It was several nights after the "incident" that saw Einin sneaking out alone as Owl. She bound her chest, donned her leather armor, mask, dagger, and saber, magicked her hair and eyes from pink to brown, and crept out into the city. She didn't tell Herrick she was going, and if he knew what was best for him, he wouldn't follow her, anyway.
She was still hurt, and still pissed at him, and didn't know that she ever wouldn't be.
It was foolish, going out alone like this when she had one powerful group out to get her, and an insane sorcerer trying to snatch her, but she didn't think she had to worry about Varian for a while, at least. His "curse" was still months from fruition, and if she was going to able to do a damned thing about it, she needed to stop moping and get back to training. Of course, she was supposed to be training with Herrick, but considering she currently couldn't stomach him, that was out. And Rufus was busy doing Rufus things and she didn't feel like bothering him--because she knew she'd just end up blubbering at him, and she wasn't ready to open up about what had happened just yet.
She felt utterly alone. But maybe, right now, that was what she needed.
To just [be alone, clear her head--
And vent some frustration in a constructive way!
That constructive way lead her to where she was now, in a stand-off against a group of three thieves she'd caught looting and vandalizing a textile shop. It was one Owl had been in plenty of time before, enough to know the owner and his wife, who both lived upstairs--and who had been dragged into the street in their nightclothes to be intimidated while their home and business was trashed.
It was crazy to think that a few months ago, she would have been in over her head, but she'd already disarmed two and laid them out on the ground, dazed or unconscious--but the third was more wily, and he'd grabbed the the husband and brought him between he and Owl, using him as a living shield, with a knife held to his throat and a wild glint in his eye that screamed that he'd do it if pushed.
"Back off, little bird," he growled, and Owl flinched at the use of Rufus's nickname for her--even though she knew it was only coincidence. Or maybe it wasn't. "Owl" had become pretty well known over the last few months--both for good reasons and bad! And it was common knowledge Owl was fairly tied up in Soot Wolf business for some reason, enough that Owl hardly went anywhere with Soot Wolf bodyguards watching from the shadows.
They were probably out there now, though they rarely interfered unless she actually got in over her head.
"Back off now!" the thief repeated, growing more agitated. "Get outta here before I do something you'll regret!"
"You won't be alive to regret a thing if you hurt that man!" Owl shot back, voice surprisingly steady and bold even as, inwardly, she reeled. This--a hostage situation!--was something she had never before encountered, and she found herself at a stalemate.
"Just let him go! It doesn't have to go that far. We can...we can talk this out!"
The thief scoffed. "Seriously?"
"Sure!" Owl said, thinking fast, and trying to ignore how ridiculous it sounded to her own ears. "I mean, surely there's a reason you feel like you have to rob! Desperation, hunger, a sick family member. It's okay! We can work it out. We--"
The thief arched an eyebrow. "...I ain't none of those things. We does it for the thrill."
...Well. Shit.
Plan B!
"And I'm sure it's very thrilling beating up sleeping elderly folk. But if you want a real challenge, you'll leave him and face me. Unless you're chicken! Which I think you may be, and Owls love chicken! It's delicious!"
The thief laughed and shrugged his shoulders, taking a step backward and forcing the man to come with him. "Naw, I ain't interested in fighting you. I'm more interested in your bounty."
And it was only the way his eyes moved, looking suddenly up, that saved Owl. She spun and ducked, narrowly missing the cudgel of a fourth thief as it swung for her head.
