flattery - LYNEY.

scene ii. - the magician.

it was a rare opportunity for lynette to see lyney twirling around on the floor of his room. he was humming to himself with his hands folded over his chest instead of practicing his next sensational act for a street performance.

freminet often looked like he was questioning why lyney was so... lyney. he kept his nose in his books with his fellow pers close by his side, muttering the text to his mechanical companion.

"you..." lynette muttered halfheartedly, greatly unimpressed by her brother's behaviour. her mouth twisted into a frown. "you're overdoing it."

"i got to hold her hand!" lyney hushed his sister, his eyes clouding over with adoration. he dramatically fell onto an ottoman nearby, sighing dreamily.

"wooow," lynette mumbled to herself. "congratulations."

"i can't help it if i'm such a big fan of her performances. i wonder if i could ask for her time tomorrow night," lyney giggled, which for some reason caught freminet's attention.

"you aren't acquainted with the mademoiselle yet..."

"that's the thing!" lyney pushed himself to his feet and began to pace the floor. "i would like to get to know her. it may be over a cup of tea, or another performance, or a fated meet under the moonlight. how romantic!~"

"if only it were like that," lynette said, shaking her head. "you'll end up crossing relationships with your work life."

"a-ha, that's where you're wrong!" lyney pranced over to his sister and placed a hand on her shoulder, fanning out his fingers to the window. his silhouette gleamed with sunlight. "a love completely separate from our work, my dear sister."

lyney's heart danced to a melody that only he could dance to. love at first sight seemed fairytale-like, and freminet thought he shouldn't give his affection like that so easily, simply because of a fantastical romantic love.

"love at first sight," lyney sighed, placing his hands over his heart again. "it could be like a fairytale, and the tale begins when we first meet eyes across the room..."

but there was an ache in his stomach, indicating how nervous he had become just thinking about it. lynette had to intervene and sit him down, handing him a cup of tea to ease his jittery feelings.

——

it rained that afternoon, heavy drops of water weighing down the shell of the magician's umbrella. he took a short stroll out near the opera epiclese, calmly inhaling the scent of rain hitting the sides of his shoulders.

usually the place was fast-paced and dynamic, citizens preferred to stay under covers rather than getting caught in an unexpected storm. one still figure caught his eye, piquing his curiosity. it was out of the ordinary to see someone standing in the rain so solemnly. unless...

they are mourning.

coincidentally they were standing in the same path lyney chose to take, and they raised their head for a moment to seek the source.of the approaching footsteps, water dripping off the brim of their hat.

his eyes met her tearful ones, however only for a moment.

the mademoiselle is ... mourning?

the devastation and exhaustion in her eyes tells lyney that she has lived her own tale, a story already told. he didn't dare ask her any question, as she seemed occupied with herself already.

he finally passed by, breaking their stare.

the ache in his stomach returned.

— ♠