Chaos is known as the being that never became a star. It is everywhere and yet nowhere at the same time.
Neither good nor evil, the ultimate expression of nothingness. The antithesis of the cosmos, creation itself.
Although Chaos claims to be the very state of existence from which the first entities appeared, it cannot form into the entity it wants most.
So it has been cursed to stay in the form of a dark and shapeless void. Floating between existence and nonexistence.
Longingly watching as stars are constantly born and lives are lived. The seeds of malice had been planted, flourished and transformed Chaos into the purest form of evil.
The mind-opening jingle of the carnival rung through the still air in the dark knight, gaudy tents, alluring stands and colorful rides lit up by the bright, vibrant lights scattered across the circus' spread; there was always something for everyone at the carnival. Young, old, smart, stupid, optimistic or skeptical; something could turn your head, raise your brows and make your mouth part in thought. All over the event held out on the outskirts of the city, kids and adults pressed shoes along the mixture of grass, flooring and dirt, looking for things of wonder and amusement. An exploratory, interactive experience to grasp the mind and expand it; the scent of cotton candy, fast food and that circus smell laced into the atmosphere itself.[break][break]
Somewhere in the heart of all the hustle and bustle, a wooden stand of rectangular shape rested in front of a seated Cassian, a small and satisfied smirk upon his mouth while he sat patiently without a sound emitting from his form. So quiet, you may not have even heard his breath. An assortment of items were at his disposal, although most were either hidden or around his side of the table - the surface itself was mostly bare. Blue-haired head tilting as his pale, make-up adorned expression glanced across the popular, thriving carnival scene; oh, it would be so easy for someone to get lost in such a crowd, although no such news had occurred thankfully. Kitted in a white outfit similar to that of both a jester and a magician, his attire was both practical and simple, delivering all it had to in the most precise way. Seated upon his behind with his legs crossed and hands nonchalantly clasped together, it was clear that he sat upright on a platform of sorts behind the table instead of a traditional chair.[break][break]
Upon the other side of the table was a vacant chair for any to sit, should they choose to. [break][break]
Julius was not sure what was more unbelievable at the moment. The fact that he had been convinced to go to the carnival with his friend (or rather unable to find an adequate excuse to deny) or the fact that they had somehow magically gotten lost from one another. Just how did it even happen? One moment, Julius had been looking around rather confused about how any of this was supposed to be 'entertaining'. He would honestly rather read a book to take him to another world, especially since it wasn't filled with so many people that it can be somewhat suffocating. Then when he turned to try to keep track of his friend...well he had already failed.[break][break]
The prosecutor sighed as he made a mental note to just be more honest and say the didn't want to go because this was simply not to his liking next time. Then this would not have to happen. The male had wandered around giving many 'excuse me's and 'pardon me's along the way to people of various age before he found himself near some clown only without the nose, and the usual clothes. The makeup though certainly cry clown or if not then some kind of carnie which really made sense seeing where Julius was at, at the moment.[break][break]
I"m next to the blue-haired clown. I don't think you can really miss him. He texted to his friend while standing next to the clown despite the open seat. The person was rather still and his skin rather white that Julius would have mistaken him for a statue if not for the fact that they wouldn't place a statue of a person on a stand like that. At least..he was quite sure they wouldn't. [break][break]
There was a moment of silence as Julius stood there debating on whether or not he should humor the person. Not many people seem to pay attention to said clown other than a few pointing him out. Well, one had tried to approach the clown only for their mother to drag him back and tell him the clown needed to rest. Eventually, Julius figured he should talk to the clown a little bit, maybe see if he had a trick and then tip him for it. It would be weird to just use him as a meeting point and not giving him anything back. "Excuse me," the prosecutor began, "what do you do exactly?"
While the attention for the magician may have slowed, he certainly did not mind; he had been rather occupied earlier on and would not protest against a peaceful length of time. Although, while it did seem for a small moment that a curious child had set their sights upon engaging the blue-haired mystic, their mother had deemed the opposite choice a much better pick and ushered the youth away. Cassian simply offered a genuine, small smile toward the disappointed child as they were guided away into the carnival's isles, however the magical being was aware of the adult still near his position. Upon the brief and glancing observation he made, the dark-haired individual didn't seem to be having the time of his life if his expression gave anything away. And instead of exploring with the intent of finding something new, he stayed in place near Cassian, almost as if he were waiting for some type of event to occur or for some type of person to appear. Either way, it did not cause any inconvenience to Cassian himself; and so he patiently remained.[break][break]
Unexpectedly, this man in his proximity approached slightly and inquired as to what exactly Cassian was capable of. To be fair to the male, it was not entirely clear and an empty table could suggest many different things, although mystery was always part of the fun with the circus.[break][break]
"For what I can do, that might be seen as a broad inquisition." Cassian responded softly; and it were true. To truly describe the length of his talents would take up more time than the inquirer would expect. Some magic, some not. "Though, to answer your question; I am only a simple magician." He finished, extending one hand out over the table, palm facing the sky before turning his forearm around to make his inner hand now face the table. The other arm came forward too, waving over the top of his wrist before he slowly guided it back towards his lap, only to turn his palm back toward the sky; a deck of playing cards now visible in his hand.[break][break]
Glancing up to the stranger, Cassian kept that subtle smile upon his lips, golden eyes blinking at him once. "Tell me, stranger, do you believe in magic?" The magician asked, a slight tilt of his head with no change in expression upon that painted face. "Or do you find the faith in it quite tragic?" He finished, curious to see if he were correct in his hunch for this man's resistance to the idea of it all. [break][break]
It wasn't the first time Julius has experienced someone who does not speak directly. It was a common technique witnesses use when they didn't want to reveal something. However, cross-examination should not be held as an example of how normal conversations should be. And so, Julius could not exactly be sure why the man had not answered directly right away. It almost reminded him of when he was younger and was trying to hide the fact that he had stayed up last night to finish up a really good book. Again though, that usually had to deal with accusations and reasons for the secret. Before Julus could debate on it too much, the clown stated that he was a simple magician. Well...maybe the prosecutor should send a text to revise his earlier statement. It was a magician, not a clown. Maybe they just put on these kinds of makeup now. [break][break]
Gray eyes followed the movement of hands and what was once empty, palms on the table now was holding a deck of cards. There was a slight widening of the eyes and perhaps like most people, Julius found himself trying to figure exactly how that worked. The man's sleeves were not that long for it to be an answer. A secret compartment under the table? No, there didn't seem to be any cards when the palms were down and away from the table.[break][break]
Then as if reading the prosecutor's mind, or perhaps he had just expected such train of thought, the magician (who may just be purposefully speaking in rhymes...or it was a coincidence) asked Julius if he believed in magic. Was this some kind of script or? Was Julius supposed to say something? He didn't exactly want to lie but he didn't want to ruin what the man's script either. There was a quick glance to see if any children were close to them. He would really rather not ruin it for hem as he too had once believed in magic. Of course, Julius has also grown up since then. "It's not tragic..." not exactly. "It depends on the context," he continued trying to choose his words correctly. "A child believing in magic is normal." It showed a form of imagination and watching them try to explain the world. There was also that certain excitement that Julius did not want to ruin for them. It certainly wasn't tragic. "A magician is quite amazing for being able to keep the magic as well." Julius had only ever mastered one trick before giving up if only because he wasn't very good at making movements to distract people. Nor was he a good entertainer for that matter. "But...those who depend on magic as if it's some definitive solution rather than trying to better themselves...blind faith as some excuse to not improve oneself is...tragic." Tragic and honestly rather disgusting in Julius's eyes. One should never seek anything whether it was magic, fate or whatever supernatural force as the only answer to their problem when there was no certainty in it. There was another pause before something occured to Julius...the man probably was not aiming for that was he? "Sorry...will you show me your magic?" he asked more to appease the magician than anything else.
Cassian sat patiently and listened respectfully to the words that came from the dark-haired man across from him, a slight tilt of his head to show his engagement in the conversation, even if the magician did hold the same expression he had on his face even before they had begun their exchange. The man seemed quite serious in his response, going deeper than any ordinary person would; it were clear that the person he spoke to must have had a serious profession...or at the very least, took many things in his life seriously. While Cassian did not know much about the fellow in front, he could deduce that he were clever.[break][break]
"Maybe so." Cassian simply responded after a light hum, glancing down at the deck of cards in his hand, now moving them out from view and leaving only a single playing card in his grasp. "Onward we go."[break][break]
Raising the card just beneath eye level, he held it in his right with the top of his palm facing the spectator, the face of the card visible to the inquirer. "For some, magic may mean one thing," The magician stated thoughtfully, before a swipe of his fingers holding the card made one card turn into two. "or two," golden eyes remained upon the man as his white digits shifted the two cards into one only to spread them back out in his grip, now three cards. "or three." Cassian's hand turned to face his palm towards the table with the three cards; his left hand came up and swept over the top of the right which held the three cards. As it swiftly came across, the mystical man's hands spread apart to either side for a wave of playing cards to rain down across the table from his palms, littering the wooden surface with a flurry of cards, fluttering down through the air like leaves as they softly pattered down against the firm wood. "Some may find magic in many things, you see."[break][break]
A thin sea of cards sat across the table where Cassian and the stranger were opposite, the magician's words somewhat philosophical and somewhat mysterious at the same time.[break][break]
There was not much of a reaction from the magician. The most Julius received was a small tilt of the head, facial expression remaining the same. It almost reminded him of the dolls in horror movies his friends would take him to around Halloween. Once it ended, the prosecutor asked to see a trick to which the carnival member agreed.[break][break]
It was honestly rather amazing. Not the trick itself or rather not just the trick itself. The trick was rather amazing for someone who did not know the technique behind it (but of course there would be some kind of sleight of hands) as much as the man's words. That charisma that he lacked because while Julius was able to create an argument (if his debates told him anything), he lacked the ability to be captivating. One card in hand became two..then three and then a sea of cards was on the table each timed by the man's words. Honestly, even if Julius had long outgrown his belief for magic (like most with most people, reality found a way to set into his life), he did admire those with talents in areas he did not have.[break][break]
"What is magic to you then?" Julius asked. After all, the clown had spoken in generality, it made the prosecutor rather curious, his eyes never once leaving the man. Honestly, this was not what Julius had thought he would spend his night doing when he had reluctantly accepted the invitation. But at the moment, he couldn't say he minded it either. "If you do not mind telling me, that is."
At first, the question did not seem very personal at all. A question revolving around magic at a carnival; a question posed to a man in make-up and unorthodox attire; a question to a man who had just performed a card trick. How personal could something in a situation like this be? Although, the more one thought about it, the more one realized just how personal it could be considered. To ask the essence of what a man's trade is to him - someone who by appearance had dedicated his whole essence to the art. Of course, the natural impulse cursed upon him by his vessel spirit is the true reason as to why Cassian appears and speaks as he does; yet that was most certainly not common knowledge to hand out. The magician thought about denying a response for a moment, however the fellow seemed genuinely interested. Silence lingered for a moment, the blue-haired man raising his head slightly. The possibility of the man not truly understanding his mentality could be strong, however it did not bother Cassian.[break][break]
"Magic is..." Cassian muttered, his golden hues sweeping over the sea of cards across the table, pale fingertips brushing along the tops of the cards, stroking along them in an almost affectionate way and flipping them all over to be face down, until his gaze darkly flickered up to the man across him for a mere moment. "...power." The magician stated, nails tapping against the top of playing cards littered on the surface, randomly and idly mixing them up among one another. "To affect the world around you, be it sweet or sour." He added suggestively; for magic could bring both good and bad. Power gave you the choice to decide what fate you imposed upon others. It were unclear whether or not Cassian referenced the idea of true magic or simple tricks; however he did not expect his temporary conversation partner to understand the real depth of such mystical context. Most of Paris - most of the world even - did not believe real magic to exist after all.[break][break]
Slowly, the hand extended spread into that of an open palm, fingers slightly bent as if they were about to grab something. The hand began to raise above from the table, the cards sitting still as statues on the table. "For I wish to take my magic to its very peak." Cassian informed as a singular card on the table began to quiver atop the playing card bed. Suddenly, the card dashed upward through the air like that of a bullet, the magician catching the card between his index and middle finger, only to slowly raise his wrist and present the face of the card to his spectator without looking at it himself; the king of diamonds. "And become a king of sorcery, so to speak." He finished, slowly letting the playing card release from his grasp to sway down through the air like a descending leaf until it settled upon the rest of them.[break][break]
In the distance, a man of similar age to the one Cassian spoke to moved through the crowd, approaching from behind to the dark-haired male. The new stranger's eyes were upon Cassian's inquirer like he knew him. A friend? An acquaintance? [break][break]
tag: julius vesper [break] notes: we could end this nice little thread in the next post or two? seems like a nice way for julius to leave with curiosity in his mind about the small, final trick/words from cassian? would be a nice moment to reflect upon when they see each other in the event thread. let me know!
There was a moment of silence and Julius could not help but wonder if he had overstepped somewhere. However, the prosecutor did not retract himself if only because that usually made the situation even more awkward. He would had been fine if the magician had merely kept quiet and left it at that. Then there was a raise of the head and the raven haired male was not sure if the man was gauging him or was merely debating. Should Julius verbally give him an out? Not that, the magician was ever truly forced to do anything.[break][break]
Then the first two words came along with movement. Golden eyes looking over the cards, hands gently stroking the surface of the cards only to slowly flip them. The act itself not only having the grace of someone who had good coordination but also caution, as if he was making sure to not damage them. A master taking care of the tools of his trade.[break][break]
In all honesty, it was quite an unexpected answer. Julius had expected something like belief, or motivation or something one would answer to a child. Almost like when he had asked an adult why they lied about Santa Claus once he had naturally came to the realization of the myth. Yet, he stated magic was power. Power as in the sociological sense? The ability to force your will upon a situation regardless of obstacles? Or the power you have over others because of how much they depend on you? More importantly though, it was only with tricks for magic wasn't actually real. The only true power the man had in front of him was capturing someone's attention. To make him be noticed and therefore looked upon.[break][break]
But suddenly in the magician's explanation, a card flew up from the table and into the magician's hands. A string? It had to be. A thin string that was also strong. It was the only explanation that there was. Julius was sure if he was to google this up, he would find the trick. Although, he must say, it was quite impressive to see a man who could do a trick so well like that. The ability to misdirect with his words might be able to give politicians a run for their money.[break][break]
"I wish you success then," the prosecutor stated although the words were more out of courtesy than anything else. Magic being power...as if. And if magic was power, wouldn't someone wanting to become a king make him dangerous? Well whatever, he was most likely playing out the character.[break][break]
"Julius. I was looking for you!" suddenly came a familiar voice from behind Julius.[break][break]
"Michael," he greeted with the same monotone voice he had used with the magician earlier.[break][break]
"Oh hey there, were you watching this guy?"[break][break]
Julius glanced back at the magician character. Honestly, he had used him to pass by the time and as a meeting point. The man himself was not exactly an active talker either but that also made his words all that more valuable. Of course, that also meant that people like Michael would probably be bored because it wasn't someone over-the-top in their presentation. "We just finished,"[break][break]
"Oh cool. Hey, come over here. There's a guy that throw knives that's really cool!"[break][break]
And just like that Julius was dragged away by his friend. Not that the prosecutor actively fought back, or even looked back at the magician. Days later, his strange words would had been somewhat forgotten. In the back of the male's mind but never something he would think about. Not even when there was a insane person (to which he found out later was just a strange creature) offered to grant him his wish in return for being given magical powers to collect grief seeds from evil chaotic creatures. It was not until a days after when Julius sat down and saw the man that killed his parents was sentenced away in prison did the words truly came back to him.[break][break]
Magic is power.[break]
To affect the world around you.[break]
Sweet or sour.
[break]
note: yeah. i think i wrote my wrap up with julius. your choice if you wanna write like a mini-epilogue part for cassian or not.
Sat silently as the man's companion showed up, Cassian kept that faint, courteous smile upon his features while golden eyes observed the exchange between the two, understanding that they must have came together. And for whatever reason, they split up - intentional or not - which lead to the very meeting that had just taken place between the inquirer and the mystical one. [break][break]
Abruptly, the dark-haired male was lured away by his friend, Cassian's blue head raising up to nonchalantly watch him fade away back into the carnival. Slowly, his hands came close together, hovering over the cards to fluidly make them sweep together, one on top of the other, arranging them back into a singular deck upon the table without having to physically touch them. Throwing knives? Yes, the man that did that was very good; although Cassian was even better at throwing knives than the circus' specialist. Unexpected, perhaps, although the mage possessed photographic reflexes and a frighteningly competent mind, acquisition of many skills of no issue to his nature. [break][break]
Suddenly, a child in the near distance jumped and yelled to his mother, asking if he could go and speak to the "clown-magician" that was seated alone, a deck of cards atop a smooth, wooden table. Looking at the magician, the woman pointed at her child in polite inquiry as to his availability. With a welcoming, soft nod, Cassian's hand gestured to the table, inviting the two to approach.[break][break]
And just like that, the carnival's night continued. [break][break]
The skin LIGHTS OFF was made by JAWN of WICKED WONDERLAND.
HALATION was created by KOJIHIME. Images belong to their respective artists. All codes and scripts belong to their respective coders. Please DO NOT take anything without the owners' permission.
