Baccano!

"The year 1707 was the start of it all, when Maiza introduced playwright Jean-Pierre to an alchemist named Fermet who, in turn, introduced Maiza to the study of alchemy. Two years later, Huey finds himself opening his heart more than he ever expected to Elmer and Monica about his troubled past. The relative peace is interrupted, though, by the arrival of an aristocratic envoy who claims to be searching for a criminal. Meanwhile, a series of new plays written by Jean-Pierre threatens to expose secrets the Mask Makers would rather have kept hidden forever..."--Provided by publisher.