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Entry One:
My first day in the human city wasn’t the most welcoming. If the smell didn’t lead you to the nearest boat, then the noise will. The port was crowded and loud. A hundred voices all clawing and crawling over each other to be heard. Hundreds, thousands of boots stomping on the crummy cobblestone. So many bodies pushing and fighting against each other; all moving from one spot to the other. Each human was seemingly on their own road seen only by them. Lucky me that in all the constant confusion, no one would notice a sly hand slip in their purse.
I remember slithering off the boat into the human crowd. Despite my lack of ears, my head flooded with the riling crowd of sailors. Beyond a few rude remarks, one saw the need to throw a bit of rubbish at me. I ducked when it came at me, as the hunk of tin was set on breaking my jaw. It landed unceremoniously in the bay with a loud splash and I decided that he nominated himself to be my first mark.
I approached the disgusting sailor, a shaggy and poorly cut beard clung to a busted, beat up chin. His red prestigious uniform was worn by all the nation’s sailors; stained with mud, grime, and what I hoped was booze, given his smell. I played my usual act, softening my eyes like melted butter to look as cute and helpless as he believed me to be. I was rewarded with a wormwood smile, opening a window to the ruins of what once must have been a fine set of pearly whites before the habits of a sea man took their toll.
He called me so many names; an odd blend of compliments and insults that invigorated him and bloated his confidence with every syllable. The sailor called me “Snake tits” and others too obscene to be written down here, but the point is that he was reveling in his self induced power trip. I slipped my hand over his waist, giving myself free range of his pocket. The poor sap was too busy groping my backside and staring at my chest that he didn’t notice the pouch of coins leaving his person.
A little grace of my hand on his chin was enough to docile him up like an obedient puppy. His face melted in the palm of my hand, and he was purring like a kitten. He’ll have a big surprise waiting for him when he calls for a carriage home! But that’s not what I’m here for. Quick coin is easy but fleeting. You only get as much effort as you put in and I intend to put forth more effort than the common, petty thief.
The humans have this animalistic instinct to hoard wealth. They share those similarities with dragons of yore; perhaps they slayed them out of jealousy rather than for justice, as they’re quick to claim? Regardless, cities like Rivertea are a dime a dozen, and all share the similarity of housing great vaults of treasure.
I’m getting off track. I’ve come to this city on a mission, a mission that will make me filthy rich! I’ll never have to steal again!
The Pennymint Trading Company owns a warehouse at the far end of the port, and I have sources telling me that there’s a jewel unlike any other that only the Pennymint’s themselves can access. It was larger than most. Even a newcomer such as I could spot it at a glance. A vault that only they have the key to. My mission, my heist, is to get close to the Pennymint family, steal the key and make off with the jewel that will make me the richest woman in the land.
So close, yet so impossibly out of reach. It might as well be a thousand miles away, or deep beneath the brackish waters. No matter, no matter because like always I have a plan. Surely the Pennymint’s themselves have a key of sorts. The wealthy are nothing if not materialistic, and a humble human would call a simple gem “The Moon’s Tear”.
The Pennymint family live in the house on the hill high above the city streets. So high, in fact, that I could barely taste the city's rotten stench from the manor’s gardens. The gardens themselves stretched across the entire property, rows of luscious flowers of all manner of colors that I could only dream of. When my tongue tasted the air, I would sip the sweet aroma of honey, the earthy tones of spring, and the fragrance that brought all modern perfumes to shame. The great garden was only held in by the tall iron fence keeping out unwanted guests. If not for that gate, I’d think the entire world would be wrapped up in vines and foul smells would be a thing of the past.
I’m getting off track again. It wasn’t long before I found myself in servitude of that prominent human house… as a maid. A bit demeaning, but not uncommon for those of “my ilk” as the humans so readily tell me. The interview was easy enough. They just need a few more hands around the property and don’t care much for who they belong to. I start the next day and in the meantime I am to familiarize myself with my new workspace.
The novelty of living in such a large and wealthy home still clings to my thoughts. Humans are so fond of coins, but rarely do they keep their eyes on it for very long. So many just leave pouches of gold lying around. I had to restrain myself from swiping one or two. No need to risk blowing my cover this early on.
I’ve quickly gotten associated with the residents of the manor. There’s the heads of the household, Mr. and Ms. Pennymint. They run a joint trade commission from other neighboring cities, and have taken great interests in importing and exporting their jewels along with other luxuries for their special interest clients. If I didn’t meet them in person, I could have sworn they were living porcelain. All the makeup, dresses and powdered wigs. They’d look better on a child’s shelf than whatever economic throne they covet.
Then there is their only son: Yuri Pennymint. He’s quiet and doesn’t say much. You can feel the weight of his parent’s watchful eyes fall on his shoulders. Must be suffocating, having to wear such tight suits. I will never know the feeling. The boy walks as though a stick has been shoved up his back. Being the closest to my age, I feel a faint connection to Yuri; an understanding that those of previous generations simply don’t understand. Though I doubt I’ll be spending any time with him. I have a heist to plan.
Entry Two:
It’s been a week now and I’ve made very little progress. For starters, my uniform didn’t fit my… assets very well. I’ve noticed that the other servants -particularly the serptillas- don’t have such prominent chests as I. While I admit that the size of my lover mountains have helped me in the past, today is the rare case where they caused me a bit of strife. I had to spend my own earnings to visit a tailor and even now they’re still a bit too tight around my breasts and thighs.
I’m still trying to gain the favor of Mr. Pennymint, and I have not yet been given access outside of the first floor. The manor is a large estate, but it’s clear that the first floor is merely a set dressing. A stage to prance around with the upper elite while the staff work behind closed doors. All I would need is a few moments upstairs, I would know where that key was.
I would normally flirt with the man of the house, gain his favor and I’d imagine he’d take me to his private quarters and give me all the time I need to find what I want. Sadly, someone must have tried a similar trick. I can’t get close enough to the man without his wife breathing down my neck. Whenever I’m cleaning, I always see her shooting daggers at me out of the corner of my eyes. That woman keeps her husband under lock and key. I’ll need to get Mr. Pennymint’s attention in a more discreet manner.
Once I got my refitted dress, I began to work my charms on Mr. Pennymint. When he called my name, I came running. When he asks something of me, I listen. I pretend to be a good little snake. I even talk to him like a subordinate. “Yes master? Is there anything you need me to do, master?” My words coated in honey. My hips swayed like the ocean tide. At every opportunity I would give Mr. Pennymint a clear window to my bolstering bosom. My scales, glimmering like polished emeralds. I slithered forward, encroaching my mark. Acting coy and innocent, squishing my ample breasts together with my elbows. He had to notice me, he simply had to
Humans adore the sense of domination; to either hold dominance or be dominated, as I’ve learned in my short time on their shores. It’s in their nature and can be exploited.
“Would my master wish for anything of me? I only wish to serve!” I cooed, but that horrible human wore a mask of stone. He didn’t pay any heed to my advancements. He barely looked at me and worst yet, that witch of a wife walked around the corner in my coy act and verbally assaulted me! Damnable biped! She sent me out into the gardens for the rest of the day.
“Get out there and don’t come back until you plucked every thorn from every rose!” She wailed like a banshee. I was humiliated. No better than a common bar wench!
For the rest of the day till the crack of night, I went to each rose and cut each bloody thorn from their long, slender stems. The cold cut through my dress and that great window to my chest came back to bite me. Not how I imagined spending my day. I’m still not sure what I was doing wrong. I did it all right! I did just as I’ve done with countless other humans of both sexes! Still boggles me even now, why didn’t it work?
“Excuse me?” I nearly jumped out of my scales when I heard a gentle voice behind me. I turned around and I saw Yuri standing beside a telescope pointed up at the night sky. As always he was dressed in a neatly pressed shirt and vest. He wore not an ounce of jewelry, he didn’t even have any makeup on, so his pale face betrayed his affection. His cheeks burned so red they were practically glowing. He looked squarely at the ground as if held by the weight of guilt and meekly asked. “H-hello there.”
“Good afternoon, Master Yuri.” I turned and bowed my head to the young man. “Is there any you require of me?”
“Oh, um…” The man’s words were caught in his throat. “H-how are you on this l-lovely day?” Truth was that it was cold, my hands were covered in small cuts from the thorns as Ms. Pennymint refused me any gloves, and my entire plan had been completely derailed. So I didn't have the best of days.
“I’m okay, master Yuri.” I muttered through a forced smile. Yuri frowned.
“I’m sorry mother yelled at you. She had no right. You were just doing your duties after all.” Was this man present? Why would he stand up for me? Unless… I turned my head slightly towards the young gentleman, following his eyes. They were squarely at me, at my face. I tested the waters by lifting my skirt with the tip of my tail just enough to give him a peek at my thighs. His eyes darted down but immediately shot back up. Strange. Most humans would let their sights linger.
Then an idea sparked to life. Why go for the man of the household, when his son will do just fine? I threw myself at my admirer. The poor boy was taken by surprise when he found himself buried in my chest. His face sinking into my soft cleavage pressed by melons just as large as his head. Without looking, I could feel his cheeks burning on my scales.
“Oh master Yuri! Lady Pennymint was oh so cruel to me! I only wanted to do my best and serve, but she saw fit to throw me out in the cold!” I swooned. “But you, Yuri are kind and warm.” Yuri pried his face free and took a great gasp of air. His face was molten red. His eyes wider than the sky. His whole body was shaking as though he was being struck by lightning.
“I… I… I… I’m g-g-glad I was able to h-help!” He stuttered. Prying each word from his lips. He was nervous and not wanting to overwhelm him, we simply talked for the rest of the day. Master Yuri was surprisingly pleasant company. He didn’t talk much and when he did, he had a tendency to stutter uncontrollably. Still, I enjoyed the time spent together and my seed of influence has been sown.
Entry Three:
Over the coming days between my service to the house during the day, and being berated by Ms. Pennymint at night; being with Yuri has been my only respite. Such a kind man. If I didn’t know better, I’d say some mythical being replaced his heart with that made of gold.
The more time spent together, the more he spoke to me. We would spend hours out in the garden. His shoulders would slack in my presence. That uptight noble would begin to unwind. He’s quiet, submissive demeanor never left him, but it would seem that -around me- he did his best to be a little more. He even let me look through his telescope. I’m not sure what he was trying to show me, but the look of excitement on his face was worth playing along.
On another note, I feel that I may have awakened something in the man. I haven’t seen him look at a single human woman since we’ve begun our afternoon walks, even when they thrust themselves upon him. On the few errands that I am sent out into the city, I would catch whispers of a rumor that Yuri Pennymint has been “tainted” by some scandalous serptilla, acting unamused on arranged dates or simply refusing to attend high brow social gatherings all together. I wonder if any suspect that it was I who swiped his affections like a coin from its purse?
Today Yuri confronted me in a manner most unusual. I was sweeping the back porch leading to the garden when he approached me. He was holding something behind his back. My tail twitched with unease. What was he hiding? A weapon? Perhaps he discovered my true intentions and wanted some cruel revenge? Then suddenly, he took a seat on the steps and asked me how my day was. As usual I played along, taking a seat and talking to him when he gave me a set of roses neatly wrapped together in a soft white cloth.
I was baffled! Is he trying to trick me? To lower my guard? Most humans of either sex are simple and straightforward when it comes to matters of affection. My experience has led me to the conclusion that humans show affection through name calling and physically grabbing them. Yuri was doing neither. Yuri gave me something of his own volition. Those roses were ripe and I can’t imagine they were cheap.
“I hope you like them.” Yuri said red in the face. “They reminded me of your pretty eyes.” The nobleman’s son was simply talking to me, asking me innocent questions that I couldn’t find any alternate motive for. He asked me how I felt on the property, was I getting along with the over servants, and other things of that nature. I played along, combing through his words for motives, for his intentions and found…. None.
This wasn’t like before. Yuri was much too shy to take initiative. I would lure him into security and have him take me upstairs to scout for that warehouse key. Now he was giving me flowers and calling me “pretty”. For the first time in a long time I had no way of telling what my opponent was thinking, and it sent shivers down my spine. “Are you cold?” Yuri suddenly asked, before standing up and offering his hand. “We can continue this inside if you like.” He said with a small, hopeful smile. The kind of smile you’d see on a boy’s face hoping you’d take him to the carnival or the candy shop. This was my chance.
“Of course, master~” I spoke as soft as I could and Yuri’s face burned a deeper shade of red. Looks like my plan hasn’t failed just yet. He held my hands close to his chest as we retreated inside. The poor boy was shaking in his boots. He swallowed hard as he mustered the strength to speak.
“Um… so… I’ve been thinking…. A-are you busy this e-evening…?” He asked through trembling lips.
“No, I believe I have the rest of the day off as soon as I’m done sweeping the porch.” I wipe my brow as if I’ve been working, gently hovering my hand to my shoulder, enticing his eyes to stare at my chest. Yuri mimicked the action, his hand dripping with a few beads of nervous sweat.
“I…. I would like… I would like to know if you’d…” The words caught in his throat. His face turned pale as if he were choking on them.
“What? What would you like to know about me?” I teased him. I set the broom against the wall and began to slither towards him. I puffed out my chest and arched my back, giving my already impressive figure appear greater than it was. Yuri began to sweat profusely, as if the sun was keeping a watchful eye on him and him alone.
His eyes darted from my face to my breasts and back to my face. A sly smile crept across my face, and I gently draped my arms over his shoulder. I could feel him trembling. His feet glued to the floor by some invisible force. Yuri looked as though he were going to pass out, and, for a moment, I was worried I’d have to give a very convoluted explanation to Ms. Pennymint. But then he suddenly said: “Would you like to accompany me to dinner?”
“To dinner?” I said with genuine surprise. Dinner? Why would he ask me to dinner and not the bedroom? I swallowed my disappointment and said “But Yuri, I am just a lowly servant. Surely you wouldn’t want to be seen with me in front of your friends!” I pulled away, and, in the corner of my eye, I could see Yuri hesitantly reach forward. Like in those romantic dramas I’ve seen at the theatre, I raised my arm to my forehead and grimaced. “I could never be in your company!” I sighed.
“No, I insist! It doesn’t have to be in front of anybody. I could just be you and me!”
“Just… the two of us? Do you know of anywhere we can be alone?”
“I know this lovely restaurant. The chief owes my father a favor. I could rent it out and it could just be the two of us! All alone tonight! What do you say?” His face lit up like festive fireworks and my heart sank into my chest.
“I don’t have anything to wear…” I confessed.
“I can get you a dress! Whatever you like! And I’ll wear my best suit!” Suit? Suit! That’s it! An idea hatched.
“Oh, what I wouldn’t give to see you wear a dark red suit. Like the lovely coat your father has~” I teased.
“H-his coat?”
“Why yes. It’s the best coat I've ever seen since coming to the city. Why, I could just melt in that coat.” I leaned back against Yuri’s chest, feeling his warm spread down my spine like a lover’s touch. I could hear his heart beating like a war drum in the human’s chest.
“I’ll see what I can do!” His eyes lit up like a field of fireflies.
“Prefect.” I smiled.
And it was a wonderful night. The restaurant was only staffed by a single chef, and Yuri and I sat at a single, candlelit table. In lieu of a seat, I coiled my tail into a comfortable spot. We talked for hours and hours. His eyes were solely on me. I felt completely naked underneath the dress he lovingly fetched for me. A bit tight in the chest area, but that fault lays solely on me and my choice of attire.
“So I recently had a thought. It’s… a little silly.” Yuri began.
“Do tell me, master.”
“You promise not to laugh?” Yuri asked.
I traced an ‘X’ over my chest. “Cross my heart.”
“Okay,” He took a gentle breeze of breath. “You know how we sail the seas with our wooden ships?” I nodded my head in confirmation. “Well, I was thinking about the sky. What if we had ships that sailed the night sky?” I let out a chuckle I immediately regretted. Seeing Yuri deflated sent a swarm of pins and needles down my throat.
“I think that’s very interesting! What gave you the idea?”
“Well.. I saw this streak of bright light soar across the sky while looking through my telescope. I read some books that it’s called a ‘comet’. What if we rid comets? What if instead of going over rocky terrain or rough waters that we could simply fly like the birds around us!” He kept talking like that after the food was brought in. I barely remember eating any of it. For once he was the speaker and I the listener. He talked about the stars, about ships that could fly among the stars faster than we could ever imagine. He was so caught up in talking that he didn’t notice my tail slip into his suit pockets. Nothing, I should have known better, but I still have my ace up my sleeve.
After our meals we were walking home and he continued talking. Somehow we began talking about our hopes, and dreams, how the world was going. Yuri’s eyes lit up like the night sky when I showed interest. It’d be nice to have a getaway in the stars. No guardsman on foot could ever catch me then.
When he was done, neither of us realized that we were well into the night. Exhausted and tired, we arrived at the front steps of the manor. This was my chance. I held him close, cradled him in my arms, his head resting on my pillowy breasts.
“May I sleep with you tonight, master?” I popped the question. Yuri muttered something. His short energy reserves all tapped out. Without waiting, I carried the tired boy up to the second floor. There was a tense silence in the air as I slithered up those forbidden steps. I craned my neck and peaked around corners just to be certain his mother wasn’t waiting for me in the darkness.
“First door on the left….” Yuri weakly whispered. “That’s… my room.”
“Master,” I asked. “I must return your father’s coat. Where might I find his room?” Yuri raised a weak arm to the door across the hall. A towering, imperial red door stood against the calm tones and muted floor. I slipped into Yuri’s room and laid him on his bed. The boy was tethering on the edge of sleep. I turned to leave but a meek hand clung to my own.
“Don’t go….” he quietly begged. I admit, I was hesitant. I brushed his hand away and slithered out into the hall. I mustn’t forget what I really came here for.
Mr. Pennymint was fast asleep. A great bear who’s snore shook the floorboards beneath him. I was extra mindful of where my tail dragged across the floor. I combed through his dresser drawers, every shelf, and everything in between. Then I saw it. Glittering in the moonlight, wrapped around his neck was a single gilded key. I got down on my hands, resting on my round chest for balance and I reached out with my tail. I threaded the needle between the oaf’s body and necklace. With a swift whip of my tail I snapped the key free and grabbed it before it could hit the ground. I turned to stone when I heard the human snort from discomfort but my worries were set at ease when he didn’t pursue any action after.
I slipped back into the hallway. My heart was beating so loud I was afraid the whole house could hear it. I stopped at the stairs next to Yuri’s room. The door was open by the smallest of cracks. I could hear Yuri softly snoring. What would he think of me when he woke up? When he asked me to stay with him and he woke up alone? It was a terrible thought and I couldn’t bear it.
I curled my tail around his legs, and he draped his arms over my shoulder. His warm body on mine, warming my scales. His head drifted off his pillow to mine. Instinctually I held him tighter for the sake of it. Without a doubt this was the most romantic night of my life.
Entry Four:
The morning began with an explosion of noise. A thunderous roar bellowed from Mr. Pennymint’s room. He burst through his door demanding who was that thief that stole his prized key. Luckily, Yuri and I were downstairs sipping tea and enjoying breakfast. So I dodged one scandal for another.
I’ve never seen Mr. Pennymint so angry before. The calm, collected man who hired me was not a snarling beast on the prowl. When he laid eyes on me, he pointed a plump accusatory finger and told me to clear out all of my belongings. I had no things to go through, save for my journal and my uniform. When he was unsatisfied with me, he turned to his other servants. Ms. Pennymint even got in on the action. Threatening to have the guards come and remove every “snake-skin” from her house. Neither would suspect that I hid the key on Yuri’s person. Right in his back pocket when he wasn’t looking. The man rarely leaves my side anyway, so all I need to do is grab the key and slip out and that jewel is as good as mine.
There was a great unease in the air. Even Yuri was frightened for me, but not once did he betray an inkling of doubt in my innocence. To tell you the truth, that saddens me so.
He asked me to dinner again. This time in front of his entire family. Before I could even speak, Yuri opened his mouth and released a waterfall of words. He was excited, he was happy to show everyone that we were together. He spoke about welcoming me to meet his close family and friends, the serptilla that made him the happiest man in the city. The other part of him was freaking out. He didn’t want to shame me, to be an embarrassment to be seen in my company.
He didn’t care the way I thought he would. He placed himself beneath me. He’s a human, a nobleman’s son, and heir to a wealthy trading company, but he was worried how other people would think of me? He was worried for my reputation as if I'm somehow important to anyone in this city? Yuri would rather throw his reputation in front of a speeding train than ever think to belittle me.
“Let us go together!” He cheered. I held him close, my ample breasts pressing against him. He was warm, warmer than any other mark I’ve held before. My chest made an active attempt to push us apart, but I persisted in holding him.
“Let me meet you there, there’s something I have to get for you. A surprise.”
“A surprise? Really, you don’t need to do such things. You’re perfect just the…” A single finger on his lips silenced him.
“I’ll get my surprise and then I’ll be yours for the rest of the night.”
“You mean it?” He asked me with those puppy dog eyes of his.
“I promise, my love. One quick errand. That’s all I ask.” I answered.
He leaned over and kissed my forehead.
“I shall see you tonight with bated breath, my darling!” Yuri scampered outside to the carriage and the impatient driver waiting for him. I gently waved, and I must confess that my heart sank when Yuri left my sights. I’ve grown accustomed to having him around. Too comfortable.
Conflicting thoughts buzzed in my head like angry bees digging in my skull. What was I thinking? Going to a dinner on the night of my big heist! I must be mad or madly in love. Could it be? Have I let my guard down? Have I let Yuri in where none have been before. That wasn’t good. That wasn’t good at all. It’ll make the… inevitability of the situation much more difficult.
The warehouse was heavily guarded. Patrols all along the perimeter of the port, with a few men watching from the neighboring rooftops for clever thieves such as myself. Clearly, I wasn’t dealing with rookies. These were professionals who have caught the likes of me more than a few times. Nevertheless, I pushed all worry from my mind and set to work.
I slithered across the edge of the port. Few -if any- paid attention to the snake in the hood and rags. I didn’t dare jump into the brackish waters, though if I wasn’t wearing a dress beneath my attire, swimming would have been a valuable escape opinion. When I reached the foot of the warehouse, I kept slithering. The guards briefly looked at me before turning their attention to the next passerby. Their eyes glassed over and dulled with boredom; no chance of spotting one robed figure in a fleet of hundreds. The poor humans must be going stir crazy in there constantly walking the same halls and staring at the same halls. I don’t know how they stand it, but humans have always been enigmas with odd habits.
I spotted my entrance: a window on the eastern side. It was the lowest in the building, and closest to the front of the warehouse. If I was fast enough, I could slip over the fence and leap inside before any of the guards would notice me. My only problem was that it was closed, and, looking closer at it, it looked quite small. I looked down at my sizable chest with an inkling of guilt, and instantly regretted not buying some sort of size reduction potion. I let out a heavy sigh. Too late to get something like that now. I had to make my move or leave empty handed, and I wasn’t about to leave.
Slipping into the warehouse was thankfully a non-issue. I squeezed through the window with minimal issue. The guards on the inside were sparse compared to those that walked along the brick beast’s walls. What I didn’t count for was another barrier halting my progress. Nothing elaborate or by any means imposing. Just a few iron bars sandwiched between the vault and myself.
I reached my arm through the thick grate effortlessly, sliding through it as if the bars weren’t even there. I’ve done this so many times in prisons and holds that I’ve lost count. I thought I was in the clear, when suddenly my heart froze. My breasts, my prized breasts, pressed against the cold metal. The chill cut through my dress like a knife, and I began to shake. No matter how much I pulled and pushed, I got nowhere. I pulled back, ready to rethink my plan, when I didn’t move an inch. I was stuck.
Fate wasn’t done toying with me. I heard heavy footsteps behind me. Dense leather boots on smooth stone.
“Yew thar, stop!” The guard spoke in his thick human accent, raising his lantern over me. “Jus wot do yew think yer doin?” I then heard him laugh and I realized what position I was in. My rear pointed up at him, my back arched as I tried to pull my bruised breasts from their prison.
“Fine piece of arse yew got thar, ma’am. But I’m afraid I’m gonna hav’ ‘ta take yew in!” The guard grabbed my waist and pulled. I’ve never been more humiliated in my life. With a few agonizing pulls with his rough, callous covered hands, I popped out of the gate and into the man's stained covered sleeves. I quickly twisted my body to face him and threw myself against his. The guard’s face was smothered in my colossal cleavage. Turns out they were good for something after all. I forced the guard and myself to the ground and the human quickly passed out from suffocation.
“Eh, Michel? You good down thar?” One of his buddies called from the warehouse’s entrance. I grabbed the guard’s key and raced to the gate. Plunging the key into the lock, I threw open the gate door and made a mad dash for the vault. Once there, I managed to get that precious key that I spent the better part of a month trying to covertly obtain. I had no such luxury of that now. The guard had seen me, even for a moment and no doubt suspicions will fall on me. The large door creaked open, like the great gasp of a dying leviathan. It’s bright maw opened wide to reveal a single necklace held aloft in glass. “The Moon’s Tear” read the golden plaque at the bottom.
It's a jewel as pale as the moon, and I struggled to tear my gaze from its beauty. I bashed the guard’s nightstick against the display and the glass shattered into a shower of glittering snowflakes. I grabbed the necklace and ran just as I heard the guards say:
“Hey! You! Stop right there!” I fled through the window I came in and dashed through the nearest alleyway. I was fast, but I failed. They know what I look like and it won't be long before my identity was revealed. Tonight would be my last night in the city. My last night with my Yuri.
Entry Five:
I will never forget this night. I have my prize wrapped around my neck. A single tear pulled off the moon itself. Yuri has been complimenting me non-stop since the night began. I don’t even think he noticed the jewel. Such sweet innocence. I’ll miss his smile most of all.
I wasn’t able to cover my tracks, not this time, not with a heist such as this. This will most likely be my last night with Yuri. I fed him empty promises, I tell him whatever he wants to hear. He deserves to be completely happy even for just one fleeting moment. One last dance.
The ballroom was packed to the brim with nobles of all shapes and sizes from all sorts of lands. I was the only serptilla among them. Their bitter eyes dug into me, but more were aimed at Yuri. They looked at him with such disgust like my presence here was an insult to their very existence. My sweet Yuri didn't pay them any mind. His eyes were on me and me alone. I didn't and still don't deserve such devotion.
"Stay with me forever, my love." He whispered. I brought my hand to his cheek.
"I am yours'. Forever and always~" I hold his face in my hands and bring him close. His heart and mine beating as one. I swooped in for a kiss and smiled when the ballroom collectively gasped.
Yuri's lips were as soft as they looked. Tender, untouched by the harsh elements of life. Soft like a cloud, with a hint of roses. My slender tongue slipped past his lips and my sweet Yuri was helpless to stop me from dominating his mouth. By the blush on his face, he loved it as much as I did. If only we could have more time.
The moment was ruined by the stomping boots of the city guard. Thirty steps from the front door to the ballroom. It didn’t leave me much time to savor the moment. I can still taste his lips on mine…
The doors flew open with angry, screaming humans demanding the head of a certain serptilla and I dashed for the exit. But something was wrong. I was slower than I should have been. I turned around and I saw Yuri running beside me. Not running against me, or trying to slow me down. He was trying to catch up and keep pace with me. His fingers desperately entangled with my own. He didn’t know why we were running, he only cared that he was running with me.
My sweet Yuri,
You and I come from completely different worlds. The short time I’ve spent with you will be something I cherish for the rest of my life. It’s not that you couldn’t keep up, it’s that you wouldn’t thrive like you would in your manor, your home.
With a heavy heart, I let my glove slip from my hand, and you with it. I couldn’t bear to look at your face. I can only imagine how you feel: hurt, betrayed. I’m a horrible woman for toying with your heart. Just know that my eyes were full of tears when I heard you call out my name.
I’ve never opened up to anyone, let alone someone I stole from. It’s easier to call it quits when you barely remember the mark’s name. You take your new found treasures, gold, or jewels, and then you cross another city on an ever growing list you can never return to. Today was a reminder, a lesson on why you don’t get close.
I slipped away, being swallowed up by the city’s many winding paths and crossroads. By the time you read this, I’ll be on a boat for new adventures. Don’t bother asking the courier I bequeathed this journal to. They’ll know nothing. To the family that took me in, I say I never had the unpleastentry of knowing a worse group of people. How you step on those beneath you for the smallest, faintest reasons. How you flaunt your wealth just to fuel your own egos. It’s enough to make any decent being puke.
And Yuri, my dear dear Yuri, I’m eternally sorry. Don’t try to look for me. I’ll be long gone. Off somewhere across the sea where you will never find me with a name you'll never recognize as mine. I shall forever hold you in my heart and when I look up into the starry night sky, I’ll hope I see you sailing along in that glorious sky ship you imagined. My only regret is that I never told you my true name and it seems now that I will never get the chance. Take care, my love.
Yours forever, A Sultry Snake