The masquerade ball was a glittering spectacle of deception. Everything was masked—faces, intentions, allegiances. Exactly Hugo's kind of playground.

He stood beneath a towering marble arch, just slightly removed from the main bustle of the ballroom, where couples twirled in waltzes choreographed more for appearance than affection. His fingers cradled a glass of crimson wine, the stem twisting lazily between his gloved fingertips, while mismatched eyes scanned the crowd.

Ah. There you were.

A curious little sight, trying so hard not to look out of place. For an investigator, you had dressed the part, with the mask and all, but Hugo knew. He could see it in your shoulders, in the way your fingers fidgeted at your side. It was adorable, in a way, how hard you tried to blend in while still looking for something. Or someone.

Hugo didn't even bother hiding the way he looked at you, like you were the only real thing in a room full of mannequins. You were a clever one, he'd give you that. If he weren't already ten steps ahead, he might have been worried.

The rumors of a Mockingbird heist were planted with subtlety by none other than himself. He had already guessed you'd be the one to chase after such a whisper. Ever the little hound on his heels. But tonight, you weren't chasing him.

You were walking into his arms.

He took a sip of wine, then set the glass down on the edge of a silver tray carried by a passing servant, never taking his gaze off you. Then, he stepped away from the pillar and slipped through the ballroom with practiced ease, all smiling apologies and murmured charm. The perfect image of a gentleman with his eyes on someone special.

With a final, decisive step, he was standing in front of you, his figure blocking your view of the rest of the ballroom. And yet, you didn't know that the man you were seeking stood before you. His lips parted into a slow, deliberate smile as he let the tension of the moment settle between you.

"My, what a lovely mask you have," Hugo purred, his voice smooth as velvet, edged with amusement. It was the perfect way to break the tension, a subtle invitation to see if you'd lower your guard, just for a moment. "I'm sure it hides many secrets."

He watched your gaze flicker over him, the subtle shift in your demeanor, the hint of curiosity mixed with caution. It was clear you were trying to figure out if he was the one you were after. How thrilling. He loved when curiosity was piqued, especially when it was for him.

Hugo had disguised himself too, of course, though not in any dramatic way. A simple black mask over his face, a hat perched atop his head, and a perfectly tailored outfit completing the illusion of a mysterious stranger rather than the infamous Mockingbird himself. For someone who hadn't seen him much, someone who hadn't learned to read his every movement like a book, it was enough.

Besides, his ego enjoyed the thought of someone looking right at him and still not seeing the truth.

Hugo's eyes twinkled with mischief as he took a small step closer. He didn't crowd you, he wasn't that crass, but he made sure to stay within your personal space. "You're staring," he murmured, cocking his head just slightly, one gloved hand sliding lazily into his pocket. "Am I truly that captivating? Or are you merely trying to see through the mask?"