The Indignity of Mortality (Sebasclaude)

14. Claude

By the time we arrived at the Phantomhive manor, it was raining, and it wasn't just vaguely raining, it wasn't a light drizzle from the sky that was really only mist rather than actual rain, it was more like hundreds of people were standing on clouds (not that that was possible) and dumping large buckets of water down onto the earth bellow. As the other demons filed out the carriage, Alois shot me pleading look. "I don't want to get out, I'll get wet..."
"You'll dry off."
"That's not the point..." Alois looked up at me pleadingly, and I readjusted my glasses in silence.
"Well, you can't just stay in here forever - the driver will get annoyed, if he isn't already." Alois huffed, and I stepped out the carriage and I helped him down. The second the Earl's feet hit the ground he took off at a mad dash towards the manor, his coat held over his head. With a sigh, I collected myself and Alois' suitcases and paid the cab driver, before making my way over to the manor. I didn't much care about the cab driver - he had a jacket - but I felt little sorry horses - they need food to stay warm and I wouldn't imagine they were getting any for some time. Still, there was nothing I could do, cab drivers didn't like you feeding the horses, and it's not like I had anything on me to give them regardless, not to mention Alois was growing impatient, and bouncing on his heels in the doorway.
I caught up with him soon enough, and walked inside, as the cab pulled away in the background. All of the staff of the Trancy Manor had gathered uncertainly in the foyer, awaiting orders, I supposed. Alois walked in beside me, and clapped, presumably to get people's attention. "Right! I want you all to sort out rooms, I don't care who goes in with who, as long as you're not sharing with a human. Obviously the staff here don't know of your true nature, and it would be best to keep it that way. Once you've decided on rooms and unpacked, see if there's chores that need doing, I don't want my staff to end up with a reputation for slacking. Oh, and before I forget, you will obey orders from Earl Phantomhive, and by extension, orders from Sebastian, just as you would take orders from Claude." Just as Alois finished his speech, Ciel came down the stairs, Michaelis close behind, which prompted the Triplets to start whispering amongst themselves, as they often did. I was thankful that I at least was spared the curse of actually being able to hear them now - poorer hearing apparently had its upsides. There was sudden hush when Hannah shot the trio a glare that could make plants wither.
"Sebastian, show the Trancy servants to the servant quarters. Earl Trancy, I'll show you to your room." Alois nodded, and skipped over to Ciel, glancing at me over his shoulder.
"Claude, just deliver my luggage when you're done." I nodded, as Alois walked off with Ciel, chatting animatedly, whilst Ciel merely looked slightly bored. Michaelis gestured for us all to follow, and the Triplets continued their incessant whispering - it seemed as if they never stopped their own private conversations.
Michaelis' pace was quick as he descended the short flight of stares, before halting in front of two lines of doors. "We don't have quite enough rooms for everyone to have one each. I would imagine you three," he gestured towards the Triplets, "can all share, since you're all apparently so incredibly friendly with each other. And..." Michaelis trailed off, his brows furrowing, and a look of distaste forming on his face.
"What?" I asked, and Michaelis sighed.
"There's only one room left..." Michaelis muttered. The whispering of the Triplets increased in volume, I saw the corners of Hannah's mouth twitch upwards, and Michaelis looked over at her in a way that was almost pleading. "Can I trust you not to reveal your true nature in front of Mey-Rin?" The Triplet's muttering increased in rapidity and volume, as Hannah smoothed her skirt, her eyes on the floor - for someone who could be so scary she could also be incredibly nervous.
"I could certainly try, but I can't guarantee I'd be able to perfectly mimic human behavior. Even if I got up early, there's still a chance she may see something she shouldn't. Do you value the secrecy of our species amongst the staff more than your own personal comfort? I'm assuming you're the only person either of us could share with, without jeopardising the secret of our nature, that is."
"That is correct." The whispering of the Triplets became almost audible at this point, and even I could tell Sebastian was growing irritated. "Will the three of you, instead of whispering pointlessly in the hallway, go into your room and unpack. It will be the third room on the left."
"If we're going to be living in close proximity," Canterbury begun.
"Which we apparently are," Thompson continued.
"It would be important you know our names," Timber concluded. Sebastian's eyebrow twitched dangerously.
"All you need to know is that Canterbury is the steward, Thompson is the gardener, and Timber is the cook. It doesn't matter which one is which, given their only distinguishing feature is their hair, which they could obviously change. Please ignore them, they don't know how to speak in a respectable manner, and derive great joy from being a thorn in everyone else's side. You three, go to your rooms and unpack then make yourselves useful," Hannah interrupted, in a manner that was both sudden and a vast change from her previous manner. "If you'll excuse my rudeness." Sebastian looked relieved rather than irritated, and quickly continued.
"No, it's fine. I suppose there is little other option, Faustus, you're sharing a room with me. Hannah, your room is at the end on the right." Hannah nodded, and curtsied slightly, before making her way to end of the hall, leaving only me and Sebastian. We exchanged glances of mutual displeasure. "Touch anything that belongs to me and I will wring your neck, in fact, it may be best if we designate sides of the room. There's a spare bed-frame and mattress in the cellar. Good luck." And with that, Sebastian turned on his heal, and went to resume his duties - whatever they were, leaving me to sort matters out for myself. With a sigh, I put my suitcase down in my room, alongside Alois', and vowed to try and get the bed into my room without Michaelis' help. It wasn't as if I needed it.