Well, it's been awhile since I last published a chapter. This is mainly do to a play I did recently. Along with the fact that I just got some new manga-publishing material. Which I fail at. Not because I can't draw, but because it's hard to use. If anyone reading this knows how to use "Manga Studio Debut 4" I would totally love it if you could message me with help because I'm clueless! (No, it did not come with directions on how to use it either.)

Dedicated to:Elaina, Troy, Annette, Devin, Becca, Anna, Philip, Renee, Montana, Big Derek, Little Derek, Cameron of course, Geno and hell even Casey and Joey. And naturally, everyone on stage-crew. You're the real stars even though you forgot the fence and dropped the car on Cameron and me during the first act. You guys are like my second family, all of you. I wouldn't take anyone over you guys, not even the fabulous Sebastian Michealis. I love you and can't wait until the next play.

-/-

Grelle's attitude was becoming more and more violet. He made nasty remarks about Ciel every chance he had, no matter whom he was in company with. It was not as if Ciel had done anything to cross him. It was pure jealously with which he was struggling.

Ciel didn't appear to notice Grelle's foul behavior. If he did, it did not faze him. He continued to do wonderfully in his own, small role. More and more people began to wonder why he had not been given the larger role. Sebastian himself wondered this but instead assured everyone that Grelle was a 'professional' and deserved to be treated as such.

The play itself was coming together brilliantly, aside from Grelle's hatred of Ciel. It was not of much concern as they had few scenes together and Ciel sang only a little. The undertaker played the part of Carlotta in the play and got along well with Ciel and Soma, whom he interacted with quite a bit. Lau too was in the play and playing the part of Carlotta's lover. They kept encouraging him to gain more weight, though it wasn't happening.

One night after rehearsal, Alois came into Ciel's room. May-Rin had just finished cleaning the hall and Ciel was about to dirty it up again when the little brat showed up.

"Ciel, you'll never believe what's happened! The phantom has struck! Come quickly!" Alois proceeded to tug Ciel down to the drawing room where the lead roles had been practicing. So far, it was only the second practice together for they all already knew all of their lines. The practice was simply for blocking* since neither Sebastian nor Claude could quite agree on how to play out the scene.

When they entered, Ciel was greeted with a scene of total chaos. Sebastian and Claude were both searching around the room for who-knows-what while Grelle jumped up and down trying to tear down a banner that exclaimed "Grell = Stupid as a Grill! Ciel for Christine!"

"You!" he crocked noticing Ciel in the corner of his eye. He spun around to face the boy, "You did this! I'll kill you!"

"What?" he asked.

"He lost his voice and then that," Alois pointed to the banner, "dropped down."

Claude caught Grelle by the arm and refused to let him tear Ciel to pieces.

"This is all his fault!" he screamed, "Sebas-chan! Get him for me, won't you?"

"Grelle, Ciel was nowhere near here." Sebastian said dully, "However, it smells as though our friend the Viscount dropped by. Logically, it will have been him who did this to you."

"Yeah, and I suppose he knows black magic such as this?"

"Ciel is a thirteen year old boy, he couldn't summon up much more than your common house-hold demon-butler even if he really wanted to."

"But- but,"

"Grelle, it would be best if you went back to your room while Sebastian and I took care of all this. I assure you, the murder of the Viscount Druitt will be very boring. In fact, it would be done in very few seconds. We might just be able to drag it out fifteen minutes if we're lucky."

"But-but…"

"Now, now, Mister Grelle, get a move on." Claude then began 'walking' Grelle out, keeping a firm grip on him before shoving him out the doorway and slamming it in his face. He flicked the lock with a smirk and left Grelle to bang on it awhile before retreating back to his room.

"I can't believe that stupid- Wait, I do believe it. The Viscount is very over the top, after all." Ciel shook his head with distaste.

"I think it's all very funny, the little war between you two." Alois said, clapping once for good measure.

"It's not to my liking." Ciel replied, looking at Sebastian.

"Sir?"

"I order you to resolve this."

"Yes, my lord."

"Claude, I order you to keep the fight going as long as possible."

"Yes, your highness." Faustus said, smirking once more.

"Oh, fuck you, Alois."

"Wouldn't you just love to, Ciel?"

"What? I never said that!"

"Oh, but you're blushing!"

The demon butlers shared a look before finally muttering 'good-byes' and heading out to find Druitt.

"I'll be going back to my bedroom if you don't mind." Ciel said, not giving Alois a second glance.

"Would you like me to join you in a few minutes?" the blonde noble called.

Ciel's response was to slam the door in his arrogant face.

-/-

Grelle's voice returned to him the next day. Sebastian and Claude had them running the show* that evening which meant Ciel and Grelle would defiantly be together on stage.

The practice was going rather well when a certain blonde man stepped in.

"Free him, you devil!" he screamed, trying to grab Ciel.

"I thought you killed him?" Claude said, glaring at Sebastian.

"Well, excuse me. I was not aware I was to do all of the killing while you ditched me to read playboy."

"I only read it for the ads!"

"What, planning on having a boob-job or something?"

"No!"

"Ciel, my love," Druitt interrupted, "Come with me! Be free of this monster!"

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"That thing," the viscount exclaimed, pointing at Sebastian, "I know it is that thing which enslaves you. That monster whom forces you to love it."

"Ah, I seriously don't know what you're talking about." Ciel blushed, looking down.

That was when Sebastian launched a knife at him, nailing him right through the temple. That was the end of Druitt.

However, something was still bothering Ciel as he and Sebastian headed to the kitchen. After all, the fact that he'd just watched someone die had absolutely no effect on young Ciel Phantomhive. And he would be damned if he didn't get any cake that night.

"Sebastian, I couldn't help but notice the slight similarity between recent events and the play."

"Really, sir, I do not have the slighting inkling what you are talking about?"

"The play, the Phantom of the Opera! Can't you see, it's like I've been living the play! Just like fucking Hamlet!"

"My lord, you really should watch your mouth."

"Sebastian, how does the play end?" he asked, conveniently he hadn't gotten that part of the script and they had not yet finished running through the performance.

"It ended in a Dead-Draw."*

"Ah," Ciel said.

"But of course, the girl died first having married Raoul."

"So, I married Claude?" Ciel asked, almost laughing.

"Who said that I was the Phantom?" he returned.

The two smiled and continued on their way. The next evening, they received a phone call telling them that the original actors had broken up. The play would go on as normal, without the need of Phantom's little acting troop.

-/-

Although I preach that theater is great for writers, I must admit it isn't all fun and games. It's like joining a family. There's a creepy Uncle Joey, a narcissistic cousin, a gay brother, a charming aunt, a prefect older sister, the forgetful grandparent and two parents whom keep everybody together. And like a family, there's ups and downs. Some nights it comes easy and some nights 'it don't come at all and these are the nights that never end.' But when it's all said and done, you're still together. You're "standing tall." And only the "Drama Club Geeks" know how to really party.

*In theater, blocking refers to how people move on stage. Where they enter and exit (Although anyone whose read a screenplay will tell you it says where you enter and exit, sometimes this must be changed to speed things up.), where you might pass someone on stage, where certain props are set and how the characters might interact.
*Running the show simply means going through the whole performance. It helps with learning cues, blocking and to make sure your show isn't dragging on for hours just because some idiot is idling onstage.
* This a move in chess in which neither party can win, both Kings are in check. It also is a good comparison to the end of The Phantom. If you haven't seen it (I've watched both the play and the movie) then here's a spoiler (Hollywood style): The phantom has Raoul pinned with a noose around his neck. Christine must choose between the two. However, if she choices to be 'free of him' then he will kill her lover Raoul. If she choices him, the phantom, then she must stay in the dungeons forever but he will let Raoul live. (Even though he knew she'd pick him, he still would not have truly won for he'd never know if she stayed because she loved him or if she did it because she loved Raoul more.) Neither Christine nor Erik can win. Dead Draw.

(I read about this in the Crimson Door series by BlackenedWing on fanfiction. If you like the anime Vampire Knight and yaoi, then you'd better go check it out! It's an amazing series by an amazing author!)