Masked Introductions

More Red Hook for Captain Wolf week on Tumblr. The prompt was Masks, and I really enjoyed writing this piece. Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks. Reviews=love. Send me prompts or anything, and I'll try to respond with either a PM or a story. Loves to everyone

~*~Miss Ruby Jones~*~

Music pervaded the large courtyard, and the people of the kingdom danced around with one another. All except one. Red had gotten her dress thanks to Snow, and she felt beautiful. But no one wanted to dance with the wolf. Even in her red and black lace mask, the people who had heard the rumors avoided her. She had gotten all dressed up to stand alone. She loved her dress. The bright red fabric curved over one shoulder, leading into black roses that attached to the matching bodice. The dress flowed down to the floor. She looked long, lean, and she felt gorgeous.

Under the moonlit sky, starlight sparkled down on the patrons of the ball. The cool, evening air kissed Red's skin. She gazed up to see the wonders of the sky. Each star shone bright against the dark of night. She was lost in her own loneliness. Even a mask couldn't hide her from her fate.

While every other woman was surrounded by suitors and dance partners, Red stood by herself in a melancholy. She longed for the attention that the other masked women were receiving. She sipped at the drink in her hand, watching the pair she knew to be Snow White and Prince Charming. The pair seemed so happy. Smiles were evident on their face, and love shining in their eyes from behind their masks.

Red thought about returning to her cottage near the kingdom. She had no interest in being alone in a crowd again. She played with her fingerless lace gloves for a moment before she set down her empty glass. She moved through the crowd on the side of the party, nearing the exit of the courtyard. Before she reached her freedom, she was stopped by a masked figure clad in a leather pirate costume. His face was obscured by a domino mask. The mask itself was black with silver accents of filigree around the edges.

The red-clad woman looked him over, her green eyes combing his figure. He was definitely attractive with stubble covering his cheeks. His shirt was open part way, showing a peek of hair on his chest. "A beautiful lady such as you should not go without a dance, lass," he said smoothly.

Red unconsciously bit her lip. She looked him over again, and she found that there was a silver hook in place of his left hand. She knew immediately who he was. "A dance with a pirate, Hook?" she asked in challenge.

Hook gave her a sly smile, white teeth peeking out from behind his lips. "So you know me, lass? Seems unfair that you know my name, but I don't know yours."

Red blushed lightly. "Everyone calls me Red," she said softly.

"Well, Red, would you do me the honor of a dance?" he asked.

She was surprised by his manners. He was as cordial as any of the royalty that populated the party. She couldn't say no to the handsome pirate before her, even though part of her screamed at her to escape as quickly as possible. She gave a slow nod, and tried to keep the smile that fought to grace her lips hidden.

Hook gave her a sly smile before he took her hand in his, and led her towards the dance floor. His hook rested behind her back, right beneath the shoulder, and he kept her other hand clasped in his own. She rested her free hand on his shoulder as he led her around the dance floor.

"What has such a beautiful woman so sad on this joyous occasion?" he asked as they danced.

Red gazed up into the ocean blue eyes of the pirate and sighed. "You would be the first person to dance with me. Everyone else flees."

"What has them so scared, love? You don't look that scary to me."

"You know nothing but what I look like. I could be a wolf in sheep's clothing," she retorted. She hoped that the true meaning was lost on him, but realization crossed his eyes.

Hook searched her eyes for a moment. "So you're the wolf I've heard so much about." Red's breath caught. Even a pirate knew to fear the big bad wolf. "I don't see such animosity in you."

"You don't know me," she challenged.

"Ah, lass, part of being a pirate is judging character. I don't see an angry wolf in you. Simply lost and scared," he replied. Red tried to come up with a quip on his own character, but he spoke before she could open her mouth. "You may be a wolf, love, but I know what the pain of lost love looks like."

Red stammered, but still followed his steps as they conversed. "What would a pirate know of love?" she asked.

"Only what I've learned from experience," Hook said. "I was in love once, and she was ripped from me." Red could see the pain he hid. The man before her wore not one mask, but two. He masked his pain in anger and hatred. At least, the stories she had heard of him involved anger and hatred. But she saw the sorrow that lay within the pools of blue. "I should have known," he continued sadly, "villains don't get happy endings."

Red knew that feeling all too well. But if he was a villain, so was she. She had spent years filled with anger at herself, and the man who stood before her may harbor anger for someone else. Not just for the person who ripped away his love, but for himself. "You're not a villain, Hook. No more a villain than I am," she said soothingly.

The song ended and the pair released their hold except the hand that Hook still held in his. "You would be the first one to say that about this old pirate, Red," he said softly, kissing the back of her laced glove.

Hook let her hand go. "Please, call me Killian."

"Killian," she said, testing the word. "Let go of your anger, Killian. I'll be there to guide you if you need."

With that, she disappeared among the crowd and out of the courtyard into the night. Without a second thought, Killian rushed after her into the unknown.