Um… I rewrote this. Just because I wanted to improve it so it wouldn't weigh down on my conscience for all of eterntity…. Idk if this goes back to the top of the series feed (*under breath* I sure hope not…), or just replaces my old one… Scott Westerfeld owns the Leviathan series and all recognizable references….

Her reflection stared back at her. Tall, lanky, as straight as a board, and no curves to be seen. She tucked her shirttails into her pants, trying further to eliminate traces of femininity. Her dress lay on the floor, discarded. The last traces of her real self laid atop her head.

Her arms came up to untie the awful ribbon that bound her hair. It cascaded into a curtain surrounding her face. Leaning on her bureau, her small hands reached for the shears.

Snip. Snip. Snip. In a matter of moments, her golden locks were scattered on the floor. The short cut of her hair abolished the last tell-tale sign that she was a girl. Perfect. Now that she had the appearance out of the way, she had another pressing matter to attend to.

"Deryn Sharp. Deryn Sharp. Dylan Sharp?" She continued to lower her voice, until it the higher note of it was almost undetectable.

"Dylan Sharp." She said one last time, content with the end result.

She exited her room, and walked down the hallway, reaching the parlor. With trembling hands, she knocked on the wooden door.

"Come on in! Ma, you're going to be surprised." Jaspert's voice seeped through the door. Deryn pushed the door open, revealing her new appearance to her family.

"Deryn! What did you do?" Her mother stood from her chair, and began circling the young girl. The woman's hand reached up to caress curls that weren't there. Her eyes wandered to the new midshipman uniform. "Why…?" Her mother brought her hand to her face, covering her gaping mouth.

"Hair grows back, Ma." Deryn's own hand travelled through her short hair, convincing her mother, as well as herself, that this was the right thing to do. "I've made my decision. I want to be a midshipman."

"That's not what I meant when I told you that you needed to think of your future! I meant that you needed to stop being immature and think of-"

"Ma, she's made her choice." Turning to Deryn, Jaspert continued. "I'll take you to London next week. You'll do great." He gave a nod to reassure her.

Their mother took deep breaths. "Alright, but if anything goes wrong, anything, you will return here, and wear your dresses and act as a girl. Undersatnd?"

"Yes."

Mother exited the room, muttering something along the lines of: "That girl, always getting into trouble. What will I ever do?"

The siblings turned to face each other. Deryn looked at the floor, as Jaspert grabbed her hand. "Ya know, Da would be proud."

"Really?" She raised her gaze from the floorboards, "That's what I wanted. To show him that what he did wasn't for nothing. That I could live in his legacy."

"Well, I think you're doing a great job so far." Her brother nodded. "You might even get a medal of your own someday."

"Thanks." Her timid grin spread into a sly smirk. "Race you to the top of the oak out back!" And off they went, up into the air. But not as quite as high as they would've liked. For that, they would have to wait for the airships.

Yeah. There it is. If this does so happen to go back to the top of the feed, then do me a favor and review? Thanks, and a-buh-bye!