Out for a run...

[Ama]

"If he is then he's gonna regret messing with the two of us."

The devilish grin upon Ama's face spoke volumes about the lessons she had planned for the crook and, if that wasn't enough, the demoness pounded fist to palm, accentuating her desire for payback. 

Ama approached the door, silently, grateful to have had a moment to catch her breath. She secretly hoped they were going to catch the thief unawares. To see the look of surprise on his face would be priceless. 

With pale fingers, she tried the door...

[Shen]

Ama would find the door unlocked, as it was business hours now. Not that Shen was one for waking up early, but he had much to do if he was to see his shop stocked and turning the profit he was hoping for.

That said, the par would find the shop owner, as clad in his thick, blackened garb as he was on any given day and presently, examining the delicate necklace he had just purchased from the customer who had left but a moment earlier. An odd fellow, he'd come and gone through the back door.

Hearing the bell over the door clang, Shen adjusted his glasses and peered down his nose at the pair.

"Hm. Something I can help you with?"

[Ama]

Ama eyed the black-clad man up with great suspicion. She hadn't gotten a good look at the thief's face, but this guy was holding the necklace! Did she need any more proof?

Stomp-stomp-stomp. 

"Yeah, you can help me." Her fuchsia eyes bore into the man as she pointed an accusatory finger. "I'm looking for a necklace. One that looks remarkably like the one you're holding right there."

Her face turned deadly serious. She wasn't happy, if you hadn't have guessed.

"Hand it over and I'll consider not breaking your thieving fingers."

[Ramir]

Ramir was quite certain that Shen wasn't the thief, as they didn't look similar... and it seemed quite odd that a shop owner would steal from someone, only to lead them to their store.

Still, Ama had his attention and he was quite struck with her new attitude. Trying his best to hide his smug grin and fighting the urge to simply watch her do something reckless, he too walked across the shop and addressed the man in black.

"No doubt about it, that's hers alright. So, how about we just give the lady what's hers and call it a day, yeah?"

Oh, if only it would be so simple. Ramir had no doubt it couldn't be quite so easy.

[Shen]

Shen looked at them both with an expression that lurked somewhere between complete uncaring and ignorance. Needless to say, the look conveyed his not being compelled to comply. Instead, he shrugged and held the necklace up, though well out of the reach of his 'customers'.

"Well, that's simply unfortunate. It's has a simple elegance about it and it being enchanted surely shall fetch some coin. Of course, I paid for it already, which makes it mine."

Shen gave them both a stern look and then dropped the bauble in his pocket, before starting to resume his work.

[Ama]

Paid for it already? That means he wasn't the crook and the real thief was gone. Ugh! Ama's fists tightened into balls of rage. Now what was she going to do? She couldn't just beat up someone who hadn't exactly done anything wrong.

She was left with no other choice.

The demoness took a step back, drawing in a deep breath. As she exhaled, her shoulders fell and the angry posture she had been holding disappeared. The young woman's features reflected sadness and, covering her face with a hand, she began to cry.

"Oh, how can this be happening?" Ama's body shook with every sob. "My grandmother will never forgive me. She'll go to her grave with hate in her heart and it'll be all my fault."

The young demoness turned and wrapped her arms around Vandal, burying her face into his chest.

[Ramir]

"ULP."

Ramir wasn't quite expecting that response and it took him a while to register just what was happening. Instinctually, his arms wrapped around the tiny girl and he pulled her a little closer. But acting the part here was not Ramir's forte and he knew her ploy to be false. You know, given that he was there when she got the blasted thing.

"Hey, I'm sure the nice man will give it back. I mean really, he's not to blame for this, we can sort it out."

Oh geez. Ramir had no idea what to say and really, truthfully, her false tears had him feeling genuinely bad. That said, it was rather nice having her pressed against him. Aw yeah,this should definitely happen regularly.

[Shen]

Shen simply didn't respond. At least not in any way that she might have been hoping for. He was notoriously ruthless, uncaring and really, was quite a bit more interested in being profitable than charitable.

It wasn't a nice gesture, or any creative solution to help the crying girl and her boyfriend, but a genuine idea that him make an offer. He didn't even bother to turn around and face them again but instead, kept on working.

"You know, you could do me a small service. In return for this simple errand, you'll have earned your necklace. If that's agreeable, then please, quit your blubbering and let's get to it."

[Ama]

Ama slowly turned around, wiping false tears from her white cheeks. She wasn't too fond of the man's uncaring attitude but at least they were making progress. 

"What...what would you have of us, sir?" The young woman said, continuing to feign sadness over her "grandmother's" necklace.

[Ramir]

Ramir would have looked a little disappointed but really, it wasn't his style. He wasn't surprised at where this was heading and whilst he had every reason to suspect this was going to be more complicated than this character was letting on, he was used to such dealings.

He slipped his fingers into his belt and took on a rather casual stance that looked quite comfortable discussing shady propositions.

"Out with it. You want someone roughed up? Need a debt collected? I'm all for it."

And he was too.

[Shen]

"Alright then, I simply need you to deliver a package."

Shen conveniently had it under the counter too, as demonstrated when he produced it and placed it on top of said counter. It wasn't very large, or heavy and was wrapped in simple parchment and tied with string.

"Nine blocks from here, an unassuming place with black drapes and a red door. You'll find it quite easily. Simply deliver that to Dozius and you'll have earned your precious, grandmother's bauble."

Shen smirked in a knowing manner. He clearly wasn't buying it and it was very obvious that they had little choice, should they want the necklace back. That said, they could try something reckless.

[Ama]

Reckless may have been fun but, since Ama may have need of this store later on, decided not to risk it. She was rather weary, too, and didn't want to get caught up in another fight unless it was completely necessary.

Anyway, how hard could it be to deliver a simple package?

"Okay. We'll do this."

Was the necklace really worth all of this trouble? She looked to her friend and realized that she no longer thought of the trinket as a "gift" from that mysterious man back at the ramshackled house, but more of a symbol of her and Van's friendship. That was the true worth of the item.

[Ramir]

Ramir took the package and without much consideration for whatever it was, he tucked it inside his coat. He wasn't interested in what it was because he knew without a shadow of a doubt that you NEVER think about what's in the package. Messenger's were easy come by after all and easy to shoot what's more.

"C'mon Ama."

Really, Ramir was struggling more with coming up with a nick name for his new friend. Her name was short and didn't really lend itself to an appropriately fond nickname. Ah well, he was sure that'd come to him in time.

Of course, he held the door for her, before letting it swing shut behind them, leaving Shen to his work.

"Nine blocks, this way. Shouldn't be too hard."

[Ama]

Ama was glad to leave the store and that heartless man behind. It was back to being her and Vandal, just the way she liked it. The Wistvale Wanderers off to do some more wandering.

"I'm sorry about that back there." She said, apologetically, as they moved away from Shen's Emporium. "I like to try a bit of acting, now and again, but I guess I could use more practice.

The tears usually work." She added with a slight smile.

[Ramir]

Ramir slowed down a little and returned that slight smile. She almost seemed as though she was being bashful. Of course, he thought it best to diffuse any discomfort she might have been feeling with some humor.

"Nah, you can squeeze me any time you like."

He laughed and scratched at his head, before pulling his hood up once more to fight off the persistent rain. All in all, this was shaping up to be an interesting day. He was damn sure going to get Ama's necklace back her though.

A pleasant thought crossed his mind, too. They could catch some sleep after this goose-chase was done with. Of course, they still hadn't found a suitable place to do so, at least one without some dread-lord ruining their slumber.

Ramir fancied finding Ama a real bed. It was funny, but it occurred to him that he quite liked making his new friend happy.

"So Miss Ama, you haven't really told me why you're in town. What does your.... boyfriend think of you traveling alone, hm?"

Yeah, real discreet Ramir.