Flash Fiction February 2025 Day Twelve: Admirable Persistence (Kit)

A/N: Nobles wonder why their jewels are suddenly missing but nobody thinks to question the random little guy he looks harmless it couldn't be him could it? No certainly not...

 

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day 12 Prompt: Persistence

“Again!” A voice shouts sharply as two opponents begin to spar until one is defeated. They then get up from the slightly padded floor, reset, and repeat the same process over and over for quite some time. “What’s the point of doing that again and again?” I ask the trainer who observes carefully to ensure no one gets seriously injured. “There are quicker ways to deal with somebody to get what you want.” Instead of an explanation I’m given a silent rather judgmental look that silently says “You wouldn’t understand” which is exactly why I had asked the question in the first place. Aside from that look I’m ignored and so I sit around observing the training process as it moves from one exercise to another in quick succession. The persistence on the part of the trainees is commendable, every time they’re knocked down they get right back up again unphased and ready to try their hand once more against their sparring partner. Time continues to pass as I wait for Yuuri to come back as apparently I can’t be trusted if left to my own devices, which I very much can, I just can’t promise that I won’t get into mischief or that some of the nobles won’t find their pockets a bit lighter if left on my own. Due to this I’m left to be supervised and essentially babysat until he returns, whenever that may be. With not much else to do I continue to watch the training exercises as one group finishes while a new one begins, this time with long wooden staves which must hurt when whacked with, and otherwise sit around and count my lockpicks, then my gold, then whatever else I find stashed away in my pockets to pass the time. The sound of wood against flesh and bone makes a loud “thunk” which draws me out of my thoughts, that must have hurt. Still, like those before the trainee simply gets back up and returns to a ready stance. I admire their persistence.