Ciel stared into the feathers, looking for an answer. He couldn't sleep. His mind was at ease, his body was calm, but he could not even begin to drift off. He had been trying for ages, but gave up a few hours ago. Instead, he read through some of the other books and tried to come up with a plan. He was fairly certain he was going to need help. There was only so much these books could teach him. He needed someone to talk to, someone that might understand his plight. Just one person came to mind, and he wasn't too sure where he was, so the blunette went downstairs to ask Malphas about it.

The raven was lounging on the sofa, a black leather-bound book in his hand. He had an irritated expression on his face. Ciel paused before approaching.

"Malphas?"

The raven glanced up, "Yes, Little One?"

"I wanted to visit Alois..."

"Alright." The duke returned to glaring at his book.

"Malphas."

"Hm?" He didn't even bother looking up.

"I don't know where they live."

"I can just ask them to come here."

"Well... I was hoping to get to see where they live. I haven't really seen inside any other homes... and..."

Maphas sighed and closed his book, "Alright, I suppose I will have to take you. I need to speak with Leviatha about Alois's condition anyway."

Ciel stepped back as Malphas stood, and ended up absorbed in the action. The movement was flawless, smooth. It was like watching a flowing stream, but there was something so startling about the sudden change. When seated the Duke had seemed so approachable, calm and collected even with the slight grimace he had had. But now that he was standing, the blunette was instantly struck with the realization of how present he was, how solid. The elder demon felt very intimidating. It took the youth a moment to remember that this was his mentor; the sudden realization had made him want to prepare to get defensive. It reminded the demon child that his mentor was a very feared and powerful demon. He wondered at how easy it was to be at ease around him, despite the potential danger he posed. For a demon whose familiar was a bird, Malphas felt far too much like a predatory jungle cat.

Malphas observed his charge, taking in, with slight satisfaction, the mystified look on the youth's face. He enjoyed knowing that he could cause such a reaction in the boy. It made him feel powerful, well more than he already was. But they couldn't stand there staring at each other forever. Malphas cleared his throat, snapping Ciel out of his trance and the pair left the mansion. Ciel kept his head low. The last time he'd been on this road he'd been angry and confused. To think it was only yesterday. Actually... things have been changing fairly quickly since he ended the contract. In a number of days he'd begun to become a proper demon. He'd learned how to tap into his new senses, his new strength and dexterity, even his more advanced intelligence. He could remember things easier, clearer, and further back. He could even see memories of other things. And all in a few days. It was rather shocking, now that he was thinking that. He'd really changed a great deal. Not just physically... He glanced at Malphas then returned his gaze to the ground. How was he going to explain this to Alois? What was he expecting to accomplish? Did he want to try to win Malphas over? Or perhaps... train long enough to get to the point where he could actually function on his own. If he did that... perhaps he could go back to his manor in Limbo, if it was still there. Maybe he could find a demon to apprentice under. He could even try staying on the surface. He was so caught up in his thoughts he hadn't realized that Malphas had stopped. The blunette glanced up and found that his mentor looked tense. He froze and glanced around, but couldn't see anyone. Then the smell hit his nose and he clapped his hand over his face.

It wasn't bad, just really strong. It was floral, but very sharp. Ciel glanced around to find the cause of the smell, and he realized that that was what Malphas was glaring at. He peered into the distance and saw a small pale figure a few ways away, off of the road. As it grew larger, the youth realized it was another demon, approaching them in flickering bursts. The fledgling subconsciously stepped behind his mentor. A moment later, a beautiful demon stood before them. He was tall and slender, with long white hair. His eyes were a brilliant blue, like the sky on sunny day. He was dressed in a light cream suit, that reminded the youth of something he'd seen Viscount Druitt wear. Ciel couldn't help but feel his heart jump. He had to admit that this man was enchanting.

The stranger's beautiful face broke into a smile, "Malphas, dear friend. It has been a while. I haven't seen you in at least a century. When word reached me that you'd returned I simply had to come visit you." Ciel nearly swooned; even his voice was enchanting. His heart nearly stopped when those light blue eyes met his own. The stranger's smile softened, "I see that is true as well, I see. I had heard that you had a young one with you as well. I hadn't thought he would be this lovely." Ciel could honestly feel his heart stutter.

"You saw what you came to see, Aroi. Begone. My charge and I are on our way to visit Leviatha." Malphas growled. His slightly crouched stance had not changed.

Aroi... Ciel recognized that name, from his lessons. He was the Viscount of Vanity. That would probably explain his looks.

Aroi laughed, "Why such a threatening tone? And would it be rude of me to ask why you are visiting the lovely Countess? Is it something to do with this darling one here?" Another smile flashed in Ciel's direction. Another flutter of the boy's heart.

"You know very well why, Aroi. Where is your sister?"

"I knew her presence would upset you. Despite her strong desire to see your return, I told her it would be best if she stayed with Goran."

Malphas seemed to relax slightly, he wasn't as hostile but there was still a stern tension in him, "I see. Well, you should return to her. And my visit with Leviatha is for a completely different reason."

"Regarding that blonde pet of her's? I have heard the rumors, Malphas. As well as the interesting ones concerning your own little fledgling."

"I do not see how any of that is of your concern, Aroi."

"Of course, of course. Forgive me, my friend. My curiosity gets the better of me. I shall be on my way. Goodbye, Malphas," The gorgeous man once again made eye contact with the blunette, "Goodbye, Ciel." And with that, the beautiful man disappeared, leaving behind his striking floral scent, which Ciel finally identified as roses.

Malphas could feel a low burning fury in his chest. Aroi was always too curious for his own good, and too flirtatious, especially for a mated demon. The raven was not at all pleased with the slight flirting he'd been directing towards Ciel, or the ways he could see that his charge had reacted. The boy had been completely enraptured by the Lord of Vanity. Malphas was not pleased at all. He summed it up to his possessive feelings towards the boy, but a slight "something else" was pushing at him in the back of his mind. With a slight shake of his head, the raven cleared his mind and began walking once again. Ciel quietly followed behind.

The pair continued their walk in mild silence until Ciel spoke, "Why didn't you like him? Aroi, I mean."

Malphas glanced over at his charge, noting that the red had dulled further, then returned his gaze to the path before them, "I don't dislike him. Not really. I dislike his sister. Trate is a dangerous demon to let your guard down around."

"Well, why don't you like her, then?"

"Do you know what her title is?"

Ciel paused to think for a moment then nodded, "Yes, she's the Countess of Envy. Why? Is that what makes her dangerous?"

"Exactly. She has learned how to get what she wants without being noticed. She is a wonderful thief, in fact she tends to make contracts with thieves to help them accomplish grand heists. She does not often deal in the usual soul contracts either. She tends to take something that is greatly cherished by her contractor. Usually the souls of their loved ones, but she also enjoys taking material things."

"So, has she stolen from you?"

"Of course not."

"Then wh-"

"She has tried. And I am not very forgiving."

"What has she tried to take?"

Malphas watched Ciel from the corner of his eye, "My lovers."

Ciel blushed, scolding himself internally for getting upset at the idea. Why was he surprised? Of course Malphas would have had previous lovers, "Why?"

Malphas sighed and looked up at what passed for a sky in Hell, "Trate is very fond of... attacking those who have snubbed her. Before Goran decided he wanted her, she attempted to convince me to be her mate. When I said no, she tried to lure away my lovers. The ones that I was with continuously. Of course, I had no emotional tie to them, but they did belong to me in a way. They stayed in my home, slept in my bed. I don't know what she was thinking, trying to entice those who shared a bed with the Duke of Lust. Of course she failed. Then, sometimes to spite her, but often because I was bored, I tossed my lovers away."

Ciel was surprised, "You just... tossed them aside?"

"Of course. They meant nothing to me. Simply a way to ease the passage of time. Something to do when I was bored."

"How did they feel about it?" Ciel asked curiously.

"A few resented me, for a time. The majority were simply honored to have the privilege of sharing my bed for any period of time."

"Really?"

"Yes. Did you think they would hate me? Remember, demons don't share the same sentiments as humans. We do not get attached to each other simply from sharing a few nights together. The few that were upset simply had their pride damaged from being tossed out like an unwanted pet."

"I see... Do you have any lovers now?"

"No. I borrow from harems occasionally, but I don't have anyone interesting enough to keep around for more than a night or two." Malphas smirked down at his charge, "Why? Were you thinking of volunteering your services?"

Ciel could feel the burn of a full face blush as he shook his head, "N-no! No-nothing like that! I was just curious! I was... just wondering if there would be anyone coming around whose name I'd have to make an effort to learn."

Malphas chuckled, "No. I don't plan on taking a new lover anytime soon, so you may put your fears to rest."

Ciel nodded, his blush slowly fading away. He had a lot more information now, but it didn't exactly help him. He doubted he could woo Malphas. If a full grown, powerful demoness couldn't, then he honestly doubted he could. He was getting more and more confused as time went on. He really needed help, "How soon will we get there?"

Malphas looked around, "Fairly soon, I believe. They live closer to the very beginning of Limbo."

"What?! Then how could we be almost there? We've barely reached the beginning of the Second!"

Malphas chuckled, "I have a lovely little shortcut, and the entrance is right around here."

Ciel glanced around, "Around where? There's nothing out here!"

Malphas sighed and grabbed Ciel's chin, directing it towards a tree. A very bloody tree. And they were walking directly towards it.

"That's your shortcut?!"

"No," Malphas said, with another, louder sigh. He gestured to the large shadow the tree cast, "This is."

Ciel frowned at it, looking very skeptical, "I don't see how."

The raven held out his hand, "Just trust me."

The blunette turned his grimace to his mentor's outstretched hand, "Maybe I'll take the long way..."

Malphas rolled his eyes and grabbed his charge's hand, "Come on." He yanked the boy to him and they stood together on the shadow. Ciel was immediately caught up in the warmth of his mentor's body, but was pulled from his brief bliss by a sudden darkness. Then it felt as if wind was dragging them along, pulling and pushing them from all sides. It was exhilarating... but terrifying in the dark, so he closed his eyes and pressed his face against Malphas's front to feel some sort of consistency. Plus, his mentor's closeness made him feel safer. Finally the movement stopped and Malphas chuckled.

"You can open your eyes now, Little One. We've arrived."

Ciel carefully opened one eye, and then the other, before turning away from Malphas altogether to look around. They were standing in front of a manor somewhat reminiscent of the Trancy manor. Bluebells filled the front garden and Ciel was surprised to see a few butterflies flitting about.

"What on earth was that?"

"That, my dear Little One, is called shadow stepping. Very few can do it, and it's the fastest way around Hell."

The pair jumped as they heard a door suddenly slam against a wall as it burst open, and Alois came bounding out of the house.

"Cieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel!" the blonde shouted, drawing out the last syllable until he reached his friend. He smiled and bowed to Malphas, who in turn nodded and disappeared inside.

The blunette smiled at who he could only think to call his closest friend. He'd forgotten how much like Lizzy the blonde was, "Hello, Alois."

"What have you been up to? How is the training going? Whoa! Your eyes are red! When did that happen?"

"Wait, what?" Ciel frowned.

"Your eyes are red. You didn't know?" Alois said, tilting his head to the side.

"No... I didn't..."

"Well, now you do. Why did you decide to drop by today? Was it because Malphas needed to talk to Leviatha?"

"Actually I wanted to talk to you. I need your help with something. Is there somewhere we can talk where Leviatha and Malphas won't hear us?"

"Ooo, a secret from Malphas? I know just the spot!" Alois grabbed the young demon's hand and dragged him into the manor. The pair ran past the two elder demons, who shook their heads and laughed, and down to the basement. There, Alois led Ciel to a wall, which he carefully pulled open to reveal a secret room. The two slipped inside and Alois closed the hidden door behind them, then lit a candle. He walked around the edge of the room and lit a few more candles, filling the room with a gentle glow. There were two chairs and a table near the far wall, and the pair walked over to sit. Alois smiled, "So what did you need my help with?"

"Well..." Ciel realized he had absolutely no idea how to go about this. He didn't really know what kind of help he wanted. He didn't even know exactly what his problem was, apart from, "I'm... I think I'm in love with Malphas."

"Ha! I knew it!"

"Wait, you did?"

"Well, yeah. You hadn't known it yet, but I saw it the other day. I mean, I know what to look for after all. But unlike with me, I'm sure you can win your love over. I think he already cares about you in his own way. Why else would he be willing to continue putting up with you?"

"I don't think so..." Ciel said with a sigh.

Alois frowned, "What do you mean?"

Ciel went on to explain Malphas's Trate story and his comment about demon and human sentimentalities.

The blonde rolled his eyes, "I'm sure you could get past that. I mean, he can't just throw you out like he could with them. He's training you. Teaching you all about what it takes to be a proper demon. Why would he waste all his efforts by throwing you out like that."

"What if you're wrong? What if he does just toss me aside?"

"Then you can come stay with us! I can teach you how to cook and clean, I've been learning from Leviatha so I can cook with Luka, and Leviatha could give you more demon training. Then you could stay, or maybe go up to the surface. You could find Elizabeth. I'm sure Leviatha would help you find her. You don't really have much to lose if he does desert you."

"But I do, Alois. That's my problem. If I go after him and it doesn't work I lose him. I can't risk that. Not after already losing so much. He's my last pillar. The last piece of my old life."

"All the more reason to go after him! If you lose him in the end, he wasn't worth having. And you'll still have us. I know it isn't much but we're something. Besides, think of what you'll gain if you succeed. It's worth it, isn't it?"

Ciel frowned, "I... I don't know, Alois..."

"Do you want my help or not?" the blonde snapped.

"You're right, you're right. But... what am I supposed to do. And don't suggest I just tell him how I feel. He's more likely to use it to torture me as a joke than to actually accept my feelings."

"Then you've got to do the next best thing. Show him."

"How?"

"The same way people have been doing it for centuries."

"Don't speak in riddles, Alois. I get enough of that from Malphas."

The blonde sighed at his naive little friend, "You've got to seduce him."