"Friends with a thief? What a joke!" As those words left Abner's lips, Arlo was stunned speechless as that wasn't the answer he was expecting for at all. Not even one of the reactions he had predicted.
This got Arlo in a fuzzy. Although it was true that Abner can reject his own voluntary offering of friendship, but he shouldn't be so offensive!
'What about being friends with a thief?! You're not just befriending any old thief but the greatest thief among thieves! The king thief among thieves!' Arlo fumed on the inside as the gears in his brain turned turning to figure out a solution to this situation.
Giving up is not in his vocabulary! Instead this made him even more determined to become Abner's friend. Arlo's stubborn as a mule personality and shameless self-confidence has finally showed itself as he started to boast about how great he is and how much he is worth as a friend and what magnificent things he can do---he especially emphasized on the fact that there was nothing in this world he can't steal.
All while Abner was watching him with amusement and great interest in his eyes. In truth, Abner was only playing with Arlo, he didn't mind becoming his friend, but since he had stolen from him, the least Arlo can do is entertain him. Additionally, through this event, the sadistic and mischievous side of Abner broke through and took a firm hold.
Boredom truly is a devil.
However, when Arlo didn't recede even after a while had gone by like Abner had initially thought, Abner decided to stop him from talking before his tongue withers from dehydration. Talking for so long and saying so many things and so rapidly, it was bound to make anyone choke on a dry throat.
A cold and emotionless voice sounded out, interrupting Arlo's long-winded speeches, "Done yet?"
Arlo could also feel his dirt-dry throat; he was extremely thirsty from all the talking. So Arlo finally sheathed his words of self-praise that could stuff a whole warehouse full and yet need more room. He truly thinks himself perfect—except his fighting skills—to the high heavens. He disdained his inability to fight, disregarding the fact that it was his own fault that he doesn't know how.
Arlo finally took a good look at Abner and froze. During the time he was blabbering incessantly, he was absolutely absorbed with himself and did not clearly the see the expression on his face. So when he finally "looked" at Abner, he was shocked by what he saw.
Mirth swam in Abner's eyes that continued to watch Arlo. Even when he saw the shock and disbelief in the other's eyes, Abner didn't hide his expression or the smile on his lips.
Feeling played—which he was—Arlo was vexed and speechless. He also did not know what to feel or how to react. Usually he would erupt as soon as this happened but this time he couldn't, not when it was Abner, his life-savior. No matter how shameless and brazen he acts most of the time, he still has his own principles. Especially when it comes to repaying deeds.
However, he still can't help but pity himself for falling into the scheme of this violet purple eyes young man who he can tell is younger than him.
If Abner could hear what Arlo was thinking in his head, he would've scoffed and rolled his eyes. After all, Abner's soul is already 37 years old in age, much older than the green-haired thief.
But all jokes aside, the night had passed by unknowingly flowing along with the events of the thief being surrounded and having to fight even though he can't, Abner interfering and rescuing him, Abner's fight with the lead man, and then with Arlo's blathering afterwards, the night had slowly headed towards day.
Abner looked Arlo seriously and earnestly in the eyes, causing the troubled man to gulp in nervousness not sure what he was so serious about until Abner opened his mouth, "Let's be friends. I'm Abner." A wide smile, containing playfulness, spread across Abner's lips as he held out his hand.
Arlo's lips twitched and almost got choked by his own saliva. He could only dryly laugh, "Hahaha....."
He really feel like he's been played.
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Collectors. People who have a special hobby for collecting things they are fond of. No matter what it is, as long as they take a liking to it, they would want it, even if the item is in someone else's hands. Just knowing the fact that they own the thing they want makes them deliriously happy---whether it was gained through honest or dishonest means.
This is a special title given to special people who possesses the special traits mentioned above.
And one such person was a thief. A greedy and hogging great thief who monopolizes anything he takes a fancy to.
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Deep underground beneath the earth, torches were oddly lit within a long and complex tunnel passageway that would get any unsuspecting people to get lost and never find their way out ever again. The tunnel looked crudely dug out, shiny minerals and crystals were sticking out of the dirt wall here and there making the passageway appear extortionate. Progressing through the twists and turns of the tunnel, a person would arrive---if they know the way---before a huge door that almost resembles the door to a dragon's lair. And beyond that door lies multitudinous priceless and invaluable treasures.
"Welcome to my humble abode!" Wide arms were stretched out as if to embrace. A cheerful and proud tone could be heard seeping out of the person's words as he excitedly showed his guest around his home. Bragging about how rich he is and what expensive and priceless treasures he own.
His guest only rolled his violet purple eyes at his friend's envy-inducing antics flaunting his priceless treasures.
"It's not like they actually belong to you," he said in a matter of fact tone.
Arlo gasped at Abner's "offensive" comment and rolled his eyes, copying Abner, and also said in a very truthful tone as if to show how candidly he feels of his next words, "Finders keepers. Though in this case it's 'looters' keepers."
Eyebrows furrowed, Abner appeared in deep thought considering what Arlo had just said. Seconds passed before he looked up at Arlo and nodded his head, "That's true. It's also part of the Slums Codes."
Arlo raised an eyebrow. "Slums Codes...I think I heard that somewhere before. Hmm..." he trailed off, a troubled look on his face as he tried to scan through his memories of where he heard this term before.
Not waiting for Arlo to recall, Abner directly said, "It's also known as the Codes of the Slums, though it's not official." He shrugged his shoulders and laughed at what he was about to say as if it was funny, "It's how Slums people recognize who's from the Slums."
Arlo had an amazed look on his face as he listened to Abner's explanation. During the explanation he was enlightened of where he had heard "Slums Codes" before. It was on one of his daytrips he takes from time to time when he was bored, going to steal whatever he finds interesting or worth something during the day in lieu of the night---thus he named it his "daytrips".
He was in the Slums---the one right on top of the boundary between the Ever and Adam Kingdom---and he'd suddenly overheard a conversation between a group of grubby and filthy old men. They were chatting about how easy it is sometimes to mistake "outsiders" as "Slums people" even when they have their "Slums Code".
But that aside, Arlo was suspicious of how Abner knew what the Slums Codes were when he wasn't from the Slums---Abner looked too cultured and refined for him to be from that place. Though it's also true that he killed that idiotic, bulky guy without any remorse or repulsion.
Not knowing that he was just complimented, Abner saw the little suspicion flickering in Arlo's eyes that were not hidden well enough for him to not notice. Abner had always had a knack for reading others. But he didn't really mind the suspicion in Arlo as he didn't sense any hostile intent from him.
Checking around the place, Abner had to admit he was pretty impressed. Even in his last life as the leader of the light faction who was about to become the "king" never did he ever see so many valuable treasures and precious jewelry all piled up randomly in a room as high as a hill. Sauntering towards a pile of jewelry, Abner found two things that caught his interest.
One was an earring that looked shockingly similar to the one he owned before. A single earring without a pair he had always worn on his left earlobe. The glimmering black and purple jewel of the earring under the glowing light of the minerals and crystals like enchanting and seducing to the senses. He stared at it for a while but didn't take it, instead, he looked in another direction. The second item that had caught his attention and at the same time also made his blood boil.
No matter how much he wants to bring light and hope into the Slums and the Underworld, no matter how much he is sometimes known for as a "goody-two-shoes", he was still from the Slums---born and raised there. And just like in the Slums Codes, he had always closely followed one specific code without failing.
A whisper slipped though his mouth and echoed in the scarily silent cave room as a wicked grin took its place upon Abner's face, "Pay back to those who gave you 'treats' with even 'sweeter treats'."
Suddenly, Arlo felt a cold shiver go up his back.