AN. This is a Kadam week tribute for the year 2022, despite not officially being present there is a list of 7 prompts and a master list for them on my tumblr, (link accessible on ao3 under the same title/author names).
Prompt for day 1 was Murder Mystery
The scene was set, the tables orderly spread across what usually was the multi purpose room.
Once upon a time, when the current residents of the Lexington Home for Retired Performers were still young artists waiting for their big chance, that same room used to be a ballroom, ready to host fancy gala and sought after parties.
And in two days hence the first annual grand gala would return. The invites had already been sent and the rsvp returned.
Everything was ready, thinking about her favorite young man and his handsome fellow made Maggie's smile so bright her whole face looked at least few decades younger.
That was the effect her boys, Kurt and Adam had on her and on many other Lexington's residents.
It was refreshing and humbling seeing how the two young actors made the time to come and entertain old performers whose star had long ago stopped shining, leaving only memories of fame in their wake.
And if they might suspect a plot in the making , Maggie was pretty sure they were both too polite to say anything about it, at least as long as other guests were still present.
After all it still was an even with prize and cotillion favors for everyone, just like it used to happen when she was young. Even back then it had always been orchestrated, for it wouldn't do for a random guest to overshadow the guests of honor...
The only difference this time was that the most prestigious guests would not knew they were, not until the night was over and they got their prize.
Of course the rest of the players would get something for their roles, still of value, just not on the same level.
When the evening of the gala arrived, all the Lexington's residents were abuzz and excited. Tonight was one of their last chances to shine and pull a performance worthy of their earlier fame.
The beginning of the evening was all posh and small talk over the appetizers and courtesy bubbles. Then the music started, a classic and jazz band hired for the night, formed by a group of emerging musicians, offering their time and talent for the chance to meet and greed with big enough name that could help them put their shoes into the door.
That mutually beneficial suggestion had came unsurprisingly by Adam, who also provided the introduction and helped on the selection.
No one listening would ever guess that the band had only few hours of rehearsal together instead of playing as a band for years. As Adam had said in his introductions, it was a true testament of each musician's talent.
As for the sprucing and glimmering of everyone's evening ensembles, well that was all Kurt's magic.
His continued working position at Vogue was the perfect opportunity to meet, greet and get close to emerging fashion and jewel designers.
Most of the dress, tux, suits and piece of jewelry worn on that night were unique pieces. And Maggie was extremely pleased to see that the same held true for her boys.
They cleaned up well, looking at her own reflection and across the room spotting her own friends and companions, the same could be said for all of them.
Looking at them this evening, it was not so surprising anymore how, once upon a time, each and every one of them had been hailed as a sensational and successful performer.
That night they still looked the part, which it was why she had no qualms in requesting a dance herself, dusting off that ballroom etiquette learnt oh so long ago, but never truly forgotten.
Neither Kurt nor Adam had even been born when such mannerism were not only expected but also required. But if there was a thing old Ernie was good for, it was teaching almost forgotten formal manners to anyone willing to indulge him and listen.
And it had been a surprise seeing both young men taking the lessons and thriving with them. The reasoning? No lesson was ever worthless, and everything could help them improve their craft. After all every role had a a certain amount of liberties allowed to the performer to make the characters their own.
So Maggie was completely unsurprised to see Kurt stepping in first and invite her to a dance.
When they were on the dance floor, Kurt smiled as he looked around the room "It seems the evening is starting with a boom Meg, I can see many looking more alive and entertained than one might expect from such a formal event."
Maggie grinned teasingly, she was so excited and impatient to see the face of her favourite young men when they finally got to see their prize at the end of the evening "And you haven't seen the best yet. But first dinner, it never bids well to take bubbles on an empty stomach"
Kurt nodded and as the song slowed down toward its end, Adam appeared next to them. He asked to cut in, leading Maggie into the next dance "I've heard there's more planned, any chance I could entice you to share what has been planned for later? I'm starting to feel like Dora has became immune to my charm, she managed to talk my ears off but didn't give me any solid hint"
Maggie chuckled, Dora was surprisingly holding on her tongue, she usually tattled on any plot within the house in less than an hour after discovering it.
That she hadn't caved to let her compatriot know what was planned was a welcome and pleasant surprise. Keeping her tone light Maggie answered easily "Now now young man, if it was a mystery what kind of fun would it be in knowing beforehand?"
Adam looked at her seemingly startled but then nodded slightly as he smiled back just as easily "I suppose we'll see after the dinner then. I was surprised when we got our invitations without a plus one"
Maggie put on the best highborn airs in her life "Pish posh, we all knew already that you would have chosen to come to this together. We simply avoided the complication and awkwardness of a third and fourth wheels. Especially when for the second part of the evening the codeword present in the invitation each person had received would become an important part of the evening's entertainment."
Adam nodded his understanding, and despite dropping the subject Maggie could feel his eyes keep studying her, every now and then, despite him moving on to dance with Kurt.
Dinner was way better thank Maggie could ever hope. The food was fantastic and all the guests were having a good time and curious about the random words that were assigned with the invitations.
Patrick took the mantle of Master of Ceremony and in between the course started to explain the evening's game, a narrated murder mystery puzzle.
In each course there was a hint to find and follow. It was at that point that it was revealed that the seating arrangement had been planned. And upon a quick inspection it was meant to match up people who had the same words in the invitation, so that they would sit next to each other.
The plus ones, while free to enjoy the game were not allowed to participate. Hearing that particular clause, most guests opted to just enjoy the narrative as it was presented and not try to find the clue.
The general consensus was that whatever prize retired performers could prepare for a gala, since the evening was a fund raising event for the up keeping of the Lexington's home, it was unlikely to be anything more than old signed play bills, or some other memorabilia that wouldn't be of high value.
Both Kurt and Adam's reaction to the rumors passing through the room, was to press their lips and sit up straight. Kurt in particular was already starting to look irritated some of the worst offenders, at their horrible manners and gratuitous disrespect.
As apparently no one actually had enough manner to keep their assumption at least quiet. Patrick kept proceeding as if he never heard the digs. Some of the other residents had to use all their past training to not let their opinions known.
As fully expected by Maggie and the others who created the event, only the boys ended up taking it seriously.
Within the whole room there were only few tables that had pairs who were openly willing to play the game.
However, by the time the dessert was ready to be served, only Kurt and Adam had actually collected the majority of the clues, instead of writing down random guesses.
As it had been announced that the winner would be contacted on the next day after the answer given were reviewed, no one actually made more than a token attempt to solve the riddles.
By the end of the evening, way past the time everyone else left, all the attending residents int he known rounded around the couple and Maggie presented them with a closed envelope.
Kurt held on the envelope surprised, Adam choose instead to wrap his arms around Kurt's shoulders and rest his own head leaning on his beloved's head.
Dora was the first one to actually nudge the boys to open it "Oh come on boys, you should know it's not polite make your elder wait on you, there're some of us who need their beauty sleep, and that can't happened if you keep us all waiting"
Ernie elbowed Dora not so gently and commented deadpanned "Don't worry Dora, even if you were to sleep for month that wouldn't help your wrinkled mug at all"
Dora maturely stuck her tongue out at Ernie, and Patrick took over with an encouraging smile "Forget those two bickering berks, just go on boys that is still for you whether you open the letter or not"
After nodding at each other Kurt opened it and pulled out the deed of a house. Both of them froze for a moment before Kurt started talking rapidly "Meg, what's the meaning of this? Why it says it's in our name and had everything else already signed?"
Maggie smiles and placed a hand on Kurt's cheek "Hon, you and Adam are precious to all of us. Do you think we haven't noticed how tired you both look? How, despite it all you still come in here together just to spend some time, not just with us but together?"
Adam sagged a little and hugged Kurt closer before answering the facts being mentioned "It is true, but Maggie you might still need that house, you should take care of yourself first"
Ernie scoffed at that "Boys I thought we had it cover that we would always take care of our own, or is my mind betraying me?"
Kurt nodded, his hand still trembling "You have Ernie, but it is too much a whole penthouse, here, in New York, and actually not as far as either of our apartments is…. I don't know what to say, it seem to much…"
Maggie placed her other hand on Adam's cheek, "You are the sons I wish I had, there is nobody else I'd like to know in that house, and believe me, it might not look like that but none of us is that desperate for money."
Adam blinked confused "But I thought this was a fund raising event?"
Patrick then winked mischievously "Of course it is, do you really think that the busy shiny names of today would be willing to spend their time here if their name was not associated to a charitable social event?"
Kurt snorted, thinking back of some of the people he met who fit that profile to a t.
Dora then butted in and grinned teasingly "And if you really want to pay us back, there's always the excuse of a good old fashion housewarming party you could organize for us"
At that everyone laughed, after taking a breathe both Kurt and Adam nodded gratefully "In that case we accept it and we'll organize a way for make that party a reality."
With a parting pat on the shoulder from Ernie and Patrick and a quick kiss on their cheek from Maggie and Dora, Kurt and Adam went home and read through the lawyer's details to set up the appointment.
Before the end of the following month they both moved into their new home and settled down, finally able to balance work, school, their time together and some time at the Lexington's home.
As for the party, well they found it fitting to have a whole afternoon playing clue as everyone dressed up like their chosen characters…
