A/N: chapter three is now up and runnin. Much better work ppl on the reviewing! Thanks a bunch! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own never did, never will.
By the time Scipio halted in his trek through the winding alleys of Venice, Hornet felt she could've fallen asleep on her feet. They stood in an old, rundown square, facing the boarded up door of a picture show. A broken neon sign read 'The Stella'.
Scipio stepped up to the door and rang the bell, which emitted a rather nasty buzzing noise. Hornet bit back the remark that no one would answer the door, when in fact, someone did.
"Oh, your back! Did ya bring us anything, Thief Lord? Who's she?" Before she knew it, Hornet found a pair of suspicious blue eyes squinting at her.
He was a scrap of a boy, with wildly spiked hair and crooked teeth. She noticed the hero worship on his face when he addressed Scipio.
"Not tonight, Riccio. This is Hornet," he said, nodding to her and speaking in a commanding tone that irritated her slightly. Hornet smiled and rolled her eyes. "She's going to be staying with us for a while." As he spoke, a single brow rose, turning the statement into a question. (a/n: I wish I could raise one eyebrow!)
Hornet took a deep breath, thinking hard. She had no where else to go. And Scipio, though a bit arrogant, seemed trustworthy enough, for all that he was a thief lord. Coming to her decision, Hornet nodded. Scipio grinned and started down the dim hallway.
Riccio had watched the exchange silently, out of the loop. Shrugging, he devotedly followed his leader, Hornet hesitantly following behind.
Scipio opened a door and stood aside, bowing Hornet through. "Welcome, to my Star Palace." The hallway opened up into a magnificent room that earned its name. It was large, with a high ceiling and a multiple of balconies. Old seats stood in neat rows, lining up in front of a small stage and curtain. The curtain took Hornet's breath away, long, graceful, blue velvet embroidered with glittering stars. The room itself showed signs of life. The balconies were laden with mattresses and blankets. Bits of food and crumbled wrappers littered the floor around the seats, and a broken down table held the remains of a meal. In the corner was a broken film projector with parts and tools scattered around it. A dark boy sat behind it, tinkering with it and occasionally letting out a string of curses when it wouldn't work. Riccio darted forward, bouncing into a seat.
"Mosca, we have a guest!" he called out. Mosca, stood, stretched, and walked over. He was tall, looked to be about 15, with a sturdy build. Black eyes sparked, his skin was the color of baking chocolate, and his black hair was short and tightly curled to his head. He smiled warmly, Hornet immediately felt comfortable. She held out her hand, he shook it firmly.
"I'm Mosca."
"Hornet." He nodded, then turn to Scipio, who stood close behind.
"Did you get the parts I need?"
"Sorry, I got a little… side tracked," he said, indicating Hornet. She blushed a dull red. Was she already causing problems? "I'll get them tomorrow night. Mosca is fixing the old projector," he explained to Hornet. "And Riccio," he raised his voice, including said boy in the conversation, "Is a pick pocket."
"What do I do?" Hornet asked.
"Do you know medicine?" he returned. Hornet shrugged. "We've a first aid kit but none of us know first aid. That is your job." Hornet smiled mockingly and snapped a salute. Scipio, or Skip, as she had deemed him in her head, laughed and put his hands on her shoulders, sending chills up and down her arms. With a weak smile, Hornet thought, maybe this wouldn't be so bad….
A/N: HAHA dar she blows! Anyway, I tried to match up the characters, but they're prolly more like the movie than the book. (timing ya know?) I like the idea of a brotherly relationship b/w Hornet and Mosca. …And I love Scipio in the movie. A lot. R&R!
