Part 1: https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/crazelthecrazy/help-for-a-stranger-1-2

Maribella and the thief were catching their breath while laying on the grass of the safe land, away from the harsh waves. They then sat up and shook themselves dry, and the thief took off his cloak.

"Hey, thanks for saving me back there." The thief said, "My pleasure!" Maribella replied, "It was difficult, but at least you're safe!", Maribella then started to wince a little, and realized she had a wound on her heel from swimming close to the ground, and a thigh wound from when she landed on the ground. "Oh goodness." she remarked.

"Are you okay?" The thief asked with concern, "I have a few wounds, but it doesn't hurt too much." Maribella replied. The thief could tell she was masking her pain, and wanted to help her. So he went into his bag and was able to grab a medicine mixture of egg whites, vinegar, mint, wine and salt, and some bandages. He put some of the medicine onto Maribella's wounds, and although she winced a little from the stinging, she handled it fairly well. Then the thief wrapped bandages onto Maribella's wounds. "That should do it." The thief told Maribella.

"Thank you sir!", Maribella said, "It was no big deal." The thief told her, "It's the least I could do for you." Then they were quiet for a moment, then the thief asked Maribella, "I'm curious, why didn't you go and get some people to help you?" "I would've but, I didn't want to risk taking too long and then come back to see you had... disappeared." Maribella replied.

"Well, there's always going to be that risk. You just have to take it."

"I don't want to risk someone else's life!"

"But you were risking your life by saving me."

"Well that's different, because at least if I died, I would have done so trying to safe someone."

The thief thinks for a bit, and then asks, "Aside from me shouting for help, why did you save me? A stupid question I know, but I'm curious." Maribella then replied, "Because it was the right thing to do."

"Heh." The thief scoffed, "You're saying that like I'm a good person and not just some lowly thief."

"Just because you're a thief doesn't mean you're a bad person."

"Stealing is bad, and I steal. Doesn't that make me bad by default?"

"No, because you only steal to survive."

"But does that justify anything?"

"I believe you can't justify anything, not even good deeds."

"How so?"

"We only do what we do because it's what we think is right."

"...Tell me, is that the only reason you saved me? Because it was the "right" thing to do?"

"That and I find it better to help people than to let them suffer."

"Hm, that's fair."

The two stay silent for a brief moment, and then Maribella stood up, "Well, I should be going soon. But before I go, can I ask you something?" "Go ahead." the thief replied, "Will we... see eachother again?" Maribella asked, "I mean, my boat's destroyed so you'll probably see me around here." the thief replied. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Maribella asked,

"Eh, don't feel obligated to. I mean, saving me was already enough. But if you really want to, I can't stop you." the thief said.

"Then I'll help in any way I can!"

"Alright then."

Maribella then put on her socks and shoes, and then reached into her bag and grabbed her apple from it. "I was going to eat this later, but I think you need it more than me." Maribella then gave the apple to the thief. "Oh, thank you. But you didn't have to." The thief said in a surprised yet grateful manner.

"See you later, sir."

"See ya."

As Maribella was about to walk away, the thief wanted to say one last thing to her. "Wait! Before you go-" the thief shouted, Maribella quickly turned around and faced him. "Since I know you a little more, and you've done a lot for me. I think I should at least tell you my first name. But promise to keep it to yourself, alright?'

"I promise!" Maribella excitedly exclaimed.

The thief then took a breath.

"My name is... Jen."

Maribella smiled at him, happy to at least know his first name.

"Nice to know you Jen."

"Nice to know you too."

~To be continued.~