RP:Mon Petit
Part of the Vakmatharas' Jar Arc
Summary: A thief gets caught after a successful couple of weeks on her part, or should I say his part? Brennia promises pays off this scary thug with food and a business proposition.
Student Advisory Office
Within this section of the college, located on the second floor, the large interior windows and windowed doors look out to the walkway above the first floor of the main hall. Some students are waiting in the area and a professor or two slink into the Professor's Lounge door to the left. Counselor Dewfoot-Barrows sits perched behind her desk and warmly welcoming students just before disappearing into the long hallway behind the barrier of her desk.
Brennia has been meeting with students all day on her day off from lessons and a stack of complains have been piling up. ‘Complains?’ You may ask and I'll tell you this unbelieve thing that's been going on… Students have been reporting that items of jewelry have gone missing and yeah that's not really the college’s problem, but it's how often that is the problem now. Many of them have been blaming other students and a lot of finger pointing has been going on. Before this gets too out of hand Brennia thought that she might as well look into it herself especially since some school items have disappeared as well; like crystal balls, potions of Professor Wittleys class, props from Professor Valios’ store room. At this Brennia has put together that whoever is taking things are only taking things that have a shine to them. A sigh of frustration after the most recent student reports her missing rings and matching necklaces.
Twitch | So much... shiny! Twitch wished she could keep all these beautiful shinies, but alas, a family needed feeding, and she got coppers on the gold for her loot. This place, though... it was a guaranteed payday, and that meant, her family was guaranteed to eat for a day, if she worked here. She couldn't spare remorse for her victims, and it didn't weigh very heavily against the lives of her siblings, anyway. She was sneaking through the hallways, cloaked and cowled, Today, she was going to steal those pretty pearls from that bratty girl, that talked dirty about her friends when she was around her other friends, then talked dirty about those friends around her other other friends! Friends, indeed. She wore them yesterday, but today, they were in her purse. Well, Twitch used a sharp claw to cut that purse in the hallway, and steal them from right out of it. Unfortunately, through a strange twist of fate, on her way away from the scene of the crime, a feather floated on by, and tickled her sensitive little nose. A quiet, muffled, squeaky sneeze could be heard by those listening really closely, for such a thing. She clasped her hands over her mouth, looking around with wide, pink eyes.
Brennia | It was at this choice moment that counselor Dewfoot-Barrows was walking her way past and greeting every student with a, “hello, dear!” Or “afternoon, sunny!” This was a very motherly figure of the school and works hard to protect her little cubs, but the sneeze of Twitch caught the attention of the Hobbit and being close in height the woman stopped a moment. Pulling free a handkerchief she asks, “oh hunny, have you been to the infirmity for that sneeze? I hope it isn't serious! You now there's a plague outbreak over in Chartsend.” Inspecting the mouse carefully she realizes she isn't from the school and the sound of items dropping out of a student back caught her attention as well. Instead of doing anything accusatory she smiles warmly, “you're a new face around here, love.” The sound of panic from the girl she stole from and yelling about missing pearls goes ignored by the counselor, “let us have a look at that sneeze, love.” She waves the newcomer to follow and would lead her to the offices of the college.
Twitch was overheard! She would have flee'd right then and there, but for a few things. One, her victims noticed their misfortune while she was still there, and she'd be noticed and pursued by the whole school, and second, she'd been caught, and she knew it. The very short human lady was giving her a way out from being lynched then and there, at least, and she knew she had little choice but to follow along. So, quietly, trembling, Twitch fell in line behind miss Dewfoot, and scampered on towards her office. Hopefully, she'd have a chance to escape before they turned her into the guard, which she was sure was going to happen... maybe right after they tortured her, and tried to get her to give up the loot. Which was all gone, save for today's own spoils, of course. Nothing lasted when there were so many mouths to feed.
Brennia | With classes starting so soon the crowds cleared quickly, but by this time counselor Dewfoot-Barrows had a gentle hand on the Fermin’s back in hopes to keep her calm and near. Where she was taking her was the main offices to Brennia who was in the hallway of Professor offices beyond her own desk. “May I get a name, deary?” Once she'd get one, real or fake didn't matter and she held the door that says Dean Smyth upon the matte glass window to allow Twitch in first. The counselor introduces the pair and beams a wide smile before mentioning from the door frame, “I think you will find something quite interesting in this one’s possession. I'll be just out here if you need anything.” With a wave to Twitch she closes the door behind her and Brennia sets a cool gaze with liberty blue eyes on Twitch. Remaining seated Brennia leans back in her chair before a warm half smile remains on her lips when that sultry alto timbre asks kindly, “would you mind emptying your bag upon my desk, please?” Don't try the door, it's locked.
Twitch was visibly shaken, but if she knew she couldn't run, she tended to be very obedient when intimidated. To the hobbit lady, she gave a reply of, "T-t-twitch, ma'am." At least the lady hadn't used her position to inflict just violence upon Twitch. She could have. Twitch knew it, and had a measure of respect and gratitude for her for her mercy already. Brennia was a different story. Wings were a trumpet of alarm for the mousey fermin, and her eyes grew wide when she stepped into the office and saw her. She had a nice voice, and was very calm and gentle, though, and that's perhaps the only reason panic didn't take Twitch over then and there. "Y-y-yes ma'am." Clearly very scared, Twitch saw no option but to obey. She took out pouch after pouch, bag after bag, emptied pocket after pocket. Jewelry, gemstones, golden coins. Baubles and trinkets. Accessories, small and valuable. All of it shiny. There was a very impressive pile in front of Brennia by the time Twitch was done, she held nothing back. She'd tried to do so with the were-rats who owned her once, and it hadn't ended well. When she was done, she tried to shrink in on her herself, standing with tail in hand, fidgeting and silent.
Brennia watched all of the stolen goods tumble on out and she suppressed the urge to smile from being impressed. Her expression would be hard to read for a moment while she was humming a soft tune and her bardic magic woven with it to calm her company. Once the bag was emptied she motions to the sofa couch behind Twitch and the cheese, crackers and water on the coffee table near it, “have a seat, I'll be a moment.” Her own office was rather big and also opulent with a few unknown paintings and an unknown statue to which anyone that knows a bit about art would put together the fact that these must be original works by students. There would be whatever Twitch’s favorite scent might be emitting from the avian while the only light in the room was coming from firefly sconces and oil lamps. She sorts through a pile of papers and lays a few on the desk until she soon had a line up of reports, then she matched some of the items that are in Twitch’s possession to each report. She sets the pearls aside for good measure which only leaves a gem or two and some gold which told Brennia that whatever is left was not reported yet or of her own collection. “It has always amazed me how important jewelry and gems could be to people. It is just a thing, no?” She begins while finally looking to Twitch while pulling out something from a drawer in her desk and taking up Twitch’s bag in order to put the un reported items back into it, then she places the pouch she got from her desk into the bag as well. There is gold in that pouch to replace the items Brennia took back. Being six two she towers over the the tiny thief and finally she beams that warm smile down at her. If Twitch took Brennia's offer to sit then the avian would lower to sit next to her while handing her the bag back, “how long have you been amassing such a collection within these halls? If I were to assume, just from reports, it’s been a week?” It has probably been longer, but flattery is flattery.
Twitch blinked. She sat down, and nibbled on cheese and crackers feeling... much more relaxed. She didn't know why she felt that way, but did not wish to fight it, not in the least. She knew how bad her fear could get. That was good fare, she nibbled on. Then, it hit her. That scent. It was the scent of mother. It was safety, and comfort, and love in a single sense. "Collection? Oh, nonono. I--i-is just from today, ma'am." Everyday, she turned in her booty, and much of what she'd stolen hadn't yet been reported, as she had only been operating in the school for about a week or so. She felt drawn to Brennia, and even visibly leaned towards her, heavy lidded, little feets crossed. "I... I l-l-like shiny, but this is t-t-to feed family. I d-d-don't get to keep anything I s-s-steal." It wasn't totally true. She had a little stash of things she hoarded, things that made her feel nice when she looked at them. But most of it was sold for food, as soon as she got back to the sewers. When Brennia sat next to Twitch, the little fermin wasn't even looking at the bag. She immediately melted into Brennia's lap, laying her head down on her leg, and chittering quietly, in a self soothing sort of way. The magic and smell was just a bit too much for the fermin to handle with any measure of grace.
Brennia was only slightly surprised this reaction from the tiny thief and it pulled on her heartstrings, even dubbing her in her own Veretian(French) tongue, “oh mon petit.” She allows Twitch to stay comfortable while gently caressing the back of her hand along Twitch’s back, “I’m going to give my students back their belongings and tell them the awful feline man was sent to the authorities.” If Twitch followed correctly this means that Brennia was going to lie for Twitch and not turn her in or torture her. She was off scot free, but- “I will let you take anything from the kitchens to feed your family as long as you do not steal from this castle anymore.” Her tone was still kind and gentle while she was smiling down at Twitch, “other than that, may I say what an adept little thief you are. I am impressed and, if you are interested, I think I have a job that I would like to employ you for.”
Twitch couldn't believe what she was hearing! Well, she could, but it was because of magic, and felt very strange. The nice lady was going to lie for her, and she wasn't in trouble? More importantly... "Food for the f-f-family?! I have... s-s-seventy siblings to feed. T-t-they're small, but they eat l-l-lots." When they could. Most or all were in some stage of malnutrition and starvation. Even Twitch was. Twitch buried her face in Brennia's leg, to hide it. She wasn't sure she could contain her tears, and didn't want the lady to see them. That smell made her feel so safe... "If you has j-j-job, I can d-d-do it. Especially's for f-f-food for the family." Now, she'd just have to keep appeasing the were-rats to keep them away, if she had a steady supply of food.
Brennia could stop the calming humming at this point because she felt a line of trust has been established and after a few minutes Twitch would be magic free. The avian’s wings were rested behind them on the couch and if Twitch managed to feel them she would find them warm and velvety like a very expensive blanket, “no-no, mon petit. I will give you food to protect your need to take anything from the castle. Other than that with the job I want you to do you will be paid in gold, gems or shiny things,” she wanted to make sure Twitch understood that the protection bribe is separate for the compensation she was giving for the Fermin’s skills. “You have the ability to disappear into the background of this city and not only for your race and height, but because up until this point you've been merely a shadow on the wall given your skill.” In the illuminating oil lamps Twitch would be able to see hues of navy blue and forest green shimmering in those dark onyx wings, “there is a man in Schezerade that I have a suspicion is up to no good and for the sake of prosperity for the citizens of this floating city I need you to be my eyes and ears around him. His name is Vermillion Draft,” stunning liberty blue eyes aim to meet Twitches, “does this sound like something you can do and if you can, will you do this for me?” Plump lips spread into a kind smile once more in wait.
Twitch thought on it, her head a little clearer, but her fear still quite quashed. "I am f-f-familiar with spying." Twitch's own wine pink eyes took in Brennia's wings and her own eyes, and she gulped. "It's something I c-c-can do, yes yes yes." And for shinies, along with food? Of course she'd take the job! It was better than working for those evil fermin and were-rat gangs. She just needed to hide from them, if she wasn't working for them... hide her family from them, as well. She'd worry about that later, though. For now, food and work were more important. They could be paid off, if she could earn coin along with food.
Brennia nods once, “then it is settled. I would like to hire your services to spy on Vermillion Draft here in Schezerade. He owns the hotel in town and lives in a penthouse on the top floor, but on the bottom two floors are a plethora of shops,” think - fancy two floor mall. “After a week I would like you to only report to me what you've seen and observed. We will take it from there if we find anything at all. Is there anything you need from me for this?” Brennia suppressed the urge to smooth the fermin’s hair behind her ear and give a little scratch there given the fact that Twitch was still in her lap. ‘This is a being with feelings and their own personality, not some cute mouse you can just pet - no matter how cute she is,’ Brennia had to remind herself.
Twitch pursed her lips, thinking. A hotel... she's heard of those. Places where people stay, like an inn, but supposedly big and fancy. "I can f-f-figure out things for myself. B-b-but I can s-s-send notes back with b-b-bats, if you like." There were few enough common flying rodents she could communicate with, but she tended to trust bats for important tasks, as long as she had something nice for them to eat so they didn't need to hunt that night. Her big, round ears twitched, just begging for that scratching, it seemed, and she smiled up to Brennia. "I w-w-won't let you down, no no no!"
Brennia couldn’t resist and she smooths some of Twitch’s hair behind one of those round ears with a soft scratching at the end. “That sounds brilliant,” she is worried if the tiny thief gets in a tight spot in an emergency, “Twitch, do be careful and if you get into a tough spot...” She slips a crystal bracelet from her own arm, but it would fit Twitch perfectly like a necklace, “put this on every time you enter the hotel because this will alert me of your fear and I will do everything I can in order to get to you.” Another warm smile at the last part, “I know you won't mon petit. I do hope this is a start of a promising business relationship.” With that Brennia finally keeps her hands to herself as she gently says, “you are free to leave now”
Twitch had scratchies. From most, it wouldn't mean much, but Brennia smelled like mother. That made it very, very different. She nuzzled against Brennia, ears flicking around her fingers. The crystal bracelet, however, mystified her. "It'll sense when I'm s-s-scared?" That was always, but sometimes much more so than others. Would she really come iff Twitch was in danger? It all sounded too good to be true, but Brennia had proven to be different from the people she was used to working with. For now... she wanted to believe it. Something about Brennia made her not-scared of her, and that was a sensation Twitch was both unused to, and finding very much enjoyable. "O-o-ok! I'll get to it, as s-s-soon as I can, then!"