"Heh heh, not bad if I say so myself. I can see it now: the name Thena Tackle in the history books of the greatest treasure hunter of all time! This pendant is only the beginning of my great accomplishments!"
Some people may criticize me for bragging (and I know some specific folks that come to mind!), but it doesn't matter. My parents are proud of their achievements and taught me to take pride as well. Logically speaking, why wouldn't I celebrate myself? It's not like I brag about everything–only major feats worth mentioning. Somebody has to be at the top, and I'm determined to not let that be me. For crying out loud, I managed to pickpocket some rich idiot at a noble palace! Obtaining treasure from nobility–especially nobility in a different country–deserves to be boasted about. Just wait until Aisha hears about this–she's going to be super jealous!
But…
Thena pauses her momentum for a moment, bringing herself to a complete standstill.
"There's no telling if that Reoni guy noticed that his pendant is missing and sent guards to search for me by now. I'm a good distance away from the palace now, but just to be safe…"
Thena places the pendant around her neck and puts on her hood.
"There, that should do it."
It should be harder to identify me this way. I can only be profiled from the front, and I can just cover the pendant with my hand in case the noble guards pass by. Dad and I should be heading back to Gannet soon, so I won't be here by the time they can find me.
"Speaking of dad, I better hurry before he starts looking for me. I don't want him asking too many questions just yet, not while we're still in Avarice."
Thena takes a breather before proceeding to stretch her legs a bit. Feeling satisfied with her preparation, she then sprints down the street at a brisk pace.
Crawley's shop shouldn't be too far from here. I just gotta keep my momentum and avoid encountering any person!
"Aha, I've finally found ya."
"?!"
A voice? A man's voice? Where is it coming from?!
The voice of a stranger managed to stop the thieving girl to a screeching halt, despite it sounding a little far away, yet really close.
"Up here!"
I look up to the rooftops of the nearby buildings…! I see him! A man wearing a hooded cloak and an eye mask. How does he know about me?
The hooded man jumps down the buildings, reaching ground level with Thena. He lands gracefully on the ground, not even wincing at the impact.
"Who are you?!"
There's no way anyone should have been able to find me so quickly! He doesn't appear to be a noble guard…could he be a personal assassin hired by that guy at the palace?
I don't have time for this. I need to get this creep off my trail, immediately!
"I'm just a guy with an eye for fashion. That peridot pendant around your neck looks fabulous. Mind if I take it?"
Crap, he really does know about what I did! I'll try to use my cover story…
"Sorry, but you're mistaken, sir! This is my birthstone, a gift from my late mother. I need to return home now before my big sister worries herself to death."
I tried using my "cutesy" voice to make my story sound more innocent and believable. But oh my god, if it isn't making me cringe!
"Save the sob story; I know that you don't live in this country."
Huh?! He even knows that I'm a foreigner? How much does this freak know about me?!
"How could you say that, you insensitive prick!"
"Even the dumbest idiot knows not to wear anything valuable in public in Avarice, lest she wants trouble. Besides that, you are literally wearing a cloak with Gannet's insignia on it. Rookie mistake, dummy."
The way this guy is speaking to me is so belittling–it's like he sees me as a little kid messing around! I can feel my face turning red. This guy is really pissing me off! It's time for my next escape plan.
"Okay okay, you got me. But I am not giving this to you; I stole it fair and square!"
"How foolish. When it comes to stealing, there is no such thing as–"
"Shut up!"
Psew psew psew psew psew psew psew!
"?!"
Thena casts a barrage of slime projectiles at the man's feet, which manages to subdue his movement. The man, caught off guard, barely missed his opportunity to dodge the assault, further worsening his disadvantage.
"Yes! That should do it! Bet you didn't expect that, idiot!"
"Tch!"
He should be stuck in that spot for a while–at least long enough for me to get away. I need to run as fast as possible!
"Make no mistake you brat, I will catch up to you."
Before Thena could fully turn around, the man speaks to her in a calm but assertive voice. His words carry the cadence of gospel. Thena, being the unbeliever that she is, brushes him off.
"Catch this! Bleh!"
Thena sticks her tongue out and flashes the pendant in mockery. Feeling satisfied with her victory, she runs down the street, increasing the distance between her and the man.
Crap, I'm going to be late! Which way is that guy's treasure shop again?
There are several avenues, corners, and other streets that I am running past. I know that I can't just run straight down this one street; not only will this not get me to my destination, but it'd make it easier to chase me down.
But which corner was I supposed to turn at? My mind is all messed up now, I can't remember!
Left-right, left-right, left-right–Thena frantically swivels her head, not halting her pace as she continues to run.
"Forget it! No more overthinking it, I'll just turn left at that corner!"
I vaguely recall this general area from before, so I know that I am not too far away. One of these paths will eventually lead me to safety!
She takes a left at the next corner, hoping to find the route she's seeking for. She runs down the path, with victory in sight.
"No way, are you kidding me? This corner leads to a dead-end! Dang it, this sucks but I have no choice but to backtrack…."
"Swallow me."
"Huh? What was that?"
"Swallow me."
I can hear a faint voice speaking out to me. It doesn't sound like a person, and it's definitely not that bothersome man chasing me…
Thena takes the pendant from around her neck, holding it in her hand as she closely inspects it.
"No way, could it really be…?"
"Swallow me."
The pendant faintly glows as it 'speaks' to Thena.
"I knew it, this pendant is talking to me! What the heck is this thing?"
"Swallow me."
"Stop saying that–it's gross! Why would I swallow an object for no reason? That's something my sister would do!"
"Swallow me."
"Aaah, stop talking to me!"
"No problem, just give that pendant to me first."
"?!"
Approaching from behind, the man managed to close the gap between him and Thena, being only an arm's length away.
"How did you catch up so quickly? You really are a pervert!"
"Sigh, I'd really wish you'd stop slandering me like that."
He steps closer and closer, backing Thena into a corner. He holds his hand out as if saying, "Hand it over.".
No, I can't let this creep win! He thinks he can steal my treasure? The treasure that I worked so hard for?
I won't let him, no matter what!
"Swallow me…swallow me…"
"..."
The teenage girl's back touches a wall, completely cornering her escape options. The man now stands directly in front of her. Thena looks at him, then at the pendant, contemplating her decision.
I don't want to, but it's now or never!
In one fell-swoop, Thena rips the chain from the pendant.
"Hey kid, what are you doing?!"
"GULP!"
After managing to swallow the pendant whole with relative ease, Thena wipes her mouth, smirking at the man.
That…actually wasn't too bad at all…I can feel it. It feels like something is awakening inside of me!
"You brat! I'll get that pendant out of you with my bare hands if I have to!"
The man, enraged by Thena's unconventional actions, cracks his knuckles, preparing to deliver his gut punch.
"How about this instead?"
Thena's eyes change into peridot green. She holds up her hand, forming a giant hand made of slime.
"?!!!"
Thena picks up the man with her giant slime hand, tightly gripping him. He tries his best to squirm free, but to no avail. Even worse, Thena tightens her grip the more he struggles.
"Let…me…go…you…"
"With pleasure, you creep!"
Thena winds up her arm and with a giant swing, launches the man into the air, far away into the city. The slime appendage disintegrates.
"That was…that was…awesome. I had no idea I could do that, but it was awesome!"
That pendant that I just swallowed…did it awaken new powers within me? Or did it just amplify my curse?
Thena looks down at her belly, feeling conflicted about her decision made in desperation.
I didn't want to use my new-found treasure in such a weird way…I'll just make myself throw it up when we get home, before it phases through my body.
"For now, I am free from pursuers, so that will be another feat added to my resume. Hopefully dad won't be too upset with me…"
Thena pats her face and takes a deep breath, strengthening her resolve. As she runs away in freedom, her radiant green eyes return to black.