Closed [Prequel][The Markets]An Unlikely Assailant (Julia Tristal)

[Autumn Leithea]

83rd of Summer, 515AV It was hot, unbearable in late Spring's muggy nature, the sun beaming down with a terrible harshness not yet seen since last Fall. Everyone seemed to have a lazy nature about them, drowsily walking about the markets in a pre-Summer's haze. To go to the market? A chore for most with the temperature, though a chore needed. Everyone becoming frustrated with the heat yet needing food to survive the week without going hungry. Autumn and Marjorie were walking toward the market district by the ocean, Autumn and Marjorie carrying five full waterskins slung over both of their backs. "You think?" "Yeah it could be anyone." stated Marjorie. "How would we trust such person?" "Well, first off, we need a crew, and secondly, mizas have a way of buying trust even in the most avid of thieves." "True, but how could we find a person of such a particular skillset? You said it could be anyone." "There are plenty of thieves in this god-forsaken bosom of criminal activity, I'm sure we'll know them when we see them." "True." The crowd grew denser as they neared the market, and passing around the groups of people they made their way to the stalls in order to barter or trade the goods that they had. Drugs and food, and sometimes drugged food being sold alongside metal pots, bows with fletched arrows, precious stones and strange bones, and even a stand catering to rare and common herbs alike. They walked past a slave auction on one of the docks, a fresh shipment of slaves coming off the boats, wanting only to buy a slave to set him or her free. Their looks of distain at the auction leader probably could have killed him if any more piercing. "Alright what do we need?" asked Marjorie. "Money." There was a pause, then they burst out in laughter. "No seriously." "Lets browse, we'll get something good somewhere." "Alright." After a bit of searching, they heard the desperate cries of a fine wine collector offering his wares for a dispickably low price. It aroused their suspicion, how could a bottle of wine of such a vintage be worth so little? They went over, ready to barter. "Two bottles of 501AV Glist Vineyard Piniot Noir, 10 GM." the man was shouting amongst the cries of other stall owner's offers. "We'll trade you three full waterskins of rainwater for the both of them." "Five, and thats my final offer." "Four or we'll leave." They pretended to turn around, unaroused by the mans offer when he stopped them. "Okay four and a half, I have a waterskin right here and I need it." "Sure." they both smiled. He got out his waterskin and they poured half of their fourth waterskin into his, him taking a long drink. "Pleasure doing business sir!" said Autumn. "Yeah yeah..." the man grumbled. Autumn took the two bottles of wine and put them in her old worn bag, and they carried on though the bazzar of shops filling the already claustrophobic seaside next to the docks. They were surprised. They knew it was hot, muggy, and dry, and it hadn't rained in a week, they had officially realized how valuable their trade goods were. People were everywhere, and Autumn and Marjorie moved through the sea of dull commotion like fish in water, never bumping up against another. Both were decently experienced pickpockets, and knew that one little bump could mean the ten gold mizas in Autumn's pocket could change hands in one subtle heartbeat. "Alright we need waterskins." Marjorie stated. They continued on through the rows of stalls beside the ocean, wondering what they would come across next. Within the bellowing of the advertising stall owners they heard something about "stock" in a ship fleet owner's trading company. "Like chicken stock?" Autumn shrugged.

[Julia Tristal]

Water was in desperate need right now, the lack of rainfall for a few days now meant that water was as valuable as gold! Well... Not really, that was an exaggeration, but people were still in need of the life giving fluid. Water had always been scarce in Sunberth, but in an event of lack of rainfall the price of water would be doubled.

Julia had a half-full waterskin while she was out. Water was important, but money was just as important. Julia was out on the prowl, looking for possible prospects, water and money was her target, and she had two ways of taking their money or items. She could either run and bump at them or follow them and pickpocket.

With this kind of heat, people would be easy to outrun... if she wasn't handicapped with the heat as well... So the only real option here is to try and pickpocket things from people.

Julia looked over to the side and noticed two lovely ladies carrying quite a few waterskins, and by the way they looked, they were bloated with some liquid, hopefully water. Some people have put in some salt water to get some free stuff. People in Sunberth were a cheap bunch of psychopaths and sociopaths, but did make into good con-men, thieves, killers and other ne'er do wells.

She stalked her prey silently and swiftly, she took out her dagger and would try to cut one of their waterskin off and take it for herself, maybe if they weren't paying attention, she could grab their coin if she could.

[Autumn Leithea]

With five and a half waterskins between the two of them they had quite a bit of buying power. Though trading would be nice, they needed money. Money to buy enough food to last them the week. Nothing to extravagant, but something that would fill the belly and sate the somewhat constant hunger that had been plagued with for the past week. Roaming around the bazaar of stands through a river of commotion they could not see a single stand in which they thought they could sell their water for a good price. Every transaction they witnessed was a trade. They pushed on, deeper into the markets... still no joy. "You'd think people would have mizas on hand." said Autumn wiping the sweat off of her brow. "Maybe we should trade up for a while." "Maybe." The muggy heat was nearly unbearable. It was sticky, and each breath seemed choked up by the wet air. "I wish I could just take one of these waterskins and just pour it all over myself." said Autumn. Marjorie laughed. "That's exactly what I was thinking." Autumn smiled. "Hey we need to go see Jake." Autumn stated. "Good call." Though the stalls moved around quite a bit, even changing throughout the day, Jake's stall was always where it was supposed to. Each empty place that could fit a stall was prime real-estate for anyone who could get there first, so Jake would get there bright and early every day before sunrise to claim his position in the soon to be lively bazaar, ever drowning in people with enough money to go around to perpetuate the lively economy sitting there by the ocean. They walked past some more stalls in the clothing section not even looking around at them, they already had what they needed to wear. After a short hike in to the bowels of the market they spotted Jake's stand. "Jake!" Autumn cried. "Hey girls!" "Hey Jake!" said Marjorie. "Jorie, Autumn, what brings you to my fine establishment today?" "Money." Autumn said, casually leaning against one of the posts holding up the awning of his stand. "What do you got?" he asked. "Five waterskins." Jake thought for a moment... "Two gold mizas for each." he said "We'll do one and a half each if you give us some empty waterskins." Marjorie stated. "Done." he stated. Jake always gave them a good price. "Ya know, I keep these things in stock just for you guys." he said whilst counting the empty waterskins. "Aww thanks Jake." said Autumn jokingly. "Jake, can we talk business for a moment?" said Marjorie killing the mood, Autumn and Marjorie looking at each other. "Sure." "I hear that papa has dinner ready, and I'm hungry, he whispered that he'd make dinner a week ago and it's still not ready. If it's gone cold then I'd have a few choice words for him." Marjorie stated. "Dinner is ready, and no one else is invited. He specifically said that he wanted you and your friends to come to dinner tomorrow night at dusk. You know where." Jake told them. "We still need to invite two other people for dinner, or else it's not a party. Gotta have a full table, you know?" Autumn stated. Jake paid them out 7gm, 5sm for their full waterskins, which Marjorie pulled off her back and laid them on the top of the table of his stall. "Yeah that's true. Need help finding someone?" "No we're alright, someone's gonna catch our eye eventually." Autumn said. "Hey, we have a bottle of really fine wine here, what do you got to trade? Jake rummaged through a few chests, things hanging off of the top of the awning, and some other things piled up within a small tent at the back of the stall. He grabbed a bunch of a hanging herb hanging from the top of the awning, a decently large open box with a low-grade lock and key, and an assassin's dagger in decent condition. "That's the best I can do really." Autumn and Marjorie knew their wine could fetch a higher price, but they were friends, so it didn't really matter. "The lockbox, because we're friends." Autumn stated. Their goods switched hands, and Autumn took part of her shirt into her hand and rubbed the wood until its true color shone through. "Wait a minute..." Autumn said surprised. "This is mahogany!" Jake smiled. "Well at least now its a fair trade." "What a find!" stated Marjorie. Autumn smiled showing her teeth. "Alright lets see if we can keep trading up." "Agreed." Autumn said. "Bye Jake, we'll see you there then!" He waved goodbye. "Bye girls!"

[Julia Tristal]

Julia couldn't help but eye that beautiful bottle of vintage wine, she wasn't much of a drinker, but that could possibly be the most expensive thing Julia has ever seen within stealing reach.

She walked a little ways behind them, and went over to the stall beside the one they were looking over. She couldn't help but overhear a bit of their conversation. Something that intrigued her, dinner meaning food, food meaning... well... food, and probably a few new contacts as well.

It seemed that these two were invited, maybe they would have an invitation on their person. "This just gets better and better." She whispered and followed them silently. After a little while of walking, she decided that this was an opportune time to make her move.

The area they were in was a large crowded area of the market, the people were all moving about and such, each of them minding their own business and trying to ignore others and trying to not bump into each other.

She rushed forward, still trying to not raise suspicion, but moving fast enough for anyone that was looking at her to notice her intent. She was right behind the duo and saw the coins bag they had where they put the coins the merchant gave them. She quickly pulled out her dagger and cut the rope, and quickly moving away before the two would notice her.

She didn't run or walk fast, but decided to blend in, hiding her loot up her sleeve. When she made it to a secluded part of the road she took out the coin purse to check how much she had gotten.

[Autumn Leithea]

Marjorie turned to Autumn with a mocking grin on her face. "You see that girl walking away right now." Autumn noticed a young, blonde haired girl walking away swiftly. "Yeah?" "She just pickpocketed you." Someone pickpocketing Autumn? The irony was beautiful. Autumn turned toward Marjorie aghast. Marjorie immediately laughing. Autumn smiled. "Well, I guess we found our fourth crew member!" Autumn beckoned to Marjorie to help her follow the young girl. She walked cleverly as they followed, almost losing her a couple of times in the fray. "This girl must have some talent to pickpocket you without you knowing." "I know, that's why I think she's the one." They kept their distance, making sure the young lass didn't see them. She finally sat down and pulled out Autumn's coin purse containing 17gm 5sm. They needed that money back desperately. They mingled and swayed with the crowd around them on the outskirts of the market so as to blend in and not be seen. "Hmm, how to get that money back..." "No robberies, no fun that way." stated Marjorie. Autumn thought for a moment. "Yeah and asking for it back won't work, she'll deny it." "How about a Drunkard's Paradise?" "Maybe... how about a sober Friendly Friend?" "Probably, if we act drunk she'll never accept our invitation. So a sober Friendly Friend?" "Got it." They walked up to the girl at a peaceful pace so as not to disturb her too much. "Hello there! Do you mind if we sit?" Autumn asked.

[Julia Tristal]

She had sat down on a dirty old bench, it was a bit rickety but could support a few people sitting on it for a few more weeks. She counted the money in her hand. 17 and a half GM. Quite a nice little haul. Though they traded the wine for a nice little lockbox, it was too big to swipe unnoticed, but if she could get her hands on that, it would fetch for a good price to the right people.

She hid the gold back up her sleeve and looked up to a voice that called out to her. "Hello there! Do you mind if we sit?"

"No not at all, have a seat." It was the two girls she had stolen from, they must suspect her, it would be best to play the innocent card here rather than the brooding type. She was never good at being sad. "So, what do I owe the pleasure, ladies? You two are quite pretty to be Sunberthian, you two passing through?" She asked with a tiny smile directed to Marjorie.

"Are you two lost? Did you lose something? The streets are filled with pickpockets and scoundrels. You two best be careful, especially with that beautiful lockbox you two are carrying." She gave a warm genuine smile at the two girls, if they decided to grab her, she was ready to bolt as quickly as she sat down. "So, where are you two heading, maybe I could guide you there?"

[Autumn Leithea]

She looked nervous. Talking rapidly but holding back just enough for them to suspect she was hiding something, which she was. Her flattery was a dead giveaway. "Oh we live here hun." Autumn smiled a wry smile at Marjorie, both sitting down next to the girl, one on each side. "You seem young and confident, I like that in a girl. What brings you to Sunberth hun? You're here at the markets huh, see anything you like? We just got out here today, we're looking for some food to get us though the week, or at least the next few days. I was..." As Autumn continued her disorienting speaking, trying to distract the girl, Marjorie suddenly tapped her on her side. 'Not there...' Marjorie said to herself. "Hey look!" Marjorie pointed to a Daggerhand gangmember passing by. "Those guys are nasty, there was this one time where..." As Marjorie distracted her Autumn tapped the girl with the back of her hand on her other side. "Hey look at that guy, he's such a weirdo trying to carry all that, look!" The girl looked but Autumn was sure she was getting suspicious. "Oh by the way, my name is Autumn, this is my lover Marjorie, but you can just call her 'Jorie'." Autumn gave her a big hug, and felt the coin purse on her upper arm up her sleeve. Autumn winked at Marjorie, whom immediately started speaking again. "Yeah look over there, there's another one of them. I once saw..." In unison Marjorie punched the girl in the arm, "You're a character aren't you?" she said stopping her story, the greater pressure from the punch masking Autumn carefully and skillfully putting her hand lightly up the girl's sleeve and lifting it without her feeling it, and the purse was in her hand. "... ah those were the days." finished Marjorie. Autumn winked at her again." "Alright enough stories. I have a proposition for you." Autumn said with a smile. "This...", she held up the coin purse, "was lifted from me just minutes ago... by you." Autumn stated. "That takes some real skill to pull that off without her knowing." "You have talent girl, you want to make some real money? Or would you like to keep lifting pockets and hoping for something gold?" She paused. "Look, come to the corner of Sun and Kaeila street just before sundown tomorrow if you're down. If not, then forget we even spoke and go back to lifting copper from townsfolk." Autumn and Marjorie left the girl to ponder their offer, and returned to Jake's stand to talk to him. "So, did you find someone?" "Yeah we did." said Autumn. "Shes got some skill for sure. Now, I want my wine back." "Hell no." Autumn went through her bag and pulled out the mahogany box. "Mahogany box." she held it up in the air for him to see, him rummaging through the chest in the back of his stand, pulling out the rare and well aged red wine. "Rare and well aged wine." he said holding it gingerly sideways so she could see the vintage. Both showed no emotion on their faces until they couldn't take it anymore. They burst out in laughter, them calming themselves and trading a fair trade, something not normally found in Sunberth, or any city for that matter. A flawless mahogany lockbox that could be refurbished with some fine oil and a rag for a bottle of rare wine of lovely vintage? An fair trade unlike any other in Sunberth. "I hope I get to drink that with you." said Jake with a wry grin. "Of course." said Autumn smiling.

[Dravite]

Autumn Leithea

XP Award:

• Body Building: 1
• Socialisation: 4
• Planning: 2
• Observation: 3
• Logic: 2
• Acting: 1
• Larceny: 1

Lore:

• You can buy trust with gold
• Planning: A partner in crime
• Jake: A good friend
• Logic: Who better to recruit than a thief?
• Flattery is a dead giveaway of guilt
• Marjorie: A partner in crime

Loot:
1 x bottle of 501AV Glist Vineyard Piniot Noir
1 x Lockbox


Julia Tristal

XP Award:

• Logic: 2
• Observation: 3
• Stealth: 2
• Planning: 1
• Larceny: 1
• Weapon, Dagger: 1
• Mathematics: 1
• Socialisation: 1
• Acting: 1

Lore:

• Water is more precious than gold
• Pickpocketing is best done in busy areas
• Eavesdropping is a handy way of finding out valuable information
• Stealth: Don't run
• Larceny: Act normal to avoid suspicion
• Larceny: Find a safe place to check the loot
• Autumn Leithea: A young beauty
• Marjorie: Autumn's lover

Notes: Interesting thread, ladies. Enjoy the rewards! Let me know if you think I have missed anything here and be sure to edit your grading request!

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