Chapter Text
A gentle hum of conversation ebbed and flowed through the crowd in the Cantori Diamond Theater. One of the great old Vaudeville venues for many decades, it had been neglected for many years when the new, young CEO of the Cantori Entertainment Company had decided to renovate and modernize the building as a high-end burlesque review and concert venue.
Lucanis Dellamorte was impressed with what they'd achieved, especially on the schedule the head of their parent company, Corvus Holdings had demanded. His grandmother liked Teia, but that fondness did not extend to lengthy, risky loans. She had wanted to see some pretty strong numbers quickly. If his math was right, and the information he'd been given by his cousin was accurate, Caterina would be seeing her investment repaid months ahead of schedule.
He just wasn't entirely sure why his grandmother had insisted on attending the full premiere of the show, or why she needed him to attend as well. As much as Lucanis enjoyed a good night's entertainment, this was the kind of event his charming cousin Illario was much better suited for. Unfortunately, Illario was busy with other business, so here he sat.
Waiting.
"It's exciting, isn't it?" a voice like whiskey and smoke asked near his ear, and he had to stifle the urge to flinch. "The moments before the show starts. Waiting to see what will happen next."
Turning slowly, he saw a woman perched on the edge of the railing for their box seats dressed head to toe in glittering black, tilting her head back to smile over her shoulder at him. A cascade of purple hair fell in waves down towards the floor, shot through with something that caught the light much like the jewels on the ruffles of her skirt, vest, and the cravat at her throat.
She gave him a wink.
"What will happen next?" he found himself asking, returning her smile. He could hear an excited ripple of conversation start in the seats around them. "If you can tell me without ruining the show."
"Oh, I couldn't ruin the show," she shook her head, and suddenly flipped back, using her hands to pivot herself smoothly back around and onto the back of the seat next to him that was currently unoccupied. She sat demurely with her ankles crossed, knees tilted towards him, as her head bent his direction, the ends of her hair just brushing his shoulder.
Lavender, violets, and tea smoke.
"Besides," she gave him a half smile, and leaned forward with a black-gloved hand to her mouth conspiratorially and he found himself leaning forward in response, almost eager. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. No one does until it's too late."
"Oh, is that so?" Lucanis chuckled, and leaned back to cross his arms. "What can I ask then? The name of such a lovely bird who perches at my side?"
"If you watch closely enough, you'll have that in time," dipping forward, she turned just as she would have fallen into his lap, and instead rolled around the back of his chair. By the time he turned to follow her movement, she was standing on the edge of the balcony, back-lit by the glow of a gentle spotlight. Her face was thrown into shadow, but he still caught her wink as she waved to him and jumped backwards into a straight fall.
A large, black, insanely expensive watch glittered on her wrist as she passed out of sight.
His watch.
Looking down at his wrist there was a purple and black ribbon, neatly tied with a bow. Attached was a small black and silver paper tag with metallic purple ink that simply read "Carina" in a neat, flowing hand. Lucanis laughed and applauded with some of the nearby patrons. He leaned over the balcony to see Carina execute a landing on the backs of the seats below to give a bow before leaping out again.
The spotlight followed her through the crowd as did his eyes, lighting where she landed, holding the attention of the room like a bird in her hand.
Waiting.
Waiting to see what she would do next.