Marcia
His room had fallen silent. With the boy away, his study became a shadow, lacking a major component. However, on this cool evening, a few guards had ventured into his dingy room; they carelessly shuffled through the papers scattered throughout. Upon the discovery of a certain leather-bound book, they all huddled next to one another to read the curiosities within. After a few uninteresting accounts, they found a rather interesting page.
*Fair weather, afternoon.
It is my birthday, I believe... For that is what father told me, when he arrived with a handful of guards. A gift, yes? To see my dearest father, he who humbles all before him. The feared Lord Skagerlly; so rightfully earned is such a title.
He came not with pleasantries, no, he brandished a whip and a penchant for violence. 'Outside, boy,' he said, stern as ever, 'you have failed me.'
They had made a mock crucifix within my garden, and upon it they strung me, virgin back exposed to the cruel weapon. He held a steady hand as he administered lashings, each briefly followed by a lesson. To scream was to learn another. And so, for hours I was hung, until my voice had been eaten by the crows and my back was nothing but a deluge of blood. Only then did they release me; I suppose his arms tired of whipping. Now, I lay, a broken boy with weeping skin.
Happy birthday, Aleksandr.*
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

The stars were shinning bright in the pitch black sky, as the pale light of the full moon bathed the snow on top of the pine trees and the equally pale skin of the second Barrmount daughter. Her eyes could have been mistaken as two more small blue stars as she admired the view from her balcony. The freezing breeze left a tingling sensation on her skin everytime it embraced her, also making her dark brown hair flow with the wind. She took a deep breath, enjoying the smell of the surrounding nature.
She was about to head back inside her room when she saw a strange shadow in the corner of her eye, down below her. "Must be some wild little animal..." She thought to herself as she entered her room.
Hassan
James stared at the manor, it was his first time seeing one this big, he could at most only fill a pillar with all his stolen goods.
He pulled out his silver pocket watch.
*Tick* *Tick* *Tick*

James listened to this, steadying himself.
"What wealth awaits me?" He asked himself.

He wrapped leather around the pillar to the room, taking a step up the pillar, the grip of the leather on the pillar stopped him from falling.

He climbed up, his green eyes scanning the surroundings for guards, his black hand touched the ledge, pulling himself up over it, he was now able to rob the Nobles.

He got up, his wolf cloak fluttering in the wind, as well his hair, he took silent steps towards the inside.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

Anna was already in bed, cozy as she could be in her comfortable and warm bed. She was ready to let herself fall into a deep sleep when a slight noise caught her ear in the absolute silence of her room. She sleepily looked at the balcony, her heart suddenly pounding fast inside her chest when she saw the shadow; too big to be a bird, too big to be a squirrel, too big to be any kind of animal. It was a human.
She tried to remain calm as she controlled her breath as good as she could, not moving an inch of her body. What if they were here to kill her? Or to kill her siblings too? Fear was overwhelming, but she *Had* To do something!
She stayed as if she was still sleeping, her mind racing as she tried to think on what to do. Maybe the scissors on the small drawer nearby, or the hand chandelier that sat on top of it...
She mentally prepared herself as she waited to see the person's movements.
Her hands tremble.
Hassan
The door opened, James walking in, he looked around the room.
A bed, with someone in it, he decided they were dead to the world and started scanning for goods.

He raised and eyebrow, a draw and other artifacts could be of use to him.
He sneak to the draw, opening it without a sound.
"Scissors, letters and-" James stopped his thinking, closing the draw he looked at the person in bed.

Their breathing was to irregular for someone asleep, they could possibly be having nightmares, in which case he was safe.

He looked at the person, they are to small to pose a threat but, still bigger then him, he decided to increase his guard.

James only found the candle holders of need, he took them, stuffing it in his new boar hide bag under his cloak.

He heard no noise outside the door, thus he went to open.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

The young woman clenched her jaw as the unknown person got closer. He was stealing! Maybe she could let them go and she would be safe... But letting someone rob her and do nothing? She knew the look her sister would give her the next day. She was already feeling ashamed.
Maybe it was time to grow up. 

She quickly, but clumsily, opened the drawer and took the scissors, thanking the frozen gods the thief didn't take them. She had her eyes used to the dim light of the room, moonlight being the only light available at the moment; yet she could barely distinguish the face of the thief. He apparently was a male, but he looked way too young.

"G-give it back!" Her voice, as well as her body, were obviously shaking, as much as she tried to hide it. She held the scissors in her right hand, gripping them tight.
Hassan
James felt a burden on his chest when he heard that, they were awake.

"Oh shit" He whispered, his black hand reaching into his cloak and to his daggers.

"I- I-" James was suturing, more so then the other did, he was a coward, the slightest hint of blood filled him with dread, in addition she was much bigger then the fourteen year old, his body became tense.

He reached into his bag using his other hand, pulling out four candle holders out of five.

He tossed them on the bed, he backed away slowly, keeping his back to the person.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

Did they actually obey her? Her? The stuttering, trembling mess? Well it was true her family was known for being good fighters but she had never fought, not once. She felt a little bit more confident.

"Stop! I uh... I demand you to... To... To turn, yes, to turn!" Anna was trying really hard to sound like her sister, as she was the most authoritarian person Anna knew "W-who are you, thief?"
Hassan
James was scared to shit, he had never been thus close to being caught.

He turned around lowering his head, his eyes turning teary.

"Jam- James" He replied shakily, his hands were trembling and he was beyond panic
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

Her eyebrows furrowed as she slightly squinted her eyes in confusion. He sounded like a young boy... Maybe he was from the village? He sounded as scared as she did. Fear slowly abandoned her, only shivering then because of the freezing breeze that entered through the open balcony. The grip on the scissors loosened.

"Why did you come here to rob, James?" Her voice was softer, closer to her usual voice.

She stood there, trying to catch a glimpse of his face. He definitely was young, younger than her. He didn't look like a threat.
Hassan
James breathing become heavy, sweat forming on his skin.
The wind from the outside world only made it worst.

Her voice become softer, James now focused on her face, widening his eyes and breathing quicker.

She was much older then him.

"I- I- Manson" He got out, he must have meant that it looked like it belonged to a Noble.

His body become less tense but, he was still on guard.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

Anna slowly put the scissors away, back in their place, before walking towards the closest wall, to light the candle hanging on it.

"Are you from the village?" She asked as she lit the candle. Now she could clearly see him, and he was nothing but a young boy; 12, maybe 13 years old, or at least he looked that young. His black hand caught her attention, as she only had seen something similar caused by frostbite. She gasped "Oh no! Your hand!" 

She slowly walked towards him, her face showing genuine worry. The poor boy could lose his hand, or so she thought.
Hassan
James gulped, he was still terrified, like a boulder on his chest but, more so at her yell, that could alert others and he would soon be gone.

He did not feel like answering her question truthfully but, in the orphanage, liers were beat, he adopted the habit of never lying even though he knew he would not be beat if he lied here, just slaughtered.

"Y- yes" He was still stuttering, he then looked at his hand.
He payed no heed to it as its been that way sinse before he could remember.

The worry from the girl made him worried.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

She kept on slowly walking towards him. All the fear she had before had completely dissipated at this point.

"I'm Anna... If you promise you won't hurt me, I won't do it either. But you have to promise, okay?" Her voice was back to her normal soft tone "Frostbite has gotten you good huh?" She observed, pointing at his hand. She put a strand of hair behind her left ear as her ice blue eyes focused on the black hand. The color was indeed that of a frostbitten hand, but the skin seemed to be in perfect condition. 

He was just a boy, he must have been desperate if he came to steal to the manor. Her chest sunk a bit at the thought of what could have led him to do it.
Hassan
James was not able to trust a stranger, he took a step back, putting his white hand into his cloak.

"N- no" He stated, slowly backing away.

He looked her in the eyes, her blue eyes gave him a feeling of warmth but, he knew not to trust one's instincts all the time.

His black hand twitched, his eyes wider then ever, he was certain she was an enemy.

His fear was now higher then ever.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

The young woman felt sorry for the boy. She adopted the same body expression she used when she tried to help injured animals deep into the pine forest. She held up her hands, showing she had nothing to hurt him with. 

"It's okay James, I'm no threat I swear. Cross my heart" She said as she drew a X over her chest, above the heart, with her left pinky "Let me help you, please... If that is frostbite you could have serious health problems..."

He was way too young to lose a hand; or if it got worse, die. What if that were her brother? She couldn't let the young boy go away without having that treated.
Hassan
James stopped backing away, he was still unsure but, what if thus was frostbite, not that he knew what that was.

He looked at her expression, like helping a injured animal, it really made his blood boil.

He put out his hand but, kept one hand on the handle of a silver dagger, he still had no idea who she was.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

She smiled warmly, as she carefully took his hand between her small, thin, soft ones. Anna examined the skin, being as gentle as possible.

"Looks like the skin is fine... You can feel the hand? Move it as usual?" She asks as she keeps on observing the hand. Maybe it wasn't frostbite, maybe it was just a really big birthmark. She felt relieved by the thought.
Hassan
James kept his other hand in his cloak but, he moved the fingers of his black hand that she was touching.

He had no idea what frostbite was but, it sounded bad.
"Y- yes it's fine" He stuttered, he was still quite nervous around her, he was also quite nervous about the possibility that someone could came in at any moment.

He stayed alert.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

She sighed.

"Oh thank the gods, then it must be a birthmark..." Her smile made her dimples show.

The kid was fine, but he wouldn't be if Sibyl found out he tried to steal from the manor, or if someone caught him leaving. She thought and thought, until she got an idea.

"Where is your house? The village is merely a couple minutes away by horse, I can take you home. You have to leave, but the night is cold and wolves might be lurking so you won't be going alone"

As she spoke, she went to the closet to search for her warmest coat.
Hassan
James nodded, it was an unusual birthmark.

He looked around the room, walking silently to the fireplace and taking something, he had no idea what but, he was not gonna leave here with only one thing.

He was curious about her dimples, they looked like uncooked bread to him, he threw it off as 'she has no jaw teeth'.

As she was raiding the closet James saw this as an opportunity to leave but, she was right, wolves and other creatures could harm and possibly kill him.

"Won't they notice your gone?" He asked, before turning his eyes to the door, a feeling of fear came back to him.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

"Most people are sleeping, don't worry..." She explains as she takes the fur coat and hands it to him "... Also, it's not the first time I have a night ride."
She notices he has moved and crosses her arms over her chest, lifting a brow as she looks at him.

"You better stop stealing, young man, you could get in trouble... Put whatever you took back." Her voice sounded more motherly than ever. 

She shook her head as she went to her drawer, gabbing a small sack with coins she kept there. The young woman went back to the boy and offered him the sack.

"You can take this if you promise to stop stealing. Or at least be more careful"
Hassan
James was shocked she noticed and even more shocked at her motherly side, it did not suit her, he only just met her yet he was sure she was the kind, caring older sister type.

He took the coins gladly and put the artifact he stole back on the fire place, he still had the candle holder.

"As you say" He replied, he was a lot less tense then before.

He was still however, observing the door.
Angel
"Okay..." She smiled again "Now, where do you live? I'm sure your mother will be worried sick!" 

She went back to the closet to grab a coat for herself as she spoke. At this point, she knew the village by heart. Though it was strange, she had never seen this boy before. Was he lying about living here?
Hassan
James was not lying, just avoiding giving the exact location, he lived in a hole with his belongings but, seeing as he stole a artifact from an official, he is not going back.

"I left the village, I'm just getting away" He said, not sure of her reaction.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

She turned around. She was right then.

"You are alone, ain't you?" There was certain sadness in her voice. 

Now everything made sense, why he didn't address her as Lady Anna like everyone at the village did, why she had never seen him around, and why he had the courage to steal in the manor.
Hassan
James lowered his head, letting his arms drop to his sides.

"What else?" He asked, he was use to being alone and had no interest in having friends or family.

He took a deep breath and looked the barely adult in the eyes and again asked.

"What else?".
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

She felt her heart crack a little. She couldn't let him go, all alone in the Witherlands. He had nowhere to go, and if someone else caught him stealing he would end up dead. 

A crazy idea crossed her mind as she bit her lip with worry. Sibyl would kill her if she ever found out...

"Well... There's another option..." She said as she put the coats back in the closet "*But* You have to behave, cause if someone discovers you are a thief you'll have to run. Deal?"

She looked at the young boy, hoping he would accept. She couldn't let him die out there alone, she wouldn't think her brother deserved it, so the young boy before her neither did deserve it.
Hassan
James looked up in confusion, another way?
He took a step forwards.

"I'll try" He replied, he had no idea what it was but, judging from her personality, it would help him.

The young thief again looked the girl in the eyes, she was beautiful as he looked more closely.
He shut that thought down, she was most likely three or four years older.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

"Hope you know how to clean dishes..." She said as she grabbed his hand and guided him to the door. She signed him to keep quiet as she guided him through the manor.

Down some stairs, they passed the kitchen and went straight to some rooms that belonged to the staff. She looked around before knocking on one of the doors.

"It's me, open please"

A bit later a sleepy fairly old woman opened the door. Her clothes were modest, and though she was corpulent her face was sweet. 

+ "Lady Anna, what are you doing here so late?"

Anna showed her the young boy that was behind her.

"He's a lost orphan, you think you have space for an apprentice?"

The woman looked at the boy as she thought. After a while, she spoke again, nodding.

+ "I'll pass him off as my nephew. But just because *You* Ask"

"Thank you"

She turned to James, lowering her voice to speak to him.

"This is the 'what else'. You choose now"
Hassan
James looked at the beauty holding his hand, albeit dragging him.

"I guess I do" He replied, he does not want a job that restricts his freedom so perhaps running away after a while is the best choice.

The old lady looked like a pile of dust that stood, fall over already.

She walked out tired and slightly pissed.

"I'll pretend he is my nephew, only because you asked" She said, That's what James heard.

"Oh no, will I ever be free?" He asked himself.
—
"I'll stay and keep you company" He said, though he was most likely going to run away later.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

"She's a nice woman, she'll take care of you... Here you will have food, a place to stay, and will earn some money in the meantime... It's better than freezing to death or getting caught, isn't it?"

There was a probability of him scaping, she knew that, but at least she offered him a new opportunity he didn't have available before. She hoped he would stay, the woman she was leaving him with was really nice and sweet, Anna appreciated her. 

"Don't steal okay? Or we both will get in trouble"
Hassan
"Agreed" James now had a job and a home, he walked into the quarters for staff and looked around.

"The silver globe* He thought, he still had his belongings.

" Can I go get my belongings? " He asked the blue eyed beauty.

His wolf cloak and poorly made cloths were in need of repair.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount manor

 "Tomorrow, I'll accompany you if you want" She told him, smiling.

+ "We better get you proper clothes, boy. Don't want you to get sick" The woman said.

"I'll see you tomorrow as soon as the sun rises, okay? Good night James"

Anna walked back to her room as the woman set James a proper spare bed and some clothes that were a bit too big for him.