In Which He Wears a Costume

Author's Note: This is where my 18 year old self starts taking over entirely. I must admit I'm rusty and I really don't have much of an idea where to go, but we'll figure it out together. Maybe I'll even start taking suggestions…at my own discretion, of course. Anyways, we know I don't own Charles Dickens work and wotnot… And I hope you enjoy the newest chapter.

Oh…and P.S. Aster's memories from now on will be between her father and her younger self….Unless I decide to add some odd people in there. Buh. We'll see what happens.

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Deep in the heart of London, Jeoff, master tailor, studied his shop, taking in every article of missing clothing and material. The damage was not as bad as he first expected. Two costumes for the upcoming masque ball were missing, along with some scraps of random material.

Luckily, the thieves were too hurried or, perhaps, too ignorant to notice Jeoff's masterpieces; the two exquisite costumes were priceless…well, almost priceless. The fee they cost would more than cover the damage caused last night.

The gentleman who had ordered them was a young man Jeoff had done business with before, back when they were both down on their luck. Now each had risen to a new status and met again…like a nicely controlled circle of happenstance.

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Even deeper in the heart of London, past the brightly coloured shops and in the true, dark core, a figure spun across a window.

"So, boys, whaddya think?"

"What are you, Dogger?"

"I'm obviously that Robin Hood chap, Roger. Can't you tell by all the green and the bow and arrers and wotnot?"

"Oh…Well, that's not as exciting as a magician."

"It's a lot more exciting than a bloody toad."

Liam looked up from his brown-and-gold-mottled suit with a scowl, a large scaly mask clenched tightly in his hands.

Dodger laughed, his voice soaring throughout the room like a young boy's.

"Oh, get over it, Liam. I'm the ringleader, I get the spiffy costume. At least you get to go…and who knows, maybe there'll be a nice young lady toad there tonight."

Liam brightened. "Ya think?"

"Oh, yeah… She'll probably leave you for a frog, but she'll be there."

"Oh, bugger off."

Ignoring Liam, Dodger called all the other boys together in a huddle to tell them his plans.

"Alright, mates, here's the deal. Aster's quite taken with this Edward, and I'm quite—"

Liam interjected. "Taken with Aster?"

Dodger's death glare sizzled right through Liam's costume. "Bloody 'ell, no. I was going to say that I'm quite worried he's this, ahem, bad egg I knew a long, long time ago. Got it?"

The boys gave him a blank stare.

"A wicked chap."

Still the blank stares.

Rolling his eyes, Dodger sighed and added, "like Sikes."

Suddenly, the room was a hurricane of noise and activity. Small boys ducked behind the larger ones, who themselves grimaced and tried to find even larger boys to hide behind.

After finally managing to calm the lads down, Dodger continued. "Liam thinks he's changed, but I still don't like the looks of him. Those hands of his…Eh, well, anyway, me and Liam are headin' off to this fancy 'fair to check things out and ask Oliver if he knows anything about the man…And maybe we'll be able to get Aster back, too."

A piping voice emerged from the crowd. "Before she peaches?"

Dodger nodded. "That's a possibility…And before she gets hurt."

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Aster spun around the room, dodging Sarah and Gabrielle as they tried to start working on her hair. She finally stopped in front of the floor-length mirror and admired herself. Unlike the elegant, but light day dresses she had been wearing in her new life, the costume dress was long and heavy. The basic dress was black—a tight, ribbon-tied bodice attached to long hooped skirts. The feature that made the dress so astounding was the intricacy of its details. The bodice had small, cap sleeves and was outlined in black ribbons that gave the appearance of layered feathers and the top skirt was covered in died black feathers, with the odd green or purple appearing in the layers.

"Um, Miss?" Gabrielle was busy adjusting a hand-held mask.

"It's so beautiful!" Aster spun again, laughing. She stopped in front of Sarah and rested her hand on Sarah's shoulder. "But whatever am I? A duck?"

Gabrielle laughed as she held up a bejeweled and feathered mask. "You're a swan."

"Swans are white."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "We know that, Miss. The master wanted your costumes to match…and stand out. Everyone's wearing white and gold and other such bright colours right now…Although I'm sure that will change after tonight."

Aster grinned conspiratorially. "What's Edward going to be?"

Sarah tapped Aster's nose. "I can't be telling you that, Miss. Mr. Williams gave us strict orders not to answer any questions of that nature."

"However did he know I would ask?"

Gabrielle chuckled. "And he told us to answer that question with, 'She's not the only nosy one.'"

Sarah clucked. "You should have said, 'You're not the only—"

"Oh, it doesn't matter, Sarah. We only have about an hour or so. Let's take a hot curling rod to her hair."

Aster whirled, her eyes wide. "Take a what to my what?"

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An hour or so later, Dodger and Liam were on their way to the celebration and Aster was gracefully descending the grand staircase towards Edward's waiting arm, her hair pulled up in a fountain of curls, jewels, and feathers. Edward gave an refined smile as he offered his arm and viewed her finely garbed figure.

"You are stunning, Miss Aster."

Blushing, Aster gave a polished curtsy she had been working at for days and took Edward's arm.

"And quite graceful. I knew a swan was perfect for you."

"You have the advantage, Sir. I cannot compliment your choice of costume for I have no bloomin' idea what it is."

"Don't use the term 'blooming,' Miss Aster. It's vulgar. And have you not guessed?" Edward produced a jeweled mask from seemingly nowhere. "I am a cat."

Aster grinned as she fingered his velvet sleeve. "You seem to be more of a panther, a King of Cats. Well, no matter what you are, you look quite handsome…Even more so than usual."

Edward smiled and raised a finger. "Ah. I forgot to mention how incredibly intelligent and charming you are."

Aster laughed as Richard opened the door to the expecting carriage and Sarah and Gabrielle waved good-bye.

Only Richard observed the irony reflected in the pair's costumes.

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But, Papa, I really want it! If I can take it from her, why can I nae keep it?

Oh, silly Star, can yeh nae see? Why do yeh think my troupe makes our own clothes and jewelry? We steal only what we need. We have concocted numerous hoaxes and stolen many things, but only to keep us alive. We do not steal just because we desire something.

I'm sorry, Papa.

It's a'right, m'darling… And since yeh've learned yer lesson…And because yeh did an excellent job at snatching it, I'll ask one of the talented embroiderers to make you a scarf prettier than Risha's.

Oh, thank you, Papa! I love you!