His Soul (Chapter 2)

Hello, Detective!

Chapter 1

Summary: After saving the abducted collectors, you were trusted with Curioso's box. What seems like a dangerous possession slowly turns into an opportunity to learn more about this creature and his curse. Can you earn his trust, and possibly, his affection?

Pairings: Curioso/Reader, Curioso/The Detective

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A couple of weeks went by and your life felt surprisingly mundane.

After an eventful case where you trapped a magical creature donning a jester costume, you were left searching for further work. But no one has approached you with any interesting propositions since then. You were involved in a couple of minor cases - solving where someone’s stolen car had gone and what delinquent was stealing from neighborhood mailboxes. But none were as exciting as your last big case. You kind of missed the thrill that came with getting mixed up in magical creatures and major disappearances. Not that you didn’t enjoy having some peace, but you wished something big would happen again…

You resorted to finishing up your paperwork and picking up a novel you’d been meaning to read. Besides your busy work, you were left twiddling your thumbs in your office. You’d stopped to catch up with Audrey a few days prior. You shared a little of your adventure with Andrew Collins’ case and she loved the little bits you indulged her in. You still refused to speak of Curioso or share the morbid parts of the story. Some things you’d rather keep to yourself. But it was still a relief to get some of it off your shoulders and receive a warm bagel in exchange.

Boredom has gotten the best of you. You’d been swiveling around in your office chair wondering how much laundry you had to get done before something occurred to you. You hadn’t checked on Curioso’s box that day. It wasn’t like the thing would randomly grow legs and walk out of your office, but you wanted to make sure it was still there. Something just itched when you remembered what was inside, and you wouldn’t be satisfied until you ensured it was in its place.

You had driven yourself mad with suspicion, convincing yourself that this box was a hex and simply having it in your possession was dangerous. You always felt a little on edge, prepared for him to break free and cause havoc again. But the box didn’t move. It didn't glow, make any noise, or do much of anything, really. You must've looked crazy, speaking to it and holding it every now and then. You were starting to think this thing was taking control of your life. As if you had become… obsessed, as ironic as that was.

You looked up from your desk in the direction of the memorabilia and found nothing had moved. You got up and approached it, eying the box in wonder. It was still hard to believe you owned the thing now…it’s existed for decades, but the paint was still pristine and the gems shined like they were brand new. You guess it made sense - the thing was magical, after all. It was reassuring it could still be taken and broken apart…if the worst came to worst…

“Enjoying the view, Detective?”

You nearly jumped out of your skin at the unexpected voice. It rang as clear as day, like it was right behind you, but it also sounded somewhat distant. Instinct had you spinning on your heel to see who was there, only to face your empty office. You furrowed your eyebrows together and looked back at the box. The top was glowing a familiar blue, but the color was dimmer than you remember.

It dawned on you that Curioso might’ve just escaped his containment and you hadn’t caught his departure. You looked around again with a little more urgency but still found no one. That didn’t mean anything, though - this jester could teleport and project himself anywhere he wanted. He could be a small face hiding somewhere out of your reach for all you knew.

“Where are you!?” You exclaimed, tossing your drawers open and checking all the papers. His face appeared on your invitation once, so it wasn’t far-fetched. “Don’t try to hide; I’ll find you.”

“I have nowhere to go,” A calm voice responded. It was definitely Curioso, but it was nothing like the high-pitched, teasing voice that you recalled.

You followed the direction of the sound right back to the box. You tilted your head curiously, reaching out to grab it but stopping yourself. What if he could escape if you touched it just now? You’d never held it while it was glowing. You kept your distance but refused to move your stare.

“You can talk..?” You asked. Your nerves were on fire. You’d never felt more on-edge.

Pink mist flew from the top of the box as a blue apparition peered at you – Curioso's masked face and hovering sharp teeth. You could see his top hat and ascot, but nothing more. He was transparent, like you could move your hand through his small image. Your jaw fell open as you were greeted with the sight.

His mouth slightly moved as he responded, “Yes, but I can only do so many things.”

You felt offended. It wasn’t the most important thing right now, but you couldn’t help sputtering it out. “But-but I’ve talked to you for weeks! Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I was playing a game with you, Detective. The silent type. But I didn’t care much for it.”

Your shoulders sagged. A pang of pity hit you, despite how wrong it was. “Are you...upset with me for capturing you?”

You were starting to think he could physically not stop smiling, because his voice sounded angry despite grinning widely at you. “I was. Now, I’ve accepted my fate.”

Your eyes fell to the floor as you thought of what to say. In all honesty, you didn’t think you’d get a chance to see or hear Curioso again. You believed the box captured him completely. That there would be no way to reach him until it was opened again. You were more than willing to live with that. He was capable of so much and you knew so little. It was terrifying. Why had you ever agreed to take this thing just because Andrew didn’t want it?

But the way he sounded right now…he was calm and also a little angry. You sensed he was…sad? He was physically trapped in a box now. You’d be a little upset yourself, but Curioso had sealed his fate when he abducted human collectors to take the vices of their souls. Your sympathy could only go so far.

You opened your mouth to say something, but the creature interrupted before you could.

“Is this your collection?”

You wondered what he was talking about until you realized where you two were. You picked your head up to look at the other displays and memories you had of your previous cases hanging around. A smile grew on your lips. You glanced back down at Curioso.

You were amused at this. Just a little bit. “A collection - but not an obsession.”

“Yes, Detective. Doesn’t it feel good to collect things?” His voice was a little too eager for your taste. Your smile fell. “You want to collect more. You’ve been itching for another case, haven’t you?”

“How…” Your voice grew weak, your eyes growing wide. “How do you know that?”

“I pick up on the energy around me. Yours just isn’t strong enough to free me.” It sounded like he wanted to scowl, but couldn’t. “Go on, Detective. Find a case. Don’t they post papers around looking for help sometimes?”

“Why are you so eager for me to find something? I won’t let you out.” You responded smugly, crossing your arms.

“I want to help you. You’re bored and I’m stuck here. What better to do than watch the famous Detective solve a mystery?”

You quirked an eyebrow suspiciously. “Is this why you started speaking to me? You want something to do?”

“You started the conversation. Several times, I remember..."

You were at a loss for words. You didn’t know what to make of this whole… thing. It was bad enough Curioso picked up on your restlessness. He had clearly taken a liking to you before, demanding that Andrew retrieve you so you could ‘play’ a game with him and the collectors. In the end, he offered away his soul and freedom to you in a bet. You were glad you won - you wouldn’t know what would’ve happened if your soul was in his possession. There would’ve been no end to his madness.

“I’m sure I’ll get a case soon.” You replied, grabbing a nearby duster and ridding the specks off your pictures. You gestured to your surroundings. “Do you like your display?”

“...”

Curioso didn’t reply. His apparition didn’t even move. Eventually, he responded in a low voice, “I wonder about the effort. Unless you’re displaying me as some sort of… prize.”

“You’re part of my collection now, whether you like it or not. And I don’t collect human souls - I collect memories. My achievements." You adjusted the frame and stood back proudly. “And you, my friend, are the centerpiece.”

“I’m flattered.”

Except he didn’t sound flattered. When you glanced at him again, the apparition was gone and the box had stopped glowing. You blinked twice at the sudden shift in the room. “-Huh? Curioso?”

There was no answer. You assume he had returned inside his box. You sighed. You had so many questions for him…Maybe next time, when he chooses to speak with you.

Whenever that may be.

Chapter 3

His Soul (Chapter 2)

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