The Girl With The Ribbon

The Ribbon

Quick intro: this is a Six of Crows fanfic based off Saskia, the minor character that Kaz had a crush on when he was young. I hope you like it, this is my first Wattpad story, and in its first draft. 

Isn't it strange how much easier it is for to be someone else than myself? I even get my own name mixed up sometimes.

Right now, though, I'm Saskia again. Just this brief moment, waiting for the play to end, waiting for when the acting is supposed to be over.

I rub my eyes, tired. Why must this show run so late into the night? Thank goodness all my speaking scenes are finished. Only bowing and smiling while the audience claps.

A slight chill spreads through the backstage room, a signal someone has opened the door, letting cold air rush in. I rub my arms and sit in a chair nearby, one with a view of the stage.

A stagehand appears, and I turn my head to him, smiling. "How are you, mister Edjak?" He picks up a few props off the creaky, worn wood floor and smiles back. "Tenae, everything seems to be hiding from me, every prop that needs delivering to the other backstage room back there! The mop disappears, the uniforms, even the shields!"

He chuckles to himself, and I add on a brief laugh of my own. "I'm sure you'll find them, you always do. Good luck!"

Edjak ruffles my hair and I smile. He heads back out the door. When I hear his footsteps fade, I let out a sigh. He has the most infuriating laugh and voice, and I despise when people ruffle my hair.

Oh well. Just all part of pretending to be whoever is Tenae. Tenae, the eight-year-old acting prodigy. Tenae, who is sweet and charming. Tenae, who loves everyone and everyone loves.

Yet no one really does. Because Tenae doesn't exist. That's the name my parents were going to name my unborn sibling if she was a girl. Before they disappeared.

Maybe Tenae does exist.

No. No, she doesn't. After three years Mommy and Daddy would have turned up.

I remind myself that again and again, remind myself that this is my life now. One where no one knows my name.

The sound of applause fills the air, and I stretch, standing up and waiting just behind the opening in the faded green curtain.

I walk out, bowing. I'm Tenae again, so I blush when the clapping rises to a crescendo, occasionally ducking my head in pretend modesty. I smile, still blushing, acting the part.

The curtains close, and I make my way out of the theatre, smiling and acting humble and cheerful to every actor who compliments me. Eventually, I reach the backstage door and slip out, leaving my costume there with drab, soot-covered clothes left on me.

When other people are around, I usually choose one of a few people to be. Tenae is who I am with the audience before and after: sweet but a somewhat forgettable personality. She's an acting prodigy, as they say. It just takes practice. Lying is awfully similar to acting.

Jeillym is who I am when stealing, tricking. She comes from a poor family, and works as a chimney sweep, at least that's what I say. She cries easily, pouts, overdramatizes and is adorable and cheerful. She's seven.

Right now I'm Jeillym. I wipe more soot across my face and start wandering down various streets, choosing the less crowded ones. I try to look like I'm daydreaming and lost in thought so I don't have to look anyone in the eye. It would be useful to be able to keep the Jeillym character as an option without anyone recognizing me as Tenae.

It doesn't take long for me to find the trash heap that I, unfortunately, call home. It's not too bad; over the years I've found enough cardboard to burrow down to the ground and stop the garbage from falling into the pit. Random objects and leftover food are scattered within.

I quickly peruse the day's addition. Some mouldy bread, a lucky find - of course, I tear out the mouldy parts first. Some cans, with only a few discarded parts. And... a ribbon?

I pull out the ribbon. It's a beautiful scarlet and fine quality material. I carefully rub all the dirt off the trimming as I can, then tie it around my ankle. Any visible place, such as in my hair or around my wrist would let the ribbon serve as an identifier - and I want to wear it all the time, as it's now my lucky ribbon.

I eat all the leftover scraps I can, and then set out again, determined to find more to steal. Ducking behind a building, I peer slightly out from an alley, watching the butcher's.

But instead, a man steps out. Startled, I jump back, tripping, landing on the ground by the brick. He isn't surprised to see me, almost like he was expecting me. The man looks at me, and for once, I can't read his expression. Amused? Suspicious? 

He steps forward. "Saskia," he says.

My breath freezes. Jeillym. Right. Jeillym.

"What? What's Saskia?" I put on a scared eight-year-old's face, a confused and defensive little girl. How does he know my name? Did I know him Before? I search through my brain for memories of people Before, but there's nothing of him.

"No need to act, I already know you can. That's why I'm here."

Oh no...

"I have a deal for you."

I don't know what to do. This stranger somehow knows me. Silence is probably the best option. Silence, and more fear.

"You will come with me. You will serve as an actor, and receive a fantastic role. In exchange, you will get free housing, food, everything that you need. But you will also have to keep a high level of secrecy."

This has to be a trick. "Sorry, I think I'm okay with my situation."

He smiles. "Saskia, this isn't a choice."

"Of course it's a choice! I'm not going off with some stranger and act for him, how am I supposed to know I can trust you?"

"It isn't a choice." Shadows shift behind him, and there are a few metallic glints. A shiver runs down me.

"When you say it isn't a choice, do you mean the alternative is undesirable?"

The stranger nods. "My, do you speak eloquently for an eight-year-old," he says. I've been eavesdropping on the upper classes recently, and have been attempting to perfect a new character, one from a wealthy background. "But to your question, of course."

I feel a slight sting, and a realize someone is standing behind me, knife at the ready. I take a deep breath. "Okay."

Sorry, that was sort of a short chapter. Please comment if you can, I'd really love to see how I can improve the story and what you think.

- Vi