The Beginning of a Thief Story

Ryuu's heart pumped wildly in his chest. His claws gripped his brand new scarf shakily as he started laughing out loud; anyone who knew him would not recognize him at all at this very moment. The wide grin, the glowing, tearful eyes, the laughs; what was this strange feeling, seeping from inside him? It leaked, it spread, it engulfed him, and his heart was pumping so loudly, but despite the sea raging inside of him, he still felt... somewhat... serene.

"Why do I feel like that...," the young Wyngling mumbled to himself after calming his laughs. "Must be a trick from Chii'Falla... Must be..."

He kept tugging at his scarf, still trying to retrieve a normal breathing pace, but seemingly unable to. His confused grimace turned into a wide grin again. He had taken that scarf, and now that scarf was his. It was so... easy, too! He could just extend his hand and grab anything, and it would be his! He didn't have to feel ashamed for asking Alma, he could just do it himself! Surely Chii'Falla Herself was letting him realize that; why else would he feel so happy and light?

Slowly, Ryuu began to calm down, and he wrapped his claws around his form, taking deeper breaths. He looked around the back alley he was in and back outside toward the Nova tree. The others weren't back yet, but they would be soon... What would he tell Alma? What would he tell Azelea? Surely she would ask him a hundred questions about where he got that scarf... Maybe he could pull the gift excuse and say a kind soul gave it to him... Would they buy that...? Mh. He wouldn't know unless he tried. With one last, deep breath, Ryuu stood up from the snow, and made his way back to where he had been sitting by the Nova tree, making sure to stay out of Rudy's eyesight...

His heart was still pumping wildly.

This comic was a long time in the making, but overall I am very happy with the result! It was excellent practice for Ryuu's anatomy, backgrounds and comic styles in general. I will surely be making more of those to explore my little gro's story! And yes, here he slowly starts developping a small bit of kleptomania, which will play a bit part of his growing up story. Don't worry, it won't last.... for too long, at least.