["Magic's magic," he says, as if that clears up anything. This young man has magic? Barry has never met anyone who has magic before! He's heard murmurs of it, certainly, whispers of folks deep in the forest and in far off lands, folks who are born with abilities far beyond what his simple mind is able to comprehend. Folks who are hunted for their magic, who live in fear of the humans who in turn fear them.

Is that what this is? Does Taako hide because he is fearful? Because he is hunted?

He doesn't look fearful. If anything, it looks like he's enjoying himself immensely.

Like he's the hunter.]

Y-Yes! Yes, of course you did!

[Taako got him so good. He'd had no idea, not even a clue. But now that the initial shock has dissipated, now that the young man has established his dominance and made it clear who's got the upper hand here, Barry finds himself more curious than afraid. His eyes are still wide, his pulse is still racing, but he leans in even closer, studying the contours of Taako's face, the line of his ear that was so pointed just a moment ago.

For a prey animal, Barry isn't very smart around obvious predators. Even if all they're hunting is a reaction.]

I-- I've never seen anything like that before. How does it work? H-How long have you been hidin'?