Ravenna
magic hidden in the void and —
The first well was flooded, the second filled with the wreckage of the wheelhouse and lever, and inoperable. Short legs felt the strain of walking and hunger made her distracted on streets that felt unfamiliar with so many landmarks altered or gone. When a splinter of wood was thrown into her path, splashing her with mud, Ravenna turned and grinned upon seeing children she knew giggling by a side street, waving to catch her attention.
Dragged along winding back streets with grubby hands holding onto hers, it was easier to forget the hunger and any worry about sick mothers and unsolvable problems. A red-haired girl with crooked teeth chattered excitedly about all the treasure she had found diving in the canals, and a tail boy with freckles showed off a ring with real gems he'd plucked off some merchant.
"Right off the finger," he proudly declared. Venna was sceptical.
"No way, bet he just dropped it, it was luck!"
The boy grinned confidently, and took that as a challenge. "Just distract 'em an I'll show 'ow iss done!" Quick glances around met with excited grins that did not object, and they were off.
Laughing and kicking up muddy water as they went, the children wove through the street like a plague. Whenever they bounced into someone items were lost and miraculously appeared in their pockets, quick little hands making short work of pockets and pouches. Most Torchers knew to keep a distance from them, but with so many outsiders around to work on the city, there was plenty of easy pickings.
Still with her empty water jug dangling in one hand, Venna followed her accomplices into a group of workers that seemed focused on their tasks. The other kids just went past - most of the men and women didn't look that well off - but one tall man with blonde hair caught Venna's eye, and she slowed down a little bit to assess her mark before striking.
Tumbling into his legs, as if stumbled over her own feet, she offered a breathless little "Sorry!" while clever fingers reached for a pocket, questing for anything of worth.
Dragged along winding back streets with grubby hands holding onto hers, it was easier to forget the hunger and any worry about sick mothers and unsolvable problems. A red-haired girl with crooked teeth chattered excitedly about all the treasure she had found diving in the canals, and a tail boy with freckles showed off a ring with real gems he'd plucked off some merchant.
"Right off the finger," he proudly declared. Venna was sceptical.
"No way, bet he just dropped it, it was luck!"
The boy grinned confidently, and took that as a challenge. "Just distract 'em an I'll show 'ow iss done!" Quick glances around met with excited grins that did not object, and they were off.
Laughing and kicking up muddy water as they went, the children wove through the street like a plague. Whenever they bounced into someone items were lost and miraculously appeared in their pockets, quick little hands making short work of pockets and pouches. Most Torchers knew to keep a distance from them, but with so many outsiders around to work on the city, there was plenty of easy pickings.
Still with her empty water jug dangling in one hand, Venna followed her accomplices into a group of workers that seemed focused on their tasks. The other kids just went past - most of the men and women didn't look that well off - but one tall man with blonde hair caught Venna's eye, and she slowed down a little bit to assess her mark before striking.
Tumbling into his legs, as if stumbled over her own feet, she offered a breathless little "Sorry!" while clever fingers reached for a pocket, questing for anything of worth.
— truths waiting to be spoken
