Soot paced back and forth panicking. She surveyed the scene, her head darting back and forth between Bowlyn, the host, and the net. A terrible knot formed in her stomach. That odd runty firewheel didn’t look like they would be much of a problem for Bowlyn’s Cohort, but that Host. It was hulking, powerful. Soot couldn’t place why but it felt familiar, in a way that made the hair of her neck stand up. She couldn’t help feeling like Bowlyn had, unknowingly, bit off more than she could chew. 

Soot had never actively participated in one of her Thief’s schemes, she’d always told herself she wasn’t really a criminal. This probably didn’t count? Plus the fire-wheels were a menace and deserved it. But, she couldn’t help feeling like it was a line that had to be crossed. But what could she do! What would she do if Bowlyn (‘Or one of the rats.. I guess’) got hurt and she had just sat around watching, impotently. 

The Painter sprinted over to her bag, it was resting on the ground where Soot had been thinking about setting up. ‘What would Bow think…’ Her thoughts were deafening ‘If I ruined her plan, because I got startled’  She grabbed the bag, if she was going to need to run she wanted to be ready. ‘I know Bowlyn can handle herself.. Plus it's 2 versus 3! I shouldn’t interfere’. The Painter ran back to the ledge, hand resting on the netting. ‘Maybe she’ll be mad, after I told her I'd be safe’.

Soot threw the net, the heavy mesh sailing off the roof and plummeting towards the Host’s figure with a grunt of concerted effort. That might not be enough, she thought panting, her concern-addled mind still racing. In the same motion as the throw, her hand plunged down into her pack and withdrew a jar of sparkling gold-purple paint, which she threw right after the net, sending them hurtling towards Silsila Om. 
 
She swore under her breath, and ducked below the side of the roof, eyes peeking out slightly. 

She really didn’t know why she’d done any of that. Her heart was racing and her gut churned as the projectiles flew through the air. It had felt right… it was just a shame it was one of her nice handmade pigmentations.