Closed Know when to beg and when to steal (Annalisa)

[Kenshin]

Season of Summer, Day 27, 513 AV

The streets were alive with people going every which way and despite being against the wall of the main street Kenshin was seemingly invisible to most. Dressed in rags from head to foot in rags his hair was unkept and dirty as he held up his thin hands in a cup form to anyone who strayed too close. He did have a rather peculiar smell to him and his hands were somewhat revolting with long dirty nails. But under the hood and underneath the hair there was a young man doing his best to pretend to be someone several decades his senior.

"Spare some bread? Some money?" he asks in a hoarse voice even though most people werent listening to the simple beggar but if anyone actually listened they might notice it sounded a little faked. Underneath the pile Kenshin was starting to work up a sweat, the sun was beating down on him but he had to make a living. "Spare some kindness?"" he asked again looking over and to his delight someone dropped a half loaf of bread into his lap but then soon darted away. "Bless you" he whispers happily using one hand to eat and the other to hold out his hand for donations.

With his need for food taken care of it was time for the second objective of his trip, good honest crime. His bright eyes dart around looking around the crowd trying to figure who would have the most money on their person. Picking a mark was a delicate process but finally his eyes narrow in on his target and he forces himself to stand tearing off a chunk of the bread he drops it down to the rat who had been hiding in his rags. Then putting a gentle sway to his step he starts to move towards her turning to strangers at random he would beg briefly but would get shoved away in disgust. Using one such shove he runs into his target. "Oh begging your pardon" he mutters in his fake voice hands going to her cloths as if straightening the mess he made but he was distracting her to try and snag her coin purse from her person

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna was coming home from the University after a rather uneventful day of rather boring study. Mostly she was trying to brush up on her Ancient Tongue, which was the thing she had been putting off for the longest of all her studies. Language studies and her did not exactly agree, even learning the old and hallowed tongue that most wizards needed to learn to be considered professional was a chore to her. She would much rather return to her study of The Void than such a menial thing. The young woman sighed as she walked the path back to her humble abode, not all things on the path to power were exciting and they were certainly not easy. If she truly wanted to learn everything there was to know about magic then hard work was required. It didn't have to be pleasant, in fact a great deal of learning magic was very unpleasant. However those who persevered through the difficulties found that greater rewards were theirs. As the young professor walked she bumped into a short aged looking individual, something which prompted a heavy scowl from her. She noticed him straightening out her clothes and was quick to brush him away, to take stock of everything herself. "Watch where you are going," she said with a burning glare, quickly checking over herself. Everything seemed to be in place... until she got around to checking her coin purse which was notably absent. Her eyes indicated an extreme amount of displeasure as they narrowed to their most dangerous edge, a look usually reserved for those she was fit to murder. The tall woman straightened herself up to her full six foot height and glared at the man before her. There was not hints of mercy or remorse in her grey irises, just the promise of unspeakable pain. "I suggest you return what you just took, now." The angered wizard said, a clear threat if ever there was one. She watched him carefully, ready for his next move. Hopefully he was not stupid enough to run, though that didn't really matter she was likely going to let out her stress on the foolish pickpocket regardless if he returned the coin purse or not. He had chosen the wrong professor to accost today.

[Kenshin]

At first he thought he had done it, and from the weight of the purse it was going to be a great day he was so confident in his success but then he looked into her eyes and felt a tremor of fear deep down in his soul and just stands there dumbstruck. He had a dozen escape plans for moments like theses, ranging from throwing dust in their eyes or transforming and carrying the purse away but as he weighed it in his hand he doubted he could carry it in his second form. Also there was something about this person, something that even his basic level of instincts were panicking over.

"I....I'm sorry" he says utterly stunned by his behavior and he digs into his robes for a few moments, the coin purse was so loaded that he doubted she would notice as he took just a few of the coins out and palmed them before holding out his hand presenting it to her. ""Please dont call the guard"

He couldnt understand himself at the moment, he had stolen from men twice his size and never once felt this way but there was just something about her that was emanating an aura of murder and he had no desire to die this day. Also in his fear he abandoned his disguise of age and held his head up letting her see the true face underneath and he nervously starts to back up. Thinking perhaps she would just let him go and his eyes dart to where he had been sitting just a few moments before, knowing that there was a small hole his second form would fit into and provide escape.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna smiled inwardly as the little man rushed to hand her back her coin purse, which she snatched back with her glare still in place. There wasn't much in there value wise, just about fifteen silver mizas for a meal at the Grotto and some light clothes shopping she had planned for later. Still she hated to lose money to some pickpocket off of the street, the very idea irked her that someone would have the gall to dare to steal from her. The urge to cast was roaring in her mind at the moment, to slay this fool on the spot. It was an irrational desire and one she quickly stamped out, she had been practicing her reimancy too much lately. She noted that the man before her was not so old as he appeared and was in fact a younger man who appeared in his twenties. He was much smaller than her, giving her a more physically imposing image. Intimidating him would be far more easy with that on her side. She roughly gripped his wrist and drew him closer to her, burning into his eyes with her angry grey ones. Anna intended to make an example out of this fool if she didn't hear something she liked in the next few minutes. "Who do you think you are? Do you have ANY idea who I am? I am Annalisa Marin, Professor of the University of Zeltiva." The young professor said, her voice as low and threatening as she could possibly make it. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't throttle you or hand you over to the Wave Guards for your affront. Make it good." She demanded. She was more than ready to unleash a potent curse on him if he did catch her attention fast. Usually Anna was pretty conservative with dolling out curses as she worried about the possibility of detection. Being found out as a Chaon of Rhysol was certainly not in her best interests as it would definitely invite disaster. Still Anna felt that this affront warranted a rather drastic response and would be fun besides. She held her glare on him, wanting to make him squirm for his answer. It was amazing that she possessed such a capacity for wanton cruelty, especially considering her upbringing. She couldn't fry him or breathe res down his throat, at least not here, but she could sure make him as uncomfortable as possible.

[Kenshin]

He did squirm in her grip, his eyes looking into her own and hearing her title the blood does sort of drain from his face. Her name brought with it two reasons for fear. His upbringing in Sunbreth taught him magic was dangerous and he wasn't ill informed he could speak with rats and discover names of value and secrets to tell and what he knew of her was that she was not to be crossed.

"I'm sorry!" he pleads and his true age further shows itself in his panic, unable to keep up the act of a simple begger. "I...I have money!" he says nodding with a smile. "Over there under the rock is my own purse, its yours mam" he says eagerly a bit of panic still and he pauses doubting someone like her was want for money.

"I can be useful!" he adds nodding with a wild grin, more of sheer desperation and he thought about shifting right there but with her grip so tight it wouldn't matter it wouldnt break her grip. "Im quick, quiet" he says a bit softer. "I can find out things that you'd like to know...but the same things people try to hide" he says recalling his sales pitch from Sunbreth how he could sell secrets the same thing that had forced him to leave his old home might be the one thing to save him here.

He looks at her to see if she'd take him up on the offer his eyes darting to the small rat by his stash, too far away from him to call out for help. Besides what could would it be to shout for help from the rodent? It might be able to bite her ankle and break his grip but he had pointed out his stash location as well a bargaining chip he should of held onto.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna scoffed when the man offered her money, and readied a curse that would leave him struck blind for a few days. However his second offer held some mild interest for her considering her ambitions and the master she now served. Anna didn't release him from her grip or glare but her expression indicated that she was slightly intrigued by his offer. She lowered her voice to a threatening growl and dragged him to the side of the street, a little miffed but her anger mostly evaporated. "I care not for money or worldly concerns, those will come to me in time and on their own. I can manipulate the fabric of creation, what are a few coins compared to that?" She said, twisting his wrist ever so slightly to draw out his discomfort. "However your other offer intrigues me. What makes you a cut above the normal gutter trash and why should I trust you to uphold your end of the bargain? Sell yourself to me, Mr. Pickpocket, do it well and you might save yourself a trip to the Wave Guard." She commanded. Anna was definitely looking to acquire a good spy as her political ambitions were quite high at this point in time. Considering that the Lord of Council herself was stepping down it seemed as though now was the time for her ambitions to be realized. The long coveted position of the Head of the Magic Department was definitely within her reach if she worked hard to build her standing. To that end she needed people, allies, assets who would be willing to support her cause. She could just curse this thief, hand him over to the Wave Guards, and be done with him. But if he had some use then it might avail her to keep him around, as she needed information gatherers most certainly. A fly on the wall could mean the difference between a successful grab for power and one that failed miserably. Though considering that this man was just some random thief off of the streets, her hopes were not set high. He would need to sell himself pretty convincingly for her to consider needing him at all. That would take either and extremely good silver tongue or an act that would amaze her beyond reason. Those were the traits of a good spy in her opinion, at least some of them. If he lacked both then why would she need him? He was just another thief, a copper miza a dozen on East Street. Still Anna was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, for the moment.

[Kenshin]

He watched with horror thinking his life was about to be snubbed out, still a year wasnt too bad for a street rat like himself but then he could hear it, the hint of curiosity that might be his golden ticket to freedom. Of course his heart rate spiked again when she gave his arm a bit of a twist, but he had his arm stuffed up behind him a few times in some of the scraps he'd been in. Then came the magic words sell yourself and somewhere deep down he was disappointing with himself, stealing and selling secrets was bound to get him noticed but still, better to go back to his old ways then end up in the prison.


"Wave Guard dont scare me none" he says somewhat bravely which was true he was more frightened what this scorned mage was capable of then having to deal with the authorities and it was that fear of her that controlled him. "You can bind a man but a rat slips through the chains, through many holes in walls and floors. They hear things people whisper" he smiles eagerly nodding. "I can talk to them find out what they've heard. Even go there myself" he looks down.
"I'd change now but I wouldnt want to draw attention" he explains looking into her eyes and leans in closer to let her see that his iris was just a few centimeters wider then other humans the only reflection to his second skin while he was on two legs. "But I swear it mam I am Kelvic" he says speaking in a hushed voice. He wasnt paranoid about his race but more over people hearing his own whispers and finding out his trade secrets like a cook with a secret recipe his gift gave him an edge in his trade that he would prefer to keep between a few people.

He pauses to hopefully let that sink in "I'll work for you, no fuss no price" he says hopeful. "Just....dont turn me to ash please mam" he says a little desperately. He was naive to most things in the world and magic was no exception she could say she was capable of anything and the poor rat would believe her.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna listened to the smaller man with some amusement, smiling wickedly as he mentioned having no fear of the Wave Guards. Perhaps he had no fear of them, but his fear of her was palpable to a degree where it almost seemed to radiate from him. Some said that it was better to be loved than feared, Anna disagreed, fear was something she loved to feel wash over her from another person. There was nothing quite like that wide eyed look of panic on their faces when they didn't know what you would do. It was even better when they knew she was a wizard. It was her power, she deserved to revel in it. Her own eyes were the ones that slowly widened as he mentioned what he was. Anna had heard rumors of the Kelvic but had never actually met one in person, their names had come up in some of her studies. Supposedly they were some kind of shape shifters, she was a little hazy on the solid details herself as she had never actually met one. As such his words appeared to be a confirmation on the transformation bit, though Anna was hesitant to take his words at purely face value. That was definitely something that caught her interest, something that definitely was going to stay her hand from cursing him at the least. However letting him out of her sight was out of the question, a Chaon who took one's word at face value was a dead Chaon. Still the prospect of so useful and asset, possibly the subject of study as well was quite tempting. It was enough to grant this pickpocket her indulgence. She looked around, this place was far too public for her to demand a demonstration however her home was not. She abruptly released his arm, still glowering at him with ferocity. "Go for your stash and follow me, I wish to see this power of yours." She commanded, lowering her mouth to his ear. "Try to run and I will find you, I have many ways to track my prey, magical methods that will find you in the darkest of alleyways." Anna let his imagination fill in whatever blanks she left with her threat. She was bluffing of course but he seemed to be simple enough to buy such a threat. Anna waited for a moment, before turning on her heel and walking slowly back on the same path she had been walking before bumping into her. The young professor was confident he would follow her, besides the path to her home was not long at all. He had seemed sufficiently cowed by her threats, besides most people feared magic and wizards to an irrational degree. Anna was most intrigued to see if what this man told her was true, if not she could always turn him in for a reward and pocket whatever money he had. It was a no lose situation honestly.

[Kenshin]

He couldnt help but feel that simple urge to run, he knew of many little tunnels and sewers he could flee into and hide away but he was ignorant to the powers of magic. She could tell him she could read his mind and the poor man would believe her. So despite his body trembling with the desire to run he nods. "Right, yes mam" he says quickly and hurries over to where he had been begging not just a few minutes ago.

Crouching down he rubs the little rats head and lets out a series of squeaks, he looked like a madman speaking to the rodent but the creature looked up at him intently for a few moments before turning and scurrying away into a crack in the wall. He smiles and a few moments later the rats tail appears thrashing as it tugged and pulled at something in the wall and he reaches down to help out and pulls the rat free from the wall with a dirty purse attached. He snatches it up and glancing behind him drops the few meager coins he had managed to earn this day into it then he sets the rat down and gives it what was left of his bread and squeaks a little more before turning to follow the mage.

He wasn't sure how far to follow behind the fearsome mage and kept back never really out of sight if she should turn to make sure he was following but at the same time for the moment he was preferring to keep his distance. But it was now obvious from how he was carrying himself that he wasn't used to this sort of tailing he'd dart forward and stay behind a stand or wall and let her put some distance between them before scurrying forward to close the gap. Again and again he kept near her, as if tugged by an invisible chain. He would stay in her tow clear across the city if he had to his beady little eyes watching her intently from under the hood.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna occasionally glanced back behind her, satisfied that the man was following her at a cautious distance. Non wizards were often very superstitious regarding magic and often had little to no idea the kind of power one could wield using magic. Even if they possessed magic few people understood its inner workings, one would need to study magical theory to properly understand it. Anna herself knew a good deal about the nature of Djed and its place in the world, however that was only due to her years of formal study at the University. Many people did not possess such access. She walked the streets easily enough, this was the city of her birth after all she had spent all her life here. Her home was located not far from the University itself, a short walk away even and it was certainly secluded enough to safely witness the transformation. After a little bit of navigation they were finally there, her little domain in Zeltiva. It was a small cottage, humble really and not exactly what one would expect from the young professor. Anna checked behind her to ensure that he was still following before opening the door to her home, entering much as a conqueror would return to their kingdom. She removed her cloak with a flourish and tossed it onto the nearby table, which possessed a cluttering on parchment upon it. She kicked her boots off casually and sighed when her feet made contact with the cool floor. It had been a rather long and stressful day for the young wizard. "Close the door behind you and do whatever you must to transform. Try not to dirty my floor too much with your filth." Anna commanded, turning on her heel as she undid her ponytail. Her gaze was still hard but less angry and more searching, as though this man was an interesting subject of study for her to look over. She stood as tall and imposing as she could manage, towering as her full six foot height. It was always times like this where she thanked Rhysol for granting her such a useful attribute. Possessing magic was useful for intimidation purposes but sometimes sheer physical stature could mean the difference between a successful intimidation and one that failed. She was interested to see what this creature could really do. Was he lying or telling the truth? Either way she would find out soon enough and she was not going to take her eyes off him until her curiosity was satisfied. Now that he was in her domain he would no be leaving so easily, especially not if he was lying to her.