressing.”

“You’re pulling my leg.” Satan raised an eyebrow, mirth reflecting in his eyes.

“No, the cute girl a second ago pointed at them and I recognized his butler, otherwise I would have missed it.”

Satan hummed “An effective masquerade I must say. Do you have any idea who the girl you were walking to was?”

You side-eyed him “No, but I have the feeling you do. The Earl panicked when he spotted her, tho.”

“Precisely. Elizabeth Ethel Cordelia Midford is his fiancé. She is also Madam Red’s niece. If she blew his cover, he’d be humiliated.”

Your nose wrinkled “Didn’t you tell me she is the Earl’s aunt, too?”

He nodded.

“Sweet home Alabama,” you mumbled.

Satan chuckled “Madam Red is part of this gathering as well, by the way. I’ve seen her in the lounging area enjoying herself with the other guests. The Chinese man, too. They are sticking out like a sore thumb.”

“Huh, is her butler not with her?”

Satan shook his head “I’ve seen him earlier at the entrance but we should concentrate on the Viscount.”

The two of you got on the dance floor, keeping a lookout for Viscount Druitt. Satan gently moved you to the flow of the classical music. You were glad you’d gotten enough dance experience from all the balls Lord Diavolo hosted (and all the other parties you were invited to) for not embarrassing Satan and you. 

Your blond husband had the perfect posture, guiding you with perfectly even steps. He was great with ballroom dances, rivaling Lucifer’s, Barbatos's, and Diavolo’s skills. That he looked like a fairytale prince - no, king - with the outfit Asmodeus picked for him was only a bonus for his royal demeanor. Satan gave you a soft smile only reserved for you when he noticed you staring at him with furrowed brows, and for a moment you forgot why you were even here. It was just him and you. His eyes were a unique shade of blue and green with a yellow gradient that sparkled whenever he was excited over cats and literature and when talking about you. Your heart swelled with pride.

The moment was over, however, when you locked eyes with Sebastian Michaelis dancing with his protégé among the crowd of humans. He gave you an ominous smirk.

After the meeting with Undertaker, you were informed by Satan that the butler in black was a demon, a lesser one compared to your found family of course,  but the kind that wants your soul in exchange for making a pact to eat it after its fulfillment. The child Sebastian was with must have been very desperate to make a Faustian Contract. You only knew the child was an orphan and inherited a factory for toys after his parents tragically died in a fire. 

You smiled back, discreetly flipping him off right before Satan twirled you around again to create a distance.

You watched the couple reach the dancing area's side, noticing one of your targets approaching the Earl. You look at Satan who nods, following suit. 

You decided to stand nearby, maintaining a low profile but close enough to eavesdrop, another beverage in hand to look unsuspicious.

With disgust, you observe Viscount Druitt making a move on the now-alone preteen. Kissing his hand, laying a hand on his waist, holding his chin like a lover would, and calling him “my little robin” - it took willpower to not storm over. 

“What the fuck is this demon thinking leaving the child all alone with this creep?”

Suddenly the music stopped. Everyone's eyes were on Sebastian Michaelis who set up a cupboard in the middle of the crowd, announcing a magic performance. 

“That gentleman over there, would you mind to assist me?” 

Sebastian grinned, pointing at Satan of all people. You nearly snorted out your drink. A dark aura surrounded your husband, his lips twitching in annoyance. 

The demon butler now was asking for trouble.

╔═══════ ∘◦⛧ﾐ◦∘ ══════╗

        with Satan & Sebastian…

╚═══════ ∘◦ミ⛧ ◦∘ ═════╝

This third-rate demon couldn’t be serious. 

Satan kept a socially acceptable expression as he walked toward the make-shift mise-en-scène. He ignored the curious glances, trying to suppress his murderous intent. 

The Ravenette, now wearing a lacy butterfly mask to conceal his identity to a certain degree, smirked and opened the wooden wardrobe. “As you can see, this is an ordinary cupboard,” Sebastian explained “I’ll go inside and I need you to tie it up with these chains.” He handed over the metal chain to Satan who accepted it, slightly curious what exactly he had planned. 

“And then you can use these swords-” he pulled out several iron swords from out of nowhere “...to pierce this cupboard. After you do this, I shall come out alive for all to see.” Satan’s face darkened with wrathful mirth “I won’t hold back, are you sure?”

Sebastian held his gaze with a smug one of his own “I’m sure you will.” 

Then he addressed the audience “There is no trap or trick to this. Please enjoy this rare performance!”

The party guests gasped, murmuring and whispering. 

“I’m going to enjoy this” Satan murmured, quickly tying the chain and fastening it tightly. 

Within the blink of an eye Satan pierced a sharp sword into the top of the cupboard, then into the left, the right, back, and front, pushing in more and more like a madman until nearly no space was left untouched. 

The viewers gasped. 

(And Sebastian felt something akin to anxiety for the first time in his life when the first sword aimed for his head. And that other demon was fast, too)

Satan flipped a strand of hair back “Let’s see if he is alright, shall we?”

When the door opened and Sebastian stepped out with a strained smile, the crowd cheered.

“Impressive!”

“A miracle!” 

“You owe me one for not exterminating you,” Satan hissed.

╔════ ∘◦⛧ﾐ◦∘ ════╗

         Meanwhile…

╚════ ∘◦ミ⛧ ◦∘ ═══╝

“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I get your attention please?”

The crowds' murmuring died down, focusing on the stage; more precisely on the covered something next to the emcee. 

“Next we have the item everyone has anticipated. Please look at it carefully~”

With one movement the cover was swiped off, revealing a metal birdcage. 

Masqueraded nobles ranked their eyes over his bound form, happy murmurs filled the room yet he couldn’t see through the blindfold around his head.

“You may keep her in the cage. If you prefer you can play with her as much as you wish. Use her for a ceremony! If it is only parts of her you desire, it can sure be arranged.”

Ciel felt a wave of dizziness when he snapped his head towards the voice closest to him. 

/That’s Aleister Chamber’s voice/

“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a hard-to-get item. Her eyes are bright and beautiful like the sea! And now I’ll proceed to show you!”

When the light of the candles hit his face, his temples throbbed. Ciel opened his eyes, realization setting in like he’d swallowed a heavy stone. 

“The starting bid is one thousand pounds!”

Hands shot in the air, high numbers outdoing the other. 

“Wow, you people are disgusting fucks.”

The candles flickered violently before they were violently blown off by a sudden gust of wind. 

/Who the hell is this?/

“Spirit of earth, cover the mouth of those nobles who sit before me, and silence their cries forever.”

One bidder after another sagged in their chairs, heads dropping row after row in the blink of an eye.

The only noble left standing was Viscount Druitt, unable to process what happened, and unable to move a single muscle. 

Of course, this wouldn’t do.

A fist met his cheek with a satisfying crack.

“Sweet dreams you pig!”

You turned to the birdcage, meeting Ciel Phantomhive's flabbergasted stare with an accusatory one of your own. His eyepatch was off, showing his pact mark.

“What…what are you?”

_____________________________________________________________

“What in the sweet hell’s where you thinking?! Do you understand what could have gotten wrong if you didn’t wake up before being sold off to some pervert!?”

Ciel whipped off the dust from his dress after he was freed from his restraints. “I would have been doing fine even without you interfering. I was just about to call for my butler before you barged in,” he scoffed, crossing his arms “You also didn’t answer my question. Are you some sort of witch?”

“Are you trying to insult me? I’m a sorcerer!”

“Same thing!”

You pinched his cheek, hard. “It’s not! Sorcerers are far superior.”

Ciel slapped your hand away with a huff, rubbing the arching side of his face. 

“How did you even get in here?” he eyed your attire critically “You’re still just some journalist from overseas.”

“Company secret,” you answered slyly, making him roll his eyes after you winked at him, pointer finger moving to seal your mouth.

“Whatever…Sebastian!”

Within a fraction of a second, the butler spawned next to his master.

“My, my. Looks like my service wasn’t needed after all.” Crimson flashed in his auburn eyes as he bowed slightly. “Although it wasn’t expected nor in fact needed, the Phantomhive household offers their gratitude for your act of kindness.”

His honeyed words went from one ear through the other.

“Maybe take better care of your charge then who obviously can’t even defend himself properly from pedophilic creeps.”

Sebastian shot you a stink-eye despite his smile “Rest assured, he is in the best of hands.”

Before you could answer, a gloved hand found its way to your mouth. Satan’s distinct perfume hit your nose as he pushed you against his broad chest, his other arm lazily draped across your belly. 

“Since the party is over and the Yard is arriving any minute, I’d say we also take our leave. I’m not too thrilled explaining this to the commonality.”

“Anyhow, the case of Jack the Ripper is closed now,” Ciel said “You may write about the murders but there are things that obviously shouldn’t reach the ears of the public. As assigned by Her Majesty, I shall oversee any reports regarding this topic.”

You wondered if you could contest the Avatar of Wrath if you would spend any minute with this audacious child. 

Speaking of the personification of sin, Satan let out a chuckle “We might do that real soon, well, if this is the end of the murders, that is…”

Sebastian and Ciel couldn’t hide their surprise.

Seizing this moment you took the hand from your mouth, pulling out your D.D.D from under your corset.

Snap,

A flash of light went off and you two vanished into thin air. “See ya~”

“Tell me that strange device wasn’t a camera,”

“I’m afraid it was, my Lady.”

“Sebastian!”

It was frustrating that you weren’t allowed to temper with the past. 

The very same night your contact from Scotland Yard called you to the new crime scene. Annie Shepherman was murdered while you were busy with Lord Chamber’s underground auction. 

Her body was severely battered, much worse than the last victims of Jack The Ripper. She was transported and brought to Undertaker for the autopsy which was a technical formality at that point. Satan took pictures of the crime scene for undercover reasons before you called it a day and went back to your hotel.

In the morning you decided to finally go shopping for the brothers and your friends. It was successful this mid-morning. You got:

A fancy pocket watch for Diavolo.

A crested tea storage box for Barbatos additionally to the tealeaves he wanted.

A couple of rare magical ingredients for Solomon.

A classical music gramophone record for Lucifer.

An antique hairbrush and mirror set for Asmodeus.

An original copy of the Hokusai manga for Leviathan.*

A vintage money box for Mammon (aside from several trinkets he’ll resell).

A mechanical music box that played a soothing lullaby for Belphegor.

A large amount of confectionary for Beelzebub (you were glad to have unlimited storage space inside your bag after nearly buying up the Funtom Corporation’s and Harrod’s whole stock of candy).

A hand-crafted royal blue dairy with a fun trick lock for Simeon.

And a receipt book about authentic Victorian desserts for Luke.

Mephistopheles’s hand-carved riding crop was still a work in process, so you had to come back tomorrow. You also haven’t found something for Thirteen and Raphael but you were thinking of buying an embroidered sewing box kit for the angel and one of those fancy umbrellas for the shinigami.   

You also didn’t know what to buy for Satan. Knowing him he has already picked up something super thoughtful for you and you want to show him your appreciation, too, so it can’t be just some book or vinyl. 

As you went your merry way, you found yourself at the doorsteps of The Undertaker shop. Was the silver-haired mortician done with poor Annie? 

Before you knew it, your feet carried you inside.

The jingle of a small bell above the door announced your arrival, but there was no one in the stuffy, dark front room.

“Mister Undertaker?” No reaction. Was he in the pathology downstairs?

You carefully trod forward, half expecting him to emerge from one of these coffins to give you a heart attack. Mammon would take to his heel by now if he was here but you weren’t a scaredy cat. “Undertaker!” you tried again. Nothing.

You opened the coffin he hid inside the last time but it was empty. 

He sure wouldn’t mind if you looked around for a bit, wouldn’t he? 

There was a large cupboard on the far left where a man like Undertaker would fit in. You turned the knob. It didn’t budge at first but after rattling on the door a few times it swung open.

Whoosh.

“Argh!”

Bonus: Somewhere the brothers felt a chill running down their spines as their "MC-is-doing-sth.-reckless"-tingle was activated

*credits go to PerpetuallyAwake / @anunholyabomination, tysm!

Guess who is crawling back...It's me! This was supposed to be even longer but, I kinda wanna be an ass and end with a cliffhanger instead of dragging it into 4000k+ words, so I'll move the following scene to the next chapter (that I will hopefully post in April) [Btw, who can find the gaming references I couldn't help but put in?]

Feel free to give me constructive feedback :)

#this couple is unusual #crossover #kuroshitsuji #obey me shall we date #obey me #black butler season 1 #black butler #obey me satan #satan x reader #om satan x reader #undertaker #ciel phantomhive #sebastian michaelis #alternate universe #female reader #warning: historical inaccuracies #wip #fantasy #obey me nightbringer #time travel shenanigans

[smilexblack]

Bonus Manga from Volume 2 and chapter 150

Lau have always wanted Ciel to wear a Chinese dress way back a long time ago ever since the Jack the Ripper case. It seems Lau still have failed up until now. 

#ciel phantomhive #kuroshitsuji lau #kuroshitsuji ranmao #ciel says no to chinese dress #kuroshitsuji #black butler #kuroshitsuji chapter 50

[grelleswife]

*quickly sends you an ask* Mey Rin for the ask game please frien?? 🥰🙏

Sure thing! 🥰

1. My first impression of them. Sweet and adorable, albeit rather klutzy.

2. When I think I truly started to like them (or dislike them, if you've sent me a character I don't like). I liked Mey Rin right off the bat (the Phantomhive servants add a lot of heart to the storyline), and that appreciation only increased when she revealed her badass sniper skills during the circus arc! I love it when kind characters also have a ferocious side. 🔥

3. A song that reminds me of them. “almost home” by mxmtoon (which I first heard on @catraears ‘s wonderful Mey Rin playlist here on Spotify)

4. How many people I ship them with. Grelle, Sebastian, Hannah Annafellows, Paula, Agni, Ronald Knox, Madame Red (the three red ladies could make a very cute polycule!)

5. My favorite ship of them. Grellerin, because the vibes are immaculate. You have Grelle helping the maid embrace her femininity after a childhood and adolescence spent stifling it, and offering Mey Rin a passionate romance that surpasses anything found in the pages of her novels. You have Mey unconditionally loving and staunchly supporting Grelle, affirming the reaper’s identity even when so much of the world refuses to understand her. If they fought side-by-side, death scythe and rifle at the ready, these queens would be an unstoppable force! Sebagrellerin is also great…the perfect bisexual trio. 💖💜💙

6. My least favorite ship of them. I seem to recall spotting some nasty nonsense like Mey Rin/O!Ciel in the AO3 tag a while ago; anything like that is a hard pass from me, for obvious reasons. 🤢

7. A quote of them that you remember. “I obey young master’s command to the letter! To greet my master in a tidy manor every day—that is a maid’s duty. The housemaid shall purge the filth from this manor!”

8. Your favorite outfit of them. This dress from the official Gfantasy Sebamey cover!

9. Your least favorite outfit of them. Mey Rin looks fantastic in any outfit Yana chooses for her! 💕

10. Describe the character in one sentence. Though she presents a cheerful countenance by day, the Owl bares her talons by night!

11. What’s the first thing you think about when thinking about the character? How cute she is and how badly I want to cuddle her. 😭

12. Sexuality hc! Bisexual. 💖💜💙

13. Your favorite friendship they have. Her bond with the other servants; I’m a sucker for the trope where outcasts and misfits join together to create a little found family. 🥰

14. Best storyline they had. Her backstory in the maid arc. Those chapters gave us a better understanding of the harsh times that shaped her into a fearsome markswoman, as well as her resilience and ability to retain a beautiful soul despite those trials. Mey Rin’s come a long way from the bleak life in which she was trapped, which made it even more rewarding to see her thrive in the present!

15. Worst storyline they had. I wish she’d been aboard the Campania during the luxury liner arc. It would have been epic to watch her take out those bizarre dolls! 😈

16. A childhood headcanon. When she felt sad or discouraged, child!Rin would hum fragments of the tunes her mother used to sing to her in order to calm herself down.

17. What do you think their first word was? The Chinese word for “flower”

18. How do you think they were as a kid? (Like, were they shy, noisy, wild, etc). Based on the glimpse of babey Mey in canon, I’d say she was a naturally sensitive child forced to toughen up fast in order to eke out a living on the unforgiving London streets.

19. The most random ship you've seen people have with them. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen many ships involving Mey that were too bizarre, though I’m sure those crack pairings exist somewhere!

20. A weird headcanon. Maybe not weird, but spooky…Mey Rin loves telling ghost stories with the Bard and Finny on long winter nights, even though she often ends up scaring herself in the process. 😂👻

21. When do you think they were at their happiest? Those times at the manor when there are no attacks or other catastrophes to worry about, and she was free to enjoy picnics, fun outings in the city, and other bonding moments with the rest of the Phantomhive household.

22. When do you think they were at their lowest? Working as the Qing Bang’s assassin. Mey was surviving, but she wasn’t living.

23. Future headcanon. Partially as a consequence of working with her during their undercover mission, Mey Rin eventually becomes good friends with Ran Mao. At one point, the other woman gifts Mey a panda plushie identical to her own, which the maid treasures.

24. What do you think is a secret they have that they never told anyone? The exact number of people she’s killed over the course of her work. That death count comes with the territory, but Mey Rin doesn’t like to dwell on it.

25. When do you think they acted the most ooc. Her character’s been pretty consistent (at least in the manga), though I wish Yana had let her show her true colors earlier on in the story.

26. When do you think they were being "themselves" the most? After becoming a maid, because she could finally express her identity as Mey Rin, rather than being callously treated as Rin, valued only for her keen eyes and deadly aim rather than her personhood.

27. If they could meet a character from another show/movie/etc, who would be the most fun for them to meet? I’d love to see an AU where she could interact with Jeanne from Vanitas no Carte because they have a lot in common—wonderfully endearing ladies who also have an intense side, past trauma, a well-deserved reputation for being frighteningly talented at putting enemies six feet under, in service to a young master who offered them a brighter future, etc. I just think they should eat macarons together and be besties. :’)

28. The most unnecessary thing they ever did? Nothing really comes to mind? 🤔 Anything my girl does is significant to me! 💖

29. How do you think they would be as a parent? (and if they are a parent, how do you think they would be if they weren't?) An amazing mom. Since she’s prone to anxiety, Mey could definitely benefit from a partner to lend a hand (raising kids is stressful work), but her fierce protectiveness and warm, affectionate demeanor would carry the day more often than not. She’d be patient and gentle, and give the best hugs!

30. The funniest scene they had? Her stunned reaction to Finny’s spine-breaking tackle! 😂

#kuro asks #kuroshitsuji #mey rin #ask game #thank you fren!

[abybweisse]

i cant say i enjoyed s2 and even though the series would be impossible/v difficult to continue if it were canon/in the manga, i'm happy it isnt there (manga). i personally hated the ending (i pitied sebastian and felt unsatisfied about protag ciel dying/being a demon). i kinda prefer to think about s2 as sebastian's fever dream (is this the right term? the description seems right although i doubt sebastian can get sick)

im sorry if that whole first paragraph seemed like a complaint i'd hate to come off that way ><'

also,, would you know anything about chapters where sebastian dressed up in chinese clothes (?) i saw an edit on youtube with pictures of such so i was wondering where i could find them as i dont want to read past emerald witch/blue cult arc just yet bc im scared of seeing something i wouldnt like (which is to say older/undead!ciel or more on those soulless zombies) so i was wondering where in the main story it is or perhaps its a .5 ch or smth

im so sorry for bothering you with the lengthy ask, thank you!!

No problem about the lengthy ask. It all made me chuckle. 😆

“Ciel” turning into a demon is an extremely unsatisfying ending for me. The idea of them leaving everyone behind while they go who knows where, and the idea that “Ciel” doesn’t even know how to “demon”, so Sebastian is stuck taking care of that brat for eternity…. “Sebastian’s fever dream” is the most awesome explanation for s2 I’ve ever read. 🙃 😏 😂

And Sebastian wearing the Chinese clothing? It actually happens in two chapters, that I know of. Ch147 and then picks up again in ch150.

#black butler #kuroshitsuji #sebastian michaelis #chinese fashion #ch147 #ch150 #anon asks #i answer #answered asks #anime vs manga #jan 4 2022

[bapydemonprincess]

Hey what do you think are the differences between the two pairings sebagni and sebamey?? They both have a lot in common but I notice differences with how Sebby is with either one! ☺️

You’re right to say Sebastian acts very different with them. As well, no two pairings SHOULD be exactly alike, hopefully.. It wouldn’t be much fun if pairings were all the SAME. :P

Most of the differences are linked to Agni and Mey Rin and how they are. From their backgrounds, to how they met Sebastian, and how they interact with him.

Agni used to be a sinful high ranked individual back home, and almost was KILLED for all the bad things, until Soma rescued him, gave him a new name and purpose. And thus Agni’s entire mindset as we know is a sweet man, who is filled with only pure thoughts and ideals now, and even after someone puts him together with Sebastian in a story or something, and they’ve obviously had some *time* together, he still is very pure and not changed nor swayed into acting any different. 

Agni might also fight and attack, but he only does so when given orders by his prince, or to rightfully protect friends or loved ones.

Other than that Agni likes being calm and discussing things if possible. He likes justice and doing the RIGHT thing, as we’ve seen in the manga when he TRIED to turn himself in to the police after the curry contest, while Ciel and Sebastian were trying to PROTECT him and keep him from getting arrested. And then LATER, a few arcs after that, he truly sees how dark and gritty things get for Ciel and Sebastian, and tries to talk to his dear friend about it, only to get brushed off with just a smile... And then he tries to sway his prince to leave and go home, afraid of all the dark things he’s finally noticing happening!

Then we get to how Sebastian is with HIM.. and I mean like.. usually fanon Sebastian since clearly manga canon Seb is way more cold.. TwT... Fanon Sebastian practically swoons and blushes at the strong and pure khansama, and flirts and begs for kisses and to be ah taken when they are together. He pretty much acts similar to how Mey RIN acts about HIM... XD So the demon is VERY thirsty for the Indian Butler in this pairing, and Agni finds himself in love with the pretty shorter butler.. much more romantically inclined than sexually.. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t passionately take the other butler when finally giving in!!

NOW with MEY RIN... She had it rough in her backstory, and learned from the lesson of dealing with being trapped in the Chinese Mafia, stuck doing as they wished of her day in and day out, that fellow human beings could be CRUEL. VISCIOUS. MONSTERS. And you were on your own to survive.

So she grew up having to turn into a human weapon, not even caring about her gender, as she had not a second of her own free time or free will to even THINK about her changing body as she grew up in the place she grew up in.

And when she was finally caught for the first time ever, all she could think of was the fact that she WOULD die if discovered having failed, and.. SHE ALMOST DID when she tried escaping from her failed attempt! If not for Sebastian catching up to her somehow and killing the man who’d snuck up to do the deed himself!

Mey Rin then learned she really had no choice but to accept learning to become a maid of a nobles house, and thus learn to be a very different person all together than what she was used to.

There were now pros and cons. The Pros being: She WAS free to think for herself, to breathe easier, no longer tense and afraid every day, surrounded by nasty wicked people, and free to explore her body, to see herself... ESPECIALLY when she was finally given GLASSES so she could FINALLY see her own reflection! And thus becoming more self aware than ever that she was a young woman... The CONS being however: She had to learn a whole new set of skills from the ground up, to speak english better, to learn to READ and to write! Do CHORES! To CLEAN! To ACT a certain way around certain people! But really.. seeing both pros and cons, it seemed the pros definitely outweighed the cons.

We obviously don’t know ALL the details of what happened after THAT as she adapted to being a maid, all we know for SURE is that Mey Rin grew to LOVE being a maid much more than her former job. And likely for more than one or two reasons: She got to be PRETTY.. to grow her hair out.. to put it in PIGTAILS to be more girly! To wear dresses and gowns and skirts! To have her own personal room to retire to.. and to read likely now that she knew how! And finally.. to see the handsome butler every day! To watch HIM work and enjoy HIS company and to have the TIME to think wild fantasies of him or her confessing their love.. just like in the books she read!

Yeah, Mey Rin was CANONICALLY amorous towards Sebastian, unlike Agni, and a few times we even see her thinking very BOLD things about like what Seb would look like in bed without clothes.. thinking wild things like about the vampire carmilla and the possibility of vampires being real!!

Mey Rin is way more imaginative and voracious than Agni, with a libido almost as crazy as a DEMONS, and though she grows very very blushy and bashful and embarrassed, she still cannot help herself with STILL thinking of such things!! 

So on the other end with Sebastian here he can MATCH her in this lust, and boy does it get them in trouble! ;) But since Mey Rin is also a blushy pretty girl who is only just getting INTO being a blushy pretty girl, Sebastian likes going along with that, being the chivalrous gentleman he can be, whether as a butler or otherwise~.. He turns into a Victorian English version of Gomez Addams, absolutely adoring Mey Rin and deeming her a worthy mate for what she had almost accomplished, not to mention the fact that she loves him. In the purest form of the word. And in our fanon verse, he accepts this, and loves her back! 🥰

Not to mention, as they get in deeper, he trusts her enough to let her explore her thirsty side.. and have him, a demon, in bed. >:3

Ahem.. so I hope this... helps somehow... in explaining the differences in pairings??? 🙈 I’m so sorry if not, I’m a bit loopy with a cold and having taken medicine for it.. But I hope this answer is good anyways!! Thank you for the question!!! 💖💖💖

#shipping ask #sebagni #sebamey #sebastian michaelis #agni #Mey Rin #Anonymous

[hotpotrandomfics]

Reincarnated Love: Beginnings and Fateful Meetings

Summary: Ciel is boy who lives an average life with his father but on the day of his birthday things started to change. What comes next will forever destroy the old life he has a rebirth was to come soon. Old souls will meet for the first time and new bonds will begin to grow into existence.

Word Count: 6,175

What is it to love; what is it to desire? No one can truly say for those feelings are two separate roads one's heart is torn to follow and it is a path that is never easy to navigate. Two such individuals follow that path unbeknownst to themselves as this unforeseen bond transcends time and the will of the Gods. This tale is of a boy who bends fate to his will and a goddess who will let to embrace the one she has yearned for over six millennia. Who says love doesn't go beyond time? Only fools...

Our story begins on March 7th, 2009, it was the birthday of Ciel Ambrose Silverstein and for most kids his age they would be happy to be another year older, but he didn't see much joy as he never really had friends to spend it with, only his dad. It wasn't as though he didn't care for his dad Ciel loved his dad as he was the closes thing to a best friend he has. The two lived in a single-story house within walking distance of his father's cafe, Crossroads Cafe, a simple hole-in-the-wall place that Ciel has many fond memories of. 

Ciel climbed out of bed like any morning, heading to the bathroom adjacent to his closet door. He washed his face and brushed his teeth as his dad was big on personal hygiene. After doing that, Ciel went to his closet and grabbed his favorite jeans, '09 Nike Pegasus sneakers, the Linkin Park shirt his dad bought at last night's concert (dad was the best), and his pullover hoodie. Once dressed and hair brushed, Ciel made his way to the kitchen and made himself a bowl of Frosted Flakes.

"Good morning troublemaker," said a deep British voice, a blonde man with sky blue eyes and scruff on his face gave the boy a loving pat on his head. "Sleep okay after that mayhem?"

"Yeah! That was so awesome, thanks, Dad!" Ciel said with a mouth full of cereal. 

"Manners young man," said his father with a grin as he filled his favorite mug (number one dad) as he looked at his son. "I keep my promises to you don't I?"

Nodding, Ciel finished the cereal in his mouth before elaborating. "You always do Dad and I appreciate it. Even if your jokes are corny."

"Hey, my jokes are amazing and you love them," his father tried defending himself.

"Only because you look like a dork." Ciel laughed as his dad glared at him sternly before joining in the laugh. The two discussed the highlights of the concert from the guitar solos and the moments where fans got "too happy" and did stuff a twelve-year-old shouldn't witness.

The family of two left their home for a morning walk, it was a mandatory activity in the household something Alex did with his father. Alex liked to share moments like that with his son to show him the joys of nature and talk to him about the world. Explaining many things and here the views of the world from his son's perspective. Ciel from how Alex saw him was intelligent, not academically, but his views of the natural balance of society and nature were something a philosopher would find intriguing. There is a joy to find in society's progress but one must not forget where man and woman came from. Alex would question his son to try and understand the meaning of his surroundings and why did events take place.

For Ciel, answering his father's questions was no simple feat but rather a mountain range he must climb as he navigates for an answer. His father wouldn't simply give him the answers as that would defeat the purpose of hearing Ciel's thoughts. Often than not, Alex would ask if he believed in destiny and fate though the answer Ciel gave him was more so a question to his. "Are fate and destiny not the same thing, or are the two entwined?" He would ask his father who would contemplate the question himself as the two discussed such matters that surprised many eavesdroppers.

"Are you still having those nightmares and daydreams?" Alex asked as the two made their second lap around the block.

"Yeah," Ciel rubbed the back of his neck, "I still see those things. Spirits? Is it normal dad?"

"I can't say for certain," Alex said as he looked to his son who's expression became downcasted. "However, I think there is a reason why you can see those spirits. Can you guess why?"

"Fate?" the boy questioned.

"Possibly," Alex smiled as he tossed his son's hair. "But I like to believe there is a reason for everything, mi hijo."

"Dad!" Ciel whined as he brushed his dad's hand away before giving a small smile to the elder Silverstein. "Can we head back?"

"After just two blocks? Laaazy, but fine since it's your birthday." Alex placed a hand on Ciel's shoulder as the two walked back to their home.

As the two made it to their area of the neighborhood, Ciel notices the door was slightly ajar. Ciel stopped short of the door, looking around his porch nervously of his surroundings. "Dad, somethings off. You locked the door before we left."

"Stay behind me," Alex said as he pushed the door in slowly. Stepping in, they heard a noise coming from the direction of the kitchen. Alex stepped cautiously through the dimly lit hall with Ciel behind him. Granted, it wasn't the smartest idea to have his son follow him into a possibly dangerous situation but the man rather his child be close to him so he may defend him. As the duo passed the threshold into the kitchen to find the culprit who was a woman. 

She stood at five-foot-nine with olive-colored skin that was as flawless as marble. Her hair was a deep black that had a hint of violet as the sun from the kitchen window reflected on her flowing locks. Though her eyes were something to behold, a strong emerald green that had an ever-slight glow to it. The woman wore a burgundy gown and a light assortment of golden jewelry. The woman glanced at the two men before smiling as she raised a cup of tea to her lips.

"Here I come out of my way in my busy schedule and much to my surprise you two aren't who. Really?" the woman said as she placed the cup on the counter.

"Hecate," Alex muttered, "I..."

"It's been too long, Alex. Well, long from the mortal life but it still does not mean I haven't missed your company."

The two adults stared intensely at each other before a loud cough broke the silence.

"Dad, who is she? How does she know you? And why DID SHE BREAK INTO OUR HOUSE?" Ciel asked in worried confusion.

"Relax son," Alex placed a hand on Ciel in the usual comforting manner he did when his son wasn't sure of something. "This is Hecate, she's an old friend. She was around when you were born actually."

"She knows me? She's not some crazy ex?" Ciel inquired causing the woman to laugh.

"My, he has a similar wit to you but I see it's at a younger age. Yes, boy, I've known of you for a long time." The woman gave a small smile that was almost... motherly. "Alex, as much as I would want to be here for more personal reasons I have some news to give you."

"Ciel, go to your room. Hecate and I need to talk." Alex ordered. "Don't worry, we'll go to that Chinese place you like after she and I talk."

"But dad-," Ciel tried to be apprehensive only for his father to give him a stern look.

"Now, Ciel." Nodding, Ciel walked to his room and closed his door, throwing himself on his bed.

"So much for a good birthday," Ciel thought as he buried his face into his pillow.

In the kitchen...

"You haven't told him?" Hecate asked as Alex paced in the kitchen.

"How can I? The boy has plenty to worry about and his mother coming back for a few minutes isn't going to fix that!" Alex growled. "Ciel is happy, he's safe and he doesn't need to deal with that nonsense!"

"Alex, please. The fate of the world is at stake and Chronos forces are on the rise!" Hecate argued back. "Ciel's best chance of survival is going to Camp Halfblood. It's not only your safety that I have in mind, I have his in mind as well."

"He's my son! I can't just let him go off knowing I might lose him!" Alex said as he leaned into the counter, looking out the window. "Please, don't make me do this Hecate."

"He won't be alone, I can assure you." Hecate walked over to him and placed a hand on Alex's. "There are events in place that even I am having difficulty seeing but at the center of it is Ciel. If our son is to survive he must go and train. He must become what he is destined to be."

"I wish it were not the case," Alex looked into Hecate's eyes as the man was on the verge of tears. "Will you guide him? Protect him?"

"You know I cannot do so directly," Hecate retorted before sighing. "Alex, there is something else. I've decided to side with Chronos."

"What?" Alex asked completely flabbergasted. "Are you out of your damned mind?!"

"Watch your tone with me," Hecate warned as her eyes flashed with power but Alex didn't back down.

"Now I am definitely not sending Ciel to that camp! You honestly think me so idiotic to send my flesh and blood up there and expect you to protect him? When you just told me you've sworn to help the god you helped stop in the past?" Alex pulled his hand away from hers as he fumed with anger. "How can you expect me to trust you with that bomb?!"

"Alex, I am tired of being seen as a minor goddess. Never receiving the respect I deserve. Time and again I am left with the "short end" as you claim it. I want to be worshipped and acknowledge as I deserve to be." Hecate said as she turned her back to him. 

The goddess and the man stood in a silence that was a heavy indicator this visit was to be concluded.

"Is the acknowledgment of your children not enough?" Alex questioned as he glanced at the setting sun. "Or the men who have fathered them not enough? Heh, I guess not."

"Alex," Hecate thought begrudgingly as she glanced over her shoulders before disappearing into the shadows. Knowing fully she may have destroyed a bridge between Alex and her. The memories of their brief time together were something she deeply cherished and some of the best times she had in millennia. But her hopes for new world order will allow her to receive what she deserves.

"Dammit," Alex gripped the counter as his eyes redden from the tears he was holding in as the frustration that was bottled in began to leak. "Fate, you're truly cruel than any power in existence that has ever been and that has ever been."

After composing himself, Alex looked at the picture of him and Ciel from when he was five years. The two went to the Florida Keys and stayed in a BnB while having the time of their lives. It was on that trip that Ciel started seeing strange things. He told his father he saw a giant snake in the ocean. If Alex remembered anything from his history classes back in the United Kingdom much of the mythological stories did explain gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters. Alex was a young father, with no experience with kids whatsoever but when it came to his boy it all made sense for him, even if the talks of monsters seem ludicrous. 

With no help from anyone he thought he did a decent job with him but Hecate coming to them and warning him of war. How was he supposed to explain this to his son? How could he make that trip up the east coast? But as much as he didn't wish to admit she was right. A choice must be made even if it hurts them both. A father has to prepare their children for the threats of the world. Even if that threat is their kin.

For the next few months, Alex had spent most of his time mulling over the pros and cons. During this time Ciel questioned why his dad seemed to be in a sour mood and would brush off the question which only caused the boy to worry in silence. It was on Wednesday, the last day of school when Ciel was on the school bus back home he noticed something stranger than usuals. The ghost of the town kept pointing in the direction of his home which only creeped him out even further. On the driveway of their home, Alex stood in front of his car as his son disembarked from the bus and greeted him. 

"Hey dad, you're home early," Ciel said as he walked to his dad. "Slow day at the cafe?"

"I closed early. Son, there is something we need to talk about." Alex said causing Ciel to quirk a brow.

"Something wrong?"

"Not at the moment but the way things are looking we need to leave," Alex said as he goes into the driver seat of his car with his son the following suit and entering the passenger side.

"Dad, what's going on?" 

"I'm taking you somewhere I never thought I'd have to take you," Alex responded as he pulled out of his driveway and beginning the long drive to the hopeful haven for his son. 

The drive up to this place was filled with much silence and no talking between the father-son duo, whenever Ciel tried to start a conversation the words wouldn't leave his throat, instead, he just watched the change of scenery as they drove up the east coast. They'd only stop for the occasional rest stop and food before continuing the drive further and further from home. 

It was two in the morning when they had reached their destination, Alex took a turn into a strawberry farm called "Delphi Strawberry Service," and followed the dirt road it was on to the nearby forest. As they drew closer lights of a fire could be seen through the canopy of the forest. Once the dirt road had finished, Alex stopped and parked the car outside of the marble gate that was in Ancient Greek but for some reason, Ciel could read it.

"Camp Half-Blood?" Ciel asked his father who stepped out of the car and made his way to the trunk where he pulled out a duffle bag for Ciel. Packed with clothes, the necessities, and his son's favorite book that Alex read to him, the Aeneid.

"Son, you'll be safe here," Alex said as he stepped to the passenger to let Ciel out of the car.

"Dad? What do you mean I'll be safe here?!" Ciel looked up to the older Silverstein who seemed to be on the verge of tears.

"Mi hijo, you're special and I don't mean in the "dad thinks you're his special boy." No, you are destined for something great but the trials you face in the future going to be hard. You'll be okay, you're my strong warrior." Alex smiled as he kneeled kissing his son's forehead.

"Daaad, that's embarrassing!" Ciel slightly pouted from embarrassment. Alex could only chuckle as he took Ciel by the shoulder and guided him to the gate, waiting for them was something Ciel could not expect.

"Ah! What the heck is that?!" Ciel said as he clung to his dad. The pair looked to a man with long brown hair whose upper body was in a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up but what freaked Ciel out was the man's lower half was that of a horse.

"Ciel, don't be rude!" Alex chided. "Apologies, my son hasn't had much exposure to your world and even I find it unbelievable."

"It is of no worry," said an older voice. "Tell me, child, what is your name?"

"C-Ciel. Ciel Ambrose Silverstein, Mister?"

"It is a fine name. I am called Chiron. I am somewhat of a mentor for boys and girls like you."

"Like me?" Ciel titled his head to the left in confusion as he gazed at the centaur.

"Demigods, heroes, and great warriors," Chiron said with a gentle smile before glancing at Alex. "I shall give you a moment." Chiron walked a short distance to be out of earshot and let the two say their goodbyes.

"I will come and get you at the end of the summer, okay?" Alex said as knelt down to be at his son's eye level. "I know I can't give you all the answers but-"

"So you're abandoning me?!" Ciel shouted at his father who looked shocked at such an accusation.

"No! Heavens no," Alex gripped his son's shoulders, "but I can't protect you son and I couldn't bear the thought of you dying or being hurt. I need you to be safe and I know you will be here, so please, trust me and what I say. Have I ever lied to you?"

Ciel thought for a moment about his father's words before answering. "No, sir."

"I love you, Ciel." Alex pulled his son into a hug while Ciel returned the same affection.

After a few moments, the two separated and Ciel grabbed his bag and walked to the gates. Waving "goodbye" to his father and disappearing into the darkness of the night.

"Hecate, you better protect my son." Alex wiped the tears from his eyes before entering his car and driving back the way he came. Leaving his son to the Fates and the gods. 

The next day Ciel was guided by one of the older campers through Camp Half-Blood. It didn't take long to learn the location for where everything was but Ciel was still cautious of everything around him. From the sounds of the forge to the pranking of the Hermes kids and the sight of the lava wall, he was convinced he'd probably die here. Though during breakfast he met two campers briefly, Justin and Lucille Peters, a brother and sister pair who have two different godly parents from how they explained it. Justin was a son of Apollo and Lucille was a daughter of Hephestus, it was odd how they'd have different godly parents but then again Ciel didn't know his. From what he could gather it seemed most of the kids here were of the twelve major Olympian gods while you had a mixed population of demigods born from minor gods or demigods whose parents haven't claimed them. Some demigods weren't claimed for years or if ever at all and it was a sad fact.

Ciel counted himself lucky that he at least had his dad and hoped he was right about coming here. Though it did beg the question, who was his godly parent, and would he be claimed tonight or never at all? Questions for later but for the time being Ciel would just take in his surroundings until he was comfortable to walk on his own. The Hermes kid let him know if he had any questions to not be shy and ask any of the older campers to which he nodded. 

Ciel would wander through the camp until he felt a hand on his back, instantly, he jumped in a slight panic.

"Oops, sorry I didn't mean to spook you," said the boy with blonde hair and blue eyes, and a prosthetic leg. "I just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Justin Peters. What's yours?"

"Um, I'm Ciel Ambrose Silverstein. Wait aren't you the kid from earlier?" Ciel asked.

"Yep! Thought you would like some company you know since your new and all. Don't worry, me and my sister were in the same boat about a year ago. We're lucky we have each other but it's hard the first few days." Justin said with a smile.

"I suppose. Sorry, I'm not really with people."

"Oh don't worry about it! We can work on that together if you'd like." Justin responded to which Ciel couldn't help but smile. "So wanna do something fun?"

"Uh, sure?" Ciel responded.

"Great!" Justin said as he took hold of Ciel's arm, pulling him to the archery field. The two boys had shown up in the archery field meeting with the instructor, another child of Apollo, to who Justin introduced Ciel while explaining him being a new camper and was going to show him a little archery. Justin's older sibling advises him to take it slow with instructions to Ciel. Following the instructions of the older child and grabbing a pair of bows and two quivers of arrows. Justin began instructing Ciel on the principles of archery while going into depth about the anatomy of a bow and arrow. Ciel took to the instructions like a fish to the water as Justin helped Ciel get the posture down and load an arrow to fire.

For some reason, this felt natural to Ciel from the grip of the bow in his left hand and the fletching of the arrow in his right. Taking a steady breath to get his breathing in rhythm before brought the arrow up, lining his shot then fire...

"By the gods!" Justin said in surprise as he saw the direction of Ciel's arrow whizzing through the air hitting a bull's eye. "Ciel! That was amazing! And you said you never shot a bow and arrow ever?"

"N-no," Ciel responded shyly, "but it just felt natural, ya know?"

"We might have another son of Apollo on our hands," Justin said giving his new friend a love tap to the shoulder before laughing. Ciel could only shake his head and laugh.

"Hey! Justin! I made a new thing!" a girl shouted as she ran to the two boys almost going through the line of fire on the archery range. She was brunette covered in soot and grease but wore a warm smile and a pair of goggles on her head.

"Lucy! Careful! Remember there are people shooting arrows here!" Justin chided his sister.

"Oops, sorry it's just I'm a little excited because I wanna show you something." Lucille, a girl no older than nine showed the two boys a small bronze bull. At first, it seemed like a little figure until it started moving and mooing.

"Wow, that's cool!" Ciel said as he looked at the girl's creation. "You made that?"

"Yep! Wait, you're the new boy! I'm Lucille but my friends and family call me Lucy," the girl said as she offered her right hand, though covered in oil and grease, Ciel shook it kindly as to not seem rude.

"I'm Ciel, it's nice to meet you, Lucille."

"Call me Lucy, if you're a friend of my brother then you're a friend of mine." The girl gave a kind smile to Ciel to which he returned in kind.

"Lucy, you want to see something cool?" Justin asked as he turned to Ciel.

"Sure!" Lucille responded excitedly. 

With an encouraging nod from Justin, Ciel loaded another arrow into his bow and fired, landing a bull's eye again. What could be acquainted with sheer luck was something in the making. To Ciel, each arrow fired was liberating like it was something only he could do and do in confidence. 

His display was drawing a small crowd from all the other campers on the field who huddled behind the twelve-year-old who had no prior experience with archery. The crow was captivated by the display and lost it when Ciel finished off by sending the last arrow straight through one of his previously fired arrows. The crowd behind the ever ignorant Ciel clapped and caused him to yelp in surprise getting a chuckle from the crowd of campers. After a few words of praise and hopeful wishes from the children of Apollo, Ciel left the archery range with a very bubbly Lucille and Justin dragging him around the camp for a second tour. Granted he seen the majority of the camp but to be in the company of kids closer to his age was comforting. 

For the rest of the day, Ciel spent it with the Peters siblings having fun but he still was a little sad. When the siblings weren't looking Ciel would wipe tears that threaten to escape. The trio would split off during dinner at the pavilion where Ciel had some time to think to himself. He had a plate of pizza and garlic bread and was enjoying the greasy carb meal. When he was done he tossed half a piece of garlic bread into the flames that other campers were doing to sacrifice to the gods. Hopefully, his parent liked garlic bread otherwise that would be a crime of the most unforgivable kind.

Once dinner was finished, Ciel made his way to the bonfire getting a seat away from the crowd of campers flocking in. Instead of sitting on a long, he sat on the dirt finding it was more than enough and so he could lean his back against the long as he gazed at the stars. He took his attention away from the sky when Chiron called for the attention of the campers to which they all listened.

"Good evening, heroes." Chiron's voice was soft but loud enough to be heard. "Tonight we have someone new and he is someone I suggest we take notice of since he had an impressive display at the archery field. Come on here," Chiron motioned for Ciel to go and stand next to him, Ciel did so nervously as he walked over to stand to the centaur. "Introduce yourself, don't be shy."

"Um, hi! I'm Ciel and I'm from Florida," he rubbed the back of his neck in the nervous tick he had. 

"Tell us more!" Justin shouted from where he was sitting with Lucille who mimicked her brother's shout. 

"Uh, I don't really got anything interesting-" Ciel was cut off as a circle of flames surrounded him causing Chiron to move out of the way from the strong flames. The campfire behind rose fifteen feet into the air and changing between blue and violet shades from the flames and a pair of violet torches hovered over Ciel's head. He was scared of the fire but it didn't hurt him. Whether out of stupidity or curiosity, Ciel reaches to the flames with his left hand and the flames died down until the campfire turned back to normal.

"What the hell just happened?!" Ciel shouted then covered his mouth, that wasn't a good impression. "Sorry..."

"Language aside," Chiron started as he looked to the boy, "you've been claimed child by a powerful goddess, the Titaness, Hecate. Congratulations."

A few weeks later... 

Ciel was at the archery fields as it became his favorite pastime here at camp. Justin, his new best friend, would come out with him and have shooting competitions. It was the perfect motivator to want to get better because Justin was a son of the god of archery so he had some amazing skill but Ciel was always able to make them break even in their little contest. It would get Justin to pout but he didn't pout for long as the two would always break into a laughing fit. Justin was a good friend to Ciel when he hadn't had one for such a long time and was good at getting him out of his shell for pretty much everything. Even Lucille would watch their contest and act as a judge for fun, though she would get squirrelly and would just start tinkering with whatever little project she brought with her.

Granted, after being claimed and being one of the few children of Hecate, his siblings did teach him what their mother represented and provide him with what comfort they could. Though it seems that children of Hecate are introverted beyond belief which wasn't bad. The thing enjoyed with his demigod siblings was learning magic but he hasn't shown any ability in that area yet. For now, though he'll play to what he's a natural at that being archery and surprisingly tracking.

Ciel had been trying to mimic some of the older archers by doing certain movements such as quickdraws, shooting multiple arrows, shooting from different stances. All of which were becoming easier each day he practice. While doing one of his unique shots he heard footsteps coming his way, landing the bull's eye he heard clapping behind him. 

Turning he was met by the sight of a gorgeous girl that was around his age. She had auburn hair, yellow eyes that had a hint of silver, and pale white skin. She wore combat boots, winter camo pants, and a white parka. Equipment-wise, she was carrying a silver bow with a matching quiver, and a combat knife on her hip.

"You shoot well for someone so young," the girl said.

"We are around the same age as far as I can tell," Ciel responded as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Do you not know who I am?" the girl asked as her brow quirked up.

"Should I? I have only been here for a few weeks. Sorry." Ciel said rubbing his neck nervously.

"I see, well, my name is Artemis."

"Like the goddess?" Ciel questioned.

"The very same," Artemis responded, "but your assessment is a little off because I am that goddess." Ciel's face went as pale as what was possible for a man of his skin tone could. Kneeling in a panic Ciel when ahead and face-planted. 

"Ow!" Ciel whined as Artemis let out a light chuckle. "Sorry," he said as stood back up, "I hope I didn't offend you Lady Artemis."

"You did no such thing, but you did however amused me with your attempt at trying to be respectful. I will let it slide," Artemis said as she regained her composure. "You're quite skilled with that bow of yours. Are you a child of my brother, Ares, or Athena?" the goddess inquired to which Ciel shook his head "no."

"I'm a son of Hecate," the nervous boy said, "allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Ciel Ambrose Silverstein and it's an honor to meet you Lady Artemis. I've only known about this world for only a few weeks but I'm trying to learn. So I do apologize in advance if I don't know something or do something wrong."

"You're quite mature for only what, eleven?" Artemis questioned.

"Twelve, actually."

"Your father a hunter?" 

"No."

"Then how can you handle a bow so well? I imagine you have no experience from how you just explained yourself." 

"Oh, you be right there but it's just strange, it just feels natural to have a bow in my hand," Ciel said as he glanced at his bow with a small smile. "It's weird but it's a familiar feeling, I probably am not making any sense am I?"

"You are," Artemis said as she looked at the young boy before an idea came to mind. "Say, Ciel was it? Care to have a friendly competition?"

"A competition?" Ciel asked as he glanced at the goddess.

"Nothing too insane, just an archery competition between the two of us." Artemis looked at the boy with a challenging look in her eyes.

"I'm not sure if I am worthy or skilled enough to compete against you," Ciel hesitated though Artemis shot him a stern glare. "But I'd be happy to face you Lady Artemis."

"Excellent," Artemis smirked as she took a stance next to the child of Hecate. "First to twenty-five bull's eye?" Ciel nodded in agreement as his nervous deemer hardens into that of someone serious.

The two went on Artemis signal as they began their competition, the two let their arrows fly one by one. As the competition was underway, a gathering of campers and some of the Hunters of Artemis watched the display of skill between the goddess and the demigod. The two were three for three, Artemis clearly the more skilled but Ciel's natural ability was making the match slightly more even. Artemis glanced over to see that Ciel wasn't gonna submit easily so she decided to get a bit more showie by shooting at a faster rate. Ciel noticed this and began speeding his rate of fire to which caused Artemis to grin slightly.

"Not bad kid, but I'm better," Artemis thought as she kept hitting the target repeatedly, her arrows slicing clean through her arrows. 

It seemed Artemis was about to win one step closer to victory only to be shocked with how Ciel kept a steady pace as her. Each breath was released with each arrow with such accuracy that Artemis had to admit she was impressed. No mortal has shown this level of skill for so long in her existence, only two men ever showed this level of skill but they were long gone. Men she hadn't thought of for a few centuries as she had gotten over their deaths ages ago.

The goddess and the demigod were on their last arrow, this last shot would determine the victor and Artemis wasn't going to lose this. With such quickness, she shot her arrow and landing perfectly on her target. Turning to her adversary with a grin, believing she won Ciel had surprised her by landing a perfect bull's eye that shattered the last arrow he shot causing a-

"No way! A tie?!" one random demigod shouted.

Ciel dropped to his knees panting as a blanket of sweat cascaded his face. He looked to his target surprised he even kept up at all. His arms were aching and he was exhausted trying not to fall behind. It was one thing to compete against Justin but against the Goddess of the Hunt? Nope, not an easy task and not one he'd forget for the longest time. 

"Well, you seem pretty capable. Well done, but don't let this get to your head." Artemis warned.

"Why would I do that? This was fun Lady Artemis," Ciel panted as he looked to the goddess who gave him a narrow eye glare before giving him a small smirk, shaking her head.

"You're an odd one, I expect you to do better the next time and give me a real competition next time."

"There's gonna be the next time?" Ciel gulped.

"Of course," Artemis said sternly, "I am a goddess and I am not one to let someone get the better of me. Especially, to a man."

"I um hope to give you a good competition then?" Ciel said as Artemis walked off with her Hunters in toe. After Artemis left the archery field, Ciel was stormed by Justin and Lucille who began questioning why he was competing against Artemis. How was able to tie and was a secret descendant of Apollo from previous generations. He tried to answer but Justin and Lucille shaking him like a maraca was not helping with him trying to explain himself to them.

While Artemis had walked away with her Hunters, her sister Thalia decides to try and ask the goddess who simply brushed off the questioning. Thalia did make a light joke of Artemis seeing a cute boy but that only caused the goddess to shoot her the nastiest death glare anyone has seen for a while. It was quite humorous for the Hunters to see their lieutenant get nervous as they knew Artemis wasn't someone that would break her vow. As the Hunters talked amongst themselves in response to their astonishment at the young demigod skill their mistress was plagued by a quiet thought in her head. 

"He seems so much like those two. Huh, haven't thought of those two for some time. Maybe he might be good for the hunt in a few years? Mmm, no. Last men that join the hunt died..." Artemis sighed as she glanced back over her shoulder to the direction of where Ciel was. "Best not to dwell on it and tempt the Fates."

This summer would define Ciel's life forever. From being claimed by his mother who chose not to show up until Ciel's life was endangered, to make two friends, and now having a goddess as a rival? Fate truly was cruel but certain events have been set in motion and Ciel was at the center of it all. This was a new beginning for Ciel, he was important whether he realized it or not as his path has become intertwined with others. Hopefully, he can make the right choice or he may meet an untimely fate...

#riordanverse fanfic #pjo fanfic #riordanverse #pjo #pjo au #riordanverse oc #ciel ambrose silverstein #son of hecate #justin peters #lucille peters #clara osto #artemis #hecate #chiron #alex silverstein #ciel x artemis

[a-very-fond-farewell]

The forbidden crack! Untamed prompts: 16/?

FMA AU meets “The Wind Rises” AU : “I still remember every day”

[crazy idea #1: if you are familiar with FMA: Brotherhood (superior in every way) you probably are too young or too smart to remember the original 2003 FMA clusterfuck series but i’m neither young nor smart so here is my take on one of my favorite animated movies of all times “The Conqueror of Shamballa” BUT the story doesn’t start in 1923 Germany but somewhere around 1923 Japan. If you are familiar with this movie and the 2003 series you will know Ed Elric has moved from London to Munich and started living there frequently interacting with a family of rocket scientists (sounds crazy if you are only knowledgeable with FMA: B, but… trust me). So i thought, “what if our protagonist (in this case WWX) travels from China to Japan to work on some airplanes instead?”]

[crazy idea #2: “The Wind Rises” from Ghibli is set in that historical period right? so what if we make transmigrated WWX work his engineering magic on some aircrafts before any conflict can actually take place? precisely between the end of the Taisho period (1912-1926) and the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989), when the desire for innovation and the new technological advancements could be implemented while at peace.]

[obviously, this is just a prompt, and I don’t feel particularly comfortable with creating fantasy storylines so intertwined with actual historical events, especially if these events caused the suffering of many and belong to a culture that is not mine to describe with the potential risk of offending its values and legacy. also, fandom should be fun and if you love angst maybe this is not the prompt for you. on the other hand I thought of how much i love movies like “Porco Rosso”, set somewhat really fucking close to where I live while describing a fun and lighthearted narrative even if it’s dealing with historical and political events that are still fresh and painful in our collective memory nowadays. Maybe it is possible to write something easy and fun while, at the same time, setting it in a time of great difficulties without hurting anyone. Maybe I’m not the person for that (after all, this is just a prompt), but if you want to explore a similar plot you are encouraged to tag me bc I would really like to know your take on the matter. and if I happen to offend anyone I will properly apologize and take responsibility.]

[the title is from L’Arc-en-Ciel’s song “Lost Heaven”, which still makes me cry to this day]

*

When Wei WuXian wakes up after the core transplant surgery, the first thing he realizes is that he should be awake. Wen Qing insisted on the fact that he had to keep himself awake and conscious for the entirety of the procedure, otherwise he would have suffered from extreme backlash and so would have Jiang Cheng. But here he is, waking up from slumber after who know how many days. In front of a figure in white he doesn’t recognize. Everything is blurry in his periphery, as if he’s inhabiting two bodies at the same time. His every move heavy and his speech sluggish.

The person in white turns the moment Wei WuXian realizes he’s standing in the middle of nowhere, in the space between realities.

“Where am I?”, he asks, trying to make out the features of the person in front of him, their long white hair, the silver lining of their robes.

“You’re here to pay a price.”, the other answers, their voice a mere whisper. Barely louder than the crisp little noises the pins and jewelry adorning their hair and neck are making as the person approaches him slowly.

“A price for what?”

“Before losing consciousness, you wished for your brother to be saved no matter what.”

“Is… is Jiang Cheng safe?”

“He’s dying because you fell asleep.”, the other announces, sending shivers down Wei WuXian’s spine, dread sitting in the middle of his chest, “You cannot wake up, the damage is done. But if you enter this door you will be able to save him. Your body in this world will die, the core will not share two owners at once and your brother will be the only one able to use it from now on.”

Wei WuXian doesn’t have time to feel pain, determination painting him in vibrant colors in that white realm of silence and void. He turns as the person in white gestures him to do so and he finds a door so big it could rival with one of the gates of Koi Tower. Engraved on its surface are myriads of characters reminding him of something ancient and forbidden. Something so dark and dangerous not even cultivators as knowledgeable as Lan QiRen would be able to understand, let alone encourage learning about.

“What will i find on the other side?”, he wonders, watching as the gates slowly open in front of him, a warm wind spiraling upwards and messing his hair.

A kiss from the underworld.

Is this the day I die, he doesn’t ask.

“Another world.”, the woman in white and silver answers honestly.

Wei WuXian doesn’t have time to recognize her that he is dragged inside by a thousands of spirits with eyes for mouths and teeth for hands.

*

Mere months have passed since he woke up in a body similar to his original one, but completely different from his own at the same time. He’s still seventeen, but cannot rely on cultivation anymore. The brand scar he received in the cave of the Tortoise of Slaughter is nowhere to be seen. His mother and father welcomed him back in their arms, crying over his bedridden body thanking the heavens for saving their only son from typhoid fever. He knew deep down those were not his true parents, that Cange Sanren had a different name on top of that and that their actual son’s soul was probably the sacrificial lamb paid on the altar of Wei WuXian’s greed to save his only brother. He knew this since day one, yet he was too tired to say anything at the time. He woke up in a small village in the Hubei Province under the Republic of China, established twelve years prior. A reality almost identical to his own, but stripped of any power of the cultivation world.

However, now things have changed and his parents have died a second time, the fever and starvation taking them in their sleep one at a time. But not before his mother could send a desperate letter to an old acquaintance of hers asking them to take their son “Wei Ying” out of the country and save him from harm. After accepting her proposition, the Chinese diplomat Jiang Fenmiang has invited Wei Ying to live with him and their family in Tokyo, where he’s working in order to strengthen and acquiesce the relations between the two countries after a period of tension and grievances.

As he travels on what he understands to be called a “train”, Wei WuXian takes notes over the many technological advancements this new era has brought to humanity. Such as the ferry he has taken to travel overseas and now the locomotive taking him to Tokyo. The pain of losing his parents for the second time is still fresh, as is the memory of the past few months living alone on the streets chased by rabid dogs. His body is still weak after surviving the fever and his lungs and digestive system are forever compromised, but he wants to meet Jiang Chen and YanLi a second time in this new world. Feeling guilty for leaving them in a world ruled by the Qishan Wen clan, the only thing he can do is to atone in this new life and protect them in this reality. He takes a brief moment to himself as he looks up from his notes and sees a man approaching from the first class carriage of the train.

Initially Wei WuXian doesn’t regard the stranger with anything but a polite nod, some of his notes flying away from his journal as he adjusts himself on the platform at the end of his car. He sprints up to try to catch them... before the stranger could grab them for him and give them back.

It’s then that Wei WuXian recognizes the man, an older version of Lan Zhan from the one he remembers, dressed in modern clothing and shorter hair. He’s just another double, a copy of the original he used to know. Just like his mother and father, just like the Jiang family he’s going to meet soon. No recognition comes from the other-Lan Zhan, yet Wei WuXian lets himself stare for longer than necessary as he thanks the man.

A single tear rolls down his cheek as an earthquake shakes the train and destroys everything around them in that day of September 1923.

[details down below]

1923:

(WWX is 17)

the train stops and all the passengers survive, but they are scared and don’t know how to reach Tokyo safely by foot. Some officers guide them to the nearest road and help them walk for a while before they have to leave for the capital in an attempt to contain the flames of the many fires caused by the earthquake.

Lan Zhan’s double has the same name and features, but is now twenty-five and was supposed to arrive in Tokyo to meet with his brother, Lan Huan’s double. He’s a little more cheerful than what WWX remembers and he also decides to stick with the younger man all the way to Tokyo. After glancing at WWX’s notes earlier, in fact, double!LanZhan recognizes him as someone from his same country and reasons they should feel safer traveling together for a little while more.

given that trying to explain his situation to double!LanZhan would be useless, WWX simply agrees and shoves down any temptation to tell him all about Gusu and the cave and how much he wishes he could go back to his original world. They walk all the way to Tokyo talking quietly: they are surrounded by strangers, WWX doesn’t know much Japanese to begin with and he doesn’t want to be recognized as a foreigner.

uncle Jiang, along with some clothes to travel more comfortably, has sent him enough money to travel and direction to reach his home. The only thing WWX hopes is that nobody was injured in the earthquake and that no more waves can reach them before he can join them. What an unfortunate time to arrive. Aunt Yu would probably hate him in this reality too just because of that.

but as he trails behind double!LanZhan and enters Tokyo, WWX feels as if hell has found its way into the world, flames everywhere and nowhere to go. In the midst of chaos, however, double!LanZhan tries to keep him from fainting or shaking, talking about all the things he and his brother wish to work on as architects working for the government. Yet, WWX senses how worried he is for his twin brother and pities him as he tries to calm down, marveling at how much this version of Lan Zhan can talk. They walk towards the Jiang household as double!LanZhan chats about the university he’s supposed to work for the following month, wondering if it’s still intact after the catastrophe.

they reach the elegant house without any more troubles, relief spreading through their hearts as they notice it has endured little to no damage. Uncle Jiang scurries over them and immediately recognizes WWX bc of how much he resembles his mother and the man dotes on him from then on. He thanks double!LanZhan profusely, ignoring the resentful glances coming from his wife and the curious ones from his daughter. A kid roughly the same age as WWX approaches and takes the other’s only suitcase: a scowl on his face and hurry in his steps, telling WWX to keep up because “the world is crashing down if he hadn’t noticed”.

WWX doesn’t have time to properly thank double!LanZhan that he is urged inside by his new family.

1927:

(WWX is 21)

given the connections the Jiang family has in both countries, WWX and his step siblings are able to enjoy benefits others may only dream of, but the government is wary of foreigners and they need to act as good guests. This angers and stresses Jiang Cheng, his temper even worse than what WWX remembers, and he is even more rebellious than his new stepbrother. It’s WWX who needs to tone down the other’s snark at times, reminding him they cannot do as they please and that, even if others are jealous of their grades in university and overall position, they are still living in difficult times.

WWX knows this Jiang Cheng is a double ant that everything feels like a dream and nothing matters anymore, but if he pretends hard energy maybe he can stop feeling guilty for leaving his dear ones behind. But acknowledging this Jiang Cheng as the real one feels wrong and sometimes WWX distances himself from him, keeping his secrets for himself.

however, double!JiangCheng has seen his brother scream in his dreams, even waking him up in the middle of the night just to shake him from his horrible nightmares. Sometimes Wei Ying watches him in his sleep, when he hasn’t yet realized double!JiangCheng is awake, as checks for his breath. Other times he pressed a hand to his abdomen, as if checking for scars or injuries. He doesn’t know what it means, but he is willing to wait for the other to come around and they’ll him himself.

their sister YanLi has figured a way to be useful in a country wary of foreigners by studying to become a doctor and save lives. Their father is currently struggling at work because of the increasing tensions between the two countries and their mother keeps to herself in spite of everything.

WWX’s health deteriorates after he starts working, their supervisor suggesting him and his brother to keep a low profile just not to attract any unwanted attention on their family. Their work as engineers can convince the higher-ups to keep them close in case war were to strike again. But Jiang Cheng feels bad for working for a country constantly threatening his parent’s home country over mining rights and land ownership. He may love working on new aircrafts and test his limits, but he’s against using his energy and drive for appease someone else’s greed.

WWX, for the first time in his life, feels second to his brother, admiring his ability to distinguish from right and wrong while he himself cannot even tell dreams and reality apart. With a weakened body and a mind filled with memories of a world that doesn’t even exists, WWX convinces himself he’s in hell and this life is the punishment for being too greedy himself.

1929:

(WWX is 23, double!LWJ is 30)

tension is too strong for them to live in Tokyo, with Uncle Jiang forced to work for the government and scramble for solutions in order to keep his family safe in a secluded location in the mountains, in a hotel in the middle of nowhere. There, the elites enjoys the last days of peaceful times they will not see again for years to come.

WWX feels drained, dreaming of people he will either never see again or see every single day in the faces of strangers. Jiang Cheng convinces him to talk, even if only to ease his pain, but WWX cannot bring himself to reveal the whole truth. The only thing he feels like to share is that he has visions of another world and that maybe reincarnation is not as far fetched as it seems.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t really believe him, but he supports him and together with YanLi they try to make Wei Ying relax during their vacation on the mountains.

there, out of nowhere, WWX meets double!LanZhan and his brother: they meet on top of a hill as the wind rises and some of the two brothers’ musical scores fly away. WWX and his stepbrother catch them and bring them back as YanLi approaches the two musicians.

this time, WWX notice immediately something is wrong. Double!LanZhan is far less cheerful than what he remembers from their first encounter, while his brother seems to have lost his vision, music being his only comfort. The group exchanges pleasantries with the twins on top of the hill, until rain forces them all to seek refuge under some trees. WWX watches double!LanZhan closely and realizes these years apart must have been tough on him. He asks if double!LanHuan has lost his sight after the earthquake and the only thing double!LanZhan is able to do is nod, his eyes filled with tears.

Would it be so bad to befriend this other-LanZhan? Is it right for WWX to start a new life in hell with someone so compassionate and kind? Maybe that would be okay in the end, maybe they can be good friends and survive this world that is wary of them simply because of the greed of human kind. Then why does it feel wrong to let himself be loved by these people? Why does it feel like he’s betraying the ones he has left behind?

during their vacation, the two families get closer and they enjoy each other’s company. They talk in Japanese to not be stared by the other patrons and WWX wonders what happened in his world. If the Wens have crumbled down. If their name is synonymous with hatred and greed. If this is how any refugee would feel, isolated from the rest of the country while desperately trying to hold onto any familiar face and memory at hand.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t like to talk in another language and fear others might look down on him and seldom attracts attention by causing mayhem. But YanLi and even double!LanHuan help him come down from his stubborn antics and take him to long walks to calm down. This way, WWX and double!LanZhan are frequently left alone, because Wei Ying cannot walk for too long without feeling exhausted and so the other keeps him company.

since double!LanZhan is so under the weather and quiet, WWX takes it upon himself to entertain him and he spends their days chatting about the things he misses from home, what he would like to do if he were to live somewhere else, they airplanes he would like to make. He doesn’t talk about how much me misses flying on a sword, or how the wind fills under his clothes up in the air, or how much he would have loved to hold onto Lan Zhan among the stars at night.

WWX cries in front of double!LanZhan without noticing one day, missing the days at the Cloud Recesses when they were classmates and he used to pester the other boy. And only now, only now he understands what it was, what he wanted to convey with his antics. How much he wanted the other to notice him and pay attention to him. But the one rubbing a comforting hand up and down his spine now is not his Lan Zhan. Even if he’s just as kind and compassionate, just as quiet and brilliant, just as hurt and lonely.

they share a kiss under the trees of a meadow one afternoon and WWX feels like he’s either betraying the real Lan Zhan or this gentle young man who’s never done anything bad in his entire life. And he doesn’t know why double!LanZhan is crying as well as they kiss, but he’s too afraid to ask.

the following day Uncle Jiang calls the rest of his family back home and the Jiang siblings say their goodbyes to the twins hiding alone with their uncle on the mountain. Promising to meet each other again soon, even if WWX knows that’s most likely nothing but a well intentioned lie given the hardships they’re bound to face.

1930:

Lan Zhan:

(WWX is 24, double!LWJ is 31)

after meeting with the Jiang family, the twins try to retrieve their life as usual the moment they return in Tokyo for the winter. Their uncle notices double!LanZhan’s distress over departing from the young men he had met there, but his inquiry is fruitless since his nephew refuses to speak. The old man has noticed some changes in the younger twin over the course of a couple of years or so: his frequent migraines and tiredness, his laborious efforts to speak as if feverish and confused, his nights interrupted by nightmares more often than not.

even his brother has noticed the difference despite losing his vision in the fire at the imperial university seven years prior. His cheerful spirit is gone, his steps alternate different rhythms at times, and even his accent often doesn’t sound familiar to him. In his younger brother’s words “it’s almost as if two of me are residing in a single body”. But Lan Huan doesn’t know what to make of it, wishing he could look his brother in the eyes and see the truth for himself.

double!LanZhan, on the other hand, feels split in half ever since he has kissed Wei Ying. He remembers that day because his body has moved on its own, half of his mind lost in Wei Ying’s grey eyes while the other half (his own half) was trying to understand why the sudden urge to hold the boy tighter in his arms. He felt like someone had possessed him for those brief, stolen moments in time before leaving his body altogether the second Wei Ying has run away from him in the meadow.

unable to find an answer, feverish and tired with a migraine splitting his brain in half, double!LanZhan wanders around Tokyo trying to remember where the Jiang residence was. His feet walking him towards Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng’s room in the evening one day. Wei Ying is alone, sitting down by a table covered in drawings. Mesmerized, double!LanZhan watches from the window as Wei Ying traces the lines of faces and places, over an over again, as if he doesn’t want to forget what his imagination has shown him that night.

seeing what is depicted on the table, double!LanZhan’s migraine worsens and he collapses in the back garden, snow piling up on him. Wei Ying immediately notices and brings him inside, covering him in quilts to keep him warm. But Wei Ying is the warmest of all, his embrace like a balsam over double!LanZhan’s pulsing head as the younger tries to keep him warm by rubbing his arms over and over.

suddenly his head doesn’t hurt anymore and he can finally, finally let go. Let the other half take his place for now, just for a little while, as he takes a small nap in Wei Ying’s arms.

when he wakes up, Lan Zhan cries all of his tears.

he was finally able to reach Wei Ying, his Wei Ying, who was trapped in another world. The one Lan Zhan has been looking for ever since the end of the Sunshot Campaign, ever since Jiang Cheng himself told him of his demise. The one Lan Zhan was able to reach only after sacrificing his golden core to the immortal turned goddes BaoShan Sanren in front of a gate born from the efforts of some past demonic cultivator.

for two years he had tried to make his way through the veil between realities, his consciousness exhausted as if he had been swimming for far too long. The other-him, the man who shared his name and face, hosting his soul at the expenses of his own body for over two years. All because of Lan Zhan’s grief and greed, all because a goddess had promised him he could be reunited with the love of his life. But at what cost... at what cost indeed.

since two souls cannot reside in a single body, one of them had to die in order for Lan Zhan to meet his Wei Ying again. The moment WWX sees the other cry, he immediately recognizes him and tries to console him for the loss of his “other”. But LWJ cannot seem to feel any relief as he falls asleep once more in his arms.

Jiang Cheng:

Jiang Cheng enters the room and is baffled to find one of the twins in there, but seeing his brother crying over the man he decides to help them instead of calling the servants. Things are turning ugly in town for people like them and he doesn’t trust anyone anymore since YanLi got married and started working for the hospital, leaving the brothers alone.

in tears, Wei Ying tells him everything: of his dreams of another world, of the one he was destined to meet, of Lan Zhan finally remembering who he really was. He’s still fixated on this “past life” thing, uh? Jiang Cheng doesn’t really understand, but he knows the two man has grown fond of each other the previous summer and doesn’t really envy their fate.

he watches over them as they fall asleep in each other’s arms, having promised them to keep the servants from knowing about Lan Zhan’s presence in their house. That’s when he comes up with a plan and calls Lan Huan on the phone, briefly telling him that “his brother Lan Zhan has made a choice and that he cannot stay in Tokyo anymore”.

Lan Huan asks Jiang Cheng if his brother is there, to which the other only says “yes”. Is he with Wei Ying? Yes. Are they in love? Yes. Do they need to hide? “I can manage that for them.”

They meet the following morning at dawn, outside of Lan XiChen’s house to not attract the attention of the Jiang servants. Jiang Cheng will escort the two lovebirds to a cottage somewhere in the countryside, far away from society. When Lan Huan will succeed in convincing Lan QiRen to follow him there, they will receive them and arrange something.

Jiang Cheng May not believe his brother, but he knows things are getting dangerous in the country, especially for foreigners like them. Let alone someone like Wei Ying and his lover.

Wei WuXian:

While Lan Zhan is still feverish, Jiang Cheng and WWX take the train with the older man to the countryside. WWX feels bad for leaving, but Lan Zhan needs to rest away from the modern world for a while and he himself doesn’t feel well at all. Not with his lungs giving up on him any time he has to stiffen a cough and swallow his own blood with every breath. His weakened body may have caught something in the last few months, but he will not give up on Lan Zhan now.

They reach the cottage and Jiang Cheng immediately sends a letter to his sister, apologizing for what he’s about to do. They only have to wait a week for Lan Huan and Lan QiRen to arrive, but in the meantime Lan Zhan has regained enough energy to eat and stand up on his own. WWX asks him what is going on, and LWJ tells him that he’s currently trying to hold onto this body while simultaneously ruling over his original body in Gusu. He doesn’t want to fade away, but he fears slipping out of reach and leave WWX behind a second time.

when Lan QiRen sees them, he cannot deny what is in front of him: someone who is merely pretending to be his nephew greets him with a stoic face as he announces his intention to marry a man. Despite the initial shock, when Lan Huan has asked him to take him in the middle of nowhere in the countryside in winter, Lan QiRen has accepted to indulge him knowing Lan Zhan must have had something to do with it. But this in front of him is definitely not his nephew and this realization hurts more then knowing he is in love with a man.

Lan Huan, on the other hand, knows from his voice this is not his brother but cannot explain why. He’s filled with grief at the thought and not even his uncle can comfort him, the older man himself in pain for a loss he cannot comprehend.

WWX asks them to indulge them just this time, feeling like his life is getting closer and closer to its end, not knowing what else to do. Jiang Cheng comforts the two men as he tries to explain his reasons, that nobody will let them have even an ounce of joy in the world they’re forced to live in and that, if things will end up getting worse in the end, at least they’ll have this memory to look back to. He feels like a war is approaching, and no one can know what kind of world will greet them at the end of it.

Lan Zhan:

the day of his wedding he’s very nervous, having asked their hosts to simplify the traditional ceremony given the fact that Wei Ying and he are both men and there are no actual guest attending. They bow to the heavens and the earth, to their families, and then to each other. Their clothes are far less expensive or appropriate from the nuptial red they would have worn under different circumstances, yet Lan Zhan has never felt more adorned and rich, basking in Wei Ying’s love.

they spend their first night together whispering sweet nothings in each other’s ears, tired and happy as they have never been before.

Wei WuXian:

they stay at the cottage for months, receiving news from the outside world every now and then from Jiang Cheng and Lan Huan. He suspects his brother is keeping something to himself, ignoring his questions over the political situation altogether, but he doesn’t insist.

LWJ tells him stories of the Sunshot Campaign, of how he tried to save the weak, the women, the children and the innocent of the Wen Clan against the rest of the cultivation world. Of how he found a way to summon BaoShan Sanren through some scrolls he had found in Burial Mounds, where he thought WWX’s soul might have disappeared to. Of how he hadn’t even been able to say goodbye to his brother and the people he had saved in Yiling before signing a contract with the immortal.

WWX’s lungs are giving up on him but he tries to keep LWJ from noticing. YanLi comes to meet them one day and makes sure to cry for her brother only when they are finally alone, sensing his intention to keep his husband from knowing the truth. He knows LWJ cannot possibly keep holding onto two bodies at the same time: waking up in Yiling the moment he falls asleep in the cottage; then waking up with Wei Ying every morning the moment he falls asleep in Burial Mounds where he has decided to hide. Without a golden core, for as strong as someone like LWJ can be, he would die if he keeps crossing the veil, the gate between the two worlds.

the day after YanLi has left them alone, WWX spends his last day with his husband, making sure everything is perfect. he also sends letters to his family and thanks them for loving him. he extends his best wishes to the people who worked alongside him, helping him bring to fruition his dream to fly in the sky once more... even if he has never flown in this lifetime.

he’s very happy with his husband and wants to commit every second they spend together to heart. They make love for the last time before they both fall asleep together and dream of home.

he whispers “I wish you good luck” before falling asleep.

Lan Zhan:

he wakes up the next day and Wei Ying is gone. His body cold in his arms.

mad with grief, unable to believe a life without WWX can or should exist, he cries over his husband’s body and wishes he could die.

Lan Huan and Lan QiRen happen to visit that day and find him crestfallen and asking to be left alone to die. But they help him bury the body instead and take care of him. Lan QiRen suddenly feels terrible at the thought of leaving this boy all alone, whether he’s actually his nephew or not. Lan Huan convinces his brother to eat and rest, holding him for as long as it takes for him to calm down.

the following day, as the younger twin wakes up, he asks Lan Huan why they’re in a cottage in the countryside and what happened while he was asleep.

the actual LWJ, by falling asleep, not willing to wake up in a world where WWX doesn’t exists anymore, has allowed double!LanZhan to regain complete control over the body in the cottage. The twin wasn’t dead, just dormant, waiting for LWJ to let go of his body on his own.

waking up in the Burial Mounds, however, with no golden core and no Wei Ying is worse than anything LWJ has ever experienced. Having to survive WWX’s death not one, but two times is too much to handle... but a small kid has found his place in his arms while LWJ was sleeping. His beloved A-Yuan, one of the few Wen children he was able to save from the Lanling Jin’s clutches after the Sunshot Campaign.

as he takes in the sight of the child he considers his own, peacefully sleeping in his bed, LWJ finds the strength to say “just another day”. And then another and another and another again.

13 years later:

Mo XuanYu sacrifices his body for WWX and the first thing Wei Ying does in his new body is to ask the Lan juniors to bring him to Hanguan Jun.

but Lan Zhan is already there, following the juniors around after managing to reforming a golden core in just a little over ten years all on his own. The first thing he says to Wei Ying is “I still remember every day.”

and they begin to travel together for the rest of their life.

*

Now I need a fucking tissue.

[as you can see very little “conquering another world” type of quest because I didn’t like to think too hard. This is more like “what if before transmigrating WWX and LWJ lived somewhere else and got married?” But then I had to make it sad, uh? Fuck.]

[also, demonic-cultivator!LWJ anyone?]

#mdzs #cql #the untamed #wangxian #mo dao zu shi #the forbidden crack! untamed prompts #mdzs/au: manga/anime inspired #mdzs/au: fma #mdzs/au: ghibli #mdzs/au: modern

[chibimyumi]

Kuro 152 Summary & Thoughts

その執事　別動

That Butler, Independent Action

In chapter 152, we return to the side of O!Ciel, except we follow the actions of Meylin and Ranmao.

Meylin and Ranmao are headed for North Yorkshire, a place 211 miles away from London. Once they get off the train, a man with a humble carrier arrives to collect them, asking whether the ladies are the ones who had come to apply for the position of maid as advertised in the newspaper. Before long, they arrive at the mansion of Baron Heathfield.

Without further delay, the ladies are taken to an older woman who is in charge of employing new staff, Miss Abby. Meylin and Ranmao introduce themselves as Mei and Ran, as a pair of Chinese sisters.

They are asked why they had come to England, and “Mei” explains that she and her sister had come to England with their father on a tea clipper when they were young children. She further explains that disease had robbed them of their parents, and afterwards they worked as maids in London. Unfortunately, the trading company of her former employer had gone bankrupt and fled, deserting the servants. Now having lost their job, the sisters had come to seek new employment.

Miss Abby seems somewhat suspicious as to why the sisters had come all the way to a deserted place from London, a place with many more job opportunities.

Meylin explains that it is because only the current household accepts coloured servants under the age of 30. As she explains however, the older woman notices Meylin’s imperfect English, and “graciously” not reproach middle-ranked servants for having a foreign accent. “Can you two read?” the woman asks, and Meylin replies that they have basic understanding. With this, “Mei and Ran’s” contract has been signed.

“Thank you very much!” - Meylin

“We need anybody we can get” - Abby

At Miss Abby’s words, as though on cue, Meylin makes it unambiguously clear for the reader that she is on a ‘special mission’ in this household.

As “Mei and Ran” are being escorted to their rooms, the maid by the name of Jane explains that there is a shortage of staff because the manor is very large. At present, there are 35 employees, among whom 20 are maids. At this information again, Meylin seems to think something is up.

Once in their new rooms, Jane explains the rules of the household, among which a particularly peculiar one: “Lights-out at 22:00, a strict rule to which all must abide strictly.“

Mei questions the abnormally early hour, and Jane explains that this is the well intention of Lord Heathfield; that all servants should be well rested and well taken care of. Among other ‘mercies’, the servants are obliged to have three meals a day, bathe once every two days, and will even get large carriages arranged for them to explore the streets on their days off.

The Heathfield household does not provide for uniforms; instead, Meylin and Ranmao change into the maid-dress which they brought from ‘their previous employment”, the Phantomhive maid uniform!!

Without further ado, “Mei” is assigned the position as housemaid, while “Ran” is made a laundry-maid. In order to familiarise the new employees in the household, Jane takes the two ladies on a tour through the house.

“Let’s go, Ran” - Mei

“Yes, sister” - Ran

Herewith, chapter 152 comes to an end.

Chapter 152 was rather uneventful; it functioned more like a very long introduction to a new sub-arc. Though uneventful, the location does provide for very interesting open possibilities.

It is most unlikely that the Heathfield household is just any place. Conceivably, O!Ciel deliberately sent Meylin and Ranmao there, exactly because they are persons of colour, and can use England’s institutionalised racism to their advantage: “who would doubt “stupid, coloured women” anyway?”

Another important clue to the future developments of the story may lie with the location of the current setting, and the name ‘Sutcliffe’.

As pointed out by some in the Japanese fandom, the new setting Yorkshire is a place once linked to a notorious name: Peter William Sutcliffe - the Yorshire Ripper.

The Yorkshire Ripper case did not take place until the 1980s, but the fandom is well aware of Yana’s love for references to real historic events (and some time anachronisms).

If I should entertain this highly interesting hypothesis, then it is perhaps possible to say that the Heathfield household is one of the ‘bases’ for R!Ciel’s blood-supply, which could be an indirect reference to the serial murders of women in the 1980s.

The coincidence of Grell’s surname ‘Sutcliffe’ to the location should probably also not be written off as ‘sheer coincidence’. We have previously seen that Grell and Othello are both involved in the current case. Perhaps we can expect some major actions by Grell, Meylin and Ranmao in the next chapters.

#Kuroshitsuji #Black butler #manga #Kuro 152 #Kuroshitsuji 152 #Chapter 152 #Spoiler #Spoilers #Kuroshitsuji Spoilers #thoughts and summary #Meylin #Meyrin #Ranmao #Grell Sutcliff #Grelle Sutcliff #Grell Sutcliffe #Grelle Sutcliffe #Yana you really need to start being consistent with your spelling!!! #Standardised spelling of English happened CENTURIES ago! #Ugh eitherway #Here you go #I hope to see Grell back soon #English #Translation

[shinigami-mistress]

Theory: Jane Knows Precisely Who Mey-Rin and Ran Mao Are:

One of the biggest questions lately has been how much does Jane know. She knows all about Heathfield. She tells quite a story about his past and how it relates to his interactions with the maids.

Of course, Mey-Rin and Ran Mao only came here to investigate because some of the maids here worked for the hospital tied to the Aurora Society, and there’s such a high turnover of maids.

So, let’s assume for a moment that Heathfield’s manor is tied to real!Ciel in some way. For the sake of this argument, our!Ciel was 100% correct in suspecting that this location is important to his his brother.

Remember, this is all like a big chess game between the twins. This was our!Ciel’s move. He needs this information, so he sent his allies (his pieces) out to investigate, but real!Ciel can make a move as well. He knows that his brother is most likely searching for information.

Wouldn’t it make sense for real!Ciel to put out sort of an alert for his brother and his allies? He could have given them descriptions. He’s been Undertaker all this time, and Undertaker does know about the servants. He’s met Lau and Ran Mao before.

When Mey-Rin got dressed, Jane noticed the scars but didn’t say anything. The few things she did mention was Mey-Rin’s shoes - actually lifting up Mey-Rin’s skirt.

What if this action was not so much about the boots but looking for guns, which we know Mey-Rin has kept under her skirt in the past.

Jane also mentioned Mey-Rin’s glasses.

One of the first descriptors of Mey-Rin would be that she is nearsighted and wears rather large glasses.

If Jane was on the alert for any of our!Ciel’s allies, she might have been told to look for a red haired Chinese woman with glasses. She could have even been warned that this woman might be armed.

So, that’s my theory. Jane knows precisely who Mey-Rin is and possibly even Ran Mao.

Thoughts?

#kuroshitsuji #theory #jane #meyrin #ran mao

[scenarios-for-days]

Can we get some Bb wedding HCs?

I aged up a few of the younger characters.

Sebastian

Feels like marriage is pointless at first because he’s going to leave after he eats Ciel’s soul.

But he knows it’s a big deal to his partner, so eventually decides it can’t be that bad of a decision.

If his partner is male, only the servants and Soma and Agni are invited. (by Ciel, just to irritate Sebastian) because gay marriage wasn’t legal at the time. The ceremony takes place in the garden, which is a mess.

A real mess, because his partner insisted he take the day off to spend with them instead. Ciel agreed that he shouldn’t work on his wedding day.

They are also using regular plates, nothing fancy, because 1) Sebastian is only a servant, after all. 2)Ciel didn’t trust Mey-rin enough to let her get down the nice dishes.

If his s/o is female they probably want a big wedding.

The ceremony happens in a more public place, probably a church. (Which both Ciel and his partner laugh about later. His partner probably just believes he is atheist.)

The Bride’s family and friends are invited. Along with Sebastian’s few friends.

The bride wears a dress he made

Overall it’s a small venue no matter what.

The bride’s parents either hard-core approve or hard-core disapprove. There is no in between.

Some things probably go wrong. Bard burnt the food. Mey-Rin spilled the wine, Finny killed the flower arrangements.

Bless Agni, he’s the only reason everything proceeds smoothly. He doesn’t get a second of rest because he’s rushing around fixing the other servants mistakes and consoling them.

It’s very sweet no matter what, and Sebastian’s glad he did it afterwards.

Elizabeth Midford

She arranges everything. She picks the flower arrangements, the musicians, the color scheme.

Elizabeth spends every moment she can with her s/o before the wedding.

She hand picks her dress, and has her S/o’s outfit special made.

If her s/o is female, her dress gets handmade by Sebastian, because he’s the only one Elizabeth trusts enough to do so. Of course their marriage isn’t considered ‘official’ because it isn’t legal.

Elizabeth doesn’t care.

Sebastian stands in as the priest.

Elizabeth hand-writes her vows. They’re long and incredibly sweet.

“You may kiss the bride!” And neither one of them knows who is supposed to kiss who. It’s an awkward first. Francis (surprisingly) approves. She’s just glad Elizabeth isn’t marrying back into the family of the Queen’s Watchdog.

Edward isn’t thrilled about her marrying a woman, but he just wants her to be happy. And with anyone but Ciel.

Their dad….is….insanely thrilled.

For no logical reason like Francis and Edward. He’s just really happy because Elizabeth is happy

If her S/o is male the venue is huge.

Every noble that her family has even briefly encountered is invited.

The musicians play for hours.

Flower petals are all over the place in varying pinks and reds and whites.

Her and the grooms outfit match.

Her family loves her s/o

The marriage isn’t arranged. After whatever happened with Ciel that caused them to break the engagement, Francis agreed to let Elizabeth choose who she married.

Loves her S/o with all her heart no mater what.

Ciel Phantomhive

Is very stoic during the ceremony, but is internally very nervous.

His s/o can tell because when he takes their hand, he’s shaking.

They’re half expecting him to break down and have an anxiety attack in the middle of the wedding.

(He doesn’t. Thank God)

No matter what, the entire thing was supposed to be relatively small.

Everyone Ciel knows shows up though.

It turns out not so small. Ciel was aware he had friends but not that many.

Wears a mostly white suit. Elizabeth coordinated the colors.

Tries to seem like it isn’t that big of a deal, smiles a little- but probably ends up crying when his S/o starts reading their vows.

Definitely cries a little when he reads his.

He’s voice is super shaky throughout the ceremony. Sebastian makes fun of him later.

Is very emotional even though he tries not to be. He can’t help it, he loves them

Lau

Tries to talk his S/o out of getting married.

They’re probably in a polygamist relationship, so he doesn’t think it would be fair to marry one of his significant others anf be unable to marry the other.

If they do get married his S/o dresses up in traditional Chinese clothing to try and surprise him.

He dresses up in traditional English clothing to try and do the same.

Nothing is organized. It’s a huge mess.

Their are flowers and ribbons but they’re not strategically placed. They’re not done super nicely.

It’s honestly a miracle that they both remember to show up on time.

Vows are 100% made up on the spot.

No thinking them out or anything. He isn’t even worried about them until his s/o says theirs.

Probably shows up high.

Definitely tries to get the priest high.

Makes everything sound like a joke but he means it with all his heart.

“I promise to love and cherish Christina-”   “That’s not my name!”   “Oh?”   “Lau!”   “I’m kidding! I’m kidding! I promise to live and cherish ____”

Grelle Sutcliff

Everything is red

Of course there are varying shades according to her partners wants and needs, but everything is red.

Invites all the reapers, very few show up.

Doesn’t invite Sebastian because she doesn’t want her S/o to be uncomfortable.

Does invite Will, they get along better now that her affection is directed at someone else.

Invites Ronald. They tell her S/o the story of the Campania the way they lived it.

Grelle gets her s/o to reenact everything with her.

Grelle wears a stunning dress.

Everything goes perfectly, there are no mistakes, because Grelle has threatened their lives if anyone messes up.

Grelle isn’t nervous at all because she knows that her S/o loves her, and that she loves them.

They’re already planning their future. They’ve been together for a long time before they decide to get married.

Grelle is completely dedicated to her S/o.

Undertaker

The wedding venue is terrifying.

It’s gorgeous, and it’s the wedding itself is sweet but he manages to scare all the guests.

He has his hair pulled up

He dresses very dramatically, and his S/o does too

Pretty much all of London is invited.

They say their vows standing on a frozen lake in the middle of town.

It’s literally impossible to miss the wedding, it lasts all day.

The party is huge.

The shopkeepers don’t mind, because people come in and out of their shops throughout the entire thing.

The entire thing is very outlandish and everyone leaves confused on whether or not they actually liked it.

#undertaker #kuroshitsuji #HCs #sebastian michaelis #ciel phamtonhive #lau #elizabeth midford #grelle sutcliff #request

[fallen-wolf22]

Murder Of Insanity - Chapter Two: His Butler, Strongest

Fandom: Butler Butler x Supernatural x Outlast

Word Count: 5,547

Taglist: Open

Author Note: None At The Moment

Masterlist

Book Cover

Prologue

Chapter One: His Butler, Able

“Bloody hell. This wire’s done for.” Bardroy said as he checked the wire’s from underneath the floor.

“Oh, not the rats again.” Mey-Rin said and she put her head into her hands.

“This is gettin’ ridiculous. I mean I heard they’d been plaguin’ London lately, but I never expected them to be such a problem this far out of the city.” Bardroy said he sat back down and looked at Mey-Rin and Finny.

“Ah!” All three screamed at the sight of a rat.

“Now I’ve got you rat!” Finny said as he picked up a statue and tossed it towards the rat, which was near Mey-Rin and Bardroy.

“Noo!” Yelped Bardroy as he and Mey-Rin dove out of the way of the statue.

“Looks like it got away, he he.” Finny said as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at the floor.

“What are you laughin’ for? Are you tryin’ to kill us too idjit!” Bardroy snapped at Finny as he stood up and looked at Finny.

“Ho ho ho.” Tanaka said as he drank his tea.

[Opening-Title - His Butler, Strongest]

“Look! There’s another one!” Finny said to the group before chasing after it.

“Catch it!” Bardroy yelled at Finny as he followed quickly after.

[Scene Change to a dark room and pool table]

“Quite a commotion going on out there. Is sees you’re experiencing a rat problem as well.” A man said who’s face resembled an angry bulldog. (I’m sorry but it’s true! His face does remind me of angry bulldog.)

“Speaking of which, how long are you going to let the vermin run wild? Filthy monsters. Someone ought to take care of them don’t you think?” Said a man as he ate a sandwich. (I’m sorry on this part, I couldn’t quite put a good description of him.)

“And someone will. He’s just waiting for the opportune moment.” An arrogant man talked as he petted the girl who was in his lap, the air around almost held an arrogance to it.

“Indeed. He prefers to settle things with one blow. Will you pass on this turn Lord Phantomhive?” A woman who was dressed in red asked the young boy sitting just across from her.

“I’ll pass. It’s my policy not to shoot if I know that I’ll miss.” Ciel said as he looked at the pooltable studying it before he had decided not to shot.

“That’s all very well but, when will you handle the problem?” Asked the bulldog like man as he looked at the Earl of Phantomhive.

“Anytime you lie. The rats will soon come looking for their forbidden cheese, and I hold the key to the storehouse.” Ciel said as he looked at Sir Randall.

“Tch.” A man said with a scar stretching across his face starting from the top of his left eyebrow and ending just below his right eye, and his blonde hair pulled up.

“Even so, locating the nest and eliminating the vermin promises to be a tedious task. You should concentrate on preparing me a suitable reward.” Ciel said as he watched the men’s reactions.

“What a vulture!” Sir Randall said as he looked at Ciel.

“Sir Randall. I’d be careful how you smear my family name.” Ciel warned him as he looked at the man.

“Ha! You’re in trouble now Randall. What next, Lord Phantomhive?” The Italian man asked as he looked from Sir Randall and then too Ciel.

“It’s time for me to put an end to this worthless game don’t you think? How soo can you secure the payment?” Ciel asked as he looked towards Sir Randall.

“”Tonight. I’ll have it by then.” Sir Randall said as he looked at Ciel.

“Then I’ll send a carriage for you later. We can even prepare some light entertainment for you. Does this sound good?” Ciel said as he watched Sir Randall recation’s before looking back to the rest of the people in the room, before standing up from his chair and walking over to the pooltable.

“You pass you turn twice and now you’re going after them all in one go?” Asked the chubby man as he looked at Ciel in bewilderment.

“Naturally.” Ciel said as he put his cue stick down  into the pooltable to read his shot. ( You know I’ve only played pool maybe four times in my life.)

“Careful. Your greed will undo you.” Sir Randall warned Ciel.

“Am I undone?” Ciel asked as he took the shot an sunk all the balls.

[Scene change to a sitting room and only six people within the room]

“Your tea. We have a special Darjeeling blend to offer from the Fortnum & Mason today.” Sebastian said as he hand the cup’s full of tea to Scarlett to hand out.

Scarlett nodded and handed each person sitting a cup of tea before moving to stand back behind Ciel’s chair, and watched.

“Smells lovely. Tea can be excellent when madewell.” The chinese man said as he accepted the cup from the maid.

“Grell.” The women dressed in red as she turned towards her butler.

“Ah, yes my lady?” Grell asked as he looked towards his mistress.

“Learn something from Sebastian.” Madame Red said as she turned towards Sebastian and smiled up at him.

“Ah, yes…” Grell said hesitantly as he watched.

“I mean look at him! His physique! You should quite this country job and come work for me in the city!” Madame Red said as she groped Sebastian's rear end, as Sebastian froze up not expecting that from the Madame. Scarlett smiled and silently chuckled as she watched the scene roll out.

“Ahem! Madame Red!” Ciel said as he was in shock.

“Oh, sorry. I couldn't help myself. He looked like he needed a physical. Just a doctor’s habit.” Madame Red said as she stopped groping Sebastian and smiled apologetically to Ciel.

“So do you believe the drug trafficker as one of your guest today?” Asked the chinese man as he turned his attention to Ciel.

“Perhaps.” Ciel said as he knew the answer.

“Why not leave the extermination to Lau A rat knows best where a rats nest is, doesn’t he.” Madame Red said as she looked towards Lau and then to Ciel.

“I’m but a tamed guinea pig dedicated to my lord. If he instructs me not to act, I’m bound to do nothing.” Lau said as he stood up from his chair and moved over to Ciel’s, petting the young lords head.

“Watch it! You’d best keep your filthy paws off my darlings nephew!” Madame Red yelled at Lau as bolted off her chair and grabbed Ciel from Lau and hugged Ciel close.

“You wound me. I would never paw at him in his own home dear Madame.” Laud said as he put his hands up in surrender.

“Are you saying you would if you were elsewhere? Careful, you’re on thin ice now sir!” Madame Red yelled as she breathed fire towards Lau.

“Ha ha ha ha. Sorry, I’m joking of course.” Lau said as he took a step back.

Ciel had finally squirmed out of Madame Red hold on him and slipped out of the room, with Scarlett who followed close behind him.

“Master?” Sebastian asked as he looked towards both of them.

“You’d better be! I hope you understand how protective I am of my dear nephew! I’d lay down my own life for him and I’ll….” Madame Red said as she looked towards Lau.

“Ha ha ha ha!” Laud laughed and nodded as he listened to Madame Red.

“The rats are here.” Ciel stated as he heard the commotion the other three servants were causing.

“It went that way!” Yelled Bardroy as he chased after a rat.

“And here too.” Ciel said and shook his head.

“Get it! Aghhhhh!” Mey-Rin yelped as she tried to catch the rat as well.

“Aghhhh!” Finny yelped as he missed the rat.

“*Huff huff huff*” Mey-Rin panted as she tried to catch her breath.

“Master. Today’s dessert is a deep-dish pie prepared with fresh apples and raisins. It will be ready soon. Would you like to eat with your guests?” Sebastian asked he watched the young master and Scarlett.

“Bring it to my study. I’m done here.” Ciel said as he trugedy to his study with Scarlett following close behind him.

“Certainly, my lord.” Sebastian said and bowed, smiling a fake smile.

“Ahhhh!” Finny said as he once again missed the rat.

“Ho ho ho” Tanaka said as he drank his tea, holding a net.

“That’s enough of that. Stop playing and get back to work.” Sebastian said as he looked at the mess the servants were, as he caught all three of the rats the servants were trying to catch and, and put them into Tanaka’s net.

“Sir.” All three servants nodded as they watched Sebastian.

[Scene change to Ciel and Scarlett entering his study]

“*Sigh* Finally, some peace and quiet. Ugh!” Ciel said before his mouth was covered by a cloth.

“Young master.” Scarlett said she saw Ciel’s mouth being covered by a cloth, before she went after the man, before herself was grabbed and struggled as her mouth was covered as well.

“Young master. I brought your pire and afternoon tea.” Sebastian said as he opened the young master’s study door expecting him and Miss Scarlett to be in the room, but found it to be trashed. “Master *gasp* This is terrible. The refreshment will all be wasted now…”

[Scene change to where Ciel and Scarlett are being held]

“The policeman of England’s underworld, one of the nobles who have done the royal family’s dirty works for generations. The Queen’s guard dog, tasked with disposing of anyone who disagrees with her. And his lowly little maid. Just how many nicknames fo you have, and how many families have you crushed, Ciel Phantomhive?” Vanel talked as he looked at Ciel and his maid, before picking up a siguar and cutting off one end and lighting it.

“I thought it would be you. You shame your family Azzurro Vanel.” Ciel said as he looked at the man.

“Haha. Come now, my little lord Phantomhive. Do you know how hard it is for the Italian Mafia here? You Englishmen have nothing but tea on the brain. It’s difficult to penetrate those small minds of yours, so we have to think outside of the box to make money. So found the drug trade.” Vanel said as he crouched in front of Ciel, keeping the maid within sight, having heard she was dangerous when she wasn’t seen.

“The pharmacy act of 1868 list opium as a restricted substance. It is the Queen’s decree. And I will eliminate those drugs, and the vermin who sell it.” Ciel said as he opened his eye and looked at Vanel.

“Ugh. You know this is-a why I hate all you englishmen. The Queen this, the Queen that. You act like this-a women is your own mother. You line-a your pockets while pretending the whole time you’re better than the rest of us. But in the end, we are no different from each other. Why can’t we get along?” Vanel said as he grabbed Ciel’s face in right hand, with a tight grip.

“I’ve left orders about you key. If I don’t come back my servants will make sure the authorities will get it. I’m sorry, I have not interest in getting along with someone like you.” Ciel said keeping a calm faced.

“You brat! Don’t underestimate me. My men are already waiting at you estate. Where’s the key? Spit it out soon or your servants, including the little maid over there, will start-a dying one by one.” Vanel threatened Ciel as he pulled out his gun and pointed it towards Ciel first before pointing it towards the maid.

“You really don’t want to underestimate the butler, or the other servants Vanel, bad things will happen to you.” Scarlett said as she opened her eyes and looked at the barrel of the gun he pointed at her.

“Shut up!” Vanel spat at the maid before swingin the butt of his gun across her face, and watched her fall over, before turning his attention back to Ciel.

“”Oh I think they’ll be alright, like she said. But you’d better hope your lap-dogs know how to fetch.” Ciel said as he watched Scarlett making sure she was alright before turning his attention back to Vanel, and cocked his head sideways and gave a fake small smile.

Vanel growled before swinging and hitting Ciel in the face and dropped his cigar and grabbed the telephone of his desk and spoke to his men on the other end of the line. “Did you here that? The time for talk is over.”

[Scene change to Sebastian moving back down the hall with the pie in his hand]

“Oh dear. This is most troubling. Where could the master and Miss Scarlett have been taken?” Sebastian asked himself as he walked down the hall.

“Sebastian! *huff huff* I just found a letter, yes I did.” Mey-Rin called out to Sebastian as she ran down the hall to the butler.

“Addressed to whom?” Sebastian asked as he stopped walking and watched Mey-Rin.

“To the servants of the Earl Phantomhive! *huff* Aghhhhh!” Mey-Rin said to Sebastian as she got closed before she stepped on her shoelace and fell forwards and crashed into Sebastian knocking the pie into the air and Sebastian to ground as a sound of breaking glass and the vase next to them shatter.

As Sebastian laid on the floor he caught the pie and then turned his attention to Mey-Rin, “Mey-Rin the letter please.”

“Letter? Oh yes, sir!” Mey-Rin said as she gave him the letter,as they both got up off the floor.

{Letter Contents: If you want to return your master safely, come to Nova Garden Bethmal Green as soon as possible. If you don’t come before sunset, we will cut you Master’s and themaids fingers one by one, and send it.}

“‘If you want to return your master and maid safely, come to Nova Garden Bethmal Green as soon as possible.’ Goodness, what a dreadfully written letter.” Sebastian said as he had reread the letter, before looking back up at the mention of his name.

“Sebastian.” Finny said as he and Bardroy walked up to Sebastian.

“What is going on here?” Madame Red asked as she and Lau walked up behind Mey-Rin and Sebastian.

“Sorry for the noise, my lady. I assure you nothing is wrong. Please don’t concern yourself.” Sebastian said as he turned his attention towards Madame Red and reassuring her.

“Hmph. Nothing, are you sure?” Madame Red asked as she looked at the butler watching him.

“Everyone, I have business to attend to.” Sebastian said as he gave them all a fake smile before turning towards Bardroy and Finny and moving over to them handing them the pie, “Would you mind cleaning this up?” Before he took turning off running down the hall.

“Um, so when you say clean…. That means we can eat it right? Sebastian?” Bardroy asked as he looked at the pie before turning around to ask Sebastian.

[Scene change to a car racing down a dirt road]

“Sorry, I missed.” The man holding the telephone said as he relayed to Vanel on the other end.

“What do you mean you missed? You are complete idiots! I never should have hired-a scum like you. Just get back here.” Vanel demanded as he grew frustrated.

“Uh,sire. Something's off. I see something. What’s that!” The man said as he started to freak out, as something in black raced behind them.

“Oh, what’s-a wrong? You little girls see a bear in the woods?” Vanel asked as he thought something normal had spooked them.

“Aghhh!” Both the man driving and the man holding the telephone screamed in pear fear.

“What is it? Did someone find you? Talk to me.” Vanel demanded as he started to become frantic.

“Ahhhhh! Hurry it up!” The man demanded as he looked back and saw the thing in black getting closer. “It’s coming closer!”

“That’s it! I’ve had enough of you games already!” Vanel growled as he tried to figure out what could have spooked them.

“No good! It’s here! Aghhhhhh!” The man driving said as he had pushed the car to go as fast it could possibly go.

“”Uh, hello? What’s happened?” Vanel asked as he looked at the phone unsure at what had happened as it had gone silent on the other end.

“Ha, hahaha. That’s too bad. Sounds like your little game of fetch is over.” Ciel said as he had rolled over to face Vanel and gave him a smug smirk, before being kicked in the stomach by Vanel, “Ugh!”

“Just shut your mouth, you damn brat!” Vanel spat at Ciel.

“Leave him alone.” Scarlett demanded as she had squirmed just close enough to sink her teeth into his ankle, and holding on like a great white shark and not letting go until Vanel had kicked her in the head, she let go spat out what blood had accumulated from the bite onto the floor.

Vanel growled at her before limping back over to the telephone, “You listen to me! If one of you don’t answer right now, I swear I will kill you!”

“Hello.” Sebastian said as he sat on the car balancing it on the edge of the cliff.

“Who’s this?” Vanel demanded.

“Pardon me, but I represent the Phantomhive estate. I was wondering if my master and maid might be available.” Sebastian said, before he started talking again, “Hello, is anyone there? Hello?”

“Ah...I..” Vanel answered unsure is he had heard right.

“Woof.”

“Meow.” ( I couldn't help it, it was to easy!)

“Very good, young master, miss Scarlett. I will come to get you both momentarily.” Sebastian said and smiled at the sound he have received.

[Scene change to a cliff with a car balanced on the edge]

“Thank you for the use of your field telephone. And now there are a few things I’d like to ask you about, if that’s all right. First I’d like to know who you work for.” Sebastian asked as he smiled a vindictive smile to the men before he started to talk again, “Hurry up now. I’m not exactly what you would call a patient man. And you do remember what happened to the Humpty-Dumpty, don’t you?”

“Ah, out employers name is Azzurro Vanel. He has a hideout up in the city. It’s in the East End. We just work for him!” Cried the man who have had the telephone originally.

“But of course. I understand. I’m very sorry to have interrupted your work gentlemen. I’ll let you go. Have a safe trip.” Sebastian said as he gave the gentleman a fake smile before sliding off the car and watching his tip off the cliff and fall down.

“Oh dear, look at how late it’s gotten. If I don’t move quickly, we’ll never have dinner ready in time.” Sebastian said as he had pulled out his pocket watch and looked at the time, before putting it back into his pocket.

[Intermission]

[Scene change to Lau and Madame Red]

“Are we certain nothing’s wong?” Madame Red asked as she looked out the carriage window.

“If that butler says everything's fine, I’m inclined to believe him.” Lau explained too Madame Red, showing a relaxed smile. “He’s been in the earl’s service for so long, and it’s quite plain to see there’s some sort of unshakable bond between those two. You can always find him at the earl’s side, like a shadow.”

“So long? But Sebastain didn’t arrive until two years ago. That’s no much time at all.” Madame Red said as she thought back to when Ciel and appeared alive and somewhat well.

“Oh really? How odd. My memory is so unreliable. Isn’t that right Ran-mao?” Lau said as he chuckled before looking at Ran-mao next to him.

“Useless.” Madame Red said as she shook her head at Lau unkownful aittude.

[Scene change to Vanel Estate]

“Listen up! The Phantomhive by has help on the way! Move it! Tighten security at the gate! Not so much as a single rat gets though!” Vanel yelled at his men.

“My my. What a splendid home.” Sebastian said as he arrived at the Estate and entered the gates.

“Hey, who the hell is this guy?!” Yelled a man as he spotted Sebastian.

“Ah, my apologies. You see, I represent the Phantomhive household.” Sebastian answered the man, before giving him a fake smile.

[Scene change to Phantomhive Manor]

“Oh dear, we need Sebastian here and Miss Scarlett wherever she went. Where did they go now?” Mey-Rin asked as she looked at Finny and Bardroy.

“I wish I knew.” Finny said as he sat at the table in the kitchen.

“I don’t care where they are or what they’re doing. This is all I’m worried about. Does ‘clean it up’ mean we can eat the pie or not? I have to knoooow!” Bardroy said as he stared at the pie that was on the table.

“I’m sure just one bite each would be okay.” Finny said as he agreed with Bardroy.

“No Finny! You know how Sebastian is! If we eat something we’re not supposed to, he’ll bake us into his next pie!” Bardory said as he shivered at the thought of an angry Sebastian.

“You need to calm yourself down Bardroy. A soothing drink might help. Here give this a try.” Mey-Rin said as she set down a milk bottle of nowhere.

“Milk. Not that it’s not gonna help me.” Bardroy said as he looked at the bottle before looking back at Mey-Rin.

“Milk is an important part of your diet! It’ll help you grown strong bones, yes it will!” Mey-in said as she crossed her arms and stared down Bardroy.

[Scene change to Vanel Estate]

“My arm! He shattered the bone!” A man yelled as he grabbed his broken arm in pain.

“Pardon me, but I’m in a bit of a hurry.” Sebastian said as he hung from the chandelier upside down, before looking a clock reading the time 5:34.

“Move damn it! Call in the boys in the west tower! We need to rip this bastard apart!” Another Man yelled as he ready his gun.

“An entire swarm of rats. I’ll get nowhere at this rate.” Sebastian said as swung from the chandelier and onto the table below and grabbed a metal trail deflecting the on swarm of bullets coming his ways, before letting his butter knives fly towards the men.

[Scene back to the Phantomhive Manor: Kitchen]

“That’s it! I’m going to eat it! Mey-Rin, tea! Finny, go get the silver!” Bardroy said as watched them.

“Yes sir!” Both Mey-Rin and Finny said before going to do what they were told.

“It should be right in here. What the?” Finny said in confusing when he opened the silver drawer and finding only spoons, but no knives or forks.

“Is somethin’ wrong?” Bardroy asked as he looked at Finny.

“I don’t understand. The silver’s suppose to be right here. But I don’t see a single knife or fork.” Finny said as he scratched his head in wonder of where it all went.

[Scene change back to the Vanel estate]

“Who the hell is he?!” A man yelled, before a knife came sailing at him.

“Now now.If I couldn’t do this much at least the, what kind of butler would I be?” Sebastian said as he gave a cocky smile, before pulling out his pocket watch, “Oh dear. That took longer than I thought. Already 5:43.” Before coming up the room where Ciel and Scarlett where being held, “I have come to retrieve my master and the maid.”

“Is this a joke? I was expecting a giant and instead I got-a scrawny dandy in a tailcoat. Who are you anyway? There’s no way that you’re just a butler.”  Vanel said as he moved over to Ciel and Scarlett.

“No,sir you see, I am a simply one hell of a butler. I promise.” Sebastian said he gave Vanel a fake smile and bowed to him.

“Yeah sure. It doesn't matter anyways. I have no intention of fighting you. Not yet. But you better have what I asked for!” Vanel demanded from Sebastian.

“Yes, I do. It’s right here.” Sebastian said as he stepped farther into the room and pulled the key out of his breast pocket.

“Oh sorry dandy. I really am. But this round is mine.” Vanel said before the sound of multiple gunshot could be heard and his Sebastian as he went done onto the floor from the multitude of the bullets that had stuck him. “There’s no way I was going up against a Phantomhive, lord of games, without a trump card hidden.” Before he moved over to Ciel and grabbed him by the hair and lifted him up, hooking the tip of his gun on the strong of Ciel’s eyepatch and pulled it off of his face. “I damaged the goods a little bit, but that’s alright. I’m sure you’ll fetch a pretty price even your maid as well, even in this condition. Don’t worry, you have so many enemies, I doubt you’ll be alive for that much longer.”

“Alright, I’m tired of messing around and so is Scarlett. How much longer are you planning to play dead?” Ciel said as he looked at Scarlett first before looking towards Sebastian who lied on the floor.

“Not long.” Sebastian said as pulled himself off the floor.

“You better be.” Scarlett snapped as she looked towards the butler before looking at Vanel and smiled at him, “You aren’t going to last long, now.”

“But how! How are you - You just-” Vanel tried to speak as he looked at Sebastian, before pulling his gun, but first grabbed Scarlett by the back of her head and put her next to Ciel, as he swung his gun loosely.

“Guns today are so much more efficient than they used to be. They can shoot somany more bullets now.” Sebastian said he spit out the bullet’s that were still covered in blood. “Perhaps you’d like these back.”

“What are you doing?! Kill him!” Vanel spat at the man hiding in the painting.

“Oh dear, what an awful thing to do to a perfectly good tailcoat.” Sebastian said as he lifted the end of his tailcoat up and looked at the shredded ends caused by the bullets.

“You could have avoided that, idiot.” Ciel said he shifted in his binding’s.

“Master, how unfortunate. They don’t seem to have taken good care of you or Miss Scarlett.” Sebastian said as he looked at them both.

“No! Stay back!” Vanel said as he pulled the two closer and point his gun to Ciel’s temple, quite hard from the pressure he applied to the gun

“You both look like helpless little children all bound up like that.But then I guess that’s appropriate.” Sebastian said as he grew closer to Vanel, Ciel, and Scarlett.

“I-if you come any closer, I will shoot them!” Vanel threatened as he pressed his gun hard to the side of Ciel’s head.

“Can we move this along? His breath smells awful.” Ciel said as he looked at Sebastian bordely.

“But if I come any closer, he might kill you.” Sebastian said as he stopped walking towards them.

“Well then, are you saying you want to break the contract?” Ciel said as he knew Scarlett knew about the contract between him and Sebastian.

“No. Of course not.Nothing has changed; I remain your faithful servant lord.”

“What the hell kind of-a nonsense are you two talking about?!” Vanel asked as he started to freak out at the conversation.

“Master, you know what you have to do. Now just say the words.” Sebastian said as he egg Ciel on.

“This is an order! Save us now!” Ciel yelled as he looked at Sebastian.

“No, it’s over! What the-” Vanel yelled as he fired his gun expecting Ciel and Scarlett to be dead but was surprised to see them both alive, and Ciel looking at him. “But, that’s impossible!”

“Are you looking for this? Here then, let me give it back to you.” Sebastian said as he appeared next to Vanel,holding the bullet before dropping it into the breast pocket of Vanel’s jacket. “Aghhhh! Ugh!” He screamed as his arm twisted around and he dropped Ciel and Scarlett.

“I must say, the game wasn’t as much fun as this time, Sebastian.” Ciel said as Sebastian picked him up and set him down on a chair a few feet from Vanel.

“I wish you to wouldn’t include me in your games sometimes.” Scarlett said as she worked off her binding’s before standing up and moving over to Ciel.

“I’m sorry Scarlett, but it can’t be helped.” Sebastian said as he gave her a fake smile. Before they both turned to their attention to Vanel.

“No, wait! Come back ! Work for me! Be my bodyguard and I’ll pay you ten times what he does! Alright twenty times! You can-a have all the liquor and women you want too!” Vanel pledged as he held his injured arm.

“I’m sorry Mr.Vanel. It’s an attractive offer but, I have no interest in such materialistic things. You see, I am simply one hell of a butler.” Sebastian said as he bowed respectively to Vanel.

“Ah, right. Okay.” Vanel said as he looked at the butler, master, and maid.

“As long as my master hold the contract, I am his loyal servant. A wish. A sacrifice. And this, all of these things keep me bound to Lord Phantomhive. Until the day I swallow his soul.” Sebastian said as he walked towards Vanel, as he walked to the room grew darker.

“Unfortunately for you, this game is over.” Ciel said as he looked at Scarlett, as she undid his biding’s before looking at Vanel as the mark on his eye glowed in the dark room.

[Scene change to the outside of the Phantomhive Manor]

“You are awake master?” Sebastian asked as he walked towards the manor as Scarlett followed close behind.

“Master, welcome home sir!” Finny said as he Mey-Rin and Finny ran towards Sebastian as he held Ciel and Scarlett.

“Oh, dear!” Mey-Rin said as she looked at the young master closely seeing some bruises on his face.

“Master Ciel, you’re injured.” Finny said as he looked at Ciel.

“I just tripped and fell. It’s nothing to worry about. What? You don’t believe what your master tells you?” Ciel asked as he looked at both Mey-Rin and Finny.

“Oh no, we do.” Mey-Rin said as she glanced at Finny before they grew closer.

“It’s just, you look so cute being held like a baby and all.” Finny said as he looked at Sebastian and Ciel.

“Put. Me. Down. Stop looking at me like that, honestly!” Ciel said as he squirmed in Sebastian arm’s before he was put down.

“Master, I’m so terribly sorry. I’ve committed a blunder unacceptable for a Phantomhive butler. How could I ever atone. I hang my head in shame. Dinner is not ready.” Sebastian said he got down on one knee and bowed to Ciel in shame.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘At the suggestion of Lady Elizabeth,Master Ciel’s betrothed, we will be holding a ball. Unfortunately, my young master cannot dance to save his life. His attempts are so pathetic that calling a dancing master would be to embarrassing. Huh… It seems as if I and Miss Scarlett shall have to rid the lord of his two left feet ourselves. Next Time on Black Butler: “His Butler, Omnipotent.” You see, I am simply one hell of a butler.’

#FanFiction #Anime #Horror #Black Butler #Supernatural #Outlast #Dean Winchester #Sam Winchester #Bobby Singer #Castiel #John Winchester #Mary Winchester #Ciel Phantomhive #Sebastian Michaelis #Bardroy #Mey-Rin #Finny #Lau #Vincent Phantomhive #Rachel Phantomhive #Tanaka #Madame Red #Father!Dean Winchester x Daughter!Oc #Uncle!Sam Winchester x Neice!Oc

[thekuroiookami]

Otome Mania

This is no longer a secret, I have played, do play and will play a fair number of otome games. I’m weak to cliched romantic plotlines, okay?

Since I did promise @lethesomething a list, here it is. The summary is...I’ve played a lot of games.

Games organized by console, arranged from meh to great.

PS Vita

I pretty much got a Vita so I could play otomes. Don’t judge me too harshly. And while a lot of these are incomplete (i.e. I haven’t played through every route), I feel like I can give an opinion.

Norn 9: Var Commons - Admittedly I haven’t gotten far into this, but lord is the plot confusing. Like, what is happening? What is happening? So many pretty people, though...

Sweet Fuse - Cute, fun, though not high on replay value. The characters are really weird, but don’t let that stop you. They have charm, and the parody elements are worth it. Plus blowing your top has never been so satisfying.

Collar x Malice - I almost finished one route and I’m really enjoying it. The heroine has so much personality and she chews out the dude whose route I was doing, and the mystery is so intriguing, if a tad weirdly investigated...

Code Realize: Guardian of Rebirth - By far the best otome game I’ve played on anything. A beautifully built world, excellent artwork, a heroine with backbone, massively diverging plotlines, and just about every love interest is actually interesting. I’d encourage everyone to play this when it comes out on PC. The Suwabe character is just the icing on the cake for once.

PS3

Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom - Hugely overrated, I think, though not many games can match the artwork. Incredibly long, painful storylines that made me yawn. Heroine has zero presence. I do love Saito though.

Mobile

Mystic Messenger - Is entertaining, but every love interest needs immediate help from a psychologist. The format works to the game’s advantage, and the voice acting is good, I spent a ton of money on it. But the romance doesn’t always feel like a romance.

Liar: Uncover the Truth - This is a surprisingly fun game, but I didn’t have the patience to wait for tickets, or spend money on the black hole. Sad but true.

PC

Games you should definitely never play:

Amnesia: Memories - out and out horror, that one. I don’t know why player character has a sprite, because her personality is non-existent.

Ozmafia - Theoretically very interesting, but in practice, suffers from a spineless heroine. I have a knack for finding the yandere route the second time I play any game, and...let’s say if you play the doctor’s route you’re in for some surprises. Yeah.

Men of Yoshiwara: Sigh. Terrible translation, first off, backed up by terrible writing. Just don’t.

Games that are okay to pass the time:

Seduce Me and Seduce Me 2: Demon War - It’s not like this one is bad, just not amazing. It’s decently voice acted, and the first one is a cute rom-com. The second game gets a lot more complex and weird, and it’s super easy to die. The first game is free.

The Lady’s Choice - A Regency romance otome game with only two choices, but it’s nice how much you can shape the MC’s personality. Free on itch.io.

Dandelion and Nameless - Both of these are Korean-origin, produced by the same company that did Mystic Messenger, and while they do have strong writing plus original concepts, somehow the games never keep my attention for long. Nameless is a bit dark in tone, if that appeals to you. Dandelion is a stat-raising sim, which I hate with a passion.

Loren the Amazon Princess - I think this was one of the first ones I played, and it was pretty ahead in the range of LGBTQ characters, but now that I think back on it, the RPG/romance combination was a tad strange. But I do recommend it.

Days of the Divine - Another of those free itch.io ones, I can barely remember this. It was passable.

How to Take Off Your Mask - Cute, but I can’t remember what the point was.

Games that are super cute and definitely need to be played at least once:

Cute Demon Crashers - It’s a pretty short game, but utterly wonderful in its simplicity and earnestness. An R-18 novel that is very high on sex positivity, I’d recommend this one a lot. Free on itch.io.

The Blind Griffin - An odd but good work set in the age of flapper dresses and speakeasies, following a Chinese heroine who accidentally stumbles upon a secret magician’s guild and trains as an apprentice. Great art, comes with a slang dictionary, and makes up for its abruptness with cuteness. Free on itch.io.

Heartbaked - Lots of aggressive pastry references in this one, and one guy who is? a sheep? Or something? I dunno, it’s adorable. Free on itch.io.

Hustle Cat - A cat cafe, only the staff are the cats. Light hearted fun, though it is easy to mess the game up and get a bad ending.

Autumn’s Journey - So cute. So much fluff. Dragon boys. A girl knight. Enough said. Free on itch.io.

Magical Otoge Ciel - If you want to simultaneously have your soul uplifted and go “WTF is this meta”, play this. It’s so irreverent and sweet, and the art grows on you. @batensan‘s Magical Otoge Anholly is a good read as well, though it is technically a linear novel. Free on itch.io.

Taarradhin - A beautiful fantasy short, but incredibly hard to figure out. The high probability of getting it wrong kind of put me off. Free on itch.io.

Lads in Distress - Exactly what it says on the tin. Overly competent princess with pink hair takes matters into her own hands and saves the princes. I only wish we also had the option to date the childhood fried cum fairy advisor.  Free on itch.io.

Re: Alistair - This one is really good, and honestly would have been included in the best games list if it had more LIs. There’s a cute mystery to sort of solve, and I don’t even mind the stat-raising elements. Free on itch.io.

Ristorante Amore - Gorgeous art, and a major plot twist once the story really gets started. I can’t give away anything for fear of ruining it, so just go play it.  Free on itch.io.

Yo-Jin-Bo - One of my guilty pleasures, honestly. Yes the MC is a wimp, but the absolute comedy that passes for dialogue is worth it.

Games that sink their claws in and don’t let go:

Cinders - I cannot recommend this enough. Sublime story-telling, the option to be Machiavellian, naively sweet or something in between. The LI’s are good, of course (guess who’s my favourite), but the real star of the show is female relationships - Cinders and her stepsisters, the daughters and the mother, the godmother in disguise. There’s so many possible outcomes as well. I wish the original fairytale were half as interesting.

Cinderella Phenomenon - A free game I backed on Kickstarter, and it’s looking pretty good. The heroine is unapologetically bitchy, but goes through some satisfying character development in the routse I played. Intrigue abounds, and even though I wish there was a little less blushing to go around, it’s pretty good overall.

Demonheart - I am a little torn about this, because it’s an ongoing game on Steam (released in chapters). On the one hand, I feel like romance things happened really abruptly in the last chapter. On the other, the concept is executed very well and there are so many choices. Plus, excellent worldbuilding.

Nachtigal - A really good shorter game about a spunky heroine trapped with two vampires. There’s a whole variety of ways to die in this one, so it’s extra satisfying when you do land the guy.

The Royal Trap - Say what you will about it, but as one of the first VNs I read, I still quite like this one. So many romance options, and so much intrigue. Each route reveals something different about the overall plot. Good stuff. 

The Second Reproduction - Starts off typical, but then it goes down some truly unexpected routes. Strong heroine, attractive demon king. Be sure to play it with a guide to get the whole story.

There are plenty I haven’t played at all, or not enough to comment, but this is the list I’d give out to anyone who wanted some recs.

#otome game #recommendations #not anime #random stuff #wow this is long #im restraining myself #honestly

[grelleswife]

2,4,5,6,7,9,12,14,18,22,28,29,30 for Fembastian and Mey Rin together if you can? >w< 😍💖

Of course I can! >w<

2. Who is the most insecure and what makes them feel better?

They both have insecurities, though in different areas. Beneath her arrogant self-assurance, Fembastian secretly fears that her demonic nature is grotesque and unlovable, and that Mey Rin would be repulsed by her "real" self that the glamour conceals. But the maid actively encourages Fembastian to revert to her true form when they're in private. Mey will stroke her wings, or take her clawed hand and kiss it, or marvel at her lustrous red eyes, and tells Fembastian that she thinks she's just as beautiful this way, yes she does! Mey Rin's insecurities stem from her lack of experience with sex and romance prior to their courtship; she frets about "doing things wrong," or disappointing her lover without realizing it. Therefore, Fembastian learns to provide Mey Rin with ample reassurance that she loves her, and is patient and gentle with the maid, both in bed and as they figure out their relationship as a whole. The little demon also teaches Mey Rin about "lady things," such as styling her hair, shopping for dresses, etc. to boost her confidence. 4. Who can't keep their hands to themselves?

Fembastian! The demonness isn't shy about going after what she wants--and she wants Mey Rin. As soon as she developed feelings for the maid, she began to construct intricate rituals: Sidling up to Mey and putting a hand on the small of her back while "supervising" her, or adjusting Mey Rin's cap and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear because "it simply wouldn't do for a Phantomhive maid to have a disheveled appearance." However, once Mey Rin gets a little bolder, she's just as handsy. >:3 On more than one occasion, she's grabbed Fembastian by the waist and dipped her to give the flustered demon a kiss...or pinched Fembastian's backside when she passed her in the corridors. ;) 5. Who says 'I love you' first?

Mey Rin! Fembassy takes a little longer to realize that she's head over heels for the maid. 6. Who would they ask if they ever had a threesome?

Maybe I'm biased due to my love for Sebagrellerin, but I think Grelle is the most likely candidate. The goddess of DEATH would have no trouble keeping up with a demon and a legendary sniper, and Mey and Sebas would both swoon over the gorgeous Miss Sutcliff. 7. What do they get up to on a night out?

I could see them potentially combining business and pleasure. For example, if O!Ciel orders them to take out a target at a lavish ball or some other social event, they'd team up to put the poor sod six feet under, then return to the party to dance and enjoy themselves. >:3 Or Fembastian might flex her demon powers (it's safer to dispel the glamour under cover of darkness), sprouting wings and taking flight with Mey Rin in her arms, soaring over the city so they can look at all the twinkling lights below. 9. What is the most embarrassing thing they have done in front of each other?

Since Mey Rin is an anxious bean, her most recent slip-up at work is generally her "most embarassin' moment ever." But the time she tripped and accidentally spilled a bucket of sudsy water she'd used for mopping all over Miss Sebastian would rank pretty high on the list! Fembastian's most embarrassing moment would be the time she made up a dorky little dance with Her (the black kitty), and was twirling in the garden with the cat, merrily singing a tune. Mey Rin happened to step out for a bit of fresh air, witnessed the spectacle, and giggled at how precious Fembastian was! Since the demonness tries to maintain an air of gravitas and authority around the other servants, she was absolutely mortified, though Mey Rin insisted she was the cutest thing, the cutest! 12. What first changes when it starts getting serious?

When Fembastian realizes that her feelings for Mey Rin run deeper than lust or fleeting interest, she panics a bit. H-how the hell could she have fallen in love, and with a mortal, no less?! This shouldn't be happening! In her confusion, she tries to distance herself from Mey and take time to process this...but of course, the maid doesn't understand the demon's inner turmoil. Hurt by Sebas's inexplicable coldness, Mey Rin tearfully confronts her, which leads Fembastian to break down (it's the first time she's ever cried in front of a human), confessing that she's scared because she thinks she's truly in love with Mey and doesn't know what to do. Once Mey Rin realizes what's going on, they're able to patch things up. From then on out, Fembastian starts (slowly) allowing herself to be more vulnerable with Mey, and learning to trust that the maid is committed to their relationship even if Sebas isn't the sparkling, perfect servant she pretends to be. 14. When one has a cold, what does the other do?

Although Fembastian doesn't contract mortal illnesses, Mey Rin occasionally comes down with a case of the sniffles. When that happens, the demon will whisk her off to bed, keep her warm in a nest of blankets and pillows, and set to work procuring medicine for her lover. In addition to fixing Mey Rin a bowl of her favorite soup, Fembastian will cuddle with her and purr softly to help her feel better. Even when she has to leave Mey on her own to do the young master's bidding, Fembastian will rush back as soon as she can to check on her lover and give her a few get-well kisses. 18. When they fight, how do they make up?

Mey Rin tends to get emotional and weepy after they've had a fight, and will clasp the little demon to her bosom while sobbing that she's ever so sorry, she is, and it won't ever happen again, no it won't!!! Fembastian will over offer a verbal apology--typically a florid one, considering how melodramatic she is--but she also tries to make it up to Mey Rin by doing nice things for her, such as giving her flowers, completing a few of Mey's chores herself so the maid has a lighter workload, making her a yummy Chinese dessert, or spending extra time snuggling with her human and combing her hair. 22. Where does their first kiss happen?

Mey Rin was cleaning out the fireplace one morning when she accidentally spilled ashes onto the carpet. Of course, it was just her luck that Miss Sebastian stopped by just then to check her progress! The demon began to scold Mey Rin...but as Fembastian gazed into her eyes, she trailed off and fell silent. That wasn't like the brusque, professional woman at all! Thoroughly confused, the maid asked what was wrong. Sebas abruptly grabbed the front of Mey's uniform (in this AU, she's very petite and a little shorter than the maid) and pulled her down for a kiss, much to Mey Rin's amazement. The pink-cheeked demon huffily stammered that Mey should clean up as quickly as possible, then rushed from the room. Mey was positively giddy (she'd had a crush on Fembastian for months), while Sebas couldn't seem to quiet the palpitations of her heart. She must have spent too long in this silly human form! 28. Why do they get jealous?

Fembastian and Mey Rin both get jealous when when other people (regardless of gender) make passes at their partner. Demons are naturally possessive creatures, which causes Fembassy to bare her fangs (sometimes literally, sometimes metaphorically) at anyone who flirts with Mey Rin. Although the maid knows that Fembastian's heart belongs only to her, it still makes her damn uncomfortable when someone else starts batting their lashes at the pretty demon--and is liable to give them a double-barrelled glare. >:( Fembastian can also get clingy if she feels that Mey Rin isn't spending enough time with her, though the maid learns to be firm about setting boundaries. The demon is an important part of Mey Rin's life, but she needs to respect Mey's relationships with other members of the household, too! 29. Why do they fall a little bit more in love?

Mey Rin is so sweet and adorable that Fembastian didn't stand a chance; she was hopelessly smitten long before she realized what hit her. In Mey Rin's case, she fell even harder for the demon once Sebas revealed her hidden fragility and insecurity. Not only did this draw out the maid's protective instincts, but it also helped her realize that Fembastian wasn't flawless or invincible, and removal of that barrier enabled them to grow closer. 30. Why does it work (or not work) between them?

Their relationship works because Fembastian learns to meet Mey Rin halfway, and Mey is fully accepting of Sebastian, even the unsightly or frightening parts of her. The resulting loyalty and trust provides a steady foundation on which their love can thrive.

#kuroshitsuji #sebamey #fembastian #sebastian michaelis #mey rin #femslash february #shipping asks

[pookystolenkissworld]

#radioprogram #broadcasting #rerun #playlist #music #listening #pop #rock #indie #live #cool #catradioactive #series #funforaday #hipster #shoegazer #anything #modernrock #dreampop #musicoftheweek #flashback #newrealease #verities #legends #jrock #soul #citypop #jazz #chineseindie Cat Radioactive by DJ Wasana Wirachartplee (DJ Ziggy) on every Saturday at 22:00 - 24:00 hrs. (+07:00 GMT) at www.thisiscat.com DJ Wasana Wirachartplee’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wasana.wirachartplee Catradioactive 25 January 20: 2D Foil - Inspire The White Tulips - Summertime! 1976 - South Area of Taipei Carsick Cars - Wei Cheng Say Sue Me - Dreaming Solitarion - Autumn Wanderer Sound and Fury - Heaven Song Fogbow - A Sudden Hit Of Deep Depression The Giraffe Told Me In My Dream - Relapse & Before Inhaler - My Honest Face King Nun - Chinese Medicine Wolf Alice - Baby Ain't Made Of China Thud - Lime Culture Abuse - Chinatown Twin Tribes - Heart & Feather Holy Holy - Teach Me About Dying A Silent Film - Chinese Lanterns Young Chinese Dogs - Phone Call Smallness - Colorful Dress Sales - chinese new year Idiot Glee - Chinese New Year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd7yEGWM0vU&list=PLU62MFne4NxBuwaVv8QjD32uQe1PDSngQ Carsick Cars - Wei Cheng Stars On Fire - Stuck Somewhere Hexagrams - China Doll https://soundcloud.com/pookystolenkiss/sets/catradioactive-25-jan-20 Easyday 107: Stephanie Mills - Never Knew Love Like This Before Shirley Murdock - As We Lay Queen & George Michael - Somebody to Love Chet Baker - Time After Time The Lightning Seeds - Waiting for Today to Happen '97 Richard Stoltzman - Begin Sweet World media youth - Broken Violet Depeche Mode - Stripped Grace Mahya - Recado Bossa Nova NSP - 冬の時代 Misia - アイノカタチ feat. Hide (GReeeeN) Boz Scaggs - Lowdown Rae & Christian - Still Here James Blunt - Monsters 4hero - Star Chasers Doug Smith - The Old Road Pearl Jam - Dance of the Clairvoyants Inhaler - We Have To Move On L'Arc en Ciel - Don't be Afraid Ryuichi Kawamura - Miss you Larry Lee - Marooned Pet Shop Boys - Monkey business Default - California Nebula Bee Gees – My World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z-pWWr92rM&list=PLU62MFne4NxAAZHiKtytmaCpksi2T1JG1 https://www.instagram.com/p/B7xVMUZp9i_/?igshid=1i318lyuey2wd

#radioprogram #broadcasting #rerun #playlist #music #listening #pop #rock #indie #live #cool #catradioactive #series #funforaday #hipster #shoegazer #anything #modernrock #dreampop #musicoftheweek #flashback #newrealease #verities #legends #jrock #soul #citypop #jazz #chineseindie

[rdmfavcpls]

Dragon of Japan Chapter 1

Prologue - http://rdmfavcpls.tumblr.com/post/159914962777/dragon-of-japan-prologue

Title: Dragon of Japan

 Pairing: Sebastian/Ciel Mai/Lin cheating Madoka/Naru previous Mai/Claude

 Category: Crossover Black Butler/Ghost Hunt but I am trying to keep it mostly Ghost Hunt. Rating T-M will slowly progress.

 Summary: Mai is a demon and she’s within the top 3 powerful demons, but she still holds human emotions within her demon life. She got over Naru’s rejection quickly but now she’s dying and her brother steps in to help her. What adventures will await the new and improved SPR? Warning: There is some Naru bashing and Naru is not a main character in the story. Lin is a lot more talkative in this which I will explain within the story.

 Author’s Note: So I too have fallen victim into the Ghost Hunt Black Butler crossover universe. However, I looked through the crossover section and I am surprised that there is not a crossover with Ghost Hunt and Crimson Empire! So that’s possibly going to be my next project as well. Expect for the first case where the characters are introduced, the cases are influenced by nursey rhymes. Disclaimer: I do not owe any rights to Ghost Hunt or the Black Butler franchise. Please enjoy the story and constructive feedback is always welcomed. ~~Story Begins~~ Chapter 1 - A Haunted Manor

“Uhh...Uhh...Uhh,” Hosho Takigawa gaped as he stood outside of large metal gates that blocked public access to the large yard with well taken care of hedges and trees, a smooth driveway separated the yard as black streetlight lanterns rocked on their posts, riding the gentle breezes of the wind. Further away from the gate that they were waiting to be opened was a large two story mansion painted white, but the many balconies had furniture outside with fresh flowers enjoying the sun.

Takigawa - a part time monk that earned him the nickname of ‘Bou-san’ or Monk-san’. However, no one has been able to call him ‘Bou-san’ since the somewhat mysterious disappearance of the heart and soul of SPR. His light brown hair was still tied into a pony, the bangs framing his face, his light brown eyes didn’t hold as much life in them but awed at this haunted manor and the fact that his mouth was hanging open. He was wearing all black and vowed to wear all black until they find and see his precious Jou-chan in person. Preferably alive and not in a morgue.

“Takigawa,” another voice spoke. “I didn’t ask for all of you to join me if you are just going to gawk at it.” The voice belonged to the face of SPR and the leader, Shibuya Kazuya or also known as “Naru”. His black hair was still cut around his face, the end just brushing against his neck brought out his blue eyes, plus the fact that was the only color on him. He still wore all black clothing which was his trademark look.

“Sorry, mate,” an Australian accent spoke, “We have not been investigating a house quite like this as a team in a while.” Father John Brown was wearing a buttoned up sky blue shirt with regular blue jeans, a cross necklace was resting against his chest, his blue eyes were almost as perfect as puppy eyes and his blonde hair was cut short so his curls wouldn’t be noticeable.

Then a loud thwack was heard then silence as Ayako Matsuzaki hit her on-and-off again boyfriend, her long red hair was pulled and twisted into a bun, her brown eyes glared angrily at him. She was wearing a blue sleeveless turtleneck shirt with a white sweater and a black skirt. “You don’t have to make yourself a bigger fool than what you already are!”

“Naru,” a voice that sounded small and cute and fit perfectly with the doll-like appearance of Masako Hara. Her black hair was cut shorter in the back but was longer in the front, a perfect frame to bring out the lavender eyes that looked worried and scared, a pink sleeve with green floral pattern of her kimono hid her frown. “There are so many spirits here, they cry out in pain and confusion. There is also a bad vibe coming from the house, I’m scared.” The tall stoic man mentally rolled his eyes as the famous medium clung onto his charge’s arm. Everyone loved Kazuya Shibuya but he no longer really cared. His charge had been sleeping with his girlfriend who he was going to propose too (even though his heart started to have feelings for another) when his girlfriend sent him the wrong email. Needless to say, the chinese onmyouji broke it face-to-face with her but his charge still liked to fool around and apparently so didn’t his ex-girlfriend. The black hair was cut short for easy care but was still able to cover his blue eye leaving his grey eye able to see what was happening. He still wore long sleeved white business shirt with a black tie and black dress pants.

Koujo Lin desperately wanted to get away from his charge (he was counting down the days until his charge turned eighteen) but welcomed the antics and distractions SPR brought. They made him feel at home somehow, which was important for the backbone of the organization.

“Let’s get going,” the final member spoke with a smile as the gates slowly creaked open. “The Phantomhive is a big sponsor of BSPR and we shouldn’t keep them waiting.” That was Osamu Yasuhara who had his black hair tied in a simple pony, letting it grow out now for some weird reason, his round glasses were needed to let the bark brown eyes to see clearly instead of blurred shapes and colors. He was wearing a red shirt with blue jeans.

“I really don’t want too,” Masako responded. “That vibe from the house.” “I agree with Masako,” Ayako spoke looking at the mansion. “It doesn’t seem like it but I’m getting an ominous feeling from there as well.”

Lin looked at the house, the two females were hesitant about the house but he was drawn to the house. He felt like that by coming here, his whole world will change, there was something powerful within that house that was begging, pleading, and longing for him to show up, to bind themselves to him or to make a contract with. He knew he was being lured into a death trap but he couldn’t resist the pull.

“It’s only going to be for a couple of days,” Naru responded not even shaking Masako from his arm, a sign that he was thinking about making her his next plaything for the week or two. Lin knew karma was going to come back and bite his young boss but for now, he just bears with it since he had bigger things to worry about, like how to warn Ms. Hara about her crush’s heartbreaking ways.

As they walked through the gate, their equipment being delivered to the mansion the day before and the owner specifically asking for their vans to be left at the gate. They were busy talking amongst themselves that they didn’t notice one of the drawn curtains in the upper floor move as a man around the age of twenty-three watch them as they got closer to the mansion. The man’s long black hair reached his shoulders in a neat fashion, his red eyes danced with pride as they got closer, the light from the sun revealed an professional butler outfit that was traditional with the times.

“Soon, you’ll be fed,” he spoke the figure lying on the bed in the darkness. The only response this man got was heavy breathing that sounded like it hurt and occasionally turned into painful gasps of air. “Soon, you’ll be well again.” The man let the curtain closed as he proceeded to leave the room.

He had guests to take care and what type of butler would he be to the Phantomhive’s if he wasn’t there to greet their upcoming guests. None of our questions were answered in this episode? What type of show is this? It only led to more questions like who was the mysterious butler talking too? What is this case about? Where is Mai? I’m sure she wouldn’t be happy about Masako clinging all over Naru.. Stay tuned for A Haunted Manor part 2. Our questions had better be answered. Oh shoot, I just broke my nail.

#ghost hunt anime #Dragon of Japan #Crossover #black butler #Mai Taniyama #Lin Koujo #Ayako Matazuki #Monk #Father John Brown #Osamu Yasuhara #sebastian michaelis #ciel phantomhive #mai x lin #Ciel x Sebastian

[sunset-wishes-upon-hill]

The Liars and Soothsayer chapter 3: Belligerent

A Kiss to My Prince series (Unchanged): FF

The Liars and Soothsayer: FF

Chapter I: Time-slip Yuri 

Chapter II: Pathos

Viewers discretion advised

"Aww, brother." Baldo moaned, studying the chewed on wire. "They got to it." He sat at the top of a ladder as he inspected the wiring in the ceiling. Finny, Yuri and Mey-Rin stood at the bottom, looking up at the man.

"Those damned mice." The chef cursed, fixing the cable. "Guess they have it bad for cable pasta."

Mey-Rin sighed. "Rats again."

Finny frowned. "They've been a lot this year."

"I heard there's an epidemic in London." Baldroy stated as he stepped down the ladder. "But I didn't think they'd bother coming to the city's outskirts." He scratched his head, leaning against the steps. "Business will go bust if we keep having power outages so often."

"Business?" Mey-Rin echoed, giving the man a confused look. Behind him, a white mouse scurried by. Finny noticed, perking up like a cat.

"Ah!" He yelled, grabbing a priceless stone column for one of the sculptures in the hall. "Mouse spotted! Yah!" With unnatural strength that many other servants had not got used to after all these years, he picked it up and slammed down to kill the mouse but he unfortunately missed by an inch as the furry creature scurried away. The others screamed as he did so, terrified from his sudden burst of strength. Dust covered surrounded them as the column crumbled from the impact. As it cleared, Finny saw the rodent run away unharmed.

“Oh, bugger! Miss. Park, are you alright?” Mey-Rin helped her dust off the dirt from her dress.

Yuri managed a smile, “I’m fine, thank you. And it’s Yuri.”

“A-ah, yes, sorry Miss– I mean Yuri!”

"Tee-hee." Finnian managed a laugh, "Oops, it got away."

"Tee-hee ain't gonna cut it!" Baldo yelled angrily, "You tryin' to kill me too, you idiot?"

"Anyway, it's useless to challenge them head-on!" He stated, pointing to his head, trying to calm everyone else down after another but unneeded example of Finny's unnatural strength, "We hafta use what we got up here!"

"Up here?" Mey-Rin, Finny, Yuri, and Mr. Tanaka questioned, pointing to their heads as well.

"We gotta really use our heads and read the enemy's movements." The chef informed at naive pair, "A direct assault isn't the only way to fight battles. That's right! What we need's is a diversion! So, here's my plan." He reached under the ladder, picking up a large silver pot.

"We're going to feed them?" Finny inquired in confusion.

"Yes, we are." Baldo said before smirking evilly, "Because there're so many of 'em now, I figure they're short on food. There ain't nothing as tough as starving on the battlefield."

"So, we'll use this!" he continued, lifting the handle to reveal a bubbling pot of green goop. "Better known as Chef Baldo's home-cooking, mice full speed ahead plan! Tch, can't expect anything less from a pro!"

The others looked at it in amazement.

"Kaay! Then I'll have at it with," Finny said, holding up one of the stray cats around. "The showdown of archenemies, Tom and Jerry grand plan!"

"I-I won't lose to you!" Mey-Rin told the gardener, holding up a bunch of mousetraps. "Here, we have the 'Once I catch you you, I won't let go, Mice Hoihoi' grand plan!" while the old man held up butterfly net.

"All right!" Everyone exclaimed, throwing their fists in the air. "Then let the battle begin!"

The four members of the household all ran in each four directions, the three noisy members announcing they will be catching the most. Yuri was left to her own device as Sebastian and Ciel seemed to be busy entertaining the guests upstairs and she was content with that. Sitting down on the rocky staircase in the garden, she stared out at the scenery spread out before her. Resting her chin upon her arms, she allowed herself a short moment of rest. She couldn’t sleep last night; didn’t change into the dressing gown, didn’t even touched the bed, and instead spent the night wondering around the room before settling on the window sill and watched the moon disappear and sun to come up.

What a luxury, Yuri thought. She visited the manor like this one in a school trip and wondered people who could afford such place felt like living and seeing all this every day. Everything inside the manor was decorated with some priceless paintings or furniture designed to inspire awe and admiration from them.

So this was what being a noble was like in 19th century. Seems like an easy, idle living. Unlike hers’ where her parents worked day and night trying to make up for bills, rent and living expenses that came around like clockwork every month. Her part time pay took pressure off their shoulders, not so much though, and she knew her mum felt sorry and ashamed of having to lean against their daughter so young.

“Not like I can do anything….life’s hard.” She always wanted to travel after university but guess she’ll have to wait. You can’t do much if you don’t have means to travel.

“Who has it easy?” The voice coming from behind her agreed.

She bolted up from the stairs, twirling in alarm as she faced the Chinese nobleman in front of her. He’s dangerous, something told her, and Yuri was glad her hair was at least long enough to partially cover her face. Hanging in his arm was a beautiful Chinese girl with cat-like features that only made her even more enduring. A sharp pang of jealousy ran inside Yuri when she made an unconscious physical comparison with herself and the fellow Asian girl.  

“Apologies if I frightened you. I’m Lau and this kitten here is Ren-Mao.” She nodded in greeting as Yuri returned with a small hello, “I am aware of my impudence by forcing the introduction upon you without obtaining your consent first and foremost, however, I cannot help but make an exception when I noticed a new presence in the Earl’s manor. He is…a bit particular with his circles.”

Yuri didn’t look up, “No, it’s fine. I’m not used to all these rules and etiquette so no harm done. I-I’m..Yuri Park by the way. I’m a guest here.”

“Corean?” He deduced.

She nodded.

“Earl did not mention any guest staying in his manor.” He smiled as he asked, “Why is the lady out here, instead of joining us?”

There was something uneasy about this man, Yuri noted in the future to be aware of him and his…cat. Composing herself quickly she mustered a full-fledged social smile.

“It seemed boring.” She said, flapping her hand to denote the garden, “So I thought I might just..sit here and admire the view.”

“Oh, I agree with you – it is boring.” He said, “Although if you were there, it might not have been. So pray tell, how does the lady know our Earl?”

He’s interrogating me. Yuri thought, and maybe rude in this era?

“I’m a helper.” Yuri answered, ignoring the perceived rudeness, I’m sorry but that’s all I can say.”

He waved his hand as if the he weren’t bothered by the abstruse information although she wasn’t entirely brought by his easy dismissal.

“I wonder what kind of help the Earl need from a lady like you.” He mused; rubbing his thumb on the girl’s arm in circular motion.

“It’s not that kind of help if that’s what you’re suggesting.” Yuri was disturbed just how people think their relationship was less than innocent.

He chuckled, before jerking his head toward the manor, “Come, the helper of the Earl should be formally introduced to his circles. I do not know why he neglected you. We are, after all, fellow helpers.”

Yuri wanted to say no and that she was fully contended with where she was and how little people of this world knew of her.

“Please, I insist.” His voice dropped an octave low that sent her shivering.

She reluctantly accompanied him to the darkly lit room consisting of few French style armchairs and pool table in the centre. The occupants seemed to be in the middle of some argument when they walked in and soon their attentions were directed to the newcomers.

“Lau, where have you been?” A stunning woman draped in red asked before eyeing Yuri next to him, “And who would the lady be?”

Yuri’s eyes widened as she recognised the woman in red. She was the Jack the Ripper. How could she have forgotten?

Yuri opened her mouth to answer but Ciel was quicker.

“She’s an aide I’ve recently discovered, Madame Red.” Ciel curtly said, “Play nicely; she is not accustomed to the rules as she had been socially sheltered for a long time. It seemed Lau has finagled an introduction without going through society’s proper channels.”

“I aim to seize what I can.” Was Lau’s reply.

The noble woman stood up to approach Yuri, circling around her like with predatory fascination, “Hm…what is your name?”

“I-I’m Yuri Park, Madame Red!” Yuri didn’t know whether offering her hand for a shake or simple curtsy was appropriate before choosing the latter by remembering the historical movies she watched and taking on the example of how the girls introduced themselves to others.

“It is lovely to make acquaintance, Miss. Park.” She smiled, before the men were formally introduced with Yuri’s permission of course.

“How did you meet my little nephew?” She asked as soon as the formality was concluded.

“Madame Red.” Ciel warned, his tone forced and strained.

“Ciel, I’m merely curious!” The woman in red defended, “I am, after all, first and foremost, your aunt and legal guardian.”

“He was kind enough to take me in when I was in a difficult situation.”

“My nephew? Kind?” Madam Red blinked in disbelief as if she hadn’t expected the two nouns to be used in the same sentence.

“It mustn’t have been easy for him but he helped me so I’m helping him.” Yuri explained, earning a side glance from the said Earl.

“This is not a game, little girl.” The owner of the voice that interrupted was a bespectacled man with dark-grey hair, a moustache, and sideburns who seemed to have a permanent frown in his face as if he was smelling constant stench, “These types of things are like wars; not some entertainment girls go for in India Houses.”

"Oh, that I agree with you – for once." Azzurro sarcastically joined in although it was more directed at the police commissioner.

There was no defending statement from others, they stood quietly as if waiting whether she will strike back or quiver in the corner and would go on measuring her worth from that one response.

“I..” Yuri pursed her lips, fists clenching by her side as slight anger went off inside her, “ –I wouldn't call it a war, exactly. That suggests both sides stand an equal chance of winning.”

Azzurro threw his head back in laughter, “Perhaps it was wise not to have spite the lady, Sir. Randall.” Tone of mockery of the police commissioner’s formal title was clear.

Sir. Randall’s pale face was coloured with embarrassment but Ciel interrupted before anyone could say anything further.

“Miss. Park, are you alright staying in this room?” Ciel asked giving her the chance of escape she desperately was looking for.

Yuri did a standing stare around the room, if she was going to be stuck in the 19th century for god knows how long, she certainly wasn’t going to let anyone down talk her like that for outrageous reason like her gender or her ethnicity, or her seemingly awkward and uncultivated social manners at the place she clearly did not fit in nor had any desire to try to belong to it. These people – these elites who held sway over the country; who had been nurtured from day one to live as the proud top one percent of the society might be used to power struggle but not her. Not Yuri Park. They might have lot to lose, but she had nothing to lose thus nothing to fear.

“No.” Yuri blatantly replied with the bluntest expression she could make. Resting bitch face was what the 21st century terminology to her expression.

The corner of his lips twitched as if he was holding himself from smirking, although she wasn’t quite sure as it went quickly as it came, “Sebastian, accompany Miss. Park to her room, please.”

“Yes, young master.”

“I’m fine,” Yuri cut in, surprised at her courage to be her own guide, “It’s not like I need a map and a compass to find my way around this house.” She curtsied to the acquaintances she became acquainted with before walking out of the room.

Yuri waited until she was around the corner from the room that she let out the breath she didn’t realise she was holding. God, how did they do it? She always thought the modern Royal family and aristocrat had it easy, well not so easy they were completely stress free, maybe in the financial domain but the glimpse of atmosphere she saw within the room during her short and brief interaction she had with them and with each other, she was thankful she was born as a commoner.

She wasn’t sure how long the guests were here for, but she had been standing in the garden for a quite sometimes now. Without her phone or laptop or TV to entertain her, she was utterly bored to death. Although Yuri would soon be thankful for the lack of noisy distraction; her ears perked up at the sound of rustling not far from her. Then a snap like someone’s shoes stepped on a twig. She stiffened; there was someone with her in the garden.

“Subject unknown: name unknown, age unknown, birthdate unknown, parents unknown, date and cause of death unknown. Additional notes: the subject unknown’s first realised presence to the headquarters is suspected to be connected to the severe disturbances to the world’s balance.” The man’s voice was even-toned and held absolute professionalism.

Yuri turned around to face the familiar looking man. She recognised him as one of the grim reapers responsible for collecting the deceased’s souls. Her face immediately blanched, was he here to collect her? Will she die even before she could see her family and friends again? Why her? God why always her?

Her knuckles were clenched to the point it was turning white and felt numb from restricted blood flow.

“Are you here to take me away?” Her voice waivered against her will.

The man was just how she pictured a grim reaper would be, if she ignored the cliché image of grim reaper as a skeleton and instead as a person. He was tall with short, neatly combed dark hair and unnatural yellow-green eyes framed by unusually designed rectangular glasses. As worker of death, he wore an all black, grim suits with black gloves and dress shoes.  

“Ah, so you are aware of what I am,” He noted in cold tone before looking up from his file, “That makes it easy for me. Fortunately for you, I am not here to take you away. I simply cannot; seeing you are quite alive. However, your presence remains a concern for us.” Adjusting his glasses on top of his nose bridge, he revealed, “Therefore, I am hereby to keep you under my watch and gather any necessary information.”

“Why not do it in secret?” Yuri asked after a few wordless moments to process his words.

“Unfortunately for me, you are near… certain individual that are aware of my presence and would hinder me from doing my job properly; informing you of my intention will make my job easier.”

“You mean Sebastian?”

“Yes, him.” He nodded, pulling out a pen from his breast pocket and started to scribble something down like they were in some sort of interview – or interrogation more like and every words of her were being recorded and written to be used as later reference.

“We are forbidden from intervening in human affairs, provided that you are indeed a human. If I discover an absolute verification that you are not a human or you are, in some way, a threat, I will be reporting it to the higher-ups in accordance with regulations whom will make decisions based on the report and perceived risks.”

“I-if I turned out to be some kind of threat, what will happen?” She carefully approached.

He stopped writing and gave her his attention, “No idea.”

With a sharp snap of his wrist, the file was shut and tucked under his arm. With a sharp 180 turn, he began to walk away from the fountain where he will probably disappear by supernatural means.

“W-wait!” She called out to him, stopping him in his track, “D-do you know why I’m here? Do you know how I can go back? P-please, I’m not from here! It might sound–“

“I am just as clueless as you are in regards to your current predicament. I apologise, I simply cannot help you.” With that, she watched as his form disappeared in the descending staircases and she was, once again, left alone.

Alone.

She was alone. She used to like being alone. It seemed so easy to be alone. But she had her family and friends even when she was ‘alone’.

Now, she was really alone.

Yuri squat down to the ground and buried her face in her arms on her bent knees. Small chocking sounds escaped her throat, and then it seemed to get louder. The wail spoke of her fears, loneliness and anger in a way coherent words couldn’t.

Rustle

She ignored the sound that alerted her there was someone or something coming toward her.

She shouldn’t have.

A strong smelling, damp cloth covered her mouth while a big rough hand wrapped itself around her waist. The pungent smell hurt her nose and made her eyes water and felt the touched area burning with irritation. She could only let out a muffled yelp before her form drooped against the capture’s arms. No one noticed anything amiss, but during the struggle, a necklace that supported a crystal embedded Hello Kitty cat surrounded with more crystals slipped from her neck and onto the sparsely grassed earth. Yuri’s unconscious form was dragged and thrown across the abductor’s shoulder like a sand bag.

The necklace and Yuri’s missing presence was not noticed until the guests were long gone and Yuri was nowhere to be found for dinner.

At the edge of the East End in Whitechapel stood a luxurious mansion guarded with black cladded men and their deadly canines trained to rip any intruders to the mansion apart and without mercy. Deep inside, in a room on the top floor, was where Yuri found herself awaking up to with her hands and legs tightly cuffed behind her back.

At first, her mind was hazy with confusion with questions like why? Why was she here? Why did they kidnap her? Why did they knock her out? Why was she tied like some hostage? Her face felt sticky with dried tears but tears forming in the corner of her eyes were falling and moisturising her dry skin with its salty water.

Was she going to die here? Maybe that’s why the grim reaper decided to visit her. Like they always said, one can only see death just before they die.

“You’re awake?” Familiar voice drooled and she could smell the foul scent she identified as smoke. She hated the smell of smoke. Her dad smoked and she always hated that smell of death he was permanently doused with. Maybe all this happened because she was being punished, because she cursed out her parents and according to the Bible, those who cursed out their parent were dealt with death. Maybe she should have given that homeless man the spare changes she had more than enough to spare. Maybe she shouldn’t have stolen a pencil when she was six. Maybe…

All thoughts of possible wrong doing ran through her mind.

She snapped out of her thoughts of regret and focused on the man in front of her. Yuri knew who he was from his smell before she saw his face. A crooked smile lifted up on his scarred face as he light up another cigarette.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I decided to have you kidnapped, yes?” The mafia said as he puffed out a smoke. Yuri did her best to suppress a cough.

“What is your relationship with the watchdog?”

It took her quite some time to find her voice, “I’m a helper, just a helper. Nothing more! I’m nothing.”

He shook his head, strolled over and squat down in front of her, cupping her chin roughly to force her eyes to his, “I don’t believe that for a second. That brat won’t allow anyone near him except that goddamn butler of his and he seldom has anything he considers significant. You, on the other hand..he deliberately hid you from others; shielded you. Why? You must mean something for him; otherwise, he would not have taken you into his manor.”

“I-I told you: I’m just a help–mmph!“ His fingers on her cheek tightened and muted her sentence.

“Don’t lie to me!” He growled, ashes falling from his bit down cigar from the movement, “You’re his exotic whore, are you not? A warm body to warm his bed at night and his confidante in the morning. Am I wrong?”

Yuri’s eyes widened, feature of disgust appeared on her face, “You’re wrong! He’s just a kid!” This time her voice was strong and firm, “I’m no one’s whore!”

“Oh?” The look that flashed in his look made her wanted to hide every part of herself, his eyes travelled dangerously low and she was thankful for the conservative nature of her dress, “If you’re not his whore–“

“I’m no one’s!” She growled, reiterating her point once again to no avail.

“–What  value do you possess that worth as much? What do you have that you could offer to him that is vital to his work, hm?”

She couldn’t answer him and he took her silence as affirmation.

“We shall see,” Said the mafia, “It will be interesting to see just how much you’re worth to that brat. For your sake, I’d advise you not to be so hopeful he would actually be your knight in shining armour; he’s thrown away his pawns for less. Spare yourself the disappointment.” Then his smirk grew bigger like he thought of a better way to sow this situation to the full, “You would fetch for a nice bargain. More so with your connection to the Queen’s watchdog: an exotic whore who also had the privilege to have shared the bed with the order of the Inghilterra underworld. My, my, the bidders will be very pleased. It’s not every day you come across something of his.”

She spat at him, the only derogating attack she could do without the help of her hands or legs. His face jerked to the side as the warm slobber drooled down his cheek. There was a sharp stinging sensation on her cheek before her face hit the carpet as he pulled out a napkin to wipe the spit away.

“They will have fun time breaking down that feistiness of yours’. It’s their speciality.” He chuckled as he checked his watch, “But we have more than enough time to spare. I would like to see first-hand of your talent.”

His words ran her blood cold and she reacted. Yuri screamed, yelled, rolled and writhe on the ground, the rope digging into the delicate skin of hers’. Her tears fell freely and she hyperventilated that she felt she’d die; she was going to have a heart attack – she was having a heart attack.

Ciel stared at the paper in his hand with irritation and annoyance written on his face. The threat was short and clear:

If you want the girl back, bring the goods to Buck's Row in Whitechapel.

He leaned back into his chair in his office with a sigh as Sebastian waited patiently for his command. Ciel didn’t have time for this – to play some rescuing knight to some pawn that was, at the moment, worth more trouble than her useless, vague knowledge of this world. He was a very busy and occupied person; he had company to manage, networks to maintain, schedule that needed to be met, meetings he need to attend, letters to write, and underworld to reign. He had no need for a pawn that needed constant rescuing and protection.

“Should we not rescue Miss. Park?” Sebastian asked, not out of worry or sentiment; he was a demon, no, he had works that needed and could be done at the time that was being wasted waiting for his master’s decision.

“I did not promise her protection did I?” Ciel mentioned.

Sebastian smiled cruelly, “No, you did not. Then may I get back to my work?”

Ciel was in deep thought, unmoving from his position. His butler was ever so patient.

The Earl made his decision after ten minute of weighing up his options.

“Go.”

If he were not one hell of a butler, any others would have mistaken his answer as extension to his previous question. But not Sebastian Michaelis, he was adept at reading between the lines and he was most proficient at understanding his master’s mind more than anyone else.

“Yes, young master.”

His other remaining servants were more than enough to contain the smaller rats and from the muffled groans and shouts he could hear from beneath the floor, those rats were being dealt with already.

Yuri managed to land a strike on his already crooked nose with the back of her head. She didn’t care how much he was physically rough with her; she already knew her retaliation would only prompt more physical attacks in effort to break her down into submissiveness. She bit, clawed, strike and more within the realm of possibility in her current situations.

“STOP FIGHTING!” He cursed as he pushed her down to the floor, “My men are already at brat’s manor, by the end of the day, all that would be left is their dead body, I would have my drugs and you’d be sold to the highest buyer! Consider yourself lucky I’m being gentle because they wouldn’t be!”

“FUCK YOU MOTHERFUCKER!” Yuri screamed as she aimed her leg to his stomach.

Azzurro pulled his arm behind head and she clenched her eyes shut, prepared for the punch.

It didn’t came and her eyes snapped open to see the man frozen above her, his head slightly tilted as if he was focusing his hearing on something. The source of interruption was delayed for her, but it became clear.

Gunshots. Objects shattering. Yells of profanities and orders and screams of pain. She could hear them all just beyond these doors. The heavy weight upon her was relieved as the Italian mobster pulled up from above her with a hand on his strapped gun.

It's gone all quiet… Azzurro gulped and placed his gun near his chest.

Humming trepidation filled the air and the only viable audio was the rhythmic clicking of someone’s shoes strolling closer with disturbing calamity leisure. It stopped short from the doors and they both waited with tension as the door hinge slid lower and creaked open.

"Pardon my intrusion." The butler entered as both occupants’ eyes widened at the sight of the man who seemed so unaffected even with the physical sign of great struggle at the background. Yuri caught a coup d’oeil of the demon’s murder work and she had to look away lest she became sick.

"I have come to retrieve the lady. My master is not pleased of the gratitude you’ve shown when he’s allowed you in his home by kidnapping his guest."

The mobster was more amused than he was frightened as he studied his fallen men, "Well, I'll be damned. I'm amazed to think you took all those men out yourself. I was wondering what sort of big man you were. But you're nothing more than a Romeo, swanning around in a swallowtail coat."

Gun pointed at the butler, he demanded to know, “So, who are you?" Azzurro questioned, "An assassin hired by Phantomhive or maybe an ex-special forces mercenary? I know you are not just a butler, yes?"

The demon smirked and denied humbly, "Oh, but I am, just a butler – that is all."

"Ha, is that so?" The mafia man hummed, turning his gun in resignation. "In any case, I have no intention of fighting with you, Signore Butler. I surrender, sir."

Yuri didn’t believe an ounce of his word and she was right. His hand shot out to grab her by the hair, painfully pulling from her roots and tucked his free arm under her chin as she felt the tip of the gun resting against her temple.

"You don't want a hole in your esteemed guest, do you? If you are a butler as you say, you should know what this situation calls for, yes?" He warned.

Sebastian sighed, reaching inside his coat and pulled out the small Mouse 3 gamebox, "I have what you desire.."

Yuri wanted to yell at him; that he wanted drugs or money or anything materialistic, not some childish game and that now it was going to cost her life with the shit he just pulled.

Just then, she heard multiple gunfire then sensation of heavy wetness spurting onto her face and dress with a sick crack that triggered her forgotten nausea. It was nothing like in the movie, crescent sized holes on where solidness should be was all that she saw before the  body hit the ground and what looked like some sort of organ or flesh sprawled on the floor.

Yuri felt the dry heaves starting before acidic content of her stomach was laid out onto the floor with the blood. The shooters disappeared before returning again through a secret door.

"Did we get him, sir?"

Azzurro smiled, letting go of her in disgust, "Yeah, good job."

Yuri wanted to say something but her clattering teeth and another threat of oncoming vomit prevented her.

"Haha, sorry, Romeo. But this game is mine." The mafia cockily announced, “Sending his butler to retrieve his whore, what a coward.”

She slowly remembered this moment; it wasn’t supposed to be her. It wasn’t supposed to be her that was kidnapped. It was supposed to be Ciel, not her. Why her? Why can’t it be him? Yuri froze, realising where her thoughts were heading and quickly supressed it in shame. If an eighteen year old girl couldn’t handle situation like this, how can a young boy like him experience such thing and come out of it fine? Yes, this was the type of thought she should aim to think. No one, especially a child, deserved to go through all this because of his standing.

“You’re very quiet, aren’t you?” Azzurro noted, gazing down at the shell-shocked girl, “Have you finally decided to surrender to your fate?”

“He’s not dead…” It came out as a whisper.

“Hm? I cannot hear you.”

“He’s not dead.” She said louder.

Azzurro cackled, throwing his head back, “Have you finally broken down? It would not do well if you are broken before the transaction.”

"..My goodness...”

Azzurro and his men tensed up at the sound of his voice. Even after he was shot, he did not lose the elegant and steady tone of his voice.

“The firearms of today have improved greatly in terms of power, have they not? Those from a hundred years ago do not even compare." The demon butler ran his gloved hand through his hair with a sigh.

Panic, shock and fear spread on the occupants’ faces as Sebastian heaved himself up from the ground with slightly sluggish movement.

"What are waiting for?!” Azzurro shouted, snapping out of shock induced freeze and pointed at the resurrected butler, "Kill him!"

They complied, charging at him with their guns and knives.

The demon coughed a few times in his palm before spreading them out to show the bullets he regurgitated, "Please allow me to return these."

The bullets seemed to have a mind of its own, shooting out from his palm with vicious projectile as if it was being fired from the gun and his men fell to the ground with another shower of blood and flesh.

Sebastian held out his damaged coat, inspecting it with great displeasure, “Alas. What a pity. My clothes are full of holes." Then Sebastian turned his attention toward the mafia and the human girl he was ordered to bring back as if he momentarily forgotten about them.

"G-Get back!" Azzurro warned as Sebastian approached the pair with eerie smile.

“Miss. Park, you just look like a wet grasshopper.” He remarked with the sick humour.

She didn’t register his words, too shocked, too tired and numb.

"Stop! Get any closer and I will kill her!" Azzurro yelled, but he kept walking closer and closer, “I TOLD YOU TO STOP!” His finger on the trigger caved in then–

BANG!

Yuri closed her eyes in relent.

"Wh-why..is she still alive..?" Azzurro murmured in bewilderment.

"Are you looking for something?"

She felt his body stiffen as Sebastian leaned over his shoulder, holding the bullet between his gloved fingers.

"Permit me to return this to you." He dropped the bullet in his coat pocket.

"Now, I shall be taking Miss. Park back as I was ordered." The demon announced, swirling his finger around like a puppeteer manipulating the strings movement. "If you would please, remove that filthy arm from our honoured guest?"

"Gyah!" The man pained screamed hurt her ears as she saw his arm wrenched behind his back as if it were connected by an invisible chord and sickening crunch was heard. Yuri was swept from the mafia’s arm as Sebastian gently laid her down on one of the chairs in the room and proceeded to free her from the restraints.

"W-Wait! You are just a butler, right? I can't die here like this!" Azzurro shouted, "I will pay you five-no, ten times your current wages to be my bodyguard! You can have all the booze and girls you want..so, come to my side!"

"My apologies, Mr. Vanel." Sebastian replied with unapologetic tone, "But I have no interest in made-made rubbish, coin or women. For, you see…" He glanced over his shoulder with fiendish gaze, "…I am a Devil of a butler. So long as the young master possesses the mark of the covenant, I am his faithful dog.”

Sebastian shook off what was left of his coat and enfolded it around her form.

“I suggest you look away, Miss. Park.”

Yuri closed her eyes, buried her face into her lap and blocked her ears.

She rested her head against his chest the whole time they headed back to the manor. They didn’t speak at all and neither of them tried to do so. Yuri could hear the faint humming of his heart and couldn’t help but wonder if the beating were real or all in her head that desperately needed human warmth.

“You have a heart.” She said, breaking the silence.

“Well, yes, it would be suspicious if I did not.”

Satisfied with his answer, she snuggled into his chest and concentrated on the vibration in his chest.

#the liars and soothsayer #ciel phantomhive x yuri park #ciel x yuri #ciel phantomhive #sebastian michaelis #sebastian michaelis x yuri park #sebastian x yuri #fanfiction #kuroshitsuji #black butler #kuroshitsuji fanfiction #kuroshitsuji story #black butler story #black butler fanfiction