c.h.i.l.d.h.o.o.d. {friends} -pipin-

[~echo~]

(If you're drawing on MS Paint, save it and go to Tinypic, upload it, then put the IMG code in your next post It should show up.)

Lanna smiled and hugged him back, careful not to drop the golden necklace. "It's good to see you too, Bo. How is everybody?"

[pipintan]

(Ack, unfortunately, my computer, a Chrome, doesn't work with MS Paint. u.u)

"Oh, they're great!" He said, breaking the hug to take a step back and grin dazzlingly at her. "Aunt Odie says that she'll have a new potion ready for the crowd to taste, but, as always, she'll probably get it from a magician or something." There was an easy air around him, obviously city life hadn't given him the discretion to keep his mouth shut about saying the "m" word.

[~echo~]

(You could use deviantart )

Lanna smiled happily, playing with a strand of her hair, until he said that word. "SH!" she hissed quietly. "Don't say that! We'll get executed!"

[pipintan]

(Sure! Though it'll probably be over the weekend when I create an account and put it up. c: End of the quarter's happening this week so a lot of teachers are shoving tests down our throats. ><)

Bo looked startled at her outburst and took a couple steps back, his eyes wide with panic. "What word...?" He asked, blinking rapidly, "you mean 'magician'? Why is that such a taboo word?"

[~echo~]

(I'm sure! That's fine.)

"Hush, fool!" she hissed again. "Magic is illegal here!"

[pipintan]

He raised his hands, still looking surprised. "Alright, alright. No need to be so irritable, Lanna. I won't say anything of it," Bo said, trying to placate her.

[~echo~]

Lanna looked around nervously. Luckily, no guards had been nearby and they hadn't been overheard. "Okay," she said softly. "I have to go to the black market... care to join me?"

[pipintan]

He gave her a wink and a low bow, a hand on his heart. "But of course, a gentleman can't just leave a lady alone like this. Even if it's you." A teasing grin appeared as he spoke, making his eyes crinkle at the edges.

[~echo~]

She smiled slyly and led the way away from the populated area, towards the darker corner of town. She turned down a dark alley and then stopped at an unassuming door. She knocked in a specific pattern and waited patiently. Alanna looked at Bo and blinked. "Keep quiet. Let me do the talking, and don't make any eye contact if you can help it."

[pipintan]

"Lanna, Lanna, you should remember how smooth around the ladies. Admit it, back there, before you knew it was me, your heart jumped a bit." He slid up beside her, leaning against the wall, eyeing his nails, before shooting her a smirk. "I can't help it, I guess I'm just beautiful like that."

[~echo~]

Lanna rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself," she teased. "I know. But the wrong move could very well be your last down here. Just follow my lead, okay?"

Finally, somebody opened a slot on the door. She looked up. "Ser sallon m'eak, ma tera leral." This seemed to trigger something and the door opened. "Welcome, sister."

[pipintan]

He opened his mouth, like he was going to say something in protest, though snapped it closed as the door opened. Giving her a small nod, he followed in after her. His hands were behind his back, as he squinted into the room.

[~echo~]

Instead of what would have been expected, it was a stone room with a singular door. Through the door was a winding staircase, which Lanna began to descend.

[pipintan]

"Hey, w-wait Lanna!" He yelped, his eyes still slowly adjusting to what was going on. He hurried after her, almost tripping over himself in the haste. Following the sound of her feet slapping against the stairs, he trailed after her, keeping his hand on the wall to steady himself.

[~echo~]

A torch was on the wall and she grabbed it on the way. "Sh!" she said. Finally, they came to the end of the stairs and entered a long corridor, bustling with activity."

[pipintan]

"Alright, alright," he muttered, trying to relax in a place which he had never been in before. He hesitated for a moment, rocking on the balls of his feet, before he hesitantly followed after her.

[~echo~]

Considered an equal among the people here, Lanna looked on with calm eyes. She proceeded down the aisle, surrounded on both sides by seedy men who were looking to increase their riches. She finally got to a place of jewelry where she haphazardly placed the golden necklace. "This is worth one hundred gold pieces. Look at the craftsmanship."

[pipintan]

A short and balding man glanced up and grinned at her. The remaining teeth that he still had were bright yellow and the dank smell of garlic and garbage seemed to stem from his mouth. "Ah...hello there. Ms. Alanna, right? I believe I've heard your name around these parts..." A pink tongue darted out of his mouth and licked the chapped lips, as he stared at the necklace on his counter, interest twinkling in his eyes. "You fetch a hard bargain, m'dear. That is barely...barely fifty. I would be doing you a favor," he lied smoothly, waggling his bony finger and frowning at her, as if scolding her.

[~echo~]

She held up a hand at the introduction. "Please, call me Silk Finger," she said calmly. She listened to him, undeterred. "I would be doing you a favor asking for one hundred. The price tag on the street was much more. I'm really being quite kind to you." She gazed into the man's eyes with a steely determination.

[pipintan]

He let out a bark of a laugh at her statement. "That's great Silk Fingers though that's up above. Down here, things are different." The man gave her another grin.