— Unknown —

A man gathered and pushed, molding his creation until he stood satisfied with the work he had done. The man stood back to look upon what he had created. A pile of dirt.

The man had spent all day just digging and gathering into a pile. The dirt mound grew slowly, but as the man moved he continued to gain momentum building it higher and higher. By the end, the man was able to create a massive pile two stories high. Once finished he set up camp and went to sleep.

The next day the man dug a big circle around the hill of dirt, continuing to increase the size of the hill. At this point, he had created a massive circular hole with a giant pile of dirt in the middle.

At the end of the day the base had expanded, and the pile rose to three stories in height. The next day he returned to the pile with a massive square piece of steel. The man dragged the steel all the way to the top of the pile placing it in the middle of the dirt and began to jump. He jumped on the steel, and as he jumped the pile of dirt started to compress, slowly inch by inch. Every day he brought out weights and placed them on top of the pile while continuing to dig creating more hills of dirt.

After two weeks of this, he took the weights off the first pile of dirt, and then repeated the process across the much smaller mound of dirt. He had dug all the way to the end of his three acres. Here is where he started to shape the first pile.

The man spent one month shaping the dirt until it was in the shape of a mountain, with a smooth area that looked like a slide. A slide that wound around the mountain.

The man continued to shape putting paths through it making it more intricate. Eventually, he finished his shaping of the dirt. Once he finished shaping he channeled all of his energy into one giant working of fire. Baking the dirt into a solid smooth glass-like surface. Once the working was done, he applied something to the surface that looked like paint and the insane mountain came together color and all. The last thing he did was open a hole in the wall. Water flowed over the new mountain. Using just his hands and time the man created his own personal water park.

— Aster —

“That story made no sense at all.” Jane was glaring daggers at Kyle, and I was giggling slightly maniacally.

Kyle had just finished his, odd story. “It makes complete sense if you pay attention.” I think they were ignoring me. That was good. I couldn’t really control the laughter.

Jane was shaking her head. “Why do you always insist on telling that story? There is no point to it.”

“Unless you’re building a waterpark.” It slipped out amongst my snickering.

Jane was still glaring at Kyle. “Yes. Unless you’re building a waterpark. Are you building a waterpark?” Poking Kyle in the chest.

“...” Kyle slowly backed away from her poking finger.

“ARE YOU?!” Jane continued pushing forward until she was in Kyle's face.

“No…well does a waterslide count?” Kyle was grasping at straws now letting out a nervous laugh.

My giggles had turned into full mania. Uncontrollable mania, I couldn’t calm down which just made it worse. Tears flowed freely, I didn’t know why this was happening. All he did was tell a dumb story. Nothing should trigger this.

Jane let out a huge sigh. I think that's when she finally noticed my plight. “Look at me.” Without touching me she grabbed my attention. “Breathe.” Her voice was calm, grabbing my attention. “Breathe in deep.” She inhaled deep. “Breathe out.” Exhaling her breath. Her calming voice was slowly bringing me under control. “Feel it and breathe.” My pulse quickened, feeling the fear deep in my soul. “Let it wash over you.” Amid my roiling emotions, I felt it encompass me completely. The fear spread absolutely when everything became fear, nothing did. I’d like to say I snapped out of it right then and there, but life is not so simple. It took some time for me to truly calm down. When I did I saw the concerned looks on Jane and Kyle.

In an attempt to push away their concern, I spoke. “Was there really no point to the story?”

Jane and Kyle gave each other a look, recognizing what I was trying to do. Jane answered calmly. “Of course not. What would any of that have to do with pickpocketing?”

Kyle seemed a little hurt, or he was just being melodramatic. “There’s a point. You just have to figure it out.”

His answer confused me enough to push the remaining panic away. “Do you know what it is?” Not sure if I was being a smart ass, or just curious.

Kyle seemed to hesitate. “No, but someone will be able to figure it out, and then tell me. So I’ll keep telling the story.”

Jane looked disbelieving at Kyle. “Really?”

Kyle nodded.

Incredulous, Jane dismissed the entire conversation. “…whatever, let's just get to the lesson this is giving me a headache.”

I flinched at her words. Jane saw my reaction. “Sorry, bad choice of words”

“It's fine. Can we just do this?”

Kyle was pointedly ignoring our conversation, pulling out a series of bags, coats, purses, wallets, fanny packs, pants, skirts, garters, bra’s, panties, and shoes. It looked like someone stole a random family's laundry and neatly placed it on the floor.

“That’s a lot of clothes.” What else were they going to pull out? a mascot costume?

Kyle continued dumping all the clothes on the ground. And there it is. A big black mascot costume, complete with a giant head. It was a big black cat head. “Trust me you need to know this,” Jane commented.

I stared at her confused, till the bags were empty. Once they were empty, Jane began. “Ok. Now this one is a little different than the others. This one takes a little longer and we will have two breaks in between, due to all the various pockets, bags, and other things. Not going to lie. Today is going to suck, but it’s more about learning the different types of pockets, places people stash items, and their weaknesses.” Jane and Kyle started to take off their clothes. Once they were down to their underwear Jane asked. “Ready to learn pickpocketing?”

OOOOOOOkkkkaaaaayyy…I mean yes.”

“Let us begin.” Another blue screen appeared.

New Pathway found...

Program Compatible with pathways…

Permission….Granted.

Installing Rogue type Pathway Program “Pickpocketing 1”…

My will fell away, and the dream haze began. Jane and Kyle began to put on the clothing pointing to and demonstrating all the pockets as they did. They would demonstrate all the facets of the clothing, then explain how to access them without the mark knowing. It seemed slicing was the most effective and the least noticeable way to be discovered. It was to make your mark think they had a tare in their clothing.

This lesson was different as no images passed through my head. I felt more information was passing into me than I did before. I felt I was learning more about the intricacies of the clothing they were wearing instead of pickpocketing. The lesson ended and they put their clothes back on.

Installing Rogue type Pathway Program “Pickpocketing 1”......Complete

“That was different.” Holding my head as the inevitable headache came searing into my brain.

“The first two are about learning about clothes, bags, and pockets. Since you’ll need to learn to judge what pockets the mark has. It will also help you understand what they could contain, and some of the lesser-known types of storage.” Kyle explained.

“That actually makes sense.”

“Don’t sound so surprised. Sometimes we make sense.” Jane finished that last sentiment glaring at Kyle. “Now let us know when you’re ready for part two.”

Kyle and Jane began to pick up the clothes and put them back in the bags. I took a few minutes with my eyes closed waiting for the pain to fade. When I opened my eyes Jane asked. “Ready to learn more pickpocketing?”

I took some time to gather myself “Okay, I’m ready.” Best just to get it over with as soon as possible.

Jane and Kyle picked up more bags. “Then let’s begin.”

Pathway update found...

Program Compatible with pathways…

Permission….Granted.

Searching PreRequisite Pathway “Pickpocketing 1”... found

Installing Rogue type Pathway Program “Pickpocketing 2”…

Again, the dream haze came. This time showed me many different bags, wallets, and hidden pockets that could even be concealed inside. These lessons never took more than five minutes. But in those five minutes, a lifetime of information downloaded into my brain.

Installing Rogue type Pathway Program “Pickpocketing 2”......Complete

My brain had exploded, been rubbed with salt, stepped on, then set on fire. At least that’s what it felt like. “One left right?”

Looking at me with pity in their eyes, Kyle added. “One more, it’ll be over soon.” Why does that sound like I won’t survive it?

The two showed me a kind smile. Seeing the looks on their face I could feel that they understood. I could feel if I said no; they wouldn’t make me finish, but I needed to do this. Besides the pain is already down to a dull fire. “Ok one more time. I am ready to continue learning pickpocketing.”

This time the two picked out only a select few articles of clothing and bags. Some of the items were simple like t-shirts, others complicated like a puzzle box. The mascot one still confused me. They began to strip again. “Let’s begin.”

Pathway update found...

Program Compatible with pathways…

Permission….Granted.

Searching PreRequisite Pathway “Pickpocketing 1”... found

Searching PreRequisite Pathway “Pickpocketing 2”... found

Installing Rogue type Pathway Program “Pickpocketing 3”…

As the dream passed over me, a thought crossed my mind. Why does she always say “let’s begin?”

This lesson was interesting and would have made me blush if I wasn’t in the dream haze. They showed how to steal something hidden in the cleavage of a woman, the garter belt, and even if they were in a person’s underwear. Then they showed me how to pulse mana to get a feel of what was contained, it was very...intimate. Even in the dream haze, I was a little embarrassed.

I was a little surprised by how simple pickpocketing really was. Just reach in when they aren’t paying attention and grab. Sometimes by bumping into them or distracting them by a few simple actions. Some of the bags were even easier. Just slice the bag since they won’t feel it. The hardest ones were the bags with hidden pockets, but even those could be circumvented. I was fascinated by it all, the methods, the clothing, and all the little tricks to hide one's items. I wanted to make my own hidden pockets when this was all done.

Installing Rogue type Pathway Program “Pickpocketing 3”......Complete

All thoughts went white immediately after the haze faded. My brain and body had just shut down but were still awake from the pain.

“Remember, it’s almost impossible to take what you’re looking for if you don’t know what pocket to pick. So remember to choose carefully, you’ll probably only get one shot.” I heard her as though from a distance. It gave me something to focus on other than the pain.

When my migraine started to ebb. “So what is my insane test today?”

“Actually, today is simple.” Jane grabbed a few of the bags and random items. “You just have to pickpocket a couple of items from me and Kyle.” She handed over a list.

There were ten things on the list, and in the same handwriting as the note when I was left naked in the alley. “So you really did throw me in the alley.”

Smiling Jane added. “Yup. It was just as bad for me when I had to do it.”

A little embarrassed I turned my head toward the list while she and Kyle started to put clothes on.

3 red cat coins

Blue scarf

Watch

Hat

Glasses

Cat Statue

Book

Parchment

Ring

Flask (must be returned to original spot)

When I finished reading, I looked up to see the two fully dressed, with Jane carrying two bags and Kyle in loose pants, and a heavy long coat holding two bags and a leg pack. Kyle looked like an adventurer coming back from a long trip. Jane looked like a merchant carrying her bags home.

They opened the door and Kyle walked out. Jane turned to me. “Why don’t you try to take from us?” Then they stepped out into the hall.