[Fic] Lapis Lazuli
Kame peeked out at the streets and debated his chances of making it back to his car without being mobbed. He was beginning to seriously regret not taking Pi up on his offer to teach him some basic magic, at least something that would help him escape fangirls. It was moments like this he truly wished he hadn’t claimed to be too busy, even though it was the truth, to take the time to learn simple magic spells.
Pi was always using his skills to send his fans running off after an illusion or left them all bedazzled by something shining in the distance while he happily skipped to his car, often kissing the azurite ring he used as his magic catalyst in the process.
Ever since the availability of magic catalysts, and the knowledge of how to use them, had started becoming more common, he had to worry even more about his more imbalanced fans. It was one thing if they used enhanced speed to try and get an autograph, because that he could vaguely cope with; he was more worried about the horror stories he’d heard from his senpai.
When things seemed calm enough, he slipped from the Burberry store and tugged his scarf just a bit further up his chin. After a few minutes of walking undetected, he paused in front of a large store. The symbol of infinity replaced the busy establishment's name. Looking at the upscale amulets and catalysts, he thought about going in, simply because he knew one of these days he would have to.
What kept him lingering in front of the store for a few moments longer than he normally would have was the sight of the owner discussing something animatedly with a customer. He was just as well-known as his eternally popular store in Ginza, recognizable even to Kame, who held little interest in the world of magic.
Maybe one of these days he would finally give in to the growing craze. He continued on his way, debating whether or not to make another stop on his way home to check out some jewelry elsewhere. He a shiver ran up his spine when he felt the almost familiar chill of magic sweeping through the area, and he could only hope it had little to do with his presence in the crowded area. His car was just a few blocks up ahead; he could nearly see it from between the people meandering down the sidewalk.
He hastened his pace just a bit, trying not to draw attention to himself, but soon after, he heard a gasp of, “Kamenashi Kazuya?” and felt another chill of magic passing through the area. He knew when he finally opened his eyes he’d be confronted with a group of fans, at least one or two having used magic to suddenly appear in front of him.
He sighed. He had been so close to making it safely to his car (and the safety wards the jimusho had insisted every idol have placed on their cars and homes). He could already feel the pull of magic and something else that felt inherently wrong when he opened his eyes and put on the best charming smile he could manage.
The odd sensation that seemed to pull at his mind intensified as he opened his mouth to answer a few questions. One woman started to reach forward, a soft pink bracelet sliding back on her wrist, but she abruptly stiffened and withdrew her hand.
The chill that had seemed to penetrate straight through his body was instead replaced with a pulsating warmth that spread from the inside out. He’d only felt something like it once before, when Johnny had called in a magic user to ward his apartment and car. He now figured that genuine magic, the sort that only someone with the innate ability to use magic could control, produced this sort of feeling, as opposed to the more familiar iciness of forced magic.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, ladies,” a soothing voice said from behind him, “but I’m afraid I can’t allow you to disrupt a fated moment.”
A strong arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him into the warm side of the mage beside him. Kame looked up to meet the sparkling eyes of the very mage who owned the store he had just passed-the very same spellcaster and businessman who often appeared on daytime talk shows and whose image graced the covers of magazines almost every month. The warm gaze hardened as it shifted to the woman who had reached out to him.
“And just a warning, using rose quartz to enhance a love spell tends to backfire. And even when it does work, it’s merely a glamour of love and fades quickly. Now, sorry to rush off like this, but we have a meeting.”
Kame felt a tug at his stomach and his eyes widened as he feet left the ground; they both quickly rose above the heads of the people below.
“What the hell.” Kame squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to look down at the people who had paused to look up at them as they flew above the tops of the buildings. He resisted the urge to shout at them to stop staring, feeling uncertain in such a predicament, but he couldn’t blame them. It wasn’t every day you saw someone who was actually capable of flight.
“Ah, afraid of heights?” A hand rubbed his back comfortingly. “Don’t worry, we’re landing now. I’d just… keep your eyes closed we’re going to…”
Kame nearly tore the other’s jacket with his tight grip at the sensation of sliding through something.
“Open your eyes.”
When he cracked one eye open, he saw they were no longer outside, and when he took a peek out of a nearby window, he knew exactly where they were. He just hadn’t expected the top floor of ‘Infinity’ to appear more like a living room than an office.
“Tea or coffee?”
He turned around to find the mage pouring himself a cup of coffee and adding two cubes of sugar.
“Um… coffee would be fine?” Kame answered and winced at his tone.
“Yeah, you seem the type,” the other mumbled eying him closely. “Maybe I’ll just add a little something to help those circles under your eyes too…”
Kame narrowed his eyes. “Excuse me?”
“Oh right, right. I’m Akanishi Jin. And you are Kamenashi Kazuya. You know, it took you long enough. I’ve been expecting you for a while now. And I hadn’t thought I’d need to retrieve you like that either. Now sit down.” The chair across from him pulled out, and Akanishi looked at him expectantly. “If you don’t, your coffee will start to get cold.”
“Expecting me?” Kame took the seat, finding it better not to resist that charming smile. “Wait… can you see the future too? Is that what you meant by ‘fated meeting’?”
Akanishi chuckled lightly. “I kind of said that to distract those girls. They’ll spend a good while thinking about what it means before they even realize that their chance to meet you was ruined. But I have been expecting you. YamaPi mentioned that you would crack one of these days and that when you did, you’d only go to the best. And I am the best there is in Japan, so I figured you’d be by the store one of these days. You really need to learn at least some basic glamours or something to get away. Those sorts of confrontations will only get worse and more and more will fans will start looking into love spells and stones to enhance them.”
“Pi?” Kame blinked and took a sip of his coffee. Akanishi had definitely put something in it; he could already feel the hints of exhaustion leaving his senses. “You know Pi?”
“Who do you think got him to use any sort of magic? Even if he can only use a small amount, though I’m sure he brags far and wide about his amazing skills.” Akanishi wandered over to a set of drawers and opened a couple, obviously looking for something.
“He does kind of do that.” Kame grinned a little, and Akanishi’s face lit up in a bright smile at the sight. Retaking his seat, the mage pushed a black box across the table.
“What’s this?”
“Why don’t you open it and see?” Akanishi suggested.
Kame quirked an eyebrow, but opened the box anyway, staring at the contents in shock. Delicate strands of silver swirled around a dark blue stone that held traces of white and green, At the top, nestled in a cage of the silver, was what he was sure was a small diamond. He fingered the delicate chain and lifted the pendant from the box
“What is this?” he asked, in awe at the beautiful design.
“Let’s call it… your first catalyst.” Akanishi smiled with a shrug. “I can’t let someone as beautiful as you walk around with no means of protection with your fans out there. There’s lapis lazuli to allow you to control magic without the born ability and a diamond to enhance your ability to weave magic into what you need. The wiring is imbued with some wards, and it should keep you from succumbing to weak spells like that woman tried to use on you before.”
“But why?” Kame frowned, not understanding the mage's motivations when they had no connection between them other than YamaPi.
“Well, I wasn’t just expecting you because of Pi,” Akanishi answered, grinning. “But I think I’ll leave the rest up to your imagination for now. Just remember, Kame… I can call you that, right?” He didn’t wait for a response. “I can do anything with magic… except ensure your next single hits #1. That you have to earn on your own. We can’t have you becoming completely dependent on magic, after all...”
Kame blinked and vaguely wondered exactly what he had gotten himself pulled into. If the other’s bright smile was any indication, though, he had a feeling he'd enjoy every minute of it.
Selenite (Prequel)