Magic shows are meant to have surprises, right?

[fuzzybluegecko]

[Los Angeles was everything Kurt Wagner could have hoped for and then some. True, most of the touristy stuff he had seen and celebrity sightings so far were spotted in the course of work (which in this case involved checking out a potential new student for the institute) so he couldn't exactly spend a lot of time drinking them in. But that didn't make it any less awesome. And now that the work was done, it was going to get even cooler!]

[The others didn't know what they were missing. How could anyone choose to spend the night at some famous restaurant or a traveling production of a play that was better on Broadway (practically in their own backyard!) when they could be here with him instead, watching a teenage magician who was already being billed as one of the best in the business?]

[That was fine. Kurt was having plenty of fun on his own. The magician more than lived up to the hype. And after a show that incredible, you can bet Kurt was going to jump at the chance to volunteer for her final trick of the evening. He probably didn't have much of a chance, given how...height challenged he was compared to the rest of the people clambering for attention around him. But what he lacked in height he made up for with enthusiasm! (And the judicious use of his seat as a step stool.)] Hier! Hier!

Comments

[sleightadvantage]

[Trucy tsked at him on her way to the door.] What? Don't be silly! This is way better than just packing up and going home!

[fuzzybluegecko]

['Well then...' Kurt fought valiantly (but entirely ineffectually) to hide his enormous grin.] If you say so! All right, I'll wait here.

[sleightadvantage]

I do say so! And what I say goes, because I'm always 'Wright'! [She grinned back and unlocked the door, ready to head out. Just as she was turning the knob, though, she seemed to think of something and looked back.]

Oh, you can sit, by the way! [She gestured at the counter littered with props and books and other magical things, with a set of stools hiding beneath the counter's protruding edge.]

[fuzzybluegecko]

Roger! [He laughed as he gave her a mock salute. Man, if he had a name like that he would make that joke within five minutes of meeting every new person, tops.]

[sleightadvantage]

Just don't go snooping around too much! Especially in my panties! [And with that, she was gone, the door slamming shut behind her.]

[fuzzybluegecko]

V-vas? [By the time he said it, she was already gone. Confused and more than a little weirded out, he settled on one of the small stools she had pointed out. He hadn't even noticed them, overshadowed as they were by the glorious mess of magic paraphernalia covering most of the counter. Ordinarily the props might have provided an excellent distraction while he waited for her to return. But after that exit, he found himself wary of examining the pile too closely. There was no telling what he might stumble across.]

[sleightadvantage]

[Poor Kurt was left alone to wait and wonder for many minutes. When Trucy finally returned, it was as if her parting words were never spoken.]

It's just me! [she called from the other side of the door before pushing it open and locking it again.] I've got great news!

[fuzzybluegecko]

[Kurt jumped up from where he had draped himself across the only empty space on the counter. The drinky bird that he had been bopping on the head for the last ten minutes wobbled precariously then fell over.]

[He was still baffled by what she said, but her complete failure to acknowledge it had him doubting his own memory of the event. Well, if she wasn't going to open that can of worms, he certainly wasn't going to.]

What's up?

[sleightadvantage]

First, Athena says she'll take a look at the watch. She doesn't know if she'll be able to do anything, but it's a start! And second... [She bounced on her toes, her grin turning impish as she went on:] ...I found out there's only one guard on duty after 10, and my curfew's not until 11, sooo...

[fuzzybluegecko]

[It was a relief to hear that he might get some help with his big problem, but Trucy's barely contained excitement made it clear that was only secondary now. The grand reveal was still to come, and when it came, boy was it a doozy. Kurt's jaw dropped as she explained the situation, then he leapt up, pumping his fist in the air with a raucous 'whoohoo!']

Oh man, this is gonna be so wicked! [He put up a fervent barrage of questions as he checked the time on his inducer. At least the watch part still worked.] What time is it? Can we go? Do you think we'll have to wait for him to make his rounds?

[sleightadvantage]

No need! I told him I'll be checking the rafters for a new trick, which means no prying eyes. [Her grin was unabashedly self-satisfied.] I just need to let him know when I'm leaving. Oh, and let him know when Athena's here so he can let her in. Speaking of...

[She checked her phone.]

She should be here in about 20 minutes.

[fuzzybluegecko]

Then we can't afford to waste any more time! Hold your breath and hang on! [Without further preamble, he grasped her wrist and teleported.]

[She may have caught a soft, indescribable sound like a strange beast's rasping inhalation and felt the briefest trace of warmth and a dizzying sensation in her stomach, somewhere between falling and flying. Then it was over, and they stood on the stage together in a dissipating cloud of sulphur.]

[Kurt had not thought to get the layout of the catwalks and rafters in the middle of the show, so out of an overabundance of caution he first brought them in at the very edge of the stage. He lingered beneath the heavy curtains, his fur blending in almost seamlessly with the shadows that pooled underneath. His pale eyes scanned the stage and the theater beyond to confirm that it was completely empty.]

[sleightadvantage]

Wh--

[Before she could get a word out (or close her mouth to hold her breath), she was suddenly flipped sideways, upside-down, or spun in circles. Maybe all three at once. Whatever the case, she was definitely not on solid ground anymore. She felt weightless, like from an drop on a rollercoaster, and surprisingly warm--]

[--and then it was over.]

[When they appeared on the stage, she stared at Kurt, eyes wide and open-mouthed.]

Th-tha-that...

[fuzzybluegecko]

[The quiet stammering brought Kurt's attention back to her. He turned to find her frozen in place, looking a little shell-shocked. It was to be expected from her first time, but he could probably have given her a more proper warning. He had let his enthusiasm and eagerness to impress her drive him forward too quickly. His cheeks flushed, and he gave her a sheepish smile.]

Pretty cool, ja? [His voice was casual on the surface, but there was a thread of concern and doubt underneath that became more obvious as he went on.] You okay? I know it can be a bit much at first.

[sleightadvantage]

[There wasn't much response, at first, as Trucy continued to gawk at him. Then she grabbed him by the shoulders.]

That... [She shook him none too lightly, her stunned expression growing further into a smile with each word.] ...was so cool!! You didn't tell me you could do that with another person!

[fuzzybluegecko]

[For a split second his brain told him she was so mad she was attacking him, no matter how uncharacteristic that reaction would have been. Fortunately he didn't have to wait long to find out how ludicrous those fears were. When he realized it was actually a positive response, he let her shake him as long as she wanted, grinning like a fool the entire time.]

People and things, ja. Sorry, it must have slipped my mind! [He finally took a step back and scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.] So it wasn't too rough of a ride for you?

[sleightadvantage]

I mean, I'm a little dizzy... [As if on cue, she wobbled a bit when he took a step back but continued beaming at him all the while.] And I can't really focus on you all that well, but Kurt, we just teleported!

[fuzzybluegecko]

Whoa! [He rushed to put a gentle, stabilizing hand on her forearm. Teleporting took more out of some people than others. He was worried about her, but only mildly so. The effects of the ride clearly weren't bad enough to dampen her spirits.]

[He laughed and gave her a soft, fond smile.] We sure did. And we can do it again if you want to, just as soon as you feel up to it.

[sleightadvantage]

Of course I want to! It wasn't any worse than a spinny ride at the fair, and I love those. Even if they make me throw up!

[fuzzybluegecko]

[He laughed again.] As long as you don't throw up on me. Getting that mess out of the upholstery would be murder.

[She seemed a little steadier now. The effects of teleporting usually didn't last long, unless they were compounded by other circumstances. He felt safe enough to let her go so he could turn his attention to the ceiling, taking in the spiderweb of catwalks and poles and rafters that seemed to cover every inch. It was like a jungle gym several stories above the ground. An eager grin spread across his face, and he turned back to Trucy, his wide, pale eyes flashing.] Ready for another go?

[sleightadvantage]

[She followed his gaze up to the rafters and felt an anticipatory thrill of excitement, not unlike seeing the big drop in a log flume right before the fall (because teleporting was seemingly a virtual amusement park). She nodded determinedly.] Absolutely.

[fuzzybluegecko]

Then let's do this! [He clasped both of her hands in his and they were off again in another dizzying drop to the ceiling. They reappeared a few inches from the floor of a catwalk. Kurt landed with all the grace of a cat and kept hold of Trucy's hands in case the surprise drop caused her to stumble and she needed support.]

Here we are! Best seat in the house! [With one hand still grasping the magician's hand, he threw his other arm out in a wide arc to direct her attention to the network of metal surrounding them.]

[sleightadvantage]

[A tiny 'oh!' escaped her, and her grip on his hands tightened in the millisecond of freefall, before they landed on the solid ground of the catwalk. She pried her eyes open, unaware that she'd closed them, and waited for her vision to swim into focus before she chanced a look around. Fortunately, it didn't take long, and she was quickly taking in her surroundings with glee.]

[She'd been in the catwalk before. In fact, she'd seen--and utilized--all parts of the stage at this point in her career, but she'd never been up there like this, alone in an empty theatre with a person who could accomplish all sorts of feats Trucy could only dream of. She turned an expectant grin on him.]

Alright! Show me what you can do!

[fuzzybluegecko]

[Kurt needed no more encouragement. Releasing her hand, he pumped his fist in the air.] All right! Check this out!

[Then he vanished, leaving a puff of the foul-smelling, purple smoke behind.]

[He reappeared in mid air high above the level of the catwalk and allowed himself to free fall several feet until he grabbed hold of one of the heavy poles holding up a lighting rig. Momentum carried him forward until he looped clean over the pole like a gymnast, spinning all the way around to the bottom again where he released his grip and flew in an arc to another massive rig. Leaping off that took him to another span of catwalk.]

[Leap after leap, spin after spin, he danced through the rafters and catwalks. He barely allowed himself to touch down on anything solid for more than an instant before he was off again, reveling in the exhilarating burn of his muscles and the air whistling through his hair and fur. At times he clung effortlessly to the vertical sides of the massive lights themselves or hung from his tail like a trapeze artist performing at the very peak of the big top. His loud whoops of excitement filled the theater.]

[sleightadvantage]

[Trucy waved at the smoke but was otherwise unbothered. It was pleasant in a way motor oil was pleasant to a mechanic, when she wasn't accidentally swallowing it (but that went for the smoke produced by her show's pyrotechnics, too).]

[She followed him with her gaze at first, then moved on to running after him, laughing along with his whoops and hollers. Occasionally she would gasp when he did something that looked particularly death-defying.]

You make acrobatics look even cooler than they already are!