[Video]

[pandorabox]

Gooood evening, Siren's Port!

[There is a cheerful, spiky-headed magician waving at the NV screen]

Since 'm pretty sure a certain someone is gonna start yelling at me soon for being so picky about work, it's probably time I offer my services to more than just one person for a change.

[He leans back a bit and runs a hand through his hair, that grin will curling up the corners of his mouth] I'm Kaito, by the way. Kaito Kuroba! World's greatest magician and those services are also available if you want 'em. But in addition to that, I also specialize in costume and mask design and creation. They're good for theater, costume parties... or, uh, whatever else you might need a good disguise for. And when I say masks, I mean the pretty realistic ones, too! It's an unconventional skill set even if it's pretty normal for someone in my field, but there are some other characters out there who might need it too, right?

[He gives a light shrug]

If you're interested in any of the above, lemme know! I promise my prices will be reasonable.

. . .

And I've gotta earn some money before Aoko really starts giving me suspicious looks.

Comments

[whitefeathered]

[Speaking of which, there's an equally bushy-haired girl who's managed to come up behind you, Kaito, and hear most everything.]

Kaito.

[pandorabox]

[closing his NV and tilting his head over his shoulder to look at her]

-- what?

[whitefeathered]

Are you sure that's a good idea?

[Because Aoko's not. Why don't you ever get a normal job?]

[pandorabox]

[quirks an eyebrow at her]

Why wouldn't it be?

[whitefeathered]

[Hands on hips, eyeing down at him.]

Do you ever plan to be Kid here?

[pandorabox]

[staring right back up at her]

What's that have to do with anything?

[whitefeathered]

You don't think people will find it suspicious that Kaitou Kid is a master of disguise . . . and Kaito Kuroba is a maker of disguise?

[pandorabox]

[eyebrow]

No more than if people would find Kid suspicious because both he and Kuroba are magicians.

[whitefeathered]

I don't get that part either. Why they wouldn't.

[pandorabox]

There's more than one magician in the world, Aoko.

[whitefeathered]

Is there more than one in Siren's Port?

More than one who's Japanese?

More than one who comes from our world?

[pandorabox]

[tosses his NV in the air and catches it, before pocketing it]

Who says everyone has to know those last two?

[whitefeathered]

Kaitou Kid, for one. 'S not like it's secret.

[pandorabox]

Phantom Thief Kid also works.

[whitefeathered]

[Exasperated puff of air.]

Kaito.

[pandorabox]

. . . it'll be fine, Aoko. I promise.

[whitefeathered]

[That only seems to prompt more glaring.]

You can't promise that! You know you can't promise that. And you take stupid risks because you just. don't. think.

Ever.

[pandorabox]

[w-waving both hands at her defensively now]

I think! I thought about this before asking for customers. Why do you think it took me so long?

[whitefeathered]

You still did it anyway!

[pandorabox]

Because I didn't think it was a bad idea.

[whitefeathered]

But you're not able to tell me why. Or why it won't blow up in your face.

[pandorabox]

Because every good magician knows how to work disguises. Because neither Kid or nor I are the only magicians in the world. Because they're different enough that I can make sure people don't make the connection.

[whitefeathered]

[No, they don't, her mind responds to the first one. You've bit off more than you can chew.

But there's not much to say, so she goes quiet, rubbing the feathers on her arms through her sleeves, pressing her lips together.]

[pandorabox]

[watches that movement carefully, frowning as he does so]

You okay, Aoko?

[whitefeathered]

[She watches him through her eyelashes, her mouth set.]

Sometimes you really worry me, you know.

[pandorabox]

[pushing himself to his feet, pocketing his NV as he does so]

You worry me sometimes, too.

[whitefeathered]

[That takes her off guard.]

Me? How?

[pandorabox]

[running a hand through his hair and letting out a breath, gaze flickering to her arms in response]

[whitefeathered]

E-Eh?

[Her arms unfold slightly as she looks down at her sleeves, not quite aware of the movement she'd been making.]

[pandorabox]

[... sighs a bit]

They aren't bothering you, are they?

[whitefeathered]

[Voice slips to a mumble.]

Guess not. I mean . . . they . . . fluff up sometimes. And they itch sometimes, too.

[And she strongly suspects she might be growing a new one, up near her upper arm. But she isn't going to mention that.]

'S going to be warm soon . . .

[pandorabox]

[his gaze flickers back up to her]

You're gonna need a way to hide them.

[whitefeathered]

[Very, very small nod, and her eyes flick back up to him, somewhat hopefully. For some reason she doesn't like to ask him about this -- maybe doesn't quite feel she has the right.]

[pandorabox]

I can come up with something.

[as if he'd even entertain the idea of saying no]

[whitefeathered]

. . . Like before?

Do you have enough?

[pandorabox]

Not right now. I'd have to buy a few more supplies.

[whitefeathered]

[She lets a sigh out of her nose, hesitating.]

. . . I've got the money.

[pandorabox]

I don't wanna make you have to pay for everything.

[he already feels badly for not earning much to help them out .-.]

[whitefeathered]

. . . 'S fine. For now. I've got enough.

And it's not definite when you'll get that kind of job, so.

[pandorabox]

[frowning a bit]

Are you sure? Does your job really pay you enough?

[whitefeathered]

[So not a shift of the eyes.]

Working some overtime hours.

[pandorabox]

[is that where you go at night--?]

How much overtime?

[whitefeathered]

Just a few.

[Arms crossed again.]

. . . We need the money, right?

[pandorabox]

[nods]

That's what I advertised for.

[whitefeathered]

Well, so I'm helping.

[pandorabox]

I know, but--

[another frown]

Don't wear yourself down.

[text; batcryption]

[theshortestbird]

What kind of costumes?

[text; batcryption]

[pandorabox]

Whatever you might need. My talents are pretty versatile.

[text; batcryption]

[theshortestbird]

I need costumes for a group. Different costume for each, whatever design they might want. I also need discretion.