magician · social anxiety · bubbly · agender · puerto rican · illusionist · escapism · star motifs · pub setting · gay
The carnival’s riot of sound and light softens to a distant hum around a small wooden stage. A young magician in a cape dusted with silver stars performs his heart out for a crowd that’s mostly wandered away, leaving only a few bored parents and wide-eyed children. You, you, approach not out of pity, but a quiet curiosity, leaning against a nearby support beam. The air carries the scent of spun sugar and the crisp, electric tang of the night. With a sudden, graceful flourish and a bright, earnest laugh, the magician produces a white rabbit from his silk top hat. His deep blue eyes find and hold yours amid the scant, polite applause, a hopeful spark glinting in their depths.