The FUNTOM toy company; It has been the "Candy King" in terms of how far and wide it had spread within the span of a few years, since it was founded, as well as its quality and innovative products. It had been that way for many, many years, until other cooperate giants stepped onto the scene. There was Mattel and Fischer-Price, but there was also Fairburn, which was also the name of the man currently standing before the Phantomhive.

Now Fairburn had always been a rival to FUNTOM. The Fairburn family had been making toys for a bit longer, but couldn't keep up with the playfulness and creative-thinking behind FUNTOM. Thus, the Fairburns had always stayed two steps behind the Phantomhives. Of course, the bluenette wasn't threatened by this man! He had no spark. He was just a businessman, and that's all he knew how to be. Fairburn's eyes hadn't seen anything worth seeing. He doesn't know his market, and he isn't inspired in the slightest.

He's a businessman with a boring suit and an obnoxious tie in an effort to appear "fun". Fairburn was hardly the type of person who should be running a toy company. He was a rich man in his mid-thirties who had done nothing in life but try to wallow in as much money as he could. How could he ever hope to outshine a company like FUNTOM with that?

"Phantomhive." He said as he stopped in front of the bluenette where he and the Macken sat. Fairburn paid no attention to the menace as he focused his glare on Ciel. The Phantomhive simply leaned back in his seat, folding his arms as he looked up at the man with a bemused smirk.

"Fairburn." He replied. "So nice that you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." The other man answered. "It' always wise to scope out the competition."

"Is that so?" Ciel inquired, as if he didn't already know. He had paid several look-ranking employees of Fairburn's to pass secrets onto him. Even factory workers, who would give him detailed descriptions about how each device worked were spies for FUNTOM. He had done this with several other companies as well. Ciel Phantomhive did nothing half-heartedly, when it came to competition, and with his own experience in espionage, it was too easy to stay ahead of the market.

"Well, I do hope you're having an alright time." The Phantomhive continued. "I would hate for you to be bored."

"It's impossible to be bored when you're involved." Fairburn stated, his eyes averting from the demon's intense gaze. Somehow, they ended up on the blonde, alerting the younger gentleman's attention. Alois sat up, unsure of what exactly he was supposed to do in this sort of situation. Ordinarily, Ciel and Sebastian would be the ones to handle business matters, yet here he was.

"Oh, you haven't met." The bluenette said, following his rival's gaze. "This is my personal assistant, Jim Macken. Jim, this it Ferris Fairburn, the owner of Fairburn toys."

"Pleased to meet you…" spoke his associate, somewhat made uncomfortable with the situation. He didn't quite understand what was going on, but he would have to roll with it, regardless.

"Quite." Mister Fairburn replied, turning away from the blonde. Alois furrowed his brow at the man's rudeness, but couldn't say anything to defend himself at the moment.

"So, was there anything in particular that you wished to discuss?" inquired the Phantomhive, annoyed at his rival's speech as well. Fairburn wouldn't be so rude, had he known what Alois was capable of. Perhaps the bluenette should have introduced him as his "bodyguard" instead.

"Not really." Said the other businessman. "I was just curious as to why you were sitting over here away from your guests."

"I'm not good with people." Ciel replied. "I've never really been in good health, so I get a little winded, easily. Socialising for too long tuckers me out a bit."

"Surely you can manage. It is your job, isn't it?" asked Fairburn, putting his nose in the air. "If you can't handle one evening, then how can you handle that?"

"I would be more worried about myself, if I were you, Fairburn." The Phantomhive answered, his eye narrowing. "After all, wouldn't it be beneficial to you if something were to happen to me? If you don't pay attention to your own affairs, things can change drastically right under your nose."

"Are you suggesting something?" the other man said with a deep frown, leaning forward as he glared at the bluenette. Immediately, he attempt at menacing was interrupted by a true expert in the field as Alois stood up. His chest was out and his shoulders back as he stared at the man coldly. Ferris leaned back again as his attention refocused on the blonde. Somehow he was more intimidating while standing up. A smile eventually graced Alois' face as he spoke.

"If that's all you came to discuss, then we really ought to be going." He said in a friendly manner. "Mister Phantomhive has a party to host!" As Fairburn opened his mouth to retort, the watchdog stood up from his seat.

"He's right. I'm so sorry, Mister Fairburn." Ciel stated, straightening his jacket. "Please do enjoy the rest of the evening." With that, he simply followed the blonde as they both walked away, leaving a baffled businessman behind them. The man's eyes narrowed as he watched their backs, rubbing his chin as he pondered the two. Something was obviously amiss with them, but not for the reasons that he had convinced himself. There was no way that he could ever imagine their true faces, but that is a story for another time.


A/N: Ouch, that's short. I'll try to update again later today.

Hopefully I don't take too long. Hellsing is finally premiering on Toonami tonight and I'm excited.

2 am tho. That's when I usually post!

Ah, this arc should be interesting. I'm gonna try something I haven't done before. It might flop, it might not. Who knows?

Questions?

"This really doesn't have to do with the chapter but... Your final thoughts on Book of Circus?" by bluejellyfishOuO

I haven't finished it! I still need to watch episode nine, but I'm a baby. I'm the type who cries at the end of everything, and just some of the gifs on tumblr make me tear up a bit. It was bad enough just reading it, but now I get my heart sliced open with paper and have lemonade dumped over it to ANIMATION.

Until the next chapter, my duckies~!


CHARACTER SHET

Question: "Ciel and Alois, How does Luka know that your "Tails" are longer than his?" by MiloSheba

Ciel's Answer: "I don't think I like your insinuation..."

Alois' Answer: "Because he's seen our tails? We've done some practice before at home, and he's watched, so he's seen our demonic forms. It's a little embarrassing, actually, since mine used to be kind of... Anyway, our tails are longer than his, just like how we're taller. I wonder how tiny it is! I bet it's cute like him~!"