Storyboards: Altem

"It's all about technique." Altem thought as he glanced from patron to patron. "Look for the easy mark." Though he hasn't been at it long, Altem believes to be an accomplished thief, well beyond his years.
After a few moments he spots his target. A tall, elegant woman with a proud bearing stood next to the bar. She regarded the server with a raised eyebrow, and crossed her slender arms in a graceful and dance-like movement, seeming not to mind the long wait too much. Her long, blue-black hair cascaded down her back, and her matching blue eyes gleamed. A snake coiled around a tiny silver dagger hung from a chain around her neck, and for a moment, its tongue flickered, then it became normal once more.
Altem thought for a second, " Not only does she look like someone that has some valuables, she is beautiful to boot. Now.... What to take...?" Slowly sliding his way off his stool, Altem approached the weathered bar, stopping a few places over from the beautiful woman. He listened as she conversed with the people around her, her speech, her manners, everything about the girl screamed regality. "What a shame," thought Altem, "That I am still going to have to rob her.. A man needs to eat also." His thoughts drifted to her jewellery again scanning her neck, wrists and fingers. With a nice ruby ring firmly in mind, Altem stood and left the tavern to get set up.
Silently moving over to the dark alley, he removed a box that was hidden by a small tarp. Taking out a carefully placed disguise, Altem quickly set up. Removing a few cobblestones directly in front of him and placing the tarp over to hide the decent sized hole. Putting on the costume, which included a shabby cloak, a battered wide brimmed hat, dark glasses and a small container with a few coins in it.
The brisk dark night, provided the perfect atmosphere for larceny. People were too busy concentrating on the coolness of the night to pay attention to the shadows, and at this late hour, those coming from the tavern would have a foggy head. People were emerging from the tavern in small groups now. Laughing and being loud, ruining the stillness of the night, and not seeming to care, groups swayed and lurched down the street, which seemed to have shrung with every step as they constantly crashed into objects as they made the way. No one paid much attention to the blind man sitting in near shadows, which was fine with him - none were his mark. Not long after the first exodus of patrons, she emerged from the tavern, Looking around, she noticed the blind man sitting in half shadows. Altem rattled the cup slightly making the coins rattle together.
She stepped towards the man with pity on her face.
"You poor dear." She said as she stepped closer. " Here take these few coins and this bread."
Altem, true to his disguise, looked up more to the sound of the voice than at the person directly. "Thank you M'lady, you are so kind, please watch your step, I took quite a tumble, which is how I came to be resting here, if you catch my meaning." Altem smiled quite broadly as the lady reached the tarp and stumbled in the hole. Falling forward, the lady landed practically on the man. As she went to stand up Altem, took her hands to help steady her. "I’m sorry, M'lady I tried to warn you about that hole somewhere around here." As he spoke and she pulled away from the blind man, he slid the ring off her finger. Still playing the part he searched the ground for the cup and coins. Patting the ground ever few inches. "Thank you for your kindness, please have a good night."
As his fingers touched the edge of the cup the unexpected happened. A boot came smashing down on his hand. Fingers. "I wasn’t sure if you had the guts to actually try to pull it off. You are very careless. But you are young still, and you do show some signs of imagination." Altem winced in agony as the boot ground into his fingers. "Now… My ring, if you please" she stated flatly and her boot pressed harder.
"I don’t know what you’re referring to M'lady, I'm just a poor beggar trying to scrape by." Altem said not trying to break his role. The beautiful woman put most of her weight on her foot, which in turn put most of her weight on his fingers. His pinky, which was pinned under the rest of his hand gave a sickening pop as the pressure was applied and searing pain jolted through Altem's hand. Regrettably, Altem reached inside his clothes and produced the ring in question. She took the ring, removed her boot and took a step back.
"My name is Fieron, I am the leader of a group called Wanderers. We are looking for people that show some signs of creativity. And you , as misplaced as it is, do show signs of creativity, determination, though this skill is lacking, we can help you with that. If you are interested in honing your skills, then stop by." She handed him a small card with an address on it. She turned and without looking back strode confidently down the Street.
Altem stared after her with awe and admiration. He turned the card over and read the directions carefully, groaning in pain as he flexed his fingers. "This might be the start of something wonderful." He thought he caught the last glimpse of her shadow.

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