It's morning a few days after visiting the circus. Aiko sits on her bed, staring out her window. Last night she and Alex had returned from the city house, and Aiko was plagued with nothing but nightmares of her time as a test subject during her restless sleep. More than once Alex had to come in to calm her down so she wouldn't harm herself. She runs her fingers through her hair, then falls back, sighing.

"What a troublesome life." She shuts her eyes. "I really... I really just want to go back... I want to go back to when my father made a deal with that demon, that first demon. I want to tell him not to make that deal, not to walk that road. Maybe then I..." She opens her eyes. "Maybe then I could escape this fate of darkness. I hate all these evil things, and dealing with all this darkness. I wish I could escape. Life is determined to lead me down this road though."

"My lady, are you coming down for breakfast then?" Alex asks as he opens the door to Aiko's room.

"Yes, I'll come down. I'm just contemplating the miseries of life."

"Don't take too long, or your food might get cold." He leaves.

"My food... It isn't as if i need food. I don't need those sort of necessities because I have this stupid immortality. I suppose I should be grateful though, since it gives me time to weasel out of this deal." Aiko finally stands and gets changed. Her mind is preoccupied with thoughts of how she is going to escape this deal. She has a plan, one she isn't completely sure about, but is her best hope. She heads downstairs and to the dining hall where she eats her breakfast in silence, then goes upstairs to do some work and look over some of the latest orders. Finally Aiko gets too bored for her to sit still. She heads outside and to the greenhouses. Inside she finds Mark trimming a bush. He looks over at her and smiles.

"My lady! What brings you down here?" Mark finishes his pruning then walks over to Aiko.

"I was just bored." Aiko looks over some plants, finding them all cared for to the T of her instructions to Mark. A falcon flies over to Mark holding a bottle. It drops it, Mark catches it, then the falcon flies to Aiko and lands on her shoulder, holding on as gently as possible. She smiles and pets the bird.

"His name is Raphael. He's been so helpful, getting me my tools and the spray for the plants!"

"I'm glad everything is working out for you. Jeramy seems to be having fun cooking, and Rina says she likes getting to run around such a big home, she's always doing fun tricks when I'm walking about."

"We all have loved our work so far." Mark sprays some of the flowers. "This is such a relaxed environment, but we're still able to enjoy our more... rambunctious affinities."

"That reminds me, how are things going with your work with the animals?"

"Just lovely!" Mark smiles. "You wouldn't imagine how nice it is for them to have such a space! Wandering about has greatly helped their taming. They don't feel locked away and burdened."

"I'm glad. It's fun seeing your animals walking around. I want to see more people come by and react. But even if they do Alex usually ushers the animals out of sight." Aiko sighs. "It's not as much fun as I would like."

"You seem to be upset. Is something wrong?"

"I'm always upset." Aiko smiles slightly. "I've been dealt a terrible hand by life and its hard trying to figure out what cards are the right ones to play."

"Just from what I know I'm actually surprised you're so sweet and cheerful."

"Is that how you see me?"

"That's how you're always talked about."

"Funny." Aiko runs her fingers over the petals of a dragon lily. "I'm actually not so cheerful, and can be anything but sweet."

"Really? We don't see that. Well, I know I can imagine you being upset, and I would guess the public can too. However I can't imagine you being rude or aggressive towards anyone."

"I guess there really is only a few people I have such a great distaste for. In comparison to them everyone else is very tolerable."

"Ah, I understand what must be going on."

"What?" Aiko looks at Mark, curious.

"Yes! You have a target for your aggression, likely the largest source or two, am I right?"

"Yes."

"Then all the aggression and anger you hold is going to be targeted at those sources. Since you use all your aggression on them that leaves you without any to use on the less annoying sources."

"That sounds about right. I guess if I get rid of these sources then that means I'll become more like a normal person, won't it?"

"Perhaps. Or you may really be as sweet as you appear to everyone else, and whoever is bothering you is simply that annoying." Mark shrugs. "Either way!" Aiko smiles.

"Thank you Mark."

"It's nothing! If I can brighten your day then I have accomplished part of my goal as a servant!" Mark smiles at Aiko. She giggles, then decides to head inside, the hawk flying off her shoulder and onto Mark's. She walks towards the kitchen, but stops when she sees Rina dusting a light on the ceiling, her feet pressed against the walls on either side of her, keeping her up.

"Rina! You are so amazing!" Aiko says.

"My Lady!" Rina smiles as she drops down, landing lightly on her feet. "Forgive me, I was bothered by all the dust on the lights and thought it only proper to clean them."

"No, I'm not upset. That was wonderful!" Aiko smiles. "I doubt I could ever do such a thing."

"It is the least I can do for you." Rina bows.

"Thank you. Rina, would you accompany me to the kitchen? I was going to see if I can sneak a snack before lunch." Aiko giggles.

"Is that wise?"

"It's alright. I like to think of things like this as a challenge of my very limited ninja skills."

"I see." Rina smiles. "I shall accompany you then!" The two walk to the kitchen. "My Lady, I hope this is not out of place, however I have been wondering something."

"What is it?"

"Your name, it isn't an english name."

"Oh, well, no." Aiko pulls some of her hair around front and plays with it. "My parents always fought over what they wanted to name me while my mom was pregnant. But during that time they also started trading with some florists in Japan. They became fascinated with the culture and made a visit there for a little while. I guess when they were there they were invited to stay with one of their business partners. The wife's name was Aiko. She was really nice and took care of my mother, since she was prone to getting sick while pregnant. She also taught them about Japanese flower arrangement and a few other things. They were really grateful to her, and they discovered they both really liked her name. So, when I was born, I was named Aiko. I guess they sent her a letter telling her and the reply they got said she was very honored and that she was happy for my parents."

"That sounds so wonderful. What an honor, to have a child named after you."

"Yeah. Though, when I was little a few kids made fun of me for having a weird name."

"What did you do?"

"A glare and some careful words can send any kid running. Of course, the careful words usually involve something like talking to their parents."

"I see." Rina smlies. "My Lady, you are quite an interesting lady. I am so grateful that I can serve you."

"I'm glad to have you Rina. You are such a treat." Aiko giggles. "I love all the tricks you do for me."

"It is my honor." They reach the kitchen and peak in. Jeramy is working on lunch with Alex.

"Hmm... this will be difficult."

"Are you sure you can do this?"

"Of course. If there's one thing I'm good at it's avoiding Alex. Jeramy is another problem though."

"I know from my experiences he has the kitchen set-up with traps and weapons."

"I doubt we'll ever be attacked, but he is prepared just in case. That's what I wanted. I think you three out due Ciel's servants. I know he has to be waiting for a challenge from me."

"Challenge?"

"Well, since we've gotten back in contact the two of us have become friends, however we're a bit like rivals as well." The two walk away from the kitchen door a few feet. "I guess because we've had similar events happen to us."

"Really?"

"Well, we were both kidnapped, our families killed, and were missing for quite a while. We came back with protective servants at our sides, and have successfully restored ourselves and revived our family names. Though, in all honesty, I'd rather be more different from him."

"He does seem weak. He could never learn the way of the ninja. But I can teach you."

"We do need to steal the snacks."

"Then let the lesson begin!"

Aiko sighs as she glances over at Rina. The two had been caught and are now sitting in a couple of chairs, waiting to be chewed out by Alex. They were caught by Alex when they had almost reached a counter where some cookies and a box of chocolate were sitting. Aiko knows she didn't give them away, so it was likely Rina's lack of ability to hide from Alex.

"Really, do I need to start on this? You don't eat meals properly, then you go and try to sneak some snacks. If you want food then you should eat at proper times! And Rina, you know full well Lady Aiko needs special attention on such topics, and yet you try to help her."

"Please forgive me. When Lady Aiko spoke about sneaking in and stealing snacks I got so excited at the thought of possibly teaching her something I know that I lost myself." Aiko looks at Rina, then sighs and glares at Alex.

"Whats wrong with me getting a snack? If I ask I'm sure I'd get one, but this way is more fun and exciting. I don't need you telling me how I should live."

"Apparently you do."

"No, I don't. Now I'm leaving." Aiko tries to get off the chair, but Alex's glare makes her stop.

"My Lady, perhaps you and I should have a talk. There is a great deal of work for you to do anyways. Jeramy, you can handle the lunch preparations alone, yes?"

"Of course."

"And Miss Rina, can I trust you won't engage in such behavior again?"

"Yes, of course."

"My Lady, lets head upstairs." Aiko sighs but gives in. She walks with Alex.

"Aiko..." Alex sighs angrily.

"Leave me alone."

"You are such a trouble maker."

"Of course."

"Aiko, you need to stop this." Alex frowns at Aiko. "Don't you need to keep up appearances? Even when its simply your servants that doesn't change."

"I know." Aiko sighs.

"Then keep this behavior in check. When its just with me I can handle it, however it isn't easy working with witnesses."

"I like witnesses. They keep you from bothering me." Aiko crosses her arms and watches the floor as they continue to walk. "I will get out of this deal, I swear I will."

"I know you think so." Alex smirks. "But you'll have to think of something I haven't already considered." Aiko glares at Alex. "Besides, what would you do for the rest of eternity? Be alone? Watch everyone you care about die?"

"I..." Aiko looks down at the floor again. "I'm sure I can find someone to cure me of this."

"You'll become a test subject again."

"N-no!" Aiko shivers at the thought of returning to being a test subject. "I..."

"You should get your work done." They stop and Alex opens a door. "There are more orders to go over, and tomorrow a visitor will be coming. Also," Alex pulls a letter out of a pocket. "This came for you. It's from her Majesty."

"What?" Aiko takes the letter. "I hope it isn't something about helping Ciel again." Aiko walks into the room, then smirks and quickly spins around, slamming the door in Alex's face. "There, I feel like today is getting better already." Aiko walks to her desk and opens the letter. Alex doesn't bother coming in, deciding to let Aiko be and ignore what she just did. "To my dear Aiko, I must first apologize for getting you involved in such dark matters, the kind little Ciel has to endure. However I know you are strong, and sometimes I worry about him. I wanted to ask that you continue to look after Ciel and make sure he doesn't push himself. He has quite a bit on his plate. You must too. Oh, also, I was hoping to order some lilies and carnations. Earl Grey wants them for some little project of his. Take care my dear! Love Queen Victoria." Aiko sighs. "Yes, a lot on my plate, thats true. But I don't want to be asked to take care of Ciel. He has Sebastian, thats good enough." Aiko sets the letter down. "Oh well, I can't be too surprised she worries about him from time to time, he is just a kid." She grabs a second paper out of the envelope that was delivered, the order request for Earl Grey. She makes a note in her book of flowers to prepare, then sets it with the other recorded orders. "Lilies seem to be quite popular right now. I hope we have enough." Aiko goes over orders and reads a few letters from employees in other greenhouses. She sighs, the boredom she tried to escape returning, making the day dull and average once again.