The Poet and the Thief

Ch.6 Why does it go south now?

(!!!!!AGAIN ALL CREIDS GO TO KingOfTheOranges ON Ao3 NONE OF THIS BELONGS TO ME! ANY ENJOY!!!!!)

Chaos was rampant throughout the streets, people finally preparing to close up for good as the first snow fell. Stalls were being closed up, people were going to the docks to go home, and Tommy? He just hid, watching from afar and snatching what he could. This was the best part of the year, so much was happening that he could get away with snatching whatever he needed. The first stalls he staked out where the clothing stalls. He wouldn't think of stealing from Ms Willow's stall, but these random people meant nothing to him. He blended into the crowd easily, eyes locked on the nearest stalls. The only thing that caught his eye was a roll of fabric tucked to the side of a stall, near some boxes. It wasn't very long, but it could work as a blanket for his legs during the night. As swiftly as he could he passed by, merging into the crowd as soon as his hand clasped around the roll of fabric. It was smooth in his hand, the boy clutching it tight to his chest. The crowd practically swallowed him, dragging him along for a good distance. As soon as he was out of sight of the stall owner he ducked into the alleys, taking the easiest path back to his boxes. It would be best to stash it away before continuing his crimes, he'd be suspicious otherwise. He'd much rather be doing anything else, but the snow was sure to freeze him alive if he wasn't ready. A frustrated sigh left him as he tucked the make-shift blanket behind some boxes, out of sight out of mind. Thoughts of being a Faerie crossed his mind as he walked back to the stalls, shivers racking through his body. They weren't affected by the weather, certainly not to this extent. If he were a Faerie he wouldn't have to worry about the weather or stealing, he could just hang out in the forest and never go back to the village again. Tommy was so caught up in the what-if's that he didn't notice when he got back to the stalls until Ms Willow yelled for him, or at him he wasn't sure.

"Toms, Where you off to today then?" She waved him over, the boy going to stand with her to watch everyone pack up.

"Just walking around, nothing to do and no one to see. The usual." Tommy shrugged, not looking at the lady. She was the only one he could be relaxed like this around, she didn't judge him or scold him. She just let him exist, and gave him jobs when she could.

"Mx Cromer's been going round saying you're acting suspicious, I don't believe them for one second." Another thing he liked about Ms. Willow, she loved to share the village news with him. "You're a growing boy I told 'em! Of course you're not gonna stick around here all the time like ya used too." Tommy smiled warmly as he watched Ms. Willow rant, hands linking behind his back.

"Thank you for standing up for me." Tommy was genuine, looking over at her. He got a hand waved in his face but he could see the lady smile.

"Don't worry about it lad, Mx Cromer's just cranky thanks to that old baker constantly warring with them. Those two get along like a house on fire I swear." She waved her hands as she talked, glancing in the direction of the blacksmith. They were helping people pack up, carrying boxes to the dock when needed. It was one of the few times they weren't working away on the anvil, Tommy found the sight odd. Together they watched the chaos unfold, Tommy not leaving Ms. Willow's side. All thoughts of stealing had left the moment he had been called over, it was clear the old woman just wanted some company whilst everyone else was busy doing other things. Tommy was more than willing to provide that company. It took until the sun dropped below the horizon for people to stop for the night, instead tidying up to continue the next day. Tommy and Ms. Willow shared dinner together, Tommy thanking her profusely for getting him the hot meal. He would never know why she showed him such kindness but he would be forever grateful, even if it was small things she still helped him more than anyone else in the village had. Once stomachs were full and conversations met their end Tommy made his way back to the boxes. He wasn't sure when he stopped calling the dim alleyway home, he reckoned it must have been sometime after he met Will, but he was fine with it. This wasn't home, it was just where he slept. It was safe, quiet, away from everyone else. Even the other street rats didn't come here, preferring the walls to the blacksmith. He couldn't fault them, it was certainly warmer there, but here he got to hide more easily. He had the boxes for cover, as well as the back roads that most people struggled to traverse. The boy grabbed the roll of fabric out from behind the nearest box, settling comfortably before resting it over his legs. It was pretty thin but it kept the chill away, so it would do. Sleep claimed him quickly, nothing to plague his mind that night. Not even Mx Cromer's gossip would stop him dreaming of a better world, they could wait for the morning.