"Some people are magic, and others are just the illusion of it." - Beau Taplin
Even the ocean of colorful dresses, beautiful jewelries, fabulous hair designs and most importantly eye mask couldn't hide the famous adventurer and newly wed husband so no matter how did Shinichi try to hide in the crowd of guest he always bumped into someone he accidentally knew, thus he was forced to stay still for five or more minute, having a polite, good for nothing chat with them while his friend grimacing behind the problematic acquaintances made it impossible for Kudo to keep a straight face.
After finally leaving the grand hall finding a small corridor leading to probably some servants' part of the mansion the two young noble sighed in exhaustion.
" See? That's why I hate this kind of parties." Heiji pointed out the conclusion.
" I was genuinely surprised you came. I guess Kazuha had some serious argument."
" Nah, it was my idea. An' she was more than happy ta come since Neesan is here."
Shinichi shot him a doubtful look.
" Anyway we don't have much time left, so let's start our little quest."
" Admit it Kudo, you enjoy this."
" We're dealing with an unknown danger, I would be a sociopath enjoying this."
" You're paranoid. What possible danger could show up in a magic show?"
" I don't trust this Kuroba too much."
" Me neither. He's strange an' loves secrets. That's no' a problem in itself bu' he can be pretty annoying."
" Do you think we should look into the rumors a little bit?"
" About those dresses and the mysterious lady? You think that's the same we are looking for?"
" It's worth a shot. "
" So… the servants?"
" The servants."
The two then turned around and asked one of the painting-customed servants of the mansion to tell them more about the rumors around their master. He wasn't much of help. They went along to another one and about five minutes later they found themselves next to the kitchen listening to a young cook who was explaining something about visions and mysterious ladies with animated hand-gestures and too quick tongue.
" Hey, hey, hey… Please. A little more slowly and maybe we can understand what you're about to say."
" What I was trying to say with all respect, gentlemen, was that there is a little maid who claims to have seen this mysterious lady of the mansion wearing black and blue, playing in the garden or just wandering around the corridors. As far as I heard she's the only one so maybe she's hallucinating, or she's a psychic. There's a legend about a tragic accident saying long ago here lived a beautiful lady waiting for someone but that person broke the promise and never came and she died from sadness but her soul is still waiting for that liar wandering around the mansion with peace. But no one knows what will happen if that liar returns. She's said to be quite the powerful and angry type."
" I've never heard about this legend before…" Shinichi murmured and Heiji suppressed a snicker.
" I'm swearing to my grandpa's beard I'm not lying. Ayumi does say it all the time that she saw that lady. Sometimes she said that the master was with her, dancing."
" What a lively imagination she has." Hattori whispered to Shinichi but the other hushed him down.
" Can we talk with this Ayumi for a little?"
" I'm not sure you can't but she looked kinda… upset? No, I guess she is sick a little bit, so I don't know at all."
" Could you please ask her?"
" I can try." And with that the cook left to find that servant for the two gentlemen.
" What do you think? Hallucination or the lady we are searching for?"
" It would be too easy, but then what would be the point? Besides the Kurobas we have no clue where could she be. Or who could have seen her."
" So either this magician knows something or we lost her for good."
" Seems like." Kudo sighed and turned back as the cook returned.
" She was seen in the garden not too long ago, but I have to remind you, gentlemen, that the show is about to start." He looked as if he changed a little, more serious and formal, as if he only realized it now that he was talking with two of the guests. Hattori clicked his tongue in disappointment nodded his head as a 'thank you' while Shinichi thanked the cook properly for his help and turned to leave the corridor.
" Guess, we have ta delay the investigation."
" Maybe Ran and the others were more successful."
" I thought ya would say somethin' about the dangerous and mysterious host of the party and the possible horrible accidents that cou'd have happened with them. Or just your wife. Who knows how your misfortune works exactly." Heiji mused grinning like a child.
" Hattori, I swear one day you will learn why not to annoy me."
" Maybe. But not today."
" Who shall know the date of justice?" Shinichi asked dramatically showing a grin equal to his friend's.
" I can't believe you made it! Your so wonderful and full of surprises!"
" Sonoko, I'm just as happy to see you, but could you please let me breath a little?" Ran asked laughing embarrassedly trying to escape from her friend's bear-like hug.
" It's nice to see people getting this enthusiastic about their close friends." Shiho smiled observing the scene playing before them.
" It's sad that we couldn't find anything, though. " Kazuha sighed in disappointment.
" And where is that husband of yours? I still can't believe it. You're so lucky!" Sonoko over-animatedly searched for Kudo but still didn't let go of her friend.
" He's here somewhere, we agreed to meet for the show."
" Why were you separated again?" Sonoko eyed the three of them suspecting something big, and that she was left out. Again.
" It's just, we wanted ta have a chat, only ladies." Kazuha was the quickest to save the day. Ran looked at her with grateful eyes.
" And here they come. Along with Hakuba. What a nice surprise." Haibara's tone couldn't hold more sarcasm.
" Good evening ladies." The blonde bowed in such a well-mannered way even Sonoko got chills. It was… plastic. " May I join you for the upcoming show?" and that smile seemed just like… plastic.
" Of course. May I ask what were you talking about?" Ran seemed to be the only one being able to respond to this strange phenomenon.
" We were debating where should we look if the show ends." Heiji answered eagerly.
" And again, why do I have this tingly sensation that I'm left out of something big?"
" Because you are, Sonoko." Shinichi deadpanned, luckily only murmuring so his wife could shush him in time.
" I think we should find a table to sit and enjoy the show." Kazuha piped in the starting argument and took some step towards the huge theatre room, not waiting for the others. Sonoko was right next to her as she wanted desperately to sit in the best place, closest to The Magician. The others slowly followed after.
" We heard that this Ayumi claims to see some kind of lady in blue and black, but we couldn't talk to her yet."
" Let's just hope she will be still here after the show."
" Haibara, do a favor and stop talking for tonight."
" Shinichi! What's with you today?"
" It's okay Ran, Edogawa just hates parties that do not involve aboriginal rituals and jaguars." Ran giggled, Hattori laughed and Hakuba suppressed a smirk as Kudo's face darkened with a shade of gray.
" Well, I can totally see your point Shiho, but we all know that he's only jealous and afraid that his lovely an' beautiful wife will mix him up with the performing person." Heiji grinned from ear to ear as the said husband tried to kill him off with his death glare.
" If I may change the topic back, I've heard about Ayumi-san's visions as well, but last time I wanted to ask her, she said that it was probably an illusion of her tired senses."
" You know this maid?"
" As I had the opportunity to visit this mansion as you requested I'd met most of the servants, including Ayumi-san. Although I'm quite sure you had met her as well. At the patio, the young girl with the water-lily-painting themed costume." Hakuba smiled at them with the most innocent intention but was shocked to see Kudo hide his face in his palms while the others looked equally disappointed.
" And of course you couldn't ask for her name, if you was so kind to scare her off!" Shinichi turned towards Shiho with murderous look.
" Oh, am I allowed to speak now?"
" No, that would be worse."
" Shinichi!" Ran couldn't think any place she should hide in embarrassment.
" I guess we arrived, and the show is really just about to start." Heiji pointed out as they entered the slowly darkening theater room.
Beautifully simple, glowing white tables were placed in such a way, the people felt themselves free yet protected. The stage wasn't too high, just enough so everyone can see the performer equally. The guests sat down next to the rounded tables, chatting, betting, how the show will go, will it be like the ones before or the two year gap means some changes as well.
Kazuha found a table near the doors, yet close enough the stage, they would see everything and could leave the room unnoticed whenever they wanted.
Kaito took a deep breath. In and out. Calming his hearth and head at the same process. He hadn't done this in a long time. Well of course, he'd shown some trick to Aoko, but those were small and easy as she was easily enchanted by any of them. This, playing and mesmerizing a whole theater room filled with people was a bigger task. He knew he could do it.
Only he had absolutely no desire to do so.
He thought about Akako and her reasons. He had to.
In and out.
It will be quick. About three to four hours and he will be free. No big deal.
In and out.
He remembered his first time watching his father's show. It was amazing, the eyes of the audience glowing with faith, because they believed it was magic, their enthusiastic smiles and claps in the end, the way they congratulated his parents after the show.
In and out.
He had learned it years later that Aoko had seen the show once before they met. That's why she was afraid of the phantom, as she called it, the figure dressed in all white, smiling coldly and bringing pain and tears. He was close to solve this riddle, but not now.
In and out.
He needed to concentrate. He shouldn't think about this, he shouldn't lament over the fact he was the phantom right now, he shouldn't think about her. The only thing that has place in his mind right now is the show he's about to start.
In and out.
All preparations were done, he checked everything. His face was covered with the mask and shadowed by his hat. His smile crept up on his face. No, it's not good, it's not sincerer enough.
In and out.
There you go. The perfect smile. The perfect face and body. The perfect night. Took a step forward instantly turning on the lights while exclaiming with the warmest voice:
" Mesdames et Messieurs! Welcome to the night of magic, the show of impossible, the parade of your dreams!
His eyes widened, and he felt his voice tighten but he managed to speak without a glitch. For a moment he thought Aoko sat there, in a stunning bright red dress. It took him two more thoughtful looks to see the ring on her finger, the nervous side glances to the man next to her and the genuine and relaxed, grown up smile she showed to her surrounding. It took him about three seconds to identify this lady as Mrs. Kudo.
Kaito continued his own introduction but felt himself zooning out. In, out, concentrate.
A.N.
I'm terribly sorry for the late upload and possible spelling mistakes, school and stuff held me up.
I hope you will like it, and again thank you for the lovely reviews you all melt my heart :)
About Kaito starting his show in French, I guessed as his mother is said to be French, why not?
Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy making this up, so if you have any question, thoughts to share, positive or negative, leave a review and have a wonderful day :)