Completed Keeping The Good Ones

[Kyra]

Fall -510 - Day - 48

"So I'd say that does it. What do you think?" The mature stylist said softly, as she stood back to admire her work. Golden eyes of embers blinked curiously, pupils large and round gazed into the glass handled, cupped by tiny fingers. The young girl's features was reflected almost perfectly in the large hand mirror's image. Long blondish locks cut short, their length only reaching just below the nape of her neck and just barely brushing against her shoulders. It was Alessa's first hair cut, and something that Adele had put much thought into before making a decision over. Her daughter's hair was nothing if not unique, somewhat resembling the exotic look of the fair Konti women of Mura.

Whether for her kelvic or human side, the young girl's hair had grown very long, and for Adele it was a lot to keep up with. Little Alessa was a spry child and very active. She somehow often found a way to ruin her dresses and tangle her hair. It was for the best, her mother thought. Adele was a busy woman and to Jacques credit for looking after the family, he simply couldn't keep up with the girl all the time. With Alessa's hair cut twice it's normal length, Adele imagined it would be less likely to get messed up and much easier to care for.

The tiny girl stared off into the mirror, her gaze fixated and entranced by her own reflection. She was fascinated by the difference in her appearance, and it almost seemed as if she was staring at another person. Her eyes focused more into the glass, fingers gently combing through the silk like blonde strains, only to pull free fast and without effort. She felt different as well, the warmness on the back of her neck was gone, and she could feel air gently touching her skin. "I like it.." Alessa finally replied, as she moved to toss her hair about, and giggling at the lightness she now felt without the hair that once hung down her back.

"She really is a lovely girl." The stylist said softly as she stood beside Adele. "I know.." The proud mother said with a slight nod. "I am very lucky to have her. She is special you know. It's not something that I can explain but..I know it to be true." The woman gently laid a hand on Adele's shoulder and offered her a kind smile. " She is special, she really is. When you first brought her in, I remember thinking that her beauty was nothing less than Ethaefal." Alessa hadn't listened to most of their conversation, the girl was smitten with her new hair cut and continued to shake her head about and giggle from the hair that tickled her neck. She did however pick up on one word. Which caught her attention long enough to pose a question. "What is E-thanful?" she asked curiously.

"Ethaefal" The woman corrected her. "Are the children of Syna, and of Leth. They are mysterious beings with surreal beauty. It is also said that they are the fairest of the lands." Alessa turned way, her curious gaze fallen back onto the mirror in her hands. "And..I look like them... E-thaefal?" The woman chuckled, gently placing a hand on the girl's back. "You most certainly do, dear Alessa." Adele held back a chuckle and moved to step to Alessa's side so that she could see her face. " Now don't excite her too much, or she'll never want to put that mirror down."

A comment that caused both women to chuckle lightly. Alessa released her grip on the mirror's handle and placed it back onto the table in front of her. The tiny girl spun around, the ruffles in her dress rippling in waves all the way down to her shoes. "Mother..are you going to get a hair cut as well?" Adelle smiled, lifting a hand to gently touch her dark hair. "Oh no Alessa. My hair isn't as fine as your own, and it certainly won't grow back as faster either." The stylist smiled, gently nudging Adele as she started to speak. "Do you remember when we were so young, and had full hair that easily grew back?"

Adele muffled a chuckled as she brought her hand to her mouth. "Oh no, even when I was young I didn't have hair as rich or long as hers." Both of the woman laughed again as they stared down at the girl. Alessa blinked curiously as her gaze drifted from one to the other. "I don't understand, is my hair really so different?"

[Kyra]

Adele smiled warmly to the young girl, and gently lifted her hand to comb through her ash blonde hair. "Your hair is lovely dear, you're not to worry." Alessa stared up at her mother, her eyes filled with the love and trust only known through the bond of a mother and her child. Silently the tiny girl wondered how she would look if her hair was dark like her mothers. Many in the city had dark hair, and while she liked her own, the darker look seemed fun as well. The stylist retrieved a broom from her closet and started to sweep up the hair on the floor around the chair where Alessa had sat. "You're a pretty girl Alessa and you have wonderful hair. Why I'm sure that you'll have the boys all in a fuss when they see your new look." Alessa spun around to look at the woman, her head titled slightly as she reached up to touch the hair resting against her neck. " The boys? In a fuss over my hair..why?" she asked curiously.

Adele chuckled, moving closer to the girl and placing a hand on her shoulder and the other to the small of her back as she urged her forward. "Come along now dear, we have another stop to make before we are to go home." The woman nodded towards the stylist, who escorted them to the door and opened it so that they could step out first and followed behind them. Adele and the stylist had been friends for years, and she often visited her at her home, not only to have her hair styled but to converse as well. This day had been the first that she had brought Alessa to see her. Adele had often spoke of the girl and how blessed she was to have her, but she had never had the girl with her on her visits. The stylist had assumed that Adele had adopted since she had never seen her with child. In which case she had been a bit surprised when she learned that the girl was a kelvic.

Once they were outside Adele turned to her friend and they began to speak again. It was something they did whenever she visited. The two women would talk at length for hours inside her home, and then upon Adele's exit they would speak more before she left. They didn't visit as much as they would have liked, but did so whenever time suited them. While they talk, Alessa wandered off from her mothers side to look around. She didn't go far, fearing that her mother would be upset if she did, and probably wouldn't bring her out again. So she lightly stepped to the curb of the street and looked about. The tiny girl had never been to the area before, or rather the street. Even so, for her it was as if she had traveled across the lands and was visiting some place new.

Her gaze stretched out across the streets, falling upon the different houses, and people moving about them. The sun shined brightly that day, and the cool winds of Fall brushed against her skin and toyed with her hair. The gentle breeze twirling though her locks touching her skin and causing her to giggle. Alessa looked around the area more, when a tapping sound caught her attention. Further along the street was a young boy turning cartwheels on the opposite side of the street. Alessa watched him curiously, unsure of exactly what he was doing. The boy continued on, flipping about, one cartwheel after another. It was a game of sorts, and he looked to explore how many he could do in succession before falling.

It seemed like fun to the girl, and she wanted to try it herself. Alessa glanced back towards her mother, who was still in deep conversation with the stylist, then slowly stepped off the curb to watch the boy closer. The tiny girl crossed the street and observed his movements from her position by the house that she stood close too. Over and over he went, turning about and swinging his legs over his head as his hands pressed against the ground below. Alessa watched him more until she thought that she had the moves down and was ready to give it a try. The tiny girl lifted her hands up into the air and spread her fingers away from her palm. She took another glance at the boy's movement, and twisted her hips and turned her body to attempt the move.

Her hands pressed against the ground roughly, her knees bend and her hips twisted as she fell into a roll. The girl sat there for a tick, trying to figure out what she did wrong. She glanced over to the boy again who was still flipping about and watched him again. She realized that she hadn't lifted her legs high enough as the boy's legs were well over his head during his flip. Standing up, she lifted her hands into the air again with her palms open to attempt it a second time. She twisted her upper body downward, planting her hands on the ground and swinging her legs as high as she could over her head. The momentum flipped her over where she landed flat on her back.

Frustrated, the tiny kelvic laid still, staring blankly at the sky above. She had attempted the move just as she had watched the boy do, and she couldn't understand what had went wrong. But little Alessa wasn't ready to give up yet. She got up again, determined to solve the mystery and enjoy the fun. This time she took it slower, arching her back and twisting her hips so that her hands were on the ground a moment before she lifted her legs. Once she was ready, she swung her legs upward, holding herself up vertically before shifting her legs to send her over and back onto her feet. Alessa smiled brightly when she realized that it had worked, and continued on flipping about. The girl thought nothing of the dress she wore, or how when she flipped head over, her undergarments were exposed for everyone to see.

"Alessa Praslin! You stop that at once young lady!" her mother called out as she stormed over towards her. The girl suddenly stopped and stood up, her gaze shifting to her mother. "What is it mother, I was only playing?" Adele quickly kneeled in front of the girl to adjust the folds and wrinkles in her dress. "Now darling, you simply can't go flipping about like that in public." Alessa pouted and pointed towards the boy on the other side of the street. "It's just a game mother, he was doing it." Adele glanced up and across the street to where the boy stood with his mouth wide open. He had stopped his fun some time ago to watch Alessa's revealing performance. "But he's not wearing a dress now is he?" she asked looking back to her daughter. "Of course not mother, boys don't wear dresses." the girl responded quickly.

[Kyra]

The Stylist cocked a smirk, finding the interaction between proper mother and very curious child amusing. The woman chuckled and rolled her eyes away from them both as she spoke. "Some of them do.." Adele glanced back to her friend, and arched a brow at her brand of humor which she thought to be too mature for her daughter. Alessa was as innocent as a new born, still untouched by the evils of the world. Adele wanted to protect that innocence for the girl and keep her happy and safe. If it were possible, she would keep the girl locked away from the reaches of evil and time, leaving her to forever be her perfect little doll. That was the love that she had for her.

"What does she mean mother? Boys don't wear dresses...do they?" Alessa asked curiously after catching on to what the Stylist had said. "Of course not darling, she was only making a joke. She is a rather silly Stylist isn't she?" Adele said, cocking a smirk of her own as she gave a quick glance to the woman in the doorway. The Stylist chuckled softly and waved her hand, motioning for the tiny girl to ignore her comment. Adele smiled to Alessa, her fingers gently brushing the girl's pale cheeks. "Alright let's be off. We still need to stop in the market before we are to go home." Standing up, Adele waved to her friend, before taking her daughter's hand and leading her off.

They soon made their way into the merchants Ring and headed towards The People's Market. It wasn't often that Adele visited there, her butler Jacques handled all of the cooking. But in recent days, she had started a hobby of attempting to cook small dishes. Since she was already out, she figured that she would stop by and see if there was anything that she wanted to purchase. Alessa followed along holding to her mother's hand. Her tiny nose twitching as she breathed in the smells from the foods and oils around her. The very young kelvic looked around, constantly twisting and turning to glance in one direction or the other.

Adele would look down at the girl and gently brush her hair to sooth her nerves. But for Alessa it wasn't nervousness, she was excited. She enjoyed the times that she was able to go out and see the city. It was a wondrous place, and each time she saw something new, something different. For a time she stood silently, watching as her mother went about testing the fruit to find the best buys. She would watch her mother's curious tapping and thumping for a bit, before her gaze would wander off to something else.

Chimes more passed, then suddenly the calling of a cat caught Alessa's attention. She turned away from her mother to look around for the source. Her gaze soon fell upon a stray cat lightly dancing at the foot of one of the stalls near-by. The animal was likely hungry and begging for food. The girl gasped in delight and walked towards the animal quickly. "Awww, you're such a cute kitty!" she said loudly as she kneeled to pet it. The cat stared at her for a moment, allowing her to pet it's head, before uttering a meow in return. "You are just adorable, I love you!" The girl said happily, still lightly stroking the cat's back. "Meow.." Alessa said with a giggle as she mimicked the cat's sound. "Meow, meow." the cat replied causing the girl to burst into a giggling fit. "You must be hungry? Is that why you're dancing about so?"

By this time, the stall owner had become aware of the cat's presences. At first the animal had gone unnoticed, but with a tiny girl getting it excited and meowing along with it, brought it to the attention of the stall owner. "Shoo cat! Shoo!" he said loudly as he moved around the cart and swatted at the animal with his hat. Alessa jumped back with a loud yelp from the unexpected violent act. "Noo!, You scared him away. Why did you do that?" she demanded loudly as she stamped her foot. The man felt sorry then, staring down at the pale blonde who's golden eyes were about to burst with tears. "Listen kid, I have a business to run, and I don't need fuzzballs irritating my customers or trying to eat my stock." Alessa glanced off, spotting the cat and the direction it took onto the next tree.

The angry little kelvic turned a hard glare at the man and hissed at him. "You're the fuzzball!" After which she stuck out her tongue before racing off to find the cat.

[Kyra]

Alessa wandered off in pursuit of her new friend. The tiny girl followed the cat into a narrow alley way, unaware of where she was going, or that her mother had become aware of her absence and was frantically searching for her. The cat raced on, possibly frighten by all the noise from the market and looking for a place to hide. "Wait kitty! Not so fast, I won't hurt you!" the girl called out in hopes of getting the cat to stop. Finally after traveling a block over and hearing Alessa's calming voice, the cat stopped and turned to face her.

"Meow..meow." the cat purred as it twisted around in front of her.

"Meow to you, hehe." Alessa replied happily and kneeled down to pet the animal, causing it's eyes to bulge out each time she roughly stroked it's head. "I am sorry that bad man was mean to you, but you're safe now I can protect you." She smiled sweetly at the animal, lifting both hands to cup both sides of it's furry head. The cat gazed upward, it's big olive-green eyes staring into her own doe-like, golden orbs. The cat purred softly as she moved to pet the hair just under it's chin, gently placing a paw on the girl's knee. Alessa giggled, purring along with the cat as she continued to pet it.

"Awww, you like me, don't you? I like you too." she smiled then, gently lifting the cat into her arms and hugging it closely as she stood up again. The stray purred louder, roughly nuzzling it's head against her chest and curling it's body to fit comfortably in her arms. "You poor thing, you must be hungry. Come on, let's get you something to eat." Alessa had never owned a pet before, but she hoped that her mother would allow her to keep the animal, if even for a short time. "I'm sure my mother will love you too, well..maybe not as much as she loves me. My mother loves me an offal lot, but sometimes she can be scary."

Suddenly the tiny kelvic paused in her steps, a soft whistle in the short distance causing her ears to pricker. There was something familiar about the sound, something she liked. "What is that? Do you know kitty?" she asked glancing down at the cat snuggled in her arms. "Meow." the cat replied, bumping it's head against her chest again. Alessa giggled again and leaned forward to nuzzle her nose against the cat's and purred softly. "Why don't we go and see for ourselves?" She smiled to the animal again, an almost motherly glow rising in her cheeks as she hugged the cat closer and headed off in the direction of the sound.

Alessa traveled further, making another left turn and back through another alley. As she drew closer, she recognized the sweet melody as that of a flute. The musical notes were lively and quick, an upbeat tone of joy and happiness playing out, riding on the air and flowing into the girl's ears. Turning a corner, she bounced lightly to the beat and slowed her pace as she wandered upon the source. The flute player was a young boy, no older than 12. Dressed in a dark tunic, shorts and brown boots. He lifted the flute high, small fingers tapping about the holes as the melody was carried out with the air. To most who could hear, probably wish that they didn't as the boy's talents were less than good. But to Alessa the happy and awkward tune was fun and exciting.

"Hello.." she said simply as she stepped a bit closer, still holding the cat in her arms. The animal shifted then, it's gaze fallen upon the boy as it started to meow loudly and push away from Alessa. "What are you doing kitty, don't run away." she pleaded, watching the animal leap from her arms and run over to greet the boy. "Oh there you are!" the boy suddenly said as he saw the cat and realized that he wasn't alone. He quickly kneeled down and picked it up, hugging it before he turned back to the girl standing paces away from them. "You found him aye? Thanks for bringing him back."

[Kyra]

"So he belongs to you?" Alessa asked with a pout. The tiny girl had been enjoying her time with the cat, and was already forming a plan in her mind to convince her mother into letting her keep it. But, it seemed that their time together was only meant to last a short time, much to Alessa's dismay. "Yea, he does, this is heathcliff. He's my best friend." the boy answered as he looked at the girl. He couldn't help but to stare at her, finding everything about her appearance, and even her voice to be unique, special. "I'm Frans by the way, may I have your name?"

The cat nuzzled against the boy's chest and pinched his shirt with it's claws to better hold close to him. Alessa looked down at the cat again, already she was missing the cuddling that the animal was now giving to it's rightful owner. "I'm Alessa." she answered. "I liked your music, it sounded wonderful." she added, absentmindedly reaching up to touch her hair again. The new cut was surely going to take getting used to, and the girl was likely to continue to play with it until she grew bored. "Do you mind if I see your flute?"

The boy was surprised, and blush quickly covered his cheeks. No one had ever told him that his flute playing was wonderful. Keep practicing, is what his mother told him, but even she had never said it sounded wonderful. "Oh..Th-thanks. I'm really trying to get better." He started to struggle with the cat as he tried to put it down so that he could give his flute to Alessa, but the cat wasn't ready to conclude their snuggling and held on tightly.

"Oh..come on now. I've held you long enough." the boy protested and was finally able to pry the cat off his shirt and put it back on the ground. Alessa giggled softly as she watched, finding the cat's actions cute and funny. "Alright, here you can try it." Frans said as he gave the flute to Alessa with a smile. The tiny kelvic took the flute and looked it over so that she could find the right place to put her mouth. It wasn't long before she was holding it correctly and blowing awkwardly into it. The sound was muffled and low key because two of her fingers were on top of three of the holes.

Alessa's cheeks puffed up, her face turning slightly red as she blew into the flute with everything she had. The cat meowed in protest of the horrible display, and Frans laughed aloud. "No no, like this see." he added, gently taking the flute from her and putting it back into his mouth. The boy noticed at once the wetness that Alessa had left on the mouthpiece, but he didn't seem to mind at all. He started to play then, the sound only slightly better than what she had done. Again the cat meowed in protest, finding both their musical talents to be horrible.

[Kyra]

Alessa giggled and softly clapped for her new friend's performance. Perhaps the girl was tone death, or simply didn't know enough about the musical ability of a flute to know just how bad it sounded. She applauded more, before reaching down to lift up her skirts as she started to dance around. The tiny kelvic bounced on her heels, her arms swaying up and down as she spun herself right and left. She kicked her legs out, a tapping of her shoes moving from heel to toe. Alessa continued to dance, spinning herself around and around. She threw her head back with a giggle, little arms swaying about to the unorthodox rhythm of the flute.

The boy finished the solo with an off key final note, then bowed as if he was on stage. Alessa spun around once more, before she too stopped and lowered to curtsy her dress. "You're very good with that, I want to learn to play it." Alessa said crossing her wrist to clasp her hands together as she swayed side to side. She didn't have friends, and although she had just met him, she hoped that this boy would be one. Frans smiled, proud that his performance was good enough to impress the pretty girl. "I guess I could teach you, if you'd be willing to come with me for a bit?" He really hoped she'd say yes so that he could take her to show off in front of his friend.

Frans didn't have many friends either, and none of the ones he had were girls, or as visually unique as Alessa. He'd get a kick out of showing her off in front of his best friend. He didn't have to lie and say that she was his girlfriend, there was no need. Just by association the imaginary bond would be created in the boy's mind. "So, what do you think? He lives by the docks, I know how to get there quickly and I'll have you back soon?"

Alessa thought it over for a moment, her tiny fingers brushing again the others, bold eyes staring through him and off to where she could see her mother's wraith awaiting her. She had already been gone too long and now she was being asked to be gone even longer. Still she liked the boy, he was a friend and she really wanted to play his flute again."Alright, but I can not be gone for very long."

[Kyra]

The walk to the docks was a lot longer than the tiny kelvic had thought it would be. There were many twist and turns, and far too many streets for her to remember. When they finally arrived, the two stood in front of an apartment with a greyish door to it. The boy, Frans, went up to the door and knocked loudly and leaving Alessa alone by the curb. She looked around, seeing the very different wore look of the dock, which was very different from the area that she was used to seeing. Adding to that, she couldn't remember which way they had come, it wasn't a good sign and she knew that her mother was going to be very angry with her.

The door opened, and a round young boy stepped out with curly brown hair. His eyes met quickly with Alessa's as he wasn't expecting or even knew who she was. Frans was all smiles, he had already guessed at the surprised look that would be on his friend's face after he saw the girl. Alessa stared back curiously, but otherwise didn't say anything. Frans smiled and lightly tapped his friend's shoulder before turning and rejoining Alessa by the curb.

"Hello Charles, brought a friend with me. Hope you're not to busy to come out."

The chubby boy stepped out onto the ground and got a better look at the girl. He had to admit she was pretty, but he also new his friend and that he had likely brought her there to brag. This simply wouldn't due, and Charles decided to make fun of the fact. "Yea, I can come out. So who's this? Your girlfriend? She looks kinda spoiled." he added with a smirk.

"I am not spoiled!" Alessa protested and stamped her foot, paying little attention to what he had said before that. She didn't like him now, first impressions were important even at that age, and he had just blown his. Frans gave his friend a light shove and all the while trying to hold back the blush and smile engraved in his features. "Cut it out, Charles. This is my friend Alessa, Alessa this is Charles."

The boy smiled to Alessa, but the girl still wore the pout that she had from when he called her spoiled. She waited, wondering when he was going to stop the chatting and teach her how to play the flute. Then she looked towards Charles again, and down towards his belt where he had two daggers covered in tiny pockets. "Are those real?"

[Kyra]

"Oh? You mean my daggers?" Charles asked taking a glance down for himself. "Of course they are real." he lied, but held a proud smile anyway. Alessa stared curiously, her young mind wondering how could the boy get real daggers, and from who. Frans was just as curious, but the boy wasn't as naive as Alessa. He knew they weren't real, but wooden daggers. Still it was something fun for a kid to have. "Heyo!" he called out as he quickly snatched both daggers from Charles' belt and jumped back with them. "Hey, their wood!"

Alessa stared again, her adventurous side calling for action from the tiny kelvic. Wood or iron, it didn't matter to her, she still wanted one now. "Hey give those back Frans!" Charles ordered his friend, a quick glance shifting towards Alessa to see her reaction. "I'm sure you have real ones in the house, you can do without these right?" Frans teased and continued to jump about to dodge Charles' extended arms.

"I want to hold one." Alessa spoke up, bold and hopeful golden eyes watching them both. Frans chuckled and tossed her one of the daggers that he held. Alessa reached out to claim it, cupping her tiny hands together to scoop the wooden item from the sky. Now holding the dagger, she looked it over and was surprised that it felt heavy. The entire thing was made of wood, but she could see how even that could harm a person. Charles spun around and slowly approached the girl, thinking maybe it would be easier to get the dagger back from her.

"Don't just stand there!" Frans called out. "Attack him, I've got him from this side." Alessa looked over to see that Frans had taken on a defensive stand with his elbows bent and one hand holding the dagger outward. The tiny girl glanced back to the dagger that she held, and to the boy in front of her. "I just wanted to hold it." she said, staring at him with those same hopeful eyes. Like Frans, Charles was already taken with the girl, and couldn't say no to her with those eyes watching him. "You can play with it. I'll tell you what, how about me and you take out Frans over there?" he finished by pulling a third dagger from the back of his belt.

"That makes three daggers, how many do you have?" Alessa asked in surprise. Charles smiled, but before he could answer Frans interrupted. "Hey no fair, you can't turn her against me, she was my friend first!" Charles laughed and turned his gaze back to his friend. "Well, she's mine now." he said with a smirk and took the same stance that Frans had before him. "I'll fight you both.....If I can." Alessa spoke up again, though a bit unsure of her words. Both boys stared at her in surprise, they didn't think she would be interested in such a thing that was normally a boy's game.

"Alright then, every man for himself...and woman." Frans said nodding to them both. Although she had agreed, Alessa didn't know a thing about playing out a fight armed or unarmed. It wasn't the type of thing that she was used to, and there was no way that her mother would ever allow it. Charles watched them both carefully and after a moment, decided to test the new comer to their game. The boy jabbed his dagger out towards her, attempting to poke her chest. Alessa jumped back, her moments very much cat-like. He was surprised, but having already committed to attacking, he tried again only this time Alessa swung out as well, her dagger smashing into his before he could even fully extend his arm.

"Wow, she fast." Frans commented and slipped closer to where Alessa stood. Now it was his turn, only he tried a different attack, an outward strike which started out and crossed in towards his shoulder. Again the girl was quicker, and her dagger smacked his arm away. "Hey! This is not fair, you're both attacking me!" she protested.

[Kyra]

"You know, she's right." Charles replied and turned his dagger on Frans, issuing a fiery attack against him. Frans chuckled, jumping back and attacking as well. Now tiny Alessa stood alone with the boys fighting each other, and that wouldn't do. She raced to their sides, and attacked, slashing her dagger at with ever of their was closest to her at the moment. "Wow, what are you doing Alessa!?" Frans asked retreating back a pace. "I am fighting, what does it look like? Come on! Come on!" Alessa said loudly, hoping to urge the boys back into their duel.

Charles smiled, and like Alessa, he to started to swipe at them both. Soon Frans joined in and it was free for all of swinging, wooden daggers. They all laughed, jumped and slashed at each other with no talent or skill in their strikes. But Alessa was still the fastest and finally Charles had had enough and turned and ran for freedom. "Hey, get him!" Frans called out and he and Alessa started to chase the boy through the streets. Not long after they found themselves on the actual docks where they finally cornered the boy.

"You can not escape us now." Alessa said with a giggle and attacked again, She swung her dagger at him, both wooden pieces slamming together loudly. Frans joined in again for the free for all and their laughter became as loud as the clashing weapons. "Hey!..what are you doing here?" a new and older voice suddenly called out. The three stopped their game and turned around to see an older boy standing enter to the pier.

Alessa had no idea who he was, but he didn't look friendly. "Who is he?" she asked looking to both boys. They didn't answer at first, but the look in their eyes was of sadness and fear. "Lets just go Charles." Frans said to his friend, but the boy stood frozen. Alessa looked back and forth between them as she tried to understand what was going on.

"No need to leave, we can all stay and play together." The older boy said as he stepped closer, blocking their path of escape, and backing them up towards the edge of the walkway. There was a bad feeling forming in the pit of the tiny girl's stomach and she felt like running away, but now she couldn't they were blocked in. "W-we don't want any trouble." Charles finally spoke up through a quivering voice. "There's no trouble," the older boy said." We're all here for fun. Hey, here's an idea how about we go swimming."

Suddenly the boy darted towards Charles and tried to force the boy over the pier and into the water. Frans tried to stop him, but he was quickly knocked to the ground. "Leave us alone!" Alessa cried and started to strike him with the dagger again and again. "Ah!" the boy growled and shoved her backwards. That was all it took, to send the tiny girl over the edge and into the water. Alessa drifted beneath the waves, her mind blank and all she could see was the ripples of orange from high in the sky above. Suddenly there was a thump in the waters beside her, a thick of dark that caused bubbles to flutter about everywhere.

It was as if time had stopped..

Alessa was scooped up and pulled from under the water where she saw adults reaching to pull her back onto the surface. Alessa coughed and pulled the soaked strains of hair from her eyes. There were people around, Charles and Frans standing nearby, their faces white as sheets. In the distance she could see the older boy being pulled off by the collar of his shirt by someone in a fisherman's uniform. The man who pulled her out wrapped a blanket around her, and started asking questions faster than she could think up a reply. One thing she did know, was that if her mother found out, she was in for it.

[Verilian]

. . Thread Award . . Alessa Praslin +2 Observation +1 Acrobatics +1 Flute +1 Dagger You Question My Logic? : If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Lores: Ethaefal are the Fairest in the Land, Boys don't wear Dresses, Playing with Boys, An Encounter with a Bully Notes: An entertaining little thread. Good job, and as always, keep writing! Notice As per the request of the Founders, threads cannot be graded unless your CS is up to date. This means you need to add threads to your thread list when you make new threads, keep your skills up to date, ledger, living expenses, ect. If you aren't up to date, you'll get a PM from me before i grade your thread. If you are up to date, disregard this notice.