Aoi adjusted the hat on her head, barely able to keep the smile off her lips. The sidewalk performances were usually Dennis’s thing, with her occasionally stepping in as a co-star, but for once she’d wanted to give one a shot on her own... And after turning off his alarm and stealing the hat she’d made him a month before, she’d done exactly that, even dipping into his bag of tricks a few (dozen) times.
And finally, she could understand why he loved doing them so much. The smiles and laughter, the looks of wonder - it was utterly exhilarating! Not a single person who’d attended walked away without a smile, the raven even pushing up the top hat on her head to pluck free a vibrant pink flower, leaning down to give it to a passing girl. Before she could stop to ask where it came from, one eye closed in a wink, finger pressed to her lips; it was a secret~! A good magician never told their secrets!
“Nice hat. Looks good on you.”
But it was the shiver down her spine that made the former soldier’s own smile falter. When had this guy gotten behind her? “A-Ah... Thanks. I think. Can I help y’? Th’ show’s done f’ th’ day.” Especially since she knew Dennis wouldn’t be pleased she’d unplugged his alarm for the sole purpose of stealing away his show without asking.
“Just making an observation. Pretty smiles work with sparkling hats.”
Suddenly, she’d give anything for Yuya to be nearby, or Dennis... Even Aster. He was handsome, she supposed, and seemed kind enough... But even with how relaxed she’d come to be since meeting Yuya, strangers still had her guard up and the woman keeping her distance. “...Thanks?” Oh, why had she deciided this was best to do alone?