Sweeney's Willow (Sweeney Todd)

- Chapter One: Hope -

* Edited *

The cold and misty air of London is something Cora found herself becoming quite accustomed to, even with the dreariness of the city lurking all around. However, she couldn’t deny that there was a small, almost minuscule part of her soul that yearned to be back in France, sipping expensive wines and enjoying the many beauties it had to offer.

Though now she had no ability to go back, no hope remaining within her that she would be able to one day return to the city that had been her home for a huge part of her life; where her rich and small-minded family still resides.

London would be her home now. It would soon become the warm and comforting city she had once remembered it to be as a small child before her family up and left for the more exotic France. Or at least, she hoped so desperately that it would. She needs this hope; she needs this new start, but most of all, she needs so desperately to feel that warmth and comfort of having a place to call home once more.

“Ma’am, is something wrong?”

Cora lifts her head as her previous thoughts fade away, lingering in the back of her mind for another time. She musters a small, polite smile for the young man beside her whilst briefly allowing her emerald green eyes to scan his expensive attire. Her heart skips a subtle beat as she finally meets his soft gaze, his warm blue eyes causing her stomach to excite with the unfamiliar flutter of butterflies – something she silently was cursing.

She clears her throat quietly and straightens her posture whilst averting her gaze to the cobbled road beneath her heeled boots. “I appreciate your concern, sir, but I can assure you that nothing is wrong. However, might you be able to assist me in locating this address. I’ve been wandering for a while now and still have yet to come upon it.” she says clearly with the hint of uncertainty leaking into her tone as she shows him the small crumpled paper in her hand with a handwritten address scribbled upon it.

The man leans slightly to get a better look at the address before a small frown dips his brows, his gaze flicks up momentarily to the bustling street around them before he nods and leans back. “That’s Mrs Lovett’s pie shop on Fleet Street.” he says with a curious smile.

Cora arches a brow and smiles slightly, “I’m aware. I did write this myself, Mr...” she trails off, expecting him to finish her sentence with a name, which thankfully he does.

“Devante. Carter Devante.” he introduces with a slight bow, “and you are?”

“Cora Anne Willow. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr Devante.”

“Likewise, Miss Willow.” he smiles warmly as she curtsies politely, his eyes dancing with the slightest hint of amusement. “If you so wish, I can escort you to Fleet Street. A beautiful woman like yourself should not be wandering the streets of London alone. It isn’t safe.” he says kindly.

Cora scans her surroundings and shakes her head in disagreement, the people walking the streets around them were far too high class to even spare her a glance, never mind lower themselves to the task of attacking her. Though, she couldn’t deny her sudden desire to walk and talk with him further. Nor could she deny that she truly had no idea how to find Fleet Street without his help, so, with a deep breath and a grateful smile, she nods. “That would be most appreciated, sir.”