Damara:

My breath hitched in my throat, when a figure stepped out of the shadows. I could not see him very clearly at first. I tipped my head to the side, in order to get a better look, it was the Puppet Master. My brother never missed the opportunity to tell me I look like a bird studying a mouse when I did that. He also liked to point out the fact I looked like a village idiot when I did it while wearing Uncle's old hat. "What is your name, pretty one?"

I scowled at the word pretty, I was anything but that. And any stranger, who said otherwise, either wanted something or was blind. The Puppet Master's eyes were black as coal. Not clouded by blindness. So the only suggestion to his misdirected comment was that he wanted something. My muscles froze at the thought of what it could be. "Is there something you want? Because telling me untrue things will make me even more reluctant to hear you out."

The Puppet Master raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I wasn't lying about anything little phoenix."

My eyes narrowed. "Well if you don't mind I need to be on my…"

He interrupted me. "My name is Clopin."

Nodding I muttered. "That's nice, but if you'll excuse me I need to go find my brother before it gets dark."

His eyes held interest. "Do you not like the dark, little phoenix?"

This man's continues chatter was really starting to bother me. I needed to meet my brother before the guards made their nightly rounds. Or bad things would happen. Giving the street a shifty sweep, I replied. "I don't mind the dark so much as the unkindness done to gypsies in the dark. Monsieur I really do need to go, my brother is waiting for me."

Clopin, at least I think that's his name. Came closer and smiled. "You know, you could at least give me your name?"

Not making eye contact I mumbled. "Damara Lovell."

Feeling something touch my chin, my eyes were forced upwards to look into the Puppet Master's. "You know, you have a pretty face, you should let your audience see it."

My blood froze in fear; I did not like being touched by strangers. I slashed out at him like a snake. Clopin yanked his hand back, looking angry. But then the smile returned to light up his features. Glaring I turned and walked off down the streets. Hearing the jingling of bells, I glanced to the side. This man would not let me be. I hoped that by ignoring him, maybe he would lose interest and disappear. Sadly that did not become the case.

I found my brother down the alley we had agreed to meet in this morning. When I reached Gillie, he looked at me and then Clopin. "I see you've made a new friend little sister."

Not responding I walked down the alley. Inclining my head I motioned for my brother to follow me, in the hopes of finding a safe place for the night. Hearing some whispering, I glanced around to find Gillie and Clopin talking. Gillie nodded and then glanced at me. Clopin stood up right and started to leave. Gillie got up and grabbed my wrist, pulling me along.

We managed to reach Clopin's puppet cart just as the sun was setting. Unlocking it, Clopin ushered us in and closed the door. In a few seconds the cramped cart was lighted dimly by candles. Taking a seat on a trunk in the corner, I eyed my brother and Clopin. Drawing my knees to my chin, I focused my eyes on one of the lit candle wicks. The lids of my eyes began to droop, before long I gave into my exhaustion and let sleep carry me away.

Third Person:

At the sound of gentle snore, Clopin glanced over at the trunk, only to find Damara passed out on it. Gillie turned and smiled fondly at his sister and then looked back at Clopin. "Your sister is rather interesting, no?"

The masked man handed him an apple, and watched him while he ate it. "I suppose you could say that." Gillie stated between bites. "She is a tough little cretin."

Clopin grimaced, while gesturing to his now ungloved hand. A rather large bite mark marred the flesh between his thumb and pointer finger. "Oui, I noticed that when she tried to take hunk of flesh from my hand."

Gillie pulled a guilty face. "Sorry, she tends to do that when she feels threatened."

Hearing a light groan, the two men glanced over at the sleeping figure. In the candle light Damara seemed older, and thinner. Clopin took in the large scar on her face and looked at Gillie. "Where did she get the scar?"

Gillie stiffened, and sighed as if the memory tired him. "When I was sixteen and Damara was twelve, our clan was attacked by some religious leaders, and a few townspeople. One of the men tried to touch our youngest cousin; Damara got angry and tried to defend her. The man slashed her across the face with a dull knife. Our aunt, two cousins, mother, and father died that night. I'm not even sure if Damara remembers it at all. I tried to talk to her about it. But she remains silent on the subject. Damara was never much of a talker anyway."

Clopin nodded. "You and she are both very talented. How do you plan to survive the winter?"

Gillie shook his head. "Right now we are concerned with the here and now, surviving winter will just have to wait."

Damara started to shiver slightly in her corner of the cart. Gillie sighed, stood and placed his ratty cloak on his sister. Clopin could see a perfect opportunity. "She could become very sick if you two do not find a permanent residence."

Gillie sighed and moved a stray hair out of his sister's closed eyes. "There is safety in numbers."

Clopin stated as he walked up behind the younger man. "I know such a place, where you and your sister will be safe at night. There is warmth, food and protection. All you two need to do is contribute to its growth."

The younger man turned and spoke. "Does this safe haven have a name?"

Smiling at the boy's interest, Clopin nodded. "We call it the Court Of Miracles."