Birthday, birthday..." Alex frowns, unsure what to do for Aiko.
"Hey, did you say birthday?" Alex turns to see Jeremy.
"Yes."
"Who's?"
"The mistresses."
"Really? Her birthday? We're going to throw her a party, right?"
"Thats what I was just thinking about." Alex frowns. "I hadn't really given much thought to her birthday before."
"How long have you been serving her?"
"Her personally, only a short while. I was serving her... late fiancee for about a year though."
"What did you do last year for her birthday?"
"Well..." he thinks back. "I dont think we did anything. The mistress was still very depressed and... she didn't care for my presence very much."
"Well, this year we should do something big!" He smiles. "Hey, whats that other kid she's friends with?"
"Phantomhive or Midford?"
"Both! Why don't you call them up and I'm sure they'll give you some ideas! They're her friends after all!"
"Right." Alex smiles. "Thank you Jeremy. I'll have a list of what food we'll need for the party to you tonight." Alex walks away, and soon enough finds himself at Lizzy's home. He knocks, and a servant opens the door.
"Yes?"
"Hello, I'm from the Setrous household. I would like to speak with lady Elizzibeth."
"Of course, come in." Alex walks in, and the servant leaves. Soon Lizzy runs into the room.
"Alex!" She smiles. "What brings you here?"
"It seems Lady Aiko's birthday is coming up soon. And I thought she'd enjoy a party with her friends. However, I'm unsure what to do for her."
"Oh!" Lizzy jumps up and down. "A party! I would love to help you plan one for her! Come with me! We'll talk all about it!" Alex is then led away by Lizzy...
"What are you doing Alex?" Aiko frowns. She had just woken up to find Alex at her window. It looked like he had been talking to someone, or some strange thing like that.
"Nothing my lady." Alex turns and smiles. "I brought your tea."
"alright." Aiko takes the cup, then takes a sip.
"My lady, how are you feeling today?"
"What?"
"I was just curios, why you aren't more excited."
"About what?"
"Today is your birthday after all." Aiko blinks.
"I had forgotten!" He smirks.
"I realize this. I have breakfast ready for you." Aiko sighs.
"alright, i'll be down in a minute." Alex walks out. Aiko gets dressed, then heads downstairs. When she walks down into the dining room people jump out of hiding.
"Happy birthday Aiko!"
"Wh-what?" Aiko is surprised.
"It's your birthday! Alex got all of us together!" Lizzy smiles.
"i..." Aiko sighs, then smiles. "this is wonderful." She looks at the people there. She sees Lizzy and her brother, Ciel and Sebastian and the other Phantomhive servants, her own servants, and Undertaker.
"I'm glad you think so!" Lizzy giggles. "We had so much funny planning this! Come on! cake! Presents! lets goooo!" Lizzy grabs Aiko and pulls her over to the table, where a cake is waiting. There are candles in it, and Alex lights them. Aiko looks at the cake, thinking about today, what it means for her to have reached this birthday.
"Go ahead! blow them out!" Lizzy smiles. Aiko looks at her and smiles.
"Yeah, i know. I just have to make my wish." She looks at the candles, wondering what she could possibly wish for. She glances at Alex, then the rest of her guests. She smiles and blows out the candles, her secret wish made. The others cheer, and the sugary treats are put away. Lizzy is about to insist on presents when Alex coughs.
"I know everyone is excited, however it is early, and I think everyone could benefit from something nutritious to eat."
"I suppose." Lizzy sighs. Aiko shakes her head.
"I could use something filling. I'm absolutely starving." Jeremy and Alex then bring out some food that was prepared in advance for everyone. As they sit down and eat the group is very noisy, chatting about anything and everything. Aiko finds herself looking at her guests, thinking about those she had a history with. When she looks at Alex she suddenly wonders what these other people will think when he takes her soul, what they will do. She looks down at her food and sighs.
"Aiko, are you alright?" Edward smiles at her. She smiles back.
"Yes. I'm just thinking. Today is a day that can really make one think about their life." When everyone finishes eating they move on to presents. Aiko happily opens the gifts, thanking her guests after each one. She gets everything from toys and games to clothes to candy. When she finishes the cake and icecream is served.
"So Aiko, do you like your party?" Lizzy asks. Aiko smiles and nods.
"Yes. It's been really fun. We should play some of these games I got."
"Yes!" Lizzy pulls out a random board game. "Lets play this one!" Aiko laughs.
"That one looks fun." They end up dividing into teams. There is the Phantomhive team, the Midford team, and the Setrous team. As they play Aiko finally finds herself completely forgetting about her problems, and actually fully enjoying her party, something she desperately needed. Music plays in the background, and when Aiko tires of her games and starts walking around she closes her eyes and listens to the music. She starts dancing. Lizzy giggles.
"Ciel! Lets dance!" Lizzy grabs Ciel's hand and pulls him out to dance with her. Aiko has her dance interrupted by Edward. He bows to her, smiling.
"Aiko, may I have this dance?" Aiko considers denying him, but instead smiles at him.
"Yes, you may." He takes her hand, and the two start dancing. While they dance Aiko keeps her eyes closed, listening to the music. She was grateful for the momentary peace she was feeling, and didn't want it to end. Sadly though, the party eventually does end. And as her guests leave Aiko waits at the door, saying goodbye to each of them. She sees Edward walk away, on cloud nine, with Lizzy. Ciel and his group leave with his servants still being very loud. When Undertaker leaves he pats Aiko on the head.
"Hope you like this next year of life little lady. Keep that smile of yours. It certainly makes you look even prettier." Aiko blushes slightly.
"Thank you Undertaker." and with that he too leaves. Aiko sighs and looks at Alex as he shuts the doors. He smiles at her.
"Did you enjoy your party?"
"Yes." she walks away. "Make sure everything is cleaned up properly."
"Yes my lady." He bows and leaves. Aiko heads up to her room and walks to her window. She looks out of it and sighs.
"Another year... so few of these years left too... so few... i can't let him win... I swear I will beat you Alex... before those 10 years are up..."
"This looks interesting." Aiko looks around, Alex right behind her, as a curry contest gets ready to begin. Her servants came along as well, but they are off on their own.
"I suppose... You do know that the Funtom company has entered in this contest, don't you?"
"Yes, I know. I wonder what they will make."
"would you be willing to try their creation?"
"Not a chance." Aiko shakes her head. "I do not like spicy food in the least. So I certainly do not like curry."
"Aiko!" Aiko frowns. She looks at where the annoying voice came from and is annoyed to see the Viscount running to her. "my dear! What a pleasant surprise! To have such a beauty grace this contest! You should be up there! a judge at my side. We would be perfect together!"
"I, uh, can't..." Aiko fakes a smile and takes a step away from the Viscount. "Y-you see, curry and I do not agree in any way. I-I'm sorry to say that I could not judge such a contest."
"Another time then." he grabs her hands. "You and I shall grace the stage together. We will show them what true beauty is."
"Uh, th-that sounds great..." Aiko quickly frees herself and disappears into the crowd. She sighs and looks at the stage. Finally the contest gets underway, and she finds herself entertained as she watches the competitors make their dishes. However, when Sebastian puts chocolate into his dish she is just as surprised as everyone else.
"My lady..." Aiko glances back at Alex, who had been walking around and only now found her.
"Sebastian is very odd. However, I don't doubt he'll win."
"Neither do I." Alex watches the competition. "though that Indian fellow seems very determined."
"Yes, he does..." Finally the tasting begins. Aiko moves so she can see better as the judges tear about the first competitors. Then it comes to the Indian man Aiko did not recognize. She sees the lobster. "That looks very yummy."
"And yet you wont eat it?"
"No." Then Sebastians turn. Aiko smirks at the strange creation as Sebastian wows the judges. She manages to spot Ciel not far away and walks over to him just as the curry is being passed out for the audience to try. "Hello Ciel."
"Aiko?" Ciel looks at her. "I didn't realize you were here."
"Yes. I enjoy these sort of contests. I didn't think you were that interested in this sort of thing though."
"Ciel, is this a friend of yours?"
"Uh, yes. Aiko, this is Prince Soma. Soma, this is Duchess Aiko Setrous."
"You are a friend of Ciel's?" Soma asks. Aiko smiles and nods.
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you Soma." He smiles.
"And you as well! Though, not quite as much under the current conditions." He sighs.
"Whats happening?" Ciel shakes his head, then quickly explains the situation to Aiko. She nods. "I see. Well, I'm sure everything will work out for the best. Not to worry." Sebastian walks over and smiles as Aiko.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"Well, here I am."
"Have you tried a curry doughnut?"
"No. I'm afraid I won't be indulging in your creation."
"Why not?"
"I do not like spicy foods."
"Ahh, much like the young master." Aiko looks around. She sees children grabbing at the curry doughnuts.
"It seems your creation is very popular."
"So it seems."
"This is a very close call."
"Yes, it'll be interesting to see how the winner is decided." And soon enough the judges start to make their announcement. But as they announce that the contest has ended in a tie the trophy is stolen away from the judge. Everyone is surprised to see the old woman that a few, including Ciel and Aiko, recognize as the queen. The two bow instantly, then watch as the queen hands the trophy to Sebastion because of his creation accounting for children. Aiko smiles.
"Well, it appears as though you've had a great success Ciel."
"Yes." Ciel sighs.
"What? you sound dissapointed."
"The young master was hoping to see me fail." Sebastian smiles. "I'm sorry to not dissapoint you."
"Lets just go home Sebastian."
"As you wish."
"I will see you later Ciel." Aiko smiles, then turns and starts to walk away. "Alex, go find the others. We should head home now as well."
"Wait!" Aiko frowns and turns around. She suddenly finds a curry doughnut stuffed into her mouth by Ciel, who smirks. She takes a bite, because she has no other choice, and quickly swallows it.
"Hot, hot, hot..." she coughs, then glares at Ciel. "you little brat!" She starts chasing him. Ciel laughs and runs. "Get back here! I'll make you pay for that! I said get back here!" Alex and Sebastian sigh and follow after their young masters..