A Little Light-Fingered

Writers: Kaysea, Vix
Date Posted: 31st March 2007

Characters: Briag, Enara
Description: Briag and Enara case The Tavern for possible victims and make off with a minor take.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 2, day 22 of Turn 4

"There are a few over there who seem to be drinking quickly and enthusiastically," murmured Enara as she sidled up to her companion. "They've placed some marks on the table and told the waitress to take what she needs to keep them supplied."

"Keep an eye open for an opportunity, if they look like they're about done, make it disappear." Briag almost looked as if he was speaking to the glass of ale he held within his grip. Both hands rested easily around the base of the glass, his nose looked as if it was dipping into the pale coloured liquid as he gave the impression of one who _had_ had too many drinks. "Won't be long now, though until your uncle Bri' can go into action..." He tapped one short, grubby finger to the side of his nose.

The young woman reached past him to take one of the finger-roots from a tray upon the table, pausing briefly to smile toward a man at the next table before speaking through her teeth to her uncle. "Hold on just a little."

Enara sauntered toward the man who had been the object of her earlier attention. "You look like someone who needs company." She lowered herself slowly to the chair across from him, her head cocked slightly to one side as she regarded him appraisingly. She shifted the chair slightly so that when the man turned to look at her, his back was turned toward Briag.

Briag had watched the whole scenario from the corner of his eyes, his head tilted a little as he watched his niece make her move on their mark. It was his turn now.

He twisted in the seat he had taken at the bar, and _somehow_ managed to twist his leg in the leg of the chair as he attempted to rise. The next moment he had gone down to his hands and knees on the floor. It wasn't easy to manage as the Tavern tonight was more than a little crowded, which was good for both him and Enara as well as the Tavern keeper.

A few turned to look at him, but his blustering talk indicated 'just another drunk', and apologising profusely to the man at the table with Enara, he pulled himself up against the 'mark's' chair. Apart from shifting uneasily from the 'drunk' the man didn't even feel Briag's hand slipping briefly into his pocket, relieving him of the small pouch contained within.

At the opposite side of the table, Enara frowned and brushed at her blouse. "Some of that ale splashed on me."

"Never mind it," the mark stated hoarsely, reaching a hand toward her.

"It's my favorite," the young woman simpered. She rose with a slight flounce of her skirts. "I need to go wipe at it before it stains." She moved quickly to another area of the room, knowing that the man would quickly direct his attention elsewhere. From her new vantage, she scanned the room, glancing back to her uncle for any new cues.

Briag staggered off towards the back of the tavern, bumping into people left and right as he did so. The more he made a nuisance of him self in small ways, the more he would blend into the background. He rested against a post, and found Enara a little further over, from him. He bumbled through a couple of men arguing, and noticed a nice chain dangling across the man's portly stomach. The top of one of the new money pouches he had seen becoming more popular appeared to be attached to the chain, *damn* not much chance with that one. . . unless.

He reached and started to pass Enara, and as he did so quickly gave her a description of the mark. "Distract him for long enough and I'll have his trous off him before he knows it." he ended with.

She gave a slight nod, though she did not even glance in her uncle's direction. Then she started forward, turning to Briag at last with a look of distaste and stepping around him. As she started past the two arguing gentleman, she stopped and gave the mark a second look. A slow smile crossed her face. "A lovely evening, isn't ?"

"Why. . . yes." The man glanced toward his companion, who winked, raised his glass, and headed toward the bar.

"I wasn't certain what type of crowd would be here," Enara shrugged demurely. "After all, such places often attract unsavory types, and I'd hate to be considered one of those."

"I imagine not," he replied, bowing slightly to her. "Do you need someone to keep you company while you're here?"

"For at least a while. I came here with one of my friends, but we were separated and I really don't want to seem forward while I watch for her." She placed a hand lightly on his arm. "If you wouldn't mind, m'lord, I would so appreciate if I could talk to you for a bit." She stepped closer to him, looking up at him, her eyelashes batting slightly.

Briag stood back and pretended to doze against the post, his eyes barely opened, but enough to watch as Enara made her way forward and managed to waylay the mark. He was most intrigued with Enara "charms" from where Briag stood. But time would tell. He watched his niece do her duty, and then noticed the perfect chance as another two men a little further down began a heated discussion.

He set off at a shamble, and managed to slide between Enara and her 'friend' just as the other two broke apart and one began pushing his way through the crowd. Briag belched long and loud, and what he knew would be poisonous air, enough of a distraction? He hoped so. The arguing man stormed forward, shoving Briag into the 'mark' hard enough with Briag's acting, to jostle the man over and across Enara.

As he did so, Briag slipped his hand inside the man's jacket, unbuttoned the mains waistcoat, and unhooked the chain which had been attached with a small leather loop around one of the buttons. He was just able to rebutton the waistcoat as the 'mark' shoved him back up, exclaiming, as other hands came down on the threesome and pulled them back to their feet. Both the 'mark' and Enara were only too keen to push him away, him and his fetid breath which still appeared to cloud the air.

The woman turned her head slightly, her hand covering her mouth and nose as she uttered two sharp coughs. "That was. . . the people they leave in here." As the mark turned his full attention back to her, she smiled coyly. "Though at least there are still some decent men to talk to."

He moved closer to her, bending his head toward her. "Perhaps we should go to a less crowded part of the room?"

"That sounds lovely. . ." She turned quickly toward the door. "Oh - Dilla just waved to me. I'd best go and see what she wants." She offered him a last smile as she strode quickly to the exit and slipped through it.

Briag watched as Enara slipped through the door, he had been waiting in the shadows. He gave a short, sharp whistle and walked off in the direction of their camping ground. He had felt safer this time having somewhere, away from the general melee, to sleep and hideout. It wasn't too far to walk, and having scoped the area a sevenday or more ago, it was a seldom visited or traveled place. Enara hadn't been too happy to be sleeping out, but Thread wasn't due for a few days, and they would be in the next holding by then.

He could hear footsteps behind him and quickly hid behind the nearest tree trunk, waiting and watching until a figure emerged from the darkness. "Could you make any more noise?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, I could," she snapped. "But if I made less noise you'd be complaining that I shouldn't sneak up on you." She rolled her shoulders, wishing to relax the tension in them now that she was away from their marks. "Those tavern patrons were stupid enough and drunk enough, but were they carrying anything worthwhile?"

"Shh..." he said again. "Honestly woman, you could strip the hide off a runner with your voice!" He walked a few paces, then turned to her, "But you're right," he nodded grimly, "there wasn't anything really worth much back there; but it doesn't always have to be that way. I have a plan, and I think it might increase the take. But - enough for now, come, let's relieve ourselves of our take; and we can return and see what other slim pickings are out there."

"I haven't much," she admitted quietly. "I was busy setting up marks for you and studying the set-up. But while visiting the necessary I managed to relieve one of the ladies of this chain." She held it out to him. "It was one of several and is nothing out of the ordinary. It won't bring much, but also won't be recognized."

"I haven't much either, but I'd rather be done for only one or two things, if I were to be caught, than a whole bundle." They made their way through the close shrubbery to a small clearing. This wasn't their sleeping area, but close to it, Briag surmised this area wasn't much in use either, and would suffice to hide their takings, for now.

"We'll leave what we have here, one more expedition for the night, I think. I have something else to arrange while we're there, but our way may be a little clearer once I have this other matter in hand."

Enara regarded him levelly. "Are you going to let me in on the secret or let me blunder about and possibly spoil your plan?"

"I will tell you, mainly because it may involve some of those 'feminine wiles' you're so proud of using." Briag turned and grinned up at her, whilst he secreted their takings in the hollow stump of an old tree. "Did you see that tall blonde guard? The one who looks as though he's missing a few marks?" he asked and tapped the side of his head.

"With the way he was leering at me, how could I miss him?"

"I heard him complaining of being passed over for a promotion. And the lack of marks he makes, and .. his gambling debts. Which are probably the reason he hasn't been promoted." Briag shook his head, "All of this information could be useful, _he_ could be useful. He may be willing to turn a blind eye, for a few extra marks each night. If - you know what I mean?"

She nodded as he spoke. "That's possible, but we'll have to proceed carefully. If we make a proposal, he could just as easily see turning us in as his ticket to that promotion."

"He won't be doing that." Briag nodded, knowingly. "Not after I talk with him. We're not the only ones who have been a little light-fingered; but he didn't think he was seen. He'll need someone to fence the item for him, unless he's stupid enough..." Briag shook his head, "He's stupid enough..."

"Alright, I'll count on your judgment in this." She gave him a warning look. "But as you're so fun of telling me, 'use the stupid but don't let them in on too much of your plan'."

"He's not going to be let into much at all, but enough that he will be a foil for us at any time." he finished concealing the hole in the stump and stood again, "Come on, the Tavern closes in a candlemark or so, but they'll all be that much drunker by the time we get back."

"True." She moved through the bushes, more quietly after his previous admonition. "And open air or not, I'll be glad to get back to our camp and some rest."

"One more excursion and we shall be away before they even realize what's been happening." His voice was low but confident as they made their way back through the tangle of bushes before landing back on the road leading to the Tavern.

"You go first," Enara told her uncle. "I'll follow after."

Last updated on the April 1st 2007

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A Little Light-Fingered