Agents of SHIELD : Agent Ravena

Chapter 12 Girl in the Flower Dress Pt 1

HONG KONG, CHINA

The streets of Hong Kong are flooded with people and vehicles, going in every direction. A group of people surround a magician walking around. "My grandfather often said that every man is a mystery," the man informs the audience. "Some men harbor beautiful secrets."

He stops walking, now in what's the center of the group. He glances around, holding up his arm to show the audience. "Others hide darker ones," the man informs. He cups his hands, bringing them to his mouth and blowing into it. In between his fingers appears an egg. Everyone glances at each other, amazed. "He believed the only way to know a man's true nature is to pierce his outer shell." As he talks, he moves the egg between his hands, holding it in a closed fist. "And gaze within." He seems to throw it forward, but streamers come out instead. The people in front of the magician flinch back a bit, but brighten up when they realize the trick.

People laugh and applaud the man. The young man looks over to the woman, "lame trick."

The woman nods, "they were in the egg."

No people come forward toward the tip jar, making the man grow worried. He tosses down the streamers, looking over to his right. He meets the eyes of a young woman, she wears a white dress with black floral designs. She has black wavy hair that comes past her ears. The two smile at each other, the man glancing behind him.

He turns away from the crowd, holding his hand to his side. Opening his hand, a small sphere of fire forms in his hand. The woman in the flower dress smiles in amazement, the magician grining proudly.

"This is not a trick," the man states, throwing the flames toward the two watchers. They flinch back, but the flames die out before they reach the two. The crowd now claps more happily, truly amazed by the trick.

People come forward, placing some money into the jar. The man nods to the people in thanks, picking up the tip jar. The woman in the floral dress walks over, "how did you do that?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets," the man states.

"Then I'll have to pierce your shell and gaze within?" The woman asks.

"You understood," the man smiles impressed. The woman nods, giving a small grin. The man holds out his hand, introducing himself. "Chan Ho Yin."

The woman takes his hand, smiling. "Raina. I would love to see that fire trick again."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Chan tries to deter the idea.

"Of course not," Raina nods, seeming to agree. "It's a great idea," she encourages.

HONG KONG APARTMENT

An apartment door creaks open, keys clattering together. Chan enters, turning the lights on as Raina enters behind him. "I'm sorry for the clutter," Chan apologizes, "I'm in between places."

Raina looks around, stopping in the middle of the room. She looks over at Chan, "how long have you been here?"

"Six years," Chan informs with a smile. "Beer?" He asks, pointing behind him to the kitchen presumably.

Raina nods, Chan leaving the room through a beaded doorway. Raina turns around, placing her bag onto a table as she inspects the posters. Chan comes back into the room, passing Raina a beer bottle. She looks past his shoulder, eyeing a poster. She takes the bottle as she says "you seem to have an appreciation for the greats."

Chan turns, looking at the posters of Houdini as well. "I idolized him for years," Chan tells her.

"And now?" Raina asks.

"There's no real magic there," Chan admits, shaking his head, "just tricks."

"And what you do, those aren't tricks?" Raina questions him. They share a small smile. "Show me," Raina requests again. She smiles as she takes a sip of her beer.