V. I Chapter 4: Hope Auction

Ciel showed up on President Jaeyline's doorstep fifteen minutes before he was due, knocking lightly at the door. A servant led him into the manor, depositing him in the salon, a tray of tea and coffee being wheeled in.

Ciel winced at the bright blue walls, having to make himself think about Enda's eyes, not letting his mind wander down those dark roads. He busied his hands, placing the tea leaves in the strainer and then into the tea pot, letting it seep before pouring it into a matching cup. He sipped, still distracting his mind.

"Oh! You're here already! They just told me."

Ciel turned his head to look at President Jaeyline, blinking at the floor length blue dress speckled with silver stars, a silver train that dragged five feet behind her. He blinked again, standing. His own clothes were neat and a bit more form-revealing than he would have liked, with a silver shirt, navy jacket and pants, black dress shoes, a black tie, and that silver chain clipped to the left side of his black framed glasses (he changed them) and the breast pocket of his jacket, a white rose in his buttonhole.

Ciel bowed. "Lady, shall we?" he asked, offering a hand. She folded her hand around his arm, the way a woman would properly be escorted. Ciel led her to the front of her house, but what he saw was a limousine with a driver already in it.

"The male partner of such a successful business woman would never drive himself," she whispered. "That's my personal servant. We should be safe from sabotage, Mr. Michaelis."

Ciel nodded, though he didn't like the thought of putting his life in the hands of a man he didn't know. "Very well, Miss Cordelia," he replied, opening the door for her.

It was a spacious backseat, shaped like a square u and padded in velvet, a minibar in the middle. Ciel sat on one end of the u, Jaeyline the other, both falling into silence.

"What is my job tonight?" he asked.

"Act like you want to be there and act like we've been together for awhile. Those are the only requirements. I know you won't embarrass me. That's why I picked you," she replied, staring out the window.

"Very well," replied Ciel.

It took thirty minutes to arrive at the grand hall, where Ciel helped President Jaeyline out of the car and up the steps to the entrance. He handed the servant their invitation, smiling as he cracked a joke with the attendant. He slipped into the role like trying out a new gun.

Ciel's eyes flashed around as he escorted President Jaeyline into the first room, where the other families were relaxing before the doors opened to the main event. "Excuse me, Lady," he said to Jaeyline. "I'll get us some champagne. Please do not mind my absence." He took her hand and lifted it to his mouth, pressing his lips lightly against it before heading after a tray of drink he saw a butler carrying.

He caught up, taking two glasses, though he had no intention of drinking, handing the waiter a tip and thanking him before heading back to where he'd left the President.

"You disgusting old hag! You don't deserve someone that handsome!"

"Is that really something you should say when your male partner is right next to you?" President Jaeyline asked.

Ciel lingered in the crowd, gauging whether the woman and the man at her side would harm the President.

"You know he isn't my real boyfriend. But that man who was with you isn't yours, either? So he's ripe for the taking. He's too good for you."

"He is," agreed President Jaeyline. "But he's mine. I won't let you get your filthy, hideously long nails into him."

"How dare you..."

The male's hand tightened on his flute of bubbling champagne. "How dare you say that, you hag!" He tossed the flute and liquid at her.

Ciel was there in a flash, pulling Jaeyline to his chest as the champagne splashed across him. Last second, right before the glass shattered against the floor, Ciel's fingers curled around the stem. "Your drink, Lady," he said, handing her one of the glasses he'd grabbed.

As he turned, his eyes were dark and cruel for a split second before returning to a polite shade of blue. "It's such a shame to spill such a fine champagne. Here's another glass, Sir," he said, handing the escort the second glass with a smile. "It's rude to shout at such an elegant party," he added in an undertone, smile still in place.

"Are you okay, Jaeyline?" he asked, turning back to her, checking her for injury.

"I'm perfectly safe. But what about you? You're soaked," she cooed, pouting. "We only have one spare outfit in the car, from a play who's female lead's costume I designed. Could you go fetch it?" she asked a servant.

Ciel plucked at his clipped-up tail, sighing. His hair was a pain to manage. He took the bag the servant came back with and asked for the nearest bathroom.

It was the size of a hotel suite, with a tub, shower, and a spa, but Ciel used the spotless sink to wash the alcohol from his hair, unclipping it to pat it down with a towel before opening what was in the bag.

"You have got to be joking."

.

Fifteen minutes later, Ciel walked back into the sitting area. As soon as he stepped back into the parlor, the eyes of those closest to him stared, mouths opened, and whispers began.

"Was this really all you had, My Lady?" he asked out of the corner of his mouth as he stood by her side, a fan, a real Japanese fan with elegant gold detailing on the white fabric, held in his hand. He was dressed in flowing robes of white, with gold lotuses shimmering on the outer robe. Soft, flexible flats of gold had also been provided, and his hair fell to the floor, a bit weighed down, still damp from the wash.

"Of course it's not. It didn't belong to a female actress, either. I specially designed it for you. You should take a look around. All of the women want you now, and I believe even a few men."

Ciel just lifted the fan to his face and fanned himself slowly, hiding his grimace from the others. "This is an auction, right?"

"Yes."

"Why are we here?"

"We're here to end the battle with Rosenblade."

Ciel's brows raised slightly. "Oh, and how do you wish to do that?"

"Financially."

Ciel got an idea of what she meant, and nodded, snapping the fan closed and tucking his hands in the long, flowing sleeves. "Shall we, My Lady?" he asked with a smile, following one step behind as she walked to the doors.

The servants opened it for her, and she strode into the next room.

Ciel scanned around once again, at a long table with chairs on the left and right, and a stage on the far side of the room. His eyes narrowed as a spotlight flashed on the stage, a man dressed in a red and white suit bowing before them.

"Welcome. I am Otogi Toro, the host of tonight's party and auction. All of you, please sit down, and you must sit with someone other than your partner." His dark brown eyes twinkled as they met Ciel's, and his light brown hair shifted as he jumped from the stage, walking forward. "Mirror, Mirror on the wall, I think I've found the fairest of them all," he said, smiling. "It's a shame you're a man," he sighed. "You would be such a pretty woman."

Ciel glanced at President Jaeyline before smiling back, pulling his hands from his sleeves and snapping the fan open. "I thank you for the complement. I am Ciel Michaelis, Miss Jaeyline Cordelia's partner."

"Wait-- you're from the famous Michaelis family? The Queen of the Japanese Mafia and an Executive of the English one?" he asked, blinking and smiling again.

Ciel just smiled and laughed, but he could feel the stares of the others intensifying. "You must have something confused. Are you saying I'm her son? Her son was found dead years ago, remember?" Ciel's smile turned deadly. "Right?"

"O-of course. Well then, Mr. Ciel, would you please pick the first chair?" he asked, smile a bit nervous.

Ciel walked past him, grey-blue eyes focused steadily ahead. He chose a seat about halfway down the left side of the table, sitting gracefully and holding the fan over the bottom half of his face. "So," he said mischievously, a seductive smile peaking over the fan, "who wants to sit by me?"

Otogi was nearly trampled as the women rushed to his side, a couple about to brawl before Ciel stood, lowering the fan to show a concerned pout and teary eyes. He looked almost fragile as he whimpered and said in that faint, wispy voice, "Oh, please don't fight. I'd be worried if one of you got hurt..."

"I'll sit at his right," the woman from earlier said, sitting as the others watched Ciel.

"Then may I take your left?" a flirty voice asked.

"Of course," Ciel replied. He smiled at the others. "I'm so sorry, but it looks like the two seats are taken. Do you mind finding another?"

"No... we don't mind at all..." they muttered, stumbling off, blinded by the smile.

Ciel sat down, raising the fan again.

"So... are you really my old friend Jaeyline's boyfriend?" the woman in a sexy, tight red dress with a neckline dipping to her waist.

"Maybe," Ciel replied. "You know who I am, but may I have the honor of knowing who I sit next to tonight?"

"I am Kalie Freed," she replied.

"And my name is Lolita, but you can call me Enda, the other said.

Ciel's eyes widened as he focused on the voice, and he spun in his chair, taking in the scarlet hair and bright blue eyes. "I can't believe it," he whispered. "Enda, what are you doing here?"

"You... know her?" Kalie asked, shifting in her seat to face him.

"Yes. We went to the same college," Ciel replied, not taking his eyes off of Enda. "What are you doing here?" he repeated.

"I'm the only daughter of the Fortune Inc. My real name is Jennifer, but just call me Enda. That's what Ciel here called me in college," he replied, winking.

Ciel gave him a knock-it-off-look as he practically felt Kalie's flames of jealousy burning him. "We haven't seen each other in years," he said in return. "It's nice to see you again, but you and I aren't as close as you believe we are," he said to Enda. He turned his attention as Mr. Otogi Toro walked onto the stage again.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, we have a wonderful assortment of items tonight, all of which will be purchased by the move valuable item or amount of money. Now shall we begin? First, we have the jade pendant that was once carried by Lord Edgar, a Chinese Prince. It was lost, but was just recovered in time for this event. Our starting bid is one hundred thousand dollars."

"Oh, Ciel, darling, would you buy it for me?" Enda asked.

Ciel looked at the pretty white silk rope and the circular grey-blue pendant with a white tassel. "Apologies, Miss Fortune," he replied. "But I have other plans for the jade." He snapped the flag closed and raised it, catching everyone's attention. "I bid a million dollars," he said.

Everyone was silent.

"Going once, going twice... and sold to Mr. Michaelis for one million dollars!"

"Where did you get all that money?" Enda whispered out of the corner of her mouth as they took the jade away to be wrapped.

"Between my job at LEO Corp. and the money I make as the Phantom, I have so much I don't know what to do with it all," he replied, hiding his mouth from the others by faking a yawn.

"Our next item is..."

Ciel watched the items roll up and off the stage as the bidding continued, but when the second to last item appeared, he sat up suddenly.

"Our last ordinary item is a Desert Eagle .357. It's only been fired to test it, and the silencer has been provided."

Enda sent Ciel a look, as he was basically bouncing in his seat.

"The starting price is--"

"I bid five million dollars," Enda said.

"What are you doing?" Ciel whispered before saying out loud, "Miss Fortune must really like the style."

"Of course. I have a friend I met in college who collects Desert Eagles," he replied. "I think he would like it very much."

"Likewise. A man I knew in college would look very nice with the jade," Ciel replied.

"Next," Otogi said, drawing attention to the stage once again. "This is our last and most precious item. A Hope Diamond! They this specific ring will grant lovers a long and happy life with each other, the Eternal Love!"

Several ladies sat up straighter, but President Jaeyline met his eye and nodded.

It was time.

"Starting bid is two-point-five million."

"Three million," Liam Rosenblade said. Unlike most, the woman at his side was really his significant other. Fiancee, if Ciel remembered correctly, and the Eternal Love would be one hell of a wedding ring.

"Four million," Ciel replied.

"Four-point-five million," President Jaeyline countered.

"Six million," answered Rosenblade.

"Seven million," Enda said, catching on.

"Seven-point-five million," Rosenblade's Fiancee said.

"Nine million," Kalie said, crossing her arms.

"Ten million," Jaeyline said.

"Fifteen million," Kalie countered.

"Twenty million," Liam said.

Everyone fell silent.

"Is that smart, Mr. Rosenblade? Your company is going through a crisis, after all," Jaeyline baited.

"As are you, Miss Cordelia," he replied. "But Eternal Love is what I want for my wife."

Ciel marveled at his determination to make his love happy, even if it meant risking everything, but he just turned his head back to the stage, fingers clenching a slip of paper that had been delivered in the bag containing his outfit.

"This auction has ended. Now, if you're follow me through these doors..." Otogi opened double doors, revealing a brightly lit large hall with refreshments pushed against a wall of windows. "The ball may begin!"

Ciel felt a slight breath against his neck and he shivered a mere second before turning to Enda. "May I have this dance, Lady?" he asked, bowing and extending a hand.

"Of course," he replied, giggling.

As Ciel escorted Enda to the middle of the ballroom, he whispered, "What are you doing here? Truly." He bowed before placing one hand on Enda's waist, the other taking his.

"All of us are here, which is even more shocking than all of us meeting up at the shooting range," Enda said quietly back, mouth barely moving. "Coincidentally, all of us have targets tonight who are in attendance." They started to dance as the music started, a slow waltz, the two moving gracefully and spectacularly, as dancing was an entire unit in the infiltration and disguise part of assassination.

"Yours?"

"My escort, the one who thinks I'm Miss Brianna Fortune. He's the CEO of the Detrevon Group. Denis' is Lady Lara, the only daughter left of the aristocratic Spears family, and Jerry's in charge of getting rid of the Mafia Executive, Otogi Toro."

"Is that how he know about...?"

"Yes. I'm afraid so. Jerry's got the hardest job, because he has to take out the whole branch. Do you think you could slip away for literally thirty minutes during the party?"

"With all of us, it'll be ten," replied Ciel. "I do have a question, though. Where was Denis?"

"He was the servant who got your bag. That was how he could slip your mission into it."

"Hmm. When is Jerry making his move?" Ciel asked, spinning Enda under his arm, starting to step faster, until they were taking two steps for each one the others took. Their steps were light, Ciel's outfit swirling around them.

"In exactly eight minutes," Enda replied. A slight smile appeared on his lips. "I think we should slow down. The girl's are starting to get jealous."

Ciel returned his smile. "Let them. Why not enjoy this time before everything goes to hell later, right?" he asked, that slightly wicked curl to his lips.

Their steps quickened as the music did, the climax nearing. And they were spinning around like they were on an amusement park ride, hair and clothes fanning around them as they wove with each other.

When the music ended, so did their dancing, and Ciel bowed as Enda curtsied. He looked around, at the open-mouthed other guests, and two smirking servants.

Ciel and Enda switched partners, this time Enda with Rosenblade and Ciel with Kalie Freed.

Kalie gave him a pout as they started dancing. "You're not going to spin me around like you did your old friend?" she asked, a slight edge in her words.

"Only because I don't want you to slip and get hurt in those heels of yours," Ciel assured.

Kalie moved her hand on Ciel's shoulder to play with a strand of his hair. She gave him a soft look, moving her self until she was pressed against Ciel. "Are you doing anything after the party?" she asked.

"I'm afraid so, Lady," replied Ciel, twirling her. "I have a meet-up with two other friends of mine."

She bit her lip slightly, giving a tearing gaze. "With the Fortune woman?" she whimpered.

"Yes." Ciel glanced around, noticing the movement of two servants exiting, and Enda coming up with a quick excuse to leave his partner. Ciel danced closer to a slightly confused Rosenblade and twirled Kalie into his still outstretched arms. He bowed to them both. "Apologies, but I have a pressing appointment to get to."

Ciel didn't look back at them as he exited the ballroom.

"Nice of you to join us," Jerry said, tossing Ciel's mask at him.

Ciel caught it, fitting it over his face, taking the hair extension from Enda and clipping it in place. He looked down at his clothes. "Do I really have to fight in this?" he asked, plucking at the silks.

"Here," Denis said, handing Ciel a silk sheath with two spots to hold weapons.

Jerry gave him two katanas he'd hidden on the inside of his servant's apron, and Ciel sheathed them one above the other.

"For you, Sir," Enda said, holding up the Desert Eagle he'd bought.

"Likewise, Lady," he said, handing over the jade pendant. He smiled as he saw the crescent design Enda had embellished on the side of the gun.

Enda laughed as she saw the blade hidden in the tassel and the loop connected to the jade that could be unraveled into a long wire that could cut through a person's flesh.

"Let's go," Denis said. "We need to be back before anyone starts searching for us."

"The branch is below us, and I filched the keycard needed for the elevator when I talked to Otogi Jackass earlier," Enda said, sticking his tongue out as he waved the card in the air.

"And I have his key ring," Ciel said, holding up the ring of keys. "I got it when I walked past him to the table. I saw a very strange one on here, so I assume it's used for something he'd rather not have others seeing.

"Great job. Between all of us, we have five keycards, three IDs, and a ring of keys," Denis said. "That should be more than enough to get in there."

"Good," Enda said, slipping on his mask.

"In and out thirty minutes max," Jerry instructed, putting on a mask that covered everything but his eyes, drawing two guns.

"We'll only need fifteen," Denis replied, fastening the jester mask over his face, flipping a knife in his hand.

"Don't let a single one get away," Ciel ordered. "Anata ga aisuru hitobito no tame ni."

The others advanced, smiling, and repeated, "For the people you love!"

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Denis Veriso Havok - M - 36 years old

Likes - his job, small dogs, knives and needles, poison, lilies, technology, muffins.

Dislikes - Ciel's mother, things that make no sense, loud and lazy people, shades of purple, low-paying jobs.

Strengths - making incurable poisons, forgetting to make an antidote, detection, knife throwing, knife fighting, making muffins.

Weaknesses - forgetting to make antidote after test poison on himself, lifting weights, push-ups, country music.