Despite the frustration he felt, Cyran kept his face carefully blank as Fish uttered the words not relevant, as if they had any place being the one to decide what they told Cyran. Considering that this was meant to be a test, Cyran thought it took a lot of guts to say that from the position Fish was in. Or, perhaps not bravery, but more the petulance of a child who was looking for any kind of power to balance the scales…

Cyran crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, keeping an eye on the alleyway for anyone that might be looking in while Fish cracked into the box. “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll decide what information is relevant.” Perhaps his tone was a bit more biting or clinical than usual, but he needed to know exactly what Zarius had left for him to deal with, and he had a feeling that wearing the assassin’s face and demeanor might be the only way to break through to the fish. Loathe as he was to admit it, he couldn’t always approach others with softness and care, not when dealing with other criminals.

“This isn’t just a test- it’s an interview. Zarius needs to know if you’re someone he wants to hire, and in order to give him an accurate assessment, I don’t just need to see your skills, but I need to know more about you. Zarius may have seen promise in you, but I’m the one who helps handle training recruits.” Zarius generally trusted his judgment, which was why he’d begun having Cyran look after new potential allies like Fish, and normally, Cyran did so without question. But this time, he could feel apprehension gnawing in his gut, the feeling was something was wrong.

Had Zarius known that Fish was- as far as Cyran could tell- a child? And had he sent that child out into the field with Cyran completely aware of that fact?

“You’re obviously talented at what you do.” Fish had already cracked through the chest’s lock as if it were, well, child’s play. “Your skills aren’t in question here. I just need to know what I’m dealing with so I can make an accurate report.” And perhaps have a talk with Zarius about the kind of people he recruited.

"What part of Fish's age would be relevant to the work that is being done?" There is no challenging tone, tone can't really be conveyed in hand signs. On top of that they have a fairly blank expression that is very hard to read. "Fish has completed the mission. The other details of Fish are not important as they clearly do not impact what Fish can do out in the field."



Fish pulls out a small little jeweler's looking glass to inspect the gem. They turn it over in their hand to look it over. It certainly was a well made gem. Fish would leave the testing of its magical abilities, if any, to a more private location. The chest is softly snapped shut and tucked into their bag.



"From Fish's perspective it seems like learning more would compromise Cyran and possibly put the mission at risk with unnecessary concern. Tactically speaking, Fish was right to not share more."

Cyran narrowed his eyes. Stubborn little fellow, weren’t they? He supposed he couldn’t begrudge them their privacy, but privacy flew out the window when one was dealing with a child. Even Iryla, a teenager, was someone Cyran hesitated to allow into the field, and only under strict supervision with an adult. Really, in the grand scheme of things for someone like Cyran, who’d lived centuries before this, a few years didn’t make much of a difference. But he still didn’t feel right about this.

He sighed as Fish inspected the gem, no doubt inspecting its validity. He was accustomed to dealing with kids, but somehow, he couldn’t remember dealing with one this belligerent before, assuming Fish really was a child. Based on the hardened way they avoided the question, even going so far as to imply that Cyran shouldn’t be poking his nose where it didn’t belong, Cyran figured that it was simply best to stop asking outright questions and speak in a language Fish did understand.

“Do you mind if I have a look at that gemstone?” The abrupt change in topic might have been startling, but he doubted Fish would be all that thrown off by the sudden statement as Cyran held out his hand expectantly. Assuming Fish handed over the artifact, Cyran would tuck the stone carefully in his pouch, which he clutched in his hand, a stern expression on his face like Fish had stolen a cookie from the jar and was about to receive the scolding of a lifetime.

“It seems you haven’t completed the mission after all.” Cyran said after a moment. “Just humor me, if you’d please. If you don’t want to tell me that fact, you could tell me a little more about your line of work. I’ve deemed this information relevant, because as you can see, they do impact your performance in the field. You’ve just made the assumption you could trust someone simply because they’re on your side. Judging someone’s character is a skill that comes with age and experience, something I don’t know whether you possess or not.” He tilted his head to the side, casually securing the pouch to his belt.

“That’s just something for you to consider moving forward. In any given job, there are more factors to consider than just the ones on paper.”

"The factors on the paper are all that matters. Fish does not see a point in knowing another person's age when working on a mission. Skills, assets, and liabilities are all things to be considered. Age is not one of those things."



They stare blankly once more. "Fish did not assume to trust Cyran, Zarius entrusted Fish and Cyran to retreive the gemstone. Fish does not think it matters who has it in their possession. Zarius seems much more interested in results than semantics."



Fish jumps down from the box they are sitting on, looking up to Cyran then to the crowd a moment. After a pause Fish turns and heads deeper into the alley. "This is not a conversation to be had so close to the market, the merchant may realize the missing goods and Cyran should be out of eyesight."



The kenku looks back once more to Cyran to see if he is following. If so, Fish will start to expertly climb the side of the building to the rooftops. Little talons carry them from rooftop to rooftop until they are about a half-mile from where they started. Fish's little eyes pull towards Sun's Keep, interested by the way it glitters in the rising sun.



"Why is Cyran so interested in Fish's age? Explain to Fish the benefit of this knowledge and Fish will answer the question."

“I think you misunderstand my intentions.” Cyran said, attempting at patience but likely too tired to conjure up the same kind of usual kindness he managed. “The mission on paper stated that the gem had to successfully be brought back to Zarius. I could just as easily return or lose this should I deem that you are unfit to work with Zarius.” His gaze softened to something like worry- a sentiment Fish likely did not care for or understand. He wondered what kind of life the young thief had lived to render them so… toneless. “And it would benefit me to learn your age so I know if Zarius has any intention of recruiting a child for his plans or not.”

Fish tried to deflect by bringing up the merchant, to which Cyran waved a dismissive hand. “He can look all he wants. He will not find me.” Cyran’s grip on existence was tenuous at best- his connection to the shadows grew deeper every time he stepped into the darkness. It had only gotten worse since his return from the desert, and the horrid things that had lie in wait there for him. Subconsciously, his hand drifted to his cheek, where his blackened eye sat as a reminder of what had transpired there, before remembering where he was.

He took a deep, shuddering breath before composing himself.

“Do not worry about me.” It would be all too easy for him to slip into the shadows and disappear, where no one- not even the merchant- would be able to find him. Still, Fish insisted on climbing up the roof, so Cyran had no choice but to follow, until both were out of sight.

“If you don’t want to answer that, we’ll start with something small first.” Something that Fish would be more keen on discussing. Cyran could compromise- he would work small and build his way up. He had a feeling he would not like the answer to his initial query, anyways. “Tell me about your exploits in Zeinav. What kind of work do you do? How did you get involved in robbing the Rookery in the first place?” Zarius had not seen fit to give Cyran that information. In fact, Zarius hadn’t even been at the Rookery at all when Cyran returned from his last job- disrupting a shipment in Frostgale, and everything that came after… Cyran was a patient man, but even he had his limits, and it was difficult for him to do his job when he was not in the loop.

"Classified." It really is a shame that Fish cannot intonate that was intended as a joke. The little kenku lets their legs slide out from under them as they drop to take a seat on the rooftop, feathers fluffing out just a little as they seemingly try to trap every little bit of warmth and ray of light they can.



"Fish's full name is Fish the Sneak....Fish is a thief....very quiet...quick hands." Honestly, Fish didn't know why they were bothering to actually answer Cyran. They'd never really had someone bother being this patient with them. Fish was curious as to why, there was no logical reason for it. Having convinced themselves they had little emotions, they were curious what brought them out of others.



"Fish is 8.....Four years ago, Fish got separated from Fish's parents...lost...Fish stole so Fish could eat...Fish still does, only now people pay Fish to steal things." They motion their beak towards the space where Cyran tucked the gem away.



"Fish was stealing letters from Zarius....Fish didn't care what was in them. Fish likes the challenge....Fish likes the shiny things Fish gets in return for doing jobs. Fish has no care for anyone's plans or schemes....Fish just likes doing what Fish is good at."

Silence.

That was all Cyran could muster as he absorbed what Fish had told him. Just as he suspected, Fish hadn’t even yet reached ten years of age, someone who’d been forced to adopt this lifestyle in order to fend for themselves. Cyran… understood that. While he’d not been a child, contract killing had been the only job he’d been able to adopt with his particular talents, and he knew what that said about him. His heart broke as they told their story with the same smooth movements they’d spoken with so far, just as if they were sharing facts on a docket or information about a heist.

But they were young, Cyran thought. They could still leave a life like this, if they so chose to. Their mind for numbers could just as easily be used for business as it could for crime, if they so desired. And they wouldn’t have to be stuck in this life, a vicious cycle of robbing others of their possessions or lives until there was nothing left but the cold, empty feeling of loneliness.

The silence stretched on, and Cyran realized that he’d yet to formulate a response.

“Okay.” Cyran muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Well, I… thank you for telling me.” He wouldn’t say it was okay- not for a child to be exposed to this life- but despite his reservations, Cyran was a realist. If he or Zarius didn’t take Fish under their wing, then there would only be others looking to take advantage of the child, and those who wouldn’t be kind about it. Someone needed to keep an eye on them, offer them guidance.

Wordlessly, he pulled the stone out from his bag and tossed it to Fish. “Here. I’ve seen what I need to. We will… well, we can get back to the Rookery and I’ll report my findings to Zarius upon our return.” He needed time to figure out what to make of what he’d learnt of their new potential ally on the way back to the Ash Lands. And he would figure out what he would say to Zarius. He didn’t appreciate being kept in the dark about things- if he was going to work for the tiefling, he wanted to be in the loop so he wasn’t blindsided like this in the future.

They'd found what they set out for, but the troubled expression did not leave Cyran's face.

Fish catches the gem, watching as Cyran's expression shifts. Fish was right to have not told him anything they figure. The nice ones always worried about how small and young Fish was which was hard for Fish to understand. They would always prove themselves, then see the expressions fall when they find out Fish is a child.



"Fish would not advise tossing gemstones, scuffs can be hard to buff out and significantly lower the value." They wrap it up in a silk handkerchief and tuck it in their pocket.



For a moment, Fish is content to sit on the rooftop in silence, sun slowly setting in the distance. The oranges and purples of sunset giving way to night. Fish's gaze turns upwards to the first twinkles of stars in the sky, the faintest sign of night breaking through.



".....Fish is going to find out how to steal starlight one day.....It's the most precious shiny thing Fish can think of....When Fish steals that, no one will worry about Fish being a kid anymore."

Cyran sat down on the rooftop next to Fish as the bird admonished him for throwing the gem and possibly damaging it. They cleaned off the scuffs until the stone polished once more, a little piece of the sun in Fish’s hands. They tucked it away, where it would be safely handed off to Zarius upon their return to the Rookery. They then turned their attention to the sky, where the sun had set, bathing them both in starlight. There was almost a twinkle in Fish’s eye as they quietly confessed their dream.

Cyran turned to look at the stars. He never really paid them much attention, except on quiet nights like this. They reminded him of his kids, all touched by the moon and stars and carried the night’s beauty. Wanting to catch one was an impossible dream, and yet, one that touched Cyran’s heart all the same. He wished he could reach up and pluck one out of the sky to give it to Fish.

But he could not make that dream a reality, so he would settle for the Sunstone for now instead.

“I’ll help you steal it.” Cyran promised. The future right now was uncertain, and he wasn’t sure what Fish’s future with the Rookery would look like- they showed promise, and Cyran wasn’t certain that age would matter to Zarius. If that was the case, the only thing he could do was watch over Fish the Sneak, and make sure that this world did not snuff out the light that still shined in their eyes when they spoke about this one small dream of theirs, to touch the stars.

That piece of innocence- no matter how small- deserved to be protected.

Cyran would do whatever he could to watch over that dream.