Digging up bones (open)
Dec 4, 2011 18:52:11 GMT -5
Post by Kingly on Dec 4, 2011 18:52:11 GMT -5
I've managed to shut her up for a second, but she's the rebellious type. It doesn't take long for her to ask me, "Why didn't you?"
I think it's more directed to my statement of how I didn't leave her to get lost. I must think, what would a peace keeper say? What would a heartless captain who executes for fun say? Well, I don't have to play the evil angle. She wasn't on the train.
"Because I was a recruit once too."
The remainder of our trip is in total silence as we walk through the lines of unusual Capitol decorations. I have to wonder how these people afford all this crap. Jewels in the skin, gold clothing, more trinkets than braincells, where do they get this money? Surely everyone can't be overly rich here. There has to be some common sense people. Unless... they borrow money. But from who? Or where? This could use some investigation.
Before I know it we're at the tailor, a huge glowing sign hanging above the sidewalk says it. So it is still here. She says a few things, which I ignore completely. It's kind of nice to be rid of her, but before she leaves, she holds up a wrist device thingy.
"Number 4278...if you want to get a hold of me...." she states. Is that her number? Sorry girl, not interested. Got other things on my mind. She seems generally interested in me. The feeling isn't mutual.
"Remember what I said, and you'll make it through your tour without much trouble."
I turn away from her and head down the street. When I was young I heard my parents talking about pulling a loan from something called a "bank". I just have to find this, "bank" and get a "loan". I could use the money to refill my supply of valuables. Or just go straight to the jewel shop, see what I can take.
I wander the streets for a while, "bumping" into people once in a while when the opportunity arises. I've already snagged a couple necklaces, trinkets, and some rings. It's amazing what people keep in their purses or bags. But I eventually find a shop with jewels, took me long enough. It has a big glowing ring above it's entrance. Kind of obvious. I enter inside and find the building empty aside from the person completely passed out behind the counter. They must really trust people here in the capitol, there's several necklaces on display. I look at them, carefully inspecting their metals. They're definitely real.
"Looking for something?"
I turn to the woman who woke up from behind the counter. Her cheekbones and inlaid with rubies to match her red cheeks.
"Just browsing." I say casually.
"On leave from duty?" she asks. Uh oh. What does that mean? I need to act like I know what I'm doing.
"Of course. It's been a while since I've come home."
She nods, "Yeah, my brother is serving in six. He takes leave in a few weeks. So whatcha lookin' for? Something special for a special someone?"
"You could say that." I say casually, "But I don't have much on me at the moment."
She shrugs, "Then I'll bill the peacekeepers, they'll take it from your account."
"Fair enough." I answer. This is easier than I thought. She motions me to come around back, and I do. She brings me into a back room with a vast display of precious metal trinkets. There's enough here to feed a half a town for a month. She unlocks a display case and begins to list off a couple expensive metal items, I just nod and seem interested. But as she goes on, the bell that signals the front door opening rings. She excuses herself and goes to help the new entry. I'm alone with all this wealth.
I'm not greedy, but I need to replenish my stash for uses. I go around the room to different boxes and take small amounts. A ring from this box, a necklace from another. A few silver, gold, white gold, pins and broaches. It's not much, but my backpack is about three quarters full. Better than the one third full it once was. It still hides neatly under my cloak. I quickly reorganize the room back to how it was before I swiped somethings from it. I pick a nice copper necklace from the display just as the woman re enters.
"You want that old thing?"
I turn to her, "Yes, why?"
She rolls her eyes, "I haven't been able to sell that thing for years. You know what, take it. I don't care."
I nod respectfully as I walk out of the store. She didn't even notice my extra takings.
I make a quick beeline for the train station, I want out of here. It takes me a few hours to navigate the city, got lost several times. But I find directions from some street signs and soon I'm close to the station. I can see its walls down the street. I'm almost out of this place and back on the rails for the districts. But as I get close, I hear someone call my rank. Several heads turn, but then resume their paths. They don't recognize the voice, I do. I see Strong approaching me.
"Dammit" is all I mutter.
I think it's more directed to my statement of how I didn't leave her to get lost. I must think, what would a peace keeper say? What would a heartless captain who executes for fun say? Well, I don't have to play the evil angle. She wasn't on the train.
"Because I was a recruit once too."
The remainder of our trip is in total silence as we walk through the lines of unusual Capitol decorations. I have to wonder how these people afford all this crap. Jewels in the skin, gold clothing, more trinkets than braincells, where do they get this money? Surely everyone can't be overly rich here. There has to be some common sense people. Unless... they borrow money. But from who? Or where? This could use some investigation.
Before I know it we're at the tailor, a huge glowing sign hanging above the sidewalk says it. So it is still here. She says a few things, which I ignore completely. It's kind of nice to be rid of her, but before she leaves, she holds up a wrist device thingy.
"Number 4278...if you want to get a hold of me...." she states. Is that her number? Sorry girl, not interested. Got other things on my mind. She seems generally interested in me. The feeling isn't mutual.
"Remember what I said, and you'll make it through your tour without much trouble."
I turn away from her and head down the street. When I was young I heard my parents talking about pulling a loan from something called a "bank". I just have to find this, "bank" and get a "loan". I could use the money to refill my supply of valuables. Or just go straight to the jewel shop, see what I can take.
I wander the streets for a while, "bumping" into people once in a while when the opportunity arises. I've already snagged a couple necklaces, trinkets, and some rings. It's amazing what people keep in their purses or bags. But I eventually find a shop with jewels, took me long enough. It has a big glowing ring above it's entrance. Kind of obvious. I enter inside and find the building empty aside from the person completely passed out behind the counter. They must really trust people here in the capitol, there's several necklaces on display. I look at them, carefully inspecting their metals. They're definitely real.
"Looking for something?"
I turn to the woman who woke up from behind the counter. Her cheekbones and inlaid with rubies to match her red cheeks.
"Just browsing." I say casually.
"On leave from duty?" she asks. Uh oh. What does that mean? I need to act like I know what I'm doing.
"Of course. It's been a while since I've come home."
She nods, "Yeah, my brother is serving in six. He takes leave in a few weeks. So whatcha lookin' for? Something special for a special someone?"
"You could say that." I say casually, "But I don't have much on me at the moment."
She shrugs, "Then I'll bill the peacekeepers, they'll take it from your account."
"Fair enough." I answer. This is easier than I thought. She motions me to come around back, and I do. She brings me into a back room with a vast display of precious metal trinkets. There's enough here to feed a half a town for a month. She unlocks a display case and begins to list off a couple expensive metal items, I just nod and seem interested. But as she goes on, the bell that signals the front door opening rings. She excuses herself and goes to help the new entry. I'm alone with all this wealth.
I'm not greedy, but I need to replenish my stash for uses. I go around the room to different boxes and take small amounts. A ring from this box, a necklace from another. A few silver, gold, white gold, pins and broaches. It's not much, but my backpack is about three quarters full. Better than the one third full it once was. It still hides neatly under my cloak. I quickly reorganize the room back to how it was before I swiped somethings from it. I pick a nice copper necklace from the display just as the woman re enters.
"You want that old thing?"
I turn to her, "Yes, why?"
She rolls her eyes, "I haven't been able to sell that thing for years. You know what, take it. I don't care."
I nod respectfully as I walk out of the store. She didn't even notice my extra takings.
I make a quick beeline for the train station, I want out of here. It takes me a few hours to navigate the city, got lost several times. But I find directions from some street signs and soon I'm close to the station. I can see its walls down the street. I'm almost out of this place and back on the rails for the districts. But as I get close, I hear someone call my rank. Several heads turn, but then resume their paths. They don't recognize the voice, I do. I see Strong approaching me.
"Dammit" is all I mutter.
