Chapter Text
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Part 1: “Would you care to join us on the stage?”
He smiles warmly, an inviting palm extended towards you - you take it with little hesitation, seemingly swept up in the moment; you were entranced, even enchanted, there was no doubt about that. Enchanted, not by his natural magician charm, but by the nature of his flamboyant and alluring confidence.
“Mind the step!”
His smile only widens as you stumble up the steps to the stage, attempting to smile back with a similar sincerity, but you're so lost in his own that the world melts into only colours around you.
As you reach the centre, hand still in his, you are blinded by the intensity of the spotlight; your eyes adjust, yet you still feel disoriented, all due to the muffled cheers of the crowd, as the magician, Lyney, raises your hand, crediting your accompaniment.
Sweat collects in your palm, of not only fear of the trick but also the sensation of your hand in his. You look at him and he looks back…it’s like time stops.
There it is - his smile.
Who cares about the magic? It’s in his smile.
He asks you to step into the box…
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Part 2: A light in an interval of darkness.
You’ve never been to a magic show. You don’t know what the performance entails, so it's only natural that the dark box induces at least a little fear in you.
You start to shake…or was it the box? Time turns into just a concept as you await the tricks end.
It’s dark.
Did the trick go wrong?
It’s dark.
Are you trapped?
It’s dark.
Lyney?
Light floods in from above, much like a waterfall found in Fontaine, and you can see colour again. And his smile.
It is only then that you notice you’ve appeared in the audience.
Applause surrounds you like a hug. It may not be for you, but you are convinced in thrill that this is one of the most fantastic moments you’ve been a part of in your entire life.
It would be a crime to not describe the crowds as ‘going wild’, for not only the trick, but Lyney himself, as they shower him with flowers of such vibrancy that you’d think that all other colours in the world had vanished, like a magic trick.
“Thank you very much for our audience participant!”
He winks at you and whispers, “Take a bow.” and the faces around you once again disappear.
You do as he suggested and the audience offers a similar level of applause as they did to him, as the trick would not have succeeded if you were not selected or had the confidence to even agree to it.
Roses are thrown onto the stage.
And with that, you are ushered politely off stage so the rest of the show can continue.
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Part 3: Cards of fate have been dealt, but what’s your move?
To your disappointment, the show ended much sooner than you would have preferred, perhaps because you were busy thinking about him .
The sky is shrouded in midnight as you leave and lights from the nearby waterfall glow on the ground beneath - it’s different to the harsh lights of the show, nethertheless, both are still beautiful.
Closing your eyes and tossing a coin in, you decide to make a wish in the water fountain. You say it aloud, in case fate’s ears were hushed by the sound of the loud rushing water of the fountain.
“I wish to see another of Lyney’s shows again. Please.”
As you open your eyes, the coin you had just thrown is somehow hovering right above you…held between someone's index finger and thumb…
You match the hand to the face on your left and it's none other than Lyney.
“Your wish is my command.”
He must have heard you.
“Lyney?”
“Yes. It is I, the extraordinaire, Lyney!”
He twirls, his small cape flowing then getting entangled in his arm, which he then adjusts.
“You heard me? That’s so embarrassing…”
“Nothing of the sort, do not fret. So, you’d like to see another of my shows?”
“Um, well, yes. I really enjoyed the performance tonight and…”
He hands you your coin.
“You can’t help but want to see more?”
He adds with a teasing wink, and your heart tightens, as though caught in fated string.
“Yes.”
“I can arrange that. Now…what exactly is the name of my beautiful fan?”
That caught you off guard - is he flirting? Or is he just naturally teasing?
“[R/N.]”
“Ah yes. A lovely name, at that.”
“Is Lyney your stage name?”
“I am a man of many names, yet also a man of secrecy.”
You’re starting to believe that it’s impossible for Lyney to say something without adding a wink to it….he should just glue one eye shut at this point.
“Doesn’t your eye get tired from all the winking?”
“It’s my trademark, it’s what makes me more alluring,” you laugh, “Something funny? Or is my presence just so flustering that you can't help but laugh out of flusteredness.”
“Sure.”
“Oh! I never did tell you when my next performance is. Oh, would you look at the time! I have to go so…bye! Check your bag!”
He runs off, adding a final wink.
What?
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Part 4: Never let them know your next move.
Inside your bag is an ace playing card; written in violet ink, is a phone number, and next to that is a quickly scribbled self-portrait of…Lyney! That sneak!
That’s what you get for flirting with a magician and asking to see another of his shows…
Dying to know what fate is going to let happen next, you dial the number.
It’s ringing ... .it's ringing…
“I’m sorry, but the amazing magician you are trying to contact right now is unavailable! Please look in your hat to find a dove - I seem to be missing one…”
What a silly auto-response…it’s adorable.
Ring ring~
Huh?
“Hello…?”
“Hello! I see you just called me, were you hanging on to the edge of your seat for a response?”
“...this is Lyney, right?”
“Yes, it is. This is…pretty-named, pretty-faced, [R/N], right?”
Here we go again…you wonder whether he’s winking on the other end of the call, even though you obviously can’t see him.
“Um… yeah.”
“So, are you calling to find out when you’ll see me next?,” you wait, letting him figure it out for himself, “Why so silent? You do want to see me again, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Good~ Well, lucky you, you must be rubbing a magic lamp right now, because my next show happens to be next week! With a whole new fresh set of tricks. How about that, lovely fan of mine?”
“What day?”
“Thursday.”
“I’ll be there.”
“The ticket is on the house, of course. Your wish has now come true!”
“Thank you so much, Lyney.”
“Ah, but here’s the thing! I would like you to make my wish come true.”
“What is-”
Before you can even ask, his voice vanishes.
Guess you’ll have to wait until Thursday…
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Part 5: Break a leg.
It’s Thursday.
In anticipation, your leg shakes against the velvet cushion of the opera house’s seat.
Will he see you in the crowd ? He got you front row tickets. You hope to see the blur of colours again, from that first night. You hope to see him recognising your face in a sea of all others, and that he would deliver a smile that was only meant for you.
Only you.
And while the music melts into the ringing of your pounding heartbeat, your eyes meet.
You really wish that would happen.
The curtains draw open.
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Part 6: The show must go on.
“Welcome, one and all, to my extraordinary, show-stopping spectacular! This is my sister, and loyal assistant Lynette. Enjoy the show!”
You can’t focus. Only watching him, and not the tricks.
Everythings a blur, just like you wished for, but you’re still searching for him. You want your eyes to meet.
And they do.
Everything is just how you imagined, just as you wanted. You think to yourself that your mind must be playing tricks of its own, until your attention is drawn to the dove coming out his hat and…straight at you!
Swerving instantaneously, you bump arms with the person next to you, but it's none other than Lyney!
The audience cheer but their faces do not match yours - theirs is of joy and confusion, while yours is of utter adoration.
“You have a sparkle in your eye, [R/N].”
“How did you-“
The lights of the opera house turn off.
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Part 7: The best part of the show is saved till last.
“To all the people that attended my show, young, old, attractive, or not…I hope you have an amazing night! And thank you! Oh, and one more thing…”
Only his eyes on yours.
“To our greatest fans, we will be waiting for you once the show is over, by the fountain for autographs and more!”
You assume he means you when he smirks in your direction.
And he’s gone.
Everyone abandons their seats but you remain sat, heart beating out of your chest.
Should you go? His other fans will be there.
But he expects you to go, right?
Ushers come in and start to clear the floor of rubbish, so you assume it’s your time to take your leave. That’s when a bright-seeming girl suddenly appears in front of you.
“What did you think of the show?”
“Um. I thought it was great. Yeah. It was spectacular, for a lack of better words.”
“I’m Charlotte, a reporter from ‘the Steambird’! Were you so entranced that you stayed behind? You caught my eye and I found you interesting, so here we are!”
“Yeah, I guess I was.”
“Can I interview you?”
“Um, sorry but I was just about to go and see if Lyney was doing his fan meet?”
“That’s alright. But take my card,” she hands you her supposed business card, “let me know when I can interview you about your interest in the performance. Toodaloo~”
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Part 8: The spotlights on you. All eyes on you.
“My marvellous individuals! Please, calm down! There’s not enough of me to handle all of your requests at once!”
You expected some fans, but not an army, backing him into the fountain, almost making him slip. If this were a romance drama, you would probably rush through the crowds, shouting his name and pull him out (assuming you were the love interest) unfortunately this is not the case.
Plus, his sister, and assistant, Lynette, stole the job of controlling the group.
“Everyone, please calm down.”
The cliché shrill shrieks that immense from the crowd aren’t even slightly threatened by the harsh rush of the fountain and you’re certain they will replay in your mind later in the night, like an agonising echo, tormenting sleep. It’s loud.
He must be really famous. How come you haven’t heard of him before?
“Please. Calm…down.”
Okay, maybe you should step in.
“Um! Everyone!”
At this moment, you were expecting another moment from a rom-com, where everyone awkwardly turns around and stares at you in silence; you were half relieved that this didn’t happen, as it would have been very, very, uncomfortable.
In slight annoyance, however, that no one had even given you a glance, you decided to actually make your way through the crowd.
“Lyney!”
You’re really feeling like a protagonist here.
“[R/N]?”
Wait. Why did you do this again?
He was fine. Ish.
Hold that thought, he’s actually falling into the fountain.
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Part 10: Falling off stage is less humiliating than getting the trick wrong.
“Woah, the charming [R/N] swept in and caught me as I fell!”
You definitely didn’t expect applause. Wow, what are fontainians like?
“Thank you.”
The light of the fountain glowing on him is all you can see, no one else, and that melty sensation happens again.
“Are you going to let me go now?”
“Oh!,” you release his arm, “yeah.”
“When I said I was giving away things for fans, I didn’t say I would give away my heart! Thief! I’ll have to put you in court.”
The crowd murmurs, ‘really?’, ‘not another trial this week…’
Fontaine is weird.
“What?!”
“No, no, no, everyone, it was a joke! And now you’ve all quietened down a little please form a line. I won't miss a single one of you. And, you, [R/N], you’re at the back.”
“What?!”
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Part 11: The best comes to the audience that waits.
He sighs in relief, “Right, my last fan. Why, hello there! Sorry for the wait.”
“I waited half an hour for you, you better make it good.”
“Why the harsh tone! I thought you were my biggest fan!”
“I never said that. I just saw your show once and liked it.”
“Liked it so much that you wished to see it again. Relying in a different sort of magic. Miracles.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“What? I’m serious. And it’s not just a miracle that you got to see my show, but that I get the chance to talk to you again. You’re an interesting one, I'll give you that.”
“What else can you give me then, an autograph?”
“You got it! Where do you want it?”
“My forehead.”
“Sure! Wait.”
“I want it on this,” you hand him a card from the inside of your phone case with your number on it, which you always keep to hand out just in case, “and no, i’m not giving you my phone number, you already have it anyway.”
He signs it.
“Anything else?”
“A selfie?”
“Yep!”
As your shoulders touch, you become aware how close he is to you.
“Smile! You’re next to me, after all.”
“I never knew you were that popular.”
“What, with the ladies? Isn’t it obvious?”
(You need a wink counter at this rate; you’ll have to take him to the Fontainian court if it’s above the average human amount…)
“No.”
“Well, I get everyone actually!”
“That’s only sort of what I meant. I didn’t know you had many fans.”
“My shows are quite popular here. Most of the people are regulars, and I'm sure you’ll become like them too. Although, I have to say that my regulars normally just snap a picture and go, I've never gotten to know them like this.”
“I’m honoured.”
“Lyney, I’m back.”
Lynette had gone to check something with the theatre staff, something about the stage.
“Ah, Lynette! I haven’t introduced you to my, well, our biggest fan yet have I? This is [R/N].”
You’re not really his biggest fan, you’ve only seen two shows - it kind of bothers you that he keeps calling you that, the original ‘biggest fan’ will be cheering in vain, as he won’t notice them. You’re stealing the spotlight.
“Hello, [R/N].”
“Hey, why don’t we all go inside for some tea?”
“My dear brother, it’s quite late.”
“My dear sister, our fan here has waited half an hour to see me and relied on fate to be able to see tonight's show. Let’s treat them.”
“Alright. Follow me, [R/N].”
“Oh, it’s starting to rain. We best make haste!”
—
“Here, some tea.”
Steam curls up into the air smoothly, warmth at your fingertips as you raise your cup. It’s nicely brewed. But there’s also tension brewing in the room…
“Ahem. Nice weather we’re having huh?” Lyney is sitting opposite you, legs crossed. Tense.
“Yeah.”
“I quite like rain,” says Lynette, already getting ready to start pouring a second round of the tea, “it helps me sleep better.”
“[R/N], what do you think?”
“Of the rain? I like it too.”
“Marvellous. Then we’re all in agreement. Although, I have to say, it is saddening to think of the hydro dragon crying.”
“Yes, it is quite sad.”
A momentary concern is expressed between the siblings.
“Have you heard of the prophecy?”
-
An hour is spent with you learning more about Fontaine and the siblings, and it is time well spent.
“I’ve had a great time but I think I've overstayed my welcome.”
“Not at all. You’re welcome to keep in touch! You have my number.”
“And you know where to find us,” Lynette pipes in, “we’re always at a theatre somewhere, just keep an eye out for performances.”
“Thank you for the tea and chat. It was fun.”
“Of course! You’re welcome to keep in toucー I already said that. Basically, please stay in contact. I’ve taken quite the liking to my biggest fan.”
“Hey, about that. I don’t really like…you calling me that. It’s not really true. I mean, sorry to disappoint but I'm not even close to being your biggest fan. I’m just someone who's seen two of your shows and finds you attractive. Wait. No. Wait.”
“Wait, no, wait?”
“I’ll leave.” Lynette makes a swift exit.
“I didn’t mean much by that…”
“Oh, yes you did.”
“I’ll be off now.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Where’s Lynette? Huh, the weather was lovely today wasn’t it? Oh, what time is it?”
Frantically trying to change the subject wasn’t coming off well.
“You find me attractive?”
“Not in that way. Wait. Yes. No. Wait.”
“The show waits for no one.”
“Huh?”
“The show must go on.”
“I’m not a ‘show’?”
“Fine, maybe that didn’t make sense. My brain is just as frazzled as yours. No, I don’t know the time, and I have no clue where Lynette went off to, and I have many questions I’d like to ask too.”
“That made no sense, either.”
“See?”
“I really should go.”
“ Please ,” he reaches out but doesn’t grab your hand “ do keep in contact. I assure you that magic isn’t the only trick up my sleeve. You never know, it might be a rose.”
“A rose?”
“Flowers have symbolism in Fontaine.”
“And the rose means…?”
“It means that you’re not really just a fan in my eyes.”
“What else could I be?”
“You’re someone I’ve taken a liking to. And someone I’d like to take out.”
“You want to beat me up?”
“On a date.”
“On a date?”
“So, how does that hidden rose of mine sound?,” then he actually pulls a rose from his sleeve, “do you accept?”
“I-“
“Come on, don’t leave me hanging. The last time that happened was during rehearsal once when I was literally left hanging.”
“Yes.”
“Ah, my wish has been granted!”
The rose in your hand brings you to the night you met, the performance.
Roses are thrown onto the stage.
Applause surrounds you like a hug. It may not be for you, but you are convinced in thrill that this is one of the most fantastic moments you’ve been a part of in your entire life.