Blueberries
Warning: Contains talk of abuse
It was a moment of judgement, to see who’d stolen the most. She was hardly concerned, she already knew she stole nothing, but the members beside her looked ashamed. Even Meritt, who stood beside her, looked worried.
Just before they could start the ritual in earnest though, Blueten felt herself get shoved aside as a short plant, roughly the same height as her, tumbled his way through the gathering of weaker members. He tripped and fell to the ground, dropping a small bag. The louder members laughed and sneered as he hastily grabbed the bag and picked himself off the floor. She stared, wide-eyed. Who was this?
“Real smooth, Tora!”
“He does this every fuckin’ time…”
“D’ya even look where ya goin’?!”
Face flushed and head bowed, Tora silently made his way to Baya’s side. Blueten watched him as Baya started the ritual. She couldn’t recall him at all, yet it felt like she must have seen him at least once but… there were 17 members, she’d counted. She looked around again, counted them off by name: Claws, Onora, Birr, Ebril, Meritt, Shade… 18. There were 18 members.
Her pockets felt heavier.
As member after member poured their spoils onto the table, she cautiously searched her pockets. Six gold. She hadn’t stolen six gold. She looked up as the members around her started taking their turns. Each one came back from the table looking relieved, including Meritt. He came up to Blueten, placed a hand on her shoulder, and laughed.
“I always think I’ve stolen less than I have. It’s your turn, Mute!”
Confused, she walked up to the table and slowly dropped the six gold coins onto its rough surface. Six coins she shouldn’t have had. Her mind was racing. The guild cheered, but she barely registered it.
“Pretty good fer a first go!”
“Six gold? Not bad at all!”
She walked back to Meritt’s side, mind spinning faster and faster. Why did she have six gold? She hadn’t stolen six gold! Where did the six gold come from?! A loud yell snapped her out of it.
“YOU DIDN’T STEAL ANYTHING?! AGAIN?!”
Blueten spun around to see Claws snarling at Tora. He’d shrunken behind Baya, but was smiling. It was a copy of Baya’s smile, she realized, except far weaker -it didn’t hide his feelings at all. He was panicking. Did anyone notice?
“Yer so fuckin’ useless! What kinda thief are ya?” Spat another.
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