All That Glitters[Gale]

[Matthaus]

4th of Fall, 512AV OOC: Just for fun, Matthaus as a girl : It was a good thing he hadn’t cut his hair in a few seasons. It fell near to his shoulders and he brushed it aside in annoyance. It would suit his purpose today though. Keeping to the alley he watched for a while, the people the milled about the market. They were unaware. Unassuming. Trusting. Something he was not. His stomach growled and the muscles clenched uncomfortably. He was used to it though, food was something he could afford for once but not something he sought. Habit had him saving miza he had and then some. In his palm he carefully pressed the stones into his palm. Worthless shiny stones he had fished from the waters in Mathews Bay but to someone else they would be wondrous gems. But first thing was first. Out of his sack he pulled a small chest, a raggedy red dress, small black hat and a mirror. Setting all his tools on the ground he worked with the easier equipment first, methodically folding his shirt, pants and cloak into the sack. The dress was breezy, and he used his razor to cut away a strip to tie his hair out of his face. In a very unladylike squat he held the mirror in one hand his other flipping open the box. Inside were a few cosmetics, dyes and simply face changers. Plugs and corks to be inserted in the cheeks and nose to give ones face a different look but not something he dabbled with. His disguise was much easier. A splash of water on his face from his waterskin, a bit of the colored stuff woman put on their eyes, rubbed on his eyelid with a finger. The mirror wobbling and so too did his fingers. But really, a child did not need much makeup and most of what he used were bright colors, things to make him look less sickly and more ‘alive’. Powders of pale pink rubbed roughly into his face and smeared into the dirt on his neck, giving him a two-toned skin. His nails scarping across and making more than a mess. The boy, now an odd looking young girl stood up, tossing the cosmetics back into the box and setting the box and mirror carefully into the sack. Tugging out the strand used to tie his hair back, he let it fall around his face, completely the feminine image. It was not well-done nor truly convincing if you stood close but that was what the hat was for. It covered his shoddy work and more boy-ish features. The girl slipped out of the alley, stones in hand and sack strapped around her shoulders. And there was her target. A young woman probably only a few years older than herself and waiting at the edge of the market. Obviously bored and obviously alone. As she approached the girl coughed low her throat and dug her nails into the flesh of her arms. The pain made her squeak but that was the voice she needed. “Buying fish today?” the young woman spared her a glance. Once than twice as the little girl settled in beside her. Her voice soft and low, pitching at odd instances. “Waiting for my father more likely.” “I’m waiting for my mum. She says that I should wait over here.” The stone slipped on purpose between her fingers, falling to the ground both girls reaching for it at the same time. “What a pretty stone! Where did you get it?” A smile lit up the younger girls face. This would be almost too easy. The people here were much more trusting than she was used too. All the better for her and mores the pity for them.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

It wasn't long after Gale had returned back to the city from his usual morning walks. He had made a decision today he, indeed, was getting himself a new shirt. Yes, he had waited a while to get a new one, yes he did have enough to get a basic, comfortable shirt. Why did he wait so long to get one? It was actually the thought of seeing a certain someone again when you looked deep down. Being so easily convinced to do something utterly out of his personality had made him a bit skittish really.

Gale was more of a coward when it came to situations like this. He never was really bold when it came to actions unless it was needed and most of the time it wasn't. Plus Gale was still relitively young and still hadn't experienced the feeling of most situations and took things differently then one would expect.

If you looked at him the right way, he could also be simpleton too if you have the right words to say. He was a little naive, once again, given the right situation. You only needed slight tugs at his emotions to get him going in the direction you want. But, that so far only happened once and he just happened to know him as a child. A lot of people didn't know his story and didn't have any sinful morals when it came to using the information but he did know a lot of people.

Especially around the market. He came here more often then not to sell his paintings so he saw all sorts of sailors and professors. Of course, he didn't know everyone in the city and there were plenty of people coming and going. So why would two young ladies catch his eye?

One seemed slightly older then the other, and somewhat recognizable. He saw her pass by once or twice while he was in the market. He didn't know her personally or anything, just a semi-recognizable face.

The other though was a little more strange, having long hair, a tattered dress, and a hat. You didn't see that everyday. The hat he meant. It was odd seeing a girl with such a hat but who was he to judge on fashion? He didn't even have a shirt.

It seemed like the young lady with the hat dropped something, both reaching down to get it. It was a pretty stone. He'd seen a few on the beach a few times. Walking along the coastline everyday, you start to notice and even pick up a few pretty rocks and other little things, so it wasn't hard to recognize something as simple as a rock. He wasn't that stupid. When the familiar face recognized it as a gem, his suspicion rose. One could take advantage of a simple detail as this. Especially when it meant possibly making a few mizas.

Gale's lips pulled into a smirk as he adjust his path to a nearby stand to listen in. He was always up for helping someone and stopping a con dead in it's tracks. Maybe if he helped out enough it would take his mind of the innocent sailor he had gladly taken the life of. Should the lady decide to take the chance at selling her the rocks...She did say she was waiting for her father.

Gale casually looked at the stand, messing around with a few of the things as he listened. His bare chest didn't make it easy to stay casual but maybe he could be seen as a sailor. Unlikely though, since he was a rather scrawny man. Not like a twig but still fairly small. He wasn't tall, just being of average height so Gale probably wouldn't pull of the look of a sailor very well. But oh well, it was just a childish trick. It wasn't like he was anything out of the ordinary, being part of the human population in Zeltiva. He wasn't anything fancy unless you counted the shirtless man to be sexy in a way. Also unlikely.

[Matthaus]

“My mum says its…” an exaggerated frown cross the little girls features, “Jacker?” He heard the swift intake of breath and the way the young woman’s fingers were already curling around the stone. He could see the curious look, the sudden real interest in her new companions features. “Jasper?” “Yep! That one.” “What’s your name again?” Sometimes things went so well, the boy knew something always had to go wrong. This was too quick, too easy. And his lack of observation made him realize there were people nearby now as well. Although how he had missed a man without a shirt he wasn’t sure. A frown flickered across his face and he held out his hand for the stone. Watching the other out of the corner of his eye. It was just the three of them for now but he didn’t want others waiting here as well. “It's Katherine. Can I have my stone?” The young woman blushed and handed it over, “It’s a very pretty gem, did you know that?” Katherine smiled a bit and nodded, babbling a bit about how his mum had been given it as a good luck charm and now she wanted to put it on a necklace. Both stone in hand he stopped abruptly to pinch his arm, drawing blood in process. His voice cracked and deepened for a brief moment before it came out as a breathless whisper. He really needed to clip her nails. But rather than continue the conversation he caught the smirk on the shirtless man. His body stiffened and his eyes roved over to where the man stood, he was tall, bare, maybe a sailor? Unassuming and easily forgettable. He was trouble. But how much? He felt his heart flutter as he tried to reach inside himself, tried to feel the thick, liquid-like feeling of his djed flowing beneath his skin. Instead he could only touch it, tug at it in vain, feel is spread up throughout her like a cool drink before snapping back. “Are you alright, Katherine?” “I’m fine. Just chilly.” “You should bring a jacket silly! It’s Fall.” Katherine smiled back good-naturedly but welcomed the sudden silence, aware of the older girls eyes still on stone. But he turned away slightly, reaching once more the pull, the thickness the seemed to seep from inside him, he tugged at it. Fought with it, pulled until a sheen of sweat formed on his brow and mussed his makeup. “Well isn’t he a bit handsome?” And there went his concentration. The slight feelings, the inkling of something, the pull it all snapped back. The aura gone before he could even try to read something. The older girl than waved the shirtless man over. Perfect.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

While Gale messed around with the things, he listened into the conversation. Kathrine? What a lovely name. He held back a chuckle as the kid then seemed to switch plans, now aware someone was onto her. If the girl had any plans at all. He still wasn't exactly sure but just went off of his instinct. Better be safe or sorry, am I correct?

Gale turned to go down to another nearby seller when he saw one of the girls waving him over. Huh. Suppose his "trying to blend in" idea wouldn't be a success. But oh well,seemed like the familiar face was welcoming him over. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure she wasn't waving to someone behind him since that happens quiet a lot. The murderer shrugged and strode over to the two young ladies, his hands shoved into his pockets for warmth.

He hadn't been bringing his cloak along with him to keep warm, thinking it would be warm enough later to go without. He tends to tolerate the cold better then the heat anyway so he always assumed he was going to get too warm or something and didn't want to carry it around. Plus, he leaves his house anomalously early so it's always cooler and tries to predict the weather will be warmer later in the day. A rather odd and very foolish thing to do, considering how unpredictable the weather is. But Gale hadn't been thinking things through really well since the loss of his wife. And with everything going on last season made it exceptionally hard to keep his mind straight. This would explaining why he didn't have his cloak on him, and thus explaining why he was getting cold.
Another reason why he needed to get a shirt for Fall.

"Do you young ladies need some assistance?" Gale offered politely.

[Matthaus]

Katherine ground his teeth for a moment, his eyes boring holes into the ground. But it was nothing to fret over, he was sure this could go fine. If nothing else a practice session. He was simply going to be a good little girl. Schooling himself he looked up and smiled, a light insincere thing that he couldn’t have helped even if he wanted to. He opened his mouth to say something simpering but his new (and now foolish) target gave a laugh and plucked the stone from his loose grip. “We were just wondering how beautiful you thought this Jasper was,” she gave a wicked grin, “I think it suits me, don’t you?” “Of course it does.” Katherine supplied, the older girl only smiled at him and slipped the stone into the man’s hand, her gaze narrowing a bit as she spoke and Katherine inwardly cringed. “Yes, well a second opinion before we talk price.” He didn’t tense, didn’t even bat an eye. The girl really was trying to swindle him because she thought he was as foolish as she! That always made things more interesting. Ignoring the way he felt a bit of sweat creep down his spine he once more tried to read the other man to see how this would fare. Pulling at the place deep within, he grasped at it with dirty hands and tugged in his mind, uncorking the well from within. That was always an easier part, something like breathing…only forced. Ignoring his own thoughts he tried to continue to pull the djed, to shape it to his purpose, to see the things that weren’t always said. His gaze focused on the man’s chest, what seemed like chimes passing before he was actually able to only see the color of the skin. The way it stretch over bones and seemed like nothing more than a patch in a blanket. It was a slow dragging process, the cool feeling of sweat growing stronger on his back, his eyes glazing over as he felt a slight cloudy feeling. It was expanding within, growing larger and large until it seemed to burst, leaking out of his very skin and bubbling above the surface. Then he was finally able to see it. Shapes and swirls, empty-headed patterns. The shapes continued to dance in his mind’s eye. Jubilant. Free. Everywhere at once. Obviously the only thing he would glean is the man’s amusement. But amusement at what? Knowing the stone was false or the older girls piss poor flirting? Or worse, did he realize Katherine was actually a he? Breaking the concentration was hard as well, his mind sucked into swirling pit of shapes and flesh colored patterns that vied for attention in his mind. A choking swallow and he tore his eyes away, unconsciously pulling the brim of his hat lower. He felt as tired as he had after being cramped on the boat all those bells and days. His voice croaked as he spoke, no longer even trying to hid the more boyish tone. “My mum says its real, what do you say?” There was no mistaking the challenge, if the man knew and he revealed Katherine would drag him down with him kicking and screaming if need be, however if he didn’t he would simply think her a sassy girl. He could still save face and many even get something for his troubles besides more ‘worldly’ experience. Too bad no one noticed her father coming.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale watched as the older girl snatched the stone from the one with the hat, the young girl seeming like she wanted to say something before the other continued. He didn't comment till after Katherine gave a quick response.

"I'm sure it would. It's a very beautiful piece if you shaped it a little. Then it could actually be worth something." He looked at the disguised boy with a smirk. It wasn't meant to be taken as to accept his challenge but it could easily be misinterpreted, since Gale's smiles and grins can be taken in many ways."I'm sure it's real. It's a pretty common piece to see. If you would like to compare yours with the ones over by the shore then you can get a positive answer on whether it's Jasper or not. Anyway-" Gale looked at Matthaus, flicking his hat up slightly with a cold, thin finger,"You wanted to say something?" Referring to earlier when "she" was cut off. But now having an idea about the girl, with her deepened voice. He wouldn't be surprised by this either, if it turns out it was a disguise.

Gale, like the other two in front of him, didn't notice the man approaching.

[Matthaus]

Katherine narrowed his eyes as the brim of his hat was flicked up. He didn’t even remember what he had been going to say but he sorely wanted to kick the man in shin. Instead he played his part carefully; whispering hid his voice as much as possible and trying not to grimace at the man’s smile. Rikki always smiled and that meant trouble. “I just wanted to know if you know how much this would go for? Mum says not to sell but I have one more here.” Katherine held up his hand as proof, flashing another river stone with a grim smile. This would have gone all fine and well if it weren’t for the fact that the girl’s father approached. He didn’t look pleased but the girl did. Already ready to get the stone, taking Gale’s half warning as assurance rather than anything else. “How much?” He spoke gruffly. Of course, this is where things went wrong. The older girl tried to tell her father it was Katherine who was selling the stone but he only stared down the shirtless man. Obviously not appreciating an unclothed man so near his daughter. His daughter was oblivious to the mild tension and Katherine thought now would be a good time to—“What type of shyke are you pulling? This is river stone you—“ The man sputtered, turning red in the face and looking very much like he wanted to punch the shirtless man. Katherine thought it was justice. If he hadn’t become involved things probably could have gone very well. Well, maybe not. “But dad it was her stone.” Katherine shook her head, “No, he gave it to me. He said to try and sell it and he’d give me a sweet meat.” His soothing over might have gone well if he hadn’t felt the breeze beneath his dress. His dress. In said dress he had yet again forgot to pinch himself or to whisper. The man did not look pleased with either of them and through widening eyes Katherine watched as the man ripped off her hat and made a grab for the shirtless man’s arm. Getting loud and threatening with ‘authorities’.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

As Katherine flashes out another stone, he finally noticed an older man walk up and ask how much. Gale shrugged, his hands already back in his pockets, a shiver running down his spine from the slight breeze that swept over them. "Actually I don't th-" Gale was cut off by the discussion the man and his daughter had. He huffed and waited patiently for them to finish. The man noticed it was just simple river stone and Gale went to reply,"I know, that's what I-" but he saw the man's face. Oh gods, come on, if he would just listen for a second then Gale could explain.

It seemed that his daughter was already trying to explain then a lie was told. Oh gods, not again. How come he was always the one to get apart of these things? He wanted to strangle or scold himslef for doing such things. There was no way he was leaving without his stupid cloak if he didn't have a shirt from now on. He was sick of this.

Gale raised his hands out of his pocket defensively and started to say,"I did not, I wouldn't even tr-" Gale saw the hat get ripped off and managed to move his arm out of the grasping hand.

He backed up a few paces to stay clear of him just for a few seconds to think. He looked at the liar with a glare. He should just leave the evil little con artist to whatever the man was going to do. It was none of his business to start with. He was only here to buy a petching shirt and he gets this! He tries to help and he gets this! What did he have to do to have some good luck for once?

But Gale knew it wasn't exactly the kids fault. He (assuming because of the voice change) might be trying to con someone but he was probably just trying to get enough money to move on to the next day. He knew how it felt, having to draw constantly to get some sort of pay. Gale didn't want to help, especially after the lie, but he didn't want to add anything to his list of regrets, even if it could end badly for him. That list was already big enough with the few things on it. Okay, he would help as long as things didn't get too out of hand. He didn't want another reason for the Wave Guards to be looking for him, even though they are oblivious to his last few crimes and shenanigans.

With a groan of irritation Gale replied,"If you would just listen then maybe you can here the whole story." He wasn't within arms reach so in order to get Gale he would have to lung forward or take a few steps. If things took for the worse, Gale would offer an opening or something for the liar, but only one. He didn't deserve more then that. But if things stayed rather calm and didn't get too hectic then that's better for everyone.Gale wasn't one for conflict.

[Matthaus]

Katherine stared at everyone for a few seconds, his mind ticking feverishly. If the man told his side things would get out of hand and a he said, she said match would ensue. If he didn’t the man would very likely call the watch guards. Or he could try continuing to piss him off and the father could direct the anger at the shirtless man and he could run. “He’s right. It’s really my fault,” he whispered, “I knew he gave me fake stones but my mum usually has me like this and I thought it was just a joke. He—we didn’t mean no harm sir.” The father looked a cross between teed-off and accepting, “Fine then. Where’s your mum?” Oh what a tangled web we weave. He blamed his spidery half. Licking his lips he walked slowly, with confidence he didn’t really have, looking for an acceptable target to play ‘mother’. He would only need her for a few seconds and then he could run. Giving a furtive glance back he reached out for the nearest woman who didn’t look like she would run him over in her hurry. “Ma’am?” “Oh! Excuse me.” “No, it was my fault.” she gave him a once over and smiled a little tighter but Katherine quickly dug her fingers into her arm, once more drawing blood and bit sharply down on his own tongue. Tears welling up without any thoughts. “I need help.” Suspicion, but not too much, a crying child was a child after all. “With what? Are your friends picking on you?” “No, no, those people over there say they need me to go with them and I—I don’t know where my mum is. Can you please help?” The woman looked torn between not believing him and curious. He didn’t care which so long as she followed him. He knew he was trying and failing to look helpless but at least he had sounded faintly feminine. Sort of. Oh who cared anymore. “Please.” He tried to sound as pitiful as possible and with a curt nod the woman wandered over to their little group, probably more curious than actually worried, his performance had been piss poor. But it seemed Lhex was against him because she opened her mouth and starting talking to the father, the shirtless man and the daughter about how it was wrong to abuse children. And some other babble about what precisely was going on. He wasn’t one to curse, that was never his style but Katherine felt his jaw drop at how out of control this was getting and how now they had a certified crowd. “—and why you would even think it’s okay to put him in a dress!” “Look lady, he’s your kid!” “He is no such thing!” “When then what the hell are you—“ Now, Katherine decided, was a good time to make himself scarce before things really got out of hand and all the evidence pointed to him. Moving swiftly he snatched his hat out of the man’s hand and didn’t break his stride, running straight into their audience and shoving and stumbling his way through the crowd. At least he had managed to get a fall guy. OOC : Feel free to chase (and catch) the brat. I doubt Gale will want to stay for that incident to finishing blow up anyhow lol

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale groaned in irritation again when the women came over and started to scold them on abusing the child. His hand pinched the bridge of his nose, trying not to just yell at everyone to shut up. His hand fell back down to his side and he watched the father and the "mother" go back and forth. Soon he watched the kid snatch his hat and make a run for it.

Oh no, he wasn't going to just run off without a few words from him. Gale scoffed in aggravation and ran after Katherine, swerving around the arguing duo. His shirt would have to come later, after he talked to this kid. There wasn't any chance that he was going to let a kid go after an attempt to blame everything on him. At least not without a chase.

Gale booked it after the boy in the dress, barely managing to dodge people walking around. He gave a short apology to a person (he didn't look to see if it was a man or women) he had collided with, and continued on his way.

It wasn't extremely hard to catch up to the kid. Yes, he wasn't the fastest guy when it came to running but running in a dress was difficult and would surely make the boy slow down at least a little. After getting close enough, Gale attempted to grasp a large chunk of the long hair on the top of his head and come to a halt. If successful and if Matthaus didn't do anything drastic or surprising, such as trying to attack, Gale would say,"Where do you think you're going?"holding his chunk of hair firmly in his hand.