Open Chronicles Bandit of The Arts

[Vasilios]

For the past few weeks there had been a series of thefts in Alliria. The only items that were stolen were high class paintings meant to be sold to Annuakat nobility and merchants. The local merchants of Alliria grew more and more nervous by the day and the wealthier ones increased security. Despite this increase, the thieving continued. There was even a concern that this might affect relations between the two countries. Now at last, they had a lead! Or at least that's what they assumed...
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Vasilios had been one of the nobles scorned of his paintings by this thief. Deeply upset by further losses of fine art, he decided to investigate the thief himself. The fae had been careless and ended up being accused of the thievery himself. That's why he sat in a prison cell, awaiting someone to interrogate him. Luckily, he was able to charm the guards into allowing him to bring a few items. A noble couldn't survive in a dusty cell all on his own! After asking for the love-sick guards to clean his cell, he had them bring in some furniture to liven up the place.

The cell now had an expertly woven blue rug decorating the floor, a beautiful single bed on the left with silk sheets, a fainting couch, a small coffee table, and even a bookshelf with a few scandalous romance novels for when he got bored. Vasilios requested a few snacks and drinks from the market, paying for it himself of course, and now had a bowl of fresh fruit on the table along with a glass pitcher of wine. He sipped from his glass goblet as he lounged on the fainting couch, reading one of the scandalous romance novels.

Vasilios' charming magic was enhanced by the transparent black satin robe wrapped around his body. He had black pants underneath to cover the important bits but everything else was shown off. He had been originally found in an inn room and arrested right there and then for suspicious behavior. Vasilios would have left right away but the iron bars were a bit of a problem. So he decided to just wait like a good little human for the idiots in charge to realize he wasn't the thief.

"She should have been with the beast. They're more fun." He muttered to himself as he turned the page.

Mortals were so pleasant with their punishments. If it had been the fae, he would have been mutilated or cursed horribly. Being stuck in a prison cell was a somewhat nicer price to pay. The other reason why he did all of this was to prove he wouldn't have stolen the paintings. He would have just bought them if he really desired the pieces of art.

 

[alphabunny]

Once again Rou had found herself doing unsavory work in Alleria. At first, her line of work was just a meal ticket but now she was good, quite good in fact and earned some decent coin. But like most of us at some stage or another, she had found herself that morning in the wrong place at the wrong time and landed herself a cozy spot in an iron cell.


"HEY BUDDY! Get your grubby little hands off of me!" Rou's eyes shoot daggers as the guards man-handel her all the way to her cell. Eventually she was shoved inside - not without resistance of course - and the cell gates slamed closed. Rou grapped the bars with both hands and screamed to the now retreating guards, "I TOLD YOU I DIDNT STEAL ANY DAMN PAINTINGS!" But they ignored her, with a frustrated groan she turned to look around her rather unsavory cell and then to her neighbours who looked as if they were on a luxurious holiday.

Knowing her protest would get her nowhere, the half elf leant against the back wall and took another look at her new neighbour. He was handsome, she'd give him that, but his attire did not seem well suited for their environment.
"So what you in for?" She gave him a very obvious once over. "Slept with one to many married nobles and pissed off the wrong partner?"

Vasilios

 

[Vasilios]

The sounds of a woman hollering drew him away from his novel and he began to watch as she was shoved into the neighboring cell. She protested her innocence, at the top of her lungs, as the guards left her to rot. The fact that she was in there because of stolen paintings deepened his curiosity. Her words were somewhat harsh and direct but he didn't mind in the slightest.

"Oh, of course not." He said with a smile, "I usually invite both partners."

If he had been in a ballroom or at an aristocratic celebration, he would have held more tact. However, this was a prison cell and she had already demonstrated that she cared less about tact. Vasilios would have offered a glass of wine but he wasn't keen on getting any closer to the iron bars than he had to.

"Apparently, I am a dastardly painting thief who will destroy every painting in the city." He said in a mocking way as he glanced in the direction that the guards had taken, "I suspect you're another painting thief?"

alphabunny

 

[alphabunny]

"Well arent you generous." Rou could care less about the mans sexual endevours. She needed to get out of this hell hole before they discovered more  accurate crimes.
Rou stood up, frustrated once more and shook the cell gates - as expected though, they would not budge. Apon her arrest they searched her throughly, confiscating the little coin she had, her cloak, bow and arrows.
She slumped to the floor once again and began untiying her her boots. "You expect correct. It's an insult actually."
Both boots off her feet she turned them each upside down and out of one something clattered to the floor wrapped in leather.
Picking up the concealed item she tucked it into her lap and began putting her boots on once more.
"So how did you end up in here if you are innocent as you claim?."

 

[Vasilios]

"Really? A painting thief isn't classy enough?" He asked with a playful smirk.

Although he knew little of lock picking or grand escapes, he could tell that whatever had fallen out of her boot was probably useful in escaping. She seemed experienced with trickery and held the confidence of someone who had been to jail before. Others would usually break down crying or immediately grow concerned. She had been screaming earlier but she was already moving to her escape without hesitation.

"I was looking for the thief myself. They stole a very important painting and I'd rather have it returned quickly." He said, "I chose to visit a local exhibit and something got stolen. I suspect our little thief friend tried to use me as a scapegoat and I was arrested on the spot."

Just as he was about to explain further, one of the guards entered the hall of cells and seemed to eye Rou suspiciously. As if he'd heard something and was trying to figure out what it was. Vasilios calmly stood, letting his robe lower enough to display his shoulders, and called out to the guard.

"Honey. Aren't you going to release me?" He suggested in a smooth voice.

The guard's attention dropped from Rou and turned directly to Vasilios. The guard had little chance against his irresistible fae charm and simply nodded to the suggestion planted in his mind. He fumbled with the keys for only a moment then unlocked the cell. Vasilios stepped out, careful not to touch the iron bars, then smiled once more at the guards.

"I would like to have my stuff returned to me. Oh...and I'll take hers as well." Vasilios commanded, pointing at Rou.

The guard nodded and opened the door for Vasilios, as if he was an escort. Vasilios glanced back at Rou, giving her a small smile.

"If you manage to find your way out of here, come and find me. I'll give everything back and give you an enticing offer." He said before leaving.

Vasilios put on a dark red shirt and tossed the robe into a satchel. As promised, the guard handed over her cloak, coins, bow and arrow. He was careful with each item, not wanting to let anything get ruined, and made his way out of the prisons. He was swift in his movements and made his way to a nearby small cafe and chose a table for two.

alphabunny

 

[alphabunny]

"Classy enough? Try to easy."
Boots on Rou got to her feet and began unwrapping the item.
Vasilios' story intruged her. If he was missing something of value, she might be able to procure it for him. It would not be her usual work but it was work nonetheless. Her mind began running thinking of ways to persude him into making use of her when she head footsteps. Quickly Rou fumbled to hide her tool. Fortunately her neighbour called over the suspicious gaurd.
Rou watched with intreuge as Vasilios began to flirt with the guard.
Theres no way this will work....
The half elf stood corrected. Without a second thought the guard unlocked and handed over not only her fellow ex-prisioners belonging but her own.
"Whoah stop the ship, those are mine!"
But it was to late, the 'man' was gone and the guard at another post.

***


For half an hour Rou would sit, thinking of how to get out the cell. Unpicking the lock was easy but afterwards she would have to be stealthy. Eventually, she spotter her escape. On one end of the corridor was a window with bars that had just a wide enough space for her to be able to squeeze between. The gaurd that was supposed to be on watch there had fallen asleep right beneath it. She unwrapped the small knife she had emptied out her boot and got to work picking the lock.
Click.
As quickly and silently as possible Rou tip toed over to the guard, wraped both hands around his kneck and began to squeeze. His eyes opened, seeing his attacker and as he made an attempt to scream he passed out once again.

Now to find that pompus flirt, fortunately for her he had not ventured far. Spotting him through a café window, she stormed inside and slammed her hands down on the table. "Give me my things. Now." Rou's eyes flashed with anger, her tone serious.

Vasilios

 

[Vasilios]

By the time Rou had escaped from her cell, Vasilios had already sipped on a cup of coffee and started reading another novel. This novel was entirely about cats, mostly containing drawings of cats being cute. The sudden slam on the coffee table brought him from his novel. At sight of his angry friend, he simply smiled and gestured to her pile of stuff, safely placed on the other seat.

"Roughly thirty minutes. Not bad." He said with a smirk, "I would be more than happy to pay for your food if you would be so kind and hear my request. And of course, its a request that offers payment."

He knew that his actions would greatly annoy her but he wanted to see what level of skill he would potentially be working with. The desire to regain one's possessions was an intense motivator. The smell of his own coffee was particularly delicious. He had chosen his cafe carefully, choosing one that had delicious recipes and comfortable seats. The atmosphere was calm and relaxing, perfect after pissing off a likely hungry thief.

"What do you say, madam?" He asked.

alphabunny

 

[alphabunny]

Rou slid into the seat across from the man.
She wanted her things and she was most definitely not about to turn down a free meal.

The most her ex cellmate asked for was to hear him out. Rou Stonewall was not one that commited without knowing what she was getting herself into but the promise of coin definately peaked her interest.

"I'll take the roast pork and beans alongside a cup of ale," the half elf gave a side glance towards the man as if to say I hope you know you are covering that one as well ; as she placed her order with a hovering waitress.

"Okay," folding her arms across her chest she would lean back into her chair. "I am listening."

Vasilios