A/N: My italics still don't work so anything written like this: *example* is supposed to be in italics.

Korbin was currently running from two guards, the result of pick-pocketing a noble. Up one alley and down another, she ran. They were getting closer.

Soon they would catch her. Thinking fast, she decided to take the way she knew best. One-handed, she scaled a house with the satin purse she'd swiped clutched tightly in the other hand. Now she ran on the roofs with the agility that she prided herself on.

The guards-stubborn little things, she thought to herself-were still following her on the ground, but they were slow. She was certain that, once again, she'd get away.

Merrily hopping from rooftop to rooftop she sang, "A short while more to the Dancing Dove, and you'll never catch me anyway!" Six rooftops later and falling behind, the guards gave up and wandered back to their posts shaking their heads.

Giddy with the thrill of the chase, Korbin took her time walking home and enjoyed the feel of the crisp winter air.

By the time Korbin walked into the Dancing Dove the last rays of the sun were just vanishing. Grinning ear to ear she strolled up to where the King of Thieves was sitting. Carefully, she set her prize in front of him.

He took the purse and opened it slowly, raising his eyebrows at what he saw.

"Nice work, Korbin," he commented as he flipped her three gold nobles. "But don't get too cocky-that'll be your downfall."

She whistled, Three gold nobles! And with Midwinter coming up too! She could get a pair of gloves for Lee, a carved figure for Jasper, a. . .hmm. . .what should she get for Stripe? Does Stripe even like *anything*?

"Korby!" A small voice behind her called. Korbin turned to see a little girl with messy brown hair and spirited hazel eyes.

"Sully!" Korbin exclaimed and knelt to hug the smaller girl. Sully was like a little sister to her. She was 10 years younger than Korbin's 16 years.

"I thought you'd *never* get back!" Sully announced with the energy that only children possessed.

"Aww, Come on, I wasn't out for *that* long, and look what I brought you," Korbin said while taking a small candy out of her pocket. Sully's face lit up as she accepted the candy. She murmured a 'thank you' before scampering off.

Korbin straightened with a smile. Hard as money was to come by, it was worth the coppers she had payed for the candy just to see Sully's face when she got it.

Maybe Stripe is right and I am going soft, she thought as she trudged up the creaky stairs to her room. Maybe. . .

*

A/N: No, that's not the end. Keep on checking back for new chappies, but just to warn you, I get terrible writer's block as soon as I start a story, so try to be patient with me. Oh yeah, PLEASE REVIEW!!!