Ciel awoke to the silky voice of Scarlett. "Wake up young master; we have a guest coming today." Scarlett said as she poured a cup of tea. Ciel wiped the sleep from his eyes, removed the cover which he lay under and made his way onto the edge of the bed. He looked at Scarlett as she moved to dresser where all of his clothes lie. She was wearing a lavender colored dress with an apron over it. She wore as well, black, heeled shoes, and white stockings that went knee high. Her silver hair was in a bun, but much of her silver hair had already escaped, and so it gave the impression that she had neck length hair. "Ah, here it is. Young master, I believe you look absolutely handsome in this shirt." Scarlett said as she pulled a white shirt from the dresser where all of Ciel's clothes were kept. Scarlett then made her way back over to the bed, laid the shirt out on the bed, and commenced to dress Ciel. She pulled his sleep shirt over his head and discarded it. Scarlett took the clean, white button up shirt off the bed and put it on Ciel. The shirt was still open as she put his trousers on. As she did this, she pulled him closer to her and rested his head against her bosom. When she did this Ciel liked to close his eyes and think of his mother, for when she was still alive she would do the same. The things Scarlett would do at times seemed to always remind Ciel of his mother. At times Ciel would be both annoyed and delighted by this fact. Scarlett, once done with Ciel's trousers, moved onto his still unbuttoned shirt. She started at the bottom and moved up. Her supple fingers brushing against his chest made Ciel think of his mother again, she reminded him so much of his mother, it almost hurt to think about it. Before Ciel knew it, Scarlett was done dressing him and it was time to go down and eat breakfast. Ciel then made his way to the door and down the hall towards the dining room where breakfast was. Scarlett was just about to follow when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She let out a deep gasp at her appearance, and straightened her bonnet and tied the lace that was attached to it. How could she be so foolish as to run around with her bonnet lopsided.
Ciel and Scarlett entered the room and Ciel took his seat at the food covered table. Scarlett then turned her back to pour Ciel a cup of tea as Sebastian told Ciel what they were serving for breakfast. Ciel with his quick reflexes through a dart at the gossiping servants as Scarlett poured him a cup of tea. When Scarlett turned back around with the cup of tea in hand, Finnie was scurrying around the room holding his head. Finnie made his way to Ciel's side and asked, "Why'd you do that, master," as Ciel took a sip of his tea. Scarlett, not knowing what her young lord had just done behind her back, looked down at her seemingly innocent young lord quizzically. "What are you talking about? I did nothing." Ciel said calmly as he took another sip of his tea. "All of you, after breakfast you are to get straight to work, no idling in the kitchen. We are to have a guest tonight, and I do not intend on having this household look ragged. Now everyone get to work! Finnie, weed the garden, Meyrin, make sure this household is spic and span, Bard, start cooking, Scarlett, come with me, and Tanaka…" Sebastian said in a quite intimidating tone. "Yes, Sir!" Bard, Meyrin, and Finnie all said in unison as they all ran out of the room. Scarlett only smiled, poured Ciel another cup of tea, and said, "Yes, Sebastian. Excuse me master, I must attend to my duties."
"The house is spic and span in every way. The white roses are freshly pruned." Scarlett said as she arranged the beautiful white roses in the most wondrous of ways. "The silver is polished and the highest quality ingredients have been gathered." Sebastian said as he helped Scarlett set the table. "This will be one of the most extravagant welcomes our guest as ever received." Scarlett said under her breath while she put each plate in place at the heads of the table. "Yes indeed, this will be one the more elegant dinners that we have prepared." Sebastian agreed as he began to fix tonight's dinner. Ring, ring the bell to the study went as both Sebastian and Scarlett looked up and sighed. "Why must the young master call on us as we prepare one the most spectacular dinners we have ever made?" Scarlett almost sighed as she left the room while Sebastian followed and slid his tail coat back on. They both made their way down the hall towards the study, oblivious to what the other servants were planning.
"This is our chance to get back at Sebastian and Scarlett. We'll show'em up so bad that they won't know what hit 'em. I'm getting mighty tired of Scarlett and Sebastian showing us up, well now they'll be the ones lookin' like idiots in front of the young master." Bard said to the other servants who shared the small space within the closet with him. "Scarlett and Sebastian can't always be perfect, can they? Well now we'll be the ones who are looking perfect." Meyrin said as she looked at her fellow servants. "Well let's do it then!" Bard agreed while Meyrin and Finnie exclaimed in unison, "Yeah!"
"I am a bit hungry; I would like something sweet to eat." Ciel said as he sat at his desk and looked both Scarlett and Sebastian over. "You shouldn't eat now master, you'll spoil your appetite for dinner with your guest this evening." Sebastian answered as Scarlett shook her head in agreement. "I do not care about that, make me a parfait." Ciel answered. "I am sorry master, but I cannot allow that." Scarlett answered while Ciel responded with a begrudging expression. Ciel then got up from his seat and walked over to the window and said, "Well then, about that portrait in the hallway." Sebastian answered, "Yes." Ciel then continued, "Take it down." Scarlett and Sebastian both gave a bit of a gasp at this request, for they both knew who the portrait depicted. Seeing this, Ciel explained himself, "I am Ciel Phantomhive, and I am the head of the house now." Sebastian gave a smirk and bowed as Scarlett curtsied and said, "Consider it done, my lord."
"Now how exactly did this happen?" Sebastian asked, referring to the barren yard, the shattered dishes, and the almost completely destroyed dinner and kitchen. Scarlett was still in shock that all the hard work she had done was completely wasted. Sebastian wore a grin on his face to hide his rage so not to scare the servants. "I thought things would go faster if I used extra strength weed killer on the garden." Finnie answered forlornly, followed by Meyrin saying, I was trying to get the tea set we always use for guest, but I tripped and everything went to the ground." Bard then explained himself nonchalantly by saying, "There was lots of meat and it was gonna take a long time, so I just decided to use me flame thrower." When Sebastian heard this, his intimidating manner seemed to grow stronger and both Meyrin and Finnie exclaimed through their tears, "We're so sorry, we didn't mean to." Bard just stood there, trying not to be intimidated by Sebastian. Scarlett then began to almost sob, "Oh, and Sebastian our guest will arrive just after six, and it is 3:50. We don't have time to replace the tea set or find any premium meat. Sebastian, what shall we do?" This sent Sebastian into deep thought. "Calm down all of you, especially you, Scarlett. You all need to take a page out of Tanaka's book, and stop behaving like …" Sebastian was then cut off by a quick, brilliant thought as he looked at Tanaka, who was drinking his Japanese tea. "Everyone, listen closely and do exactly as I say. We must be quick about this. We might be able to save this night yet." Sebastian said as he took Tanaka's tea into his hand.
"How impressive!" the guest exclaimed as he looked upon the beautifully sculpted garden. "Hello Sir." All the servants exclaimed as they saw the guest. "Yes, this is a traditional Japanese garden." Sebastian said as he led the guest to the house. The servants then exclaimed in a fit of joy, "I can't believe we were able to pull this off! Look how mush 12 bags of gravel can do!" Scarlett then calmly walked over towards the door and said, "Of course we were able to pull this off, with Sebastian, we can do almost anything." Scarlett then continued on her way towards the house.
"The progress we have been making we've been making with the east India factory is quite astonishing. We already have the makings of a top notch staff." The Italian guest said as Ciel responded, "Bewitched by the eyes of the dead, what terrible luck. It appears I lose a turn." For Ciel and his guest were playing a board game that interested Ciel much more than his guest. "Right now is the perfect time to begin expanding the company and begin building a strong labor force …" the guest said, but was interrupted by Ciel saying, "Go on, it's your turn." The guest instantly realized he was playing a board game with Ciel and fumbled for the die. He spun 5 spaces, and continued, completely disinterested in the board game, "Now, what I wanted to ask you, would you be willing to contribute 12, ooo pounds to help with the expansion." Scarlett gave a look of disgust towards the man before her. How sly he thought he was, trying to pull the wool over her master's eyes, no her master was much too smart to play into his greasy hand. Scarlett always had been disgusted by anyone who wished to lie or cheat Ciel; she always wanted to protect him from the greediness of others, though she knew full well Ciel could protect himself. "Lose a leg in the enchanted forest." Ciel said quite plainly as the Italian man before him scrambled through his thoughts trying to regain his sense of what was going on. "It is your turn once again, I lost a turn, remember." Ciel said as he watched the man before him squirm to find out what he was doing exactly. "Ah, yes I see. I move 6." The Italian man said as he rolled the die. "You don't, that's 3." Ciel answered as he spotted his opponents fault. "You lost a leg if you recall, now you only move half the speed you use to." Ciel said as his guest began, "Ah, I see, this is a gruesome board game, is it not. Well then, is there any way I can regain my lost leg?" Ciel then stiffened himself at this remark and said, "I am afraid once something id truly lost sir, no one can ever get it back," Ciel then snatches the man's board piece from his hand and continued, "Your body is consumed by raging flames." The man now squirmed in his skin from what the young boy before him had just said, and looked down at the place where his piece had landed, only to find it was true.
Bard cut another slice of raw meat from the burnt meat and looked at Sebastian, who stood in the door way and asked, "Is this how you want it?" Sebastian gave a glance over in his direction and answered, "Exactly." Meyrin then came running down the hallway with a load of boxes in her arms and at the same time screaming, "Sebastian, I found 'em." Sebastian then turned only to be faced with 5 boxes in midair as well as the falling Meyrin. Meyrin fell into Sebastian, whose hands held 2 boxes each and whose foot held a box as well. "Honestly, how many times have I told you not to run within the manor Meyrin?" Sebastian said as the red faced Meyrin looked up at him. She was utterly speechless. She backed away and began in a small voice, "Oh, I m so sorry sir, my glasses cracked and I can't see a thing." Sebastian then kicked the box that he was balancing on his foot onto the boxes that rested on his left hand and said, "Well, I believe these are the last ingredients we will need for dinner tonight. Now go relax, but remember I need you to do well, VERY WELL, at dinner tonight." Bard and Finnie then commented to themselves, "He seems serious."
"Pardon the interruption, but Sebastian tells me that dinner is served. We are to be eating in the stone garden tonight." Scarlett said as she made her way from the door to her master's side. "Yes, yes, I am sure that the dinner will be just as exceptional as the stone garden." The Italian man commented as Scarlett took Ciel's arm and helped him out of his chair. "It seems that we will have to continue this game later." Ciel said as he and Scarlett made their way towards the door. "Is there any point in doing so, it is apparent I am going to lose." The Italian man answered as he got up from his seat. "Nonsense, my master does not believe in leaving anything unfinished." Scarlett answered. "How childish." The Italian man said under his breath. Scarlett heard this and shot him a look of disgust. The Italian man then realized this and fumbled with his words trying to turn his rudeness into a compliment. Scarlett paid no mind to his feeble attempts.
"On tonight's menu is a dish of finely sliced raw beef donbouri (I tried to spell it right, but I didn't know how. I spelled it how it sounded), courtesy of our chef Bardroy." Sebastian said as a look of pure shock washed over both Ciel and the Italian man's face. Scarlett only shot Sebastian a look of rage, how dare he try to feed her master raw meat. She was not going to condone this, but what could she do? "A pile of raw beef and this is dinner?" the Italian man asked as he stared down at the bowl filled with raw meat. "Yes, but surely you have heard of it? For it is a Japanese delicacy, served only to the most admirable of guest. This is a token from our master to show his thanks for all you have done for him." Sebastian said as Finnie and Bardroy huddled in the bushes. "That's Sebastian for you." Finnie said as Bard commented under his breath, "Yep, that's our Sebastian, lying through his ass." The Italian man then exclaimed in joy as he ate almost all of the raw beef. Scarlett looked on at this in disgust, how someone could be so stupid as to be tricked into eating raw beef. She then saw out of the corner of her eye, her master raise his fork to his mouth. She instantly slapped the raw beef out of his hand and gave him a look of disgust. "The vintage we have chosen tonight was specifically chosen to compliment the flavor of soy sauce. Meyrin, pour them a glass." Sebastian said as he showcased the wine. Meyrin sighed and looked down at the ground. "Meyrin" Sebastian said once again. Sebastian then whispered into her ear, "Why are you just standing there, pour the wine." Meyrin was red as a beet and Scarlett could tell that Meyrin was afraid to pour the wine. Meyrin then took a few steps closer to the table and began pouring the wine. But she was missing the glass by a long shot and the table cloth was saturated in wine. Instantly, everyone's face turned pale and their expression blank, all of them except the Italian man who was oblivious. In one instant table cloth had vanished from the table and it was in Sebastian's hands. "Where did the tablecloth go?" The Italian man asked. "A spec of dirt, for it was most unsightly. We couldn't have that, now could we?" Scarlett said as she stood up and rested her hand on Sebastian's shoulder. "Now think nothing of it, it is merely one our many duties as Phantomhive servants. Shall we continue this affair inside?" Scarlett continued.
"May we now begin to discuss the contract?" the Italian man asked as he seated himself. "Before we speak of such things, we must finish the game." Ciel said as Scarlett poured him a cup of tea. "Yes, of course, but I do have a pressing appointment to attend to so if we could…" Scarlett then cut him off before he could continue, "My master gets quite upset when he cannot finish a game, and he is a child after all." The Italian man then asked as the sweat dripped off of him, "If that is so, may I use your telephone?" "Of Course." Ciel answered. The Italian man hurried out of the room and towards the phone.
"Yes, I have already sold off the factory, all I need to do is pocket the extra cash. This child Earl will be easy to fool, I am sure of it. The employees? Who cares about them." The Italian man was then startled by something behind him. He turned only to be faced with nothing. He then goes back to his conversation with the other man on the phone. "Please, he's only a child." He Italian man then makes his way up the stairs that were dimly lit. he turns a corner an goes past the still hanging portrait. He pays no mind until he takes a few steps forward and turns around only to be faced with a ghostly pale face on the portrait. He lets out a gasp and fumbles up to the top of the stairs. He went down the dim hallway with his pace quickend. He then sees the ghostly figure and begins to run down the hallway. Ciel's words were haunting his mind and all he could hear was Ciel's words. In his haze of confusion and fear he stumbles down the stairs and twists his leg. The Italian man looks up only to again be faced with the ghostly figure and so he gets on his hands and knees and crawls away as fast as he could. H e then crawls into another dimly lit hallway only to be faced with Sebastian and Scarlett. They stood over him in an intimidating manner. "Surely you aren't leaving the manner just yet. We haven't given you the full Phantomhive treatment yet." Sebastian said as Scarlett began, "No sir, you must stay, the game isn't yet over. The young master will be quite disappointed if you don't finish the game." Scarlett said with an almost sympathetic grin on her face. The Italian man then turned himself around and made his way down the hall and into a dark room. He felt around until he found a cabinet where he could hide. He opened it and crawled in. Sebastian and Scarlett entered and made their way to the stove. "Oh, Look Sebastian, he has ruined my cake. I was going to make it special for the master. But I suppose my cooking is so good now that you taught me, he couldn't keep his hands off it." Scarlett said as she slid open the stove latch to look at the now cooking Italian man. "Yes, indeed, it appears I have taught you well in the art of cooking. It seems our guest loved your cake so much he couldn't wait for it to be taken out of the oven." Sebastian said as he looked in on the now screaming Italian man.
"What a fool. Thinking he could pull the wool over my eyes. No one can cross me." Ciel said as Scarlett poured him another cup of tea and said, "Yes, you are certainly a force to be reckoned with."