The Thief ((OPEN))

[Promatera]

The performance Bon Vaygan had put on seemed to act as an ice breaker as the mood seemed noticeably less tense. Leaning back in the hay Bon Vaygan waited for Nik's laughing bout to end. As he munched on the carrot he tuned in to the rain just outside. It was still pouring with little sign of letting up.

"Oi, Kirk," he began. "Where yew from?"

Bon Vaygan figured this was coming. He had after all already asked a personal question about Nik. However, he was surprised that it sounded as though he actually wanted to know. He thought for a moment as he contemplated the consequences of divulging his home. He honestly had nothing to hide and Nik seemed to be a good beast so he wasn't really worried of thievery. Though if Nik ever found out who Bon Vaygan really is he may pay for it, but what were the chances of that?

"I live, but a few miles to the west of this barn. It's little more than a day's journey." he replied. "There is a dead tree nearby a stream. I live in a burrow beneath it, may not sound like much, but I have made several improvements on it that I am quite proud of."

Almost immidiately Bon Vaygan began to regret saying where he really lived, but for some reason he felt at ease with Nik. Whether or not it was misplaced was yet to be seen.

"What about you?" 'Kirk' added. "I imagine you don't live far from here."

[Django]

"I live, but a few miles to the west of this barn. It's little more than a day's journey." he replied. "There is a dead tree nearby a stream. I live in a burrow beneath it, may not sound like much, but I have made several improvements on it that I am quite proud of."

Nik nodded politely, lacing his fingers behind his head again. The weasel seemed to be speaking the truth, and it really didn't matter if it was a lie. Heck, Nik didn't even know if Kirk was the weasel's real name. But, seeing as the two would simply part ways for good after the storm let up, Nik couldn't care less. The question had merely been sound to break an uncomfortable silence that would have inevitably settled between them.

"What about you?" 'Kirk' added. "I imagine you don't live far from here."

Nik chuckled. "Live?" he repeated. "The Guosim tribe live, a'right, but we call all of Mossflower home. Don't got no burrow or hut or house to stay in. We got tents, sure, but mostly fer th' wives, elders, an' liddle'uns." He didn't know if he could call the Guosim a nomadic tribe, since they kept to Mossflower woodland. They just never settled in one spot for long.

[Promatera]

Nik chuckled. "Live?" he repeated. "The Guosim tribe live, a'right, but we call all of Mossflower home. Don't got no burrow or hut or house to stay in. We got tents, sure, but mostly fer th' wives, elders, an' liddle'uns."

Well that was interesting. Bon Vaygan could not imagine having such little shelter, but that was beside the point. Though if they slept indoors, they would not be so easy to steal from.

"I see," 'Kirk' replied. He was running out of things to say and the storm continued to rage. He thought for a moment and remembered a rumor he had heard whispered throughout Mossflower."So have you heard of the most recent vermin horde to plague Mossflower?"

Hordes were nothing new to Mossflower, but Bon Vaygan always had to stay extra cautious as they pillaged. Hordes were dangerous times for vermin, possibly more so than the good beasts. Not only were vermin often conscripted into hordes, but for a deserter like him it meant even more trouble. If Nik knew anything about the horde, it would do him a lot of good.

[Django]

"So have you heard of the most recent vermin horde to plague Mossflower?"

Nik nodded. "Aye," he replied. "I heard of 'em, but I won't believe it 'til I see it." He'd heard several 'rumors' about menacing vermin hordes on the rampage in Mossflower country, but the stories were usually stretched at best. If the horde was real this time, Nik would be first in line to risk life and limb to protect those he loved.

"I don't know how strong it is," the shrew went on. "All's I know is, it's ne'er good when vermin git t'gether." He glanced at Kirk. "Bad vermin, least'aways."

((Rrgh . . . shorty!!!))

[Promatera]

"Aye," he replied. "I heard of 'em, but I won't believe it 'til I see it."

Bon Vaygan agreed, but he really did not want to take any chances. The last thing he wanted was to be pulled into the horde. He had already risked his life escaping a previous horde and it would not bode well if things were repeated.

"I don't know how strong it is," the shrew went on. "All's I know is, it's ne'er good when vermin git t'gether." He glanced at Kirk. "Bad vermin, least'aways."

Bon Vaygan appreciated the separation from other vermin. "You are probably right," 'Kirk' agreed. "It would be foolish to say otherwise. Which means it would probably be in my best interest to disappear for a while. I have had some bad experiences with hordes."

The memory of losing his tail flashed in his head before he stowed it away. He quickly grabbed a loaf of bread from his bag and chewed on it to help push the memory away.

Outside it was growing darker as the afternoon turned to evening. The rain continued to pound away and the thunder still roared through the sky. A chill began to drift into the barn.

"The storm will not let up!" 'Kirk' spoke clearly irritated. "It may be best to close the barn door," he added getting up towards the door. "I would try and start a fire, but with all this wood and hay about..."

[Django]

"You are probably right," 'Kirk' agreed. "It would be foolish to say otherwise. Which means it would probably be in my best interest to disappear for a while. I have had some bad experiences with hordes."

Nik nodded. "I know th' feelin'," he replied. He recalled getting half of his own tail lopped off by vermin. It was not his most cherished memory. "But I cain't jus' dis'ppear while a horde raids me home. I got th' Guosim t' protect." But he didn't expect a loner like Kirk to understand what it truly meant to be in a tribe like the Guosim.

"The storm will not let up!" 'Kirk' spoke clearly irritated. "It may be best to close the barn door," he added getting up towards the door. "I would try and start a fire, but with all this wood and hay about..."

Nik stood and aided the weasel in closing the big barn doors. The doors shut, Nik scoffed. "Ye be afeard a' liddle fire startin', eh?" he joked, sauntering back into the barn. "Have ye e'en touched th' wood in this place?" He brushed a paw against the damp, moldy boards of the barn. "S'long as it's small, ye have nothin' t' be afeard of. All th' rain this past spring made th' barn wetter'n this downpour. 'Sides, all th' hay an' wood be fuel. F'it catches fire accidentally, t'row it on your fire." Obviously, Nik was not in the least bit concerned about a fire. Besides, the floor was mostly dirt by now. They just needed to find a good spot away from most of the rotting wood . . . like that one.

"How 'bout over yonder?" he suggested, pointing to a spot where the floorboards had caved in. A hole in the planks revealed a shallow alcove which was lined with dust, dirt, and debris. And maybe a few rocks here and there.

[Promatera]

"I know th' feelin'," he replied."But I cain't jus' dis'ppear while a horde raids me home. I got th' Guosim t' protect."

Bon Vaygan was impressed by Nik's noble stance on the issue. Although Bon Vaygan had not had anyone to protect in years, he wondered if he would do the same. Now was not the time to think about that though, they needed to do something about the draft.

Nik stood and aided the weasel in closing the big barn doors. The doors shut, Nik scoffed. "Ye be afeard a' liddle fire startin', eh?" he joked, sauntering back into the barn. "Have ye e'en touched th' wood in this place?" He brushed a paw against the damp, moldy boards of the barn. "S'long as it's small, ye have nothin' t' be afeard of. All th' rain this past spring made th' barn wetter'n this downpour. 'Sides, all th' hay an' wood be fuel. F'it catches fire accidentally, t'row it on your fire."

Appreciative of the help Bon Vaygan agreed with Nik's idea to start a fire. Though he did not like the snarky tone of his answer, Bon Vaygan just fixed his cap and let it go.

"Very well then, where should the fire go?" 'Nik' asked looking about the barn.

"How 'bout over yonder?" he suggested, pointing to a spot where the floorboards had caved in.

As the damp air settled in the barn, Bon Vaygan just wanted to get the fire started.

"Looks absolutely perfect," he responded hastily as rubbed his paws together for warmth, "now let's get the fire started shall we? Do you have any tinder or flint?"

[Django]

"Looks absolutely perfect," he responded hastily as rubbed his paws together for warmth, "now let's get the fire started shall we? Do you have any tinder or flint?"

But Nik was already one step ahead of the weasel. He had gathered a few armfuls of hay and rotted wood and was striking the flint already. In no time at all, the shrew had started a nice warm fire. It wasn't exactly roaring, per say, but it was enough for two beasts.

As he sat down to enjoy the warmth, Nik vaguely wondered how much time had passed since the start of his failed patrol. Were any of the Guosim shrews looking for him and the others by now? Probably not. The rain would keep every beast beneath some kind of shelter until it passed. Besides, they knew Guosim patrols lasted for a couple of days most of the time.

A loud burst of thunder snapped him out of his reverie. He wasn't falling asleep, but he was a little tired. But he had to stay alert in case this Kirk character tried anything. Though he was entertaining, the weasel couldn't be trusted. At least not just yet. Though Nik was pretty sure the time to trust the weasel would never come.

To break the silence, Nik ventured a question, "'Ow come ye be worried 'bout a vermin 'orde, ennyways? Ye be a vermin, eh? Won't they jus' ignore ye? Or ye afeard t' be enlisted?" He said that last question mostly as a joke, but he really didn't know (or care) what happened to so-called neutral vermin when a horde invaded.

[Promatera]

Nik proved to be quite resourceful as he took the initiative and quickly started on setting up a small fire. It was not large, but it provided plenty of warmth for two beasts.

"Nice job there Nik," 'Kirk' smiled as he sat close to the fire and began warming his paws.

As he sat warming himself a blast of thunder could be heard amidst the constant patter of rain. He jumped a little at the sound of it. He could not remember the last time he had seen a storm this bad.

Suddenly breaking the silence Nik spoke. "'Ow come ye be worried 'bout a vermin 'orde, ennyways? Ye be a vermin, eh? Won't they jus' ignore ye? Or ye afeard t' be enlisted?"

Bon Vaygan sighed. He knew this question was going to come sooner or later. Even though it was a bad experience, he felt telling it would at least be somewhat entertaining.

"Well it's something of a long tale, but I trust you won't go off and warn the hordes about me," he chuckled, "but I am a 'former' horde beast." He paused to let the information sink in.

"Terrible I know," he added, "It was one of the worst decisions of my life, but I was naive and in a desperate spot."

He sighed and began again, "I deserted during the night of my first raid, but I was caught. Thankfully I got lucky and was able to escape with my life, losing only my tail and part of my ear. I may have gotten away, but I still believe they are out there searching for me to finish me off."

Bon Vaygan suddenly got the chills thinking of beasts lurking about trying to do him in. "It's a silly thought, but you can never be too careful," he added. "Now of course obviously conscription is also something I would want to avoid, usually hordes resort to recruiting anybeast at some point," he chuckled. "Does that about answer your question?"

Bon Vaygan carefully glanced over other checkered spots of his past, that he figured would be best avoided all together. Although at this point, he was just curious to see how the shrew would react with this piece of information.

[Django]

". . . Does that about answer your question?"

Nik didn't reply for awhile. It wasn't because the tale had been particularly too long. One thing, and really one thing only, had struck a chord with him. Kirk had lost his tail to vermin, just as Nik had lost his. Rather strange coincidence.

"So, ye got ye tail lopped off, too?" he said finally, not knowing why that particular part of Kirk's story had stuck out to him so. They had both lost their tails, big deal. But Nik's brain wouldn't let it go. Leaning back, the shrew found he actually had received the entire story quite well, as indifferent as he was to Kirk's general well-being.

Nik hadn't noticed the missing tail on the weasel, even when Kirk had been prancing around like a mad beast in his performance earlier. The shrew kept telling himself it didn't matter, but he just couldn't leave it be.

((Sorry, you typed a lot. And it's really hard to copy/paste on an iPad. XD But the part about the tails was too freaky to go unnoticed.))

[Promatera]

There was a bit of a silence before Nik responded again. Bon Vaygan was curious as to what this meant. He had half expected Nik to recoil in horror, but instead he just sat there slightly dumbfounded. After what seemed like an eternity, Nik finally looked at Bon Vaygan and responded.

"So, ye got ye tail lopped off, too?"

Now it was Bon Vaygan's turn to be completely surprised. Nik had lost his tail too? He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed. This was definitely an interesting development.

"Well yes," he replied, "would have been my head if I didn't move fast enough." He then began to stand up and swept aside his cape-there was only a small stump where a tail should be. "The cape does a great job of hiding it," he chuckled, "Never thought I'd have this in common with anotherbeast."

His interest piqued, Bon Vaygan decided to carry on this conversation.

"So how did your tail come to its fate?" he asked in good humor.

[Django]

Nik smirked as Kirk displayed his stump of a tail. It amused him to see a vermin who had received this kind of treatment from another vermin. They just didn't get along with any beast, did they?

"So how did your tail come to its fate?" he asked in good humor.

Nik stood and turned his back to the weasel, showing the short, furry appendage that was all that was left of his own tail. "Vermin gang," the shrew replied simply. Spinning on his heel, he sat down again, memories rushing back to him in a flood. Somehow, whenever his tail was brought up, he couldn't help but think of . . . her.

Shoving the painful thoughts away, he cleared his throat, swallowing the sudden emotion that had welled up in his throat. "T'were a big fight," he went on, hoping that talking would ease the memories. "Me firs' patrol, actually. Big rat pinned me agin a tree and took 'alf me tail." He chuckled. "So I took 'is head." The satisfaction and thrill of his first kill returned, putting a wide grin on his scarred face.

((Okay, sorry for the half-hearted post. I know it's extremely late, too. But, I'm just letting you know, I'm in the process of sketching Nik and Bon Vaygen, since Bon Vaygen is such a fun character!))

[Promatera]

It was true. Nik had no tail. Bon Vaygan leaned back, quite amused that of all the creatures he would share the barn with, it would be a shrew who had also lost his tail.

"Vermin gang," the shrew replied simply.

Of course it was vermin that did it. Never seemed to do any good in the world. No wonder he hated his kind. Before he could continue his thoughts of misanthropy, however, he noticed a flash of sadness on Nik's rough face. It was only a flash, however, and he quickly continued.

"T'were a big fight," he went on, hoping that talking would ease the memories. "Me firs' patrol, actually. Big rat pinned me agin a tree and took 'alf me tail." He chuckled. "So I took 'is head." The satisfaction and thrill of his first kill returned, putting a wide grin on his scarred face.

"Impressive," 'Kirk' replied, grinning. If Nik had struck down any other beast the way he had, Bon Vaygan would have been quite concerned with the almost sadistic look of satisfaction on his face, but it was only a rat, no big loss. Though there was something Nik might have skipped over judging by his earlier expression. He was still impressed, however, and was gladder still to be on Nik's good side.

"If that was only your first patrol, I wouldn't dare imagine the others," he replied chuckling. Just then a blast of thunder roared through the sky, causing Bon Vaygan to jolt upright in slight surprise.

[Django]

"Impressive," 'Kirk' replied, grinning.

"Fah," Nik scoffed, feigning modestly. "T'weren't nut'in." He chuckled, settling back. At least he wasn't all choked up. Oh, curse it, there she was again, in his mind, all happy and smiling . . . Nik shoved her away, brutally reminding himself that she was dead. He had to clear his throat again. Just keep talking, Nik. Easy, there. "Uh, yeh, big stupid brute ovva rat 'e was."

"If that was only your first patrol, I wouldn't dare imagine the others," he replied chuckling.

Nik smiled, his eyes downcast. He made to reply when thunder roared across the sky, accompanied by a bright flash of lightning that lit up the entire barn. In that instant, everything turned an electric shade of blue, halfway in shadows from the blinding light. Nik rubbed his eyes of the after-images when it was over.

"Blasted weather," he muttered. "I should'a been long back by now." More thunder rumbled overhead, and the shrew glared up at the decaying roof of the barn. "Ah, shuddup, will ye?" As if in answer, another thunderbolt lit up the barn, and Nik harrumphed. "Fine then, roar away 'til ye wear yeself out." Just keep talking, and you'll be just fine, Nik.

[Promatera]

After the thunder had died down, Nik looked like he was just about to respond when, a great jolt of lightning flashed through the sky, lighting the inside of the barn in a light blue. Bon Vaygan was amazed. He had never seen anything like it. However, for some reason, he felt frightened.

"Blasted weather," he muttered. "I should'a been long back by now."

Thunder rumbled once more overhead. Bon Vaygan jumped. His fear was rising. Something was wrong. Very very wrong.

"Ah, shuddup, will ye?"

Bon Vaygan was about to point out the futility of such a question, when lightning flashed through the barn once more. He jumped again and began to tremble. His good humor had completely vanished and panic had taken its place. As the light began to fade away, it finally dawned on him what was occurring. Several weeks after his depressive state, he would experience a period of extreme excitement before receding to his apathetic state once more. Normally this was not so bad except he was still a day away from home. In his depression he would never leave.

Thunder boomed overhead and this time Bon Vaygan jumped to his feet. Just then he remembered a trick he used to stave off his regression. Food. Eating. He had learned this while out and about several years ago. It would only be temporary, but it could be just enough to outlast the storm so he could make a dash for home.

Without a second to spare he darted back to his hay stack. His rapier lay on top of the food sack, shifted after he got up to close the door, and in his haste he tossed it behind him. Instantly regretting that move he turned around to grab it, but it was too late. The rapier was in the open. A look of absolute horror stretched across his face.

[Django]

Nik watched the frantic weasel rush to the haystack and begin rummaging through his pack. Apparently, he was having a food emergency of some sort. Nik turned to the dying fire. He got up and ripped a board out of the alcove in which he sat, tossing it onto the embers.

A clattering noise caught his attention, and he turned back to the weasel. He froze. There on the floor lay a distinct Guosim rapier. In an instant, the shrew knew exactly whose it was, and whose it wasn't. Quickly hoisting himself out of the alcove, he snatched up the blade, a look of absolute rage distorting his scarred features. He brought out his own rapier and slowly began advancing on the weasel.

"Where'd yew git this pritty blade, Kirk?" he asked, brandishing the dual blades menacingly. "Surely ye didn't git it from one o' me mates. 'Cause I'd hate t' 'ave t' 'urt ye over a liddle thing like theft, mate." He paused as if in thought. "Oh, wait, no I wouldn't." He lunged at Kirk, pinning the weasel against the barn wall with one blade beneath the vermin's chin, the other poised over his heart.

"So, 'Kirk'," he spat out the name like a rotten piece of food. "Won't ye tells ol' Nik where yew found this rapier?" He flicked the stolen blade at the fur on the weasel's chin. "'Cause I'd dearly love t' know."

((Great idea for some conflict! I'm sorry if this seems like power-playing, I can change it if you want me to. Nik is extremely quick to anger.))

[Promatera]

Bon Vaygan was about to move towards the blade, but it was too late. Nik had noticed and as realization dawned on the shrew, a tremble shook his frame. He had been found out. His carelessness had ruined his chances of safely leaving the barn.

"Where'd yew git this pritty blade, Kirk?" he asked, brandishing the dual blades menacingly. "Surely ye didn't git it from one o' me mates. 'Cause I'd hate t' 'ave t' 'urt ye over a liddle thing like theft, mate." He paused as if in thought. "Oh, wait, no I wouldn't." He lunged at Kirk, pinning the weasel against the barn wall with one blade beneath the vermin's chin, the other poised over his heart.

Blast! He had not expected Nik to turn on him so quickly. Weaponless and backed into a wall, he was in a perilous situations. Though he had been in tight spots before, he still had not yet grown used to them. He liked that though. Every time things took a turn for the worst, that was when they always got the most exciting. He loved excitement, especially now that he was in such a touchy state. The paranoia and anxiety he felt moments before was now being washed away in a flood of endorphins. In its place, Bon Vaygan now felt a euphoric rush travel through every vein within him. He would shortly be reduced to a withering sack of life, but until then, he was going to enjoy himself.

"So, 'Kirk'," he spat out the name like a rotten piece of food. "Won't ye tells ol' Nik where yew found this rapier?" He flicked the stolen blade at the fur on the weasel's chin. "'Cause I'd dearly love t' know."

Now at blade point, Bon Vaygan knew full well his life was in danger, but was enjoying the moment. Excited he began to grin. "Well, my friend," he replied slowly taking his paw and pushing the blade under his chin lower, "we have both kept things hidden, I am sure, and I am sorry to say that this was one of them!" He chuckled as his euphoric rush was now making him a bold beast. However, being backed against his corner was not to his advantage. He needed to find a way out.

"To answer your question, however," he added leaning back against the wall to put some distance between him and the blade, "as you are probably well aware, I did steal that rapier." There was no point in lying so he told the honest truth.

"I have to say I could not help myself," he added putting his paw to the tip of the blade at his heart, "they are very well crafted. Also in the future make sure the greener Guosim know that sleeping on the job makes a thief's job far too easy." He chuckled again. In his state of euphoria he had abandoned most of his caution and sense.

[Django]

Excited he began to grin. "Well, my friend," he replied slowly taking his paw and pushing the blade under his chin lower, "we have both kept things hidden, I am sure, and I am sorry to say that this was one of them!"

Nik shoved the blade back up with another growl, giving Kirk a small cut on his jaw line. "Yew ain't no friend a' mine!" the shrew snarled, anger blazing in his eyes.

"To answer your question, however," he added leaning back against the wall to put some distance between him and the blade, "as you are probably well aware, I did steal that rapier."

"Yeh, I'm aware, a'right, ye filthy vermin," Nik spat, pressing his stocky bulk forward against Kirk as he brought the blades in even closer. "Now wipe that idiotic grin off yore face an' talk, d*mn you!"

"I have to say I could not help myself," he added putting his paw to the tip of the blade at his heart, "they are very well crafted. Also in the future make sure the greener Guosim know that sleeping on the job makes a thief's job far too easy." He chuckled again.

With one swift movement, Nik drove the tip of the stolen rapier into the wood of the barn, right next to Kirk's cheek. When he spoke, his voice was low and strained, seething with fury. "If yew hurt any Guosim shrew, whatever you did to them I'll do the same to you tenfold!!"

[Promatera]

With one swift movement, Nik drove the tip of the stolen rapier into the wood of the barn, right next to Kirk's cheek. When he spoke, his voice was low and strained, seething with fury. "If yew hurt any Guosim shrew, whatever you did to them I'll do the same to you tenfold!!"

Flinching slightly, Bon Vaygan began to wipe the blood that had formed along his jaw. Despite his surprise he continued to grin. He could not stop even if he wanted to; not in his manic state. "No need to fret," he replied looking Nik straight in the eye, "t'was years ago, and I never harmed the beast. I prefer a passive, quiet approach to theft. Mugging is for the vermin you mistake me for."

Even in the face of death his pride got the better of him. However, he was not stupid. Diplomacy was not an option, he needed to escape. However, he was not leaving without that blade. In Mossflower, a lone traveler without a weapon was as good as dead. Bon Vaygan quickly thought up his options. Nik was without a doubt a deadly beast and Bon Vaygan knew he would be stupid to underestimate him in anyway.

Realizing he may need some more time, he figured it would be wise to keep Nik talking. "I am sorry," he spoke placing his hind leg on the wall, "but desperate times call for desperate measures." An idea suddenly struck him as he finished, but it would be very risky. As euphoric as he was though, he was willing to do anything.

[Django]

"No need to fret," he replied looking Nik straight in the eye, "t'was years ago, and I never harmed the beast. I prefer a passive, quiet approach to theft. Mugging is for the vermin you mistake me for."

"Mistake?" Nik repeated scornfully. "I didn't mistake yew for a vermin, ye rotten thief! Yew are a d*mned vermin!" Though the shrew was relieved to hear that no fellow Guosim had been hurt, he was still infuriated. And he was most dangerous when he was infuriated.

"I am sorry," he spoke placing his hind leg on the wall, "but desperate times call for desperate measures."

"Yew ain't sorry, ye liar!" Nik snarled. He let go of the rapier buried in the wood and curled his paw into a fist. Without a second thought, he rammed his knuckles into Kirk's eye forcefully, letting out another savage growl.

Theft was little reason to kill the weasel, but that didn't mean Nik was going to let him go without a few bruises. Pulling his fist away, he shook the blood off, pointed teeth bared threateningly. He still held one blade to Kirk's throat, but there was no way he was letting go of it. It was his, and he'd drive it between the weasel's ribs before he'd let Kirk steal it.