~Nanners' POV~

I note Chilled sneaking away from the group as Sparklez talks happily with Ze and Gassy glares at me with full intent to lecture me about my thievery ways. Although I completely ignore the angry Gassy part I'm more worried how Chilled seemed to be feeling unwell when I saw him, I wonder if he got too cold yesterday and got sick. I know I really dislike this cold weather, I much prefer the heat of the desert but beggars can't be choosers I guess. This shop is always warm, not so much as physically but the people inside always speak with each other kindly and our group enjoys it here. Though I feel a bit sadder and colder when Chilled leaves looking in such a way, purposely leaving as we all talk to each other. 

"What's the matter with Chilled? He looked sick," I comment towards Ze the moment the other three get into their own conversation. Ze just sighs loudly and shakes his head, his clouded eyes obviously troubled by something. Just the look on his face makes me twitch a bit in jealousy, that he'd look so disturbed with a situation that deals with Chilled. While I've made Chilled my next target I do get a bit competitive and possessive. Though if Ze also seems perturbed with something should it mean maybe it's just the simple struggles of life like troubles with keeping the shop running? If that's the case I'm completely fine with it, partly because it means I can try to comfort Chilled later. 

"I don't know but he's just trying to put everything on himself right now." Ze glances over to me, his exhaustion fading as he seems to observe me carefully. "He's just going through a phase again. Maybe if someone else comes into his trust he'll be able to deal with it but for now I'm the only one who has to deal with his shit." I stare at the man, his subtle hints very clear in my mind unless it's just my hope that he's intending to tell me that I need to go and save Chilled. The thought of the almighty Ze whom I've considered my rival actually cheering me on at the moment brings lighter feelings to calm me down while I had been expecting this guy to sneak up behind my back and stab me, stealing Chilled away from me at any moment. 

"Nanners, you coming?" Gassy suddenly calls out, Diction and Sparklez at his side as they all seem to be heading to the door. Jumping over the counter I nod to Ze a farewell before following the other three outside the small shop. As soon as we stride in silence into another street Diction stops his walking and turns over to Sparklez and me, something I've suspected will happen soon anyways.

"When are you guys going to stop with this stealing bullshit?" Diction complains loudly enough so others near us glance over but continue on walking at a quicker pace. Gassy stops him from yelling any further and drags us all into a nearby alleyway where only the homeless cats can hear us. Sparklez looks to them with a challenging gaze while I just casually look around, my eyes searching for the adorable cats bound to be wandering around the alleyways.

"Seriously Nanners, Sparklez. We don't need to do that anymore. We're better than that now," Diction complains, still loudly enough to make Gassy annoyed and shush him loudly. I glance to the two of them and notice they both seem...different. Not a bad different but rather a good difference and I feel as if that's what will ruin things for Sparklez and me. They both seem much more lighter, relaxed and completely chill rather than the usual uptight and stressed selves, always worried over the next time they have to steal or at least where the next selling place will be in which we obtain our entire salary that gets us our food. Now that they're more relaxed and casually searching for jobs like normal people will usually do, it's as if their entire personalities have now changes according to their new lives. To be honest, I feel a bit jealous, still feeling the pressure of having to take something in order to be satisfied, even destroying an innocent plushie for my own selfish desires.

"I thought you guys said you wouldn't mind," Sparklez challenges and both of them hesitate, well aware they did say it was okay if we decided to continue. I glance over at Sparklez, a bit surprised he decided to stay in the business. Glancing back at Diction and Gassy, however, I find a pain of guilt in my chest when I find their eyes are nothing but worried for us. Of course they're worried. If we're caught we'd immediately be taken to jail and immediately counted guilty since we are clearly guilty. The thought of that day, the disappointment on Gassy's and Diction's faces, then I find myself thinking about the little Italian's sad face so entirely disappointed in me and the astonishment I even destroyed thei beloved mascot as well. It'll completely destroy any image of his regarding me being good or innocent I'm sure exists in him.

"I'll try," I announce suddenly, causing both Gassy and Diction to widen their eyes at me, however, Sparkles just keeps on looking forward with his eyes only slightly in my direction. He's clear about his position in not having any intentions to stop. 

"Are you serious?" Gassy asks again and I immediately hesitate, the memories flowing back from each piece of loot I've collected. Every single gem, diamond, beautiful masterpiece which I've held with my two hands and exchanged for so much money. Gassy sighs loudly making me snap back to reality and when we meet eyes his are incredibly dark confusing me for a second before I remember, I do this all the time. Whenever I haven't stolen enough or collected enough treasures I usually zone out very often and begin to think about the treasures waiting to be caught. Every single time Gassy was able to tell that I was getting closer to a crazy stealing rampage.

"God damn it Nanners. Neither of you are planning to stop." Both Sparklez and I stay silent only adding fuel to Diction's growing rage. 

"What's wrong with you people? We did it to survive. We don't need to - God damn it," Diction rants, losing the words to insult us further. Gassy glances at us with a very dark gaze before turning away from all of us. The disappointment of Gassy never fails to make us feel uncomfortable merely because we're so accustomed to hearing his goofy laugh and how he always ends up forgiving after an effort but his disappointment is something serious. I sigh and scratch the back of my head nervously, glance around before looking forward towards Gassy's back.

"I'll go looking for a job. Until I get a job I'll continue. When and if I get a job I swear I'll stop," I swear and this makes Gassy turn around, seem hopeful for a good few seconds before frowning and crossing his arms.

"How can I trust you? You've lied to us plenty of times before. More times than I can count with my fingers," Gassy points out and I hesitate, turning away from him again but once again look back and shake my head.

"Fine, if I break my promise I'll move out," I offer and with that offer all three of my friends turn towards me in shock. More than the fact that I'm willing to move out but more along the fact that I'll voluntarily leave my only friends for years. Gassy recovers first, narrowing his eyes towards me and sighs, seeming to be the uncomfortable one here now under this situation now that it involved breaking up the usual group. Despite his uncomfortableness I gaze directly into his eyes, insistent that he will accept to show just how serious I can be. After seeing my eyes Gassy sighs and nods slowly, accepting my offer and although I was the one who made the offer I feel a shock in my chest that he accepted. He'll be okay with me leaving if I were to take something that isn't mine. 

"It's... a deal then," I acknowledge and all three of them seem to stare at my hand carefully as I offer it to Gassy, the seemingly unannounced leader. Gassy hesitates but does take my hand and seems very shocked when he grips onto my hand, discovering my grip is also shaky. His wide eyes glance up towards me, seeming to not expect that I'm just as nervous to leave the group as they all are. Gassy slowly smiles, realizing for what feels like the first time that I truly do care for these dumb friends of mine as much as I mess with them.

"Jordan?" Diction asks suddenly and we all turn to Sparklez, expecting his announcement of quitting. He looks to us all seemingly nervous and quickly nods, adding his hand to Gassy's and mine.

"Fine, same deal." Just for funsies Diction adds his hand as well making us all laugh, a true laugh. Not one in which we're hiding all of our struggles and hidden thoughts but for once our bond is clear and our intentions are shone. It's a rarity only found in the rarest of friends you could find, and I'm really glad to have these friends. I just hope I don't somehow slip out and have to move out, although we didn't specify we can't ever meet with each other again it seems inevitable when leaving for the very first time, away from each other. For now, I can be looking forward to searching through magazines for little pretties I can snatch before my time runs out while also searching for a job that will only stall my time longer... I think they didn't say anything against procrastination....right?

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"Where's Chilled?" I ask curiously, opening the door to the usual shop and noting only Ze talking to Mrs. Pennington who is happily chatting with him. They both glance towards me and Mrs. Pennington only smiles wider and claps her hands together before trotting over to me. Somehow I fear this old woman who seems so enthusiastic by my appearance as she completely circles me, reviewing my every aspect. "Uh... Pennington?" I ask curiously and she immediately steps back with a hearty laugh and shakes her head, waving her hands in the air before her.

"Oh no boy, please don't think I'm interested. I'm married!" I immediately shake my head laughing nervously but she just laughs very loudly and very high pitched as she turns away from me and returns to Ze who seems amused with the whole situation.

"I wasn't - hey... Why is she here?" I ask Ze irritated and pointing towards the old woman and she immediately snaps at me, slapping my pointing hand away.

"That's rude boy. Talk to me like I am here," she lectures and I just nod slowly, sinking down into a stool and laying my head down the table, all of the energy I had walking into the shop now evaporating with the presence of the single old woman. Mrs. Pennington opens her mouth again to spout out something that is likely nonsense before the door to the back of the shop suddenly opens and Chilled steps out, ruffling his hair and a tired look in his eyes as if he just woke up. Is that what he does when he's not here? Just take naps? It's actually sad that I wouldn't doubt that's what he always does in the back with that plushie him and Ze hold so sacredly. At the thought I chuckle inwardly, the image of a sleeping Chilled hugging the small mascot closely seems adorable. Maybe it's his little secret that he doesn't want to tell anybody but Ze.

"Oh hey good morning Mrs. Pennington. What's up?" Chilled yawns, stretching out and Mrs. Pennington immediately shoots a glare at him with the force that seems to wake him up entirely. "What'd I do this time?"

"Mr. Chilled Chaos, it is not healthy to be taking naps at this time of day! You should know that with the amount of damage you already did to yourself which is obvious," she snaps, pointing up to his head making him blink in shock and quickly shakes his head denying but she shake her head. "No excuses, it is very obvious what you were doing back there. And don't you laugh boy," she snaps at Ze who had been chuckling just as I have been doing. "I know your mother and I know so much about your terrible habits. Anyways, since I've noticed you're missing one," she brings up suddenly and digs through her bag until she pulls out a plushie exactly matching their mascot. Ze and Chilled widen their eyes, almost looking to her like she's their savior. I rest my cheek on my palm as I watch them curiously. They have an extra one in the back, that's what Ze said, so why would one going missing stop them from showing it? Are they so paranoid that one of those dang thieves would surely snatch it and destroy it once again?

"You made another one," Ze states and Chilled pounces onto the counter, his eyes shining.

"Thanks Mrs. Penni, we'll definitely owe you for-" before he could snatch it Mrs. Pennington snatches the plsuhie back and glares at Chilled with clear displeasure.

"What did you call me?" Chilled immediately cowers back, afraid of having his stupid doll confiscated.

"Sorry Mrs. Pennington," he calls out exaggerated as if he's a little kid saying sorry to his teacher. Mrs. Pennington glares at him one last time before suddenly glancing over at me, her sharp eyes piercing right through me before glancing back at Ze, narrowing her eyes before returning to Chilled.

"One condition. One of you men running the shop and Adam must participate in this year's Winter Festival," she orders and immediately I groan, nearly dropping dead right here.

"Why are you getting me involved? I don't want the stupid doll," I complain and immediately Chilled pounces over the counter, his warm hands covering mine and his shining eyes meeting with mine with such anticipation. I swear a dog would get less sympathy than Chilled at this moment. 

"Please Nanners, I'll owe you one," Chilled begs and I glance over to him curiously, now interested.

"Owe me a what?"

"Uh...a plushie? We have many of tho-"

"I'm not participating," I announce and immediately Chilled holds onto my hands tighter in real desperation. At first I had predicted Ze was the more attached one but right now Chilled seems to be showing an awful lot of affection for the stupid doll.

"Fine, tell me what you want later. Within reason," he announces and I smile.

"Thats more I like it, when is this thing?" I ask the old lady and she smiles happily, clapping in bliss before rushing Ze to take out the store calendar. When he gives it to her scratch marks are written all over the entire calendar all involving money issues along with a couple of events. Mrs. Pennington, as to be expected, lectures Ze for being disorganized before circling a certain day with a large red marker, and slides the calendar over to Chilled and me. I glance over at the date, about two weeks from now so I still do have time to prepare myself for whatever they do for this thing. Mrs. Pennington turns to Ze and Chilled, one of the bigger questions in play. They both seem to widen their eyes, as if they didn't expect the confrontation. They both glance at each other with urgency before they claim they need to discuss and escape to the back room. I stare after them when Mrs. Pennington suddenly nudges at my elbow while keeping a fixed stare at the door to the back room.

"Tell me Adam, there are many theories. Why do you think those boys care so much for their mascot?" I remain silent before turning towards the door, many of my previous theories coming into mind when only one makes sense at this point.

"They're just really attached to a doll that looks like it they don't want others to look at it freely so they only put the copy out to the public. Could be old childhood reasons or any kind to be honest," I explain and Mrs. Pennington sighs, seeming disappointed at the simple explanation.

"Poor boys, I wonder what happened to the one they used to display." I stay silent, staring at the old concerned woman before glancing back at the door, waiting for the moment it opens to reveal the two lovely men.

"Yeah..."