Most of the dialogue of Week 2 and 3 is amethyst3232's, though I also added Hanso's speculation.

The Month of Relaxing (June) Age 7

Week 1

The Kyrii says that we're going to take a little field trip next week and see what we can do. FINALLY! It's been way too long since I actually exerted myself. There was that tournament, but it was a piece of cake. At least that's what I say whenever Kayley is within earshot. It was so not cool that she tried to lock me out! One day I'll get back at her. Maybe she'd be my next April fool.

Week 2

Well, the little field trip didn't go quite as I anticipated. The Kyrii said that we were allowed to work with each other if we wanted. Then he ran off to get some much-needed alone time from the kids. I was about to head off by myself when a tug on my jacket stopped me. It was Razor.

"Hey, Hanso, um…would you mind giving me some pointers? And staying with me?" He mumbled, embarrassed. "I don't, er…really know what to do."

Kayley rolled her eyes. "Just what we did in class, stupid!"

"Who asked you?" I said roughly. "Come on, Razor. Betcha you'll be brilliant." After two hours and countless unsuccessful robberies though, I was actually kind of inclined to agree with her.

"This is hopeless. I suck." He plopped down a bench, discouraged.

I shook my head. "You only need a little more confidence in yourself. It's not like the guards are going to catch you."

"They will. You saw how they were at the tournament."

"So? They weren't that impressive," I lied.

"Right." He gave me a small grin. "How about you show me?" I think he was just giving me a break, since I've spent all my time trying to teach him, but I wasn't going to say no!

"Okay. You watch and learn," I ordered. In ten minutes, I've stolen marbles from a Moehog, a chocolate from a Chia, a juice from a Jubjub, an apple from an Aisha, and a candy from a baby. "Wow, that was fun!" I said, all pumped up. Thieving gets me to be like that. "Now your turn."

"No!" Razor said hurriedly. "I mean, um…can't you do it one more time? I can never get that hand trick that you do."

I know he was just stalling, but how could I resist? "Alright. One more, and then you'll have to take something from at least one person. Got it?"

"Got it," he confirmed.

I decided to go for a guard, since I hoped that it would boost Razor's positiveness. And then- I still don't know how I get caught. Did I slip? Did I tug a little bit too hard? Or was it just fate? All I knew is that I was suddenly staring into a pair of familiar electric-blue eyes, with the Kougra girl gripping my hand.

At first, I was shocked. This was the first time that I actually got caught. All I could manage was a sheepish smile. "Um, hi?"

"Hi," she replied in a no-nonsense voice. I took a moment to study her. Long, reddish-brown fur tied into a ponytail, a beginning suit of armor and a blunted sword, plus a disapproving face. The last one was the only thing she didn't have when I saw her in the tournament. I decided I liked her better smiling. "Why did you do that?" She continued, waking me up from my thoughts.

"What?" I said, playing dumb.

She growled. Mental note: Playing dumb doesn't work with female guards. "You know what I mean!"

I nearly laughed. This was nearly as fun as stealing. "I don't!"

Then her teacher came back. He was a yellow Draik. "Ah, Brynneth, I see you're already catching criminals on your first day," he said, clapping her on the back. "I shall fetch for someone to escort him to the dungeons."

NO! I thought. I really couldn't get thrown in jail. We haven't even done escape training yet! Sensing that my only hope was with the Kougra girl, I started begging her with my eyes.

I guess she must have seen it because she said quickly, "No!"

He stopped, confused. "Brynneth?"

"I can handle it," she assured him, holding tighter to my wrist. She started pulling me to the prison.

"So," I said, speeding up so that we could walk in step. "A guard, huh?"

"Yeah," she answered hesitatingly, as if she wasn't sure whether she should talk to me or not. "Why?"

From her body language- clenched fist, tight mouth- I could tell that it was a touchy subject. I changed it by saying, "I'm Hanso. Sounds like handsome." I grinned.

"I'm Brynn," she introduced herself.

I frowned a little. "I swear that guy back there called you Brynneth."

"Well, that's my formal name. You don't really seem a formal sort of guy."

"No, I'm not." It was a short answer, and it probably didn't sound my nicest, but I had a good reason. Behind her unnoticed, Razor was waving frantically at me. He mouthed, "Should I go ask for help?"

I shook my head and mouthed back, "Hide." Instantly, he blended into the background. That's one thing he nailed from the lessons, at least. I cursed in my head. I had to get out of this, fast! A plan formed in my mind. I didn't really like it, but what else could I do?

I turned back to Brynneth- or Brynn, whatever. "So, are you gonna lock me up then?"

"Yep."

"Brynn! I mean, come on! I didn't even actually steal it!" Even to me, my tone sounded whiny.

"You were planning on it, and I've no doubt you've stolen before," she said firmly.

"Yeah, but that was then!" I complained.

"Hanso!" Her voice gained a cutting edge, snapping me back to the real world. That was when I really remembered: She was guard. I was a thief. There was absolutely no hope of us for ever getting along, whether I liked it or not. I instantly shut up, not speaking until she had locked me in the cell. Well, I've succeeded with my plan, at least. I distracted her from getting my lock-picking tools. With one last attempt at good humor, I asked, "This is your first day, isn't it?"

"Yes," she said, turning back from the door. "How did you know?" Like I was some sort of mystical creature.

"Just a guess," I said, offering another cheeky smile. "Bye, Brynn."

"Goodbye, Hanso." There was an apologetic note in her voice, as if she also regretted that we were on different sides.

Week 3

After a bit of waiting, I decided it was high time I escaped. It was easy, really, with my tools. Just a bit of picking, and I was all set. The problems started when the alarm went off and I got lost (Typical!). I hid behind a tapestry just in time.

"Come here, little thief," I heard someone call. For a second I thought that they had seen me, and my blood froze. "Come out, come out, wherever you are." I bit back a sigh of relief. Taking a quick glance from behind, I saw that it was the Lupe that Brynn had beaten at the tournament. Apparently, he was a sore loser. "This'll show that little Kougra who's boss," he murmured, before walking somewhere else.

I bumped into Brynn on the stairs. She was out of breath when she saw me. "How did you-"

"Lock pick," I interrupted, tapping my arm warmer. "You should search for escape tools next time, Brynneth." I chuckled at the expression on her face.

"I'll make a note." She promised.

"Good. Wouldn't want you in trouble, now." I began to go down the corridor.

"Hanso," she called. She pointed to the opposite direction. "The door's that way."

"I knew that." I lied. I gave her a sideways look. "Why are you helping me?"

"I've got no idea," she admitted.

I nodded my thanks and ran off down the hall, finally managing to find the exit. So that was how I escaped the dungeons for the first time ever, with her help. For some reason, I had a feeling it wouldn't be the last.

Week 4

I got back just as the Kyrii and Kanrik were discussing on how they could break me out. "So, we planning my funeral?"

"HANSO! THANK GOODNESS!" Razor shouted, and then tackled me in a Bruce-hug.

"Hanso! Hanso! Hanso!" The twins cheered, joining in.

I spotted my parents in a corner, gaping at me in half-mad, half-joyful faces. "You are grounded, mister! Asparagus for a week!" Then they embraced me.

"I knew you would get out somehow," Kanrik told me. Then he turned to the Kyrii. "Yet he took a little too long. Teach them escape training."

"Yes, sir," the Kyrii agreed. Even he looked kinda glad to see me.

In fact, the only one who wasn't was Kayley. She shot me a glare. "Great. You're back. And now we have to do escape training because of it."

"You would have had to do it eventually," the Kyrii reminded her.

"I assure you, master, that I'm already an expert on that field," she insisted.

I caught her eye. "We'll see about that on Monday."

"You're on."