Pre-show was the busiest time in your schedule, forget keeping up your act as a newcomer you were busy taking orders it felt like you were being overworked by a cruel Sebastian. Your feet hurt and burned as you ran up and down replenishing props not to mention your lower back. Ugh, anything for a seat.

"Hey Beauty, that box next to you with the hoops get them over here!" You gritted your teeth. No is perfect and neither are humans, but it'd be nice to have a place where someone wasn't a total nuisance. This one member has been on your case the entire night demanding you bring this and that to her. You dropped the box next to her, and she hissed and drew her foot up in a manner that looked like you dropped it on her foot. "Watch it you nearly injured me," she said angrily. "So sorry, I'll be sure to present it to you like you're Her Majesty," you sarcastically snarled, smiling like you've tasted something terrible Bard made and didn't want to hurt his feelings. "If you have a problem, take it up with your superiors, I don't think they'll object to me asking for a little help so I don't forget anything before my act. Be a good sport Beauty."
What a brilliant idea.

You looked at Sebastian with doe eyes, and he was indeed... your superior. He caught your eye as you smirked and walked off. "Beauty I need-"

"Please miss I'll be delighted to get whatever it is you need," he bent so his face was level with hers and gave her his famous closed eye smile. Her light blush said it all, pure jealous that you were familiar with Sebastian. How cute.
Her smirk at you made you laugh on the inside, seeing him toy with her like that was the real joke and silly her, so quick to believe someone as easy as her can capture his attention.

"Psst! You two!"

The tent had been cleared out save you three and the grim reaper. "Remember what we discussed. Let's go." You began to make your way out to go search but were stopped by Joker carrying Wendy. Apparently, she twisted her ankle and was unable to perform. He ran to the medical tent to drop Wendy off, Peter trailed behind them and shouted that Black had eight minutes to get ready for the act. Once they were out of sight, you made your way to Snake's tent. He made quick work of the snakes, and the young lord reviewed the plan once more since Sebastian's sudden demanded presence interfered with the initial plan. "Avoid Peter and Wendy's room. They may be in the medical tent but that doesn't mean they can't return at any time they want. Y/n do Snake and Dagger's room as planned and I'll do Beast and Joker's. We should leave everyone else's tent alone there isn't enough time to for a thorough search of every room." You stayed in the tent while they both left, best to leave Dagger's room for last, his is farther in so if they unexpectedly come back there are more options to hide. The angry snakes hissed at you helpless in their cage, unable to slither their way out and take a bite. Nothing suspicious came up as you rummaged through his drawers, just clothes. Not even something from where ever he originated from. Now that you think about it, he keeps to himself and you rarely hear him talk. He doesn't seem social even with the rest of the main cast. Maybe he has nothing to conceal. About to leave the tent you heard footsteps ... heels... must be Beast but for what while everyone is at the show? Your anxiety perked up as you tiptoed to the back of the tent and the little crunches of the gritty earth underneath your toes were slightly audible as you went to investigate.

She entered her tent and came out a few seconds later buttoning up a different bodice, it probably ripped is all. Waiting a moment after she left you dashed inside and nearly screamed, Sebastian and the young lord stood there discussing something which startled you. "How she didn't catch you is beyond me, and I thought you had an act to perform."

"I ended it quickly to attend to matters here."

"Oh, what have you find out?"

"A signet keeps appearing in these photographs, it's a horse and the letter "K", I want you to keep note of everything you find branded with it. What about Snake's room?" The young lord asked. "It seems Snake isn't really with the troupe. He's more of a loner than I expected. There wasn't anything affiliated with that signet in his tent either."

"Alright. We have about ten minutes until the encore that should give us enough time before the troupe comes back. Come Y/n we each have one tent left to search. Head back Sebastian before they start getting suspicious."

You all went your separate ways again.

In Dagger's room, it was a bit more eccentric. Decorated a bit more than Snake's room he had a trunk of clothes with a single bottle of cheap cologne buried at the bottom. Nothing really or if the ordinary, he had quite a few pictures of him and Beast and one with a middle-aged man behind them as they both smiled awkwardly. You took the picture out of the frame and inspected the back. A note was scribbled and ended with the signet. However, no name was signed.

"My dear boy, I know you won't forget this day but here is a picture to remind you anyway"

Signed Father

You heard the crowd of people making their way back from the show and hurriedly put the picture back in its frame and left for Sebastian's tent.

~
"You git, you released those damn vipers knowing full well I was still," cough cough, "over there!" He came in stamping his feet like a little angry child whining to his father how his mother didn't buy him sweets. "Yes, I did my lord. You see as an avid player of games yourself you should know to be specific with your pieces. You instructed me to release the snakes when the troupe returned, it's your own fault for being there. While the contract stands I will protect your life nothing in the contract doesn't permit me to add a little spice. Any game becomes dull when it lacks thrills." He smirked at the adolescent boy in front of him who instead of glaring, smirked right back at him. "Do you know what I would call your stupid little game? Demonic."

"You flatter me."

You snickered while swinging a foot up and down distracting Sebastian a little. Oh yes, he noticed your attire, something so revealing on you couldn't possibly go unnoticed by the one who had claimed you as his. Your exposed s/c skin was smooth enough to have his mouth watering for another taste. The young lord leaned against the bed frame earning a jab from William. He scoffed and beckoned you two outside. "Now," cough cough "in Joker's tent there was a distinct profile of me everything from where I live to my rank and date of birth. It was posted to Tom the Pipers son, and had the same signet on the wax seal as we've been," cough "seeing." Working with children from a workhouse indicates he's most likely a philanthropist which means he would need his own signet," cough.

"My lord, are you alright?" He brushed you off and kept talking. "The," cough cough cough, "heraldic authorities office had a record of every signet distributed. You should be able to," cough cough, "identify the correct one." He gripped his throat and began to breathe heavily. "T- the signet, Tom the Pipers son, the children a- and me are all connected somehow." His eyes glazed over like he was going in and out of consciousness all while struggling to breathe.
"My Lord?" he was coughing way too much for your liking. You placed your hand on his back rubbing in circles trying to soothe him. He suddenly dropped on all fours and threw up, hacking the rest of the vile liquid up. "My lord!" Sebastian dropped to his knees confused on what to do. "Smile!" Doll yelled in concern and came running to his side.

"Quickly run ahead and notify the doctor to prepare a bed!" you told Doll. Sebastian scooped up the young lord and the both of you ran to the medical tent.

~
"It's an asthmatic fit."

"What?" You exclaimed in shock. You sat in a chair next to his bed keeping a close eye on him.

"Asthma? Are you certain?" Sebastian inquired. The doctor nodded, "There were multiple triggers. From the surprise in your voice, it seems he hasn't 0had a fit in years. I heard he had a bath outside with the rest of those loons."

"Tell me Smile, did you suffer from asthma as a child?"

"Mo...r" he mumbled in his frail state and stretched his hand towards you. You grasped hand gently and squeezed lightly, and his eyes were half-open. "Asthma?" you looked at Sebastian who looked genuinely confused and concerned as well. His breathing became unsteady once again and his grip tightened, "Mother..."

Your eyes widened, "Is- is he experiencing a flashback?"

"It could be, or it's his subconscious talking to you. His mind is muddled, not a good sign." The doctor said as he left the tent for a brief moment.

"Aunt Angeline," he breathed out. 'Madame Red? Oh yes, she was a doctor.'
The doctor came rolling back in, "I just remembered mint oil can help when symptoms I have a bottle here somewhere." He began rummaging through his chest filled with about fifty clinking glass bottles. "Se...bastian," the young lord said weakly and he beckoned him to his side with his index finger and motioned for him to give him his hand. He began to write on the palm of his gloved hand after a few moments he turned young lords hand over doing the same thing. "What'd he say?" He bent down and whispered what the young lord said. You had the option to perform the task, but you rather stay here and attend to him.

"I'll stay. You go," you stroked the young lord's hair for he had fallen asleep the quickest he ever had since the time you knew him. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He ran his fingers through your hair and kissed your worried brow and left swiftly. "Ah found it!" His rickety wheelchair squeaked as he made his way over. "Oh, he's fallen asleep, no matter, we can apply it to his pillow or chest. Which do you think? "
"His pillow should do, thank you doctor," can't risk exposing his mark.
"I assume you're going to stay the night?" You nodded at him. "Alright, don't hesitate to wake me up if anything happens. Good night." He wheeled himself out the medical tent leaving a single oil lamp barely lit. The young lord tossed and turned violently breathing harder than usual. You got up and sat at the head of the bed still trapped in his hand. He grabbed your waist almost burying his face in your lap. The poor boy was having a nightmare. You rubbed his back hoping it would soothe him a little, but after a while of rubbing his back, you fell asleep to his now steady breathing.
~

"Morning," you said sleepily. "Find out anything?"

"Needless to say, we'll discuss it when we get back to the townhouse. How was he last night?" Sebastian asked feeling his forehead. "He wasn't doing well last night, but I think the rest did him a bit of good. His fever went down but it's not gone." The young master started to stir slowly waking up. You both watched him intently, and you bit your lip.

"What's going on... I?" he sat up and leaned back into your chest, still a little weak. "And a good morning to you," Sebastian replied brightly. "Here have some water," he handed him a glass of water which he wasted no time drinking. "Slowly my lord we don't want you to choke," he looked up at your voice and came face to face with your chest. He jumped back a blushing mess. He looked over at Sebastian, "You appear to be missing your gloves, your nails and our contract are showing."

"I soiled them a touch." You cocked your eyebrow at him, "No spare?"

~

"Go on ahead I have to do something," you waved to them and walked out the tent.

"Is Beast in?" you asked Snake who was standing by his tent with about three of his snakes wrapped around him, the albino one jabbed their tail in her direction. You peeked your head into her tent and saw her sitting on her bed. "I came to hang this up it's a bit chilly and I don't want to ruin it." She nodded her head, and you walked over to her chest to put it away. "You alright Beast?"

"Y/n... you ever fall for a man with a demon's tongue-?"

"Oi Beassst!" Wendy came in with her foot in a bandage. "Peter wants a word." Wendy had temporarily distracted you from what Beast said. 'A man with a demon's tongue?' Your eyebrows furrowed hurting your forehead slightly. You spotted Sebastian's glove in the trash next to the chest with her fishnet stockings.

Isn't that his?

It clicked in your head.

...Soiled gloves indeed.

"Appropriate analogy," you muttered narrowing your eyes.

"What?" Beasts voice made you jump a little, your sudden bloodlust cut short. "Oh nothing," you smiled at her clearly forgetting she was still there. "I'll see you at practise later." You waved her off and looked back to the gloves narrowing your eyes. A demons tongue... the seducing bastard. No wonder he has all the information we need. She fell for his wiles and squealed.

If only there was a book on how to deal with demon mates, husband, beau... whatever. You took out your ring and twirled it "I'm practically stuck with him, might as well keep it." You couldn't even make him pay for this. It was unexpected and it unexpectedly hurt. You were probably a short way to pass the time. But what else do you want from a demon? human morals? A laughable thought.