[ okay, now that gets keith to laugh. shiro's right that this probably isn't going to be a challenge, so much as it is going to require keith to throw this blunt ass knife with as much force as he can put into it, but still. ]

A lot goes into throwing knives, you know.

[ gosh. it may not be as sophisticated as flying a spacecraft, but there's still some technical skill involved in figuring out how each individual knife's going to spin in the air and at what angle it ought to be thrown!! keith is definitely not pouting, by the way. but the message is received and he huffs after another moment of squinting at the purple balloon. ]

But alright, here goes.

[ ... posturing aside, keith whips the knife as hard as he can so that if nothing else the force of the throw will pop the balloon. sure enough, the knife hits the right target which bursts with a very satisfying pop. where keith ought to be preening all victoriously though, he finds that his throat's gone extremely tight. he gasps, hands coming up to his throat and tries for another inhale -- this one even more labored than the last. ]

Oh no. [ the carnie doesn't sound remotely surprised by this. ] Must be an asthma attack.

[ keith hears the commentary and tries to get the words fuck you, i don't have asthma out, but the back of his throat burns like the tissue's been singed from soorched air. keith coughs, wheezes, as both hands slam down on the counter. he heaves, struggling for another breath and then....

just as soon as it started, the feeling subsides leaving keith to blink away tears. the carnie hasn't shut up yet, now addressing shiro. ]

best take your friend to medical.

[ keith, however, picks this moment to interject with a coughed out: ]

He's getting his fucking prize first.