[OPEN]

[carptricks]

Who: Kaito carptricks & other people! [OPEN]
When: IC: 12/18, OOC: 4/9 ALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Where: Places!!
What: Why use roads when you can use rooftops instead
Rating/Warning: none!

---

A. The Residential District, Morning

[What a bright and early morning it is, Cerealia! The sun is shining, the weather is mild, the streets are filled with people who are on their way to work and/or school. . . what could ruin a peaceful start to the day like this?]

-- oi, look out above you!

[. . . those of you who heed that warning and glance up will do so just in time to see a duffel bag of school books careening through the air towards your head. Perhaps you yell and duck while covering cranium. Perhaps you dodge out of the way, or even extend your hands to catch the bag as it falls. Either way, seconds before impact, a scruffy-haired school-aged teen leans over the edge of a nearby rooftop and snatches the bag right out of the air. that was a close one]

. . . sorry. Sorry! Better watch where you're walking, huh? Ha ha. . .

[at least he has the decency to look sheepish and apologetic. but more importantly, WHAT IS HE DOING ON TOP OF THAT ROOF]

B. The CERES Game Center, afternoon after school

[There's a crowd gathered around the first floor prize counter today. Or. . . more accurately, there's a crowd gathered around Kaito who is standing on top of the prize counter. He has a string of colorful scarves in hand-- er, no. . . wait, those scarves just disappeared into thin air in a puff of smoke, much to the amazement of that audience]

Only amateur magicians pull rabbits outta top hats. I betcha I can do one better. Wanna see?

[a wink, a flick of his wrist, and he suddenly tugs a black top hat out of nowhere. with a sweeping bow that is given to an audience with eyes wide in wonder, and he plunges his hand inside and begins to dig. gosh, what could he be planning to pull out of that thing?]

[. . . the only person who doesn't look impressed with this show is the prize counter worker, who keeps groaning and mumbling sir you are a street magician and this is not a street can you please go outside. . .]

C. ViVid, evening

[Why go home directly after a performance is completed when he can hang around the arcade and check out ViVid a little more closely??]

[Which is exactly what Kaito does, and is exactly why he's leaning against the wall near the ViVid terminals, shoulders heaving as he tries to catch his breath. he flips his debit card-- now loaded with a bunch of shiny credits, thanks to his performance and a good run through ViVid-- in between his fingers as he rests. He seems. . . pensive]

Even stealth games can give a guy a run for his money, huh. . .

[that had been a lot of exercise, even for an athletic monkey like him. if you happen to pass by, Kaito will push himself away from the wall and lift a hand to flag you down]

. . . hey! You've played this before, right? What's your favorite game?

D. WILDCARD

[Feel free to create your own scenario! He'll be at the academy during the day and at the CERES game center from afternoon to evening]

Comments

b.

[candycoating]

[ Gaius has been... how shall we say, slacking. He hasn't even shown up at work yet! It's embarrassing, and hopefully he hasn't been fired yet. But he's passing by, wearing a much more futuristic outfit than his thiefin' clothes (a plaid shirt and jeans, god, he feels so underdressed), and the crowd catches his eye. Sure enough, it's the guy who took him on the world-class candy tour when he first got here.

This should be pretty interesting. He'll stay silent at the back of the crowd, but watch intently to see just what Kaito pulls out of the hat. ]

[carptricks]

[whatever he's planning on pulling out of there, it sure is taking a lot of concentration. he has one eye squinted shut, the tip of his tongue poking out of his mouth. his audience leans forward in interest, their arms and elbows spilling over onto the prize counter]

Geez. . . I think it might be stuck.

[the way he grumps and scoffs is all part of the show, but kaito's a good actor. judging by the way the audience lets out a collective "aaaaw!" they're eating the act allll up]

I think it might need a good whack or two. [kaito withdraws his hand from the hat and gives it a good shake; he hasn't seemed to notice gaius yet, even as his gaze sweeps the crowd] Anyone wanna volunteer?

[now is your chance to be a true magician's assistant!1]

[candycoating]

[ The fun-hater in Gaius wants to see how this will all pan out, and to hang back and watch. The other part of him, however, wants to greet this guy and draw his attention to him. So, while nudging someone else slightly out of the way, he'll raise a hand. ]

Pick me.

[ So... enthusiastic, ain't he? ]

[carptricks]

[kaito lifts his head, seeking out the owner of the voice]

Aaaand we have a volunteer! Over--

[he pauses when he notices gaius, who sticks out of the crowd like a sore thumb. there was something familiar. . .]

[. . . aha!]

Huh! Fancy meeting you here as well, Mr. Sweet Tooth. [he grins, and then gestures for Gaius to step onto the prize counter with him]

Don't be shy, now. The view of the audience is much better from up here.

a.

[brbwalking]

[ Judith doesn't do as much wandering in the daylight hours, but she's still exploring, double-checking with Ba'ul from time to time.

When she hears the yell, the whoosh of impending bag, she already has both arms slightly extended, body braced--

And then suddenly Kaito. Somehow, Judith doesn't even look surprised. ]

I would have been fine, but I appreciate the concern.

[carptricks]

[. . . ooooooooh it's that woman from the funhouse!1]

[he blinks down at her, surprise and then recognition seeping into his expression, before he pulls up a sheepish grin]

I believe you. Your reflexes aren't half bad, huh?

[he pulls the bag back effortlessly and slings it over his shoulder, though he doesn't hop down from the rooftop just yet]

[brbwalking]

I do a fair bit of fighting, that's all. Reflexes come in handy when they work.

[ And she's fine conversing pleasantly like this. ]

B

[bewrightback]

[Phoenix is part of this crowd, and he doesn't look particularly impressed. His opinion might be a bit biased, however. He keeps watching with a skeptical look.]

[carptricks]

[if kaito notices his skeptical viewer, he certainly doesn't let on that he does. his focus is on his performance and the people staring at him in eager anticipation]

Hmm. . . [he gives a thoughtful hum, then withdraws his hand from his hat] Whatever is in here must be pretty big. Perhaps if I. . .

[he flips the hat right side up, so the opening is facing the ground]

[he clears his throat. raps his knuckles against the top of his hat. once, twice, three times. . .]




[and right before everyone's eyes, an animal that looks suspiciously like a baby elephant tumbles out of the hat and onto the floor]

[bewrightback]

[Okay, now that's unexpected. He stares on in disbelief for a moment, before going to try to get a closer look at the elephant.]

What... what?

c;

[psycholawgy]

[ Ever since she played a game with Yata, Athena's gotten more interested in ViViD that she wants to train and make sure she's strong enough, even in virtual reality. After work, she drops by the game center to do some training on her own, but ends up seeing Kaito there too. ]

I've only played one game! [ she says rather proudly. ] It's called Last Legend, or something.

[carptricks]

[well hey, that game name is familiar. someone else played it for the first time a few days ago]

What, that adventure RPG? Hoooh, I s'posed your taste isn't so bad after all.

[psycholawgy]

Actually, I didn't pick it. Yatta did. But thanks, I know I have good taste.

[ WHO CARES ABOUT BEING BASHFUL? NOT THIS GIRL. ]

Have you tried it before?

b. This is a 2 for 1 deal

[queenofminiskirts]

[Kaoru is totally dragging Shiho with her to this. Because it seems cool and because they basically spend most of their time together.

Either way, she's pushing her way through the crowd so they can see better (not being able to use her powers to fly was a pain sometimes).

When they get to the front, Kaoru nudges Shiho a bit.]

What do you think is going to come out of the hat if not a rabbit, Shiho?

[She doesn't really pay attention to the prize counter worker at all and just focuses on the show. She may wave if she catches Kaitou's eye.]

Hope this is okay!

[good_ideas]

[So this is what he meant when he told Kaoru that he worked here...]

A tiger?

[She has no idea, but a tiger running rampant in the game center seems like it would be a lot of fun.]

Of course, absolutely!

[carptricks]

[it seems the performer overhears their chattering, for he pulls his hand from the hat and shakes it out, before jabbing a finger in kaoru and shiho's direction]

Nice guess, but. . . bzzzzt! Wrong!

[he seems amused, at least. and he does't drop the act, either]

It's something much bigger'n a tiger. And it must be pretty comfortable in there, because it doesn't want to come out. . .

[he gives the hat a few good shakes, like he's trying to loosen whatever it is inside]

a!

[flamberge]

[the last thing kratos expects while heading to work is something falling from the sky right at him. unlike more considerate people, no effort to catch it gets made. not getting hit is more important than saving some unknown object! he hears the thing coming early enough and steps off to the side. the lack of anything hitting the ground seconds later gets him to look up.

ah, that kid. somehow this is a sign about the sort of day today's going to be. kratos gives him the most unimpressed face ever at that comment. yes, people should watch where they're going because an idiot on the roof has butterfingers. genius logic if he'd ever heard it.]

Or you could hold onto your belongings better instead.

[carptricks]

. . .

[and kaito's sheepish expression immediately turns flat. that guy. it's a good thingh e doesn't have any signs today!1]

I slipped.

[that was his bad. he admits it, as painful as it may be. he doesn't come down from the roof either, instead opting to hoist the bag back, sling it over his shoulder, and continue this conversation while he's leaning over the edge]

No harm done though, right? It didn't even hit the ground.

[flamberge]

[wow, actually admitting fault? color him pleasantly surprised. badmouthed kid might actually not be that bad overall when signs aren't involved. kratos folds his arms over his chest with his expression softening the slightest bit, going from super flat to simply indifferent.]

I'll admit to your reflexes being decent, however had you been careful to begin with, you wouldn't have needed to use them.

[nothing starts a morning off right than lecturing strange kids on roof-jumping safety! ...why is he running around on rooftops to begin with? good question.]

b

[dereban]

[ On a normal daily basis, Inaba would be rather skeptical about magicians. She had fun with them when she was younger, sure, but now that she's older, well. . .it just wasn't the same. Shrugging her shoulders, she just simply speaks up with a bored look on her face. ]

Sure, but I bet it won't be that impressive. [ Is she aiming to annoy him?? Maybe. ]

[carptricks]

[her attempt at annoying him doesn't seem to work. . . his smile remains firmly in place, and his energy is still high]

[he does respond to her, in a voice as cheerful as his demeanor is]

Haaah, making conclusions before the show even finishes, miss?

[he withdraws his hand and flips the hat right side up, so the opening is facing the ground]

How much are you willing to bet, exactly?

[dereban]

Hmm.

[ Tapping her chin with a rather inquisitive hum coming off her lips, she just grins, having the best idea ever. ]

I don't know, a favor maybe? I'd bet my whole dinner on it.

a) i hope you don't mind this is coming in late! :x

[multiglyphs]

[ uh, WRONG, more importantly — that bag could have totally concussed her!? (also, you just do not do that to books. don't be a heathen.) ]

Excuse me?

[ weiss' sharp tone is only matched by the daggers in her glare as she stands there, hands settled on her hips like she's getting comfortable enough to launch into a full on lecture mode. she did not get up early to walk to school to be belted by a book bag thank you very much! ]

I hope you're not implying that this would have been my fault!

i don't mind late tags at all /o/!

[carptricks]

[whoops. that joke sure fell flat, didn't it]

. . . no, no! I-- uh. Nope. That was my fault.

[he slings the bag over his shoulder-- safe-- secures his footing on the rooftop a bit more. better make sure he doesn't fall too, especially as he's holding a conversation while leaning over the edge]

It was a joke. Er. . . an attempt at a joke.

ahh thanks!

[multiglyphs]

[ surprisingly enough, that gets weiss to soften up a little. at the very least, her expression is no longer quite as indignant and/or frustrated... indeed, she looks almost sympathetic.

she knows all about attempts at jokes falling flat on their face, kaito. ]

Supposedly, puns are easier.

[ she shifts a little, one hand falling from her hip. ]

What are you doing up there anyway? [ squinting a little, she thinks she recognizes him as a fellow student. ] You'll wind up late for class if you keep hanging around like that.