Work was kind of stressful, dealing with Robyn who lacked almost everything a musician needed. But wanted to tell me how to teach her, which left us fighting more than teaching. However, the other girls were doing well. To the point that I wanted to increase their times to include a more detailed course.

Sadly, the time of the day was already short for me. Plus I had both Cath and Elena fighting for my time. Like right now, I was being dressed to attend a play with Elena, who for the third time this week, won time to spend with me.

Of course, I would not allow her to pick out places for us to go. I might end up in some brothel with strippers. Or worse, she would think breaking into someone's house is cool date material.

“My lady, do you want me to apply the powders?” My personal maid asked.

I wave my hand dismissal, I look amazing without such superficial stuff. There is no need to add onto your beauty if you were already a ten, right?

“No, thanks. Go check and see if she is presentable. Make her wear what I bought if not.”

My maid bowed and left.

I stood up, doing a small twirl, impressed with how the dress formed to my body curves. Teasing but not openly saying I am less than what I am. I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs, taking a seat at the hallway bench, waiting for the damn Thief to show up.

I was rewarded for my long wait with her coming down in a dress that actually accentuated her womanhood. Mm, she actually looks respectable now. Like someone I wanted to go hang out with, not like a tomboy thief, a poor one at that.

I rotated my finger, in a spin gesture. She rolled her eyes but spun with a proud look on her face. Swaying her hips just a bit too much upon walking up to me.

“So how do I look?” She asked with a smug look. Throwing a killer smile at Cath hiding in the shadows of a pillar, looking for all the world like her favorite toy just been stolen.

I gave a light laugh and hooked my arm with the beautiful thief. A makeover did her justices but I was sure her habits would ruin any first impressions after. You could cover the outer appearances but never the inner layer.

“You look exceptional. Now, come, come. We don’t need to be late. I heard that this is something the host has been practicing for months now.” I spoke while half dragging her.

***

Upon arriving at the theater, I fell upon some old nobles I have seen before. Well those that grew up about the same time as me. Though I can’t say, I remember their names. Just that their face painted so heavily filled with such contempt as they sat on benches crowd watching was memorable.

Mm, I think they are probably the useless crowd. It’s easy to tell by the shape of their nose and the way they held their hands, that the only skill they had was gossiping. A rare and frightening talent that mortals cowed.

I passed our tickets to one of the serving hosts.. I don’t exactly remember where our box seats are located.

Just as the boy was about to lead us off, someone came running towards me with the clink clink sounds of high heels moving in rapid short steps. I half shifted my body for a better line of sight and immediately froze.

Why, because it was that guy and a woman I haven’t seen before. The one from a casino, the one with very good perception and incredibly competent. They stopped a few steps away and bowed.

“My lady West, it is a pleasure to meet you again.” He spoke in an almost perfect baritone voice.

I really wanted to ask if he was capable of singing as well. Maybe, I should put on a show at one of my mother casinos just to help my students feel more attuned with that kind of atmosphere. A thought for later.

“Oh, the gentleman from the casino.” I added an inflection to my voice, slightly mocking-tone.

I grabbed Elena’s arm who was looking equally amused and hostile at the same time.

“I apologize for leaving in a hurry but I want to be seated before the play begins. I have been looking forward to this musical play since I first heard about it in the southern regions.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Well, I saw it in the south but he didn’t need to know that. The host took my words as meaning to leave now.

“This way, my lady.” He bowed and extended his arm, leading the way.

His eyes followed me for a bit. I think he was intrigued by me and a little turned on. There was a slight bulge in his pants but wouldn’t he be sad to find out that I did not prefer his kind. I wonder how good of a fighter he truly is.

We made it to our balcony seats with ample time to spare. The crowd below looked almost as excited to see this as I was. Their excited energy and not so muffled conversations were just building up a teasing feeling in me.

“So, who was that guy? The one that was eye fucking you and don’t tell me you don’t know. I saw how excited you got when spotting him. You even poked out your tiny chest.” Elena broke my mood with her efforts to interrogate me.

I gave her my signature smile, the full dimples and she blushed.

“He is just someone I met at the casino, unlike you he would have made an excellent thief. Well at least you are pretty, you can be a noble’s plaything.” I retorted.

Elena didn’t take it as an insult. No, she turned in her chair and ran a hand up across mine.

“I can be a very good plaything if you want to find out how amazing I can be with these thieving hands.” Elena's eyes sparkled with mischief and her tongue had nothing good to say.

However, I was used to her less good ways.

“Do you mean those hands that can’t even hold a crossbow even enough to hit a target less than ten feet away? Or the fact that every one of my knights caught you trying to pickpocket them? Or do you mean the fact that I pickpocket you while you were holding your purse? Such a good thief. Such amazing hands. I guess being my plaything is the highlight of your career?”

I raised my eyebrow while dangling the medallion she always took with her. She blushed furious, probably more than embarrassment coloring her cheeks. I laughed, jerking my hand out of her reach when she tried to snatched the medallion back.

When she realized she was close to making a scene and a fool out of herself, she sat back. I dropped the medallion upon her laugh and she stuffed it into one of the folds of her dress.

It did not take long before the play started and the beautiful transitions between a musical, song and dance, with a traditional storytelling element, unfolded before us. It was so beautiful upon reaching the tragedy, I was already up in tears.

Rapidly dabbing my eyes with the handkerchief. This was another perfect reason not to wear makeup, never know when you would become overly emotional.

On our way out, I noticed Elena sulking. Probably because the play reminded her of her father or maybe she was witnessing the scene of his death? Just thinking about my father falling to bolts left me in an excited mood to get my hands dirty. But sadly, I needed the patience of a predator. Lions and tigers could sit in the hot sun for hours, crouched low observing their prey.

Am I saying, I am less patient than those majestic beasts?

Tsk, of course not.

I glanced to my right to see the ho— casino man walking towards me.

“Sorry to bother you again, my Lady West. I was just curious how a musical instructor such as yourself saw this play?” He asked in a crystal clear voice, a bit of teasing laughter hidden in.

His eyes were focused on my face but I knew he was staring at the crease that was available for eyes a little lower.

“It was marvelous. Perfect transitions, the scriptwriter or conductor spent enough time to produce something well beyond their times. I can fairly say that it will be hard to replicate this piece in the near future but not for a lack of trying?” I winked at the lady beside him who was still dabbing her eyes.

Her makeup is a little blotchy around the eyes. I spoke before he could interrupt.

“May I ask who this lovely lady is? I don’t remember hearing about her before? I would have assumed I knew all the nobles and merchants' daughters. I have a fancy for them, you see.”

His eyes creased in a bit of confusion and he looked between me and Elena for a brief moment. A new light twisting his eyes into admiration and envy.

“Aye, this lady is a friend’s daughter. He couldn’t make it to take her, so I am filling in. She is a huge fan of plays of any type. I dare say that she knows more about them than most merchants and noble daughters. What do you say, Mary?”

The girl looked embarrassed to speak up. Which is fine, I had dinner plans and didn’t wish to be late.

I curtised and Elena followed my habit.

“I apologies that I am again in a hurry. We can talk next time, bring Miss Mary please.” I sent a dimple smile at Mary who blushed and bowed her head. Dipping into a curtesy, I grabbed Elena’s arm and we left quickly.

***

Do you ever feel like time passes by way too fast? Like one day, you planned to do this and before you know it, that day approached? Or how about you were sitting down laughing and joking with your friends. Or just listening to them make a fool out of themselves and before you know it, time flies by.

Did you ever feel guilty when you forgot what day it was? Or that you didn’t even notice the sun rise or fall?

Mm, this is entirely how I felt.

Sitting on the rooftop, with my mask up, eating an ice-cream cake in a bowl. This was stake-out time, well I already had Cath’s crew do the actual stake-out. I was just here to stretch my legs. It is so boring sitting inside all day, watching others practice the sword, but you were stuck playing instruments, writing love stories, or dancing at the edge of your seat during a brilliant play.

Thus, tonight, I would sit here, not doing anything strenuous but waiting.