A/N: Haven't talk much on here on an Author's Note. I just want to say thank you to those who joined in recently on this story and for those who also stuck with me all the way. The reviews that I keep reading often when it comes to writing a new chapter helps me greatly in continuing this story. Thank you guys…

Chapter 36: Tryouts

I stare through the window of my bed room in silent thought. I held onto a frown upon my lips and a sigh soon escaped. I sat on my bed with my hands besides me. My eyes did not leave the view of the outside world of this manor.

Was it so bad? Now that I think about it, he was only interested in looking at the fine craftsman ship of the leg from Beast. But the idea of Sebastian getting so close to a woman's body part like that still bothered me greatly. I shouldn't be getting work up over that. Why am I getting work up over it? Could it because that me and him are friends and it just bothered me? Or is there something more?

I don't want to start thinking of there being anything more. I don't believe we're at the point of being best friends. More so I know we are nowhere near being a couple. He's a demon who has a contact with a boy who acts and works as a man, head of a large company. I'm just here because I was somehow sent here by sneaking into the manor in my own time line…

There is nothing between me and Sebastian- nor is there anything to hide. He's only a friend. And also, he's not human and never will be. I will always be a human. The reminder of mine first meeting with Viola soon crossed my mind and my frown deepen. Am I even a human now that I know that I supposedly come from a line of witches?

This is so troublesome…

"Why am I even thinking this?" I really shouldn't let things get to me like this! Sebastian is a friend, nothing more! I don't like him anymore then that- I flinched suddenly. A new thought enter my mind; one where I wanted to start thinking of… No. I didn't dare want to start thinking of me and Sebastian that way… The hell is wrong with me?

I gently punch myself in the head. "What does it matter anyways?" I begin, thinking out loud to myself. "If he's interested in Beast it shouldn't matter to me. We're friends and that's all there is to it." I forced a smile. "In fact I should be happy for him if it ever came to that!" Somehow that made my mind become clear of thoughts and I could feel the emotion of being happy take over me.

Good, it better stay that way too.

A knock came from my door and without putting much thought into it- I answered. "Come in." Sebastian opens the door and bows down. My back was facing the door this whole time though. "Good morning, Alex." That made me feel much happier. "I see you are dress and ready for today's events." He commented and finally I turn to face him. "Of course!" I stood up from my spot on the bed. "This is going to be fun."

Sebastian chuckle lightly and step aside for me. I walk over to my shoes and put them on and soon head out the door, thanking him for closing the door behind us. The two of us begin walking side by side to most likely meet everyone at the main hall of the manor. And as I just mention, I was right. Soma, Agni, and the other servants all waited for us with smiles. Ciel stood there, wearing something other then his usual wear. I suppose it is meant to fit for what Sebastian told the others at the circus last night.

I nodded to Ciel and smile to everyone else. The three of us parted our ways from the rest and left the manor- heading back down the path to Noah's Ark Circus. Sebastian took lead by taking the seat of the carriage rider while Ciel and I sat inside the passengers seats. We both kept quiet for a few moments, looking away from each other. I don't know how long it took- only a few minutes most likely but I wanted to strike up some sort of conversion between us.

"So…" I begin, but Ciel didn't look over to me yet. I know he's listening to me though. "What do you think they'll put us through? The tryouts I mean." Ciel didn't answer right away and he didn't look over to me still. It was only a few moments until he finally reply back. "… Most likely a test to see what we would be best at."

I nodded to him. That does sound like the most reasonable thing for a tryout from a circus. "I am kind of interested now…" That brought Ciel to finally turn his head to make eye contact. "What sort of job do you think you would be good at?" He frowned now. I'm also pretty sure Sebastian is listening in on this too. I just know somehow. "Nothing." Ciel answered without a second thought. Now I frown at him. "And why would you think that?"

"Because…"

He looked away with his blue eyes now. I wanted to hug him. "How could I learn something that fits the title of anything within any circus?" Maybe I shouldn't have asked him that question. I hope I didn't upset him. I reached out and place my hand upon his shoulder. "That doesn't mean you might not have the talent for it." I said and made a small smile. Ciel didn't smile at me though- so like him, but he did nod in response.

From there, we both fell silent again. We weren't sure what to say now. Or that is what I thought until Ciel asked me a question now. "What about you?" I perk up. "Eh?" Ciel raise one eyebrow. "Do you have any abilities that fits under the titles of a circus?" I didn't even need to think twice on that. "Well I used to be a fast runner when I was longer. I used to do back flips but that was pretty much it. Don't think I would have much to offer." I answered and Ciel let out a sigh.

My smile came back though. "But hey- Sebastian got us into this so he either has something up his sleeve for us or he sees something in us that we cannot see. We'll probably get into this with flying colors!" Ciel sighed again but nodded in agreeing. I giggle at him in the end but shortly after that- we couldn't find anything else to talk about and we both fell right back into the silence again.

It lasted like that for the whole ride there and the moment we step foot outside- we had to be on our best behavior as well as do our best in the tryouts. The moment Joker and the others spotted us- Joker just had to comment about Ciel's appearance. He looked a bit surprised even. "Goodness me, ye sure brought along an incredibly adorable child, eh? Are you a boy?"

I wanted to laugh at that but I held it in best as I good. Though everyone could see that I was holding in a smile- I wasn't doing such a good job. I find it funny because everyone at first thought I was a boy and it just amuses me because now someone else actually thought Ciel is a girl!

Ciel on the other hand- kept a calm face as best as he could and answered. "Yes… I was a pageboy at the manor. I'm Finnian." He felt a bit uneasy with some of the others that work there comment among themselves about Ciel's appearance as well. Joker didn't pay them any mind though as he begins to take a step closer to look at him. "What a grand sounding name you have. Ye really a boy?" Ciel took a step back. "Yes…"

"Well! We'll give ye a stage name if you make it into our troupe. But being cute isn't enough to work in a circus. Ye gotta know how to do tricks." Joker commented, stopping for a moment to turn to look at me and smile. "The same goes for you as well miss…?" Oh right- I never got to telling him my name! "Oh right- sorry, my name is Alex!" He smile wider. "Such a lovely name, Miss Alex." I smile back and nodded. "Thank you!" With a nod from Joker he turn to look at Ciel with a thoughtful look. "So little fellow, what are you good at?"

Ciel looked panic- or so the emotion in his eyes showed that he is starting to panic. Thinking of the first thing to come to mind he spoke. "…Darts?" Joker nodded and smile again, turning to look over to Dragger who seemed to be standing by some of the other circus members with smiles. "Knife throwing it is!" Joker called, getting Dragger's attention.

"Dragger, lend him your knives."

"Here ye go."

Once Dragger handed Ciel his throwing knives, Joker begins to give Ciel the first part of test for the tryout. "Hit that target over there from over here." He ordered, pointing to an actual target with the painting of a human form on it. Ciel stare at the said target while the rest of us watch him. Sebastian kept a close eye on him while I was starting to grow worried for the Earl. Could he do it? I am praying that he'll get a good shot.

Ciel continue to stare at the target before gulping. He eyed the draggers in his hands before slowly picking one of them up and putting the rest down upon a barrel next to him. He started to aim the knife to the target and the feeling of tense begin to arrive. Ciel held tightly onto the weapon before bringing his arm high into the air and throwing it as far as he could.

The dragger appeared to look like it is going to hit the ground when suddenly it got an extra boost- thanks to Sebastian with his own abilities and the dragger went right for the top of the target's head! Everyone freaked out in surprised. I roll my eyes while Ciel smirked in victory.

"NO WAY!"

Both Joker and Dragger shouted out together. Ciel picks up another knife and begins to aim again. I turn my head to look over to Sebastian- wondering how he is doing that. I noticed something in his hand. A tiny rock? I turn to look away and watch Ciel throw another dragger and again Sebastian helped and the knife went right for the middle of the face. Ciel continues this- getting everyone to be speechless with every throw. Each and every one of them aimed right for the head and face of the target.

Once Ciel finished using all of the throwing knives he walk over to the target that has a knife in every part of the head and face and smirked even wider at both Joker and Dragger. "Will that do?" He asked, pretty sure he won this first round with flying colors. Dragger couldn't understand how this is possible- I would probably think the same thing if I didn't know what Sebastian really is. Joker seemed to buy it right off the bat and grinned at Ciel. "Ye seem to have good control." Joker commented, making Sebastian smile in the background.

I couldn't help but want to part take in something myself. I begin to make my way over to the knives in the target board and start pulling each and every one out. Dragger watched me for a moment along with everyone else. Joker smile at me. "Looks like Miss Alex would like to part take in this test as well." Dragger rejoined Joker's side after a moment or two has passed, I walk back to where Ciel once stood and watched the said Earl child move out of the way.

I looked over quickly to see if Sebastian would help out. He did look over to me and only smiled. I guess that meant he will help me out too? The crowd grew quiet and all went tense again. The feeling of messing up started to take me and my emotions. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach in fact! I held onto one of the throwing knives tightly as I could- I aimed right for the head too.

Once I felt like I got a good aim I threw the knife!

And it ended up landing just above the shoulder blade of the painted human on the target board. I stare at where I hit and felt a bit embarrass that I didn't get the head. The tense in the air quickly went down some as well. I frowned, wondering why Sebastian didn't help me. Maybe he wanted it to be believable if I mess up the first or second time? I hope he actually helps me out soon otherwise I'm out of this.

I pick up another knife and aimed again. I ignored everything and everyone around me and threw the weapon. This time it missed completely and ended up landing right into the ground just past the target. Now I just felt even more embarrass then before! In fact I even heard someone begin to laugh in the background… ASSHOLE! Again, I started to wonder what the hell Sebastian is doing. Is he going to help me or not?

The third knife was soon enough aimed like before and thrown over to my target, only to again miss the body on the target itself. I soon started to lose my patience at this. From wondering why Sebastian isn't helping to getting piss and angry to the point where I wanted to curse and yell. I soon came to my last throwing knife and I was just about ready to give up as I aimed one last time and threw the dragger.

I turn my back away just after I threw it and was about to start walking off to the carriage in defeat when I heard gasps. I stop in my tracks to that, actually fearing if I hit someone else instead! With that fear in mind- I turn around quickly to see that… I actually got the last knife into the head! My eyes went wide. "She did it!" Dragger commented. "I… I did it…?" I repeated in shock.

HOW?

I turn to look at Sebastian, the demon himself only shrug his shoulders in response. Did he actually help me or… Did I actually do it this time? I kept messing up so much it had to be his doing! Why didn't he help me the other times with the knives? The crowd around us gave a cheer for me as Joker walk over and patted my shoulder. "You did it!" He laughed lightly while I continue to eye Sebastian before looking over to Joker. Seeing Joker smile brightly at my tryout, I couldn't help but feel proud now. I laughed and smile brightly back in return.

"But we're not done yet."

I heard Joker call out and Ciel and I both look at Joker in surprised. There really is more to it then just throwing objects? We watched Joker begin to lead us into the main tent. "Onto the next task!" He shouted and we all follow inside. Everything looked a bit empty, the two of us looked around until Joker pointed upwards to a tight rope in the air, attach to two large and strong poles that help hold up the whole tent itself. "Since Finnian went up first for the dragger test, he will go first for the tight rope walking."

Ciel's face went pale along with mine. Shit, we gotta walk on that? Sebastian better watch our six for this! Ciel trying to be brave as possible, nodded. "V-very well…" And no sooner then that- Joker tied a strong rope around his waist and told him to climb up the long ladder. I watched him, actually feeling terrified for the boy as he soon enough, now stood before the rope. "W-won't you test us with something else?" Ciel question down below.

Joker only continue to smile brightly in return. "Ohhh? Retiring already, hmmm, little fellow?" Ciel shook his head. "N-no… But something other then this-!" He cut him off. "Then get a move on, would ye?!" Ciel gulped again and try not to stare pass the tight rope. Sebastian and I watched in silence. Unlike the butler himself, I looked very, very scared for Ciel.

He begins lifting up his arms to help balance himself as his foot step right onto the tight rope. He took another step. And another. And another… He kept going on like this until he suddenly begin losing his balance on the rope and is starting to go falling off the side when he manage to fix himself just in the nick of time! I blinked and turn to look at Sebastian again, seeing him do the same thing with the tiny rocks in his hand. He smirked, knowing I was looking his way. I turn my head back to watching Ciel again.

Ciel started to fall again when he manage to regain his balance thanks to Sebastian. Joker could not help but to comment out loud to himself. "Ohhh… That was close. But he recovered." Yeah, thanks to Sebastian whom I am very grateful for looking out for Ciel. Soon Ciel manage to make it through all the way. Joker and Dragger clapped in delight once he made it down the other side. "Amazing! I never thought ye would actually walk the tightrope!"

I could tell Sebastian is trying not to laugh in the background.

"Then this cutie-pie passes right, ol' chap?!" Dragger questions, patting Ciel's head with a fist gently. Joker shook his head no. "Not yet." And pointed his index finger at Ciel's face. "The little fellow's missing something important." Ciel perked up at that while Joker continue to smile brightly. "A first class... Smile!"

"Wha-!"

"Okay, let's see a great big smiiiile!"

Ciel looked surprised- if not angry but he couldn't show such a face or else he's not getting into this circus at all. I noticed he made a fist for a moment before letting his fist go apart. He took a deep breath through his nose and made the cutest and cheer fullest smile I have ever seen from him. My heart melted and I just wanted to pick him up and hold him- he looked so adorable with that smile! Suddenly Joker turns over to me.

"Now it is your turn for the tight rope."

And then the cute moment died.

"E-eh?!"

I gasps and turn to look over to the tight rope. Joker patted my shoulder again. "Don't worry- if Finnan could do it so can you my dear." My face went back to being pale again. You got to be kidding me… I slowly look over to Sebastian and Ciel for help but they couldn't really do anything for me. I gulped and had no choice. I soon got tied around my waist with a strong rope and force my way up the ladder.

I kind of had a fear of heights when I was little… So trying not to stare down beyond the tight rope didn't really help. In fact I looked so scared I was pretty sure I was going to die or even faint right then and there before I even got started! I could hear other people from down below calling out and cheering for me. Trying to help make me feel better… I suppose I have no choice but to try. Better then nothing, yeah?

I took a deep breath and begin to take the first step. Balancing myself with my arms out in the air. I slowly begin taking steps on the tight rope. And I was about to lose my balance but manage to stop that from happening. I could see Sebastian looked ready to use those rocks on me too. I didn't even realize I ended up holding my breath until I let it out and breathe in again.

I started to lose my balance many times as I slowly begin making my way through. As time went on and I kept on trying- I soon started to… Actually enjoy this. I started to somehow feel like that I am walking on the clouds, walking on air… Is that weird for a saying? I couldn't figure it out but the idea of falling to my death started to disappear somehow and I started to keep better balance with myself as I made it to the end of the tight rope on the other side.

I never felt so alive from that moment.

I heard cheers and shouts of joy from below as I begin to climb my way down the ladder. My mind couldn't focus on how I did it- but somehow I felt proud even more! I just wish my mind actually let me believed that this really did happen! The moment I touched the ground, the moment Joker wrap an arm around me. "She did it!" He call out and I found myself smiling and laughing. I still can't believe I actually did it without Sebastian's help! I think I didn't get any help from him… I didn't feel any pain from Sebastian throwing those rocks at me after all.

Joker smile down at me, before looking over to Ciel and Sebastian. "Let us go to the dressing rooms, shall we?" He question and Ciel and Sebastian nodded in agreement. "Let us find you three proper clothing for our circus." He said as he removed his arm from me and begin to lead us out of the tent and into two different clothing tents. One for men and one for women side by side.

The moment I step inside the women's tent I encounter a couple of people who worked there. I also spotted the woman from yesterday, Beast. She appeared to be sitting on a chair on the side, looking like she was enjoying herself with the others who only wore normal looking clothes. The moment they noticed me they all stop and stared. I felt nervous suddenly and slowly wave my hand to them. "Uhh… Hi…?" I greeted and already Beast turn to look away in silence.

The others- whom I took a wild guess and figured they were the costume designers, stood up and welcome me aboard. The feeling of nervous soon went away and before I knew it they all begin searching for an outfit. While I was busy with that, Beast took this chance and left us there. By the time they set me up into an outfit along with my hair and makeup done- that is when I noticed she left.

"Where did Beast go?" I asked, getting them to notice that Beast did indeed left. "Probably had to go check on something most likely." My frown grew. Maybe… Or maybe she doesn't like me for what Sebastian did to her yesterday. As time move on by, I met up with Sebastian, Ciel, and the others.

Ciel wore an outfit that made him look like a little bit of a pirate but with a black scar design under his eye- the other eye has an eye patch covering it. And a pirate hat- one that is small and is tilted on the side. I actually thought he looked really cool in it but he didn't look really happy with it.

Sebastian on the other hand didn't really change much of his appearance. I suppose he somehow manage to convince the designers that he would be wearing his butler outfit only and nothing else. Though I did seem to notice the change of tie around his neck as well as a top hat in his hands. That seemed to be the only thing different for his outfit. As for makeup- a black scar going down his right eye.

Now as for me, I actually am wearing a dress. Though I still dislike dresses greatly, it's not the formal kind and is design to actually look a little bit like the Mad Hatter from the book called Alice in Wonderland. The dress is short, showing my legs but it also came with a part of shorts and stockings- which is good for me. The dress itself didn't really show anything but my arms. In fact there is even a large bow to help match the outfit. As for my hair, a side pony tail with a tiny mad hatter hat attached. Make up is pretty much eye shadow and a little black heart on my cheek.

When we line up and faced everyone, Joker did not wait for anyone any longer and brought out his arms into the sky. He still held onto that bright smile from before. "Friends!" He begins, calling out to everyone- getting their attention to be quiet and listen. I held on a huge smile upon my lips, standing in-between both Ciel and Sebastian with my hands to my sides.

"Lend me your ears!"

Joker shouted to the crowd before us once everyone settle down. "We have a couple of newcomers joining us today!" I quickly noticed Beast in the crowd and she turn her head away with an annoyed look. I quickly manage to stop myself from frowning. Joker pointed to Sebastian first. "This is the rookie 'Black'."

Sebastian bowed down with a smile, holding onto his top hat. "I am Black. Nice to meet you." He called out, getting a couple of hellos and waves of greetings back at him. Joker then pointed to me. "This young lady right here is 'Madam Hatter'."

Madam Hatter? Like a female version of the Mad Hatter? Heh, that's pretty smart thinking Joker. I smile and waved hello to everyone. "Please to meet you all- I am 'Madam Hatter'!" I greeted and the same thing happen with the crowd. They all greeted me back with smiles all around… Expect for Beast of course. Joker then pointed last to Ciel.

"… And this little one… Is 'Smile'!"

The crowd gave one last cheer as Ciel look like he was taken off guard. I ended up laughing now. We all didn't expect Ciel to be named that though we should have seen it coming. Sebastian only smile and look over to him as the crowd begins to circle all around us. "Come, Smile. Say hello to our seniors… With a smile." I ended up laughing more as Ciel looked like he wanted to make a run for it.

"I…" He forced a huge smile after a moment of trying to calm down around the crowd. "I look forward to working with you…"

"You call that a smile?"

"Come on, Smile. Smile!"