"I really hate that man," Rae declared once she and Prosper had sat down with their ice creams on the steps of the Basilica San Marco. Prosper glanced warily up at the large doors, wiping his forehead with his hand. "If he's not careful of his arrogance, one day my whip is going to embed itself in his fat bottom."
Prosper laughed and nudged her in the ribs. "Just wait until after we don't need him anymore—which may be soon, if we keep getting this much money for the haul!" A young couple sitting a few yards away on the stone steps turned to look at him, and he quickly lowered his voice. "I mean, this is nearly twice as much as Riccio and I used to get—I don't think Barbarossa wants to insult the Thief Lord's partner and risk losing such valuables." He took a large bite out of his gelato cone, grinning at her.
Rae looked off, distantly watching a man in a red baseball cap feed pigeons. She frowned and made sure it wasn't Victor before she spoke softly, "I bet I could be his partner."
Prosper raised an eyebrow at her, blinking. "He's the best thief in Venice, Rae—he hasn't been caught once."
"Neither have I," Rae said absently-mindedly, chewing on her crunchy cono. "I think I will—I'm going to raid tonight, and I'll show him that I'm just as good as he is." If he can really steal at all.
Prosper shook his head. "You don't have a mask or black clothes."
"A mask is what you wear so no one can see your face. The idea is to not let them in the first place." Rae stood up and tossed the napkin that had been wrapped around her ice-cream into the garbage. She grinned at Prosper, her eyes flashing. "That's why I don't need one. And for your own consolation, I steal some black clothes so I can look the part, va bene?"
"You could just by them out of some store."
"I know…that's why you're coming with me."
"WHAT?!" The young couple stared at him again, and he bristled. "You're insane, Rae Cascato."
"I know, that's why you're my friend. And, that's why I'm yours." Prosper muttered something incoherent under his breath, and Rae laughed. "C'mon, Prop, you know you want proof."
"What about Bo?" Prosper said loudly. "He'll want to come, and I'm not taking my brother on a raid." This time, the couple's stares didn't advert, so Prosper grumbled and trudged away. Rae trotted after him, still smiling. "Anyway, he already aspires to be a Thief Lord—the last he needs is a taste of it for incentive."
"Speaking of thieving incentive, do you know what he's been talking about? He says he already knows what he's getting for my birthday, and I'm afraid he might've stolen it."
"No, he hasn't said anything to me. He picked a flyer off the ground by the canal and said that you'd like it, but I didn't see exactly what it said."
Rae chuckled. "I get a ratty piece of paper for my birthday—Bo really knows how to spoil a girl. Anyway, he's not coming with us—I'll put him to sleep."
Prosper looked disbelieving. "Nothing can put him to sleep."
"How much you wanna bet, Prop?" Rae displayed her teeth at the youth. "1500 lire says he falls asleep in 5 minutes."
"You're on, Cascato."
"You know, Boniface, I believe I have failed to demonstrate my violin for you."
Bo looked up at Rae, who was running her lithe fingers along the silken strings of her instrument. Prosper glanced up from the spaghetti he had been slurping, crooking one of his long eyebrows. Rae threw him a sly grin when Bo wasn't looking, and he sighed. I hope you have my 1500 lire, Prosper.
Bo pressed his lips together and cocked his curly head to the side. "Demonstrate?"
"Si, angelo. Would you like to here a song? It's very pretty."
Bo nodded vigorously and Rae rested the violin on her shoulder. "Lean back and close your eyes." Bo obeyed, leaning against Prosper and closing his eyes. Prosper glared at Rae, who strung her bow along the violin.
You're too important for anyone,
You paly the role of all you long to be.
But I, I know who you really are,
You're the one who cries when your alone.
But where will you go?
With no one left to save you from yourself?
You can't escape…
You can't escape.
Prosper blinked at Rae, whose eyes were closed as she swayed back and forth. Her voice floated hauntingly through the air, soft but still with power behind it. He wondered if someone had taught her, or if she was born with it.
You think that I can't see right through your eyes?
Scared to death as you face reality.
No one seems to hear your hidden cries,
You're left to face yourself alone.
But where will you go?
With no one left to save you from yourself?
You can't escape the truth…
I realize you're afraid,
But you can't abandon everyone.
You can't escape,
You don't want to escape.
"That was rather dark," Prosper commented as Rae check Bo's face, which was now relaxed as he snored quietly into Prospers chest.
"It's the best I could think of think of," Rae shrugged, slipping her violin back into her case. "Here Prop, put this on. It was on a bench, so I washed it." She handed him a long black coat that went down to his knees and was actually quite similar to Scipio's. Rae put on her own, tossing her French braid over her shoulder.
"Where are you two going?" Riccio asked, putting down his fork and licking his plate.
"Out on business," Rae said quickly, putting her pack over her shoulder. "We'll be back soon, with a surprise."
Va bene! Rae's theiving little dark side appears with a vengance!
Laright, now everyone has to go review, so I can sleep at night. I FEEL SO UNLOVED!!!
Now go press that button and leave me a sweet one.