Forceful

The Boy - Chapter 7

The monthly Clan Meetings tended to be a little intense, to say the least. Passive-aggressive comments, mumbling under the breath, and sometimes outright confrontation were at the bottom of the list of what had previously occurred in past Meetings.

Most controversies came from the Covington Clan Leader, Jacob Covington. He was infamous amongst Witchkind for his problematic comments about superiority and is constantly bashing heads with his entire Clan for his thoughtless words.

This meeting was no different and no one was safe from the nonsense spewed from his mouth.

"I don't think you understand, my Clan is humungous, we need the firepower that we currently have. It is, in no way excessive," declared the white man. Despite the lack of physical proof, everyone took a mental sigh, knowing that there was no way to fully get through to the man.

"No, Clan Leader Covington, your clan does indeed have the second largest population, but the 3 million and growing population does not justify the 100 thousand and once again, growing, Magickal Soldiers," emphasized Clan Leader Fredrik Aue, of the Aue Clan.

Covington laughed in both disbelief and with a tone so condescending that even Ciel wanted to throttle him. That too was not new, Ciel hated the way the man seemed to think he was better than everyone. It sometimes physically pained the boy not to throw a fountain pen at the arrogant arsehole

"Calm down Aue, just focus on your own Clan and its Herbs," chastized Jacob.

Fredrik Aue visibly tensed, his cheeks slowly turning redder by the second and before a single syllable could be heard from another Clan Leader, the boy behind Ottaviano Bruschi, Andrea, clarified "More than half of the Herbs grown by the Aue Clan are bought and imported by the Covington Clan."

It was so silent you could hear a pin drop, maybe even the Magick humming and flowing through everyone's veins. Jacob Covington whipped his head to look behind Ottaviano, his own soulless blue eyes looking even more dead as he glared at the brave young boy.

"...What was that, Boy?" Covington challenged.

Andrea cleared his throat and answered "I said, more than fifty percent of the Herbs grown by the Aue Clan are bought by your own Clan. The Covington Clan is their biggest customer."

Ottaviano pulled on Andrea's sleeve repeatedly, trying to get him to shut up while he was speaking, but to no avail, Andrea continued "I mean, it's weird that you're making fun of something your Clan directly benefits from, that's all."

Ciel's eyebrows shot up, his smile getting bigger by the second. Maybe he wasn't too bad after all, thought Ciel.

Covington laughed once again and put his hands up and to his sides, motioning to the room "And this is why ladies and gentlemen-" Viktor Maslow coughed, "Ladies, gentlemen and everyone in-between, is why we shouldn't allow children into Clan Meetings".

Upon hearing those words, most eyes whizzed past Covington and onto Ciel himself, and he had every idea as to why. It was borderline demeaning that he had referred to Andrea as a child when Ciel was around the same age.

"Perhaps you should watch your words, Clan Leader Covington," advised Ciel. He had been going to these Clan Meetings for a while and he been Clan Leader Fâcheux for many years now, it was unprofessional, to say the least for Jacob to be saying this in his presence.

His brash attitude and unwillingness to compromise was one thing, but indirectly, insulting a fellow Leader was another. Covington looked at Ciel, his eyes bright and his face smug, he confessed: "I have no clue as to what you're referring to, Clan Leader Fâcheux?"

Ciel smiled, his own eyes reflecting the abrasiveness of Jacob Covington. He wasn't fucking stupid, he knew exactly what was going on and he knew better.

"Perhaps I misread the situation, my apologies Clan Leader Covington," Ciel said with sincerity so clearly feigned that it was mere footsteps away from sarcasm. Jacob's smile dropped in the slightest, too small for anyone but Ciel and the two Clan Leaders that sat beside him to notice, but he quickly turned his head away. After that little debacle, nothing else really happened at the Meeting.

They decided upon a few restrictions for the growing military of the Covington Clan and discussed some details regarding the Annual Masquerade that was to be hosted by the Bruschi Clan.

Ciel, from his peripheral, noticed that Andrea Bruschi had been taking notes the entire meeting, his hand constantly moving to accommodate the fast-paced conversations of the Meeting.

"This marks the end of Monthly Clan Meeting, all rise," urged Viktor Maslow, and to his words, all rose.

"Clan Leaders envision a future happy and abundant, thus they have decisions to make it so. We conclude this Meeting in hopes that we have taken steps to embolden our people. So be it," chanted all Leaders, once again.

Andrea had mouthed the words alongside the Leaders, knowing better than to actually say them out loud. Eventually, after the concluding oath, people started filtering out of the room, some staying behind to further discuss details and some, Ciel, going up to Ottaviano's heir presumptive.

Ciel was still wary of the boy, to no fault of his own, just his intrusion in the sacred Clan Meeting. He had turned off the recording device Camille had asked him to take as soon as the meeting ended, wanting some semblance of privacy when he talked to Andrea.

The boy was outspoken, to say the least, and it never hurt to talk to a future heir. Networking is crucial in Clan dynamics.

Ciel marched up to him, his attention on the notepad in his hand, his pen scribbling away, not noticing the young man approaching him. It was only when Ciel coughed to get his attention did the boy look up.

And boy did he look up. The boy was gorgeous up close. The little pits in his skin and the slight acne scars on his cheeks caught the attention of Ciel for some reason. The young Clan leader felt a little more at ease after seeing him up close.

"Hello Clan Leader Fâcheux, do you need anything?" his voice was much softer than before now that it was not being used to humble an overconfident Clan Leader. Ciel noticed a slight lisp and that too caught his eye. Why were small things about this boy entrancing Ciel? "Uh-yeah, yes, I was just wondering if there was any more information regarding the Masquerade?" Ciel's words were shaky and he uncharacteristically stumbled over them.

"What exactly would you like to know? There's a lot of information, let's narrow it down?" Before Ciel could respond, he heard Ottaviano call his heir and Andrea nodded, letting him know he's coming. 

"Tell you what Clan Leader Fâcheux, here," Andrea took Ciel's wrist and started writing "is my number. You do use the Mortal phone, right?" Ciel nodded. "Great, I'll call you later and you can ask me anything you want and I'll tell you everything I know about the ball. Is that okay?" The boy then waved and jogged up to the current Leader of the Bruschi Clan, leaving Ciel behind to attempt to collect himself.

Oh by the Goddesses above, did Ciel just unintentionally get the number of a pretty person? Yes, yes he did. Taking a few deep breaths, Ciel looked around, only finding Clan Leader Ôgai remaining. Atsushi looked at Ciel up and down and he smirked a little. He looked like he knew a secret of Ciel's and that didn't sit too well with the young Clan Leader. "Is there a problem Clan Leader Ôgai?"

His smirk widened even more. "No, no problem, it is just surprising to see you mingling with the boy you didn't even want in the meeting in the first place. That's all..." Without another word, Atsushi left the room, bidding Ciel a farewell as the elevator doors closed.