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 Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:22 pm
Mikaril nodded and smiled. "That's one of the ways you could act, but there are endless possibilities, amd it's always good to have many ready-made acts, because the constant use of one tends to make people suspicious no matter how convincing it sounds. For instance," he smiled at a fresh idea, thinking that Kyil was sure to like this one, "If we were to pair up at one point with you acting as my servant, you could pull the purse and hand it off to me, where it would vanish into the satchel, leaving no trace, and the accuser would not only have you to deal with, but an angry 'master' as well." His smile lessened as he remembered one important thing that would most ssuredly trip up that plan; if the goods went into the satchel, he would have to go to Undrek'Thoz and his House to retrieve them. It seemed as though he would always be tied to that accursed place in some way.
Trying to salvage the idea, he offered another one. "Or, if and when you get more comfortable with the role of a thief, you can go as yourself in whatever clothes you want and.......ooze harmlessness when they try to pin it on you. You DO have a tendency to look as though you wouldn't hurt a fly." He nodded. "Sometimes the best way to hide is in plain sight." How often he had used that particular gem when he was just starting out. He didn't mention the panic when he thought that a particular idea wouldn't work or wasn't working; Kyil would have plenty of time to learn about those, but he would have something Mikaril himself never had; a shadow within the shadows, ready to intervene if things got too ugly.
"Just bear in mind two things: always think outside the proverbial box to keep your stories fresh, and be ready to spout the story of your choice quickly and while under pressure. If you become truly afraid, the best story will just come out as stuttering, and that condemns anyone."
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:43 pm
Mikaril was quite correct. The spark that enetered into Kyil's eyes at the mere mention of a servant role, even if it was in play, seemed to truely appeal to him. His head nodded a little and the smile that parted his lips almost seemed to say he'd really latched onto that idea.
"Oh! I do like that idea! It would work very well I think. I am afraid I might be a bit more clumsy in the begning then I ought to be. Of course..if I gave the item to you and you simply kept going that would also work as well Mikaril. I am sure they would only stop me."
Kyil paused afterwards and he allowed his eyes to sweep over his form. he supposed, dressed as he was, with no weapons obviously on him... "I suppose I am not a drow to be taken seriously am I Mikaril?" His pink eyes lifted and he simply could not stop himself from spreading his hands.
"Mikaril, would it perhaps be a bit safer to try stealing from houses rather then people? I mean, other drow are always so paranoid and cautious and on guard. I think I'd feel more comfortable stealing from a person when I do not have to possibly face them."
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:47 pm
Mikaril waved his hand offhandedly. "Well clumsiness might work to your advantage too, since one usually expects a thief to be stealthy, like a cat." He shrugged his shoulders and tried to see whether or not that particular statement had offended Kyil or not. "Well, truthfully no, you neither look nor act like a drow that would be taken seriously, but that was why in the human world so many of the successful thieves are children. They are not taken seriously, therefore they are overlooked. It is a form of camouflage, and one not everyone can boast of having."
Mikaril raised an eyebrow and couldn't hide his surprise. He knew that Kyil was warming up to the idea of thievery, but he hadn't expected him to hit on his particular style and preferences so swiftly. He himself preferred houses to street theft for that same reason, but he had seen fit to teach Kyil the ways of the former first, figuring he would want to be out on the street and in the public's eye, in the hope that his mistress will be out looking for him. Apparently Kyil was taking this entire endeavor more seriously than he thought if his mind was no longer on getting back into the pleasure house.
"Truthfully, I prefer houses myself; I too prefer little confrontation, and a house always hides more valuable items. The only thing that gets me are the magical wards commonly set around houses and their valuables. I'm working on a means of nullifying the more basic ones, but thus far if there are any magical wards on the House, I have to have either a strong magical ally, or inside help."
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:08 pm
Kyil seemed to take no insult or offense in the least to the comment made. If anything he appeared to be considering it seriously. Again he took stock of himself, his fingers traced over the thin material where his body art could be vaugely seen. "I believe you are right Mikaril. I honestly do not have the look of a thief or the movements of one. Still, even with the ability to be discounted at first glance. I am afraid stealing from a drow themselves would have me far too nervouse right away. So many things can go wrong! And with so many eyes. I am afraid I'd feel as awkward as my first training session with... at the Black."
Kyil dropped his hands to his sides, and he crossed over to where Mikaril stood. He had seen the raised eyebrow and wondered as to the reason behind it. Perhaps he was being silly? "Am I asking for something too much Mikaril? Is stealing from Houses more advanced then picking pockets?"
The answer, he assumed was in corrospondance to the mention of magical wards. Kyil reached a hand up and he began to pull on one of his earring free lobes. "If it is you prefer stealing from Houses, and I really would prefer to do this as well, could we focus on my training in that aspect? It sounds like we would get better things this way, and I will be very careful to watch for any magical things. Perhaps you could help me learn to detect them? I think that would be so much more interesting... Plus..It will be less likely I will be noticed and I worry terribly that if Mistress Zari heard a rumor I was picking pockets she would never want me back at all..."
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:29 pm
Mikaril nodded agreeably, actually glad to have the teachings more themed and less sporadic. House-robbing had less potential for confrontation, but could easily be more dangerous, but if Kyil was certain that was what he wanted....besides, who knew? He was probably seasoned at hiding and being inconspicuous from his days at the pleasure house, and those came in handy in house-robbing. Not to mention the stuff as basic as making sure your unwashed smell doesn't give you away.
"Well, it can be more advanced; it has both advantages and disadvantages to common pickpocketing. On the street it's easier to pretend you were doing something else when they see you; try doing that on a roof or in someone else's bedroom. But it's easier to take out unfriendly eyes and the rewards are greater. Personally, I tend to prefer house theft despite its risks in magic. As you might imagine, I have had plenty of practice in hiding from unwanted attention."
Mikaril nodded then, both to himself and Kyil. "House theft it is then. Well, in the few instances when I've robbed houses that had stronger than average magical wards, I had help negating them. But if any treasure looks deceptively easy to grab, you can bet there is a magical ward on it. Sometimes an aura can be sensed, or a certain feel in the air around it. But depending on how powerful the house is, lesser ones can be bypassed, and some places have no wards at all." He looked slightly sad at Kyil's voiced thought of his mistress not wanting him; he wanted to tell Kyil that she didn't seem to want him now anyway, but knowing what it was like to pine, he held his tongue.
Instead, he tried to focus on what he could teach about house theft. "Robbing houses requires a lot of planning, first of all. Usually a week or two is set aside to just observe the comings and goings of the house. Who goes out when, and where, to give yourself a certain amount of time to do the deed. Observe the residents and find out who should probably be disabled or distracted first, and it wouldn't hurt to find out just what they have in the way of valuables. Observe also the house and the surrounding compound; try to find all possible entrances and exits, from teh grandest door to the smallest fresh-air vent."
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:51 pm
"Then it is agreed!" Kyil so cheerfully responded. Then...it was his turn. His turn to focus a unwavering gaze upon the other as he would offer to him the wisdom of his own experiences. Kyil attempted to picture in his mind how it would possibly be. Truthfully... "I must admitt I find the prospect of creeping into a empty home and looking about exciting."
The actual theft was not what interested him, though he knew it would go a long way to replaying Mikaril for his kindness. He had to make certain he learned these things well! So he could restore everything that Mikaril had lost tending to him. His head nodded, just slightly, as he considered the prospect of stalking. Having to wait weeks to creep into a place? It made sense though. He would not want to enter a home that had guards present. "I suppose the only Houses worth breaking into are the ones that have guards then? Perhaps we could practice on a smaller place though? I would dearly hate to break into a home and get you or I caught!" His pink eyes widened as he imagined unfriendly guards hauling either of them away to a dungeon!
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:35 pm
"Exciting, huh?" Mikaril smiled at Kyil. It would be exciting alright; a thief's profession always had those moments of pure adrenaline, though sometimes you had to go a long while between them. Still, after a few bouts with them, sometimes you were happy when they didn't happen.
He thought for a second before answering. "Sometimes, yes. You have to look for them though, because not every guard wears a big suit of armor and is standing like a statue outside the gate. Many guards are hiding out or posing as ordinary passersby. After a time observing, you will be able to tell which they are." He chuckled a bit at Kyil's nervousness and nodded. Houses weren't the only places one could successfully rob others. Places as ordinary as taverns and inns often held some unexpected bounty, what with travelers coming in and out of the cities. And even a few houses of noble-wannabe drow families were formidable enough in looks but easy enough for a rothe to wander in and out, to say nothing of a pair of thieves.
"Sure we can try something smaller. There are lots of other places we can target besides noble houses; taverns, inns, even bath-......houses." The smile ran away from his face suddenly as he turned his head to look at nothing before clearing his throat and turning his head back to face Kyil. "We'll try an inn then; many travelers there are tired after a long day on the road. It should be easy enough."
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:16 pm
"Yes." Kyil so agreeably nodded his head. Mikaril seemed to know so much about thieving. But then again, he was a thief so it only made sense right? He wondered just how much training he would need to be considered useful? As he did not wish to become a public thief with the possibility of recognition...perhaps he should consider some sort of face mask? Kyil lifted a hand and began to trace his fingers over one of his cheek bones as he half listened to Mikaril. He did not believe his Mistress would be inclined to take him back if he was caught as a thief...but that was only if he was caught. Perhaps if he became a very skillful thief she would find those particular skills useful? but only if he was not caught!
He was so caught up with his own thoughts that he nearly missed the look that accompanied the pause of Mikarils words. Perplexed, he wondered if perhaps he was thinking back to their encounter in the bath house earlier?
"I should think that your idea is very acceptable Mikaril. I worry that if I am caught and identified it will bring some form of disgrace and then my Mistress will never take me back. So I must be very cautious! I think a inn would be a grand idea. How do you suggest we go about it?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:04 pm
Mikaril pursed his lips and thought for a moment. "I don't think we would have to worry terribly about recognition, since I don't think many have actually seen you outside of the pleasure house save for those snakes who took advantage of you, but if it's your mistress you're worried about, it's quite easy to make yourself a head-wrap. And I was going to mention this a while back; you might like to tie your hair back as well. Long hair is more of a hindrance than a help, and it's an effective and cheap way to alter your appearance."
He found his mind wandering inevitably backwards, to that one moment where he had mentioned bath houses. Kyil couldn't possibly know what the real reason for his pausing could be; he would probably assume that it had something to do with the incident at the last bath house teh pair had visited. What would Kyil think if he knew that the last bath house that Mikaril had been in by himself had been the scene of his very first murder? Would he be horrified? Would Kyil think differently of him if he knew, even if it WAS an accident?
He decided to worry about it later, perhaps when their escapades were over and it was time for sleeping. Kyil had chosen an inn after all, and there were no shadows there but for the ones that were his friends and hid him from sight. "Right then," he said as he focused on Kyil, "Inns are actually pretty easy; no need to watch and observe, because the people were constantly changing, and the keepers expect their customers to set up their own guards and traps. The upper levels are better, because despite the obvious advantages of drow thieves over human thieves, travelers still feel a sense of security from being up high."
Mikaril walked to the entrance of the cave and waited for Kyil. "We can go out now and find you some cloth to tie your hair back with and make a face covering; shouldn't take too long. After that, we can hit the inn. Sound good?"
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:27 pm
Kyil bobbed his head and...Goddess! A relieved smile lit his face! Mikaril understood so very well what it was he feared. He was so grateful that he was not ridiculed for it either. With the idea of tieing his hair back raised, Kyil began to run his fingers through his long hair to expirementally pull it back from his face.
"I have never worn my hair up before. I usually keep it down and loose as that seems to be more aesthetically pleaseing. Though I think I can understand why I ought to have it pulled back. I certainly would like a mask of some sort too."
Kyil released his hair while Mikaril taught him a bit more about the whole 'Inn theft' they were planning. "It certainly does seem to be rather easy.... Though if it is so easy why don't more drow steal from Inn's Mikaril? I would think people would avoid staying at a inn if they are so easily robbed there?"
He of course crossed the cave eagerly to be at Mikaril's side. His pink eyes alight with unconcealed eagerness. "I should like to try if you think I will not be a hinderance. But..ah... " Here he paused and looked down at his pink outfit. A small giggle sounded within his throat. "Perhaps I should change back now Mikaril? I think I could perhaps use the sash to tie my hair back and cover my face...of course it is gold in color so...would that be a poor choice? it will not really match the cloths you bought for me."
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:29 pm
"Hmmm..." Mikaril pondered the intriguing possibility that Kyil offered. ONe thing he always prided himself on was improvisation, and here he might be able to show a bit of it to Kyil. He stood by the cave entrance, looking out at the unremarkable stalagtite and the road a ways beyond it. "That's actually a pretty good idea; with the proper placement, that scarf could tie up your hair and cover the lower half of your face, which is really all that needs covering; the bottom half of a face can be more easily recognized than the upper half in many circumstances. Hurry and dress, and if you need to I'll help you tie your hair up."
His red eyes still riveted to the road, he continued to explain as he heard the sounds of Kyil dressing. "Actually, many thieves DO steal at an inn; some travelers who find themselves robbed are either uaware of anything missing or just glad that their lives weren't stolen as well. Thieves have varying methods; some take just one trinket, others may rob them of all but the clothes on their body. I try to pick and choose; take a few seconds to determine what would be of the greatest value taken. That way I try not to bother with the cheap trinkets. As to the why, many like I said have a false sense of security, and most of all, in many of the seedier inns, easily half of the inns occupants are just drunken bums stealing pleasure wherever they can before their life leaves them, as it inevitably does. Very easy to rob from."
His thoughts wandered momentarily to his sanctuary way off in Undrek'Thoz. He imagined the spoils from his little adventure in the bath house; the beautiful set of cuffs and the gigantic ring with it's huge purple gemstone. He wondered when he would ever be able to get back to enjoy them properly. Hopefully his roses would be alright on their own; he had gone through so much trouble to get them.....
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:35 am
Kyil spun. Standing on one tip toe, he twisted himself about in his delight. Just so that he could make the sash upon his waist flutter one last time. Mikaril's approval of his idea had placed him in much higher spirits. Or perhaps it was just the possibility of being able to do something useful! With his spin completed, Kyil took a happy little leap across the cave and to the bag with his other clothing in it.
"I shall dress quickly then!" He eagerly informed Mikaril as he hurried to comply. He did have to be a bit more careful taking these cloths off then the others. Though in his eagerness, he decided...why bother taking the outfit off? He zipped the sash from his waist, then pulled the pants and shirt over the flimsy decorative cloths. In all honesty he liked the feeling of the material against his skin and..well...
"I am ready!" He declared to Mikaril's turned back. "I do believe I will need help with my hair though..." Kyil stood holding the sash between his hands while looking at the fall of white hair to either side of his shoulders. "Do you suppose we can tie my hair up with the sash, and leave a length of it loosely around my neck? Then I merely have to draw it up over my face when I am ready and it will not get in the way between here and..well..where ever we go?"
He lifted his pink eyes to look eagerly upon Mikaril. "I must ask Mikaril...when you first saw me in the market place...what did you think? When you speak of marks and such I just wondered what sort of mark I must have seemed to be."
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:41 pm
Mikaril couldn't supress a chuckle as he turned his head slightly and saw Kyil simply pull his practical outfit over his pleasure outfit. Well, so long as he didn't mind the heat of extra clothes....Mikaril shrugged slightly and said nothing. If anything it would make Kyil's outline a bit misshapen, all the better for hiding.
Mikaril shook his head at Kyil's voiced thought about the hair. "You can if you want to, though keep in mind that white hair can be hard to disguise, so if any of it is visible, it poses a risk. I also don't prefer thigns around my neck, but that's just a preference of mine; if it works for you, you can, just so long as it isn't readily available for an alert sentry to grab."
He then turned to look fully at Kyil, his face a strange mask of puzzlement and concern. "Marks? Well....." Not entirely certain of why Kyil would ask that question, Mikaril tried to think of something to say that wouldn't hurt his friend's feelings or that might possibly make Kyil think less of him, but before he could do that, a scoffing voice in his head said 'You could probably burn a drow city to the ground and Kyil wouldn't think less of you; the boy practically thinks you begin the days. Besides, truth-telling has been the best with him before.' Clearing his throat, Mikaril decided to trust the voice, unpleasant as it sounded.
"Well, to be honest, you did seem like an ordinary street rat, but it was more than just your looks. The Kyil I knew when I had left the city was cheerful and happy, despite my thinking that he was trapped in a gilded cage. That all seemed to be gone when I spotted you in the alley. You were sad and dejected, and had traces of that hopelessness that seems to grip so many of the street-living folk; they want to live, and yet to die would be a relief. But now I do see some of the cheerful Kyil returning. Perhaps all you needed was some direction." He thought he had ended that rather well, until the thought suddenly struck him that Kyil might have possibly asked just to find out if he could once more play a convincing street urchin. And here he was pouring his feelings out everywhere like spilled wine! He could almost swear his face was turning the same color.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:54 am
Kyil lifted a hand and gently traced his fingers across his throat in thought. If he did have something there then it would make it easier for someone to just grab him and subdue him. If they were wearing good armor he might not be able to make them let go either. "I think I understand what you mean Mikaril. I think I shall not do this then. I think it would be very unpleasent to be grabbed by something in that manner."
Kyil fingered his sash in one hand and began to twist his hair back with the other as Mikaril seemed to stumble over answering what seemed to him to be a simple enough of a question. However, as Mikaril began to speak, Kyil lifted his pink eyes to fix on Mikarils face. His sash and hair were currently forgotten as he absorbed the words of the other.This was not quite the answer he had been seeking. In fact it seemed that Mikaril must have misunderstood his question entierly. It was not a pleasent feeling that gripped Kyil's stomach... but a smile still pushed his lips upwards.
"I believe you are right Mikaril. Thank you for answering my question. Shall we go now?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:49 pm
Kyil wasn't the only one feeling like he'd just swallowed a tapeworm. Mikaril seemed to gather that the answer was unsatisfactory, how, he wasn't sure. But he seemed to know that the answer he had given was definitely not the one Kyil had been looking for. He felt his teeth clench in frustration; he was not about to let praparation go to waste and Kyil's first thieving lesson go down some abyss due to a miscommunication.
He nodded once and turned to leave the cave, heading back in the direction of the city and it's marketplace. As he walked, he spoke, looking sideways at Kyil to make sure he was there listening. "One thing I think I should mention is that the greatest enemy of a thief is disctraction. If you try to make a pull or rob a house, you don't stand a chance if your mind is elsewhere. I say this because it seems like something's on both our minds, and better that we get it out of our system before we attempt any kind of theft." He paused to let the message sink in, then spoke again. "You seemed as though you didn't like my answer to your last question. Why?"
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