Commission for  electricfox777

Image done to illustrate his story "Thieves". This is the story insert:

" The tavern buzzed with light excitement as people in all manner of dress came and went. Some ordered food. Others stood around to hear the latest town gossip. Sly and Maneki’s table was relatively isolated. Sly had chosen it to make sure that no excess attention would be granted them while they ate. They each had a sandwich in front of them and a mug of fresh juice. The wolfox had his hat pulled down a bit, covering the top of his face. Had she not come to know him already she would swear he was a different person. The calico female looked around at the patrons in awe of their daily lives. “I wonder if any of them would recognize me like that male did Lucky a few days ago.” she thought aimlessly as she looked around. Sly eyed the feline’s movements. He could tell she was a bit nervous to be out in plain sight; even with her hood pulled over her head. But what caught his attention wasn’t her movements; it was her eyes. She was looking at each person for a few seconds apiece. It didn’t take long for him to figure out what she might be doing.

“Watch…Broach…Pendant…Ring…” said Maneki in thought. Her eyes roved over everyone in the tavern in short order. “Old habits die hard I see. Sizing up potential targets?” came a familiar voice in front of her. She looked forward to see a stern look on Sly’s face. “N-No Master…I wasn’t…I know that part of my contract with you prohibits me from stealing from them anymore.” said Maneki quickly. “I’m glad you remember that. So what are you doing?” he asked curiously. “I…was actually recounting things I’ve stolen from them before.” she replied sheepishly. “Your file said that you and Luck had a code of honor that mandated you would only steal things that the victim could do without, or could replace fairly easily. It’s how you managed to avoid the village’s wrath for so long.” said Sly. Maneki nodded in agreement. “Most of the time we would just sell the valuables to a fencer we knew who would then sell the items to local pawn shops. We’d laugh when we’d see someone wearing the jewelry we’d stolen and sold considering that they’d donated some money indirectly to us for showing them that their security wasn’t up to par.” she chuckled a little. Sly took a sip of his drink as the calico continued. “At first they found us amusing. We were only spotted a small handful of times and managed to escape every pursuer and outwit every guard in our path to whatever gold or trinket that caught our eyes.” said Maneki. “But with each successful theft you grew bolder, stealing bigger and more expensive items. Your victims couldn’t always re-buy their items right away, and it started to become an annoyance.” explained Sly. “If we could have been a part of the village we may have caught on to that. But even stealing things on a regular basis, we only managed to eek out a meager existence. We barely survived by moving around in the woods and mountains outside of town. Food, water and shelter were never guaranteed things for us. The only time we had a good chance of eating well or having a comfortable place to sleep was just after a job, but even then we had to be careful because the town was on alert and would be watching.” said Maneki. “Why didn’t you move on and find another town?” asked Sly curiously. “I was born here. So this was a familiar area to me. Lucky saw it as easy prey even when security was beefed up. With her dagger, even runic security didn’t stand much of a chance. Not to mention that the kingdom wouldn’t move many resources to take out a pair of resident thieves. Moving on to the next town was something of a last resort to us. We know this area and where we can and can’t survive and hide outside of town.” explained the female as she played with her sandwich, slowly eating it.

“Didn’t you ever want anything more?” asked the wolfox curiously. “Well we’ve always held on to hope that even though we are thieves; one day something will happen that will grant us what we’ve always wanted.” she said softly, a little embarrassed. “And what would that be?” he asked. “That...That…That…” she replied pointing at seemingly random people in the tavern and outside the window. “…Some semblance of a normal life. I’ve been living a thief’s life on my own with Lucky for as far back as I can remember. My only escape from this life is watching theirs.” she replied with a light blush. “Why am I telling him all of this? I’ve never told anyone besides Lucky.” started the calico feline to herself in thought. “He’s the one who captured and enslaved us…but still…but in a roundabout way he might have saved us too…In any case it’s nice to have someone to listen to me for a bit who hasn’t heard it a million times before; even if he is going to shoot it down in a few seconds.” she continued as she looked back at the interested look on the wolfox’s face. “That’s an admirable dream.” he replied to her shock. She had expected him to laugh at her, or remind her that she was his property now and that the life she hoped for is out of the question for good now. “You said ‘we’ a moment ago. Does that mean that Luck wants the same?” he asked. Maneki nodded her answer softly. “She’d never admit it to anyone but I can tell. She wants a stable life too. What thief doesn’t?” asked the calico. Sly nodded back to her and took another sip of his drink, he having finished his food moments earlier. Maneki smiled lightly to herself. This was the most relaxed she’s been since she was captured a few days ago. Maybe it was the fact that they were in public and she had a feeling he wouldn’t do anything to her that would cause a scene. Maybe it was the knowledge of what he’d done for her and Luck. Whatever it was; it was a welcome calm to everything she’s been through. “Well it’s been a few hours since I went to the jeweler’s shop. I suppose we should start heading back. He should be about done by now.” said Sly a few moments later; checking the time on his watch. “Yes Master.” replied Maneki as she ate the last of her sandwich and stood with him to leave."

This is an example of my simple digital color commissions

Sly and Maneki ©  electricfox777
Art by me

Dont use it without authorization