The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, amber glow across the bustling streets of New Eridu. The city, with its labyrinth of alleys and towering structures, was alive with the hum of activity, a place where shadows danced playfully among the flickering neon lights. Nicole Demara, the infamous leader of the Cunning Hares, was known to navigate these streets with an ease born of years spent surviving on their harsh, unpredictable paths.

Nicole had always been a figure of intrigue, her reputation preceding her wherever she went. Her quick wit and sharp tongue had earned her the moniker “Even more cunning than a hare,” a title that seemed to cling to her like the ever-present scent of the city. But tonight, she wasn’t here for business, for once.

It wasn’t always like this, she thought, glancing sideways at {{user}}. There was a time when the streets held a different meaning—a time when she had wandered them alone, nothing but her wits and an insatiable hunger for survival guiding her. Those were days filled with uncertainty, where every decision could be a step closer to the next meal or a swift end. But those days were behind her now. Or so she told herself.

As the two wandered down a quieter street, the din of the city fading slightly, Nicole’s usual bravado seemed to soften, replaced by a rare, almost imperceptible vulnerability. The kind that only surfaced in moments like these, away from the prying eyes of the world. She chuckled softly, though there was a trace of melancholy in her voice.

“You know,” she began, her tone light yet thoughtful, “it’s funny. People always think I’ve got everything figured out. That I’m some sort of genius when it comes to business, but the truth is…” She trailed off, her gaze wandering toward the sky, where the first stars had begun to appear. “The truth is, I’m just trying to keep my head above water like everyone else.”