How To Catch a Thief

[Anonymous]

The wagon had been quite the sight parked along the river; its canvas covers drawn back to display the many artifacts and trinkets that the father and daughter duo had collected over the years. They set up shop like this in a major city several times a year, but never stayed long. The morning went well, and quite uneventfully. Coins changed hands; they sold many items, and purchased a few things of interest from those that had them. Nellie seemed quite pleased as she handled most of the transactions. Indeed, most thought her the merchant and viewed Tatsu as a hired guard with the way he stood in the background, watching things like a hawk.

Things did get very interesting around afternoon, however. A small chest came up missing, just like that. Tatsu didn't even see the thief take it until it was too late. Guards were summoned and that was that. Nellie frowned upon her father taking out his own justice, which was what guards were for, right? Still, he became even more watchful, and somewhat anxious. By evening, when things were winding down, they put everything away and were securing the wagon for the night when a guard approached Tatsu.

"Sir, we've found one of the thieves, unfortunately we've yet to recover your stolen property. If you'll come this way, I will show you to the little hooligan. "

Tatsu wordlessly followed the guard, leaving Nellie to take care of the wagon, he trusted her completely with the task of standing guard. He was led to a prison, and then down into a cell block. Peering into the indicated cell, he raised a brow as he looked upon the supposed 'thief' they had captured. He did not recognize the girl and seriously doubted she was really who had stolen from him.

"You don't look like a thief, child. I will ask you simply: Did you take what belongs to me?" Those piercing blue eyes drilled into the occupant of the cell. His gaze often gave off the impression of seeing into a person, rather than simply seeing them.

[Anonymous]

The figure within the cell scoffed, fiery eyes staring at a wall stubbornly. "Don't call me that you-" Bitter voice of a female nearly growled as the winged Yoreiqi turned to face the visitor.

Whatever foul nickname Rica had in mind for the man died in her throat the instant her eyes met his. Silence reigned for a few moments as the woman observed him, trying to judge just how dangerous he might be. "Oh, I get it..." The Yoreiqi huffed cynically, standing up from the floor and taking a step back until her wings hit the wall. Her face became half covered with the shadows, perhaps making her look like some rabbit that retreated further into a burrow, away from the sight of an observing hawk.  

"You want to hear the joke from my lips so you can have a sweeter laugh." The woman spilled poison and hatred. "Fine then." She crossed her arms and glared defiantly, now feeling safer in the shroud of darkness, partial as it was. Still, she could hardly stand his eyes, not managing to look at them for more than a fraction of a second. Instead, she opted for staring at his nose, or pretty much any part of his face other than the eyes.

"I didn't do it, so there." She grumbled, her eyes finally nailing themselves to the floor. Really, that gaze of his was unbearable. "Now leave me the f*** alone." The woman continued in a bitter, disappointed tone.

[Anonymous]

Tatsu stood about a foot away from the bars of the cell, simply gazing at her intently, watching her every move. Her tone caused his lips to twitch ever so slightly, but he did not smile. She was a feisty one, eh? He wondered why she did not carry through with her insult, but deep down he knew why. His eyes had the ability to unnerve some people, and as he watched her, he could tell she was uncomfortable under his gaze, but he did not look away from her.

It would be impolite not to hear her out, and even though she was being very rude, he would not dishonor himself by stooping to her level of childishness. When she finished speaking, telling him off quite assuredly, he lowered his gaze. Few people could lie to him when they were truly pinned under his icy stare, so he believed her when she proclaimed her innocence. "I am not laughing at you." The words were simply spoken, but he turned away from her and studied the guard intently for several long, unforgiving moments.

"You will release this young woman, she is innocent of the crime you accuse her of. To be honest, I find this level of incompetence absurd for guards. You have gone out and found a young woman with no one to vouch for her, and set her up as a sacrifice so that you would not have to actually perform your duties. It is sickening."

The guard's jaw dropped as he stared at Tatsu, fumbling for some kind of reply to the accusation of them not doing their job and of them being lazy. "I can't just release a thief! If you really think she's innocent, Sir High and Mighty, you can post her bail yourself!" The guard folded his arms and smirked at him, thinking he had gotten the better of him. Most merchants wouldn't give up money with no profit for themselves.

Tatsu studied the guard, then glanced back at the girl in the cell. Reaching into his coin purse, he pulled out several silver coins and dropped them at the guard's feet, not even wanting to touch the annoying creature before him. "As I said, release her, and be quick about it." Without another word, or a backwards glance, he brushed past the guard and headed back up the steps.

[Anonymous]

Rica blinked at his response, surprise dawning on her face. She twitched a little, not liking the unexpected turn of events. The woman was so certain all L'eraanians would treat her with the same disdain she faced the moment she set foot on the mainland. Very much stunned by Tatsu's actions, the human carefully sneaked closer to the bars as he berated the guard.

She wasn't the only one who was a bit shocked, though the Yoreiqi felt a bit discouraged once the guard demanded payment. The woman saw Tatsu regarding her again, and she tensed immediately, some part of her mind instantly running back to the dark and safe corner of the cell.

It was her turn to have her jaw fall open as the guard was paid, and the man with the icy stare left without giving her another glance. Which Rica was thoroughly grateful for. Managing to pick up her jaw after a moment, she watched the guard curse as he scooped up the coins. He gave her a deadly glare afterwards, but got nothing other than the same in return.

"Don't think you're off the hook, thief." The man threatened as he unlocked her cell. Rica scowled at him, stepping out through the bars, but pausing for a moment to loom over the man. "I'd like my things back now, and be quick about it." She returned in kind.

A short while later and the Yoreiqi was flying over the city with her bag over her shoulder and her sword back on her hip, searching for the man that bailed her out of jail. Believing she spotted him in the streets, the woman flew her way over to him and landed in his way, though making sure she was giving him more than enough room. Last thing she wanted to do was to startle him, even if he didn't seem to be the type to be easily frightened.

The winged human turned to face him, and immediately regretted her decision, as good-natured as it was. "Uhhh..." Her mind drew a blank for a moment, before the woman managed to recollect herself. "Look..." She sighed. "I don't know why you did what you did but..."

"You have my gratitude." The woman said and nearly cringed. It wasn't often that she spilled thankfull words, and she certainly didn't do it without a good reason.

[Anonymous]

After leaving the jail Tatsu had moved in the direction of his wagon, eager to get back to his daughter. By now the trail of the thief would have gone cold. He should have gone after them himself, rather than relying on human guards. That would have upset Nellie, though, so he supposed he would just have to live with the sacrifice of one of his precious scales and be more careful next time. His thoughts were far from the girl he had encountered within that dim cell, he had served justice by seeing her set free, and there was nothing else to be done in his mind.

His long strides slowed to a halt as Rica landed in front of him. His gaze settled on her, but there was a lack of intensity now. His expression seemed as blank as it had back in the jail. That was until she spoke, then he went as far as to raise a brow questioningly at her. He waved a hand dismissively at her. "Your thanks are unnecessary. You were innocent, I would not leave you to rot in a cell for something you did not do when it was my own misfortune that put you there."

He regarded her curiously for several moments, thinking over the entire situation and deciding he might not have taken the best course of action after all. "Hmm. Humans are testy creatures..." The words were spoken softly and to himself. Bringing his attention back to the girl, he laid a hand over his heart and bowed to her. "My name is Tatsu Drake, mi'lady. My hasty words might have been damaging. I wish no trouble to befall you over my missing property, I would feel extreme guilt. If you would allow it, I would like to escort you out of the city to ensure the guards give you no further trouble."

[Anonymous]

Rica stood, posture tense from uncertainty. Regret coursed through her, making the woman frown as he dismissed her apology. It came as an insult to her, her nostrils flaring lightly as he called her innocent. "I did what I did per my own will, and the consequences are mine to bear." The woman said. "You didn't make me go after the thief. I chose to do so." She nodded sternly.

He bowed to her, and that once more brought surprise to her. The woman hesitated, eyes searching for some kind of foul play in his actions. After a moment however, she bowed as well, though her movements were much hastier and probably less regal than his. "Nerrica... Belidar." The Yoreiqi said briefly.

"No..." She shook her head at his words. "I didn't come here to ask more of you. I came here to help you find what was stolen from you. My interference helped the real thief escape." The woman spoke with slight disdain in her voice.

[Anonymous]

To insult her was the farthest of Tatsu's intentions, he merely didn't feel he deserved any gratitude for doing what he thought was right. Of course, he never did think he would come to fully understand humans, regardless of where they were from. When she mentioned that she had gone after the real thief of her own accord he simply shook his head slightly. "It was not your concern, you should not have made yourself involved."

Tatsu had remained bowed to her until she gave him her name, at which point he straightened himself back to his full height. Those cold eyes regarded her as she offered to help him find what was taken from him. For several moments he studied her intensely, knowing full well that his gaze affected her. "The thief can have what he took, it can be replaced with time, and was of little value to anyone but myself. What he did was dishonorable, but I will not bring dishonor upon myself by letting the situation bring harm to innocents."

[Anonymous]

Rica frowned at the man. "No. Don't tell me that." The woman insisted. "I saw a thief, and I acted. I didn't have to, but I did. Just like you didn't have to spring me from jail, but you did." She said.

Momentarily she felt her back stiffening as he regarded her with that icy stare of his. She was standing almost uncomfortably straight, not realizing for a few very long moments that she wasn't even breathing. Listening to what Tatsu had to say, the woman breathed out slowly, trying desperately to seem unmoved by him. She was probably failing.

"B-but!" She stammered, perhaps like a child that did not understand a simple explanation. "That man stole from you! Aren't you continentals supposed to be obsessed with your own possessions?" She questioned, confusion dawning on her face. Frustration replaced it a moment later, the Yoreiqi forgetting the intense stare, if even for a moment.

"I'm just trying to do the right thing, damn it! Why are you making it so hard for me to do so!?" She clenched her fists in agitation, unintentionally raising her voice at Tatsu.

[Anonymous]

How much easier would this situation be if this strange girl had simply not involved herself in affairs that were not her concern. As she continued to argue with him he folded his arms across his chest and kept her under that unassuming gaze. Perhaps if he stared at her long enough she would go away. Somehow he didn't think it would work, but it was worth a try.

He raised a brow at her when she said continentals were supposed to be obsessed with their possessions. He shook his head with a frown when she said he was making it hard for her to do the right thing. "I can understand wanting to do the right thing. However, how exactly do you propose to find this thief? Furthermore, how to you plan on getting my property back if you did find them?"

He unfolded his arms, frowning softly at her.

[Anonymous]

The woman felt quite a bit of her confidence crumble when the man shook his head at her. Words of doubt fell upon her, the questions catching her by surprise, even though they shouldn't have. She blinked, eyes falling to the ground in shame. She really hadn't thought about the details of her pursuit.

"Well I... ugh..." The Yoreiqi frowned, rubbing the back of her neck with a hand in frustration. "I could go back to where I last saw the thief, and try to find some clues there..." She said, forcing the gears in her head to work since she had oh-so-nicely forgotten to think ahead. Even so, after a moment the woman sighed in defeat. "Or I'll think of something else." She murmured nervously, and then her eyes caught the sight of a nearby guard staring at her suspiciously.

The woman cursed under her breath. She couldn't chat with Tatsu for much longer without risking ending up in jail again. Undoubtedly the guards could come up with some trivial reason to lock her up. Huffing a little, the Yoreiqi gathered her courage and looked Tatsu straight in the eyes.

"Look. I'll never be able to walk these streets in peace again if I don't clear my name." The woman narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm doing this, with or without your blessing." Bitterness leapt from her, the winged human finally stepping out of Tatsu's way.

[Anonymous]

Tatsu wasn't generally an impulsive creature, so thinking things through was something he tended to be good at. Which was why he was so willing to let the theft go. Sure, he could track down and confront the thief, but that would take a little of his time, which was too valuable to waste in the pursuit of an easily replaced item.

Also, Tatsu had come to find that humans were a rather impulsive and hasty bunch, even this winged variety. He didn't look down on her for not thinking her actions through, but he patiently trying to explain logic to her.

Of course, that seemed not to be working. Rica seemed intent on throwing herself in the middle of the whole mess, even when he offered her an easy way out. This was not her problem, she should have left things well enough alone. Ah well. He too had noticed the guards and sighed when she told him flatly that she would be going after the criminal whether he approved or not.

"Very well, if it will keep you out of trouble, then we'll do it your way. Show me where you last saw this thief, and we'll go from there."

[Anonymous]

A frown crept upon her features, the Yoreiqi not liking the fact this man kept treating her like some runaway child. Still, one look at his face - at those eyes, and all Rica's emotions fell in line. "Alright then." The woman said, resisting to huff as she turned her back to both the guard and her companion. Biting her lip slightly, she looked around for a moment to orient herself.

"This way." She said, and went down the street, the way her companion would have gone anyway. Yet, she branched off of it in a moment, and after a bit of hasty walking and a few turns, the winged human reached her destination. Casting a glance behind herself to make sure Tatsu was following, she stepped into a narrow alley. So narrow, that Rica wouldn't be able to spread her wings in case she needed them.

Discomfort rose within her, the woman's paces more cautious as she walked. "I remember chasing the thief through here..." She gestured down the alley as she came to a halt. She gave a brief scowl to the spot where the guards had tackled her before continuing. "He went here and..." The Yoreiqi turned around a corner and stopped in front of a two-story house.

There was some commotion coming from the second-story window. Somebody was rummaging through things, hissing an occasional "where is it?" under their breath. Rica stood below, frowning up at the window. She didn't recognize the voice but still...

"Went in here..." The woman finished her thought, half whispering, before she promptly tried to enter the house through the front door. The wood rattled in its frame, but didn't budge, and the sound invoked silence on the second floor.

[Anonymous]

Tatsu couldn't help the way he acted towards Rica. To him, all humans were practically children. It was just the way he viewed the strange, short-lived creatures. Also, it was much better that he regard them as children than in other ways. He did smile faintly as she huffed at him, but he bit his tongue, rather than point out any fault on her part.

He followed her silently, eyes peeled, although he did listen to her, as she rambled to herself, he kept his own thoughts sealed away. Instead of trying to converse, he focused on feeling for his stolen scale. As much as he'd said it was okay, if he could get it back, it would be good.  Almost he ran into Rica when she stopped in front of the house.

Coming up just short of running her over, he looked up at the second story, listening to the noises coming from upstairs. Before he could stop Rica, she had tried to open the front door. He muttered softly to himself in annoyance.

"Well now they know we're here..." With a sigh he stepped forward and threw his shoulder against the door. The sound of wood splintering could be heard, and the door gave way with a groan. Stepping silently inside he listened intently to see what the occupants were going to do now.

[Anonymous]

The Yoreiqi scoffed at the door, growing angrier at the inanimate object thanks to Tatsu's words. Her fists became clenched, teeth gritted, but the woman said nothing as she shuffled out of her companion's way.

"How was I supposed to know the doors were locked?" Rica grumbled, though most of her words were probably obscured by the wailing of wood. The woman huffed, glaring at Tatsu's back as he stepped into the house.

The second floor breathed with life again, more hasty movements creaking through the ceiling. Before long, a human scurried down a staircase to the main floor, an old, dusty robe wrapped around him in an attempt to make him look less like a burglar and more like an annoyed denizen of the place.

"Thieves! Burglars!" He bellowed before he even spotted the pair, let alone the door they went through. Once he did, he merely narrowed his eyes at both of them and continued in the same voice. "Get out of my house!" The man demanded, shaking a fist at Tatsu, as he was the closest to him.

[Anonymous]

This was all a huge waste of time. Tatsu could feel Rica glaring at him, but he ignored her. His scale wasn't even here, but there was someone here, that was certain. Those cold eyes settled on the shouting man as he accused them of being what he himself was. The dragon could see through him easily enough.

Tatsu was a tall, lean, impossing figure, and he stepped towards the annoying creature, eyes flashing dangerously at the fist being shaken at him. It fluid movements, he had seized the wrist, twisted the entire arm around, and put the man to the floor, his knee in the man's back.

"I don't take kindly to my honor being called into question, human, and shake your fist at me again and I will relieve you of that hand. Something of mine was stolen, I have it under good authority that the thief came here. My belonging is not here, but you are going to tell me where I can find it."

He twisted the arm a little more, eyes blazing dangerously in the dim light of the house.

[Anonymous]

Rica glared up at the man who shook his fist at them. Her gaze went to her companion, and the woman saw him move. Sadly, she didn't try to stop Tatsu, figuring he'd just loom over the other human, threaten him and then the burglar would spill everything he knew. Oh how she was wrong. Her heart leapt to her throat as she watched Tatsu throw the burglar brutally to the ground.

"Stop that!" Rica heard herself shout, her voice utterly shocked. Righteous anger flooded her features, the woman mad that Tatsu, someone whom she deemed honorable and a bit arrogant, would stoop so low to harm another. That, and Rica was still very much a Yoreiqi at heart.

"She's got it." The burglar groaned. Ignoring the Yoreiqi's shocked "What!?", he continued, hoping to finish what he wanted to say before Tatsu rips his arm off or worse. "I don't have it... My accomplice doesn't have it... There's no other explanation."

"She has the chest, and she hid it somewhere nice and safe, no doubt." He pointed a shaky finger at Rica, who stood absolutely shocked, growing a few shades paler.

[Anonymous]

Tatsu ignored Rica's protest of his manhandling of the man. He wasn't hurting him...much. At the worst he would have a slightly sore shoulder for a few days. Besides, the man was a thief, and a liar, he deserved much worse than he got. As soon as the man started talking, he lessened the twist on his arm.

"You lie. That girl does not have my chest. I would know if she did." But the man wasn't completely lying...he didn't know where his scale was. A big problem. What if someone actually managed to open the chest? Would they know what the scale belonged to? Would they come to question him about it? He didn't like people to know what he was.

Slowly he let the man up, straightening himself back to his full height and staring down at him. It seemed wrong to simply let a criminal run free, but what other option did they have? He turned to his companion, a strange girl, to say the least.

"Okay, now what?"

[Anonymous]

The burglar grit his teeth when Tatsu called him a liar, fully expecting him to become brutal once more. He didn't, and the human quite gratefully scrambled away from the dragon, rolling his shoulder with a wince as he was sitting on the ground a few feet away. In silence, he observer the other two, not wishing to bring any further attention to himself just yet.

Rica herself was immensely relieved, though still a bit pale. "Well... uh... I don't know." She sighed. "The only people who were here when I was arrested were me, the thief and the guards." The woman shook her head.

A bitter chuckle came from the robed one sitting on the ground. "Well if you didn't steal the chest... and I couldn't find it where it was hidden. It's obvious one of the guards took it." He commented with a hefty dose of cynicism, before regarding Tatsu. "You're really willing to believe this Yoreiqi over the guards? Her kind doesn't even consider stealing to be a crime." The man scoffed.

[Anonymous]

Tatsu remained silent for a long time, simply standing there, his expression pensive. What a bother. He knew that Rica had not stolen his scale, there was no doubt in his mind. Ah, but to think that a guard might have stolen it? Humans, there were the noble among them, but they could stoop so low. The bad seemed to far outweight the good in them.

"Well, if a guard has it, then what do you suggest we do? I'm not sure if they will even be able to open it and retrieve the item that is inside. Accusing a guard of any crime is very...risky. They could very well throw us both in jail over this whole thing. I don't really fear jail, but I would not see you go back..."

[Anonymous]

Rica groaned in frustration, rubbing her face as if trying to scrub the paleness off of it. Tatsu shouldn't be making her feel this unworthy and guilty, yet somehow he managed, and probably without even trying. Fear was in there somewhere too, but Rica was handling it better than most, or so she hoped.

"Damn it, I don't know." She grumbled in frustration. "I don't fear jail either but... This could escalate. People could get hurt." The Yoreiqi muttered. She turned and regarded their captive for a moment, who was just sulking where he was.

A moment later, he perked up at a familiar voice. "Byrtan! Stop searching!" The voice called as another human ran down the narrow alley towards the house the trio was in. "The guards had it! Quick! They're on my-" And the very human who had stolen the chest from the dragon appeared outside of the doorway, freezing the moment he spotted Tatsu. One hand occupied with the chest, the other with a small crossbow, the thief cursed and raised the crossbow to fire at the dragon. Granted, he could have easily missed as he was stepping backwards, aiming to flee further down the alley and away from the house.