[ He smiles a little, catching the interest in her eyes. Truth is, that wasn't even one of his best shuffles, but the more difficult ones are just beyond his capabilities, given what he is. He can move packets around easily, but the tricks that take palming cards or hiding them behind his fingers is a level of dexterity he hasn't quite remastered. ]
Once again, I feel the need to inform you that this is the only time I've ever acquiesced to answerin' a question like that. A magician never reveals his secrets, on pain of death.
But seein' as how I'm already colder than a wagon wheel...
[ He puts the King of Hearts back on top of the deck, face up so it's easier for Emma to track. He does the same shuffle – slower this time. Two halves riffled together, then bridged, only he pauses this time, turns his hands slightly to reveal the two halves haven't quite settled together, their long edges not quite flush. A clever cut partially concealed by his hands separates the unsettled halves, putting the packet with the King of Hearts back on top once again. The cards haven't been shuffled at all.
The three cuts he makes after that are little more than smoke and mirrors; a fancy sort of rearrangement in his hands, moving and twisting and spinning the packets of cards from one side to the other – but sure enough, the King of Hearts ends right back on top.
He flicks the suicide king onto the bed again, making a flourish with his free hand and dipping his head in a truncated bow. ]
no subject
Once again, I feel the need to inform you that this is the only time I've ever acquiesced to answerin' a question like that. A magician never reveals his secrets, on pain of death.
But seein' as how I'm already colder than a wagon wheel...
[ He puts the King of Hearts back on top of the deck, face up so it's easier for Emma to track. He does the same shuffle – slower this time. Two halves riffled together, then bridged, only he pauses this time, turns his hands slightly to reveal the two halves haven't quite settled together, their long edges not quite flush. A clever cut partially concealed by his hands separates the unsettled halves, putting the packet with the King of Hearts back on top once again. The cards haven't been shuffled at all.
The three cuts he makes after that are little more than smoke and mirrors; a fancy sort of rearrangement in his hands, moving and twisting and spinning the packets of cards from one side to the other – but sure enough, the King of Hearts ends right back on top.
He flicks the suicide king onto the bed again, making a flourish with his free hand and dipping his head in a truncated bow. ]
Your card.