Chapter Text
It was a normal day in London. Grey clouds hung over head, threatening to spoil the day with a heavy rain. As it had been for the past few days. In fact, a very severe storm had just struck the night before. Thunder and lightning striking the city like a beast awakening in a rage.
A two horse drawn black carriage travelled at a calm pace down a street. The driver was a very tall person with a very dark attire. A butler. Or rather One Hell of a Butler. He pulled the carriage to a stop at a roadside free spot at the end of a busy street and stepped down. Fixing the position of a pristine white glove, he moved to the carriage door and opened it.
"We are here, my lord." His voice was smooth and dark, like insanely thick honey or dark melted chocolate.
Out stepped a young noble boy in his stately attire. Deep blues with a dark cloak to ward off the possible rain. He looked about calmly. A single, stunning blue eye the only one visible.
"Let's go. I don't want this taking too long." The young boy's voice had a air of disinterest. Disconnect. Just down right boredom really.
Together they moved up the street, aiming for their destination when a shrill of a whistle of a Miltonian was heard in front of them. Someone was weaving through the thick crowd with ease, people basically leaping to get out of their way. The crowd in front of the pair thinned and they could see the fleeing person. They were dressed... Oddly. A mix match of fabrics and colours. They were short but not... dainty. Large, round glasses and loose white hair hid eyes but their teeth were bared in a snarl to those in front of them.
They were jerked back slightly as the Miltonian grabbed onto the strange pack on their back. The person dropped their shoulders, as they stumbled, and let the straps slide up their arms to get free. They spun, turning their back outward to any and all on lookers, their jacket flaring outward slightly. As the copper stumbled backwards from a loss of balance, they stepped forward, pocket grabbing at the man's coat and pulled them forward. The strange person rolled their head back then snapped it forward, slamming their forehead hard against the man's face. Their whole body put into the action to shatter the man's nose. Dropping their hold, the man dropped with it into a crumpled pile at the stranger's feet.
The odd person straightened, pulling their pack out of the man's loose grasp, as the design on the jacket finally settled. Devil's Contract. A mark, only personally familiar with two, now visible to a crowd of gawkers. More Miltonian's whistles shrilled out up the street making the person snapped their head in that direction.
A small whisper was only heard by one. "Acab fuckers."
The person spun, pulling their pack back on and took off once more. This time, into the traffics small gaps to cut off the cops. Agile and quick on their feet.
The noble snapped his gaze to his butler. "Sebastian, why are they wearing that mark?" His voice held an accusatory tone, laying blame onto the butler as if he could control what people chose to wear.
The butler placed a hand to his chest as he turned his master. "I assure you My Lord, I do not know..." His crimson gaze moved to track the person, dipping into a n alley. "Though, I would like to find out."
"... This is an order. Bring them to me. I will be at the shop when you have them."
"Yes, My Lord."
***
They had ducked down an alley and scaled up a wall. Heavy boots pounded across the store tops, making daring leaps to put space between them and their pursuers. After a bit they stopped in the center of a roof and just listened. Hearing the yells seemingly heading in opposite way, they exhaled heavily. Curling inward and resting on their knees as they breathed heavily.
"... Fuck... I am not meant for endurance running..." they wheezed.
"I don't know, you seemed to travel ground well."
They snapped up, standing in a position ready to fight the person suddenly in front of them. Pale, sea green eyes locked onto a deep crimson gaze. They flickered over the man's features as their stance went from a capable fighting stance to a not so sure confused stance.
Their hands untensed as they pointed with loose fingers, "You're... No..." Their shoulders dropped causing the pack to slip off once more. They kicked it to the side softly as they swore, "Oh fucking hell." They flopped down onto their back and seemingly just stared up to the sky, "Kill me now, please."
The butler blinked in confusion, "I beg your pardon?" He did not typically get this response for such an act of appearing suddenly.
"... Can't be a dream, I can feel my lungs still burning.. Hallucination? Can't be drugs... Maybe a brain swell?"
The sound of shoes against the rooftop gave away his approach.
"Excuse me but-"
"Nope!" A finger was pointed in Sebastian's direction. "You can wait a moment. Your Master can wait a moment too. I am on the edge of a mental breakdown and need a moment to fucking compartmentalise."
"... You know my Mast-"
"What did I just say? I need a moment or I am going to go manic and be no use to anyone. Quiet please, Sebastian."
A silence stretch on few a good few minutes.
They sat up, shifting into a cross legged position and stared down the butler calmly. "... Thank you. I think I am good for the moment. Am I right in assuming Ciel ordered you to catch me?"
Sebastian tilted his head to the side just ever so slightly, "Yes, but how do you know this?"
"Let's go with I know things I shouldn't and leave it at that for now." They stood up, dusting themself off before picking up their pack. "I really don't wanna end up repeating myself if you guys just decide to kill me anyways. But, hey! I won't have to deal with my even being here. Silver linings." They gave a crocked grin in his direction. "So shall we?"
Sebastian walked up to them calmly. He stared down at them in a way that one would like at and interesting insect. "You, are very strange for a human."
A short bark of a laugh escaped them. "Thanks. So how are we-" They were scooped without much ceremony. "Don't you dare fucking drop me!"
"Oh, no need to worry. I am one hell of a butler after all."
"Oh, don't start tha-!" They cut themself with yelled as Sebastian bounded off, ready to report back to his young Master.
***
Ciel Phantomhive was sampling some of the sweets within the store. A test of flavour and texture while he calmly waited for his Butler to return. It was actually taking longer than he thought it should, making his face sour with thought despite the sweets. The store was relatively empty beside the store clerk and one small family. Just as he reached for another treat to put in his bag, the bell above the door chimed.
"I can walk perfectly fine on my own, you know. It's not like I am going to run. I wouldn't even make it a step away."
Ciel turned and saw Sebastian guiding the strange person in who was staring down his Butler down.
Sebastian had his hand on their back guiding them further into the store. "I am simply guiding you."
They stepped away from him and further into the store. "Then use your words and point. I don't need to be treated like a-" They gaze turned to focus on the new space around them, "Ooh, lollies!" They stepped forward but Sebastian grabbed their pack and turned them towards Ciel.
Ciel stood tall as he studied the stranger with a cold blue gaze. They stared back openly not seemingly too bothered. Almost waiting like one of his servants. Strange.
He turned his gaze to his Butler. "Did they give you trouble?" It was a simple question but the slight undertone heard was a teasing nature.
Before Sebastian could answer the stranger did.
"Oh no. I came pretty willingly after a moment to think and before you ask. Yes, I have a fair idea why you gave your order. Yes, I know its relation to you two. No, I will not be answering further question in such a public setting. More for your safety than mine."
"How-" He was cut off.
"My question. Before we leave can I try some lollies?"
Ciel blinked at them, not sure what to make of this fast talking stranger.
Sebastian stepped forward to move to his side. "They are correct My Lord. We should finish our business here before we have this discussion."
Ciel nodded and went back to picking out his variety. He watched the stranger from the corner of his eye. They moved with them, making no attempt to run away. They would lean in to read labels on certain sweets but nothing more or less. He turned his gaze to his butler who was also keeping a close eye on them.
Ciel spoke softly, "Qu'avez-vous appris à leur sujet?"
Sebastian didn't take is eyes of them as they replied in kind, "Pas grand-chose, monsieur. Juste qu'ils semblent nous connaître et apparemment notre connexion."
"Comment peuvent-ils le savoir?"
A new voice cut in, "Ils ont un nom et ils pensent qu'il est impoli de prendre quelqu'un comme s'il n'était pas là."
Ciel turned his gaze back to the stranger just as the pale green eyes flicked to the pair.
"For the record, my name is Amber. Amber Von Tously. And if you are going to talk about people in front of them you might want to try a more uncommon language. Also, as I implied, I will answer your more pressing questions when we aren't so public."
They turned back to the sweets and left Ciel and his Butler to speed through his purchase.
***
Sebastian opened the carriage door for the Young Master and helped him in. Amber followed in after without help and Sebastian closed the door behind himself. They took a seat opposite to them both and looked out the window calmly. They sat in silence for a moment before Ciel lost his patience.
"Why do you have that mark on your coat? I demand to know."
Amber fiddled with a bit of thier hair, "I know but give me a moment to think about how best to explain it without me sounding more insane than I am."
Sebastian sat beside his Master studying Amber calmly. "I recommend trying not to lie."
"Wasn't going to. It is just a bit hard to explain without sounding mad or being kinda insulting." They tapped their fingers on their knee for a moment before leaning forwards to rest their elbows in their place. Once more pale eyes focused on them. "Alright. Where I'm from, you two are nothing more than a story. A good story, but still a story. But since your a story people really enjoy, there is merchandise made around you. The jacket is merchandise based of some artwork done by the mangaka."
His Master frowned. "That is absolutely-"
"Please save all comments for the end. Anyway, the fact of the matter is, I know enough about you two for you both to want me dead. If you believe me or not." They blinked softly. "Actually... I know more than that... I know your enemies, possible or current. I know your cases before you do if I am here early enough..." Amber raised there hands above their head with a shout, "Ha! I can be useful! Hell yeah!"
The Young Master stood and grabbed onto their jacket. "You know... Tell me! Give me their names!"
Amber raised their hands in a surrendering pose. "I will but I need to know where we are in the time line and which one."
The boy pulled his pistol out from behind him and pointed it between their eyes as he stepped back. "I said tell me!"
Amber stayed very still looking at the pistol, they exhaled slowly before turning their gaze to meet the young nobles eye. They would see the rage and desperation swirling in the visible blue. They spoke softly, almost a whisper just so the boy would pay attention.
"I can not tell you anything if I am dead."
The silence was thick as the Young Master's thumb pulled back the hammer. Before it could be pulled back fully, a white gloved hand covered the gun calmly.
Sebastian's voice was gentle, almost teasing, "Young Master, you seem to not be hearing them. Amber are willing to share their information but they need more clarification. Are you in such a rush to finish our contract you would risk not have all the answers?"
He snapped his gaze to Sebastian. They stared each other down until his Master breathed in and closed his eyes. He released his hold on the gun leaving it to Sebastian before turning his gaze back to Amber. They were still watching them like a hawk, having not moved a muscle.
The boy bowed his head slightly, becoming a noble gentleman. "My apologies. I got ahead of myself. What clarification do you need?"
Amber relaxed slighting lowering their hands into their lap. "That is creepy, stop it."
"... I apologised! How is that creepy?!"
"Because I know, damn well, you don't mean it. You can and will use anyone to get what you want. Sacrifice their lives and souls if it means you get your desire. So for future reference... Do not ever apologise to me unless you well and truly mean it from the deepest depths of your damned soul. Am I understood?"
The Young Master blinked at them with a shock expression. "... Yes."
Sebastian couldn't contain himself. He had to cover his mouth looking away, his shoulder were shaking. He felt both eyes fall onto him at the movements.
His Master snapped, "Are you laughing?!"
Amber snorted covering their own mouth, looking away from them both.
"And why are you laughing?!" The boy turned his attention back to the strangely knowledgeable person.
Amber shook their head violently while Sebastian composed himself quickly with the distraction.
"Apologies, My Lord, it just seems you have meet someone who knows your games."
"That is not a manner I find humor in, Sebastian. I should-"
Amber interrupted, "If I may, we have gotten off topic."
The Young Master directed his gaze back to them after glaring at Sebastian for a moment. He retook his seat and rested both hands on his cane. Back to the Earl rather than the desperate child clinging to a thread.
"Yes. What clarification do you need?"
Amber tilted their head and tapped their fingers against their knees. Sucking on their teeth to make a strange hissing sound just so they had time to collect their thoughts.
"Have your solved the Jack the Ripper case yet?"
The boy blinked softly. "Jack the Ripper? You mean the murderer that has been in the papers?"
Amber pointed at him. "Okay. So, that's a no. Which is dangerous for me because I can't give you answers until I know which timeline we are in. Not because I don't want to but it is too early to tell."
Sebastian leaned forward calmly laying on the charm. His fangs peaking into view, "Come now. You have all the answers don't you?"
Amber looked away as their cheeks changed a shade, "Okay, no. I don't have all the answers. I have most of them. Some of which are completely useless unless I know exactly what path we are on. And even then it is still probably best if you follow more normal paths because certain things need to happen while others can be avoided."
His Master rubbed his forehead calmly. "This is all starting to get confusing."
Amber snorted, "You're only getting confused now? I have been confused since last night."
Sebastian tilted his head. "Oh how so?"
"You wake up somewhere you never thought to exist and see how you feel. I mean this is some Isekai, forth wall breaking, nonsense. I mean, fucking hell." They laid their head back against the back of the seat.
The Young Master frowned deeply. "Is such language necessary?"
"I am Aussie under a lot of emotional stress right now, so yeah. It is part of the language." They sat up straight and looked to them. "We should focus on getting me to be useful to you though. In the eyes of society at least. I can be a servant but it will need to be one that won't be questioned being with you a lot of the time, like Sebastian isn't questioned... A personal tutor maybe? I mean, I will be teaching you certain knowledge so its a half truth."
The boy looked at them annoyed. "You can't just be a Valet?"
Amber looked at him. "Do you think I am a man?"
Sebastian smiled softly. "Apologies then my Lady but-"
Amber snapped their gaze to him. "You're wrong too."
His Master raised his chin. "Then what are you?"
"I am what ever I need to be at any given time. And no. What is between my legs does not matter because you will never need to know."
He blushed deeply and stammered, "I would never- No- I-"
Amber looked to Sebastian calmly. "Any statements you would like to try?"
He shook his head calmly. "No thank you. I will refrain from doing so."
Amber nodded and looked to their hands. They clenched their hands together, squeezing the fingers tight in a clasp before releasing. Gathering courage.
They exhaled calmly, "First lesson as a tutor then. Gender identity can be as solid as a stone or as fluid as a stream. Mine is ever shifting. There will be days where it won't be the same from one minute to the next and some days where I want nothing to do with any form of even being perceived." They looked up at them. "But can we agree on Tutor?"
Sebastian and his Master looked to each other and then back to them.
"Agreed."
Amber smiled, happy and content and not quite dead. Yet, at least.