AN: Fuck this took forever. Sorry forthe delay. I had assignments to do, sleep to catch up on, and writing block to smash down. I'm not really happy with this but at this point I just want to write some action or something. Also @Trondason , if the dog you're disguising as is big enough then yes but for significantly smaller canines, supernatural disguise skill is needed.
Episode 2.3 - Returning to the Show
You aren't sure when the memories started trickling in or when you started picking up the skills that you saw within those memories. It happened slowly, your body doing things that you've never done before unconsciously. Your earliest recollection of such a thing was when you were playing cards with the familiar and you found yourself suddenly doing card flourishes like you've been doing them all your life. That was just the start.
Memories appeared without warning, bringing with them the skills that made Phantom Blue who he was. You started off with small magic trick, simple sleight of hand that even a beginner could pull off. As time went on however, your repertoire of magic tricks grew by leaps and bounds. Skills that should have taken years to master became yours without a word. There were times when your body couldn't match the required dexterity needed to pull off a trick but you started training your body in order to perform those tricks.
By the time you started your second year of high school, your skills in magic were close to those of your previous life. On a whim, you sought out the magic club and proceeded to amaze them with your incredible skills that they were practically begging for you to join. You'd felt a little guilty that your skills weren't honestly earned but they had been so earnest in their pleas that you agreed to a trial period.
You'd helped them put on their first show of the year that had everyone in the school talking about the magic club. The smiles, laughter and cheers for your club's performance had moved your heart. You realised then that you pretty much lived for the cheers of a loving audience and you wanted more. However, before you could make your membership permanent, you started receiving the memories of Blue's career as the greatest phantom thief of all.
Brilliant heists that astounded bystanders and confounded the police, daring escapes across the city's rooftops on a moonlit night, a chaste kiss stolen from a beautiful princess - all this and more began to fill your dreams. Just like your magic tricks, you began to unconsciously mimic the antics of Phantom Blue in your waking hours. Trinkets would find their way into your pockets before being returned the next day. You would on a lark break into a shop and leave no trace of your presence behind.
These memories as well as the talents that awoke within you frankly scared you. You had put off permanently joining the magic club in order to get your head around your previous life as a phantom thief. One day had become a week and that week had become a month. Several month laters, you still had been unable to commit to the club that had brought you happiness for that brief period of time. It felt strange to do something normal like club activities when you had been preparing to restart your legend as a phantom thief.
Now however, after everything that had happened yesterday and today, your hesitation has been blown away. Doing that simple magic show for Shirokami and seeing her smile was all that you needed. Phantom Blue will live again but before that you shall put on a different mask.
You ring up the club president saying that you wanted to talk to him about the thing that was happening tonight. You were waiting near the vending machines when Katagiri Yusuke, the sole third showed up in response to your call. You simply told him that you were sorry for spinning your wheels for so long but you were finally giving the club a proper answer.
You were joining the club for good. You are going to show up regularly to club meetings and activities. You are also going to be taking part in the show tonight.
Katagiri was ecstatic. He ran off to tell the others, leaving you trailing behind him at your own pace.
When you got to the club room, you found everyone cheering and laughing in relief. It's a nice feeling seeing people smile. You like it alot.
+++ break +++
Quite a number of people still remember that first fateful show of the year, and one of them wants the club to perform at his kid's birthday party. Tonight.
The club had been doing rehearsals and preparations for about a fortnight. Admittingly, you were kind of worried that the others would be mad that you wanted to join the show at the last minute. However, your worries were unfounded as the others were more than happy for you to join the birthday magic act. They'd all agreed long ago that you were the best magician in the school and because you were the best, they were going to save you for last.
Morimura Mai and Himura Taka, the club's first year members, have gotten a lot better at their tricks, no doubt thanks to the other members dutifully teaching them. It makes you wish you rejoined sooner to watch the two first years grow as magicians. they still got a long way to go and you're more than happy to assist in their growth. They weren't the only ones that had gotten better at magic however. Shiraishi Hana, Takeshita Keita, the second year members, and the president himself were also showing much improvement in their performance since the last time you saw them which was quite a while ago.
"Hayashi-senpai, you sure there isn't anything we can help you with?" Mai asks for about the third time since you got here.
"I'm cool. I'm always prepared so no worries." You reply. It was true, you always had a bunch of tricks up your sleeves to be brought out at the moment's notice. You are confident that whatever happens tonight, you'll bring the show to a close on a bright note.
You were watching everyone go through one last rehearsal before they head off to the birthday party. So far, you didn't see anything wrong with what they had planned for the party. Mai and Taka would be starting things off to get the audience warmed up. After them would be Hana and Keita before Yusuke takes the stage with the others acting as his assistants. Once Yusuke finishes his portion of the show, it'll be your turn to steal the spotlight.
Now then, what trick should you lead off first when it's time….
+++ Break +++
Rehearsal went as well as anyone could expect. As in great. Being up on stage, even with only a small audience of other students who had stayed behind at school for whatever reason, felt good. The loud cheers that came from them and your club members was all you needed to know that you hadn't lost the magic touch.
The birthday kid won't know what hit them.
Confident that the show will be a success, you and your fellow club members pack up your stuff and throw it into a van that Hana's uncle was driving. Time to head over to where the party was going to take place.
+++ Break +++
"Good good. I expect good things from you all!"
"You won't be disappointed, Mister Watanabe!"
"Excellent! Now I'll be off to oversee the rest of the preparations, I expect your preparations to be finished before the guests arrive"
In retrospect, you should have asked who your club was doing the show for. As it turned out, the person who asked for the club to perform for their kid's birthday was none other than Mister Watanabe, quite likely one of the richest person in Tamahato Town, and was not well-liked by most of the town, you included. You ask Yusuke why the club decided to do this gig.
"Well, I know a lot of people don't like Mister Watanabe but think about it for a second. It's going to be a party with a whole bunch of rich kids and their parents. If we do great, they'll sure to spread word about our performance and since they're rich, that means that more people will take their words seriously." Was the club president's answer.
Personally, your own experiences, or rather Blue's experiences, with rich people said otherwise. In all likelihood, Mister Watanabe probably thought that it would be cheaper to just get your club instead of a professional entertainer to perform at his kid's party. Well, you couldn't fault the guy on that since the last proper show the club did was the one at the start of the school year.
You didn't really want to do the show knowing who had asked for it but you were already here so you might as do your best and wow the rich snobs that would be coming to watch. The club is given an hour to prepare before the birthday guests begin to arrive. A stage had been set up in the backyard of a fairly large mansion and everyone in the club rushed to get ready on time.
Hidden panels, smoke machines, large-scale mirrors, and wires were hastily put into place. The animals were fed and groomed for their part in the show. Last minute checks checked out. Everyone in their costumes save you since it was going to be part of your act. Five minutes before the first guests arrives, you were all set and ready to go.
It's showtime!
+++ break +++
Or not.
After the guests had shown up, you and the others members of the magic club were "politely" asked to stay out of sight. Seeing as none of you had prepared any dinner, Mister Watanabe was "kind" enough to have some stew and bread brought up for the whole club. It would have been a nice gesture if it wasn't for the fact that the club had seen the food that were spread out for the guests while they mingled.
It became quickly apparent that this whole birthday party was just an excuse for Mister Watanabe to hobnob with the upper class residents of Tamahato town. You make a mental note to later steal something value of his when you become Phantom Blue once again.
For now though, you wait and fill up on the admittedly tasty stew. Soon, very soon, these rich folks will be enchanted by your club's magic.
Soon.
+++ break +++
As the birthday dinner winds down and the start of the magic act draws closer, an incident occurs.
What is it?
[ ] Someone sent the birthday boy something they really shouldn't have. Who thought sending a cursed trinket was a good idea!? Especially one that seems to have summoned a Phantom!
[ ] A group of armed men suddenly storms the mansion and declare everyone their hostage. They call themselve the Soldiers of ReVengence. What kind of stupid name is that?!
[ ] All the guests suddenly faints in their seats save one. You don't know what kind of people supposedly show up at these shindigs but you're pretty sure the heavily tattooed fellow wasn't on the guest list.
[ ] That guy from yesterday, the guy you stole your Phantom Drive from, has crashed the party. He's looking pissed and he's brought friends with him. Did he somehow tracked you down or is he here for something else?
