How did Emma end up here, an orphan taking care of her kid sister, Ruby, with no one to even give them shelter? How did their world change so drastically that Emma couldn't sleep at night without feeling the flames burn behind her eyelids? Why is she here at this festival pickpocketing the closest chump so she and her sister can hopefully have food and shoes to last through the harsh winter of the Enchanted Forrest? Her parents loved her, or so she thought until they went through the ashes of their childhood home and couldn't find the slightest remain of their parents' bodies.

Emma believed her parents were still alive when the house burned down. But no one else did. Everyone brushed off Emma's concerns as wild imaginations of a fanciful little girl. But she knew better. She knew something else was at work, something dark and powerful that no one could see. She could feel it in her gut, just like she could feel that the old witch in her candy cottage was lying about offering them a safe place to stay.

So Emma and Ruby moved on. They went from town to town hoping to maybe find family or even a job to make an honest wage. But after four towns of being turned down as the poor beggar orphan girls, they were out of food and Ruby was sick. After a night of fretful care, Ruby was healthy and Emma knew what she had to do.

The first item Emma ever stole was an apple. She knew it was her mother's favorite fruit and got it for Ruby to help cheer her up. Then she stole an orange. Then some bread. Then she realized she was so clever that not even Ruby could see where she was or what she was stealing. Emma started practicing pickpocketing with Ruby. She would sneak up behind her and grab her doll from her bag. It took her a week to get the hang of it. She started in the marketplace far away from the officers. The first time she pickpocketed she didn't get away fast enough and had to play it off by saying she tripped.

Guilt never crept into her mind. She knew she was doing what she had to do and that there was no other way for her and Ruby to survive. Emma could distinguish who had more money to spare after they refused to offer her spare change. If anything, she felt like Robin Hood, taking from the entitled and giving to those in need.

This life never allowed for them to stay in one place for long. After a while, the townspeople would catch on and the officers would be more dedicated to their jobs. They made no friends, talked to strangers only if they had to, and stayed in quiet dingy places on the outskirts of town. And Emma was tired. After two years of running and barely surviving, she started to lose hope.

Which is how Emma ended up here at this grand festival. It had been all this little town had talked about since they arrived. The star of the town was to return from schooling at Jefferson's Cove before he prepared to teach at the institution. Emma had only heard of the place but only those with noble parents could get in.

Walking around, Emma could see that no expense was spared. The music was beautiful, the finest food had been prepared, and the drinks were plenty. Emma knew she would hit the jackpot tonight leaving her and her sister well stocked for winter. She already had all the food she would need; now all she needed was the money.

There is a man in a fine coat telling a story that seemed larger than life. She overhears how he fought off some pirates trying to board his ship with just a goblet and his desk chair and lets out a small giggle.

"Something funny, lass?"

Emma had to physically clamp her hand over her mouth to keep a scream from coming out. She turned around and stared dumbfounded at the man in front of her. No one had ever snuck up on her before. And gods, was he beautiful.

"Didn't anyone ever teach you it's rude to eavesdrop into other peoples' conversations?" he asked.

"Didn't anyone ever teach you it's rude to sneak up on people like that?" was her witty remark.

"Aye, but seeing as that you have been doing it to every other bloke here tonight, I figured you would be the last to worry about manners."

"What?... I… I don't… What are you" she tried to reply. It had bee so long since someone had caught her and called her out on it she couldn't think of a dignified response.

He stepped closer to her and leaned into her ear so only she could hear. "Don't worry love, your secret is safe with me. No one else can see what you are up to. But if they could, they would see that your technique is downright sloppy."

Stunned, Emma tried to process the fact that apparently no one else could see her. But all she could catch onto was that he had called her technique sloppy.

"Sloppy?! Do you even know what you are talking about?"

"It's pathetic, really, how such an obvious amateur can get away with so much."

All Emma wanted to do in that moment was smack that ridiculously attractive smirk off his face.

"But then again, I'm sure you could talk your way out of any scuffle."

Emma threw the fiercest glare she had his way. She could feel her fingers start to tingle. "I suggest you only speak about what you know. I'm sure you had to repay a debt with your hand."

His face darkened as he locked eyes with her. "I suggest you take your own advice and speak about what you know. Leave before the guest of honor takes notice of a pretty face like yours. He can become quite determined and you wouldn't want to get caught, now would you?"

She was so angry with him she had nothing to say to him and stormed away before she could see the Jefferson's Cove pendant hanging from his neck.