[Survey] Trick - Chandresh Arc Survey

“Are you telling me you don’t believe in magic? Why would anyone come to a circus if they don’t believe in magic?”

Chandresh stood in front of a small group of skeptical Xeros, who were looking on in keen disbelief as he pulled a dove from his sleeves. The dove cooed, before taking off and landing on a lamppost some distance away. Chandresh gave an easy smile as he returned his gaze to the xero children. 

“There’s absolutely no way magic exists. You just had that bird hiding up your sleeve this whole time and let it out just now. Magic isn’t real!” One of the children challenged, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. 

“Yeah! You just did what all magicians do and tricked us somehow!” Another insisted, her tail curling around her feet as she looked on.

Chandresh was used to such disbelief from adults and children alike. His magic tricks were known and enjoyed by those far and wide, but of course he faced his own fair dose of skepticism on the daily.This was no different.

“Ah…well what if I could show you all a trick that proves once and for all that magic is real and I am a connoisseur and practitioner of it? Would you all be willing to watch me? I mean, you are all sharp as can be and must make sure I do not cheat.” He spoke, his eyes bright.

The children looked at one another, before nodding all in agreement.

“Yeah, sure, but you get one shot…but don;t try anything funny! We know how you magicians are, always pulling the wool over our eyes…”

Chandresh chuckled, “alright, alright…I promise no tricks! Now watch and be amazed as I show you true magic.”

Chandresh pulled a coin from his pocket, and with practiced ease, he showed it in his palm to the group.

“As you can see, I have a single coin. Nothing special about it, aside from the fact it makes me 50 cents richer! I will make this mundane coin disappear before your very eyes!” 

With that, he brought his palms together, rubbed them together a bit, and opened them again to reveal the coin had disappeared without a trace. He flipped his palms over to show he was not hiding the coin on the other side, and emptied his pockets to show it was not hiding inside his clothing. The children stared at him with awe and uncertainty.

“N…No way. You just hid it somewhere! There’s no such thing as a disappearing coin!” The male xero child spoke up, “it’s uh…in your hat! Show us your hat!”

Chandresh smiled and obliged him, handing him his jester’s cap, “You can check, but there you will not find the answers.” 

The Xero children surrounded his hat, looking through every nook and cranny for some false pocket or hidden fabric clasp, but no such thing was found. Dumbfounded, the children stared at him.

“Are…are you really magic?” The girl piped up, looking somewhat hopeful.

Chandresh merely smiled and winked, “I did say I was a practitioner of magic…whether you believe me or not is up to you.”

The kids eventually left to find their parents and enjoy the rest of the circus, and Chandresh smiled to himself. He picked his foot up, and claimed the small coin that was resting on the bottom of his paw pad, stuck with just a bit of sticky residue. He pocketed the coin, and smiled.

“Yes…I do practice magic…but they are called magic tricks for a reason.”

He laughed, twirling on his heels and entering his tent to prepare for his next audience.