Minawa: Welcome to a story, set in a beautiful time full of mysteries and romance...
Conan: Cut the crap already, we get it.
Minawa: *looks down* What got you so mad?
Conan: *pouts* Why the hell do I still have to be a kid, how am I supposed to...
Minawa: *ignores chibi* no spoiling, Please enjoy. *bows*
England, London, 1893
"Stop that man!" a voice called from behind as the culprit hurried through maze of the city.
Thinking he was one step ahead he hurried around the corner and ran over to one of the boxes standing in the alley. Throwing down the knife into one of the boxes he hurried to find something else he had hidden there earlier, to no success.
"Looking for this?" a child's voice called from above his head. Looking up he found a small boy sitting on the edge of the roof, holding his gun.
"It's over." The boy said as a group of police officers turned the corner and surrounded the man. With no escape he gave up.
"I can't believe Mr. Kudo knew he had hidden the gun and jewellery there! How did he figure it out without even seeing the crime scene?" the inspector marvelled over the capturing of the thief and killer by name Lucas the Claw. I scratched the back of my head and looked up at him.
"I just gave him all the details he needed and *poff* like that he knew the answer!" I said in a childish way as I threw my arms in the air. The inspector smiled and ruffled my hair.
"Very well done, Conan. Send your master my thanks." He said before walking off to speak to the press. I sighed and fixed my hair before walking over to the cart waiting for me. Once in I really felt my mood getting worse.
"Is everything in order, Mr. Kudo?" James asked. I glanced at him and grinned.
"I'm not Kudo anymore, you know. Get used to saying Edogawa." I said as I leaned my head in my hand. James smiled.
"No matter the size, you will always remain as Kudo Shinichi to me." He said and made a small bow. I smiled at him, honestly happy for his words.
"Stop mocking me, James." I said, knowing he'd figure I was joking.
After a bath everything felt so much better I figured as I looked trough different cases people were searching "my" expertise to solve.
After being cursed by a woman I had put behind bars my body had unexpectedly shrunk. Of course I didn't believe that to be the case, obviously, I had been given some kind of hormone poison. Nowadays I solved the cases pretending to be my younger cousin Edogawa Conan. Everyone easily believed I was my own assistant and didn't question my presence even as a child.
James came in with a knock.
"I brought tea and a certain doctor with me." He said as Agasa appeared behind him with a smile.
"Professor! It's been a while." I said as we took a seat. James served tea as the professor nodded.
"Yes, indeed it has. Work has put me on several journeys lately." He said. I nodded.
James was just about to leave when I stopped him.
"Please join us, James." I said and motioned to the empty chair as the professor nodded. James sat down without a word.
"Before I forget, Shinichi. I got you some new inventions." He said and reached for his bag. I sipped my tea as he put out some objects on the table. I sighed.
"All I can see is a pocket watch and a pair of suspenders." I said. He held up his finger.
"It might appear so yes? But no." he said and held up the pocket watch. By pressing the winder he aimed and shot a small dart at the dog. A second later it fell to the ground, lifeless. Not sure whether to be annoyed or worried I turned to Agasa.
"What have you done?" I asked him. He shrugged.
"The dogs fine. The dart got a sleeping drug in it, working instantly and effectively for 4 hours. You can still use it as a normal watch, though." He said and handed me the watch. I turned it over, fascinated.
He picked up the suspenders. Pressing the buckle he made them several feet longer than normal.
"These are designed to expand to about 300 feet, made in a soft yet strong fabric they can hold two grown men." He said and pulled the suspenders back to their original length. I sweat dropped as he handed me them.
"I must say professor, you never cease to surprise me. Good job, old friend." I said and shook his hand.
"Thank you, Shinichi, but you know I want you to capture bad guys just as much as anyone else. This is the best way for me to help you." He said. I nodded and sank into my chair.
"True, but capturing murderers and kidnappers is somehow tiresome nowadays." I said and sighed.
Agasa and James nodded at this.
"Then what about a change of environment?" Agasa asked. I glanced at him, curious.
"What do you mean?" I asked him. He put a finger in the air.
"As we speak right now there is something very mysterious happening in Paris. They say a phantom run through the city, stealing jewellery he later on returns to the police." He said. I sat up straighter, interested.
"A thief you say? What makes him any different, besides the fact that he is foolish enough to return what he stole?" I asked. Agasa sweat dropped.
"He's not an ordinary thief. He gets by any trap or police troop by using the most amazing magic tricks, they say. He's dressed as an gentleman, making any woman fall for him and any man hate his guts." He said before sipping his own tea. I rubbed my chin while thinking.
"What does this got to do with me?" I asked. Agasa shrugged.
"Well, they have put a reward for whomever captures this man and I figure you could a change of environment." He said. I chuckled.
"Yes, indeed I do. Capturing a thief can't be much trouble." I said and walked over to the desk. Agasa sipped his tea again.
"James, what do you say?" I asked as I continued to look through my pile of paper.
He smiled, I noticed from the corner of my eye.
"Paris is indeed beautiful at this time of year. Unlike London, the sky is most of the time blue at day and covered with stars at night." He said as he got up and cleaned up the cups. I smiled.
"Then I guess we need three tickets to Paris." I said. James nodded as he left the room.
The train raced through the landscapes, leaving the city behind. Only twenty minutes and you could see nothing but vivid fields of flowers and lakes.
"Mr. Edogawa." James said as he entered. "I'm afraid the doctor believes he ate too much and is feeling sick. He will probably stay in the bathroom for a while." He told me with an uneasy smile. I nodded, feeling with my friend who had a problem with moving objects and food.
James sat down opposite me and looked out the window. I sighed.
"Why must you insist on calling me Mr.? My father is Mr., you know." I said, placing my chin in my palm. James gave a nod.
"Your father left you in my care. You are my master and therefore I will address you either master or Mr. and I suspect you don't prefer being called master?" he said with a tricky grin. I chuckled.
True enough, my father had left James to take care of me when leaving with my mother for America. Due to my state of being a child once again I had refused their offer to come along. They could use the time being alone, like newly weds. Sighing inside my head I figured they did the right thing leaving James with me.
My father took in James when he was young and roaming the streets like a poor church rat. In gratitude he had promised to serve my father as butler and assistant. I was only 2 at a time and James was 9 and even though my father treated him like his own son James was stubborn with keeping his promise to father. Therefore he was left with me.
I glanced at him. Being about 25 years old he sure had the looks and a healthy body. I simply couldn't figure why he continued to refuse all the rich ladies who wanted him for themselves. It was beyond me why he stayed even though he knew fully well I could take care of myself. It made me sulk slightly when I couldn't bring myself finding any other reason than his promise to my father. Could that be enough?
James turned and our eyes met. He smiled at me gently, surprising me. I avoided his gaze as I smiled to myself. Maybe he wasn't so bad to have around after all.
France, Paris, 1892
"Isn't this a lovely hotel? Huh, Shinichi?" Agasa asked. I nodded absently, too tired to think. James opened the balcony and put the bags next to the closet.
"Do you wish to unpack, Mr. Edogawa?" he asked as Agasa ran around admiring the room. I shook my head and stepped out on the balcony to breath some fresh air. Indeed it was a clearer air in Paris compared to London.
"I'm very tired, I'll have a nap." I said, stepping inside and locking the balcony door behind me. James nodded and left the room with a small bow. Agasa followed him after promising to meet for dinner. Alone finally I fell onto the bed, exhausted. Sleep came to me quicker than I had expected and soon I was asleep.
I woke to the sound of a door closing. Sitting up I found myself alone in the room and shrugged. Looking at the colourful sky I figured it was almost night-time and dinner.
Sitting on the beds edge I found something out of order. On the bed stand there was a note I hadn't seen earlier.
Opening it I found a beautifully made card with golden letters.
"WELCOME TO THE CITY OF MYSTERIES AND MAGIC, MR. DETECTIVE"
"Yours truly, 1412"
I scratched my head, wondering if this was something the hotel did to greet their guests. It seemed odd, considering that it was written in English and sent by someone called 1412. What did it mean? Was it a hotel room? But this hotel only has 500 rooms…
James coming in interrupted my thoughts and without him noticing I put the card in my chest pocket.
"Mr. Edogawa, it is time for dinner. Would you like some help with changing?" he asked as he opened my suitcase. I shook my head and walked over to him.
"No, just find me something simple." I said as I took out the professor's newest inventions. James nodded and picked out an outfit.
After changing to clean clothes, the suspenders and the pocket watch we made it to the restaurant downstairs.
Meeting the professor at a table we started chatting. Noticing something odd yet funny I turned to Agasa.
"Have you noticed the waiters are wearing masks? Is there a celebration?" I asked. He nodded as one of the waiters came over with drinks.
"Yes, is seems to be some kind of entertainment thing the waiters do once in a while.
I nodded absently as we were brought our food. The waiter, a young man wearing a light blue eye mask with silver stars moved over and put down the plate in front of me. In the process he spilled some water on my shirt. In panic he started to dry me off.
"Excuse moi, monsieur. Je essuyes vos directe." He said. I sighed but smiled.
"Don't worry, ne vous inquiétez pas, it's only water." I said in a childish voice. He smiled at me.
"Thank you, Sir." he said and then left. I shook my head.
"How clumsy of him." James said. I shrugged.
"Like I said, it's only water. Never mind that, I have something else I want to show you." I said and reached for my chest pocket. Realizing I had forgotten the note in my other jacket I was surprised to find a note there none the less.
Pulling it out I found the text to say something else.
"I SEE YOU HAVE SETTLED IN. ENJOY YOUR STAY AND TONIGHTS SHOW."
Yours truly, 1412"
I sweat dropped; realizing I had just been fooled by whom ever was sending me these notes. Right under my nose!
Thinking about it I realized a second thing, that waiter with the blue mask…
Before I could continue my trail of thoughts all the lights were turned off, leaving the whole hall dark.
Worried voices called out as a flash of pink fireworks and smoke made a man appear on top of one of the tables placed in the centre of the hall under a spotlight.
Agasa reached for me.
"I think that is him, the thief!" he said. I glanced over to the professor and then at the man under the spotlight.
From afar it was hard telling much details but I could see he was dressed in a blue shirt with a black tie, both white jacket and trousers that really stood out. Not to speak of the white high hat with a dark blue line and his white cape, which made him, really look like both a gentleman and a magician.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Madames et Monsieurs. Welcome to tonight's show!" his voice filled the hall, surprisingly strong and loud. Whispers were heard but no one dared interrupt the man. Well, at least most didn't.
"Now, Theif, we will capture you!" a man called out as he ran towards the table and the man with a whole group of people following him. Police undercover, huh?
The magician grinned and with a flash, doves flew from the group, revealing them dressed as ballet dancers. Female ones.
Thank god I found myself several feet away from the group as I could see smoke coming out of their ears. The Thief simply smiled and held out a necklace.
"I have received my prize and shall retreat before I drown in the lake of swans." He said and bowed before he disappeared just like he had appeared. I felt my mouth twitch into a smile thinking about his dry joke.
In a flash the lights came back on and the room bathed in a golden light revealing no sight of the thief. The police officers were still there though, still dressed in such a fashion. Still, without a sign of being embarrassed they simply ran out of the hall in attempt of capturing the man. Perhaps by now, they were used to it…
Suddenly the hall burst into applauses and people started chatting wildly about what had just happened. I grinned.
"This could be interesting…" I said to myself as I started to chew on a piece of meat.
Minawa: Sometimes I surprise myself...
Kaito: I love my outfit! It's awsome! *hugs his hat*
Minawa: ...right. Well I saw a picture of you once with a similar outfi and I figured it'd fit the theme...
Kaito: Thankyouthankyou! *hugs author until she turn blue*