#finney

"Oh, my little stars" you cooed. "Are you ready for the most magical party in the galaxy?"

A chorus of high-pitched cheers erupted.

The parents hovered.

The mom of the birthday kiddo gave you a grateful nod.

And in the far corner, leaning on the magician's table, he watched.

You didn't even notice him at first.

Not until your third round of "moonbeam wand wishes" and glitter tattoos.

The Magician.

He wore black. Always black.

His hat was too big, his voice too smooth, and the smile beneath the face paint was… off.

You felt it.

Even through the glitter. Even through the princess giggle.

The way you suddenly didn't look much stronger than the children.

That man made you feel small.

He approached with a grin that didn't meet his eyes. Didn't even try to.

"Would the lovely Princess Elara" he said, voice syrup-thick, "honor us by assisting with a little... illusion?"

You blinked, surprised, but didn't break character.

"Oh! But of course!" you said brightly, placing your hand on your chest. "The Moon Kingdom loves magic!"

A few claps. A whistle from a dad.

He guided you to the small makeshift stage.

His hand hovered just behind your back. Not touching. Not quite. Still, it didn't feel respectful –just eerie.

You felt exposed and not just from being giddily watched by the little ones.

He pulled a deck of cards from his sleeve.

You expected a dove, or a scarf.

Something cheesy.

Instead, he held your hand.

"Don't be nervous" he said low, only for you to hear.

"You're doing beautifully."

His thumb brushed your palm.

"Now, Princess" he said louder, voice rising for the crowd. "Pick a card. Any card."

You smiled with the wide-eyed delight of a woman who cannot break character.

But your pulse ticked faster.

The card read...

THE MAGICIAN.

You swallowed.

"Show the audience" he said.

"And hold it tight."

You obeyed.

He moved around you, slow and theatrical. You heard kids gasp. A sparkle burst behind you, but you couldn't look away from him.

He whispered again as he made the card disappear...

"You really do look like royalty, sweetheart."

You clapped when the act ended.

The kids loved it. The parents clapped politely and you stayed smiling.

But when you turned to return to your little princess corner, he caught your arm –not hard, not tight, just… firm.

"Stay," he murmured.

"The children like when you laugh."

So you did.

Because the children were watching.

And Elara, Moon Princess, always smiles.

After the show, he approached while you were repacking your glitter pens.

"You're good with them" he commented. "The kids."

You glanced up.

"Thanks. I've been doing parties for years."

He crouched beside your bag.

"And how's the pay?"

You laughed.

"Awful, most of the time."

That made him smile.

Something flickered behind his mask. Interest. Maybe hunger.

"You live around here?"

You paused.

"I'm usually in orbit" you teased, gesturing to your tiara.

He chuckled.

"Of course. My mistake."

He handed you a crumpled card. The back read Albert Shaw.

"It's Al for you, and if you ever need work... You call me."

You nodded, slipping it into your pouch.

But your hand trembled just a little.

That night, you scrubbed glitter off your face.

The card sat on your dresser.

His voice echoed as you peeled off your lashes.

"Don't be nervous."

You hadn't been, until he said it.

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