Attempted Theft?

[Rawlt]

Rawlt had no money.

It was the simple truth. There was no money in Rawlt's whole home. The wildcat had only his possessions and a very meager supply of food. It had been a tough desicion, but Rawlt had clenched his jaw and decided: he was going to steal.

That was the reason Rawlt was walking down a twisted stretch of the west road leading directly toward the Settlement.

He thought as he walked in his forest green cloak. He thought of what the other denizens of the Fortress would think about him if they found out he had been reduced to this. The ranger did not often care in the least about what any other beast thought about him, but if they found out about this theft, he would almost certainly be scorned from any activity in the fort, and nobeast would care or even appreciate him. You're taking a risk, failure can, and does, happen. He told himself over and over again.

As he passed a sweeping bend in the road, he came to a halt. This seemed to be the perfect place to hold an ambush. The road became very narrow where the path curved, and there was a large boulder with many rocky dents in its massive side. There were also large evergreen trees protecting the perches from the eyes of travelers looking up at it. Rawlt picked a perch about halfway up the boulder. Now, The ranger thought grimly, We wait.

[Rathnait Roseback]

With thick, intrepid fingers, the maid gathered together the folds of her cumbersome dress with a little more vitality than the worn cloth could endure. Her rough patience had finally been chafed down to an inflamed sense of indifference, but even those threads had started to snap away from her composure; and this left her feelings unusually vulnerable.

Rathnait was a creature of opinion, not emotion. She shared her beliefs and criticisms without a second thought, but they were never twisted around her own passions. Her breast was full of unusually raw sentiments, immediately sharpened by the humiliating confession of being hopelessly lost. She was used to her body failing her, of letting her down quite bitterly, but she had always taken a modest but definite sense of pride in her intellect. Beauty, phsyical prowess--she considered their absence in her genetic make up no vice, as long as she had her wit.

A laughing thought was quick to tease her consciousness. At least no one is here to see such indignity from one so great! The hedgehog's dark eyes widened slightly, then a contrite smile pressed awkwardly against her lips; the expression looked a little strange, and a little crooked, but it was strangely pleasing. The mocking voice was just the kick she needed, and she could feel her disquiet gently close itself from public eyes; as clever as she thought she was, she was by no means infallible.

Just as apt to conceit as the next pauper. Her thoughts had a scathing edge, and it was this bite that she truly listened to. So I am strapped in for at least some of the same mistakes. Only now am I to learn that this includes getting lost.

The pathway, forward and back, looked dishearteningly similar, and her sense of direction had always been a bit shocking; but she had always gotten to where she needed to be, in surprisingly good time. Luck was an inexplicable talent that she was grateful to have. Continuing, inviting her own shortcomings of frustration and arrogance, did not seem like a good idea; she needed peace of mind. Therefore, it seemed perfectly logical for Rathnait to unclasp her cloak and spread it out on the path. Humming with content, she pulled her satchel over her head, not breaking the almost hypnotic rhythm of the song as the strap became caught in headspikes. Laying the bag beside her, she pilfered its contents.

Out came a thin volume, which she inattentively set out in front of her. She pushed the cover open and fumbled through a few pages, but gave up with a final surge of apathy. Turning back to her satchel, she probed around once more until something hard and cold was caught in her fingers. Dread washed over her, and she knew she should drop what she held, but curiosity is a morbid thing, and hers always got the better of her. Taking a shaky breath, she withdrew her arm and opened up her paw with some difficulty.

As her fingers unfolded, light shattered off the opal and Rathnait had all her worse fears confirmed. Her eyes tightened, and she glanced accusingly at her bag, speaking softly. "What are you doing in there?"

Had she gotten drunk and stuffed it in there? Or maybe it had gotten caught up with something she'd used previously? No matter how it had gotten into her satchel, the fact remained that it should not be here, and its presence was incredibly unwelcome--especially now. Feeling hurt burn against her cheeks, she thought about snapping the thin bit of cloth the gem hung off, but in the end merely settled for stuffing it violently back into her bag.

It amazed her that, even after all these years, it could still produce such a strong reaction within her. The ache, although dull, could still be reawakened, and bring along feelings that she had discarded long ago. With a disquieted sigh she lay back, trying to enjoy the simple, sensory pleasure of the sun against her soft stomach, her thin little book all but forgotten.

OOC:// I hope you don't mind myself joining; I need someone to annoy roleplay with. :D

[Adderstalia]

**Among the natural sights, sounds, and scents of the forestland, there were none who could have found Adderstalia Greatstaff. In fact, the young squirrelmaid liked it this way. She lived with the rest of her roughish family a tad deeper in the woods, but she enjoyed the views from beneath the shrubbery along the Western Path. It was where she spent much of her time when she wasn't working or doing participating in the "family business" of theft and backstabbing. You had to be smart to survive as a rouge. Good thing Staff--as many called her--had inherited her mother's brains.**

**As it was, Staff was laying on her belly beneath a leafy bush with white flowers just enjoying her day off. She hummed an old lullaby softly and watched the path in front of her. Several creatures had passed in front of her, but none had noticed her presence. Whilst she held still, many would assume she was oddly-shaped rock. This thought made Staff smirk.**

**Hours passed quietly, but then Adder's peace was disturbed. Someone was nearby, she knew that, but who? And why couldn't she see them? Staff wriggled backward out of the bush and stood. It was as if she could sense a presence...ah that was it! A figure was sitting in a tree not far down the path, facing away from Staff. Well that's stupid. If you're going to ambush someone for money, you've got to have a partner! Adder knew this from experience. It hadn't worked out so well when she had tried to steal from a small mouse who happened to have been a blade master. The memory still stung her pride. She pursed her lips and crept forward to the base of the tree where she had seen the mysterious figure.**

**Staff was going to whistle loudly, but then a hedgehog of creatures appeared! She didn't look like much, but Staff narrowed her eyes regardless. That was always the plan. Watch. And. Wait.**

[Malum]

Malum was walking down the road, looking for the Fort.

"Ugh! It has to be down here somewhere!" She saod to herself.

Suddenly, she saw the hedgehog, walking further up ahead.

She frowned, and suddenly, her eyes caught the sight of the squirrel behind the tree. She was well hidden, but Malum still spotted her, when she stood up. Suddenly, she also saw the creature up in the tree. Her eyes darted towards the hedgehog that wandered down the street, and she ran into the woods, walking beside her in the underbrush, making sure not to be seen.

Just in case... I don't like the look on those creatures faces... She thought, holding the hilt of her sword.