Outside of the Phantomhive manor sat a carriage, ready to take the trip to London. The door opened to reveal Ciel, followed closely behind by Yuri and Sebastian.
'Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to visit the Phantomhive Manor today. Alas, your timing in... unfortunate.'
The trio made their way down the steps, all dressed in warm coats to fight the early January winds. Sebastian carried the backs while Yuri had a small basket of food for their trip.
'The master, Yuri and I must be off. We're travelling to London, where we have some pressing business matters to attend to.'
As they reached the end of the concrete staircase, the other servants were waiting to see them off. Meyrin and Bard bowed to the lord while Finny took the bags from Sebastian's hands and put them on the back of the carriage.
'Very Serious business.'
"It is fortunate the weather turn out so fine. Perfect day to go to the circus, don't you think, my lord?" Sebastian said, smiling.
"Circus' are generally held in large tents, aren't they? Thus rendering the weather quite irrelevant," Ciel said, causing Sebastian smile to drop, moving his gaze to the three servants.
"Barldroy, Meyrin, Finny, the master, Yuri and I will be staying in town for a while. Do try to behave yourselves, won't you?"
"I left a list of jobs to be done on the table," Yuri said. "Please make sure to actually get them done and not just pretend you couldn't find the list."
"Have fun!" Bard said, saluting to the trio. "You take care of yourself!"
"We'll be seeing you!" Finny said, waving them off.
"Please travel safely master," Meyrin said. Sebastian held the door open as Ciel came inside.
"You three." The three of them straightened up, gulping at the young lord's tone. The boy looked over his shoulder, tipping his hat to them. "Remember why I hired you, look after the place well."
"Yes, my lord!"
The carriage pulled off down the long driveway and out the gate. Sebastian and Yuri sat on the bench opposite the young lord. Yuri looked out the window as Ciel read the queen's letter to himself again.
'Greetings dear boy,
I hope you found your Christmas holidays enjoyable. My intent to make a Christmas pudding with figs was a great success. I am pleased to report the results were met with high praise from Ash, John and Grey. I hope you will have occasion to try it sometime.
Now then, you must be curious about the enclosed tickets. A circus is expected to arrive in London soon. It's a travelling troop and its supposedly quite good. However, my sources have told me that a startling number of children have gone missing from the towns the circus has visited. The police are doing all they can to be sure, but, even so, not a single child has been located.
The circumstances are always similar. They vanish without a trace in the middle of the night. Its almost as if they've been lured away by the pied piper of Hamelin. Is there any sorrow to that of losing a family member?
It is my sincere hope that these children will return to their families soon,
Victoria.'
Ciel re-folded the letter before placing it back into the envelope, closing it over and pressing down on the red seal to keep it from flipping open again. He put the letter away in his breast side pockets. He looked up, noticing both Yuri and Sebastian looking at him. Yuri smiled at him softly.
"Where are we beginning our investigations, dear?" Yuri asked.
"The usual place," Ciel said.
"Naturally," Sebastian confirmed.
~o/INTRO\o~
Away from the busy streets of London and inside the Scotland Yard files archive, the trio leafed through the many files within the archive.
"Very convenient that Sir Arthur is away from the station at the moment, is it not?" Beside Ciel stood detective Abberline, who was frantically trying to avoid detection and shoo the lord away.
"Uhh, I'm beginning you, please stop! If the commissioner were to find out-"
"Best to make I quick then to make sure he doesn't, eh?" Ciel interrupted. Within their eye line, Sebastian crouched, reading the files.
"How did you even get up to the third floor? No one even asked for your credentials?" Abberline asked, even though the window next to them was open, the curtain blowing n the wind.
"Sebastian, anything yet?" Ciel said, ignoring the detective.
"No missing bodies were found that match the missing person's report," Sebastian reported back. "But I'm not certain those reports are complete."
"We'll leave when your finished copying, and we might as well borrow the photos," Ciel said.
"You can't do that!" Abberline said.
"Oh tosh," Ciel said, walking away. "If you're found out, just say that I took them and you'll be fine!"
"That would land me in even more trouble!" Ciel walked over to the butler.
"Yes well... so sorry, underline is it?"
"its Abberline!" The detective said.
"You've been very helpful," Ciel said, handing Sebastian coins. "And we thank you." The butler moved over to the detective and forced the coins into his hands with a shit-eating grin on his face. Abberline looked offended at the shillings, grabbing Sebastian's hand, startling him.
"I am not for sale, my lord, I just want those children safe, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure that happens!" Abberline said. Ciel walked back over to them.
"You're willing to do whatever it takes, eh?" He made eye contact over the rim of his hat before he moved his gaze back over to the door. "Very flexible of you. You have a bright future." He paused for a moment. "Sebastian, Yuri - wait, where did she go?"
"Here, my lord," she said, coming down the aisle of the archive. "Just making sure we got all the boxes." She breezed past Abberline and he was barely able to make out her features before she, the butler and Ciel all left the room. He gasped as he realised the hand that was holding Sebastian's arm was now holding a mop.
"hey! Wait!"
"I hope I'll be hearing of your promotion soon, Abberline," Ciel called as Sebastian closed the door.
~o/0\o~
Outside, along the streets of London, Sebastian and Yuri followed behind Ciel as he walked.
"At least it seems they're still be treated as missing persons rather than murder victims," Sebastian said.
"Yes," Ciel sighed. "As far as respectable society is concerned." He stepped up into the carriage. "But somebody in the underworld may have disposed of them already." Sebastian turned to let Yuri in but she shook her head.
"I've gotta go. I'll meet back up with you in a little while," She said as she started walking away.
"Wait-"
"I'm sorry, I've got to go!" She called back, walking quicker before disappearing out of sight. There was silence before Sebastian, who decided it was not worth it to go after her, climbed into the carriage as well.
"Given that, am I correct to assume we will be paying him a call."
"I don't like any more than you do," Ciel grimaced. "But when needs must and all." He lifted his cane and banged on the room. "Let's be off."
"Quite," Sebastian said, smiling but his mind was going back to Yuri.
"I assume then you have no idea where she has gone." Sebastian shook his head and they both decided to drop the topic of conversation.
~o/0\o~
The bell rung to the undertaker's parlour the duo opened the door.
"Undertaker, are you about?!" Ciel called into the darkroom. The only light was the rows of lit candles sitting on the floors and coffins. They entered the door before the door shut, trapping them in complete darkness for a moment before their eyes adjusted to the light. The Undertakers cackles filled the room.
"Welcome, my lord," he said and Ciel began walking towards the direction of the voice. "It's so lovely to see you." The sound of movement behind him cause Ciel to stop and gasp as a skull came rolling towards him. He jumped back slightly, shocked at the bizarreness of it all. The skull knocked over a pile of bones. "Whatsit to be then? Do I finally have the pleasure of fitting you for one of my coffins?" The two spun around, seeing the undertaker at the door.
"look you-"
"Have a seat, you three-" it was at this moment, the pair noticed Yuri had returned to the group. She smiled. "- I still have some biscuits fresh from the oven."
Ciel sat on one of the coffins, Yuri standing beside him with Sebastian standing one coffin over, reading the information they had gathered from Scotland Yard's Archive.
"Children's bodies, is it?"
"The authorities still consider them missing persons and no corpses have turned up that we know of," Sebastian explained.
"Well, tragic as it may be," The undertaker said, picking up what appeared to be a dog biscuit. "dead children are part and parcel of life in the old underworld. A fact I'm sure you're aware of, my lord." Ciel stood up.
"I have the information here. Look through these and tell me if you've taken care of any of these children," Ciel ordered as Sebastian placed the files down on the table. Each file had one of the children's photos attached. The undertaker placed his chin on the table before sighing.
"Hmm, have I seen this face before? I don't know," He said. "I'd wager my memory would be a right bit sharper if I had a good laugh though." The three of them groaned and glared at the undertaker. "I think you know what I'm after, my lord, all you've gone to do it give it to me." The undertaker slid up the table to lie on it comfortably. "Give me the gift of true laughter and all my information is at your disposal!" He said, looking up and the boy. Ciel turned his head to look at the duo behind him, a grimace still on his face.
"See to it, will you?" Ciel said.
"Certainly," Sebastian said, pulling up his gloves.
"Oooh, having him do your dirty work then?" The Undertaker said, causing Ciel to freeze up. "Thats the problem with you upper-crust blokes, can't do anything without your butler, eh?" He slid off the table and back into his seat. Ciel froze up even more at the accusations. "Well, it's all the same to me, I'm only after a laugh, doesn't matter who gives it to me." He tipped his hat, looking back at Ciel. The boy propped his cane forward.
"I'll take care of this," he said stiffly.
"Are you sure, Ciel?" Yuri asked.
"Both of you, wait outside," he said, shaking with anger. "Go. Do not attempt to listen to this. That is an order." Sebastian bowed.
"As you wish, my young lord." Yuri put her hands up and the two left the room and went out into the dusk. The two closed the door as Yuri sighed. "Are you alright, my dear?" Yuri leaned against the butler but didn't say anything for a moment, sighing. She groaned and rubbed her head.
"I've had this bloody headache all day," she said.
"When was the last time you drank water?" Yuri said nothing. "You know your not invincible right."
"We can't all be perfect like you," Yuri said, mocking Sebastian. Her tone was light though. Sebastian smiled.
"Perfect, maybe," he said. "But invincible? No." Yuri sighed again. "Where did you have to disappear off to?"
"Some gang stuff. There have been some... uncomfortable close calls recently and Ryu was shitting bricks over it," Yuri said. "I've fixed it though."
"How?" To that, Yuri said nothing. Sebastian, deciding he wasn't going to get an answer, changed the subjects. "You better find something to do, I have a feeling we might be here for a while." Yuri nodded and reached into his breast sized pocket and pulled out a small book. Sebastian smiled at her. "How did you know that was in there." She shrugged.
"I saw you take it this morning," she said, opening it up. She plopped down onto the boxes beside the door and read the Japanese novel.
~o/0\o~
Midday became dusk, and dusk turned into evening, which turned into night as the two waited outside the parlour, Yuri sitting on one of the boxes reading while Sebastian waited standing by the door. Countless people had walked by, looking at the pair but soon the Undertakers laughter rang out and Sebastian opened the door. Ciel was exhausted, his tie undone, his coat bonded and his hair messy. The undertaker chuckled at him.
"Who would've thought Lord Phantomhive would have that his sleeve? That kills me." Ciel wiped the sweat from his chin.
"Whatever did you do?" Sebastian asked as Yuri got to work tidying his up. She brushed her finger through his hair to set it back into place.
"Don't ask," was all Ciel said in reply. She bent down, lifting his chin and offering him a sympathetic smile.
"Performing tricks like that for the Queen's sake, my lord. You-" Sebastian stopped, noticing the look on Yuri's face. 'You don't mean it'. He stopped, blinking and she nodded slightly and retired the bow on Ciel shirt. Ciel looked between the two of them but Yuri just shook her head, telling him to not worry about it. She stood up and Ciel put his hands out, letting Sebastian help him into his coat.
"There. I've paid your ridiculous fee. Now, what do you know about the missing children?"
"Well, nothing." The trio stared at the Undertaker, not blinking.
"What?" The said in unison.
"None of these poor unfortunate souls has matched the descriptions of any of my customers, nor have I heard any rumours," The Undertaker said.
"What your saying is," Ciel said, walking up to the desk. "You know nothing about this and I came here for nothing?"
That's not how I would put it. you see, what I know is that I don't know," he explained. Ciel's eyes widened.
"Eigo wa imi o nasanai. Kare wa dō yatte sore o rikai shite iru no ka? (English makes no sense. How does he understand that?)" Yuri mumbled.
"Thats a good point. If he hasn't heard anything that means no one in the underworld killed them, would you not agree?"
"Yes. And if their bodies haven't been found in either circle, then that suggests they're still living," Ciel explained.
"Why not just say that then..." Yuri muttered. "Eigo wa orokada (English is stupid)."
"In which case, our only option is to investigate that troubling circus," Ciel said. "We'll go there when the show starts." Ciel grabbed his cane and turned to get his hat. "Come, both of you." They both bowed to the Undertaker. Yuri stepped forward and took the files back before leaving. "Undertaker, contact me if you find anything further."
"Don't forget my lord," the undertaker said. Ciel hummed to show he was listening. "Each of us is only giving one soul, take good care of yours." He said. Ciel put his hat on his head.
"I hardly require such advice," he said, walking out with Yuri in tow.
"Are you sure about that?" The undertaker asked again, waving goodbye. The door closed.
"Yuri." the girl turned to him. "I need to ask you something."
"No, I haven't come across the children." Ciel blinked up at her. "I was sorta waiting for you to ask me," She explained, shrugging. "It makes sense. He-" she gestured to the undertaker's parlour, "-confirmed they're not dead, which means living children would have to come through us."
"Would you be able to contact gangs outside London?"
"I don't need to."
"Why?"
"There aren't any." Ciel's eyes widened slightly.
"How come?"
"We eradicated them." Her tone was so nonchalant, it almost worried Ciel and Sebastian. Almost.
"Would you be able to check?"
"Thats not the right question." Ciel blinked at her and a grin was splitting across her face.
"Why are you choosing now to be difficult?"
"Oi, respect your elders," Yuri said. "And you're asking the wrong question. I already told you I know nothing." Ciel paused.
"Do you know something who might know something?" Yuri nodded. "Ask them."
"No, my lord, that won't work either. By the time she would leave to double-check and then come back to tell us, it would be too late, the circus would have started and she won't be able to get in late." Yuri smiled and nodded.
"See, it's not that hard," She said and Ciel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Fine then, Sebastian, you aks the 'right' question."
"Can you take us to who might know?"
"Yes." Ciel sighed at her antics again. "Hey, I'm teaching you important lessons here. If you ask the wrong question, even if it sounds right, you'll get an answer completely useless to you. My kinds of people have a nasty trick of answering your questions but giving you nothing useful. It's about asking the right questions." Ciel supposed she was right, but her smug tone was not helping him admit that. "Now. Onward to answers." She began to walk, moving out of the alleyway and back to the street. The pair followed her. She stopped for them outside a small grocery shop before stepping inside.
"Yuri! How have you been!?" A middle-aged man was sitting at the register.
"Good, all things considered. And you? How's Marianna and the little ones?" The man chuckled.
"Drivin' me up the damn walls. Still, would be lost without 'em," he said and Yuri smiled. She walked over to the clothes section and grabbed tow cloaks before throwing them back.
"Put them on." Ciel and Sebastian looked at the cloaks sceptically but put them on. Yuri walked over to the man. "George, can you let Sting know I gotta talk to him?" The man chuckled. "Tell him its urgent."
"It's always urgent when it comes to you."
"What can I say? I like fast cars and fast jobs," she said, smirking.
"No, you like danger."
"Gotta get the ole' heart beating somehow." The man chuckled before he disappeared behind the door beside him. "Thats George, he mans this door to Sting's main tunnel."
"The cover is very well done."
"Oh, it's not really a cover. It's a genuine grocer, but when we upgraded our underground system, we bought shops that were going under. We gave the shops back to the old tenants, and the owners just gotta pay cheap rent and let us use our system," Yuri said. "it's a win-win. We make sure their shops stay popular and we get to avoid detection. No ones gonna care if we walk into a grocery shop."
"What other shops do you all own?"
"Well, most of the lower houses on Godfrey street are apart of the tunnels, as well as all the shops on Harleston," Yuri said. "There's more, but I'd need a map to name them all." At that moment, George came back.
"I'm told he's at his office. They've let him know you're on your way," George said, with a smile. Yuri smiled back.
"We'd be lost without ya," she said, winking and blowing him a kiss. He chuckled. He looked at the master and demon.
"Make sure you don't let this one get herself in too much trouble," he said. "She's a knack for getting into trouble."
"Maybe but I'm even better at getting out of trouble." George chuckled again and raised his hands n defeat. Yuri threw a note on the table "Send my best to your lot." She walked out.
"Stings office is near where the circus is set up. It should only take a few minutes," she said.
"How come no one's discovered the tunnels?"
"Oh, they have," Yuri said. "When the south's old leader fell, his tunnels got found. To rectify," Yuri explained, crossing the street, "we blew it up. Threw old furniture and sold our shops to a puppet company to look less suspicious."
"Puppet company?"
"A group of businessmen who owe us favours. They run what looks like a real estate agency but is a cover-up. They buy buildings off us and become landlords but we still control them. They get a fraction of the rent and we get the rest."
"You seem to have so much money, why do you need to work for me?"
"The others - Bones and Sting - they're gangs are a lot smaller, only really them, their best guys and their families. Ryu and I, we're more charitable. We take in street urchins and such. So, we have money but too many people who need it." Yuri paused. "Also, I like working with you." Ciel's cheeks dusted read for a moment, before asking another question.
"Then why do you feel the need to take people in?" Yuri stopped walking for a moment.
"How do I put this? That's a very open question, to be frank," She mumbled. "I don't think anyone should have to live on the street or fear that they'll lose their house. This world is harsh and cruel and if we can be just a candle flicker among the darkness, then we'll do what we can," Yuri said. "The streets... they're hard and we only survived because we got lucky. So. We share that luck around." She was walking again but stopped a few doors down. The tugged on the chain around her neck and took it off. With the key that was hanging off of it, she unlocked the door. "let me ask the questions. Stings more likely to answer me, and you still need to learn to ask the right questions." Before either of them could argue, she threw the door opened. Immediately, eight guns were trained on them.
"The sun rises in the east," a voice called out.
"And so does a bee," Yuri responded. The guns lowered and the two non-gang members looked at Yuri. She sighed. "Don't ask. Sting likes coded messages. They're so stupid because he lacks creativity."
"Sup Yuri." Yuri nodded to the man who called her name. "Boss is expecting you?"
"Yup." She walked past them, the two followed her. She opened another door and stepped into the office.
"Yuri! Always a pleasure."
"You sound creepy," Yuri responded.
"Well, gotta keep appearances." He looked behind Yuri to the two cloaked figures before scowling. "I see you brought your mutt." Yuri threw something at him but he caught it, chuckling. He was not expecting her to throw something again, this one hitting him on the forehead.
"Don't be whiney. If Ryu can be a decent person around them, so can you," Yuri said.
"It's not the kid I take issue with," Sting pointed out, propping his feet up on his desk.
"Good thing no one asked," Yuri said. She took the files of Sebastian, looking up and giving him a reassuring smile.
'He's just being a dick for the sake of it.'
'Charming.'
'Oi, that's my dad.' She turned back around and threw the files on the table.
"Kids are going missing. No bodies have turned up in the underground or-"
"In polite society. I'm aware." Yuri rolled her eyes.
"I haven't heard anything."
"I'm aware of that too." Yuri opened her mouth but the door reopened again. Yuri turned to see Bones bending down to fit into the door. She smiled at him and he gave her his closed eye smile.
"Perfect timing."
"I heard you were looking for Sting, so I figured you'd want me too." The large man moved behind Sting, towering per him as he leafed through the files.
"Have you see them? The children?"
"In person? Maybe."
"Lies," Yuri said, calling his bluff. "You haven't left London since May of last year."
"Why are you leading this investigation? Sure the queen's puppy dog can speak?"
"Ha, and let you lead him down a dead-end? Not a chance. I'm teaching him to deal with our kind." Sting mocked wiping a tear.
"Ah, the student has become the teacher. I'm so proud." Yuri rolled her eyes.
"Have they been sold?"
"Not from my end," Sting answered.
"Or mine," Bones confirmed. Yuri turned around to the two of them.
"How specific do you want them to get?"
"Have they heard anything about the children," Ciel said. Yuri turned back around.
"Do you know where the children are?"
"Nope," the two men said.
"Do you know someone who does?" Sting smirked.
"Wow, you are good at this." Yuri rolled her eyes, waiting for a response. "No, we don't." He looked past Yuri, to Ciel. "Since this is just a lesson, I'll tell you what you want to know. No one has tried to sell these children, alive or dead, and there's been no chatter of rogue members being stupid."
"What about the circus?"
"They're most likely linked. All our sources are saying that but a few turned up dead when they were set out to spy." Yuri nodded. "That's all I know."
"Second chance?" Yuri asked.
"Don't need it." Yuri nodded. She turned to the duo.
"To summarise all that, none of the children have cropped up in any cults or any gang-affiliated groups. Every spy sent out by these two to check on things at night has ended up dead." Ciel nodded.
"Let's go." As they were walking out the door, Yuri paused.
"Also, I dealt with our problem," she said at the two men's faces looked shocked.
"How?"
"Doesn't matter. Go ask Ryu, he'll fill you in." Ciel looked at Yuri but she shook her head. "Don't worry about it. It's under control."
~o/0\o~
People crowded around the opening that let to circus dead. Ciel, Sebastian and Yuri walked inside the gate and into the crowd. There were stalls with pictures and games, as well as performers such as jugglers and balloon artists at the entrance.
"So, this is it," Ciel said. Kids rode on the Ferris wheel, bought balloons and snacks, as well as run around before the show. The trio entered the show tent, keeping a careful eye of the performers interacting with children alone. The headed up the stairs and took their seats, marvelling at the hanging chandeliers and deep blues and golds of the tent.
"It is quite elaborate," Sebastian said. Ciel took off his hat, handing that and his cane to Sebastian.
"Yes, but no more than any other circus." They all took their seats just as the lights began to dim and the whispering among the crowd stopped. A spotlight came on, illuminating the ringmaster.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages! Welcome to the incredible Noah's Ark Circus!" The ringmaster said. His orange hair was gelled back but had spikey ends and extensions in the back. He wore a purple coat, checkered vest and a yellow bow.
The oddest thing, however, was how his right arm appeared to be that of a skeleton. It couldn't be his real arm, a prosthetic most likely. between each of his fingers (the real ones and the boney ones) he held a different colour ball. He threw them up, one at a time, juggling them as he continued his speech. "I'm jokes, this evenings ring leader. A pleasure to meet ya, it is!" He said, bowing and letting the balls his head. The crowd laughed as he stood up and opened his mouth, revealing another ball. He had a thick blue line drawn of his right eye. He enclosed the ball in his skeleton hand and it appeared to have disappeared in there. Back in the audience, the trio looked at the ring leader. Yuri shivered at the skeleton hand, going pale slightly.
"A prosthesis?" Ciel asked allowed.
"It has to be," Yuri said. "It seems to be a good one too. It can't be bone, I will vomit if it is." Ciel chucked at her. "I'm being serious." The woman in front of Yuri looked back sceptically at Yuri gave her a weak smile. This did not calm the woman's fears.
"Tonight," Joker continued. "You're sure to see performances that will stun and amaze ya!" He said. Behind him, the rest of the acts came running up into view. Joker now had two people to his left, a very pale man with white hair and snakes covering his body and a young boy, with light hair with a dark streak of a colour Yuri couldn't see. To his right, a young girl who was dressed in all white with a parasol and beside her was an older woman with dark curly hair (Yuri took note that she was carrying a whip). Above them sat a young pair, the boy was dressed in green trousers and yellow pants, white the girl wore a pink and navy striped dress. It was too dark to make out their face details. "And now! With great bronze from our fire breathing jumbo, the show begins!" A large man appeared behind the group, taking a deep breath before he seemed to exhale fire. The group scattered out of his way as the fire spread around the ring.
The young girl in the pink dressed stepped off the platform and swung down, holding on to nothing more than the bar. The young boy sat and swung on the bar across from her.
"First up, we have our two talented trapeze artists!" Leaning back, the boy moved to grip the bar by his knees as the girl somersaulted off her bar, grabbing the boys hands. The crowd gasped as the pair smiled, holding on to each other's elbows, using the other to wave to the crowd. "Peter and Wendy!" Able to take in their features, he noticed the boys green eyes. He had three green diamonds under left eye, while Wendy seemed to have darker brown eyes. She too had three diamonds on her right eyes, but they were pink.
"Our knife thrower, a perfect shot who never misses his target-" On a rotating table, a woman was strapped down. The man with the light hair and black streak threw daggers at the board, always being sure to not hit the women. He threw his last dagger, cutting the apple on top of her head in half. "Dagger!" He was dressed in a white vest, with a frilled colour white shirt with black stripes and black leggings. He had two red dots on his cheeks as well as thick blue eyeliner. He also had a small red hat with black trim in his hair.
"And now, a daringly beautiful dance done by the rarest of rarities," The next act was a very pale man. The green light highlighted, what appeared to be, scales that were all over his arms and legs. He had different coloured snakes wrapped around his bodies - some green, others browner, and one or two brightly coloured ones. "- our serpent man, the amazing Snake."
Back in the audience, the three, Yuri, Ciel and Sebastian, looked somewhat unimpressed.
"Their acts all seem like standard fair to me," Ciel said.
"Yes, and if children are being forced to perform, there is no evidence of it that I can see," Sebastian said.
"Honestly, their worst crime is how generic some of their names are. like a snake man called Snake, a dagger thrower called 'Dagger'," Yuri said. "Honestly, with how crazy their costumes are, you'd think they'd be less generic."
"And now, for our next performance, if you'd look above yee, ladies and gents," Joker said. Above them, was the young girl who was dressed in all white. She had white stockings and a white dress with a poured skirt. "A death-defying walk across the highest tightrope by the lovely circus princess, Doll!" The girl walked forward, keeping herself balance. She stopped about a quarter of the way in before taking one foot off the rope. Back in the audience, the trio exchanged theories.
"What would a circus want with children if they didn't intend to use them as performers?" Ciel asked. "Could it just be a coincidence that all the disappearance happened on the same roots at the circus?" During this, the young girl moved into the splits position while still balancing on the rope. She leaned back, flipping herself to balance on only her hands. Yuri and Ciel looked up at wonder, but Sebastian's face remained unimpressed. She opened her eyes and Yuri was surprised they were a very similar blue to the boy sitting next to her.
"last, but not least, the brightest star of our troop!" Joker announced as a whip cracked against the sand. A large tiger jumped through a flaming hoop while its trainer watches on. "Betty and the most famous tamer of wildcats!" The women with curly hair, she was in a black corset with a black skirt, turned to look at the crowd. She seemed to have red scarves tied onto the skirt with ends that tangled down. She wore fishnet tights and black boots. She had a red flower in her hair and heavy red eyeliner and lipstick. The beast roared before lying down on the floor. She placed her boot-clad foot onto the back of the tiger. "Beast!" The crowd cheered at the display. "This very special act calls for some audience participation. Are there any volunteers then?"
"it doesn't seem as if there are any children in the final act either," Ciel said. "Excellent this was a complete waste of my time." Yuri gave a sympathetic smile before they both noticed Sebastian stand up.
"What are you doing?" She hissed at him but he ignored her.
"Why are you standing? Did you see something?"
"Ho ho ho, the gent in the tailcoat sure looks eager, eh?" Joker said, coming forward and outstretching his boney hand, causing Yuri gagged slightly again as she heard it creak slightly. Everyone turned to Sebastian and began to clap. "Please, come up on stage?" Yuri shrank down in her seat beside him and Ciel gasped up at him. Sebastian only continued to stare at Joker. "Well step right on up sir," Joker said again.
"If you're going o stand up, commit to it!" Yuri hissed at him, embarrassment flooding through her. "Naze kon'nafūni (why are you like this)?" Sebastian began to walk down the step to the tiger.
'I see what you're up to,' Ciel thought, leaning back and smirking. 'A chance at a closer inspection, go on then.' Yuri noticed the boys smirk but had a feeling that whatever they thought was happening, was going to be wrong. She knew the demon too damn well. 'We simply must find a clue to do with those disappearances. And it seems our best chance to do that is to learn all we can about this circus.' Sebastian stepped over the barriers and onto the sand-covered stage, to where Beast and Joker stood, waiting. 'Alright, you've established initial contact, but hundreds of eyes are on you, I'm curious to see how you will conduct this investigation. joker took a step forward, smiling.
"Very good sir, now if you'll please lie do-" But Sebastian paid him no mind, walking right past him, leaving the ringmaster shocked. Yuri groaned.
'What are you doing?' No answer. 'I am going to kill you.' Sebastian even moved past Beast, who also gasped. He walked right past them to the tiger, bending down to pet his face.
"Uh! Those big brown eye positively glow!" Sebastian said, admiring the massive tiger. The whole crowd gasped. "His ears are so soft!"
'Of course! Tigers are bloody cats!' The two thought at the same time.
"I've never seen such vivid black stripes before!" Sebastian explained, rubbing the feline's face. "Breathtaking!" Both Joker and Beast watch on with equal parts of shock and horror. "Oh dear, your claws have gotten a bit too big, haven't they? We shall have to groom them!" he said, continuing to baby the tiger. Ciel sighed, putting his face in his hands while Yuri tried to disappear inside her coat. She patted Ciel's back. "Attractively plump paw pads!" He said before looking up to the tiger. "I hope you won't mind my saying so." A shadow came over him as the tiger leaned up, hoping its jaw and swallowing Sebastian's head whole. The whole crowd reaction in shocked screams.
"Release that man immediately Betty!" Beast said, swinging her whip. Sebastian extended his hand and the whip wrapped around it.
"She has done nothing to warrant punishment," Sebastian said as if his mouth wasn't just inside the tiger's mouth. "The fault lies with me, I was so overcome with her beauty, I behaved rudely." Beast stared on in irritation. "Furthermore, I doubt indiscriminative whipping will prove an effective way to tame her." Beast wheeled back in embarrassment.
'Oh, you just had to go and do it now!'
'Do what?'
'I have no sympathy for you.' The tiger jumped up again, biting into Sebastian's head causing the crowd to react, once again.
"Betty! Spit him out this instant! You don't know where he's been!" Beast yelled. "Drop him!"
"Goodness, you're a feisty one, aren't you? I admire that."
~o/0\o~
"I didn't intend for you to take it that far," Ciel grumbled, scowling as they left the tent. Sebastian beamed behind him, and Yuri was still trying to will down the red flush of embarrassment from her face.
"Apologies my lord, I have lived such many years but cats are such fickle creatures!" Sebastian said, practically glowing. "I still can't read their moods! I simply adore that about them!"
"What were you thinking? You attracted unnecessary atten- achoo!" Ciel sneezed.
"Bless you," Yuri said.
"Dammit!" Ciel said, pointing the cane to th butler. "You know perfectly well I'm allergic to cats, you idiot! Stay away from me."
"I'll clean him up," Yuri said, dispelling the tension. "I'll make sure he doesn't drag cat hairs home." Ciel nodded at her and she smiled to him, rubbing the top of his head. "It's okay, I'll make sure he doesn't steal the tiger and bring it back." Ciel before beginning to walk away. Yuri turned to Sebastian. "I have no sympathy for you." She said, arms crossed but Sebastian could see the smile she was hiding. He opened his mouth to say something but the distant shout stopped him.
"Oh, there 'e is! Sir! You, in the tailcoat!" Yuri featured her head to the ringmaster as he ran up, causing Sebastian to turn around. He stopped right in front of the pair, panting slightly. "I caught you," he joked. "I'm sorry about earlier."
"No, please, it is I who should be apologising." Joker chuckled.
"Frightened me how you traipsed up to that tiger as if she was a kitten," Joker said. Ciel disappeared among the ground, leaving the two alone. "Are you sure you're alright, not hurt anywhere?" Sebastian looked back, noticing his master disappear before he gave Yuri a side-eye. "Best to look you over."
"Would you? I would really appreciate it!" Yuri said. Joker's eyes widened, noticing her for the first time.
"We have a doctor, he'll be glad to take a look at you I reckon." Ciel, from around the corner nodded. "Please, c'mon back." Yuri nodded.
"That would be great, I dunno if we'd have the proper stuff back home," she said.
"It's no worries, wouldn't want anything bad to happen."
'More like wouldn't want to deal with a police report...'
'My dear, play nice.' Yuri smirked as Joker turned away, following after him.
'This is nice,' she responded.
~o/0\o~
Joker was now leading them through the tenting area. Performers ran around and animals sat in their cages. People were removing their costumes and tidying up props.
"It's just back this way a tad," Joker said. "The ole' place is a mess, I'm afraid." He chuckled nervously. "Well, good evenin' there snake, do you know if the doc is back in the medical tent?" The snake around his neck moved slightly, examining the group. Another snake devoured a mouse. Yuri watched in interest but didn't stop. They turned the corner, meeting Peter and Wendy.
"Say, isn't that the lad who got bitten by the tiger?" Wendy asked.
"Aye, that's him. What a stupid little boy," Peter responded. "Who's the girl?" Wendy shrugged.
"Looks like some ole' maid to me." Yuri rolled her eyes at the pair, scoffing. "She's got an attitude." Yuri slowed down a bit, letting the other two out of earshot before she looked at the pair dead in the eyes.
"And two working ears and fists as well," Yuri said, before running over to catch up with them, leaving the pair with shocked faces. Joker opened a tent to what looked like some sort of mess hall. Inside, a few people were having a drink. A man in a wheelchair was talking to the performer Dagger. "I gotta ask," Yuri said, looking at the boney hand with slight distance. "Is that made from like... real human bone?" Joker laughed at her question.
"No, it's only 'ome type of plastic." Yuri nodded, colour returning to her face.
"Joker!" The doc said, coming over to the trio. "What can I do for you tonight? Is your hand acting up again?" Joker chuckled, shaking his head.
"No, I brought a different patient, see?" Dagger spluttered as he noticed Sebastian.
"Wait, him?!" He said, jumping up and pointing. "He's the bloke from tonight's tiger act! He was the one who got bitten by Betty!" The doc's face drowned in shock.
"Hold on, what! Goodness! How terrible!" he said. "We need to get you to the infirmary!"
'All this trouble because of you're obsession with cats. You're infuriating.'
'Ah yes, but we've gotten this far.' Yuri silently scoffed, rolling her eyes.
~o/0\o~
"Are you quite certain you've been bitten by a tiger?" Doc asked apprehensively. Joker and Dagger were watching from afar as Yuri hid her face in her hands, shaking it. "I don't see any gashes or broken skin..." Sebastian removed his neck from the mans' hands, smiling.
"It was just an affectionate nip," Sebastian, glowing again. Yuri groaned.
"Affectionate, eh?" Joker said, thinking back to the together completely engulfing Sebastian's face.
"Nip, eh?" Dagger said.
"You must just have thick skin," Yuri said.
"Well, I'm just glad you're alright, that could've been a serious injury indeed," Doc said.
"Too true, too true!" Joker said, coming up behind Sebastian, hand on his heart. "Imagine letting a customer get injured. If I did that, the troop leader would kill me." Both Yuri and Sebastian blinked at this.
"I had the impression you were the troop leader," Sebastian said, turning his neck and looking up at the man.
"Oh, not me! Afraid I'm only the hired help!" Joker said and Dagger walked over, chuckling. "The real leader is downright scary! Not someone you want to cross!"
"Brave of you to say so," Dagger teased, "that kind of talk could get you in trouble. Better be careful."
"Hey Doc, do you got a minute to look at my leg," Beast asked, walking in.
"chikushō (oh shit)!" Yuri mumbled.
"Hello, beast!" Dagger said lovingly.
"Why are you here?!" She spat back.
"Same as you, I came to have Doc take a look at my leg too," Dagger said before getting down on one knee. "It's just more proof we're destined to be together-"
"You're that dandy from earlier! What are you doing here? And why'd you bring a spectator with you! What do you think you're doing?!" Beast interrupted, pointing to Sebastian. He averted his eyes to Yuri, but she shook her head. "After the way you ruined my act, you ought to be-"
"Thats enough." Beast deflated. "Speaking that way to a guest is just plain unacceptable. This wasn't his fault; it was yours for not being able to control Betty properly."
"But he just-"
"No excuses, you are a professional-"
"In all fairness sir, he did kind of ruin her show." The group turned to look at Yuri. "He was saying how he was hoping he could come back here and apologise." Sebastian shot Yuri a look but she hit him back with a glare.
"Yes. I want to apologise. I simply was so distracted by the beauty of the tiger that I let myself get carried away," Sebastian said.
"Ah well, it's okay! Geez, what must you think of us? Screaming at each other like this," Joker said, as he tried to diffuse the tension in the room.
"Joker's right! Beast's leg is more important," Dagger said. "So let's focus on that instead of fighting, shall we?" Doc sighed.
"It might still be a good idea to retrain Betty before the next performance," He said. "Alright then. Show me your prosthesis." Beast walked over to a nearby table and sat up.
"A prosthesis?" Sebastian asked, following the movements with his eyes.
"You'll find us Noah Ark performers are a bit of an irregular bunch," Joker said as the two watched Beast get he leg checked. "Sort of a gathering of people who, uh, all have a certain type of problem, you might say." Joker moved his ceramic arm, causing Yuri and Sebastian to look down at it. "Look at me," he said. "Missing an arm but the doc here gave me a right fine replacement. Pretty nice, don't ya think?"
"That one needs constant adjusting though," Doc said, as he fiddled with the screws of the lower part of Beast's prosthesis. "I should've never let you chose the design. Coming in every day, asking me to look at it." Joker chuckled nervously.
"You craft prosthesis for the performers?" Sebastian asked, moving closer to the work desk. "That is your main task?"
"Essentially," The doc said. "And quite a task it is! I do everything from carving the parts to the final fitting."
"You said carving, are they made of wood?" Yuri asked.
"Not wooden, ceramic actually," Doc confirmed. Sebastian watched him over his shoulder.
"Ceramic?"
"I know what your thinking, but I use special materiel to make sure they're light and sturdy!" Doc said. "Feel this and you'll see what I mean." Sebastian held the ceramic in his gloved hands.
"Indeed I do," He said. "Quite smooth to the touch as well."
"Of course. And you'll notice I use spherical parts for the joins to ensure fluidity of movement," Doc explained as Sebastian examined further up the leg. Beast's face turned tomato red and Yuri felt a pang of jealously run cold through her.
"Hmm, this is very interesting," Sebastian said. "I am impressed." There was silence. "What's this?" he extended the leg again, pushing it up higher as Beast squealed. The view from behind the pair causes Yuri to nearly break the wood she was holding to stay upright, her brain seeing red. She took a deep breath, her eyes flickering between fuchsia and blue almost without her knowing. "A seal of some sort...?" Joker was still, staring while Dagger seemed to be brimming with jealousy, even his nose was bleeding at the sight.
"What do you think you're doing, pervert?!" east said, kicking up her leg before slamming down. Sebastian moved out of the way, avoiding the kick with ease.
"Oh, I must humbly beg your pardon," Sebastian said. "it seems I've read you incorrectly. I had no assumed you were passed of such a modest temperament."
'Lucious!' Yuri looked at the demon, exasperated as Beast gripped her whip.
'help?'
'Only so I can strangle you myself.' Beast, gripping the whip, began her assault on Sebastian, but he dodged every flick of the whip. Beast hit the two-room dividers behind her. Yuri tried to pick one up but the whip brushed pat her ear and she scrambled back. Sebastian's eyes flickered in a rage of how close the whip came to hitting Yuri.
"Beast! Stop this at once!" The Doc shouted. Behind him, Joker continued to stare as Dagger shook with fury. "Do something you two!" The Doc said. Yuri noticed how Dagger seemed to ignite.
'Oh lord, you deal with her, I'll take him.'
"You wretch! How dare you even think about touching my lady's skin! bastard!" He threw the daggers at Sebastian but Yuri, very used to have things thrown at her, managed to catch the first two, knocking Sebastian out of the way of the third. "Even I haven't touched it yet!" Sebastian and Yuri shared a glance and the girl nodded. At the same time, both of them jumped into action. Yuri used her belt to catch one of the tent's roof poles and pull herself up before swinging herself into a crouching position, and Sebastian backflipped on the same pole and landed standing up.
"To be fair, he didn't actually touch her skin," Yuri said, standing up. Sebastian nodded, wounding his arm around her hip.
"It seems I did, however, touch a nerve, terribly sorry about that," Sebastian apologised. Yuri nodded before looking down at her hands. They had to cuts from where she caught the daggers. Sighing, she threw them to the ground, and they dug into the dirt at Dagger's feet, who was still shaking with rage. His hands were full of three more daggers and Yuri knew she would catch them, bloody hands and all.
"Put the knives away! You'll shred the tent at this stage!" Doc exclaimed.
"I'm protecting Beast's honour, that's more important than some bloody tent!" Dagger said, throwing six more.
'I'll take left, you take right.' The knives sped toward the pair, and in true style, Sebastian caught the three on the right between his fingers and Yuri caught the three on the left in hers. The two barely wobbled as they collected the six knives. Sebastian chuckled.
"Blimey..." Dagger said in shock. Joker whistled.
"I'll take you down a peg!" Beast said cracking her whip again. Joker, however, extended his staff, catching the whip and jumping up to pull it out of Beast's hands. He shot her a dark look and she gasped.
"Tada!" He said, clicking the button on his staff and flowers popped out. His dark glare gone and replaced with his carefree facade. Beast blushed slightly "Alright. Thats enough fun for now." Dagger gasped.
"Bah!? What?! That's not fair!" Dagger said, pouting like a child.
"C'mon beast, don't ya think you're being a little bitch touch?"
"WHY DID YOU PUT A STOP TO THAT SOONER!" The doc said, practically sobbing.
"Touchy?! But he's the one who-" Sebastian jumped down, landing gracefully. He dropped the knives and looked back up, extending his arms. Yuri hopped down, landing in Sebastian's arms bridal style. She left his arms, kissing his cheek quickly.
"Now now," Joker said. He was behind Beast, feeling up her leg. "It's such a handsome leg. You can hardly blame the fella for wanting to feel it, can ya? Go on dear, take the flowers" Beast huffed, pulling away, though her cheeks were dusted red. Sebastian and Yuri returned the knives to Dagger before Sebastian pulled up Yuri's cut hands, examining them. She only smiled, knowing the cuts weren't that deep.
"Well, that was quite the feat of acrobatics there, sir and ma'am," joker said. "I reckon I would hire ya both, right quick."
"Is your offer sincere?" Sebastian asked, getting close to Joker's face. Joker gasped slightly as Sebastian sighed. "Honestly, we might not mind a change of occupation. My current master is so spoiled, I'd be happy to be done with him."
Back in the carriage, Ciel, who was still waiting, sneezed.
"Oh, master is it? A servant then are yee? Thats a bit of a surprise," Joker said. "I thought for sure you were one of the gentry, dressed up all fine and dandy as you are." Sebastian shook his head, smiling.
"Me, as one of the gentry? Assuredly not," he said. "On no, you see, I am simply one hell of a butler." He sighed again. "My dear and I," he glanced to Yuri, and she locked eyes. "We've been trying to run away. But he caught us, our fellow servants ratted us out. We have nowhere to turn. Even my love's brother doesn't approve."
'Low blow.'
'please, for me?' Yuri resisted rolling her eyes and instead fake sniffled.
"It's true. He's been trying to separate us. There's nowhere else for us to go!" Sebastian wound his arm around her hip again. "We had hoped my brother would approve but he's afraid my love will leave me because I am an immigrant. He thinks I'm foolish." The eyes in the room softened.
"But, I must ask, was your offer a serious one? If so, I can assure you, we would very much like to take you up on it," Sebastian said.
"Not having a jest at me, 're ya?" Joker asked weakly.
"I think you'll learn he's not one for jests," Yuri said. Joker's eyes widened as he chuckled, slapping a hand down on Sebastian's shoulders.
"Funny one aren't ya?" He said. "Alright, me handsome, join us if you like, we'd be happy to have ya both!" Joker said. Beast walked up to them quickly.
"What are you doing?!" She said, offended at the turn of events. "You can't just make a decision like that!" Joker put his hands up in surrender.
"Hey, easy now," he said. "You saw him, he's got real talent!"
"Sorry," Sebastian interrupted. "If you don't mind, there is someone we'd very much like to introduce to you."
Back in the carriage, Ciel sneezed again, louder this time.
"There's a young boy at the manor, no older than 14," Yuri said. "He's like a son to us, I couldn't leave with 'im!" Joker chuckled.
"Well, if he's anything like ye two, that's fine," Joker said. "Reckon we should give him an audition all the same though." At this, Sebastian smirked.
"But of course, we shall return tomorrow then and bring him with us to see if he suits," Sebastian said.
"Thank you for an excellent day," Yuri said. And the two bow before turning to leave.
"Leaving us already?" The two moved the tent flap out of their way.
"No need to see us out, we'll be fine!" Yuri said, smiling as she closed down the flap. They both stood still for a moment before beginning to alk.
'Now then,' Sebastian communicated with Yuri silently. 'Before one reaches the medical tent, there are nine tents and ten carts.'
'And further along, there are...' Yuri trailed off, noticing the nicer tents with a fence around them. 'Much nicer tents?' They walked closer to them, hoping over the small fence. 'We are already here...'
'Might as well inspect them,' Sebastian finished 'I don't sense the children at all. However... I do sense something a bit... off. What is it?' Yuri extended her hand, stopping them both as she looked down at the floor.
"Lucious..." she mumbled, slowly looking to their right. A snake jumped out, coming right next to Sebastian's jaw. Yuri shivered slightly, both the cold and the suspense affecting her.
"I'm afraid this area off-limits, my friend," the man said, his voice dark. Yuri recognised him as the performer Snake. He was dressed in his cloak again, and not the small green material he performed in. His snakes were wrapped around him again.
"So sorry, we were lost." Yuri grabbed his arm, not even giving him a chance to speak as she pulled him away. "I don't fuck with snakes," she mumbled. Sebastian smiled, intertwining their fingers.
"I wouldn't have let them hurt you." Yuri smiled, shaking her head.
"I know. But still. Some of Mother Nature's creatures are best not to meddle with." Sebastian nodded his head before checking over her hands. The blood was mostly dry and crusted. He brought them to his lips before extending his tongue. When his tongue touched her skin, a hot flash ran through her and she sighed, squirming slightly. He cleaned up the blood and cuts as they slowly faded away.
"Are you alright?" he asked, knowing exactly was running through her head. Yuri's face turned bright red as she hit his chest, stomping away.
"Hidoku, warui, karakau Otoko (awful, evil, teasing man)," Yuri said. Sebastian chuckled, chasing after her.
"Come on, don't be like that." Yuri ignored him, moving over to the carriage. Just before they came into view of the carriage, Sebastian pulled her back, wrapping his arm around her waist and place his hand on her cheek. He used his teeth to bite off the glove before placing his hand on her cheek, "I love you." His eyes solidified fuchsia slits. She smiled up at him. Her eyes flicked between the two colours.
"I love you too."
~o/0\o~
This is a long one, wow. Think this might be the second longest, ngl.
I really don't know what to say, the world is kinda crazy at the minute. If you're feeling alone or anxious, feel free to reach out. I'm sending much love as I possibly can to you all. Please stay safe, we can all get through this.
Lots and lots of love and well wishes,
Fairy OUT!