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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jun 24, 2010 15:30:25 GMT -5
5th Week of Winter, 2nd Year of Queen Sabrina de la Courcel's Reign I found that it was harder to pick pockets and beg for coin in the Palace District, or the Temple District, mainly because there were not as many thronngs of people, and because those who were highborn usually carroused in teh Palace District, and beging near the Santuaries did not seem appropriate, even to me, and soo the only places I ventured were the Artisan's District, which was a difficult one but not terribly so, and Night's Doorstep, since I blended in perfectly there. Most of those who saw me around th Artisan's District, on the days when I was cleaner, most likely thought me an eccentric artist as opposed to a street person, a slum dog, because they wanted to believe the best of their surroundings, and not have to deal with seeing someone who was down on their luck. Today, I was in the Artisan's District, and had just clenaed up, looking less rag-tag than usual, but still not hal as beautiful as the hordes of men and women in their resplendant finery. I was looking for a pocket to pick. I had not had breakfast, was unable to successfully steal anything today as I had stolen quite a goodly amount just two days before, and my face and stature would be remembered from those easily accessible stalls. And today I was feeling too high born to beg, Gods forgive my pride, and so I decided to resort to stealing. But I had not seen anyone that would be an easy pick, an easy target for my nimble fingers and quick, small body to whiz by.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jun 25, 2010 1:19:19 GMT -5
I had managed to escape the palace once more, fair fleeing into the City proper. Gods, the colder the weather became, the pushier the courtiers seemed. At least I had this escape, the nobles here wanted to stay inside for the most part, with the exception of hunts that were just for sport.
I found myself in the Artisan's district, looking through some of the different stalls, keeping half an eye out for a gift for Marie.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jun 27, 2010 7:53:30 GMT -5
I looked about me with keen eyes, judging every potential target. One woman did not have much of a coin purse to steal or steal from, so she was not worth it. I continued to walk throught he stalls, amongst the people, though I was basically unseen. No one paid attention to me, which worked very well to my advantage, as though I were a ghost, or just non-existent.
My eye caught a man though, he seemed a young man, with a coin purse at his waist. He looked a little aloof as he walked and looked at the wares being sold at the stalls. With a small smile meant only for me, I slowly trailed behind him, though not too closely, waiting for him to get closer to a stall with more people that I might attempt to pick his pocket when he would be more distracted.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jun 28, 2010 23:31:35 GMT -5
I felt the eyes on me, I always had ever since I could remember. Not often though did the eyes stay on me for very long. The middle of my back grew itchy, and I casually made sure that my sword was in easy reach. I might be proud enough to enter the city proper without guards, but I wasn't stupid enough to go to sleep while doing it. I continued on down the street, stopping at another stall to look at different scarves. I was hoping that I was being paranoid, that whoever was watching me would move on.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jun 28, 2010 23:41:36 GMT -5
It was hard to tell whether he was the type to notice something, though I saw the outline of a sword of his hip, and had to think on it for a moment. I scanned around, though I walked closer to him. This was one of those times when I wished I could blend in seemlessly, and make conversation. Then I could easily remove the coin, but such was not my luck.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jun 30, 2010 12:40:12 GMT -5
I looked over the wool scarves, thinking of what would suit Marie, but none of them were right. Silk, I thought to myself. She deserves silk. I'll probably have to go into the palace district for that. I was still aware of the eyes on my back, but if it was just paranoia, I refused to let it ruin my afternoon of freedom. Besides, I didn't see any flashes of steel.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 3, 2010 14:52:40 GMT -5
I had come up with the concept of bumping into him by accident and seeing if that would work well enough. I walked over to the stall, but kept in character, looking away from it then bumped into him - hard. While I did, I grabbed his coin purse, tucking it into the many deep concealed pockets of my clock, just after falling to the ground.
"Oh by the Gods... kind sir I am terribly sorry," I murmured, hurriedly, looking up at him now that his coin had been put away. I tried to right myself, but made it look difficult, as though I had been the one to get the most damage out of the collission.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 3, 2010 16:35:04 GMT -5
The itching intensified, and suddenly someone was doing their best to knock me over. Before I knew it I had caught myself and turned, my sword unsheathed and pressed against her throat. She was the only obvious attacker, or I might have speared her through right there. I looked at the pretty little thing on the ground before me through narrow eyes, noting in my peripheral vision how there was suddenly a large space around us as people got out of the way. "I will accept your apology when you give me back my purse," I told her bluntly, the lack of weight on my hip not going unnoticed.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 3, 2010 17:30:03 GMT -5
I froze. There was no better way to explain it. My eyes went wide as I stared at the glinting metal and then up at the man, swallowing hard though I could barely move my head fior fear of losing my neck His eyes were shrewd, calculating, even though he did look young, not so young, but young enough. I could not speak, all I could feel was the sweat on my brow, even in this frigid air, and teh itching between my shoulder blades. The scar on my chest burned, reminiscent of the last time I had had a sword drawn on me.
"I will give you your coin as soon as you give me room to breathe, my lord," I said softly, vbarely audible as I tried not ot move as I spoke. "I will not risk my life on returning it," I murmured. I tried to still the beating of my heart, and the jitter of my nerves, but it was not working.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 3, 2010 17:52:04 GMT -5
She was terrified, I could see it in her eyes, and yet still she dug up the bravery to speak. Perhaps these D'Angelines were stronger than I normally gave them credit for. "Seems to me you already risked your life attempting to steal from an armed man," I replied dryly, but the tip of my sword moved from her neck, the flat of my blade instead resting on her shoulder. If she didn't move too quickly, she'd come away unscathed.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 15, 2010 17:01:27 GMT -5
His blade lowered, and if I had of thought of making a run for it - which of course I had - it was laid to rest when it rested there, my shoulder, so close to my other scar. It had been there for years now, but it still burned, tingled, hurt now and then, like a memory hurts, and it was too close for comfort. I swallowed hard and reached up, very slowly, his coin purse between my fingers as I passed it to him.
"There, take it," I said softly, looking at him, and the fine steel blade that rested against my body. "Not that you need it," I murmured, under my breath, my eyes turning from frightful to contemptuous.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 16, 2010 12:42:11 GMT -5
I snorted in amusement at her retort, tucking the purse into my pocket once more. Then in one swift move, my sword was sheathed and her wrist was in my hand. "You're right," I told her before pulling her to her feet and marching her over to a stall selling pastries. "Hungry?"
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 16, 2010 17:02:33 GMT -5
He snatched my wrist, the sneer still on his lips, and I could not help but gasp at the suddenness. No one touched me... ever. But then I realised he was pulling me to my feet, and I felt myself relax just slightly, though certainly not enough that my guard would be considered down, not even in the least. When I was on my feet, and after I allowed him to walk me a short distance, I snatched my wrist away, though, not as harshly as I had intended to and stopped myself from doing at first.
"Thank you," I muttered, dusting myself off, though I stopped the action as it really was futile. My clothing was already dirty, and the new layer of dusting might help to cover the stains.
"I am... ," I responded warily as I looked from him to the pastries. Some of them steamed, fresh from the vendors' shop that was no doubt faced by one of the doors in the line of shops. "Why do you ask?" I looked at him, squinting, searching, but not really glaring.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 16, 2010 19:08:37 GMT -5
"Because I'm going to pretend for the moment that you asked for charity, instead of trying to steal it," I told her bluntly, regarding her as she self-consciously batted at her clothing and then glared at me as if I would dare comment. "Would you like a pastry?"
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 18, 2010 7:10:44 GMT -5
I could not understand why he was doing this. Perhaps out of pity. Most likely. And normally I would have told him to bugger off, and gone about my business, but he was trying, and he was offering me something that I was unsure I would even be able to get today - food. I nodded slowly, still a little wary.
"I would, yes," I said, trying to sound amicable instead of contemptuous.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 18, 2010 17:30:28 GMT -5
I nodded and fished out a handkerchief. Soon the vendor was pocketing a coin, and I had four of his freshest pastries wrapped in my linen. I led her over to a bench, and settled down. "Sit," I said. "I'd like to ask you some questions."
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 19, 2010 13:12:10 GMT -5
My mouth nigh watered with the promise of something to eat, and freshly baked, smelling sweetly. My stomach wrenched and I worked hard not to show the discomfort on my fce. A few rounds of interrogation was far better than losing a hand, or my head.
I followed him to the bench and sat beside him. I did not smooth my skirts, but I sat with dignity, keeping my legs pressed together, and a safe enough distance away from him, not that I expected him to try to do anything. It was just how I was. i liekd to keep my distance unless I was getting close to pick a pocket.
"What kind of questions do you have for me, sir?" I asked, my eyes darting from his to the handkerchief, despite myself.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 19, 2010 23:09:39 GMT -5
"Why are you a thief?" I asked, unfolding on corner of my handkerchief to offer her a pastry. It hadn't escaped my attention that she found the food far more interesting than I, her hard gaze riveted.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 20, 2010 10:35:29 GMT -5
I had to raise my eyes and look at him incredulously.
"It was either that or die," I said, my voice flat, deadpan. I shook my head. "Do you think this is something I would choose because I enjoy it?"
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 21, 2010 17:32:19 GMT -5
"I don't honestly know. No one's been stupid enough to pick my pocket before, so I haven't had many conversations with thieves. At least, not the petty kind. Do you want the pastry or not?" I asked, my hand still outstretched.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 22, 2010 11:39:13 GMT -5
I reached forward, hesitating a moment, before I took it. I did not snatch it from his hand, though, just took it, like a lady might have.
"Petty," I mumbled under my breath before opening my mouth. i was about to take bite when I looked up at him, squinting for a moment, thenn my gaze softened and I bit into the pastry. I closed my eyes, chewing. His answer could wait for just the one moment. I savoured the flavour, the fluffy pastry seeming to melt on my tongue. I would have moaned, I almost did, but I was certain that would not be very fitting. Then again, I was a low down theif afterall.
"I thieve because I have no choice. I have no home, I have no family, no loved ones. I have no mother or father or sister, or brother," though that was a lie. I did have someone who was related to me in such a way that he could be called a brother, but he was certainly not the brother of my heart. "I have nothing, and so instead of curling up and letting myself die, which I am sure those I thieve from wished I would do," I grumbled, "I steal, I lie, I bet, I do whatever it takes to get from one day to the next, from one meal to the next." I took another bite as I waited for what I had said to sink in, and waited on his response.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 23, 2010 0:51:30 GMT -5
I listened to her speak, placing the napkin on the bench between us and taking a pastry for myself. I chewed for a moment in thought. Clearly someone in her situation couldn't find employment as she stood, but... "Would you take an apprenticeship, if it was offered to you? Do you think you could work a steady job? If say, the Crown had a program to match youth such as yourself to a master or employer." I was thinking aloud, bouncing ideas not off of pompous advisors, but someone who could give me a real answer.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 24, 2010 18:53:54 GMT -5
"I....," I was not sure how to answer that, so I thought for a moment in silence, holding the pastry in my hand, grasping it, really, as htough it might sprout legs and make its way back to the baker's cart. "Well, what I do is not very legal, and is punishable... so I doubt the crown would really wish to get involved in that. There are too many here who believe in a hierarchy, and that I am where I am because I deserve it, am not well bred, or high bred enough," I mumbled, taking a bite and chewing. "But... if it did not have anything attached to it, if it were my choice not something being forced upon me, then yes, I believe I might. Though how do you mean... master... it sounds as though you speak of something much like the Night Court... indentured slavery."
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 24, 2010 23:31:52 GMT -5
I shook my head. "No, I meant master as in an artisan, like master carpenter or master cooper. Maybe you have a different word for it in D'Angeline. But you would be an apprentice to them while you were taught the trade, and your master would provide you room and board. When you had completed your apprenticeship, you would be a journeyman where you could work for pay. And then if you continued to improve your work, you could become a master yourself, and open your own business and teach your own students. At least, that is how it works in Alba."
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 26, 2010 9:57:10 GMT -5
"Ahh," I said, the understanding dawning on me. "Yes, we do have such a thing... though I do not think we have something that is regulated by the crown. It is usually something that happens by chance, or through some sort of networking, you know, people who know other people who need help, etcetera," I mumbled, taking another bite. "Besides, there is only one thing that my parents had in mind for me, and so when they passed, and I was not given to the Night Court, there was very little else for me to do, no way for me to learn. I am not sure what I would do if I was given the opportunity. Carpentry does not seem like something I would excel at, or metal work, or locksmithing,. These are generally trades for men, and the only trade for a woman is... well... there isn't really much out there," I explained. "So it may work for others in my situation," I added, "but most probably not for me." I took another bite, chewing thoughtfully. "Why do you ask?" I asked, my mouth slightly full from the bite I had taken.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 26, 2010 22:32:30 GMT -5
"I can't tell Sabrina how to run her country, but I can try to learn from her mistakes to help my own countrymen, and women, who have fallen on hard times," I told her. "If someone doesn't take an offered opportunity then there is nothing I can do, but I want to try to give everyone the chance to feed themselves and their families. Can you imagine what a nation could accomplish if no one had to worry about where their next meal would come from?"
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 27, 2010 15:07:10 GMT -5
"Yes, it would accomplish bankruptcy, my lord," I said with a soft smile. "It is a sweet notion, to be sure, but not one that seems applicable. In theory it could work, but the greed of men is a great thing, and hard to fight through. But perhaps it might work elsewhere, where people are less corrupted. Where are you from?" I asked, lookig him over. He had n accent, but from his look, I could not place him.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 27, 2010 16:25:28 GMT -5
I was surprised at her question. Everyone I had encountered so far knew me as Alban from my woad tattoos. "Alba," I replied. "You really have no idea who I am, do you?"
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Jul 27, 2010 22:12:45 GMT -5
I laughed, a true laugh, sarcastic.
"Oh yes, my lord," I teased in an aristocratic aire, "do you not know that I hob nob with those in the highest eschelons of society?" I burst out laughing then. "No, I have no idea who you are. Alba... YOU'RE Alban?" I looked at him then, incredulously, up, then down, then back to his eyes. "Hmm.. not what I expected."
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 28, 2010 13:10:35 GMT -5
I finished my pastry before replying. "Clearly not, since you ended up with my sword at your throat," I replied with a dry little smile, unperturbed at her sarcasm. "Tell me, is there actual intelligence behind that wit, or only the need to lash out?"
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