In spirit, I believe we must have met

Annie's sister was prescribed to the general ideology that walks should only be taken on days of sunshine and merriment, in the mornings or after tea. Though however slight the annoyance that it caused, her sister Charlotte would rather accompany her then allow Annie to walk up the lane alone, for as her sister put it, "it is of necessity to a lady that she walks accompanied, otherwise it seems as though there could be trouble about".

Perhaps, Annie thought, that it was the empty fields on the left, or the solitary churchyard on the right leading to the church where their father was most likely preparing the Sunday morning sermon, with its inscribed headstones, its gate, and high steeple that reached up to the crescent moon still alight in the hour of evening tide. But there was something about the lane that left her sister unnerved in the late afternoon, though it didn't bother Annie in the slightest. In the small town in which they lived, it would be said by the inhabitants that of the two sisters, the elder being Charlotte by two years, and the younger Annabelle, that Annabelle had a far more reliable and practical nature, and acted above the common rounds of gossip and silliness that some women and even men were prone to in such fashions. In fact it was often remarked that Annie would be well suited to the life of a cleric's wife just as her mother was before her. But Annie had never been sure, and so after she had finished her own schooling, she had gone on to be a teacher. And so she had no such ability to take walks with her sister in the morning or early afternoon, and instead came home after school was finished and took a walk with her sister in the early evening. But that day Annie had sunk into melancholy, as the children were dismissed in the spring from school to help their parents with the sort of farm work natural for the area, and Annie felt quite listless for the time being. As if sensing Annie's growing feeling of destituteness, Charlotte aimed to make conversation light and pleasurable.

"Annie, so I'm sure you've heard." Charlotte stated before seeing Annie's expression of confusion, "About the families from London!"

"I have not heard anything about that topic." Annie said, "Remember, I have been surrounded by younger children who have no capacity for such gossip besides who picked up what toad on a dare or who skipped what rock further. But I fear I shall be lonely while school is out."

"True, true. So I shall enlighten you." Charlotte said excitedly, "As you know very well, weathering summer in London is surely to cramped and uncomfortable for distinguished families. So every effort has been made to renovate the old manors, and as such many families of great importance shall be weathering their summers now in our little town, starting within a month. Oh, just think of it Annie! There will be much activity! Think of a man of importance sweeping one of our town's ladies off their feet and sweeping them into a life of near royalty!"

"Ah, my sister. You read too many romances!" Annie laughed, a noise so infrequently made by her that it took her sister by surprise. "Remember first that a man of high stature would not marry under his status, as well as the teachings that father has so carefully instilled within us. Running off with a noble man would stop his heart."

"Oh Annie, indulge yourself a little with imagination!" Her sister laughed, grasping her arm and spinning with her. "Even you, I'm sure, have the desire to find love!"

"I consider myself very well loved-by my pupils and my family." Annie told her, "Why? Have you been perhaps tricking me into believing you have affection towards me?"

"You have foiled my plot!" Her sister cried in false anguish, making them both giggle much like school girls, Annie's heart much lightened before returning down the lane and back to the cottage by which they called home.

The Cresta family lived much like one would expect the family of a clergyman. They lived comfortably but modestly. Her mother cooked plain, but filling food, they owned things with use but nothing more, and had been instilled with the rigidity of religion as the backbone to their life. They waited for their father to return, which he did in due time, before settling at the table with a bowl of mash, a plate of onions and parsnips, and sausage for dinner, as Annie's father smiled affectionately at them.

Father Daniel Cresta was not an unhandsome man, with eyes that were green and a nose that was long, and a stern chin. However, though stern, he was kind, and very willing to help those in need within the community. Annie's mother Jane was of similar nature, handsome, but perhaps more distant emotionally. That is not to say she didn't love, but rather she showed her love more through the actions of her day to day life than she ever did with words, such as warming their father's slipped by the fire as he had been standing all day delivering the word of the Lord, or knitting them more scarves then a person could ever wear.

"Now, my darlings, let us say grace." Annie's father said, as they bent their heads as their father began the prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest in our house, and let Thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen."

"Amen." They all answered before serving out portions of food and drink, and then eating in relative silence before Charlotte said,

"Father, is it true that there will be many people coming to Panemshire from London?" Charlotte asked and their father smiled.

"Quite a few I daresay." Their father said, "I shall have a few more visitors to the church, I do believe. And that always lifts my heart."

"What's more important Charlotte, is Mr. Dempsey. I do believe that he will have his offer ready by the end of the month for you." Their mother said happily and Charlotte smiled. Frederick Dempsey was a tailor, a good match for Charlotte and had perhaps been decided on her since they were children. But all that mattered was that he was a fair, hardworking man who attended their father's church every day he could and would make Charlotte very happy.

"It shall be his second proposal. I believe I shall accept this time." Charlotte said, "You must make a man work hard and prove himself!"

"One daughter to be married, our son Kenneth off to school becoming a clergyman. How children grow so quickly!" Their mother said, sounding extremely pleased.

"So true, the blooms of childhood mature before one realizes." Their father said, "And I'm sure that for you, my Annabelle, a match will be made soon."

"I am still only eighteen." Annie reminded them tiredly, "And I'm quite content with my situation."

"Content, yes. But are you happy Annabelle?" Her mother asked, "Married life would suit you well. And I know ever since Father Atkins of the neighboring parish recovered from the loss of his wife Mary, God bless her soul, he's been very interested in you."

"Father Atkins is forty years my senior." Annie told her mother, "And yes I am happy. I just need something to do, otherwise I feel listless."

"Temper, Annabelle. Remember, the Lord values good temper, not the rush to defensiveness that you so often portray." Annie's father reminded her, "We just want what is best for you."

"I understand." Annie told him, trying to breathe in. To feel calm, and to appear dignified though a storm raged within her. She craved intellectual stimulation, and freedom to exercise her will. Though that was perhaps selfish and she had been given a very blessed and good life with her family, she sometimes wished for more.

Perhaps, she thought, this discontentment was her worst failing.

The affluent came in droves to escape the weather and stench of the city, their carriages pulled by purebred horses, and driven by butlers. The men wore suits made from the most beautiful materials and walked with ivory canes, and the ladies were powdered and pale, wore the latest styles, and floated along the lane with lace and floral parasols opened, decorating the noble ladies like perfectly cultivated flowers. They smelled of perfumes of exotic flowers and expensive wood varnishes, and flitted about like moths between the cusps of frivolity and pleasure.

Annie wasn't exactly sure of what to think of them. They did her no injury as they filled her father's parish and listened to his sermon, which with new company alighted his tone with fresh vigor. However she wasn't exactly fond of their actions, their lavishness and the way they pruned themselves like proud birds. But with the people came their children, and Annie was more than happy to delight the children with conversation after mass was finished while neighbors milled around and the rich spoke of loftier things from painted mouths then were of her concern.

"Annabelle, come here for a moment." Her father called, and she walked over to see a man and a woman, both stately, dressed finely and equally handsome. "Annabelle, I would like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Odair. They are the owners of Riverton Hall."

"If you would excuse my rudeness for asking, but wasn't Mr. Fields the owner of Riverton Hall and his son named the proprietor of the manor?" Annie asked confused, naming the much loved and recently passed landowner who was born and bred in the area and had been a well-known lawyer, his son Cato Fields had never garnered the favor his father had and had frequently run off to the city to engage in frivolities and had allowed the hall to fall into disrepair.

"Of course, it was unfortunately sudden. After the mismanagement of the fortune, it was decided that since Mr. Fields was my late second cousin, that I would come into possession of Riverton Hall as well as its assets as the next of kin in line to inherit." Mr. Odair said, and Mrs. Odair cleared her throat.

"Such things are not proper conversation for a lady." Mrs. Odair reminded him sternly, causing Annie to flush and Mr. Odair to tap his cane.

"Of course, but in any case I have been made aware, Miss Cresta, that you are the teacher for the local schoolhouse."

"One of the teachers, yes." Annie answered, before Mr. Odair smiled.

"And that you have recently gone on vacation for the school year, correct?"

"Yes."

"And I am assuming that you can read and write."

"To the best of my knowledge I am proficient in both capacities."

"More than proficient. Annabelle is also fluent in French, and knowledgeable in math and sciences." Her father supplemented, before Mr. Odair finally got to his point.

"Then as you seem to be qualified, my son is in need of your assistance."

"Your son? Is he here today?" Annie asked, resisting the urge to scan the crowd of churchgoers as that would be extremely impolite.

"Not today. He is fragile in constitution as he survived a bout of Typhus when he was young, suffering a fever that took his sight, and we wished to give him time to recover from traveling." Mr. Odair said, "He is older than the students that you would teach, but it would be wonderful if for a few hours you came to read to him and keep him company. I of course would pay you for such services."

"I would first have to defer to my father and his opinion." Annie said respectfully, and her father smiled.

"It is of course the duty of neighbors to aid those who are in need, especially to those who suffer we shall not turn away. To help your son in any way we can is a feat that the Lord would most certainly bless." Her father said before Mr. Odair said, as if strangely relieved,

"I thank you. May we expect you on Monday? Perhaps at two?"

"I would be happy to accommodate."

"How wonderful. Now tell me, Father, of the history…"

And just like that the conversation turned to church politics and Annie's interest waned. She excused herself and went to go find her sister, only to see her deep in conversation with Mr. Dempsey. Wandering rather aimlessly, her mother pulled Annie to her side, and brought her into conversation with Mrs. Mellark, the baker's wife, and Mrs. Cartwright, the shoe maker's wife, about some dull housewife's gossip that barely held her attention.

If only she knew how interesting her life would become in two days.

Riverton Hall was a grand sort of place for the country. Having been restored since the Master and Mistress had been claimed, it was a riot of flowers and surrounded by majestic ash, elm, and oak, with the river that the name of the manor derived from flowing behind the thicket of trees. The grass was maintained, the stone seemed to be polished in the midafternoon light as she walked up the lane to it, trying not to feel overwhelmed. As long as she could, she fretted at the stairs by the gate, walking to and fro in a state of peculiar excitement as her eyes and spirit were drawn upwards from the grey hollow to the sky that was absolved from clouds as the moon ascended in the sun in a forward march. Before she knocked upon the handle she told herself sternly,

"You, Annie, are a teacher. A stern, strong, teacher who is grounded in principle. I shall not have my family's name drug through the mud and I shall succeed." And with her own words of encouragement in mind, she knocked on the door.

An older woman of plain black frock and white bonnet opened the door and smiled jovially, a stark difference from the imposing Hall in which the elder woman found her employment.

"You must be the teacher, come in my dear." The woman said, congenially. She was a woman in her late years, and yet still her countenance showed a sort vitality that surpassed her tiny frame. "I am Margaret Cohen. You could say I'm the head of the Odair's staff."

"It's wonderful to meet you." Annie said, "I am Annabelle Cresta."

"I was made aware of you coming here, but I certainly wasn't expecting a girl so pretty! The way they spoke of you I was expecting someone quite dour." Mrs. Cohen said, and Annie couldn't help but smile for it was obvious that Mrs. Cohen had that sort of effect on people.

"Well, I hope my disposition does not become perceived as such."

"I hope so too. The young master will probably be inclined to dislike you."

"The young master?"

"Yes, whom you will be instructing." Mrs. Cohen said as they began the walk through the magnificent courtyard. Immediately Annie came to the impression that Mrs. Cohen seemed to think it was necessary that someone should be amiable (mostly, Annie thought, ease her worries as her nerves were certainly obvious) so Mrs. Cohen began to talk kindly. She condoled the pressures of her work as a teacher; on the annoyances that must be accompanied with working with children as she had before commending her patience and perseverance when it came to educating the youth of lower class families as most affluent persons did as if the lower class were somehow less pleasant (though Annie of course did not fault the older woman, for most likely she had only worked and lived among the affluent for a long time). Annie lost track of what Mrs. Cohen was saying for a moment as she was taken into the main house and up the grand staircase, walking through the halls which were furnished with the utmost care and consideration, with expensive woods and furs and precious metal every way she looked. Annie only caught the end of what she was saying regarding her soon to be pupil and asked Mrs. Cohen if she would be kind enough to repeat.

"I've raised Finnick as if he were my own son, but he is…difficult as it were. Both his brothers are off at university now, so I believe he feels like quite a failure and acts out accordingly." Mrs. Cohen said with a sigh, causing Annie to frown in obvious confusion.

"Finnick?"

"Finn Nicholas. Forgive me, it is but a silly nickname I made for him as a child."

It was the past tense usage of his age in her sentence concerned Annie immediately, and she frowned.

"If it is not rude of me to ask, how old is Mr. Odair?"

"He is of nineteen years."

"Nineteen! I was under the impression he was of twelve or thirteen!" Annie said nervously as she resisted the urge to play with her bonnet as she so often did when her nerves overwhelmed her, "But I suppose a student is a student, despite the age."

"As long as the opinion holds firm, you shall be fine. Consider him a misbehaving child, and if he gives you trouble, please call and I shall assist you immediately."

"I will rely on you to do so." Annie said, regretfully. Mags, walked right up to a room and the right side of the hall and gave it three resounding knocks.

"Finnick, I've come with the teacher." Mrs. Cohen announced, giving another knock for good measure, Annie heard the sound of footsteps and ruffling.

"Oh enemy! Oh vile, unyielding happenstance!" A male voice cried from behind the door, full of a vigor Annie had not been expecting.

"Young Master." Mrs. Cohen said, obviously amused at the obvious injury in his tone, and opening the door without any further warning.

Young Master Finn Nicholas Odair was tall and dressed impeccably. In fact, it could be said with conviction that in his wardrobe and appearance there was not one thing out of place. His white shirt had been ironed, his blue vest smooth and silver buttons buttoned to the top, this was matched with a cravat tied at the neck with a perfect knot, his pants were pressed without crease, his dark shoes shined, and cane was polished. But what stunned her more was his appearance. She had been expecting a boy of sluggish and weak body, and ill mind. But instead this was a gentleman who was in possession of a beauty that only could be rivaled by Grecian art. Handsome in a face with much character, with a perfectly straight nose, good teeth, and solid chin rested beneath curls the hue of honey, reds and gold. But perhaps his most striking element was his eyes, though they were unfocused, were still stunning shades of blue and green in turn.

"My dear Mrs. Cohen, my nursemaid and confidante! I say to you that I was scheming to escape before my hour of trial arrived! But woe, it is too late! Too late, and I must face these demons as a general might; with conviction! So then I proclaim that I shall take a walk at my leisure and not be bothered by teachings from which I have already procured!" Mr. Odair announced with a dramatic flair that took Annie aback but had Mrs. Cohen smiling.

"Your teacher is here now, young master." Mrs. Cohen said, "And the doctor has said that you should not exert yourself so."

"I have no use for exercises of the mind. What ever should I use them for as I am trapped in the estate and shall be for the rest of my life? What say you?" Mr. Odair asked turning to Annie's general direction, tapping his cane as if giving a royal proclamation.

"A prideful creature you are." Annie observed, "A healthy soul may only rest in a healthy mind and body. And a teacher is to guide the student into such a state. I am here to help, not to hinder you in your endeavors."

"What spirit she has!" Mr. Odair said, "And I am guessing you are not willing to recant on the matter?"

"I have been asked by your mother and father to do so. I myself enjoy taking walks, and would be happy to accompany you after we have read." Annie said, trying not to feel the edges of her mouth turn up.

"But the doctor has said his constitution is too weak." Mrs. Cohen argued alarmed.

"A man's constitution is more enduring then you would believe. And Mr. Odair shall not be exerting himself heavily. It will improve him to be out in the fresh air." Annie said resolutely, "Now, Mr. Odair. Let us read. Mrs. Cohen, if I may be so rude as to request some tea? Reading parches my throat."

"Of course, I will be right back with a pot." Mrs. Cohen replied earnestly.

"And bring something sweet as well." Mr. Odair requested and Mrs. Cohen smiled and curtsied.

"Very well." She said, before leaving the room and Annie immediately walked over and sat by the table in the drawing room. Mr. Odair walked to the table surely, cane in front of him to help him navigate. He sat across from her, leaning the cane on the table and folding his hands.

"So tell me what books you enjoy." Annie asked and Mr. Odair laughed a jolly laugh.

"Shall you give me no name and remain a force of nature? A fairy born changeling?"

"Annabelle Cresta." Annie clarified, and Mr. Odair gave a chuckle and a nod.

"Annabelle." Mr. Odair said, as if running the name over his tongue and tasting it. "A beautiful name, it suits your voice and the light way you walk. It is French is it not?"

"My father went on a mission in France." Annie explained.

"Your father is the clergyman my parents were so keen on." Mr. Odair said, "Are you ever called anything else?"

"As a child I was referred to as by Annie." Annie said finding it a rather odd sensation to have his eyes trained upon her and yet know that he saw nothing. Despite the emptiness in his gaze, there lied power still. "I still think of myself as such. I prefer it to Belle."

"Annie." Mr. Odair said decidedly, "I see. And you are a teacher by profession?"

"At the local schoolhouse, sir."

"And you were educated well I assume."

"Very. At an institute from the time I was ten until six years had passed. After my years of learning had finished, I decided to return home and teach here."

"And how old are you now?"

"Eighteen, sir."

"And you have lived here your whole life since."

"Yes, sir."

"Very well." Mr. Odair said, "Then if you would please read to me my collection of poems that is by the bookcase, I would be grateful."

Annie walked over and grasped the heavy book of poems, before sitting down. The poems were ecclesial, with language that was heavy, intricate, and full of imagery. Annie read to him, watching as he nodded or hummed, but stopping only after Mrs. Cohen had appeared with the tray, and then proceeded to arrange the cups, spoons, and other utensils with assiduous care and served a tea brought from the far reaches of the world and shortbread cookies baked by the chef. Annie thanked Mrs. Cohen profusely for the wonderful tea, and sipped it to wet her thought as her companion went on as a statue, only breaking his solemn deliberation as he partook in the shortbread cookies and jam with the utmost politeness and manners. She had continued to read until she had read through a good portion of the book and stopping for good as he raised his hand.

"That will be all." Mr. Odair said, "I shall not dread our sessions I believe."

"Why do you say that?" Annie asked curiously as she gently closed the book in front of her and Mr. Odair continued to eat his shortbread cookies.

"Mrs. Cohen suffered an episode a few years ago, and though I love her dearly and would have her read to me, speaking for long periods of time causes her to stutter. The others who try to read to me do not have eloquence, and certainly not the poise to read the poetry you did without question. For me, dear Annie, my ears are my eyes and to hear words of beauty is one of my most singular joys in this tenth of a life I live. Therefore, I have a strong desire for my ears to not be tarnished by a subpar effort." Mr. Odair explained, but not before she blushed at the use of that name.

"Annie?" Annie demanded and Mr. Odair give a smile.

"I should imagine that there is another Miss Cresta?"

"Yes, but-"

"A given name makes you much more distinguished to me." Mr. Odair said, before standing up, "You may call me Finn if you wish. Take pity on a blind man and allow me such a curtesy."

"I shall allow it if it is what pleases you. I have no issue with the name, it is that I was not expecting it." Annie elaborated, as she placed her empty tea cup on the tray to make it easier for Mrs. Cohen to clean.

"Then the patience of a saint you must also have!" Mr. Odair announced, "You may survive me yet! So now, Annie, let me take you up on your previous proposal and let us take a walk."

"Unaccompanied?" Annie asked concerned, for it was scandalous for an unmarried woman to be alone with an unmarried man for obvious reasons, however Mr. Odair just laughed off her concern heartily.

"I am a cripple of a man. It will not tarnish your reputation I believe." Mr. Odair said shortly, "Think of me as a dog who follows you by the lead."

"Very well, Mr. Odair." Annie said, standing up, brushing her skirts before holding out her arm, which he took. Annie walked down the stairs carefully as she was trying to be considerate of Mr. Odair's disability, but Mr. Odair surprised her as he trailed his fingers on the railing, but made it to the foyer of the manor and out the door with ease, taking purposeful strides with Annie at his side as they began to walk up the lane.

For a while they were quiet, a strange agreement passing between the two of them as birds overhead called between the trees that were golden in the warm sun, and a fresh breeze lifted the air of the moor. Mr. Odair tipped his head back as if attempting to drink in the sun's rays like a young God sipping ambrosia. His steps became lighter, his stature taller, and his complexion more colored as if the outdoors breathed life back into his sickened body. As others walked by, they looked for a moment as if surprised before calling out to Annie with their greetings before continuing on with their work. They were almost to Annie's home when Finnick stopped for a moment and leaned by the fence, breathing heavily.

"Mr. Odair, how about we return to your home?" Annie offered before Mr. Odair gave her a sad smile.

"Would you find me silly if I told you that in my dreams I fancy myself a demigod?"

"A demigod?"

"From Homer's tales, those who can do great deeds and acts of superb strength and stamina. Those tales where Gods intervene on the worthy and magic is spun into every tree and rock. In comparison I find this world quite banal." Mr. Odair stated and Annie sighed as they began back.

"In comparison I find this world to be interesting and enlightening, but perhaps it is all a matter of perspective and expectation." Annie said thoughtfully as she made sure her arm was interlocked with his firmly so she could help carry his weight.

"So tell me then, what do you believe the state of the world is?" Mr. Odair asked her and she couldn't help but laugh.

"What a strange and poignant question." Annie observed. "I believe it to be spring here, winter elsewhere, and summer still somewhere else. Men fight silly battles over earthly things, and others abuse their powers. They confuse vice as virtue and virtue as vice, and take appearance as truth. "

"I see. Then would you perhaps consider yourself as negative? Tell me then what you think the purpose of this life is!"

"Perhaps. I am not as idealistic as my sister, nor do I ever claim to be." Annie conjectured, before asserting, "I also fear that I am often lost in my thoughts. I suppose the more you think, the less ideal a world becomes. That is why tales and tales and our lives are the way they are. I am not divine, and will not be one until I rejoin the Lord in heaven. So you must not expect any divining or anything celestial of me as I will not expect of you which I do not anticipate at all. I have no such answers."

"Your view of the world affects your view on your nature I see." Mr. Odair observed, "Then I shall as well tell you of myself as we will be spending the utmost time together in the coming months! I am a man who appreciates the worldly goods and have very little patience for things of the spiritual matter-"

"Then why did you have me read such poetry?" Annie cried and the man beside her cackled freely at her distress.

"Because I find such things amusing, of course. Another thing is of course I only do things that I find amusing, and have no capacity for doing anything else. So please do keep amusing me as you have, my dear Annie. And finally, I am very much a man in love with the idea of freedom. I attempt to separate myself from the norms as much as possible, so do not find me offensive. It is all in jest." Mr. Odair announced as the continued down the lane before stopping as he smiled as brightly as the sun at her, not as much a cherub as having the enchanting spirit of a jester or the wild nature of a sylph trapped within a body that could not contain his erupting energy as it balanced on the edge of quiescence and excitement as he twirled his cane in his hand before planting it firmly on the ground. "I look very much forward to spending this summer with you, my dear Annie."

At that point Annie was quite disembarrassed. A reception of finished politeness would have most likely have confused her, as she could not have returned or repaid it by answering with grace after his strange repartee. His harsh caprice had on the contrary given her the sort of rugged exercise she would need to hone her abilities for the next year of school. Besides, the eccentricity of the proceeding and conversation was piquant and above all Annie could help but feel interested, if not enchanted by this man and wonder how he would go on.

This is the 100th Reviewer request for Little Stars, for FandaticForeverAndAlways. This might end up being a fic with the length of approximately Adrift with five chapters, maybe more or less depending. But you guys review and tell me you love it, maybe it will be more.

An Odesta inspired by Jane Eyre (I worked in quotes so if anyone spots them, totally call them out)! I hope you all enjoyed, and please leave me a review/fav/alert to let me know you care. Until next time~OMGitsgreen