Winter, 124PW
Anther knew he was gonna die. He knew it when the pain hit his toes and his fingers. He knew it when Sagath didn't move for an entire night, mouth pinched tight and shut, all curled up in a ball. He knew it when Rue stared moodily at the door, face grim and quiet. He knew it when he saw old Lem dead on the street. He knew it because the snow wasn't going away. It always went away. Not this time.
Dawn was no longer the hustle of activity it usually was. It was colder at dawn, and in the two inches of crunchy, muddy snow, merchants were slow to set up their stalls. Everyone was slow moving, eager to stay inside where there might be some defense against the cold. Anther didn't blame them none, he was eager to himself -- but they was all more hungry in that soul-snatching ice. You knew it was bad when all four of 'em curled up together in a corner at night, no complaints, too cold to complain over who farted or who stank worse than a diseased street dog.
They was hungry. It wasn't no trifling hungry either, it was the rib-clutching hunger that made a person go whole crazy 'til all you could do was cry over it when you got too weak to move. So him and Rue left the two smaller boys, Yoger and Sagath, back at home in order to find something, anything, to eat. Blankets too. Changers, even some shoes wouldn't be amiss. Anther's feet hurt from sliding through the snow and the crusted ice and mud. He ain't never seen no frost cling so tight for life, and though they all saw the sun plain as day rise and set just like normal, it weren't doing its job. The snow weren't melting.
He slipped and trudged his way from their home in the old, bad part of town up to where some few merchants had set up. Plenty had bet warmth against money, though whether they'd win out in the end Anther netiher knew nor cared. He cursed the lack of activity that helped disguise wandering hands and bad intentions. He made his way through the thin market, face set in a scowl against the cold and his lack of protection from it, and looked instead for some easy mark that might help them survive another night. Just one more night. Until they died, noways.
The Clinging Frost
Re: The Clinging Frost
I'm not completely useless.
Erryl watched his breath mist before him as he trudged through the freezing snow. The white slush still coated the streets, to the dismay of nearly the entire town, and Erryl had to agree that it was a miserable situation at best. The weather was so uncharacteristic of Marn that he'd even heard talk of approaching "doomsday", though not from the usual crowd of the rambling homeless - they were likely dead or dying in an alley somewhere. That wasn't a thought that normally crossed through Erryl's mind, but he'd recently been forced to put up with the ceaseless gossip and melodrama of Racelle Geovni, a somewhat eccentric neighbour who'd been offering meals for the family in their "great time of need".
Remembering the past couple of days, Erryl sniffed and pulled his coat tighter around him, despite it doing nothing more for the cold that nipped at his skin. He kept his hood pulled low across his face and barely glanced up until he finally reached the market. Even though he'd anticipated it, Erryl couldn't help feeling a little surprised at how quiet it was, though most of the usual stalls were still present as far as he could tell. "Try not to forget anything, please."
Sharanen had ordered him to run errands for the day -- fetching items and taking care of some of Koran's business with work. "Why can't you go?" Erryl had asked her, but she'd simply insisted that someone had to take care of Koran while he was ill. I could take care of him, Erryl had assured himself, but there was no point in arguing his case with Sharanen. She was one of the most stubborn people Erryl had ever met, when she wanted to be. Sometimes Erryl wondered if she had any respect for him at all, or if she still just saw him as an ignorant child. I'm smarter than she'll ever be. Why do I have to be the one freezing to death out here?
The first stall her stopped at sold smoked meats, and he placed his purchases in the cloth bag he carried, followed by vegetables from another store. The apothecary, a woman Erryl had met thrice, had her stall set up in the usual place by the bakery. But for some reason, the woman was absent this morning, a disgruntled youth in her place. The boy looked to be around 16 and likely hadn't taken the job willingly. He seemed half asleep, or in a daze -- Erryl wondered if the boy ever stole any of the apothecary's wares for his own personal use.
Not really wanting to strike up conversation with the other young man, Erryl decided to try and work out what he needed himself. If not, he could always come back later and see if the woman had returned.
Erryl watched his breath mist before him as he trudged through the freezing snow. The white slush still coated the streets, to the dismay of nearly the entire town, and Erryl had to agree that it was a miserable situation at best. The weather was so uncharacteristic of Marn that he'd even heard talk of approaching "doomsday", though not from the usual crowd of the rambling homeless - they were likely dead or dying in an alley somewhere. That wasn't a thought that normally crossed through Erryl's mind, but he'd recently been forced to put up with the ceaseless gossip and melodrama of Racelle Geovni, a somewhat eccentric neighbour who'd been offering meals for the family in their "great time of need".
Remembering the past couple of days, Erryl sniffed and pulled his coat tighter around him, despite it doing nothing more for the cold that nipped at his skin. He kept his hood pulled low across his face and barely glanced up until he finally reached the market. Even though he'd anticipated it, Erryl couldn't help feeling a little surprised at how quiet it was, though most of the usual stalls were still present as far as he could tell. "Try not to forget anything, please."
Sharanen had ordered him to run errands for the day -- fetching items and taking care of some of Koran's business with work. "Why can't you go?" Erryl had asked her, but she'd simply insisted that someone had to take care of Koran while he was ill. I could take care of him, Erryl had assured himself, but there was no point in arguing his case with Sharanen. She was one of the most stubborn people Erryl had ever met, when she wanted to be. Sometimes Erryl wondered if she had any respect for him at all, or if she still just saw him as an ignorant child. I'm smarter than she'll ever be. Why do I have to be the one freezing to death out here?
The first stall her stopped at sold smoked meats, and he placed his purchases in the cloth bag he carried, followed by vegetables from another store. The apothecary, a woman Erryl had met thrice, had her stall set up in the usual place by the bakery. But for some reason, the woman was absent this morning, a disgruntled youth in her place. The boy looked to be around 16 and likely hadn't taken the job willingly. He seemed half asleep, or in a daze -- Erryl wondered if the boy ever stole any of the apothecary's wares for his own personal use.
Not really wanting to strike up conversation with the other young man, Erryl decided to try and work out what he needed himself. If not, he could always come back later and see if the woman had returned.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Unlike most other people, Soneya did not mind the snow. On the contrary, it amazed her that there was finally a change in the weather, one she could be excited about. She loved the rain, especially when a good thunderstorm was involved, but snow... snow had this very particular effect on her, almost calming, soothing and she had less headaches in winter for some reason. The cooler season brought a relief to her that no other season ever could and she often caught herself wishing that winter would last longer.
While most inhabitants of Marn were fighting over who had to go out in this weather, she had simply volunteered to run errands for the family and taken the opportunity to go for a stroll before finally heading to the market to take care of what she was supposed to do. Of course, it wasn’t easy walking through the mess on the floor but her footing was sure enough so that she didn’t worry too much about it.
The market was quiet, but she hadn’t expected anything else. At least, despite only a few stands, she should still be able to run all her errands. As she was glancing around to take note of exactly which merchants had found their way there, her eyes fell on a figure that seemed oddly familiar. When the youth turned around to walk towards another stall, she caught a glimpse of his face and instantly recognised the person to be Erryl, a rather strange boy who went to school with her. He looked a little distressed somehow though she couldn’t see what the problem was as he made his way from seller to seller, running his own errands. Her heart immediately went out to him merely because he showed a few signs of distress, and for once, Soneya was annoyed at her own instincts.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like helping others, on the contrary. However, he was partially elven and quite frankly, it put her off. Elves were rumoured to be very powerful magicians, which in turn produced a powerful aversion against their kind. Anything magical quite simply could not be good, it could not speak of anything other than evil. Yet here he was, looking all forlorn and as though he could use a friend whose shoulder he could cry on. But she didn’t know if she could be such a friend, if she even should be. There was the elven part... What would her parents say if they knew she was considering fraternising with an elf?
Though how could she not want to reach out a helping hand to Erryl when he was obviously not feeling well? She couldn’t just leave him to his own devices, especially not after she had finally heard the full story behind the rumours about his family. Her curiosity had been piqued and she had asked around a little, inconspicuously of course, and what she had heard, had all but melted her heart. And now here he was, looking sad and lost in the middle of a snowed-up market place. She pitied him, and despite all her aversions against elves and magic, her compassionate nature overruled any other emotions.
Thus, she hesitantly took a first step in his direction.
While most inhabitants of Marn were fighting over who had to go out in this weather, she had simply volunteered to run errands for the family and taken the opportunity to go for a stroll before finally heading to the market to take care of what she was supposed to do. Of course, it wasn’t easy walking through the mess on the floor but her footing was sure enough so that she didn’t worry too much about it.
The market was quiet, but she hadn’t expected anything else. At least, despite only a few stands, she should still be able to run all her errands. As she was glancing around to take note of exactly which merchants had found their way there, her eyes fell on a figure that seemed oddly familiar. When the youth turned around to walk towards another stall, she caught a glimpse of his face and instantly recognised the person to be Erryl, a rather strange boy who went to school with her. He looked a little distressed somehow though she couldn’t see what the problem was as he made his way from seller to seller, running his own errands. Her heart immediately went out to him merely because he showed a few signs of distress, and for once, Soneya was annoyed at her own instincts.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like helping others, on the contrary. However, he was partially elven and quite frankly, it put her off. Elves were rumoured to be very powerful magicians, which in turn produced a powerful aversion against their kind. Anything magical quite simply could not be good, it could not speak of anything other than evil. Yet here he was, looking all forlorn and as though he could use a friend whose shoulder he could cry on. But she didn’t know if she could be such a friend, if she even should be. There was the elven part... What would her parents say if they knew she was considering fraternising with an elf?
Though how could she not want to reach out a helping hand to Erryl when he was obviously not feeling well? She couldn’t just leave him to his own devices, especially not after she had finally heard the full story behind the rumours about his family. Her curiosity had been piqued and she had asked around a little, inconspicuously of course, and what she had heard, had all but melted her heart. And now here he was, looking sad and lost in the middle of a snowed-up market place. She pitied him, and despite all her aversions against elves and magic, her compassionate nature overruled any other emotions.
Thus, she hesitantly took a first step in his direction.
Re: The Clinging Frost
There.
Anther's attraction to Erryl's careless means of walking did not mean he made his interest easy to see. Casual glances took his gaze away from his path forward. To the typical individual, it would appear as if he was looking for something in particular, the way he'd look left to right every few steps, or if he was wary of others on the streets. Certainly he hadn't any furtive manner about himself, or a suspicious carriage. He looked poor and miserable, and he used his appearance with an expertise due to his long years stealing to stay alive.
Erryl was scoped carefully. The likeliest spots for money were visually investigated, and as Anther slowed to look at a stall near to the other boy, he waited to see where exactly Erryl pulled his money from. It was by those means that Anther then started forward. As if distracted, he turned his head to the opposite side of the street, squinting, and clipped Erryl's shoulder with his own. It was easy to arrange a fall in the snow, and though Anther would be shivering for hours after, the gains would be worth it.
He yelped, hands instinctively grabbing for Erryl's body as he started going down. It was a natural move to grab onto what was handy, and as he pulled at Erryl he palmed the small purse of bishani. A twist had him falling down on his frontside, and he used it to secrete the purse away while he groaned, rolling sideways.
Anther's attraction to Erryl's careless means of walking did not mean he made his interest easy to see. Casual glances took his gaze away from his path forward. To the typical individual, it would appear as if he was looking for something in particular, the way he'd look left to right every few steps, or if he was wary of others on the streets. Certainly he hadn't any furtive manner about himself, or a suspicious carriage. He looked poor and miserable, and he used his appearance with an expertise due to his long years stealing to stay alive.
Erryl was scoped carefully. The likeliest spots for money were visually investigated, and as Anther slowed to look at a stall near to the other boy, he waited to see where exactly Erryl pulled his money from. It was by those means that Anther then started forward. As if distracted, he turned his head to the opposite side of the street, squinting, and clipped Erryl's shoulder with his own. It was easy to arrange a fall in the snow, and though Anther would be shivering for hours after, the gains would be worth it.
He yelped, hands instinctively grabbing for Erryl's body as he started going down. It was a natural move to grab onto what was handy, and as he pulled at Erryl he palmed the small purse of bishani. A twist had him falling down on his frontside, and he used it to secrete the purse away while he groaned, rolling sideways.
Re: The Clinging Frost
As a yelp drew the distant gaze of the young stall-keeper, a stranger's unseen hands took hold of Erryl's coat and pulled him to the ground. Before Erryl even had a chance to work out what was happening, he was sprawled across the snow. A boy just a few years his senior, dressed poorly for the winter weather, was recovering from his own fall.
Erryl's head was spinning as he struggled to get back onto two feet. He could feel the wet and cold where the icy water had seeped in through his clothing. Someone else was speaking loudly -- they seemed offended. When Erryl looked up, he was greeted by a familiar face, though he couldn't quite remember who the girl was.
Erryl's head was spinning as he struggled to get back onto two feet. He could feel the wet and cold where the icy water had seeped in through his clothing. Someone else was speaking loudly -- they seemed offended. When Erryl looked up, he was greeted by a familiar face, though he couldn't quite remember who the girl was.
Re: The Clinging Frost
A second step. Soneya then stopped, hesitating. Should she really go to him? What would she say? ‘Hi, I saw you looked sad. Help?’ How silly would that be? Maybe he didn’t want her pity at all, because pity it was. Maybe he just wanted to be left alone? But he looked so sad…
While she was still inwardly battling over whether or not she should approach Erryl, she suddenly noticed a youth stumble into him, a ragged looking one, who looked even more fragile than Erryl did, but it was a street rat. Street rats were known for many things, but carelessly bumping into someone on a practically empty market certainly wasn’t one of those things, but she couldn't be completely sure if he had stolen something or not.
Without thinking any further about it, Soneya hurried over to the two boys, both sprawled on the floor in the meantime. “Are you alright?” she asked, ignoring the boy behind the stall who seemed to finally awake from his stupor – though whether that was induced by the cold or a lack of brain cells, she did not know. “Are you insane? Can’t you watch where you’re going? It’s cold enough as it is without having to take a plunge in this mess!” She barely registered the boy before turning back to her acquaintance, worried. “Erryl? Erryl, can you hear me? Are you alright?” She tried to help him back onto his feet but with her practically non-existent weight, that was not an easy feat.
Finally looking back at the youth she did not know – somewhat surprised, he was even still there - , she hesitated to grab his arm to make sure he was alright and could get back onto his feet, despite having yelled at him just a moment ago. That was when she noticed how very ragged he really was. The poor boy didn’t even have proper winter clothes! “You don’t have any shoes on! You’ll freeze to death! Here, rip it and wrap it around them before you lose all your toes!” Quickly pulling her scarf off her neck, she handed it to the boy, completely ignorant of the fact that he could just take it and run off with it. It was quite simply none of her concern at that moment.
While she was still inwardly battling over whether or not she should approach Erryl, she suddenly noticed a youth stumble into him, a ragged looking one, who looked even more fragile than Erryl did, but it was a street rat. Street rats were known for many things, but carelessly bumping into someone on a practically empty market certainly wasn’t one of those things, but she couldn't be completely sure if he had stolen something or not.
Without thinking any further about it, Soneya hurried over to the two boys, both sprawled on the floor in the meantime. “Are you alright?” she asked, ignoring the boy behind the stall who seemed to finally awake from his stupor – though whether that was induced by the cold or a lack of brain cells, she did not know. “Are you insane? Can’t you watch where you’re going? It’s cold enough as it is without having to take a plunge in this mess!” She barely registered the boy before turning back to her acquaintance, worried. “Erryl? Erryl, can you hear me? Are you alright?” She tried to help him back onto his feet but with her practically non-existent weight, that was not an easy feat.
Finally looking back at the youth she did not know – somewhat surprised, he was even still there - , she hesitated to grab his arm to make sure he was alright and could get back onto his feet, despite having yelled at him just a moment ago. That was when she noticed how very ragged he really was. The poor boy didn’t even have proper winter clothes! “You don’t have any shoes on! You’ll freeze to death! Here, rip it and wrap it around them before you lose all your toes!” Quickly pulling her scarf off her neck, she handed it to the boy, completely ignorant of the fact that he could just take it and run off with it. It was quite simply none of her concern at that moment.
Re: The Clinging Frost
"Gerrof it," Anther said, his speech muffled by his suddenly chattering teeth. Maybe the fall weren't such a grand notion after all, no matter his coat was fuller o' coin than it had been in months.
Truth was, not that he'd ever gaff it to no gawkers from the good side, he couldn't quite feel his toes. It scared him. It scared him real good, because the next thought in his head was that it was the first sign of his impending death. He was sitting on his butt, fingers wrapped around his toes -- no matter that now his ass was goin' all numb and fiery, but at least he could feel it -- when the bossy girl thrust out a length of cloth out to him. A length of what looked like warm cloth.
Didn't have to ask him twice.
He snatched it with one hand and pulled a knife with the other. Keeping an eye on both of the prissy-twits, he cut the scarf in half and made the knife disappear back into his layers of ill-fitting clothing. Then he wrapped his feet; what he already had on was stinking and wet. "Cox comb," he muttered, levering himself to his feet without any sort of gratitude or apology for the spill. He added a glare, slightly wildeyed, at the two individuals younger than himself, and then started walking away from the both of them. That he slipped every other step, well, that was just flippin' life, wasn't it?
Truth was, not that he'd ever gaff it to no gawkers from the good side, he couldn't quite feel his toes. It scared him. It scared him real good, because the next thought in his head was that it was the first sign of his impending death. He was sitting on his butt, fingers wrapped around his toes -- no matter that now his ass was goin' all numb and fiery, but at least he could feel it -- when the bossy girl thrust out a length of cloth out to him. A length of what looked like warm cloth.
Didn't have to ask him twice.
He snatched it with one hand and pulled a knife with the other. Keeping an eye on both of the prissy-twits, he cut the scarf in half and made the knife disappear back into his layers of ill-fitting clothing. Then he wrapped his feet; what he already had on was stinking and wet. "Cox comb," he muttered, levering himself to his feet without any sort of gratitude or apology for the spill. He added a glare, slightly wildeyed, at the two individuals younger than himself, and then started walking away from the both of them. That he slipped every other step, well, that was just flippin' life, wasn't it?
Re: The Clinging Frost
Allowing the girl to assist him in the effort, Erryl soon regained his balance on the wet cobbles. He was relatively fine, so long as he got home and dry before too long. The other boy -- an urchin -- seemed far worse for wear. How can he possibly be alive in this weather with what he's wearing?
Strangely, a twinge of envy rose up in Erryl's throat watching the urchin wrap the cloth around his feet. Not for his position in life, but he and the girl had managed to solve the guy's shoeless problem in the two moments it took them to meet when Erryl knew the thought wouldn't have crossed his mind at all. Apparently, with his recent, foolish aspiration to become an inventor, the act had hit a nerve.
He felt bad as soon as the thought arose, of course. The guy was freezing and probably barely ate enough to keep up with life. Even if he'd knocked Erryl to the ground with his clumsiness, it's not like he wasn't already paying for it, and he was probably weary with illness. Although, now that Erryl was paying attention, it seemed like the youth was more scared than anything else. Is he scared of us, or is he worried he won't eat tonight? Maybe I should buy him some... huh?
Feeling around in his pockets, the half-elf couldn't seem to find his coin purse. He looked all around him on the ground but couldn't see it anywhere. Sensing amusement, Erryl noticed the boy at the apothecary's stall was grinning at the scene, giving his fellow knife-ear a look that said, "You're fucked, kid".
Strangely, a twinge of envy rose up in Erryl's throat watching the urchin wrap the cloth around his feet. Not for his position in life, but he and the girl had managed to solve the guy's shoeless problem in the two moments it took them to meet when Erryl knew the thought wouldn't have crossed his mind at all. Apparently, with his recent, foolish aspiration to become an inventor, the act had hit a nerve.
He felt bad as soon as the thought arose, of course. The guy was freezing and probably barely ate enough to keep up with life. Even if he'd knocked Erryl to the ground with his clumsiness, it's not like he wasn't already paying for it, and he was probably weary with illness. Although, now that Erryl was paying attention, it seemed like the youth was more scared than anything else. Is he scared of us, or is he worried he won't eat tonight? Maybe I should buy him some... huh?
Feeling around in his pockets, the half-elf couldn't seem to find his coin purse. He looked all around him on the ground but couldn't see it anywhere. Sensing amusement, Erryl noticed the boy at the apothecary's stall was grinning at the scene, giving his fellow knife-ear a look that said, "You're fucked, kid".
Re: The Clinging Frost
Soneya watched the streetkid eagerly wrap the scarf around his feet and she felt a little warm glow inside at having managed to really help him out. The material may not be able to hold out for very long but at the very least it would hopefully survive until he reached whatever shelter he had. Did he even have shelter?
Completely absorbed in wondering what the kid did with his life, if he had a place to call home – relatively since he was obviously living on the streets – and if he had anyone taking care of him, she didn’t even notice the way in which he thanked her for her kindness, namely with a glare. From the corner of her eye, she noticed that Erryl was obviously bewildered and was frantically searching his person for something.
“What are you looking for?” she asked, not quite focusing yet as she slowly turned her head to him, but then her eyes caught his somewhat panicked look and she heard the snicker of the boy behind the stall. Upon seeing Erryl’s hands all over his body, checking every single pocket he had, her eyes grew wide. “Did you lose your purse?” Without even realising she was moving, her head turned back towards the boy who was now quickly walking, or rather skidding, away from them. “Did he…?”
Playing Erryl’s fall back in her head, she wondered if maybe, possibly, the urchin could have stolen it? They had a reputation for being sneaky pickpockets but could it really be? “Hey, boy! Wait up!” If he had done it, they would know soon enough by his reaction. Either way, she didn’t want the boy walking away like this either. She didn’t care about the fact that he was ungrateful but she wanted to know what he was going to do. This winter had no place for the homeless and if there was anything she could do...
Completely absorbed in wondering what the kid did with his life, if he had a place to call home – relatively since he was obviously living on the streets – and if he had anyone taking care of him, she didn’t even notice the way in which he thanked her for her kindness, namely with a glare. From the corner of her eye, she noticed that Erryl was obviously bewildered and was frantically searching his person for something.
“What are you looking for?” she asked, not quite focusing yet as she slowly turned her head to him, but then her eyes caught his somewhat panicked look and she heard the snicker of the boy behind the stall. Upon seeing Erryl’s hands all over his body, checking every single pocket he had, her eyes grew wide. “Did you lose your purse?” Without even realising she was moving, her head turned back towards the boy who was now quickly walking, or rather skidding, away from them. “Did he…?”
Playing Erryl’s fall back in her head, she wondered if maybe, possibly, the urchin could have stolen it? They had a reputation for being sneaky pickpockets but could it really be? “Hey, boy! Wait up!” If he had done it, they would know soon enough by his reaction. Either way, she didn’t want the boy walking away like this either. She didn’t care about the fact that he was ungrateful but she wanted to know what he was going to do. This winter had no place for the homeless and if there was anything she could do...
Re: The Clinging Frost
It would've been difficult to miss Soneya's call. Stupid to pretend, so Anther just lifted his hand in one of the many universal signs of insult and dismissal. That done, he kept his pace the same. If you ran too soon, they was likely to chase after you. If you waited, sometimes they dropped it. He eyed up the street, picking out which merchants were there and where the obstacles were. The biggest problem was the flippin' ice, especially considering with wads of cloth on his feet he had no good traction.
Head down and face grim, he kept walking.
Head down and face grim, he kept walking.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Erryl narrowed his eyes at the girl's reaction to his problem. She'd looked at him, then on towards the homeless boy who was disappearing fast into the crowd. Had she seen the urchin pick up the purse, or did she simply not understand what he was looking for? Either way, his suspicions were now on the homeless kid, especially with that attitude the guy was wearing. Where does he think that insolence is going to get him?
Even so, there was the oddly familiar girl, willingly running off after the boy -- she seemed nothing but sympathetic. Rolling his eyes, Erryl considered asking the other half-elf to keep an eye out for his purse. But then seeing that blank look again, he wondered if there was any point. That whole idea was tossed aside and Erryl hurried instead to catch up with the girl and the urchin.
He needed that purse back quickly so he could finish the shopping and return home, or else face the wrath of Sharanen.
Even so, there was the oddly familiar girl, willingly running off after the boy -- she seemed nothing but sympathetic. Rolling his eyes, Erryl considered asking the other half-elf to keep an eye out for his purse. But then seeing that blank look again, he wondered if there was any point. That whole idea was tossed aside and Erryl hurried instead to catch up with the girl and the urchin.
He needed that purse back quickly so he could finish the shopping and return home, or else face the wrath of Sharanen.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Well it really wasn’t as though she was going to eat him alive or if she had insulted him or anything, so Soneya really didn’t see the reason for the rude hand gesture. Indignant, she slowed her pace a little and just wanted to let him go, considering him not worthy of her time anymore when he didn’t want her help anyway, but then Erryl brushed past her in pursuit of the youth and she remember the other reason why she had wanted to stop the kid. What if he really had stolen the purse?
Stepping up the pace again, Soneya took up pursuit of the two boys and wondered what they should do. “Listen, we only want to help you!” Right, maybe she should have just said ‘I’ because the look on Erryl’s face had said something else. “Just wait up, will you?” A small voice somewhere in the back of her mind was mocking her at the weak attempt of trying to reason with a streetkid, who probably only knew one law: Survival of the fittest. One couldn’t follow that rule without being able to run and without having enough sense not to stop when someone was asking you to do exactly that.
“Fine then, run and I’ll shout for the guards,” Soneya called after him, slowing her pace again. And once again, she couldn’t help but wonder what on earth she had gotten herself into this time. She would never learn. Never.
Stepping up the pace again, Soneya took up pursuit of the two boys and wondered what they should do. “Listen, we only want to help you!” Right, maybe she should have just said ‘I’ because the look on Erryl’s face had said something else. “Just wait up, will you?” A small voice somewhere in the back of her mind was mocking her at the weak attempt of trying to reason with a streetkid, who probably only knew one law: Survival of the fittest. One couldn’t follow that rule without being able to run and without having enough sense not to stop when someone was asking you to do exactly that.
“Fine then, run and I’ll shout for the guards,” Soneya called after him, slowing her pace again. And once again, she couldn’t help but wonder what on earth she had gotten herself into this time. She would never learn. Never.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Now it was time to scram. Anther picked the likeliest cluster of stalls, set close together in some mimicry of alley-rats lookin’ for warmth right around a small alley between two buildings. He shot forward like his ass depended on it, almost falling on his ass twice as he neared the stalls. Of course, he wasn’t used none to runnin in snow, especially not when he was skating on cloth and his pair o’ stone, and when he leaned in to take the corner round he found himself sliding.
Boom, like that, right into a meatbun seller’s stall. Only it were built up right solid safe, like as not inherited and squatted in with a merchant’s pinch-bishani attitude. He’d slipped with one foot off the ground, and before he could put his uplifted foot down his foot beneath him had twisted, goin’ sharp on the edge so he hit the ground on his hip and slid hard into the stall feet first. The impact stunned him some, about as much as the three hot buns that fell on him. He yelped, rolling away from the heat and the cold and the whirlin’ pain, but skidded on his knees before he could get up.
Everyone was yelling, cursing, and he joined in on it too when he looked behind and saw the two nosy heels coming up on him. Hands was reaching for him thinking they was gonna take him up by the scruff of his neck, but he wallowed forward. For once, the snow and the ice was workin’ for him, though his fingers was the ones going numb this time. Just in past the mouth of the alley, he got his feet under him and put his hands to the wall as he tried to get himself moving again.
Boom, like that, right into a meatbun seller’s stall. Only it were built up right solid safe, like as not inherited and squatted in with a merchant’s pinch-bishani attitude. He’d slipped with one foot off the ground, and before he could put his uplifted foot down his foot beneath him had twisted, goin’ sharp on the edge so he hit the ground on his hip and slid hard into the stall feet first. The impact stunned him some, about as much as the three hot buns that fell on him. He yelped, rolling away from the heat and the cold and the whirlin’ pain, but skidded on his knees before he could get up.
Everyone was yelling, cursing, and he joined in on it too when he looked behind and saw the two nosy heels coming up on him. Hands was reaching for him thinking they was gonna take him up by the scruff of his neck, but he wallowed forward. For once, the snow and the ice was workin’ for him, though his fingers was the ones going numb this time. Just in past the mouth of the alley, he got his feet under him and put his hands to the wall as he tried to get himself moving again.
Re: The Clinging Frost
The boy was running now, or trying to. If Erryl had any doubts about his innocence before, he certainly didn't after that clear display of guiltiness. He thought to give equal chase, but he felt the way his soles would lose their grip every few steps and thought better of it. The girl had already fallen back and switched tactics, threatening to call the guards, but the thief took no heed. He just took off through the market and didn't bother looking back.
Until he lost his footing, that is, and riled up people from all sides. For one thing, they knew he didn't belong there -- they could see it in the way he dressed, if not the look in his eyes. The kid's expression as he glanced back reminded Erryl of a startled fox or rat or something. The kind of animal you see skulking around looking for scraps, or picking off the weak and helpless.
Erryl and the girl managed to catch up a little when the urchin took his fall, the girl running forward as if to help the kid but he was having none of that. Before she even got close, he was up again. A few of the onlookers, merchants and shoppers alike, were glancing between each other and the boy -- a brief exchange that said they were sick of these damn thieves and something needed to be done about it.
Until he lost his footing, that is, and riled up people from all sides. For one thing, they knew he didn't belong there -- they could see it in the way he dressed, if not the look in his eyes. The kid's expression as he glanced back reminded Erryl of a startled fox or rat or something. The kind of animal you see skulking around looking for scraps, or picking off the weak and helpless.
Erryl and the girl managed to catch up a little when the urchin took his fall, the girl running forward as if to help the kid but he was having none of that. Before she even got close, he was up again. A few of the onlookers, merchants and shoppers alike, were glancing between each other and the boy -- a brief exchange that said they were sick of these damn thieves and something needed to be done about it.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Soneya wanted to help him, she really did, but he didn’t seem to want her help. Why? Was it so horrible for someone to try and be nice to him? When the boy suddenly fell and was causing a rather large amount of chaos, Soneya’s heart stopped for a moment, thinking he might have killed himself by hitting his head on the icy ground. However her fears were unfounded and the urchin was already getting back onto his feet. She had to hand it to him, he was feisty.
Should she call for the guards? Should she really do it? Erryl seemed to be all for such an option, and she knew she should really do it. Her duty as an upstanding citizen demanded such an act, did it not? But just looking at the boy, she felt pity tear at her heart, no matter how upset she was that he may or may not have stolen Erryl’s bishani.
The need to call for the guards seemed to vanish however when the merchants and citizens themselves seemed to take matters into their own hands. Already some had tried to grab the boy when he had been down and now that he was running off again, it looked eerily as though half the market place was going to give chase, including Erryl and herself.
And that they did.
“Where do you think you’re going, rat?” one of the merchants called out in a gruff voice that announced a no-nonsense attitude as he planted himself into the boy’s path. Before Soneya could even be surprised, a couple more men were already trying to grab the boy while others tried to block his way. They didn’t look particularly pleased either and instantly, Soneya began to fear they would do something horrible to the boy. Maybe he could still slip away? If it hadn’t thrown her off course, she would have shaken her head at herself. Talk about conflicting emotions; she certainly was a genius at it.
Should she call for the guards? Should she really do it? Erryl seemed to be all for such an option, and she knew she should really do it. Her duty as an upstanding citizen demanded such an act, did it not? But just looking at the boy, she felt pity tear at her heart, no matter how upset she was that he may or may not have stolen Erryl’s bishani.
The need to call for the guards seemed to vanish however when the merchants and citizens themselves seemed to take matters into their own hands. Already some had tried to grab the boy when he had been down and now that he was running off again, it looked eerily as though half the market place was going to give chase, including Erryl and herself.
And that they did.
“Where do you think you’re going, rat?” one of the merchants called out in a gruff voice that announced a no-nonsense attitude as he planted himself into the boy’s path. Before Soneya could even be surprised, a couple more men were already trying to grab the boy while others tried to block his way. They didn’t look particularly pleased either and instantly, Soneya began to fear they would do something horrible to the boy. Maybe he could still slip away? If it hadn’t thrown her off course, she would have shaken her head at herself. Talk about conflicting emotions; she certainly was a genius at it.