The Month of Running (March) Age 7

Week 1

Not much going on so far. The only thing we did was jog from Brightvale to Meridell and back again. The Kyrii said that it's practice for when guards are chasing us, and for next week, when we're going to the Illusen Day Festival. He said that's going to be our first test- we had to bring something back that we stole. I can't wait!

Week 2

All I can really say is that the party was…educational. Illusen's Glade was filled to the brim with neopets, all dancing or bearing gifts or whatever. We were all told to dress in black, but I came in my usual clothes- a shirt, trousers, shoes, and a jacket. The Kyrii angrily asked, "Why didn't you follow my order?"

I grinned cheekily. "Well, sir, wouldn't wearing black make everyone notice us? It'd be obvious that I was a thief if I showed up like that." I actually just forgot, but I was definitely not gonna tell that to him.

"That's-that's true," he conceded. Not liking to be humiliated by a student, he added harshly, "Next time tell me, got it? We can't all show up looking at fools."

"Yes, sir," I replied dutifully. Kayley glared at me.

The Kyrii said to blend into the background, which we all did easily. All except Razor. Poor guy, you wouldn't believe how many people were staring at him. He was wearing a dark jumpsuit that was probably supposed to give you the appearance of a ninja or something, but he looked more of a dark Tuskaninny.

The twins went right up to the snack table, storing numerous amounts of cream cookies in their mouths. I wonder if it counted as stealing if you've already eaten it? Apparently, Kayley didn't want to take any chances. She headed towards the armory, which we learned earlier was in the base of an old oak tree. I decided to follow her, you know, to see if I can give her some of my charming assistance.

She knocked twice, opening a secret door. She climbed in. Right at the last minute, I ran inside as the portal shut. Then I started searching for Kayley. Finding a black Acara in the dark is a lot harder than it looks, you know. I finally saw her when she tensed up, staring at something. Following her gaze, I saw an Illusen's Blade! That was one of her rarest items. Without thinking twice, she snatched it greedily, muttering, "This'll show that stupid ixi." Hmm, who could that be?

Suddenly, this alarm went off. Roots as big as trunks wrapped themselves around Kayley, nearly strangling her. My first instinct, though I hate to admit it, was to run and help. Luckily, common sense prevailed. I remembered that Illusen was a rainbow-and-butterflies type of Faerie, the kind that would never hurt anything. She wouldn't let even a thief die, would she?

I was right. In a poof of green smoke, she appeared, though not looking as sweet as I thought. For someone who would "never hurt anything," she had the guise of someone feeling pretty murderous. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" She yelled.

"Mdfasdff," she replied, still being throttled.

Illusen waved her hands and the vines let go of her, though Kayley seemed to rather want to take her chances with them than with the Faerie. "WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS?" She demanded. Kayley gulped. Grabbing her, she snapped her fingers and they disappeared. Ouch. I guess that means an F for Kayley's grade.

That left me in the unguarded armory, able to get anything that I want. If I was careful. I so didn't want to end up like Kayley. Luckily I always carried some supplies. In my pocket, I had a plastic bag, which I filled with sand. There were mounds of it down there! Then I reached for the blade-

-And stopped. Something caught in the corner of my eye. Illusen's staff- her ultimate weapon. Was she going to freak if she finds out that was missing…and what big reward I'd get if I can take it. Changing my course, I soon found the powerful rod in my hands. Grinning, I hid it in my bag and got out of the room.

I'd like to tell you that I presented it regally before the Kyrii, who then made me Master Thief on the spot. I'd like to say that Kayley was forever humbled, and whenever pickpockets all around whispered my name, it would always accompany a sense of awe. I'd like to say I was at least strong enough to make it near the Kyrii before turning back. But I can't.

Because right outside, Razor was blubbering his eyes out. I was kind of surprised. As much as all the kids bullied or teased him, it always seemed to slide off his back. He was never, ever upset. So I asked, "Why are you crying, big guy?"

"I'm not crying," he sniffed. "And I'm not big. I'm thick boned."

"Whatever."

"I can't take anything," he confessed. "Everyone's always watching me. Do you know how hard it is to be- be-"

"Thick boned?"

"Thick boned and a thief. I can't do it. They're always staring, and I'm slow and I'm dumb and-"

"Hey, you're not all that," I said, trying to kind.

"Really?" He said disbelievingly.

"Well, at least you're not dumb." I had to be honest! "You're like the smartest person I know."

"Fat lot of use it is to me," he answered. "Besides, there'll always be someone smarter. All those noble kids and guards get a better education- I can only read books."

"Pfft. I bet you're better than any of them," I promised.

He shrugged. "That won't help me with this assignment, will it?" He looked down, and his jaw dropped. "You- you got Illusen's staff!" He nearly shouted.

"Shh! Keep it down, will ya?" I said, glancing around furtively.

"I'm doomed," he moaned. "You're the best one in class- even better than Kayley- and I'm just pathetic. I'll never be able to steal something like that."

"Sure you- wait. Better than Kayley?" Besides the guard from a long time ago, no one's ever mentioned how good my thieving ability was. I was actually kind of flattered.

"Yeah. And I'm useless." He put his head in his paws. There seemed to be nothing in Neopia that could cheer him up now. "I'll probably be better off as a puppet show man or something."

That did it. "You are not going to be a puppet show man!" I said fiercely. "You're going to be whatever you want to be. Even a thief."

He gazed at me indecorously. "How am I going to do that? I can't even get through this task!"

I looked at him. Then I looked at the staff. Then I looked at him again. Sighing, I did probably the craziest thing ever. I shoved the magical rod under his nose and told him to say that he stole it.

He looked at me, shocked. "I can't do that! I'll be lying!"

"Well, thieves aren't supposed to be honest, are they?" I said irritably. "Take it. I can get another thing; you can't." I was already doing a good deed- I didn't want to get berated for it. Evidently, Razor sensed this and thanked me. Then he hurried away, as if worried that I'd change my mind and force him to give it back.

I ended up doing the same as the twins; getting some of the cream cookies. Unlike them, however, mine wasn't covered in slobber, and at least I didn't get as bad an evaluation as Kayley, who got caught and had nothing to show for it.

The Kyrii didn't actually believe that Razor took the staff all by himself, but gave him a passing grade nonetheless. That made me think about whether he would give credit to me if I was the one who turned up with it. Oh, never mind. It was too late, now. Strangely though, if I had to do it over again, I would.

Week 3

Both me and Razor are keeping our mouths shut about the whole staff business, but I could see that he was dying to tell someone. A sharp face from me, though, kept him quiet. You see, "Thief School" is not the same as any other. When one institution would probably praise me, in this one I'd probably be made a laughingstock.

Week 4

One thing I've noticed about Razor is that he's trying a lot harder in his lessons. In fact, he's third in class- next to me and Kayley. I was right; he can be pretty good someday.