literature

initial contact

Deviation Actions

Published: Jan 23, 2015

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Literature Text

It was crowded. He had known the narrow streets would be crammed with bodies, had anticipated the turnout and the frenzy. Nevertheless, it bothered him. The contact with each passing individual – not out of choice, but simply because there was no other option – sent his mind reeling. Thievery had too many risks, but December had admitted that long ago. It was necessary.

All he could think of as he walked was his reputation. Up-and-coming. Any screw-up, any mistake, anything could send him sprawling to the bottom of the ladder he’d worked so hard to climb. It wasn’t easy. It hadn’t been easy, and it wouldn’t be easy, and—

Had he just been pickpocketed? The albino shoved his hands into his pockets. Something was missing; a familiar weight was absent. That stray took my pin! he realized suddenly, ruby eyes widening. A less pleasant familiarity settled in, that of a death sentence. His very existence was jeopardized by this loss. “No point in panicking,” December muttered to himself, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Without warning, he turned back, certain that the thief had been headed in the opposite direction.

It wasn’t difficult to spot the stray – catching up was. Their identity was made obvious by the confident gait, the shifty movements. This was someone with a dire focus, with a clear purpose. More importantly was their clearly-impulsive nature. Nothing staged, nothing planned, just a quick stretch and pocketing contents. He was close to the thief now, within a few paces. As soon as the figure was within his grasp, he reached out, gripping the collar of their jacket and pulling them both into a nearby alleyway.

Instantly the thief rounded on him, furious. “What the hell was that for?”

The tone was… feminine? “You have something of mine,” December responded, pondering the peculiarity of the situation. He hadn’t expected the rogue to be female – few thieves were – nor had he expected her to be so self-entitled. After all, she was stealing on his territory, breaking several codes. “I’d like it back,” he added.

The girl blinked once, her speckled green eyes sparkling in the sunlight as she took in his appearance. “Ah, I know who you are!” she laughed, pointing at the albino. “December, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. But then again, who hasn’t?” She let her hood fall to her shoulders, offering a hand. “I suppose it’d be rude not to introduce myself, right? Nice meeting you. I’m Olivia.”

December made no move to accept her offer, levelly meeting her gaze. He couldn’t tell if her audacity was merited or childish. “Your name doesn’t matter,” he replied. “I don’t need to know it. I do need my pin back, however.”

A few silent moments passed. “Alright. I see how it is.” Olivia’s smile faded, quickly replaced by a slight scowl. She tucked a strand of short brown hair behind one ear, deep in thought. “I refuse to return it,” she eventually announced. “You don’t deserve it, you know that? Honestly, I’m disappointed by you.” Laughing, the girl turned to exit the alley, replacing her hood.

“Stop,” December commanded, stepping in front of her. He was barely taller than her, but still conscious of the advantage. “Return it willingly, or I’ll force you to.”

“Really?” the brunette asked, the faintest smirk visible. “I’m sure you’d like to think you could. But to think that you let me take it to begin with! A gang leader, stolen from by his so-called lesser. Are you actually worthy of all this praise I hear? Hell, have you really earned my respect? I mean, I get it, you’ve got talent. People are saying you’re going to overtake Control, you know? Or do you even listen to rumors? It doesn’t seem like you care,” Olivia commented, stepping back, away from him. The smirk only widened. “Maybe you’re good for now, Snowy. Mind if I call you that?”

December frowned, instantly objecting. “No, I –”

“Well, it’s too late now, isn’t it? But like I was saying,” she continued, circling him, “you’re too… well, too high-and-mighty. Maybe my gang isn’t as good as yours, for now; that’s only temporary. Things can change. Things will change. I promise you that, Snowy.” Olivia’s tone grew serious, and December found himself unable to dissect her behavior. He’d never met someone as confusing.

“Your gang? I can’t say I’ve heard of it.”

Olivia shrugged, shedding the air of seriousness. “You will. We go by Loyalty… not that it matters to you.” She grinned and turned around, preparing to leave. December was about to stop her – there was more he wanted to say – when she turned suddenly, the grin gone. “One last thing,” the girl muttered, falling silent.

“We aren’t going to get along, are we?” she finally asked, a childlike pout present on her lips.

“No, I can’t say we will,” December answered, quiet. Olivia offered an apologetic smile before retreating into the crowd, her newfound rival left pinless and confused.

I'm really bad at names.

So, yeah, I said I was going to post this on the twenty-second (if it actually got finished), but I decided I may as well post it now, four days early. That said, this may not be canon. Depends on what Child-of-Sleep thinks. But I've been considering how Olivia and December met, and this is the best I could come up with, on the spot.

Much like Olivia, this piece was very impulsively-written. I'm sure there are issues.

So, then, enjoy (or not)...