Black Butler Fanfic: Black and White Ch. 29

                While the party roared on, I was dancing with Bell on the dance floor. Though dancing wasn’t my forte, Bell is unusually convincing. Almost all of the guests have arrived, all except for one, Alois. Though with our shaky start, I did want him to come to my party. Perhaps my attitude could be very misleading, but he’s the new kid and I want him to feel like a part of the group. As I scan around the group of people on the dance floor, I saw Mary, who was dressed in a short navy blue dress and black heels, dancing with both Finnick and Brad, who were both in tuxedos. Those three goofballs sure do know how to party.

                “Hey Bell, have you seen Alois? I haven’t seen him at all.” I yell to her over the deafening music.

                “He should be here soon. He texted me saying he was stuck in traffic in London.” she responds.

                “Okay. I’ll be right back. I’m going to get a drink.” I make my way out the dance floor, leaving Bell to dance with others. I head over to the refreshments table and grab myself a can of soda.

                As I was about to break open the can, I feel a tap on my shoulder. “Mind passing me a can of soda?” I turn around and I notice Alois standing beside the table. He wore a purple blazer with a forest green vest and white shirt underneath, black pants, and black leather shoes. Though an unusual combination of colors, he was somehow rocking it.

                “Oh, hey Alois. You finally made it,” I say as I pass a soda to him.

                “Well, I couldn’t possibly miss a party. Especially your birthday party. Oh that reminds me; I wanted to give you this.”

    He pulls out an object from his pocket and hands me a small green box with a purple bow lying on top. I graciously take the gift then unwrap the tiny box. Once I unraveling the ribbon and pull open the top, I see, lying on top of the white velvet sheet, a beautiful necklace. Hanging off the silver chain was a metallic, bow-shaped charm, which was encrusted with sapphire gems.

                “Oh my goodness. Alois, this is beautiful.”

                “Here, let me put it on you that way you won’t be needing this ribbon.”

    He gently takes the necklace from the small box. He unties and removes the ribbon wrapped around my neck then attaches the necklace. As soon as he finishes clipping the necklace, I feel a dark presence watching the two of us. I quickly turn to see Sebastian glaring at Alois and I.

                “Oh, hey Sebastian.” I walk up to him and turn to face Alois. “Hey Alois, this is Sebastian, my… butler.”

                “Pleasure to meet you,” Alois says. He extends his hand towards Sebastian, but Sebastian doesn’t return the gesture. He just continues giving him a cold glare.

                “Um, well, I’ll catch up with you later Alois. I just need to speak with Sebastian.” I yank Sebastian’s arm and drag him away from the boy. Once I dragging him into the hallways, I slam the door shut and face the demon. My eyebrow twitches in annoyance. “What the hell was that about, Sebastian?”

                “What do you mean Catherine?”

                “You know exactly what I mean!! Why’d you give my friend the stink eye?!”

                “I don’t particularly like him.”

                “You barely met him!”

                “There’s something about him that’s off. I don’t want you to be anywhere near him.”

                “You’re not the boss of me, Sebastian.” I turn to make my leave, that is until he grabs my wrist. Then, he twists me around in order to face.

                “I may not be the boss of you, but I worry about you.”

                “Oh, and why is that? Because you’re my suppose boyfriend.”

                “Yes. What I said about that is true. This is the only way to keep you safe.”

                “I’m not a child!! I can handle myself!”

                “Apparently not, since you’re too arrogant to even listen to me. Just listen, stay away from Alois.”

                “He’s my friend.”

                “Oh really. How long have you’ve known him?”

                “Long enough to know that he is not a threat to me. End of discussion!”

    I walk back into the large room, slamming the door behind me. I quickly get away from the door, knowing that Sebastian was still staring at my direction even with the door blocking both our views. Once I pass through the tremendous crowd, I notice, at first, Alois standing by himself, but suddenly realizing he wasn’t alone. There was a dark presence standing by his side. It even seemed as if Alois was talking to the figure that I couldn’t recognize. For a second, I stop in my tracks and look down at the floor trying to regain my sanity. I kept telling myself that I shouldn’t be afraid, that it was only my imagination taking a toll on me.

                After fully regaining myself, I stand up straight and walk towards Alois, only to find that he was by himself. I better not be going crazy.

    Once I reach my blonde friend, I say, “I’m glad my butler didn’t scare you off.”

                “Of course not. It takes a lot to scare me. Plus, he was being protective and I don’t mind. It means he’s doing well at his job.”

                “Yeah, he is.” I roll my eyes at my remark.

                “Anyways, to change the subject, I absolutely love your home. It looks just like a traditional Victorian mansion.”

                “Oh thank you. My father really loved Victorian style. I made sure to keep most of the artifacts intact even after my parents passing.”

                “I’m sorry about your loss, but may I ask what happened?”

                “Well, I don’t know the full details since it happened when I was a baby, but from what I’ve heard, they were murdered after my family and I were kidnapped. I was the only one to survive, and I can thank Sebastian for that.”

                “Really? He saved you. How heroic!”

                “It’s what he does, and that’s why he’s a little overprotective.”

                “Well, I don’t blame him. He doesn’t want you to get hurt again.”

                “True.”

                “Oh, by the way, could you show me where the restrooms are. I don’t want to get lost in your lovely mansion.”

                “It’s not that big, Alois, but I’ll show you anyways.”

                “Lead the way, my lady.”

    I laugh at his remark,

    Then, I push through the crowd with him trailing right behind me. After bumping into a few people who were too busy to notice us, Alois and I make it through to door. Being the gentleman he was, Alois opens the door for me. After we walk through the doorway, the door slams shut and the noise on the other side subsides.

                “Well, anyway, the restrooms are the second door to your right.” I point over deeper into the hallway.

                “This is such a grand hallway!! You could almost run a marathon through here.”

                “Yea it’s pretty big.” We both gaze around the hallways until Alois points something out.

                “Hey, is this your father?” He points a portrait of my father that was hanging on the wall, right above a vase filled with an array of tropical flowers. I gaze at the photo, seeing my father’s serious face. It almost seemed like he was staring at the two of us but, in fact, he was simply staring at the lens of the camera when the photo was taken. But, it didn’t make the illusion any less real.

                “Yes it is.”

                “You almost look like him. I mean, you have his eyes and hair.” He giggles while lightly tugging a strand of my hair.

                “I had just recently cut it, though I really didn’t mean to look like him.”

                “Even for an accident, mission accomplished.”

                “Well thank you.”

                “What was his name?” He asks.

                “Ciel… Ciel Phantomhive.” I point to the small brass plaque on the bottom of the portrait which spelled out his name.

                “Oh.”

                “What wrongs?”

                “Oh nothing. That name just sounded familiar, beside the fact that its sounds exactly like you nickname.”

                “Really? Maybe your father knew him.”

                “That’s highly unlikely.”

                “Why is that?”

                “Hey, you know what would be fun!” He says, completely changing the subject. His grin went from cheek to cheek.

                “W-What?”

                “That marathon I told you about. Why don’t see who can win?” Before I could object, he runs right pass me and deeper into the hallways.

                “Hey, wait!! You don’t really know this place, and you’ll get lost!!” I yell.

    Then, I run after him. For someone who never stepped foot in my mansion, he sure did know his way around, even I had a hard time keeping up with the energetic young man. While trying to keep up with Alois, he passes a corner, which I quickly follow right after, but I didn’t see him on the other side.

                “Alois?” I call out, hoping to call him out of his hiding spot. I look behind me and find a glimpse of him running at the end of the hall. “Wait up, Alois!!” I rush through the hallway, making it to his spot, and turn another corner. That’s when I saw the door leading to the garden wide open. “Alois, you really do have to come back! I can’t keep playing this game!”

                “I won’t come back until you catch me!” his voice faintly shouts out. I was able to see his figure going deeper into the forest. Now, I knew he was going to get lost out there. I couldn’t possibly leave him out there to freeze. I didn’t even think about the fact that there was such a large distance between us despite the short time.

                “Ugh. What game is he playing?” I mumble. But, I quickly follow pursuit. Due to my advantage, (since it is my home) I enter the forest in record time. Once inside, I hear Alois’s laughter echoes throughout the trees. There was no telling where he was at, but I kept moving forward.

    After passing through a group of trees huddled together, I spot Alois standing around as if he had been waiting for ages. I scan the area around me only to remember the exact spot was where I first met Grell. That silly reaper sure did change my life.

    I grab hold of my knees and catch my breath. “Alois, we should really head back to the party before people realize we’re missing.”

                “Oh please, those damn people should be the least of your worries,” he spats out.

                I was taken aback at his sudden change in tone. “What did you say?”

                “Can’t you read my lips? Those imbeciles are the least of your worries.”

                “What the hell is going on with you?”

                “Don’t you get it? I lured you here. Geez, you’re just as stupid as you father. You know I did the exact same thing with him and he still followed me like a lost puppy.”

                “What are you talking about? Why did you go through so much trouble just to bring me here?”

                “You see, we needed to have a little chat with you.”

                “We? Who’s ‘we’?”

                “Oh right. He should really properly introduce himself.”

    With that, I hear rustling behind me and I turn my body around, only to be frozen in fear. My face drops when I spot the dark figure in front of me. The same dark figure that was in my nightmares. The one who has been tormenting me since my childhood. I tried to run away from him but, my knees buckled and I couldn’t even move an inch.

                Alois bursts into a fit of laughter. “You’re so pathetic C.L.,” he mocks.

                “I should’ve listened…” I barely whisper.

                “Yes. You should’ve C.L.” the figure finally speaks up.

                “I knew there was something off about you Alois the moment I met you.”

                “Mm, yes there was, but we still became friends.”

                “If I had known who you were with, I would have never befriended you!”

                “But you still did,” Alois teases. “Oh dear, I forgot you two still need to introduce each other.” Alois turns to the dark figure. “She needs to properly know who you are.”

                His slowly lifts up his head and I finally see his cold, golden eyes through his glasses. In the most emotionless voice I could’ve ever possibly heard on any person, he says, “Pleasure to finally meet you again C.L.. The name’s Claude… Claude Faustus.”