Why Should I Worry? (Open)

[dodger]

To all that had ever known Dodger it was quite clear he wasn't having a good day. His skill was his pride and joy and usually by this time in the afternoon he would have at least got something - a wallet, someone's phone, anything! Just something he could use as collateral so he could find somewhere warm to sleep.

Today however he was pretty sure he'd be sleeping rough after what was becoming his unluckiest Christmas ever.

He kicked the ground beneath his feet, his face turbulent with decision. Did he try to rob a store and risk getting caught?

It seemed like a good idea, but was he ready to risk it? All these shopping villages were sure to be filled to the brim with Christmas treats and any one of their expensive items could at least feed him for the night.

He made it up his mind, rolled up the sleeves on his old blue coat, nibbled on his thumb as he sought his plan of action and then headed towards the nearest shop. As he walked in, blinded by determination he didn't realize that someone was coming out straight into his path.

[Deleted]

Giselle loved to shop! Shopping was so much fun! And there was nothing better than Christmas shopping because she got to pick things out for other people and that was so much fun! And the stores were playing such lovely Christmas songs. And as she searched for just the perfect thing for each of her friends it was almost like a game. And it was just so lovely and wonderful. Everything about this lovely little holiday village was lovely.

But Giselle had finished shopping in that particular shop and had pulled her earmuffs back on and her gloves, her parcels balanced precariously in her arms. Then she headed out the door and bumped right into someone else, spilling her packages all over the ground. “Oh!” Giselle cried in surprise. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there. Are you alright?”

[dodger]

The girl walked right into him and he collapsed with what he felt was more than a bruised head but a bruised ego. Fate was clearly letting the Dodge know that he was having a bad day, at least that's what he thought until he looked up at the person who had made him fall over.

Dodger had decided in a split second that this person, this girl would be a better target than the shop. He'd be a fool if he didn't go for his gut instincts and what he saw in front of him was better than a pickpocket job.

"I'm fine" he called from where he was now sprawled on the floor, deciding his course of action but staying as cool as a cucumber, "All this Christmas shopping really gets in the way of walking huh?"

He stood up but not before picking up two of the presents off the floor. "Are you playing Secret Santa or do you have a big family to entertain?"

It was all part of the act of kindness, a kindness she would continue to focus on until she'd realise he was a thief.

[Deleted]

Giselle really felt awful about knocking the young man over. She hadn’t meant to run into anyone, but all of her gifts had made it impossible to see where she was going. And Pip wasn’t here to let her know that she was about to run into anyone either. Had he been here he certainly would have let her know. She did feel a little better when he said he was alright though.

She was confused for a moment though. Christmas shopping getting in the way of walking? She didn’t understand. But then she realized that it was just a joke and she brightened immensely. “Oh,” she cried delightedly. “You’re joking!”

She stooped to pick up some of the other gifts and packages that she had dropped. Then she straightened and took the packages from Dodger. “Oh thank you. No, I just have a lot of friends. I don’t have any family at all, but I have so very many friends. It makes for a lot of presents,” she told him with a smile. She wasn’t sure at all what Secret Santa was, but she figured if she didn’t know what it was then she must not be partaking in it.