Kuroshitsuji 2 - Episode 8

Episode 8: Confessing Butler

Oh no, I am so delayed in posting about this and I am so sorry. I have been on training for the past week and ever since work resumed this week, all I did was to catch up with the work that I have missed and the papers that have piled up on my desk, not to mention the countless student paneling that I am doing.

Good thing, I took a day off from school today and I had the ample time to do this post that I have been itching to do since last week.

Anyway, no Ciel nor Sebby this episode. All about Alois. I still don't like Alois, as in the same way that I like Ciel but I feel sad for him, being caught between Sebastian and Claude's business.

Similar to the previous episodes, the past of Alois is now clear but as the episode ended, I have more questions in mind, which I think will be answered in the next few episodes. I don't want to be judgmental yet, but honestly, I already have certain prejudices about Claude and Alois, which I think, is a product of episode 8.

Continuation from Episode 7

Alois is not yet dead. He is still alive but he is badly injured. He is now on his room, resting but his wound is still open and bleeding. Hannah is supposed to change his bandage, but Alois demanded for Claude to do it. Apparently, Hannah is nothing but useless. 

Claude arrives to change his bandage while Alois complains that Ciel's stab is not that deep. Ciel has so much power that the trajectory of the sword curved and if he had been calmer, the stab will be deeper. Claude then comments that Alois' wound is so unskillful yet so pure, as if he is talking about Ciel's soul.

Alois then asked Claude if his blood can whet Claude's appetite. CLAUDE GAVE A VERY SWEET SMILE AS HE SAID, Yes, indeed. Alois is shocked to see his butler smile and says that it is sickening.

Alois is still badly injured, yet he decides to get up and orders Hannah to bring him to Ciel Phantomhive. Alois is crying at this point.

Meanwhile at the butler's office, Claude is doing his duties when the triplet mushroomed out and probably told Claude that Alois went out. Claude smiles then gracefully creates an origami ring, whose shape is similar to Ciel's blue ring.

Alois and Hannah are on their way to Ciel's house as Alois remembers his past.

Alois' Past

It is indeed true that Alois is not of Trancy origin but a commoner living in the slums and is living by stealing things from people. He goes by the name Jim Machen and he has a younger brother, Luca. They are already orphans and so the people around them treated them as burdens. They had no choice but in order for them to survive, they steal food and belongings of other people. Jim has a deep hatred towards the people in the village and wishfully thinks for everyone to just die.

Luca is an ever supportive brother and as Jim wished for everyone to die, Luca hugged Jim and hoped and believed that his brother's wish will come true. Jim tells Luca to never leave his side again. Luca kneels down and tells his brother in response, Yes, your highness.

One day, their wish indeed came true as they suddenly found the entire village burning. Everybody died, and they so happy about it! They are so elated about what happened because finally, all of the annoying people in their lives are annihilated.

The two then set out to steal the dead's belongings. Jim is so happy while his brother looks at him with eyes that speak of happiness and at the same time, sorrow.

A chilly wind blew and Jim sensed something is wrong. He calls for Luca so that they can head back. In the pitch black night, he finds Luca, lifeless.

Probably a fast forward in time, we then see Jim with a bunch of other boys being brought to the Trancy household, the Queen's spider. Some bystanders comment that similar to a spider, the boys' chastity will be caught in its thread and it will be sucked out of them to the last drop.

The boys are then presented to Trancy and when it is Jim'turn to be presented, his eyes look filthy evil. Earl Trancy beat Jim with his cane as he calls for the next boy to be presented.

In a cell, the maids are bathing the naked boys. While waiting for their turn, some boys are talking about a fairy, who can grant any wish after making a promise. One boy didn't want to believe but Jim is interested in knowing more about it.

Summoning Claude

Jim heads out and finds a spider's thread holding the morning dew and put it on his face like a viel. With the spider web on his face, Jim chants, Houhe o Taraluna, Ron de Rotarel. At first nothing happened, then suddenly, ashes rain from the sky and Jim finds himself in the middle of a huge spider web. A huge spider, which we all knows as Claude appears, asking for Jim's wish.

Claude finds it weird that he has been summoned without any particular wish so he gave examples like revenge. Jim says that he hate the village people, but they are all dead and he doesn't care about the perverted  Trancy. Jim says he wants to run away but he has nowhere to go to. Claude offers his service and Jim says that he will. But when asked exactly what he wants, Jim has no answer to give.

Claude says that Jim is a paradox and agrees that when Jim has already thought of a wish, then a contract can be formed. Jim asks if Claude is fairy and Claude tells him that he is a demon.

Jim is decided to find a wish, something that he will live for so that he can form a contract with the demon. Meanwhile, Earl Trancy is getting upset because his dolls are breaking because of an epidemic that is plaguing them. His servants told him that they have prepared Jim for today, but Trancy thinks that he is filthy but when Jim enters in a spider designed kimono (LOL!), Trancy completely liked Jim. Jim then says, Sorry to keep you waiting, my dear father. 

Claude and Jim have a talk. (Claude is wearing another costume, without glasses. Damn hot, Claude!♥) Claude reveals that it is Sebastian Michaelis who destroyed the village, under the orders of his master, whose soul is already consumed by Sebastian. Though didn't say it explicitly, Jim thinks that it is Sebastian who killed Luca. Claude then says that Sebastian's master is Ciel Phatomhive and Sebastian has formed a new contract with Ciel and that he has a deep attachment to Ciel's soul.

Jim forms the contract with Claude with the order of brining Ciel Phantomhive to him, and suddenly, Claude gets changed to his butler attire. (Another LOL moment, there). For the first time, Claude calls Jim, Master.

Trancy died and we see Jim crying over his corpse at the church. After the church ceremony, Claude tells Jim that as he ordered, all of the boys have been freed and matters of inheritance have been taken care of. Not so much interested in that, he asks for Ciel Phantomhive but Claude asked him a question in return. Why did you not wish for the elimination of Sebastian but rather for Ciel Phantomhive? Jim tells him that killing Sebastian is not enough, and he intends to deliver him suffering far beyond pain.

Claude finds in marvelous and he is pleased by his master. Jim says that Ciel is his as well as Claude.

Grell's participation 

Back to the present, the carriage is halted by Grell who arrives to do his job. Grell says that he wants to get things over and done quickly since he doesn't like kids that much. According to the book, Alois' real name is Jim Machen and says that soon, he will be facing DEATH.

 

However, Grell thinks that something is wrong with Alois' soul, that's why he came.

Hannah then attacks and Grell gets the confirmation that he needs that indeed, demons are involved. Alois orders Hannah to kill Grell but Grell says that he didn't come to fight. Guess, it's too late since Hannah is already attacking Grell.

Alois' wound bleeds and he is calling Claude. More flashbacks is shown. Alois is angry at Claude and says that he is just a demon just like Sebastian. Then, Claude says Yes, your highness and Alois remembers his younger brother calling him in that manner. He then tells to Claude, to actually say it once again. Claude smiles and says the phrase once again.

Grell and Hannah continue to fight then another flashback where Alois slapped Claude and asks for the reason why Claude is blindly loyal to him. Claude then says,  I but want a hell of a bite out of you, Master.

Back to the present, Alois, while crawling for shelter says...Then show me those eyes, not the townspeople's disgusted eyes as if towards vomited stuff, not the old man's covetous, bleary eyes. It's those eyes that day, the eyes that only seek after me. Claude! Then we saw an image of Claude saying,  To turn passion into placidity, hesitation into resolution, and fondness into gravestone - that is the Trancy Butler! Then, Alois continues his comments, as a hungry wild dog approaches him, I know, he is just feeling hungry. My feelings are merely a poor condiment that only spoils the taste. But, I am already...

Alois is already dying at this point and Grell has managed to deliver a huge blow on Hannah.

Just as the wild dog gets ready to devour Alois, Claude arrive saying What are you intending to do, Master? You are yet to obtain Ciel Phantomhive. 

Alois is so happy to see Claude and says that Claude is the only one he has. Alois is now crying and Claude is about to say, Master, don't play with... but he is cut when Alois says Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Alois is crying and clings at Claude's feet and once again chants Houhe o Taraluna, Ron de Rotarel. He asks for Claude to stay by his side, no matter what happens because he is his only Highness. 

Claude kneels down to face Alois closer, wipes his tears and gave off his smile as he say, You show so much devotion to a mere butler. Then, we see blood on Alois legs and he drops on the ground.

Claude stands up and says, Rest assured, Master. He holds Alois' ring as he says, A lowly soul that gives so much love to a mere butler...cannot possibly give me appetite. I will keep you beside me. And then he puts the ring to his pocket as he says, I have a use for your soul. 

Grell comes out and says that Alois is suppose to die that night, but his soul is not included in the count and he presumed that demons are involved. Claude asked him if he will take it by force but Grell says that he just wants to have a balance account of souls, although he will keep an eye on what will happen next.

This is my most favorite LOL moment:
Claude: Are you telling me you are not Sebastian's ally?
Grell: Ally? Oh, don't give me that platitude. A transcendent love is always a fight...DEATH! 


Epilogue

Alois' body is left there and we see Hannah standing near him as we hear Luca's voice saying that his brother's wish will come true. She lies on Alois and says "Master, your wish will.." while doing something to his face/eye with her hand.