You call that a heist? [Charlotte]

[James Darkwater]

James was exiting the Busty Mermaid.

It was always good when he spied on the people of the upper levels of endenese society. It was also good when he had some whale meat meant for the lords and ladies of Enden. Technically he had once been a lord, but the name James Goldenboat had been erased from his memory and his life long ago. He had been James Darkwater for the better part of his life.

And he loved it.

Years of dealing with the nobles had led him to believe that it was far more entertaining to be in a place where you didn't have to mind your manners or your morals, a place where you could have fun and play a good card game.

And cheat at a good card game.

He could already tell that the atmosphere in the First Mate would be busy. He was already making his way to the darkest parts of the city of Appolonia, the Tidemother still visible under the moonlight, when he heard a voice. He was quite certain that it was the sea calling to him, that he didn't belong in Enden anymore, a fact that he believed wholeheartedly.

Needless to say, it wasn't the sea.

It was a man, a man that was running down the dark alley, laughing hysterically. James raised an eyebrow and stopped his by hitting his chest with his left elbow as he was passing by. The man fell on the ground with a thud.

"Argh!"

James pushed his leg against the man's chest, almost knelt on top of him and put his hands on top of his knee, resting his head on top of them. "Now, what do we have here? Why are you laughing?"

The man laughed again, and showed him a circlet with three rubies. "I stole that, from a lady. It's the greatest heist ever!"

James raised an eyebrow. "You call that a heist?" he said, obviously disappointed, and kicked the circlet up in the air. With trained reflexes, he caught it mid-air, and put it in his back pocket. "Now, off you go." He raised his knee, as the man tried to get up and punch him.

"You! Stop in the name of the King!"

The voices from the guards coming that way couldn't be mistaken, and the thief started to run. The guards stopped in front of him. "Citizen, which way did that thief go?"

James pointed at an alley on the left. "That way."

"Good."

"Enjoy your chase." he said, knowing full well that the thief had gone from the right. The First Mate was to the right, and now out of the question. To the left were the guards, so James would have to go either back to the Busty Mermaid or up the alley to whatever end.

"To whatever end it is." he muttered to himself, as he made his way up, dressed in his usual puffy-sleeved black shirt, black coat, dark breeches, and black leather boots, the necklace with the precious stones on his neck making a satisfying noise as they hit each other while he walked.

[Lady Charlotte Sunfall]

She stood still and silent on the side of the street. Her pale blue eyes darting back and forth between the two men beside her. She was only half listening to their conversation, for in truth she cared little for the topic. The street was occupied by a few people, but not as many as there was earlier in the day. She sighed slightly, she was not a fan of standing as she was. However, she was never one to object.

Charlotte Fontaine had been raised to always be polite. She was never to speak rudely or interrupt her brother during conversation. She was never to behave in a manner that would reflect badly on her. Charlie's brother spoke up then, "Alright Charlie we can go." He said to her. She nodded, a polite smile on her face. Ever since she was a child, her mother had encouraged her to be a 'Lady'. Jessamine was much stricter with her daughter than her son. "If you are fine with it, I think it's about time we went home." Her brother continued. Charlotte's reply was cut off however when a woman's shriek filled the air. Immediately the street turned into a madhouse. Her brother ran off, muttering some hurried words to her that she could barely make out.

The woman seemed to have caused quite a note of chaos. Not wanting to be in the way of others, Charlie walked the opposite direction of the crowd. She would duck back a bit, then circle around and walk home. Her brother would know where she went.

Charlie's flat shoes barely made any noise as she walked. She gracefully dodged out of the way of a few people until there was no one left for her to avoid. At least that was what she thought, a person emerged from an alley on the side. She was slightly startled and stopped suddenly. She had come quite close to running into the man in front of her. "I'm terribly sorry Sir." She said with a slight curtsy bob. She smiled at him sweetly. Charlotte never had to worry about people in Enden. She was well enough known, and quite safe she thought, who would seek to harm her anyway? Even as she smiled up at the man dressed in black.

[James Darkwater]

If there was one thing that he loved about the islands of Enden, then it would have to be the fact that you could hear even the tiniest waves of the sea hitting the earth all around the islands, wherever you would find yourself. It was as if the Sea Goddess had made the islands the way they were, in order to attract all the endenese people to the sea. While many would contradict that with the fact that the God of Wealth only called them to even more gold, James had come to the conclusion that both Gods had come to an understanding when they had decided to create him.

Gold and sea, he loved them both. Now, perhaps the Goddess of Seduction had spiced things up a bit when creating him, hence his undeniable charm and seducting abilities (even though he appeared to be the only one noticing them). James was pretty sure that every god and goddess had something to do with his creation, every single one of them giving him their best trait in order to achieve what he truly was. Perfection.

He kept walking up the dark alley, occassionally humming to himself. As much as the Endenese islands took pride in the pleasures they offered to their visitors, James came to the conclusion that the Tidemother would have to leave their docks sooner than expected. He didn't want people knowing that he was here, even though the ship in the dockyard was enough proof that he was.

As his pace quickened, he almost collided with a young lady, that apologized to him. James took a second to look upon her. She was no more than sixteen, and the fact that she was out at this time intrigued him. Dangerous men walked around Appolonia at night, and to be honest, he was probably the worst.

"Oh no, it is I who should apologize for not seeing such a beautiful young lady such as yourself." he said. He drew his right leg back as he bowed, such that the right foot scraped the earth, his left hand pressed horizontally across the abdomen while the right was held out from the body with grace. The proper formal bow of the endenese court, he hadn't done that in years. The bow was pretty deep, as he wanted to indicate his respect for her.

"I am sorry, my lady, but isn't it a little bit late to be outside for someone of your age?" he said, as he stopped bowing and straightened himself. "Dangerous men roam these streets, from what I've heard, and it seems they've already struck a lady just a few minutes ago." he added, and his left hand found his way inside his left pocket. With a graceful move, he grabbed a tiny red rose and made sure to make it appear as if it sprung from his hand. He bowed again and offered it to her. "I would hate to see such a thing happening to you."

[Lady Charlotte Sunfall]

The man's words brought a smile to her face. She heard similar words often enough, but a still was not used to them. Charlotte had to admit the man was rather handsome. He had dark hair and blue-green eyes. He was taller than she was, but then again so were most. He bowed towards her, a sign of respect. "Thank you for your concern," She said with a grateful smile, "However I think I'll be fine." She honestly did. Even if worst came to worst her brother probably wasn't far behind her. Not to mention she had a few tricks up her sleeve.

She didn't openly spread what she was. Most people never asked questions about her anyways. Charlotte was not a human, but a Dryad. Nothing made her feel better than her connection to her element. She could manipulate and even create water. Living by the sea was wonderful. The smell and the moisture in the air. She could feel it in every breath. If she needed to, she could use it. She didn't like the idea of doing so, but in the off chance something did happen, should could keep herself safe. Or at least she could get away.

Charlotte smiled again and took the rose from the man. She didn't really know what he was doing. Such gestures were foreign to her. She was used to servant boys stuttering as they tried to speak to her. She was used to the words of well off young men. She was not however accustomed to strangers from alleys presenting her with flowers and she did not know how to take it. "My name is Charlotte." She said lightly to him.

[James Darkwater]

This had to be a blessing from the God of Wealth and the Goddess of the sea. He was in possession of an item that the guards were hunting, after taking it from the person that had stolen it. He was quite certain that he had a bunch of even more expensive circlets than the one situated inside his back pocket at the moment, and even though having more gold than before didn't hurt anyone, James realised that he had no intention of taking that circlet to the Tidemother. Instead, he realised that all he wanted was to create chaos in one of the islands that was ruled by the High King.

The thing was he didn't know how. He looked at the little lady as she spoke, and a wild idea crossed his mind. Raising one eyebrow, he smirked at himself. This was going to be good. The Lady spoke and he shook his head, trying to seem filled with sorrow. "My dear, thinking you'll be fine is far different than knowing you'll be fine." he said, looked in her eyes and his voice traced away, as his eyes seemed to look at the night sky for a moment. "Take it from someone who thought he would be fine."

Ladies, no matter their age, had a tendency of trusting a man that showed them some kind of respect. Perhaps that was just for Endenese ladies, but from what he had seen, almost all the ladies were the same. This would be easy, he knew it. Just a few more minutes and that girl would prance around the island, wearing the circlet and attract the guards' attention.

As he had assumed, the girl told him her name, without him even asking for it. This was just so easy. He looked at her, bowed again, and kissed her hand. "Pleasure, Lady Charlotte." he said, and stood up, posed for a second and said "I am Lord James Silverboat from the island of Emeria." he said, and smiled as if all of that was true. "Head of finances of the island of Emeria and loyal subject to his Royal Grace."

[Lady Charlotte Sunfall]

The more the man before her spoke, the odder she felt. He was truly different from any other man she had ever met. Charlotte could not help but be a bit concerned at how much he spoke of her well being. “I know that there is a difference Sir.” She said to him when he pointed out her wording. “I believe there are some things I cannot know for certain. My well being is one of those things. Saying I know I will be fine would be a lie and I do not lie.” Charlie spoke honestly and politely. Her expression remained to be one of indifference.

He took her hand and kissed it, then introduced himself. It was however, that very introduction that cleared her mind. Charlotte’s mother had made sure that she was brought up to be a proper young Lady. Etiquette and education had been very important, however so was a knowledge of Enden and the people of power within it. There was always a chance that there was a Lord who’s name she had never heard, she could have believed the first sentence he gave had he left it at that. But the head of finances? Surely if he was who he claimed to be, she would have heard his name. If not in her education than through the gossip of the Ladies. Gossip always revolved around the higher class of people. Charlotte came to the conclusion that ‘James Silverboat’ was lying. In that moment her eyes narrowed and her expression hardened slightly. It was not much of a change, however it was noticeable.

“You are not who you say you are.” She said simply. “Truthfully I do not want to think why you lie, that is your choice alone. Just know that every choice has a consequence and I cannot imagine that anything good will ultimately come out of that choice.” Charlotte disliked when people lied. Obviously he had a reason as to why he believed he needed to, however she didn’t care. She was done with this, she was going home. This was not a conversation she needed to continue with. “I truly wish you a good evening Sir and I pray to the gods that you learn when the consequences catch up to your decisions.” With that Charlotte made her move to leave, stepping to the side. The conversation had dampened her mood for the rest of the evening. She would probably just retire as soon as she arrived at home.

[James Darkwater]

James raised an eyebrow as the lady said she didn't lie. At all. For a second, James seemed interested in that, but then he became completely puzzled. Not at all? The first question that popped inside his head was how on earth was she surviving in a land filled with backstabbers without lying. An impressive feat, nonetheless. Again, his expression changed to one of great interest.

Perhaps she was lying about not lying. Now that was an interesting conclusion that he would rather jump to, rather than admit to himself that there were people who wouldn't lie at all. Lying about not lying, that was something he had pulled off countless times, and he was quite certain that this time was going to be just like the rest, even though he could have eased a little bit on his fake title.

However, he had never played it safe, and it had always worked out for him. Clearly though, this time wasn't going to be like the rest.

His eyes widened as the lady completely saw through his fake identity and tried to leave. In his experience, it took a great liar to understand when someone else was lying through their teeth, which made him come back to his previous conclusion. This girl was lying about not lying.

The lady tried to make her way past him, and James didn't try to stop her. At least, not until she had made a few steps away from him. "Impressive. Most impressive." he said, as he played with his facial hair. "Usually it takes a great liar to tell another person's lies, yet you told me that you never lie. I call you a liar." he said, and bowed again, this time even more gracefully.

"Captain James Darkwater of the legendary Tidemother, at your disposal." he said, and smiled maliciously. "Fear not, I do not plan to harm you. It takes a lot of practice for someone to understand when I am lying, and I've got to say, you've surprised me, young lady."

Straightening himself up, he looked at the girl, clearly interested. "Now though, I do believe I haven't lied about everything, so if I were you, I would give me that and continue to listen. My name is indeed James, once people called me Lord James. As for being in service of his Royal Grace, well, what can I say?" he said, and his voice trailed off, hinting some kind of annoyance at the very idea. "Times change, and so does the meaning of words, as in freedom."

[Lady Charlotte Sunfall]

Charlotte turned when she heard him speak. She shouldn’t have done it. She knew she should have continued and walked away. There was little this man could do for her and she couldn’t help but think about what her family would be saying if they saw her at this moment. She didn’t think they would expect her to be accused of being a liar. She was not a liar and she knew it. Charlie did not need to prove that to him. His introduction had held fault. She had disproved it because of her knowledge not because she was a skilled liar herself.

There was something that didn’t cross her mind however. Charlotte didn’t acknowledge the possibility of being a natural born liar..Then again, she would never know if it were true. It was a practice she choose not to engage in.

This situation just seemed to continue to escalate. This was not something she wanted to be involved in. At least, until he said the words.

Well, he did not say them exactly. He did however, infer it through his new introduction. Captain James Darkwater. That name she had heard. She did not know much about the man, but one thing was for certain. He was a pirate. Now why would that ‘occupation’ pull Charlotte in? It was probably one of the only things she had never mentioned to anyone. The sea.

It was something in her that she couldn’t shake. It was beyond any love she could ever have. More than anything she could describe. Charlotte was bound to water. She needed it as much as she needed air. It was something she would never use for greed or cruelty. She believed it was pure, a connection above all human fallacies or flaws. No human is immune to jealousy. Not even Charlotte. She had to admit to herself that she was a bit jealous of James. He got to spend so much of his time so close to something that was a strong part of her. She was barely allowed to go near the sea, her mother feared for her safety.

James said that she surprised him, well she surprised people more than one would think. Prejudice could be seen all over the land and she had a feeling he was one of it’s instruments.

Charlie thought for a moment. He had said quite a bit and she was not sure how to respond. Her words came out with the same elegant flow, but much slower. Her mouth had to wait for her mind to catch up. “James.” She said quietly, trying the name on her lips. “You may think of me what you like. I know who I am and I do not need the confirmation of others.” She was glad that she knew that, Charlotte was content with her life. Even happy at times. She could not have everything she desired and as conflicting as it sounded, she did not want everything she desired. That, in her opinion would just make her want more. “Each word has a different meaning to each person. Maybe the meaning of freedom to you has changed, but as long as I have lived it has remained the same.” She spoke with an even tone.

“I cannot presume to know what you have and have not lied to me about and to be honest the matter of it doesn’t concern me. I knew only that at least one piece of your puzzle didn’t fit. You, Captain James Darkwater, are who you are. While I do not know who that is, I wonder. Remember that times change because the people within them change and for that reason that I believe you may still yet to find your final definition.” As do I, she thought as she finished the sentence.

[James Darkwater]

Interesting. Very interesting.

Few women had managed to get him interested enough in them in order to spend more than a fleeting glance or even a night, and yet James found himself amazed by how this girl talked and behaved. Endenese women had definitely changed from the last time he had been here, and that was proof enough for James to continue the conversation no matter the cost. Now, had she been any younger, James would have certainly tried to make her stray off her path of righteousness with one night of ill-mannered frivolity that would include all kinds of pleasures one could ask for...

He was getting ahead of himself.

However, there were other ways to make someone stray off their path without engaging in all those pleasures, and James Darkwater would be damned if he didn't try it, at least once. He listened to the girl speak, her words breaking a wide smirk on his face, one that could definitely be described as a lunatic's smirk, or a murderer's smirk right before he delivered the final blow to his prey. She said that she knew who she was, and that made James laugh silently to himself.

Well, he had other plans.

He raised an eyebrow when she mentioned the word freedom, and lips twitched in their left side, as if she was calling her a liar. A disappointed look, as he tapped his fingers on his chest. "You call living a life as a noble, freedom?" he said, and looked disgusted for a moment. "I've been there." he added, as he started to chew one of his fingernails. Spitting the nail he had managed to bite away from his finger, he continued "It sucks."

The rest of her words made him laugh even more. "Oh please, I know what I am. Incredibly mischievous, undeniably sexy, wickedly cool, extremely charming, really hilarious, so lovable, bloody hot, simply irresistible. But, I am more than that." he said, and cleared his throat. "I love gold. I love women. I love myself. And most of all, I love the sea. Which means I love my freedom."

He smirked and continued. "I am the monster mothers tell their children at night, dearie. And the worst thing is, in your case, I came from the same social status as you." he added, and laughed. "The question that is troubling me, though, is... Who are you? You may think you know who you are, but you don't. And here's the awful truth coming straight at you!" he said, grabbed her hand, pulled her close and jumped, using the wind to make his jump even higher than normal, and landed on a rooftop.

He pointed at the sea, where the Tidemother was, the black galley illuminated under the moonlight. "You long for it. You long for her. Every child from Enden does, and you are no different, no matter how hard you try it." he whispered in her, his mad smirk coming to his face again. "You want to know what freedom is? Freedom is the sea. Freedom is my ship. Freedom is doing whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want, without being ordered by a filthy King who spreads bastards wherever he can stick his..." He trailed off and spat on the ground. He shook his head.

"Freedom is being a pirate."

[Lady Charlotte Sunfall]

Charlotte’s mouth opened a bit in shock as she heard James’s words. From his questioning to his long description of himself. She couldn’t exactly say that it was unexpected. In truth, she hadn’t known what to think or expect as a response. Who are you? That was definitely not what she had considered as a possible response. James grabbed her hand then and pulled her towards him. She shut her eyes quickly. Charlotte wasn’t sure how she should be taking this. Men did not touch her, let alone grab her and jump upwards. She felt the landing quickly after she had left the ground. Charlie opened her eyes slowly, just in time to see James pointing towards a ship. Presumably his ship from the way he spoke.

His words were blunt and as much as she didn’t want to admit it, they held truth. Charlotte turned to look at James then and what a site she must have been. The blonde hair she usually kept in a neat bun was loosening and beginning its fall down her back. Her eyes stared right into his as she spoke, “I am Charlotte Fontaine.” Her voice was strong as was her intent. Charlotte was not the type of person to play herself up, unlike James she would not speak about appearances or arrogant concepts. “I am the light for those who have lost theirs. I am truth and love. There is no man, woman or child who could turn me from myself. I am the one who listens to the whispers others cannot hear and I am more than could be ever defined by mere words.” Her voice was louder now, she was sure of her words. They were true, there was nothing else.

Well, actually there was.

“You are right and wrong.” She said, in that moment coming to realize something that she had never thought of before. “To me water is freedom and I need the sea. However, I needn’t long for something I already have.” Charlie stepped closer to James and reached up. She placed her hand lightly on his cheek, her palm flat against his skin. It started slowly, just skin cool to the touch. But slowly it became more and in moments small droplets of water came from her hand and fell down his face. She stepped back, removing her hand from his cheek. Charlie closed her hand and let it fall to her side, “I may not be as close to her as I desire, but she is always with me.” Charlie was past describing the sea now, it was all water to her. All the same thing. She lifted her hand up so James could see it clearly. When she opened it, collection of water fell hitting thr rooftop with a splash.

Charlotte was not aware that one sentence James spoke was closer to her than she thought. She was unaware that there was something that could shake up everything she believed and negate many of the words she just uttered. That thing was not a man, woman, child, beast or being. It was a secret. One that held the fabric of her life captive.

[James Darkwater]

Lying. It came so natural to him.

Obscuring certain parts of the truth came even more naturally, which was exactly what he was doing as he started to describe himself. There was no reason in telling anybody that he believed in true love, no matter how much he was trying to hide. No reason to tell anybody about the countless books in his cabin, the paintings and drawing of many girls, the diary with all his secrets and poems, or the enchanted rose that he kept in a vase, a rose whose pedals would never fall, a rose that he intended to give to his one and only love in order to show her his undying love to her.

No reason to tell that to anybody, whatsoever.

He would rather everyone think that his one and only love was the sea. That wasn't far from the truth, but even James, no matter how perfect he thought he was, couldn't fall in love with the sea, or even the Goddess of the Sea. James was a man deep down, a man with a moral code, and no matter how much he tried to hide that part of himself behind the whole terrible pirate facade, he couldn't deny it. It was there, all he had to do was embrace it.

But James had never been one of embracing things and people he didn't trust. And that part of himself was just as untrustworthy as the rest of the great James Darkwater.

He listened to her words, occassionally raising an eyebrow in surprise or doubt. He laughed when she said she was the guiding light for all those who had lost theirs. "Yes, the whole light in the darkness scenario. I used to be a fun of that, long ago, long before I saw the true light." he said, and pointed at the sea again.

As she touched his cheek, James felt a few drops of water running down from it, and his eyes widened. For a second, he thought that the girl was going to make a move on him, and no matter how perverted or monstrous he described himself, this was going to be a few steps over his line of morals.

In fact, it was going to be so many steps over the line, that he wouldn't even be able to see it. A dot on the horizon.

Thankfully it wasn't, and James exhaled a silent sigh of relief. "Interesting gift. But you are talking about water." he said, and raised his hand, as the water fell from her hand to splash on the roof. A few drops remained in the air, as a light breeze carried them over to him. "There can be no water without air. The sea is nothing without air. And the water you produced has nothing to do with the water of the sea."

He gave a smirk. "Your water is easily controlled. The sea is ferocious, challenging any man or woman brave enough to call themselves pirates, sailors... Brave enough to call themselves Endenese." he said, and the breeze seemed to become stronger, as he inhaled deeply.

"She calls to us. Can't you hear her? Every single ripple of water, every single wave... Your place is out there, Charlotte. No matter how close to her you claim to be, you aren't close enough. And you will never be, if you get stuck here for the rest of your life."

[Lady Charlotte Sunfall]

“My place is here.” She said to James defiantly. Charlotte had never felt like this, she had never uttered a word with such an impolite tone. She, however, did not want to admit to herself that it felt good. She didn’t know why it did, but she liked not hiding behind the mask of courtesy “I do not want to be a pirate and I do not want to be a sailor. My life is here, my future is here.” In a few years she would take a husband of her brother’s choosing and have a family of her own. Her brother would only give her the best and it was a life she would be thankful for. “I know honesty is not a practice you uphold very often, but even so can you honestly tell me giving up everything I have for a life in a place I do not belong? I fit in here, not on the water. This is where I have the best chance for a good life and I am not willing to gamble that.”

Maybe she was stuck, held back by her connections and traditions, however it didn’t feel that way. This life was what she wanted. She wanted what her parents had had. Even though Charlie had never met her father, she had heard stories. Besides that was what all girls wanted right? Sure some got whisked away with the idea of adventure, but in the end is wasn’t practical. It caused more pain than the alternative would. Did that make her a coward? That she was afraid of loosing her happiness? Charlotte’s mood was souring, how could he do this? How could one man’s words make her question so much?Charlotte grew silent. She wouldn’t say anything more, she couldn’t. Her face was flat, but on the inside she was screaming. Screaming at herself.

[James Darkwater]

He loved getting into other people's heads. He loved annoying them and humiliating them so much, and he had been successful with almost anyone that had crossed his path. The girl before him was no different, though James wasn't doing that out of need for fun or out of hatred. For some weird reason that James couldn't figure out, he wanted this girl to be like himself, to have as many experiences as he had.

Perhaps it was the fact that she reminded him of his previous self so much. He knew her future, it was going to be the same as the future his father had planned for him. She would soon be married to a powerful lord, or one of the man's sons. She was nothing but cattle, bred for slaughter in the ever present altar of society's routine. That same altar was one of the things that destroyed the concept of freedom, and James hated it.

But, there was nothing he could do about it. The whole idea would remain while he lived and long after he died. At least, he could try to save one child from all that slaughtering.

James raised his hands, apparently accepting defeat. He took a few steps closer to her, grabbed her and jumped back on the ground, their feet touching it as light as feathers. "What can I say then... Perhaps the great gamble of life isn't for all of us." he said, and pursed his lips, in deep thought.

He raised a finger, and with his other hand, he pulled the circlet with the three rubies and laid it on the ground. "For keeping me company tonight." he said, nodded, and jumped back on the roof. He took a step forward, but stopped. Turning back, he didn't even bother to see if she had picked up his gift. "Oh. I forgot. One day, you'll find me, wearing that circlet on your head. You'll beg me to join my crew, as you'll see that life isn't as pretty as you claim it to be. That day, you will find your true self. And I will open my arms to embrace you as a daughter, or perhaps something more than that should you be of proper age."

He smirked playfully, bowed gracefully and spoke again. "Until then, Charlotte Fontaine. Eagerly awaiting your arrival on my ship." He raised his right hand to his temple, made a graceful move as if he was taking his hat off for her, and smirked. "Oh, and if you do, use the name Charlotte Goldwater. Should suit you well." He gave her a wink, and started to jump from roof to roof, disappearing into the night.

The Sea was already calling for him, and he hated being late on dates, especially when they concerned his destiny.

[Lady Charlotte Sunfall]

Just as he had brought her up, James brought her back down. She was on the ground once more. He spoke, a statement that seemed open, before revealing a circlet with three rubies upon it. He placed it on the ground as he jumped back onto the rooftop. She knew it was not his, it was a feeling. That did not stop her, however from bending down and picking it up. As she did so his words echoed through her mind.

One day, you'll find me, wearing that circlet on your head. You'll beg me to join my crew, as you'll see that life isn't as pretty as you claim it to be. That day, you will find your true self..

A few more words, a wink and he was gone. However little set in her mind after his other words. She placed the circlet on her head. It was a perfect fit. "What are you doing Charlotte you should have waited or gone straight home. This is no place for you to be at this hour." Her brother said behind her. Charlie turned slowly to face him. "Did you really need to purchase that? I thought you had the sense to better spend my money." Charlotte said nothing, she only moved to follow her brother. They began their way home, "Red has never been your colour Charlotte. It's the hair I believe. To light to make the colour stand out." She took the circlet off of her head. She wasn't going to think about where it might of come from and for the first time she did something out of character. Charlotte did not plan on returning it, or even trying to, she was going to keep it.