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[acaseofyou]

they say that death is a tragedy it comes once, and it's over

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[acaseofyou]

They do like to be a little mesmerized. Particularly the Toreador.

Not exactly the part of the picture I find most appealing.

I've noticed that from you from time to time. Can't say I mind it.

[noreasonneeded]

If there's bullfighting in these clubs I might be a little impressed.

I suppose in your case, I can believe that.

I like the private concerts on the roofs, but there's something to be said for feeling like I'm getting a solo even in a crowd.

[acaseofyou]

No, at least not at the ones I went to. The Toreador are the artist clan. Very self-involved and into aesthetics. Used to pass myself off as one of them when I didn't want anyone knowing my more unique skills.

Just because I can't have whiskey or because you know how much I like you?

I do like to give you my full attention, wherever we are.

[noreasonneeded]

What are their particular skills, then? Or is it just art as humans would do it?

The latter most of the time. The former for days my mind wants to be like that.

Now I feel like I should make the most of it. Always have a coin in hand to do a trick for you.

[acaseofyou]

Manipulation, for the most part. Actually making any art is usually secondary to knowing about art. Edward, in Denver? Was a Toreador. If that helps illuminate their worst traits better.

I hope those days don't happen too often.

You can't say that, Kaz. Not when I'd love to see coin tricks at any time of the night.

[noreasonneeded]

It does. Maybe being an art enthusiast just also makes someone more likely to be a manipulative asshole. That's not the first time that pairing's gone hand in hand.

Nah. They don't.

I'll show you another tonight. You know I tried to find the earliest writings on coin magic once. The earliest I could find was "The Gift of Wonder" but it had to have predated that.

[acaseofyou]

I certainly understand the impulse, as an art enthusiast myself.

Good. I'm glad.

That's pretty impressive. Can't imagine that it wouldn't go further back. People have probably been doing coin tricks for as long as coins have existed. Next time I'm around someone old enough to remember, I'll have to ask.

[noreasonneeded]

And what is your favorite piece or artist to talk about, then?

Yeah, that was my thinking, too. It had to have been around as long as there was a coin to swindle. Just curious who was the first to write about it. What did they see.

[acaseofyou]

I'm surprised you even have to ask, considering how much I jaw at you about folk music.

What did they see in "The Gift of Wonder"?

[noreasonneeded]

It's this piece, isn't it?

Oh, the one you'd expect. Making it disappear. Also turning one coin into many.

[acaseofyou]

Exactly that.

That second one sounds like you.

[noreasonneeded]

I know, I should have been a curator.

It is a surprisingly easy trick, once you build up the momentum for it.

[acaseofyou]

You still could be. But just for me personally, I don't want to share you that much.

Easy, maybe, but still an accomplishment.

[noreasonneeded]

You do know how to make one feel like a special novelty item. Thankfully, I'd rather not have mass appeal, anyway.

No, that's fair enough. When I was just starting out it would take hours in front of a mirror. Once you start picking up some tricks though, others that come later tend to be a little easier. I imagine learning new songs might be like that.

[acaseofyou]

Don't worry, we'll keep it between us.

Sounds about right, yeah. Once you get a feel for the notes and the chords, easier it gets to put them together and pick them apart. Used to be I couldn't really play anything unless I had it writ out for me, but now I can pick most stuff up by ear.

[noreasonneeded]

Did you know the 'mum' in the phrase 'mum's the word' derived from the sound a closed mouth hum makes?

Exactly, yeah. Your hands just know where to go next. Do you remember what the first song you taught yourself to play was?

[acaseofyou]

I didn't, but it does feel very appropriate, doesn't it?

Wish I could say it was something more on brand, but it was the usual beginner standard: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

[noreasonneeded]

It does, yeah. I like learning the etymology of phrases. You learn a lot about a language's history that way. Though it can end up a linguistic rabbit hole.

Mm. Maybe not entirely on brand, but not knocked off the shelf brand, either.

[acaseofyou]

Can definitely see you falling down that rabbit hole a few times. What's your favorite thing you've learned from all that?

True, probably could've learned worse. Like Jingle Bells or a hymn or something.

[noreasonneeded]

One of them is defenestrate. It comes from the Latin word for window, fenestra, but an historical incident in 1618 in which some Protestants threw Catholics out a window, starting the Thirty Years War and becoming known as the "Defenestration of Prague." Really makes you think about what method of violence you should use if you want it to stick around.

Ugh. It's that time that all the holiday music can be heard on the streets. It wouldn't all even be bad if it wasn't always on loop.

[acaseofyou]

It's very impressive to make a whole new word just by throwing Catholics around. Should I be on the lookout now during jobs for any good windows for you to toss people out of?

The loop is the worst part, because they never put the really good stuff on those playlists. I worry about the people that have to work in it for too long, it's like being stuck in a bad music torture box.

[noreasonneeded]

Every once in awhile a window shoving comes in handy, but I wouldn't want to steal another's shtick wholesale.

What do you consider the really good stuff? Maybe gift the employees there with earplugs.

[acaseofyou]

Is it really stealing their shtick if it's more like an homage?

There's a lot of factors for 'really good,' though I admit a little bias to stuff I listened to when I was a kid. The power of nostalgia, you know? And I could do that, pass 'em out every time I have to go in for something like a peace offering.

[noreasonneeded]

From what I know of churches, they're remarkably territorial rather than generous with their claims.

Save a pair of those earplugs for me, too. Nostalgia leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[acaseofyou]

They also like to spread as much blame away from themselves as possible, so you might be able to get away with it if the situation is right.

I'll gift wrap them for you and everything. Might even put on a white beard and a hat to deliver them, too, if you like.