— Aster —

The whole situation caught me off guard. It took a few seconds for my brain to register that I needed to catch them. Rushing out of the room into the hall I only caught a quick glimpse of them leaving through another door. I kept my pursuit as this scene repeated four more times until I unexpectedly found myself in an outside market.

It was a small local market located on the back-end of the guild. The door I had exited slammed shut with a loud smash causing me to jump. I lost Jane and Kyle in the large crowd. Hunting through the crowd with no success was a little daunting, then I remembered a trick I had with my eyes. I had never stopped the flow to them but let it slow to a trickle after the previous conversation about the skill. I focused on increasing the flow from a trickle to a hose. The world sharpened into focus as my eyes began to swell. This time I thought the feeling was kinda nice.

With my eyes fully empowered, I surveyed the crowd once more. two large white neon signs seemed to appear from nowhere, moving above the crowd. “Subtle.” I cautiously made my way around following the floating arrows. It wasn’t long before I was able to confirm what I suspected. It was Kyle. “So the other one is Jane.”

When creeping closer I noticed a large number of eyes on me. Thinking fast, I smiled at the crowd putting my finger to my lips indicating that everyone should keep quiet. Some people went back to their business, while the others waited for the show.

I decided to not disappoint. Once I was close to Kyle I yelled. “BOOO!!!” Kyle dropped his bags and fell. Laughing “Jamie! I got you good!” but inwardly I realized I almost tried to pick his pocket with everyone watching me.

Kyle looked angry. “Who the blight is Jamie! And who in the keepers are you!”

Putting a panicked look on my face. “OH MY GOD! I am so sorry. I thought you were my friend Jamie!” I quickly got down to help him with his bag and kept apologizing. “You look similar, and you have the same style. Again, I am so sorry about this.”

I handed Kyle back his bag and tried to help him up. He threw me off. “I am capable of getting up myself.”

I backed away, hands in front of me. “Again, I am so sorry.”

Kyle grabbed his stuff and walked away, grumbling angrily under his breath.

My face was burning red. I didn't need to pretend to be embarrassed as I made my way to an alley sulking in embarrassment.

Can’t believe I actually did that. I did pretend to sulk though, trying to will everyone to look away. I don't think anyone was watching though, it might have all been in my head. I waited, making sure I was alone before I pulled out the items I took. I pulled out three coins, two were red, one was blue. 'Rot, still need one more.’ My heart was beating out of my chest as I thought back on the whole thing.

“Can’t believe that worked.” I pulled out the other items I swiped. The small statue I needed, and a blue hanky. I was hoping it was the scarf. A small knife, a pocket watch, two other things from the list, and a flask. During the exchange, I was able to grab seven small items from the list.

Let’s see what Jane has. I hunted for her big neon sign. She wasn’t too far away; she was talking with an apple vendor. She appeared to be having a pleasant conversation. Approaching the apple seller I looked over the fruit.

After looking thoughtfully over the merchandise, I shook my head and walked past the woman, only slightly brushing by her. Jane looked back to see what had touched her but didn’t appear to notice me.

Finding a secluded place I pulled out the new items I grabbed. I looked down at a blue scarf with a red coin wrapped in it, and a pair of glasses. I only have two things left on the list, and for some reason, I need to return the flask.'

Now, who has the remaining items? I just need to try them both. Starting with Jane.

I waited for Jane to finish her conversation then quickly went to an opposite stall away from Jane. I gathered up my mana and let a little burst out covering Jane to attempt to locate the remaining items. I found them in a convenient skirt pocket. I then absent-mindedly bumped into her. It was so subtle anyone who saw it would not even be sure of us bumping into each other. If it wasn’t for the “Sorry about that.” Coming from my lips.

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“Quite alright.” Jane waved at me as though nothing had happened.

I lucked out, Jane had the last two items I needed. I let out a sigh of relief, but as I was walking away I heard a yell. “THIEF!!!”

I didn’t think they would play dirty. I bolted toward the alley.

What happened next surprised me. I looked back to see a crowd of people following me. It wasn't the police, but random people from back at the market. Why are these guys chasing me? My body responded instinctively running faster than I thought possible down the alleys. And of course, I tripped soundlessly over a loose stone falling in the alley landing inside of a cardboard box filled with wet newspapers and various other stuff I don’t want to talk about.

I had gained some ground from the chasers when I turned into the alley. Although now I was in a cardboard box, covered with newspaper and...other stuff. The group of people came around the corner and ran down the alley towards me. My heart started racing.

A funny thing happened, the group of men looked at me dead in the face and just passed over me like I was nothing. It took a few moments after they left before I looked at myself. Don’t tell me they thought I was homeless? That's when I noticed all the mud and dirt all over myself and the boxes I was laying in. This is a little gross, but I can use this.

— Kyle —

Jane was surrounded by a group of people trying to console her. After a few minutes, the men who chased the boy returned. “I'm sorry miss we lost him, and we were unable to return what he stole.”

Jane, relishing all the attention, cried even harder grabbing onto one of the men. “I. It's... Okay...... Can do... Without it... But too... Be stolen from in broad daylight.”

Kyle looked on the scene standing a short distance away. “Hamming it up are we?”

Kyle proceeded to make all the rounds to the Stalls and discreetly check the items taken. To find them all surprisingly gone. “Cheeky bastard. He is good. He got them all.” Kyle had known the boy had taken some things from the list but thought he only got one or two. He had hidden a bunch of decoy items to throw Aster off.

He still has to put the flask back. While Kyle was ruminating, a strange sight happened. A homeless man stepped into the square babbling about a boy who'd stolen his box. Why would he steal a box? The homeless man looked extremely dirty, attracted everyone's attention at first then looked away.

Of course, no one wants to deal with the crazies. The homeless man approached Kyle and grabbed his arm. “Can you help me get my box!?!”

Kyle shook off the man. “Let go of me.” Causing him to fall into Kyle. The homeless man got up and yelled. “I just wanted help with my box!” The homeless man unsteadily walked away toward the alley, grumbling about his box.

Jane was done with her theatrics. She approached Kyle with red eyes dabbing her makeup. “What the hell was that about?”

“No idea, but the boy... Stole his box? Maybe? Or he was just rambling.” He brushed off the front of his coat and felt something that wasn't there a second ago. Something metal that's splashing with liquid.

Kyle pulled out the flask and took a swig. “That bastard.”

Jane looked over slightly concerned. “What? Why are you drinking the flask? He still has to take it.”

“He did, and he just put it back.”

— Aster —

Back in the guild.

“That was some quick thinking with the homeless getup.” Kyle was smiling at me. “Happened so fast I didn't think it was you at all.” Kyle seemed impressed.

“You know, it was just a little something I fell into.” Chuckling at my own joke I looked toward Jane. “That was dirty yelling Thief like that.”

Jane stared at me with an annoyed grin. “Well, yes. It happens all the time to us, especially when pickpocketing.” With a slightly disappointed tone, she added. “Although, most people who aren't guilty don't run.”

“So you're saying I should have just stood there and let you accuse me?”

“Not necessarily, but sometimes it is the best defense. Especially, if you can't get away.” Kyle added as the two changed back into their normal clothes.

Once fully changed Kyle started. “Now pull out the items you were able to recover and lay them on the ground.”

I laid the items across the floor.

Jane began. “Now pick one, think carefully. Day two is different from the others; you won't wake up anywhere. This time you'll be going to a ball.”

“A ball?”

“Yes, a ball. It's like a halfway point. You will have to hold on to the item you chose and not let it be stolen by the others.” Jane explained

“So this is a rogue’s ball where I have to steal while not being stolen from?” This place is all screwy.

Kyle poked his head around Jane. “Pretty much.”

“So what are the rules?”

Jane looked a little uneasy. “That... You'll have to wait till tomorrow. “

“Why?” This is not good. Every time they have that uncomfortable look things don’t seem to go well for me.

“Part of the rules.” Kyle smoothly added.

“Sounds like a copout.”

Jane took a grateful glance at Kyle. “As he said, part of the rules...” turning back to me “Anyway please get some sleep, even though it's only been a few hours you need the extra sleep.” Jane pulled Kyle out of the room.

“What a weird day.” I was preparing myself, what I've come to call, knowledge dreams. Passing out on my way down.