Stein held his arm out, crooked at the elbow, as Marie slid her arm through. He stared ahead, not looking at her, but at the entrance of the party.
"Ready?" she asked, a bubbly expression on her face. Stein put out his cigarette on the nearby wall and gave her a half smile.
Lord Death, fully recovered and peppy as ever, stood on the stage, with his son on one side of him in an impeccable white and red suit, and the death scythes, including Marie, flanking his other side. "Hey-a! Hi-ya! Wazzzup, Wazzup, Wazzzzzzzzuuuuup? Kid here wanted to say a little something, so please do listen! Take it away, Kiddo!" Lord Death bounced away, giving his son the full presence on stage. Stein exhaled a short, good-natured laugh. How was it possible a son and his father could be so different? Stein frowned. It was one of the many mysteries he hadn't solved. Maybe if he could just take a closer look, see what in their anatomy was different, see how the shinigami species functioned on the inside…Stein grabbed his arm, stopping himself. The madness was gone, but sometimes, faint reminders could set it off again. Especially anything to do with…Medusa.
Marie gave Stein a concerned look from the stage. She saw the way the faint glimmer of mad curiosity flash across his face, and she couldn't help but to worry. After all, the last DWMA anniversary party was not a night anyone wanted to remember. But for Stein it was the hardest. Every little sight, sound and taste here reminded him of Medusa, and she knew it. While precautions had been taken this time, setting up guards and transporting Lord Death's mirror into the venue, she knew the memories were what everyone feared.
When Kid had finally finished his speech, Marie stepped of the stage, advancing toward Stein. She laid her hand on his shoulder. He didn't look up. "Stein," she said, a mild reprimand. He quickly jerked his head up. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His irises danced around, like those of a paranoid animal. Noticing Marie, he stopped and gave her a fake, sad smile. Marie nervously looked away, a faint trace of a tear forming in the corner of her eye.
She hoped Stein's sanity would survive the night.