Fictober 2019: Day One

Prompt: “It will be fun, trust me.”

Perched awkwardly on her her crate, swaying gently with the motion of the baggage car, Miriam worried at the pearls on her bracelet, catching the carved lines on the edge of her thumbnail over and over again as she rolled the largest; base of her palm to as far up her arm as the delicate chain holding them would reach, then back, pressing hard and until she could feel the pearl grinding lightly against the bones in her wrist. Her eyes were locked on the square of light on the floor streaming in from one of the few windows.

Across from her, sprawled across two trunks with her legs kicked up on the frame of another window in a way that made Miriam's spine ache in sympathy, Tanis rolled her head back and sighed, lifting one booted foot just enough to thump it back down against the window frame, "Waiting is always the worst part of these sorts of missions."

Fingers pausing in their repetitive motion, Miriam glanced away from the hypnotically dancing motes of dust, frowning slightly as Tanis let out a drawn out groan, the older girl dragging her hands down her face, then back up to tangle in her hair.

"You do this sort of thing a lot?"

Tanis laughed, swinging one leg down from where she had it propped, "You mean the fake robbery or the kidnapping?"

Miriam grinned a little, tipping her chin up and finally letting go of her bracelet, "Well, either, I suppose."

Pushing herself up on one elbow, Tanis rolled over onto her side, still draped awkwardly over the trunks, though she seemed not to notice how uncomfortable she should be, "Well, usually I get to be a pirate, since I'm good at the theatrics. And I don't mind jumping off a ship onto another ship, or a train, or, well, anything that my mates can convince me I should jump off the ship onto. It's a valuable skill!" she defended herself, catching the starkly skeptical look on Miriam's face.

"I suppose..." Miriam dubiously offered in return, "But what about this side, then? The actual snatching side?"

"Less often. I get bored easily, so this whole waiting to strike part is miserable for me. But of the women available to help out, I'm the best in close combat," Tanis raised her arms, striking a pose and flexing briefly for Miriam's amusement, "And since we might need to punch some people in the face, here I am."

At the reminder, Miriam's smile faded, making Tanis lean forward, a frown pulling her lips down, her brow furrowed, "Hey, now, everything will be fine. It will be fun, trust me. A little flash, distract and dash, and your sister will be safely away, no harm done. I promise."

She reached out, hand initially rising as if to cup Miriam's face before she hesitated minutely, seeming to think better of it and instead aiming towards her shoulder. Miriam intercepted, snagging the hand between her own, "I believe you."

Glancing down at their linked hands, Tanis smiled and gave Miriam's hands a squeeze as the room dimmed slightly, the light from the windows becoming blocked. They both turned and looked at the nearest window in time to see a rope ladder drop into view.

Tanis bounced up, pulling her Miriam up with her, "Time to move!"


Total Words: 559