A/N: I haven't updated for awhile because I had a concert to perform in
^__^ But here it is.
Disclaimer: See previous chapters
~*~*~*~*~
Livvy rose with the apricot sunrise, rays of light spread across the window and drenching the tallest buildings. Icicles hanging from atop the windowpane shone, dripping clear drops into the lighter layer of snow blanketing the ground. The bitter cold of last night seemed to have faded as morning came.
The tiny chime of a bell roused Livvy from the warm comfort of her bed. The bell signaled it was time for the household staff to awaken and begin the day's chores. Master would still be asleep by the time Livvy had completed most of her morning tasks.
It was the girls job to go to the market each morning for bread and other necessities, after she had finished mopping the floors and preparing the dining table for the Master's breakfast.
Livvy finished her chores as quickly as possible, going to the bustling market was the once chance she had to be on her own for a while each day. The unusually warm weather only added to her joy. Cooked waved Livvy off as she rushed out the door.
A wicker basket was clutched in her hands as she nearly skipped down the worn cobblestone streets, each stone smoothed and shined from being trodden on. Compressed shops stood tall next to one another in a line, each window displaying something wonderful. A flash from one window caught Livvy's eye. It was the star necklace again. It seemed to be have grown even more scintillated. The gossamer lace was still a clean white. Livvy smiled briefly at it before continuing on her way.
The market was cramped with people hurrying from here to there. Vendors shouted flattering compliments about their products while street urchins begged and stole. A few newsboys stood yelling the headlines.
Livvy peered at a few glossy tomatoes lying in a vendors' cart, she studied each vegetable picking out the best looking ones. A hand shot in front of her, grabbing a tomato and placing it a pocket. Livvy looked at the face. Freckles splattered fairly pale skin, brown eyes glimmered with mischief. It was Crutchy!
Livvy gasped. Crutchy realized she had seen, he hadn't even noticed her until she looked at him. His eyes grew wide and he hurried off. The vendor glanced from the cart to the boy trying to run down the street, as though he didn't quite comprehend what had happened.
'Thief! Someone stop him!' The vendor cried, pointing in Crutchy's direction.
A few police officers in their immaculate uniforms dropped their papers, shining shoes gathering dust. They chased the ragged boy down alleys, streets and past shops. Crutchy passed the Lodging House.
Livvy ran as quickly as her stiff, plain dress would allow, it's high collar choking. She managed to race through an alley, cutting Crutchy off. As he ran past, Livvy grabbed his arm and pulled him into the darkened alley. Crutchy struggled until he noticed it was only her.
'Whaddya doing?' his breath was quickened.
'Helping you.'
Crutchy shot her a sideways glance, 'You already helped me once. I ain't need your help again.'
Livvy gazed at her boots, scuffed and dirty. She had thought he would have appreciated her help. Ashamed and embarrassed, she turned to him.
'Well, then I apologize. I merely thought you were in need of help. I'm sorry I intervened.' Her cheeks were slightly red, and not from the cold. She didn't lift her downcast gaze but walked out of the alley and back into the throng of people.
Crutchy stood surprised for a moment, a girl had never tried to help him, nor had anyone spoken to him like that. He leaned against his crutch and peered out into the street. The officers had left. Sighing, he stepped out into the empty street, the houses lining it dark and worn down.
He remembered the kindness the girl had shown him when he had needed it most. Why hadn't he accepted her help this time? Her face floated back into his mind and refused to leave. Trying in vain to shrug the encounter off, he headed back towards his selling spot; the police would have surely given up by now.
Crutchy hollered the headlines, once bellowing 'Livvy' instead of 'Liberty'.
He was starting to feel as though he were drowning, drowning in Her.
Derby: :) Crutchy seems kind of cranky in this chappie.
Disclaimer: See previous chapters
~*~*~*~*~
Livvy rose with the apricot sunrise, rays of light spread across the window and drenching the tallest buildings. Icicles hanging from atop the windowpane shone, dripping clear drops into the lighter layer of snow blanketing the ground. The bitter cold of last night seemed to have faded as morning came.
The tiny chime of a bell roused Livvy from the warm comfort of her bed. The bell signaled it was time for the household staff to awaken and begin the day's chores. Master would still be asleep by the time Livvy had completed most of her morning tasks.
It was the girls job to go to the market each morning for bread and other necessities, after she had finished mopping the floors and preparing the dining table for the Master's breakfast.
Livvy finished her chores as quickly as possible, going to the bustling market was the once chance she had to be on her own for a while each day. The unusually warm weather only added to her joy. Cooked waved Livvy off as she rushed out the door.
A wicker basket was clutched in her hands as she nearly skipped down the worn cobblestone streets, each stone smoothed and shined from being trodden on. Compressed shops stood tall next to one another in a line, each window displaying something wonderful. A flash from one window caught Livvy's eye. It was the star necklace again. It seemed to be have grown even more scintillated. The gossamer lace was still a clean white. Livvy smiled briefly at it before continuing on her way.
The market was cramped with people hurrying from here to there. Vendors shouted flattering compliments about their products while street urchins begged and stole. A few newsboys stood yelling the headlines.
Livvy peered at a few glossy tomatoes lying in a vendors' cart, she studied each vegetable picking out the best looking ones. A hand shot in front of her, grabbing a tomato and placing it a pocket. Livvy looked at the face. Freckles splattered fairly pale skin, brown eyes glimmered with mischief. It was Crutchy!
Livvy gasped. Crutchy realized she had seen, he hadn't even noticed her until she looked at him. His eyes grew wide and he hurried off. The vendor glanced from the cart to the boy trying to run down the street, as though he didn't quite comprehend what had happened.
'Thief! Someone stop him!' The vendor cried, pointing in Crutchy's direction.
A few police officers in their immaculate uniforms dropped their papers, shining shoes gathering dust. They chased the ragged boy down alleys, streets and past shops. Crutchy passed the Lodging House.
Livvy ran as quickly as her stiff, plain dress would allow, it's high collar choking. She managed to race through an alley, cutting Crutchy off. As he ran past, Livvy grabbed his arm and pulled him into the darkened alley. Crutchy struggled until he noticed it was only her.
'Whaddya doing?' his breath was quickened.
'Helping you.'
Crutchy shot her a sideways glance, 'You already helped me once. I ain't need your help again.'
Livvy gazed at her boots, scuffed and dirty. She had thought he would have appreciated her help. Ashamed and embarrassed, she turned to him.
'Well, then I apologize. I merely thought you were in need of help. I'm sorry I intervened.' Her cheeks were slightly red, and not from the cold. She didn't lift her downcast gaze but walked out of the alley and back into the throng of people.
Crutchy stood surprised for a moment, a girl had never tried to help him, nor had anyone spoken to him like that. He leaned against his crutch and peered out into the street. The officers had left. Sighing, he stepped out into the empty street, the houses lining it dark and worn down.
He remembered the kindness the girl had shown him when he had needed it most. Why hadn't he accepted her help this time? Her face floated back into his mind and refused to leave. Trying in vain to shrug the encounter off, he headed back towards his selling spot; the police would have surely given up by now.
Crutchy hollered the headlines, once bellowing 'Livvy' instead of 'Liberty'.
He was starting to feel as though he were drowning, drowning in Her.
Derby: :) Crutchy seems kind of cranky in this chappie.