Unobtainable

Unadjustable: Part 2

     With their items paid for, now the two began to make their way out of the shop, Astrea still making sure to watch his every move, and catch him attempting to swipe something on their way out. Her hand swiftly struck him to stop him as she gave him a look of anger, with a sassy huff and pout returned to her, he walked on out with her following close behind. Now she has a way to communicate, but was it even good enough? Maybe she should instead take the time to learn sign language, but even so, how many people here actually understood sign language? Immediately she began to make use of their newly purchased items, beginning to write on the first blank page the simple question, "Why steal from them?". She then turned the page to face him, showing him her words. He seemed a bit confused, his head tilting slightly as he completely missed the point of what she was asking, instead, he was focused on the fact that it was kind of humorous to have to wait and read before being able to reply to someone. His eyes scanned the page, and with a smug smile, he shrugged and started to walk away, not wanting to discuss this right in front of the store.
     "They don't need all those books and pens..." he exclaimed with almost a proud voice. In all honesty, not even he knew why he felt the need to steal these things. He's just always done it on impulse and never truly questioned it. "Why do you care anyway? You got your book and shiny watch back."
     Astrea frowned at him, following his footsteps, she was beginning to get a bit distracted but it didn't matter, she was far too invested now. It was strange to believe someone like this was allowed to casually walk around and take from people. "You can get yourself in a lot of trouble. You're lucky I can't even say anything." She scribbled down on her notebook and showed him. He looked back to read her response, and huffed and shrugged his shoulders harshly.
     "Haven't been in trouble yet." Sure, when he was younger, and a bit more reckless, he got into some deep shit, but he was always able to get out of it somehow, and if he was confident in anything he could slip out of a tough situation when needed. "Plus, why would you tell on me? I gave you back your stupid shiny and even bought you some paper." As people walked by he eyed their sachels and jewelry, his hands itching to snatch it all but Marcus knew Adrea would have something to say- or well, write about it. "I don't know if I ever got your name.."
      Astrea was quick to write down her name along with another sentence to follow, "I don't have a reason not to tell on you. Besides the fact, I'm probably not friendly with any guards. But I'm not going to let you steal whatever you want..." Her eyes stood stuck on him after she showed him the page. At this point, the only way she could think of stopping him was to drag him with her and force the habit to break.
     Again he waited for her to scribble down what she had on her mind. "Well.." he was kind of stumped on what exactly she meant. "You don't have any reason to tell on me..plus, it's not like what I do is any of your business. What, are ya gonna tail me forever or somethin'?" His answer carried with it a smug tone, someone proud of the point they had just made. As if that move was a checkmate. Astrea didn't even bother with an answer, instead, she simply huffed and turned away from him. Taking a moment to think if this was the right thing to do, before starting to walk away. She needed to get home anyway. It was a walk of defeat almost, and it itched at her to have to leave someone like that unchecked, but she was no hero, she didn't have to worry about a stranger's bad habits. As she walked back toward her home, she noticed an influx of people heading in the same direction. The group were not people she recognized so she didn't think they were headed to her home; either way, her home was in the same direction as the border to the kingdom's west exit. People seemed to be panicked, upset, and frantic. Astrea questioned why in her head, but unfortunately, she was unable to ask anyone, another realization that her state was as bad as it could be. Another time when she truly felt alienated from the rest of the world. Finally, she approached the door to her home, and a wave of emotion immediately hit her. This was the first time she'd open these doors and be greeted with silence. Nobody was inside, and nobody would be inside for a long while. She opened the door, looking at the pocket watch she brought with her. She had recognized something in it, she hoped whatever this was, it would reveal something to make her future a bit easier. She hurried over to her parent's bedroom, taking a moment to herself and holding back her tears. She stepped forward and collapsed onto her knees at the side of the bed. Her breathing was a bit sporadic, taking deep inhales and short exhales as she felt herself breaking down already. This was a lot harder than she was prepared for, all the tears she had already shed still weren't enough. She pulled herself together the best she could, reaching under the bed and pulling out a box, it was a large metal box with an insignia on the front, along with a carving in the shape of the pocket watch. She took the watch and inserted it into the carving, as it fit and locked in place, the box itself unlocked. With a deep breath, Astrea opened the box and marveled at what she saw inside.
     Inside was more than she expected, first, there was a notebook. What she could see was some sort of journal for her father, she picked it up, just about to open it before she saw something else underneath it. There was some sort of small red box, next to it was a picture of Astrea as a child. Although that seems normal, the picture was a bit strange, although it was of Astrea and her parents, there was a third person in the photo. This third person was wearing a large witch hat and covered in dark clothing. She'd never seen them before, she flipped the picture over and read the back of it. The handwriting wasn't recognizable as anybody she knew, and not her parents. Additionally, the words written on it didn't even seem like her language. The characters written were alien to her, it wasn't even any language she knew existed outside of the kingdom. Whoever this woman was...she was important, wasn't she? Why else would this be in here? This was when Astrea turned her attention to the red box, she held it in her hand, it was the size of her palm, wrapped in a golden and black ribbon. She pulled the ribbon off and slowly opened the box, revealing a ring. It was a solid black ring with an orange gem in the middle. She'd never seen anything like it before, something about it was screaming to her. She took it gently out of the box and slid it onto her right-hand ring finger. It fit perfectly, as she suspected it was made for her.
     Strangely, the gem on the ring began to glow, her eyes looking at it for a moment before that glow spread from the gem to the ring, and her finger and hand. She thought about taking it off but she didn't, this strange sensation she felt as this orange glow covered her body. It filled her with a feeling of relaxation and safety. She watched as the glow slowly went up her chest and neck, and as it got to her face, her eyes closed. Everything fell completely silent, her eyes remaining closed for the entirety of this silence until the silence was suddenly broken by a voice. A woman's voice said to her, "Astrea. Come" followed by an assortment of whispers. The voice didn't sound familiar, yet somehow hearing it almost made her happy. Yet before she could feel, or focus on the voice's whispers, everything around her went black, and her consciousness faded. Now collapsed on the floor of her parent's room, Astrea dreamt.