Freezing I ran though the streets of Venice, arms around myself, and shivering despite my jacket when I saw it. There was a flayer posted on one of the walls of some unknown building. Slowly stopping, my shaking hand reached out to grab it, and remove it from the wall.

"Dance!" It said in bright golden letters, "Scipio shall find a bride of his own before the night is though. Everybody of high standing is welcome."

High standing. Those words were like poison in the hearts of street children like me, but I kept the flayer gripped tightly in my hand for there was a picture of my one love…he who could never love another boy because he's to find a bride.

Towering above me in no time was home, the Stella. Quickly stuffing the flayer into my pocket and shuffling the shopping bags, I knock on the door. Hornet came to the door within a minute, and pulled me in.

"What took you so long, Prosper?" Her voice was slightly harsh.

"It took a while to find everything." I answered, stalking into the main room and setting the bags down. Bo ran up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Bo, stop being so clingy, I've got to put the groceries away."

He sighed and let go, pouting up at me, "Why won't you ever take me with you?"

Smiling lightly, I scooped him up and set him on my shoulders, "You're more noticeable then I am, and we're not going back there. You don't know what the orphanage was like."

Little hands gripping my dark curls," But we're in Venice now, Prop, I want to see everything."

"And what if you get sent back to those people before you get to see anything?" Leaning down carefully, I grabbed the bags and started unpacking them, Bo swaying happily on top of me.

"I thought they weren't after us anymore. It's been a long time since you saved me."

"We can't be sure."

"Will you take me out later then?" I could tell he was pouting.

"Tonight, after it's dark."

"Thanks, Prop. I love you."

"I love you too, Bo. Now will you get down? You're heavy, and I could use your help unpacking the shopping." Gently, he climbed down for me and followed my orders to help.

That night, however, I didn't take him out for Scipio showed up last minute and we all sat around with him. I was the only one to know that he wasn't the same boat as the rest of us. Money wasn't why I like him, quite the opposite, I was in love with him because he didn't seem to care about the money he had. Trashy clothes, messy hair, cheep plastic mask, and taking care of the people who didn't have anything. That's why I loved him.

Silence was almost all that came from me. Talking only when need be, and the rest of the time I watched Scipio from the corner of my eyes. Beautiful was the only word to describe him, sparkling blue eyes were the highlight of his face though.

"Prop, you're oddly quite tonight? Anything on your mind?" Scipio was settled down next to me on the old worn out mattress that I called a bed.

"Nothing, I'm merely musing." Careful not to look at him, my eyes were fixed straight ahead.

"Musing about what? You're next poem?"

"Yeah, it's about a prince who falls in love with the unlikeliest of people." I wasn't able to help myself, it poured out without thought.

"And who might that be?"

My cheeks flared into a dark red, and my answer was a soft murmur, "It's nothing, just my musings."

"But I like hearing your musings. Their wonderful." Ghost like fingers brushed against my cheek, "Tell me please."

Slowly the words started flowing and I closed my eyes as they came,

"Dresses of fine silk,

Flow as the girls wearing them dance.

Illuminated by the lights,

They shine.

Beautiful boy,

That's who their all there for.

Prince of the land,

He who's to find a wife.

Creaking doors open,

Heads turn,

And the one comes in.

Gown falling smoothly in layers,

Red as a rose bud.

Sleeves short,

Nearly too short.

Plain cotton,

That falls short of where it should.

No jewels on that special person,

And nothing of that one fits into this scene.

Light steps lead the way,

Shoes of brown animal skins.

Sticking out-"

My hands clenched as Riccio tried to steal Scipio's attention, but his eyes stayed on me. "Why'd you stop? It sounds perfect to me." His voice was soft and a hand reached out to lay lightly on my shoulder.

"No, it's silly." I stood and turned to look down at him, "It never works out like that…so why even think about it?"

"Who says it doesn't?" Scipio stood as well, towering over me slightly, "That's what all the books that you read to Bo say. That the prince falls in love at first sight with a common woman."

Of course he'd think I was talking about a woman. "That's only in fairy tales. There's no happy endings in the real world, Scip, you should know that by now. After all, you're older then me and I know that."

"And what if I don't? What if I still believe in a love at first sight?"

Bo was watching us now and so was all the others, but my answer was confident, "Then I feel sorry for you, because there's going to be a lot of disappointments in your life."