Unobtainable

Unadjustable: Part 1

     After a relatively underwhelming reconciliation with her only "caretaker" now, Astrea stormed out of Bub's shop. She was clearly in a hurry, but it was impossible to voice to those around her that was in a rush, to get out of the way and watch out. No way to yell "excuse me" to those around her as she made her way down the streets. Her ears opened to the sound of people around her. Her name was called, people wished her well for her recent losses, gave their condolences, as well as other people shouted at her as she bumped into them and pushed them out of her way. She didn't want to hear all that now, she needed to just get home. She kept the pocket watch in her pocket, a rather loose pocket so she had to keep readjusting its position, making sure it didn't come out with her jog.
     After a fairly good bit of time, her jog would be completely halted as she bumped into someone. She didn't see them at all, and in the process almost completely knocked them to the ground. Whoever they were, they were incredibly short; only around 4 feet tall, and covered head to toe in fur like an animal. Even then, they stood bipedal and spoke to her, the words "Sorry" exiting their small, higher-pitched vocal cords. Although the pitch wasn't so high it seemed inhuman, it was just as if a normal man had a slightly higher pitch to their voice. After the apology, she could only give them a small nod as they walked by her, but this time, she felt something. It was beyond clear to her, she felt the very weight of the pocket watch leaves her, she felt the slight fur of the hand swiftly steal it. How could she feel this so sensitively? It was as if someone had roughly grabbed it, but that wasn't the case and she knew that. Whoever this was, they were a skilled enough thief to not touch a single part of her. Swiftly removing the pocket watch without giving her a single clear indication. A harsh pounding suddenly pulsed in her head. Astrea winced in pain from the intense headache, but just as quickly as it arrived, it fled. All those sensitive feelings she had before, were now all gone. Was it the pocket watch that did this to her? There was something magic about it, wasn't there? Bub didn't mention anything, so what was this? All of this time thinking and struggling with herself, she forgot the problem at hand, a Demi-human had just stolen it! She needed to get it back, but as soon as she turned around she could see nobody. He was too short to be spotted immediately, but she did manage to catch a glimpse of him turning the corner into an alley between two small shops. Without further hesitation, Astrea hurried toward him. Unfortunately, she was unable to scream to get his attention or anything, nobody could help her, all she could do was follow and catch him. She skirted past people walking, at an even faster pace than before. Passing by the same people she had just rushed by before, was a great way to make more people angry with her rudeness. She turned to that alley she witnessed him proudly strut through, her eyes immediately feasted upon him, standing in the alley seemingly admiring the things he had stolen. There was more than just one, but all she cared for was the pocket watch he was looking at. Admiring the engraving almost as if trying to tell how much it would be worth.
     The Demi-person was closely observing the watch as Astrea walked toward him, she was ready to attack and subdue if she needed to but she doubted she would have to. After a few moments, the short Demi-human put various jewels and things back into his pockets, including the watch as he turned and finally noticed Astrea. Jumping and yelping in surprise. Astrea stared at him and crossed her arms, she hoped the point would come across, but it seemed like he was searching for an exit while waiting for her to speak up. She wished she could speak up, but she couldn't, all she could do was extend a hand toward him, beckoning for him to return what he stole.
     After a few moments of silence, he was the one to speak up, "What do you want?" He pleaded in almost a scared voice. Slightly creeped out by her lack of words, he took a few steps back. She still couldn't say anything, but from how he was acting it didn't seem like he was a large threat. She took a step forward and pointed to his pocket, where she had seen him put the pocket watch. Now, this was a bit of a giveaway, noting how it wasn't difficult to speak, and the fact she hadn't, told him it wasn't a matter of the silent treatment, it was something more than that. "Are you not able to talk...?" He would ask as he relinquished his defensive stance, his mind was starting to feel guilty now. Stealing from the disabled? A new low for even him. In response, all she could do was give him a small, slow nod, one that showed the amount of pain such a realization put her through. He was quick to reply once again, "Do you have anything to write on? Can you write?" He enthusiastically asked, now he seemed as if he was overwhelmed with a sense of guilt. Astrea thought only for a moment before shaking her head, slightly slumping her shoulders to show a bit of sadness. Polly was getting her something to write on, wasn't she? Maybe it was a bad choice to leave before she got back. She eyed him as he began to search through his pockets now as well, before speaking once more, "I could get you some paper...and a pen even, if you promise not to tell on me." Now it seemed he had switched his plan to that of a bargain as he asked her with a bit of nervousness in his voice, she looked at him as she pondered the options. It was clear she had to make this promise now, even if it was to be false. The only way to show him what she was thinking was by furrowing her brow in slightly comical anger. Only to then nod and roll her eyes in agreement. "Alrighty!" He enunciated each syllable a bit more than needed with his word. He then gave her a thumbs up, with a rather silly smile as he started to walk, and of course, she would follow him. "Just let me know if you see any-" He suddenly cut himself off, and she looked at him with a bit of an annoyed expression. "Just...point or something." He finally put it into words with a bit of a nervous chuckle. Once again Astrea rolled her eyes, what had she just committed to, how did this person not even know where to find some paper? How long had they been living here?
     Astrea was beyond annoyed at this point, and so she took it upon herself to take some control here, grabbing onto his arm and pulling him along with her toward a small shop she knew sold a lot of small items like journals. She speed-walked up to the entrance before stopping, reaching forward to grab the hybrid's shoulder, squeezing it a bit tighter as she held out her other hand; a gesture to show she wanted her pocket watch back. He was a bit confused at first, his gaze focused on her as she was dragging him. He wasn't large or tall, so he was very easily able to be dragged like nothing. He stared at her gesture, the cogs in his mind turning before finally the light bulb lit and he understood, "Fine", he muttered, sounding a bit disgruntled. He reached his hand out and let go of the watch, giving it back to Astrea with a huff. Astrea let out a sigh in relief, now with the watch back she had a choice to make. Does she keep it and leave now, or should she stay with him and try to get him to return all of those other precious items she saw he had on him? While she did need to get back quickly, she didn't need to rush too much. After all, the house was all hers at this point, she need not concern herself with what she needed disappearing. Perhaps, it was best to bring a thief like him to some form of justice. She opened the door to the small shop, revealing only around three aisles; one filled with antiques and a random assortment of items, one filled with writing utensils, ink, and notebooks, with the final aisle filled with books on different magics and history. Immediately, Astrea departed over to the end of the second aisle; where the notebooks were being held. Her guest followed behind her, and she reached out to grab a random one, a simple black-covered notebook, followed by a quill and ink for a way to write in it. He looked at her and nodded, before speaking in a hushed tone, "Put whatever you need in your pockets and let's go."
     Astrea gazed back at him; was he serious? Her face proclaimed loud and clear how displeased she was. What sort of maniac would immediately jump to stealing? And to steal something that costs only a few coins...? She thought to herself as she gave him the best death stare she could, before shaking her head with a solid no. He was going to buy it, whether he wanted to or not, she was not letting him steal.
     "What?" he questioned her, "Why are you looking at me like that?" he spoke in confusion, his head tilting to the side slightly. Did he not understand what was so bad about stealing? "I'm right behind you, just go," he repeated once more, now his hand motioning to the exit. At this point, Astrea truly felt he had some sort of mental issue, perhaps he was just a kleptomaniac or something. Either way, she had to take the lead here and be the bigger person. So, with a frown at him, Astrea made her way to the front counter, where the store clerk waited behind it, barely paying any attention at all. Suddenly though, Astrea halted. She has no money, she can't just go up there herself. He can refuse to pay and she would look like a fool, being unable to defend herself or explain the situation. She questioned herself for a minute, standing still and looking down at the wooden floor. Was she at his mercy? Did she seriously have to end up stealing something? After a few moments, she turned to face him. Seeing as he was just watching her, he had no plan to follow her. She was going to make a fool of herself. She shuffled back over to him, leaning forward to his face, holding in the urge to truly sock him in the face with a swift right hook. Her mouth moved slowly, as she mouthed the question "why" to him, expecting him to understand.
     Understand he did, as he looked at her with confusion. It seemed like he just didn't understand at all why this was such a big deal. They had time to leave now, take what they needed, and go, but now that window was quickly closing. He frowned at Astrea as his tail seemed to twitch a bit, thinking about what he should do in this situation. Much to his dismay, his thoughts were interrupted by the clerk of the shop walking over to them, having grown suspicious of their strange chatter from behind the shelves.
    "Excuse me, do you need help with anything?" The clerk questioned with a scrutinizing glance at the two of them.
     "Er-" His body jolted in surprise and whirled around to face the clerk, shrinking under their glare. Dammit! Now he had no choice but to pay! Although he did have the money on him, he just simply didn't want to use it! "No, thank you..." he replied with a sigh under his breath, "we were just picking out a journal and a quill." He fibbed with a fake smile, before turning to Astrea and pretending to be surprised, "Oh! See! She already got it. All done?" He asked with a look of innocence. Astrea turned to the clerk. It wasn't the person she was expecting to be there. Perhaps the other person was out on vacation. She made a mental note for a moment and looked at her new furry...friend? Well, not a friend. Acquaintance? No, not that either. Well, either way, she got what she wanted. He had to pay. She gave him a smug look before nodding, yes she was indeed ready; and she was going to love every second of watching him be forced to pay instead of robbing people for no reason.
     "Yup...we're ready to...p-pay" He spat the word out as it pained him to even say it, nevertheless, he started to make his way up to the counter, digging around in his pockets for a stolen coin bag. "Shoulda brought your own money this time, jeez." He called back to Astrea. "You owe me." There was a small smile as he looked at her over his shoulder. She returned his gaze but not with a smile at him; instead, she kept a serious look with a small frown at every word he said. Once he looked away, however, she smiled at herself for stopping this thief from stealing something as small as a paper book. She watched as he began to pay for it, the triumphant feeling of getting him to pay was truly worth it. Even so, she still kept an eye on him, making sure he wasn't going to steal anything else.