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Description
Dusk, perfect time for Danica to be alone and to think. A time where she could be utterly alone with herself. Danica Baroudi was petite and somewhat short for her stature, but extremely beautiful. With long raven black hair and entrancing violet eyes, she was the talk of the town, everyone wanted to be her or know her. Danica never really got friends, everyone thought she was too stuck up or something, but it was really untrue. Danica was kind, sweet, funny, docile, and extremely active. She loved to go on hikes or horse rides with her tutors who were always trying to keep up. Her tutors, who taught her academics, found it hard to keep her attention in class but could always look for her in the library or in her room, nose in a book. Danica loved to read and run, it was her passion, she could fill her days reading Machivelli on the back of a horse and never stop except for food. Danica’s own father could never keep up with her, and when he found her he always wanted her to stay inside. Danica didn’t mind the inside, since her mother’s death she was pretty much in charge of a lot and she never left it unattended. She knew the servants by name and nickname, the cooks fed her things right from the stirring spoon, and the crotchety old butlers smiled at all her antics and jokes. She had her home pretty much wrapped around her finger. Danica loved her home, but the world was her problem, people didn’t seem to like her.
Girls at parties would come up and complement and small talk with her, only because it was appropriate and their mother’s wanted them to. Other than that, she had no real friends. Boys always shied away from her, thinking she had to be engaged with looks like those, Danica tried to prove them wrong, but no one wanted to be near her alone. It made Danica want to cry sometimes, sure she had her dad and little brother, Michael, and the household, but what about friends her age? She would never have that best friend she always read about in her books to talk to her, laugh with her, cry with her. Now Danica sat on her roof, a few tears rolling down occasionally. For once, she wanted someone to talk to. A few people had tried to get near, but they only wanted her as arm candy, even for girls. Only today Danica had found out a new friend of hers was saying things about her such as, they were only friends because Danica was desperate. With fear and hatred in her heart Danica had fled to her safe haven, the roof of her three-story house. A few servants were dusting out a few carpets and things and Danica could hear the smack of the material against the stonewalls. A cook looked out a window way down and called up to the housekeeper smacking the carpet to quit, her soup was cooling. Danica cringed; she definitely would not be eating soup tonight. She heard her brother squeal with glee as his nanny took him to the garden to play with the dogs for a while. Danica smiled, she loved Michael and if anything was to ever happen to him, she and her father would be lost.
The sea was right in front of her; the smell of the air filled her lungs and called to her. Danica had always grown up near the sea, and she wouldn’t trade it for the world. From where their house was she could hear the call of the seagulls and the Harbor Master. His loud, rough voice was almost like an opera in her ears. The waves crashed against the docks and a dolphin swam away, taunting a seagull that flew overhead. Ships were docking for the night and market persons were packing up to go home, with their days' earnings in their back pocket. The smell of day old fish hung in the air and Danica smelt it ever so faintly, just another piece to the perfect aroma. A ship was pulling out, a stupid move to some, but to them not so. The captain of that ship had to be in the next port to make deliveries by next morning and leaving now would get them there perfectly. A mail ship was docking and a few sailors hung around the dock, waiting for replies from loved ones, or women. A group of men shouted and whistled as a woman got off, carrying a bag. They scattered after finding that it was the captain's daughter. Only one man stayed and waited for his letters, he got one. He took the paper reverently, sniffed the seal and kissed it. Then, with a hug to the Captains daughter, darted off to read the letter. The young girl blushed and turned to notice her father hadn’t seen it, with a smile she continued to unboard barrels of letters and packages for the business here.
Danica smiled, daily life in a shipyard town. It was Friday, which meant the men would be in the taverns tonight and making noise, Danica loved it. She would sit up for hours watching men fight and cuss, get thrown out and sing. Michael sometimes would ask and come up too, just to make sure his big sister was okay. It was cute to Danica because he was only four. The sun was really about to set as the ship that had left went out of sight and Danica sighed, it was getting cold and it was time for dinner, she would come back up later.
Carefully, she made her way down, she didn’t need to though, Danica could run down the roof and swing into her window with just one hand if she had to, but tonight was not one of those nights, and there was no hurry. Just as Danica closed her window, a maid knocked at her door. “Miss Danica, your father says if you’re late for dinner one more time this week, he’ll keep you off your horse for a week.” The maid was Clara, a soft-spoken girl, with a kind heart. “Come in Clara and help me dress, we wouldn’t want Eragon taken away now would we?” Danica smiled and unbuttoned her shift as Clara closed the door. “What do you think I should wear? No one’s coming tonight so extremely casual. Get me my blue dress, with the frock.” Danica pointed to a blue sleeve sticking out of her closet, Clara walked over and gently pulled it out. “Good choice Miss Danica, do you need any other help?” Danica nodded, “My face is dirty, can you go get some water for me to wash?” Clara nodded and left the room. With a sigh Danica sat down on her bed, almost naked. She couldn’t put the dress on then slop water on it; she’d have to wait. Four minuets later Clara was not back, so impatiently Danica flung open her windows and let the night sea air rush in. She leaned out the window and admired the view. The sun was almost set and it cast shadows across the sky and the water.
It was truly lovely and Danica was about to go back in when a curious sight caught her eye. With another look she confirmed her suspicions, a ship. Medium sized old makings but seeming to be fast for it was way closer than it had been just a minuet ago. The sails were creamy white but Danica bet if washed, they would be stark white. Not a lot of people seemed to be on deck and that wasn’t normal, usually there are at least six people to bring in a ship, there was only three on this deck. A tall man stood out once Danica watched closer, she couldn’t see his features, but he sure was tall. Just then Clara walked back in, “Your water miss. Anything else?” Danica nodded absent-mindedly. “Yes, go get a page boy, Ralphie, and tell him to go find out the name and owner of that ship that is about to dock. It is a curious thing, isn’t it?” Clara walked to the window to look. “Yes, miss, it is funny. I’ll send Ralphie right away.” Clara didn’t even stop before she left the room; she wanted to know the mystery of the new ship. Danica watched until she saw Ralphie running out to the docks, horse below him. It wasn’t that urgent. By the time Danica had washed and her dress was on and right, she was almost late. With Clara on her heels the two girls ran all the way to the dining hall, Michael’s maid was bringing him in as Danica skidded to a halt. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the woman of the house, actually on time.” The maid smirked to show her joke. “How funny. I am always busy with house-holdy things and I don’t like it that you make jokes on my extraneous duties.” Danica sniffed the air, and then looked back down to smile back. Michael squealed and Danica picked him up and walked inside prepared for dinner and on time.
Their father was already there, along with a guest. Immediately Danica put Michael down and pulled off the frock part of the dress to make it more presentable. “Ah! My two children now! Mr. Vierstein, my daughter Danica Baroudi and my son Michael Baroudi.” Danica nodded her hello and caught sight of the man, Mr. Vierstein. He was tall and extremely handsome.
Really long brown hair fell over broad shoulders; he wore some shabby nice apparel. It was to the looks that this man owned a wealthy pirate ship but it was not going to be said. He wore a loose, no button shirt with little frills along the edge that opened to the center of his tan chest. Skinny, pinstripe pants led into large, half-calf piratical boots. He wore a floor length, Piratical looking leather coat, which was all held together by a belt that seemed to have held a scabbard. He had strong facial features, and thin lips; he had high cheekbones, almost rare in a man but always wanted. He had startling green eyes but a stern look in them so as to presume he had known hardship, he seemed to either be a really young thirty or a nicely grown twenty.
When she looked closely his gruff exterior seemed to melt away and he looked about nineteen or twenty. Danica almost fell over on the spot in a dead faint, but it would have been impolite and Michael was dragging her to her chair next to their father. “Excuse me, your in my seat Mr.” Michael ran around to the other side of the table and poked Mr. Vierstein with his little finger. Danica didn’t even have time to gasp. “Oh, I am terribly sorry. I will move if you want me to?’ he started to stand up; he was even taller standing, Danica thought. “No, its okay. I just wanted you to know in case my food goes to you, instead of over there beside my sissy Danica. Have you met Danni? She’s a really pretty girl, all the men say it when she’s not looking and I’ve even seen a few of them go to talk to her but freeze before they call her name.” Danica’s face fell to the floor and she was too frozen to pick it up. The handsome man chuckled and looked her way, her brain shut down.
So, her mind kicked on autopilot and thank God it did. “You’ll have to excuse my brother. He is four and though he sees he does not quiet understand what he says. He tells no lies but sometimes he misinterprets.” Danica smiled and reached for Michael as he ran back around the table to his new seat. As he came up he crawled into her lap and rested his head there, just as he did the food came in and Danica motioned for only a drink for him right now. “I don’t think he misinterpreted it. He got it right, you are a really pretty woman and I am not ashamed to say it here.” Now it was her fathers turn to drop his jaw, but this time in amazement not horror. “Well thank you, Mr. Vierstein.” Danica picked off some grapes from a plate being presented to her. “Please call me Renard.” Now, Danica’s mind caught up to her. “Oh, well then. Thank you Renard.” She blushed but hid it gracefully by toasting in his direction and drinking out of her glass of wine. He toasted back and smiled behind his cup. Finally her father spoke again. “So I heard you just came in tonight? Why the late time?” and so the night went on, until Ralphie showed up with news about the ship.
“Miss, this may come as a shock, but the man sitting across from you so the captain of the ship that docked. The Lorissia, it is known for small pirate raids but what doesn’t go evenly to his crew goes to poor ship towns and people. His nickname is ‘Robin Hood of the Seas.’” Danica nodded and looked back at this kind and generous stranger, he turned to look just as she did, again she smiled politely, this time not blushing. Dessert came right on time, but by this time Michael was so dead asleep. Danica couldn’t even situate herself properly. Renard looked her way and took the hint, “Well, Christopher. I really must get started going, if we could have one last coffee in the library, I will see my way out.” Danica’s father nodded and laughed heartily. “Of course! Of course! Danica, if you would take your brother to bed, you may join us later.” Danica nodded and got up, balancing the sleeping four year old and her own dignity. A maid scurried over to help but now Danica had her brother cradled in her arms. “Father, I would like a cup of coffee ready, I have had a long day.” She asked and gave him the pleading look.
He nodded. “As you wish, my child. Go, put your brother to bed and hurry back.” Danni nodded and hurried off. The route to Michael’s bedroom was not as difficult as it would be for old women. Two flights of stairs and three hallways to get by and then waiting for a maid to open the heavy door to his room, it seemed as though her father was terrified someone was going to steal his children. After his clothes had been replaced, Danica laid him down and kissed his forehead. Michael just grunted and rolled over. “Good night, Mike.” And with a nod to his maid, left for coffee. The library was not too far from her brother’s room so the trip was easy. A butler stood at the door and opened it for her as she walked up. Danica loved the library and all the books; she could smell them as she walked in the room.

Description
Dusk, perfect time for Danica to be alone and to think. A time where she could be utterly alone with herself. Danica Baroudi was petite and somewhat short for her stature, but extremely beautiful. With long raven black hair and entrancing violet eyes, she was the talk of the town, everyone wanted to be her or know her. Danica never really got friends, everyone thought she was too stuck up or something, but it was really untrue. Danica was kind, sweet, funny, docile, and extremely active. She loved to go on hikes or horse rides with her tutors who were always trying to keep up. Her tutors, who taught her academics, found it hard to keep her attention in class but could always look for her in the library or in her room, nose in a book. Danica loved to read and run, it was her passion, she could fill her days reading Machivelli on the back of a horse and never stop except for food. Danica’s own father could never keep up with her, and when he found her he always wanted her to stay inside. Danica didn’t mind the inside, since her mother’s death she was pretty much in charge of a lot and she never left it unattended. She knew the servants by name and nickname, the cooks fed her things right from the stirring spoon, and the crotchety old butlers smiled at all her antics and jokes. She had her home pretty much wrapped around her finger. Danica loved her home, but the world was her problem, people didn’t seem to like her.
Girls at parties would come up and complement and small talk with her, only because it was appropriate and their mother’s wanted them to. Other than that, she had no real friends. Boys always shied away from her, thinking she had to be engaged with looks like those, Danica tried to prove them wrong, but no one wanted to be near her alone. It made Danica want to cry sometimes, sure she had her dad and little brother, Michael, and the household, but what about friends her age? She would never have that best friend she always read about in her books to talk to her, laugh with her, cry with her. Now Danica sat on her roof, a few tears rolling down occasionally. For once, she wanted someone to talk to. A few people had tried to get near, but they only wanted her as arm candy, even for girls. Only today Danica had found out a new friend of hers was saying things about her such as, they were only friends because Danica was desperate. With fear and hatred in her heart Danica had fled to her safe haven, the roof of her three-story house. A few servants were dusting out a few carpets and things and Danica could hear the smack of the material against the stonewalls. A cook looked out a window way down and called up to the housekeeper smacking the carpet to quit, her soup was cooling. Danica cringed; she definitely would not be eating soup tonight. She heard her brother squeal with glee as his nanny took him to the garden to play with the dogs for a while. Danica smiled, she loved Michael and if anything was to ever happen to him, she and her father would be lost.
The sea was right in front of her; the smell of the air filled her lungs and called to her. Danica had always grown up near the sea, and she wouldn’t trade it for the world. From where their house was she could hear the call of the seagulls and the Harbor Master. His loud, rough voice was almost like an opera in her ears. The waves crashed against the docks and a dolphin swam away, taunting a seagull that flew overhead. Ships were docking for the night and market persons were packing up to go home, with their days' earnings in their back pocket. The smell of day old fish hung in the air and Danica smelt it ever so faintly, just another piece to the perfect aroma. A ship was pulling out, a stupid move to some, but to them not so. The captain of that ship had to be in the next port to make deliveries by next morning and leaving now would get them there perfectly. A mail ship was docking and a few sailors hung around the dock, waiting for replies from loved ones, or women. A group of men shouted and whistled as a woman got off, carrying a bag. They scattered after finding that it was the captain's daughter. Only one man stayed and waited for his letters, he got one. He took the paper reverently, sniffed the seal and kissed it. Then, with a hug to the Captains daughter, darted off to read the letter. The young girl blushed and turned to notice her father hadn’t seen it, with a smile she continued to unboard barrels of letters and packages for the business here.
Danica smiled, daily life in a shipyard town. It was Friday, which meant the men would be in the taverns tonight and making noise, Danica loved it. She would sit up for hours watching men fight and cuss, get thrown out and sing. Michael sometimes would ask and come up too, just to make sure his big sister was okay. It was cute to Danica because he was only four. The sun was really about to set as the ship that had left went out of sight and Danica sighed, it was getting cold and it was time for dinner, she would come back up later.
Carefully, she made her way down, she didn’t need to though, Danica could run down the roof and swing into her window with just one hand if she had to, but tonight was not one of those nights, and there was no hurry. Just as Danica closed her window, a maid knocked at her door. “Miss Danica, your father says if you’re late for dinner one more time this week, he’ll keep you off your horse for a week.” The maid was Clara, a soft-spoken girl, with a kind heart. “Come in Clara and help me dress, we wouldn’t want Eragon taken away now would we?” Danica smiled and unbuttoned her shift as Clara closed the door. “What do you think I should wear? No one’s coming tonight so extremely casual. Get me my blue dress, with the frock.” Danica pointed to a blue sleeve sticking out of her closet, Clara walked over and gently pulled it out. “Good choice Miss Danica, do you need any other help?” Danica nodded, “My face is dirty, can you go get some water for me to wash?” Clara nodded and left the room. With a sigh Danica sat down on her bed, almost naked. She couldn’t put the dress on then slop water on it; she’d have to wait. Four minuets later Clara was not back, so impatiently Danica flung open her windows and let the night sea air rush in. She leaned out the window and admired the view. The sun was almost set and it cast shadows across the sky and the water.
It was truly lovely and Danica was about to go back in when a curious sight caught her eye. With another look she confirmed her suspicions, a ship. Medium sized old makings but seeming to be fast for it was way closer than it had been just a minuet ago. The sails were creamy white but Danica bet if washed, they would be stark white. Not a lot of people seemed to be on deck and that wasn’t normal, usually there are at least six people to bring in a ship, there was only three on this deck. A tall man stood out once Danica watched closer, she couldn’t see his features, but he sure was tall. Just then Clara walked back in, “Your water miss. Anything else?” Danica nodded absent-mindedly. “Yes, go get a page boy, Ralphie, and tell him to go find out the name and owner of that ship that is about to dock. It is a curious thing, isn’t it?” Clara walked to the window to look. “Yes, miss, it is funny. I’ll send Ralphie right away.” Clara didn’t even stop before she left the room; she wanted to know the mystery of the new ship. Danica watched until she saw Ralphie running out to the docks, horse below him. It wasn’t that urgent. By the time Danica had washed and her dress was on and right, she was almost late. With Clara on her heels the two girls ran all the way to the dining hall, Michael’s maid was bringing him in as Danica skidded to a halt. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the woman of the house, actually on time.” The maid smirked to show her joke. “How funny. I am always busy with house-holdy things and I don’t like it that you make jokes on my extraneous duties.” Danica sniffed the air, and then looked back down to smile back. Michael squealed and Danica picked him up and walked inside prepared for dinner and on time.
Their father was already there, along with a guest. Immediately Danica put Michael down and pulled off the frock part of the dress to make it more presentable. “Ah! My two children now! Mr. Vierstein, my daughter Danica Baroudi and my son Michael Baroudi.” Danica nodded her hello and caught sight of the man, Mr. Vierstein. He was tall and extremely handsome.
Really long brown hair fell over broad shoulders; he wore some shabby nice apparel. It was to the looks that this man owned a wealthy pirate ship but it was not going to be said. He wore a loose, no button shirt with little frills along the edge that opened to the center of his tan chest. Skinny, pinstripe pants led into large, half-calf piratical boots. He wore a floor length, Piratical looking leather coat, which was all held together by a belt that seemed to have held a scabbard. He had strong facial features, and thin lips; he had high cheekbones, almost rare in a man but always wanted. He had startling green eyes but a stern look in them so as to presume he had known hardship, he seemed to either be a really young thirty or a nicely grown twenty.
When she looked closely his gruff exterior seemed to melt away and he looked about nineteen or twenty. Danica almost fell over on the spot in a dead faint, but it would have been impolite and Michael was dragging her to her chair next to their father. “Excuse me, your in my seat Mr.” Michael ran around to the other side of the table and poked Mr. Vierstein with his little finger. Danica didn’t even have time to gasp. “Oh, I am terribly sorry. I will move if you want me to?’ he started to stand up; he was even taller standing, Danica thought. “No, its okay. I just wanted you to know in case my food goes to you, instead of over there beside my sissy Danica. Have you met Danni? She’s a really pretty girl, all the men say it when she’s not looking and I’ve even seen a few of them go to talk to her but freeze before they call her name.” Danica’s face fell to the floor and she was too frozen to pick it up. The handsome man chuckled and looked her way, her brain shut down.
So, her mind kicked on autopilot and thank God it did. “You’ll have to excuse my brother. He is four and though he sees he does not quiet understand what he says. He tells no lies but sometimes he misinterprets.” Danica smiled and reached for Michael as he ran back around the table to his new seat. As he came up he crawled into her lap and rested his head there, just as he did the food came in and Danica motioned for only a drink for him right now. “I don’t think he misinterpreted it. He got it right, you are a really pretty woman and I am not ashamed to say it here.” Now it was her fathers turn to drop his jaw, but this time in amazement not horror. “Well thank you, Mr. Vierstein.” Danica picked off some grapes from a plate being presented to her. “Please call me Renard.” Now, Danica’s mind caught up to her. “Oh, well then. Thank you Renard.” She blushed but hid it gracefully by toasting in his direction and drinking out of her glass of wine. He toasted back and smiled behind his cup. Finally her father spoke again. “So I heard you just came in tonight? Why the late time?” and so the night went on, until Ralphie showed up with news about the ship.
“Miss, this may come as a shock, but the man sitting across from you so the captain of the ship that docked. The Lorissia, it is known for small pirate raids but what doesn’t go evenly to his crew goes to poor ship towns and people. His nickname is ‘Robin Hood of the Seas.’” Danica nodded and looked back at this kind and generous stranger, he turned to look just as she did, again she smiled politely, this time not blushing. Dessert came right on time, but by this time Michael was so dead asleep. Danica couldn’t even situate herself properly. Renard looked her way and took the hint, “Well, Christopher. I really must get started going, if we could have one last coffee in the library, I will see my way out.” Danica’s father nodded and laughed heartily. “Of course! Of course! Danica, if you would take your brother to bed, you may join us later.” Danica nodded and got up, balancing the sleeping four year old and her own dignity. A maid scurried over to help but now Danica had her brother cradled in her arms. “Father, I would like a cup of coffee ready, I have had a long day.” She asked and gave him the pleading look.
He nodded. “As you wish, my child. Go, put your brother to bed and hurry back.” Danni nodded and hurried off. The route to Michael’s bedroom was not as difficult as it would be for old women. Two flights of stairs and three hallways to get by and then waiting for a maid to open the heavy door to his room, it seemed as though her father was terrified someone was going to steal his children. After his clothes had been replaced, Danica laid him down and kissed his forehead. Michael just grunted and rolled over. “Good night, Mike.” And with a nod to his maid, left for coffee. The library was not too far from her brother’s room so the trip was easy. A butler stood at the door and opened it for her as she walked up. Danica loved the library and all the books; she could smell them as she walked in the room.