The pessimist sat at his desk. Behind him the white skies, hinting snow, glowed with unearthly light. He bent over a list of trades and stocks and finally found a note. The maroon stamp had a picture of a horse's head. Ciel didn't think much of it.

"Sebastian, what is this?" He said, picking up the envelope and shaking it. From the sound it appeared to hardly contain more than a single leaf of paper.

"I believe it is an invitation to trade with a Mr. D. Rockwell. I know little about him. Would you like me to find some information on him?" Sebastian replied.

"No, I don't believe that would be necessary." Ciel said and cut the envelope open with a thick blade. He read the contents through with growing pleasure in his eyes. "This is a fine deal… Yes, I shall meet up with him at once. He says to come over near the bakery. I bet the man can hardly stay away from food."

Sebastian collected his master's coat and dressed him in it, clothing himself in his own inky trench coat.

"What exactly does the man have up for trade?" Sebastian said as the two went down the stairs and towards the main entrance.

"He says he would pay me double for a certain collection of items."

"And how do you know it is not a scam?"

"That is not up to me to know. That is up to you."

Sebastian nodded.

Once in town they at once found the jolly man with a reddened nose and a ruddy appearance waiting by the golden warmth of a bakery. He smiled at them and greeted them with equal mirth. "Why, I am so happy you have taken me up on my offer!" He huffed. The thick mustache on his face needed a full beard to go along with it, Ciel couldn't help but notice. He said nothing about it. A single slip of tongue and this deal could slip right out of his hands. His plans for revenge didn't overpower the need of maintaining a manor when they were dormant in his mind.

"Now, you see, I have a very acute idea of what I want from your fine company." Rockwell said, tucking his hands into his coat pockets. Neither party was aware of the passing young man watching them closely. That young man spoke with his butler named Zadig in a mousy voice that no one but the butler heard. "Would you like to come in for a brief—"

"No, that won't be necessary, sir," Sebastian interrupted, "We can make do out here."

Rockwell paused, then nodded, huffing, "Why, yes, of course, man of trade like to be hasty… Now, I want a very special kind of toy, in the shape of a young woman."

"You mean a doll, don't you, Mr. Rockwell?" Ciel said, adjusting his sleeves.

"Of course, yes, yes, now, I want these girls—dolls, I mean, to be hollow on the inside. If you could do that I would be most pleased… And then I would like an opening into the vacant, china insides to be on her back. My eyes are not perverse, mind you." He chuckled heartily, "I will pay you any price you want, nothing is too absurd. I assure you I am well-to-do in this matter."

Ciel mulled it over. "Now, sir, why exactly did you ask us in particular? There are many toy companies out there who would be more than happy to fulfill your orders."

"Ah, yes, but any other company would ask the exact same question." Rockwell replied steadily, "I chose you at near random. I did have to look into your products before making this offer. So, boy—I mean sir, pardon me-do you agree?"

Ciel consulted Sebastian, who said that he found no particular harm in it.

"We shall do it, then." Ciel said, holding his hand to shake. Rockwell's heavy paws engulfed Ciel in an eager shake.

"Good! Oh, marvelous!"

When he let go, beaming at the two, Ciel spoke up again, trying to regain order of his disorientation.

"Now, may we ask what you plan to do with them?"

"I want to make some for my grandchildren, of course. And I have very many, for I consider those tiny friends of theirs my own, too. The place in the back is to put small items in! You know, sweets, smaller toys, the likes! They will consider me their favorite uncle afterwards."

"I'm glad to hear that. Come by to the Phantomhive manor to collect your order, then." Ciel said and turned away, his heels clicking on the snow-covered pavement. Sebastian bade Rockwell farewell and went to catch up with Ciel.

"Do you really believe that nonsense?"

"It is not my choice what he does with them, no matter how crude."

"Then why did you invite him over to collect the items? You could have done better to package it and ship it off to him, much less work for him."

"I am no fool, Sebastian," Ciel said, not turning to look at his butler, "That is exactly why I am calling him over."

"Yes, my lord."

Here's a bonus for tonight, since the previous chapter hardly showed our protagonists.