lau

Lau is initially presented as the branch manager of a successful Chinese trading company's English operations and an associate of both Ciel and Madam Red. Despite his peculiar friendship with Ciel, it becomes evident that Lau engages in questionable legal activities: his true business revolves around opium, and he operates a prosperous opium den. Although he acknowledges that Ciel has some authority over such illicit enterprises, Lau's reaction to Ciel's threat to close him down is simply to jovially remark that if it happens, he will find another means to turn a profit. Most of Lau's personal history remains a mystery at this point, but he is very familiar with Ciel and far more influential than he pretends: before anyone else notices, he somehow neutralizes the guards of a mansion that Ciel and the others are infiltrating. Lau is a cheerful enigma. It is rare for him to display any expression other than a highly amused smile, even when involved in perilous investigations. He delights in making Ciel's life interesting—though perhaps not in the way Ciel would prefer—by dropping by at odd hours for a cup of tea or to observe Ciel tracking down a murderer. He has a habit of addressing people by their titles (Earl for Ciel and Butler for Sebastian). Nothing seems to unsettle him. He is also adept at acting like he knows more than he does, using this skill to his advantage in various situations.