[The Great Bazaar] Hunter & Kelvic [Lucian, Open]

[Jonathon DuFraine]

Jonathon replied just as coolly. "That may be so, but that's not what a thief is, is it? A thief by profession is someone who steals for a living, and most people like that tend to dress scruffily, as they are, after all, on a small and fluxuating salary..." Jonathon was a bit surprised to see a bit of steel in the man, after his more nervous attitude later.

Jonathon was even more surprised when the man managed an insult, even. He was starting to fight back. "An idiot, huh? I seem to be doing a sight better then you, as I am here to sell, not to beg..." Jonathon continued. "And you have a right to be envious. Out there, there's no corruption, no greed, no thievery, no law. Only what you can earn from Caihya's realm. It is a simple life, but a good one."

He was even more surprised when the man lost his temper. It would seem his remark had pushed the right buttons. "Oh, really? So you mean to tell me that you aren't a street urchin? Or, indeed, that you aren't a thief, either? I don't have to know exactly who you are to know these things. I'm sure you have some sort of reason behind being a thief, but that doesn't change the facts. And despite what you may tell yourself, it doesn't fool your guilty consciousness, either." Despite his harsh words, Jonathon still had a small smile on his face.

[Lucian]

As much as he was trying to keep his anger in, the man seemed to know exactly what to say to infuriate him. Lucian grit his teeth, green eyes glaring harshly as the man continued to put himself on a higher plane than him. "And what's the difference between someone who picks pockets, and someone who taxes so high the hardworking people can't afford their needs? A title. They're both thieves by profession, as you put it. They're just named differently."

Lucian bit down on his tongue, trying to quell the angry words that just wanted to spew forth. He wasn't really mad at the stranger, he had just pulled up all of the kelvic's emotional baggage, without ever actually speaking of it, and the boy was trying not to vent it all on the man, which wasn't working so well. "I didn't say I envied your lifestyle. I envy how happy you are with what you do."

And then the man tore down all the scapegoats he had put up around himself to keep in his guilt, fool himself into believing that it wash't his fault. That he wasn't responsible for his actions; It was his circumstances. And now, it was all gone and all he had left was his guilt and anger. He couldn't help it, he hissed, baring pointed fangs at the man.

He held the man's gaze for a moment before realizing what he was doing. Lucian dropped his eyes down and turned away, ready to disappear back into the crowd. He could feel his embarrassment beginning to overtake his earlier emotions and he didn't want to expose anymore of his emotional turmoil to the stranger. It wasn't as if the man truly cared anyway. Like he said, Lucian was just a street rat.

[Jonathon DuFraine]

Jonathon listened, and found his argument rather hard to argue against, since that was one of the things he advocated. Wasn't he just grumbling about thieving merchants a minute ago? To that, he could only shrug and say, "Maybe so. It's a good thing I don't hold a title, nor answer to any that do."

And then the man bore fangs at him and hissed. Jonathon hadn't expected that; he was too surprised to react on instinct. But moments before Jonathon could respond, the man was back to normal. Jonathon then put the pieces together; he was a Kelvic of some kind, it seemed.

Jonathon recovered from his shock and examined the man. He looked embarrassed and ready to disappear back into the crowd, taking a newfound hatred for Inartan hunters with him, no doubt. Jonathon decided that he might as do something for the urchin; Jonathon had been in much the same place it one time...

Jonathon swiftly yanked out five golden mizas, grabbed the man's hand, and shoved them into it. "Try to rise out of the gutter, will you? Or my money just went to waste." He gave the Kelvic a nod, and, before he could respond, moved away through the crowd, headed for the gates and to his home. There was still time to catch him, though.

[Lucian]

Lucian let out a squeak as the man grabbed his hand, half expecting to receive some sort of angry retort, maybe even get struck, for the display earlier. Imagine his shock when the man forced five golden mizas into his hands. Lucian blinked down at the money in his hands, looking back up at the man with a confusion written on his face. "Why..?"

"Try to rise out of the gutter, will you? Or my money just went to waste."

It was an amazing kindness, one he wasn't used to being shown. It left him speechless, unable to form the words that he wanted to speak. It wasn't until the man had already moved on that he found his words. "Ah, wait!" He called out, turning and darting after the man through the crowds.

Reaching out, he caught hold of the fabric of the stranger's clothes, halting his movements. He waited for the man to acknowledge him, letting his smile stretch across his lips. "Thank you..May I know the name of my benefactor?" He asked lightly.

[Jonathon DuFraine]

Jonathon felt a tug on his clothing. Knowing who it must be, he turned to look at the man. He could expect anything from him: biting sarcasm, hollow thanks, or even refusing disgust if the Kelvic had pride enough. But no; what Jonathon beheld was a truly grateful man, asking a simple question.

Jonathon looked somewhat surprised a moment, then answered. "Jonathon DuFraine... And it's my pleasure to help. I don't need the money... And I've been in your position before." Jonathon stood there a moment longer, watching his reaction. Then he began to leave again, but not without a parting shot.

"And remember what I said! If you don't want to feel guilt, don't have anything to feel guilty about."

[Lucian]

Lucian was glad to be given a name to put to the man that had given him so much to be grateful for. Jonathon DuFraine. He'd remember the man, maybe even go visit him if he was ever able. Just to show him that his goodwill hadn't been wasted. He waved a farewell to the man, watching until he disappeared, before heading for home. He wasn't going to take things that weren't his anymore.


oocIt doesn't seem like anyone else is going to join the thread. Do you want to get it graded?

[Templar]

Jonathon: Interogation: 4 - Observation: 4 - Rhetorics: 5 - Lore: Thief behavior - Ledger: -5 GM (just take it from the unspecified sale of furs) Lucian: Larceny: 2 - Observation: 2 - Rhetorics: 3 - Interogation: 1 - Politics: 1 - Begging: 1 Lore: Jonathon (Basic) - Ledger: +5 GM and 4 SM (from the initial theft from the woman) Additional notes: Lucian, it is called Larceny and not theft in your CS. But great read none the less!