The Queen's New Pet (A Black Butler Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty Three

Wings were quite troublesome after all. They bumped into everything, knocked everything over, the like. Maria, Ciel, and Sebastian were getting equally frustrated.

For the umpteenth time, Maria knocked papers off of Ciel's desk as she turned.

"Sorry." She groaned yet again, crouching down to pick them up.

"Maybe I should take a break." Ciel said with a sigh as he leaned back in his chair. Maria placed the stack of papers on his desk.

"Maybe I could try to fly now." Maria countered as she walked over to the window and looked out longingly. For the past two days since she had unfolded her wings again, Sebastian had been delaying her plans. But now...

"But Sebastian isn't here." Ciel said, watching as Maria unlatched the window and opened it, the breeze flowing in and scattering some papers again. "Maria?"

She didn't listen. She knew that if Sebastian was here, he would stop her yet again. She stepped up onto the windowsill.

"Maria!" Ciel said in a panicked voice.

She looked down. It couldn't be that far, could it? She was never one to be afraid of heights, which made even more sense since she was now a Fallen and could physically fly.

"Maria, if you don't get down from there I'll-"

"You'll what? Call Sebastian? He wouldn't catch me in time. He has been stopping me for two days now! He needs to stop being afraid of me developing and teach me. If he doesn't-" she paused before speaking more quietly, "maybe I really should leave."

"You don't mean that."

"But I do. I'm standing in an open window right now Ciel, you can see how serious I am about learning."

"Yes, but-"

"Sometimes it is better for people to learn things on their own."

"Birds learn to fly from their mothers, right?"

Maria turned again to look at him. "Did you just compare me to a bird?"

His face said he realized his mistake. Maria turned away and continued before he could talk.

"Well, even if that was right or not, seeing as I am now a bird, I suppose I will learn in another bird way: I'll jump and hope for the best."

"That's suicide!"

"If I fail the least I'll end up with is a few broken bones and a bruised ego. Nothing I can't handle."

"But have you ever broken a bone before, Maria?"

The smooth tone of Sebastian's voice hit her ears and she cringed. She had wasted too much time talking. She twisted her head to look at Ciel, who was grinning triumphantly. It was his plan all along to distract her. Both he and she knew that Sebastian wouldn't leave them alone for long. Sebastian had a fake smile on his face, which meant he was either pissed or amused.

"Dammit." She muttered under her breath, but she knew Sebastian would hear it anyway. Then, slightly louder, "Are you going to teach me or am I going to teach myself?"

"Actually, I am quite intrigued at the idea of you learning yourself."

"Sebastian!" Ciel exclaimed.

Maria huffed. "Fine. Off I go, then." She could feel the tension rolling off of Ciel, but from Sebastian she felt nothing. Does he even care? She shook off that thought as quickly as it had came. Right now she needed to focus on flying.