Fantasia of the Dream-Protecting Acrobats ~Western Country & Central Country~

Rustica: Of course, I would be honored to help as well. But first things first...

Rustica: 《Amorest Viesse》

Rustica cast his spell, and a white tablecloth draped across the table before us, and upon the cloth were the souvenirs we had chosen and an elegant tea set.

Rustica: We brought you a few souvenirs from town. How about a brief respite before beginning such an arduous job?

Chloe: Whoa–! Ahaha, it's like there's an entire souvenir shop set up in this hotel room!

Cain: This is great! Madeleines, cookies, candies, marshmallows– you guys really spared no expense, huh?

Riquet: This lion shaped cookie is so cute!

Murr: Those ones were hand-picked by Oz, ya know.

Arthur: They have such a lovely, powerful look to them. I'm sure Shino and Mitile would love them. Master Oz, may I share them with everybody when we get back to the manor?

Oz: ... do as you wish.

After a brief break to enjoy some delicious tea courtesy of Rustica and some sweets, everyone pitched in to help Chloe with the costume.

Chloe: There! We did it!

Akira: Well done, Chloe! The inner garments and the skirt have a very mature vibe, but the jacket and the cape have that cute, dreamy feel... I think you put together a beautiful outfit that's just what Marie asked for.

Cain: I'm really impressed. Fulfilling such a complicated order like that is no small feat.

Chloe: Ah, thank you... but it wasn't just me. I wouldn't have been able to do it without everybody's help.

Murr: Chloe is sooo modest~! So, are you gonna go and hand it over to her right away?

Chloe: Yeah, that's the plan. I know the hour's a bit late, but if I get it to her sooner than later, then maybe she'll be willing to do the show at Comus tomorrow!

Shylock: Well then, let's get right to the unveiling of such a gem of a costume, shall we?

However...

Chloe: Huh? Marie's not here?

Circus Member: I'm sorry, but I couldn't find her in the back. Maybe she's gone off somewhere else?

Murr: Well, shall we go look for her, then?

Rustica: I agree, let's. Perhaps she wandered into the wrong circus tent by accident.

We split up into groups and went to try and find Marie.

Akira: Ahh, where could she have gone...

As I searched the streets with Rustica and Chloe, the hour grew later and later.

The main street, which was so busy by day, was now completely empty and silent, filled with only bright lights rather than performers.

Rustica: Chloe, why don't you try to sense her magic?

Chloe: Mm, it's really faint... but, I think she might be close by... ah!

When Chloe looked up, he saw a figure about Riquet's height pass into an alley in front of him.

Chloe: That's her! Marie!

Chloe called out at once to her retreating back, but she kept moving, as if she didn't hear him.

Rustica: She certainly seems to be in a hurry. Perhaps she's headed to a meeting with somebody important?

Chloe: At this time of night...? Even if she is a witch, it seems dangerous for her to be walking around alone...

After a short while, Marie stopped before the stone lion statue in the town square.

Marie: ...

Chloe: That's the talking lion statue that we saw earlier.

Akira: She seems to be stopped beside the statue. What could she be doing?

Murr: I win! I found all three of them!

Akira: Whoa!

I turned around with a start at the sudden voice, to find Murr and Shylock standing right behind me.

Shylock: Did you find what you were looking for?

Murr: Isn't that the girl you're looking for standing there in front of the lion statue? Don'cha wanna show her the outfit Chloe made?

Chloe: Y... yeah... I'll call out to her.

Chloe: Ah, good evening, Marie... what are you doing here?

Marie: Eh? All of you–

Marie looked taken aback, and she stared back at us with wide auburn eyes.

Akira: Good evening. Were you in the middle of something?

Marie: No... no, nothing in particular.

She was trying to play it cool, but she wouldn't meet anyone's eyes.

Her hand was gripping the paw of the lion statue in front of her tightly.

Marie: You want to discuss some changes to the costume design, I bet? Well, if it's too hard for you, you don't have to make it–

Chloe: That's not it at all...

Chloe: I made your order just as requested, Marie. I wanted you to take a look at it.

Marie: What? You're already finished?

Chloe: Mmhm. It's like I said when I accepted your order, right? I'll make all your dreams come true.

Chloe: 《Suispisiva Voitingoc》

Chloe cast his spell, and the costume leapt sprightly out of his sewing box.

Marie: Woah-!

Chloe: I tried to follow your requests to the letter, so the fabrics are colorful and dreamy, but also sleek and smart at the same time.

Chloe: ... what do you think? If there's anything you'd like changed, please feel free to ask.

Marie: I've never seen anything like this! This is amazing! It's the best! I'm going to swing on the trapeze in an outfit like th–!

She was about to say more, but she cut herself off. Her breath caught in her throat, and her expression grew cold.

Akira: Is something wrong?

Marie: ... I mean, um, it's not quite what I had in mind. It's still not glamorous enough. And, also, um...

Chloe: Marie...?

From the awkward way she turned away to the inconsistency of her words, it couldn't be any more obvious that she wasn't telling us the truth.