A Diamond in the Rough

"I'll nick it for you"

--Chapter 4--

**A/N** Ok, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I keep on messing up, first Shashi, then Mistress Cooper (I meant Goodman, although it would have been fun if it *were* Mistress Cooper, but that would mess up my story) God. It's just all the pressure *bursts into tears* I'm trying my best. I'm writing two stories at once and....*takes a deep breath and wipes eyes* Ok, I'm fine now

Anyway.... My goal for this chapter is to make my characters more *human*, have more *real* emotions, and make them easier to relate to etc. -R/R and tell me how I'm doing, Please?

***

"What in th' name of th' God's cursed world were ye doin'?" Derek sputtered, repeating himself for the umpteenth time.

Ariana turned on her heel to face the man and rolled her eyes. "I was demonstrating my knowledge of the fighting arts for this dear boy," she answered sarcastically sweet, motioning to the boy who was getting a similar upbraiding from who she assumed to be his mother, Mistress Goodman.

"We were fighting and I was winning for Goddess' sake," she said. Derek looked at her with raised eyebrows. Ariana blushed furiously. She hadn't needed to be so proud. The fight really wasn't necessary. "But," she reconciled, "it was my fault. I threw the first punch, don't let him be punished."

Derek threw his hands up in frustration. He sighed and looked at the girl for what seemed like a long time. "Very well, lass. I shall tell me aunt."

As he walked away, Ariana couldn't help but smile. Derek had become the older brother she never had had to protect her.

***

Twenty minutes time found her in a room with Ms. Raina Goodman, pouring her heart out.

"Please, don't tell anyone I'm a noble, or anything about that- beast," she finished, "I really think I should make up a name and a story, and-"

She suddenly broke down into raking sobs, "This is just too much," she managed to get out. "This is all just too much. I thought I was strong enough to handle it, but I don't think I am!"

Raina held the child on her lap, cooing soothing words in her ear. "This is too big a weight for any child to bear, even one so strong as yourself. Now, dearest, take a bath and go to bed. You'll feel better in the morning "

***

Ari did feel better. That is, until she saw that golden boy in the common room when she was eating breakfast.

She was expected him to challenge or insult her, or something of the like. Never did she expect him to sit down at her table with a look of admiration and respect and introduce himself, Which is exactly what he did.

"My name's Seth Goodman," he said.

"Ariana," she responded coolly, not looking up.

"Why did you take th' blame last night?" he asked pointedly, green eyes questioning. "It was my fault."

"I'm not a tattler," she answered simply.

"Well, let me take you t' th' market," he said, without missing a beat "It's th' least I can do, You saved my skin."

"Maybe some other time, Curly," she said, standing up and tousling his hair. She signaled a maid to take her plate and began to walk to her room.

"Wait," he said, following her like a puppy. "Wait," he said again, putting out a hand to stop the door from opening. "Please?"

Ari sighed disgustedly, "If I do will you leave me alone?" Sure, Seth was handsome, but she didn't really feel up to associating with the male species just yet.

Seth winked at her, "No. Now c'mon," he said, grabbing her wrist.

***

They stopped at a jewelers stand. Ariana's eyes widened in wonder as she saw a stone that matched them perfectly.

"What's this?" she asked the young man who was working there.

He smiled at the girl, "Blue amber, lass. 'Tisn't a natural stone, but beautiful nonetheless. Though it pales in comparison to your eyes."

Ari blushed scarlet, not because of the compliment, but because she could hear Seth *growling* behind her. "Thank you, but, what do you mean 'It's not natural'?"

"The color isn't. To make it, you take regular yellow amber, fire it, paint it, and fire it again. The stone absorbs the color. I could give you a *demonstration* of how to make it if you'd care to stop by later tonight?"

Ari chose to ignore the last comment, "It's very beautiful," she said, leaning closer to examine it. Seth leaned over as well, as though he was looking too.

"I'll nick it for you," he said so only she could hear "Go to another stand, I'll be right there."

Ariana didn't object, instead, she wordlessly put down the bracelet she was holding hand and waved her thanks to the shopkeeper, who was so preoccupied Ari, he never noticed Seth.