I apologize for this being so short! But it's been sitting around for what feels like months so I'm going to go ahead and post it. I will continue this fic when the inspo strikes for me, which ain't as often as it, should be.

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Actus II: PRAEDO-Women and Swords

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Ceil gawked for a moment or two before he sent a glare to Sebastian so cold it would have scared any mortal to Death's door. "What do you mean he's a pirate?" he demanded irritably. "I was under the impression he was a respectable captain!"

Sebastian smiled, revealing such perfect white and slightly sharpened teeth that were not usually found in the likes of the Victorian Era-let alone in the 1700's. "He's the infamous pirate captain to the legendary Black Pearl-haven't you ever heard the tales of the witty Captain Jack Sparrow?"

"No," the child retorted. "I don't make it a habit to listen to childish tales about pirates. They're thieves and liars, the lot of them, and rightfully hung for their treasonous acts."

Sebastian gave a light laugh. As always, Ceil was so morbid and blunt. Normally, children would find piratism fascinating-especially after their recent portrayal in the popular Treasure Island (1*), but Ceil was not quick to read on the lighter sides of things. Especially when it came to children's fiction-he'd much rather read magazines for older readers instead and think realistically. The phrase "enjoy your youth while you got it" was beyond lost to him as he had been forced to master his own life and house.

"You have much to learn, my Lord. They do what they have to do to survive and above all else- for freedom. But that aside, we best do something about our appearance before we go any further. Here now, give me your ring, my Lord."

"Yes, wouldn't want a damn bloody pirate swiping it, now would I?" The boy retorted mockingly as he handed the demon the family ring from its place on his thumb. Sebastian chuckled, still amused by Ceil's distaste, as he pocketed the cursed piece of jewelry. The demon did so ignoring the fact he was beginning to sense eyes boring into him. The female kind of eyes. Any minute now they'd most likely begin flocking towards him and they didn't have time for that…

"Now, now," he whispered patting Ceil's head which earned him an annoyed look.

Sebastian then proceeded to grab a cloak from a drunken bum and throw it over Ceil so it formed a hood to cover all but the boy's young eyes. Then the butler removed his coat and tossed it to the ground as the rich fabric easily stood out from the torn tatters that the Tartogans wore. Grabbing a jacket from yet another passed out drunken bum he declared "to the tavern."

As they made their way there woman began following along just as he knew they would. "Hi 'ere 'ansom! Let's dance!" one screeched. The demon turned upon her with such a ferocious hiss she reeled back in fright. "Torry! Must have mistaken you fer my husband!"

A few women weren't as quick to avoid the handsome man and fewer weren't as quickly scared off.

'Drunkenness is most troublesome,' he thought to himself. Had they been in their right mind they would have had more wisdom. And clothes. Sebastian simply pushed them aside. Had he not been bound to Ceil and on duty he would have then and there led the unsuspecting women to a dark corner to devour their lust-filled souls. He found lust had an interesting flavor that differentiated from other tastes. When the time came he'd find an even greater taste in Ceil. Such cold Revenge.

Almost upon the tavern now and free of idiotic love-struck fools, Sebastian stopped briefly. He turned his head and looked carefully through the crowd as his irises nearly formed to thin slits like a cat's. Ceil noticing his demon's eyes and defensive position as he stood in front of him asked silently, "What is it?"

After a moment the butler shook his head. "I thought I sensed something but it's gone now…Perhaps it was nothing."

"Or perhaps not."

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Captain Jack Sparrow slowly chugged a glass of rum as he waited for worthy sailors to sign up to crew the Black Pearl. It had been a short while and as his first mate, Mr. Gibbs, had informed him no one decent had appeared. Already his fleeting hopes were dashed. It didn't help matters he was in the mood to enchant a lady or two (or four) rather than deal with ship business at the moment. How long it had been since he went to port for things other than rum and the Black Pearl…He, as a man, of course had basic needs and desires to take care of that could only be quenched by pleasurable company….

He let out a belch as he began to eye a woman sitting near the barkeeper. She was beautiful; perhaps the most charming female the young pirate had ever laid eyes on. Her lips were red as blood and her hair black as the darkest raven. His eyes scrolled down from her face to her curves. Ah, that's it. Utter perfection.

For the briefest moment her thin eyes caught Jack's. She smiled at him before turning her attention back to a young man sitting beside her. Jack sighed crestfallenly. Of course there was another man. There was always another man to steal the gal away…The-Couple-That-Wasn't-Jack-and-Whoever-She-Was finished their glasses and soon left. Jack sulkily chugged his drink as he watched them depart.

More men signed up but none of them looked very promising. Right when Sparrow was about to go ahead and leave the entire matter to Mr. Gibbs a tall man stepped forward.

"Me and my mate would like to sign up for this here crew," the stranger said with a rich sea accent.

Jack stared up at the slender man. His features were perfect. Too perfect, in fact, to belong to a pirate let alone a sailor. Perhaps he was a rich boy trying to escape his duties, Jack mused. The man was an awful ways from normal civilization…

The Black Pearl didn't like harboring such wannabes and Jack knew one when he saw one. He'd encountered even more pirate hypocrites who wanted in on the adventure after his legendary escape from Port Royal's noose. He knew the best way to deal with them was to point out their lack of experience then simply shoo them off. Not everyone deserved to scrub his Pearl's deck.

"And what," the captain inquired suspiciously, "brings you here, exactly?"

"I've always loved the sea," Sebastian cooed. "Now my dear sister has died, God bless her soul, I would like to take my leave of the city life and worries. Freedom is calling to me. It's been a long journey to reach Tortuga but I know I'll find my place on and only your ship. I hear you could use some extra good fighters-especially after Port Royal. You're being chased, correct?"

Jack rubbed his chin boredly. "In a way-yes, but I'm afraid you just don't look like pirate material, savvy?" As he started to get up, Sebastian in a single swift movement unsheathed a random man's sword and plunged it into the table right between Jack's fingers. It wobbled for a bit. From behind the butler, Ceil grinned.
"I would gladly prove myself to you. You'd be surprised at how well I've learned to handle a sword these past few months."

"Really, now?" Jack smiled as he pulled out the sword from the table and tossed it to Sebastian. So this guy was the persistent type, eh? Either that or he was genuine. "I accept thee challenge."

With that Jack, in a wide arc, swung his own crusty blade at the tall man. The man ducked and slashed the stolen sword at him. Their blades met with a clang. Men scrambled away from the duelers while others gathered in a huge circle to watch them. A few made bets as the two men, pirate and butler, danced in a flurry of blades.

"Your defense seems good but what about your offence?" Jack grinned as he jumped on top a table, in an attempt to gain an advantage in height. The butler, who was only ten or so centimeters taller than Jack, grinned. "I would say damn fine." With that he swung the sword under the table, slashing the legs into two. Jack fell down on the floor with an ump!

"Don't get cocky, boy," Jack panted as he got back to his feet. "I'm just getting started."

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(1*) Treasure Island-If Kuroshitsuji wiki or where ever I got the info from is accurate Ceil was born in 1875 so he would have been 9ish or so when Robert Louis Stevenson published his book. It's probably one of the most famous pirate books that gave birth to a lot of the famous pirate stereotypes-if I'm correct.