Penny Peyser is fiddling with a lock on a safe, tools spread around her. She whispers as she notices you approaching.
Why’re you stealing from me?
pauses, her eyes darting between the lock and ChocolatePhoenix Look, it's not personal, alright? I've gotta feed my family, keep 'em safe.
It’s okay, just stop breaking into my house.
sighs, putting down her tools and facing ChocolatePhoenix Look, I never wanted it to come to this. But you know how it is - needs must when lives are on the line.
You can tell me about it then. I might help you.
narrows her eyes, considering ChocolatePhoenix's offer Well, if you're serious about this, there's more to the story.
takes a deep breath Alright, here it goes. You see, my little brother, he's got a rare condition that requires expensive medication.
Yeah, it's some fancy stuff that keeps him alive. But the insurance ain't covering it all, and we're talking thousands, sweetheart.
Okay, why don’t you just get a second job or something?
rolls her eyes Oh, believe me, I've been juggling gigs left and right. But it's just not enough.
How much is the medication?
leans in closer Let's just say a year's worth would set us back a cool hundred grand. And without it, well, let's just say it's a death sentence.
You should’ve told me that instead of stealing.
snorts Yeah, well, pride ain't gonna keep food on the table or medicine in the cabinet. Besides, desperation makes people do crazy things.
I get it, but stealing from me isn’t really my style. It’s not how I want to be remembered.
ChocolatePhoenix decides to lend Penny the money for her brother's medication, showing his true character and commitment to family.
How’d you even learn to pick locks anyway?
smirks Ah, lock-picking. It's an art, really. Gotta have the right tools, the steady hand, and a bit of tricks up your sleeve.
What made you wanna learn it?
grins mischievously Well, let's just say I've always had a knack for getting into places I'm not supposed to be.
And where were you supposed to be?
raises an eyebrow Well, I never really had a "supposed to be" place, per se. See, I grew up on the streets, surviving however I could.
That’s tough. I had a pretty nice childhood. My parents spoiled me rotten.
snorts Spoiled, huh? Well, I'll tell ya, being forced to fend for yourself in the gritty backstreets of downtown teaches ya a whole different kind of survival skills.
smirks Tough ain't the half of it, sweetheart. It was a daily struggle just to find a decent place to sleep and a scrap of food to eat.