Magic gangster

The morning sun bathed Dustvale in a pale orange glow, the city slowly coming to life as merchants opened their stalls and workers trudged to their posts. Rod was perched on the crumbling steps of an old brick building, sipping coffee from a chipped mug and scanning the street with sharp eyes. He wasn't looking for trouble—he rarely had to—but he wasn't one to let his guard down.

"Rod!"

He turned at the sound of Carl's voice, the familiar tone carrying both relief and excitement. Carl jogged toward him, his wiry frame slightly out of breath but his face alight with enthusiasm.

"Morning, Carl," Rod greeted, standing as Carl reached him. "You look like you've got news."

Carl grinned, but before he could answer, another voice cut in.

"Is this the famous Rod you've been talking about?"

Rod's eyes shifted past Carl to see Li approaching. She looked different in the daylight—still beautiful, but now with a spark of determination that hadn't been as evident during their alleyway encounter. She carried a small satchel slung over one shoulder, and her eyes flicked between Rod and Carl with cautious curiosity.

Rod raised an eyebrow. "Didn't think I'd see you again so soon."

Li smirked. "What can I say? You made an impression."

Carl looked between the two, his grin widening. "You two know each other already?"

"Something like that," Rod said. "What's going on, Carl?"

"Well…" Carl scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "I sort of mentioned you to Li. Told her you're the guy to know if you want to stay safe around here."

Rod folded his arms, his gaze narrowing slightly. "And why would you do that?"

"Because I need help," Li said, stepping forward. Her voice was steady, but there was a vulnerability in her eyes. "Look, I don't have anyone else to turn to. Carl says you've got connections. I just need a chance to get on my feet."

Rod studied her for a long moment. He didn't doubt her sincerity—she didn't strike him as the type to play games—but he wasn't exactly in the business of charity. Still, there was something about her that made him hesitate.

"What's in it for me?" he asked finally.

Li frowned, clearly caught off guard. "What do you want?"

Rod leaned against the railing, his expression unreadable. "Loyalty. I don't work with people I can't trust."

"Fair enough," she said, meeting his gaze without flinching. "But trust goes both ways."

Carl, sensing the tension, jumped in. "Hey, come on. We're all friends here, right? Let's just figure something out."

Rod sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Fine. You're in. But you stick to the rules."

"What rules?" Li asked.

Rod smirked. "Rule number one: Don't piss me off."

Li laughed, and even Carl chuckled nervously.

"Alright," Rod said, pushing off the railing. "Let's get moving. If you're sticking around, you'd better learn how things work around here."

The trio spent the rest of the day navigating Dustvale's labyrinth of streets and alleys. Rod led the way, pointing out landmarks, potential allies, and places to avoid. Li listened intently, occasionally asking sharp questions that showed she was paying attention.

By mid-afternoon, they found themselves in a quiet park on the edge of town. The grass was sparse, and the trees were more bare branches than leaves, but it offered a rare moment of peace.

Carl flopped onto a bench, stretching his legs out with a groan. "Man, I forgot how much walking you do, Rod."

Rod smirked, leaning against a tree. "You'll survive."

Li sat beside Carl, her sketchbook in her lap. She flipped to a blank page and began to draw, her movements quick and precise.

"What're you working on?" Carl asked, leaning over to look.

"Just something to pass the time," she said, her voice distracted.

Rod watched her for a moment before speaking. "You any good with a knife?"

Li looked up, surprised. "A knife? Not really."

"Then you'd better learn," Rod said. "This city chews up people who can't defend themselves. If you're gonna stick with me, you need to be ready for anything."

Li set her sketchbook aside, her expression serious. "Alright. Show me."

Rod nodded, pulling a small blade from his boot. He handed it to her, then picked up a stick from the ground to use as a stand-in for an opponent's weapon.

"First rule," he said, stepping into a defensive stance. "Always keep your blade between you and your attacker. Don't let them get close."

Li mimicked his stance, holding the knife awkwardly. Rod adjusted her grip, his hands steady and sure.

"Like this," he said. "Now, try to block me."

He moved slowly at first, testing her reactions. She was clumsy, but she picked up the basics quickly, her determination evident in every movement.

Carl watched from the bench, his expression a mix of admiration and unease. "You're really taking this seriously, huh?"

Li glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "If Rod thinks it's important, I'm not going to argue."

Rod raised an eyebrow. "Smart answer."

By the time the sun began to set, Li was covered in sweat but grinning from ear to ear.

"That's enough for today," Rod said, sheathing his blade. "You did good."

"Thanks," Li said, her voice breathless but proud.

Carl stood, brushing dirt from his pants. "So, what's next?"

Rod looked at them both, his expression unreadable. "Next, we see if this trio of ours can handle what's coming."

As they made their way back into the heart of Dustvale, Rod felt a strange sense of calm. For the first time in years, he wasn't facing the city alone.

And for the first time, he thought they might just have a chance.