Mercantile

[neyo the king]

Ok, I was really bored last night, so I began to write a story. I have no idea if I will write anymore or not, that might all depend on how it goes over here. Note that I am not an expert writer, and this is quite literally the first time I've written something for no reason. So, that being said, please, don't hessitate to criticize, but please, be constructive.

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Maxx lay on the rooftop, gazing into the night sky. He found (with some confusion as to why) that he was doing this a lot as of late, just staring into the night sky, thinking, thinking... You see, there are some things you need to know about Maxx. First off, he wasn’t a deep thinker. Don’t get me wrong, he has a very cunning young man. Could outwit a fox, if he’d get something out of it. Second, he wasn’t very deep. You really didn’t have to think to hard on what he was thinking, because he pretty much shouted what he thought out loud, through a megaphone. Or he would, had megaphones existed at this time. That’s why he was lost as to why he was doing it. He didn’t do it often, ‘til as of late.

Suddenly, Maxx could hear the noise of the door of the balcony being opened in an attempt of stealth, which gave him a quick chuckle. They try so hard. He jumped to his feet quietly, and silently made his way to a shadowy part of the rooftop, waiting to see what unfolded.

“And your sure he came this way?” said one voice. A strong voice that, more than likely, belonged to a strong man. Even more than likely, it belonged to a strong soldier. Maxx had pretty much memorized that kind of voice.

The third thing you need to know about Maxx was his profession. He was a thief. Not only a thief, but a notorious thief, known throughout the whole land of Hilosura, and that’s saying something, even though he isn’t number one on that list (he’s actually number 7, but who’s counting?)

“Sure as he’s the one who took my priceless necklace,” said another voice, an older woman’s voice. “Did I mention that it was made of 100% ebony found in the mines up north? Very expensive.” Maxx knew that voice, too. That was the voice of the owner of the jewelry store he frequented on nights much like that night. And it was on a night much like that night that he knew it was time for him to split.

“Yes, ma’am, you have told me at least 12 times since I got here.” said the soldier as he helped himself up onto the roof. “And I would appreciate it if you were quiet. He might still be about.” The soldier slowly scanned the rooftop.

“I doubt it,” said the woman. “He’s a slick one, his is. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was already in the next town, pawning off my necklace. Oh, my poor, 100% ebony necklace! Worth a small fortune,” she added in quickly, just to make sure the soldier got the message.

He did. Maxx would have sworn he saw steam coming off the poor man’s forehead, which was getting increasingly close to his position. The soldier swing round to glare at the woman, and this was the time Maxx decided to make his escape.

“Listen, ma’am, I realize that it is an expensive necklace. And the ring stolen last week was valuable, and the brooch stole before that was priceless. But I really need you to be quiet so me and the boys can catch this thief.”

Maxx stopped. So, there were others about. He would have to be more careful than usual when leaving tonight. With a grin that would scare away a pirana, he jumped to the shadows of a neighboring roof.

to be continued...

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Oh, just one final note. This is more of a prologue than anything, so... yeah.

-Neyo, who has one more thing to say, but won't say it. So there.

EDIT: Bah, I can't get it to indent right. Help?

[Fenris]

I thought it was rather good, and I hope you continue it.

I really have no complaints or errors to point out.

Me likes!

[adamark]

Dialogue is very confusing to me. Narrate more. That's my opinion.

[Fifthfiend]

Needs more car chases.

Also, gunfights.

[neyo the king]

Maxx shot everyone, then got in his car and drove away in the sunset, chased by 500 other cars. The End.

That's just for you, fifthfiend. Hope you liked it. For everyone else...

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Lisa sat close to the campfire, trying to keep warm. It was another one of those nights, where Maxx went out doing... she never really knew the details, but she knew he was... borrowing... valuables from other people somewhere out there. She didn’t know when he’d get back, or even if he would, but she knew what to do if he was gone to long. She hoped she didn’t have to do it.

She sighed and brushed her long, dark-brown hair back from her face. He had been so... different as of late, nothing like the Maxx she met a few years ago. Sure, he still had his charm, his smile, his laugh, but, still... He was always looking into the sky, as if looking for something. Something he never found. It was starting to worry both of them.

With another, longer sigh, she stood. No use just sitting around waiting for him. She knew it was going to be a long night for him this time, she could feel it. Then again, she felt many things. Such was the curse of being half seer. Couldn’t see, even with a crystal ball, and could only feel sometimes. She wished her body would just make up its mind. Seer or not? She would ask herself some sleepless nights, but she would only respond with a sigh.

Another long night. Might as well get to bed, she decided. She stood up, gathered everything into the caravan (you never knew when a restful sleep would turn to a flight for life with Maxx around...), and settled into a light sleep.

******

Maxx woke up with a splitting headache. Well, this is new. He said to himself sarcastically as he scanned the room he was in. It was dark, but the sound of clinking beer glasses and toasts being proposed was practically in his face. He was obviously blindfolded, and tightly so. After a few moments of silence, Maxx had to ask.

“Hey fellas, do I get one?”

His answer came as a swift kick to the shin. “Well, look who finally decided to wake up...” said the assailant, another familiar voice to Maxx, the Captain of the Guards. “That bump to the head must have scrambled your brains. Do you remember what happened?”

“Vaguely... Something about a banana peel, two tons of fluff, and a bit of dumb luck in your part...” He grinned one of his grins. He knew what got the captains goat, and, even though he couldn’t see it, he knew his comment hit him hard. He knew mainly because of the fist that made his head’s acquaintance.

“Stop your fooling!” shouted the captain, “You know as well as I do that it was my brilliant plot that caught you!” He said this to his fellow officers, who rose into a commotion of cheers and toasts.

Maxx knew what caught him. As he was making his escape, he looked up into the sky, something he cursed himself for doing, but just couldn’t resist. He knew he wouldn’t see anything, just like all those other times. But that time was different. That time he saw it. The thing he was looking for. There it was, clear as day! All he could do was stand there and say (a little to loudly), “Oh, of course! It all makes sense now!” It was at that point that an officer (new to the force. It was, in fact, his first night on patrol, and he was also not in the captain’s plans) threw something big and heavy at him. It hit him so hard that he forgot, much to his dismay, what that thing that he was looking for was.

After absorbing all the praise for his brilliant plan that the other could muster, the captain turned his gaze back to Maxx. “You do know what were going to do to you now?” Ask the captain, with a grin that would scare a hyena away.

“You mean you forgot already? Shame, Captain, shame...” tsked Maxx, with a counter grin that would have sent the hyena laughing.

A fist said hello to Maxx’s face again. “No! We’re going to hang you at the first light of dawn, you vagrant!” laughed the captain. He turned to glare at his officers, who were being silent. They looked at him, realized what they did wrong, and started cheering and toasting their heads off. The captain was pleased. Tonight was a good night.

Hours later, when all Maxx could hear was the snoring of his guard (who was, in fact, the same one who threw the big, heavy thing at him), he sighed a tired sigh and turned his thoughts to Lisa. She knew what she had to do. And if not, he hoped she would pick up on his situation. To help her along, just in case, he spent all night concentrating on Lisa. She would pick up on him. He just knew it...