NOTE: I know I've told some of you that I abandoned this story, but I decided I should just finish it. Unfortunately I decided this on a really busy week...so I hope I will be able to post more chaps this week! I just had a new idea too, so I have no plan how this story will end laugh

Chapter 9, The Deal

I couldn't believe it. IT WAS STEINER!

He looked up quickly and I saw him smile his great smile.

"Oh look, the return of the confusing chick." I couldn't believe it!

"You're back!" I walked over to him and stopped. "Why…" I didn't know how to finish my sentence. Why did you leave? Why did the robberies stop? Why have you been talking to me?

He smiled a bit and looked down on me. "I had to think things through a bit. So I went on a little trip." Huh? Think things through? A trip? Steiner laughed at my confused look. He sat down, motioned for me to join him in the shadows of the big trees.

"I'll play a game with you," he said. He opened his mouth to finish, but I interrupted.

"A game?! You are the most random person I've ever-"

"No, no! Hear me out on this!" He said, grinning. "Every week...let's say Saturday, you can come here and ask me one question. I'll answer it. But in return, I have to ask you a question too." He winked. "And the question can be about anything. Deal?" I was a bit uneasy. About anything? What if he asked me something dirty...but then again, I'll get to know all about him, like why he steals, his special power, everything...

"Deal!" I said smiling. "But I get to ask the question first."

"Ok then," he said, scooting closer. "Shoot." Oh boy. What should I ask first? Hmm...

"Why...why were you gone for 2 weeks? There weren't any robberies, there was no sign of you." He leaned back, and thought. Then he answered.

"I was gone...so I...could...take a trip!" He said, smiling proudly. I felt my mouth hang open.

"What?! No fair! You have to answer the question!"

"Yet I did, fair maiden." Why did he always call me things like that?

"But not completely, you sneaky thief!" Urg, I couldn't believe he weasled out of that one!

"Well then, next time you have to phrase your question correctly! Now for my question." Oh no. I prepared myself for the unexpected.

"How did you learn to make such great curry?" I smacked my head, and laughed. Out of all the questions in the world...

"I-" Wait a sec! I wanted to get him back for the unsatisfied answer he gave me.

"I learned...with my brain." Corny. Cheesy. Stupid. But hey, I didn't care. The dumbfounded look on his face was priceless.

"B-but what's your secret?! Who's the curry master you learned it from?! Can you tell me your recipe? C'mon!" I laughed. The great 'curry master' he spoke of would be my Mom, who always added a secret ingredient that made it taste delicious. I didn't even know what that ingredient was; I just always put it in my curry out of habit. Mom. I sighed. It sure sucked being an orphan with no family...

Steiner saw me sigh and stopped talking. "What's up? You ok?" I looked over at him, and nodded. But he wasn't convinced.

"You can tell me anything, you know," he said. Was he changing? He seems more...open than the mysterious Steiner I wondered about. But his face quickly became comical. "Cuz I got all the answers in the world! Of course, you can only ask me on Saturdays now...but if I'm in the mood, I can give you a freebie!" He winked. I smiled, and shook my head. He sure was different than any other guy I've met.

Thump. Thump.

We stopped talking and looked up. Someone was walking our way!

"Oh crap!" I whispered, shrinking furthur into the shadows.

"Naughty, naughty!" Steiner whispered back. "It's bad to say the C word, crap. Crap is also the crappiest swear word you can say in a situation like this! Some people think the word crap is bad, and can be considered a crappy, bad, swear word. Yet others think crap is ok to say. But some think crap just means the 'P word', poo, or crap in other words..." I shushed him, and refrained from slapping him. I rarely use that word anyways, and I don't think it's even bad. But still, someone is on the other side of the Goddess's Pool...

"Is somebody there?" Thump. Thump.

Oh. No. That voice belonged to Marlin!

"Hey, it's that guy I knocked over," Steiner breathed. He then smiled. "Stay here." He then got up, and strolled over to Marlin. WHAT IS HE DOING?!

"Hey there, farm boy!" Great.

"YOU!" Marlin said, and his face was angry. "You're the one who stole from Tessa! You're the one who hurt her!" Steiner pretended to be confused.

"Who? Oh, you mean that hot chick you dream about?" Marlin's cheeks got red.

"What are you talking about?" he accused.

"Well, it's kind of obvious..." Steiner started."I like taking night time strolls. I stop by your place once in a while, to get a bit to eat. I hear you sometimes at night, in bed. Moaning her name-"

"THAT'S A LIE!" he yelled, his face getting redder. Steiner laughed.

"I kid, I kid! I just wanted to know if you did have feelings for her. I now see I was right. Lying goes a long way, huh? Yet, you probably do dream about her..."

I felt myself getting red, and uncomfortable. I hated it when people talked about me. I looked up, and I saw Marlin's face. It was full of anger and hatred. This was bad! Why was Steiner doing this?

"Hey, kid. I got some advice for you." Steiner said. He BETTER try and calm Marlin down! What if they started a fist fight?

"No! I'm done with you! You're not to steal from Tessa, or my place again! You hear me?!" Marlin yelled, stepping closer. Don't be stupid, Marlin! I thought. His health was bad, and he shouldn't be asking for fights! Especially over me! I felt so bad.

"I promise, I promise! But only if you listen to this!" Steiner said, raising his right hand, in a teasing way. "You know that girl you live with? Brown haired? Wears that green dress?" Marlin clenched his fists.

"What about Celia?"

"Ah, that's her name! Well, I suggest you pay a bit more attention to her."

"Huh?" Steiner rolled his eyes.

"It's OBVIOUS she likes you! Looking your way when you guys pick crops at night! I watch you! Dude, you got a pretty girl LIVING with you, and for some weird reason, she's into you!" Steiner crossed his arms. "And yet you totally ignore her, and go chasing after some farm girl hottie you barely know, who obviously isn't your type. Man, when I see things like that, it gets me mad! Livid!" He uncrossed his arms, and I watched Marlin's face change into some confused state.

"You...you think she likes me?"

"I'm a pro at this sort of thing! I want you to go home, and get a good night's sleep WITHOUT some other strange girl who moved in to this town in your dreams. Next morning, make a move on Celia! Sooner or later, you'll find yourself in bed with her-"

"You sicko!" Marlin said, but he was grinning and had a blush on his face. I paled. That was a bit sick; Steiner thought of things like that?! Then again, most boys do. But, what if he's thought of ME like that?!

The two boys talked on for some more time, and I thought. Hard. I remembered that when I was young, I made a vow to be pure until I got married. It seemed easy at first, but I was older now. Most girls don't get married at all at my age. I was only 18. I folded my hands, and looked at them. I squeezed them, and said to myself, No matter WHAT happens, I'm going to wait until I get married. I smiled. It wouldn't be an easy task. But I felt good inside.

I heard Marlin walking away, and Steiner came back over to me, grinning.

"Am I good or what?" I wasn't really sure what he was talking about; I didn't pay attention to the last part. Maybe it was about Celia and Marlin? Or maybe about getting the truth out of Marlin? Or it could've been the fact that Marlin walked away, not shouting 'THIEF!'

So I just answered by rolling my eyes.