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Eclipsa blinked once then twice, as she stared blankly at the sky above her. Unsure of how or why she got to wherever she was. Sensing no one around her, the former queen relaxed into her surroundings. Enjoying this moment of peace, for she felt she hadn't experienced such tranquility in a while. She remembers slowly what happened up until this point.
Her freedom, the finding out of Globgor’s death, and the possibility of her daughter being dead as well considering how long she has been locked away. It was all too much. She could weep, she could scream, but she’s already spent nights doing so. Now all she felt was drained. She needed a break, considering everything as of late that was unraveling in Mewni. She supposed she finally got that but the answer as to how remained unknown as she did not possess any dimensional scissors to cut through reality to get that much needed break. Yet here she was.
She took a deep breath and after a while, she finally decided to get up. Allowing her instincts to lead her further and hopefully out of the vast forest. It was quite shocking to her that it hadn’t taken too long to see a very large home, she counted that as a victory because honestly, she wanted to lay back down on the ground again at this point.
Letting her body rest against a tree, she realized there was a celebration going on, as for why or for whom she did not know. The place was unfamiliar to her with a slightly unfamiliar architecture. Eclipsa pushed her back off the tree and gathered herself. She could probably pass as a guest if she remained composed and pretended she knew what she was doing. Which seemed to work on occasions if not then she’d just deal with it as she has always done.
…
She had managed to enter the large manor without being questioned or glared at so she considered that to be great, no one knew of her. That made simply existing a lot easier. Her eyes quickly fell on the variety of foods, drinks, and treats being served. Before she knew it she had a plate in her hand piled with food although she tried not to pile it too much, observing everyone else it seemed that the servings were plentiful and she could always come back for more. So she stood and hummed delightfully all the while as the taste of everything she consumed exceeded her expectations.
It was in the devouring of her cupcake that she spotted a young child staring at her from across the room. She smiled but the child seemed nervous, hiding behind the dining table on the other side of the room. When the child peaked its head from behind the table, she decided to wave, while cupcake frosting was all over her hand which she had failed to notice. This gained a small smile from the child and a hesitant wave back.
…
After she had enjoyed a large feast, she ventured through the manor with curiosity. Again there was a lot unfamiliar to her. It was halfway through her walking down the halls that she heard footsteps. When she turned, the same child from before was behind her.
She smiled again, “Hello, are you the little one from before?” She asked just to make sure.
The child nodded, “I…” The boy she now realized, spoke hesitantly. It seemed he was shy. She reassured him, “It's okay, you can ask me.”
He seemed to shy away further. His eyes darting all over the hall before he focused on her cheeks. Tilting his head curiously. She noticed this and smiled. “Are you curious about my cheek marks?”
He stood silent for a moment before nodding slowly. “Well. Hmm. I have had them since birth. My mother had yellow lightning bolts for hers.” She crouched down. “Would you like to touch them?”
The boy took a hesitant step before walking the entire way towards her. He stopped in front of her. “Go ahead, dear. I don't mind.” He looked all over face before settling on her cheek marks again, his hands touching both sides. As if trying to check if they are truly real or not. “Pretty.”
“Why thank you. I like my spades too. I think they suit me quite nicely. They glow sometimes as well.”
“They can glow? Can I see?”
“Mhm.” She showed him by closing her eyes and allowing him to watch her cheeks emit a light. His eyes widened with wonder as he squished her cheeks a bit more. “How do you do that?”
“Magic. Do you not have magic here?”
The boy shook his head, as well as finally stopped touching her cheeks. He seemed to be thinking deeply as he looked at the floor before finally getting the courage. “Can we play, Miss?”
That surprised her. He wanted to play with her. She wondered why, usually for most Mewni children they were scared of her, monster children however were not. So this is rather unusual. Although she was pretty sure no one here was Mewman, the similarities of their species were strikingly similar. Despite that, she would not deny the boy for he reminded her of her daughter for whom she missed deeply. Pushing the pain of that aside, she nodded. “Of course, little one, what game would you like to play?”
The boy’s eyes widened and a large smile made its way on his face as he watched her stand up once more. She offered her hand to him and he grabbed it. Leading her down the hall. “Let’s play..”
…
The boy now sat on her shoulders, as she floated down to the ground with her umbrella. The boy’s eyes filled with wonder. However he had gotten tired rather quickly which is why she switched to this instead. He had coughed a few times during their game of tag, it had concerned her deeply how out of breath he seemed so she made sure to slow down as much as she could. After that game, she suggested some of her own or rather something that would be fun for him, that would not have him out of breath.
The boy talked much about himself after she had admitted to knowing much about him or the party. He said his name was, Sirius Phantomhive, he was the twin of Ciel Phantomhive. They were both young heirs, with Ciel being the inheritor from what she gathered. The party was made for their birthdays, but no one really paid much attention to him versus his more outgoing twin. He was too shy and his parents did not wish for him to play the other games like the rest of the children for fear of his asthma.
Eclipsa was not very familiar with asthma. She therefore concluded it was something linked to this world alone. She felt upset with herself for she didn't know a spell that could cure him but she knew when she returned home, that's the first thing she would search for. Not only that but it seemed that his parents sheltered him quite a lot which was quite concerning to her, understandable but concerning. The boy didn't play often nor have any friends. He also admitted to being confused for his brother all the time. He was in other words, left out, constantly. It saddened her immensely.
“Want to see what else I can do?” She asked, knowing his response. He nodded ecstatically. If the boy could not celebrate his birthday like the rest then perhaps she could change that. Sirius was excited to see what other wonders she could accomplish. She pointed her umbrella-like wand at the bushes and watched them rapidly transform into a variety of Mewni plants, they were extremely vibrant in color and seemed to emit colorful powders and particles. Some flowers grew tall while others did not, the particles glowed like fireflies filling the night sky. Creating patterns and shapes that were pure wonder to the boy. They eventually moved to spell, ‘Happy Birthday, Sirius,’ Sirius clapped his hands gleefully.
“Thank you! Oh- look that one’s turning yellow, it's so pretty.” Sirius pointed at the yellow flower.
“What’s your favorite color, Sirius?”
“I like the color blue, it's the prettiest color. Mother says it’s the best too.”
“Blue is indeed a very nice color, here touch the flower.” She pointed to the yellow flower, reaching her hand out, the flower grew till it was past her shoulder. Close enough for Sirius to touch it. Once he did, the flower turned a glowing blue. Sirius smiled wide.
Eclipsa then picked the flower. “There. Now you can take it home with you. Simply put it in water and it’ll never perish.”
He stared at the beautiful flower, spinning it in his tiny hand before speaking.“I’ll take good care of it.”
She watched as he grabbed the flower gently and held it carefully. “I know you will.”
She continued to spend the rest of the day with the boy, showing him the wonders of magic. Unknowing of how much this meant the world to this young child.
…
“You have to go..?” He asked sadly.
“I'm sorry, little one. I can't stay…I have..some things at home that I need to do. But if you’d like, I can come visit you again sometime.” She walked him to the front door, his hand in hers.
“Please, Miss Eclipsa.” He begged her.
“Of course.” She patted his head.
When the door was opened and Tanaka escorted the young lord inside, the woman beside Sirius was nowhere to be found. The young child wondered if he had just imagined her but remembered the little glowing flower in his hand. He smiled at it and knew he’d see her again.
…
Eclipsa visited whenever she could, which was very often, sometimes she extended her visits for multiple days. In that time, she told him much of the vastness of the multiverse, spells and creatures beyond his comprehension. Places he could only imagine in his dreams.
That soon most of Sirius’s days felt like fairy tales come true. Just like the ones he’s only ever heard in the books his mother would read to him and his brother.
Life felt different for the young earl. In the best of ways. Now he longer needed to wait on his brother when he wanted to play or when his mother and father had the time. He didn't need to feel so alone when they went away because of his health. He had Miss Eclipsa and that’s all he could ever ask for.
He never told his parents about what she could do and practically begged them to make her his nanny. Making it apparent that he was attached to her. His mother had apologized to Eclipsa for her son’s sudden behavior but Eclipsa gladly accepted it. The former queen talked to his mother in length that she was a busy woman, that could make time on most occasions, or at least that’s what Sirius had told her to tell his mother.
…
“Sirius, Ciel!” Eclipsa called out from the main entrance. Tanaka bowed his head and took her bags. “It is nice to see you, Tanaka. I do hope I got here on a good day.”
“A very good day, my lady. As always.”
“Wonderful.” It didn't take long for the twins to rush to the stairs. Only to stop their rush and walk slowly, knowing better than to run down the stairs in an unruly manner as per their teachings in ettique. Once they reached the main room, they both smiled wide at the woman, holding her hands. “It is good to see you both.”
“You came!” Sirius spoke with glee.
“We’ve missed you.” Ciel added.
“Have you now? Because I sense you missed the Snookers more.” She teased them, Sirius then pouted, “We have not.” But he made eyes at one of her bags at the mention of the Mewni treat.
“You brought Snookers?” Ciel’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. She giggled at their reaction. They were surely going to grow into Snookers addicts just like her.
Originally when Eclipsa became Sirius’s occasional nanny, it had become apparent that Ciel had begun to notice her presence more and more. Wanting to know who it was that took most of his brother’s attention. In other words, it was hard for Ciel to not make an appearance. He too eventually found out about her otherworldly abilities. As she didn't really bother to keep it hidden in front of the children. It was at Sirius’s request that she not tell his parents or the other servants. It seemed Ciel had the same thought process.
She also noticed how Sirius was very attached to her, not wanting to share her. Which she applauded, the boy struggled with allowing himself to have things of his own. Instead pushing for his family's convenience and happiness. She knew how much that could take a toll on someone. Especially one so young. She was proud that he was pushing for something he wanted for once, unlike before with how shy and recluse he was around others.
After observing the dynamics of the household she could understand. However she did not want the twins to be driven apart because of this. Their relationship, oh the many cracks she could see in its surface. Yet, hope remained, as again, they were young. So in noticing all of this, she wanted both twins to feel more connected, instead of feeling rather one-way in their relationship as she had previously gathered. Taking the time to bond with the both of them, as well as letting them bond with one another more than they had originally. Letting them express themselves through their similarities and differences. Allowing them to be children outside of their teachings.
She supposed she blamed all this concern on her own noble or rather royal upbringing. Such a life that turned out to be. No matter. She would put all her energy in assuring their happiness. Whether she was acknowledging out loud or not, this family was the one thing that kept her sane.
…
Then suddenly, Sirius noticed her visits began spacing a week. Which was fine. As long as he knew she’d return, he wouldn’t be sad.
Until one day, she stopped. Sirius never knew why, and he wondered for a time if he had made her upset. Eventually, he realized it wasn't his fault and rather that something must have happened. She had mentioned looking for her daughter on one occasion. So she didn’t have the time to worry about him. She had her own child to worry about..and he’s not her child. (As much as he wished to be) He felt wrong thinking such things.
(He wished his mother and father would play with him like she does, treat him normally like she does) He couldn't be greedy. He tried to reassure himself that she’d come back eventually. She wouldn't forget him, like the rest. Despite being incredibly saddened by this realization, he did his best to continue to remain happy, for his family’s sake.
Then the fire happened and he never saw the blue flower or Eclipsa again.
…
It was early in the morning. Sebastian was placing his breakfast before him, and his servants were incompetent as always except for Tanaka. The newly and temporarily hired butler, Grell, had crashed through the room by means of a rolling cart. How? Ciel had no idea. It only got worse when Grell attempted to apologize and instead of grabbing a napkin, the brunette grabbed the tablecloth instead and everything instantly was dragged off the table. Shattering to the ground.
Ciel groaned internally, shaking his head in both disappointment and mental exhaustion. Truly he had thought that the brunette would be a hindrance to his butler, not him.
Bard had been beginning to say a word when suddenly something akin to a pair of scissors cut through the air like it was paper, leaving a glowing and open hole in the room. Everyone was stuck still with confusion and shock but not Ciel. No, he knew what that was. He could never forget what that was.
Soon, someone stepped through, a woman, not before putting her head back into the portal to say something and then finally exiting it entirely now with a very not human child in her hand and closing it back up like it never happened.
She turned around with a smile on her face till it faltered into one of shock at the state of the room and its people. “My…did I come at the wrong time?”
No one could respond fast enough because as soon as she made eye contact with Ciel, that smile appeared back on her face again. “Oh look at you! You've grown so much.” Suddenly she was somehow already beside Ciel, and the young lord in question was too stunned to move. Almost like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
“You're still in your adorable phase I see. Just like my little Meteora. I was so worried I’d be faced with an older teenager in his angst phase or a very old man. It seems that it's neither.” She patted his hand.
Which at that point, broke Ciel out of his stunned expression and drastically shifted too many things, one thing in particular that he didn't think he still had in him, was the tears that slowly fell from both his eyes despite the eye patch covering one of them. Eclipsa’s eyes widened while Meteora chewed on her hair. “No no. I'm sorry. I-i’m so sorry dear.”
Ciel hated this feeling. This happiness. These tears. He hated how he wanted to hug her and be hugged by this woman before him. The only person in his life to look at him as if he were his own person and not his brother’s spare. Before he could say anything at all. She ushered him into a hug. His tears fell further at the contact. Not being able to stop them from falling as she comforted him further.
“I truly apologize for my tardiness. So much has happened. I told you I’d see you and I didn’t. I wanted to see you truly. I was stopped and- well it's quite a long story but I’m here now.” She rubbed his head, Meteora took the opportunity at this closeness to touch Ciel’s hair and giggled.
Ciel glanced at the little girl, tears still in his eye but slowly calming down. He was grateful he didn't break down completely in front of everyone, this was already embarrassing. “I..is she..?” He attempted in vain to space himself away from Meteora’s hair grabs but it only made the child’s grip pull tighter. He winced slightly but despite it, allowed it. He always wondered what it would have been like meeting Eclipsa’s daughter when he was younger, he remembers imagining them all uniting as one happy family. He supposed his dream came true in the end.
“Yes. Say hi, dear.” The younger child babbled something similar to hi, as she continued to pull on his hair, “Meteora, you can't go pulling on his hair. Now let it go for momma, dear.” She gently opened her daughter’s hand, releasing the strands of hair from their prison.
“Young master?” Finny was the first to speak up.
Sebastian had been observing the entire event watching it unfold with fascination, mostly because of the woman’s blatant show of her unhuman origins and nature that clearly did not originate on this world. Which spoke of life elsewhere, the idea amused the butler.
As well as his master’s very rare show of vulnerability. Having not seen him cry in a very long time. That and he hadn't bothered to speak up, knowing that if his master was in danger, his young lord would have spoken up already. There was much to decipher from their reaction to one another, a clear connection he was never made aware of.
“Ah yes. Everyone, this is…Lady Eclipsa Butterfly.”
The woman smiled and waved. “Hello and please just Eclipsa will do. I get enough of that at home with my Queendom and such.”
“You're a queen?!” Finny, stated aloud, having never been in the presence of a queen but honestly this current situation has never happened before so he had no idea how to handle either scenario.
“Indeed, recently crowned or should I say re-crowned.” It was then that Meteora made a noise.
“And this is my daughter, Meteora.” Meteora waved her hands. “I apologize for the interruption. I've only recently been given a break from all the chaos at home that I was finally,” She turned her head to Ciel, “able to visit Si-” Ciel grabbed her arm and shook his head incredibly lightly.
She was rather confused about what he meant, so she leaned down so he could whisper to her. He grimaced at that but knew that if he didn’t give her a hint she’d reveal something he’d rather not. So he spoke extremely quietly and whispered. “Don’t say my name.”
She blinked before standing back up and continuing, “Since I’ve been so busy. But now I’m here. To stay or leave and return as much as I can.”
“If I might be so bold, young master?” Mey-rin asks, still in shock. “You may.” Ciel responds, a slight sniffle in his voice. The embarrassment still plain as day in his features. To cry in front of them. He sighed internally.
“Thank you, umm..how do you know our young master?” She couldn't help but ask.
“We met some time ago, when he was much younger. I remember it like it was yesterday. He was so tiny,” The woman then pinched his cheek very gently, “You still are.” She added while giggling. “It was at a party, his birthday party to be exact, he had been watching me eat and I even waved at him, but he was so shy. When I went to walk around the manor, he ended up following me the entire way around all to ask me to play with him. It was one of the most adorable things I have ever seen.”
“Aww,” They all cooed while Ciel was blushing from embarrassment.
“What..are you?” This time it was Grell speaking. Whose tone was mixed with hesitancy, and curiosity.
“Well, I’m a mewman from the Queendom of Mewni, my Queendom. It's in another dimension. Although my daughter, Meteora is different unlike me she is part mewman and part size-shifter.”
“The bloody hell is a size-shifter-” Bard couldn't help but mumble, not particularly upset at what’s happening, just very confused.
“Another dimension?” Sebastian spoke this time around. A polite smile across his features. “You speak as if there are many.” Not that he wasn't aware of a few of them on this earth, but he was interested to hear what she’d say.
“Quite a lot actually, but that’s just the multiverse for you.”
The butler hummed, sounding way too amused and Ciel didn't fail to notice. He glanced between Eclipsa and then his butler. He couldn't understand why, but he didn’t like the look Sebastian was giving Eclipsa. Not one bit but then another thought occurred to him. She was going to kill Sebastian when she found out. Again his head began to hurt but at least this time, it was a welcoming pain.