Hallo beautiful people! So, I was checking progress and found that this story has already gotten over 108 views. Oh my goodness guys thank you, that is amazing. ******For those of you who are upset at Thorne, let me remind you of how he acted towards her in the actually series before he fell in love with her. He was a complete jerk. But don't worry, he's gonna fall for her, and he's gonna be a wreck. It'll be great. It will just take some time, because he has spent his whole life acting like this. Cress has her work cut out for her.****** Also, (I know this is long, but please read) let's make a goal of...15 reviews. If you guys are awesome enough to tell me what you think, I will give you a sneak peak at a future scene.
To Lunartic21: I know right? He's being a bit of a brat, but hopefully he will change soon. ;) (Well, accept for this chapter, you are going to despise him after this. Like really despise. ) And I need inspiration for Cress's next nightmare. Think you could help? That'd be so cool if you could. To Guest: I hate them too, and it was really hard to right like that. But I had to make them like Sybil, so. And I love responding to reviews, it lets people know how much I appreciate them. I am definitely planning on writing from both of their views, but I was wondering about some from Kai and Cinder's? They have a super cute story coming up. So do Wolf and Scarlet. Jacin and Winter don't come in for a while, but theirs will be a bit unique.
To Bookluver28: I hate him too, but if you feel the same way that means I'm doing my job, so thanks! In a weird, twisted sort of way. On your question of how many chapters, **THIS MAY INTEREST OTHERS** I know it will be more than ten. I'm going to try and write more for each chapter. So for the fourth, 4,000 words. Fifth, 5,000, etc. (I don't count the author's notes in the word count, so it will be fair to you guys.) So this endeavor will get...interesting. ;) And as to that last suggestion, I will totally do that. Thanks for the tip!
To Kit125: Oh sweet goodness you are so awesome! Thank you so much! I will definitely keep going. One of the reasons I wanted to do this in the first place was to keep myself motivated. That's what you guys do, so y'all are important to me. I love that your compliments are very constructive. The scene you mentioned; that was the goal. So thanks.
To Guest 2: Awe thank you! Enjoy this chapter! Tell me what you think.
The rickety old terraces and sidewalks of Brooklyn were a lot noisier than Cress had anticipated.
And a lot more crowded.
This new discovery proved to be a little more shocking. She yelped as a passerby slammed into her back, shoving her into Thorne's back. He turned around, the exasperating smirk still on his features. "Try to keep up, Birdy."
He shouted over the clangs and rattles of sound around them.
Birdy?
In her confusion she shifted to the right, and immediately the lace on the bottom of her dress was run over with a passing vegetable cart. With a violent rip, the bottom two inches of her dress left the rest of it, settling in a muddy patch of cobblestone before being trod on by a horse. The owner growled at her before going back to his shouts about discounts and fresh produce.
"Eek! My gown." She moaned as yet another cart rolled past her, splashing what remained of her dress with dirty muck. Without even turning around, Thorne reached behind his back and grabbed her elbow, gently bringing her in front of her.
"We're almost there, okay? I've got you." Cress felt her spine relax as he put a hand on her shoulder, pushing them through the crowds to safety. A tingle ran down her back every time his finger slipped and grazed her neck. She actually felt...comfortable. Like he was keeping her- "And besides, black isn't your color, so losing the dress isn't much of a tragedy darling." He added offhandedly, squinting at the signs.
The warm feelings dissipated. She glanced down reproachfully at her dress, biting at her lip nervously. What was wrong with it? Sure it was a little stiff, and a little stifling, maybe, but not that bad. Isn't this what everyone wore? Cress lifted her head and took in the groups of people surrounding her. A small boy was eyeing a large man's expansive watch near the market street wall. A woman was trying to gather her children into a dusty Ford. Two girls were chatting over the ribbon stall. An old man walked past walking a pig, a trail of little boys following behind. Her eyes finally landed on a woman next to her, holding a basket of laundry over her head. Her mouth gaped open at what the women was wearing. A loose, button down white skirt and cream blouse with nothing resembling a corset. No underskirt either! Her hair was flowing down her back in tangles, her face sweaty and stained.
Glancing around once more, she realized all the other women were wearing practically the same thing. What is this? While she was processing this, a small girl ran up to Thorne. Breathlessly, she stammered; "Please sir, spare a pence for the poor."
"Stay away, girl." He replied, dragging Cress away from her was quickly as possible. Now Cress was gaping at something else entirely.
"How could you do that? She could've been starving!" He spared no expense, rolling his eyes at her while turning into an alley-like street.
"Really, you must've noticed. That little girl had just stolen from the butcher. She was a thief. Surely you know what those are." Cress turned away from him too quickly to hear the rest;
"You happen to be traveling with one."
Well, a retired one at least. Thorne was glad she'd already moved her focus to another discovery. She was currently staring at the boxing square across from them. Angry men clamored around, beating each other to a pulp. Her horrified expression was enough to know what she was thinking. He shook his head comically, then glanced up at the crooked street signs. Just a little bit farther… A tinge of anxiety settled in his stomach at the thought of seeing them again. He actually hadn't been lying at the part about not seeing them for a while. He couldn't say the same for the rest of his speech.
Thorne mentally went through the list that had been given to him.
Get her out of the area. Check. Convince her he can be trusted. Check. Get her to the location. Almost.
He blinked away the list and focused on the instructions Ze'ev had given him. Just because he hadn't seen him didn't mean he hadn't been in contact. His friend knew all about the current job. That's not what he was worried about. Ze'ev had a tendency to say what he meant or not speak at all. Thorne was a bit concerned he'd let something slip. To make matters worse, he didn't know if the wife knew about any of it. He'd have to be very careful.
Then again, Carswell Thorne was always careful. He looked over at Birdy, checking to make sure she hadn't wandered off. She was right beside him, her hair flying in all directions as she tried to take everything in at once. He had to admit, it was cute, in a mousy sort of way. Thorne grabbed her wrist again, ignoring how she flinched every time he got near. That must be a side effect of her parents.
What was their problem anyway? He shook the thought away. He was getting paid, that's all that mattered. He straightened up in pride at the sign above the nearest building. "Le Petite Auberge." They'd made it.
The inn was quaint. It was a four story building squished in between a boarding house and another, much older building. A town square was just a few paces away, and next to the fountain that stood in the center, a kind looking girl was selling flowers. Cress felt her hand being tugged towards the building, and reluctantly followed into the dark interior.
The sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses echoed through the cozy room. It seemed to be filled to the brim with families and tired men, getting away from work for a lunch break. What was extraordinary to Cress was that there seemed to only be one waitress for them all; a short, fiery red head. The girl emerged from the bar carrying four plates of bread, soup and waters balanced on her arms. It looked like quite a feat, but she wasn't even breaking a sweat. This girl's outfit shocked Cress more than anything else she'd seen that day.
Stars, she thought. She's wearing breeches. Tight, dark brown pants clung to the girls curvy figure, followed by a white shirt and leather boots. A red shawl was tied around her small waist like a belt, bringing out the stunning color of her hair. The girl finally caught eye of the pair. "I'll be with you in un moment." Her accent cut through the air.
Thorne led her to a booth in the back before approaching the bartender alone. Cress felt overwhelmed, but safe. The atmosphere was lively and comfortable. He returned to their table with a relaxed grin on his face. "This;" he said, motioning to the man next to him, "Is my good friend Ze'ev." The man wiped his hands on a cloth hanging from his belt before bending over her hand.
"My pleasure." Cress couldn't help but be a little nervous around him, despite his good manners. The man was a giant. He even passed up Thorne in height, which was not an easy feat. He had dark skin, the kind you get from spending your days in the sun. Ze'ev had black facial hair that matched his wild mane. To add to all of that, his eyebrows seemed to be permanently down, as if in a scowl. He looked to her like a Wolf of sorts. The one feature that stood out were his eyes. They were a brilliant shade of emerald.
Cress blinked out of her trance and nodded her hello. Thorne grunted to get their attention.
"Right, well old chap we need a room for the night. Think you could help the beautiful lady and I out?"
She flushed in surprise. He thought her to be beautiful? To be fair, she'd never thought herself excessively ugly, but- No. No, he was just teasing her. She waited dryly for the punch line, but it never came. One more thing to be confused about.
"Of course. We happen to have a room available as of this morning. Ah, and this is my love, Scarlet."
He motioned the waitress to come over before putting an arm around her waist securely. Scarlet glanced up at him, and it was obvious to cress just how much in love they were. She felt her heart warm as she smiled in greeting. "It iz so bien to meet ze two of you." She said. "Can I get you anyzing to eat?" (Just trying to help you picture the accent, it's not a spelling error.)
She leaned in towards Cress to whisper jokingly, "Ze tomato soup is the best thing ve offer. Best to mange before my husband finishes it all 'imself."
Ze'ev grunted in response and Cress laughed outright. That was the first time in a while that she'd thought to laugh. She knew that Scarlet would be a wonderful acquaintance. Maybe she'd even have her as a friend. Now that was a word almost unheard of in her lifetime. They were all waiting for her answer. "Um, well I've never tried it before, but it sounds delicious."
She cowered slightly at their stunned expressions. Thorne chose to explain. "Cress here didn't get out of the house much."
Ze'ev nodded like this was nothing new, but Scarlet looked indignant. "Ve vill 'ave to 'help you then. Consider me your new amie." "Oh, oui. Merci beaucoup." she replied, beaming at her new friend's pleased expression.
"You speak French too?" Thorne asked incredulously.
"Well what else was I supposed to be doing stuck in the house all day?" she said, earning a laugh from everyone.
"I vill go and get your food, d'accord?" Cress nodded, and Ze'ev settled in next to Thorne.
Scarlet sat down beside Cress. "You like your soup, non?"
"Oh yes, it's marvelous. I haven't had much tomato, but it was incredible." She nodded knowingly, a small smile of pride on her face.
"Zey come from my grandmother's farm, a few miles south of ze city. She moved 'ere ven she vas just a little girl, and started the farm with her father. Ven my parents died I went to live with 'er, and left France be'ind. But working on that farm with 'er, I had some of ze best times of my life." Her smile grew the more she spoke, her words becoming louder. "After all, zat is where I met Ze'ev."
"He came to work too?" Scarlet burst out laughing. "Non, non child, he came to steal! But I stopped him."
"He was a thief?! How could you trust him?" Scarlet gave Cress an odd look. "People change, sweet. I just gave him a bit of a push."
She nodded, deep in thought. Would her parents change now that she was gone? Would they want to see her again? Cress jumped when she realized Scarlet was still talking to her.
"I vish to 'elp you tomorrow. Vould that be alright vith you?" The red-haired continued.
"What do I need help with?" Cress wondered. Scarlet smiled softly. "Vell, you don't 'ave a bag, non? I assume you plan on vearing clothes."
Cress couldn't seem to get the blush off her face.
Scarlet continued, oblivious to her discomfort. Or maybe she was just being kind. Cress loved her for that.
"I know a brilliant dressmaker, just past ze marketplace. Peut-etre you vould vant to come?" she nodded, happy to have something to do. Scarlet laughed at her expression, then grew serious. "Ve vould 'ave to be careful though. Ze rallies are to be held tomorrow, and zey 're no place pour a lady."
"Oh. What are 'rallies?'"
"Trust me ven I say it is something I 'ope you never 'ave to learn about." She finished darkly, and Cress felt herself cowering. Now images of the men fighting earlier in the boxing ring began to flood her mind, and she cringed at the thought of being in the middle of that tomorrow. "Maybe we should go a different day, then?"
"Mais non! Ve vill not let zem win by hiding from zem in fear! That vill not do." Scarlet exclaimed, and Cress swore she'd never seen someone with some much passion in a person before. "A-Alright then. I look forwards to going with you! To be truthful, I've never been before."
"Really?"
"Yes. Mother always sent the measurements to the dressmaker herself, and handed them to me when they arrived. I guess I sort of just thought that's how it works." she admitted shyly, feeling young and foolish. "Cress- that iz your name, oui? Yes, yes, so Cress, it iz not your fault that you did not know. Don't feel bad."
She could read Cress's mind, and for some reason that was an enormous comfort. She gave her cold hand a squeeze, then stood. Cress could feel the calluses on the girl's hand, and wondered what life must've been like for her to grow up this way. She honestly couldn't picture it. The only view she'd ever gotten of farmwork was from the tiny window in her room. And she'd never seen a young girl working there before.
"I 'ave to go now. I vill see you in ze morning, dear friend." Cress felt a smile light up on her face, feeling for once that she could get used to it here.
Meanwhile, Thorne was leaning back in his seat, his meal already gone. Ze'ev was beginning to fill him in about the rallies. Cress perked up but looked down at her bowl, hoping to not appear conspicuous.
"Yes, it is true. Most of the politics have become scattered and confused. The people are ready for a change, and are petitioning for an election. In fact, there is to be a rallie again tomorrow morning, in the market place." Thorne frowned. "It's really that bad?"
Ze'ev nodded, figuring his glass. "McClellan has raised taxes and formed restrictive laws on owning your own business. Brooklyn especially is losing work like you wouldn't believe. More and more are ending up on the streets with the newsies."
"Last I heard he was planning on releasing a law on the newsies. Something about them paying for rent at the boarding house?"
"If that happens, New York will fall. Think about it. Newsies spread the money and the news. Without them, nobody knows nothing. And the newsies could strike back, just like they did a few years ago. Other factories would fall. We'd lose our economy."
"You seem to have thought pretty deeply about all of this, Ze'ev." Thorne chuckled, uncomfortable at how serious the conversation had gotten. Ze'ev shrugged.
"There isn't much else to talk about in Brooklyn. Anything else and you could get on somebody's bad side. And believe me, here…" He gazed at a shady figure in the back of the inn, "You don't want to get mixed up in one side of the other. War is sport here." He stood up with a groan. "I'd better get back to work. I'll see you later tonight. We have a lot to catch up on." He clapped a hand down on Thorne's shoulder, then walked away.
He turned back to Cress. Her hair seemed to float around her shoulders, and all of a sudden he began to notice more about her. Tiny freckles dotted themselves around her nose, forming tiny constellations. Her eyes were large and bright aqua, like the ocean during summer. And the worse part of all, her mouth had a sweet curve and dip to it.
Uh oh.
"So what do you think?" He blurted out. She blinked up at him. She'd been staring at her soup, no doubt eavesdropping. Those eyes...
"Of what exactly?"
"Of the life of the free? Of my friends? Or Brooklyn." She licked her lips thoughtfully, and Thorne froze. Why, he had no idea. But something told him he did not want to find out why she'd caused a reaction in him.
"Your friends are lovely people. Brooklyn is slightly less lovely. And… the life of the free…" she trailed off, looking back down at her soup.
"Yes?"
"Seems a lot harder than I thought it would be." Cress muttered.
"No, you will grow to appreciate it. There's a lot to learn. For example, we need to teach you what fun is. Now that won't be hard at all." For some reason he really wanted to see her smile again. She shouldn't be upset.
He coughed and stood. "I'm a bit exhausted. Would you care to join me?" She nodded and held out her hand innocently. She had no idea what she was doing. Once again, he felt himself freezing. Forcing out one of his signature smiles, he grabbed her hand roughly and all but yanked her out of the cushion.
She squeaked a little and he muttered his apology, mind racing and head furious with himself. So what if she was attractive? Plenty of women were. Nothing special there. But he couldn't stop the confusion from settling in his stomach.
"Eek!"
"What is it…? Oh aces Cress, don't look like that. I'm obviously sleeping on the floor."
"But that sounds like a dreadful position! I'll go and ask Scarlet if she has another room. Or better yet, you take the bed."
"No, you are the lady here."
"That hasn't stopped you before from being rude."
"Where did that come from?"
"..."
Sigh.
"Look, just take the bed okay? We can trade off each night. Fair enough?"
"Alright, but you take it first."
"Bu-"
"Consider it payment for the train ticket."
"I cou-"
"Just take the blasted bed Thorne, okay? I'm tired and don't feel like dealing with your chivalry."
.
"You win this round, milady."
"Fine."
"Fine."
…..
"Thorne?"
Groggy.
"Yes?"
"Do you...get nightmares?"
"No."
"Oh."
…..
"Thorne?"
"What is it, Birdy?"
"Goodnight." …..
Whispered; "Goodnight."
That's all for today folks! Once again Thanks to all the wonderful people who reviewed, you are amazing. Please review and let me know what you think. How'd Scarlet and Wolf do? What do you think of Thorne's sudden awareness for Cress? Want Cress to go on a specific adventure? If you review and let me know, I will try my best to include your scene in the story.
Love you lots,
Doppelgnger08
