The Magic Show 

In which Olivia, Baron von Strolz-Mader, Lord Ardghal and Captain von Weissenbach attend a magic performance by The Astounding Markus.

 
Olivia, Baron von Strolz-Mader, von Weissenbach, and Lord Árdghal walk out together, and Olivia takes the Baron's arm.  "Thank you for your courtesy. I have never seen a performance of legerdemain.  Have you seen others? From your recommendation of this one, I expect to be amazed and astonished.

"And you, Lord Árdghal -- what are you expecting?"

The Sidhe Lord smiles at the young woman before he answers her question.  "I expect to be mystified at first," he says with twinkling eyes, "but I also expect to figure out the truth of it in the end."

Together they walk up to the Central staircase, climbing two levels to Deck Three.  They continue on aft, where the Small Dining Room lies.  This more intimate dining room is illuminated softly, contrasting with the bright lights of the Main Dining Room.  The tables are smaller, round rather than oblong, draped with burgundy linen; a candle glitters on each table.  The far side is occupied by a raised scene, for now hidden behind drapes of rich, dark red velvet.  A duet of piano and violin plays in the far left corner, and the service is very discrete, if as efficient as downstairs.  Most tables are now occupied, but several of the best ones are simply marked "Reserved."  Von Weissenbach guides the baron and his guests to such a table, situated close to the front and towards the left, close enough to the musicians to enjoy the melodies unhampered, but not enough to have to raise one's voice to talk to one's table companions.

To Olivia, the dinner was a delightful respite from danger and crises. Now, in this luxuriously beautiful room, her only purpose is to see wondrous deceits of "human magic." With no need to bear responsibilities, nor anticipate dangers--she wonders if she is Beyond the Veil, under the enchantment of the friendly Faerie...

In the converted theater, the audience starts to shift and murmur as glances to pocket-watches confirm that the show is already a few minutes late.

The Baron strokes his sideburns while contemplating the delay in the show.  "You are certain, Fraülein, that you will not be able to send any time in Wien?  A pity truely."

Olivia slowly plies her fan and smiles politely--well, truthfully, a little too warmly to be merely polite--and answers softly, "Alas, sir, on this trip I cannot.  But I will be traveling this way again, and most surely arrange to spend time in Vienna."

She debates with herself whether to ask him if he will be visiting Barcelona, and decides it would be unwise.  "I must see for myself the fashionable life there."

"Prima!  When you are able to spend time in Wien, you must be sure to call on us.  Meine Frau, Magda, is hostess for a salon on Wednesdays when we are in town and she can assure that you are properly introduced into the correct circles."

The Baron chuckles softly and and continue to play with his sideburns.  " I also believe that she would value your input on the matter of my twin daughters, Anne Marie and Helene. At 16 they are convinced they are women grown.  In the next year or two they tell me they will be seriously looking for husbands.  Gott in Himmel.  What is a father to do?"

"Why, you must see that they meet eligible young men, and at the same time, criticize and disapprove of their suitors.  Nothing increases a young lady's interest in a man as much as her father's disapproval!"

Olivia laughs softly. "We--" She raises a hand to her mouth and coughs slightly, before continuing. "In Spain, girls 'come out' at fifteen and are quickly married.  A woman unmarried at twenty is considered an old maid.  Indeed, I believe my comments would not likely be what your wife desires to hear, even if she is kind enough to receive me. The Baroness might think me too sympathetic to your daughters!"

She continues quickly.  "Is the Baroness hostess of a literary salon?"
 

The Astounding Markus Disappears

The duet's concerto ends discretely, a shuffle is heard behind the curtain, and a hush falls over the spectators.  Finally, the piano starts again with a grandiose introduction piece, and a man wearing spectacular sideburns steps to the front of the scene and bows deeply to the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" he begins with a deep voice.  "I have the incomparable honour of welcoming you to this extraordinary performance of prestidigitation, contortion, and misdirection!  The Master of Illusion will perform feats of magic before your very eyes, without ever drawing on the powers of Thaumic Science!  I am pleased to introduce... THE ASTOUNDING MARKUS!!!"

He gestures dramatically to the back of the scene as, behind him, the curtains start to draw open.  The cheerful audience starts applauding...  The scene is revealed by the curtains contains various props, but no Markus.  The spectators in the Aft Dining Room are starting to wonder whether the Astounding Markus will ever appear.  They
are beginning to return to their conversations, when suddenly they are startled by a small explosion accompanied by a puff of smoke.  But even as gasps and exclamations fizz up, the musicians smoothly dive into a lively piece.  On the stage, the smoke disperses to reveal a dapper man dressed in bright purple velvet, wearing dark glasses even in the dimly lit room.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!" he salutes. "As you know, it is extermely dangerous, not to mention forbidden, to work Sorcery on an airship.  Therefore, everything you will see happening before your very eyes tonight is the result not of the Higher Art, but of what is sometimes called white magic.  Nevertheless, I daresay the human eye will not be able to distinguish the events unfolding before you from those born of Sorcery!"

He bows deeply, while the crowd applauds politely.  As he straightens up, his right hand conjures up a handsome ebony walking stick inlaid in silver with magical symbols, while a purple velvet top hat appears in his left hand.  To his right, an assistant wheels out from behind the curtains a small table covered with objects such at water flagons, rings, ropes, keys, handcuffs, and even a straightjacket.

What follows is a first-class performance of prestidigitation and contorsion, as Markus makes objects apppear and disappear at will, escapes from traps and bounds, saws a member in the audience in two without harm (!), and folds his thin body into impossibly small boxes.  For his final performance, he squeezes himself into a small box, which the assistant then pulls apart, leaving nothing at all.  A thunder of applause follows, as the curtain falls.  The spectators, by now thoroughly entertain, call for an encore, but Markus does not come back to salute.

It is about nine o'clock.

Olivia applauds until her hands hurt and a seam in her right glove opens.  As the applause of the audience dies down and people accept that the Astounding Markus will not reappear, Olivia comments to her companions, "No doubt he will be very busy with the many who will want to talk with him.

I hope the view from the Promenade Deck is especially spectacular this evening.  It will require the wonders of the Lord of the Universe to overcome my awe at such a performance."

She gathers her reticule and fan with one hand, and her skirts with the other, preparing to rise from the elegantly upholstered chair.

Captain von Weissenbach clears his throat softly.  The baron looks at his aide-de-camp, then at the port-folio the good captain is carrying.  He sighs deeply, then turns to Olivia and the Sidhe Lord.

"Fraülein, Your Lordship," he says, "I...  I must regretfully ask for your forgiveness and decline to visit the promenade.  I need to attend to some details before I can rejoin you in the ball room."

Lord Árdghal, who has been frowning absently since Markus failed to reappear, glances sharply at the baron.  His lips thin slightly, but the expression is erased from his face almost immediately.  Olivia is not sure what fleeting feeling was expressed.

The Sidhe Lord gives a polite half-bow in the baron's direction.  "Of course, baron, by all means.  I will be delighted to accompany Fraülein Rodriguez on the Promenade, but I warn you that her dance card may be filled by the time you come back."  He gives Olivia a slightly deeper bow -- and a wink she is the only one to catch.  Straightening up, he offers her his arm.

"Why then, señorita," says the baron, "I must ask you to pencil me in for one of later waltzes now.  With this for motivation, Hauptman von Weissenbach and I are sure to finish our daily chores quickly."

At his nearby table, the Vizier claps politely at the conclusion of the display of ledgerdemain, and gracefully rises from his chair.  Immediately, his aide and his two bodyguards rise as well.

He appears to be making for the Promenade as well, and as he steps near Olivia and Lord Ardghal, he can be heard speaking to his aide...

"...it was the sort of tricks the fakirs perform, although I must say this fellow performs it with a far better sense of stagecraft.  You really are quite gullible, Abdelhassib."
 

To Be Continued...

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Thank you to Grenmeth for suggesting this choice!