- Latching the door shut as soft as he could, Artful made his way to the brightly lit and decorated room. Civilians and killers mingled as Christmas music played from a karaoke machine.
[part 2 cause it wont fit.]
It felt like he was being watched by someone, looking through the crowd he couldn't find anyone really looking in his direction besides a foul beast staring at him chained to a pole in the corner. Its turquoise eyes gleaming straight at the magician as it licked its sharp teeth didn't help him feel anymore comfortable.
Not in the mood to socialize, the magician decided to sit down at one of the tables full of snacks. Looking at the delicious treats, Artful snagged a few macaroons, cookies, and some christmas crack that Devesto had been talking about. The holidays were always such a hard time for Artful. With the guilt residing in the back of his mind, in a rotten manner he felt he didn't deserve to be happy for what he had done. Holidays were a time of family and friends, that was something Artful didn't have, not anymore at least.
A familiar feeling began to wash over Artful as he turned to see a civilian with a yellow clown nose sitting on their face. Their demeanor was calm as he sat the dish of snacks down. Settling in the chair next to the magician, Artful felt bile rise in his throat. It was their ex, Sherman, also known as the banana civilian. The two had been together for some time when Artful first started his show business. Sherman was always in support, finally happy to see their true love finally making a breakthrough in the world. That was until one show broke through the world leaving a scarred and bloody mess.
Sherman didn't hate Artful, but there had been so much confusion especially after Artful went off the grid. Hiding in the woods, hiding his name and face whenever the illusionist possibly could. The banana civilian searched for weeks but had never had contact besides one crumbled up letter left in the mailbox. Artful’s last ‘I love you’ and last goodbye. Sherman was never an emotional person; they had a lot of peace and tranquility in their monotonous days. Upon reading the letter and words scribbled, the civilian cried himself to sleep in hopes it was all a bad dream. In the rounds of endless torture, the banana butler could see how Artful avoided their gaze, tried to distract himself from their prescence. Artful didn't want to hurt Sherman any more than he already had.
There was no avoiding him now, Artful whined in his head. He missed having Sherman’s calming words in his ear in times like these when he got flustered and wrapped around in his own head.
He remembers the first time he had been invited to the owner’s mansion that Sherman worked at. Cooking, cleaning, gardening, Sherman could do it all. Artful found inspiration in many of his show acts from his partner. It wasn't uncommon he would feel a swell of compassion at the sight of the crowd ogling over one of the Sherman inspired pieces. Seeing how Sherman’s influence truthfully made others happy, only encouraged Artful to pursue his magic career. Everyone needs a muse, yes?
Sherman slid a small glass of non-alcoholic eggnog to Artful while taking a glass for himself. “Despite being a man for show business, you still prefer to be by yourself in crowds. You haven’t changed.” Fastening his bow, they smiled as they looked at Artful’s discomforted expression.
Artful looked down at himself in the milky concoction, “You haven't either. Thanks for stopping by, I suppose. You don't have to sit beside my miserable mess, I'm sure Devesto must have bribed you into this.”
“I'm here on my own accord, thank you. I'm firm on my values and choices, so I decided to sit here and talk to you, Jean.” Sherman took a sip of eggnog before dabbing his lips dry with a napkin. “I won't be swayed to entertain someone if it means the other party will be humiliated."
Artful’s eyes widened at the use of his real name. He had really only told two people what his birth name was. Sherman and his number one fan had been the only people knows