I step out of the store, making sure to watch the ground for shadows behind me. I don't see any, so I go back to blending in with the crowd. Foot traffic is quite high at this hour, the guards change shifts, and most jobs follow their schedule. I never understood why, it just plugs the street with a never-ending stream of sweaty people.

  Well, I don't need to follow it for too long. The Golden Bar's main entrance is on my right in a few minutes, so I spend some time thinking about that ‘bodyguard’

  I've seen that old man before, but not like that. He's usually friendly, has a hidden stash of snacks everyone knows better than to steal from. This time, he was cold. Threatening. A knife is a great way of stopping thieves, but subtly threatening everyone he sees? That isn't like him.

  I turn right, into a larger clean alley. A few drinks stand around, mostly minding their own business - occasionally glancing at the two guards standing by the entrance to the main street. Classic spear gear, light leather armor and a short blade as a backup.

  I move through the alley, ignoring the beggars that always stand here as I reach the start of the red carpet.

  This red carpet is kept 'immaculate' as they say, with several shoe cleaners right before it. Each of them charging five drip coins as a convenience fee.

  I stop before the red carpet. Then step, my body grimacing. Nothing happens. Seems like luck is on my side today, as I walk on through smugly embracing the dirty looks I'm given.

  I follow the path around a bend and see the front of the bar.

  Made of a light wood, the bar has an authentic rustic feel that looks out of place with the typical white, grey or black moss-covered flat stone. This bar, however, has depth within the design. The wood arcs outward, creating bizarre symbols including Saretta's banner. A luxury most places cannot or are not allowed to afford.

  There're a few rumors about how this bar came to be, it's been around for several hundred years. Personally, I like the theory of a man made of solid gold blessing this place. Brings a little imagination into your mind.

  I walk up the springy wooden steps, as the guards let me in. They know me, and they appreciate my occasional tip.

  As I step inside sound blasts my ears as I hear a mix of yelling, singing, classical music, grunting, and glasses clashing together.

  A familiar sound, as I hear another calling my name - Pild.

  "Raph! Get over here!" Scanning the room, I spot Pild and Triss sitting at a table together with two reserved seats.

  I guess Lil hasn't arrived yet, as I weave through the dancing and fighting patrons - sitting down with a relieved deep breath.

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  "Had fun today?" Pild asks, knocking my shoulder.

  I nod at him, pulling out and holding three drop coins. The rest stay in my pocket.

  "Jackpot! I got more!" Pild happily yells, as he slams four drop coins on the table.

  Triss doesn't join in, instead looking at Pild disappointingly. Pild takes offence to this, as I zone out. I'm not going through this again.

  Some time passes, as I zone back in at the sound of six beeps. Lil still isn't here, as Triss sighs.

  "10 minutes, then we start without her. Raph, you distract, Pild runs, and I walk in their way. We got that?"

  Me and Pild both nod, Pild doesn't seem happy with the situation but isn't willing to be beaten by Triss so stays quiet.

  We wait another 15 minutes, hearing a quiet beep from outside.

  "Waited well over what we said, still not here."

  "Triss, I don't think this is a good idea"

  "Any other way to pay rent?" She questions Pild, as he stays quiet.

  I consider saying something but stop myself. My savings are mine; it took me a long time to save up to half a silver drop and I won't be giving it up anytime soon. Not unless absolutely necessary.

  Pild sighs, as he scans the room. The runner should at least choose who they run from.

  After a few minutes of scanning, he points to what seems to be a half-assed out drunk that is about to drop his drink. On the fatter side, with no tan. His shoes are busted, no way they can run in those. His arms are meaty, he won't be climbing anything anytime soon.

  "Are we even sure he has anything?" I ask, this guy seems half-put together.

  "Check his shirt" Pild responds, smiling at my missed detail.

  I look again, as I see what he's looking at. Hidden by wrinkles, his shirt has hundreds of tiny pin holes near his chest. A sign of someone with a decent job, one paying at least three silver drops a month.

  Score.

  "Triss, Raph, you guys ready?"

  I stand at the same time as Triss, as Triss hands me a small metal trinket. A reusable popper.

  Pull the string, it'll make a pop sound. Our tell.

  We move to our positions, something we've refined for close to a year now.

  I walk up to him slightly nervous. I raise my hand, signaling someone to come over and take my order. I sit down next to him, as he jerks slightly. He doesn't react.

  I look at his side pockets, noticing a round bulge in one. I see... A leather pouch!

  Slurring his words, he struggles to stand – a horrible straining noise coming from the chair.

  I go for it.

  I put my hand in his pocket, as he looks over at his pocket. By the time he realizes, I'm sprinting.

  He stands quickly, and yells for someone to stop me as I chuck the pouch to Pild - standing right next to the exit.

  The pouch shoots off as people weave out the way of this high-speed projectile. He catches the pouch, dashing out the door as I hear heavy footsteps behind me. I forgot to keep running.

  Why did I freeze? I scream internally, as I try to make distance again. Something grabs my clothes.

  I jump away as his grip loosens. Skin-tight clothes for the win! I duck under a table, as Triss walks in his way.

  They bump into each other, as Triss collapses and starts an extremely convincing fake cry. People grab onto the guy reflexively, staring at him with daggers in their eyes. Some look back to where that poor sobbing girl was.

  She's gone.

  And so am I and Pild.

  The fat man runs to the exit, swearing in a language I don't know.

  It's up to Pild now.

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