[color=00aeef]“Oh! Xavier … Xavier Thomas.”[/color] He knew he probably shouldn’t have used his real name, but he said it before he gave it real thought. Well, it wasn’t as if names hadn’t been reused throughout history. He struggled once more to stand and managed not to look quite so shaky. He was starting to recover - enough so that his eyes started to notice Victoria’s form. He didn’t leer though. That would have been rude. Instead he made an excuse to look again and took her free hand in his and bowed to kiss the back of it with a simple peck. [color=00aeef]“Enchante Mademoiselle.”[/color] He released the hand not wanting her to get the wrong (right?) idea. He smiled a little with boyish charm and innocence. [color=00aeef]“I know a little French. Seriously though, I am grateful for the kindness you have already shown. If your father can help me get some proper clothes, that alone would be great, but I understand if he can’t help. And work for room and board would be great. But unless I do something to increase his earnings enough to justify any more than that, I shall find other means to make money.”[/color] He looked around as if just noticing his surroundings. [color=00aeef]“This is a port?! That means travellers. Travellers means entertainment. I might have another way to make money. When I was younger I wanted to study music - the piano. But my guardians thought music was a waste of my time. That doesn’t mean I didn’t sneak off. I am good enough I should be able to play for the public. Maybe I could do something like that in the evenings.”[/color] He was silent only for a moment. When he started up again it was upon seeing the book in Victoria’s basket. [color=00aeef]“Is that a real book? I used to have a few."[/color] He started to mention one, but thought better of it. He still had no idea what year this was. [color=00aeef]“May I?”[/color] He reached down and picked up like it was delicate. Then he carefully opened it and smelled the pages. His eyes lit up with almost childish delight. Then he carefully placed the book back. [color=00aeef]“Well, the day is young. Here,”[/color] he gestured to the basket and lifted it up off her arm. [color=00aeef]“Least I can do is pull my own weight … barely.”[/color] He grinned again. [color=00aeef]“I’ll be okay. Wither you go I follow.”[/color] Finally he shut up. Instead he started to spend all his time looking all around at things. Every shop had him looking as if he wanted to go and touch everything like he was a 5 year old. But the real surprise came when that passed a newspaper boy on a corner hollerin about who wanted the news. He adjusted his course to intercept. He strangeness took the boy by surprise. He pointed a finger and touched the paper angling it down so he could see the headline. Then he patted himself for change and frowned. [color=00aeef]“Right, sorry sir. Maybe another time. Forgot I don’t have money on me. Can’t exactly expect one for free. But next time I see you, if I have money, I’ll definitely buy a paper.”[/color] As he turned away the look in his face now pale. It hadn’t been the headlines he was looking at. It was the date. He continued to follow Victoria. He tried to smile now and then. But he looked truly unhappy. Reality had finally set in.