So I just swiped a nice-looking tin off someone who was paying too much attention to the musicians on-stage outside the Pony.
Made a quick dash, got away with no consequences, yeah? Except... well, this is a tin of pipe-weed.
I mean, pipe-weed could sell for some good money and this looks really expensive, too... but I keep thinking things... like what if this was a gift or something? And it's getting harder not to feel bad about this.
I mean, I remember my first tin of pipe-weed. Frendo gave it to me... That and this cherrywood pipe of mine. Those things and my lute are some of the things I would never let Blackbent sell. Not like Farrand. Not again.
I figure I can sit here biting my fingers and worrying or I can tough-up and make a grown-up decision. I could give this thing to Blackbent or go back and slip the tin back into the man's bag.
Assuming I steal enough stuff other than this today, I can avoid a belting and there's no way Blackbent will ever know I gave back something I could've taken for good.
If I turn it into Blackbent, I avoid punishment entirely and he might ease up on me for a bit.
Argh... tough choice...
Reminds me, Blackbent came back after taking a beating from that farmer and that crazy, dark-skinned lady I keep seeing around town. That would've made my year if he wasn't in such a foul mood afterward. And who's gotta deal with an angry Blackbent?
I think, maybe, I should write Frendo a letter or something; tell him what's going on and he could help me. Wait, I forgot, I never learned to read or write...
That's a bad idea anyway. If I got Frendo or Bria or anyone else hurt or worse by tangling them up with Blackbent, I'd never forgive myself... I don't know what I'd do if that happened.
Back on topic: the tin of pipe-weed.
Okay. I've decided. I'm going to...
To...
I...
...I'm going to give it back.
It's... the right thing to do. I didn't buy this pipe-weed so I don't deserve it.
Okay, I slipped it back in the guy's pocket. Don't think he noticed it was gone. Back to the bushes. Need to think.
...Ugh! How am I going to get through the rest of today? I can't just not steal stuff because I think it's wrong! I mean, yeah, I know it's wrong, it's entirely wrong! I get that now! But if I don't do it, it's my butt that gets a kicking.
And how am I supposed to steal anything when the whole point of stealing is taking what you didn't earn fairly?
I need some help. Can't tell a guard, that'd land me in jail right next to Blackbent, I think. Can't call my friends, I can't risk them getting hurt. And I can't do it myself because Blackbent's stronger than me and, frankly, smarter than me.
So what do I do?
