When All Else Fails. Prologue. Basch/Penelo Slight AU
He was dreaming when he was roused from his sleep by the sound of tinkering glass hitting the floor. Rising from his cot, he quickly grabbed his sword and quietly walked to the bedroom, opening it cautiously to peer out.
The room before him was dark and he could only make out a small shadow as it made its way through the room pilfering through the meager objects that were splayed cross the room. He tried to find a clue as to who this newcomer was but could only make out a slight feminine form as the intruder was hiding behind a dark cloak. Raising his sword higher, he chanted a quick spell, stepping fully into the room as light permeated from his left hand as he finished chanting.
The figure before him froze and he stood there, waiting to see if the intruder would try to run. When the small figure just stared up at him, he quickly began to speak, never lowering his sword.
" If you would care to identify yourself, I will not harm you."
As if broken from a trance the intruder jerked as she took in a gasp and tried to make for the window that had been her way of entrance. Basch cursed and sheathed his sword as he darted after the girl and blindly grasped on the hood that had been hiding the girl, completely stopping the girl and revealing her to him at the same time.
Blue eyes darted from the window to look up into his face.
" Please, don't hurt me."
Basch studied the girl and noticed the stark terror in her eyes. Sighing, he slowly let go of her and stepped into her view of the window, blocking off her exit.
" I had said no harm will befall you if you would identify yourself. The offer still stands."
Watching as the girl assessed her situation, he calmly waited for her to find the door that stood on the other side of the room. Once she found it, her shoulders drooped slightly and she stood there stiffly, still looking up at him warily.
Even though she was afraid, she jutted out her chin and looked at him defiantly," My name is Penelo."
Basch had to admire her bravery and smiled slightly, " Very well, Penelo. What were you doing inside my residence?"
Penelo the Thief snorted, crossing her arms and looking away from him. "I had hoped that was quite obvious."
He chuckled and got a look from the girl in front of him, " Be that as it may, I would like to know a valid reason why I should not throw you to the guards and lock you in the dungeons."
For the second time that night, her bravery failed her and terror seeped from her very pores. Her breath hitched and all the girl could do was stare up at him wide eyed.
Basch moved slightly from one foot to the other and asked her again, "Well?"
The girl looked panicked and the words tumbled from her mouth, "Food." She looked down, " I was looking for food."
Basch glanced at her in askance. "truly?"
The look in her eyes as she nodded up at him were soulful and he felt a twinge in his chest. Sighing, he shook his head.
"Then I believe we should find you some food then. Come." After motioning for her to follow he stepped around her and made his way to the kitchenette. Smiling when he heard the hesitant footsteps behind him.