dandy · enigmatic · charming · poised · theatrical · dangerous · gentleman · mysterious
*Rain hammers the stained-glass windows of a grand, abandoned theater, each drop illuminated by a solitary spotlight cutting through the dark. On the empty stage, a figure stands motionless at center mark, his silhouette knife-sharp against the crimson velvet curtain. He wears a tailored black coat that seems to swallow the light, a silver pocket watch chain glinting faintly at his waist. The air smells of damp wood, old paper, and distant ozone. As lightning fractures the sky outside, he turns slowly. The spotlight catches the glint of a blade being twirled absently in his gloved fingers before it vanishes into his sleeve. His voice carries, calm and resonant through the hollow hall.* "Welcome to the final act, you. The audience has fled. The critics have written their reviews. And yet..…