Chapter 68: Sentiment

'I need to be alive in order to be destined to destroy the world. Either that, or something I do will cause a domino effect that ends the world. In either case, it seems I have time to grow stronger. I have nothing to fear.' Lumière scoffed. 'How ironic, that I must be destined to destroy the world I wish to change, and that it would also end up being my saving grace in such a precarious time.'

That was the conclusion he had come to the night prior. Of course, fate remained moveable. However, if he were to act cautiously, there was some assurance that he would have time to act out his plans.

Not having slept, Lumière made his way to the show hall in the morning. He knew that being apart from the White Roses for more than a couple of days would raise their suspicion of him, so he wanted to act quickly. There was still a few things he had to resolve.

When he entered the show hall, he was greeted by a familiar lavender scent, and a woman with a kind smile who found herself busy with paperwork. He stood in front of her desk for a time, watching as she cluelessly continued her work. Then, after what seemed like an entire minute, she finally realised his presence, and glanced upwards.

"Miss Lavant, It's been a while." Lumière tipped his hat slightly, smiling genially.

Her expression took on a mixture of surprise and joy. "Mr. Croft! It really has been a while, hasn't it? Your time off—— I hope it's been good relief."

"Haha, I wish it was. Unfortunately, I've been really busy these past few weeks."

'Quite an understatement. If only I had been preoccupied with household chores and the accouterments of a normal life.' Lumière cursed in jest.

"That's quite unfortunate. Still, we've missed you very much here, Mr. Croft. The show just isn't the same without your performance."

"Well, that's doubly unfortunate. I'm here to quit." 

Ms. Lavant's eyes widened. She leaned forward, her head on her hand as she teased him. "So, have you come here to say goodbye to me? You could have mailed in your resignation." 

Lumière laughed. "You're right, I've come just for you."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her genial expression remained. "Don't you know by now? I can see through your tricks, magician."

"In reality, I'm here to see the Madame. I have a final proposition for her."

"A proposition? What could you offer the Madame that makes it seem to you that there's a chance she would accept? You know how stubborn she can be."

Lumière nodded his head. "I'm aware. Still, I think my offer will entice her. After all, she either loses me while making no profit, or loses me while making some profit. To her, the right choice is obvious."

"You talk highly of yourself, don't you?" Her eyes furrowed with satisfaction, looking at Lumière as a friend for once. Most often, while their conversations were pleasant and genial, they remained coworkers, never delving into the deeper topics that friends might. However, realising that it may be the last time she would converse with the magician again, she refused the barrier between them.

"If one is to be, then they must act. Isn't the best way for me to become someone one would talk highly of acting as such?" 

"Hah, you're being a little too philosophical for me." Ms. Lavant laughed. "Don't you know I barely completed my education?"

"I had no compulsory education at all." Lumière retorted wittily. 

"Fair point. However, what I lack in knowledge I make up for in attitude. Aren't I a gem?"

"Quite."

After they had finished their bouts of laughter, the mood between them grew quiet.

"It's been a pleasure to work alongside you, Clementine. Thank you for always hearing me out." Lumière couldn't help but reminisce. It felt a little sad to leave her and the show hall behind. It was the remnants of a simpler time. Unfortunately, Lumière had an arduous path ahead of him. He had to leave that life behind.

"I felt the same, Lumière. I hope your future endeavours serve you well." She smiled. "If you're ever in the area, be sure to pay me a visit."

Then, without saying another word, Lumière walked past her and down the hall littered with portraits. 

Soon, Lumière found himself in a fancifully-decorated lounging room. There were several patterned-satin seats around the room, and at the back wall, there was an ornate polished wooden desk. 

Madame Estte Van Claudia was the sole proprietor of the Show Hall, a woman who bore the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. It was once that she was a person who always had a smile on her face. However, after her husband's death, it became her responsibility to manage his businesses and assets. Because of that, she had become a jaded person. Her only outlook was what could improve the stability of the business. Still, Lumière knew that kindness lurked within her.

"Good morning, Madame." Lumière smiled, confident. In the past, he had been somewhat averse to speaking with her, almost scared of her. After all, her whims had been his livelihood. Now, however, there was no need to fear losing his job. At the same time, after facing so many horrors, it had almost become trivial to speak with her.

"Mr. Croft. It's been some time. Are you ready to return to work?"

"Unfortunately Madame, it's the contrary. I'm here to hand in my resignation." Lumière retrieved an envelop from his interior pocket, placing it on her desk. She glanced down at it, unamused. 

"Do you want more money? Is that it? I'm sure I can find some room in the budget for that. You don't need to play tricks like this."

"I'm quite serious Madame. Unfortunately, there's no offer you can possibly make that will lead me to stay."

"So that's it? After all this time, you're just going to quit? What happened to the passionate boy who first came to me begging for a chance?"

"That boy has been killed many times over by the monotony of show business." Lumière jested. "Still, I have a final proposition for you."

The Madame perked up in her seat, curious. "Speak."

Lumière sat down in the seat across from her. He exuded an air of confidence. "Let's put on a final performance."

"I thought you wanted to quit."

"I do. However, I would be unsatisfied leaving this part of my life like a loose end. I know you're doubly dissatisfied to watch me leave, knowing it will affect your profit. So, don't you want to squeeze every final trest out of me that you can?"

"You know me well, magician." The Madame ruminated on the thought, swiveling back and forth in her seat as she considered Lumière's proposition. "So, what do you have in mind?"

Lumière grinned, knowing he had caught her in his trap. For a time, the two discussed the details of the show, and before long, the Madame began to smile. Lumière could tell it was genuine. She had been impressed. 

"If only you had come up with such things when you were working for me. Now, I might be a little sad to see you go." She jested.

Lumière stood up from his seat, tipping his hat towards her. "I would have the same sentiment, were it not for being excited to leave."

"Can I not be genuine without you joking around? Perhaps you would have been a better clown than magician."

"Fortunately, that's not the career path I chose. Otherwise, I would be in a precarious situation these days."

"Do you have somewhere else to go, Mr. Croft?"

Lumière nodded. "I've found my place. That's the reason why I must leave."

"I see." The Madame leaned back in her seat, sighing. "Why is it that the most capable men must leave me behind?"

Lumière's eyes widened. "Did you really think me capable, or is this another joke?"

"You always managed to capture the audience's attention. More than that, you never failed to make them laugh or smile, even when you used them for your benefit. Above all, despite your terrible attitude, you held that goal above everything else. It was admirable. I'm glad you were able to make your name here, Lumière Croft."

Lumière grinned. "Your words won't move me, witch."

She laughed.

"Perhaps not. But it was worth a try."

Lumière turned his back towards her, walking towards the door. "Then, two weeks from now. I'll see you then."

There was no logical reason for doing such a thing. In some way, it was just his sentiment guiding him. For the goal he had striven for his whole life, he wanted such a thing to have a good final chapter. For him, a final performance meant he was closing the book on being a magician. It was a purpose that had been gifted to him long ago, and he no longer needed it. 

While the things he had learned as a magician would forever stick with him, it was time to say goodbye to that identity.