𝓔𝔂𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓭𝓮𝓻 ~ Neuvillete x Fem!OC ~ Genshin Impact

004. The Magic Show

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There were not many people inside of the audience so Navia and Marcel parted ways with Juliette as they made their way towards their seats. She heard a high pitched voice and checked her ticket. She was in the front row and she walked down towards the noise. It was Paimon and the Traveler along with Monsieur Neuvillette! Delighted, ran up behind Paimon and tapped her, scaring the living daylights out of Paimon. "Ah! Oh, it's just you Juliette. Hey! Next time don't scare Paimon like that!"

"Sorry, sorry, I just saw you and you obviously didn't notice me. It was the perfect moment," Juliette giggled. Aether smiled as well while Neuvillette looked over to her. It's her, the young woman from the aquabus, he thought silently to himself.

"Oh, Paimon almost forgot! Juliette, this is Neuvillette-" He raised his hand as if to silence her which worked immediately.

"There is no need for introductions. Miss Juliette and I are already acquainted."

"Really!?" Paimon looked surprised, "Paimon was not expecting that! How did you two meet?"

Juliette blushed under the dim light, "I might or might not have bumped into him when I was boarding the aquabus."

"Juliette! I never knew you'd be so clumsy!" Paimon pulled on her ear, earning an ow from Juliette.

"Paimon, don't act like you've never done that before," Aether jested, making Paimon beat her fists in the air in his direction.

Neuvillette's lips slightly quirked at the edges, "I would never think that the Traveler and Paimon would know you, Miss Juliette."

"I do surprise many," Juliette said, shrugging slightly while smiling.

"Look, the show is starting!" Paimon shrieked excitedly, which caused other patrons to shush at her. Juliette sat down in the comfortable red chair on Neuvillette's right, smiling expectantly as the lights began to dim.

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A spotlight shone on Lyney, illuminating the stage, "Welcome one and all, to the Opera Epiclese! I am the star of today's show, Lyney! And over here is my sister, Lynette, who will be working as my wonderful assistant. Please, let's give her a warm welcome!" Lynette greeted the crowd and the audience clapped wildly. Lyney laughed, "I know she may seem to be a little sleepy right now, but that's just a sign that she's nervous."

"Whatever," Lynette deadpanned, clearly tired of her brother's theatrics.

"Now, some of you may be thinking: Two Vision holders who can freely manipulate elemental powers performing magic is not true magic after all. So, I would like to take a moment to assure you that elemental powers will have nothing to do with what you will witness on the stage today." Another assistant walked on stage, wearing a mask, and held out his hand. The two siblings took off their precious Visions and handed them to him. "Both Lynette and myself have removed our Visions for the show. That way, even the gods won't be able to help us."

"Oh, good point. That's what makes the show real magic!" Paimon warbled excitedly, making Aether look at her exasperated.

"Without further ado, let the show begin! Lynette will now exit the stage to make some preparations," She walked off stage calmly, her face concentrated with focus, Lyney smiled, "I know you might miss her, but don't worry, she'll be coming right back on stage momentarily... Perhaps in an unexpected way. I'm sure she'll be stealing the spotlight soon enough. Oh, and before I forget... There is one thing I should say. You never know what can happen in the blink of an eye."

With that statement out of the way, the spotlight on Lyney cut and it all turned black. When the light reappeared, he was standing with his arms folded behind him. "A magician's greatest skill," his voice reverberated through the stage, "Is making things disappear or appear. The possibilities are endless." He bowed to the crowd before taking off his hat and displayed the empty space inside before placing his hat in the air, seemingly held up by nothing. The crowd clapped and cheered as Lyney tapped it gently a few times and his signature cards came out, landing out onto the wooden boards.

He suddenly grabbed his hat, flipping it upon his head, revealing a white dove hidden underneath that flew away. Lyney pulled cards out of nowhere, showing the crowd before letting them drop onto the ground, "But this isn't what you came for. These little tricks? You've seen them all before. So it's time for something truly extraordinary. Don't you think so?"

He lifted his arms into the air, towards the crowd, "This one's a little tricky." Putting his hands together, he opened them to reveal the dove from earlier which flew up near Lynette, who was sitting on an intricate water tank, and the spotlight shone on her. She waved as the tank slowly lowered to above the stage. "Using this water tank, I'll make my sister vanish completely! Right before your very eyes!" Lyney stated dramatically. The crowd gasped with delight as Furina stood on her plush chair, looking unimpressed, and Clorinde standing dutifully next to her.

Lynette hopped into the water tank, legs first, making a small splash and doing a small twirl within. The audience clapped while Lyney stood center stage, "It's actually quite simple, she'll just turn into air bubbles and float right out of the top!"

Suddenly, the lid on the tank slammed shut, sealing Lynette inside. Juliette gasped quietly, unconsciously grasping Neuvillette's hand as if for comfort. She didn't notice but he didn't pull away either. Why am I feeling this myriad of emotions? Neuvillette glanced at her concerned face, illuminated by the light from the spotlight. Lynette pushed against the lid and Lyney ran up to her, seemingly alarmed. "Oh no! I told them to check all the props carefully! With the lid on, not even air can escape..." Lyney paused, "An amateur magician would be getting very nervous right around now... Luckily, it's me on stage so let me show you what a true virtuoso can do!"

He snapped his fingers and Lynette began to turn into a rush of water bubbles, dissolving her and leaving nothing but her stage outfit. The assembly gasped with delight and even Furina looked surprised. "Lynette? Are you still there? Don't go too far, we don't want to use up all our magic. Huh?"

A soft voice greeted his words, "Hi, I'm back." Lynette stepped out of the shadows and into the light, walking up next to Lyney. The audience cheered wildly and some even whooped in excitement.

Juliette noticed her hand and blushed, murmuring apologies. Neuvillette smiled at her and reassured her that it was fine. Furina observed the whole exchange with keen eyes, smugly thinking to herself, I never knew Neuvillette had such a soft spot, I'll tease him later~

The pair on stage bowed as the water tank rose up, out of view from the crowd. The audience gave a standing ovation, clapping and cheering like there was no tomorrow for Lyney's performance. "Whoa! What in the world just happened!?" Paimon shrieked, "How did he do that!? Paimon didn't see him do anything! Wasn't Lynette inside the water tank? How did she disappear and then reappear out of nowhere!?"

Aether smiled, "No wonder he's a famous magician."

"If we could see through his tricks, then that would mean his skills would be lacking. To appreciate magic, you should focus on the show happening on stage, rather than getting caught up in trying to see that which has been intentionally hidden." Neuvillette added wisely, making Juliette and Aether nod in assent.

"Ah, guess you're right," Paimon agreed, "Paimon couldn't believe her eyes when Lynette reappeared. Amazing!"

The clapping began to stop as Lyney cleared his voice, "Thank you, thank you, everyone. I'm glad you enjoyed that performance... But our magic journey has only just begun. I've prepared even more astonishing surprises for everyone here. The magic of transformation and disappearance can go far beyond what you've seen. I'm sure many of you are thinking that escaping the water tank was impressive enough, but Lynette is still my assistant, after all. In which case, I have ample time to make all necessary preparations. So for my next trip, I will require the participation of one lucky audience member. Please if my assistants could bring out the magical boxes now..."

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