Don't Get Caught }{ {Open}

[laceydreadth]

The girl winced as the sunlight entered her eyes, putting her hand up to block the burning sensation. She would have closed her eyes, like a normal person would have done, but, that would interfere with her work. In order to work, she had to closely examine every person that passed her, before they actually passed her. After years of experience, she’s learned to pin down a person’s wealth by the cloths they wore, the way they walked, how they looked at people, and how others looked at them.

Thieving was a tricky business, both psychologically and physically. Unless you started out at an early age, the guilt could tear you apart. You may have just taken away someone’s livelihood; or the livelihood of any number of people in their family. This is why she was the best; there was no guilt. The girl, known to the public only as the Ghost, an infamous thief, would only steal from those who could take the loss. Or those who deserved it. Mostly those who deserved it.

If anyone looked down on those who were thought less than them, she would undoubtedly take their money without regret. As if they were so much better, climbing to the top using others as if they were a road of corpses. She was one of those they would try and tread on, so she took from them. It was that simple. There would be no walking over the Ghost.

Eyeing a man walking towards her, a few guards following him. It only took a look at the guards’ faces to see that they were hired guards, not at all loyal to the man. He wore silks that screamed to the world that he was rich as could be, and the look of contempt as he looked at many of the people around him told her that he thought he was better than they were. This man had not come from these people, working with his own hands to gain wealth, but was probably the son of a baron.

Grinning underneath her handkerchief, hiding numerous burn scars, Shae grinned. The Ghost would be striking today. Walking with her head down and fingers twitching eagerly, he stopped for a moment and Shae made her move. Moving in an irregular pattern towards the man, she walked no faster than if she’d been on a pleasure stroll. Then, when she was but a few feet away, she made a dash towards his purse, from which he was taking a few coins to purchase an item. Before either of the guards could stop her, she had the purse and was running through the crowd. There was a great deal of shouting and the sounds of running feet coming after her. Shae turned a corner, down an alleyway, throwing the purse into a barrel, then turned another corner and started walking as if nothing had happened. There was a commotion and she turned around, a confused look on her face.

Their gaze drifted over her as if she wasn’t there. In their eyes, the girl they’d been chasing had disappeared, like a ghost. She turned around, and started to go to the hideout, but a hand grabbed her arm. At a reflex, her hand went towards her knives but she stopped it and instead started screaming for help.

[HoudiniDerek]

Kimara Severn strode from the small iron shop deep in the heart of Tamasha. It was rare that time was ever made to come this far from home, but it had needed to be done and now was the season to travel. Kimara's aged head bowed against the bright light of the sun and an arthritic hand pulled the grey hood over the white hair that trailed down to the bent shoulders.

Kimara could probably get started back today, but might do better leaving first thing in the morning. A full day of travel would serve better than a half. Of course, that could be the age talking, Kimara grinned ruefully to no one. There had been times where Kimara had been able to walk from Tamasha to the cabin without rest...even though it was several days away. Grinning ruefully again, Kimara headed towards the edges of town.

Kimara happened to be heading towards an alley shortcut when a small girl ran from a different direction and tossed a purse into a refuse pile. She turned at the juncture and slowed to a walk. Kimara saw men with swords running after her. Kimara exited the alley and came up behind the girl who was now looking at the commotion with a studied concentration on her face. Kimara sidled up to her and grabbed her arm.

The girl started to scream and Kimara's voice was low and hard. "Be quiet, girl. Do you want those men who you stole from to find you because you are making such a scene?" Kimara raised up and the voice that matched the appearance of the aged soul, cracked with age and weariness, rang out: "Young lady, don't scare me like that. You know that I am prone to aches when you scream like that. Come. We must get home before our stores rot." Chuckling absentmindedly, Kimara's hard eyes turned to the girl once more and the voice lowered. "Coming, girl?"

[laceydreadth]

Shae’s mind was racing and she went through her options. Of course she could break away, at least she could try to, and either get away and most likely get caught or not and anger the man. Both options weren’t outcomes she desired. His grip was stronger than she could escape from, anyway. So she scowled at the man, wondering if he could keep up if she could get one of her knives out. Since that was unlikely, and it would certainly raise a scene, she resisted the urge to fight.

The two guards had a disgusted look on their face and they went back to deliver the news back to their employer. She felt no pity towards them and focused on her current problem again. “So, old man, are you going to try to use me, because so many have tried that before. It worked out incredibly well them, just in case you were wondering.”

Her voice was sweet, but her eyes were cackling with a fire. The sarcasm could not have been lost on the man, and she waited for a response. Shae clenched her fists, trying to keep her rising anger from taking over her. Anger clouded people’s mind and her mind couldn’t afford to be hazy.

“Well?”

[HoudiniDerek]

Kimara watched the girl reason through her options and then listened to her challenge after the men she had been running from had turned away. Kimara's gaze was steady, the eyes turning a milky white while the girl rasped out another question.

The eyes returned to normal and tenderness came into them. "I am not your enemy, child." The hand did not clench anymore, but still held onto her. "I have no need to use you either. You run a dangerous risk with the chances you take...especially in your...condition." Kimara looked over at the girl knowingly, the eyes resting on the covering she wore over the lower half of her face. "One day that disguise will not serve you as well as you think."

Kimara looked away, lost in thought, memories of years gone past floating absently through the mind. At one point, Kimara turned back to the girl. "My name is Kimara Severn. If you think you can control your temper, I would like to invite you to be my guest for dinner."

[laceydreadth]

Shae’s bottom jaw was trembling with the horrible combination of fear and anger the entire time the man spoke, it’d started right after his eyes had changed color. She had no idea what, or who, she was dealing with. When he mentioned her handkerchief, her scars, she stiffened underneath his now loosened hand. It irritated her fully when people told her things she already knew. Of course her job was dangerous, and her scars made her stand out so she could get caught more easily if not for her skill. It wasn’t as if she had a choice in the matter…

She’d been working up a speech that would stun anyone that did not know her when he surprised her; he gave his name and invited her to eat. No one had done that since…it had been so long that Shae could hardly remember when the last time had been. Of course, she’d been given plenty of aliases of other thieves, but no true names.

“Dinner?” the shock was evident in her voice and in her wide, dark brown eyes. Bouncing back quickly, Shae gave Kimara a scowl, “Of course I’d love dinner, haven’t had a decent one in who knows how long, but what’s the catch? Why would you, why would anyone as a girl like me to dinner?”

[HoudiniDerek]

Kimara waited while the girl postured and scowled. It must be a sad life for such a young girl to be acting so. It was distressing to Kimara to see that this might be the case here. Of course, there was more to the story...

"The only catch is that I would like to talk about you. No lies or deceits...the truth." Kimara's hand released entirely and returned within the folds of the robe. "Not everything in life has to be cruel and heartless, child. As for why I asked you to dinner, I do not see many people and I long for companionship like others do from time to time. I thought maybe you could fulfill that need for me."

Kimara smiled again and turned toward a tavern at the end of the alley the girl had run out of earlier. "Shall we?"

[laceydreadth]

Shae swallowed and took a small step forward. The smiles and the words seemed so genuine. And she wanted to go. Every particle of her wanted to go, to enjoy herself with this Kimara person. Yet the suspicion was still holding her back. Just like it always did.
Not everything in life has to be cruel and heartless, the words cascaded through her head and she felt herself trying to believe them. It wasn’t as if she wanted everything to be horrible, they just were. As much as she hated it, she couldn’t change that.

“Fine,” the word sealed her fate. Her steps were more purposeful after that word. Shae walked next to Kimara, following him.

[HoudiniDerek]

Kimara led them to a tavern and walked in, choosing a table in the back corner that was empty. Kimara let the girl choose where to sit first, hoping that allowing her to occupy a certain territory would enable her to be more trusting.

Kimara sat down after the girl had and signaled for a server. The young lady came over and smiled pleasantly, even though she looked incredibly tired. "What can I do for you?" she asked sweetly.

"Two dinners please with ale for us both," Kimara said, the aged voice cracking again. The server looked at Shae with a raised eyebrow, probably thinking she was too young to be drinking ale, but didn't push the issue.

"It will be about fifteen minutes."

"That's fine, dear," Kimara said, nodding and smiling before dismissing her from the milky eyes. After the server walked off, Kimara turned to Shae. "Now, why don't you tell me about yourself while we wait?"I took a couple of liberties on movements with your character, but nothing that I think should change her nature or anything. I just didn't want to drag out getting somewhere. :) -

[laceydreadth]

Blinking, Shae tried to think. Lie or truth; truth or lie? What should she tell him? No, what would she tell him. Of course, she should tell him the truth, but would she? Deciding on a half-truth, she took a breath. It would be difficult to recount even her life, leaving out most of it at the same time, and staying emotionally sane. Looking down at the table, Shae started.

“I’m Shae, so you can stop calling me ‘child.’” She glared at him out of habit and continued, “I was caught in a fire and got burned practically all over. My parents tried to keep me, then realized that I was a freak of nature and threw me out on the streets.” Shae tried her best to say all of this as unemotionally as possible, but the memories still hurt. No one wanted to be thrown out and told that it was what a “monster” deserved. “A thief lord found me and taught me the ropes because I couldn’t do much else. I obviously couldn’t capture a noble’s heart and live comfortably. So here I am, stealing to live.”

Shae finally looked up, her eyes flashing, daring Kimara to pity her. It was a reflex action by now, and she could hardly help it. Shae hardly blamed people for pitying her; she was pitiful, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.No problem. Getting somewhere is a very good plan. :) -

[HoudiniDerek]

"You take offense so easily," Kimara sighed sadly. "I do not call you "child" to make you angry. It is just how I see you. You are young and full of life and have years ahead of you. Most would wish those times to come again, to redo what they have seen of errors of time long past." Kimara's grizzled head leaned back and the eyes closed. After a few moments of reflection, Kimara opened them again and looked at Shae.

"You have had a hard life indeed. Some of it I read in your eyes, some your tone, some your touch. They say that which does not kill you can make you stronger. Sadly, it can also make you bitter and you can lose some of the appeal of life." Kimara's eyes softened and the voice flowed gently from the aged lips. "Just because some found you to be hideous, it does not mean you are. One's opinion of another is often flawed because one person is not the means to an end, my dear. Just because one noble might not love you does not mean another wouldn't find his heart taken."

Kimara paused as the meal was brought to them. After the server was gone, Kimara continued. "The road you have traveled has been rough, but it need not be. If you had to choose the course of your life right now, what would you choose: To continue as you are or to make something of yourself and prove that you are not the monster you seem to believe you are?" Kimara let the girl think about the answer and began to eat.

[laceydreadth]

Shae barely noticed when the server placed the food in front of her. No one had ever told her anything close to what she’d just been told. They’d never even tried. Not that she’d ever given anyone a chance to plead his or her case. After even one show of apparent disgust, she’d left them without so much as a goodbye. It was the way she worked; either trust or distrust. There was never any in-between, no place that someone could dwell comfortably. Not in her mind.

Finally looking at her plate of food, she slowly picked up the utensils and started to eat, contemplating what Kimara had said. Eating gave a great excuse to not talk. What she hated most about what the man had said was that he’d been right. She was incredibly bitter and, though she didn’t wish to die, living was a task for her.

“No one has ever offered me a choice,” Shae finally said after long minutes of silence, setting down her utensils, and betraying her usually sarcastic nature, “I was told that there wasn’t anything else I could do. Though stealing from the rich and stupid amuses me to no end, it isn’t as if I want this. Heck, I don’t know anyone that actually would. Making something of myself, proving myself wrong; I would choose that.”

[HoudiniDerek]

Kimara ate silently, watching Shae eat as well, thinking about where their conversation had gone. The food was excellent so Kimara focused on it for a few minutes. The venison was expertly cooked and seasoned and Kimara would have to give compliments to the . This tavern should fare quite well if this continues here, Kimara mused silently, swallowing another bite. The rest of the meal was good too. Kimara was sipping ale before finishing the meal when Shae spoke again.

Kimara's glass came down and the grey eyes found Shae's again and held them. "Life is all about choices. Truth or lie, right or wrong. You always have the option to make them. You have done so in the past, so there is no reason you cannot do so now." Kimara turned away, thinking and sipping idly at the ale by the elbow perched on the table.

The server came and took the plates, saying that she hoped everything was good. Kimara nodded happily and commented that it was a very satisfying meal. The server asked if there would be anything else and Kimara dismissed her for the moment, saying they would need time to consider that once their stomachs had more room. The server grinned and disappeared.

Kimara turned to Shae again, reflection apparently complete. "How would you like to work with me?"

[laceydreadth]

If Shae had been eating when Kimara had handed her the question, she would have choked. As it was, she was having a difficult time convincing her lungs that air was a good thing. No one had ever asked her to work with them. Ever. People were hard pressed to trust an orphan girl that nobody could ever recall seeing or that looked as she did. Plus, she was just as hard pressed to trust anyone that would actually hire her. It was her goal to never be used, and she planned to keep this goal.

Recovering from her shock, she held back from glaring at the man. He’d been kind to her, and didn’t deserve her resentment anymore. It was his trustworthiness that concerned the girl now. Could she trust him enough to work with him, or would something happen that would make her regret such a choice.

“What…what would I be doing?” Shae’s hand fell from the table to beneath it, her fist clenching, “And why would you want me to do it?”

[HoudiniDerek]

"Let me answer the second question first," Kimara said, smiling at Shae. "As you have proven today and I'm sure quite often in the past, you have a great ability. You are able to move quickly and be unobtrusive. No one knows you are there unless you wish them to know...most of the time," Kimara amended, still smiling happily.

"That can be a very useful tool. It allows you to go nearly everywhere and experience most things. Working at your current profession will definitely help you improve upon that, but there will be a time where you guess incorrectly...as you might have today. What if I had been one of those you had stolen from?" Kimara shook the aged head in response to that question.

"Your life is rife with possibilities...some good, some bad. You need to choose which path your life will take. Hopefully, you will choose a path with me and we can see about making most of those life possibilities a good thing."

Kimara sipped at some more ale and looked at Shae again, the grey eyes looking into hers. "What I do is difficult to explain. Mainly I am a researcher...an historian to some degree. I am always looking for more knowledge and a way to put it to good use." Kimara sighed and looked away. "It is not an easy task." Kimara looked at Shae again. "I know you do not trust easily, which can be a good thing. However, I ask that if you agree to work with me, you trust me. I will tell you what I can as we go, but some of what I do must be experienced first."

Kimara sipped the ale and smiled again. "I know that probably does not answer your questions, but maybe it has given you enough answers to think up some new ones...and maybe decide where you see yourself on this venture?"

[Twichey]

[navy]The once perky waitress returned to the table with not her usual smile but with a bit of a frown and a look of fear and confusion on her face
"umm i was asked to give this to you from a very small person. I'm sure he was a child but his voice was raspy and quiet so i was unable to tell.. I'm sorry."
The waitress walks off to another table and begins to wipe it clean for another person.

the note she placed on the table was in a sealed envelope with the name "Shea" in a fancy script.

the note reads in the same fancy script as the name on the front.

"I have found something of yours miss Shea and i believe you would like it back.
it isn't wise to leave your bounty in barrels their are some bad people out their you know? hehehe.

meat me in the alley in wich you left your loot and we shall have our "exchange"
take your time im in no rush, ill be waiting.


yours mysteriusly

"T"[/navy]