Two is better than one

"Alright Vey, I'm going to go out for about half an hour to... earn my living. You are just going to wait for me here."

With a length of rope, Kelline tied a loop and fastened it around Vey's neck. 

"I'll be back soon. You just sit tight okay?" 

Vey wagged her tail as Kelline tied the other end of the rope to the table. She armed herself with a couple pouches, a dagger, and a few lockpicks, just in case.

Rubbing Vey's ears, Kelline headed out the door. She didn't go three steps out before a wild howling began inside her house. She ran back inside, thinking Vey had knocked something over. 

As soon as she reappeared, the howling stopped. Vey sat up again, tail wagging. 

"Hey. You're fine. I won't be long, okay?" She stroked her back, ruffled her ears and backed out again. The yelping struck up again, gaining the attention of all the neighbors. Kelline tipped her head back in exasperation and let out a long hissing breath. 

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"Hate to say it, but you're a pretty great partner," Kelline admitted, feeding Vey a strip of dried meat. She had been forced to take Vey with her to prevent the howling. 

As it transpired, she made a great distraction. People would stop to admire her and ruffle her fur, bending down convieniently so that their money pouches swung out. Vey was a perfect little actor too, brushing up against people's legs and looking up at them with wide begging eyes. 

Kelline could then walk ahead and call back. She appeared as if she was simply taking a dog out for a walk. Useful and efficient. She made her daily goal in half the time that day. 

"I guess as long as you're staying with me, we should get some stuff huh?" 

Vey wagged her bushy tail in agreement, licking Kelline's hand. They wandered through the market, small items vanishing in their wake. A couple of smooth wooden bowls, a handful of dried meat strips, and a canteen joined them as they wound around. 

As they brushed past a stall selling hot stuffed potatoes Kelline faltered. Her stomach growled at the steaming food. She knew from past experience that these were impossible to sneak. They burned hands too easily. But then again, it was a special day. 

She stopped at the vendor and bought two potatoes steaming in their leathery jackets. Holding them carefully in the wraps they had come in, she headed down to the ocean. Selecting a relatively sand-free rock they sat down, Vey panting softly in the sunlight. 

Unwrapping one of the hot potatoes, she bit into it carefully. Hot, soft potato, spiced up with cheese and small bits of meat. She sighed in ecstacy, chewing reverently. 

Vey looked up at her with wide shining eyes, a trickle of drool sliding out of her mouth. 

"Well I got two didn't I?" Kelline teased, unwrapping the other and setting it down before the silver dog. 

Under the yellow sun a sneakthief and dog ate their meal together.

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