It was relief to hear the closing words echoing through the alley, and even feeling relief made steam rise from Charley's still-damp collar. This was supposed to be a duel, not a class. Well, every class needed its clown, and the urchin was here to show the horsefaced girl just how loony her class was.

She stuck her tongue out at the would-be professor. It didn't matter that the girl was already moving off into the darkness, Charley could still blow a raspberry after her. The sound carried enough to echo, and that gave her face a satisfying grin. She wore it gladly, stuffing her wand back in her vest and turning to leave the other way.

"Daftest thing I ever done," she muttered to herself, finding another rock to kick at. It skittered off a ways, only to come into view once more. Charley kicked it again, imagining that it was the face of the loony girl. "And I en't like to stay quiet!"

The words came out softer than she meant to, betraying her fatigue. And, perhaps, a little more caution. Just because the urchin wouldn't say anything in earshot of that one didn't mean she was going to shut up completely. After all, she had to say something to all the folk going into the wrong flower shop. Charley had a cot and roof to earn for herself every day.

One that was looking much kinder than an alley, by this point of the night. She picked up her step, hurrying back to the shop and to a waiting sleep.

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