Part III: The Treat
The show was named "Caroline's Spectacle" and once it started everyone understood its accuracy. It involved not only magic but also dance and beautiful costumes.
Tonight, after Stefan introduction, Caroline walks in and the lights burn brighter.
The song reminds her of the little Caroline, her belief the world could only change for better making her smile widely. She twirls and her dress starts to turn dark-pink. After another move, it changes completely.
Every single person watches Caroline's sensuality and subtlety – definitely not opposite things in this case.
Depending on the costume and the song, she is almost pure. One trick was easy and would make a child laugh – if they were allowed to get in. Stefan, sitting at a table alone in the middle, has a smirk on his face when she plays that trick.
The show continues that way, slowly developing.
Just like she wanted, she turns from a ballerina to a vamp, from a prey to a hunter.
It's a colorful show, of course, and the magic, the illusionism, makes Caroline worth every dollar paid. Stefan overhears (his job wasn't only to be the host) a few people saying how much of a preciosity this event is. They also say they could watch her for hours – and Mrs. Salvatore could not agree more.
Bringing to stage a black box, she starts one of the audience's favorite. She puts her hand inside and pulls a hat. The object doesn't come out easily.
Caroline looks at the crowd, upset.
"Do you guys believe in magic or not?" Everyone murmurs.
"What?" she provokes.
"We believe!" They all scream.
She pulls the hat again. Not yet, not yet.
"It's not working..."
"WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!" They continue.
When Caroline takes the hat off the box, dozens and dozens of other hats come out of it, all filled with sparkly confetti. It all falls on the audience. Some men applaud and most girls laugh. Everyone takes a sip of their drinks after raising the glasses up to express how pleased they were.
A few minutes after everyone had calmed down, the room gets dark and when the spotlight is turned on Caroline's no longer there. Some people start to applaud again, naively thinking her "disappearance" was a part of the show.
The spotlight blinks twice. Stefan understands the signal and stands up, leaving his table.
He goes up stage and holds the microphone firmly but carefully – it had (also magically) risen up from the ground.
"Ladies and gentleman, tonight's spectacle is coming to an end". The audience says oh, disappointed. "Don't be so sad, we're certainly coming to this town again so you'll have the opportunity to watch this delightful show again. But, before we leave, Caroline's Spectacle has one last trick for you. Actually, this one is called The Treat – so how fun is that, huh? Are you ready?" The audience cheers. Stefan calls for Caroline.
Then the room changes and so does her lips. Red mouth, red lights and tights.
"I'm going to kill a man tonight" Silence. She walks onstage, her heels making echos on everyone's head. "And then bring him back to life".
Stefan is still onstage. He leans closer and whisper in her ears. Suddenly nervous, she says yes. She accepts it, because she knows that probably no one else would like to participate of this and now it's too late to take a step back.
The music start, the song Stefan had chosen the day before.
So Caroline starts. She walks around him. In front of him, makes him sit.
Her eyes close, she shivers.
His hands softly lands on her waist, he looks up at her angelical face. She takes his hands off of her at the same time she rips off her dress skirt.
They repeat what they did before. She sits in his lap, moves herself to the song.
Stefan's hands run through her body, a seductive game she would like them to play forever.
She puts her legs up and throws herself above his head. Standing up behind the bench, she looks at the perplexed crowd. Satisfied, Caroline returns to Stefan. Their gazes locked in each other, their mouths so close.
She leans closer to his lips, her hands in his shoulders.
She lip syncs the song's lyrics. When the word "dead" comes, she stands up. Her hands wrap around his neck. She does not strangle him, because there's no need. Her power happens only to the touch.
Caroline whispers in his ear. "Mrs. Salvatore, don't you dare leaving me..."
"Never" he sighs back.
And Stefan smiles before he's out of breath.
A/N: I don't know anything about magic tricks so... I'm sorry. Please tell me your thoughts (and maybe also expectations for next chapters?). xx