In Search of Sylvia

The four of the newcomers to the celebration were immediately awestruck by the sudden burst of music, strong smell of several perfumes and countless people whose faces were hidden under colourful masks. As they were standing in the doorway, observing, someone from the crowd came towards them and painted at the table besides them. There were more masks, patiently awaiting for their wearers. The first one to react to the stranger's invitation was Jessie. She snatched the mask of pheasant, navy blue with wide red rings around the eyes. Afterwards, the girl put it on, turned to her companions and said.

"Well, then, the mission is completed, thus I am leaving! Good luck with finding Sylvia, Eugene!"

Then, she disappeared in the crowd, making the chances of recognizing her slimmer than ever. The next one to take a mask was Maurice, he dashed to the table, but quickly stopped to observe them. His pedantry with the choice was a bit surprising to Eugene, until he said, "Of course, only bird masks are left."

Eugene and Cossette exchanged gazes and followed the man. Indeed, the only masks that were left out were those of different bird species. Among them was one that made Eugene squint, the mask reminiscent of cormorant.

"Seems like no one wants to even so slightly be associated with the Phantom Cormorant. I am surprised they even decided to keep this mask."

"Superstitious fools." murmured Maurice and took the cormorant's mask to Eugene's and Cossette's surprise, "As if something this stupid will make me a suspect."

After these words, Maurice left, leaving the two behind. Cossette shook her head and sighed, "And he was the one most worried about getting caught."

"Well, we were able to sneak into the party either way, the hardest part is done, thus his cheeks must have loosened up a little."

Cossette narrowed her brows, "I am not interested in the state of his cheeks."

"Haha, sorry." Eugene smiled and turned back to the pile of masks in search of his perfect fit. After a few seconds of observation, he noticed one that would fit him the most. It was an orange mask with few red spots and a scallop, which was reminiscent of a rooster. He smiled at it, then turned to Cossette and asked, "Are you going to help me out or seek out opportunities like those two?"

She turned to him and then lowered her head in doubt, afterwards she said, "Sorry, but there is one person I need to find here as well. I can't help you out with the Cormorant's case."

"No worries, thank you for coming with us, though I doubt Douglas will be here."

"Knowing him, he might as well be." said Cossette, then she took a mask of a canary bird and departed from their initial arriving spot. Now Eugene was all alone, or rather surrounded by those unknown to him. He initially planned on waiting for Lawrence, but as time passed, he gave up on this idea. In the end, it was way too counter productive. Instead, Eugene followed the path of those already gone and dived inside the crowd in search of one woman, whose face will be hidden under an unknown mask. Truly an impossible challenge!

Despite that, however, he did not lose hope, but simply walked in the crowd, observing all the blonde women he could find. All of the gals were dressed in outstanding dresses with frills and ornaments, moreover, not many wore the kind of mask that would reveal their eyes, blonde hair was truly the only hint he could follow in order to find her. Thankfully, his rooster mask had quite deep eye sockets, which hid his burning gaze from others, but also obstructed his own field of view. He had to turn his head as a madman, which in the end, brought the unneeded attention, making him step back to the snack bar and have a thought.

"Simply phasing through the hall in hopes of finding her is not working, I need a new strategy." whispered Eugene and poured some wine into the glass that was next to him. After making a few sips, he said, "In order to find Sylvia, I should think like Sylvia. What would Sylvia do here?"

He slowly followed the crowd with his eyes. The music, although the smooth classics were playing, was not too pleasing, since it mixed with all kinds of voices around. Although this party was much calmer and more formal than those he attended in his life, it could still get on the nerves of those who enjoyed the quietness of solitude.

"If I were Sylvia, I would come here in the first place, but she was certainly forced to by her parents… in this case, she would either leave the hall, or would sit somewhere in the corner!"

Eugene stood up and dashed towards the closest corner in the room, but the closer he got there, the louder music rang in his ears. Once he reached it, his eyes were awestruck by the enormous tube that spread the music across the hall. After observing it for a minute, Eugene turned around and went to the opposite corner of the room, where a few tables with snacks and wine were located. Along with them, there were several chairs put as a mean for rest. Some of them were occupied by an old lady, a young man and a young blonde woman.

The old woman was wearing the mask of the owl, quite an intimidating one, but also fun looking. Her body was hidden under a red and orange dress, which was too modest for the la Avise family. Moreover, her hair was not loose, but rather knotted half up. Even though she tried to diffuse in the crowd with those humble tweaks to her wear and style. Eugene could still tell with certainty that the one who sat wearily while everyone else were partying, was Sylvia la Avise.

By the faint tunes of Rondo a Capriccio, Eugene came forward to the gal sitting in solitude and observing the celebration. She first ignored him, but afterwards faced the man and froze in place. Eugene, on the other hand, showed a smile, which unfortunately was hidden under the mask, and extended his palm.

"Care to join me for a dance, Sylvia la Avise?"

Upon saying these words, the old lady and young man sitting nearby turned to the pair. Sylvia did not move for a little while, but then accepted Eugene's request and took his hand. Together, they went away from the table with those who heard her name and stopped at the place near the entrance.

"May I know whether you know how to dance?"

"Unfortunately, I can't." shrugged Eugene, to which Sylvia sighed, "You truly are hopeless… Well, then, follow my lead."

At once, they started moving along with the allegro song of Beethoven. Even though they were one of the few to even dance to this Beethoven's piece, nobody paid much mind to the two. In the end, not only was their dance unsynchronized, doubtful and clumsy, but their attire was not too eye-catching either. Disgraceful for those yearning for attention, however, perfect for those who want to discuss business, while having fun dancing. Although Eugene was the only one excited to actually dance, Sylvia was mostly dodging his feet and tried to move his larger frame into position.

"I never expected to see someone so awfully dance-deaf."

"As I said, I do not know how to dance. No one ever taught me."

"Then Arnold should also fear my wrath, in case you step on my feet." she said wryly which made Eugene giggle, and he added, "I would gladly watch you chew him out!"

After a few more minutes of trying to drill the steps and rhythm to Eugene's moves, Sylvia finally addressed the elephant in the room, "So, I doubt you came this far simply to ask for dance lessons. Is there a business you would like to discuss with me?"

"Indeed there is, I need your help with catching Cormorant."

"And why should I help you?"

"Because you owe me one for that god awful dinner with your parents."

"No one asked you to come over, moreover, this was a lesson to the fool who acted so casually in the presence of the la Avise family. Have you not learned your lesson?" said Sylvia with her face swung to the side, Eugene first frowned, but then shook his head and gently turned Sylvia's head to his face. Her emerald eyes were glowing in surprise, no malice could be found in them either. At that moment, Eugene realised what he wanted.

"You are indeed la Avise, but first of all, you are Sylvia. The la Avise family is not some kind of single entity, you are individuals with their thoughts and characters. You are nothing like Victoria or Martin, you are Sylvia and that's why I am asking for your help. Because the Sylvia I know would gladly destroy the facade of an uncatchable criminal. The Sylvia I know would help out her friend in distress."

Sylvia stood in silence for a minute, but then quietly asked, "And what if I refuse?" to which Eugene put off his mask to show his confident smile, "I went to such an extent to gain your help, there is no way in hell I am backing off now!"

After hearing his answer, the woman nodded and also removed her mask, although only half way through for her eyes to be more visible. They both looked into each others' eyes for a little while, but then Sylvia put her mask back on and said.

"Well, if there is no way to get rid of you, I guess there is no choice for me. Report the situation."