[phone//The Thief Always, part 1]

[grand_theft_moe]

[It's nighttime, and Chizuko is calling from a payphone. She's scoped the joint out, making sure noone is nearby to observe her and is disguising her voice by speaking in a lower pitch than normal, speaking through a set of walky talkies and placing a towel over the receiver. The resulting voice is waspish and androgynous, not recognizable as

Comments

[a_gentle_boy]

I'm not sure Grady will care at all about that kind of thing. Does stealing jewelry really mean anything . . . ?

[grand_theft_moe]

It's only a warmup and a demonstration. The next one will be more spectacular.

[a_gentle_boy]

If you say so . . .

I never really understood why the stones were supposed to be worth so much, anyway.

[grand_theft_moe]

Only due to their rarity and appearance. Most rare, brightly colored objects have been currency. Some ancient cultures used cowrie shells.

[a_gentle_boy]

. . . We traded nuts, sometimes. Miss Caroline made really good nut bread.

[grand_theft_moe]

That sounds delicious. Although I don't see how you could use something common enough to cook with as currency.

[a_gentle_boy]

It was more . . . 'We're all neighbors so take whatever you need and pay me back if you can'.

[grand_theft_moe]

That is the kind of world I would wish to live in.

[a_gentle_boy]

. . . I liked it a lot, if that means anything.

[grand_theft_moe]

Your world sounds like a nice place. Where I am from, the powerful oppress the weak and greed rules the day.

[a_gentle_boy]

. . . Y-Yeah. Yeah, it seems like it's like that in a lot of worlds. I mean . . . It must have something to do with how people think. They ended up choosing that way of life in my world, too.

[grand_theft_moe]

And what happened to your village?

[a_gentle_boy]

. . . Everyone moved out because there wasn't enough stuff.

[grand_theft_moe]

I'm sorry.

[a_gentle_boy]

You don't have to be. I know . . . things will be back to normal when I get back home.

. . . Um. Good luck, then. Try not to be caught.

[grand_theft_moe]

I hope they are.

I won't be. This is rather small by my standards.

Can I ask your name, child?