Up in the air (Ali/open)

[Allison Kazim]

Ali took a moment to process this, nodding at the mention of squires. It was true that some were able to rise through the ranks and make a name for themselves; she had a desire to do much the same to raise her family out of their current situation. But he also missed some of the point, if only some. She shook her head.

"There is no offense, Mr. McWolfe. Rather, I would advise a squire is one who falls under the category of 'if they must.' I can understand not advertising an unorthodox friendship, especially if it is genuine. Where I come from, a commoner can rise above their station, but only just. It is our minds that give us opportunities, and either way, the nobles do not speak to us unless they need or want something. They wouldn't be caught in a close-knit circle with one."

[Cillian McWolfe]

"I think you might misunderstand. I am not ashamed of my friendship, or my own heritage. It is just that while I am here I am simply Cillian McWolfe. My family holds no sway here, and in a way, it is liberating. As for my friendship. He was not a squire. I believe he became a baker in fact."

He brushed it away after that.

"I do however thank you for clarifying how your culture works. I've only heard a little about it. Generally, when speaking to wizards there are more pressing matters at hand."

[Allison Kazim]

"You are welcome." She was still processing what he was saying, that the boy he befriended became a baker and wasn't even one of his servants or staff. How badly did the boy screw that chance up?

"There are typically things we are working on beyond what is right in front of us," she agreed with a slight nod and a hint of a smile as she eyed him.

"Like how you made that coin come from nowhere. It was a pleasant distraction from some of those very things."

[Cillian McWolfe]

"Then that means it was a skill worth learning."

He'd say with a smile.

[Allison Kazim]

She paused for a moment, not wanting to be rude, but intrigued. The sincerity was enough to brign a brief smile to her face.

"What else can you do?"

[Cillian McWolfe]

"You mean for tricks? Or something else?"

[Allison Kazim]

She really, really wanted to figure out the way he did the trick. Her thumb rubbed over the coin at the thought, but instead she opted for a more diplomatic approach.

"I would be content to see another trick, but if I remember right, you mentioned other skills as well. I suppose it depends on what else you would be comfortable showing."

[Cillian McWolfe]

"I am skilled with blade, whip, and bow. Though that may not be appropriate. I can do another trick, however."

He'd bring his hand up, one hand obscuring the other as he moved like he was grabbing his thumb with one hand.

"So you need to be careful with this, you don't want to accidentally fall to pieces."

He'd pull his hands apart with his thumb tucked inbetween his fingers to try and make it look like he was pulling his thumb off his hand. Even giving it a bit of a struggle for a second before letting his hand snap back like his body was pulling itself back together.

"Of course, that would go against the natural order of things. So there is no real risk."

Because it was all sleight of hand.

But with a flourish of both hands, he'd hold them up so she could see.

"You can tug on them if you like."

Either way, she'd sense no mana or Qi use being used.

[Allison Kazim]

Her question was set aside before she could speak with the lure of another trick. Shifting so that she faced him more, the mage wasn't sure what to expect. Certainly not the appearance of his thumb disappearing, complete with the extra flourish as if struggling. Her cheeks paled at the sight of the supposed lost thumb, Ali's expression as though she would have a heart attack at any moment, even if she knew it was a trick.

She swallowed at the assurance of no real risk, hesitating a moment at the offer to make sure his body was indeed in once piece. Then, gingerly reaching out, she'd run a hand over his thumb and along his palm, looking for some sort of seam or stitch to indicate where the trick might come from - or where his thumb was put back on.

Then she gives it a small tug before returning her hand to her side with a small shake of her head.

"He taught you well."

[Cillian McWolfe]

He let her test his hand and thumb as much as she wanted. It was kind of cute how these simple tricks seemed to take her aback. He supposed when you lived among the exotic your whole life, the mundane in turn became exotic.

"I think he would be happy to hear that. He always did take pride in being the best, I don't see why teaching would be any different."

[Allison Kazim]

"I think it's safe to say he would be glad to hear it," she agreed, still baffled as she tried to make sense of it. She hadn't seen or sensed any portal being created, and no sort of qi that would turn his thumb invisible. Whatever magic he had been taught must have been unorthodox enough not to be taught at the Academy, but that didn't mean there should be nothing. Just to be sure, she raised a hand to wave in eh air around the hand that had "lost" the thumb, and felt nothing.

"Where are you from, that you learned such magic?"

[Cillian McWolfe]

"I mean, you could probably learn it anywhere. It isnt something special to home."

[Allison Kazim]

"Perhaps, but not where I'm from." She shook her head as her hand returned to her side. At least, it wasn't something she had the luxury of seeing. Street performers weren't all that common when you were cloistered away and didn't have money to lure their interest.

It was also, she noted, the second time he had deferred speaking of where he was from, though he seemed to have at least some fond memories of the place. Perhaps it simply no longer existed, or was not as it had been.

[Cillian McWolfe]

"That's a shame, but not unexpected I suppose. Truth be told, part of me always wanted to travel the world with these tricks and others and spread some joy. We could all use more of that in the world I imagine."

[Allison Kazim]

"Really?" She blinked, brows knit together in consternation as she looked up at Cillian instead of at his hand or signs to give away his trick. It had to be a tale, but unless this whole side of him was an act, Ali couldn't sense any sort of mirth or sarcasm to his words that would seem different. It just hurt her head to imagine a noble, any noble, throwing all that away on a whim.

"You would walk away from it all? Just to bring others a bit of happiness." She's still fairly certain he's joking, eying him like he'd just told her the sky was actually neon green.