A Quick Market Mission [C Rank, 912 / 250]

Mission – Stop that Thief!:

”What are we getting from the market today, Art Art?”, Fa Mulan asked as she looked up towards Art whom she was walking hand in hand with. Artemis looked down at Fa Mulan, grinned mischievously, and simply shook her head in response. ”Come on, Art Art! I don't like secrets! Tell me! Tell me!”, the monkey continued on, bouncing and walking at the same time in her excitement: she knew enough to know it was a present for her, but she had absolutely no idea what it could be since Artemis had been very careful to keep it a secret.

”If I tell you Fa Mulan it'll ruin the surprise.”, Artemis responded, chuckling.

”I don't like surprises!”, Fa Mulan whined playfully at Artemis. Artemis just laughed and shook her head.

”You just don't like surprises when you're not in on them. But, you're not going to be able to get me to give it up. You'll just have to wait until we get there.” Fa Mulan grew silent as the pair continued to walk deeper into the market proper: Fa Mulan was now too busy contemplating what it was that Artemis could have gotten her to bother commenting again. It was a guessing game, one that the monkey was enjoying rather well.

Artemis glanced down at Fa Mulan as they neared the stall they were heading towards and could only shake her head and chuckle again: the monkey looked deep in thought. As they neared the owner of the shop they were headed towards spotted them and waved. He turned, picking up a white box that was roughly four inches deep, four inches wide, and ten inches tall. As they reached the stall Artemis reached into her pocket and pulled out the ryo she owed the man for this special order and then took the box and handed it to Fa Mulan. The monkey opened it excitedly to find a small stuffed kangaroo toy. Fa Mulan gasped, screeched, and began to bounce up and down in between doing both front and back flips in the air. ”Art Art! I love it! I love it, Art Art! Thank you! Thank you!” The monkey jumped up to Artemis who caught her and hugged her.

”You're very welc--”

”Stop! Stop that thief! Please somebody stop him!” Artemis was cut off mid sentence by the shouting, and quick look in the proper direction showed her that it was coming from the shop owner nearby who sold expensive jewelry. The shop owner was pointing towards a man wearing all black who was fleeing with a handful of what Artemis assumed to be jewelry that he had just snatched and grabbed. Fa Mulan jumped off of Artemis immediately and took to the stall's roof tops while Artemis bobbed and weaved instantly through the crowd. The pair had been working together a lot recently, and because of this they were easily able to now work together.

Artemis glanced at Fa Mulan who was keeping an eye on the thief from up top, and the monkey – knowing what she was looking for – pointed the thief's direction out. Artemis headed in that direction, bobbing and weaving through the people with glances up towards the monkey who was following from up above and providing constant feedback of directions. And then Artemis spotted him with his own eyes and quickly tackled him; restraining him easily enough given their strength difference. ”You're in a lot of trouble buddy...”, Artemis spoke while Fa Mulan went to locate the nearest market guard. The pair arrived back within seconds and Artemis made the hand off after removing the jewels from the man's pockets where he had stashed them while running. ”You can have him, and I'll go return these.” The guard nodded and Artemis took off towards the jewelry stall owner. Upon arrival she handed over the merchandise. ”I hope this is it; I don't think he dropped anything while running. You won't have to worry about him again.”

”Nope, not again!” Fa Mulan chimed in from beside her.

”Thank you very much, both of you. This is all of it., the man said as he took back his jewelry and gave it all a quick inspection.

”You're welcome. Glad we could help. Come on Fa, let's get some fruit, kay?” She reached her hand out which Fa Mulan took as she nodded and the pair walked away.

Word Count: 912 / 250