A Prayer of Finding

[noli_oblivisci]

Who: Forrest and Psyche
What: Prayer #9
When: May 30
Where: The Near Shore, park
Warnings: None

[Like many of the prayers, it was a simple enough wish - 'please find my wallet'. A part of Psyche almost would've wondered if it'd be easier for the man to get a new wallet. However, it'd been the sentiment behind it that'd given Psyche some pause.

'It's the only thing I have left to remember him by. Please.'

[That's how Psyche and Forrest found themselves combing lost and found stations and trash cans in that park. The young man had said he'd sworn it must've been there, but the park was a big one and a wallet would've been an attractive prize for many people, unfortunately.]

I wonder if someone just, took it home with them or something...

Comments

[noli_oblivisci]

[Psyche'd been watching the passerby profusely apologize to the trio, while getting increasingly irritated at their continual accusations of trying to pick a fight and been debating on stepping in when she heard Forrest call. She responded immediately. While he went from around, Psyche followed the man from behind.

[The man was making a beeline for the edge of the park, out of range from the security cameras that they'd seen on the map. He flipped through his survey papers and kept glancing at his phone, as if he were on a schedule, before he surreptitiously stepped off the path, near the trees, and out of the range of the cameras. He appeared to be 'adjusting' the back of his shirt, where the phone had been.

[As soon as he was out of the camera range, Psyche sent a rippling shockwave (the equivalent of a sharp tap) to the back of one of his knees, sending him tripping with a curse.]

[clothes_make_the_man]

[The phone comes tumbling out as the man falls - along with a wallet or two that he'd secreted away elsewhere - and Forrest circles around the other side to cut off his escape.]

Hey! That man is a thief! Stop him!

[He can at least be noticed when he's specifically calling attention to himself, and now there are plenty of people to help apprehend this guy.]

[noli_oblivisci]

[While Far Shore residents usually didn't pay them heed, the commotion had already caught people's reactions, priming them enough a few park-goers turned their heads. The man paled, left his dropped goods, and promptly cut through the bushes, running for a side path. Psyche followed, ignoring a smack to her face from a branch, calling]

He's heading for the exit!

[He'd have to hurry, though. The woman let out a cry as she realized her phone was missing and her partner ran off to catch up along with another passerby.]

[clothes_make_the_man]

[Thankfully, since this is a hot spot for theft, there are some police patrolling the area. Forrest catches sight of them on their way, pointing them out for Psyche so she can help corral the thief.]

Officers! The thief is getting away!

[noli_oblivisci]

[There was a flicker of confusion on one of the cop's faces as Forrest yelled. He looked around, as though knowing someone was trying to get his attention without knowing the source. His partner, however heard and grabbed his shoulder and propelled him after the thief. The thief looked back long enough to register his new pursuers before beelining for the exit, possibly relying on the off-the-path obstacles to slow them down.

[Either because he was distracted by them or because he'd already forgotten Psyche like so many from Near Shore, he missed Psyche flanking him with an outstretched hand. The foliage got in the way but she took what shots she could, firing weakened blasts to knock him off-balance and throw him off-course. He swore ("The fucking hell!?"), recovering from a hard smack into a tree, instinctively moving away and trying to dodge whatever was hitting him...

[Then, for good measure, she sent a harder blast at his head. Enough to make him cry out and take a nasty drop into the dirt. Enough to disorient him enough he was too winded (and possibly concussed) to stand up until one of the officers yanked him up into their waiting arms. Only once they seemed to have a solid hold on him did Psyche stop running, panting shallowing against a tree with her eyes locked on the pickpocket. If Forrest approached, he'd notice a cool, sharp focus in her eyes.]

[clothes_make_the_man]

[Forrest does eventually circle around to Psyche. He couldn't do much himself, as his only offensive option is fire magic. It might have caught the thief, but it would likely have burned the park down in the process. He does wince at the cold precision with which Psyche drops him, and after a moment of watching her stare back at him, he quietly speaks up.]

...Psyche?

[noli_oblivisci]

[She blinked a little, as Forrest addressed her. Some of the coldness disappeared as she said]

Oh-um, looks like we might not be able to properly to inspect him and see if he still has the missing wallet....But I guess since the cops got their hands on him, they might be able to get that information out of him, especially with how many theft reports there are in the area already.

[Though she sounded mostly herself, there was still a sharp, critical edge to her look as she watched the officers pull out more than a few objects from the thief's person.]

[clothes_make_the_man]

Yes... I think things should be all right from here. The authorities will make sure the stolen items are returned.

[He's a lot more trusting of that.]

[noli_oblivisci]

[Psyche'd feel better if they handled it personally. However, as long as the wallet was returned, they could count this as another prayer answered. And that was the whole point of this.

[Even if Psyche did hope that headache would last the pickpocket a long while. She turned her back to the pickpocket with the moment, physically and emotionally, and swept her sweaty bangs out of her face.]

They'll probably contact him soon but we can always leave him a note anyway? Just to let him know Lakshimi's looked into his wish and it'll be fulfilled soon.

[clothes_make_the_man]

It's worked out well for us so far. I wouldn't feel like the job was complete if we didn't leave the usual calling card.

[noli_oblivisci]

Yeah.

[She nodded, taking a few leading steps towards the same direction the pickpocket had (it was the quickest way out, after all)]

C'mon. We probably have enough time to take care of it before we head back.

[They could wait to the next day, technically, but the impact of the prayer probably worked better if they got it to them before the police did.]