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Lyney stood on a rock on the shore, arms wide open. “Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Lyney’s magic show!” Lyney took a bow to the otters, blubberbeasts, armored crabs and birds before him. It was hard to believe that at one point he only performed in front of one otter.
“Now, for my first trick, a real classic!” Lyney reached up for his hat, sliding it off his head and into his hand. “I will pull a fish from my hat!” So long ago he was practicing this and struggling with it, but that was the past. He’d grown since then, changed as a person and gained far more experience in his department. “Lynotte, will you do the honors?”
Lynotte was what Lyney called his first ever attendee. He wasn’t great at names at the time and chose a name similar to Lynette’s, as he often used the otter as his assistant. The otter in question (or maybe not, Lyney couldn’t quite tell the difference sometimes) stood on it’s hindlegs, clapping his paws together and chirping out. Lyney stuck his hand into his hat, and pulled, letting an embarrassed look pull onto his face. It was all a part of the act. Magic shows required acting as well as magic, afterall.
“It seems to be stuck, maybe if I got a little more excitement…” Chirping and barking filled the air before Lyney pulled his hand out, letting a gush of water and fish spew from his hat. He smiled as the animalistic cheers grew louder as the water washed away and the fish began to pile up. When the stream ended, he patted the bottom of his hat, shooting another fish out before taking a bow.
“Now!” Lyney bent his arm, raising it upward. “May I ask for a volunteer? Preferably of the avian variety?” The small birds stared at him, heads tilting back and forth before one finally flew up to him, landing on his extended arm. “Oh my, I didn’t expect such a pretty volunteer! Now, before I begin, please have faith in me. Do not panic. I have this under control.” He raised his hat again. “Go ahead and fly in!” The bird kept its eye on the male, watching him a few more seconds before hopping closer to the hat and flying in.
“Watch as I make the beautiful bird…” Lyney circled his hand over the hat, humming out. “Disappear!” He flipped his hat into the air, catching it and turning it over, tapping the top of it. The other birds began to chirp angrily, as if they were mad that their family member was gone. “Have no fear, for I, the great Lyney can bring her right back!” Lyney flipped his hat back over, reaching for the opening, but a feline face poked out instead.
“H-hey! Rosseland, you’re not the one I wanted!” Lyney huffed out, watching the feline wilt. “Shoo shoo!” All a part of the act, now that it appeared his hat was full, it would seem even more grand! Rosseland sunk back into the hat and the pyro pulled his hat closer to gaze in. “Odd… I don’t seem to see her. Just…” He’d strung them long enough.
Lyney pulled out a deck of cards. “Perhaps… The answer is in the cards!” Lyney threw them up into the air, and before their very eyes, his volunteer flapped amidst the shower of cards.
“Lyney.” He looked up in the middle of his bow. “What are you doing here?”
“Ah, Lynette! Could I trouble you to pull out your hat?” When Lynette brandished her hat, it shook a little before spewing a small stream of seeds out for the birds.
“Lyney, Father is home.” The boy stood up instantly.
“Wh-what?! She wasn’t due back for a few more weeks!” Lyney slowly stepped down from the rock he’d been perched on.
“It’s probably because of the anemo gnosis.” Lynette turned as Lyney joined her.
“Ah yes, I’ve heard about the Mondstadt incidents. Some girl solved the problems regarding the dragon there, and Mistress Signora stole the gnosis. Father must want to talk before we have to deal with something like that.”
“And to think. You were wasting time here with the animals.” Lynette teased, making Lyney gasp.
“Lynette! I was working on my magic! You know we have that big show tomorrow!” And what better way to prepare, than to perform for familiar faces?
“Right. Let’s just hurry before Father gets impatient.”