Mouser woke up tense, silent, her nails deeply imbibed into the mattress, puncturing it, her breath coming in and out shallowly, short shards of gasps. Slowly she relaxed, returning to the plump surface, prying each finger loose, looking at the actions sullenly. When one of her hands was free she covered her face, groaning, rolling slightly, going deeper into the covers as the other hand worked to get out of the piece of furniture.

So it was biting a bit harder than she had been expecting.

Mouser smirked, huffing, slipping out of the bed, looking around.

Sebastian was not there.

It seemed dawn was yet to come too.

Without bothering to put anything else on she walked out, bare feet touching the cold floor, making her wince. As much as it was a sensation she was familiar with and could block out of her mind it was still unpleasant. In any case it was just a quick trip… Agni would not care and Soma was still in the boyo's room playing the elder brother.

The cabinets were neatly organized as always so it was easy to find the item she was looking for. The rum sloshed inside the bottle. Mouser frowned. It was nearly gone. Groaning in annoyance she placed the bottle in the counter and got to her knees, crawling inside the cabinet to find the backups.

"A troubled conscience is not good for a growing demon." Sebastian said from somewhere behind her. Of course he would be in the kitchen… Mouser grunted, still checking labels and scents. She resented that accusation.

"I'll have you know I have had no issues with my conscience in..." She paused the muffled words and backed out of the storage area, not noticing the sway of her hips or the bunching of the fabric around her thighs, frowning. "Actually I don't recall any instance of such a trouble. I believe I pawned it off along with gold and silver." Mouser sighed and faked a pout."Why is the rum gone?"

"I had not expected to return so soon to the town house. An oversight." The demon admitted, extending his hand so she could stand up. Mouser sighed, taking it and picking up the nearly drained bottle. She did not let go of his hand, frowning when she felt a distinct warmth against her skin. He was not wearing gloves.

"It's not my conscience. It's my memories." Mouser sighed and gestured towards the table. Sebastian sat down, letting her climb onto his lap, sapping his warmth, snuggling. His hands found their way to long strokes down her spine. She let go of the bottle, humming, nipping his neck gently, arms going around his torso, making her displeasure towards the cold that sneaked where they were not touching known. The nightmares were good. She dealt with them easily, out of habit. The terror in the dreams often allowed her to feel no dread when awake. But sometimes… "Some things got dragged out." It was about as open as she was going to be.

Sebastian caressed her head, playing with the hair that had grown longer. It was still quite uneven when considering right and left. It seemed to fade some of the tension that was still thrumming through her.

Unpleasant memories were natural and something even demons possessed. Hell was not a place where the weak survived. Time gave the demons ample chance to move on and stop caring altogether about events that had befallen them, hardening their minds and emotions to the point they looked unfeeling to the uneducated. Mouser's concept of time was still human hence her memories, when given the proper and unpleasant prodding, still soured her moods.

It was not a frequent event. Not for her, not for demons in general.

It would pass. They both knew it. So when she fell asleep again, dragged by the simple allure of the activity rather than the need for its restful proprieties, Sebastian simply picked her up, returning her to their bed, placing the Peter Rabbit between her arms. Mouser was smirking slightly as she snuggled the bunny when he adjusted the covers over her. He slipped his fingers through her hair again. The demon would have stayed and perhaps even waited for her to come to again, riling her up until nothing was left but desire to burn away whatever was making her agitated, if not for the nagging feeling he was having about the town house security. Any suspicion on the circus part could trigger a retaliation and as the business was unfinished he should keep his guard up.


"It was a lovely performance Silk." Charlotte teased, signalling a maid to serve the tea. The young girl couldn't be more than sixteen and had shaky hands. It was obvious she was still training. Most likely one of the rescued her friend gave chances to. Survivors. Whether they took the chance for a better and stable life or returned to the streets was their own choice.

"Well thank you." Mouser sipped, feeling the warmth, deciding it needed a bit more sugar, adding as the girl glowed at Charlotte's gentle praise, walking out, bit by bit less skittish. Maybe that one would take the offered chance.

"I take it is done?" Charlotte asked in a business tone, taking the cup, legs crossing under the light dress.

"Not yet. The boyo does owe me a bit of money seeing I won the bet." Mouser noted, placing the cup down, looking out, seeing snow.

"It was a noble then?"

"Indeed."

"So you came to ask about it."

"We're taking the time while he's bedridden to get all the information we need for a meeting." Past, present, house plants, number of servants, where to get keys, how much money he had and where did it flow from…

"I will endeavour to help the Queen's Watchdog." Charlotte said formally before grinning. "And get a new set of rings."

"What kind of rings?" Mouser asked, interested.

"There is a new trend going around…" Charlotte said, winking dreamily. "I know. Magpies. Still… ask away."

"Baron Kelvin."

"Really?" Charlotte made a look of utter disgust and disdain. "He was somewhat good… Five years ago he was one of the few that ran decent orphanages and work houses. No one got sold. He actually cared about the kids he picked up from the streets. He even took the ones that were hurt and crippled." Mouser frowned. Figured the circus was a batch of those, given a second chance at movement. "Then three, almost four now, years ago he disappeared from the public's eye, dropped all his philanthropic work within the city, emptying the buildings his charities were in, and stayed within his manor. His wife abandoned him. Not only that. They divorced." Extremely humiliating and damaging for all parties involved. Which was another giveaway that something was very wrong. "Rumours say he's gone mad."

"Three years? Why is it that all converges to that point of time?"

"The Phantomhive's murder." Charlotte noticed. "There is more."

"There always is." Mouser snorted bitterly.

"Yes. After this bit though I'm going deeply into rumour territory. He hired a doctor that was forbidden to practice because he performed unethical surgeries and experiments."

"Doctors like that usually buy corpses underground. Or experiment on the living poor that no one misses if snatched off the streets."

It was not unusual as an occurrence. But being backed up by an eccentric patron merited some attention.

"As for the rumours… remember when Ciel Phantomhive was auctioned off?" Charlotte sipped her tea softly. It had been a very private and closed deal, open only to the wealthy.

"Yes. To a cult of nobles playing with things they shouldn't." Mouser scoffed. "Everyone was very surprised the pup of the Watchdog had survived."

"I heard he was part of it, the original cult, but did not attend. Recluse and all. If he did he would be dead and you'd be having no troubles with the fat old fool." Her friend cheered and stretched.

"Interesting…"

"What are you thinking?" Charlotte asked playfully.

"How much this is going to be worth." Mouser answered, smiling. "Can you trace the boyo's purchase?"

"I tried." Charlotte stared at the tea. "When you started working for him I tried to nose around. Can't find a shred of proof or evidence… whoever tried to get the Phantomhives off their plate knew what he was doing. Have you tried to contact the Undertaker or the Spider?"

"The Undertaker will say nothing." Mouser sighed. "He's a regular contact of the boyo and I'm rather sure he would have asked and taken his answers already. Besides he deals with the dead. His knowledge of the living and events that have no visible victims can be rather sketchy. As for the Spider…" Mouser sighed then groaned. "The old one was off his trolley and the new one is a nutter. Also I wouldn't be entirely sure the old blighter had nothing to do with the boyo's disappearance and death of the rival noble family."

"He liked kiddos." Charlotte dragged out.

"I'll bet you five shilling and diamond tiara as he was in that oh so secretive auction." Mouser deadpanned pulling out a cigarette, lighting it.

"What would I do with a tiara?"

"Parade around and proclaim you're a princess." Mouser answered, smirking amidst the smoke.


"It seems his fever had dropped." Sebastian assessed after a quick appraisal, making the boyo drink a bit more water without waking him up. Soma was collapsed on the bedside and Agni was helping. Mouser was playing nurse, carrying a tray with water, herbal tea, and some bitter smelling medicines that hopefully would not be needed, both for the sake of the boyo and her nose's. Sebastian also mentioned that, according to the medical book, some of those could provoke nausea. No one was too eager to try any of it. "His respiration sounds normal too and his colour has improved immensely since yesterday."

"It's a relief isn't it?" Agni answered, picking up the sleeping Soma, carrying him on his back.

"They say sleep is the best medicine for humans. Let's not wake him yet." Sebastian said agreeably, walki8ng towards the door, opening it, allowing everyone to pass before closing it just as silently.

"Mr. Sebastian… I am sorry for being so forwards and yelling so loudly at you yesterday." Agni was keeping his voice down while they walked, discussing the events.

"Not at all. It was a deeply interesting point and good guidance." Sebastian conceded without embarrassment or worries. It added to the respect and friendship he had started to form with Agni, as odd as that felt for the old demon.

"You shouldn't say such things. For me to give you guidance…" Agni laughed lightly, still very reluctant to take praise or look anything less than humble. "I think Mr. Sebastian is a far more perfect butler than I."

"But you're too mean." Soma's voice rose from his khansama's back, trying to disguise itself.

"Prince… did I wake you." Agni was immediately concerned. Sebastian glanced at the young man, looking slightly confused.

Mouser smiled.

Mean was a matter of perspective. Paralleled with some old stiff butlers Mouser had met over the years, and be beaten and shooed away by them, Sebastian could be considered warm and loving. And she was not comparing to anything that happened within their covenant. The British butler was usually a glacier of efficiency. Or so the stereotype went.

Soma was shivering and hiding.

"No. I'm sleeping. The one talking right now is Agni." He hushed his voice further, prodding Agni in an urgent whisper. "Lip synch with me."

And without missing a beat Agni did so.

"Compared to me you're not nice for your master at all."

"Not nice." Sebastian repeated slowly, puzzled.

"Ciel is still a child. He's at that age where he wants to be fawned over and cuddled by their parents all day. Especially when sick. But he has no parents." Soma was explaining, eagerly, masked by Agni's devotion to him. He fooled no one. But maybe he knew that.

"Miss Crows?" Agni said in his own voice, noticing Mouser's expression.

"Forgive me but I have no memory of that… I was just finding the notion very odd." The thief said simply, blinking for a moment, snapped out of a slight trance.

"Well I had nothing like that" Soma admitted, a bit saddened, a bit rueful. "But my grandfather and Meena who were nice and fawned over me… that's why you should be nice to him and fawn over him with all your might. Be nice. Just do it." With that he hopped off Agni's back and ran off, afraid of Sebastian induced repercussions.

"Prince what a kind heart…" Agni called, looking utterly moved. Sebastian just watched, looking calm but confused by the sudden events. Mouser shrugged, taking the tray back to the kitchen as the demon left to stay within the usual routine. She also had to do some work for the Funtom. Three, almost four days translated into quite a staggering amount of correspondence.


"Dark?" Ciel whispered groggily as he stirred awake. "What time is it now?" He finally whispered with some clarity, looking around, pinpoint the butler nearby with a cart and Mouser sitting in front of the fire, reading the newspaper, pen in hand, circling and underlining news. She glanced up when he spoke, placing everything down, turning the armchair towards the bed, sitting down again. Ciel frowned, confused.

"It is 7.14 pm." Sebastian answered with the proper inflection a servant should display. It made the boyo hope the weirdness of the sickbed behaviour had passed. Still so late…"You finally woke up I see." Sebastian stated, draping the fluffy house robe over the boyo's shoulders, lighting the candles next, trying to keep the room in a slightly darker side of the light spectrum. It was just better for the recently awakened.

"Why didn't you wake me?" The boyo demanded, huffing in annoyance. He was feeling better then.

"It was a decision based on the fact that butler should think about their master's health first." Sebastian said. Mouser clapped silently with glee, smirking. Let the show begin.

"Huh?" The boyo was already confused. Perfect. It would add that little impact needed…

Sebastian smiled as if nothing was different and pushed the cart closer, to the bed, revealing the treats he had prepared, presenting them in the usual fashion.

"Today's dinner is milk risotto with three kinds of mushrooms with pork and wine pot-au-feu. Desert is apple compote draped with yogurt." Then it started. "Well the Young Master... say aah." Sebastian's voice grew a bit sweeter and he picked up the plate and spoon, treating Ciel like a five year old child. Mouser chortled suddenly, bending forward, trying to contain his laughter when the boyo prickled, panicking.

"AH?! Just who are you trying to be." He shouted suddenly, eyes wide. Mouser was trying very hard to choke down her laughter, reclining against the armchair's back, legs pressed against her stomach.

"Is it too hot?" Sebastian continued the nanny act without missing a beat. "I'll cool it down for you then." The only way to make any of that even odder and awkward was if he was wearing the apron and frilly cap. Actually Meyrin had gossiped something about a pink bonnet with flowers imposed by Lady Elizabeth... Mouser whimpered, trying to breathe before bursting into a cackle as she saw the completely confused and slightly squeamish boyo squirm like a snail in a salt shaker and the incongruent image of Sebastian wearing anything pink and frilly. "Tsk... Such a troublesome master to fawn over... honestly." Sebastian added to the show with a slight soliloquy to his public. Mouser covered her mouth, running out of air. But if she took any breath she just knew she was going to laugh. Loudly.

"Grossing me out has its limits!" Ciel shouted suddenly, scooting to the other side of the bed, covered in goose bumps, losing the robe. "Mouser!" That was a plea for help if she ever heard one.

"I am sorry. I'm just here for the show." Mouser wheezed out, smiling, chuckling again, rearranging her position on the chair, trying to sit politely and watch like a lady. The effect was ruined by the slightly loonish smile she had plastered on her lips and the shaking of her shoulders.

"Oh dear. You will get in a worse condition if you don't eat and keep warm Young Master." Sebastian said with a voice dripping sweet and helpful gentleman, bundling him in the robe, adjusting the sheets and patting his head. Again like an overly doting nanny. Mouser's smile vanished into a thin line of barely contained sound.

"Stop this right now." Ciel finally was awake enough to understand and plot a course. Mouser sighed. Well it had been funny enough. "That's an order."

Sebastian smiled, lowering his head in acknowledgement. So he simply explained the behaviour.

"Prince Soma said patients are things to fawn over completely and be nice to." The demon composed a puzzled expression, smirking then, head tilted in doubt. As if saying that he was just taking advice that seemed sound but made no sense to him. "Does this not please you?"

"I don't need your fawning. It's disgusting." The boyo said bluntly, looking angry. Mouser sighed, shaking her head, standing and stretching, going inside the closet to pick up the clothes for the nightly activities.

"Is that so. I am sorry then." Sebastian said calmly, allowing the boyo to eat, walking around with Mouser, both preparing the trip. The thief left with the cart when it was time to dress. "By the way... at about four I received a phone call from Tanaka." Sebastian informed while dealing with the waistcoat's buttons of the properly tailored suit. Despite being tagged as a criminal they were still going to visit a Baron. Some decorum and showiness was in order. The Phantomhive name had to be impeccable. "It seems Lady Elizabeth is at the manor."

"What!?" Ciel shrieked, tensing. "Why didn't you say it sooner?"

"I wanted the young master to eat his dinner with ease." The boyo accepted that answer as Mouser came in, carrying the cloak and having the top hat placed on her own head, balancing it while twirling the cane, waiting. "And if you don't chew right the nutrition level will go down..." Sebastian continued, straightening the jacket and holding it so the boyo's arms could go into their sleeves.

"Don't get carried away with the advice of that peaceful idiot combo." Ciel grumbled.

"Said combo is out of the way for now if you're quiet." Mouser informed. "Agni is cooking something Soma requested and the prince is downstairs in the billiard room. Warmth and games."

"It seems Lady Elizabeth has no intention of returning home before seeing the Young Master." Sebastian picked up the conversation unhurriedly, taking the hat from Mouser, adjusting her hair before giving the item to the boyo. "So with her fast return in mind..."

"Jeez..." The boyo groaned making Mouser chuckle as the cape was placed around his shoulders and she tied the big bow. "You have researched Baron Kelvin's house?"

"Yes, seeing there was plenty of time to do so. It's a place about a day drive from London by coach or railway."

"Boyo… there is something you should…" Mouser started softly.

Ciel was not going to listen. His attention was in the mission and focused on Sebastian to get the best result. Mouser sighed and glanced at the demon. Maybe nothing would come of it if they killed the bloke before he could prattle and tattle.

"If it's you we'll be able to get there in an hour right? If it's an order..." Sebastian seemed calm. Mouser fidgeted. So it would be a test for her too, the thief though, putting on her gloves, cape and adjusting the little hat. "Let's end this quickly and return to the main house." Ciel ordered haughtily.

"Yes my lord." Sebastian acquiesced, finally getting into his own overcoat, ready to depart.


Unfortunately Ciel's status as the worse thief ever had not changed overnight. Soma came running as soon as the boyo's shoes started to take him downstairs.

"Ciel you're going out again?" The prince was standing his ground on the base of the staircase, trying to look angry and intimidating. It was clearly not within his nature to be either. Feeble effort at best."If you don't heal..." Soma began to scold

"I heard you nursed me while I was asleep." Ciel said softly, taking a different approach.

"Yes... I" Soma was immediately disarmed by the sweetened tone.

"Thank you. I feel so much better. Thank you." The boyo did the trick again, all sweetness, smiles and soft fluffiness. Like one of the bunnies he sold.

"Is that so." Soma preened, easily distracted. "Thanks to me... after all when the nursing is good you really heal better..." the prince was happily rambling, not noticing as the boyo made a dash for the door.

"Yes. So the healthy me has to go. See you." Ciel crossed the hall and slipped into the cold snowy early night. Slivers of sunset still stained the sky, deceitful. "All that smiling practise really came in handy..." The boyo said as the demon pair closed the door, leaving Soma shouting inside.

"You fooled me Ciel. I'll remember this for when you come back!" Soma was shouting, irritated.


"This is the mansion?" The boyo asked as Sebastian placed him down, looking around with a critical eye.

"Yes." Sebastian answered simply, turning. Mouser took a deep breath, stretching, uncomfortable. It had been a mad sprint and her legs felt quite boneless for the time being. The demon examined the female for a moment. "Were you able to keep up?"

"Barely but I managed." She admitted. While he was able to sprint non-stop she could only keep up through short burst of speed, covering as much ground as possible before stopping and wheezing for a couple of minutes. The demon gave her an amused look, approaching, placing her face between his hands, kissing her slowly and deeply, replenishing what the harsh effort had taken.

The boyo ignored them with a frown, as that sort of activity was in the grossing him out category, still examining the place, noticing the lack of light, guards and movement.

"How is it?" He finally asked. "Can you pick up any kind of trace?

"Yes." Sebastian said after a few moments staring at the stone, clean façade. "I am not sure if all of them are here but it seems everyone is alive." Mouser did not look, still recovering. The trio walked towards the main door calmly, ready for the worst.

"Welcome." The double door opened slowly, revealing a sombre looking Joker. He showed neither a flinch nor surprise. "We have been waiting Earl Phantomhive." The circus leader bowed politely, stepping out of the way. Please come inside." He said, clearly taking the role of the butler of the household, snapping his fingers to bring the lights to life, revealing a decor that mixed what was once a classy mansion and broken dolls and limbs. Pretty pieces, discarded...

"Enough with the dolls." Mouser grumbled as the boyo looked around wide-eyed in shock. Sebastian's reaction was a bit more contained but he looked less than pleased with the situation. "I am sick of dolls." It did raise the question if that had anything to do with the disabled doll house. They were not fully assembled, dressed or animated so that chance seemed faint.

"This way." Joker urged in a dead tone, very politely.

"What do you want to do?" Sebastian leaned down, assessing the boyo's mood and intentions. Mouser did the same quietly while they walked upstairs. "Kill him right away and rescue the children?" The demon suggested.

Mouser agreed. It was the simple, quick, clean and easy path to take.

"Wait." The boyo said quietly and thoughtfully. "If this kids were still alive isn't it better if we catch them red handed? Also if we don't understand the situation or his goals completely we can't report it to the Queen."

"Understood." Sebastian bowed gently, acquiescing.

"I believe you are over thinking." Mouser whispered. "You should just dispatch him quickly and move on."

"Well... they say don't judge a book by its cover." Joker interrupted the small exchange. "You're a good example. That such a little body lives under the stage names of the Queen's watchdog and Evil noblemen that's some hardship Smile." For a tricked man he was being extremely comprehensive. Which was a clear giveaway that he was not the one in control. And the one in control had what he was after right under his roof.

"My name is Earl Ciel Phantomhive. A servant shall not speak to me with such familiarity." The boyo stated with all the arrogance he could place in his voice, giving back all the anger and frustration that had slowly been accumulated over the last few days of forced humility and face aches due to the overexposure to smiles.

"Exactly." Joker shrugged, reaching another door. "You are a noblemen after all." The man sighed and slipped into the stiffer role again. "We have prepared dinner for you." Joker announced as he opened the way to an ample dining room, richly decorated with a stage in front of the perfectly set and polished table. "This way please." Joker followed through the formalities, pulling the chair for the boyo, crossing the room then, standing next to the opposite door. "He has arrived."

"You came to see me." A man was wheeled into the dining room by two pretty blonde children, their eyes empty and the gestures slow, dull and mechanic. Oddly enough even the dead-girl dolls had looked livelier even when lacking a soul. The soul she caught a glimpse of was deeply repulsive. In contrast the man, Baron Kelvin, even heavily bandaged was perky and lively, the one eye that was free of the fabric shining in glee. "Earl Phantomhive. Ah it's like a dream. To have you so close to me. Though I feel so ashamed to meet you looking like this." He was wheeled to his place. Joker showed nothing.

"So you are Baron Kelvin?" Ciel asked, just confirming.

"That's right. But it makes me feel rather awkward to be all formal with you. For you we have prepared a feast." A sudden invasion of children in servant's uniforms, puling and carrying the said feast entered the room. "The wine if from 1875." The baron continued as Joker poured and served. The kids did their duties and disappeared. They were as well trained as any domestic staff Mouser had seen. But they were still sharing the same dulled eyes and souls of the others. The thief crinkled her nose in distaste. Too close. "It's from the year I were born. I might sound as though I am showing off a little."

"It doesn't seem to contain poison." Sebastian said after taking a cautious sip. He was standing silently behind the chair, to the left. Mouser was standing to the right hands caressing her knives under the cape, pulling just a bit feeling the metal against her skin, waiting.

"Humph." The boyo acknowledged the statement, staring, his eye darkened. "I have no intention of touching food served by a rat so there is no need to taste for poison. Moreover..." He shifted slightly on his seat, examining the new wave of diminutive dull servants. "Those children... it looks like there are more victims than the police reports."

"They could have been bred here for the servitude purpose."

"Meaning?"

"Keep whores pregnant and have a steady supply." Mouser said, grimacing. That had been… of what was the name… Madam Taylor's method. She specialized in selling kiddos… Not a brothel, just a market. So who was to say that Baron Kelvin didn't produce his own particular preferred brand of servants?

"But their appearance..." The boyo continued, preferring not to delve too much into that particular side of the conversation. They were indeed unknown faces but the lack of report could indeed mean that they had never been in known in the first place. A blank existence, created just to function.

"They are empty." Mouser provided, her eyes still and deep red. Sebastian showed no emotion. The boyo was growing angrier and repulsed. "Can I kill him?" Mouser offered in a sweet whisper.

"That's it... just merely having a meal..." The bandaged baron was rambling, delving into the food that had been placed in front of him, dutifully aided by the blonde pair. "Earl... Are you also bored?" He turned, playing the hospitable and conscious host, interrupting the flow of the conversation on the other side of the table. "Joker." Fat pulpy hands clapped forcefully, startlingly loud. "Prepare that for me."

"But..." Joker seemed shocked and torn.

"Just do it." The bubbly tone shifted easily to aggression and cruelty. He didn't stop eating, enjoying himself and showing a pleasant look every time he glanced towards the boyo.

"Yes." Joker whispered, resigned, pulling a few ropes, making bell sound throughout the house, walking towards the stage, picking up a cane from one of the servant-child in the way, clearing his throat discreetly as the curtain was pulled apart gracefully. "Welcome Earl Phantomhive. Tonight I will accompany you to a world of pleasure that will leave you dazzled." There was a line of small bodies attired with circus clothing and pristine masks. Still. Empty. Broken. The baron was laughing and clapping in anticipation. The boyo just looked slightly confused for the moment as Joker masked himself in his circus persona. "First we have a tightrope walker with no lifeline or anything." A little girl above the ground, tumbling down, crashing on the stage, her skull cracking, blood seeping through the fair hair, staining the boards. "This is the real deal."

There was no mistaking the flinch that racked through Joker's frame. Ciel gasped in shock. Sebastian frowned. It was not exactly puzzlement but there was a clear feel of disgust in his attitude. Mouser tilted her head, staring at the blood, blinking slowly, petting her daggers. The baron cheered gleefully. Joker seemed to be in pain, his voice cracking as something forced him to continue.

"Next is the wild animal tamer." A little, scrawny kid. "A fierce lion." A big grown and hungry beast with a scarred rump, riled to aggression, further egged on by the scent of the blood that was leaving a smear through the planks as two other properly dressed kids dragged the unfortunate rope walker away. It was no surprise when its first action was to attack and maul the unresponsive boy. "Then..." Joker's expression was growing more pained and tighter. "Next is a knife thrower…" A boy and a girl strapped onto a decorative board. "The fate of the girl is..." The knife was thrown, straight for the head.

"Stop it Sebastian." The boyo shouted suddenly, standing, almost demolishing the cutlery. The blade was stopped too near the mask, held by the demon who then stood, taking the piece of white lacquer away, picking up the images of the missing children, leafing through them thoughtfully in the shocked silence of the Baron and Joker.

"Ellery Nickson disappeared in the Cornwall area. There is no mistake." Sebastian announced, reaching the papers he was looking for. "As you expected Young Master. Kidnapped children are put into a show without any training." That was the early concept but a passable excuse for the first stage of the report. "I see. This is just another way to enjoy the circus." Sebastian shrugged dismissively, watching what was happening on the other side of the stage. Mouser grinned and glanced at the Baron.

"Can I kill him?" She whispered again.

"Sorry... you don't like this method." The baron grew flustered, fidgeting and gesturing around. "Joker." Kelvin shouted, angry once again. "Clean it up right away."

"I shall put a stop to this." Mouser smiled, perking up as the boyo's voice grew dark and he stood, advancing. Sebastian watched, amused. Both the Young Master and his covenant were very keen on the notion of killing the man. "I have no desire to sit at a table with a beast that is more despicable than an animal."

"What is wrong?" Baron Kelvin whimpered, confused."

"This is enough for a report to the Queen." Ciel announced, gesturing at Sebastian while advancing. Mouser skipped along, a blade in hand, the gun in the other. "Vulgar. Ugly. Perverted. The lowest form of human. It is my duty as the Queen's Watchdog to eliminate you." The boyo shouted suddenly, pointing his own pistol at the offender who shrieked in fear, the situation not quite dawning on him yet.

"Earl?" Joker shouted in fear, advancing, the blade pulled out of the cane, pointing it at the boyo's neck while Sebastian held a blade to the young man's own neck and the boyo kept the pistol pressed against Baron Kelvin's head. Mouser chuckled, out of the impasse, blade over Joker's heart, gun to the baron's chest. "Joker... stop the Earl from pointing that dangerous thing at me!" The baron was shrieking, shivering on the chair. The two blonde kids hadn't reacted throughout the whole ordeal.

"But..." Joker whispered, tilting his head back, trying to keep from losing his balance and his life by default. Sebastian smiled, almost daring him to do something.

"You won't listen to me?!" The baron forgot the moment of danger due to his anger at being disobeyed, looking at his tool until he folded, letting the blade go. Sebastian kept him still though the threat of a blade, watching quietly.

"Can I kill him?" Mouser whispered, returning her dagger to its place, pleading with Ciel, her eyes completely red, the pupils simple slits. Her insistence seemed off place but considering… everything…

"Where are the kidnapped children?"

"The house is big but even if he's dead they'll be easy to find. And we don't have to hear him talk." Mouser reasoned.

"Mouser…" Ciel said calmly.

"You can kill him." She conceded although she was not happy about it, pouting. "If you just shoot the head now it will splatter and stain all your clothes. If you want it quick aim to where I am pointing. One shot to the heart and he's silent. If you want to drag this on, although he will make a ruckus, aim for the stomach, down here. It will make it hurt so very much… but you will need more shots to make him die. Or you can ask me. I'll kill him." Mouser whispered conversationally, holstering her gun, making a go ahead gesture. And Sebastian noticed that, for a moment, the Earl of Phantomhive was actually considering that course of action.

"The children." The boyo demanded again, pressing the gun harshly to the shivering man.

"What?" The fear was forgotten and suddenly he was exited and childish again, vibrating with glee. "You want to meet those children? They are in the basement. I can take you there right away. Besides there was something I wanted to show you in the basement."

"He's barking mad and you are following him into a basement." Mouser mumbled along the way exchanging a glance with Sebastian. The demon smiled, nodding. Her eyes… She was blood hunting. It was not worrying. "I cannot see that ever ending well."

"To walk beside you it's a dream come true." The baron was mumbling like a besotted maiden as the blondes pushed him along the way.

"Don't waste your breath. Just lead me to where the children are quickly." Ciel would have none of it.

"I'm sorry. But I'm glad. Since that day I have always regretted it. Why couldn't I be at your side that day in that place?" He whined, high pitched and long suffering.

Mouser sighed. Well… they should have killed him before getting to that point.

"That day... my side? What are you talking about?"

"You're exceedingly clever and he's a pervert, boyo." Mouser said, arching an eyebrow, head tilted meaningfully. Ciel flinched, glancing back.

"No matter how much I regretted it... time wouldn't turn back." The baron gave a key to one of the blondes, growing excited again. Sebastian seemed suddenly uncomfortable. Mouser shivered, feeling some sort of pull on the other side of those wooden doors. "But I realized... If I can't turn back time maybe I should just do it again." The doors were opened to some sort of arena, softly lit by candles, cages on the opposite side of the entrance. A seal mouser recognized as Sebastian's was carved onto to the floor, flanked by candelabra and with an altar in the centre. Nobles playing demon baiting… "Look. It took me years to prepare it." Ciel froze, his eye freezing, stopping, dulling, fear raking through him, even if only for that brief instant where reality fought with memories. "So let's redo it Lord Phantomhive. Just like that day three years ago." The Baron pleaded happily.

Mouser sighed, looking around, towards the children, the circle, the boyo, the demon and the enemies.

Letting people that had proven to be an antagonist live was always so troublesome…

"Now will you kill him?" Mouser asked sweetly. A demon's whisper.

Ciel clenched his teeth angrily, his grip on the weapon tightening.