"Mr. Michealis, The CEO of Gracious Chocolates is here to meet with you."

May's voice came over the intercom and Sebastian answered,

"Thank you, May."

He clicked the intercom off and braced himself with a huge sigh. This was one meeting he wished he could have passed off onto one of his subordinates. He had, time after time, but now there was no more evading the inevitable. He would have to face the unpleasant man and be stone-faced about not accepting his merger proposal. Funtom had been a prestigious family-owned company for generations, and he was not about to water that down by combining business interests with a lesser company.

So as the CEO walked through the door Sebastian rose from his desk, put on his most neutral smile, and held out his hand.

"Ah, Mr. Claude Faustus, how are you?"

His hand was taken in a firm grip by the man who entered.

"Mr. Michealis. I am doing well. How about yourself?"

The tone in which he asked did not show he really cared, as he strode right past him and seated himself in front of Sebastian's desk without waiting to be invited in.

Sebastian kept his expression friendly as he rounded his desk and gestured to the tea set sitting there.

"Tea?"

"No thank you, though my pet might like some. I left him in the outer office with your secretary. I trust she will offer him some?"

"Yes, of course." Sebastian said, finding it very hard to keep the smile on his face at that comment, thinking to himself. 'You've had him for how many years and you still call him 'pet'? He has a name.'

Sebastian sat himself behind his desk and folded his hands. Unable to resist irking the man a bit, he asked,

"How is he, anyway? Is he excited about the proposition of the new law?"

Sebastian knew what the answer would be, but he delighted in the terse look that flashed across that handsome, but expressionless, face.

"I do not know, nor do I care how my pet views current events. It is no concern of his and no interest of mine to know what he may think."

"I would say that this particular matter concerns him very closely," Sebastian went on, keeping his tone matter-of-fact, "him and his entire race."

Claude sounded almost bored as he said,

"If the law is passed, yes, but it is for humans to decide. Personally, I hope to heaven that our government is not daft enough to actually pass such a law. I can't imagine the damage that will be done if hundreds upon thousands of humans have to release their Leonard pets. Where will they all live, in the street? What in the world will become of our economy? The order will be a shambles for a long time if they go through with this."

"I tend to disagree, but that's just my opinion." Sebastian said, again enjoying the disdain that flashed for a split second behind the very business-styled glasses.

"I can see that clearly; you have a Leonard for a secretary. She and my pet went right into their feline forms and chased one another around the office for a whole minute before they calmed down. Most distasteful. Especially in a business such as this."

Sebastian sat up a little straighter, ready to defend May and all Leonards, to the end.

"That is just an instinctual trait. It is no different than the two of us shaking hands when we met. Perfectly natural."

"Natural for a wild animal perhaps." Claude muttered. Sebastian had a hard time keeping back a sharp remark, but he managed to keep the smile on his face and keep speaking,

"Besides, May does a superb job. Actually, I have many Leonards in my employ. I find they consistently do good work."

"If they can stop gallivanting around long enough to get any work done."

They had not been in the room together for more than a minute and already they were having a disagreement. Sebastian hoped this meeting would not last very long. There was a short pause before Claude said,

"Initial banter aside, Mr. Michealis, you know why I am here. I wish to discuss the benefits of merging our two companies."

"Very well, Mr. Faustus, make your case. Again." Sebastian said, leaning back in his chair, preparing to zone out while acting like he was listening intently.

It was an old role when it came to Claude Faustus. The man had proposed a merger twice a year for the past three years, and Sebastian had refused him every time. The most ironic aspect of these meetings was that the man didn't seem to really care about what he was proposing. He did not seem passionate enough for the idea to really have merit to him. He almost seemed like he was just going through the motions. It was a mystery that Sebastian had never been able to solve.

"Gracious Chocolates may not be as old or prestigious as Funtom," Claude began, his tone sounding mechanical. "But we are a quality company, and our products are sold around the world. Our focus is more toward the younger generation, with confections that appeal to those with less cash in their pockets…"

Sebastian was no longer listening. He knew exactly what Claude was going to say; combining the fine chocolates of Funtom with the cheaper, more decorated and commercial chocolate products sold by Gracious would create more sales opportunities for the both of them, and create a unique product that people from all walks of life could enjoy.

The idea itself was not a bad one, but Sebastian was convinced that the products would not mix well. The difference was just too great. His company utilized high quality ingredients, the equipment, staff, quality testing, everything was top notch and expensive, while Claude's company utilized a cheaper route that resulted in lower quality confections.

Aside from their products not mixing well, Sebastian was opposed to working with the man himself. Claude Faustus was a hard man, ruthless in the business world, relentless with his pursuits regardless of what they were. Above all, Sebastian knew that the young Leonard male he owned was treated as nothing more than a decoration that he carried around with him. He took the lad with him everywhere he went.

At first Sebastian tried to think of this as Claude's own way of showing how much he cared, but as the years went by and the name Claude Faustus became more readily heard, it became clear that his Leonard was simply his pet. He hardly even called him by his name. This, more than anything, made Sebastian loathe the man.

Sebastian had thought many times about adopting a Leonard, but he knew he had no time to raise one like he would want. Especially one that had so many animal instincts that he could not understand.

Bard was the one who knew all about Leonards. It was one of the reasons that Sebastian had taken such a shine to him in university. Over the years he had shared bits and pieces of what he knew and what he was learning about the magical race. The more Sebastian heard, the more he wondered why in the world these beings had been put under human rule. Who were humans, to think that they had the power to control something so ethereal?

Even so, if he could not adopt a Leonard, he had thought time and again about getting a cat. He had restrained himself, with great effort, due to the same issue of the time he spent in the office. His love for cats was known to everyone; it was impossible not to know since the very logo for his company utilized a cat. That logo had been created a few years back when he decided the entire advertizing and branding campaign needed a fresh look. He was much happier with it now.

He smiled to himself, even as he appeared to be smiling at Claude, who was still talking. He had a little cat at home now. He wished he could leave work early to go home and see Cinder. It was bad for the kitten to be alone for so long. He still had that cough too. Sebastian mused to himself. He needed to pick up some feline medication on his way home…and some proper cat food. He couldn't nurse the poor thing back to health on milk alone.

"…so that is why it would be to our mutual benefit." Claude finished, and Sebastian ended his zoning out. He nodded thoughtfully, stroking his chin as if thinking seriously.

"Well, Claude, as always, very admirable presentation. However, you have not addressed the issue of how you intend to raise the quality of your own product without costing my company. I'm sorry, but until you can find a solution to this problem, I will have to reject your proposal."

It was hard to gauge Claude's reaction, as his face always remained like that of a statue. He stood stiffly and extended his hand to Sebastian.

"I will try to find the solution. Thank you for your time." Sebastian shook his hand.

"I'll see you out." He said, walking Claude to the door. When he opened it he caught sight of Claude's Leonard sipping tea beside May's desk. Sebastian couldn't deny that the boy was very beautiful. He had intriguing blue eyes, and hair so blond it was almost white. Claude had dressed him well, in the most trendy fashion of the day, and this added to his almost model-like appearance. He had been smiling at May, flashing two rows of pristinely white teeth and probably engaged in conversation before the two men walked out.

As soon as he saw Claude, however, he stood up, put the tea cup down and bowed his head slightly, the smile wiped off his face.

Sebastian had seen this too many times to be surprised by it, but it still made his blood boil. The boy practically glowed whenever his master was out of the room, but the light seemed to be snuffed out as soon as Claude came near him. For one who seemed to independent and beautiful, it was shame to see, especially in one so young. Sebastian had assumed he was close to sixteen.

This behavior also made Sebastian wonder what went on when they were alone. He sometimes wondered if Claude beat the boy, but he never saw any bruises…at least not on his face, where all could see. Claude was too concerned about appearances to allow that even if he did strike him. Everything with Claude was precise and calculated, and a bruised pet added up to a negative image.

"Come, pet, we are leaving." Claude said in his soft, even voice. He knelt down with the best possible posture and held out one of his arms like a man summoning a falcon. The boy instantly shifted into a lovely young cat, his glossy orange and white fur seeming to gleam like water in the light. He walked quickly on his mismatched white and orange paws to his master and climbed into his arm.

Claude then rose with just as much grace as he had knelt, and strode with great dignity out of the office, the cat perched on his arm.

"Goodbye, Alois…" May called after them.

The orange cat poked it's head around his master's elbow briefly, and blew her a kiss with his paw. Then they were gone.

"That poor boy." Sebastian said quietly.

"I know." May agreed. "He was all smiles when it was just the two of us. He was very talkative and lively. Then he just…went to pieces. It's so sad."

Sebastian sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I don't have to tell you, May, that the world we live in is far from just. I fear too many of you incredible creatures are mistreated because of the unfounded rules of our society."

May nodded, adjusting her glasses for something to do. Then she said,

"I could never imagine having a master like that. At least my owners are kind to me. Bard saw to that."

Sebastian nodded. May's owners were both in the medical field, meaning they were both gone much of the time, but were able to support her well. They were an older couple in their fifties now, and they care for her very much.

"Well, speaking of Bard," Sebastian said, sensing that he needed to lighten her mood, "he informed me this morning that he is planning on adopting a certain young Leonard from his own shelter."

May perked up at once, as he had planned. Her mood tended to change with the circumstances. He knew she had a very soft heart.

"Oh my goodness! Bard's adopting Finny?!" She nearly shrieked, then clamped her hands over her mouth as if to take back the loud sound, even though she was smiling broadly.

"Yes, ma'am." Sebastian replied, catching her smile and letting it rise to his own eyes. "You know Finny, then?"

"Are you kidding?" May asked, cocking her head, "When I was six I asked him to marry me, I did." She giggled to herself. "He was so much younger than me, but I was still too young to know or care about that. All I saw where those big, pretty eyes and all that adorable hair…"

May sighed for old time's sake.

"I didn't realize that you grew up with him." Sebastian said with interest. "I feel ridiculous now, knowing you came from Angel Wing as well."

"Well, I was adopted when I had just turned ten, so I didn't really 'grow up' with him, but I did know him for a few years. It's so wonderful for both of them that Bard's adopting him."

"Yes it is. I'm having them over for dinner tomorrow night to congratulate them. Bard has also asked me to hire Finny. Perhaps he could help you out with all of your work?"

May's face brightened so much that he wouldn't be surprised if she began shining.

"That would be lovely. I'd love the chance to see if he remembers me at all."

Sebastian smiled again.

"Then it's settled; The Funtom Company will have yet another Leonard employee. And we'll be so much better for it."