A/N: Another day, another story! This one's a little different in that it will alternate between the present and the past.
Also, I'm not going to do the time tags that the game does. While it makes transitions easier, I find them limiting, so I'm going to try something new with this story.
Also, this is basically a sequel to "A Mother's Dilemma". For those not wanting to read it, Mom is Thalassa Gramarye.
Well, here we go!
…
Chapter One – Another Day, Another Murder
Apollo
Sunshine Coliseum. I felt like I was spending a lot of time here in the past few years. Today, the new Troupe Gramarye was going to have their Halloween show.
"Come on, Polly! There are four suits in a deck! We already have a diamond, heart, and club! We need a spade!" Trucy said, holding up the blood red cloak and hat, sized specifically for me. I sighed at this. It was a constant argument between me and the leader of the new Troupe.
"Trucy, how many times do I need to tell you. I'm no magician! You should find someone else if you really want a fourth member," I said. Mom looked up from where she was braiding her hair to watch, laughing at our argument.
"But Apollo, you're actually Gramarye blood!" Trucy whined.
"Hey!" Valant said from where he was adjusting his hat. "I'm not of Gramarye blood. Does that mean I'm not good enough?" he demanded playfully. I snickered at that.
"That's not what I meant!" Trucy said. There was a quick knock on the dressing room door, causing all four of us to look up.
"Gramaryes? You go on in five," one of the staff members said. I grinned, flicking Trucy's shoulder.
"Good luck out there. I'm going to go sit," I said, escaping before she could protest further. As I walked, I noticed an older man, somewhere in his forties, looking around. I noticed him earlier when we first got here. He'd been standing close to Trucy, actually.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"Uh… I'm looking for the bathroom…" he said. I pointed the direction out, and he nodded, rushing off that way.
"Weird," I muttered to myself, before quickly getting to the stands. As family of the performers (It's been two years since I found out and this still blew my mind), I got a front row seat. Mr. Wright would be here too, but he and Maya Fey finally got married last week, and were currently away on their honeymoon.
The stadium went dark.
The lights came up on stage, and the performance began. I wasn't one for stage magic, even if I had to sit through plenty of Wonder Bar performances, but Mom, Trucy, and Valant were amazing. They worked together perfectly, proof of the hours they put in to practice, performing amazing feats of illusion and magic. I enjoyed it greatly.
Unfortunately, like all good things, it ended too soon. Everyone stood, milling around and talking about the performance, while I slipped through the crowd, getting back stage. Trucy and Mom were waiting for me.
"How'd we do?" Trucy asked breathlessly as soon as she saw me.
"You guys were awesome!" I said. Trucy grinned widely, hugging me excitedly.
"I've never performed in front of a crowed that big! It was amazing!" Trucy squealed. I winced, as she had been right next to my right ear.
"Well, that's what happens when you reach the professional level," Mom said with a warm smile. I chuckled.
"I'm just happy to perform in court. Forget on stage," I said.
"What about for that forensic scientist?" Mom asked innocently. Trucy smirked at me, while my cheeks grew hot.
"M-Mom!" I gasped, causing both women to laugh.
"Come on, let's go meet with Valant. We're getting ice cream once we're done here!" Trucy said, finally letting go of me and leading the way. I shook my head, following.
"Huh, strange," Mom said when she tried the door.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"It's locked."
"Uncle Valant?" Trucy called, knocking on the door.
No answer.
"Maybe he went to the bathroom or something. Do you have the key, Trucy?" Mom asked. Trucy reached into her pocket, and stopped.
"It's not there," she admitted, patting her other pockets.
I, on the other hand, started to get a very bad feeling. "I'll go check the bathroom," I said, heading that way.
Valant wasn't there either.
"You're worried," Mom noted when I returned to them. I nodded.
"Something's wrong. I can just feel it," I admitted. The three of us looked at the door again, before Trucy knocked louder.
"Uncle Valant!?" she called.
"Everything okay?" a staff member walking by asked. Mom looked at him.
"We're not sure. Do you have the key?" she asked. The man nodded and unlocked the door, letting us in.
"Valant!" Mom gasped, darting forward when we entered. Laying on the ground on his stomach, his hair and cloak spread around him, was Valant Gramarye. I stepped forward quickly and caught her arm before she could move the man.
"Mom, wait," I said. She stopped and locked at me.
"Wait? What do you mean, wait?" she demanded. I shook my head and knelt next to him, placing my fingers on his neck gently, feeling for a pulse.
Nothing.
"He's already dead," I breathed softly, before looking up at those two. "There are bruises on his neck. Call the police."
…
A/N: DUN DUN DUUUUUUN!
Okay, Valant fans, sorry for killing him off. Truth be told, he was the only Gramarye I didn't like, sooo…. He was the first to go.
We're looking at approximately fifteen chapters for this tale.
Well, onto the next chapter!