Klein paused, his gaze settling on the tourists lingering in the restaurant, particularly on two children... Donna and her younger brother. They had come with their parents for a vacation on the Five Seas, only to stumble into this mess.
The children were visibly nervous, clinging to their parents, their eyes darting around in fear of some monster bursting out.
"If something happens that I can't handle, I'll get everyone out," Klein said, instinctively touching the charm in his pocket. It was a special charm from Mr. Door, powerful enough to evacuate everyone in the restaurant.
In truth, Klein was ready to leave at a moment's notice. He hadn't acted yet because this anomaly didn't feel like a crisis erupting in Bansy Harbor. It was more like "Jack" Had done something to neutralize the source of the threat.
As expected, the Fool's intuition was spot-on.
Hearing Klein's words, the tourists exchanged glances. Though still afraid, they were somewhat reassured.
"Don't worry, everyone. With us here, you'll be fine," Lil' Amon said with a smile, adjusting the monocle on their face. With a flourish, they produced a top hat.
Klein touched his head and, sure enough, his own top hat was gone.
"Let me perform a magic trick!" Amon declared, dramatically flipping the hat a few times before blowing into it. Two white rabbits poked their heads out.
With a snap of Amon's fingers, the rabbits landed in Donna and her brother's arms.
"That's amazing!"
"So cute!"
"Wow!"
The children's attention was captivated, their faces lighting up with wonder.
"These are gifts for you... special for kids," Amon said with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Magician," Donna and her brother replied politely, carefully inspecting their new rabbits. The fear and tension that had gripped them moments ago melted away.
With the children's fears eased, the adults relaxed as well, and the restaurant's atmosphere lightened considerably.
Amon handed the silk top hat back to Klein, grinning. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is it so strange for me to do this?"
"Just feels like a naughty kid finally grew up," Klein said, taking the hat and placing it back on his head. Suddenly, he felt something extra. He removed the hat and reached up, pulling a fluffy little creature from his head.
"Meow... "
The soft meow revealed the creature's identity. Klein looked at the months-old kitten in his hand, chuckling, and glanced at Amon. "Kid special?"
"Gehrman special," Amon replied with a smile, then turned to Danitz, whose face was contorted. "What's with that look? Want one too?"
"No, no way!" Danitz shook his head vigorously. His expression had twisted because he was stifling a laugh... Gehrman with a cat on his head was just too absurd.
"But I think you do," Amon insisted, snapping their fingers.
Danitz froze, instinctively reaching for his head but finding nothing. Then he felt something cold and scaly on his neck, accompanied by a faint hiss.
"Damn it!" Danitz nearly jumped, letting out a curse. He grabbed the thing and flung it away.
"So hot-tempered. You scared it," Amon said, catching the creature with a disapproving glance.
Danitz realized it wasn't a venomous snake as he'd feared but a lizard... a striking white one, more beautiful than frightening.
"Stop teasing him," Klein said, shooting Amon a disapproving look.
"Teasing? It's just a gift. Don't you think this little guy's adorable?" Amon muttered, showing off the white lizard to Klein.
Klein paused. Even as a fan of fluffy creatures, he had to admit the lizard was oddly charming.
Amon then displayed the lizard to the children. "Kids, do you think it's ugly?"
Donna and her brother weren't overly timid. Though initially wary of reptiles, their curiosity grew after a closer look. Donna spoke up, "Mr. Magician, can I touch it?"
"Of course! It doesn't bite, and it's not poisonous," Amon said with a smile.
The restaurant's atmosphere grew increasingly cheerful. When Alaric returned from dealing with the City of Calamity, he found a menagerie: Amon entertaining the kids with animals, Donna and her brother clutching rabbits, and Klein holding a cat.
"What's this… a pet party?" Alaric said, eyeing Amon, the rabbit-holding kids, and Klein with his cat, struggling to imagine how this scene came about.
"Just calming the kids. You know animals are great for that," Amon explained with a smile.
"You're back!" Klein said, visibly relieved to see "Jack" unharmed. Then he noticed "Lucifer" behind Alaric, holding a black cat, and froze.
Klein wasn't surprised to see Lucifer... perhaps Jack had needed backup during his exploration of Bansy. But… why was Lucifer holding a cat too?
Klein glanced at the white cat nestled comfortably in his own arms, wondering for a moment if he was dreaming.
"What's with that cat?" Amon asked, noticing the cat in Lucifer's arms with curiosity.
"This one…" Alaric, in his Lucifer guise, glanced at the sulking City of Calamity's will and smiled. "Just a gift."
"A gift?" Amon blinked, curiosity piqued. "For who?"
"It's a present for Medici," Alaric said plainly, offering no further explanation. His gaze swept over the restaurant, past the anxious tourists, and settled on the frozen Bansy natives.
***
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