Many years ago, there was a village on the border of France called Saulet Punau. It wasn't a large village by any means, but it got by. The streets were always lined with people and the likelihood of there being a dull moment was slim. There was a shop, in particular, that was known to be rather special. A shop that sold an array of little things, but, they also offered something else, something only these two people were capable of doing.

Psychometry or as those in Saulet Puanu called it Duma's gift as she was supposedly one of the first gifted to have the ability.

It gave both Token and his student Rosaline the ability to gain information by simply touching a person or a thing. Although, Rosaline also carried the weight of second sight, which allowed her to view events in the future or in the past, ones that included specific people.

On this warm summer night, The village was still buzzing just- not as much as it had been earlier that morning. Rosaline was sat behind the counter, tracing her fingers along the light wooden surface as her Master walked back and forth, the floorboards creaking as he packed for his journey.

The little shop was decorated with shades of purple and blue, the walls were covered in paintings, varying in levels of skill. Some were down low by the dark wooden floorboards and looked as if they had been done by a ten-year-old, some higher up, looking like the village artist Butters had painted them.

In the corner of the room, closest to the door was a large circular blue pillow with a deep purple, almost plum colored bowl beside it. Atop the circular pillow was a white dog, napping happily. On the other side of the room, was a tall black spiral staircase.

The arm rails were decorated with shades of turquoise and purple. Underneath the staircase was an archway that led into a room.

The room that the two used to use their abilities.

"Must you really go, Master?" The young girl asked, watching as the taller, superior tucked the bottle into his bag.

"I'm afraid so Rosaline. But have no fear, I'll be back before you know it." He responded, turning and looking at the much smaller girl.

His deep brown eyes fixed on the much shorter girl before frantically searching around the light wooden counters, looking for something. Once the dark eyes fixed on the bottle he was in search of, he reached his dark hand out, grabbing it and turning on his heel, the scarf around his neck flying out into the air.

Rosaline pondered asking, knowing full well he wouldn't tell her.

"Master, when will I be able to go with you on these journeys?" She asked softly, resting her chin in the palm of her hand.

The male stopped, turning to look Rosaline in her deep brown eyes.

Damn. She had grown. He remembered when she came to him, short messy brown hair, sad brown eyes, chubby cheeks, her little button nose and the dog she carried.

Nine years later, here she was standing in front of him. Her hair had grown, it now rested in the middle of her back, shorter strands of hair framed her round face while other strands were braided back to create a beautiful style and in the back? A little white bow to tie it together like the present she was.

Those once sad eyes were now full of light and love, she had become strong in her abilities and was no longer afraid to use them. She still carried the same button nose as she had when she was ten. Her chubby cheeks had slimmed down and made her face look much older and mature. She hadn't grown much since he had met her. Maybe five inches, leaving her to come up to the middle of his chest.

"Rosaline, these missions are far too dangerous for you, especially with how young you are." He said, tilting his head slightly.

Rosaline frowned "Hey! I'm nineteen! I could totally handle a mission with you!" She exclaimed, folding her arms.

Token chuckled. He couldn't help it. She was precious.

"Maybe next time Rose. It's too late now..." He said simply, looking into her eyes.

"I've left you a list of chores to go through and I believe you will take great care of the shop isn't that right darling?" He asked, leaning on the counter.

Rosaline nodded her head frantically, long brown locks falling from behind her ears.

"Do not forget to feed the dog, Rose..." He added, cocking his head as he turned on his heel to continue packing.

"Wait, you aren't taking Zeth? He always goes with you on missions Master!"

Token shakes his head "This one is too dangerous. Even for Zeth." He replied, his voice growing quiet, his eyes trailing across the store to the white dog sitting on his bed who had perked up at the sound of his name.

Rose sighed heavily "Alright, I understand...When will you return?" She asked softly, looking up at him as she tucked the strands behind her ears.

Token sighed "You ask so many questions, Rose." He said, tying the leather straps tightly. "But, that's how you've always been." He added, watching as Rosaline walked around from behind the counter, standing in front of him.

"Farewell Rosaline, take care of Zeth while I am away," Token said sternly, not flinching as Rosaline wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Farewell Master."

Token hugged her tightly, embracing his young student. For the past nine years, he had trained Rosaline so intensely, even allowing her to live with him.

Rosaline took a step back, approaching the door, unlatching the lock and pulling open the wooden door.

"Rose, I left some money for you in the back room, you'll find it. I'll be back soon." Token added as he walked out of the shop.

"Thank you, Master! See you soon!" She exclaimed cheerily, gently shutting the door behind him.

"Well Zeth, looks like it's just you and me isn't it?"

The dog perked up a little, watching the girl walk across the room, hopping up on the counter, watching out the window as he left town, her stomach sinking, something didn't feel right.

Rosaline wasn't aware but she was tugging at the string bracelets she wore around her wrist. The bracelets Token had given to her, one for each year they had known each other.

Rosaline's mind was racing, trying to use the skills she had been taught by her master.

But, it wasn't working, she didn't have her fingers on his wrist to see these visions. She couldn't tell his future.

Rosaline was attempting to use her skills, but a knock at the door caught her attention.

Zeth began barking loudly, sliding off the counter, Rosaline approached the door. "Quiet Zeth! It's nothing to bark about!"

Rosaline gently tugged the large wooden door open, looking up.

Standing before her was a tall man, a scarf covering his head in an attempt to hide his identity.

"May I come in?" He asked, watching Rosaline step aside "Oh! Of course!" She chirped cheerily, watching the figure enter the building.

"I'm going to assume you're looking for my Master, Master Token correct?" Rosaline asked, gently closing the door behind him.

"No actually." The man replied, turning to face the much shorter woman "I'm searching for that girl he was training...Rose something...Alina? Maybe?"

Rosaline felt her heart drop into her stomach. This mysterious man was looking for her.

"I hope this doesn't come out snarky but, uhm, It's RosALINE." She replied softly, giving a gentle smile.

"Rosaline hmm? Do you know where I can find her?" He asked, his hands trailing to the scarf.

Rosie perked up, a gentle nature returning "You've found her. Hi! I'm Rosaline!" She chirped cheerily, clasping her hands together in front of her.

"Ah. Fantastic." He said, loosening the scarf from around his head to reveal the messy raven locks.

In a matter of seconds, Rosaline knew who was standing before her.

The count.

Rosaline felt her breath hitch in her throat "Oh- I- Co-Stan I-" Rosaline didn't know what to say.

The Count chuckled "Settle yourself, Rosaline." He said, "I come to you with a proposal."

Rosie swallowed hard "Oh! A-A Proposal? What for?" She asked "I'm sorry, that came out snarky- I didn't mean for it to I-" Rosie clapped a hand over her mouth.

"To come work for me." He stated simply, looking down at the much shorter girl.

Rosaline dropped her hand back to her side "T-To come work for you? What could you possibly need a weakling like me for?" She asked curiously, raising her eyebrows.

Stan raised an eyebrow "So you're strengths in Second sights are weak? Should I find another with your abilities?"

Roses' heart sped up, shaking her head frantically "I- No! No not at all!" She exclaimed, "I-I'd be happy to come work for you." Rose stopped "If it is acceptable, would you mind telling me why?" She asked softly, followings Stans gaze over to the dog.

Stan looked concerned "Who is that?" he asked

Rosaline followed his eyes to the dog "Oh. That is just Master Tokens dog, Zeth. The most he'll do is attack you with kisses and hugs." She explained, watching the dog chew on his toy.

"Cute." Stan replied before continuing "Right, so, the job I have for you involves helping me finish off the case of Countess Wendy's murder."

"Finish off? Was it never solved?" She asked curiously, her fingers gripping the lilac skirt of hers.

Stan shook his head no, the raven locks falling in front of his face."Unfortunately. You see, we told the village that we had solved but, we've lost the man who committed the crime.

"That's awful..." Rose replied, thinking out loud, unaware she was saying these things.

"Agreed," Stanley responded, shifting his weight before turning his gaze to Rosaline "I do hope this isn't considered rude but, do you happen to have something to drink?"

Rose looked up at the question, nodding her head, crossing the shop, the light wooden floorboards creaking "Absolutely! What would you like my lord?"

The count thought before turning to her "do you happen to have any Honey Tremor?"

Rosaline bit on her lip before nodding "I believe so? If not, do you have a backup?"

He thought once more before responding "If you have no Honey Tremor Arctic Heaven possibly?"

Rose nods "That. I know for a fact we have, it's Master Tokens favorite drink!" She exclaimed before continuing "I've got to run upstairs to grab your drink, I'll be right back!" Rosaline added cheerily, heading up the metal spiral staircase.

Quickly, Rosaline climbed up the stairs, heading into the space she lived in with her master.

Jogging her way into the kitchen, she approached the large box the two kept ice in, digging around before finding the bottle of Honey Tremor.

Rosaline turned on her heel, taking the bottle to the kitchen table and setting it down, her pale hands gripped the cap tightly, grunting softly as she tugged off the lid.

Rosaline walked past the table, opening the large cabinet, her eyes frantically looking for a glass that would be appropriate for the count.

Her eyes landed on a glass in the back, her hands reaching into the back of the cabinet and grabbing hold, pulling it forward and out. Rose turned on her heel and setting the cup on the table. Gently, she picked up the bottle, pouring the yellow liquid into the glass, filling it about halfway before setting the bottle back onto the wooden table with a soft clank. Rose tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she turned, heading back down the stairs.

"Here you are! Luckily, we had some Honey Tremor left!" She chirped, coming back down to the wooden floorboards.

The Count had been admiring some of the art on the walls "Did Butters paint this?" He asked, gently taking the glass from her and sipping the yellow liquid. "Thank you." He added quietly.

Rosie grinned "No problem, oh and no, my Master Token did...he's really talented isn't he?"

Stan nodded "Incredibly." He said quietly, nodding as he took a large gulp of his drink.

Rosaline nodded "Yeah.." She said softly, looking up at the swirls of green and purple paints.

"Where is Master Token anyway?" He asked, turning his attention to the shorter girl.

Rose looked up "Hmmm..oh, well...He's out...Missions and stuff. He never tells me where he is going just that he needs to and that I need to stay here and manage things..but, I'm sure if he knew I was going with you tomorrow he'd be fine with it."

Stan nodded "I see..."

Rosaline watched as the count set down the glass "It's been a pleasure speaking with you Rosaline. I will be seeing you tomorrow."He said calmly, reaching over and grabbing the scarf he had worn to protect himself.

"You will. Most definitely!" Rosie exclaimed, squirming past him and to the door to open it for him.

"Take care on your travels back to the palace." She added, pulling the large wooden door open for the much taller male.

"I will. Thank you, Rosaline, oh and one last thing-" He said before continuing "As far as your dog Zeth goes, he can come with seeing as leaving him alone would be cruel."

Rosie perked up, looking over at the panting puppy.

"I hope this isn't out of line my lord but, do you happen to have a pet as well?" She asked curiously, her deep brown eyes meeting his.

Stanley couldn't help the smile that curled to his lips "Why yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I've got a dog, his name is Spectre." He replied, looking down at Rosaline.

"Zeth will be beyond excited to meet Spectre! I can't wait!" She exclaimed cheerily.

Stan nodded "Good night Rosaline." He said with a gentle nod, leaving the shop.

"Good night my lord!" She exclaimed cheerily, watching as he left.

Once he was out of sight, Rosaline turned to Zeth "Do you need to go outside my love?" She asked softly, watching as the dog rose from his bed.

"Come on my love!"

The dog barked happily, tail wagging frantically as he ran outside, heading for the back Alley, where he knew he was supposed to go.

Rosaline grabbed the triangular block off the shelf, jammed it under the door and left it cracked.

It wasn't like she was leaving the shop, besides Master Token did it all the time.

Rosaline followed Zeth into the back Alley, leaning against the wall as she waited for him to do his business.

Her mind began to wander to her master, straying away from the encounter with the ruler of the town.

As Rosaline stood, leaning against the wall, her eyes darted over to a wanted poster hanging on the wall. She had seen this poster many times and had ripped it off the wall many times.

Rose stood up, crossing over and yanking it off the wall "Damn palace, placing a poster like this in an Alley won't do you any good."

Rose crumbled it up and stuffed it in her pocket, not wanting to think about a criminal around here.

Zeth then trotted his way over, sitting down in front of her.

"Hey baby, you ready to go back inside?" She asked, crouching down to pet his white fur "Let's go get something in that fuzzy belly of yours."

Rosie guided Zeth back inside the shop, reaching down and pulling the block out from under the door, letting it fall shut.

Rosie huffed, tossing some of her dark hair behind her shoulders, "Alright Zeth, what're you feeling tonight?" She asked curiously, her pace was slow and even as she headed for the stairs up into the living space she had shared with Master Token.

As she approached the long spiral staircase, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Rosie jumped, turning towards the hand and was greeted to a pale chest. Her eyes darted up, the black curls hung slightly in his face, well, what she could see of it anyway. His nose and jaw were protected with a thick black cloth.

His gloved finger shot up and pressed a finger to her lips, his deep brown eyes met with hers. Rosaline felt a sense of panic and fear as she tried to squirm away from the mystery man.

"Quiet your dog." He demanded in his deep voice, motioning to Zeth who had begun to loudly bark.

Rosie reached out a hand, gently placing it on the dogs head, giving him a few comforting strokes.

A shiver trailed down her spine as her and the stranger looked into the eyes of each other.

"I'll explain myself once they are gone..."

Rosie raised an eyebrow, pushing his finger from her lips "When who is gone?" She asked nervously, but before she had time to answer she heard them. Palace guards running frantically down the streets.

"Oh..." She said softly, taking a few steps towards the large window that allowed the sunlight in, grabbing hold of the thick golden rope, she tugged the curtains closed.

"Why do you need to hide from the palace guards?" She asked softly before remembering "You'll tell me once they've passed- I remember now."

He gave a firm nod, not wanting to move from his place on the floor, it gave Rosaline a chance to soak him in.

He was a tall, Slender man with thick messy curls that fell in front of his left eye. His deep brown eyes were heavy and his raven brows were just a thick as his curls although in his left one, a clean and straight slit was shaved. He wore a long black coat with a white shirt that exposed his upper chest. His pants and shoes were both blacks.

Rosaline took a few steps towards the door, pulling it open and looking left, then right, then left again.

The guards were gone.

Rose pulled her head back in, looking up at him "Okay, they're gone...you're safe." She said quietly, taking a few steps toward him.

"Now please, tell me who you are..." She pleaded softly, gently petting Zeths head.

He stared at her, clearly contemplating something, what though, Rosaline wasn't sure. After an awkward silence, his gloved hand reached up and tugged the black fabric from around his face, exposing a slender and sharp jaw with a long, deep and a jagged scar running across the left side of his face. His lips were chapped and looked as if he had been biting on them as fresh scabs were building.

Where had she seen that face before? He looked familiar but where.

Rose looked up at him, waiting for an answer, her gaze soft- a silent peace offering to this stranger.

"My name is Michael." He said simply, being incredibly vague about it.

Rosaline swallowed, the name itself sounded familiar but where had she heard it before? Was it the market? Did someone also happen to be named Michael and that's why he seemed familiar or was there a palace guard she had met at some point with the same name?

But then, it hit her. The wanted poster.

Rose gently reached into her pocket and pulled out the crumpled up paper, straightening it and looking down at the drawing of the criminal on the wanted poster. Rosies' stomach dropped lower and lower as the pieces matched up.

The name, the curls, the scar on his jaw.

"You're..." She said meekly, feeling as if in that very moment she was going to throw up.

Michael sighed "Yes, yes, I am wanted by the palace but it-" He sighed once more, his face falling "It's too complicated for someone like you to understand."

Rosaline frowned "nothing is too complicated for me..." She said softly, biting down on her lip.

Michael scoffed "Are you sure about that?" He asked, catching her gaze once more.

Rosaline knew better than to engage so she avoided it "Is there any particular reason you came in here other than to hide from the palace guards?"

Michael shifted his weight, raising an eyebrow at her, "Well, I was curious about your whole magical powers or whatever..."

Rosaline snickered "So you've heard of me before have you?"

"Hasn't everyone?"

Rosaline's heart skipped a beat in a metaphorical way. "Do you even know what Dumas gift is?" She asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. I do. Dumas gift allows you to discover information about things just by touching them." He responded but was unprepared for her next question.

"Do you know what Second sight is?"

Michael frowned "No, enlighten me, dear..."

Rose grinned, reaching out and taking his hand, "Come with me, I'll show you how second sight works."