As You Wish

Summoned

Never was there a day that went by where you didn't imagine life in a different sense than the one you had lived. You weren't one to play the fool- usually that was. However, more recently, you'd found yourself in a greater number of difficult situations than you'd have liked. Even so, you didn't let that stop you- usually that was. Usually. That'd become a term you hated. What was usual wasn't usual any longer.

Your long coat stroked the floor with its fur lining as you walked against the wind, toward the house that had sent you an enigmatic letter, one that your servant had opened against your wish, informing your father and your entire family that you'd been summoned to meet with a man of a higher station than you, one that was younger than you by three years. You didn't want to visit this prat's home, but you had no choice after your father made you.

To add insult to injury he made you go alone, without a coach to drive you the mile and a half walk uphill, that was, to the large estate that belonged to your potential future locality of either employment or forced labor to retrieve payment for your debts. You recalled reading somewhere that it had burned down some years ago, and had been rebuilt, almost rising from the ashes like a Phoenix. You breathed in and smelled the cottony tweed of your scarf against the crisp air of the midwinter morning, and pushed forward against the bitter winds. You were a fast walker, and this was the fastest you'd ever trekked in the city of London.

The snow continued to billow around you as you finally made your way past the gate of the large, stately home of this young nobleman you'd never laid eyes on before, one who knew about you. Too much about you for his own good you'd thought. You raised a heavily gloved hand and pulled down on the golden ring encircled by an ostentatious brass eagle, and rapped loudly against the rich mahogany doors. You heard a shuffling, and within a matter of seconds, the door's frost-laden lock clicked open and you were standing face to face with a man. It wasn't the one you'd expected, however.

"Hello, my lady. My master sent for you." The man checked his watch as he pulled it delicately from within his black waistcoat. "You're punctual. Five minutes early."

You smiled lightly and begrudingly muttered your thanks. He didn't show much emotion back, but he went ahead and extended his arm, beckoning you to enter the foyer of the home you assumed he served.

"My master will be down shortly to greet you. He's quite busy. Is there anything I can get you while you wait?" You shook your head politely, but clearly he didn't believe you. Thirsty and cold, you were bound to be bitter if you didn't get some form of satisfactory relief from the frozen feeling inside your chest.

"Would it be terribly rude to ask for a cup of tea?" Your voice came out from behind the many folds of your outfit. The man smiled and laughed lightly, you assumed from looking at you in such a state.

"Not at all, my lady. It would actually be my pleasure."

For some reason beyond your contemplation, you perked up when he said that, as you were half certain he emphasized 'pleasure' carefully.

"Thank you, um-"

"Sebastian Michaelis." He replied. "Head butler of the Phantomhive Manor."

"The only butler of the Phantomhive Manor." A youthful, yet powerful voice responded. Sebastian turned from you and almost instantaneously and placed a hand on his chest as he faced the person who spoke, as you stood on your toes to see him better.

He looked to be about twelve or thirteen, not much older, but he carried himself in a way that signified he was wise beyond his years in an intense way. He wore a blue suit with shorts down to his knees, along with an ornately tied bow at his neck. You saw the lights of the candelabra above you reflect off of the silver and sapphire ring he wore on his hand as he clutched the top of a black walking stick, with the face of another eagle on its silver head. He didn't seem altogether happy, but you noticed a silent sort of energy about him, a deeply underlying current of rigidity and emotion, a resilience to defeat, and a desire to achieve something, at any cost.