1:15pm; Aug. 16th

"Check mate," expresses Ciel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old head of the Phantomhive Estate and leader of the Funtom toy company. His foreshadowing smile lingers in the back of Finny's mind while passing some time before completing the rest of the household chores. Maintaining the yard and "staying out of trouble" was the only thing that was on the gardener's list today. Yet, as expected, it hadn't been done. "That was perfect, my lord," he says in shock, trying to understand how he executed a 6 step checkmate in under 10 minutes. "You need more practice," he says while checking his pocket watch, and ringing the bell to the kitchen. There lies Baldo, the estate "cook" and Sebastian Michaelis, the Phantomhive family butler. While Sebastian tried to make today's tea, Baldroy tried his hardest to show him that cooking the dinner meats with a flame thrower would keep the flavor, add smokiness, and cut down cooking time. "I'm telling you, Sebastian, it's the only way to do it," he saying, slamming his hands on the table, shaking it, "The way you do it is old-fashioned and slow." Sebastian stops mid stride of putting the last blueberry on the Earl's perfectly cooked, shape and decorated fruit tart. Baldo takes a deep swallow as Sebastian's eyes sharply pierce his skin and he moves closer. "You know what would better for dinner instead of duck, Baldroy?" Sebastian speaks slowly as he comes closer to him, "How about, a wild winged, self-destructive human being, seasoned with seasonings from the finest garden in all of London and fresh lemon zest, with baked potatoes and French wine?" Sebastian draws closer toward him, pinning him against the doorway. Baldo's hands begins to sweat and he tries to keep him ground. Though this was just a fun debate, he knew that if Sebastian truly wanted to, the Earl would enjoy him for dinner. "B-But, the oven isn't big enough…" Sebastian reaches out his hand, barely touching Baldroy's jacket and quietly whispers, "…what about the flame thrower?" He raises his hand as the sweat drips down Baldo's face, almost touching his chin and licking his lips. Suddenly, the bell rings. Sebastian smiles and rushes back to the dessert. He looks up to see that the head is calling from his study and checks his pocket watch. "Look what you've made me do," he exclaims, quickly finishing the tea arrangements and heading toward the door, "You've made me late from delivering the master's tea. When I get back, I want this kitchen spotless, WITHOUT the use of fire." Sebastian continues to the study while a conscious Baldo lays on the floor, trying to catch his breath.

1:22pm;

Sebastian finally arrives to a very impatient Ciel, waiting for his afternoon tea. "Excuse my lateness, my lord…" "What were you doing?" he asked, chucking the pawn chess piece to his head. In an instant, Sebastian moved his head, letting the piece fly out of the door. "My apologies, I engaged into a very childish debate," he explained, pushing the cart into the study. Finny, who had once again forgotten to complete his day's work, was cleaning up the chess board. "What are you doing here?" Sebastian asked, looking at him. "Uh… young master asked me to entertain him, so we…" "Get outside and get to work!" He demanded, not raising his voice, yet speaking with command in his eyes. Finny, in hast movement, hurried out of the door, tripping on the rug on the way out.

"You mustn't delay them from doing their duties, my lord," Sebastian said while closing the study door behind him. "Are you telling me what to do?" Ciel asked, sitting in his chair behind his desk. "Of course not, my lord," Sebastian replied, walking behind the chair, wrapping the napkin around his neck, "Merely a suggestion, that is all." "What do we have for today?" He asked. "For today's tea, we have a fruit tart, made with the milk and cream, covered in raspberries, blueberries and blackberries with an English black tea." He carefully placed his plate in front of him and began pouring his tea. "Are you sure I have nothing to do today?" Ciel asked, beginning to cut his dessert and eating a fork full. "Yes, sir," he replied, pouring the honey and milk into his tea, "No one scheduled for a meeting, no unplanned visits, Lady Elizabeth has a cold and you were ordered by her majesty herself to take the day off." "I'm not a baby who needs to be put down for a nap," he said wittingly while sipping his tea that Sebastian had sat in front of him. "My lord, your majesty the Queen heard about your asthma attack during the last case she sent you on," he implicated, "She is only doing it for your best interest." "I'm fine," Ciel snapped looking at his butler, "Why must people try to put pity on me? I am the Earl of Phantomhive and I should be treated as such! I can take care of my own!"

"Maybe after tea, we shall take a ride into London and look for some vegetables to go with dinner," Sebastian suggested. Ciel choked on his tea and looked up at his demon butler, with a confused look on his face. "Are you serious?" "You've never gone with me when I go to get ingredients," he explained as his young master took another sip of his tea, "Since your schedule is cleared and have some free time before completing the day's paperwork, a ride into town would be a wonderful thing to pass the time." Ciel finished his tea and wiped his face. Sebastian gently removed his napkin and cleaned after the young master, removing the eateries and continuing to clean up the chess set that Finny had left before hurrying off to finish his duties. "Why not?" the young Earl exclaimed, "I'm bored, and with you out of the house, who will entertain me? I have to go and pick out a present for Elizabeth's birthday anyway." "Why, thank you for letting me accompany you, young master…" "I'm not going with you," Ciel said, looking out the window, "You will go get the ingredients for dinner after we get something for Elizabeth." "Of course, my lord," Sebastian spoke, bowing toward him, "I shall prepare the chariot immediately." He guided the cart out of the study and continued down the hallway. "The young master going out to hand-pick something for Lady Elizabeth? Such weakness…" Sebastian thought while displaying a secret grin, "Maybe the young lord has become comfortable with displaying weakness…"

2:43pm

The ride to the town of London was like any other day. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Once into town, Sebastian and the young Earl went into the town square where the vendors displayed their products, whether they be homemade or originals (or knock offs) from the Funtom Company. "I have to get her something she'll love, Sebastian or she'll never forgive me," Ciel exclaimed, browsing the selection. "Young Master, you don't think Lady Elizabeth would just accept the gift from you because it was from you?" the butler asked, with his charm echoing in his smile. Ciel looked at him, puzzled, thinking that maybe he was hiding something. "You know what she wants, don't you?" "Me, my lord?" He said, "Why would my lady talk to me? I am merely a butler." "You're lying…" "I don't lie, my lord." Ciel fiercely looked away, trying his hardest to search for the perfect present for his fiancée. "Why don't you just ask for my help, my lord?" Sebastian suggested, "I would love to aid you through this." "No!" Ciel implied, "You will be a last resort this time. I will call upon you when I need you." "As you wish."

For a half an hour, Ciel struggled to pick out the present in which would he thought would make Elizabeth happy. Though he would select certain things, Sebastian would discretely cough, suggesting that the lad pick something else. "This is ridiculous!" Ciel expressed, "Why even celebrate such a silly occasion?" "But young master," Sebastian started to explain, "The lady's birthday is a wonderful occasion when the heavens graced the Earth with her bubbly personality, great taste in decoration and overall cuteness." Ciel turned with his puzzled face until his eyes landed on his smiling companion. "It was the way she described it, my lord." "Oh, so you do talk to her." "No, my lord," he implicated, "I am merely a great listener."

5:17pm

They continued looking as Sebastian looked to the sky, observing the soon to be sunset and checked the time. "We must hurry to the vegetables, young master," he implicated, "It Is very late and I haven't even started on dinner. Anyway, who's to know what's gone on in the manor in our long absence."

Meanwhile at the manor, Finny, Baldroy, and the maid, MeyRin all gather around watching the senior butler, Tanaka (who in which has very low stamina) chase baby ducks around the small rose garden. "This is the most Tanaka's moved all day," MeyRin pointed out while watching in amazement. "I wonder what the young master and Sebastian are doing," Finny wondered aloud. "They're probably on business as always," Baldo spoke, while continuing to watch the action. "That's it," Finny started to explain, "Why is it that Sebastian goes everywhere with the young master? It's like he's his favorite." "You know, you're right," MeyRin added, "We stay here and guard the manor and barely get a chance to get a taste of outside." Tanaka, after taking a moments rest, presented himself in his normal state with his tea-cup in hand. "You were hired here to maintain the Phantomhive manor from any outside attacks," he stated, "If everyone went on field trips, who would be here to protect the mansion?" "I mean, not that we want to go all the time," Baldo explained, "It's just, when do we get to go and get fresh air besides when Sebastian sends us for supplies?" "Yet, you have the most important job," Tanaka said without hesitation, "Anyone with brains and strength can protect the young lord, yet it takes real heart and determination to protect one's home." There was silence, with the quacks of the ducks and the sound of Tanaka's body deflating. "You know? You're right," Finny said, starting to understand the importance of staying home, "We do the best we can do here! Let's start putting our best foot forward!" The three agreed, with Tanaka's "Ho ho ho" adding into their enthusiasm.

"Yes, what they could be doing indeed," The young master agreed, trying his best to hurry his search, "Ugh! This is hopeless. I have no idea what she'd like for her birthday." Sebastian smiled, walking over to one of the vendors and rubbing his finger against the exterior of the wooden frame. "You know, my lord, I could be of some assistance." Ciel looked up at him and sighed. "He's a demon," Ciel thought, "As if he knows anything about birthdays and showing affection." He smiled. "Ok, Sebastian," he finally agreed, "Pick something out that Elizabeth would love for her birthday." Sebastian continued to display his charismatic smile while skimming the selection. "You know, my lord, this is very generous of you," the butler stated, "The gesture of hand picking something, when you could have sent me in your place from the beginning." Ciel's face began to bloom and blossom as he snatched his face away. "What are you talking about?" He said, "There's nothing generous about it. I don't understand why people celebrate birthdays anyway. Besides, like you'd know what she'd like right away. She'd kill me if I didn't get her something she'd absolutely love." "On the contrary," Sebastian interrupted while grabbing a hold of a royal blue necklace, "Lady Elizabeth just wants you to be happy. I'm sure that the fact that you went out of your way to pick something just for her, will delight her beyond belief." He held up the necklace so that the young Earl could lay his eyes upon it. It sparked and shined with the sun; with a blue stone, almost the same shade as the master's ring upon his thumb, accented with a gold chain. Ciel paid for the item, had it gift wrapped and headed to shop for produce.

After the grocery shopping, the demonic butler and his young master headed back to the manor. The Earl stared out of window of the carriage as his companion stared at him. Ciel caught wind and soon reacted. "What are you staring at?" He asked. "You, my lord" Sebastian answered, "Just think of how cute Lady Elizabeth will think you were today." "She's my fiancee. Auntie would kill me if I even thought about not getting her a present. With this time before her birthday, I have time to think about something better." His butler smiled. "The way you were presenting yourself," Sebastian added, "It seemed as if you liked shopping for her." Ciel ignored his companion's comments and enjoyed the rest of the ride. They had just reached the river bank, which had signified that they were pulling to the halfway point. "What would you know about what's nice…what really matters?" He thought, "You make a deal, sign agreements, follow the guidelines and collect the reward. Never once do you think about who it is you are paired to. Do you even know how it feels to love? To feel a type of compassion for someone, other than ordered?" These thoughts flustered and flew through his mind as if he were in a hurricane, asking the question over and over. "What does he know about love?"

9:45pm

After dinner, the Earl took his dessert in his study. Once again, Sebastian arrived to his study to find the young master, bored with his afternoon paperwork. It had gotten late, and with letting the time pass them in London, it seemed as if things were a little behind. "Young master, I've brought your dessert as you've asked," Sebastian presented. "Just wait a moment," Ciel proclaimed, trying his best to finish factory business. "Sir, I must say," his butler spoke, coming behind him, "Those papers can wait until tomorrow. It's gotten pretty late already." "Maybe you're right," he agreed as the butler began to clear his desk. He carefully carried over the master's dessert and tea and waited for further instruction. "Sebastian…" the young one called out, catching the butler's attention, "Run a bath for me. I need to soak for a while." "Yes, my lord." Sebastian bowed out, backing into the hallway, and heading toward his master's request. "What does he know about love?" Ciel lifted himself from his seat and headed toward the window. "I've always wondered what he cared about the most. Protecting me is our contract, certainly not something he takes pleasure doing. And even if he did…" The young Earl rubbed his ring with laid upon his thumb and stared into the moon. "…it isn't if he isn't getting something out of it."

Ciel completed his dessert and head toward his bath, where his loyal servant stripped him and prepared to bathe him. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, for he had done this for three years before this time. Yet, the feeling was different. Ciel's head were filled with thoughts, which almost seemed to be the reason the room was silent. It was also because the servant himself, wished to display something from off his chest. It was almost as if he was holding a secret; a burden which weighed him down and distracted him from his daily duties. It was more than just an ordinary debate or ridiculous commend; he longed to express his feeling but he knew he would be rejected. As Sebastian cleaned his master's back, he eased his face toward his skin. The scent of the young master filled his nostrils and danced around, as if it was a sweet melody. "Young master…" Ciel hadn't noticed. He had wondered why he was so silent but he hadn't really cared. The sponge made circles on his back and the scent of cleanliness was all that mattered to him in that point in time. "I'm ready to get out now," he spoke as Sebastian rose and prepared his towel. He stepped out of his bathtub just as the way he was born and proceeded to be wiped down. Once again, all seemed the same this night yet, the thoughts were different. The silence filled the room like a whistle as he arrived to his bed. The butler took care always placing the master in his under garments. And, as the moon got higher, he was tucked into bed and was prepared for sleep. "Sleep well, my lord," the butler spoke as he turned and headed out. "Sebastian, wait!" He called out to him, in his tracks. "I want to ask you something." "Anything, my lord," he progressed, turning toward him. "Have you ever loved someone?" he asked. "My lord…" "Just answer the question." Sebastian faintly smiled and addressed his master. "I am a demon. We do not pay attention to such emotions on a daily beckon, except those to devour the human soul." Ciel remained silent, watching the moon rise to its highest peak. "You didn't answer my question," he spoke, turning to his demonic butler, "I didn't ask what emotions or desires you embraced. I asked have you ever loved someone. Do you know what it feels like?" Sebastian released a sigh, and began to part his lips. "It was a very long time ago, my lord," he said, "That romance is long gone from this world." Ciel, accepting his answered, laid down his head on his pillow and turned toward the window. "I'm guessing you are ready for bed," Sebastian spoke, "You have a long day ahead of you." "Yes…" the young lord spoke with hesitation, releasing a sigh and closing his eyes. "Goodnight, young master." With one small breath, the fire from the candle was gone, filling the room with darkness. The door creaked as his demonic companion stepped out and closed it behind him.

He started down the hallway, his heart pounding. His demonic urges flowing through him with no end in sight. Sebastian pinned himself against the wall, hoping to have some type of control. "Why does he tempt me so?" He spoke aloud, thinking of his question. "Have you ever loved someone?" How could he answer such a question, knowing of his present desires. It had been a while since he had felt like this. Since his heart pumped with the want of feasting upon him. Yet, it wasn't a way of killing. He wanted to feel skin pushed against him, a hold that meant something; for once he wished not to sleep alone. "Ciel…" He got himself together, feeling embarrassed though no one was around. "I must prepare for tomorrow…" he spoke while continuing his journey downstairs. He controlled his urges for, yet, another night. "I am a demon," he thought to himself, "I do not indulge in such emotions…"