Scamming 101

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

21st Winter 515

The setting of Syna came with a group of hunters, young and boisterous. They were in their late teens, pimpled faces and awkward heights, joking and jesting among themselves. Some held spears, others had a bow slung across their back, but it all seemed more like props than tools and weapons. Apart from the single rabbit slung across one's back, they had no other prizes and from the time of day, it wasn't like they could go and hunt.

The boldest stepped forward, brandishing a spear that looked much nicer than the other's. He seemed the type to be a spoiled Ankal's son. He spoke with that attitude too - demanding, fierce, expectant. "Wilderness guide, right?" She made a sign for yes, why? despite the answer being obvious. The reason could be found in the bluntness of it: Merevaika wanted business, not teenage rambles.

"We plan to go on a hunt, tomorrow, up near the lake." His statement was simple, but his friends chimed in, teasing.
"And his dad won't let his precious heir hunt alone!" a messy red head called, punching him playfully in the arm. The boy pushed him away, annoyed with the embarrassment. His forehead crinkled with frustration.
"My father simply wants there to be someone older to be responsible. You seem responsible enough. We'll be happy to pay." He jingled a purse of coins, which made Merevaika second guess her decision. Babysitting a bunch of foolish hunters would be painful but he seemed to be wiling to pay a lot.

A plan started formulating in her head. These kids were stupid, naive and easy to fool. Perhaps she could do what she always dreamt of doing - steal from a client. Of course, she could never put her name on it. The answer was obvious - disguise. "I'm busy, and honestly? Babysitting you isn't my job." She smiled at that point. "But I know a few who are. Claudius, Beckett, Tari. Ask around for them in the market tomorrow, should be around." Well, "Tari" would be anyway. The other two were pure fabrications. "Your name, so I could let them know?"

"Tell them to ask for Gebe," he grinned, happy the arranged. He turned, marching off deliberately with the intention of being followed. Some did straight away, others lingered behind, not wanting to simply be followers. Only one remained, a snide girl that was younger than the rest. Reminded Merevaika of herself, hanging around with her brother and his friends, despite the fact they were the same age. She seemed disconnected.

Knowledgeable at the same time. "We aren't all stupid. Remember that." She was the one to look out for.

They weren't all stupid, but by stating that, the girl had proved that she was.
She had just become more of a target.


"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

22nd Winter
ledgercowl = 2sm
(modified) blackface = 50gm


Merevaika needed to get ready. Once the kids had gone, she had bought a cowl, large and woolly and perfect for covering her face. To that, she could add a dress, something she would never been seen in. Still, the woman didn't want to have the slightest chance of being recognise, and found a dodgy seeming fellow to make what he called blackface - although he did say he had to change it very slightly so she would look realistic rather than jet black. An easier process, he had claimed, but still charged the full price for it.

She collected it just as Syna rose, hurrying away to where she had stashed everything she had needed. A horse waited there, but it wasn't even her own. Eryunt was too recognisable. Instead, she had an ordinary mare from her sister's pavilion. It would need disguising of its own, but first, herself.

Merevaika changed in the shelter of the grasses, discarding normal, practical clothes for the itchy wool dress she wore when she transformed into an elk. Then, she pulled her hair back, making sure the wraps were hidden under the dark locks. These she tied in a long braid down her back, which she planned to tuck into a cowl. Before that, she planned to use the blackface.

Merevaika crouched by the puddle she had chosen to use to look at herself. Dabbing her fingers in it, she spread the paste over her face, moving methodically from forehead to neck. She brushed it further than necessary, getting clumps in her hair, but didn't care. As long as she couldn't recognise herself. She spread most around her chest and back, covering the shoulder line just in case. Then, she moved on to her hands and up her arms, despite being covered by the sleeves of the dress. If she used a bow, perhaps her sleeves would ride up, and it wouldn't do to have her planned foiled like something that simple.

Merevaika checked herself in the mirror, noticing a section where it was clear she had simply smeared on the paste. She rubbed it in a little better, adding the cowl and checking again. Merevaika barely recognised herself. Instead of her, a dark woman, face hidden in a cowl, started back, only the green eyes the same.

Happy with that, she turned to the mare. She was old and a mixed breed, nothing compared to what Eryunt was. Merevaika still scooped up mud, lathering it over the horse to hide as much of it as possible. The mare snorted with protest but it was too late: her coat had changed from well groomed to disgusting.

Finally, Merevaika pulled on a plain brown blanket and attached her tent to the side of the yvas, happy that now, nothing could be traced back to her.

She clicked her tongue, pocketing the blackface deep in her bags. Her bow was left hidden behind them, not wanting to draw attention to it. She was ready to meet the kids again.



As expected, the boy named Gebe strutted around the market, demanding that one of the guides show themselves. Merevaika rode up beside him, slouching to hide her height. Gebe? I am Tari, guide. She didn't speak, deciding to use sign. Her voice could give her away, but if she appeared to be mute, maybe she wouldn't have to speak.

He smiled, "So you are Tari?" He looked her up and down, deliberately scrunching his nose to show disgust. After all, her dress was grass-stained and torn slightly, her horse coated in mud. Merevaika said nothing, nor signed nothing, waiting. Eventually, he gave in. "Are you ready to leave? Meet at the Gates in half a bell."

With that, he left, not wanting to associate himself with a woman of her state. Merevaika smiled. Everything was going to plan.



"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

She had planned everything up to this point out. With Eryunt and another horse, she had left her sister telling her she was planning on heading south to hunt: the opposite direction she would actually be going. Then she found a small pavilion outside the city, who worked with ill horses, and told them she didn't think Eryunt was healthy. They took him in gratefully, saying that he seemed fine but would see what they could do anyway. So as far as most knew, she was meant to be in the south hunting, a perfect alibi.

So "Tari" had nowhere to go apart from the gates, so she did, waiting beside them patiently. The kids were late, although she had expected that. They trickled in, until the largest collection came with Gebe, who rode a horse that seemed too large and strong for him. A group of pack horses followed them, covered with tents and equipment. It seemed more like they were moving camp rather than just out on a hunting trip.

Gebe directed a few orders to the kids in the group, before staring at her. "We'll be heading north, up near the lake. Then we'll set up camp for the night, the hunt will start tomorrow." He looked her up and down, focusing on the horse. "That thing won't be able to keep up with our Striders. You can ride with the tents."

His friends laughed, although it wasn't funny, and the group set off. Of course, Gebe and his main followers stormed off, leaving streaks of dust behind them. How young and foolish. If they planned to ride all day, why tire the horse out so quickly? Merevaika trotted behind them, silently moving with the back of the group.

No one made a move to talk to the silent stranger who rode with them. They talked about her, however. She could see the laughter and directed stares at her, and wondered what they were discussing. Her appearance, her horse? She knew that riding a mixed breed rather than a strider would bring up suspicions - the fact that she hid her windmarks would as well, as she appeared unbounded. But it was the best way to work round it. Any strider she could get would be too recognisble.

She used the fact that she rode behind to examine what could be taken. Every hunter had a bow or spear, but many were personalised. If they were stolen, she wouldn't be able to sell them easily. More generic items were key, but they were hidden in the many bags brought with them. She would have to be careful with what to take as well - she wouldn't be able to make a quick getaway with this horse. Stealing a horse, however, was too much. This stealing thing was hard.


"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

By the time they reached the lake, Merevaika had made a decision. She would stay and wait until they brought in some hunt. Maybe she could take some of that too. As it would simply be the dead body of an animal, no one would say anything if she brought it into the market to sell - in fact, if she sold it as Merevaika, it would add to the story that she had gone out hunting.

Gebe slowed, turning round nearer her. His horse was sweaty, gasping for breath and obviously exhausted, yet the young man made no move to let him drink from the waters of the lake. "You're the guide, where do we camp?" Merevaika frowned, pulled her cowl up a little more. She clicked her tongue, moving away from the lake. The boy seemed disgruntled, but followed anyway, moving to a section sheltered from the wind by a hill. Making a sign to show him that this was where to camp, she stepped away from them. Gebe stared at her, angry, "But the lake?" was all he managed to say.

Flood, animals drink. Not good. She shook her head, sliding off her horse. The kids listened to her, albeit reluctantly, and started to unpack. She let them take their positions, centred around a central campfire. She moved to a spot towards the side, still near them, but far enough to be considered separate. She was separate.

"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"