Chronicles: The Makings of a Streetwalker

[Lisa]

"And I will," I say with a nod, "I'll come up with the bast nickname you've ever had." Honestly, I've never been one for giving good nicknames, but now that I've started this I feel an aching need to finish. "And it'll stick too. Maybe not right away but within time you'll think of it more as an actual name rather then a nickname." I grin proud of myself. Now all that was left was to actually come up with said nickname...

I got nothing.

It doesn't come as a surprise to me when she says she doesn't believe me; A ten year old getting into a fight with a pirate and living to tell the tale isn't exactly a believable story. I simply shrug. "Fine, don't believe me.." I say then smirk at her.

The fact that her father works for the East India Trading company intimidates me a bit. Sure, I may be young but I'm old enough to realize that what he does is much more respectable than what my father does. Her father probably wouldn't even want her around me. This thought makes me frown, though I'm not sure why. We did just meet but for some reason the idea of never seeing Giselle again makes me feel almost the same as I did when I knew I'd never see any for my friends from England, again. It's not a nice feeling. Would she want to be friends with the penniless son of a craftsmen and a dressmaker? Probably not.. Which is was possesses me to lie. "He's a lord." I tell her then realize how poorly dressed I am and how dirty I look, so I tell another lie. "And I must confess, I didn't just stumble onto this place. I went for a walk and got lost hours ago." I let out a sigh, "I lied because I felt foolish."

And I do feel foolish.. I feel utterly stupid and foolish.

[~ Mistress Beckett ~]

I can't help but smile when Ragetti decides that he's going to come up with a nickname for me. I can't wait to hear what it is. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have come up with one yet. Oh well, I can wait. Winking at him, I say, "Let me know when you come up with that nickname. I wanna hear it."

I still don't believe his story about the pirates. The boys from town do that all the time to impress me. One of the boys even said he fought off five pirates and stole a treasure chest filled with gold. Yeah right.

I notice that he gets a little flustered when I say that my father works for the East India Trading Company. I can't help but wonder why. But when he says his father is a lord...well...I'm not quite sure that I believe that. Giving him a suspicious glance I say, "He's a lord, hm? What would his last name be? My father might know him."

And then I can't help but smile when he finally admits that he got lost. He must be starting to open up to me at least a little. Wading deeper in the water, I say, "Well, if you're lost, I could help you get back home. I know this area really well."

[Lisa]

The way she winks at me gives me a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. Maybe I'm just sick. "Uh.. Yeah.." I clear my throat, "I'll let ya know."

Her next question takes me off guard. I should have seen that coming but obviously hadn't thought that lie all the way through before telling it. However, having to deal with my father, I've learned to be a good liar, otherwise I'd get in trouble for a lot more things than I already do. "Of course your father knows him," I stand up and move farther out on the branch, "His last name- Our last name is.. Carter." I say the first name that comes to mind and shrug.

She offers to help me find my way home. "Well actually, as much as I appreciate that offer, I think I might want to stay here for a bit." I lightly bounce up and down on the branch to see how sturdy it is. "Besides, I'm sure I'll be able to find my way now. I was just getting back on the right track when I found this place and decided to enjoy the view." I nod my head at the waterfall.

[~ Mistress Beckett ~]

I smile at him, "Okay then." Something tells me that we're going to see each other again. Maybe destiny caused us to meet or something.

I think hard and try to think of anyone with the last name Carter. Carter is actually a very popular last name. There's got to be at least three Carters in town. Nodding, I say, "Father probably does know your father. It's a shame you haven't gotten out and about in the town yet though. I mean, I know all the other children there besides for you. Have you been able to make any new friends yet?"

I frown when he moves away from me across the branch. I have this gut feeling that I'm making him nervous. I'm not quite sure why though. Walking closer over to him, I say, "I'm going to stay here a bit longer too. But maybe after that I can take you home? I'd like the extra walk."

Suddenly, I frown. It's getting rather dark out. Father is very strict about me getting home on time. I wonder if Ragetti's father is the same way. I decide to ask, "Won't your mum and dad be getting worried about you?"

[Lisa]

When she smiles at me I smile back. It was my first real smile in a long time. Most of them are just counterfeit grins with a sarcastic attitude. I feel an instant connection with her. Perhaps we'll turn out to be good friends.

Unless she finds out who my father really is. I nod slowly to her question, "I've met a few, but father thinks my studies are much more important then running around with the other children." I shrug.

"Well good then.." I smile again, truly happy that she's staying a bit longer. "But actually, if I know my manners, and my father is big on manners, I should be the one to walk you home." I say, making this all up off the top of my head. If she walks me home and sees the small, gritty house I live in, she'll know for sure I've been lying to her.

Her question just makes me shrug. I already know what awaits me when I get home; another beating for running away and being gone so long. "How about you? You haven't said much about your mum.."

[~ Mistress Beckett ~]

Ragetti really seems to be opening up to me now. His smiles seem really and he doesn't seem to be quite so nervous and jumpy around me. I still have ht efeeling that he's not one hundred percent comfortable around me, but we can worry about that later.

I frown when he says that his father thinks his studies are more important than socializing. I tell him, "Your father sounds mean! Children are suppose to run and play! You might make some good friends here in town. I've already had three boyfriends this year."

When Ragetti says that he wants to walk me home, I grin and nod excitedly, "Really? That would be great! Father should be home by now. I can introduce you to him and then you can tell him about your father and maybe our families can get together sometime! What do you think? That way, I could introduce you to some of the other children." To me, this sounds like a wonderful plan.

When he mentions my mum, I immediately try and conjure up a lie. I'm obviously not going to tell him that she's hooker. So I use the most lame excuse possible and say, "Ah...well...she's sick."

[Lisa]

I frown, not wanting her to know how cruel my father truly is. "Well he's not that bad. I study for about four hours in the morning, then I have some other lessons, horseback riding and those types of things, and then I see many of my cousins." I shrug, making up more and more lies. Hell, I don't even know how to read. "Then I usually get in a few more hours of studying in the ev-- Wait.. you.. you've had three boyfriends... just this year?" It takes me a while to realize she says that. I've never had a girlfriend. I didn't know people my age dated. Perhaps she's older then she looks. "How old are you?" I ask, not knowing that it's improper to ask a lady her her age.

"Oh.. well. I can make sure you get home okay, but I don't think I'd have the time to meet your father." I rack my mind for another lie, then realize she already gave it to me. "My mum and dad would be expecting me by diner." Another lie. My parents don't make diner. All these lies are making me realize how pathetic my life truly is.

For a moment I wonder what it would be like. How would the son of a lord truly live? I wonder what it would be like to have someone worried about my studies or to have lessons for things like horseback riding during the day or to go events dressed in my best cloths.

I bring myself out of those thoughts, knowing it could never be me.

"Sick?" I tilt my head to the side worried, "What's wrong with her? Nothing bad I hope?" I say, truly concerned.

[~ Mistress Beckett ~]

I stare at Ragetti with sympathy as he goes on about his daily schedule. . Not many children I know have studying in the morning and in the evening. Horseback riding does sound fun though. I've always wanted to try it. I'm also curious about his cousins. Maybe I know some of them! So I ask, "Who are your cousins? Have they lived here for long or have they just moved too? And you're so lucky to have a horse. I've always wanted one."

I notice Ragetti's eyes kind of pop out when I mention that I've had three boyfriends. That's not really that big of a deal, is it? So I go ahead and answer his question, "I'm almost eleven. How old are you?"

I frown slightly when he says he'll walk me home but that he can't meet my father. I really wanted him to! Trying not to let my disappointment show, I say, "Ah, well you should probably just go straight home then. I don't want your parents to worry."

Then I think about his last question and try to come up with a quick answer. I shove my toes deep into the sand at the bottom of the stream and think hard. Finally, I saw with my cheeks blushing as a total give-away, "She...has the flu."

[Lisa]

My cousins had always lived here, but they were sort of the "bad asses" in town and clearly not related to a lord, so I answer, "Nah, they just arrived in Tortuga. They don't really know anyone." I shrug. "I can't complain.. I'm happy with my life." I lie

I tilt my head to the side. "I'm eleven and three quarters." I say, trying not to sound surprised by the fact that she's had three boyfriends just this year. "So.. how many boyfriends have you had your whole life then?" I ask and move a little closer to her on the branch.

Her response makes me frown. I really do want to walk her her home. "Well at least let me walk you half way." I protest. "I'd worry about you the whole time until I see you again... erm.. If I see you again I mean."

Giselle looks sort of funny when she says her mother has the flu, but I don't ask why. Maybe it's much worse than that and she doesn't want to talk about it to a stranger. I can't blame her. "Well I hope she feels better soon." I say.

[~ Mistress Beckett ~]

I'm curious about his cousins. I find it odd how they all just arrived in Tortuga. It's strange that I haven't met any of them before. Smiling, I suggest, "Why don't you bring your cousins into the town sometime to meet the other children? I'm sure we'd all get along."

I think it's pretty cool how he's just a little bit older than me. That's how it should be with guys and girls in my opinion. Grinning, I peer up at him and say, "Hey, that's cool. When's your birthday?" And when he asks about my boyfriends, I try to count them all in my head and arrive at an answer of, "Six."

"Well...I suppose you could walk me halfway," I respond. I don't want his parents to worry though, so I add, "Only halfway though. And of course you'll see me again. You just moved here and that's why I've only just met you. I see the children from town all the time!"

I'm glad when he doesn't press the subject about my mom. That could get pretty awkward. So all I do is nod and reply, "Yeah, I hope she gets better soon too."