The Earls and Their Ponies

"Claude." Aloise said to his butler one rainy afternoon. "Our efforts to capture Ciel have been proving ineffective. What could we do to one up Sebastian and get him?" Claude said nothing, thinking about the Deal he and Sebastian had made at the ball in this very house. A demonic blood pact, roses and all. Ciel gets what he considers revenge for the death of his parents, Aloise gets Ciel. But now Claud wasn't so sure about the Deal. Ciel was strong willed, for a human, and considered "an eye for an eye" the gospel of revenge. Since Aloise was also orphaned, the earl Phantomhive wouldn't be able to take his parents. His next option, and target, would most likely be Aloise himself. Sebastian had to have known this, or he wouldn't have looked so smug during the process. "Claude." Aloise repeated, snapping his butler back to reality. "I asked you a question."

"I'm sorry, my lord." Claude said. "I just can't think of anything at the moment." Earl Aloise was most displeased. If Claude couldn't think of anything, who could?

"I can." Came a voice from the corner. Boy and butler turned to the speaker. Claude stepped back, seemingly reeling with surprise at the girl's sudden appearance. "What, aren't you happy to see me, Claud-emon? Satan sends his regards, as always." Claude just stood there, not forgiving the girl for causing that uncharacteristic moment of shock. "Well, Earloise. It seems you want something your butler is simply incapable of providing. Oh, whatever shall you do?" She dramatically rubbed her eyes in mock despair.

"Claude." Aloise said simply. "Remove her from my house." The demon butler nodded, stepping forward and narrowing his eyes.

"Gladly."

"Claude," The girl sighed. "How tiresome you are. Simply no sense of humor, whatsoever! Aren't I right, Earloise?" She held up her hand, and Claude froze. Aloise stared.

"How did you--" he was cut off by her laughter. Somehow, he couldn't start talking again. How could this girl, who couldn't be more than 16, do that?

"It's quite simple, really. It's just that I'm The Lord of Chaos, and Claude here is not but a lower tier demon. Now, you want to stir up trouble is that correct? Kidnapping Ciel Phantomhive? Sounds fun enough. So why don't we make a little deal? I make it so Sebastian can't get in your way, and you liven up a neighborhood that's becoming duller and duller with each passing day. How does that sound?" She was smiling the kind of smile that a con man gives you when he thinks he's about to win.

"It will be easy, with Claude's help." Aloise said, causing her to burst into a fit of laughter. His eyes widened. "You aren't--"

"Oh yes, it  has to be at least mostly fair, so Claude won't be able to help either. How does a week sound?" That cursed smile...

"Claude comes, or no deal." Aloise said. Claude's eyes widened.

"My lord--" The demon started.

"Please, Claude." She sighed. "Spare us. So you don't want a demon free week, Earloise? Even if it means an elevated chance of getting Ciearl Phantomhive in the end?" Aloise nodded.

"I'm getting tired of your puns." He said in a warning tone.

"Oh, well, that's no fun at all. Very well, Earloise. I'll be going. You will, too." His eyes widened.

"I didn't agree to your cursed deal!" He shouted angrily.

"That's right, you didn't. Guess that means you don't know when you'll be back." She grinned and disappeared, like she'd never been there, and Aloise collapsed to the floor.

~Meanwhile~

"Would you like a meringue pie with your tea, my lord?" Sebastian said, rolling in the tea cart. Ciel leaned back in his chair.

"Yes, please." He said, exhausted. "Those cursed salesmen, always trying to--" his sentence was cut off as he curled into a fetal position and clutched his temples, screaming.

"My lord!" Sebastian cried, running to his master.

Sebastian and Claude had very similar experiences from there. Both earls convulsed madly for a few seconds, screaming, then they hung limp, before their extremities began to fade away. Both demons held their masters as the overly dramatic scenes ended with the four other servants of the house running in just in time to see the shocked expressions on the butlers faces as the last of their masters disappeared. Both butlers sent the servants back to their duties. This is where the experiences diverged once again. While Claude stood, walking out of the room to assist with cleaning, and making sure nobody outside the house knew what had happened. Sebastian sat there, and, after a long while, whispered "What demented game are you playing?"