OOC This is the magic show me and Red have been piping about! First two posts will be by me and Caspa, then anyone can jump in. Only one post each with the exception of volunteers
Despite the magic show being thrown together at the last minute by Terra trying to get Caspa to the festival, everything was moving smoothly. The wheelbarrow of props was now empty, the items strategically placed around the stage. Bright fabric was used as the backdrop, something Terra hoped Caspa wouldn't ask about as she'd snitched it from a merchant. A table sat in the center, with the mirror box set off to the side. The three teacups were displayed on the table, though the pinecone they'd used in the first practice had been replaced by a beautiful green gem. Coils of rope laid around the edges, with the pig statue set in the back, partially shaded from sight. The sharp frozen sticks that snapped with a bang were in the back, buried in the snow to keep from melting. A couple amateur wooden puzzles were there as well, strange and covered in coyote symbols from Terra's birth pack.
In the back Terra bounced around excitedly. She was ready for this, and hoped that Caspa was too. Her friend was so honest, the very act they were about to do probably went against her grain. It would be alright though. Terra could pull the belief out of everyone, and if she managed to suspend it well enough she was sure the show would be loved. The only problem was that Terra had never performed for such a large audience before. She'd tricked a group of six or seven, yes, but there was more than the total of members in a pack out there, waiting for her. Hoping that she could perform properly she glanced at Caspa, looking for reassurance.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
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OOC: Maybe a totally open posting order would work better, where anybody can post at any time if they want to pass by... sit and watch... stage invasion, whatever... though it'll probably just be us two, until they drag others in!
IC
Caspa would have been amazed if she'd known Terra thought the day was going smoothly. She was not a shy animal, despite her stoicism, but the confidence of the other woman was supreme. Especially considering they had not rehearsed for days. It wouldn't have mattered so much if the main prop for the show had only been delivered to its owner just minutes before: the magnificent tailor-made magician's coat. It looked incredible, but would it work with all their tricks? They'd planned a rehearsal, but that had been scuppered by Caspa's unfortunately timed run-in with her most bitterly hated enemy. She'd been late, and disorganised, and Terra had done all the arrangements single-handedly. Goodness knew whether they matched the original plan or not, for the coy-wolf was famously spontaneous and Caspa had considerable experience of how a new idea could hit her at the last moment and cause everything to change. She wasn't concerned, though. She could keep up, and if she couldn't, she could play the fool. With her odd appearance and her severe face, she was good at that: an unlikely but strangely effective clown, with her features picked out in sharp black lines, her gangling limbs, her mournful eyes and dangling ears.
She ambled carelessly past the wolves Terra had gathered together, and filtered with silent glee among the crowd who had no idea she was anything to do with the production. She kept a low profile in these lands, and was glad of it now as she stole anonymous glances towards the simple, informal performing area Terra had made. It looked good and colourful - and everything seemed to be in place. Her eyes darkened as she spotted the wooden puzzles through a chink in the fabric. She had no idea what those were. She might have guessed there were surprises in store all round.
Resigned to her fate, the aloof Afghan-cross circled quietly and returned to where Terra paced eagerly. She wouldn't show it, but she looked forward to the charade just as much as her partner-in-crime. The thrill of a difficult task well done, the capturing of imaginations and lifting of spirits: she envisaged it clearly. Perhaps she could be an optimist too. She did not see what they did as dishonest, for on a stage, or in a story, anything could happen and everybody but the youngest of pups would know it was only an act: even if they didn't know quite how something was done.
As Terra looked over with an unspoken plea, Caspa turned quickly away and threw up a knife, caught it then flicked her gaze back, eyes wide and innocent. "So remind me, what are we doing here?" she asked mischievously, her voice low and private for Terra's ears alone. "Oh yes, I remember. Fighting slavers. Or was it a pig?… I jest. Shall we get started?" She didn't wait for an answer, but wandered out from the curtain onto the left of the stage, looking vague and distracted - as if she didn't quite know where she was. Without paying any attention whatsoever to anybody else, she drew her knives and after tossing one from hand to hand a couple of times, let another one join in. Then another. She kept it to three for now, seemingly unaware but listening carefully for the minute the sounds in the locale died down. This was just like practicing: she could keep it going for hours, the three knives weaving under and over and her slim fingers finding the hilts every time.
For their first big show Caspa was certainly relaxed. Seeing the stoic female unstressed help release the bundle of nerves in her body. It would be fine. The audience probably hadn't seen such things before. They would be amazed and awed at the performance, and everything would go well. Terra's head twisted with curiosity as Caspa spoke. Slavers? She had nothing to do with those. Well, there was Salsola, but Terra had no idea how Caspa had gotten that idea in her head. She watched her friend slip through the curtain, wondering what was going on. She really needed to get Caspa to tell her now.
As perfectly as anything Terra could imagine Caspa wandered out, seemingly dazed and ignorant of where she was. A smirk fell across her lips as Terra turned and faced the audience. They were chatting and whispering, but slowly falling silent, watching Caspa juggle her knives. That wouldn't keep them for long though. It was a simple trick, and would only hold for a few minutes. After all the audience was riveted Terra stepped out. The bright gift swirled around her body. Terra felt rather foolish in it, despite knowing it was needed for the tricks. It was new, and Terra was uncertain of how to move in it. Luckily her one skill remained the same. She allowed Caspa to glance her out of the corner of her eye before slipping across the stage, vanishing from her friend's sight, though remaining in view of the audience.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
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The swirl of gorgeous colour joined her in their makeshift square of grass that served as a stage, and Caspa took her cue to add the fourth knife into the carefully juggled pattern. She'd made sure to have the only trick that really needed proper timing and due attention right at the beginning, before chaos had enough time to erupt. She ignored the coy-wolf's entrance, though, restricting herself to imagining the beauty of the coat as the early-evening sunlight fell down on it, draped over her co-performer's graceful shoulders. She was utterly used to the two-legged and four-legged forms, and found a natural beauty in both, although Terra was clearly less comfortable when dressed. Still, she carried it well. Caspa wore a dark leather hood and belt, along with a leather pouch, this filled with stones. Her slim white arms were bare and free, each juggling two knives apiece now, the weapons not crossing in mid-air as they did with the other patterns. Her eyes were resolutely placed upon her work, ignoring the outside world completely. She could hear the noise of passers-by and the fluid shifting audience, but it was as if from a much further distance. Mostly she was listening for the footsteps behind her that would signal her need to throw higher, higher and slower. As soon as it seemed the simple trick of keeping four knives at a time moving had worn stale, the stilt-legged woman added a heftier gravity to her throws, sending each blade a little higher, until they reached an altitude lofty enough to include the fifth.
She ever remembered the day she'd first thrown five soft beanbags up and caught them all. She'd felt unusually nostalgic, and a little wistful. Her youngest sister's name had been Fifth, and five had ever been a significant number for the Al-Fateh. Here in the present moment, there was no room for memories. But each throw she made harked back to that day, and all the practicing she'd done since with anything from apples to stones and clods of earth. Her aim was faultless, although to the untrained eye it looked like a most complicated pattern, it was based on the simplest - the three ball one - and thrown high and slowly, it felt almost effortless. She had to maintain a perfect rhythm now though, because of what came next. Although Terra had been acting when she'd seemed to cut her throat during a rehearsal, it was certainly not the most risk-free trick of their repertoire and the unplanned-for lesson had stuck almost like a knife in Caspa's own throat. Patiently she waited for the moment she must sham surprise but yet act in the most unflustered and predictable way she could.
Caspa was aware of Terra's entrance as she had intended. The audience was deadly silent, not sure what to think of the two bright creatures waltzing through their own small world. The white dog was so certain, the knives dancing through the air as she slowly added their numbers. Careful not to disturb Caspa Terra came up behind her to where the pig was. Smiling she winked at the audience, pretending to let them in on the trick that was about to befall them. balanced ever so carefully Terra stretched forward, and snatched a knife with lightning speed. It disappeared inside the cloak with nary a rustle, and Terra waited for the next one to come around.
The timing had to be so precise, snatching each one neatly and sharply from the air before it registered in Caspa's sight. It wasn't that she was trying to trick the dog, more of a force of habit. With Caspa being her test subject for her tricks it seemed natural for Terra to try and keep as much of what she was doing hidden as possible. The last knife flickered through the air, bright and shining, before Terra grabbed it and slipped it in with the rest. Fast as she could Terra darted off the stage, heading to where the frozen sticks were. It was time to make a big bang.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
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Word Count → 374 :: Kiara has finally arrived. Sorry for the wait.
It had been several days since Kiara's last visit to the festival, and although her misadventures were not forgotten, at that moment she hadn't a care in the world. Moving through the crowd of canines was getting easier for her and the overwhelming sights and sounds no longer bewildered the uninfected wolf. Yet, there were still things that baffled her brain, as most luperci things did. Horses, for example, were still strange creatures in her eyes and it made her want to laugh every time Kiara spied one of the strange beasts hooked up to a cart or being ridden. The weird things the two-legged do.
A slightly larger, more compact crowd caught the snowy wolf's eye as she padded through the streets. The tall luperci all stood watching with hushed whispers or complete silence. Kiara tried to rear up on her hind legs to get a better view, but her meager size was nothing compared to a fully grown luperci. Kiara teetered unsteadily on her hind paws before she landed heavily on the ground. With an annoyed huff she began to wiggle her way through the crowd. The space between their legs just barely big enough to fit the petite wolf. To her, it was worse than navigating through a dense forest filled with brambles. At least the brambles broke when she pushed on them. Luckily, Kiara managed to push her way through the crowd and get to the front.
The sight that greeted Kiara was not a pretty one. The metallic smell and disastrous shine of steel froze Kiara where she stood. Her ears dropped back and her tail tucked between her legs as she fearfully eyed the knives that were tossed in the air. Kiara could hear her heart pound and her breath came in a shallowed panic. The arctic wolf could practically feel the metal against her bare scars and she wanted to run more than anything else.
Movement caught the white wolf's eye as she spied the tri-colored coywolf move behind the knife throwing white dog. To Kiara's great releif, the knives were skillfully removed by "Fleta." Kiara stood and watched happily as the coywolf fled with those dreaded knives, her colored coat fluttering beautifully around the Fleta's body.
One by one, her knives vanished. Caspa was caught so deeply in the difficult task of acting like she hadn't a clue what was going on, that she literally did not see Terra's hands whipping through the air above her head. Each knife that vanished, she had to shadow-catch at first to stop herself becoming confused. Then she transitioned into the lower-quantity patterns once more, a technique that looked unnoticeable and easy, but was in fact the result of hours of practice.
When she had two left, the juggling looked almost stupid, just throwing them from hand to hand. It was embarrassingly simple after the complexity of five blades at once. So Caspa compensated: pulling an aggrieved, distressed face as if lamenting the paltry number of props she was left with. Then there was only one knife left, and she gave it a desultory throw, knowing full well that it would not come down again.
She faked great surprise though, holding out her hand for a comically long time as if waiting for the knife to fall. Then she looked left, right and then to the audience, eyes narrowed suspiciously. But the stern look was spoiled by the sight of a blue-eyed white wolf, with a look of concern in her eyes and her tail low. Caspa couldn't know that Kiara had shared her recent troubles with a certain slave-trader, or the fact that knives frightened her. But she could see something was wrong, although the woman was visibly relaxing. Caspa made up her mind to find her after the show and see what had distressed her so much.
But for now, she had a job to do. She turned around fully, still pretending to seek the lost knives. Her gaze did not light upon Terra, the real culprit. Instead, and she made a great show of stepping back in alarm as she turned to face him, Caspa found herself eye-to-eye with the tiny pig statue. It was a small thing, only shin-high, but full of character, fedora-clad as it was and caught in some strange vaudeville dancing pose. Caspa drew herself up, for all the world as if the tiny pig was a perfectly believable thief. She lifted a stern finger, pointing it with grim accusation towards the figurine. Then, slowly with great drama, the woman took several highly threatening paces towards it. Her lips curled, her fangs bared. Her anger and blame was clear for all to see. The pig had taken the knives: or at least, knew where they were. The pig must die. She concentrated on this thought and let her body language flow accordingly as she advanced.
The pig statue was not something to be taken lightly, transformed into a deity by the two magicians. Even when off the stage Terra made sure that the statue was treated with at least a semblance of respect, even if she was laughing at their antics the entire time. Knowing that she'd have to hurry lest something happened that they would both regret, Terra trotted over to the frozen sticks. Snatching one up she promptly cracked it over her knee, causing what sounded like thunder.
Startled by the volume, having only ever heard frozen branches snap off trees from a distance before, Terra dropped to the ground, startled. Her heart raced as she collected her thoughts. She couldn't stop, not now. Terra ran around to the stage again, carefully slipping the statue into one of the pockets of her coats. There certainly were a lot of pockets for her to use. Already the possibilities were flitting through her mind. Knowing that altering the plot probably wasn't a good idea with an audience Terra stifled the train running through her head, and quickly set about making pig prints on the ground, leading around to the back. Darting over to the far side again, Terra waited for Caspa to exit, so her real tricks could begin.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
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It was only a branch, breaking true but one that had been dried to bone-dust readiness, and scored in strategic places. When Caspa loomed over the pig in fuming aggression, and the bang sounded, it shot through the tension in such a way that it wasn't hard to fake the impact. The white hound let herself go limp and utterly relaxed as they had practiced, and then she let herself fall. The boom from the branch having knocked her to the ground, all she had to do was lie still and unconscious. A statue could not have done a better job, as even her breathing was stilled to the slowest of movements. In this state it might have been expected for her to drift away and become less aware of her surroundings, but with her senses and movement taken away as in her meditations, Caspa felt more lively and aware than any other time. She felt she could hear every member of the audience breathe, and she could certainly hear Terra's quick footsteps as she followed the rehearsed paths, so far sticking to the orthodox arrangement. She heard a few giggles from the direction of the onlookers, and her heart warmed to think the children were enjoying this as she'd hoped they would. She could not see her, but she knew that Terra was drawing fake pig footprints on the ground. As soon as she heard the final scamper of coy-wolf paws pass the ground where her head lay, she allowed herself to reawaken. She sat up, rubbing her head and feigning aches and discomfort. She let the moment linger only briefly before jumping upright to stare in silent disbelief at the empty spot where the pig statue had stood. Where has it gone? her dark eyes read expressively. Then she jumped almost out of her skin, and pointed an elegant finger at the footprints, surprise evident in every angular line. That way! her eyes said, and walking with exaggerated care upon her tip-toes, the Afghan lady stalked off the stage with her head bent low to the ground, intent upon the false trail that Terra had created. As soon as she was off the main stage area, the woman stepped behind the curtain so that she was utterly hidden from all angles and allowed herself one small private smile. Things weren't going too badly, she allowed: it was the first thing that had gone right for quite some time, but she mustn't speak too soon. Caspa found a small peephole in the curtain and eyed it, watching for Terra's reappearance, sampling a small amount of whisky from a flask as she waited, slowing already-steady nerves to an almost sedentary calm.
Grinning Terra spun onto the stage, bowing slightly as she faced the audience. Well, now that the fool is gone, I suppose it's time to deal with the audience. Smiling wickedly she looked out over the crowd, eyes alighting on Kiara for a moment. She winked at her before resuming her scan, searching for those who would be brave enough to volunteer in this show. With a flourish she removed the pig statue and placed it back onto it's pedestal. Delicately she removed a bright colored scarf and gently wrapped it around it's feet, a sacrifice for dealing with the inconvenience of being toted around.
Her green eyes were bright as she moved over to the mirror box. Gently she wrapped on it, picking it up and revealing it's empty interior to the audience. Placing it back down she closed it, flipping the mirror around as she slid across the stage. At the other side she flipped it open, pouring the bracelets and necklaces she had hidden inside onto the ground. Delighted with the shiny treasure Terra forgot about the show for a moment, dipping down and moving her hands through it, pawing at it with delight. A slight chortle reminded her of where she was, letting Terra straighten back up. Since the box has given us a present, we should give one back. Anyone have something they're willing to give away?
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
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Once the knives were gone, Kiara found herself relaxing, little by little. It wasn't long before she was laughing and oohing with the rest of the crowd. The white female watched eagerly as the comedic display was preformed. Seeing the white dog look taken aback when her knives were gone had Kiara smiling. Fleta had taken them and ran off the stage. Kiara knew she had slippery fingers, but seeing them in action was pretty funny. When the blame was placed on a strange looking statue, Kiara had to stop herself from balling with laughter.
The knife throwing dog had Kiara's full attention, her gaze didn't once drift to where the coywolf stood. It was too funny to not look at the antics with the statue being played out. The she-wolf's tail wagged furiously as she watched and waited to see what the pig's fate would be. When a loud snap rang out, the arctic wolf flattened herself instinctively. Her eyes darted about, trying to make out what the sound meant and where it originated. Once again, the sapphire orbs were drawn to the stage as the white dog collapsed.
Again, the female coywolf made her appearance. A broad, toothy smile spread over Kiara's face as she watched Fleta move and made it look like the fake animal simply got up and walked away. Once the white dog was gone, Fleta returned to the stage. The arctic wolf watched intently, wondering what other comical performances might occur. However, the sight that unraveled before Kiara's eyes was not comical, but extraordinary. Magic. Kiara had never seen anyone use it before, although her mother had talked about it. Only those who could speak to the spirits and the Great Mother could use magic. Sapphire eyes widened at the sight of the treasure. Fleta could use magic, she was amazing!
When the female coywolf called out for a volunteer Kiara hesitated for a moment. She had only one item, the necklace Shiloh had given her. It was the only thing she had to remember her friend by and it was her most prized possession. Kiara never took it off, although part of the reason why was because she had no way to remove it by herself. Yet, if Fleta could do that with a statue, what else could she do? Perhaps she could give Kiara three of her pendants, or make Shiloh and Sarian appear from the black box. A few hands went up in the crowd and the non-luperci tried to mimic the others. Her paw raised slightly and she bat at the air trying to get it to stay above her head. When that didn't work Kiara turned in a tight circle, the frustration was getting to her. A sudden inspiration came to the white wolf, her tail. The arctic wolf crouched down, but left her rear end high. Her tail stood strait up in the air, although she couldn't help but wave it a little.
hrrrr. 8 days left before we have to finish up! Caspa is doing nothing at all right now by the way. So shortest post EVER.
She had to stay quiet and unobtrusive, but being called a fool made her arch a brow and smile a little wryly. Well, at least she could give as good as she got. Terra would have her comeuppance before the end of this show, that was for sure.
She took her attention away from the stage for a moment. She'd seen the mirror box work often enough that it wasn't remotely interesting any more, so she poured herself another drink and sat listening to the distant noise of the audience, trying to gauge their reactions from sound alone.
All this noise, all these people, so much going on. This was awful. How did anyone stand this for hours and hours? Gemma shivered miserably as she tried to navigate the tents and the people and the stalls and the livestock. OH GOD! There were horses over there, she so totally wasn't going that way. Turning herself around she nipped quietly in between two back tents and stood still to catch her breath. Around her the chaos raged on creating an never ending ringing in her large coyote ears. How was she supposed to find Teo in this place? She knew he had come here, Light has said as much but she just couldn't seem to find him, it was all so horribly frustrating for her.
She flinched as her paw struck something cold and hard and Gemma leaned down to pick up a shiny coin. Money had no value to her for she had no understanding of it and so she had no idea why she hung onto the bright piece of metal. She tried again to push her way through the crowds, scanning them for Matteo. The sun reflected from the coin she held, creating a sparkling effect that she barely even noticed in her bid to escape the heaving throngs. She thought nothing of the magicians performing close by to her, she jsut wanted to go home.
OOC kiara for the next trick i promise pp approved
Terra's sharp eyes searched the crowd, looking for someone who had something easy to see and would fit in the box. Plenty of hands were raised, and Terra almost broke character at the comical sight of Kiara pawing at the air, desperately trying to get her attention and be picked for the trick. Terra was pretty sure that Kiara didn't have anything she could use though. Her eyes continued to drift, sharply locking onto a lost looking wolf in the back. She seemed pretty interesting, and even better a large shiny object was in her hands.
Stepping down through the stage Terra floated through the audience. She managed not to brush against the others, her small form helping her appear ethereal in her movements, almost elegant. Gently she reached out, touching the white wolf before her. Terra gazed into the pale eyes, smiling. It wasn't a calming smile, but one of someone who had seen what they wanted, and knew how to get it. It appears we have our volunteer. Terra guided them both back onto the stage. Leaving the white wolf to fend for herself Terra picked up the mirror box again, a fond eye on the glimmering treasures before moving back over. Could you drop your item in the box please?
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
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Magic was amazing. The arctic wolf didn't think it existed, but after she saw Fleta perform magic she could no longer deny its existence. All the stories Kiara's mother had told her about magic always made the art seem dark and terrifying. However, Felta's magic was wonderful and amazing. Fleta had made a mound of shining object appear and pour onto the ground. How was that not spectacular? Her mother had to be wrong about magic. Which meant Kiara wouldn't put much stock in her mother's other stories. They were probably wrong too. As Felta looked around for a volunteer, Kiara wondered if only luperci could perform magic. She made a mental note to ask the coywolf after the show.
It wasn't long before the green eyes locked onto someone who wasn't Kiara. The white wolf lowered her tail as Fleta floated passed her and picked a lost looking wolf. She couldn't help but notice that the wolf that was picked was also white. As Felta officially announced the volunteer Kiara lowered her tail completely and sat upright again. Disappointment and relief washed over her as they pair of luperci walked back towards the stage. In some ways, she was relieved that she wasn't picked. This way Kiara could keep her necklace safe and close to her. However, it was a little disappointing not to be picked. The arctic wolf's dreams of seeing Shiloh again were diminished. She would just have to wait until Shiloh and Sarian came back from their trip.
She tried hard to make her way through the crowds of people but they were not willing to budge up much for her to squeeze through. This was extraordinarily frustrating for the small coyote woman who quickly found herself on the verge of tears as she determinedly attempted to pass through the gathered assemble of people. Before she could escape however though a hand caught her arm and faster than she could get her mind around the fact she was being led up onto a stage in front of all the people she had been making her way through.
Her mumbled protests of looking for somebody faded away into nothingness as she dejectedly followed the fellow coyote hybrid towards where all her magic gadgets and things were lined up. A short terrified look made its way onto her face before it blanked out into a mask through which no emotion shone. She shut herself away, locking up the rising panic for if she could weather this strangers attentions for a few minutes she could then escape off the other side of the stage and resume her panic attack elsewhere and not in front of a herd of goggling strangers.
She raised her hand without much thought and deposited the small shiny mental round that she had picked up off the floor.
The scent of fear rising off her volunteer did nothing to help settle Terra down into a more steady state of mind, allowing her to wear a mask and pull the audience into the illusion. Her feral spirit was clear to see, despite the fact that she didn't move. Her body took on a more dominant appearance, demanding submission from those around her, eyes gleaming brightly as she swallowed in the reaction of those around her. It was amazing, standing up here, performing for them. The bright gold piece was dropped into the box, and Terra pulled it back, acting as if it was hers all along, simply something being returned.
Tapping the mirror box she held it up, demonstrating the coin's placement. Closing it up Terra shook it around, muttering some words and pacing the stage. With a swirl she turned back around, and opened the box. The coin was gone, swallowed by the box as a replacement for the pretties it had given to them. Brightly Terra moved, placing the plain looking box before the statue, indicating for the white hybrid to leave now. She no longer needed the volunteer, and the fear stench was rather distracting for her as she tried to do her tricks.
Pleased with the reaction Terra turned to the audience again, all smiles. The box accepted our offering. Now for another feat of wonder to turn heads! Terra danced over the stage to where the three teacups sat. There were various other objects there as well out of sight of the audience. She swiftly pocketed them into her coat, and pushed the table forward so everyone could see. Lifting up the fiery gem Terra let everyone get a good look before tucking the gem under the cups. At lightning speed she moved them around before lifting to reveal the gem in a new place. She did this slower, this time allowing them to track where the gem was before lifting to reveal. Now for another volunteer. Someone to guess where the gem is hidden. Get it correct and you win a prize.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
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Caspa although enjoying the moment of time to herself, to think and mull over the maelstrom of events the morning had brought, was still half-listening to the activities the other side of the curtain: one ear carefully open to gauge how everything was going and to keep track of when she would next be required to make an appearance.
When she overheard that a volunteer had been picked, she placed the bottle back down as quietly as she could and then pressed her eye once more to the hole in the curtain. The woman was a slender and pale coyote who resembled Terra, except for her lost and forlorn demeanour and her blank blue eyes. She seemed to be rather lacking in personality, and Caspa smiled slightly. That was good, because it meant she would probably be predictable and easy to manipulate - which as Terra's first random crowd volunteer, could come in handy. Still, much could go wrong, but Caspa wasn't worried. They had plenty more up their baggy sleeves between them, and she and Terra could just move onto the next thing if one part began to backfire.
She was too far away to sense Gemma's fear, and Terra showed no sign of her inner wildness, remaining masterful and confident as she used the mirrors to conceal the shiny object's whereabouts within the wooden box. Caspa clapped silently along with the audience, invisible to all though she was. Then she turned to renew her acquaintance with the liquor, although only such tiny sips at a time, the steel-nerved woman was nowhere near inebriated. She did curve a surprised brow at Terra's announcement. A prize? Had they planned to give prizes? Caspa couldn't remember that. They should definitely have had that rehearsal, she thought regretfully. She just hoped Terra had something in mind to give away, in the event that somebody managed to avoid being misdirected by the coy-wolf. It wasn't a foolproof trick, and she didn't fancy facing an angry mob demanding prizes after the show. She had to admit it made an interesting addition though… and Terra certainly had a good chance of winning every time, with the techniques they'd practiced.
The stage began to reek of fear, but even so Fleta was able to keep her cool. When the scent reached Kiara she began to shift uneasily. It was a smell she was used to finding on prey, not on canines. As the coin was dropped into the box, Kiara's excitement grew and her nervousness disappeared. Sapphire orbs had become round disks and she waited with baited breath to see if the offering would be accepted.
It was already difficult enough to see from her low lying position, but when the coywolf held the box up in the air, the coin disappeared from her view. Kiara craned her neck, but was still unable to see as well as she would have liked. Unfortionatly, the white wolf didn’t see the coin before the box was closed. Anxiously, she watched as the box was shaken and some mystifying mumblings came from the magician. Kiara’s fluffy tail wagged slowly back and forth as her ears strained forward.
Finally the magic box was placed back on the stage and its convents were revealed. She gasped in amazement with the crowd as the box was empty, its contents had vanished into the unknown. Fleta’s announcement only made her blue eyes grow wider as her mind was blown away. Kiara’s tail had returned to its frantic swinging and her smile stretched to the very corners of her cheeks.
Happily, the arctic wolf watched as the coywolf danced around the stage and brought forward a table. The uninfected female remained oblivious to Fleta’s tricks and the items she had pocketed only moments before. A gem the color of fire was lifted high into the air for everyone to see and Kaira was pulled into the trick with the rest of the crowd. Suddenly, the gem was placed under the cups and switched around so fast that she couldn’t keep track of where the gem was. Her mind spun around almost as fast as the cups and soon she was throughly confused. Then one of the cups was lifted to reveal the gem of fire and they cups were switched around again at a slower pace. Kiara tried to keep track of it, she really did. But it didn’t take long for her to get lost again and the gem's cup had blended in with the rest of them.
Once again a volunteer was asked for, and the promise of a prize was given. Kiara had little desire for the prize, but she still wanted to guess where the gem was. She wanted to see Fleta’s magic up close and the fiery crystal was just so pretty. Hands flew up in the audience and Kiara doubted her tail trick would be noticed. Instead she tried to rise up on her hind legs and raise her paws in the air. Kiara teetered on unsteady hindquarters as her front paws swatted at the air. She inadvertently backed up into the canine behind her and he hissed “watch it.”
Kiara fell down onto all four paws and her ears drooped. She wasn’t going to get picked because she couldn’t raise her paws like the luperci could.
Terra had been unable to respond to Kiara's presence earlier, not willing to break her pretense and acknowledge her friend. The sight of the white wolf bouncing around on two legs was pretty much impossible for Terra to resist though, bringing giggles from the supposedly great magician. The drooping sadness when she returned to four legs was far too pitiable though. Just because Kiara was on four legs was no reason for her not to enjoy the festival as well.
Her mind made up Terra scanned the crowd, pretending to search before keen eyes fell on Kiara. I see a white wolf on four legs. Perhaps our wild member could show the rest of us what it's like to be part of the magic. Indicating with her hand for Kiara to come up Terra felt around in her pockets, looking for something that Kiara would probably like. The fiery gem was removed from under the cups, held up for everyone to see once more as she waited for Kiara to join her.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
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