Scatter still had two hours before the job he had to do around The Sprawls, so he walked away from his partner to find a place where he could be alone in the woods.

He stopped in a quiet spot. The sounds of flowing water and birds were perfect for reading. He knew the practice was forbidden in that region, but the clearing seemed safe enough, surrounded by nature only.

He was thrilled by @jenkinsthevalet ‘s “Bored & Dangerous” book and was just too curious to figure out how it would end…

– You there! - not five minutes had passed when someone approached. The shout felt as if the cold White Mountains crumbled inside Scatter’s backbone.

– You know the policy here: it’s burn or bars! Do you want to go to the Edokan Prison? – screamed the same grave voice.

– Drop the book right now or you’ll feel the pain! – a second voice was heard with a wheezing breath.

An athletic guard was coming towards him, with a fat sidekick lagging some steps behind.

Scatter was sharp and moved fast. He quickly put the bookmarker on the right page and threw the book in his bag before the guards could even think of spelling “!bala”.

They arrived right away though.

– What’s in the bag? Show me the books you little piece of dirt! – screamed the strong guard, while the fat one was still arriving.

– !bala, it’s Scatter for you, ser. I carry no books, only water and some fresh bread I bought from @Azurbalabaker this morning. – replied the bold youngster.

He noticed the guard had a gun so he should be alert and try to calm tempers. He however knew luck was on his side. It has always been.

– Gimme the bag little piece of Scatter! – said the fat - and apparently dumb guard - taking the bag by force.

In total control of the situation the strong guard released his hand from his pistol’s handle and tried a more calm approach:

– It looks like a @10KTFshop bag… At least you have good taste kid. Now, where are the books?

– I told you ser, I carry no books, see for yourself. – Scatter replied again showing no fear.

His keen eyes captured every detail in the situation. Scatter was really aware of himself and the surroundings usually. If it weren’t for the excitement caused by the book’s plot he certainly would have perceived the guards.

But it was too late.

– I’m not playing, this kind of lie can work with @FalonTheKingpin goons but not here. B, search the bag.

– I got this, Tar! – said B, the fat guard. – And don’t you move kiddo! – he added, as if anyone there believed in his authority, including himself.

B turned the bag inside out but there was no sign of books.

– No books here Tar. – he babbled.

Then coming to his senses he exclaimed:

– This little piece of Scatter is playing us fools! But this bread from @Azurbalabaker ain’t bad, huh? Want some?

– Cut the bread B! I’m sure I saw this kid reading a book! Tell us where it is kid.

– Maybe the heat affected your vision, ser Tar. As you can see, there are no books. – Tar couldn’t believe what just happened. Scatter continued:

– Like many in this land I work hard to make a living. I was just taking a short break before…

– I’ll tell you when you can speak! – Tar was suddenly outraged. – I’ll tell you when you can move and I’ll tell you when you can breath! –screamed Tar, about to lose his mind. – How did you make the book disappear? Spit it out!

– I’ve already told you officer Tar, there is no book. – Scatter insisted, innocently showing his open palms. – I’m an honest worker and just because I’m not as blessed as @LadyVoTheRich it doesn’t mean I should be treated like scum.

– If you’re scum, you’re scum. – said B, chewing the last piece of the bread.

After swallowing he whispered to Tar:

– Sir, if there’s no book there’s no evidence, it would make no sense to bring him to Edokan without a crime with the new rules…

– I know, I know B! – Interrupted Tar, looking really pissed. – If it were in the old times…

Saying this, a very much displeased Tar violently threw the bag back at Scatter.

– You better watch your steps kiddo, I know your face now. Ask around and people will tell you what Tar does to criminals in this area. Let’s go B! We have more things to do than watching a bum contemplate nature like a monk from the Temple of Azur.

Both guards left stomping in the vegetation, making their way out of the woods. Scatter took a deep breath and drank some water to calm his nerves.

He was still shaking when he checked the bag again. The book was there with the bookmark on the correct page.

– Phew. It works… But all the weed bread is gone. Sheesh…

@jenkinsthevalet book would have to wait, his post-work chill was ruined. But B would be up for some surprises soon. Scatter giggled as he imagined the scene.

They say when it comes to ingredients quality, @Azurbalabaker is a master.

Scatter still had two hours before the job he had to do around The Sprawls, so he walked away from his partner to find a place where he could be alone in the woods.

He stopped in a quiet spot. The sounds of flowing water and birds were perfect for reading. He knew the practice was forbidden in that region, but the clearing seemed safe enough, surrounded by nature only.

He was thrilled by @jenkinsthevalet ‘s “Bored & Dangerous” book and was just too curious to figure out how it would end…

– You there! - not five minutes had passed when someone approached. The shout felt as if the cold White Mountains crumbled inside Scatter’s backbone.

– You know the policy here: it’s burn or bars! Do you want to go to the Edokan Prison? – screamed the same grave voice.

– Drop the book right now or you’ll feel the pain! – a second voice was heard with a wheezing breath.

An athletic guard was coming towards him, with a fat sidekick lagging some steps behind.

Scatter was sharp and moved fast. He quickly put the bookmarker on the right page and threw the book in his bag before the guards could even think of spelling “!bala”.

They arrived right away though.

– What’s in the bag? Show me the books you little piece of dirt! – screamed the strong guard, while the fat one was still arriving.

– !bala, it’s Scatter for you, ser. I carry no books, only water and some fresh bread I bought from @Azurbalabaker this morning. – replied the bold youngster.

He noticed the guard had a gun so he should be alert and try to calm tempers. He however knew luck was on his side. It has always been.

– Gimme the bag little piece of Scatter! – said the fat - and apparently dumb guard - taking the bag by force.

In total control of the situation the strong guard released his hand from his pistol’s handle and tried a more calm approach:

– It looks like a @10KTFshop bag… At least you have good taste kid. Now, where are the books?

– I told you ser, I carry no books, see for yourself. – Scatter replied again showing no fear.

His keen eyes captured every detail in the situation. Scatter was really aware of himself and the surroundings usually. If it weren’t for the excitement caused by the book’s plot he certainly would have perceived the guards.

But it was too late.

– I’m not playing, this kind of lie can work with @FalonTheKingpin goons but not here. B, search the bag.

– I got this, Tar! – said B, the fat guard. – And don’t you move kiddo! – he added, as if anyone there believed in his authority, including himself.

B turned the bag inside out but there was no sign of books.

– No books here Tar. – he babbled.

Then coming to his senses he exclaimed:

– This little piece of Scatter is playing us fools! But this bread from @Azurbalabaker ain’t bad, huh? Want some?

– Cut the bread B! I’m sure I saw this kid reading a book! Tell us where it is kid.

– Maybe the heat affected your vision, ser Tar. As you can see, there are no books. – Tar couldn’t believe what just happened. Scatter continued:

– Like many in this land I work hard to make a living. I was just taking a short break before…

– I’ll tell you when you can speak! – Tar was suddenly outraged. – I’ll tell you when you can move and I’ll tell you when you can breath! –screamed Tar, about to lose his mind. – How did you make the book disappear? Spit it out!

– I’ve already told you officer Tar, there is no book. – Scatter insisted, innocently showing his open palms. – I’m an honest worker and just because I’m not as blessed as @LadyVoTheRich it doesn’t mean I should be treated like scum.

– If you’re scum, you’re scum. – said B, chewing the last piece of the bread.

After swallowing he whispered to Tar:

– Sir, if there’s no book there’s no evidence, it would make no sense to bring him to Edokan without a crime with the new rules…

– I know, I know B! – Interrupted Tar, looking really pissed. – If it were in the old times…

Saying this, a very much displeased Tar violently threw the bag back at Scatter.

– You better watch your steps kiddo, I know your face now. Ask around and people will tell you what Tar does to criminals in this area. Let’s go B! We have more things to do than watching a bum contemplate nature like a monk from the Temple of Azur.

Both guards left stomping in the vegetation, making their way out of the woods. Scatter took a deep breath and drank some water to calm his nerves.

He was still shaking when he checked the bag again. The book was there with the bookmark on the correct page.

– Phew. It works… But all the weed bread is gone. Sheesh…

@jenkinsthevalet book would have to wait, his post-work chill was ruined. But B would be up for some surprises soon. Scatter giggled as he imagined the scene.

They say when it comes to ingredients quality, @Azurbalabaker is a master.