[OPEN TO ALL] And for my next trick...

[magic_act]

[there's a sizable crowd at the Wonderbar tonight. Trucy has just wowed them with her latest trick, which involved turning a pair of bunny slippers into actual, live bunnies, using the magic of her famous panties. as the show draws to a close, she takes the stage for one last trick]

Alright, ladies and gentlemen! For my final act, I'm going to need an assistant! Are there any volunteers?

[she makes a show of scanning the tables, looking for that perfect someone]

Comments

[slashupontheinternet]

"Me?" Loki feigns surprise, putting a hand to his chest and looking embarrassed. He jumps to his feet readily enough, though, and trotted up to the stage.

He jumps up deftly, all traces of nervousness gone, and smiles at her. "What do you want me to do?"

[magic_act]

The feigned embarrassment goes unremarked. Trucy's used to dealing with all sorts at this place.

"First, what is your name, kind sir?"

[slashupontheinternet]

"I'm Loki Laufeyson," he says, and leans in a little closer, dropping his voice so the audience wouldn't hear. "I thought maybe I'd steal the show."

[magic_act]

That earns a raised eyebrow, though only briefly; she isn't about to break character on stage, after all.

"That's the idea," she whispers back with a wink. She always tries to end her volunteer acts with a bang that makes everybody look good.

Once more producing her magic panties from seemingly nowhere, she holds them wide open for Loki's inspection, voice raising for the audience again. "Now, Mr. Laufeyson, could you please confirm that there is nothing inside my panties?"

[slashupontheinternet]

He wasn't kidding, but he likes that she's amused by him. He makes a show of looking into the panties.

"Unfortunately, I don't see a thing in your panties. Wait, are you legal?"

[magic_act]

"I'm legally licensed to carry these panties!" she exclaims, snatching them back. The audience seems to enjoy the exchange. Whether Trucy does is another question. Going on appearances alone, though, she looks entirely unfazed, her bright smile never faltering.

She then makes a show of looking inside the panties herself, pausing in surprise when she presumably finds something. "Oh, but I think you may have missed something, Mr. Laufeyson..."

[slashupontheinternet]

"Really?" His eyes sparkled. "Please, call me Loki. What did I miss?"

As Trucy was about to pull the object - or rabbit, or whatever she was intending to pull - out of the panties, Loki flicked his fingers. Ravens began to fly out of the panties, dozens and dozens, circling and cawing and settling on every available surface throughout the large room.

The audience was going nuts.

Loki sidled up to Trucy and took her hand, laying the object in her palm. He had picked her secret pocket, so that the thing she was going to be pulling from her panties was actually in his hand at the time. "Forgive me?"

[magic_act]

It isn't often that Trucy is left speechless, but (aside from the squeal she'd let out when the ravens appeared) speechless is precisely what she is. She stares, dazed, as the birds land wherever they please, both delighting and frightening the audience members and even sending a few running. When Loki takes her hand, it's several moments before she notices.

She turns to him slowly, blinks down at the pilfered object in her hand, and then stares back up at him.

"Y-you... That..." After another moment of stunned silence, she suddenly breaks out into a giant grin. "...was absolutely amazing!" She takes his hand in turn and squeezes tight, eyes alight with excitement. "Are you a magician, too!?"

[slashupontheinternet]

He grins. Her reaction is totally delightful, and he's actually glad she's not upset. Anyway, she doesn't have much reason to be - the audience will think that the birds were all her.

"Of course - a sorcerer, actually. Among other things. But we shouldn't forget your audience, hmm?" He turns, holding her hand up and takes a step back so she can bow and the curtains can fall.

[magic_act]

"A sorcerer!? But-- oh!" Reminded of the audience, she puts her smile back on and takes a bow, rewarded with uproarious cheer that sends the ravens flying again. It feels wrong to take credit for a trick that wasn't hers, but if it's what Loki really wants...

As soon as the curtain falls, she turns back to him, the awe plain on her face. "What do you mean, a sorcerer?"

[slashupontheinternet]

Loki chuckles, still holding her hand. "I mean that the magic I do is real - no tricks. Those ravens were a glamour I cast. Not actually real birds."

[magic_act]

Trucy pouts. "Hey, my magic's real, too!" she huffs, and then frowns thoughtfully. "But what do you mean, glamour? They looked real to me..."

[slashupontheinternet]

"Of course," Loki said tolerantly. Then he gestured, and a raven appeared on his arm. "Looks real, right? Touch it. Your hand will go right through it."

[magic_act]

She blinks at the raven's sudden appearance, her mind working to figure out how the trick was done. It's the nature of the business to make the impossible look possible, and there are plenty of techniques she still isn't aware of. It's very possible this boy is just a more experienced magician trying to pull one over on her...

She eyes him skeptically and then, after a moment of hesitation, reaches for the raven. Indeed, her hand goes through it.

With a surprised gasp, she jumps back. "But how...?!"

[slashupontheinternet]

"Light and shadow and magic," Loki says, smiling. "Do you want to know more?"

[magic_act]

After the shock wears off, she seems uncertain, glancing towards the backstage exit. She doesn't know who this boy is or whether he or his "sorcery" can be trusted, and her daddy is expecting her home soon--but her curiosity is simply too great.

Balling her fists, she nods determinedly.

"Yes, please! Tell me everything!"

[slashupontheinternet]

"I think I'd better show you a little more, first," Loki said, and held out a hand for her to take. "Have you ever been to Paris?"