[video] (Forward dated to Cordis moon)

[demachi]

[Wataru pops up on the video with a big grin, a white dove settled contentedly on his shoulder.]

Greetings, my fellow citizens! I come to you today with two urgent requests, and while it humbles me to make them, I'm doing it nonetheless! In the interest of getting what I need, I'll also get right to the point.

For the first request, I'm interested in gathering connections to other musicians and performance-inclined individuals for a small project. A tiny one. Oya? You're worried? Definitely nothing to concern yourselves over! I know of a few others, but if you introduce yourselves to me directly we can avoid all kinds of delays. I'm especially interested in other idols, and in genres other than what I personally am accustomed to performing. Shown here.

[He plays a song with his acquired music box, just for about forty-five seconds or so as he hums along, then shuts it off and laughs.]

Ah, now... [He sets the box back aside, then takes the bird from his shoulder and pets her gently.] ...The second matter is a little more delicate. I think this has to do with my Moonblessing! I'm absolutely famished at all times during this moon, and especially starved for... Fufufu, well, it's contact I'm starved for! Chroma is a precious thing, and I can't seem to get enough. It's as simple as agreeing to meet up and hold my hand for a while, you see! We'll discuss things, or perhaps we could see a movie, or a play? I could sing to you!~ Magic tricks are my forte, as well, and I'd be happy to show you some of those. Look! One, Two, Amazing☆!

[He pets the white dove once, twice, then nudges her up into flight as a rose blooms where she just sat on his hand. She comes back to land on his shoulder, unfazed.]

See? Just as simple as that. So I'll pay you in entertainment, and you'll give me some companionship! Nothing simpler. Age isn't a factor, or anything else. I'm quite known to love entertaining people of all ages, and I dare say all races and species!

[He doesn't even look embarrassed as he reaches the end of his request, and he grins broadly. This man has NO shame.]

There you have it~ Until next we meet, I'll remain your very own Wataru Hibiki☆~!

Comments

[bust]

[ Considering Ayer didn't sense any magic being cast and with how smooth that was pulled off, he has to say he's impressed. How could Wataru spring up flowers so perfectly under his scarf right before his eyes? If it wasn't magic, then it was likely dextrous hands. It was so quick and so flawless that he's speechless at the idea alone.

He's blinking a few times as if he can't believe anyone could pull such a feat off within seconds. He's only ever known one girl who can pull flowers out of nowhere and that was because of her magic. This one though… That was pretty cool if it was out of mere skill. ]

Not bad.

[ It takes much to earn a compliment from Ayer, so when he says something like that, it means he's acknowledging Wataru's talent. Ah, he can already see Lyria and the others' loud and amused gawking if they were here. ]

If the people I knew saw that, they would be gaping by now.

[demachi]

["Not bad"? Wataru knows it is a pretty basic thing to make flowers appear, so he won't be disheartened by the response.]

Ah, but you're not so easily impressed!

[He drapes the scarf over one of Ayer's arms and takes the cup from him, swinging it down, then up, sending flowers flying up into the air and, oddly enough, the same white dove from before. Wataru removes his hat and balances it on his forearm as Jeanne circles around to land on its brim.]

I'm afraid I don't have the resources for my larger tricks, but perhaps I can still win my audience over!

[bust]

What are you talking about?

[ Even though Ayer isn't openly praising Wataru, he really was genuinely impressed. Is Wataru trying to get him to admit it? The thought brings back that shy, irritated expression from earlier as if he doesn't want to give in that easily. Maybe he doesn't! It's embarrassing!!

Ayer stares, a small light in his eyes as he watches Jeanne's fancy return. He's a little unsure, wondering what Wataru is up to this time. ]

[demachi]

[Even Jeanne appearing again didn't impress him visibly? Wataru has met a tough customer today, then! He ponders for a few moments, a hand tapping his chin, Jeanne seated primly on the brim of the hat.]

Usually those two in a row get at least a little applause. But you might be more sophisticated than that. What sort of magic do you prefer, if not illusions?

[bust]

Magic?

[ In a way, Ayer can use some form of magic. But it's not the kind of traditional magic that mages do. His own is incorporated into his martial arts, so it's through movements that he executes enchantments. He thinks about that, it's the kind of magic he prefers since he's fond of using them.

But he understands that's out of the question. He thinks about it more, this time considering his own allies who are capable of powerful spells as well as those who use them creatively like Lennah who flourishes flowers out of nowhere.

That's when an idea comes to him. ]

Hmph, I'll tell you what. If you really want to impress me, come up with a new spell with me. You're a Cordis Moonblessed, aren't you?

[ By now, Ayer has a more solid idea about the moonblessings. From how Wataru is acting and the timing of tonight, it's very likely he's an affected Cordis. He should be able to wield some kind of ice spell. ]

Are you up for it?

[demachi]

[Wataru loves magic in all its forms, and he's absolutely thrilled that this place has granted him a little of the "real" thing. Of course he'll always hold illusions close to his heart, but the elemental stuff is just too delightful!

He puts the hat carefully back on his head and stashes the glass inside his coat before handing the scarf back over.]

Of course I am! Why, what magician would pass this opportunity up? No one in their right mind! Fufufu... My debut at last. Are you prepared?

[bust]

[ When the scarf is returned, Ayer properly wears it again. The light in his eyes seems to glow a bit more, pleased that Wataru is up for the challenge. It likely won't be easy to pull off, but he's counting on the pretty idol to keep up with him. He'll keep practicing with him until they both get it right. ]

Yeah. Let's go.

[ Since Wataru is Cordis… ]

Let's move closer to the lake.

[demachi]

[Well! This has turned exciting! He's not getting any moonlacing out of it, but it's actually going to be fun, he thinks! So it's worth the sidetrack from his desperation.

He follows along, looking odd and bold in his costume, but he doesn't seem to be making a big deal out of it. He's perfectly comfortable, in fact comfortable enough to swoosh his cape from time to time as they go.]

What will we be attempting?

[bust]

[ The outfit looks so natural on Wataru, Ayer doesn't think it's odd at all. And considering the kind of world Ayer's from, seeing such beautiful outfits isn't peculiar. Because of that, he actually feels more at ease, as if he's talking to someone from home. ]

Before anything else, I need to know how much you know and can pull off. Since you work with illusions, you probably have an idea. Have you tried using your magic here yet?

[demachi]

[Swoosh, swoosh.

Wataru would be glad to know he made Ayer feel comfortable, but he does seem a bit at ease from what Wataru can read. It's nice. He's being accepted...?]

I tend to rely on sleight of hand rather than "real" magic, but I've dabbled here and there since I arrived. I have ice magic, of course, so I can chill things slightly, like drinks and food, and once I did manage a little bit of frost on a window.

1/2

[bust]

[ Though Ayer won't vocally say it, Wataru is indeed accepted. He never would've brought this up otherwise, as he wouldn't want to work with anyone he doesn't want to potentially acknowledge. He has hopes for him. ]

That is plenty for me. What I'm interested in is…

[ It's easier to explain with a demonstration. Ayer concentrates, a gentle golden light slowly surrounding a single arm. This is only a sample, so he doesn't pull much effort and time to do it. Seconds later, once enough energy is gathered, he launches his arm to hit the air beside them—

There's an immediate impact on the end of his fist, blasting in the direction of the lake as it cuts the water momentarily. ]

[bust]

As you can probably tell, when I do things like these, I burn chroma. What I'm after is you being able to enchant my attack so my burden would be lessened.

[ Wouldn't it be cool? An ice-aspected joint attack? Straightening up, Ayer shakes off the pressure from his arm and momentarily gives Wataru an encouraging smile. ]

Still up for it?

[demachi]

[Wataru is silent for a moment, feeling ripped apart inside from indecision. Part of him is so impressed with this real magic that he wants to lose his mind in its pursuit and praise, but the rest of him feels suddenly inadequate. He's the first to admit when he isn't skilled at something.]

Well! Frankly, I've never tried anything of the sort and wouldn't know where to begin! Since you already know, do you think you could show me a little more of how to do it. Then I might be able to give it a try. In my world, magic isn't real... Not this kind, anyway.

sorry for the delay!!

[bust]

[ Everyone starts somewhere. Ayer can understand that feeling very well, recalling the days when he was a child, back when he didn't know how to fight or use his magic like this.

He felt this familiar loss again after arriving in Prismatica, the technology here was beyond him; though there is impressive technology here and there in his homeworld, it's nowhere as advanced as the ones found in this world.

Like everything else, all it takes is a little research, determination, and practice. ]

The way I do this, it's a reflexive matter. Simplest I can explain is the learned reflex from riding a bicycle. Just with more concentration.

[ They'll start from basics then. Since Wataru can already (gently) chill particular objects, he should be able to do this very easily! ]

You said you managed frosting glass once, so try freezing my arm.

[ He's completely serious— ]

I'VE BEEN MOSTLY GONE SO NP!!!! yay wedding planning ;;

[demachi]

[Wataru is no stranger to learning new things, so he'll take to this as eagerly as the advisement is offered. And... in all honesty, he's so keen on having real magic and being able to use it even for his parlor tricks that he'll put all the effort necessary into this. Hopefully this guy doesn't want to use it for anything shady!

He reaches out hesitantly.]

Your whole arm? I should think only a portion of it will do, right?

[Taking a steadying, awestruck breath, he touches two polite fingers to Ayer's forearm and tries to recall--with a little difficulty, as he's done it so infrequently--how he managed to use the magic before. It comes to him somewhat easily, surprisingly enough, and from where his fingers touch skin, there's a slight spreading circle of frost that creeps across Ayer's skin.]