Hm.. Well, what kind of criminal do you think I would be?

[ There are very clear answers, but she doesn't know if he'll just tease or try to really figure it out. She wonders what kind of impression she gives. ]

Why was your brother madder than your mom?

[ Maybe that is how it's supposed to be. She doesn't know. ]

Don't take too long.

[ It's just a game, after all. She doesn't think he'll guess she's got her face plastered across multiple kingdoms as an international fugitive for terrorism and mass murder. Maybe a thief. She hopes she doesn't come off as a street rat pickpocket any more, though. She's done a lot of work not to seem that way.

She does sounds genuinely interested in his family, tilting her head and finally setting her feet normally on the ground, moving the box to her lap. A little less closed off than before. ]

Are you? Your little brother caught you.

What'd you tell him for if you didn't want to get caught?

[ Not very sneaky! She doesn't really understand the relationship between brothers though. ]

It sounds like you get along anyway.

[ He definitely doesn't sound that upset about getting caught or told off by his brother. ]

I don't know, you got pretty close. Master thief Emerald Sustrai at your service. [ a last name that actually means "thief," funny enough. Her face lights up with a bright smile, as if she's introducing herself for the first time and actually a cheerful, peppy person. It's surprisingly well-acted. ] I specialize in jewelry and bank heists.

[ Okay, no, she rolls her eyes and shakes her head. ]

I've never actually done a heist, so that's a lie. But you're not wrong about the rest. I'll tell you if you want me to. [ She hesitates for a moment after saying that. ] I decided I wouldn't lie about things anymore, since I'm supposed to be putting it all in my past. Though that was because I actually thought I had a future, so you might be the last person I tell. I haven't decided yet.

[ Telling people makes her less dangerous, because they know what to expect. It's a handicap to make herself less of a threat, more normal. Without being able to see the future she did all that for, making herself more dangerous just in case she needs to be seems like a better option. She was miserable when she was dangerous too, though, so she just. Doesn't know what to do. ]

[ She glances over at him, not really sure how that's supposed to go. Emerald's problem has never been that she doesn't have feelings, it's that she does. She has way too many, and most of them are routed in a life filled with suffering. ]

I was a thief for most of my life.

[ She moves both of her hands over the box, just feeling the residual warmth. There isn't much left. She could reheat it, but she doesn't really want to ruin the pizza. ]

Things changed. Someone finally pulled me off of the streets and taught me how I could stop relying on theft to survive. I have since become a killer, framed someone for assault, actual assault, forced the world's favored hero-to-be to dismember a girl on live television to cause a panic and bring hoards of monsters down on a city.. Oh, espionage.

[ She tilts her head and gestures and counts with her hand as she kind of lists things off. That's the worst of it. Once she's done she looks over at him again, like she's trying to gauge whether he's about to freak out and shut down, shame her, or react in horror. It's rare it doesn't drive people away, and he already said he doesn't care about her- definitely not enough to try to look past it. So unless he was serious about the arson and really isn't a good person himself, she doubts he'll take it well. It's just as well. ]

I don't really care about any of that, or the reason for it, but I owe that person everything. I don't have any reason to do any of that here if you're worried.

That's the first time I've gotten that reaction. Usually this is the part people stop talking to me or need a couple weeks to decide if they're still scared of me or not.

[ He really is weird. She looks a little surprised, but she shrugs. ]

Your turn.

You're only in trouble if you get caught, huh? In that case, I'm just wanted for being on a team associated with terrorists.

[ She knows what she did even if most people don't. They don't need much evidence in their world, really. ]

Spill.

I'd be annoyed after you goaded me on.

[ "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" kind of implies that he has something to show. If he says he really doesn't, she's going to smack him in the arm. But honestly, that's the worst she would do. ]

That's one way to get out of a test.

[ She's heard they kind of suck. She totally gets that though. Everything she's done past theft has been for someone else, after all. ]

That's it? So you're like, baby criminal. [ Baby's first arson. ]

[ Emerald wouldn't hold it against him if he did. She thinks he's kind of funny though. ]

Yeah, you shouldn't betray those close to you. What'd you do that for?

[ She reaches over to flick him in the arm. On the grand scale of betrayals that's definitely more of a minor annoyance, but he's obviously teasing so she's got to tease him back. ]

[ She's really only a hazard to arms if it's friendly harassment, so he'll be fine then. ]

Hm.. as long as you got him some chocolates from you after.

It's cute how much you care about him.

[ She looks interested honestly. And she explains a little. ]

It's obvious, I'll bet he'd forgive you for anything.