Today was a special day. No not my birthday or anything like that. Today was the anniversary of when Columbia first took flight.

It's been about 20 years since then, not that if know that since I was born here way back when. My dad, Patrick Harper, has had hard time since then in all honesty. For one, he had to reason to the US why he attacked the Boxers during their uprising.

And then there was the Vox Populi. That definitely got ugly, that was until Daisy Fitzroy revealed to the public all of Fink's crimes against humanity.

Last rumor I heard is that my dad was thinking of making him live in even worse living conditions than the people of Finkton ever did. Daisy was all to happy when she was able to choose the punishment.

Though because of that, tensions have been a bit high recently. I mean I get that people can't change their mind but come on, if you where living in those shitty houses wouldn't you want to kick the landlord's ass?

Thank god my mother convinced my dad to let me go to the fair today. It took a lot of convincing, some of which I don't want to think about, but I'm actually getting to go outside today.

Ya see...well since I'm the son of the guy who runs the place I'm both liked in some areas and hated in others.

"You sure you want to go? It's okay if you don't want to, no one's pressuring you to do anything." My dad said as we stood outside the door to my super duper big house.

I gave him a deadpanned look, "Dad. I'm fine. I swear you can be such a worrywart sometimes." I said with a straight face.

My dad crossed his arms, "I just want to make sure my son is safe. That's all." he said. Yeah that much is clear, like when he wanted a Handyman to escort me to the fair itself, real low profile.

I started on my way to the fair, "Alight, I'll be back later dad." I said as I began to walk.

"Don't talk to strangers!" He called out. I put my hand over my face, such a pansy.

I could have taken a small ship to the fair but that would just be like announcing my my arrival as Jacob Harper. So I opted for just walking there. I managed to get on ferry to that brought me near the earl one center to Columbia. Lately we've been getting more and more visitors from down below, sometimes they stayed, sometimes not, but with word of a World War brewing down there we've been more careful if who we let on.

Walking towards the statue of my dad, to which they made without his knowledge, I saw that everyone was heading for the fairgrounds. Just fallow the crowds.

As I walked down the street I couldn't help get this guy feeling that I was being watched. When I got to the bridge as the floats passed by I just couldn't stand it, I looked up at the rooftop behind me.

Oh screw you dad.

The order of the Raven where originally just a bunch of KKK rejects that got together in Columbia doing 'street justice' to anyone not white.

To say my dad was pissed at them would be a understatement. I get right to free speech and all that is important but I really don't think that anyone should listen to them.

The weirdest thing was that they all worshipped my mom and dad like gods. So my dad made a deal with them, be his personal trained guard to his family and forget their intolerant ways, or leave Columbia.

Neatless to say they're still here. And aplenty my dad sent one to keep tags on me!

When the bridge rose up so that people could cross, I hurried across. I kept a eye out waiting for the bird-brain to make his move. When he turned into a flick of feathers I ran into the closest building, a library.

I may have lost the tail...feathered tail...whatever, but I knocked into someone on the process, making them spill their books. I bent down and picked up the books with the person I ran into, "Oh man, I'm so sorry! I didn't see where I was-" I was cut off when their hand and mine both landed on the sans book.

I looked up and my breath hitched in my throat.

She was beautiful...

I visibly gulped. My house staff aren't exactly all girls my age, plus the fact I don't go out much kinda adds to how I'm not very good with encounters of the opposite sex.

She had ruby red lips that complimented her sky blue eyes. Her brown hair was done up in a ponytail that showed how long it was. "Ummm...hi?" I asked flinging out on a limb.

The girl was shocked too, both of us where. We both noticed that our hands where still touching on the book and we both drew away, "Sorry." we both said.

We both blushed, grasped the book and handed it to her, she graciously accepted. "Sorry for bumping into you like that I had no idea where I was going." I said as I stood and held out a hand.

She shyly took it, "It's alright, to be fair I probably shouldn't be reading when I'm standing up straight." she said with a flustered face. I saw that the dress she was wearing was beautiful, it had a petal design at the bottom and was white all over except for a portion of her shoulder and collar.

I realized I was kinda staring and blushed, "Still, sorry." I realized I haven't introduced myself, "My name's Jacob, Jacob Williams." I said thinking fast and holding our my hand again.

The girl politely took my hand and shook it, "Elizabeth Dewitt. Nice to meet you." she replied.

I heard the sound of a Crow shriek, we both looked outside to see my tail looking for me. "Crap." I muttered, I hid behind one of the bookshelves and waited for him to fly away to.

I didn't expect Elizabeth to join me behind the shelf, "Why are you hiding?" she asked with concern.

I scratched the back of my head, "Well..." aw the hell with it, "My dad kinda sent him to look after me." I said in defeat.

Elizabeth gave me a sideways look, "But only Patrick Harper can..." she started. She gave me a through look before her eyes widened, "Your-"

I covered her mouth with my hand, "Shh! Look, I'm sorry for lying but I seriously need to get out of his sight. Can you help?" I asked pleadingly, withdrawing my hand.

She thought for a moment and set her books down on a nearby shelf, "I know a back way out of here, fallow me." she said, taking my arm and leading me to the back exit.

Closing the door behind us, I fallowed the girl down the alleyway and onto the streets. I looked around to make sure we weren't still being fallowed, I let out a sigh of relief, "Thanks Elizabeth. I owe ya." I said gratefully.

I looked over to her and saw she had a look of shock on her face, "You owe-Mr. Harper I should be saying that to you!" she said with a unbelieving tone.

I looked at her weirdly, "Elizabeth I didn't do anything." I said with honesty. "And call me Jacob, I can't stand the formalities." I added.

Elizabeth opened and closed her mouth before speaking, "O-ok. Jacob...well, since my day at the libaray. What exactly where you planning to do today?" she asked.

I smiled, "In all honesty I just came out today to see the fair." I explained.

Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest, "Really? Well I haven't gone there yet...mind if I tag along?" she asked.

I felt my heart jump at that offer. Wait, the hell? "Sure. And sorry about the books by the way." I said apologetically.

She shrugged and smiled, "Don't mention it."

Wow...so this is what all the fuss is about. This place is really bigger than I thought, there's what I guess you'd call the standard games like shooting and that as well as a few rides. "Holy crap this place is bigger deal than I thought."

Elizabeth smirked, "That coming from you concerns me. Coming from the future leader and all." she said jokingly.

I rolled my eyes, "That's kind if the reason I came here today. See how the people of the city are." I explained.

Elizabeth laughed, "You say that like you've never been outside before." she said, not realizing she kinda hit the nail on the head.

"In total? This is my sixth time out of the house in my life." I said with a straight face. "My dad is protective to say the least." I explained, seeing the shocked look on Elizabeth's face.

She let out a 'ha' at my comment, "My dad is like that too. Daddy's little girls and all that." she said rolling her eyes.

We passed a vendor selling these things called Voxophones as I spoke, "Girls? As in plural?" I asked.

She nodded, "My little sister Courtnee. She's three years younger than me, but don't let that fool you, she's evil." she said menacingly. I laughed at the idea, "Hey don't laugh! She once switched my hair conditioner with glue. Had to cut my hair so short just to get it all out." she said as she ran a hand through her hair.

I smiled nonetheless, "Guess I dodged a bullet when I asked my mom and dad for a little brother to play with when I was little." I thought aloud.

Elizabeth smiled, "You have no idea." she said. As we walked through the fairgrounds, Elizabeth saw a throwing game, " Hey, wanna play?" she asked, pointing to the game stall and welcoming owner.

What the hell right?

Heading over to the stall, the man noticed us right away, "Young sir! How 'bout you win your lady friend a stuffed animal? I'm sure she'd appreciate it!" he said, making the two of us blush at the insinuation.

"Sure, why not?" I said. The game was one of those old shooting things. Hit the targets win a prize, my dad taught in case I ever needed to...well yeah.

I looked down the sights and pulled the trigger, hitting one of the duck targets on a rail. A few seconds later, the man was presenting me with a stuffed bird...looking...man thing. "What the hell?" I muttered.

Elizabeth smiled, "It's Songbird, the radio show character? He's like a superhero?"

I shrugged, "Nope, I don't usually listen to radio actually." I said, really what I do all day is read books, though it takes me a while to get through some of them.

Elizabeth looked at me with shock, she snatched the bird doll from my hands, "I'll take it somewhere it'll be loved. Unlike your house, with no radio listening going on." she said.

I shrugged, "I was gonna give it to ya anyway." I said. No point in keeping the thigh if I don't know what it's about.

Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you Jacob. That's very a gentleman thing to do." she said, giving me a smile. I blushed madly, "Come on, let's see what else there's to do!" se said, pulling me towards more attractions.

This was gonna be a great day I could tell.

After riding a few rides and playing a few more games, the announcer over the speakers said it was almost time for the raffle to begin. Elizabeth and I fallowed the signs that pointed to the raffle, "So...why don't you want anyone to know who you are?" she asked curiously.

I let out a sigh, "I guess I just want to be...normal for a day. No one treating me special because my dad runs the city. I mean I'm grateful and all, but..." I struggled to find the right words.

"You want to be your own man?" Elizabeth supplied. I nodded, that sounded about right...

"Welcome everyone! Grab a ticket and get ready for the raffle to begin!" the announcer called out over the crowd. Women dressed in red, white, and blue where moving throughout the crowd, handing out small notes with numbers on them.

I opened the note and saw I had #77. "What did you get?" I asked showing her my number. She turned it to me and showed her #2.

I looked around and saw no one watching and I slipped Elizabeth my number, "Jacob! That's cheating!" she hissed.

I shrugged, "You could use whatever the prize is. Besides, if it's something like the doll you'll actually know what to do with it." I said.

Before she could protest, the announcer spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen! It's time to start the raffle!" he yelled over the crowd. Elizabeth glared at me, I gulped.

The announcer drew a paper from a bowl filled with papers. "And the winner is..." drumroll please, "Number 77!"

Holy crap.

Elizabeth looked down at the paper with jaw dropped, before she could speak up I took her hand and raised it, "Here! She's 77! " I yelled. The crowd erupted in cheers and Elizabeth was pushed up to the stage by me and the crowd.

The prize was pair of tickets to see the Lutece Twins' lecture next week. They'd been sold out for a few months now and Elizabeth looked genuinely happy about the prize.

"That was still cheating." Elizabeth said as we walked the streets towards Harper house. It was getting late and my dad would send out the troops in search for me soon enough.

I shrugged, "Consider it a 'thank you' for spending the day with me and helping me out. I...really liked spending time with you Elizabeth." I said truthfully, making both of us blush.

When we turned the corner, Harper house flew high in the air, the gate on the far side of the square, "So...I have two tickets." Elizabeth said suddenly.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that a pair means two." I got a elbow for that.

"Anyway...I was thinking...if you could sneak out again next week...maybe we could go...together." she said, avoiding my gaze and making me freeze in my place.

Was Elizabeth...what was it that my mother called it? Courting? Maybe , but that sounds outdated, back when they did it. A date! Elizabeth is asking me out on a date...but don't they only do that when...oh...

I looked at her hopeful eyes and smiled, "I'd love to Elizabeth. Besides it'll be nice to see auntie Rosalind and Uncle Robert." I added, making her do a double take.

"Auntie and Uncle?!"

"Long story." I said, "Tell ya next time." I added, getting back on topic. I'm sure dad would let me go to see those two again, mom would convince him if not I'm pretty sure.

"So...until next week?" she asked.

"Until next week." I repeated, earning me a big smile from her.

As Elizabeth was about to leave, she spun on a heel and stood on her tiptoes and pecked my cheek with a kiss. "It's a date." she said before leaving.

I stood there watching her retreating form for as long as I could. Part of me thought she did that because she wanted to, and another said because she'd probably see how I'd react.

When the wire dress was out of sight, I returned to my home.

I honestly expected my dad to be peeved when I got home, losing the Crow and all, but when I entered the lavish living room, he and my mother where sitting with content looks on their faces.

What the hell?

"How was the fair son?" Dad asked with his nose in paperwork.

I cleared my throat, "It was fun. Thanks for letting me go guys. Both of you." I said. Just win over the affection now, before they go ballistic for losing the Crow.

My mom smiled as she wrote in her journal, "Glad you enjoyed yourself. Hope you didn't fill up on food there, that stuff will make you sick. And dinner will be ready in a few so you better wash up." Mom said, not looking up.

Ok I'm getting creeped out by this!

I headed for the doorway just to leave the awkwardness behind when dad spoke up, "And we can't wait to talk all about your friend at dinner."

I felt myself go rigid, "Holy good mother of Christ above don't tell me-" I mumbled out.

Mom grinned as she sat up, "Honey it's perfectly fine, so you met a girl that you like. So what's her name? Is she nice?" she asked.

I let my head fall into my face, "Her names Elizabeth. And she's a good friend." I muttered.

My mom gave me a look, "Well that little lipstick on your cheek says otherwise."

I felt my hand to my cheek and drew away, oh god. This is gonna be one long ass night.

A week later, me and Elizabeth met up outside the Lutece's lecture and caught up with one another before heading inside. I decided it would be best not to tell her about all the 'advice' my mom and dad's been giving me.

When we went in and took our seats, we where in the perfect spot in the room acoustic wise.

Halfway through the two talking about Quantum Particles, I felt something on my hand. Looking down, I saw Elizabeth was grasping it ever so lightly. She avoided my gaze but I could tell she was asking if I liked her in her own way.

I clasped my hand around hers and she smiled like I was.

Somehow...for some reason...this felt right.

AN: I hoped you all liked this little oneshot I made. I'm working on the Paris oneshots and I should have the story out in a few days.

Next one of these, we head under the sea.

Please leave a review if you want. Don't be shy.