A little girl ,no older than seven or eight, sat at the side of the street watching as people passed her. She was trying to keep tears from rolling down her face. She was cold, hungry and in quite a bit of pain. Her entire body was bruised from the beating she had received earlier, her feet cracked and bleeding from her lack of shoes.

As she watched the passing people she saw, as she always did, strange and terrifying ghost-like things hovering above some of them, with chains clasped around their necks, as if to bind them to that person. Not only did she see them she also heard their cries as they begged for freedom. They often made her feel spoiled for complaining about her life while they floated there completely helpless to their situation.

Since she was in deep thought she did not notice the clown that had stopped to stare at her. "Mana" the clown looked away from the girl to see his foster son glaring at him, crossing his arms as he tapped his foot impatiently.

"Don't you think we should help her, Allen?" the clown asked, in a cheerful voice, nodding his head at the child.

Allen walked over to see who Mana was talking about. A girl, who couldn't be much older then him, was sitting on the side of the street, staring off into space, with eyes that looked like that of a demon, blood red with slit pupils. Her long hair was a blueish-purple colour, pulled back in a sloppy half ponytail, exposing elf-like ears. She wore what looked like a pillowcase with arm holes, and her feet were bare, cracked and bleeding. Her body covered with bruises. All in all, she was a mess.

But this didn't faze Allen, as he had grown up in a similar way.

He glared up at his guardian. "No" he said flatly.

"Allen, don't be so cold hearted!" Mana said with a pouting face.

"This happens all the time. There are always kids who have been abandoned 'cause they look weird" Allen said, speaking from experience. "Now lets go, or we'll miss the train"

The clown frowned. Ignoring his son he walked over to the girl and crouched down beside her. "Hello" he said in his cheerful voice, trying not to startle her.

Her head turned to look at the clown.

"Ma~na!" Allen bemoaned angrily.

Again ignoring him Mana asked "What's your name?"

The girl looked at him suspiciously not sure whether to answer or not.

Seeing her eyes squint in suspicion, the clown said "It's alright. I won't hurt you"

"Idiot! Don't tell 'er that!" Allen said angrily, slamming his palm into his forehead.

"Why not?" asked Mana.

"'Cause that's what they all say, dumbass!"

"Huh?"

"Agh!" he groaned in frustration at his guardians ignorance. He walked up to the girl looked her straight in the eye and said "Look he may seem sketchy but he's tryin' ta help and he probably won't leave ya alone 'til ya let 'im, 'kay?"

The girl searched the boy's eyes, looking for any hint of deception, but found none. Looking back at the clearly confused clown she said. "I don't have a name"

"Well then" he said jumping up from his squat "we'll just have to fix that!"

Now the girl looked confused.

Crouching down Mana picked up the little thing and started to walk down the street.

"Mana!" Mana turned "The train station is this way!" called Allen, pointing in the opposite direction.

"But we're not going to the train station" he said and continued walking.

"W-what?!" Allen yelled, but the clown didn't stop.

Groaning once again Allen picked up the suitcase Mana had left behind and ran after them.

_

The little elf girl - Allen deciding that's what he would call her - was fast asleep in Mana's arms as he and Allen walked for what seemed like hours. As they entered the inn Mana saw a sitting area and putting the the little elf on Allen's back, told him to go sit down.

Sighing Allen did as he was told as Mana went to the counter where the innkeeper sat reading a book.

Looking up the innkeeper was bit perplexed to see a clown at the desk but shook it off and greeted him "Hey there, what can I do ya for?" he smiled.

"One room please" said the clown smiling back.

"Sure thing"

The Innkeeper walked into a back room and came out with a key. "Here's your key. You are in the second room on the right" he said passing Mana the key and pointing to the stars that lead to the sleeping quarters.

"Thank you" he said.

"So ya get us a room?" Mana turned to see Allen standing behind him with a drowsy looking elf behind him.

"Yep, shall we go?"

Allen only scoffed and turned away walking in the direction of the room, elf in tow.

-

The room was small with a double bed against one wall, and a dresser against the other. There was no bathroom, probably had to use a public one, and the window was small letting in little light. But at least its warm... Allen thought, as he recalled some of the other, not so nice Inns they had stayed in.

Looking over at at the girl beside him he saw a dazed look on her face, she was probably trying to convince herself she wasn't dreaming.

"Well then" Mana said looking at the two children smiling. "how about I go change and we can go get something to eat, hm?"

"Just hurry up" Allen muttered

Chuckling the clown opened his suitcase dug out some clothes and left to go change, leaving Allen and the girl alone.

Looking back to the girl Allen said "Ya shouldn't get too used to this, ya ain't stayin'"

She looked over at him, "I know" she said, looking straight into his eyes.

"Good" he murmured looking away from her intense stare.

"Well that feels better" Mana said as he re-entered the room, now wearing a long black coat and top hat.

"Now lets go eat" Allen said.

"Hold up, Allen"

"Agh! What?" he asked angrily.

"The little elf can't go out dressed like that"

"Huh?"

Mana then pointed at the girl. "It's cold outside. She needs clothes, lend her some of yours will you? You look about the same size"

Allen stared at Mana mouth hanging open.

"Like hell! It ain't like she's stayin' with us"

Mana's brow furrowed "And why not?"

"Are ya- ya can't go around takin' in every damn stray ya find!"

"Allen. I took you in, what's so bad about taking her in? Besides we'd have more money because she could help with the circus jobs.

Allen's jaw clenched. He knew there was no real reason why she couldn't stay, but he didn't want anyone else with them. He wanted it to just be him and Mana.

"Allen...?" Mana asked.

Throwing up his hands in frustration he said "Fine! Whatever!"

"Great! I'll go and ask for cheap restaurant suggestions" Mana once again left the room.

Sighing Allen rummaged through the suitcase to find his only other change of clothes and boots and handed them to the girl.

She looked at him for second then took them. Then she began to pull the pillowcase off her body.

"W-what are you doing?" Allen asked, as his cheeks heated up.

"Changing" the girl said.

"Go to the bathroom and change," he said looking away.

She gave him a confused look.

He sighed "Never mind" and turned around, his face and ears as red as cherries.

After a few minutes she was finished changing. She now wore brown pants with patches on the knees, a white long sleeved button down shirt, and a gray vest, though she was reluctant to put the boots on.

"Here" she looked up to see Allen holding out a roll of bandages.

"Thanks" she said taking the roll and and sitting down, began trying to rap her feet but was having trouble.

Allen sighed and took the roll from her and bandaging her feet instead. When he was done he handed her the boots which she put on, and offered his hand to help her stand.

She took it.

When she was up he quickly let go and walked to the door.

"Let's go" he said, and she quickly followed.

-