Chapter One
Prosper stood by the canal, looking into it's murky waters wearily. He hated water... at least... water you could swim in. He liked showers, rain was nice, but the canals... He would be fine as long as no one suggested swimming. Not that anyone would go swimming right now. The water was probably nearly frozen.
The air was frozen too. No one in sight was dressed in anything less than two jackets, thick pants, thick wool socks, comfy shoes, and puffy gloves. The scarf was optional. Actually, the only person not wearing all of that was Prosper. He wasn't wearing gloves and he only had one jacket. Scipio had given it to him when the weather had started to become chilly. He'd given one to everyone but Prosper's was somehow... warmer, or comfier, or something...
"So Prosper, why'd you invite me out here? I could be doing business right now if it weren't for you. Go on, spit it out," Riccio ordered, pacing slightly.
Prosper leaned on the statue by the river and turned away from the waters. He glanced up at the shop and spotted Scipio inside, giving a child a coat. Scipio glanced up and waved at him but Prosper didn't wave back. He sniffled and rubbed his nose a bit before focusing his attention on Riccio.
"Riccio... You're my best friend so-...," he began.
"Really? I thought that'd be Scipio. Are you sure?" Riccio asked, munching on some bread he'd just bought.
"Scipio's... something more. That's why I wanted to talk to you, Riccio." Prosper took a deep breath, prepared to try and explain himself. "Riccio, you're my best friend, so I thought you should know... I think I'm in love with Scipio."
Riccio looked stunned at first. He didn't say anything and Prosper was worried he'd be rejected because of such feelings. Then Riccio smiled.
"Yeah right. Nice try, Prosper. You almost had me," Riccio laughed, lightly hitting Prosper in the shoulder.
"I'm not kidding, Riccio." Prosper paused and then sighed in frustration. "I'm really trying here. I'm serious."
"No you're not, Prosper. You've never seen him like that before. He's your best friend, for goodness sake." Riccio narrowed his eyes like he couldn't understand this conversation.
"Riccio! I'm not making it up. I like him... a lot! I'm trying to be honest with you cause I need someone to talk to. Someone to help me," Prosper was giving Riccio a look to try and beg him to understand but Riccio shook his head.
"Stop jokin around, Prosper!" he raised his voice, trying to block out what he'd heard, and pushed Prosper roughly.
Prosper's eyes widened. His hand slipped off the statue beside him. He could feel himself losing his sense of balance. Then Prosper slipped off the edge of the canal and straight down into it's murky depths. They were deeper than they appeared. Riccio looked over the edge, worried for Prosper but expecting to see his head pop up at the surface, yelling at him for doing that. The water must be freezing, after all.
But Prosper did not resurface. All that was there to even say Prosper was in there were the bubbles leaking from Prosper's lips. With a worried gasp, Riccio ran screaming into The Thief Lord's shop.
Prosper was lost to the canal, lost to the frozen winter waters. The only one Riccio could think to go for was Scipio. Maybe... Maybe Prosper was being serious after all. Whenever Prosper needed help, everyone went for Scipio and whenever Scipio needed help, everyone went to get Prosper. Maybe Prosper was telling the truth. And Riccio just killed him!
Onee-chan 1: Yes the chapters are short... It's kinda the reason why this oringinally planned three chapter story turned out to be six. I could have put the chapters together but eh, they're short. Enjoy!