Gimme money!

Rick's place was relatively near by. Skif watched as Rick approached a large wealthy building, stopping to say something to a man at the door and proceeded in. Upon closer inspection he discovered that it was in fact a hotel, and a disgustingly expensive one at that. Considering the state of clothes Rick was wearing, he had lied about something. What though? He tain't no noble, could mebbe be sum riche though. Or a extermly well off thief. Or even one on em beaks, jus lookin' for thieves ter turn over ter the guard. Dammit! In any case, the guy was suspicious. Deciding he had better not poke any further, Skif headed back to finally steal from Thomlan Vel Cerican's as originally planned.

The job went down without a single misfortune and Skif littered the money and jewels all across the city. Lying awake that night Skif had to review a few things. He was enormously happy that he hadn't gone straight to Rick's house, duh, but he had said he'd meet him tomorrow. A plan forming in his mind, Skif rolled over in his straw heap. He was looking forward to his next meeting.

As planned, Skif left again to meet Rick. He knew that the man would assume he'd be waiting right by the tree, but Skif had other plans. He really didn't trust Rick and was currently lookin' for a good place to watch said tree. Having found a table at the diner across the street Skif bought himself a mug of cold water (quite expensive) and a newspaper. Flipping the paper up he watched with his eyes just over the edge for people approaching the park. He was a bit early and had assumed he would have to wait. He was proven wrong however when Rick showed up just minutes after he did. He walked casually straight into the same diner and took a seat from which you could see out onto the street, more specifically the park. The seat just happened to be right next to his and Skif was infinitely glad that he had bought the paper.

Scanning Rick quickly he decided on a good sum, high enough that he could stop thievery for a few months and focus entirely on finding Bazie's murderer. Rick was wearing clothes of the same station as yesterday, most importantly different clothes. Skif himself had been garbed in the same outfit for the last few days. He wasn't as good at mending and had poor access to a wash bucket, unlike his stay with Bazie and the gang. The only clean thing about him was his actual skin. The church people insisted on cleanliness and had a cold shower every morning, no soap. Of course, everyone was responsible for washing their own towel so maybe they weren't that clean after all. Peoples are gunna be thinkin' I be carryin' some rabies or sumthin if I don't take ter soap washin sometime soon.

Payment decided Skif put down the paper and turned face Rick. "Hey" he said to get his attention. Rick took his eyes off the park to look to whoever had spoken to him and upon seeing Skif his eyes grew wide and gasped in surprise.

"What are you doing here? We were supposed to meet at the tree!" Rick stated clearly agitated that a little boy thought along the same criminal lines as he did. Never trust a thief right?

"Jus makin' sure you wert gunna bring da beaks down on me." Skif replied happy that Rick was having so much trouble. "What er' you doin' in here then? Got thirsty?"

"We are in a heat wave." Rick replied unconvincingly. Noticing my disbelieve he caved and said more quietly "Same reason as you, if you be an honest boy. I think it's safe to say that there are no beaks here, what you say to some breakfast? I'm payin."

Of course Skif was all for free food, especially at dawn having just missed his own breakfast to meet him. A meal of cold cereal (like there's any other kind) for Skif and Rick himself got some water. Prolly eat at fancy 'otel o' his. Skif figured.

"So,"says Rick, "the plan is this. You, the little boy, will go undercover at the collegium as a student. They need a thief amongst them, to do a bit o' work. I'm not sure what"He added shrugging. "The head there is a friend of a friend of mine. Once you gain their trust, they'll let you serve at the palace mebbe and if not, you'll be free to roam around at least. You'll get me into the palace and we'll rob the place of any valuable jewelry and most importantly the Queens seal. I've got a special order onnit."

"And my pay?" Skif asked, not entirely interested.

"25" That's still probably n'uf to get ye through winter, which is a long ways off, under fair living conditions. Mebbe a bonus if you get us in fast." Rick replied, appearing to think this was a fair sum. Skif however, knew money and how much that hotel cost, it wasn't a place you stayed at unless you were VERY well off. Rick could have that much in his pant pocket. Skif had a better idea.

"No." Skif stated calmly leaning back stubbornly in his chair.

"NO!" Rick screeched, making the other customers look their way. "25's mor'n generous."

"If you was as poor as me sure but a rich feller like urself can surely afford to pay uh'front. Half now, half after." Smiling evilly Skif leaned across the table and whispered the desired sum in Rick's ear.

Rick's eyes went wide and he looked at Skif as if he belonged in the mental ward. True, the price was a bit high, but he knew Rick would pay it. He didn't have a choice. For one, where would he find another youthful thief? Also, he had told him his plan to Skif, a big mistake. The man had probably assumed that as poor as Skif was he would be thrilled with 25, even 10 percent and hadn't considered this possibility.

For a moment Rick looked about to say something, and very loudly, but glancing discreetly around the diner changed his mind.

Rick considered Skif for a moment, who was now back in his seat and said "I can see we're goin' to have to negotiate this. You wouldn't be suspicious if I insisted we discuss this in my hotel room?" Rick's tone had lost its cheerfulness and was now regarding Skif as more than a child, something Skif couldn't quick identify. He nodded in the negative and Rick led the way, not knowing that he knew where they were going as well.

A good half hour later Skif could be found at the bottom a stairway which led up to the umper expensive hotel. Rick had told him to wait a moment while he had a chat with the guard. He had assumed they were friends or something but when Rick handed said guard a suspiciously weighty money bag, he knew it wasn't so. What was he paying him for? Yep, it was certain, he was going to be up late tonight, if not stealing then with a major headache. This was getting confusing.

A few minutes later and after much of what he could only suppose was haggling over the amount of money due Rick rang out "Alex my boy! Come on up 'er!" Picking up on it quick he ran up the steps to stand curiously just behind Rick, as if he had only been down there because he was shy. He wasn't sure if he was meant to be Rick's son or servant boy so he said nothing. Obviously Rick intended to lie a bit to get Skif in. "The boy's a messenger, and I don't want us over heard. We won't be long." Oh goody, a messenger. He certainly looked the part! Messengers of his age only did it to get money, and in his apparently impoverished state, messenger was a plausible occupation. With a resigned nod the guard admitted them, handing off the room key to Rick as he slid past.

The hotel was nothing short of royalty worthy. The lobby was enormous and Rick's room, one he would have assumed to be a sweet had Rick not mentioned that it was a one person room, therefore one of the cheaper, was pretty damn big itself. Why one person needed such a big bed he didn't want to think about. That was why the guard didn't want Skif in, not because of his clothes, Rick's weren't too impressive either, but because he would go into the room. Hell, he probably charged Rick extra! He'd bet anything the guard had thought Skif was a whore or something. He may have felt guilty before by his request in money but not now!

Safely in the room Rick sat down in a great chair, I was soft and had material covering it, like he'd only seen in the homes he robbed. Most things in Rick's room were foreign to Skif, except the toilet which he could see through another door. Apparently it was a part of Rick's room. Noticing Skif's curiosity and wonder at every thing Rick smiled smugly, clearly not about to explain anything. He motioned for Skif to sit opposite him on the adjacent soft and squishy chair (couch) and spoke at last, beginning the short argument.

"I don't have that much money." Rick said grudgingly. A brave statement to make for anybody involved in thievery. How Rick was in it Skif didn't know but glancing about the room, he had enough. Returning his attention to Rick he glared at him, daring him to deny it again. Realizing what Skif was about, Rick went on to say "I didn't pay fer this place! I give the guard a bit o money directly n he gives me a key, like you saw. He was just upset by my bringing ye."

"What!" Skif's voice rang out. He thought he was dealing with a rich snob type, easy money. But nooo. Rick was a thief, a con artist which is in theory the same thing. Taking a deep calming breath, Skif asked, "Exatly how much 'ave you got then?"

"You don't just ask a man that! I've got enough to live well within the legal ways, but not this well." He explained indicating the room. "I'm an excellent thief, best there is. I don't go for the little trips though; I'm not even from Haven. I just too big jobs and I spend my bit for the most part. My reputation has been recently destroyed however and I've been having a hard time finding a buyer for anything." Here he paused to look at Skif, for some reason his eyes bore anger and bitterness. You left a trail of gold and jewelry when you robbed that house and people assumed it was the master thief." Rick sat up straight clearly disgusted at the mere thought. "I will give you 30, as much as it pains me. You take a sledge hammer to my career and I hire you to work for me." Rick snorted emphasizing the irony involved, but the guy was claiming to be THE master thief? Ya right.

"Ha! You can't be him. The master thief will be rich by now. He must have had to sell the figurines out of Haven, far out. He can't be back already." Skif stated, sure in his analysis.

Rick leaned forward and asked in the most annoying voice "Are you sure?" Skif chose to say nothing to this so Rick continued "What if he insisted the buyer came in to Haven to purchase them? That would leave him quite free to continue raiding the city." Rick leaned back satisfied. "I'm not here to convince you. You should know however that I had seriously thought I had some competition here, but you're just little."

"Hey I ain't!" Skif argued.

Rick said something next that surprised Skif and it was this; "Since I can only afford to hand ye 25 of the works, what would you say to an apprenticeship? I know you're shocked that an artist like me would even offer you this but frankly, you're good. Your little, nobody would suspect you of anything. I won't be staying in Haven after this job and you can't afford to as the guard'll figure it out. Consider it a free ticket outta here."

A/N

How do ye like that! Bad grammar galore! Gimme your thoughts! Your can do it, just press the little button below that says "GO"!

Thanks to all who reviewed, much appreciated!

Darklink - The book is called "Take a Thief" by Mercedes Lackey and I think I just changed the whole damn thing. Yes.

Pleadthe5-awesome, tell me what you think!

Wizard116- I hope you read this and liked it

Smiteme- I think I have a stalker! Keep it up!