literature

Interview With a Thief

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     Night had fallen in the Kingdom of Enverness.  A cool ocean breeze chased the heat of the day from the white cobbled city streets bringing much needed relief.  It was eerily quiet; the only sounds were the lapping of the sea against the docks and the occasional echo of voices carried across the water from boats sitting in the gloomy dark of the harbor.  Ollie stood in front of the Iron Horse Tavern.  The darkness was broken only by the faint glow seeping out of the Tavern's windows.  The large stone building sat like a hulking beast in the night.  The carved stone faces of gargoyles and dragons peered at him from the top of the building.  With a shaky breath, Ollie gathered his courage and pushed open the heavy wooden door.  

     He stood in the doorway for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light inside.  The Tavern was crowded, the air hummed with quiet conversations broken by the occasional bark of rough laughter or a woman's muffled giggle.  He noticed the band setting up on a stage to the left of the bar by the back wall.  Shifting slightly, trying to shake his unease, he continued searching the dark shadows of patrons for a familiar figure.  He spotted his quarry in a booth by the bar talking to a blond haired woman.  Excitement skittered along his veins as he made his way across the crowded room.  He stumbled up to the booth, nervously straightening his shabby ink stained jacket, and cleared his throat.  

     Addison Caine, legendary King of Thieves, slowly turned his head to see who had the gall to interrupt him.  A roughish smile lit his handsome face as he realized just who his visitor was.  "Well Ollie, I see that you're still determined to go through with this scheme of yours."  Ollie was bouncing with excitement. "Are you kidding!?!  This is my chance to show my boss just what a darn good reporter I can be.  Where do you want to sit down and do this?"  Addison chuckled and ran a hand through his unusual shaggy red hair that shaded to black at the tips.  "About this interview Ollie . . ."

     Oh man, he knew it!  Addison was going to back out on him.   Ollie couldn't hide his sense of disappointment.  He had really been counting on this interview to get his boss's attention.  "I think that Rin here would be a much better subject for you than I'd ever be.  She's one of the best damn thieves that I know, aside from myself, of course,"  Addison said, jabbing his thumb towards Rin who almost chocked on the ale she was drinking.  Ollie looked at her, his brown eyes filled with hope, an eager expression on his thin face. Addison grinned at her, mischief written all over him.   "Oh no, boys, I don't think so,"  she said holding her hands up in front of her, as if that could ward them off.  "Oh Rin, please, you don't know how much this would mean to me!  You would really be doing me a huge favor."  Rin just looked at him for a long moment.  Oh, she so did not want to do this!  "Really Ollie, I am flattered that you think I'd be even slightly interesting enough for your interview but it's really just not my thing at all!"  Ollie deflated before their eyes.  

     Addison snuck a glance at Rin.  She had a terrible soft spot for underdogs and misfits which Ollie clearly was.  The poor guy never could catch a break and Ollie had access to a lot of valuable information.  It was just good business to to keep someone like that around and happy.  However, there was no way in the seven hells he was going to sit down and do an interview with the man.  But he just might be be able to convince Rin to do it, if the look in her vivid green eyes was anything to go by.  She just needed a little push in the right direction.  "What if I made Ollie's request a little more interesting?"  

     Rin arched one delicate brow at him.  "How interesting?"  Addison tossed a red velvet pouch on the table filled with gold pieces.  Rin smiled at him "I could easily win that from you at cards."  Addison crossed his arms over his chest with a slight scowl.  "Maybe, but it does give you a reason to play nice.  Plus, you'll only get it if you get through the whole interview without storming out or maiming our friend here," he said gesturing to Ollie who had gone a little pale at the words "maiming".  Rin leaned towards Addison shooting him an irritated glare, the flecks of gold flashing in her green eyes "Maim him!  I wouldn't maim him!?!" Addison chuckled.  "As I recall that's what you said about Trevor and you stabbed him with a fork."  

     "Hey that was not my fault!  We were on a job, which you begged me to help you with and the slimy jerk couldn't keep his hands to him self!  He's lucky that I didn't stab him with something that would do more damage!"  Rin sat back with a frustrated sigh and looked between Addison's grinning face and Ollie's hopeful expression.  Damn!  After all the years they had know each other Addison was the one person who could read her to well!  "Ollie, could you give us a minute?  I just need to talk to Addison for a second."  Ollie bobbed up and down on his heals "Oh, ya sure umm, I'll just go sit by the bar for a minute." He looked at the bar nervously.  "Thanks Ollie, I apperiacte it," a smile tugging at her lips.  

     As soon as Ollie was out of hearing range Rin turned to Addison suddenly all business.  This just might work to her advantage if she played it right.  "I am assuming that Ollie is able to get you good information, which is the only reason I can possibly think of for you to agree to this little interview." He chuckled quietly, humor in his hazel eyes. "Okay then.  If I agree to this little torture session you so kindly volunteered me for, I want more than just that little pouch of gold."  He leaned in closer to her, curious as to what she wanted.  "Okay, name your price then."  "She leaned towards him her eager expression shining in her eyes.  "I want the Montford job.  I've already had a chance to study the buildings layout and get a good look at his wards.  I should be able to get in and out within fifteen minutes, twenty tops.  Tell me any of the boys here could do better."

     Addison's smile melted from his face replaced with a sober expression "He's a thrice Hexed Necromancer, Rin!  It's a risky job and you promised me that you'd leave it alone!"  A slight tick starting in his clenched jaw.  

     The bench creaked slightly as she leaned back.  "No.  I promised that I wouldn't break in.  I didn't say anything about not going in if I was invited."  She watched him closely, his eyes had shifted from their normal hazel to a reflective gold, which told her he was pissed but thinking it over.  He knew she was the best one for the job and she rarely took a job on behalf of the guild.  She leaned towards him.  "I am not asking for permission here.  We can strike this deal and both walk away happy or I will simply go ahead on my own.  He has something I want and I mean to get it.  I may as well swipe what your client is after while I am there."  He sat silently running a finger along the thin scar on his cheek. He nodded slightly.  "Okay, you can have the job but you have to get through the interview with Ollie first."  A brilliant smile lit her face, she leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.  "See now that wasn't so painful was it?" He just rolled his eyes at her, a crooked smile on his face "Tell me that after your interview.  I have a feeling that I am getting the better end of the deal here."  She just shrugged at him sure that the interview couldn't be that bad.                

     She got Ollie's attention and waved him over to their table.  Ollie approached them sure that she was going to turn him down.  Rin gave him a sunny smile that stunned him for a moment.  She wasn't what you would call beautiful.  Striking maybe, when she smiled like that.  He could feel a faint blush creeping up his cheeks.  "I'll do your little interview, Ollie, but there are a few rules."  He nodded his head eagerly clutching his satchel to him tightly.  "First, no using my name or any kind of reference to who I am at all.  Secondly, I don't have to answer any questions I don't want to.  Agreed?"

     "Yes, yes that is no problem! Oh thank you so much Rin.  This is great!  Where do you want to do this?"  Addison stood up brushing invisible specks of dust from his well tailored cloths and slipped the pouch of gold into his pocket.  Light glinted off the small gold hoop in his ear and the daggers strapped to his thy.  He turned to Ollie.  "You can use one of the rooms in the back.  It'll give you two some privacy."  

     Rin stood, still grinning as she tucked a errant lock of wild honey colored hair that had escaped her braid behind one of her gently pointed ears and slid out of the booth.  "Why don't you show Ollie back there while I get another drink.  I have a feeling I'm going to need it,"  she said over her shoulder as she headed towards the crowded bar.                  

Addison showed Ollie to one of the back rooms that held nothing more than a couple tables and chairs "Here you go Ollie.  This should give you some privacy and the space to write.  Do you need anything else?"  

"No, thanks for doing this Addison, I really appreciate it."  Addison looked intently into Ollie's face.  His eyes swiftly changing from their normal hazel to the golden eyes of a fox more predator than man.  "Now Ollie I am letting you do this because I feel like I can trust you, somewhat.  But if any harm comes to her because of you and this little interview I will hunt you down and we will be having a very different conversation.  Do we understand each other?"  Ollie tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his suddenly dry throat and nodded, forcing him self not to turn and run screaming from the room.  He'd heard rumors that Addison was a were and a man not to be crossed but he'd never quite believed it until now.  "Good, I'm glad that we understand each other" he said slapping Ollie on the back.  "I'll leave you to it then.  Rin should be here in a minute," he said with a grin as he turned to leave.  

Ollie nervously glanced around the dimly lit room, the faint scents of tobacco and stale ale drifted through the air.  Phantom-like shadows seemed to flicker and dance around the room, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.  "Get a gip Ollie!  You can do this!  Your an ace reporter remember," he whispered quietly to him self.  He strode over to one of the tables and slid his worn, wrinkled jacket on the back of a chair.  Rolling up the selves of his thin linen shirt he set him self to the task of getting his stuff ready for the interview.  

Rin silently slipped in carrying two large mugs of cold ale.  Her soft soled boots didn't make a sound as she gracefully crossed the rough hard-wood floor.  She quietly set a mug of ale in front of Ollie who just about jumped out of his skin.  He hadn't even known she was in the room.  She tossed him a wink and a mischievous smile as she slid into the seat across from him and settled into the shadowed corner.  He nervously cleared his throat and ran a hand over his thinning muddy brown hair before straitening the spectacles perched on his long, crooked nose.  Trying to look like a professional, he gathered his notes and peered into the shadows at Rin trying to get a better look at her.  It was unusual to see a woman wearing pants and boots, especially with daggers strapped to her thy.  She had on a green short sleeved shirt under a form fitting brown vest that revealed a curvy figure.  But she didn't seem to be trying to attract a man's attention judging by the angry glare she gave him, when she caught him looking.  "Well, shall we get started Ollie?  I don't have all night you know."  He cleared his throat embarrassed.  "Oh, yeah, ah sorry Rin just let me find my quill.  I really appreciate you doing this."   "Oh, don't thank me.  This is all Addison's doing," she replied with a soft smile.

"Okay here we go, are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be"  

Ollie peered at the list of questions he had prepared. "Who are your parents?"

Rin sighed quietly, that was a sore subject.  "My mother was the daughter of a minor noble family who tossed her out on the streets when she became pregnant with me.  She was loving, kind and had a strength that I have always admired.  I have never known my father, all I can tell you about him is that he's supposedly some high ranking Elven noble.  I have no idea if thats true or not.  My mother always said she'd tell about him someday but she died when I was ten without ever revealing that little secret."

"What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?"  

Rin leaned forward with a thoughtful look on her face as she cradled the cold mug of ale in her hands.  "I guess that would be the first "big job" I did by myself.  I was 17 and I had finally talked Addison and Griffin into letting me do it alone.  I snuck into a certain eccentric Lords home during one of his famous evening house parties by posing as a ladies maid to one of his guests.  While everyone was down in the ball room having a grand old time I slipped into his gaudy bedroom, deactivated the wards and made off with a sold gold bust of himself.  It was encrusted with gems and he kept on a pedestal at the foot of his bed.  It has to be one of the creepiest things I have ever seen.  It fetched a nice sum though and I am sure his wife was happy to not have that thing starring at her every night.  I won't say it's my greatest achievement but I was quite proud of it at the time".

"Oh good, thats good!  Let's see here, um what is your idea of perfect happiness?

Rin shot Ollie a funny look but he was to busy writing notes to notice.  "That's not something I've ever really thought about Ollie.  I don't know that I even believe in perfect happiness."

He paused for a moment to look at her, unsure of what to say "Well, um,  just name something that you like to do that makes you really happy.  Not including your profession, though."  

Rin drummed her fingers quietly against the perspiring glass.  A slow smile lit her face and a mischievous glint flashed in her emerald eyes "I guess it would have to be beating Addison and the boys at cards.  The looks on their faces when I clean them out is priceless."  She chuckled quietly.  "That always makes me very happy."       

Ollie gave her a crooked grin "Okay, What is your current state of mind?"

She flashed him a smile "Amused with answering these silly questions for the moment."

Ollie frowned slightly as he wrote down her reply, not sure if she was joking or serious in her response. "Ahh, What is your favorite occupation?"

"Well I would think that was obvious, relieving nobles and merchants of their valuables, of course.  The more difficult the wards and safe the better.  I do love a challenge," she replied a wicked grin curling her lips.  Her chair creaked quietly as she settled back into the shadows.

"What is your most treasured possession?"  

Rin gently touched the lovely blue tear shaped pendant she wore on a simple chain around her throat as she whispered "The necklace my mother gave me before she died."

Ollie blinked at her and wondered if the sadness and vulnerability he'd glimpsed in her eyes had simply been a trick of the light.  He glanced at the pendant she wore.  It was an unusual stone.  He'd never seen anything like it.  Little blue sparks seemed to wink at him in the dim light.  It looked like there was something engraved into the stone but he couldn't make out what it was.  He cleared his throat "Um, what or who is the greatest love of your life?"

Rin gave a rough laugh slapping her hand on the table "That's a funny one Ollie!"
Ollie frowned at her and she paused for a moment. "Oh, I didn't realize you were being serious.  Sorry but I think that falls under rule number two."

Ollie huffed out a defeated sigh and dipped his quill into the ink well, "Okay then, what is your favorite journey?"  

Rin leaned an elbow on the table resting her chin in her hand. "That depends on where I'm going and if anyone is going with me. Don't get me wrong, I love to travel to the other Kingdoms and I have numerous times but ones traveling companion can really make or break the whole experience."

Ollie wrinkled his brow in frustration.  It wasn't quite the specific answer he'd been looking for "Er, what is your most marked characteristic?"

"Are we talking physical or personality characteristics?"

Ollie squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. "I don't know."

Rin glared at him "What do you mean you don't know, it's your question isn't it?"

Ollie's pale face flushed scarlet "Well, yeah but  . . ah . .  well I guess physical then."

Rin couldn't help but wonder if strangling the guy would count as maiming him . . . damn, probably.  "Then, I would have to say my eyes or my neurotic hair."

Ollie just rambled on to this next question, oblivious to the dark turn Rin's thoughts had taken "When and where were you the happiest?"

Rin quietly tapped her fingers against her rapidly emptying mug of ale "I suppose I'd have to say it was when I was six, my mother and I spent a rare day at the beach swimming, collecting sea shells and building sand castles.  The world felt like it was a million miles away then and I was able to just be a normal kid for while."

Ollie, excited to answers to his questions quickly moved on to the next one.  "What is it that you most dislike?"

A quick grimace crossed her lips "Wearing a dress!"

Ollie looked at her, surprise written all over his thin face.  "Really why?  I'd bet you look lovely in a dress."  

Rin ran her hands over her face, fighting to urge to get up and run from the room.  "Are you serious?"  He shook his head emphatically. "Have you ever tried scaling a wall in a dress or running in a dress or better yet tried to fight in a hexed dress!?"  

"Oh, well when you put it like that, I can see why you might not be too fond of them. But I still think that you'd look rather cute in one."  

Rin leaned towards him, hands planted firmly on the scared surface of the table.  "Ollie I think that it would be a good idea if you moved on to the next question now."  

He just nodded happily at her.  "Oaky let's see where were we?  Oh here we go.  What is your greatest fear?"

Rin closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.  She looked at Ollie's eager face a quiet laugh slipping from her.  He looked like an eager puppy patiently waiting for praise. "Sorry if there is one thing that I have learned in my life on the streets it's that you don't tell or show anyone what your weaknesses are unless you want to end up dead and I am kind of fond of living.  So I'll have to pass on this one."

He paled a little "Oh, well that's okay, what is your greatest regret?"

With a gentle shrug of her shoulders Rin leaned back into her chair.  "Well, I am not really sure.  I try not to dwell on the past.  I guess it would be letting myself believe in love when I was younger.  The few times I did that I almost ended up dead or worse, so needless to say, I don't let anyone get that close anymore.  Sometimes, I wish it was a lesson I had learned sooner."

"Okay, Which talent would you most like to have?"

A mischievous grin lit her face "Oooh, I don't know.  Hmm . . . making people who ask me annoying questions vanish with a thought.  That would be quite handy at the moment."  

Oblivious to the reference Ollie gave her an encouraging look "What is your greatest extravagance?"

Rin fidgeted in her chair for a moment, annoyed with her self for agreeing to this even if it did get her hexed Montford job!  She'd forgotten how much she absolutely hated talking about her self especially with a stranger.  Digging up all the ghosts from her past made her feel way to vulnerable and she hated that with a passion.  Gods, she could just see this coming back to haunt her.  If she got up and left now, Addison would never let her forget it.  With a quite sigh she crossed her arms, her position defensive, as if that simple act could keep his questions at bay.  "I would have to say it was the small fortune I sunk into renovations of a certain property I own."

"Alright, Which living person do you most despise?"

Rin unconsciously slid one hand to the throwing knife tucked at her waist and growled "My grandfather."

Ollie was quite surprised by her response.  Family was everything to him and he had a hard time seeing why that might not be the case for everyone. "Oh, come on now Rin you can't be serious!"

Rin glared at him and spoke through clenched teeth "After my mothers death I spent months starving on the streets and living in constant fear.  When I finally managed to gather my tattered courage I went to him, begging for his help, knowing well the fate he had tossed my mother to, all for the sake of his damn pride.  When I told him what had happened he simply laughed at me and said, "Then the whore got what she deserved! As far as I'm concerned, you're no blood of mine.  Now get the hell off my property before I have you dragged to the orphanage as the unwanted garbage you are!"  So yes he is the one person I despise most in the world and if he came crawling to me on his hands and knees I wouldn't give him the time of day.  In fact, it has brought me endless amounts of happiness to be a constant thorn in his side!  He doesn't know it but I am the reason so many of his shipments go missing, why his jewels tend to disappear and so many of his careful plans fall through."   

Ollie sat silent for a moment a little surprised by her angry response.  He loosed the collar of his shirt, the room had started to feel a little too warm before continuing.  "Where would you like to live?"  

Rin looked at him for a moment, all traces of her anger buried.  "Where I'm living."

"What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?"

A smile twitched the corner of her mouth "Wow Ollie that seems kind of dramatic.  Do you sit around in your spare time coming up with this stuff?"  Ollie just gave her a dark look and Rin rolled her eyes "It's quickly becoming answering these questions.  Are we almost done?" She squirmed slightly in her chair.

Ollie huffed "Just a few more to go.  Now, what is the quality you most like in a man?"

Rin set her now empty mug on the table quietly, a smile in her eyes. "The ability to admit when he's wrong.  Let me know if you ever find one."  

Ollie couldn't quite hide his smile as he continued to scratch down his notes.  "What is the quality you most like in a woman?"

"The ability to take care of herself.  The swooning helpless type drive me crazy."

Ollie nodded, silently lost to his thoughts.  "What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?"

"Hmmm . . . I'd have to say it's those damn annoying spurts of compassion, gets me in trouble every time," she replied, her fingers tracing patterns on the table leaving small flares of color in the their wake, a touch of sadness to her eyes.  

Ollie paused a moment watching her graceful fingers.  It looked like she was tracing runes onto the table, but he couldn't be sure.  Rune magick was a rare talent and he'd never met anyone who could work it.  He could feel the gentle pulse of magick, the hairs on his arms standing on end.  He shook his head.  "Ahh, What do you most value in your friends?"

Rin smiled, not bothering to look at him but rather watched the colors as they danced after her fingers.  "Honesty.  Funny isn't it." A sad smile touched her lips.

"Who is your favorite hero of fiction?"

Rin sighed wondering how many more hexed questions the guy had and who in the seven hells cared who her  favorite hero of fiction was!  "Ollie, can I ask you something first?"

He smiled at her "Yeah, sure."

Rin stopped tracing the runes on the table and looked him in the eye "Where did come up with these questions?"

Ollie flushed scarlet "Oh, well, ah I found them in a book."

Rin arched a brow in agitation a look of disbelief on her face "A book, please tell me your not serious."

"What? These are great questions."  

Rin stood quickly her chair scraping against the rough wood floor "Okay I am so done with this little interview.  It's been fun but I gotta go."

Ollie cleared his throat "Rin, I hate to remind you but if you leave now before I finish Addison will win a nice little sum gold".

Rin cringed and stopped in mid stride.  It was more than just the silly pouch of gold on the line.  She needed to get the Montford job, he had something much more valuable than gold and she needed to get her hands out it without some idiot from the guild barging in and making a mess.  "Damn!" Oh Addison was going to pay for this!  Maybe she should torture him with some more of her attempts at cooking.  The thought made her want to laugh, the poor man never could say no when she asked him to try it and she was more than aware of how awful the results were.  Yes, maybe a batch of rock hard biscuits were in order.  She turned and settled herself back into the chair with a huff "Alright Ollie, continue with your questions.  This has got to be considered a form of torture somewhere," she muttered under her breath.

Ollie gave her a triumphant smile, proud of him self for getting her to stay.  "Um, are you going to answer that last question?

Rin glared at him, reminding her self just why she was doing for the hundredth time "What do you think?"

Ollie swallowed, a nervous laugh slipping out before he could catch it.  "All right then, moving on.  Who are your heroes in real life?"

Rin shrugged, her chair creaking as she leaned forward resting her arm on the table with a sigh.   "Gods I can't believe you found these in a book!  I don't know Ollie.  It's not like I am surrounded by the most awe-inspiring citizens of the city." She wrinkled her brow in thought "I guess it would have to be my mother.  For her strength to survive the challenges she faced and still be able to see the beauty in life.  Does that answer your question sufficiently?"

Ollie bobbed his head in eager agreement, quickly scratching down his notes.  "Which living person do you most admire?"

Rin just shook her head.  Gods this was just absurd, who were her heros?  Who did she admire? What she wanted to know was who wrote the book these questions came from!  "I guess I would have to say Addison, when he's not playing the over protective brother.  He has a bad habit of doing that and it drives me crazy."  

Ollie scratched his head for a moment looking over his list of questions "Okay, What do you consider the most overrated virtue?"

Rin smiled "I think that most of them are overrated"
  
Ollie blinked at her, hoping that she would add a little more to her answer but she simply sat there watching him, waiting for his next question. He sighed in frustration "On what occasions do you lie?"

She shrugged slightly "Whenever I feel it's necessary.  It kind of comes with the job description and assists in my continued survival."

"Which words or phrases do you most overuse?"

Rin tapped her chin in thought.  "Probably Hex me, Hexed Gods, Hexed this or that.  I guess you can say I am rather fond of the word."   

Ollie nodded a little, looking over his notes "If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?"

Rin shifted uncomfortably, oh please let this be over soon.  She didn't like to sit and pick herself or her life apart.  It was too easy to see all the gaping holes that way.  "Nothing.  I am quite content with who I am flaws and all.  It's all part of the package, as far as I am concerned.  Now can we please move on."  

Ollie noted the discomfort in her eyes and deiced to leave it alone  "How would you like to die?"

That one made her laugh.  Finally a question she didn't mind answering "Well I can't say that I have a preferred method.  I just hope that when the time comes it's quick.  I think that's the first good question you've asked."   

A blush stained his cheeks, the unexpected compliment warming him a little.  "Thanks, I think.  Now, if you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?"

She grinned.  What an utterly silly question, gods please let this be over soon! "Ahh just what everyone wants to know about me.  I guess it would be as a large stray cat that eats pesky werefoxs who think it's amusing to torture young talented thieves such as myself with interviews for their personal amusement!"     

Ollie couldn't hide his smile.   "Okay last question here.  What is your motto?"

Rin just shook her head, thank the gods they were finally done!  Too bad she didn't have a good answer for him.  "I don't have one but if I did it would probably be "Don't get caught!  It's not much of a motto, but good advice."

"Thanks so much for doing this Rin.  I think that I have some great stuff here and it'll really help me out at work."  She gave him a small nod, uncomfortable with his thanks.  "Not a problem."  Ollie's chair groaned a little as he leaned back to stretch when all of a sudden a large black shape swooped towards him out of the darkness letting out a loud caw.  Ollie shrieked and coved his face.  He lost his balance and crashed to the floor.  Ink and papers flying in all directions. He lay there dazed for a moment.  He looked up to see Rin leaning over him with a black crow perched on her shoulder.  "Wow, are you okay Ollie?"  He felt his head tenderly, his face stained red in embarrassment.  She handed him his spectacles which had fallen on the floor.   "Yeah, I think so."  She reached out a hand.  "Let me help you up.  Sorry about that.  Pawaka has a bit of a fondness for anything shiny and he got a little excited when he noticed the light reflecting off your glasses."  She peered at him for a minute, smiling.  "You sure your okay"  she asked as she bent gathering up the scattered papers.  "Yeah, thanks.  I didn't know you had a pet crow."  Ollie stood there for a moment looking at the crow.  He could swear that the bird looked a little smug if that was even possible.  The crow hopped off Rin's shoulder to investigate the spilled inkwell and quill on the floor by his chair.  Her pretty laugh filled the room "I would never do him the disservice of calling him a Pet.  He is my best friend and partner in crime.  I'd say that he's almost a better thief than I am".  She stood handing him a stack of disorganized papers.  "Well, here you go Ollie.  When are you planning on showing this to your boss?"  He grabbed the papers and stuffed them into his satchel, his nerves shot.  He was eager to go back to his warm little apartment and the wife that was waiting for him.  He couldn't wait to share this success with her. "Oh, in the next day or two.  Thanks again" he said reaching to shake her hand.  She nodded at him "Your welcome Ollie" firmly returning his shake.  "Do you want the ink well and your quill?" He looked at her confused for a moment.  She gestured to the mess by his feet? "Oh, ah, no no.  Addison let me borrow that.  Sorry about the mess.  I should get home."  Rin just smiled at him "Okay.  See you around Ollie."  He hovered for a moment before turning and fleeing out the door.  

Rin just shook her head, righting the chair that was still lying on the floor.  That was one odd man.  She dropped into the chair, Pawaka hopped over to her. She grinned at him, "good work my lovely you did that beautifully.  I don't think I have ever heard a guy scream like that before." She laughed at the memory.  Paw just winked at her fluffing his feathers in pride as she leaned down to pick him up running her face against the silk of his feathers, taking comfort in his warmth.  She heard the soft scuff of boots as Addison quietly walked into the room.  He plunked down the pouch of gold  before pulling out the chair next to her.  He put his feet up on the table learning back in the chair, arms crossed behind his head.  He flashed her his most charming grin "Well, I have to admit that when I heard that gods awful squeal I was sure you'd stabbed the man."  Rin laughed as she gently ran her hands over Paw's shinny black feathers.  "The thought did cross my mind" she said as she pulled a small stack of papers from under her vest.  Addison arched a brow at her.  She just grinned at him.  "When you said I had to get through the interview, you didn't say anything about actually letting him leave with his notes."  He laughed.  "Well done.  But Ollie's going to come back looking for that."  She just shrugged.  "I figure I have at least a few hours before he'll be back here.  Plenty of time for me to rewrite this with some made up information and honestly I can come up some some better questions than what he has here.  They were awful!  If the man wants to be a reporter he'd going to have to work on that.  But I think I can help him out a bit with this at least."  She laughed setting Paw on her shoulder  and slipping the pouch of gold into her pocket.  "But first I have a date with a piece or two of Vane's chocolate cream pie.  I don't know how you talked him in to working for you, but I am glad you did. The man is a god in the kitchen," she said as she grabbed the notes, planning on burning them in the stove as soon as possible.  Addison gently took her hand as she turned to leave "You okay?"  She looked at him and the concern in his eyes.  They were quite the pair, both haunted by their pasts.  He'd given her a family when she had needed one the most and there was no one who knew her better or anyone she trusted more.  Her brother in all the ways that mattered, she loved the scoundrel.  Even when he drove her crazy.  It was enough to ease the loneliness that ate at her.  "Yeah, nothing a little chocolate can't fix."  She winked at him as she slipped out of the room, the rowdy sounds of the band and the growing crowd slipping in behind her.
Yay, finally finished :faint:. This was supposed to be a simple character development exercise that morphed into something else completely. If nothing else I hope that it's at least fun for those who take the time to read it.

This little piece takes place just before the start of Rin's story.

(Please note: The majority of the questions used in the interview are from a questionnaire created by the noted French author Marcel Proust.)

Story and characters (c) Briana A. 2010
© 2010 - 2024 windyautumnmoon
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RockerRainMarie's avatar
Very entertaining, Rin and Addison sound like very interesting characters^^