Disclaimer: I don't own DCMK
A Curse Marked Fate
32: Saccharine
The theater was packed.
Down below the ranks upon ranks of plush, theater seats, the stage was a single bright pool upon which the players stood and spoke and wove the mundane into thrilling adventures and complex deeds of daring, tragic romances and heated combat. On the stage, worlds came and went, people lived and died, and then they faded, becoming little more than cardboard and cloth, a bit of glitter and a lot of lights.
Seated in a box seat between Kaito and Kogoro, Shinichi kept all his attention focused on the woman he knew was Kurata Sumiko. They were only in the second act of the play, but he could already see why she was so respected as an actress. Every move she made, every expression that crossed her face, every nuance in her speech, and even the looks that passed through her eyes—they all came together to bring her character to full and vivid life. She was portraying not merely her characters actions and speaking her thoughts but her underlying emotions, conflicting desires, and everything else that was there but had to go unsaid.
"She's good," Kaito murmured from the seat beside him, and the honest respect in his comment was, Shinichi knew, high praise indeed.
The other actors on the stage were no slouches either, but even Shinichi's untrained eyes could see how it was Kurata's performance—her presence—that pulled them all into the show, breathing life into the story and giving it depth.
And for a moment, he could almost believe that Sonoko was right and it was Kurata's acting that had seduced Lita's husband away from her. But only almost.
No one could act twenty-four seven. And even if they could, why would they want to?
When the curtains fell for intermission, it was as though the audience had been released from an enchantment. Breaths were released and programs rustled. Overhead, the lights blinked on, and the audience rippled. Soon, there was a steady stream of people flowing out the various exits in search of restrooms and snacks.
"I'm going to get a soda," Sonoko announced, getting to her feet. "You guys want anything?"
Ran rose as well. "I think I'd like a drink too. I'll go with you and see what they have."
Her father was only a step behind her, muttering about restrooms.
Kaito watched them go then turned to Shinichi with a raised eyebrow. "So do we have a mission too?"
"I was thinking about visiting the Foundation's information table," Shinichi replied, hopping off his seat. "I'd be interested in seeing what they're saying about themselves. I'd recommend that you not mention you're related to Archmage Toichi though."
Kaito scoffed. "I know better than that. Let's see… If they ask, I'll be Edogawa Taoki, your doting older brother." Grinning, he reached down and ruffled Shinichi's hair. "I always knew it would come in handy that we look related."
"What, you always knew we'd one day have to pretend to be relatives?" Shinichi asked dryly, trying to smooth his hair out again.
"Well, no, I was thinking more about all the pranks we could pull, but I'd say pulling the wool over on some evil science mages is pretty high up there on the fun scale."
"…Evil science mages."
Kaito laughed. "You know what I mean. Anyway, look sharp, we're here. Looks like we're not the only interested party either."
The large table that the Choice Foundation had set up in the theater's spacious lobby was indeed seeing quite a decent amount of traffic. People were stopping not only to study their presentation boards and take flyers but also to talk to the perky representative manning the table. Of course, Kaito thought a bit cynically, it probably helped that said rep was a very cute, curvy young woman with big eyes and a sweet smile. If the Foundation was trying to portray itself as friendly, helpful and harmless, they had chosen a very good face for the job.
Since the bubbly rep was currently engaged in explaining what donations would be used for to a richly dressed, elderly couple, Kaito took a pair of flyers from the corner of the table. He handed one to Shinichi and maneuvered the both of them so that they were in front of the farthest presentation board—one detailing the history of the Foundation's humble beginnings as the pet project of a doctor whose daughter had been born with a Curse Mark.
Shinichi pulled out a pen and started scribbling in the margins of his flyer, noting down names and dates as his sharp blue eyes drank in every detail on display. Kaito scanned the displays just as intently, though he felt no need to pen the high points down on paper. It was interesting stuff, he mused, and he wondered how much of it was true.
He had no doubts that Shinichi was wondering the same.
"I noticed they don't have acquiring a curse to use on the list of services they offer," Kaito murmured low into Shinichi's ear, making the boy shiver.
Heart racing and cheeks beginning to warm at his friend's close proximity, Shinichi hastily edged a step away and coughed, forcing his thoughts to focus. "Of course they wouldn't mention that here. But they have to approach people. I wonder if we could make ourselves seem like potential buyers…"
Indigo eyes narrowed. "Nah. If I was them, I'd dig and dig deep into anyone who might be a buyer before I even hinted at my wares."
It would be the wise thing to do, Shinichi thought and sighed. Well, time for plan B then.
Seeing that the bubbly rep was now free, Shinichi trotted past Kaito and right up to the woman, putting on his best curious, puppy eyes.
"Excuse me, Nee-san?" he asked. "Um, is it true that you can make Curse Marks go away?"
The girl leaned down to smile at him. "Oh, no, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we can't actually make Marks go away yet. But we are working on finding a way."
"When will you find a way?"
"We don't know yet," she said gently. "You see, we need more cases to study before we can say anything for sure. But in the meantime, we have helped several Cursed children learn how to better live with their curses."
He looked down, scuffing at the ground with one foot as though anxiously considering something before he muttered. "So, um, if someone had a Curse Mark, does that mean you could tell them what it did?"
It was only because he was watching for it that Kaito caught the spark of sudden interest that flickered through the woman's eyes. It was hidden again immediately though behind a mask of big sisterly concern.
"Well, we do have extensive resources and a lot of scholars who have studied this field. So yes, I do believe we could identify any Curse Mark someone might have."
Shinichi glanced around as though nervous then lowered his voice to a shy whisper. "I have a Curse Mark, but no one my parents asked seem to know what it means."
"Co-chan," Kaito cut in sharply, slipping seamlessly into his protective older brother role. "You shouldn't talk about it with strangers."
The Foundation rep raised her hands in a placating gesture.
"Please, we are here to help precisely because there are many people like your brother here who don't know what they might be dealing with and are afraid. But I understand that this is not the place for such discussions. How about you take my card." She handed Kaito her business card, gaze flickering to Shinichi then back as she did so. "Talk it over with your parents. Then, when you're ready, call us, and I promise we'll do everything we can to help you."
Kaito made a show of hesitating then stuffing the card into a pocket and grasping his little brother's hand protectively. "We'll think about it. Come on Co-chan. I'm sure Uncle's waiting."
That said, he led the younger boy back through the lobby and into the side hall that would take them back to their seating section.
Once out of sight of the lobby, Kaito's face settled into an entirely genuine frown. "Are you sure that was wise?"
"It gives us a way in if we need it," Shinichi said quietly after stealing a quick glance back.
Kaito's frown only deepened. "Theoretically. But they could decide to start investigating you. No offense, but this Conan identity of yours isn't going to stand up to any serious scrutiny. There are too many ways to connect it to you, especially if you factor in the fact that they should know all about the little lady's Mark."
Shinichi winced. "Well, I guess there is that. But we didn't even give them a whole name to work with even if they wanted to look me up. So, at the moment, I wouldn't say the risk of them looking me up is particularly high. Especially since you were blocking our faces from the lobby cameras."
Kaito blinked. "You noticed that, huh?"
Shinichi grinned up at him. "I didn't think of it, but that was probably a good idea."
Kaito shrugged, though, behind the mask of nonchalance, he was preening. "I figured it was better to be safe than sorry." He cast another glance back in the direction of the lobby then turned a rather speculative look on his diminutive companion. "You know, speaking of abilities, you never told me what your special skill was."
Shinichi only looked blank. "What special skill?"
"All bearers of Curse Marks have at least one unique magical ability. You know, like our little lady friend. She said she could suspend someone in time briefly, right? What about you?"
"Oh that." Shinichi shrugged. "If I have one, I wouldn't know about it. It's all just part of living with Uncle Kogoro."
"Well, I suppose," Kaito conceded. "But aren't you curious? You must have wondered about it some time."
Shinichi only laughed. It was a small, rueful sort of laugh that made Kaito's eyebrows rise.
"I really haven't wondered," the younger boy said. "Even disregarding the fact that I'm with Uncle most of the time, I've never used any kind of magic, so I wouldn't know where to start trying to figure out if I have a unique spell of my own or not. And even if I did, it might not be anything really useful. Those skills tend to relate somehow to the Curse Mark, right?" His expression fell at that, eyes going dark and haunted. "So I doubt anything I could do would be a good thing."
"You shouldn't be so pessimistic about it," Kaito admonished, tone jovial but eyes deadly serious. "All the researchers say that the powers granted to the Marked are gifts to help them in their Tasks. That means that whatever it is, it's supposed to help you. I know that doesn't mean you have to use it, but you should at least learn what it is and how to use it so that you have the option. It's always better to have more tools, right?"
Shinichi hunched his shoulders a little but couldn't think of a good reason to disagree. "I…suppose you have a point. But like I said, I wouldn't even know how to start."
"Let me think on that a bit. Dad has some books on Fortune and Soul magic at home. I'll go over them and get back to you. For now, we'd better get back to our seats. The intermission should be ending soon."
Relieved at the reprieve, Shinichi hurried down the hall and into the theater box where they found that Ran, Sonoko, and Kogoro had already returned with an assortment of snacks and beverages in tow. Ran had gotten Shinichi a cup of orange juice, having decided that, at his current age, one cup of coffee in the morning was already more than was entirely wise. But Shinichi made sad puppy eyes at her until the girl relented and gave him one of the coffees (much to Kaito's amusement).
The second half of the play was just as spectacular as the first, and the curtains fell to uproarious applause. In some ways, Shinichi felt a little disappointed. To think that such talented people were supporting such an unscrupulous organization… Of course, most of them probably didn't know just what kind of people they were helping, but it just seemed wrong somehow.
"Follow me," Sonoko announced as they joined the genera exodus from the theater. "The reception's being held in the hotel next door. The whole cast is going to be there. I'll introduce you to Kurata-san."
Shinichi pushed his way forward until he was trotting along next to the petit heiress with Kaito right behind him. "Sonoko, you have the present, right?"
She flicked an impatient look at him. "Of course I do, though I still don't get why we're giving that husband stealer and her stolen husband a single damned thing. Lita-san's way cooler than the both of them combined. She's the one that deserves a gift."
"You can think about this as a gift for her too," Kaito put in, grinning. "My Dad says they're prototype anti-love spell amulets. Except of course that we couldn't make them look like amulets as that'd be too suspicious. So we made them into watches. A matching pair. One for him and one for her."
Sonoko's steps slowed as she turned to gape at him. "Anti-love spell watches? But…you're not saying you believe Lita-san's theory."
"No, no," Kaito said hastily. "But, well, if that's what she believes, we thought we could make a counter spell based on theories for clearing minds and try it out anyway. Just in case. You never know. Maybe it'll have an effect."
"Well…yeah, I guess it couldn't make things any worse at least. Just don't tell Lita-san about them. I don't want to see her crash again if this is a bust."
"Our lips are sealed," Kaito promised. "But for the watches to have a chance at working, we need Matsuhara and Kurata to want to wear them as much as possible. That's why we're hoping you would do the honors. If the gift is from the Suzukis, they'll have more weight."
The girl preened. "That's true. All right. I'll say it's from the family, and that it's a congratulations on their, ah, upcoming nuptials. It would please us greatly if they would wear them. Kurata will want Matsuhara to wear his. I know that. She's been trying to get him to change watches ever since she got her claws into him because that old watch he loves so much was one of Lita-san's first gifts to him. Yeah, Kurata will make sure he wears the new one." Sonoko smirked. "It'll be perfect."
X
The event organizers had gone all out decorating the ballroom where the reception was being held. They had drawn inspiration from the medieval fairytale setting of the night's play. Instead of banquet tables, the food being offered had been laid out atop small carriages drawn by shimmering, illusory horses with bodies white as untouched snow and manes and tales of silver silk. The beverages, on the other hand, were arranged in glittering rows on the decks of small ships that sailed gracefully around the room three feet off the ground. Several children Shinichi's current age were making a game of running around beneath the ships, pretending to be sea monsters. In one corner of the room, a great, green and gold dragon lay curled about several plush sofas and chairs. The illusion was so breathtakingly real that the first time the creature opened its emerald eyes and lifted its head, several people shrieked and leapt away from it only to laugh at their own reactions. In another corner, a live band was playing in front of a castle sculpted entirely from enchanted ice.
The whole thing seemed over the top to Shinichi, but he supposed it was in the nature of theater people to want to put on a show. The cast were all still in costume, so they fit right into the scene. And there were plenty of guests vying for the chance to take a picture with one or another of them with the party's various enchanted sets and gimmicks as backdrops.
"There they are," Sonoko said, gesturing to where a small crowd was gathered about a couple standing beneath the spreading branches of a grove of crystal trees. Tiny, multicolored fairy lights danced amidst the spun-glass leaves.
As they drew closer, the Mouris, Shinichi and Kaito got their first good look at the current head of the Matsuhara Corporation.
"Oh wow," Ran gasped then blushed. "I—I mean…"
Sonoko cut off her embarrassed stammers with a laugh. "He's gorgeous, right? His mom was a New York model before she got married and moved here to Japan. He totally got her looks. If he was, like, twenty years younger and single, he'd totally be my type."
Shinichi rolled his eyes. He wondered sometimes if there was ever a moment during which Sonoko didn't have romance on the brain. He just didn't understand it. Then again, he didn't particularly want to understand it. His brain cells were reserved for more important things, thank you very much.
They finally broke through the crowd of guests vying for the chance to praise Kurata Sumiko for her performance and ask her for her autograph, and Sonoko bounded forward with the easy confidence of one well accustomed to fancy functions.
"Kurata-san, Matsuhara-san, it's good to see you," she said before turning to the older woman. "Your performance was incredible."
Kurata smiled. "Thank you. And please, thank your father for me. We truly appreciate his help in making this production and fundraiser such a rousing success."
"I will," Sonoko promised. "He's sorry he and Mom couldn't make it tonight, but they'll be at the second show."
"Indeed. I look forward to seeing them there." It was only then that the woman's gaze flickered to the rest of Sonoko's entourage. Her eyebrows rose at the sight of Conan, but then her gaze landed on Kogoro—obviously the chaperon.
"Are these friends of yours?" she asked Sonoko. "You should introduce us."
"Oh, right. Of course. This is my best friend, Mouri Ran. And this is her dad, Mouri Kogoro. You might have heard of him. He's a pretty famous detective here in Tokyo."
If Shinichi hadn't been watching Kurata so closely, he might have missed the slight flicker of recognition that passed through her eyes at Kogoro's name. But that flicker was smoothed away before he was even sure he had seen it.
Matsuhara, on the other hand, broke into an excited smile. "Oh, I've heard of you. This is truly an honor."
He shook Kogoro's hand with such enthusiasm that the older detective couldn't help but preen. Beside him though, the actress's lips thinned. She allowed the men to trade pleasantries for a moment longer though before nudging Matsuhara aside and slightly behind her to proffer her own hand to Kogoro.
"It is a pleasure to meet you too," Kurata said.
"No, no, the pleasure's all mine," Kogoro insisted, his eyes full of stars as he bowed over the actress's proffered hand. Apparently, whatever righteous fury he might have felt on Matsuhara Lita's behalf didn't impede his ability to fawn over a pretty woman. "I've never seen a more compelling performance."
Kurata beamed, but she was quick to withdraw her hand and step back. Since she still had one arm hooked possessively through Matsuhara's, he was tugged back along with her. Matsuhara looked as though he was about to protest for a moment, but he quieted at a look from the actress. When his gaze returned to them, it had become a perfect mirror of Kurata's polite smile.
A shiver raced up Shinichi's spine.
"I'm really sorry, but we do have other guests we need to talk to," said the actress. "But do stay and have a wonderful evening. The food is all delicious."
"Wait!" Sonoko caught up to Kurata before she had taken three steps and held up the pair of jewelry boxes. "I know it's a little early, but we wanted to give you both a gift in honor of your upcoming wedding."
Kurata looked a little nonplussed, but she accepted the proffered box and opened it. Inside, a pair of gold wristwatches sat on red velvet cushions. The watches had clearly been designed by a true jeweler, and they looked more like art than mere watches. Their breathtaking beauty, Kaito silently hoped, would distract from the faint feeling of wrongness that the anti-magic spell gave off, faint though it was.
"They're lovely," Kurata breathed, and Kaito was fairly certain that she wasn't acting. The hungry gleam in her eyes was the hunger of one who craved beautiful treasures. What gave him pause, however, was that, for an instant, he thought he saw the same look of avarice glowing in Matsuhara's eyes.
"We picked them out as a set," Sonoko explained, and Shinichi had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that she was handling the whole exchange like an actress herself. "One for each of you to remind you of your bond. We hope you'll wear them at least for a while."
"Of course."
"Yes. This was very thoughtful of you," Matsuhara said warmly, although Shinichi didn't miss the way the man's hand twitched towards the watch he was currently wearing as though unconsciously trying to protect it. Or maybe he was thinking to much—projecting his own thoughts onto the involuntary gesture because Sonoko had told him that the man loved that watch.
Then the actress and her companion were gone, swallowed by the milling crowds.
"Talk about a creepy couple," Kaito remarked as soon as they were gone.
Ran frowned at him. "What do you mean? I thought they both seemed really nice. It's hard to believe that, well…you know. That they did what they did to Lita-san."
It was Kaito's turn to give the funny look. "Didn't you notice their expressions?"
"What about them?"
The Sky Mage paused then shook his head. "Never mind."
Ran looked like she wanted to press the issue, but Sonoko grabbed her arm. "Just forget about it. This is a party! Now that we've got the business over with, let's go have some fun!"
In moments, they too disappeared. Kogoro wasn't far behind, having spotted a levitating ship carrying bubbling glasses of champagne.
Kaito watched them go with a bemused expression before looking down at Shinichi. "You noticed, didn't you?"
"Do you mean the way their expressions sometimes matched?"
"Like mirrors," Kaito agreed. "It can't have been natural."
Shinichi silently agreed. There had also been the way the couple had hurried off after being introduced to Kogoro without waiting for Sonoko to finish the introductions. Had that been a sign? Perhaps. "So…what now?"
Kaito reached out and plucked two tall glasses of what appeared to be cold chocolate foam from a passing ship and handed one to Shinichi. "Now we wait."
TBC
A.N: I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving. Take care, and thank you for reading. :)
