There is a legend in certain cities. The Shapeshifter, the Shadow. Whispers, both in awe and fear, of a figure that slipped from shadow to shadow as easy as you please, an elite Hug Dealer and thief extraordinaire. An unusual being, for she would hug you herself in all forms, though the price varied, depending on how interesting your jewelary and wallet were. Sometimes in the darkness of the allyways one could see her. A woman, a child. Sometimes neither. Needless to say, it was near impossible for the police to track her down. At least, that's how Maar figured it.
And that's just the way I like it, she thought with a giddy smile as she walked down the street. She walked down the street in the form of a woman with a black pixie cut, though her keen blue eyes remained the same.
Oh, it was so easy to make money off of these desperate fools, she thought as she pulled the hood of her tunic over her head and adjusted the scarf in front of her face. The rain only made the smell of iron sharper to the fae and she hated it so. Her boots clickd against the pavement as she ever so nearly brushed shoulders with the people by her, causing chills down her spine. It was so silly, too, to watch them try to avoid each other, practically running in awkward circles. She would have very much enjoyed too have caused a scandel and to just accidently run into somebody, but such fun would have to wait. Maar had an appointment to make.
She crossed the busy streets to enter a book store. It was small, a vintage place, two stories high and stuffed. Maar tugged free her scarf and took in a deep breath of air. True, dusty, but better smelling than the foul streets. She leaned against the counter, and smiled devishly to the girl behind the counter. She was younger than Maar had expected, eighteen, perhaps nineteen. The woman fumbled with the books in her arms at the sight of Maar.
"O-oh," she said, fretfully. "Is that you?"
Maar nodded, and looked around. There was nobody. She held out her hand.
"Money first."
The girl was hesitant, but nodded and handed over a crisp bill. Maar's eyes sparkled as she took it.
"Ready?" she asked. The girl nodded.
The fae wrapped her arms around the teenager. Suddenly, electrical shock went through her body.
Maar shot a wide eyed glance at the girl, who smiled wickedly.
"We had to catch you sometime. somebody will be here to arrest you soon."
Maar suddenly giggled as best as she could, unsettling the girl , who pulled out a set of handcuffs.
"Oh, aren't you clever!" Maar purred, gasping for air. Of course, not nearly clever enough. Underneath her tunic, Maar was wearing a rubber top. As the first lock licked, Maar sprung into action. As quick as lightening, she disappeared into the shadows, dragging the girl to the hard floor. The next moment, Maar was standing, and kicked the girl hard enough to make her pass out. Maar admired her work, rubbing her sore wrist after finding the key. Yes, that girl had been one of the most clever of her pursuers, but not nearly clever enough. For extra measure, she nicked an old fairy tale book that was sitting on the counter and all the money in the till.
That was fun, she thought, humming to herself as the store's bells chimed behind her.