callmeles | Of Wishes and New Friends (for Zayne)

It's his first time in Seattle and Zayne is excited for it. It's an all new show he's premiering tonight, just because he loves taunting those trying to break the secret of his magic.

Not that they ever can, and just so long as they never do he can keep running the show. Not that the Whip's haven't tried for a long time to shut him down but it's an honest living. At least among the Arcanics.

And it starts with a tiger that stalks the edge of the stage, snarling and growling. An assistant in sequins feeds it steaks, showing it's live and able to eat, alive and dangerous. Then, as it leaps for the audience, a tall man in flowing white linen pants and an open brocade vest puts himself between the audience and the tiger. A snap of his fingers and it dissolves into black smoke and reforms as a raven on his arm.

By the time the lights go down and the show starts, Piper is thankful. She wouldn’t have to hear about “how HOT and totally tappable” Zayne was or “we are going to figure it out this time - it has to be a trick”. Now, she could see for herself.

All she could do after that first... trick..illusion? Was to blink and slowly grin. The man was indeed very attractive and he also had literal magic. She could feel it and it was different somehow. She clapped along with everyone else and watched the raven for a long minute before returning her attention to Zayne.

This was already proving to be worth the money.

The raven set off into flight almost instantly, swooping over the audience. Slowly it dissolved into glitter that fell over the people watching. He though was watching the woman in the front row that looked beautiful and elegant and practically radiated magic.

Interesting.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to the show. I am Zayne."

It came with fanfare and pyrotechnics as he danced and swirled in the mist and lights. He comes to a stop before Piper, holding out his hand to her.

"My assistant for the next trick," he announces, not asking for volunteers or giving her a choice as spotlights come up and someone rushes forward with a rolling staircase to get up on the stage.

When Piper's attention returned to him, she swore she saw him watching her. But then he went into his introduction and seriously, Piper had to give it to him. He knew how to start a show.

The glitter was especially a nice touch. It was going to be everywhere by the end of the night. The moment he stopped in front of her though and held out a hand, her eyebrows rose. She hesitated for only a second before standing from her seat. When the staircase was set in front of her, she stepped onto it then walked up and took his hand. There was a small part of her that thought she should refuse and have him choose someone else but she'd come here for a reason.

She could hear the clapping from the audience. Keeping a low profile indeed, Allison. Although she'd gone by Alessandra De Luca now for at least a year and a half, that was a hard one to break.

Taking her hand, there is definitely a charge there. Interesting. She isn't the first magically inclined person he's had in his audience but she's definitely a little bit above and beyond many. She positively glows, he thinks though he's not sure. Maybe it's just the already high energy from his performance and how good he feels when he's on stage.

"I am so lucky that the one that called to me tonight is such a beautiful and elegant woman, aren't I? May I ask your name?"

Even as he asks, he guides her towards a raised platform his assistants have brought out, two steps up to it and guiding her to the base of them, not guiding her up onto it yet though.

Piper glanced down at their hands as she felt that charge. Well, that was a new one for her. She lifted her gaze up to his.

Oh, she was not going to become like those fangirls sitting behind her.

"You really are," she answered with an amused smile. "Alessandra." Though whether he picked up that it was true or not was up for interpretation. For now, in a situation like this, she was not giving her real name out.

She stood at the base of the steps and looked at the platform before returning her gaze to him. Piper had not expected this tonight but she can't say she was disappointed.

"Alessandra," he announces, his voice projecting to the back of the hall as he holds up their joined hands for everyone to applaud her. And they do, the applause thunderous.

"This is a new trick and I'm excited to share it with you all. First though I'm going to need some information from you all. Someone tell me what your favorite animal is."

There is yelling and shouting. Everything from tigers and elephants to gorillas and puppies. One lady in the front keeps saying wolf. He looks to Alessandra.

"Which do you think? I mean, since I'm going to turn you into one of them. Which would you prefer?"

The audience quiets down as he asks her that.

She had to admit, if only to herself, that she liked the way the name sounded out of his mouth. Piper grinned at the applause then raised her eyebrows when he asked the crowd their favorite animal. What was he... oh. When he asked her her preference, she tilted her head.

Piper had always liked large cats but she was leaning toward something else today. "I'm feeling the wolf vibe," she said, projecting her voice a bit so she could be heard. She'd heard the lady in the front saying wolf and hell, why not.

She was curious how this would go. If anything, it's a nice change of pace.

Now he knows what the audience is expecting. Sleight of hand, some tricks with mirrors, a well trained tiger drugged so it isn't a risk to himself and others. Or, in this case, a wolf.

That he lets them choose is part of the fun. That he lets her choose and he loves that they'll think she works for him. Except she'll know. Not just that she's not but what he's going to do.

He moves to walk her up onto the platform, letting go of her hand then as he steps back.

"A wolf it will be then. Whatever the lady wants, after all."

Stepping away, the assistant's draw up a metal cage. For the audience it would look like it suddenly happened from one moment to the next. For Alessandra it's a sudden, magical shift and she's suddenly in the cage a wolf.

Not any sleight of hand, just turning her into a wolf. The audience cheers and laughs.

"Now. One of you," he says, gesturing at the audience. "Something that we can ask her to do for us to prove it's her. Something obviously a wolf can do but that I couldn't have known to train her for."

They all start yelling out things and he finally picks one that couldn't really have been thought of to train them for.

"Ms Alessandra," he says, coming to start into her eyes, smiling widely. "Would you please lay down, put your face on the ground and thump your tail three times?"

Her mouth curled up just a little at the edges. When the metal cage came up around her, she truly had to take a moment to breathe and not react. She's allowed this to happen after all. She could have refused or chosen a less dangerous animal.

One moment she's human and the next... she's on all fours as a wolf. If she thought her senses were heightened as a witch, it was nothing compared to that of the wolf. She stretched out slowly, testing out the strength that she felt, and cocked her head.

Piper would say that she was not completely expecting this but considering what she'd felt from him during that first trick, she's not that surprised. It intrigued her, truthfully, that someone like him was operating on that very thin line between a normal magician and a true magician in all sense of the word.

She growled low, almost playful when he looked into her eyes with that wide smile. You're just lucky you're kind of cute, she thought to herself. Scratch that. More than kind of cute. He was also lucky that his magic didn't feel wrong otherwise, well she would not have been here otherwise. As requested, Piper laid down, after an awkward moment of uncertainty, and then thumped her tail three times.

I'm only a little jealous I don't have a shifter power now.

Though, she was well aware shifters had their own issues that they dealt with.

Edited 2020-12-04 01:46 (UTC)

It was too much and he knows it. Not just in shifting her, but in asking her to do those things to prove that it's not a trained wolf. Though he knows they'll believe that and will argue that it's all mirrors and smoke, and he loves that. It's why he's allowed to keep doing this, because no one can prove he's truly using magic.

Except he had just revealed himself to someone, and so there's a chance the Whip could be after him. His luck is it with be Madoc. Bastard's wanted to nail his ass to the wall for years.

"Isn't she still lovely?"

Grinning as he steps back, gesturing towards her as the audience cheers.

"Though I think I liked her much better as she was before."

The music soars, the lights flicker and spotlights roll over the crowd.

He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a handful of glitter. He tosses it into the air and as he does, she shifts back to herself.

"Isn't she much more lovely like this?!"

Piper watches him and cocks her head a little before turning to face the crowd and growls, though it was a playful growl all the same. She found the man absolutely fascinating and was looking forward to the rest of his show if this was any indication of what to expect.

Just like before, one minute she was a wolf and in the next, she was herself again, standing and grateful for the bars to be put down. She gave the crowd a smile. "I have to say, I enjoy being myself as well," she said. Though, there was something to be said about being a wolf for a minute or two.

There was also a part of her that would really want to speak to him one on one but she wasn't sure how to go about that or if it was even a possibility.

He laughs at her reaction, a loud and booming sound of appreciation as he moves to offer her his hand as the others open the cage.

"Thank you for being such a beautiful and elegant sport about this. I know it's asking so much."

Many will think she's a plant, that they staged this. Usually he does use others who knew what he was. Now though he wants her to look to him and want to try and learn more. Since he wants to know more about her as well.

"And because you were such good sport, your evening is on me," he says. "Try and not drink too much of that champagne at your table."

And suddenly there is a stand and bucket with an expensive champagne in the ice, cooling.

Piper laughed and takes the offered hand, stepping down from the stage. "You should be so lucky, usually I ask for dinner before I let anyone turn me into an animal," she said, perhaps before she thought better of it.

But then he mentions that the champagne was on him and well, that did make up for it. "But champagne will do just as well," she said with a grin. Truth be told, she did want to learn more about him. She found him absolutely fascinating in a way she didn't really expect that evening.

She heard the audience laugh at her response and gave a somewhat elegant and perhaps slightly awkward bow. Everyone would probably think she was somehow in on his magic trick but she knew that what she'd just experienced was anything but smoke and mirrors.

Her words get that laugh from the audience and he can't help but smile. They would definitely think she was a plant now and he loves it. It keeps the Whips from thinking they can make him stop. So long as no one believes the truth, there's nothing they can do. Not by their own rules.

He takes her hand, leading her to the stairs. The lights swirl and flicker as the next trick is prepared for. He leans in close to her.

"Stay around after the show. Someone will come bring you to me," he says in a low, soft voice as he escorts her to her table. "And enjoy the show."

Piper gave his hand a little squeeze before releasing it in acknowledgment of his words. There was no doubt about it, she'd definitely have to stay now and see what he had to say. "I have no doubt that I will enjoy the rest of the show." She took her seat and reached over to pour herself a bit of the champagne he'd given her.

She had no doubt that everyone in the audience would think she was part of the show and while they both knew she wasn't, she wasn't opposed to pretending she was. Piper could see why, aside from his looks, that his show was so popular. It truly blurred that line between magic and trickery. It was fascinating.

The rest of the show was a spectacle of lights and glitter and animals and mystery. Tricks that were nothing like anyone had ever seen, that they couldn't replicate, and much as they tried no one of them could manage to figure out.

Then the stage went dark and the lights came on and one of the sequin clad gentlemen came to her table. "If you'll come with me, Miss," he says with a wide smile and turns to head for backstage. "Can we get you a drink?"

"Only a water, please," she said, her bag over her shoulder as she follows the man backstage. She saw a few fangirls trying to get his attention so that they too can be lead backstage.

Piper shook her head with an amused grin, already knowing the skeptics in the crowd would be talking about it on their YouTube channels in the upcoming day(s). It had been an amazing show. Normally, she didn't find shows like this interesting in the least and she knew why. Most of those were tricks of illusion and this one toed the line very well.

The gentleman nods at that, smiling brightly at her as he stops by a fridge just outside a dressing room and pulling out a bottle that he hands to her. He ignores them, his attention on Piper and her alone.

"Zayne will be here in a moment. He always takes a moment to meditate just after a performance. For his health," he says, which is the truth. Just not in the way it seems to many when they're told that. Most think it's setting up the tricks and dismantling his secrets.

In truth he's recovering from the magic that he's done.

The assistant leads her to a room with candles and candies on a table, with comfortable couches and everything set up for company and it shows.

"He'll be right in, Ma'am."

"Thank you," she said then took the bottle of water from him. She nodded in understanding and let him lead her into the room. "That makes sense," she agreed, thinking of how long it had been since she's meditated. Far too long, no doubt.

"Thank you again and I hope you have a good rest of your evening." She knew it was undoubtedly part of his job, she still appreciated it all the same. Piper could imagine just how late their nights went but as far as jobs went, it seemed exciting and always changing.

Once she was alone in the room, Piper took a moment to survey her surroundings. It was comfortable and charming. It was also set up for company and that thought made her grin. It could be taken for a romantic atmosphere but she also got the feeling it was supposed to make the person comfortable. Whether this was set up for every show he had or if it was a spur of the moment thing, she didn't know. It didn't really matter one way or the other, honestly.

Throughout the show, she'd found herself more and more intrigued by him and that thin line he skirted with absolute ease. It was... inspiring, actually.

It isn't all that long before there's a polite knock on the door. It might be his room but that doesn't change that he'll be polite and let her know he's entering.

Opening the door he comes in wearing loose fitting black pants that flow with his step and a white singlet that shows off his muscles and the naturally rich tones of his skin.

"Well well. I wasn't expecting to have prestigious company tonight. You should have let us know. You would have had VIP treatment." He steps forward, offering his hand to her. "I'm Zayne, and the pleasure is all mine. Thank you for playing along."

Piper sat down the bottle of water when she heard the knock and turned to look at the door. She took a moment to look the man over, now that he was out of his flashy outfit. There was no denying that the man was very attractive.

Her mouth curled up as she shook her head. "Prestigious is one way of putting it, I suppose," she said and stepped forward, taking his hand in hers and shaking it. "Piper and no, thank you. That was the most fun that I've had in a while." She knew she was admitting to the fact that she'd given him a false name earlier but she got the feeling that he knew (or suspected) who she was.

"You put on one hell of a show. It's inspiring."

"How else would you put it? Come now. I get magic workers from time to time, but you are off the charts," he says, looking her over. "In every single way"

Taking a moment, shaking her hand and smiling at that. "I'm so glad," he says, accepting that she had given an alias. It's what he would have done in her place as well. "Please, please. Sit down. I mean, unless you were sent to shut me down. In which case, I'll be greatly disappointed."

She wouldn't be the first one sent to prove he was revealing himself, after all.

"I bet you say that to everyone," Piper couldn't help but tease him before taking the offered seat with a shake of her head.

Settling in, she watched him for a moment, crossing her legs. "No, I'm not here to shut you down. Honestly, I didn't know about your show until recently. I had to come and see it for myself." Piper debated for a moment. "So, how private is this place?" The last thing she wanted was for any information about her to get out because of some passerby overhearing their conversation.

"Maybe," he says with a grin and a wink. "But with you I mean it."

And he does. She is definitely on another plane when it comes to her energy and he is finding that he really likes that from her.

When she says she's not there for that, he can't help but smile. Moving to sit down across from her, waving a hand. A chilled bottle of wine appeared before them, two glasses with it. He leans forward to pour them both a glass.

A wave of his hand and there's a shimmer. "It's just you and me," he says with a smile. "No cameras, no recording devices. I am, basically, at your mercy."

Piper laughed and nodded, bringing her drink to her mouth for a sip. She set the bottle of water down then watched as he sat down across from her and summoned the bottle of wine. She reached over and took the glass from him.

She swirled the wine in the glass and watched the liquid for a moment before lifting her glass to look at Zayne. "My name is Piper Allison. I'm not sure how much you know of various prophecies but I was part of a prophecy until my cousin was killed. Ever heard of the Enchanted?"

It wasn't the first time she'd talked about it and honestly, it was starting to get easier to say without wanting to fall apart. "I don't suppose you have the power to bring people back from the dead, do you?" It was said jokingly but she couldn't deny that there was a hopeful note at the end.

He isn't sure what he expected. He's had others others come to his show that sensed the reality but he hadn't found anyone here like this. No one like the woman sitting before him. And then he said something he never thought that he, as a djinn might say to someone.

"I never thought they were real," he says, being honest with her. "Which I never thought I've said," he admits to her. "Though you may have asked the one person that isn't able to help you with his own power. One of the few things that Disney ever got right," he says, shaking his head.

"Genies can't bring the dead back to life."

"That's fair. We didn't know a single thing about it until marks appeared on our wrists," she said with a half-smile before bringing the glass of wine up to her mouth. She would say that she didn't expect someone like him to be real but she'd become less surprised by what was real than ever before.

She nodded in understanding and mentally shifted to move on. She'd come on a fluke, not knowing what to truly expect from the show and while she'd been hopeful, she'd known better than to place her bets on it. "I figured it was a long shot," Piper admitted and settled into the couch.

"The show was fantastic, probably one of the best I've been to. I lost track of how many times I heard how attractive you were and also what were the best methods to replicate your illusions." It was a rapid change of subject, she knew that but there was no point in dragging it out.

"It's kind of neat having a legend here as well," he notes with a small smile. "It's always been interesting living as the things stories are made from. How does it feel for you?"

Because he's only ever talked to a few beings like himself. They were all scattered and tended to avoid one another. Especially genies.

"And yet you get here and you find a genie. I feel like it was kismet," he admits, considering her curiously. He lights up though when she says she enjoyed the show.

"I'm so glad. I wasn't sure what I would have done if you hadn't played along. Thank you for that. It'll be my best rated show and they'll want me to do it again," he admits, giving her a wink. "Might have to glamour you and let you come to another one."

Piper considered his question for a moment in silence. She thought back to when she and Jordan found out who they were and how they felt months after the realization. "I loved it, once upon a time. It was exciting and something different than the normal "boring" life I thought I'd have when I grew up. Recently, I lost a bit of that zeal... I even got to a point where I cursed it. Now? I'm not sure. Of course, if you were talking about being around you, it's fascinating. In all this time, I've never come across someone like you."

"I cannot disagree with that. I came across your ad for the show by happenstance and felt drawn to attending," she admitted. "I figured if anything it'll get me out of the house and do something different for a change."

She laughed when he said he may have to glamour her. "I curse that shapeshifting was not one of my powers because that was rather fun," Piper grinned, allowing herself to relax a little. Since she left London, she didn't spend long periods of time with people - especially other magical people. "I don't know - if it's the right time and right place, I'll be happy to come to another one."

"What would bring you to curse it? I have been doing this for centuries and I love it. I love how mankind changes. I love how interesting it all is," he says, staring at her with a bit of confusion as he lifts a glass of champagne, taking a drink.

"I can say the same. I've met a lot of beings but never one of you," he says, pausing a moment before adding. "Trust is that there are only a few of us left. I couldn't even tell you how many. I haven't run into another in at least fifty years? It may have been more about now," he admits, thinking about it. "At least.

"I put a bit of a charm on the adverts actually. Just in case I could find others. I guess that drew you in."

And he's glad it did.

"You know, I might be able to fashion a charm for you. A bit of my magic that would let you obtain the form regularly. I think the one thing I would have to do is just shift you ever few months, and it would just be the one form. If you're interested. We could do it through various shows?"

"Because I lost two people closest to me due to having magic," she said, looking down at her glass for a moment so she didn't have to look at him. After a moment, she lifted her gaze. "But I swore to them and myself that I would do whatever it took to take them all down."

It was more than she expected to share with the man but it was out before she could hold herself back. "After that, then I'm sure I'll enjoy it for just as long." By this point, she was rather sure that she was still immortal and so long as nothing happened, she was bound to live obnoxiously long.

Piper shrugged a shoulder, bringing her glass up to her lips for a drink. "I'm not sure if there's anything super special about me now except being a more powerful than average witch with a bounty on her head," she said, because she didn't consider herself an Enchanted any longer or any sort of "chosen one" nonsense. "You don't get very many witches or other magical beings coming to your shows? That's disappointing - people could learn a thing or two, I would imagine."

Her eyebrows rose at the offer and tilted her head a little in consideration. It could actually come in handy. None of those who were coming after her, or rather (and more importantly), those she was going after would even begin to expect it. And, the little voice inside her mind said, she could get out a bit more, and if it meant seeing him at various shows, well... who was she to pass up that sort of opportunity. "That could come in handy in my future plans and it would be enjoyable to show up at various shows," she said after a moment, a smile curling on her mouth. "I'd be up for it."

"Everyone loses people. Magic isn't the only reason, though you say take them all down. So you know who killed them and why? I assume magical beings then?" He's not sure he could think of any other reason she worded it the way she did.

Though he can't help but shrug. He doubts what he's about to ask but then he can't help but wonder. "They you're taking out isn't me and why you're here, is it?" Because if so, he had led her into a place to kill him all on his own.

"Every now and then I get someone. A few vampires who actually come often when I'm in Atlantic City and New Orleans. A handful of witches here and there. Some sense I'm different but they can't figure out what I am. Most don't recognize we exist, after all."

And it's why most didn't guess what he was. They heard hooves and thought horses, even when in the midst of the unicorn.

"I admit, I'm offering to help, sure but mostly it's for an excuse to see you again," he admits with a playful wink.

What he said was true and she knew that. People died every day - magic or not. But if they hadn't been the Enchanted, would Jordan have died? Would they have attacked that night?

Never mind the fact that if they hadn't been the Enchanted, would she and David have gotten together? What about Jordan and Ben? Probably... probably not.

Life would have been ~~blessedly~~ ~~obnoxiously~~ normal.

"If we weren't the Enchanted, they wouldn't have come after her," Piper finished, trying to keep her voice even as she looked anywhere other than at him. "It was a group of vampires, demons, and a few witches who came after them that night. We were supposed to be some force of good in this world and they couldn't have that. They felt threatened, no doubt."

Her mouth quirked up. "No, I wouldn't be nearly as nice if I thought you had a hand in what happened a year or so ago."

When he admitted it was so that he could see her again, her wry smile grew more genuine. "I'd like that then." She was told by a few people that she needed to get out of her head but they didn't know the situation or knew her.

Edited (because html.) 2021-12-22 21:41 (UTC)

He considers that. All of it. Not just who had done the deed and why, but how she said that about why they had been targeted.

"A force of good," he says, nodding even though his nose wrinkles. "Maybe I should be concerned. Being anything but good, of course," he adds, but he knows he's not on the level with those she's seeking. Not in that he might not be good but he's not evil either.

"How long have you been in town? I only ask because a demon tried to gain entry a few nights ago and my people turned them away. Now you're here and I have to wonder if the two things are related." He is warning her, and giving her more information than he had to but he was definitely trying to help.

"I can try and find out what I can about them and fashion your charm and then we could meet again?"

Piper considered him for a long moment before finishing off her glass of champagne and setting it down. "Hence the term 'was supposed to be'," she said with a snort. "It's only been a year and much to my ancestor's consternation, I've become increasingly grey. I'm not their precious 'chosen one' nor am I ready to root for the same bastards who killed my family. So. I'm on Team Me right now." After she said it, she rolled her eyes to herself. "Which sounds really childish, I realize."

"I've been in Seattle for the last six months, keeping primarily to myself...," she started to say and brought a hand up to rub at her temples. "You're probably right. It's been my theory they're anticipating an easy kill now that Jordan's gone. I appreciate the warning, thank you."

She'd known it was dangerous, she didn't want to pull others necessarily into her life drama. Piper was just going to make a fashionable excuse to go so she didn't bring more trouble on his head when he offered that.

"Would you? I would appreciate that... how long are you all staying in town? Where are you set to go next?" She hadn't really looked at his tour schedule to see where he went after Seattle, only that he was here now and she had the night free. The fact that he was offering this was a surprise.

"Not at all. It sounds smart, and certainly how I live my life. You were born for you, not for some family thing or to follow in the wanted footsteps of others. You have to put you first, no matter what. So it's not childish, it's the words of a survivor that won't follow others blindly. Seems that of a smart woman to me."

And he knew it was how he did things. He supports himself first and foremost because it won't do him any good to die for others. That and he's a selfish bastard.

"Now they may not be here for you but the truth is, I don't want to take that chance with you even if they might just be here for your standard seeking out the djinn kind of thing."

He rolls his eyes at that. "Sadly all manner of beings seek me out given how few there are and the legends and stories about us. But it's certainly possible it could be for you and not me."

He nods at her, smiling softly. "Of course. Us unique ones need to stick together." And it's more that he's curious about her now and doesn't want her wandering off. Or worse, dead.

"I have three more nights here and then a week break. I tend to do a week and then a break. Easier to set up once for several shows than that dreaded different city a night thing that bands do. Why even would you do that to yourself?"

"If my ancestors had their way, we'd have been taken from a young age and "trained". But they are a bit old-fashioned for being 500 years old," Piper remarked with a roll of her eyes.

It settled something deep in her mind that she wasn't purely being selfish for putting herself and her goals first.

Was it a healthy coping mechanism? Probably not. But, at least she wasn't drowning herself in a bottle of whiskey every night or snorting a bunch of cocaine. Not that either would do very well in her system.

Her mouth quirked up at the mention of unique ones and nodded. "I suppose so," she agreed. "Either way, I will be doubly on my guard knowing someone has been sniffing around." She'd have to double and triple check her wards back home too, just in case.

She snorted in amusement. "It sounds exhausting to go to a different city a night," she agreed. "Though, when I was younger, the prospect would have been exciting. I imagine it loses its appeal very quickly."

"I can return tomorrow night or in a couple of nights before you leave. It doesn't even have to be here," she said, motioning to the room with her hand. "But somewhere else in Seattle or its surrounding area." She found the prospect promising. "What can I do for you then? Show up on occasion and be the ever fabulous assistant? I find that I have a talent for that."

"Ooooh training. The kind that means staying far away from others and not learning to think outside the box. I know of that sort of education." His people practiced it as well. He could imagine what they would think of what he's doing now and how he's using his magic.

He nods at that, glad to hear it. "Good. I'll keep up with what I can find."

He snorts at that, rolling his eyes. "You have no idea. I like travel but the setting up and tearing down, even if I don't do it, its annoying. Also makes it hard to guard things when it's obvious people are snooping around to find out my secrets. I have to keep actual stage magic props around just so anyone snooping doesn't realize the truth."

He needs no props but himself and the games he plays. But can't have people realizing that.

"Somewhere else in Seattle. So like a date?" Oh but he lights up at that. "And don't tempt me or you'll end up tour with me."

Piper laughed and nodded. "Exactly. Ensuring that we would be dedicated only to what we were destined to do for the rest of eternity." She rolled her eyes at her own words before shaking her head. "They're not thrilled with my new found path but I didn't care then and I care even less now."

"I wonder if there's a ward or charm to make people see what you want them to see or expect them to see," she mused, considering what he said about the tear down process. "Manipulative perhaps but," she shrugged. "Sometimes we need a way to keep our secrets."

She snorted with an amused grin. "If that's what you want to call it." She could imagine being on a true date with a man like him would be an experience. "As tempting as that is..." And it was tempting. But the guy didn't need her drama infiltrating his world.

"Wow, that sounds entirely fun," he says in flat, dead tones before making a face. "And they don't get why you aren't interested, do they?"

He can only imagine how unimpressed they're likely to be about what she's doing, or more than that, her there with him. "Do they tend to follow you about or did they give up on that?"

Not that he's paranoid but he can't help but to wonder about what they might think of her there, or him. Which actually amuses him more than it should.

"I have managed a handful of illusions but for them to hold and be physically there, they can't be touched or inspected. The moment they start pushing to look past it, they could end up seeing the truth. You think there might be another way?"

Because he's more than willing to try whatever she might know that could help him to keep his secrets and its looking like she might have an idea or two.

"Oh don't start that with me. It's more than tempting and you should think about it. What's stopping you?"

"The most fun," she said dryly before laughing. "They don't understand why I can't just do what they want me to do."

Piper considered the question for a moment, thinking over the last year or two if she's felt them around, and shook her head. "No, I think they've given up on that. I've also done my best to mask my power signature so perhaps that's working." But she knew, if they really wanted to find her, they had their ways.

She did have to wonder what they would think if they knew she was here with him. The thought endlessly amused her.

"There might be. It's something I will have to look into and experiment with," Piper considered for a moment, thinking about the implications and what exactly she would need for it to work. Not only would it be helpful to him but to her as well.

Piper watched him for a moment and tilted her head. "The last thing you need is any of my drama coming back to you."

"Well isn't that everyone's desire? To follow the rules no matter what they want?"

He rolls his eyes, the two of them both knowing that isn't how anyone wants things to be.

"Have you tried to find a way to change it? Like a full time cloaking? Can your kind do that? Might work better if someone not one of yours did it, because then it has no even connected energy lingering.

"Oh no. The first thing I need is more excitement, always. Drama is just excitement with emotions and I have no horse in the raise. So it's just excitement to me. I mean, if you wanted to." Then he pauses, adding with a wicked smile. "You never know. Being close to me regularly could bury your scent, as it were."

"It's almost as if they don't know our family line very well," she remarks with an amused look. "The family was once full of rebels but now they have the audacity to be shocked that I'm not stepping in line. That we didn't step in line. It really pissed them off when we got involved with vampires."

Her toe tapped on the floor as she considered the question of cloaking before shaking her head. "I've never come across something like that, yet. I'll have to look into it though."

Piper snorts at his wicked smile. "You raise an excellent point, with enough time it could. If you're serious... I'll have to think about that." There was the potential to learn a lot from him and she had to admit, it would be enjoyable being around him.

"Obviously they've worked hard to change things, and they expect you to change as well," he says, shaking his head and not at all impressed. "Sounds like it's time to show them who your ancestors were," he points out. Which sounds amusing and helpful to her at the same time.

"Look into it, and I can show you the means of it I know. Maybe we can test it against your magic to see."

"I am absolutely serious, so you should think about it. I think it could be a lot of fun for us both."

She nods in agreement and when he says she should remind them who her ancestors were, she hums in consideration. "I really like that idea," she says with a slow grin. Not only did it sound amusing as hell but for the first time in the last year, since she's been on this revenge mission, it sounds like something she would have happily done before.

Piper watches him for a moment, curious about how in the long term his magic and hers would blend. "I'll look into it tonight." Because did she really have anything better to do?

"It could be a lot of fun," she admits with a laugh. "Do you even have room for me on this tour?" She would get to travel to whatever city he's going to which would be enjoyable in of itself. And people did seem to get a kick out of their play earlier in the show.

It had been thrilling.

"I'll give it some thought," she confirms. Because she can't go into anything half-cocked. Not anymore. She didn't have an idea of how far her powers went now and she found herself desperately wanting to find out. While also sticking to her plan. "Since you're here for another few days, how about lunch in a couple of days? It'll give me time to look into what I have on my end on if I can come up with a charm that will make people see what you want them to see without it being broken for your tear-down process. And I'll have an answer for you."

"Not coming from someone that could definitely enjoy the company of a very powerful witch," he says, a bit of that mask of humanity and joviality dropping as he leans closer, resting his elbows on his knees. "But as someone that is very powerful and living the life he wants... Do what you want. Be who you want. They will never match you and they can't stop you and they only try and do it so you don't become as powerful as you can be and leave them behind. They get something from you and its time to ensure that no longer happens."

Is he sowing chaos? Definitely. Does he believe he's right? Absolutely.

He nods then, grinning at her.

"Okay so... I have a huge bus, lush and well appointed. I'm the only one that travels in it. You can come with me. If you don't like that? I'll get you your own," he offers with a grin. Just like that, offering to get her her own bus. Just so she goes along with him.

"Take all the time you want," he says. "Even if it's after I leave. If you choose to join me, I'll get you there with me. And lunch... sounds perfect. I'd love to. I'll even get up early for you," he offers with that same wolfish grin. "Let me know if there's anything you need if you choose to come with me. We can work it out, okay?"

It was interesting to be talking to someone who was very powerful like he was and who was simply, from what she can tell and from what he is saying, living the life he wants. "I like your pep talks," she says with a smile. It was inspiring and there was some truth there, she knew.

"You should know if I haven't said it already, that I have made it my mission to take everyone out involved in my cousin's death. So, if I come with you, there may be a day or three when I disappear," she says, watching him with a tilt of her head.

Did she think he'd care one way or the other? No, not really. But she still thought she'd put it out there so he knew.

She shakes her head with a laugh at the offer of getting her own bus. "I don't need my own bus. Unless I'm sleeping on a couch and then I may have to consider it."

Was she really considering this? Yeah, she was. It was a fascinating idea and she was intrigued by him.

"How about a late lunch then," she asks with a little smirk. "I know you'll have a long night ahead of you."

Piper nods in understanding. "I'll let you know. Right off, I would just need a space I can practice or brew in if the need arises."

"I think you're going to find my pep talks amazing. They encourage you to be yourself and screw whoever the law is you might have to deal with," he admits with a small smirk, definitely more than amused by where the night has gone. When he sensed her in the audience, he hadn't thought this was where things would end up going.

He actually perks at that. "Wait, do I get to help? Can I volunteer to help because I'm all for it."

He smiles, shaking his head. "There's two full size beds, basically either side of the bus, with a living room like area in the back and it's really nice. I promise. DO you see me traveling in any way that isn't comfortable and luxurious?"

That gets a nod from him. "A late lunch sounds perfect. You can come to the show again tomorrow too, if you'd like. I can get you a better view," he teases.

He considers that. "How much space would you need? We can definitely make it work though. Something permanent or just when you need it?"

Piper laughs, nodding in agreement. "That I can see happening," she says, both amused and thrilled that this is how the evening went. She had the gut feeling that knowing him and joining him on this adventure would change things.

Her eyebrows raise at this question, her smile widening. "I don't see why not if you really want to help out." Having a djinn on her side for this mission would no doubt help out. It was more than she'd ever expected, honestly.

"Well, no, I don't. In the short time I've known you, I can't imagine anything less. However, I might've expected one large king-size bed instead of two full," she can't help but tease him.

Piper tilts her head and considers what she had planned for the next night. "I didn't have anything planned for tomorrow night so I'd like to come and see it again. It'd be fun."

"Nothing permanent, just when I need it. A small amount of space. I've learned to shrink things down when I need to transport them easily and enlarge them again when I need them."

It clicked then that she was really, truly considering doing this. No, not considering it but actually doing< it.

"I absolutely mean it. You want help, whether you tour with me or not, and I'm in. At the very least keeping whatever witchy fuzz is on your cute ass from giving you hell. I'm amazing at distractions," he teases, waving one hand and a waft of purple smoke slithered between them like a snake.

"Tomorrow it is then,' he says with a smile. "You can check out the bus, we can have a marvelous lunch there, and you can explore things and see what you think. Completely no strings attached. You're not in? Cool. You can still visit and ring me up when you need back up. But if you love it... we'll make things official," he says, looking impish.

"You know, blood contracts and all. That's okay with you?"

He can't even keep a straight face as he says it.

"I appreciate whatever help you're able to give, Zayne. Tour or not," she says, seriously then grins at his mention of her cute ass. "I would be more surprised if you said you weren't good at distractions. That said, glad you think my ass is cute." She watches the purple smoke slither around them and reaches out to see if she can touch it.

She nods in agreement. "Sounds good," she says before raising her gaze to his with a laugh when he tries to talk about blood contracts.

"Hm, what about charmed friendship bracelets," Piper asks with an amused smirk.

"Will I have to worry about any obsessive fan club members getting jealous that I'm close to their "true love"?" She remembered being a teenaged girl!

"You have it then," he says, and there's a seriousness to it, a wisp of smoke to his words in a promise in that moment. "My help in what you need for your own great escape, as it were. There's a lot I can understand in not wanting to play by the rules of others."

And for him it's a lot of that. He wants to try and do what he can so she can live the life she wants, just as he does.

He laughs at that though, trying to give her an innocent look.

"What? Me? Do you really want to know about how expansive my fanclub is? Or how obsessive they can be? It might be bad, yeah."

Piper nods in agreement and understanding. "I appreciate it more than you know. Once upon a time, we thought we had to do it all ourselves and know everything ourselves - be the Enchanted. And now that she's gone... it's good to know that I have more people who can back me up. Especially when I plan to take every bastard and bitch down for this and I don't plan to play by anyone else's rules or expectations."

She clears her throat and takes a drink from her water. It's more than she's shared with anyone else that she's known for less than a minute but considering all that they've shared tonight, it's perhaps unsurprising.

"I did look you up and sat in that crowd tonight. I'm sure if I could have died from the jealousy and death stares, I would have," she remarks dryly with a laugh.

Of Wishes and New Friends (for Zayne)

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