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[color=Gray]The scrubland surrounding Amistad stirred to life as dawn broke, painting the horizon in muted golds and soft pinks. Jesse Li stood at the edge of the Wandering Emporium’s camp, her gaze fixed on the distant silhouette of the town. The air, crisp and cool, carried the earthy scent of mesquite and morning dew. A jackrabbit darted between prickly pear patches, startling a covey of quail into sudden flight, their wings flapping against the stillness of the morning.

Jesse’s heart thrummed in her chest, matching the frantic flutter of wings—a steady, rhythmic beat of excitement and nervous energy. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the strap of her well-worn satchel.

“Now, you sure you ain’t forgettin’ nothin’, baby?” Louisa Li’s voice, thick with a Southern drawl and worry, cut through Jesse’s thoughts. It was easily the hundredth time she’d asked that morning.

With a blend of affection and exasperation, Jesse turned to face her mother. [color=Mediumturquoise]“Yes, [abbr=mama]妈妈[/abbr]. I triple-checked everything, just like you taught me.”[/color] Jesse patted her satchel. [color=Mediumturquoise]“It’s all here, I promise.”[/color]

The Li family were gathered in a tight semicircle around Jesse, on the threshold of her new adventure. Her father, Xing, rested his hands on Jesse’s shoulders as he spoke, “Remember, [abbr=little darling]囡囡[/abbr], town big, many people. Some good, some not. You watch, you learn, you stay safe. Not everyone see past... outside.”

Quincy, her brother, stepped forward. His usual cocksure grin was tempered by a hint of worry in his eyes. “You've got this, Jess,” he said, lifting her hat to playfully ruffle her short-cropped hair. “Just keep your wits about you and your weapon in top condition.”

Elijah, the eldest, added, “Trust your gut, [abbr=little sister]小妹[/abbr], and if push comes to shove…” He mimed a quick jab and a kick, winking. “Aim for the soft spots.”

Jesse couldn’t help but smile, despite the knot of nerves in her stomach. [color=Mediumturquoise]“Quick feet, quicker fists if I need ’em. Got it.”[/color]

Marion, the youngest of the Li family, tugged gently at the hem of Jesse’s coat, her eyes still red and glistening from tears. “Bring me back something pretty, okay?”

Jesse crouched down, [color=Mediumturquoise]“I’ll find something special just for you.”[/color] She gave Marion’s hand a light squeeze before standing.

Around them, a small crowd of well-wishers from the caravan gathered to see Jesse off. Old Zora, their resident hedgewitch, wheezed out a blessing. Wagonmaster Rodrigo, clapped her on the back so hard she nearly stumbled and gave her an advice, “If you find yourself in a tight spot, go to Sheriff Estrada. I hear he’s one of the good ones.” Even grumpy Mr. Holloway, the tinker who rarely left his wagon, shuffled over to offer a gruffly muttered, “Don't get yourself killed out there, kid.”

Overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, Jesse felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She blinked them back, determined to appear strong.  [color=Mediumturquoise]“Thank you all for believing in me. I won’t let you down.”[/color] With a deep breath, Jesse embraced each family member in turn.  [color=Mediumturquoise]“Thanks for giving me this chance,”[/color] she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Louisa cupped Jesse’s face in her hands, “We’ll be camped just outside town for a week. If you change your mind—”
[color=Mediumturquoise]“I won’t,”[/color] Jesse interrupted, but her mother’s warning look quickly shut her up.
“If it gets to be too much, you come on back, you hear? Ain’t no shame in knowing when it don’t work out."
This time Jesse just nodded, not trusting herself to speak. 

Jesse offered a final wave before heading towards Amistad, her steps, light and purposeful. Entirely absorbed in the path ahead, she missed the subtle nod Xing gave to Elijah.

As the town’s buildings drew nearer, Jesse squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Hope swelled in her chest as she took in the sights and sounds of her new adventure. This was it.

The weight of her family’s expectations and her own dreams propelled her forward. Whatever challenges Amistad might throw at her, she was ready to prove herself and carve out her own place in this frontier town. Or so she thought.

Little did Jesse know that by the time the sun set on her first day in Amistad, she would find herself slumped against the wall of a nameless alley. Her stomach growling, the crushing weight of repeated rejections having deflated the day’s earlier optimism. In its place, a gnawing worry would take root in the pit of her stomach.[/color]

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[color=Gray]As his daughter’s figure receded into the distance, Xing’s eyes narrowed. He turned to Elijah, jerking his chin in the direction of the town. The eldest son met his father’s gaze, understanding the unspoken command. With a subtle nod, Elijah slipped away from the group, following his sister’s path at a discreet distance.

Quincy observed the exchange and frowned. “[abbr=Dad]爸爸[/abbr], Jess ain’t gonna like that,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Xing’s head snapped towards his younger son, eyes flashing. “[abbr=I don’t care if she likes it or not.]我不在乎她喜不喜欢[/abbr],” he hissed rapidly. Switching to English, he continued, “Better this than find her dead in street. Or worse, sold to bad men. Wishing she dead. You want that? [i]Hmm?[/i]”

Quincy held his father’s stern gaze for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh. He turned and trudged back to his wagon.

Meanwhile, Louisa stood rooted to the spot, her eyes never leaving the distant town. Her lips moved in a silent, fervent prayer to any benevolent force that might safeguard her naive daughter.[/color]