Among Thieves: Chapter I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psbEdw963X4&feature=relmfu

 

>"What have we got?"

"Twenty-eight bits, a sapphire, and this circlet I snagged from a vendor. You?"

>"Five watches and a satchel full of apricots."

"That's it?"

>"That's it."

>A sigh escapes your lips as you rub the spot between your eyes, still sore from the long, arduous day.

"That's not going to be enough."

>"Anon I know that, I'm no idiot."

>Your head raises as you stare deadpan at the unicorn in front of you.

"No idiot? Yeah. Okay. Why do you have a satchel full of apricots then?"

>"Well I-"

"Are we going to go sell our stolen apricots on the street? Is Bruce going to be just THRILLED by the apricots we're bringing him?"

>She stops for a second, a small embarrassed blush creeping into her face.

"...you got hungry and stole apricots, didn't you?"

>"Shut up."

>Rising to your feet, you walk along the cold, damp cobblestone of the sewer you were hiding out in, peaking over the edge of a grate for any sign of danger or curious ears.

>Your view is partially obstructed by the bars of the grate, but you can tell what's going on outside just by the sound.

>Just another sunny, care free day in Canterlot, as per usual.

>No prying eyes or suspicious behavior from outside... good.

>A shift of feet and you're walking back to the unicorn wrapped in a white hooded tunic, her violet eyes watching you as your mind races.

 

>"What now? We can't really go back to Bruce with only a handful of bits and a few shiny stones."

"Bruce will get his bits. I'm working on it."

>"Really? Because from here it looks like you're just sitting there NOT coming up with a plan."

"I said I'm working on it."

>Pacing. Pacing was something you've grown accustomed to since starting your line of work.

>Amethyst was never really fond of your pacing, though. Sitting and planning were more her speed.

>"Anon."

"I told you, I'm working on it. Sweet Celestia, Amethyst, can you give me a minute or two to come up with something?"

>A quick, annoyed groan from her tells you she's done nagging for now.

>One hundred and fifty bits or trinkets of that value.

>That was the quota for the month.

>And here you stood with only about fifty bits worth of useless junk.

>Hell, the watches Amethyst stole were all knock offs from what you could tell, and the circlet you nabbed was only coated in gold. The rest was probably copper.

>Bruce wasn't going to be pleased.

>But then again, you weren't planning on going back to him empty handed.

"Star, c'mere."

>You walk past Amethyst over to one of the walls of the sewer, removing a bit of chalk from your pouch.

>"Finally have a plan?"

"Stay with me here. We're here."

>You draw a small circle, and then lead a line going to the left of it.

"If we follow the tunnels down here for a good while, we're going to be somewhere underneath the financial district."

>Amethyst lets out a sigh.

>"Anonymous we were just in the financial district. The guards are going to be all over there anyway once our marks report their things stolen."

 

"I know. We're not hitting that district anyway."

>You lead the chalk south, then back east and due north. It felt like you were drawing a maze, but at this point you were going off pure memory of the city's layout.

>Amethyst gives you a concerned look, as she too knows the layout to this capital.

>"High Town? You want to hit the vendors in High Town? Are you mental?"

"Not the vendors, no."

>A sigh of relief exits Star's mouth, but a smile forms on yours.

"We're hitting the Gilded Bridle."

>Now she loses it.

>"Out of your BUCKING mind, Anon. The guard detail around that shop is-"

"Crazy, yeah I know. You remember when Flitter tried to break into that place?"

>"She's still in Canterlot's dungeon... no. No I am not game for this."

"Amethyst, our quota is due TONIGHT. If we keep trying to hit homes and vendors, we won't make ends meet in time. We have to hit that jewelry shop, or we're out of the guild."

>"I am not busting into that shop in broad daylight and ransacking it! The royal guard would be on our flanks in minutes, and then it's "bye bye Canterlot, hello BANISHMENT."

"Who said anything about breaking in?"

>You turn to her, Amethyst's stare trying to figure out where you're going with all this.

>"What... are you getting at?"

"Simple. We're a loving couple swept away in romance looking for an engagement ring for your horn. Unfortunately, everything we come across is just not good enough for my little lamb chop, so we're forced to leave earlier than expected... and with a heavier satchel."

>The silence that follows is one of awkward disbelief. Amethyst Star simply gawks at you as you reveal your plan.

>Shaking her head, she gives you a serious, dark stare.

>"Let me get this straight. You want to walk into the Gilded Bridle, a shop in the part of city with the HIGHEST guard presence, pretend we're a couple, and just... knick jewels from right under their snouts?"

"Yes."

 

>Pocketing your chalk, you walk over to the trinkets the two of you stole and seal them in a double layered pouch, attach weights to the bottom of it, and dump it into the water of the sewer.

>The string in your hand is attached to the pouch, and you trap it underneath a loose brick. The two of you would came back for these later.

>Amethyst groans and pulls the hod of her tunic over her head, walking along with you as the two of you make you're way through the tunnels of the sewer.

>"I cannot believe you talked me into doing this."

"Believe it beautiful, because it's happening."

>"Beautiful?"

"Well we have to act like we're in love soon, might as well get in character."

>A smile this time from her. Good. You preferred those to the sarcastic jeers and rolling eyes.

>"Alright then, sweetheart, if you insist."

"That's the spirit."

>These tunnels were dark and dank, but you knew them well enough. You both did. After all, you'd been with the Guild for years now, but only now were you two trying to prove yourselves to be more and more capable thieves.

>Hell, petty crime was in your blood. You'd been running the streets of lower Canterlot since you were a child.

>Pick a pocket here, swipe a purse there. Small time acts, things no one would miss.

>Back then, it was for survival.

>But then you met Amethyst, and your aspirations grew bolder.

 

>The two of you became a duo, a bonified Robin Hood and Little John. Only difference is that you tended to keep the things you stole from the rich to yourselves. After all, you were the poor.

>Both of you only heard about the Guild once you were both caught breaking into bakery by a patrolling guard unit. You were only teenagers, but you were still locked up in a prison near the docks.

>The sentence was a year in jail.

>The two of you were there for only a week.

>And once you break out of a prison cell in lower Canterlot, you're pretty much invited into the Guild.

>Jump forward a good ten or so years, and here you both were, shuffling through a sewer underneath the streets of Equestria's capital city.

>Truly you were living the dream.

>The next twenty minutes is spent with planning and running through tactics, plans for worse case scenarios, what to do with any extra cash you made from the hit, etc.

>"Might finally be able to buy a decent hair band once this is all over. Maybe even a dagger."

"You have plenty of dagger, Amethyst. You don't need anymore."

>A light laugh echoes around the sewer walls from the lavender mare at your side.

>"One can never have too many daggers, Anonymous. You should know this by now."

>It's your turn to laugh now, as you shake your head at her in mock pity.

"It's a damn shame you never get to use them then, isn't it? Well, save for threatening terrified marks and shaky guards. You know the rules."

>"Yeah yeah, no killing. You don't have to remind me, smartass."

"My my, the mouth on my fiance! Shame on you."

>"Can it, deary."

"Better."

 

>You hold out an arm, cutting Amethyst off mid step.

"Here we are."

>Nodding over to a ladder on the wall, the two of you climb up to the manhole cover, carefully sliding it across the street and peak out into the open.

>An alleyway. Perfect.

>Once you're out of the sewer, you mark the side of the manhole with your chalk.

"Shit hits the fan, we high tail it and meet back here. Drop down, grab our loot, then leg it to the Guild Hall. Got it?"

>"Crystal clear."

"Good."

>Sliding carefully around the corner of the alley's entrance, you spot your target: A large shop with an intricately designed sign hanging above the front doors.

>The Gilded Bridle: Jewels and Apparel for the Finest of Mares.

>And stationed outside while on patrol stood a small platoon of guards, armed with spears and clad in golden armour.

>You give Amethyst a wink.

"Smile and wave, 'beloved.' Smile and wave."

>You stand straight, fixing your hair a bit as Amethyst dusts off her tunic and sidles up closer to you.

>"Let's get this over with."

>And with that, you and Amethyst Star put your crazy scheme into action.

 

>As your eyes behold gems of various sizes and colors, beads of pearls and many others, you can already feel your hands try to make their way over to anything not nailed to the ground.

>This place... was a thief's paradise.

>So many trinkets and shiny little baubles just WAITING to be borrowed permanently...

>Shit, no.

>Focus.

>Play the part, don't get distracted.

>You and Amethyst make your way to the clerk on duty, a studious mare with a mole the size of Canterlot Castle above her eye.

>She gives a huff, eying the two of you up before greeting you.

>"Yes? Is there something you want?"

>Time to shmaultz it up.

"Oh, thank GOODNESS. I don't know what I would have done if we didn't find this place! The wedding would have been just RUINED, wouldn't it darling?"

>Amethyst puts on a pout and nods, her voice becoming deeper and with an air of privilege about it.

>"Egads, that would just be horrific! I don't know if my little heart could take such heart ache!"

"Don't worry sugar pie, it's going to be just fine, don't you worry! Ma'am?"

>"Uhm... yes?"

"I- No, WE need your help!" you say as you grasp her hoof in a pleading motion. "I'm to be engaged to this lovely unicorn in but a few days! And she, she needs the BEST when it comes to wedding rings!"

>"Price is not an option, ma'am. He will pay whatever it takes to ensure his snugglelumpkins is happy!"

"Of course I will my sweet! Now then, what can you offer us madame?"

 

>The mare blinks rapidly a few times, taken aback by the sickeningly sweet nature you and Amethyst are creating, as well as stunned by the sheer horribleness of the pet names you're calling each other.

>But on the reminder that money isn't an object, she perks up immediately and her eyes light up with a greedy sheen.

>"Of course! Miss, if you follow me I'm sure I can find you something to match that radiant mane and tail of yours!"

>Amethyst curtsies, and follows the clerk to another side of the store.

>This was going smoother than you had ever imagined.

>The stupid mare didn't even see you snatch the small sapphire from her bracelet when you were pleading with her.

>Slowly making your way to a counter at the opposite side of the store, you glance around to see if there were anymore customers.

>None.

>Security?

>None.

>Time to get this finished.

>Giving a hand motion over to Amethyst, you bring the sapphire to the glass of one of the jewelry cases.

>And then Amethyst begins sneezing like she's never sneezed before.

 

>The clerk mare is taken aback, and has no clue what to do. Furthermore, she keeps getting spit all over her from Amethyst.

>You take this distraction to your advantage, and quickly slice the sapphire in a circle along the glass, cutting it quickly and making a hole.

>Amethyst assists even further by assaulting the clerk with another barrage of wet, crazy sneezes, all the while pushing her further and further away from you.

>A few quick hand movements, and you've filled your once empty satchel with an assortment of jewel encrusted bracelets, amulets, circlets and more.

>Your feet move you quickly back over to the main counter, and you assume a posture of anxious worry for the return of your wife.

>Ah, and here she comes.

>"Well I NEVER! How dare you tell me where and when I can sneeze!"

"Sweety Pie, what's the matter?"

>"This mare is trying to RUIN my mane by exposing me to her dust ridden shop! I've never sneezed so much in my life!"

"Dust?! Are you TRYING to get my lovely bride to be KILLED?!"

>The mare is flabbergasted, not knowing how to even begin explaining the situation to you.

>"I- She was- I was simply trying to- Please sir, I meant no disrespect to your wife. Here, let me go get you a complementary bracelet, for all your trouble!"

>Shit.

>She quickly trots over to the glass counter.

>The glass counter you broke into.

>You look to Amethyst.

>She looks to you.

>And you run like hell out of that store and into the street, but not soon enough, as the store clerk yells out "THIEVES! I'VE BEEN ROBBED!" to the entire district.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcihOgHUmz0

 

>Guards jolt to attention and sprint after you and Amethyst. You can't immediately go to the sewers. You had to lose them first without knowing where you intended to go.

"Can you run ANY faster?!"

>"Shut UP and GO."

>Through vendors and stalls, the two of you sprint, leading the local guard on a merry chase through the High Town District of Canterlot.

"Move move move!"

>"I AM MOVING!"

"Well then move FASTER."

>"Are you calling me fat?"

"When the hell did I- We do NOT have time for this! Roof!"

>"Wha-"

"Fucking ROOF."

>You cut right and fling yourself up a small wall, reaching back and grabbing Amethyst's hoof and swinging her up and over with you.

>Both of you race across tiled roofs, leaping from building to building in the process.

>Not long after, pegasus units arrive to make chase after you once more.

>"Anon! Do you have a smoke pellet in that thing?"

"What? Oh shit right!"

>You fumble you hands through the satchel, dropping a few gems to the roofs underneath your feet as you try to find the tiny orb.

 

>Gem.

>Gem.

>Another fucking-

>Ah HA!

>You thrust your hand to the sky, a small round ball in your finger tips. Throwing it into the tiles below, it releases a cloud of smoke and haze as your and your partner in crime duck down form the roof and into the ally below, shuffling quickly and quietly back the way you came while the guards angrily keep searching in the opposite direction.

>The sound of heavy, galloping hooves causes you to tense up and press yourself against the brick wall, ducking Amethyst down as you do.

>A battalion of stallions race through the streets, spears at the ready.

>You look to Star, who brings a hoof to her mouth. You reply with a finger to yours.

>Now was the time for quiet.

>Weaving in and out of the shadows of alley ways, the two of you eventually make it back to the manhole you marked, and make your way down into the sewers once more.

 

>"Great plan Anon! Great BUCKING plan! We almost got our flanks sent to the dungeons again!"

>Amethyst punches you in the arm repeatedly while muttering curses and venting her frustration, as the two of you head back to where you stashed your loot earlier.

"Ah, but we're NOT in the dungeon are we?"

>"That's not the point! So you have any idea how many guards saw us? Bruce is going to seriously dock our reward in order to pay them off."

"You're still worried about the money?"

>"Of course I'm worried about the money! That's what this entire affair was for! The money!"

>Rolling your eyes and giving a smirk, you open the satchel at your waist and show Amethyst the contents.

>A orange glow cascades onto her face as her eyes go wide and her mouth hangs open just a tad.

>She's completely mesmerized by how much you were able to make away with.

"We happy?"

>"...yeah. Yeah we're happy."

"Good. C'mon, let's get all this to Bruce so we can finally relax. I'm dying for a drink."

>A lighthearted titter from Amethyst gives you a smile, and she nods as you both head further and further into the sewers, making your way to the hidden entryway of the Guild.

>Bruce wasn't going to be disappointed.

 

>"I am sorely disappointed in you two."

>You sat in front of a marble desk, Amethyst at your side, both of your heads hanging slightly in shame.

>Bruce Mane was giving you a lecture about protocol.

>Again.

"We're sorry, Bruce."

>"It won't happen again."

>The blue colt stares back at the two of you, his eyes unflinching as he considers your words.

>"What, my fledglings, is the FIRST rule of a successful heist? Hm? Anyone?"

>...

"Never become a suspect."

>"Yes. Do you two know what you currently are to the guard of High Town?"

>Amethyst looks up at Bruce, shame written on her snout.

>"...suspects?"

>"Suspects. You two are wanted for robbery, evasion, and obstruction of justice."

>His gaze narrows, the creases in his brow becoming apparent.

>"Again."

>The silence in the hall is so massive, you could here a pin drop from the surface of the streets above.

>That silence is broken when Bruce, unexpectedly, lets out a smile.

>"On the other hand, you two managed to steal from the Gilded Bridle. That's something. And you made enough bits in stolen goods to meet your quota, and have enough to pay off the guards who placed your bounties."

 

>Amethyst beams, ecstatic.

>"Does.. does this mean we-"

>Bruce nods, and Star pumps a hoof in giddy joy while you can do nothing but smile back at him.

>"There is ONE condition though."

>And now the smiles are gone.

"...condition?"

>"What condition?"

>Bruce gives a sly grin and leans back in his chair, the grandfather clock on the wall ticking away in rhythm with your pulse.

>"One. More. Job."

>Well SHIT.

>You bring your face into your hands, groaning as Amethyst curses to herself.

>"But Bruce, we already-"

>"You two need to show me you can complete a job with NO mistakes. Understand? One. More. Job."

>You and your partner are silent, and you swallow air as you meet Bruce's gaze once more.

"Just... just one more job. One more, and we get to-"

>"Yes. One more job, and you get to help me with the Heist of a Lifetime."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHGgrb29hj4&feature=related