sixwordstories | (no subject)

Creeps closer... okay, make that limps... curious and quite interested at what she's seeing.

*continues to spin in time with the steady, pulsing beat of the music, quickly picking up speed until the flames are just searing streaks of orange and white. The crowd cheers occasionally, a smattering of applause showing their appreciation as he tosses a flaming baton into the air and catches it behind his back, not pausing for a moment.

The song eventually comes to an end and he bows, the fire extinguishing in the final twirl with a puff of smoke. There's polite applause, a few people stepping forward to drop coins into the open bag on the floor, before he's left alone to collect his things*

She's taken a seat on the ground to watch, silent throughout the applause, simply transfixed by the moving fire, watching it and his hands closely. Of course, unfortunately, she only has one coin on her, and it's not one she's going to part with. Not having money has its disadvantages. Still, she figures she might as well say something.

That was incredible.

*glances up at her, quickly stuffing the loose change into a leather purse* Thank you. *his smile is small, tight and not entirely pleasant* It's certainly one way to make a living.

[Sits down quietly on the ground to watch.]

*continues to spin in time with the music, hands working quickly as he speeds up, barely visible behind the swirl of white fire. The song comes to its conclusion and for the grand finale, he appears to scoop the flame from the end of one of his torches into his hand and blows. It erupts into the air, a fountain of fire licking at the sky, ebbing as he runs out of breath.

There's a mildly enthusiastic smattering of applause and the chink of coins as a few people throw change at his feet. He simply bows, the still burning torches held behind his back before he sets about packing up his things*

[After a moment she claps a little, following the crowds lead. But she doesn't leave like the others, but sits there, still watching.] Like...

*he extinguishes the flames and sets the torches aside to cool, kneeling to collect the money into a leather pouch. Glances up at her, breathing somewhat heavily from the exertion* I'm afraid that's it for tonight, so if that's what you're waiting for... *nods pointedly towards the quickly dispersing crowd*

[Shrugs slightly and begins to turn her attentions to the passing crowd now, watching them and their behaviors.] Always more.

*raises an eyebrow at her, stuffing his things into a battered rucksack*

*keeps a very safe distance, half-nervous, half-fascinated*

*continues his performance, his own eyes fixed on the flames in his hands, lost in them. He twirls the torches expertly and with such speed that all that can really be seen are the shapes he seems to draw with their flames in the air. For every trick, every thrown baton and complicated twist he receives a smattering of gasps and applause, though he doesn't seem to notice.

The music comes to an end and, with one final burst of flame, the torches extinguish, leaving smoke trailing where the flames were, like their shadow

He bows.*

*applauds along with the rest of them, then pauses, still blinking to erase the lingering image of the flames*

*glances at him with a small smile, though there's something cold and mournful about it. It's his eyes, there's something... sad about them somehow. He moves to gather his things, fully expecting him to leave alone with the rest of the crowd*

*rubbing eyes* Howdja do that?

A little talent, skill and a lot of practice. *his bandaged hands are testament enough as to what can happen when things go wrong. He straightens, pulling a battered rucksack onto his shoulder* And it helps if you can get the fire on your side.

*still blinking, tilts head, taking in the bandages, the sack, etc* On your side?

Yes, of course. *takes a step towards him, both hands on the thick strap* You never want to make an enemy of fire, believe you me.