The Festival

Chapter 1

Amongst the crowded streets of Dunfall, paper lanterns and painted faces adorned the streets.

With all the people pushing past each other, attempting to purchase their things and make it home before the Curfew, it is a perfect place for those who can pickpocket well.

From one corner of the square, Ari, a natural Wind born from Roven, sat in the dark, patiently waiting for groups of people who had had too much ale to drink. Pickpocketing from drunks was the easiest thing to do.

Mirina, on the other side, would hold up a large tray of necklaces to distract people while little children would sneak under and steal from unsuspecting shoppers.

It's a surprisingly well paying job.

At the end of the night, they usually make around 200 Ren, but tonight, they are going for something much greater. An entrance to the Festival.

A young lady, obviously a Water born judging by her blue lipstick and ocean eyes, walks past Mirina, talking on her phone.

Quickly, Mirina steps in front of her, attempting to stop her for long enough so the children can pickpocket from her.

"Aldama, would you like to purchase a handmade necklace?" The children quickly run under the lifted tray. "They're very beautiful, no? Not much money," the lady stops walking to look at the necklaces but politely shakes her head. "Please, the money goes to a very good place."

Mirina feels a light tap on her leg, a signal telling that the children were done.

Slowly, Mirina pulls the tray away and bows lightly.

With the lady gone, Mirina and the children move back to behind a stall.

Shen, the leader of the children, comes forward.

"How much did you get?" Mirina asks them. Shen hands her a wad of cash and a lapis bracelet, looking very pleased with his handy work.

"No ticket to the Festival?" She hits him upside the head. "The lady obviously had one. Try harder next time."

Bowing their heads in shame, Mirina hands them each four Ren, enough for them to buy food for the next day.

The children perk up and quickly scurry off into the night in hopes of making it back to the Orphanage before the Curfew.

Mirina pulls out her phone and calls Ari.

"Hey, I'm working," was the first thing Mirina heard before a loud groan. "I'm gonna have to call you back." A pause. "Actually, meet me 15 minutes 'fore the Curfew, usual place. I have something that you're gonna like." There was a click signaling the call had ended but Mirina kept her phone to her face.

She was in too much shock to move. Had Ari gotten them both tickets to the Festival?

Thoughts dances around her head and Ari's words swelled her heart.

Even though there was still 30 minutes before the Curfew, Mirina began making her way to the All Store.

A group of Fire born Watchers pass her, giving her a small nod. Ever since the riot in Minerak, the Neale government began sending out more Watchers to make sure a revolution didn't start.

The Neale government was less of a government and more of a highly organized mafia.

The outbreak in Minerak was caused by a gang war turned into something much bigger than just a few hundred people going at it.

Although the story didn't quite add up and many of the detail would contradict themselves, the news still reported it as Gospel.

Once inside the All Store, Mirina makes her way from the grocery store portion and into the restaurant area. She takes a seat at a table close to the back in case she needs to leave quickly.