"…says Wilde."

The snake around the hybrid's neck hissed while another went its way around Sebastian's feet. Then another drew closer to the demon's face and hissed, causing the latter to back away slightly.

"The exit's that way!" the snake pointed its tail to a certain direction. "…says Goethe." Sebastian placed a fake smile to his face. "Oh, you're too kind." He bowed his head slightly before turning to leave, the smile fading away.

Goethe placed its head on Snake's shoulder and hissed. "Ta-ta~! …says Goethe."

A few moments later, Sebastian arrived at the carriage. He opened the door and got in, sitting beside Amelia and across Ciel. The young master raised his cane up and hit it on the carriage's ceiling to signal their departure.

"Report."

"I'm afraid I was interrupted before I'd made a full circuit of the camp. I'd like to penetrate a bit into their organization, however…"

The seriousness from his face vanished as a sly smile made its way to his lips. "I have a request for you both, in that regard." Ciel raised a brow, "What is it?"

Sebastian only narrowed his eyes as he showed them a hair-raising grin. Mia moved over to the side, allowing some more space to go between them. "Uh, Ciel? I feel like we won't be agreeing to this… request of his, judging by that look on his face."

"No worries my dear, it's not that bad."


"I'm asking you why that suddenly became the plan! When did I even order you to say that?!" The young Phantomhive yelled, removing his coat and shoving it to the butler's arms. He then removed his hat and gave it to Sebastian as well.

"Well, it is a good plan; the only problem for now is the entrance test." Amelia piped in, adding on to Ciel's annoyance and Sebastian's triumph.

"It seems like you are the only one inconvenienced, am I right my Lord?"

Ciel glared at the demon behind him and clucked his tongue. He thought of something to say before dismissing it with a defeated sigh. "Well, we'll just argue about it later. I'm exhausted and I want to go straight to bed."

Sebastian bowed as Ciel made his way towards the steps. "Certainly, but…" he was cut off by a door slamming open, revealing the Indian prince. The blue-haired kid flinched upon seeing him again.

"Ciel~! I'm so glad you're here! I've been waiting and waiting!" Soma said with a wide grin on his face. From behind him, Agni came into view as well, putting his hands together.

"Welcome home, Lord Phantomhive, Mister Sebastian and Miss Mia."

Ciel put a hand to his head, "Oh right, I forgot you were here." Soma ran up to him and gave the lad a tight hug. "It's been too long! How have you been?!" he rubbed his cheeks onto Ciel's head as though the latter were some kitten.

Amelia smiled at them, "Indeed it has been long since we last met. Namaste, everyone~" she said, clasping her hands together. The brunette stepped closer and rescued Ciel from the bear hug, and Soma laughed right after the small boy was released.

"I didn't expect you at the townhouse so soon! Did you miss me that badly? Aw, poor, lonely Ciel!"

Ciel turned around and headed for the stairs, disregarding the purple-haired prince's existence. "Sorry, but I'm tired. I'm currently not in the mood to deal with you."

"Whaaat?! But I've been so excited to challenging you with that 'chess' game of yours!" Soma followed behind him and grabbed his shoulders to make Ciel stop.

"You wouldn't want my hopes to be dashed, right?!"

Ciel forcefully removed Soma's hands on his shoulders while yelling out his rejection to the prince's request. "What's wrong Ciel?! You look so grumpy! We finally get to see each other again, so at least smile a little!" Soma replied, flailing his arms about, loud as ever.

More tick marks appeared on the Phantomhive's head and he paused in his step. He looked back at the noisy prince with a much deeper frown on his face and lashed out at him. "Shut it! I said I'm tired so keep it down!"

Soma seemed taken aback and he flinched, pouting slightly. "A-Alright…" then proceeded to playing with his fingers, watching Ciel go up the stairs with his eyes. "You won't attract good fortune if you don't smile, you know!"

Agni decided to calm his master down and stop him from saying more by placing a hand on Soma's shoulder. The prince turned around to face the only lady in the place, Amelia, with a grin again.

"Mia! If Ciel can't play with me then you—!"

However, his eyes traveled towards the red-eyed butler who was now glaring down at him, the demon's eyes screaming bloody murder for the purple-haired prince if he dares to lay a finger on said lady.

"Pardon me, Prince Soma, but… maybe next time we could play chess. For now, you must retire to your room and take a rest as well." Amelia replied, noticing the way Sebastian looked at Soma.

Agni led the prince away and the English bid the Indians good night before excusing themselves. Then, they both walked up the stairs and went to Ciel's room to further discuss about the new plan made by the butler.

As they were walking, Amelia murmured next to him. "Don't scare the prince away like that. He won't bite." She chuckled, making Sebastian's eyebrow twitch.

She entered first, seeing Ciel discard his blue coat onto the bed and he sat down on the bed's edge. Sebastian followed and closed the door. "That pair is as lively as ever, aren't they?"

"I'll give them up as a bad job, but your plan is a different matter." The master's voice was filled with annoyance even as he asked. "Why should I be forced to join the circus too?"

The brunette scoffed, "I know I heard from him before that it was the both of us, Young Master."

Sebastian sighed internally at the cousin's reactions, "You are not being 'forced to join', and rather, you both are going to pass a test to get them into hiring you." the butler said and knelt down on one knee in front of his master.

Ciel raised his leg up and placed it on Sebastian's lowered thigh so that the raven-haired man can remove his shoes, starting from untying the laces. "With just you joining should be enough; I don't fancy living in a tent!"

The brat complained and removed the knotted ribbon around his neck. Meanwhile, Amelia was preparing Ciel's sleepwear and putting back the blue coat into the closet after getting out the Queen's letter from its pockets while listening.

"Have you forgotten my Lord, that this is your game?" Sebastian looked up at Ciel's exposed eye. "You wouldn't mind me—your chess piece—deciding my own moves?"

Ciel looked away and clucked his tongue, his shoes now removed. "I suppose you're right." He replied, voice a bit softer this time while he put a leg over his other.

The butler stood up while the Phantomhive continued to speak, "But circuses require tricks, don't they? You know full well that I can't do anything of that sort."

Amelia raised a brow, "Really? But I thought 'go fetch' was a good trick?" she teased, waving the envelope showing Her Majesty's seal on it. Sebastian smirked while the young one glared at her with a big frown.

"What did you say?"

The housekeeper let out a short snicker before inhaling deeply and bowing. "Pardon me, my Lord."

"At any rate, do your best at the entrance test tomorrow." He turned to the cousins with a big smile on his face. "As your butler and your lover, I shall be giving you both my heartfelt support." Ciel looked away after visibly rolling his eyes at the mention of 'lover' and he sighed, having to deal with them both; while the other one looked away, blushing slightly. This made the butler smirk, of course.

"Wh-What's with that? Besides, joining the circus is a better option than taking care of Prince Soma."

"Fine, I'll join too."

Sebastian bowed, mostly to his master than Amelia. "Understood."


The next day, the trio got up early to once again pay a visit to the circus. Ciel was wearing an outfit similar to that of when he and Sebastian waited for Jack the Ripper to arrive. Meanwhile, the housekeeper wore her usual uniform, just lacking the apron.

People from the circus gathered around the two newcomers, whispering amongst themselves as Sebastian had Amelia and Ciel be shown to Joker.

"What a lovely little tacker! A boy, I reckon?" the orange-haired man was pertaining to Ciel. "Yes, I've been in service as a pageboy. My name is… er, F-Finnian."

The Phantomhive earl stuttered out the name of his own gardener while introducing himself. "That's a grand name! And this stunning beauty o'er 'ere be?" Joker asked the brunette as he walked closer to both of them.

"I'm Ery and worked as a lady's maid and Finnian's cousin." she smiled, as Joker put a hand on his waist. "Well, I'll give 'ee stage names if 'ee pass." He paused and leaned in to Ciel's face, "Art 'ee a boy, though?"

Amelia chuckled at the troupe leader's doubts of Ciel being a boy, the latter drawing back his head slightly as he nodded. Meanwhile, six ladies already surrounded the pale and strikingly handsome butler and were flirting with him, causing Amelia's eyebrow to twitch.

Sebastian merely gave them a fake smile, as Joker continued to speak. "But just being adorable won't see thee through a circus. We must do tricks too. What's your specialty?"

Ciel pondered over it for a moment before deciding, "Well… darts, I suppose." Joker turned his head to Mia, "I guess it will be instruments, dancing, swords and archery?" the brunette replied.

"Wha-? I didn't expect a lady like 'ee be knowledgeable 'bout weaponry! Hmm, if that be it, then it'll be knife-throwing for both of you." Joker raised his head and called for Dagger. "Dagger! Give 'em some knives."

The knife-throwing expert did as was told and placed a bunch of knives onto the cousin's hands with an enthusiastic smile. The two thanked him then Joker instructed, pointing his prosthesis at two black and white targets several feet away.

"Now aim for the target, you two."

Ciel bit his lower lip lightly and scrunched his brows while Amelia held an emotionless face, seeming to stare down at the target. She breathed out slightly, raising a knife by its center with three fingers. As for the lad, he held a knife by the tip of its gleaming blade.

"You're a mean one; his skinny arms wouldn't be able to throw far enough!" Dagger murmured to his senior, Joker, as he referred to Ciel. "I am not! It's no kind of show if the target's nearby, is it?"

Amelia immediately got on with the test, throwing the knives with speed and accuracy, hitting almost the same spot on the target every time. She aimed for the small pink heart on purpose, when there was only one knife left and hit it straight at its center. The girl smirked slightly and quickly changed it into a soft smile, before patting Ciel on his shoulder and squeezing it slightly.

The boy nodded abruptly, before raising his arm up and threw the knife. The sharp thing twirled around as it flew and was about to descend to the ground.

"See? I knew it—!" Dagger's statement was cut off when the knife magically rose back up and hit the target.

"Blimey!"

Amelia grinned while putting her hands behind her back, watching as Ciel threw the knives and Sebastian flicking pebbles at the end of each one's handle to push it up, hitting the target.

The rest of the troupe were both shocked and amazed by the performance and most of them had their mouths hanging agape. "Will that be all?" Ciel asked a bit arrogantly, gesturing to the huge amount of knives he "successfully" threw.

"Well, that's fine control." Joker mused, while Amelia gave him a big hug—to Ciel's dismay—and his butler was the only one who applauded him. Dagger went up close to the target once more, still confused at the impossibility of what just happened.

"You're more talented than I reckoned, but the test isn't over yet!"

"There's more?" Amelia asked Joker, the orange-haired man nodded in reply. "Ah, reminds me, what instrument 'ee be best at?" The brunette blinked and answered, "Either a violin or a piano is fine with me. Why did you ask?"

Joker smiled, "Next test is… tightrope walking!"

He led them inside the large tent, with Dagger and Sebastian following as well. Joker asked for a violin for Amelia to use. "Does this mean… I'll be playing the violin while I walk?!" She asked, bewildered as the troupe leader nodded with a wide grin on his face.

"I reckoned 'ee be a better performer than this lad! So I put in a little challenge to yours!"

The first one to walk on the tightrope was Ciel. Doll was there to assist while Amelia stood there on the platform behind her, tuning the violin while waiting for her turn. The girl in all-white then, tightens the lifeline around Ciel's waist.

"It's a bit too tight!"

"Cope. Do you want to die?" the beautiful girl looked up at him with a stern face and spoke in a cold and monotonous voice. From below, Joker yelled out cheerfully to her, "Doll~! Do that lifeline up tight~! He's new and he'll be hurt if he falls!"

Ciel looked down and tries to plead, "Could you test me on something else, please?"

"Whaaat~? Quitting already, boy~?!"

"N-No!" Ciel's voice echoed through the place. "I'd just rather do a different—!"

"Then stank along! Haven't got all day, have we?!"

His exposed blue eye met with Sebastian's red ones that made him shut up and clench his fists by his sides. Doll noticed this and looked up at him from behind, "Will you quit?"

However, the boy furrowed his brows and with a determined look he replied. "No. I'll go." At this, Doll seemed to have taken interest in him.

Ciel proceeded to take a step on the rope with a stretching sound, and he raised his arms to the side to try and balance himself on the tightrope.

It was going smooth as everyone there watched in anticipation. Until he took one wrong move that made Joker, Dagger and Doll gasp. Ciel was about to fall off until a pebble hit him by his rib, for him to regain his balance.

From below, Sebastian was watching and aiming the pebbles at Ciel, much like what he did with the knives moments ago. Amelia took notice of this and smirked down at the demon.

"Oooh~! He got his balance back!" Dagger commented. Ciel was writhing in pain from the pebbles' impact, mumbling, "Damn it, I knew this would happen." He looked down once more at Sebastian who was getting ready to shoot another pebble at his master.

Before Ciel might lose his balance again, Sebastian threw pebbles at him one after the other, causing the kid to get on and move as quickly as possible. When he finally reached the platform, he landed with a thud while wincing, "Ouch!"

He got down, rubbing his sides as he stood in front of Joker and the others. Sebastian had his head turned as he laughed silently, his shoulders evidently shaking.

Joker clapped, "Amazing! I didn't reckon you'd make it across!"

"Thanks…"

Dagger went up to Ciel and placed a hand on the kid's head. "This cutie passes then, eh, Joker? What about the lady up there?"

Joker nodded and yelled out once more, "Doll~! The lifeline again~! Her beauty would be a waste if she falls~!"

Amelia stepped in front of Doll for her to put the lifeline around her waist as well. She gulped in a breath as she placed the bow above the violin's strings.

She stepped forward and began to play, and she closed her eyes, feeling the music and letting it lead her as she walked on the tightrope with grace; not even losing her balance one bit. Even Amelia was surprised with herself but she couldn't think of that too much.

Doll and the rest watched her with wide, amused eyes; save maybe Sebastian who only smirked, seeming to be proud at her stunt.

"Bach? Not bad…" Ciel murmured, and this caught Joker's ears. "Oh~? 'Ee familiar with such pieces?" the boy drew back, surprised that the older one had heard him. "Y-Yes… my previous master used to listen to her play when he's tired."

Amelia reached the high note and it ended there, just a step before the platform. Her eyes reopened and she smiled softly, getting on the platform. Sebastian clapped his hands as Dagger and the other two people of the troupe still gawked at her performance. This was only broken when Joker whistled, obviously impressed as well.

She got down, stood beside Ciel with a happy grin on her face.

"So… do I even have to ask whether she passes or not?"

The orange-haired man grinned happily at Amelia and pat her shoulders. "Your show got my heart! 'Ee be so talented, of course I'd love 'ee to join!"

"What about my cousin? Does he pass?" Amelia looked up at him with hopeful eyes and Dagger's hand began patting the kid's head.

"Not yet!"

His declaration shocked them to silence as he began walking towards them. With a straight face he said, "There's something important 'ee be missing." Joker pointed his prosthetic finger at Ciel, making the kid gulp.

"A great, big, smile!"

Speechless, Ciel had his mouth hung agape and Joker placed his hand on his shoulder. "Come on, smile! What's wrong? Don't look so gruff!"

Meanwhile, Sebastian had his back turned again, his shoulders were shaking evident that he was laughing silently. Amelia had to force her laugh in and replace it with a weird-looking smirk.

Ciel had his head down, gritting his teeth as he was forcing himself to do the action. "Here, smiiiiile~! Come, come~!" the kid clenched his hands at his sides and with one final push…

"Smile!"

The blue-haired boy looked up, finally, a big closed-eye grin plastered on his face. Amelia had to rub her eyes and blink a few times just to make sure she wasn't seeing sparkles around the boy.

The three of them—Ciel, Sebastian and Amelia—were led off to get their clothes changed into costumes provided by the circus troupe.

Sebastian had his usual tailcoat; however the necktie was changed into a purple ribbon—which sort of looked like that one of Claude Faustus'—that instead had a small skull to lock it together. He also had a purple vertical line-like on his right eye for a makeup and wore a black hat.

As for Ciel, the boy had his usual black eye-patch. He wore a black vest atop a blue-striped shirt with puffy sleeves, ruffled neckline and chest. Around his neck was a big purple ribbon. He also had blue suspenders and a blue pirate hat with a light blue feather on it. The boy also wore striped boots reaching just below his knee and some socks—a black one and a striped one—that were both thigh high.

Lastly, for Amelia, she was once again a mix of black and white. Her hair was up in a big puffy updo and on the sides of her head were black and white feathers, respectively. Her lips were cherry red and for her eyes, a thin line of white eye shadow curved atop the black one. Small white and black beads were stuck on her eyelids as well.

She wore a ballerina-style dress; in front, black feathers covered the breast part, and below it, the sides of her body, black lace was sewn on top the white corset. At the back, the black silk ribbons were wider than most strings used to tie up a corset and like the one in front, black lace lined up her curves up to her shoulder blades. Although this would expose Sebastian's mark on her, it wasn't much obvious since her whole outfit was consisted of feathers, and it looked like realistic body makeup.

As for her skirt, large black feathers came on top of the smaller, white ones and a white violin with small black birds painted on it was strapped by her lower back, along with a black bow. Long black feathers were tied around her arm for her sleeves. And she wore white, calf-high, five-inch heeled boots.

The three of them stood in front of the rest of the troupe, while Joker stood on a small white platform and gestured to them with a wide grin on his face. "A'right everyone~! We have some new mates joining us~!"

"This is Black," meaning, that was Sebastian. "I'm Black, pleased to meet you." he spoke, holding the hat in his hands as he smiled widely at them.

"This beauty o'er here is Swan," the brunette blinked twice, quite flattered by the stage name before smiling softly. "I look forward to working with you all; I am Swan."

"And the wee one 'ere is Smile~!"

Joker announced, causing the already forced smile on Ciel's lips turn into a look of disgust. Amelia continuously patted his shoulder, her shoulders shaking as she laughed silently with the butler on her left.

"Give 'em a warm welcome everyone~!"

The rest of them greeted, doing as they were told. After that, Sebastian mocked his master by saying, "Go on, Smile, say a few words."

"Eh…! P-P-Pleased to meet you."

"Aw, come one Smile; smile~!"


"Now, I'll give ye a quick backstage tour. Follow me~!" Joker said, while the three newcomers followed just behind him. In the background, the other members of the troupe were busy with working on different things.

"First, the tents ye'll be sleeping in." he started, before opening a nearby tent which was a mess inside—clothes and sheets hanged messily on one side, bunch of alcoholic bottles on another corner—and Joker explained.

"This is where the 'second-stringers'—live stage-hands, newcomers an' such—they sleep about two, three to a tent."

Ciel was cringing, Sebastian had a small frown on his face and Amelia bit the corner of her lips while raising an eyebrow as the three of them took a peek of what they would be sleeping in… well, for that part, I meant the cousins.

Joker closed the tent, removing his cane and used it to point at a group of tents across them. "O'er there's where we eat, where we store the food. Cooking's a big part of the job while 'ee be new, so work hard!"

"Furthest down the line is the infirmary, where Black was yesterday." They began walking once more and Joker continued, "And past here are the private tents for the main cast."

Sebastian had a look on his face and quickly darted his gaze from the tents to the orange-haired man.

Ciel questioned, "Private tents?"

"The big names get places to themselves, 'ee could say. Oh! And don't forget, the first one's Snake's," he explained then pointed a finger towards the first blue tent.

"It be best to keep your distance. He lets lots of poisonous ones run loose. One bite and 'ee be stone dead."

The newcomer trio shared with each other a look, and Joker didn't mind. "Snake and his serpents are cruel shy of strangers, so ye newcomers must be extra careful." He finished, taking a few steps before them once more before he directed his cane to Ciel's face.

"That reminds me—Smile, what happened to thy right eye?"

He bent down and leaned in slightly to look closer at the Phantomhive's face, a small smile never leaving his own features.

"Er… there was an accident." Ciel answered, stuttering at first as he raised a hand to the eye-patch. Joker's smile was gone and he looked down at him with a frown and concerned look.

"Oh… you poor thing, with 'ee so young…" he murmured, placing his prosthetic hand on Ciel's face. They stared at each other for a short while, and soon the smile was back on the troupe leader's face.

"Well, we're all damaged here, so let's all be friends!"

He wrapped an arm around Ciel's shoulder and began to walk back towards the big, main tent. Amelia and Sebastian followed behind them and the latter asked, "Did all the players join up during your travels like us?"

"Mmm~ Most yes, but we first-stringers come from the same place. We're childhood friends, alike."

"Childhood friends?"

"Yep~!"

They passed by Jumbo sitting on a crate and was playing the harmonica, and when the man finished playing, Amelia murmured. "…'Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son', isn't that… Mother Goose?"

Joker stopped walking and turned around to face Amelia. "Oh? Well spotted, Swan! Not too many know that song." Joker had this look of slight admiration and the brunette chuckled and replied, "Well, you see, when Smile was younger, I too, used to play that so he would stop crying whenever his mother was out working…"

"Aye, aye, you two are cousins! 'Ee lived with them?" the orange-haired man continued to ask, causing Amelia to nod slowly in reply. "It's…quite a long story of how my mother ran away from my drunkard father and left me by their door."

Joker leaned in—a bit too close for comfort—towards the lady, his face was evidently shocked at the sudden confession, and was about to sympathize with her until Sebastian cleared his throat and said, "I must say, it surprises me that all you first-stringers are lifelong friends."

This made the man pull away from the brunette and he smiled. "Really? Snake's the exception though. His snake-handling is tops, and we needed a snake man, so he took the shortest road to the top."

"First-stringers get to eat first, so they don't have to fight tooth and nail for their food, and they get their own tents." They trudged on to the tent and he continued, "So everyone has a friendly rivalry, trying to be first-string."

Inside, most of the second-stringers were indeed practicing; from juggling, to doing acrobatic tricks on the trampoline, balancing on large balls, pole-climbing and the likes. "See 'em all working? There's some time before we open, so the newcomers are all practicing, taking every moment they can; looking to earn their public debut."

The trio watched them, commit mistakes here and there and some, falling onto the safety net. "Everything starts from the basics! You three get nice and ready before you—?"

"Joker? Got a moment?"

From the outside, Beast went in and called for the said man. She stepped closer as Joker turned around to look at her. However, upon seeing Sebastian once more, she gasped silently and frowned, though her cheeks were dusted with some shades of red.

…this wasn't left unnoticed by a certain housekeeper.

Beast 'hmph'-ed as she abruptly turned her head away from them and walked out, Joker following behind her. His one last message for the trio was, "Right then, work hard, you three~!"


The sun was about to set, creating a massive mix of colors in the sky, and the trio was still doing up some stretching exercises inside the tent.

"I can't believe the entrance to the private quarters is a tent of poisonous snakes…!"

Ciel was on the floor, his legs outstretched in front of him, his hands on his knees while Sebastian pushed him by his shoulders. "Not guard dogs, but guard vipers, correct?" he said the pun with an annoyed face.

"Yes. I say, young master—or rather—Smile; your muscles are very tight." Sebastian commented with a smirk on his face as he said so. On the other hand, Amelia was on the same position as Ciel, although the lady was much more flexible than the lad, seeing as how her upper body was almost flat on the ground.

"Keep your opinions to yourself!"

Amelia was currently lying on the floor, before she pushed herself up, creating a bridge and said, "You mean to say we'll have to be part of the first-string to get access there?" the brunette pushed her hips up and did a kick-over, before standing straight, facing the other two males.

"I suppose, but a few poisonous snakes wouldn't be a challenge to Sebastian."

"...Wasn't his name, Black?"

Ciel glared up at her and ignored the brunette. "Whatever, Swan. Anyway, we need to know whether the children are—!"

"They aren't here." Sebastian answered quickly, not letting his master finish. "I didn't sense them in the circus tents at all, either last night or during today's tour." The butler confirmed before proceeding to locking their arms together as they stood back to back.

"Still, there's no proof they aren't involved in the disappearances, either. We can't leave here until we've thoroughly investigated them."

"Indeed. After all, it's still possible that they aren't in a fit state for me to sense them."

The both of them continued to bend over each other, whilst the lady of the trio listened, splitting once more before reaching her toes, side to side.

"Don't say such unlucky things. She wishes for their safe return."

"Very well, my Lord. Ah, and although I don't sense the children…" he paused, causing the earl to raise his eyebrow in question.

"Hey, you three! Quit stretching and get to practicing!" Dagger reprimanded, looking over at the trio. "Mr. Dagger! Right, sorry…" Ciel followed up right after.

Amelia stood up and Ciel got off the kneeling Sebastian and went to stand next to the butler as well. "It's your first day, right? I'll coach ye through practice!" he said cheerily.

"First, we need to decide what your acts will be. Any requests?" he asked them as Sebastian stood straight. "I'd prefer something less physically demanding than the tightrope—greatly—prefer that." The memory of the shooting pebbles struck the earl's mind as he said this, making Dagger laugh.

"Yeah! You do seem pretty frail! Right then, I'll teach Smile all about knife-throwing." He brought out knives held between his fingers with a grin. "What about you, Swan? Black?"

The lady shrugged, "…Just anything will do, I suppose. I'm not really sure so, myself. But it would mostly involve this violin." Sebastian smirked at her response, "I, as well, have no particular preference."

"Ah, I see, I see, but Black is a real athlete! So, you two go on and try whatever you think you can manage. I'll watch!" Dagger decided, pointing his index finger up.

Sebastian turned to Amelia, offering his hand out to her. "Of course; now, Swan? Would you like to try it out together?" the butler smirked down at her, causing the brunette to stare right back and with a sigh, she accepted the offer.

"Just one, something you think we can do together without me dying, Black."

"I assure you, my lady, you are in safe hands." he pulled her hand up to his lips giving it a light kiss; the reason for some of the women who saw that to whine in slight jealousy.

Ciel looked down, sighing dejectedly, once seeing Sebastian openly flirt with his cousin before he dragged Amelia around towards the ladder to climb up to the platform. Dagger only stared at them with a confused look on his face.

"First, the trapeze." Sebastian announced as Amelia was using the fly bar like a swing, though she didn't sit on the bar; she swung forward first then back. After that, Sebastian was holding onto the fly bar with both hands and swung forward as well.

The demon kicked his lower body up and tumbled back, now standing on the bar. He gave Amelia a look, motioning for her to let go and fly to him. She nodded quickly, and flew, doing a back flip once with holding her knees to her chest.

The next, she stretched her legs and arms up as she back flipped right after, for this time, she was trying to reach Sebastian; who, was now hanging on the bar by his feet.

He effortlessly caught her, and then threw her up in the air so he could hold the bar she once used, after doing a few twirls and flips. Amelia yelped in surprise at being thrown up, but then recovered with a midair split and poised her arms.

When gravity began pulling her down, Sebastian had announced, "Next, juggling."

"H-Hey! Swan is going to—!"

Sebastian only smirked while juggling all the bottles. When he was satisfied, he threw the juggled bottles to the side, making them pile over one another in a very orderly way and successfully go back to catch the brunette, now carrying her bridal style.

She got off of him with a glare; she held back her frightened scream upon realization that Sebastian sort of left her behind, just to save their performance. Although Sebastian didn't seem affected by this and smirked smugly at her. Amelia crossed her arms above her chest, and he left her standing there before going to do pole-climbing, the rings of fire, aerial acrobatics, trampoline, skipping rope, and contortions.

Ciel had two digits stuck to his temple, while the rest of the circus troupe was gaping at his impossible yet amazing display.

Sebastian got a sword and announced, "Next, I'll swallow this swo—?"

"Enough! Enough!" Dagger stopped him, more horrified than amazed. When the butler followed what was asked of him, the rest of the second-stringers surrounded him, worshiping the newbie member.

Amelia blew her bangs up and sighed. Sebastian walked to her and placed his palm on her face, running his thumb over her right cheek. He whispered, though loud enough for her to hear over the others' reactions, "You have told me to leave everything to my hands. Did it not satisfy you?"

"It's fine," she replied, holding his gloved hand and removing it from her face. Ciel went behind him and nudged the tall man's back with his shoulder. "Hey, you're getting carried away! Act more like a newb—?"

"Well, I'll be darned. Another bright new star?" Dagger interrupted, with his hands crossed over his chest. "I'd better keep sharp!"

"Another?"

"There's one more brilliant lad who just joined up. Look, over there!" he explained before pointing up, behind them. "He's a former civil servant or something, and he's strangely serious."

The "other" brilliant star took a step on the tightrope and seemed to be holding on some garden tool, wearing glasses and had lime green eyes.

"I say, come down Suit!"

"Isn't that…?" Amelia murmured, recognizing the Grim Reaper's face. Although instead of a black suit and tie, this time, William was wearing a golden yellow, sparkling suit over a green vest and a white-dotted, red tie.

And his pants were purple.

"…a Reaper," Sebastian frowned, narrowing his eyes a bit at the bespectacled man above. The latter, turned his eyes down to look at them and sighed.

"Ah, yes, I thought I sensed something foul. For goodness' sake…" Will announced, twirling his scythe around before letting it extend and aim for Sebastian's head.

However, the demon was quick to avoid the attack, and the clipper hit the ground instead. Sebastian raised his hand up slightly, protecting his young master.

William jumped off, still holding on his scythe, "I didn't think we'd meet again. What prey are you hunting for this time," he landed on his knee and dragged his scythe across the ground and standing up, pointing it at Sebastian.

"…you vile demon?"

Upon hearing his statement, the rest of the troupe was of course, confused by the words he uttered.

"Demon?"

"What does he mean?"

Ciel looked around them and back at William, feeling alarmed and it was obvious on his face. 'No good; they'll find out who Sebastian is.'

"…Hey, what are you on about?" he asked out suddenly. The Reaper ignored him and continued speaking to the silent butler, "As if it weren't bad enough that Reapers are in such short supply, demons have to pop up everywhere too?"

"I'll have to work yet, another late night!"

"Reaper?"

Dagger's face was serious as he went near them, and Ciel tried to explain and stop him but then, Amelia's loud laugh began to resonate through the suddenly quiet tent.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! He just… said a joke with a serious face; I couldn't have held it in much longer!" the brunette explained, wiping a fake tear off her eyes. The rest of the troupe followed along with her laugh as well, saving all of their identities.

Dagger hit William by his head, twice, "Swan's right! Cut it out, you trickster! It's hard to tell if you're trying to make us laugh with a face like that!"

Amelia had long stopped laughing, and Ciel looked back at her with a few shades of pink on his face. Perhaps the lad was ashamed of taking it "seriously" and was sort of, thankful in a way, towards the lady.

"This guy's been cracking jokes since the day he got here! Going on about souls and stuff. He's an incurable cult freak!"

Will remained the usual look on his face as he combed his hair, while everyone continued to laugh.

"I'm not actually joking."

Dagger introduced the trio to him anyway, ignoring Will's statement. He then, pats the two tall men by their shoulder, "You two are our rising stars, so play nice, a'right?" Will quickly turned around, "I flatly refuse to "play nice" with vermin." Dagger was taken aback by this reaction and yelled at him about circuses being run on teamwork.

Meanwhile, Ciel began to murmur. "What is a Grim Reaper doing here?" Sebastian replied, adding on to his question. "It's also quite rare for them to go undercover, especially one such as himself."

Amelia clucked her tongue, "So this tells us one thing; that something is really going on at this circus."