[Gallagher]

It was another poor day. Most of them were poor as of late, but this one was worse than the rest. Gabriel had done his best, found the perfect spot in the center of the market, and given his all; his best promises, his best smiles, his best performance yet, but it was all for naught. His village, it seemed, had had its fill of his work. He only had enough coins in his purse to stay for a few more days. After that, he would have no choice but to move on, hopefully finding more work in the next town.

And yet, as he walked down the road side by side with his dappled brown mare, his cloth-covered wagon clattering behind them, he smiled. It wasn't that he wanted to. No, these days, when he had little to give his companion and even less for himself, smiling was the last thing he wanted to do. "Oi, Bunny, I think we'd better call it a night early. What do you say?" he murmured to the horse, casting her a sidelong glance. Her ears twitched, but she gave little else to show she understood. He nodded. "Wonderful."



Proper magic works with nature and science. We simply don't understand enough to see the big picture just yet.

[Rinni]

From the shadows, a small grin curved the the boy's lips, green eyes seeming to shine in the darkness as they watched his prey; a traveler's wagon. His lithe form slipped down from the tree he'd been perched in, landing near-silent behind the cart. Stealth was key; just get in, grab some things, and leave without being noticed. And since there was only one of the guy, it shouldn't prove too difficult.

The short figure darted, hoisting himself up and into the wagon. He flinched as the wagon shook from the impact, silently begging whatever diety was watching that night to let it be brushed off. Oh, for the love of whoever was listening, don't let him get caught again. Moving carefully and slowly now, he began taking stock of what meager takings the wagon had.

[Rainbowfox Ari]

Further into the town, toward where the wagon was headed, there was a bit of a brawl going on. Seemed as though one of the local ruffians had made the mistake of stealing something to eat from one of the merchant shops, and he hadn't been quite fast enough to get away with it. Currently, he was on the ground, curled up, while the adults that ran the shops kicked and beat on him for his crimes. And if one was looking closely, they would see another reason the poor boy was being beaten up. He was one of the rarer, less-liked races as it was, if judged by the calico tail wrapped around his leg, and the calico ears peeking out from his nut-brown hair. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut in pain, so their color was hidden, but if he were of the feline race, there was a strong bet they were either blue, green, or yellow.

He wasn't giving one yowl in his own defense, having long ago given up the thing he stole - an entire loaf of French Bread, fresh at that. However, just because the thief was repentant didn't mean the punishment was any less severe. And starting to get more so, as a sickening crack told to a cracked rib, and several dull thuds landed on already-bloodied skin, seen through the rags of clothing the boy was wearing. The shopkeepers didn't particularly care. Business was bad, the times were rough, and they needed something to take their aggression out on. A sneaky-handed little cat-thief was just the ticket for some impromptu anger management.

[Gallagher]

As they walked leisurely through the dark, Gabriel couldn't help but notice when his mare nickered and gave a toss of her mane. He arched a single eyebrow, setting a hand against her neck. The gesture he knew well, as she always did the same thing whenever she was loaded with more weight. He cast a glance back at his cart and, though he noticed no movement in the comforting dark of the night, had few doubts that someone was there. For a moment, he considered calling whomever it was out. It didn't seem worth it. What he did have that he couldn't replace without a great deal of effort was stowed in the front of his wagon, much further than any thief desperate enough to not know a poor man when they saw one would risk going. Gabriel shook his head, turning his verdant eyes forward. His brows furrowed when he saw a group of men some distance ahead, unable to tell what they were doing out at a time like this, but unsettled by it nonetheless.



Proper magic works with nature and science. We simply don't understand enough to see the big picture just yet.

[Rinni]

The thief's mischievious grin was slowly turning into a frown as he looked at what meager fare the wagon had to offer. This was seriously it? Some dried herbs and jars of...what was it? A slender hand plucked the jar up, holding it up to get a closer look at the odd looking goop inside. Hmm...perhaps it was some sort of odd jam or spread? He'd seen far odder looking edibles, so it wasn't too far fetched. He made quick work of the lid, popping it open. Without much of a second though, his fingers swooped into the goop, bringing up a sample for a taste and-

There was no way in hell. It took all his will power to remain silent as he tried wiping the taste off his tongue with his sleeve. Whatever in seven hells was in the jar, it was -not- edible. Not in any sense of the word. With a less-than-enthused look on his face, he put the lid back on the jar of non-food, setting it aside. From the looks of it, there wasn't much else in here for the taking. Looks like this venture was a bust....great.

His ears twitched slightly at the sounds of discord... probably some drunkards out for a midnight brawl. None of his business. Well, unless one of them had some valuables. Then it might be his business. Careful to stay in the shadows of the wagon's interior, he peered out at the road ahead.

[Rainbowfox Ari]

The men continued kicking and hitting the boy that was curled up on the ground. By now, there would be small blood-spatters on the ground, telling to the fact that the beating was more than just 'discipline'. The boy was bleeding, and now he wasn't moving anymore, simply lying there limp, not even protecting himself with his arms.

Another man came out to try and disperse the crowd, shoving other men left and right to get to the bundle on the ground. He knelt down, and looked at the small, crumpled form.

"Well shit." the man said with a harsh exhalation of breath. "You guys really did a number on the kid, didn't you? Not that I blame you. Filthy thieving feline. I should have sold you ages ago."

He pulled the catboy to his feet, and harshly dusted him off. Only, the boy's legs didn't seem to want to work, and he collapsed back to the ground, hitting his head with a harsh crack. The man turned explosively angry, and kicked the boy in the ribs in frustration.

"DAMN YOU GUYS! You broke him! The cheapest kid I've bought in years, and you broke him. NOW what am I going to do for help around the factory, eh? EH?! Any one of YOU want to volunteer?!"

He gave the kid another kick, and turned, crossing his arms, and giving the rest a glare of utter death until they fully dispersed, then turning to look at the pitiful collapsed heap that HAD been his slave.

"Great. Just fucking great."

[Gallagher]

The closer they came to the group, the more obvious the anger in their voices was. Yet it wasn't until they all dissipated, leaving just the lone figure and fallen being that Gabriel put the entire situation together. His mind was made up instantly. Just a few yards from the pair, he stopped his horse and wagon. He looked first to Bunny, then back at her burden. It was to the latter that he ordered curtly, "Don't move."

Without waiting for any sort of reply from whomever it was in his belongings, Gabriel hurried on ahead. He smoothed a hand over the front of his dirtied robe as he neared the man and, as he could see now, child. "Evenin'. Everything alright here?"



Proper magic works with nature and science. We simply don't understand enough to see the big picture just yet.

[Rinni]

The boy froze, silently cursing as the man looked back at him an apparently addressed him. Don't move? Did he seriously expect him to just sit there and wait for him to go get the authorities? Really, now, how stupid did this guy think he was? The minute the man started to move away, the boy was already scrambling, making his way out of the wagon. All he had to do was start running; he was confident they wouldn't be able to catch him.

Except, when he looked, there wasn't a group of authorities, or even drunkards. As the men scattered, he could see a small form lying in the road. Well, damn. Looks like they relied on mob justice around here. Wasn't that just lovely? He silently wondered if the cat-thing was still alive; he couldn't tell from this distance whether he was still breathing or not.

[Rainbowfox Ari]

The man who had been complaining turned to the lad walking up to him, and narrowed his eyes.
"Everything's fine, kid. I might had just lost myself a slave, that's all. It's none of your concern."

He eyed the boy's wagon, and arched a brow. "What wares are you selling there? I might have summat to trade for them if they're good."

Completely ignoring the bleeding lump on the ground, he drew out his pouch, and hefted it to judge how much money he had currently.

"So what do you say? What are you sellin'?

[Gallagher]

"Busted 'em, didja?" He tsked softly and shook his head, crossing his arms as he forced his attention to the man's purse, despite not being interested in the least. If he was going to be of any use at all, he'd have to either get rid of this guy, or get him to comply to his own wishes. Either way, he figured, it would all start with the right act. "Not much, I'm afraid. Mostly sell my... talents, aye?" A smirk reaching the young man's lips, he eyed the other man from head to toe. "Don't suppose you're interested in a demonstration?"



Proper magic works with nature and science. We simply don't understand enough to see the big picture just yet.

[Rinni]

Gabriel might not have been interested, but someone else was. His green eyes widened at the sight of the bulging money pouch. Now -that- was what he called good pickings! But how to get it; it'd be rather hard to steal the coins with them being the focus of attention, after all. He'd have to wait for their attentions to be diverted....not that he minded. He was patient, he could wait all evening if he had to.

Feet silent, he edged up behind the wagon, going as close as he dared without being spotted, before falling still and watching. Waiting. That pouch would be his, dammit.

[Rainbowfox Ari]

The man eyed the boy with a bit of trepidation. "So long as you don't touch me." he said. "I'm not into men."

At this point, he was completely and totally ignoring the piece of catboy flotsam on the ground. It wasn't his concern anymore. He'd clean it up later.

"Show me what you can do, then. I might have a market for your skills - granted they're what I'm searching for. Please demonstrate."

He crossed his arms. And yes, he did notice the boy near the back of the wagon. His eyes warned the kid not to make any sudden moves. Because as well as a pouch of gold, he also had a sword strapped to his hip, and a knife peeking out of his boot.

[Rinni]

Damn, was tonight "Everyone-Notice-Razyn" night? Eyes narrowed from his hiding spot, his hand moving to the blade at his side. If the man thought he was going to intimidate him...well, he had another thing coming. Razyn Thorne was not one to back down from any challenge, and that included nonverbal and/or perceived challenged. He'd get that pouch, if only to prove he could. A small smirk tugged at his lips, his tension easing. This was proving to be a rather interesting night, that was for sure.

[Gallagher]

"No?" he questioned, raising a brow slightly. The subtle shift in the man's attention made his own change as well. He glanced back over his shoulder, scanning the darkness for a brief moment before he caught sight of the little thief. He grinned. "Ah, pay him no mind. Little worm's my own assistant of sorts." He nodded, raising his hand to just a sparse couple of inches away from his own chest. A soft, rose colored glow formed across the length of his hand, condensing into a hastily formed orb. Gabriel rolled it into his palm before tossing it off towards his wagon, where it remained floating in midair, illuminating his belongings. "Oi," he called to the thief, "grab the water, and... one of the ink bottles." He looked back to the man and nodded towards the wounded child. "You mind?"



Proper magic works with nature and science. We simply don't understand enough to see the big picture just yet.

[Rainbowfox Ari]

The man stepped aside, and canted his head to the broken catboy.

"Be my guest. I don't mind if he dies at this point. He's already useless to me if he can't stand up and work."

He backed off just a bit, but kept his eyes on both the boy selling him something, and the thief that wanted to take something. Neither of which was going to get the better hand. He could haggle with the best of them, and both blades weren't exactly just for show.

The catboy lay there on the ground in front of the boy, limp and nearly lifeless. Blood trickled out of his mouth and was starting to pool on the ground, since he wasn't able to move. One eye was blackened and swollen shut, his lip was cracked and bleeding, and multiple blood spots dotted his ragged outfit. He WAS breathing, but it was slight, and didn't look like it could last much longer.

[Rinni]

Things...were DEFINITELY not going according to plan. And him, a little worm? How dare he refer to him as such!? He hadn't stolen anything of his, after all. But....assisting him would help him get physically closer to his goal. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise? He doubted it, but he could still hope.

He reached back into the wagon, grabbing out a cast of water and what he assumed was ink. He plastered a smile on his face before making his way around the wagon and towards the two. For a thief, he was dressed rather nicely, his near-dirtless outfit a collection of vibrant greens and browns. "Here you go, Sir. Just as you asked." he said, holding out the water and ink. His gaze fell on the little form on the ground, a pang of sympathy going out to the kid. The life of a thief was a hard one; especially when people reacted like that. Poor thing.