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“Hey, Cecil, wanna see a magic trick?” Carlos asked.
The pair were sitting on their grey sofa, of course listening to the radio.
Cecil had just got back from work and they had figured they would spend a few minutes relaxing before Carlos went to make dinner.
Cecil stared at him cautiously.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea…?” He said with scepticism.
Carlos frowned.
“Um...yeah? I mean, why wouldn’t it be?”
Cecil stared for a moment, did he not know the dangers of magic trips?
“Well as long as you’re careful about it, you can borrow my Blood Stone if you need it.” Cecil said with a shrug.
Carlos’ eyes widened, suddenly.
“No no. It isn’t that type of magic, Cecil!” Carlos said urgently.
Cecil’s face softened.
“Oh ok, that’s good.” Cecil said, nodding.
Carlos stared at him for a moment. Then sighed, he didn’t think he would ever understand this town, it was terrifying and strange and absurd and did he mention terrifying?
But at least he had Cecil with him.
“Anyway. Can I show you my magic trick? It’s quite funny.” Cecil beamed at Carlos.
“Yeah sure!” Cecil said.
Carlos smiled back at him.
“Ok, you ready?”
Cecil nodded.
Carlos leant forward and with his middle and index finger, pinched Cecil’s nose. When he brought his hand back he had placed his thumb between the two fingers.
“Got ya nose!” Carlos exclaimed.
Cecil’s confused expression morphed into that of horror. His eyes widened and his jaw fell open.
He stared at the thumb in complete shock and fear.
“What did you do!? I didn’t know you practiced dark magic!” Cecil exclaimed.
Carlos leant back in surprise.
“I don’t…um...I don’t understand. Are you ok?” He asked.
Cecil had begun to sweat profusely and he had gone pale.
“Carlos! Give me my nose back!” Cecil shouted.
“No no, Cecil, you don’t understand. It’s not dark magic. It’s just a silly trick!” Carlos pleaded, desperately.
“My nose is in your hands! Please just put it back! I want my nose back, Carlos!”
“No, Cecil, I don’t actually have your nose! It’s just my thumb, look!” Carlos opened his hand, splaying out his fingers and held his palm in front of Cecil.
He thought that maybe this would calm Cecil down a bit but Cecil looked even more frightened.
“WHAT THE HELL!?? YOU POOFED MY NOSE!?? WHERE IS IT!? WILL I EVER GET IT BACK!? I NEED ANSWERS, CARLOS!” Cecil exclaimed.
“Cecil, calm down, I haven’t poofed your nose!” Carlos pleaded.
“IT WAS IN YOUR HAND AND NOW IT’S GONE!”
Carlos inhaled deeply.
“Ok, wait here, I am going to get a mirror and then you can see that I never took your nose.” Carlos said. “Just wait here, I will be right back.”
Carlos leapt out of his seat and sprinted out of the room. He ran up the stairs and into their bedroom and began to frantically riffle through the drawers.
After tipping out almost everything in the drawers of their bedside table, Carlos found a mirror.
He turned and ran back into the living room, the mirror clutched tightly in his fist.
Cecil was on his knees. Tears were streaming down his face and he was shaking his fists in the air.
“My poor nose!” He shouted. “My poor poor nose! Alone and scared!” He sobbed violently. “I just want my nose back! Please come back, nose! Please!”
“Cecil look!” Carlos said, leaping to Cecil’s side.
He put the mirror in front of Cecil's face.
Cecil stared at it and then gently touched his nose.
A relieved smile took the place of Cecil’s distraught frown. He sighed with relief and gulped.
“Never do that again, Carlos.” He said.
“I won’t, I promise.” Carlos began to slowly stroke Cecil’s back. “You feeling ok now?” Carlos asked, Cecil nodded. “Good.” Carlos gave Cecil a tight hug and lovingly ruffled his blonde hair. “I’m gonna make us a delicious wheat-free dinner, ok?”
Carlos stood and left the room.
As he left He smiled at Cecil and Cecil smiled back, his eyes still puffy from the tears. Carlos closed the door, Cecil turned on the radio and listened to it closely as he stroked his nose, almost protectively.