The Trickster’s Hat

"WOW!" Trick's eyes glistened in amazement as he observed the densely populated crowd that roamed the theater halls.

Different strata's of people from all classes of social significance slowly walked through the theatre halls as they headed for the main auditorium.

The central point known as "THE RED ROOM."

Which was where the famed trick show would be held.

Trick took a step back as he observed the sheer magnitude of his master's fame.

His eyes wondered across the almost endless room observing in astonishment one key detail after the other.

Fangirls, fanboys as well as anyone who simply had a taste for entertainment stretched through the theatre hall, each instinctively clenching unto their priceless tickets with an extra bit of force. 

Yet their dense gathering all started to break off at the sight of the top elites from several families of high importance.

The thick crowd was divided as if cut through with a pair of scissors as they watched in awe the pure splendor of the elites that headed for the main auditorium.

Attending one of Astravan's trick shows was to the elites like going to an opera house, yet instead of the plain boring service an opera house rendered, Astravan's trick show offered the absolute peak the term entertainment could go. 

All the while gifting the nobles a sophisticated outing they could brag about with their fellow contemporaries.

Trick's eyes glistened with admiration for his master but staring at the glamorously adorned nobles he couldn't help but take one look at his clothing choice in pure disappointment.

"Maybe I should've worn a suit instead." He mumbled silently before being sparked with a stunning realization.

"I've gotta head to the show stat!" Trick scrambled speedily as he and thousands of like minded others entered through the large doors that led towards what would soon be the greatest show of their lives.

Thousands of scarlet colored seats drew across the seemingly endless theatre, adorning it with the same valor as red butterflies that fluttered about in a field of flowers.

The formerly jumbled state of the audience was soon brought to an abrupt end as hundreds of convivial ushers streamed over the large halls directing the crowd to each one where they would be seated.

The house obeyed a strict hierarchical seating arrangement meaning—

Those whose tickets cost little to nothing would be seated far behind the theatre while those who paid more would be sequentially taken to the front of the row of seats.

Yet this was nothing compared to the elevated splendor the nobles had paid for.

Large booths were stationed across the top of the theatre house inciting both grace and majesty to the nobles that sat within. They were the first to be seated.

Trick took a look at his ticket, from a single glance having the full picture of where he would be seated. He then proceeded to shut his eyes before letting out a pleased sigh.

"Master you really didn't have to." Trick mumbled, slowly heading for his seat.

"Excuse me but this area is for exclusive guests only." Came the harsh voice of a female usher stopping Trick in his tracks. 

She wore a stern look and in an uninviting manner she put her hand out to prevent the boy from going any farther.

"Not for ki—" The female usher froze mid sentence almost choking on her words the moment she saw the ticket which bore Trick's number strapped across his neck.

"Seat number one? The monarch's chambers!" She yelled, transforming the formerly stern frown she had on into a jovial smile.

"That kid, seat number one?" 

"Not even nobles get that number."

"Who exactly is he?" Various high pitched squabbles rumbled through the theatre as each tried to make sense of the situation.

A wide grin spread across Trick's face as he listened closely to the crowd's debate about his royal roots.

"Ohh!" The usher exclaimed with a burst of shock before her mood slowly took a grim outlook.

"You—must be the master's kid." She quivered a little remembering the orders the star of the theatre drilled into her before the show.

"My kid will be arriving for the show today." A man took in timed sips of piping hot tea.

"Make sure you treat him with the utmost respect and service you can." 

"Give him so much attention that even the nobles that sit amongst the rulers of the world wish at that very moment they could switch places with the boy."

The man dropped his tea cup looking sternly at the girl.

"That is my single request."

She almost stepped back in fret as she beheld the depthless love the man had for the child glitter through his eyes. Yet she still managed to ask one thing that ached her.

"How would I know him when he arrives." She questioned.

A large smile then spread across the man's face as he once more picked up his tea cup for a sip.

"That's the easy part."

"HE'LL BE THE ONLY KID WITH CHARMING RED EYES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE THEATRE."

She snapped back from her stream of thoughts swiftly directing the boy to the best seat in the house.

A seat so fabled for its glory and rarity that it was called the "MONARCH'S CHAMBERS"

"Forgive me for my rudeness!" The girl bowed in apology watching the boy slowly take his seat.

"Please if there's anything I can do for you, DO SAY!"

Trick slowly removed his backpack from his back placing it on one end of the large seats the monarch's chamber's housed.

"It's fine, it's all right—" Trick replied empathetically before a single word echoed across his mind.

'ANYTHING?' A cunning grin stretched across his face.

"Is the seat to your liking master Trick?" She asked dutifully waiting for the 13 year old's quick response.

Trick slowly moved about in his seat as though he ached with every turn. Before finally giving a discontented response.

"It's okay." He stretched the last syllable of his wordings in a dissatisfied tone.

At this she immediately turned grim thinking of how else the child might be pleased.

"But if I had some popcorn the seat would feel twice as good." Trick craftily requested, observing the usher's reaction through the side of his greedy eyes.

She immediately sped off with a bow and in just mere moments appeared with a humongous box filled to the brim with tasty looking popcorn. 

Trick's eyes instantly shone with joy as he grabbed the box, resting it firmly on his legs.

And only after asking to take her leave and with the boy swaying his hands that she was excused did she finally leave, heaving a huge sigh of relief whilst doing so.

Instantly there was a calm as the audible mutters of the crowd was brought to a halt.

The show was about to begin.

The lights immediately went off, plunging the entirety of the theatre into darkness. Yet this lasted only but for a moment.

A glimmering light shone across the stage, making the scarlet curtains that closed it vividly visible. And just then the sonorous sound of the announcer came echoing across the house.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" A loud yell reverberated across the theatre walls, heading right into the hearing of everyone in the theatre house.

"Boys and damsels! Make sure you are firmly seated, and those who don glasses do put on your best pair as you bear witness—"

"TO THE GREATEST TRICK SHOW OF ALL TIME!"

In blazing beauty, several fireworks were then fired into the high ceilings of the theatre, spreading in absolute magnificence as they charmingly formed two notable words.

GREATEST TRICK SHOW.

The house was then immediately sunk in darkness once more, doing its best to rouse the already bubbling curiosity that clawed at the minds of the audience when—

CLICK

The loud sounds of a switch being flipped on echoed across the house, leaving behind a bright prominent spotlight on stage.

The crowd clenched tightly unto their seats in absolute expectancy watching the scarlet curtains slowly slide open, watching the bright spotlight shimmer upon the stage and watching in absolute anticipation the famed—

"GREATEST TRICKSTER OF ALL TIME."

The crowd was brought to absolute silence, filling the theatre house with such a tranquil quiet that even the incoming winds seemed to pause, bearing witness to the star studded figure that unhurriedly walked out of the red curtains.

In a flash, Trick's eyes promptly gleamed red as he was completely encompassed with excitement and reverence for the dark figure inches from being exposed to the brilliant light that emanated from above.

The man's footsteps echoed loudly as he slowly walked into the spotlight, causing thousands of bright eyes to lock fully on the singular figure.

The illustrious man stood still, unmoving, unshaken and unabashed. His eyes remaining tightly shut at the crowd.

His unstimulated stance did more than just stall. It swayed and overturned the oceans of the audience's curiosity in such a way that even if his next action could be foreseen upon the highest mountains in this world they would make the climb no matter the danger.

The figure that emitted a freezing degree of eminence then held unto his mysterious top hat snapping his eyes open.

His eyes gracefully glowed in an artistic purple gleam as for the first time since his appearance he finally contorted his lips to speak.

"NOW—"

"LET THE SHOW BEGIN!"