What comes next?

Pearl Lane hadn't changed. Same cramped alleys, same smell of cheap ale and cheaper food, same faces that knew better than to ask questions. Levthgar sat in the corner of the tavern, nursing a drink he hadn't touched in an hour, when she walked in.

He noticed the outfit first. Black leather, new, fitted. Nothing like the worn street clothes she'd been wearing since... well, since they jumped off that wall months ago. The bodice caught the lamplight, polished and pristine, paired with dark pants that looked expensive. She moved through the crowd familiar and confident, but different somehow.

"Lev." She slid into the seat across from him, that crooked smile already forming. "Miss me?"

"You've been gone three days..."

"Three very productive days... And you knew I would come back." She leaned back, looking pleased with herself. "Now- come with me. I want to show you something."

He raised an furry eyebrow. "Show me what?"

"Outside the city. Trust me."

"Last time you said that, we ended up in a river. Twice."

"This time will be much drier. Promise." She stood, already moving toward the door. "Unless you'd rather sit here brooding into that drink you're not drinking?"

He sighed, left a few coins on the table, and followed.

The walk through Ul'dah's streets felt easier than before. Less eyes tracking them. Less tension in the air. Yucca noticed him noticing.

"So~" She started, hands in her pockets, casual. "I've been thinking about our arrangement."

"The debt."

"Yeah, the debt." She glanced at him. "I know you're a gunbreaker. Saw the way you handle yourself, the stance, the precision.. the huge gun... Good gear doesn't come cheap for your discipline."

He didn't confirm or deny, just kept walking.

"So- Here's the thing big boy..." She continued, "Lord Ashford had a lot of gold. A lot. Way more than we needed for Zahira and the orphanage. So I... invested some of it."

"Invested."

"In us. Well, mostly in me, but also in making sure our partnership stays secure." She shot him a grin. "I could've used some of that money to just pay off the debt right now. Settle everything. But where's the fun in that?"

"Fun." His tone was flat, but she caught the hint of amusement.

"Yeah, fun! Look, I'm determined to earn back what I owe you properly. Through contracts, jobs, the real way. But I also wanted to make sure we're... safe. So I made a generous donation to the Brass Blades."

That got his attention. "You what?"

"Calm down, it was smart." She waved a hand. "Donated enough for them to upgrade their barracks, help their families, buy new weapons, armor, shields. The works. Gave it directly to the current captain, guy named Corvin. We grew up on the same streets. He knows me, knows my code. It helped smooth things over. We're still ghosts officially, but now we're ghosts that the Blades aren't actively hunting. See? Investment."

Levthgar was quiet for a moment, processing. "That was... actually smart."

"Don't sound so surprised." She laughed. "Oh, and I bought these." She gestured to her new outfit. "Always wanted proper leather armor that didn't smell like someone died in it. Figured if I'm traveling with a professional mercenary, I should look the part."

"You look... different."

"Good different or bad different?"

"Different." He replied almost with a grunt, muttering under his breath.

“Are we a little poor now? Yes, but it was all worth it.”

"..."

"I'll take it."

They passed through the city gates, and she kept talking.

"So, full disclosure about my living situation. You know I said I had a place in Pearl Lane? It's a single room. A ~loft~. Basically an attic on top of the tavern where Zahira used to work. She arranged it for me years ago. One room, barely big enough for a bed and a chest. With the money, I fixed it up. Made it actually livable. Warm. Maybe someday I'll get a real house, but for now..." She shrugged. "It's home. A place to return if youn die."

He glanced at her. Why was she saying all that? Did he care?

"Anyway.." She said quickly, changing the subject. "The real investment is out here."

Just outside the city gates, a Chocobo Carriage waited. Large, sturdy, covered with yellow canvas stretched over a wooden frame. Big enough for four people including the driver, with storage beneath the benches already packed with supplies.

And attached to the front, a massive yellow chocobo, traditional coloring, strong build. The bird chirped loudly when it saw Yucca, bobbing its head enthusiastically.

"This~" Yucca said, spreading her arms with theatrical pride. "Is our new ride."

Levthgar stared. "You bought a carriage."

"I bought ~us~ a carriage! For traveling across Eorzea safely. I don't trust Magitek, all those gears and steam and exploding potential." She patted the chocobo's beak affectionately. The bird cooed, nuzzling into her hand like they'd known each other forever. "This beauty is reliable. Strong. And look, storage under the benches! I already packed food, water, camping supplies, medical kit, maps..."

"When did you even..."

"Three very productive days, remember?" She climbed up to inspect the interior, clearly pleased with herself. "We can sleep in it if needed. Travel in comfort. Take contracts anywhere without worrying about booking inn rooms or renting mounts. It's perfect!"

Levthgar walked around the carriage slowly, inspecting the wheels, the storage, the chocobo's harness. Professional assessment. "This wasn't cheap."

"Nope! Told you... we are almost poor now! But totally worth it. We're partners, Lev. If we're going to travel together until the debt's paid, might as well do it properly." She jumped down, landing beside him. "Plus, you know, I've never been outside Thanalan in anything except on foot or stolen caravans. Figured it's time I actually owned something that takes me places."

The chocobo warked again, louder, demanding attention. Yucca fed it something from her pocket, smiling.

"How did you bond with it so fast?" Levthgar asked, watching the bird practically melt under her attention.

"Trade secret." She winked. "But trust me, this one likes me. We'll get along just fine."

She stepped back, hands on her hips, admiring the whole setup. The carriage, the chocobo, the open road ahead. For someone who'd spent her entire life trapped in one city, stealing to survive, this must have felt like freedom.

"So?" She turned to him, expectant. "What do you think?"

Levthgar looked at the carriage. At the well-stocked supplies. At Yucca in her new clothes, standing beside a chocobo that clearly adored her, with enough resources to travel anywhere they wanted.

“Perhaps I also gave a generous sum to the best magiteck weapon craftsman in town, and maybe he's waiting to give your weapon a... I forgot the word... upgrade... maybe clean it, I don't know how it works.”

He looked at her as if judging her, perhaps for her boldness.

“AaAaaNnnd~ We're really poor again... we have enough money to keep from starving and feed the big feathered one, but we need work.” She added, with a smirk.

He thought about the debt that tied them together. About the partnership that had somehow become more than just professional obligation. About this street thief who'd gone from surviving day to day to planning futures and investing in safety. What would come next?