The Arcana ~ The Requiem of Lost Memories

XIV- Temperance

1. Party time

I hardly recognize the palace halls, as we walk them down together. They've been transformed for the Masquerade.
Everything feels different, as if I'm seeing it all for the first time.
The palace is also more crowded than usual. I peer up to Julian, who puts his arm protectively around me.
What if someone recognizes him?
Gazes wander over us, but pass soon after. No one seems really interested in us, or more precisely him.
I relax a little. It seems like we're safe.
We're surrounded by music, decorations, masked attendants...
And what feels like every single person in all of Vesuvia, all of them in elaborate masks and costumes.
There are even a few walking around, masked as white goats.
"So. We have to keep an eye out for the ghost Count huh? Easier said than done."
I shake my head.
"We will be fine. You said it yourself, remember? I'm like a hound dog."
"True enough. But still. There's too much ground to cover with just the two of us.
Now, I do have friends, who might be here. Maybe one of them will know something.
But until we find a lead... We should enjoy the party, too.
Why don't we start in the ballroom? It's always spectacular.
And it's the biggest room. Everyone goes through it eventually."

The ballroom is already filled with guests, dancing and chatting.
Julian and I have barely taken two steps into the room until someone calls out for us.
"Ilya? Is that really you?"
The voice is hushed, just loud enough for us to hear it.
It's coming from a person in a deer mask, peering at us through the crowd.
Julian first freezes in surprise, until a broad grin splits his face.
"Peyton, my friend, I have no idea who this Ilya is."
"Oh, you rascal! You gave me and the family a real scare.
I should've known you'd find a way out of it. But why are you here? Won't you get in trouble?"
"Not if you don't tell anyone.
Say, while you've been here...
Have you seen anything strange? I heard rumours about a certain ghost haunting the halls here."
"Funny you should say that. I didn't see anything, but I did hear something... Unnatural."
I feel a tugging at the back of my mind. My magic. The connection to Count Lucio.
He's here.
I take a step towards the direction where my magic pulls me.
"Akiko! Did you hear what Peyton just said?"
I stop, turning back to Julian and his friend.
"Ah, no. Sorry, I didn't catch that."
"Well, I was trying to find the tiny sandwiches room, when I heard two voices. The hallway was empty, but the voices were there, talking clear as day.
Something about a deal? And one said they wouldn't go for it?"
I exchange looks with Julian. Two voices?
That's no good.
I nudge Julian and tilt my head towards the exit.
He nods, addressing his friend.
"It was good to see you again, enjoy the party!"
Then we leave.
As we exit the room, I pull him into a corner.
"What's wrong, Akiko?"
"I sensed Lucio. He's nearby."
Julian's eye goes wide.
"You- How did you...? You don't have something of him, so how do you know?"
"I ...helped him out earlier, catered to his vanity. For this, I got something like a permanent trail. I always will know where he is. And he still owes me answers for that."
"You...did what? How? Why?"
"I changed his ghost appearance, to get answers on why he attacked us at the forest. With this, I bound his ghost to myself."
"Why did you help him? He is dangerous!"
"He said he wanted to make up for his former mistakes. I..."
"He will never change. He just said that to convince you to help him."
I don't know...
He seemed serious and genuine back then.
...But what if Julian's right?
He shakes his head, placing his hands at my shoulders, squeezing reassuringly.
"Anyway. What's been done is done.
You said you had a trail leading to him?"
"...Yes."
"Where does it lead?"
I cast out my magic, following the connection.
"Not far."

We arrive at a set of massive double doors, draped with patterned fabric.
"There we are."
Julian's face lights up a little as he opens the door and ushers me in.
"After you, my dear Akiko."
Inside, gauzy fabric is hanged over the ceiling and the walls.
Floating lanterns cast a hazy glow over the room, illuminating the way to a stage dominating the room.
Julian seems to recognize it.
"Ohh, is this the Karaoke room?"
Kara- oke?
I tilt my head questioningly, peering up to him.
"What's karaoke?"
"Oh, that's pure fun, you see.
You basically request a song from the band here, and they play it.
Then, you're free to do your own small performance to it.
Most people like singing best, but the dancers are always a highlight."
My eyes twinkle in interest.
I always loved singing and dancing, and am not too bad at both of it, if I may flatter myself.
"You look like you'd like to try it."
Julian's face splits a grin, as he looks at me.
"You saw right through me, huh?
Well, yeah... I'd love to.
But... What do I do? Just walk up to the band and ask?"
My gaze wanders through the room towards the band.
"I think that's pretty much it, yes."
The room is less crowded than the rest... And Lucio isn't here anymore, so it seems... Sooooo....
"Okay! I'll do that!"
"So you actually will sing?"
I turn to him with a smile, winking to him.
"Why yes! We'll search on later, he isn't here anymore. So for now: Just sit back and enjoy the show.
Though... I'm sure it would be more fun with two people onstage..."
I offer him my hand.
"Oh, y-you want me to sing?"
Julian looks surprised at first, but his expression turns fast into a flirtatious smirk.
"A duet then?
What about 'Mystery of a Blood Red Rose'?"
"Fine taste. I'm in!"
Hand in hand, we go up to the band, ask for our song and directly are lead onto the stage.
The lights go dark, and a spotlight shines brightly onto us.
Then, the first tones of the song ring through the room. I feel like I am directly pulled into it, as I start to sing.
Julian and I are in complete sync. I forget everything surrounding us.
It's just him and me, and this song.
Our voices weave together in harmony, merging and creating a sound entirely new.
I get lost in every part of the melody, circling Julian.
I wish this moment could never end.
His face, illuminated by the spotlight... My heart, thrumming to the beat of our music...
Our voices, climbing higher and higher...
I feel like I'm in a dream.
The song nears it's end, and we completely go for it, filling the room with a long, victorious tone.
We're left breathless, but happy.
The crowd that gathered in the room erupts in extreme applause, cheering and shouting for an encore.
I take Julian's hand, lift them over our heads, and bow to the crowd, with him mirroring me.
Then, we dash off the stage, getting out of the room.