The Indignity of Mortality (Sebasclaude)

11. Sebastian

November 30th, Phantomhive Manor, late morning

The day had only just begun and I was exhausted. Things took so much longer and were so much harder as a human - just getting the tea trolley to Ciel's room was enough to wear one out, and I needed to keep up my usual appearance in front of the other servants, who had already noticed my decline in quality. Ciel had hardly decreased my chores at all. Maybe it was punishment for my behavior the previous day - it certainly seemed like something Ciel would do. Needless to say, I understood why such a young human like Ciel could get tired so easily. Oh, and for the love of Satan bellow, because the morning hadn't tested my patience, sanity, and will to live enough, I was going to have to deal with Faustus now...
I pulled open the door, and was unsurprised to see Faustus considerably less worn out than me - not only did he have other demons working at his manor who could make up for his dip in ability, his Master also had a very obvious soft spot for him. Ciel had no soft spot for anybody, as far as I could tell. None the less, I had duties to fulfill, a reputation to live up to, and a master to please, so this was no time for slacking. I pulled my usual effortless smile, and bowed, despite the fact my limbs were starting to ache, and my throat had grown dry. "Good morning." As I rose, it struck me that whilst Faustus didn't look terribly different, apart from what was the beginnings of a bruise on his cheek (Earl Trancy or someone else, I wondered), his young master looked considerably more serious than he usually did. I supposed it had been a sobering experience for everyone, even for the hyperactive Earl Trancy.
Ciel herded us all into the room he always held the meetings in, finally allowing me to sit down for the first time today since I got up. He did, however, seem entirely intent on keeping an eye on both me and Faustus, and I supposed he had every reason to, but still...
"So, this case has certainly taken a turn for the unusual, and it seems that it will perhaps be more dangerous than anticipated. In light of the fact that our killer is perhaps more aggressive than we expected, and given that defense won't be as easy," he looked between me and Faustus, "it would be best if we take precautions." I swallowed my irritation at the fact that I could no longer protect Ciel to the extent that I once could. "Now, obviously, at my manor I have other servants who are all incredibly competent in combat, and Earl Trancy has other demons at his disposal, but we have no means to kill the angel, only wound it, should it attack," Ciel stated, his face stony.
"We actually have access to Lævateinn." Everyone looked up and over at Faustus, who looked slightly uncomfortable under our gazes, he probably hadn't realised, that as a servant, it was polite for him to ask permission to speak, the fool.
"Permission to-" I began.
"- Just speak when you want, it will move things along," Ciel interrupted.
"Lævateinn is a demon sword capable of killing a demon, reaper, or - for our purposes - an angel." Earl Trancy looked up at Faustus, confusion written all over his features, and I got the distinct feeling Faustus had never told Earl Trancy about it.
"You never mentioned such a thing."
"I never felt the need to." Earl Trancy huffed, but said no more, though I felt myself bristle at Faustus' attitude. Not knowing any better was hardly an excuse for such rudeness, especially towards one's own master.
"So we have one weapon we could feasibly kill an angel with?" Ciel asked, and Faustus and I nodded. So then Hannah must be the flower demon with that palace in Hell, it certainly explained a lot. Ciel's face betrayed obvious discomfort at the thought, and he pulled that face he always pulled when deep in thought, had it not been for the serious nature of the situation I almost would have found it appealing. "Could we drive off an angel with regular weapons?" He asked, and I shook my head, whilst Faustus remained silent.
"If an angel had the determination and lack of regard for personal safety that's required to get close enough to two demons to turn them into humans, I doubt it would back off, even under heavy gun fire," I replied. Ciel sighed, crossed his legs, and leaned a little further into his arm chair.
"Well, no one will like this suggestion," Earl Trancy began, and I knew from the moment he started talking he was right, but I couldn't interrupt him. I was glad to know Faustus looked almost as alarmed at me at Trancy's statement. "But what if we were to stay in the same place?" The entire room went quiet. No, I hated it, there was absolutely no way I would willingly spend more than an hour in the same building as Faustus.
"It wouldn't be easy, or indeed terribly pleasant... but from a strategic standpoint it works," Ciel replied. I had to bite back the urge to stand up and yell in protest.
"Surely there exists a better way," I pleaded.
"We could try splitting the sword in half," Faustus suggested, and I nodded eagerly. Earl Trancy laughed, and Ciel pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed.
"Or, alternatively, instead of potentially breaking the one thing we have that could kill what is trying to kill us, we could stop behaving like a pair of two year olds, learn to put aside silly, several thousand year old grudges and put up with each other like the mature, reasonable, civilised people I would hope we all are," Ciel growled. "Now, unless anyone has any sensible alternatives, then it's decided. I would prefer we stay at my manor, since my servants have all our equipment set up here, but I suppose it wouldn't be impossible to move it." I sighed, Faustus pushed his glasses up his nose, and Earl Trancy fiddled with his boot laces.
"The servants at the Trancy manor, as demons, don't have many worldly possessions to move. It would make more sense if we came to you," Faustus said, to my extreme surprise. A look of relief washed over Ciel's face, before he sat up.
"Good. It would be advisable we begin as soon as possible, rather than faffing about and wasting time. Preferably, if you could all be moved in here before nightfall, then the angel would have the least time to destroy our plans. Protect that sword with your lives, it's our best chance as defeating our killer."

In the aftermath of our meeting, with Earl Trancy and Faustus returning home to pack, Ciel and I made our way to the living room, where we'd ordered the servants to meet. "Should we tell them? About my non-human nature?" I asked, and Ciel shook his head.
"No, it's best if that remains secret, if for no other reason than preventing word getting out. It's not as if they'd believe us anyway. I'll explain to them, you can just keep quiet."
"As you wish, my Lord."
I held the door to living room open for Ciel, where Tanaka, Baldroy, Mey-Rin, and Finnian all stood in a line, the latter three looking slightly anxious. "I've summoned you all here to inform you of something incredibly important. I'll be blunt with you, we're more than likely under attack." There was a brief hubbub of hushed voices, and anxious whispers, which was cut short by one tap of my young master's cane. "We aren't sure who specifically the enemy is, but we know they cannot be taken down via normal means - guns and swords will be useless. To ensure our safety, and the safety of Earl Trancy, we have arranged for Earl Trancy, and his servants to stay at our manor. They will be bringing with them one of the only weapons capable of killing our enemy. You are to work with the other servants, and treat Earl Trancy as a guest. This also means you must all be on your best behaviour, you have the honour of the myself and those who have come before me to uphold, so I would hope that none of you do anything to degrade my family name. Understood?" Ciel concluded, looking at the servants with an air of sternness he only ever used when matters where of the greatest importance. All four servants nodded, and there was a chorus of agreement, and triumph, which Ciel had to quell before things descended above a manageable level. "Also, for reasons myself and Sebastian think it's best if we don't disclose, Sebastian will not be at his best for the while, which is only all the more reason for you all to make absolutely sure you do your jobs properly. It would be much preferred by all parties involved if you were to not ask questions, rest assured we have everything under control. And that concludes all I have to say to you. Have a nice day."