In Southampton, 1891 England, many people – most of noble background – had come far and wide, all to be the first to experience the exquisite new 'unsinkable' ship, the Titanic. There was a flurry in every direction you looked, from people cheering to people crying – most out of joy. The ship was incredible! It was colossal in comparison to anything that had ever dared to compare – it really was something before it's time.

Stepping out from one of the few motor vehicles in London was a tall, comely man. Sebastian Michaelis. He was the exact definition of 'handsome' – I bet if you were to look in the dictionary, next to that word would be his portrait – though not one that would be considered a 'fairy-tale prince'. His hair was soft and dark like black silk, his skin an unblemished ivory, and his eyes, they were a rare set, just like flawless rubies set into a masterpiece. But what made him so alluring, was not his illustrious looks or reputation, nor his mannerisms or intelligence, but the fact that he held what only could be described as a mysterious and natural charm. He interested most, even males, but they rarely had the same effect on him – no matter what kind of person they were or background they came from.

Though that aspect of his life was no longer as free as he'd have liked, his parents having him marry one of their business partner's daughters – though the gender of his fiancée was surely questionable per se – to secure their financial problems. They could never stress it enough to the man – clad in a brilliant black suit with fine silver pinstripes and a top hat and cane to boot – that he had to at least be engaged by now. His fiancée was the complete opposite to him and what he found attractive in a partner. She was loud, flirtatious with any attractive male, and he was sure she had a well-known promiscuous side in certain areas that a lady, such as herself, should not even step foot in.

'Come now, darling,' his mother put her well-manicured hand on his back, leading him towards the docks to board.

'Yes, Mother,' Sebastian rolled his eyes, though followed willingly.

The man looked back to his luggage – now being taken away by crew members to be placed in their room aboard the ship. He sighed and turned back, feigning a smile and continuing forward. Soon enough he could go and relax in his room, alone. He just wanted to be alone for now, knowing full-well his fiancée would be clinging to him as soon as they all met up and he wouldn't get another chance of peace and quiet.

A few hundred metres away, in a small café-type-business, two young males were playing a dicey game of poker. They'd almost lost all of their money they'd brought from the beginning, though it never seemed to make the cocky duo falter in the slightest. Their poker-faces always kept an air of arrogance around them, despite how much they'd already lost.

One of the two had dark hair, dark blue eyes, a composed persona and an odd characteristic of intelligence for one that wasn't of noble background. His name was Ciel Phantomhive. He was very proud, could talk his way out of any situation and had a knack for solving puzzles. He wasn't all that tall, standing only at one hundred and sixty centimetres. He couldn't exactly be described as scrawny, neither was he bulky though. In short, the only thing keeping him from being underweight – to an unhealthy extent – was the weight of the little muscle he did have.

The other boy had a lighter appearance. His name was Alois Trancy. His hair was a light blonde, his eyes were a light blue, even his personality was lighter – well, those who didn't know him or stayed on his good side believed him to be bubbly and overly excited all the time. If you got to know him as much as his friend had, you'd know in actuality that he could be much darker and much more sadistic. His mood could change in an instant, but it was understandable to a certain degree. The blond male had had a rough life; it had gotten much better since he'd met Ciel though. He could make any situation exciting, though he was usually the one who got them into trouble when he would let something slip. Alois was more flirtatious and devious, but no matter the circumstances, he would always be there to help stick up for the ones he loved.

'Alright,' Charles Grey, a patron in the café that Ciel and Alois were playing poker with, smirked, throwing down his cards and revealing a two-pair hand, 'show us your hand, will you?'

Alois bit his lower lip, he knew he had nothing, but he'd run out of money and anything valuable to bet with. He looked to his partner, then back at the three they were playing with. Sighing, he placed his cards face-down and sat back, folding his arms with an annoyed expression. The older woman – which the two men, known as Double Charles, protected – who was known as The Queen, snorted. She turned their direction towards Ciel, raising an eyebrow and waiting for him to throw down what he had.

'It appears, my dear friends,' Ciel looked to Alois and grinned, 'my three-of-a-kind Kings, pawns your two-pair.'

Alois' expression lightened instantly and he jumped up, clapping his hands and poking his tongue at the three. Ciel remained in his seat for a moment longer to watch as their expressions gaped at their loss. The dark haired boy uncrossed his legs and stood, reaching for their winnings while Alois still made his smart-ass remarks and taunts.

Ciel had just about collected all the money up when a knife came down beside his hand. He stopped what he was doing and slowly looked up to meet the angered face of the other man, Charles Phipps. Alois stopped once he'd realised they weren't about to get out of this so easy. A sudden rush of frustration passed through him and he balled his fists, slamming one down on the table.

'Hey! We won fair and square,' Alois narrowed his eyes. Grey then grabbed him by the front of his shirt threateningly. 'Get off me, you fu–'

'Now, now, Alois leave this to me,' Ciel spoke softly and calmly. 'If you'd have won, we would have let you take our money, so it's only fair you allow us the same outcome.'

'One more game,' the enraged Phipps reciprocated, 'double or nothing!'

'Hm,' Ciel clicked his tongue, thinking it over. 'What else can you bet? I'm sure you haven't anything worth double this amount at this moment.'

It was then that The Queen cleared her throat, an indication for Phipps to remove the weapon and show them what she meant. Cautiously, he straightened up and pulled out three tickets for the Titanic ship, fanning them out so they could be clearly seen. Ciel and Alois looked to one another, silently discussing whether it was worth another round. After a moment, Ciel straightened himself up and took his seat again, crossing his legs and resting his arms over the back of the chair, casually relaxing back into it. Grey let Alois go and the blond took his seat too.

'Alright, then,' Ciel smirked playfully, 'deal.'

Phipps put the tickets into the middle of the table and grabbed the cards, shuffling them and then dealing everyone five. Ciel looked over his cards; he had a pair of Fours, an Ace, a Three and a Seven. Alois had a Straight off the top, Five, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine. The blond winked at Charles Phipps when asked how many cards he needed, signalling this was already in the bag. Phipps and Grey didn't find all this amusing in the least, their faces both stony.

'How many did you put down?' Phipps asked Ciel. He smiled and raised his hand, showing two fingers.

Once in Ciel's possession, he looked over the new cards while Phipps dealt The Queen and Grey's cards and then finally himself. Not needing to continue betting as all the money they had on them – in both parties – was already on the table. Phipps lay his out first displaying a Pair of Jacks; Alois put his down – now in the lead with his Straight – Grey showed a higher Straight of Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King. It was down to Ciel and The Queen now. The Queen chuckled, grinning as she placed each card down slowly, revealing she had a Flush – all Hearts suit. Ciel's mouth dropped, he looked to Alois nervously and swallowed hard. Alois then grit his teeth and jumped up in a fit of instant rage. He wanted to turn the table over, he wanted to smack that old hag and then gouge her eye out! Ciel then stood, sighing and scratching the back of his head, his face crooked with a thoughtful expression.

'I think we can safely say, from yours and your friend's reactions,' The Queen smiled, though most of her face was hidden behind the large hat she wore, 'I am the win–'

She silenced herself as Ciel suddenly threw his cards down to the table, letting them slide across it in an upright position. All eyes but Ciel's flit from card to card, figuring out what kind of hand he had. Once they'd all put them together in their minds, The Queen let out a breath of annoyance. Phipps and Grey stood, teeth bared and hands reaching for their weapons. He'd had a Full House, three Fours and two Aces.

'Boys,' The Queen said flatly, but warningly, 'it seems the little dog pulled it off.'

Ciel didn't like being called a dog, but the pride he felt from winning was enough to keep him from making a remark back at them. Alois jumped with joy, clapping loudly and yelling 'Olé!'

The clock in the store then chimed, signalling it was twelve noon. 'Better hurry and catch that boat, boarding it stops at twelve and it leaves at ten past,' The Queen couldn't help but let a small smile grace her face.

Ciel checked his watch on his left wrist, a wash of relief came over him as he realised the clock in the café was fast by five minutes. He reached down and grabbed the tickets and then his hat and bag. Alois grabbed his bag too, opening it quickly and shoving as much of their other winnings inside it as he could get before Ciel started pulling him out of the shop.

The two rushed as quickly as they could through the crowds to get aboard. They very nearly missed jumping onto the bridge from the docks to the ship. The crew members at the door were about to turn them away, but with a flashy grin from Alois and a little smooth talking from Ciel, they couldn't say no. Ciel and Alois handed them the tickets and were escorted to their level on the ship to their room.

'That was close,' Alois sat on his bunk. Ciel nodded and sat down next to his friend and pulled out a camera. Alois put his arm over Ciel's shoulders; they both smiled as Ciel then took their picture.

And thus, the Titanic's engines were started and they began to set sail…