"When all the details fit in perfectly, something is probably wrong with the story." -Charles Baxter
The show started with some simple illusions which were too easy for Kudo. He was bored. Just as Shiho, Heiji and most probably Hakuba, but he was way too well mannered to show any of it. Heiji soon found Kazuha's hand, and hair more interesting and fun to play with, and Kudo began the mental list in his head which rooms should they go to next time. Sonoko was glued to the chair, her head a little bit forward in tense concentration. Eyes filled with excitement, she looked like a child. Kazuha was more or less the same, until Hattori decided to kill the boredom with her hair, then the couple started a silent but deadly argument with hand gestures and eye-glares. Ran seemed to be the only one watching the show as a normal human, as she sat there eyes fixed on the magician trying to figure out if he's showing his real face beneath the mask, or what is the possible explanation for the trick.
Shiho sat in complete silent, a tiny bit sad smile painted on her face, not even listening to her surrounding nor the show and after about thirteen minutes she left the room leaving only a little breeze as a notice. She went out to wander around in the marvelously decorated garden filled with white shining marble and crystals and of course flowers of all kind. Not paying any attention as where her foot led her, lamenting about her sister.
Miyano Akemi the always smiling, lively, full-of-energy elder sister she always looked up, adored and secretly tried to copy, disappeared after her grand birthday party of 25, after Shiho turned 17.
Best birthday present ever. Loosing your loved sibling.
They did not see each other that much as Akemi soon moved out from their family mansion, declaring her need of more freedom and blaming it all on her infinite curiosity and adventurous personality. Her parents accepted this strange request, only after they were sure at least a decent gentleman had tagged along on her neck-breaking adventures. She visited them every month to tell about everything she saw.
Shiho loved her; strong, independent, full of passions, yet kind, caring and loving, more than anyone she had met in her life. She couldn't believe that Akemi just disappeared as they told her.
Her first memory was with her, and she believed they would be together as long as they lived. It was absurd that she just… quitted their life. It was disappointing and sour and left Shiho empty, uninterested in the world and grey.
The only thing that could peek her interest again was that grumpy adventurer, Kudo Shinichi, or as she had met him, Edogawa Conan. He appeared similar to her sister, the same interest and lifestyle yet turned out to be so different she had to laugh. And this only, the fact she could laugh again made her decide to tag along with this grumpy idiot and his far too kind love interest. That's how she slowly drifted back to life, catching hollow colors from others into her grey days.
As she was slowly wandering something appeared in her vision. She smiled and turned towards the figure.
" Did something bother you, Ran? Or is the show too boring?"
When the other didn't respond immediately she took another look and decided it was her lucky night.
The show was just as usual, Sonoko loved every moment of it regardless her surrounding. Needless to say after the first three tricks, that were even introduced as warm up everyone in the audience were swiped off their feet (minus her way too outrageous but lovely friends, as they were not).
Because the Kuroba show was indeed magical. It was as if the young handsome man was only playing and acting for her only for her, no matter how sure she was that every single one of them feels the same, even Ran and a tiny bit Kudou as well, and this what mattered the most, not how could he hide that snow white peacock at all.
Birds of every size and kind all pure white scattered around the room, just above her head, so close she could almost touch them if she hold up her hand, but the next minute he was doing something again, gaining every attentive eyes on him (those two good for nothing hardly even gentlemen were again, not included) and after the fifth marvelous magic she already forgot that the skeptic duo was just behind her and gave into the feelings of the enchanted small child who believed everything.
Ran was almost in the same trance but the striking resemblance between her husband and the one on the stage kept her from letting herself fall into this warm, friendly and definitely inviting magical… experience. If you add her husband's non-stopping snickerings and humms it was impossible for her to enjoy the show at its full. Of course she wouldn't be Mouri – pardon – Kudou Ran if she couldn't handle this much, after all, being the love interest of an adventurer trained her pretty well for multi tasking and enjoying every breath she could get… if she could get. But that was another story.
Heiji was bored out of his mind. No marvel, wonder, mesmerizing show could be more entertaining for him that his soon to be fiancé. The problem was Kazuha actually tried to watch the show, once they came and got riled up when her childhood love started to play with her hair, once because he actually pulled it, the nerve of him, second she spend hours preparing it to be this beautiful and not for him to destroy it. So she glared at him trying to stop his future attempts but it turned out as fuel to his mischievous plans. She couldn't enjoy a single moment as she was busy waging a mini war with Heiji under the table with her hands, trying her very best to keep his away from her. All of this in the most deadly silence as they were well mannered and knew how to behave.
After about an hour the magician gestured to the invisible orchestra and dead silence filled the room forcing even the skeptic duo and their represented partners to listen.
" And now Mesdames et Messieurs, it's time for your wishes to come true. Anyone who has something weighing their heart, speak up as this is not an illusion but the time of magic and everything is possible."
Some started to murmur and the magician waited patiently. Then a young lady in stunning green dress lifted up her hand and spoke up in a light, chamomile voice.
" I would like to know how does the most beautiful place on earth look like."
The magician bowed his head and for a moment the room was dampened in darkness, the next moment colorful vivid flowers and plants surrounded the audience, some exotic bird circling above them, a strange but cute animal hanging form the tree closest to the lady offering its head to her to pet it. Everyone turned around in awe even Shinichi had to admit it was a perfect replica of the rain forest they once visited.
But immediately the next guest raised his hand asking for the world prettiest horse, and the next moment an amazing horse stepped out from the trees, a lady in brown asked for the greatest medallion ever made, puff it was already adorning her neck, the young man next to him asked for the most gorgeous hunting riffle and it was next to him, the next leading asking for the world's strangest picture and voila it was on the stage and so on.
One after the other came all kind of request proving the impossible to be possible in just a wave of a hand when a gorgeous but middle aged lady in dark grey and light purple raised her hand slowly and asked in a voice barely above whisper:
" Can I see my husband?"
Immediately the room fall quiet, it was well know that her husband died two years ago. Everyone thought it was the end of the show, the impossibility of raising the dead was protected by morals and laws of one's time on earth. But the magician smiled with his usual unreadable mysterious smile and gestured towards one of the darker corners. Next second the well know figure of the late husband appeared and bowed towards the lady with his equally familiar smile.
" How are you doing tonight, darling?"
The lady clapped her hands before her mouth as she suppressed her happy tears. No matter how illogical and unbelievable it seemed this man before her was indeed and without doubt her late husband. She casted a last glance towards the magician on the stage, filled with gratitude then flung herself in the arms of her husband, whos didn't dissolve or disappeared as some thought he will. He was indeed a normal flesh, a human however strange it was.
Soon others raised their hands and asked to meet one of their late relatives.
Kazuha debated. She doubted she will have the willpower to actually speak up but she had to do it. It was surreal.
Heiji watched as his love slowly raise her hand and asked for her mother. He didn't believe any minute of this… He wouldn't believe anything even if Kazuha asked the question he knew she would, she had to. Even if her wish will be granted he won't believe it because it is impossible, not some mere illusion, not a short hallucination, not a simple trick. It is beyond normal.
" May I speak with my mother?"
The usually lively, joyful and vivid voice sounded so small and hollow he wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go, never let anything happen to her again. He saw the magician shift his gaze towards them, this absurd copy of his friend, smiling as if he understood, as if he has any idea just how painful it is to Kazuha, as if he can actually help. His blood was boiling.
When he agreed to help searching for that girl, he couldn't care less. It was some strange adventure or story that the Kudous started and decided to drag everyone along. Searching for someone is one thing, there is hope, a possibility of wining, that they can find her in the end.
Bringing someone back from death to speak with them is a completely different. He couldn't or more like wouldn't wrap his head around it. Not in a lifetime.
Yet when he looked at Kazuha sniffing and blinking rapidly, trying not to show how close she is to crying, burying herself in the arms of her mother who shushed her as always, as she used to, as he knew she would, he couldn't deny the facts.
The magician wrapped in glorious white stood like a sorrowful guardian in the middle of his castle, the mansion of magic, the world of irrational, as a mourning Hades acquiescing his fate as the only one who know the truth: in the end it was a cruel illusion.
That was the first thought Shiho had when she stepped back to the room now filled with quiet hiccups and bittersweet laughs, hugging couples and low murmur of never finished conversations and the lonely stage with the even lonelier figure in the middle. She silently tried to sit back to their table but Kudo being as sharp as ever greeted her.
" What an honor to have you here again Haibara."
" If you miss me this much I will be jealous instead of your wife."
" Was your little journey not interesting enough?"
" Hardly. Turns out in contrast to your abnormal bad luck, mine is actually useful."
" Are you suggesting something?"
" Decide for yourself."
They successfully attracted Ran's attention and now she was glaring slightly at her husband while sending curious glances towards Shiho.
" Are you speaking about…" out of habit she didn't finished her sentence, never knowing who was listening to their strange conversation. It was one thing she learned from her husband.
" Maybe… maybe Haibara is simply lost her mind."
" Now why would that happen?"
" Who knows… It's a night full of miracles and you smiling this much, this way was never leading to anything good."
" Are you implying that my unusual good mood will bring you problems? Why Edogawa, I can't find that unbreakable logic in this sentence… Or do you admit to be superstitious?"
" Like I would."
" Could you please stop this for a little? It's becoming problematic."
" But Ran, she started it."
At this point both woman stared at Kudou Shinichi, proud husband and adventurer, barely 26 years old sitting across them in a flawless suit and perfect hairstyle holding his index finger towards Shiho his face never so serious and blaming like a 4 years old.
After two minutes of silence Ran started to laugh, and Shiho hid her smirk behind her hands.
None of them felt the inquisitive and observant eyes of the host.
Kaito knew the end was near. He still had to talk with Miyano and to be honest he had no desire to do so. That woman could be as dangerous as Akako. He waited patiently in the middle of the stage for his guest to take their time.
Meeting up with a long gone relative or friend was one strange experience, and they had much to talk about.
Yet he knew the limits, sooner or later he has to end this wonder.
He tried to figure out what to do next. The show will be over, usually he should go and talk with his guest, or he could ditch every protocol and go to Aoko for the rest of the night. He was sure she was terrified at this point. The moon glowed majestically on the pitch-black sky outshining every star.
He knew that Suzuki girl will hunt him down even if he tries to disappear. Once she will get a hand on him she will probably drag him all the way to the Kudous. That means that hot headed pair, Hakuba and Miyano. Add some sugar and a cherry on top and his day is full. He wanted none of this.
He watched this strange bunch of people as they argued about something he couldn't make out.
He watched this twisted mirror image of him chatting with an exact copy of Aoko idyllically like some dream in front of his eyes, as if he could touch them, become them, live that life instead of his. It angered him a little. Slightly more he would like to.
With one gesture the magician brought darkness to the room silencing everyone. Blue sparks appeared everywhere and shortly after lights of all color flashed up painting the room vivid and lively again, only without the mystic guests. The audience started to clap as the figure in white bowed elegantly and gasped when he disappeared and left over only his signature top hat.
Sonoko was in ecstasy. She couldn't wait to talk about the marvels and wonders of the show and when her enthusiasm was greeted with half smiles and tired eyes she decided to find someone more fitting to talk with.
Without the only one who had no idea of their original aim the group stood closer to the wall and started to debate their next step.
" The first and only useful clue we have is that maid. I'll go and talk to her." Shinichi offered as he searched his wife's eyes for confirmation.
" To be honest Kudou, now that we were dragged here just for this I wish to know the end of the story." Heiji glared at him. Kazuha who was surprisingly quiet a minute before eagerly agreed.
" Maybe you will scare a small girl like her."
" Me? Did you see what Haibara achieved in two minutes? The girl was in shock!"
" Shinichi… Don't start it again…" Ran sighed.
" Starting? I'm merely continuing."
" Yeah, yeah and I was the one inventing darkness itself, we know… While you try to talk with Ayumi-san I will give you the wonder to not accompany you, Edogawa. Feeling better?"
" You're being way too generous today. Should I worry?"
" Listen to your superstitions once in a while, it may help your hypotension." With a wave of her hand she left the group, leaving most of them with confusion.
" You know Kudou I can't understand why on earth is she part of your friends." Heiji whispered to his friend.
" Trust me Hattori, I have no idea."
"May I led you to Ayumi-san then?" Haibara bowed a little before Ran and Kazuha and they accepted his help, the two skeptic following behind.
A.N
Hello and Welcome back again in the MaD AU
I'm terribly sorry for the long pause but school ate me alive :)
Now we are back and the story goes on in its slow pace so I hope you still like it.
I'll try my best to update a little sooner next time until hen please enjoy and leave any type of review you think of :)
Enjoy and have a wonderful day :)