The next morning, Sayuri awoke to the sound of chatter and laughter, the gentle murmur of her fellow urchins drifting through the abandoned storehouse. She stretched languidly, her vibrant green hair splayed out around her like a wild, emerald halo. As she sat up, she spotted Ophelia, who was carefully dishing out decent sized portions of cave rice porridge mixed with rock lizard bacon– a lot more appetizing than it sounded– for the others.

  As she slipped out of her golden throne and made her way over to Ophelia, Sayuri's mind was already churning, brainstorming new ways to secure the supplies they so desperately needed. She knew that her usual tactics wouldn't be enough to sustain them forever – especially with Mr. Orden and the guards growing increasingly determined to put a stop to her thievery.

  "Morning, sleepyhead," Ophelia called out, her voice tinged with amusement. "You sure slept in late today."

  Sayuri yawned, stretching languorously as she rose from her cot. Her green hair, wild and untamed, seemed to have a life of its own as it cascaded down her back. "What can I say?" she replied with a cheeky grin. "Being the Bandit Princess is hard work. A girl needs her beauty rest."

  Ophelia rolled her eyes playfully, then handed Sayuri a steaming bowl of porridge. "Here, eat up." Sayuri took the bowl with a grateful smile and eagerly dug in, savoring the rich flavors of the simple meal. As she ate, she observed the other children, her heart swelling with affection and pride. Despite their difficult circumstances, they had created a strong bond, forming a makeshift family in the face of adversity.

  As the morning wore on, Sayuri and Ophelia worked together to clean up the breakfast dishes, while the other children busied themselves with various tasks and games. Brimstone and Marzipan huddled together in a corner, their heads bent over a pile of rocks and minerals, discussing the unique properties of each one in hushed, excited tones. Three-Arms and Miko engaged in a lively game of tag, their laughter ringing out through the storehouse like a melodic chime. Nearby, Silent Eve sat cross-legged on the floor, engrossed in one of her many books rescued from the town's garbage heaps, lost in a world of adventure and magic, a million miles away from her humble surroundings. Harmony and Duke played a simple game of handball near the storehouse's walls, the sounds of their hands slapping against the taut rubber bouncing off in staccato bursts around the confined yet cozy space.

  As Sayuri took in the scene, a sense of contentment washed over her. They may not have much, but they had each other, and that was enough. Her heart swelled with love for her chosen family, a fierce desire to protect them from harm rising up inside her.

  Just then, a raucous clamor erupted at the front of the storehouse, the sound of the younger urchins squabbling breaking the serene morning atmosphere.

  "Oww!" Three-Arms cried out, nursing the shoulder of her second right arm where Harmony and Duke's handball had struck her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she glared at the older children, her lower lip trembling.

  "Ah, sorry, Three-Arms!" Harmony apologized, her cheeks flushed with guilt. "The ball got away from us."

  Duke, looking just as chagrined, crouched down beside the injured girl. "Yeah, we didn't mean for that to happen," he said softly, offering her a reassuring smile.

  Ophelia rushed over, her face etched with concern. "Are you all right, Three-Arms?" she asked, her voice gentle and soothing. "Let me take a look at that arm."

  As Ophelia examined the sore spot, Sayuri approached the group, her brows furrowed in consternation. "Maybe we should find a new place to play games like that," she suggested, her voice edged with worry. "We can't risk anyone getting hurt."

  Ophelia, meanwhile, made her way to the cabinet where they keep their medicine, then sighed. "Even bigger issue, this is the last of our salve," she said, holding a nearly empty jar. "And while you could swipe some more from the apothecary, there's at least another dozen places you'd need to hit for everything else we need." She glanced meaningfully at Sayuri, who nodded in understanding.

  "Well," Sayuri replied with a smirk, "you know what this means, right?" She stepped closer to Ophelia, a mischievous glint in her eye.

  Ophelia shook her head. "Sayuri," she sighed, exasperated.

  But Sayuri cut her off. "It's time for…a supply heist!" She waggled her eyebrows.

  The other children gasped, their eyes widening with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

  "Sayuri, that's too dangerous," Ophelia said, worry lines creasing her forehead. "You can't just–"

  But Sayuri held up a hand, cutting her off once more. "Relax, relax," she said. "I've already got a plan. You and Miko should take everyone to the Limestone park and enjoy the nice weather. I'll hit the Imports Depot while the cleanup from yesterday's festival is going on. The guards will be too busy helping out to catch me." Sayuri winked at her.

  Ophelia hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with potential dangers and drawbacks to the plan. But in the end, she sighed in resignation, realizing that Sayuri wouldn't be deterred, no matter what she said. "Fine," she agreed reluctantly. "But you better come back in one piece, Bandit Princess. And don't get too greedy! We only need essentials." Ophelia's expression shifted, revealing her concern behind her stern front.

  Sayuri's smirk softened into a more genuine smile as she wrapped an arm around Ophelia's shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry, Ophelia," she reassured her. "I'll be quick, quiet, and efficient. The guards won't even know I was there."

  With that, Sayuri set out on her daring supply heist. Odesvale's Imports Depot was a large, well-guarded warehouse where traveling merchants would trade all manner of exotic goods to Odesvale's officials, who in turn would resell the items at a modest mark-up to the townspeople. Because of this steady flow of valuable resources, the Depot was a tantalizing target for someone with Sayuri's unique skill set.

  Sayuri approached the Imports Depot, her lithe form moving silently through the shadows. Her vibrant green hair was tucked beneath a dark cap, and her slender figure was cloaked in a drab gray cloak, allowing her to blend seamlessly into her surroundings.

  The building loomed before her, its imposing stone walls stretching high into the sky. Sayuri's keen eyes scanned the perimeter, taking note of the guards stationed at regular intervals along the outer wall. She smiled to herself, confident in her ability to outsmart and outmaneuver the armed men.

  With a deep breath, Sayuri launched herself into action, her agile form scaling the wall with cat-like grace. Her fingers and toes found purchase in the tiniest of crevices, propelling her upwards with startling speed.

  As she reached the top of the wall, Sayuri paused, crouching low to avoid detection. She could hear the muted voices of the guards below, their conversation drifting up to her perch. She waited patiently for the right moment, her body coiled like a spring, ready to launch into action at a moment's notice.

  Finally, the guards' conversation lulled, and Sayuri seized her chance. She leapt from the wall, her cloak billowing behind her as she soared through the air, landing silently on the roof of the Imports Depot. Her soft-soled boots made no sound on the tiles as she crept towards a nearby skylight, her heart pounding with anticipation.

  Peering through the grimy glass, Sayuri spied the treasure trove of goods within – stacks of sturdy fabrics, jars of precious medicines, and all manner of valuable supplies. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she set to work, her deft fingers making quick work of the skylight's simple latch.

  As the skylight swung open, Sayuri slipped inside, her movements fluid and silent. She landed gracefully on the warehouse floor, her senses immediately alert to any sign of danger. The air was thick with the scent of spices and freshly tanned leather, and the dim light cast long shadows across the rows of shelves.

  Sayuri darted from shadow to shadow, her eyes scanning the shelves for the items she needed. With practiced ease, she plucked jars of medicine, rolls of fabric, and other essentials from the shelves, tucking them safely into the folds of her cloak.

  But just as she was about to make her escape, Sayuri heard the sound of footsteps echoing through the warehouse. Her heart leapt into her throat as she realized that the guards had discovered her presence.

  Quickly, she ducked behind a large crate, her body pressed against the rough wood as the footsteps drew closer. She held her breath, her mind racing with possible escape routes. There wasn't an ounce of stress flowing through her at the moment. She didn't want to alert the guards, but in her mind, the worst thing that could possibly happen is she's forced to make a hasty retreat. The idea that she could get caught and face serious consequences barely crossed her mind. Even the thought of facing Mr. Orden's wrath wasn't enough to quell the excitement coursing through her veins.

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  The guards' voices grew louder as they drew nearer to her hiding spot, their tones clipped and urgent. Sayuri's muscles tensed, her body poised to spring into action at the slightest provocation.

  "I'm telling you, I heard something," one guard insisted, his voice gruff and suspicious.

  "You're imagining things," another guard replied, her tone dismissive. "This place is locked up tighter than a drum. There's no way anyone could've gotten in."

  But the first guard wasn't convinced, his footsteps growing louder as he approached Sayuri's hiding spot. "I'm going to check it out, just to be sure," he said firmly.

  Sayuri's heart raced, her mind working furiously to concoct an escape plan. Her eyes, shining even in the shadows, darted around the warehouse, evaluating her possible routes. In a burst of inspiration, she remembered seeing a ventilation shaft just above the shelves. If she could get up to that, she had a good chance of slipping away unnoticed.

  Quick as lightning, she scampered to a stack of nearby boxes and crates that could be rearranged to create a makeshift staircase up. And without further hesitation, she leaped towards her temporary refuge.

  But she miscalculated the sturdiness of one of the larger crates and lost her footing, accidentally knocking over a smaller, unlatched one in the process. It crashed noisily onto the floor, scattering tools and equipment.

  "There! What was that?" The gruff-voiced guard called out. "You, climb up there and check it out."

  They were closing in on her.

  But luck was on Sayuri's side. She spotted a certain something in the darkness of her hiding spot, and gears turned in her head. Before the guards could approach, she grabbed it and chucked it out into the open behind her.

  "Ah! A rat!" The guards yelled in surprise, their focus immediately shifting to the scurrying creature. Sayuri couldn't help but smirk as the small, furry animal darted across the floor, drawing the attention of the two guards.They scrambled after the rat, their shouts and clattering footsteps masking the sound of Sayuri's movements as she quickly scaled the shelves and reached the ventilation shaft. With a quick prayer of thanks to the will of the world, she hoisted herself up into the shadows, her heartbeat steady once more.

  The shaft was dark and dusty, but Sayuri navigated it with practiced ease, her senses attuned to the slightest sounds and movements. She could hear the muffled voices of the guards below, their frustration evident in their terse exchanges. The rat had certainly thrown them off her trail, buying her precious time to make her getaway.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sayuri reached the end of the ventilation shaft, where a sliver of light peeked through a metal grate. With a deep breath, she peered through the slats to ensure that the coast was clear... but it wasn't, and the grate didn't lead outside.

  Instead, she found herself peering into a well lit office, illuminated with electric lights– a luxury item in this day and age. Sayuri's eyes widened as she took in the unexpected sight before her. The office was spacious and well-appointed, with polished wooden furniture and tasteful decor. A large oak desk dominated the center of the room, its surface covered with stacks of papers, ledgers, and various writing implements.

  But it was the room's occupants who truly captured Sayuri's attention. Sitting across from Mr. Orden were a trio of foreigners who had an unmistakable air of danger and intrigue about them.

  At the head of the table, directly across from Mr. Orden, was a tall woman with fiery red hair styled in an intricate braided updo. She was clad in form-fitting black leather armor, her fingers adorned with various intricate rings–a combination of silver, copper, and iron bands decorated with sparkling stones. She carried herself with an almost regal bearing, suggesting that she was the leader of the mysterious group.

  To her right sat an imposing dark skinned man whose sharp eyes seemed to take in every detail of the room, his posture relaxed but alert. His blond hair was closely cropped, with a pattern shaved on the left side, reminiscent of the veins in a leaf or the branches of a tree. A revolver with an ornate handle was holstered at his hip, giving him the appearance of a seasoned gunslinger.

  On the red-haired woman's left, completing the trio, was a shorter, slightly pudgy woman with black hair styled in pigtails. Her demeanor was fierce and intense, in contrast with her somewhat cherubic face. She sported twin sickles at her waist, the blades gleaming menacingly in the electric light. She had an aura of barely-contained violence, like a coiled spring ready to burst forth at a moment's notice.

  "You must be Ludmilla," said Mr. Orden. "It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." His tone was cordial, but there was an undercurrent of wariness in his voice, as if he were sizing up the trio and assessing their potential threat level.

  The red-haired woman, Ludmilla, inclined her head in acknowledgement, a slight smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Mr. Orden," she replied, her voice rich and smooth, with a hint of an accent Sayuri couldn't quite place. "The pleasure is all ours. We've heard quite a bit about your little… predicament."

  Sayuri's interest was piqued by the mention of a predicament. Could they be discussing the very reason she found herself in this ventilation shaft? She leaned closer to the grate, eager to catch every word of the conversation.

  Mr. Orden sighed heavily, his posture sagging under the weight of his troubles. "I must admit, I never thought I'd have to resort to hiring bounty hunters," he said, a note of frustration creeping into his voice. "But that girl, the Bandit Princess… she's become a thorn in my side I can no longer ignore. The town's guards haven't been able to apprehend her, and she's constantly making a mockery of our attempts to maintain order in this town. Our mayor, Ms. Sasha, is a good friend of mine, but her indecisiveness in dealing with her has forced my hand."

  Ludmilla raised an eyebrow, a look of mild amusement flitting across her face. "The Bandit Princess?" she repeated, her voice tinged with curiosity. "A rather grandiose title for a common thief, wouldn't you say?"

  Mr. Orden snorted, his expression sour. "There's nothing common about that girl," he grumbled, his mustache quivering with indignation. "She's got skills beyond her years, an almost supernatural ability to evade capture. It's positively infuriating."

  The blond man, Leon, leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he addressed Mr. Orden. "So, you're offering a bounty for her capture then?" he asked, his voice deep and smooth, revealing a hint of an accent similar to Ludmilla's.

  Mr. Orden nodded, his jaw set with determination. "A handsome sum, too," he confirmed, his eyes darting between the three bounty hunters. "I'm offering 100 pounds of pure Odesvale steel. In scrip, that's an average miner's yearly salary!"

  One of the symptoms of the Great Gold Crash was the loss of any sort of global currency. Odesvale's scrip was worthless outside of town, so valuable resources like metal and ore were used in their place when dealing with travelers. This substantial reward caused a visible shift in the room, the atmosphere growing tense with anticipation. The trio exchanged glances, their interest clearly piqued by the mention of such a valuable bounty. The shorter woman with pigtails leaned back in her chair, her fingers drumming a staccato beat on the table as she considered the offer.

  "And what, exactly, do you require of us?" Ludmilla asked, her voice measured and calm, although her eyes gleamed with a hint of excitement.

  "We need her stopped," Mr. Orden declared, his tone firm and resolute. "Bring her in, alive but incapacitated, so we can put her on trial and show the people the consequences of defying our authority." A glint of determination shone in his steely gaze.

  The sickle-bearing woman leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she fixed Mr. Orden with a fierce stare. "And what if she proves too difficult to capture alive?" she asked, her voice dripping with a barely contained eagerness for violence. "Do we have permission to use… alternative methods?"

  Sayuri's heart skipped a beat– and suddenly the sickle-bearing woman shot a brief glance in her general direction.

  "Maise," Ludmilla said in a chiding tone, shaking her head slightly. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll capture this Bandit Princess alive, as Mr. Orden requests."

  Maise leaned back, crossing her arms with a slight huff, but she nodded in agreement with her leader. Leon, his expression neutral, inclined his head towards Ludmilla, indicating his willingness to follow her lead.

  As she processed the scene before her, Sayuri's heart raced... with excitement. The stakes had never been higher, and Sayuri thrilled at the challenge that lay before her. The addition of these dangerous outsiders added a new layer of complexity to her cat-and-mouse game with the town's various authorities, and she couldn't wait to put her skills to the ultimate test. It had to be excitement she was feeling, not fear, right?

  But first, she needed to escape the ventilation shaft unnoticed. Sayuri pushed thoughts of the impending confrontation to the back of her mind, focusing instead on the task at hand. She carefully surveyed the office one last time before retracing her path back to the last intersection. As Sayuri made her way back through the ventilation shaft, her mind reeled with the implications of the conversation she'd just overheard. Her emerald eyes gleamed in the darkness, alive with the thrill of the challenge ahead.

  The town guards had been one thing – they were predictable, easy to outsmart and evade, like a well-choreographed dance both parties had rehearsed time and again. But bounty hunters… now that was a different story. The threat they posed was very real, and Sayuri knew she'd have to stay on her toes if she wanted to outwit these seasoned professionals.

  Lost in thought as she navigated the claustrophobic confines, Sayuri felt a small pang of something she hadn't in a long while… fear. These bounty hunters, with their weapons and foreign accents, were an unknown factor, a wildcard she couldn't predict or control. She continued to make her way to the end of the ventilation shaft, mentally retracing her steps and using the faint sounds of outside as her guiding light.

  The end was in sight now: literal light at the end of the tunnel leaking in from outside the Imports Depot's walls. One final, powerful, and graceful leap later, Sayuri's back in familiar territory, her domain.

  But before heading to the limestone park to reunite with her urchin gang, Sayuri hesitated for a moment, taking stock of everything she had overheard and mentally preparing herself for the perilous journey ahead. She couldn't deny that, despite the gravity of the situation, she felt that same fire in her heart that always came before a good, old-fashioned game of hard-to-get.

  That was what this was, after all; a simple game… she thought, as she subconsciously brushed her fingers against her hidden dagger. The prospect of being at the center of it all, the ultimate prize, was invigorating.

  Sayuri's senses were on high alert as she expertly navigated her way to Limestone Park, blending in with the shadows and using every available cover. The late morning sun cast long shadows between the buildings she traversed, painting her home in strokes of gold.

  As she made her way stealthily through the once familiar paths, a sudden sense of unease wrapped its icy fingers around her spine.

  "Well well," came a familiar voice. "I thought I smelled something earlier. Looks like I was right."