Kurt and Sam stepped out of The Foxhole into the early morning air, the neon sign flickering above them as the last of the night's clientele filtered out into the street.
Sam turned back one last time, her teal eyes softening as Imelda appeared in the doorway. The older woman opened her arms, and Sam rushed into them, burying her face in Imelda's shoulder.
"Thank you," Sam whispered. "For everything."
Imelda stroked her hair gently. "You've always been more than just another girl here, Samantha. Remember that."
Sam nodded, pulling back with tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. She waved to the other girls who'd gathered near the entrance, and they waved back, some smiling, others dabbing at their own eyes.
"Take care of yourself, little Crowley!" Lagatha called out, her massive frame blocking most of the doorway.
Sam's face flushed, but she smiled and waved one last time before turning back to Kurt.
Imelda approached Kurt and her expression shifted to something more businesslike. "You were asking around for a souvenir?"
Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Figured it'd be rude to leave empty-handed."
Imelda gestured, and Lagatha stepped forward, placing a polished wooden box in her open hands. Imelda flipped the lid open, revealing a handgun nestled in velvet padding.
The weapon gleamed under the streetlight, its barrel engraved with intricate patterns that seemed to form a pathway for the flow of essence.
"Essence-enhanced," Imelda explained. "Forged from a low-tier A-rank dungeon boss's core. On its own, it's nothing special. But for someone with no offensive techniques..." She smiled knowingly. "It converts the user's abilities into something more... aggressive. So it's a chance to give a support fighter an edge in battle."
Kurt picked up the gun, testing its weight. It was perfectly balanced, lighter than it looked, and the moment his fingers wrapped around the grip, he felt a faint hum of energy pulse through it.
"Hmm," Kurt muttered. "This is bloody fantastic."
"Consider it payment," Imelda said. "For bringing Mary back."
Kurt tucked the gun into his coat. "Much appreciated."
Imelda's smile widened slightly. "And Kurt? Don't forget your promise."
Kurt glanced at Sam, who was still wiping her eyes, and nodded. "I'll do my best."
***
The journey back to the D-rank district was quiet at first. Sam walked beside Kurt, her hands clasped behind her back, the ribbon in her hair bouncing slightly with each step.
"You okay?" Kurt asked, lighting a cigarette.
Sam nodded, though her expression was thoughtful. "I've never left The Foxhole for this long before. It feels... strange."
"Good strange or bad strange?"
"I don't know yet," Sam admitted. She glanced up at him. "But I'm glad I'm with you."
Kurt exhaled smoke slowly. "Yeah, well. Let's see if you're still saying that after you meet the rest of them."
Sam tilted her head. "Are they scary?"
"Terrifying," Kurt said with a grin. "But in a fun way."
***
They arrived at Raven's Crow a day after, just as the sun began to rise, casting long shadows across the warehouse.
Kurt pushed open the door, and the familiar scent of sweat, alcohol, and faint smoke washed over him.
Inside, Emma stood near the center of the lounge, talking to Rook in low, clipped tones. She was gesturing sharply with one hand, and Rook had his arms crossed, listening with his usual stoic patience.
"Oi," Kurt called out, stepping inside. "Miss me?"
Emma's head turned toward him, her expression shifting from irritation to something else entirely. Before Kurt could say another word, a blur of motion launched itself at him from the side.
Lizzie collided with him at full speed, her legs wrapping around his waist as her arms locked around his neck. Kurt caught her instinctively, his hands gripping her hips to keep her from falling.
"You're back!" Lizzie squealed, grinning like a maniac. "I thought you died again!"
"Good to see you too, love," Kurt said, grinning. "But you're gonna break my ribs if you keep squeezing like that."
Sam stood frozen just inside the doorway, her eyes wide as she watched the exchange. No one else in the room seemed to react.
A few guild members glanced over, smirked, and went back to their conversations like this was the most normal thing in the world.
Sam's cheeks flushed pink, and she crossed her arms, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.
Lizzie finally noticed Sam and tilted her head, her green eyes narrowing with interest. "So," she said, her voice dropping to a playful purr. "Did you get my souvenir? Or do I have to cut you?"
She pulled a small scalpel from behind her ear, twirling it between her fingers, and then her gaze locked onto Sam. She leaned in close to Kurt's ear and whispered. "Is she my souvenir?"
Kurt snorted. "Hate to disappoint, but she's definitely not your souvenir. And I've got something for you, but you'll only get it if you behave."
Lizzie's grin widened, and she dropped down from him, landing lightly on her feet. She circled Sam slowly, her hands on her hips, her eyes scanning her up and down like she was appraising a piece of art.
"Hmm," Lizzie hummed, tilting her head. "Cute. Short. Big tits. Kurt's got a type, doesn't he?"
Sam's face burned, but she kept her expression neutral, her hands folded neatly in front of her.
Emma and Rook finally approached, and Rook extended his hand to Kurt for a dap up, despite his grim expression. "Connect in the B-district was a bust," Rook said after their hands separated.
Emma scoffed, crossing her arms. "Bust? I'd say it was a complete waste of time. The bastard wouldn't even see us."
Rook's gaze shifted to Sam, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Who's she?"
Lizzie jumped in before Kurt could answer. "I was about to ask just that."
Kurt gestured casually. "Guys, Sam. Sam, the guys."
Sam stepped forward, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "I'm Samantha, but you can call me Sam," she said quietly. "Kurt said... you might have room for one more?" She glanced at Kurt, who gave her an encouraging nod.
Her voice was soft, sincere, and the moment she spoke, several guild members who hadn't been paying attention turned to look.
"She's cute," one muttered.
"Kurt's got himself another beauty," another said, shaking his head. "That son of a bitch."
From the corner of the room, Cassandra emerged from the shadows, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. Her blue eyes swept over the scene with cold detachment, but there was a flicker of curiosity as she studied Sam.
Rook's expression didn't change, but his tone sharpened slightly. "Samantha. Sam. Any last names?"
Sam's hands folded together instinctively, and both Rook and Emma took note. Before she could answer, Kurt stepped in smoothly.
"No last name," Kurt said, pulling out the folded paper Imelda had given him. "But she was useful in helping me get this."
He handed it to Rook, who unfolded it and scanned the contents. His eyes widened slightly, and then a grin spread across his face.
"Well, just Sam," Rook said, folding the paper and tucking it into his jacket. "Welcome to Raven's Crow."
Cassandra pushed off the wall and moved closer, her expression barely readable even to Kurt who was adept at studying body language. "He did it?"
Rook nodded and handed her the paper. Cassandra's eyes scanned the addresses, and for the first time since Kurt had met her, something almost resembling satisfaction flickered across her face.
"Braun's going to lose his mind," she said quietly, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smirk.
Lizzie clapped her hands together suddenly. "Alright! Sam, you drink? We gotta indoctrinate you properly."
Sam blinked, caught off guard, but nodded. "I... I can drink."
"Perfect!" Lizzie hooked her arm around Sam's and started dragging her toward the bar. "But first, let me show you around. You're gonna love it here. Also, why didn't Kurt bring someone shorter? I'm already the shortest person in this damn guild..."
Her voice faded into the background as she pulled Sam away, leaving Kurt standing with Cassandra, Emma, and Rook.
Emma leaned against the table, arms crossed. "Braun's seized all convoys. Nothing's moving anymore."
"It was only a matter of time," Rook said.
Cassandra dropped the paper onto the table, her finger tapping one of the addresses. "But now we've got what matters."
Kurt lit a cigarette, exhaling smoke slowly as he looked at the three of them. "Brilliant. So we're gonna piss off a kingpin even more, get rich while doing it, and probably start a bloody war in the process."
He looked around at the grinning faces.
"Sounds like a bloody good time."