The day Ayme met Jed.

From Vast Empire Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search

Ayme sat on the dirty street, her back leaning against the wall. She had already checked the usual places: the dumpster behind the fancy restaurant, the grocery merchant, outright begging. But the food she so desperately needed was no where to be found. She started to consider going back to the orphanage. She hated being cooped up there, but at least she could get some food.

  A few well dressed businessmen passed her, giving the eight year old girl an idea. Ayme pushed herself off the building, using it to stabilize her weak legs as she stood. Another man, fairly well dressed passed in front of her. He had dirty blonde hair and was tall with an awkward gait. The way he walked it seemed to Ayme that he had already walked too far in those shoes. Putting her hands in her pockets she picked up her pace to get in a rhythm with his. She had to be obvious. Ayme could only manage a few steps without getting paranoid and looking around thinking she was being watched. The hunger was bringing out the fear, she just needed to eat and she would be fine.

  Reaching her small hand to his waist, she slipped the wallet out of his backpocket. Before she could celebrate he grabbed her wrist in one swift motion. Then slammed her up against the wall at his eye level, her feet dangling against the building. The man's eye twitched, he didn't seem to expect someone so small to be the thief, in fact it was almost as if he was relieved to find the miniature pick pocket there.

  She knew not to show weakness, that was how you got yourself beat up on a daily basis. You show weakness you could kiss your desert at dinner every night goodbye. Weakness was her enemy, and she knew better than to let it get control of her.

  He half carried, half dragged Ayme into an alley. Her face showed defiance but she made no attempt to fight him, not there in the middle of the street where the officers could find her and take her back to the orphanage. If she wanted to go back, she would make that decision not have it made for her.

  He lifted her up again against the wall. "So what's your story?" He started to look her up and down, it was hard not to notice the lack of meat on her bones and the tattered condition of her clothing. It must have amused him, because he smirked. Then his eyes came to rest on her wrist, and his face suddenly lost all color.

  "What is your name?"

  Ayme just stared at him she noticed the pause in his gaze and the sudden change in the demeanor of his voice but she had no clue why that stupid tattoo would cause it. She didn't even know what the symbol was supposed to be, nobody seemed to.

  He shook her. "I asked you a question." Ayme continued to stare, her lips a solid line, no emotion but pure anger and frustration behind her blue eyes. "You are a tough little one aren't you, I bet you create nothing but havock when you're around." He shook his head. "Maybe that's what I should call you."

  "I don't care what you call me just let me go." Ayme started to squirm against his large hands, she could have kicked him, but she still didn't want to get the police involved.

  "You live in the orphanage down on Gronto Street, right?" Ayme stopped squirming and looked at him, he had started to look around. It seemed as if he was worried about being followed. "Yea, you do. And you look hungry. Listen, I have some other kids living with me. Why don't I take you there and give you some food. You don't have to stay, just some food in exchange for that wallet in your hand."

  Ayme looked at him and swallowed. She wasn't sure if she should trust him, but the offer of food was almost too good to pass up. She nodded, and he immediately put her down so she could stand on her own. She solemnly handed him the wallet. "Thank you." Then he turned to head back to the main street and paused reaching into his jacket for something. He pulled out a handkerchief. "Tie this around that wrist, and tell no one about that tattoo, you understand?" Ayme nodded and started to tie the handkerchief. "I'm Jed by the way."

  "Hi Jed."

  He chuckled and shook his head. "Still no name of your own, huh? Fine, lets go Havock."


Havock