The Raven & The Spider (CURRENTLY UNDERGOING HEAVY EDITING)

Chapter 50 - Biscuits and Break-Ins

Your POV (Second Person):

The next morning after getting dressed, you hurried down the wooden steps of The Grey Wolf Pub to see Ciel seated at one of the tables enjoying his breakfast. You sat in the seat next to him as Archie placed a plate of bread and butter in front of you.

"Thank you, Archie." You thanked the innkeeper before turning to Ciel. "So, what's the plan?"

Ciel looked behind him briefly to check that Archie was out of hearing range before saying, "I need you to go undercover today. All you have to do is go about the town as though you live here and try to find any information you can."

"Alright." You answered. "Sounds simple enough. What will you be doing during that time?"

"Sebastian and I will be investigating the areas that have received the most damage these past few days." Ciel informed you. "If these riots, truly are the Guy Riots resurfacing, then those responsible have targeted certain people. If we can find out who, we're that much closer to learning who to apprehend."

You nodded.

"Just make sure not to be found out, (Y/N)." Ciel warned with concern. "While some here may be grateful we're here to help, we can't be sure of who is trustworthy or not. If people learn that we're here to investigate, then they'll be sure to target us next."

"Right." You said with a bit of fear in your voice.

Ciel noticed this and smiled at you encouragingly. "Don't worry. I'm certain we'll both be fine, as long as we stay clever."

You grinned back with reassurance. "Well you know me. Clever might as well be my middle name."

_____

After breakfast, you'd gotten dressed in a simple frock in order to blend in with the other residents of the town. After a quick goodbye to Ciel, Sebastian, and Archie, you left the Grey Wolf Pub to see if you could learn anything about the recent riots.

After walking through the nearly deserted streets of Guildford for half an hour, you came across a large wagon where three men were unloading large metal containers and bringing them into the building next to them.

Seeing as these were really the first people you had come across for a while, you decided to talk to them. You walked up to the cart and peered in to see the contents. Each of the containers were labeled Milk. 

"Watch yerself, lass." You heard one of the men say.

You quickly stepped out of his way as he and another man picked up one of the metal containers and began hauling it into the building.

When the third man stepped out take another container, you asked, "What are you all doing?"

The man looked at you. He had dark brown hair that looked as though it hadn't been brushed in a while and a full beard to match. He wore black trousers and a tan blouse with a red neckerchief tied around his neck.

"We're bringin' milk into our shop." He answered simply. "What do ya think we're doin'?"

"Oh." You replied. He hoisted another container up onto his shoulder and began to carry it in when you asked, "Could I help?"

The man chuckled. "I appreciate the offer, miss, but these things be right 'eavy. I'm not sure if you'd be able to lift 'em."

You crossed your arms as the man walked back into his shop still chortling to himself. I'll show him. You thought.

You stepped over to the wagon and picked up one of the large, metal containers full of milk, with only a bit of struggling, you managed to find a way to lift it somewhat easily. With a pleased grin, you began walking toward the shop and entered through the open door. You peered around until seeing a storage room where more containers were being placed and set your load down in there.

"Blimey." The man with messy brown hair uttered as you passed him.

With a few quizzical looks which you ignored, you returned back to the wagon for another load. None of the men said anything after that, though you knew they were slightly impressed by their expressions.

After maybe ten minutes, the three men and yourself had finished unloading the cart. One of the men jumped up into the drivers seat in front and led the horse and wagon around the corner and out of your sight.

The man with messy brown hair came up behind you and said, "Thanks fer helpin' with the wagon, miss."

"Oh, it was nothing." You answered with a grin. You then asked, "So what's all the milk for anyway?"

He scratched his beard and said bitterly, "We'll be putting' it into the milk sep'rator to extract the cream so we can sell it."

"You don't sound like you enjoy your job very much." You pointed out.

He shrugged. "It's not that I don' enjoy it really. Its more o' the fact that I like what we 'ad before."

"Before?" You echoed curiously.

"Yeah." He answered nostalgically. "My brother Charles and I used to sell all types o' beer and fine wines at this 'ere shop a few years back. We got to be pretty popular at that until some old bloke comes 'round tellin' us about the dangers of alcohol and what not. He suggested we go into the dairy business after that."

"And you listened to him?" You asked.

"Well, really it was more Charles' idea than mine." He admitted with a grin. "Though, it ain't so bad. I mean, we don' get as much business as before, but sales are pickin' up steam now that my brothers have come to town to help out."

"When did they arrive?" You asked innocently.

"A few months ago." The man answered with a wave of his hand. "Charles wasn' too happy to have them ungrateful selves a' first, but they've proved to be more help than hindrance thankfully. Seems as though they 'ave changed after all."

You smiled. "Well that's good."

Another man took that moment to stick his head from the shop door and yell out, "Leonard! The biscuits are ready!"

The man, supposedly called Leonard turned to you after a wave to the other man and said, "You 'elped unload the wagon. Wanna come in for a biscuit?"

Seeing this as an opportunity to ask more questions about Guildford and the brother's business, you happily agreed.

Leonard and you walked into the shop. You noticed the swinging sign above the door that said in big, green painted letters, "WEST SURREY DAIRY".

After stepping into the building, Leonard sat down at a circular table with another two men, one of which you recognized had also helped bringing the containers of milk in. Leonard motioned for you to sit down in one of the chairs which you did.

A woman with beautiful blonde hair tied in a bun, came in from the other room with a plate full of warm cookies and set them on the table. "Now you all better eat these biscuits quick then." She warned with a smile. "Don' wan' them to get cold like las' time, now do we?"

Eagerly, Leonard and the other men reached out to start grabbing cookies as the blonde woman sat down in the chair next to you.

"And who might this be?" She asked warmly.

"My name is (Y/N) Elwin." You answered honestly.

With his mouth full of food, Leonard said, "Yeah, she 'elped us unload the wagon."

The woman turned to you. "Really?" She asked with impressment. "Such a little thing like you? In that case, dig right in. You should eat somethin'."

"Thank you." You said gratefully as you reached out to take a cookie from the plate.

"My name's Leonard Gates by the way." Leonard informed you after swallowing. As he reached for another biscuit, he pointed to the man sitting across from him who had curly, red hair and deep brown eyes. "That there is my brother Charles." He then pointed to the third man who had light brown hair tied back in a ponytail and said, "Then that is 'is brother, Harrison and 'is wife Lottie."

"Pleased to meet you, dear." Smiled Lottie kindly.

"Thank you for the biscuits, Ma'am." You thanked her. "They're really good."

"Oh, none of that 'Ma'am' business now." She scolded with a chuckle. "Just call me Lottie. Besides, I didn't make the biscuits. Harrison did."

"Really?" You asked with interest. "Well then thank you, Mr. Harrison."

Harrison gave a proud grin as Lottie said, "Aw, this girl's got such manners. You boys could learn a thing or two from 'er."

"What're ya talkin' 'bout?" Leonard asked through a mouthful of food. "I 'ave the best manners in this 'ole town!"

Lottie shook her head with a sigh. "Sadly, that may be true. Folks 'round 'ere aren't always the kindest."

"What do you mean by that?" You asked, eager to get some answers. "Everyone I've met so far has been quite friendly."

"Then you must've not been 'ere long." Answered Lottie gloomily. "Most in this 'ere town are so selfish. They'll do the worst things imaginable just to get what they feel they deserve."

"Have you not 'eard about the riots?" Charles asked you curiously.

"No." You lied.

"Polite and innocent." Lottie observed. "Its good that you 'aven't 'ad any run-ins with 'em yet, but you also can't go being ignorant." She sighed. "I guess I'll 'ave to tell you then. Better that then to roam the town unawares. You see, a few years ago, bad people would dress up in hideous costumes and pillage the town and kill those who got in there way in an effort to seek revenge upon the people they believed had wronged them. The Calvary ended up takin' care of it, but recently, these riots have begun once again."

"That sounds dreadful." You said quietly.

"Oh, it is." Lottie nodded sadly. "We've had quite the problems with our new dairy business because some hooligans keep rifflin' through our storage cellar at any time during the day and dumpin' out all our milk."

"You said these bad people pillaged in order to get revenge?" You asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes." Lottie responded. "Though, I don' know what any of us could'a don' to anger anyone 'ere."

"Why don't you get the police involved?" You asked curiously.

"Oh, we've tried." Lottie replied with a sigh. "Las' time a bunch of officers were sent 'ere, half of 'em died within the first day. The rioters don' hold back at all it seems."

You opened your mouth to suggest another solution when suddenly, Charles placed a finger over his lips and said, "Wait."

Silence absorbed the table as everyone seemed to hold their breath and listen intently. Without warning, you heard the smash of a window and a hoard of voices yelling various threats.

Lottie turned to you with a fearful look and whispered, "They're 'ere. The rioters."