Safe Haven

Thieves Overheard

"I can't believe that Roy gave us that scarf! I mean, the handiwork is so delicate--I'd feel bad if it were to get ripped up." Erin exclaimed, and Reina nodded along to his words. They were currently outside of the Guild, just chatting about whatever came to their minds. 

It had been about an hour since Roy and Emory left the Guild. Reina was pondering to herself about what she could do with the hours left in the day, growing more and more bored with just sitting around. She enjoyed talking with Erin, of course, but she was getting antsy from staying still. 

"Hey Erin, how do you feel about going downtown?" Reina suggested as she turned to face him. He looked a bit guilty, smiling nervously.

"I would, but... I'm just not up for much else, today." Erin explained, a shy grin on his muzzle. Reina nodded, and he continued, "Our quest wore me out, y'know? And I should also probably go see the doctor to check my wound, too." He told her, and Reina remembered with surprise that he had gotten hurt. She almost completely forgot! 

"Oh! Yeah, go see the doctor--sorry, I totally forgot..." Reina said apologetically, waving him away with a paw. Erin giggled at the gesture.

"Okay, whatever you say Ms. Reina!" Erin jokingly said, before turning around to head into the Guild, likely going to the doctor's office. Reina laughed in response, humored by the 'mons silly antics. Soon Erin had disappeared inside the Guild entrance, and Reina turned around to head into the town. 

Reina sighed, not knowing what she would spend her time doing. But at the moment, anything was better than sitting down. 

-

Reina passed the Duskull Bank, meeting eyes with and shyly waving at the dusclops working the front counter. She even noticed a dusknoir, a 'mon she had never seen around town before, chatting with the dusclops. The dusclops waved back at her with a blank smile, but that was just the way it looked. Reina assumed it was a kind gesture. 

Reina smiled as she passed many 'mons, glad she could interact with them while not having to talk. It was the perfect way for an introvert to speak without using words!

Soon enough, Reina stood in front of the kecleon shop. Behind the counter were two kecleons, one a pale green and the other a lilac purple. She browsed the items, a multitude of options available. They likely just restocked their supply, she thought.

She caught her eye on a scarf, light yellow in color. Similar to the one Reina and Erin had received from Roy, stitched onto it were beautiful handiwork patterns. This one, however, had a heavier focus on geometry within its patterns, while the brown one Erin held onto was less accurate in its shapes as if it were made by a hobbyist rather than a professional. She smiled, glad to have seen it. Maybe she would ask about buying it... Some other time.

Reina turned her attention away from the shop, surprised by loud laughter erupting from a group of 'mons behind her. She glanced over and recognized one of them immediately. It was the 'mon who had tripped her the other day. 

He had slick blue and black fur, the black fur residing on the lower half of his body. His tail waved back and forth, a bright yellow star-like spike at its end. Just above his front paws on the lower section of his legs were bright yellow stripes that looped around the whole leg. Around his neck was the same black fur, just covered by a red scarf tied in a loose knot. He had tufts of fur adorning his cheeks, and big oval-shaped ears. He was a shinx, Reina thought. She couldn't see anymore, though, because he was facing the opposite direction. 

Behind the shinx was an excited chimchar, along with a gruff tyrunt. They seemed very occupied in their private, but not so quiet, conversation. 

Cautious of the rude 'mon, but curious nonetheless, Reina decided to hide out just close enough to hear out what they were talking about, but far away enough as to not draw any attention to herself. She hid behind a vacant tent, just able to make out the words that were spoken. 

"I can't believe we pulled that off! I mean..." The chimchar paused, greatly lowering his voice, "Stealing from Kangaskhan Storage? That's a crazy stunt, Ryder!" The chimchar whispered, voice brimming with enthusiasm. Reina's eyes widened at the blunt admission from the thieves. She looked around, still hidden by the tent that made her cover, and saw that no one seemed to bat an eye. No one must have heard it, then. 

The shinx, presumably Ryder, spoke next, "Quiet down, dude. We can't be caught right after succeeding." Ryder began, sounding very proud of himself. Reina just scoffed. She immediately regretted it when right after, the tyrunt began looking around cautiously. Reina cowered behind the tent, scared of being found out. 

"Did ya'll hear that?" The tyrunt whispered, voice grumbling like gravel. There was silence soon after, and Reina could only assume, as she was turned away, that they had started to investigate their surroundings. 

"Let's get out of here. It was stupid to discuss this in public, anyway." Ryder said, sounding annoyed. The chimchar, at least Reina assumed it was the chimchar, huffed with aggravation. Soon enough, they were gone into the distance. Reina let out a breath she didn't even realize that she was holding. 

Done with this situation and unsure of what to do, Reina decided to go to the dojo. She peered out from behind the tent cautiously, before deciding it was safe for her to leave. Headed towards the tent, she prepared to train. To train with the guilt of this information settling into her mind. 

What would she do?