***

  I'm now a dab hand at both defending and robbing banks. Currently I'm robbing one. I have the sweet, sweet loot at hand in my swag sack. Chekhov at hand I fire twice from the window at those pesky sheriffs outside. There are six of them and only one of me. Hell, Chekhov only has five chambers.

  I release the cylinder and tip Chekhov upright so the empty shell casings can ctter on the floor. Flipping the gun facing down I run my fingers quickly around the chambers, dropping bullets into the holes. Snapping the cylinder back into pce I have reloaded my five shooter in less than five seconds.

  I've been practising a lot. Not that it really helps in this situation - I am out numbered and out gunned.

  'I'm certainly in a pickle.'

  [It does appear to be that way yes.]

  Two bullets crack overhead. Gss rains down on me from the window I'm hiding below. I'm never winning this fight. So I follow the Majors advice. When you can't win - Cheat. And when you can win - Still cheat.

  I shuffle over to a corpse that I made not too long ago and drag the man to my window. Heavy bastard. I lift him as best I can into my p, getting him mostly upright. I push Chekhov up through the bottom of the window and blind fire at the sheriffs outside. Then shortly after I pushed the corpse's head above the window sill, as if I was taking a peak. Half a second ter a bullet goes through the corpses head. A nice dramatic spray of blood on the wall behind us appears.

  I shove Chekhov into the corpses hand and leave the swag bag next to him. I'm never making it out of here with all the loot. But I do grab some of the cash stacks and stuff them into my draws and corset.

  I dislike leaving the gun. But I don't think I'm making it out of the bank alive if I have it on hand. Pushing my hand into the blood and gore of the corpse I smear it over my clothing and face, proper victim ascetic.

  "Hey Alf. You think we got em?" I heard from outside.

  "Donno, pretty sure I got someone though. I saw the blood spray."

  "Well they ain't shooting no more, that's sure."

  "You volunteering to go check?"

  "Fuck no."

  "Well, sucks to be you rookie. Go check."

  "Aww fuck man. If I die in there I'm coming back to haunt your ass."

  "Quit ya bitching and get in there."

  I find a side room and hide under a table, trying my best to look like a proper victim. It doesn't take long for the rookie to find the 'bank robbers' corpse.

  "Hey Alf." He shouted from the window. "You got em. He's missing most of his head now, but he's got the gun, and even a swag bag full of cash. Who writes 'SWAG' on the side of your bag? You are basically asking to be caught. He couldn't have been more identifiable if he tried!"

  "Help! Sheriff help!" I cry from the small room I'm in. Of course the rookie comes running. When he finds me I fall into his arms, crying and blubbering. Rubbing my gore stained face in his chest. "You saved me! I was so scared Sheriff! I thought he was going to kill me!" I'm ying it on thick but I want the man to feel like a big damn hero.

  "It's okay little dy. You're safe now." He said. I'm pretty sure he's trying to make his voice sound deeper.

  "Please Sheriff, I'm shivering, I'm so scared and cold. Please get me out of here!"

  The rookie wraps me up in a bnket that he found from somewhere and gently guides me out of the bank.

  "Oh, Sheriff. Please, you must come to my pce tomorrow so I can cook you dinner as thanks! It's all I can offer, as my father is sick and I have no husband." Hook, line and sinker.

  The rookie is blushing now. "Yeah o-okay ma'am. I.. I will see you t-tomorrow. Dinner sounds wonderful."

  "I live on the farm just over the hill there. Come find me tomorrow Sheriff. Is it okay if I go now? I want to get out of these bloody clothes."

  "Yes, yes. That would be good. I will see you tomorrow." He said, blushing harder now.

  And with that I'm away and the dream fades.

  'How'd I do?'

  [Well you're alive. And you got a good portion of the cash.]

  'Sounds like a win in my book. Good game.'

  [Not a game.]

  'Yes, yes, training.' I said with a roll of my eyes.

  [We can feel that.]

  'Want to go again?'

  [Morning has arrived. Time to wake up.]

  ***

  Wake up to Sophia drooling on my chest. The situation almost feels handleable until she starts to quietly murmur to herself. My heart melts. Fuck she's so cute.

  I try to sneak out of bed without waking her, so I can change in peace. But as soon as I broke contact she woke up and grabbed me with a look of wide eyed panic.

  "It's okay." I said. "It's morning, you slept though another night." I gave her hand a squeeze to show that she is safe.

  Her face rexed, "I see." she said. "Thank you."

  She smiled at me and my heart fluttered. Stupid, adorably cute nun in my bed.

  We get ready for the day and head down for breakfast. Porridge again. Emily made us use the spooky teapot and Derek got a tea cup full of blood from it. Which props to him, he did take a sip.

  “We have a party to go to today.” Maria said, speaking to both Sophia and me. “Lady Angie has thrown together a little soiree in her garden. Some of your cssmates will be there so it would be good for you to introduce Sophia to them, Tangerine.”

  I just nod my head. I'm guessing it's Rupert and Daisy at least, maybe that other guy Bronson. Hopefully Lillian is there. I wonder if I will get to meet anyone else from the css.

  ***

  We enter the garden of Lady Angie's home. This is the first time I've seen so much green in the city. There is even grass.

  "Lady Maria, welcome." Said dy Angie. "I'm so gd you could make it."

  "Thank you for having us." Maria said. "You've met Tangerine before, and this here is Sister Sophia. The twelfth member of the css."

  "It's a pleasure to welcome you both to my home." Lady Angie said to the both of us.

  We make our way into the garden. I can't spot Lillian at all. But Lady Angie’s son, Rupert, spotted me along with his friend Bronson.

  “A pleasure to see you again, Tangerine.” He smarmed. He nabbed a gss of wine from a passing server and offered it to me.

  “Good to see you, Rupert.” I lied. “Lovely home you have here.”

  “And who's this delightful little crumpet?” Asked his oafish friend Bronson, gesturing towards Sophia who was now standing slightly behind me. She was holding my arm for social support.

  “This,” I said, with all the ice I could muster, “is Sister Sophia. Nun of the Lord of Light.”

  “Oh a nun. Pretty little thing isn't she? Does she talk or has she taken one of those vows of silence? Gotta say, sounds like the perfect woman!” He elbows Rupert heavily in the ribs. “Aren't I right Rupert old boy?”

  Rupert just wheezes a little.

  “How about you and me go for a little drink crumpet?” Bronson said, reaching for Sophia's arm.

  Which, well, fuck that. Mine. I step in between the two of them. “Sister Sophia is new here to the City. I promised Lady Maria I wouldn't let her out of my sight.” I said, pushing his arm away.

  Bronson looked a little pissed at that. “I think the Sister can make her own choice, no?” God, is he flexing his chest at her?

  Sophia just hides behind me. I think Rupert is full on cringing at his friend's behavior. I just stare Bronson down, feeling Chekhov itching at my finger tips. I want to shoot this motherfucker.

  [Tangerine, we advise you to de-escate. You are showing signs of abnormal brain activity.]

  I just keep staring at Bronson's smug punchable face. But Gestalt is right, looking inwards my reaction is somewhat over the top. But also, fuck this guy.

  I take a deep breath. “Sophia. Do you want to walk around the gardens with me?” I asked her.

  She doesn't even look up. Just nods her head at me. I take her hand in mine and we just walk away from the two boys. Rupert looks ready to kill Bronson.

  For a city made of steel and concrete, floating in an endless expanse of nothingness, these gardens are pretty big. High up to and closer to the center spire where the Academy sits. Sophia and I walk the grounds together. I have let go of her hand as much as it pains me - don't want her to get the wrong idea.

  Or the right idea.

  It's been four days, Tangerine. Get it together. She's not even into you, she’s literally trying to pray your gay away.

  “Tangerine.” A voice, as cold as ice. Crystal clear and regal.

  I’m in danger.

  Daisy rounds a hedge in all her six foot perfection. “Did the boys bother you? Bronson can be a bit of a brute.” She id a hand on my shoulder and then slowly slid up to my neck. Fucking power move.

  “W-we handled them just fine.” I stammered. She could choke me right now. Fuck.

  “Who's your friend?” She asked me. Not even looking at Sophia. Not looking anywhere else, she kept me pinned down in her gze.

  “S-sister Sophia.” I said, managing to pull my eyes away from Daisy's soul piecing gre. I looked at Sophia, who had a slight frown wrinkling her brow as she looked between the two of us.

  “Sophia, this is Daisy.” I said to her, “She is also joining us at the Academy.”

  “A pleasure.” Said Daisy. Not even turning Sophia’s way. Her thumb stretched under my chin, squeezing my neck ever so slightly, before pulling her hand away. Fuck that is so hot. How did this girl get such a good read on me so quickly?

  “I'm sure the pleasure is all mine.” Said Sophia. There was frost in her voice. That's new. When we first met her tone was cold and tired, but never frosty. She took my hand and there was a slight tug away from Daisy. I follow.

  “I believe we have to head back to Maria now, Tangerine.” she said to me, pulling me along.

  “I'll see you soon, Tangerine.” Daisy called out as we left.

  We spent the rest of the party making small talk with minor nobles. I kept Sophia away from Bronson and she ran interference between Daisy and I.

  ***

  That night as I climb into bed Sophia scoots up close to me. Her face buried in my shoulder, she's avoiding looking at my face.

  “Tangerine,” she starts, “who is Daisy to you?”

  “Just a cssmate.” I said. “I think she's aiming to be betrothed to Rupert, there was a little bit of confusion when I first got here. But we settled that quickly. She can be very pragmatic.”

  “So there is nothing happening between you two?” She asked.

  “No?” Holy shit? Why is she asking me that?!

  “That's good. The Lord of Light won't be able to save you if you act on your desires.”

  Of course. Not gonna lie that wretched my heart a little. But nuns gonna nun.

  I wrap my arm around her and pull her in tight. “Don't worry. I don't have any pns to act on anything anytime soon.” I said.

  She just snuggled into me. “That's good, Tangerine. There's always a pce for you.” She said sleepily. “At our Lord's side.”

  ***