#It creates a strange tug in my heart. I think she made my penchant for glasses worse

[loveregrown]

I think about my middle school crush sometimes. Gabriella Jazmin... I truly adored her. Did she know, how much I loved her? Does she miss me? I never had a chance; it was doomed from the start. But goodness did my guts churn, back then. She probably didn't even know what she did to me—maybe she did.

[squeakthemonkey]

So here’s a fanfiction...

I know i haven’t written in a while things have been... meh. So I have began to write a fanfiction on the game CHANGELING by god one of my favorite games ever. I love everyone of the characters and it’s amazing. 

So if you could be so inclined to go over to @steamberrystudio  who made the  game and support them for their new game (which also looks so awesome) it is such a fantastic community over there and i implore you to have a gander and if you likey... well yea!

______________ So here’s my little story____________

So i just want to say that i have kept as close to the lore as i possibly could, but for anything else please think of it as creative license. 

                          ---------- Cherry blossoms -----------

                                                  part 1

Cherry blossoms.

When ever that woman came in, he could smell cherry blossoms. A lingering fresh smell that the others didn’t particularly seem to notice, or care to notice. But Merle did. It wasn’t overpowering or sickly sweet, but it was getting more and more annoying that every time he smelt it, would be when he had just missed the woman behind it.

She always arrived at a time when he was busy, or not in the room. A near impossible feat she had managed. So naturally of course he needed to know who she was. Though he quickly - and often - had to remind himself it was just idle curiosity and nothing more, he still found himself counting the times he missed her. Noting if there was some kind of schedule or pattern. None of which he found.

Until, one not so special day, he got his chance.

He kept his eyes on the coffee maker as usual when the door chimed its welcome, but also as usual kept his ears trained on his brother welcoming the customers in. Corvin was a good kid, with a good heart, just not very good balance. Having at least one of his senses trained on him at all times helped mostly, even though Corvin always found away to surprise his brother with his clumsiness.

“Oh, hello again, in for your usual?” naturally Merle’s eyes wondered up but with a small surprise he realized he had never seen the woman at the door before. He took the time for her hellos to look over the woman.

She was tall, yet it seemed most of her height was due to heels and she had a surprisingly mature look about her. Her pants suit made her legs look long and she combated the hotter weather outside by wearing a matching vest over her shirt while her jacket was flung over her arm haphazardly. Her short brown hair was tied back though small strands fell out creating a wispy aura around her cheeks and ears. However at his brothers welcome, instead of a business-like impassive greeting, the woman smiled brightly, her young skin radiating off her. She must have been around the same age range as them, she still gave of a strange air of authority.

Yet, as much as her smile was blinding, it wasn’t that which made Merle stop what he was doing. It was her soul. Or at least the Orai that belonged to her. They were amazingly colorful, and buzzing around her, glowing and flickering as if she was surrounded by stars. Flitting around the room and making themselves at home, draping over customers, crawling under tables. The further she got into the room the more entrancing they became. The more he saw the more he wondered how she could survive here - and survive with a smile as bright as she wore. Pine Hollow was a place where Orai were in danger constantly, where the negative energy just swallowed them. How were hers so …alive? As she walked past Corvin he noticed something else.

Cherry blossoms.

At first was the sense of victory, he’d done it, he’d finally seen her. But as fast as it had come it was over taken by the curiosity that she had brought with her. Orai, at least the ones he came into contact with, didn’t usually act like this. The woman just brimmed with… life.

She took a table in the corner by the window, the orai reflecting in the light dazzlingly, so much he almost had to shake his head. Dropping his eyes instead he reminded himself of his mantra. That there was no use for the curiosity, because it would never mean anything.

Besides, he also knew how to keep people away. He was used to it.

 Beth hid her smirk as she dropped her jacket to the chair next to her. She had not missed the eyes looking over her as she walked in. Though she hadn’t expected the brother she always missed, it was an enjoyable surprise. A very enjoyable surprise.

Since she had been transferred here she had felt her energy zapping away, life had a way of moving around her whether she included herself or not and she had long since lost her passion. Though she fought to keep positive it was getting harder everyday; especially as neither side of her work wanted to compromise with each other. She had spent many-a-day glaring at paperwork and devouring as much sugar as she could to get by.

But then, one day she stumbled into The Murder and for once, just once, it seemed like life was going her way. The small cafe though obviously popular had a strange feeling of home and nostalgia, the calmness took over her her nerves and the day didn’t seem so bad any more. The delightful drinks warmed her skin and she actually felt energized enough to go back to work with a smile.

Corvin, the sweet boy, brought a smile to her face as did the other brother - who she now realized must have been a twin - had served her over time, yet there was one she always seemed to miss. One, she had heard from the jovial boys, was always asking after her for some reason or another. When ever she had stepped in the boys would look to each other and laugh, in on a joke she didn’t quite get. Even the waitress here, Kaya, had made a comment or two about notifying them.

“So,” The blond boy came up to her table, almost bounding into another table, which was luckily empty. He shook it off naturally. “How are you today, Beth? Looking particularly good if I must say,” He grinned bearishly.

“You say that like I don’t look good everyday,” She grinned back at him. He gasped in mock surprise.

“I would never!” He handed her the menu. Beth’s eyes narrowed but there was no malice there. Corvin laughed and cast a small look over his shoulder, he too hadn’t missed the look.

“Damn, Bran wins the bet.” He huffed dejected and lowered his shoulders without losing any of his positive energy. “We were wondering how long it would take for you two to meet.”

“Oh, you talk about about me?” She flashed her teeth.

“He he,” Corvin shuffled on his feet for a moment. “Sort of. like Merle asks something about cheery blossoms, and we sort of decided to mess with him a bit. Lonen told him you were six foot tall body builder with a penchant for cherry hand sanitizer.” Though Beth wasn’t quite sure what to make of their schemes she found herself laughing along with him anyway.

“Maybe on a good day, we all have our hobbies,” She nodded her head.

The chime of the doorbell interrupted whatever he was about to say. Having already been scolded for talking for too long to Ally who had popped in earlier Corvin wisely decided to go to the table before Merle could speak up. He gave her a another grin before leaving backing into the table and profusely apologizing loudly.

Beth looked over the menu, but the warm memory of the vanilla latte she had the other day called to her instead. As she wondered is she was hungry, another set of footsteps approached the table. Forcing down the blush she smiled up at the new face.

“It seems you’ve made quite the impression on Cory; he’s clumsier then usual,” he motioned over his shoulder to the boy, but his smile was only proud… and perhaps a little annoyed. She looked over her new server as he had, daring enough not to hide it either, she cocked her head to the side.

“I hope its a good impression,” She kept her eyes on him. “Heaven forbid I ruin our introduction,” Her voice dropped a little when she saw his eyes sparkle a little. If he was anything like his brothers, he wasn’t exactly going to be shy, and hell, she liked a good game too. Though she wasn’t a stranger to flirting, she wondered how far she could push it. She had always been bold, with her ability lying or playing around was incredibly dangerous, flirting and flirting with the truth was a challenge she couldn’t resist, especially when someone had looked at her the way he had.

He saw her game dance around the corner of her mouth.

“I don’t think that’s possible,” he responded. “But, don’t introductions come with names?”

“Hmm, given where we are, how about a trade? Name for a name?”

“Sounds fair,” She turned in her seat a little and lent lightly against the edge of the table. He felt the laughter grow in his throat as he spoke.

If he was going to play, she reasoned, she may as well go all in. She looked over him once again. As flirty as his words and looks were, he wasn’t a open as he seemed. She had seen this before.

“Ok, what do I trade to have a coffee with you?” With an pleasant surprise his eye brows raised showing off more of his gorgeous eyes and the natural smile turned into a sly grin.

“Well,” he drew the word out and sucked the air between his teeth. He shouldn’t push it, he reasoned to himself. It wasn’t going to lead anywhere. His curiosity about the woman made her different. The Orai, the confident flirting, all of it tugged at him. Still he found himself leaning down a little to level with her. The closeness of his magic testing the air around her, flushing her skin, he was still searching for his answer. “What to you have in mind? My breaks are far and few, to sacrifice one…” he lead off but it only made her smile more.

Beth only chuckled. True, the ball was in her court but his closeness was an unexpected move, most men found her forwardness somewhat intimidating  

“Well, I’ve been told I’m veeery good at palm reading, perhaps I could read yours while we drink? I’ve had one of your vanilla lattes, they are to die for.” Crossing her knees casually as she waited for his answer. She didn’t want to give up, after all he wasn’t unresponsive. If he was genuinely uncomfortable she would stop immediately, but he played along well. His eyes twinkled again a she bit her lip in contemplation. This was intriguing, Merle narrowed his eyes, the Orai buzzing around her again, each smile made parts of her soul dance. She had been around magic, he could tell that much. Not a witch, Esper maybe? With a mockingly defeated grin he gathered her discarded menu.

“Ok then,” he agreed. “I’ll be back with your drink in just a moment,” She nodded her head turning back so her legs were under the table. When he was out of sight she allowed herself to breath the deep breath she was holding back. Holy crap. Beth patted her cheeks that should have been stinging with the amount she was smiling. Was this even real? Her hands fluttered around her hair and and her clothes, half wondering if she had enough time to run to a mirror. But she shook her head to herself. No, her confidence had got her here she would hold on to it.

This was going to be fun.

---------------------------------------Part 2 coming soon---------------------------

So there it is. :D

[sunset-wishes-upon-hill]

The Liars and The Soothsayer chapter 5 (Part 1)

"My name is Yuri Park. There was an incident and I woke up in 1887. Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work- out the reason, I can get home."

It almost felt like a betrayal and an ultimate spat of offense to even think the woman in front of her, who clearly loved the Earl as one would of their child rather than a nephew, would sooner or later wound up trying to kill the very boy. She wished she could separate the two faces from each other, the one who held nothing but unconditional love and wish for the Earl’s happiness, and the other who would, with these same warm hands, would bear the knife against him as soon as her dark, gruesome secret were laid out to the world.

Yuri meant what she said in the heat of the moment – she could become very emotional with the right cues –– temperamental even, especially when familial ties were involved because it hit too close to home, but as soon as she sealed the promise, reluctance and regret set in. Her logical side began to clear the cloudiness in her mind, reminding the heavy burden she just loaded herself with. Yuri felt a pang of regret in her heart, wishing for a miracle to turn back the time once more to hold her daring tongue before speaking without second thoughts.

She wondered what would happen if she blurted out the truth right now. That she knew who the real Jack the Ripper was and the reason why they did what they did. Would this woman kill her? Would she say anything? Would she ask how she knew?

Before she could make her choice of action, the beautiful red woman smoothly created the appropriate social distance between them and donned a nice, friendly smile and saccharine voice, “Now Miss. Park, I would like to know…have you been to a ball?”

Yuri blinked for a several second, suddenly puzzled at the strange shift of interaction between them. Then from the corner of her eyes, she espied a white gloved hand setting a tea and delicacies down on the table. Her head turned slowly, coming face to face with a timid looking butler with his long, dull brown hair tied into a clean low pony tail with red ribbon. She may be at times, clueless and sometimes daft; she wasn’t so naïve to the façade people put on in various situations that inhibited their real thoughts. She was startled, her shoulders notably jumping but the reason for her surprise was only because of his sudden appearance in the room and she didn’t hear him at all that indicated he was with them or at least came into the room. She had forgotten about this man. She never had a butler before nor remembered early enough that ladies of her standing would always have some sort of aide nearby.

“Oh did he scare you?” She asked, handing her the tea.

“Yes, sorry, I’m not used to butlers or having servants or anything like that.”

Angelina simply smiled, sipping her tea and giving Yuri the time she needed. The butler silently slipped away into obscurity, a notable change from his usual clumsy, incompetent behaviour.

“I haven’t been to any ball.” Yuri answered before Angelina could ask her about her life before Earl.

Angelina gave out a small, dainty gasp, “Oh, you should! Ask Ciel to bring him with you next time! I think he should present himself to the society more – I’ve had an earful from others asking what he even looks like! Preposterous if you ask me! It would do much good for his business too..perhaps you can use that as an excuse.”

Yuri gave her an apologetic look, “I’m not sure I’d enjoy them. I’m not much of a…I prefer to just stay at home. I don’t really enjoy events like ball.” The first and final time she decided to be a social and party person –– or do what most of what teenagers her age did, she ended up in a hospital with an injury, near death experience and being transported into this world. She never did have any penchant for parties or what most girls her age did even back in her world.

“Oh, I was too.” Angelina said lightly, although there was a flash of sadness carried in her voice it quickly arose to her usual flamboyant way of say, “It will be a very good experience for you then. Meeting different people will change you ––for the better or worse.”

It felt like every words she said carried a much deeper meaning behind it, like each words she said were thought out and weighed heavily as to what meanings it can convey to the receiver.

“How common is it to be changed for the better?” Yuri asked, “What if..you’re at your worse and they changes you to be more…worse?”

She titled her head with misted askance look, “That depends on the type of people you meet and how much you allow them to affect you. Some are much easier to resist than others.”

Yuri allowed her words to sink in but before she could form a thoughtful reply to her advice, she heard the front door open and muffled, indistinguishable voices becoming clearer.

“It seems the Earl and others have arrived home.” Angelina said, “It was lovely to talk to you in private, Miss. Park.”

“Yuri, please.”

“–Yuri. It would be nice to do it again.”

There was that tone again, that elegiac, dawdled tone of voice as if she was leaving for somewhere afar with no plan of returning.

“We can do it again.” Yuri gave her a small but genuine smile.

Madame Red returned the smile before turning toward the quartet, “How did your little investigation go?”

“Madam Red.” Ciel greeted then nodded toward her in silent greeting, “The investigation was of no help at all. However, I have reasonable evidence Viscount Druitt should be removed from the suspect list.”

Madame Red gasped, “But that was the only valid excuse to take you to his ball! All the formidable people will be there, at least for the sake of your reputation, make yourself known for once in a while.”

“My reputation is formidable enough. I’ve no time to engage in such frivolity. It seemed the Viscount fancies dabbling in the black market as a slave supplier. He’s of no concerns, as of yet.”

“And who is this ‘source’ of such information?” Madame Red leaned forward, eyeing the Earl and Sebastian with a much sharp edged tint that she would have otherwise missed had she wasn’t closely paying attention to the woman in red.

“Sebastian is more than capable to uncover as something as a mere slave trade.” Ciel dismissed, “I always aim to know everything that is going on in the other side –– that is my job after all.”

“Well, Yuri here has never been to a ball before and she’d always wanted to. Perhaps you’d play the role of a good host and introduce her.” Madame Red nodded toward her.

Yuri blinked bovinely. She realised Madame Red had dragged her into the conversation as the ultimate, carefully waited for, excuse card.

She shook her head, frantically denying the statement with her shaking heads and fraying hands, “No..no– I never said that! I don’t like ball.”

“Now, now, Yuri, no need to play humble –– is it not every girls’ dream to attend a ball in their most beautiful dress where they will hopefully find their true love?”

Yuri blinked slowly, “…Not really…”

Such fantasy should always remain as fantasy. She neither had the time nor the money. She was busy juggling studying, applying to universities, and working two jobs between the weeks to be the careless, the-world-can-burn-for-all-I-care youths the media liked to portray them as. Going shopping or hanging out with friends or looking for the one was the last thing that was on her mind.

“Then what is it that you like to do in your leisure time?” Madame Red seemed horrified at the prospect of a girl who seemed too hesitant to follow the society’s path for many females.

“..I don’t know.” She shrugged, “I..never had the time to find out. Cooking I think…” Her parents were always out late working and she was always the one doing the cooking for her and her brother and any housework if she had the time.

Madame Red, much to others mortification, gasped dramatically and gave her a tight embrace as if she wasted her youth away.

“We do not need Ciel, I can always bring you as my guest.” Madame Red smiled, “I will be borrowing her for the night.”

Ciel sighed, frustrated, “Madame Red, I–“

“..Can spare at least a night.” She finished for him.

Ciel’s face was as impassive as ever, never betraying his brewing inner thoughts. He seemed to have mastered the absolute poker face. But the people in this room, except for Yuri, was proficient in the art of mask and reading subtle signs body signs that unconsciously betrayed their owner. It was all there if one looked –– the slight twitching of the corner of the lip, the light flutter of lashes, wavering pupils and the swell of black leather toecap where toes curled inward. Yuri only saw the cold, nonchalant countenance of the Earl. Her eyes met his and stayed for a minute. He looked away first as he stride past them with Sebastian in tow.

“Do as you wish.”

“Mind if we tag along?” Lau decided to speak up.

Yuri wanted to say no but before she could voice her thought, Madame Red interrupted with enthusiastic ‘of course!’

She tugged at her dress uncomfortably. The beautiful low décolleté dress borrowed from Madame Red felt like a pearl necklace on a pig. She felt unworthy of such dress that probably cost more than what she’ll make in her lifetime. When Madame Red first showed her the gown, her heart thumped in a way she guessed when girls come across with ‘the dress’. The delicate ethereal appearance of the dress was created with red organza and rows of vertical Chantilly lace that trimmed at the neckline and shoulders. The eye-catching details were the hand-made black and red cotton batiste and lace rose with satin ribbons accents that trimmed in a trio of the Chantilly lace overskirt that was cut in an asymmetrical fashion. The red silk underskirt flowed softly into a short train in the back. The dress would make anyone beautiful.

But when she stood in front of her mirror, her reflection almost seemed laughable –– ridiculous even; it was like a bee trying desperately to force out nectar in a wilted flower, or a mother trying to dress her child in a ‘cute’ costume but the girl felt utterly embarrassed. She never wanted to go to a ball and after seeing her appearance, she really didn’t want to go. That’s what she said…

…Yuri kept her head down, clutching a glass of champagne as she attempted to drown out the murmurs and laughter and the click clack of the glass cup. Madame Red, on the other hand, seemed to indulge in the attention they gave her as she effortlessly woven herself into the social intercourse. Much to Yuri’s displeasure, numbers of attendances seemed to be more interested in the new face beside Madame Red and Lau. However without a proper introduction, they were barred from speaking to her directly. For once, she was thankful for the traditional etiquette that limited the communication between the gentlemen and the ladies. When the men seemed to not able to get much out of Madame Red and Lau’s brief, ambiguous answers, the ladies, who had the advantage of being able to address her directly took charge. They seemed to be curious about her origin that was shrouded in mystery, and then they wanted to know more about her connection to Madame Red and Lau to which Madame Red quickly intervened as a family friend of hers’.

Yuri quickly excused herself from the gathered crowd. She stopped a walking maid in the corridor to ask how she could get to the back garden for some air. Few turns and twists and push of glass doors later, the eerily silent garden greeted her with its chirps and tweets. She took off her heels that had been aching her feet for a while and ambled down the stone stairway to reach the large fountain in the centre.

She poured down her champagne to the grass and set the empty glass on the fountain. The night air was cold but she welcomed the freshness of nature that was rare in modern world. She felt a sudden craving of a cigarette despite not being a smoker. Her dad smocked, a lot, and always carried the heavy stench that she dreaded and it made her hate smoking in general. The first time she tried them was when her friend began lighting one and in naïve curiosity, she had asked if she could try it to see what the hype was all about. She coughed non-stop for solid five minutes, the smoke dried out her mouth and throat in a way she didn’t like and brought the off-putting scent of her dad.

Although smoking at a time like this seemed appealing. A way of bringing back her world, even for a short moment of denial.

“It’s boring, isn’t it?” A familiar voice equipped.

“Really boring.” Yuri said honestly, not facing him to stare at the flowing fountain, “I don’t know what’s so fun talking about their business or where they went for a holiday or what material their dresses are made out of. Seems like they got lot of time to waste if that’s all they got to talk about.”

“They’re nobles. Idly wondering where to spend their money next is what’s on their minds most of the time.”

“You don’t happen to have a cigarette do you?”

There was a short rustle and from the corner of her eyes, a long, thin, white cylindrical rod came into her view.

“You can always count on a drug dealer to have a cig when you need it.” Yuri snorted morosely as she took the rolled paper before realising she had no lighter in hand.

“Let me.” Lau stroke a match on the course surface at the side of the box and held the tip of the fire to the end of the stick.

The poisonous smoke filled her lung and the smell of her dad surrounded her. She almost forgot this smell. She inhaled the smoke deeply before blowing out into the cold air, the thick white cloud snaking up to the sky.

“I didn’t know you smoke.”

“I don’t.” Yuri said as she examined the warm cigarette between her two fingers, surprised she didn’t start hacking cough, “I don’t see the appeal of it.”

“Perhaps you can visit one of my establishments to try out my more popular product.” Lau suggested with a small smile, “Maybe that will change your mind.”

“And make me addicted to opium?” Yuri frowned, “I might be a pleasure seeker but not for that kind of things. I don’t have time for that.”

“And what kind of pleasure do you seek?”

She was a pleasure seeker. The laughter, joy and endorphins, those were very important to her. It was important to everyone. Rather than tormenting herself, living in the past, thinking of bygone things and regretting or living in the future and making herself uneasy, she liked to try and live in the present.

“Eating something good when I want and going somewhere when I want. That’s enough for me.” She said then mentioned while looking around, “Where’s your sister?”

“Somewhere.” He dismissed, “She will come when she’s called.”

There was nothing siblings like about their relationship at all.

She stubbed out the cigarette in a quick twisting motion against the stone but didn’t throw away the cigarette because that would be littering.

“I’m going inside.” Yuri announced, “Are you coming?”

“In a few moment.” He waved goodbye which she returned.

She didn’t put her heels back on, the blisters have started to form in the back of her heels and additional frictions would have made it bled. She plopped on to the settee on the corridor, her temple resting on her raised arm on the armrest. The wound was irritating her. Everything was. This world, that brat, that demon butler, the people in the hall laughing away as they delicately sipped their drinks and chattered away about insignificant things. Maybe she’s PMS-ing. Maybe it’s everything.

“My lady, is something wrong?” An unfamiliar voice crept into her hearing.

Yuri didn’t know how she should respond. What would a lady from 19th century answer to such ordinary question?

“I’m fine.” She said, not looking up and hoping the gentleman was perceptive enough to realise females going through their moody phase should be left alone and go away.

“Are you feeling unwell? Shall I guide you to the guestroom for you to rest for a while?”

“I would be fine if you leave me alone.” Her tone was much heavier than what would have been appropriate.

“But I cannot possibly––“

“I don’t like saying things twice.” She gritted out, “If you don’t leave in three seconds, I can’t guarantee what I’ll do.”

The heavy silent hung in the air like the hot summer heat on the back of your neck. She knew the man hasn’t moved because she didn’t hear any movements that indicated blackening footsteps or any shuffling. Her head started to throb painfully against her temple.

“Unless you become magically deaf, didn’t you hear what I just said?”

“My lady…”

“I’m not a lady.” She snapped toward him and that’s when she saw him. A handsome man with shiny blond hair and ocean blue eyes, adorned in white dress suits. There was a brief recognition but it escaped before she could catch them. The man seemed surprised by the sight of her bare feet beside her fallen heels, an act that was all but scandalous in this day and age.

Her bored eyes met his curious sparked ones. Then hers’ came to life as she remembered where she saw his face and Ciel’s brief comment about the Viscount. Yuri bolted up from the sofa, staggering backward as one of her feet caught the long train of the dress. The Viscount stepped forward as if to catch her but she quickly regained her balance. He was a slave trader. Like that Italian gangster. An exotic whore he called her. This man was part of the cycle that was reducing people like her into an object and possession to be auctioned and brought by the highest bidder.

She was nervous. Scared even –– but not of this man, but what this man represented. He reminded her of that day.

“Are you alright?”

She turned, lifted her dress and ran the opposite direction.

“Wait!” She heard the man call but she ignored and kept running forward. Then she felt something combing through her hair, the slender appendages connecting with her hairpins holding her hair up, and freeing the locked locks. Her hair tumbled down and she looked back at him amidst her flying hair. Through her dark strands, her eyes searched and landed on the Viscount’s own orbs. She felt the tightening of her brows and her parted lips slightly frown at the reminder. The Viscount stopped and that gave her the enough time to get away.

She waited for Lau and Madame Red in an empty staircase near the barn where the horses and carriage were placed. The night was getting colder and her body shivered uncontrollably. She didn’t know what time it was or how long she waited for when Lau found her, hunched over on the steps.

He handed her his jacket, gently wrapping them around her shoulders, “Where’s your shoes?”

“I lost it.”

“Were you playing Cinderella?”

“Cinderella lost her shoes on purpose. I lost it by accident.”

“On purpose? Are you implying Cinderella had somewhat of a less than innocent intention?”

Yuri shrugged, but her distaste of the Cinderella story was clear.

“Yuri dear! What happened to your shoes? Oh, your feet! Your hair!” Madame Red gasped, “What were you doing, running around with the horses in the field?”

“…Something like that, I guess.”

Her head was thrown back as high pitched laughter erupted out of her lips. “Oh, you remind me so much of my young self! I was never a strict follower of rules, either. Let’s go home!”

That was how she ended up on the Earl’s townhouse doorstep standing in front of the curiously blinking demon butler as he eyed up her darkened feet and unkempt hair.

“Hmm…did Madame Red really take you to the ball?” He asked.

“Yeah…” She slipped by him and up the stairs.

“Your feet, it’s bleeding.” He was right, the back of her heels were bleeding and smearing into the red dress. She quickly pulled up the dress to prevent it from tainting the expansive materials further since it was on a borrowed term.

“It’ll heal.”

“We should still treat the wound.  Mey-Rin will be helping you change.”

“Its fine, the wounds isn’t that bad. I can try to change without Mey-Rin. I don’t want you to wake up her up in the middle of the night just to get me out of the dress.” Yuri shook her head.

He smiled at her consideration, “The servants are there for such purpose, Miss. Park. She is not asleep; she is waiting for you in your room.”

He was right. Mey-Rin smiled in greeting and she returned the gesture with a brief hug. Mey-Rin’s cheeks reddened and slightly backed her body away as if shy from the touch.

“I’m sorry for being an inconvenience at this hour. You must be tired.”

Mey-Rin shook her head and gave her a big, energetic smile, “No please, don’t think–I mean it’s not– Miss–Yuri, it’s ok. I always go to sleep late…what happened to your feet? Where’s your shoes?”

“Lost it…uh, it was a wild night.”

Mey-Rin frowned as if she was having hard time comprehending just what people were doing in a ball that it resulted in missing shoes and hairpins by the end.

The dress came off and the corset was loosened. She stretched out her constrained limbs as she cleaned away the dirt embedded in her feet and changed into her night gown. Yuri quickly dismissed Mey-Rin with a short bid of goodnight and a hug.

She sat on the bed as she eyed the sliver of the moonlight shot through the heavy lids of the curtains. Her fingers fiddled with her necklace, a source of attraction at the ball. To them, it was a unique, interesting and never before seen design and obviously very expansive. Crystals, they immediately identified. They said it looked like a cat. It’s a Hello Kitty, one of very few memoir of her modern world. Using her foot to hook around her bags underneath, she pulled them out from its hiding place and pulled out her phone. No matter how many times she pressed the home button, the artificial colours won’t appear.

She wished she could disappear. Loose flowing paintings on a blank canvas, snaking into the edges and blending away into nothingness.

Her mind was preoccupied during the breakfast. She didn’t have much appetite for food either. Should she tell him or not? Is it best for him to know or not? What would  be a lesser painful for him and her?

“–nd?”

She felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up from watching her fork rolling around a grape on the plate absentmindedly.

“Huh?”

Sebastian jerked his head toward Ciel, who seemed to have been studying her for a while with his cold, direct gaze.

“Is there something on your mind?” He repeated.

“..Yeah, just past week has been difficult for me, sorry.”

“Is that all?” It would have been an insignificant question, just a simple etiquette in the situation, has his eyes hadn’t slightly narrowed and his face closed. He was giving her the chance to come clean with whatever he knew she was hiding. He wasn’t an idiot; everything he did was a carefully choreographed execution that would swerve him to his advantage.

You have one chance, Yuri. He’s giving you that. Her mind whispered. Then another voice interrupted, That his aunt is the killer? And would try and kill him only to be killed in front of him? A tragedy replay?

She responded much more calmly than she’d expected. No flustered blinking, no stillness. Nothing that indicated she was caught off guard by his probing.

Yuri shrugged, “No.” Appropriate pause, “I’m finished. I’m going for a walk.”

He didn’t say anything as Sebastian slid her seat back. She quietly thanked him and gave a small smile to Mey-Rin and others before walking out of the room.

Sebastian removed the empty plates and leftover food to the three-tiered clearing trolley. He nodded toward Mey-Rin, who wheeled it away followed by the other servants. The door closed with a creak.

“Follow her.” Ciel ordered as he folded the newspaper in half with a flick of his index finger hooked in the middle.

“You believe she knows who the Jack the Ripper is?”

“She knows exactly who the Jack the Ripper is.” Ciel affirmed confidently, “The killer is someone close to us and someone more than a mere acquaintance. She’s troubled by that fact.”

“Do you have any suspects in your mind?”

Ciel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. His expression spoke troubled. But it seemed he was not ready to share his thoughts with Sebastian yet.

“Just follow her.”

She remembered Madame Red mentioning her work as a doctor in London Hospital. She knew the hospital well; its prestigious standing was still evident and strong even in the 21st century with the Queen adding ‘Royal’ to its name after her visit. The hospital was located in Whitechapel, a notorious district even before its infamous reputation was christened by Jack the Ripper. She was glad her dress, although noticeably expansive looking, was plain and dull in its design. Yuri preferred to borrow Mey-Rin’s dresses, rather than wearing the ones Earl has provided, which was much more colourful, luxurious and intricately detailed. She never had been one to be so concerned with fashion anyway.

Yuri followed the road sign pasted on the wall, its large and expanded structure clear even from the distance. She tried to ignore the eyes of the locals following her every move, they were scanning everyone who was dressed nicely. It was the first time she witness the actual Victorian poverty first hand. The sticky, stench of the sewers; mysterious, brown looking goo smeared on the paths and barefooted children and women in tattered clothing. The sight of young prostitutes, seemingly the same age as the young Earl, leaning against the wall with their older counterpart horrified her. This was the dark reality of Victorian era. The side that is often glamourised and censured by the extravagance and the civility of the upper class.

She was stopped a few times to buy some flowers, but she had no money on her. The look on young children’s face when she apologised for having no money was utterly heart-breaking. It was an image that was forever burned in her mind. When she did reach the hospital, she waited patiently with the patients in front of the closed door with the inscription, ‘Angelina Dalles’. It was nearly lunch time and the last of her patients, a woman, had walked out, she knocked on the door few minutes later.

“Come in.”

She poked her head into the room, scanning the spacious and well lit room stacked with medical journals and books in the corner. Madame Red, in her white doctor garb and glasses, glanced up from scribbling something down in her file and smiled as she registered her.

“Yuri!” She stood up, walking around the table to meet her halfway, “What a surprise! Come in! Oh, I’m glad to see you.”

“Is it nearly your break time?”

“Yes, it is. I just saw my last patient for the morning. Did you have lunch?”

Yuri shook her head.

Angelina took her to a small, homey café near the hospital for an afternoon tea. Yuri sipped her tea as the two sat, content, in silence.

“So how’s my little nephew faring? Is he still an obnoxious, spoiled little brat.”

“Yeah, actually.” Yuri said, “I’m worried with his nose so high in the air he could drown in a rainstorm.”

Angelina blinked, as if comprehending her sentence before she burst out into laughter. The other ladies in the café stared.

“Your way of phrasing words certainly has a..foreign air about them, don’t it.”

Yuri shrugged.

“I’m glad. He has someone like you to keep him grounded.” Angelina smiled. It was an image that twisted up the guilt further inside her, “He’s still a child and not everyone sees him as one simply because of his title and status. And forcing himself to grow up doesn’t help either.”

Yuri didn’t know what to say. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t afraid of him. She was, after all, in a precarious situation with only him to lean on. Wrong words or actions and he could have her out in the street. She was tip-toeing around him like a rabbit surrounded by a fox.

“Don’t be afraid of him.” Angelina said, as if she read her mind, “The last thing that boy need is being surrounded by more others who are content with standing on the wall he built around himself. I can’t imagine how lonely he must be.”

Her words strike a blotch of shame inside her. She was right; he was always surrounded by those who were afraid and wanted to use him for their own sake. Even though few have genuine care for him, they, like the others, stood outside his little castle walls hoping he would change.

“I’m alone here, without knowing anyone…it’s hard not to be afraid of everything.” Yuri forced a smile that came out crooked and her tears threatened to fall, “I didn’t come here because I wanted to. I might sound harsh, but I would’ve been fine not meeting you all.”

Angelina frowned, “How did you end up here?”

“Let’s just say I was forced here and that’s how I met Ciel.”

“Does he know?”

“Yes.”

“You poor thing…I didn’t know..” Angelina’s frown deepened, “Perhaps he can track down your family––“

“He can’t…” Yuri intervened, “He tried and there’re some things you can’t do even if you have the resources.”

“You must know where you lived or your home address.”

“I-It’s not that simple.” Yuri abruptly ended, “Beside, I think Ciel needs his family more than ever. He’s lucky he has you.”

Angelina became quiet before quickly recovering with a smile, “And I’m very lucky to have him.”

“So..um..what made you want to become a doctor?”

Angelina sat the tea down, “..To be different, I suppose; it was partly to displease my parents and partly to have something to do other than shopping or going on a holiday every season. But most importantly, my sister –– Ciel’s late mother –– was quite frail ever since she was young and suffered from asthma and needed constant visit from the doctor. I thought if I became one, I can always take care of her.”

“I’m sorry.”

“..It’s alright, I suppose.” Angelina checked her watch, “Oh, shoot, is it this time already? I got to rush but you’re welcome to come with me and wait around to go home together.”

“Uh…yeah, sure!”

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