Lyin' Thieves! Bah, Humbug![Flashback][[Rhu]]

[Canali]

Spring
Day 20
Year 508 AV

The air smelled like salt. Waves crashed lightly against the pier, spraying foam and sloshing blue water. The light slapping noise echoed that of bare feet running over cement, constant and not always a welcoming noise. Boats tied to the dock drifted lazily with the waves; up, then down, up, down. A slow, rocking motion.

People mingled upon the surprisingly new boards of the Cherry Bay pier. Crowded and cramped to no belief, though. Lined with merchants shouting words to passersby and flailing like carp out of water. Ordered chaos. Sailors traveled gangplanks from ships to the pier. Not always, but usually, hands full of items to sell, whether it be alive or non-living.

Ships, boats, sailing vessels of all types lined the pier. Ropes of all types connected them to a post. Netting for the cheaper boats. Most had an under level of some sort. The bigger ships were farther out, likely to keep from beaching themselves. Sails flapped noisily in the wind. Those that weren't tied down, that is.

Somewhere, high above, a bird cawed. Humans moved quickly through the crowd, never meeting one another's eyes for more than a few seconds. This was Sunberth, after all. Bumping into someone could cause a 'chance' meeting in a dark alley later the same day. Why give someone the chance to memorize your face?

Canali browsed through the market quite slowly compared to the others. Truthfully, she was looking for herbs to cook with; perhaps a couple new ingredients also. If it was possible, mayhap a drawing pad and pencils. It had been awhile since Canali had doodled and, truthfully, she missed seeing the scrawled lines connect to recreate a picture.

Under hawk-like eyes, objects were picked up by steady hands and glanced over. Few things were graced with a second feel; a closer examination. Nothing was bought, and she would stride onto the next one. Hesitation floated to the surface at a stand with pendants. It didn't last long once she realized the merchant was eyeing her own pendant. This went on for several cycles.

"You thief! She stole from me!" a merchant cried, bony finger pointed straight towards Canali, who stood wide-eyed as several dirty looks were tossed her way. The seller had a pendant stand. Canali would never stoop to stealing! Especially something she already had.

[Hawkins]

So rare was it that Hawkins found his way into the markets while the tide was out. Being able to walk through the narrows was a feat in itself. So he glided about, hands swinging at his side with his peculiar, sailor-like cant goading the strangest of looks from the common spectators. Not that they minded so much. All manner of peculiar activities were to be had at the docks, especially so early in the day. The gazes did not last long. Most of the consumers were all eager consumers, hunting from stall to stall in search of the odd, unique items the merchants here peddled so often. Little did they know most of the merchandise was fake. Or forged. Or stolen. Did they even care? Most likely not. Hawkins didn't. In fact, that just made it all the more interesting. It was the jewelry that caught his eye this time. He stopped for a moment, reached up, and adjusted his hat. The light, open leather coat he wore fluttered behind him as he sped ahead, thick boots clomping against the wooden platform in the advance. When he stopped he rested one hand on the hilt of his blade, the other held out and aloft as if he was taking a great deal of interest in the pendants. Huh. And what was that? Thief? Where? Hawkins spun. Ah, there! A girl. He glanced from the merchant to the accused. Why would she ware something she stole? Stupid girl. With a shrug, Hawkins took advantage of the man's withdrawn attention and swiped one of the pendants nearby. He slipped the item into his pocket and stepped forward, both hands rising into the air, palms stretched outward as if he made to calm the fellow. "Ah, ah, relax m'friend. What sort of stupid thief wares something they just stole, eh? Hawkins offered the man a slight grin and stepped in front of the girl, his own body now keeping her from the merchant's view. Out of sight, out of mind. It was amazing how often that actually worked. "Maybe she already had her own pendant? A common thing. Pendants. Wouldn't want the other thieves about to know you're an easy mark, would ya? Best keep that trap shut." Hawkins winked. The merchant balked. Did that really work? Wow. With a shrug, the sailor turned about and issued the girl away from the stall. He made his own egress before the fellow could say much of anything himself. And just where were they headed? Who cared.

[Canali]

Confusion passed through Canali. She glanced around, trying to see if a crowd had gathered to watch her be accused of stealing. Why would she steal something she already had? Though it would make sense to say she stole it, if there was already one around her neck.

Canali would never steal in her life. Why take something when Karma would bite back sooner or later? Even living in Sunberth, she tried to believe the best in people; even if she knew their pasts. Almost everyone deserved a second chance.

One hand slid up to her pendant; shining black in the sunlight. The rim of it was red, on a golden chain.

A man stepped up in front of her, and Canali sighed lightly in relief. She shrunk behind him, trying to seem as small as possible for the moment. His words, though, surprised her. What sort of person stepped up to defend another in this city? Well.. She would, but besides that!

Her cheeks were flushed red in embarrassment. The feeling of stares upon her back only made her uncomfortable and want to shift to avoid them. Waves of disdain practically radiated from certain people. Most likely the thieves who could no longer steal from this merchant.

Canali allowed herself to be ushered away. Truthfully, she wasn't planning on sticking around anyways! No words flooded from her mouth as they walked and she didn't try to run away, either.

One person ran into her shoulder, and she winced slightly, but kept walking with her head high. Her skirt flowed around her knees, barely stilled by the leggings, and the jacket she wore today was pitch black; concealing the red tank underneath.

Though she probably shouldn't, Canali stopped for a moment and slid her shoes off. There were bound to be slivers in her feet later. Tucking them into her hand, she lazily swung them back and forth as they walked.


Still, no words came from her lips.