Act 1: Fakir's Fan Club

Fakir seemed troubled today, Ahiru noticed. His features were sharper than ever and he covertly glanced around, as if apprehensive of some looming figure. However, this did not keep Fakir from giving Ahiru his full attention. He demonstrated the proper way to perform more advanced steps. Ahiru found herself smiling as she copied his movements. Who would have known keeping her balance was this easy?

"By the way, I can make it tomorrow." Fakir said gruffly.

Ahiru lowered her arm. "Wonderful!" She responded, thoroughly delighted.

"I think it's time."

"For what?" Ahiru asked curiously.

"Learning how to properly do a pas de deux."

Ahiru let out an excited squeal.

"Idiot. Don't get excited. No lifts, except for a few really short ones. Just the basics, that's all. Besides, I've seen you in the partner classes before, and I felt sorry for whoever had to dance with you. Kept getting kicked in the face. We've got to work on that."

"Hey! Don't be mean!"

"It's true." Ahiru tried to mirror his scowl in response, although that didn't last long.

Fakir guided her to the starting position. "You want to be sure that you know where your partner is at all times. If not…then it's likely for one if not both of you to get a concussion or a broken leg. Try not to kick people in the face, although that goes without saying."

He continued, showing her the fundamentals of partnering, the basic poses, and the transitions from one pose to the next. Ahiru tried to absorb as much of it as possible.

After Fakir had shown her a simple version of the fish dive, he not-ungently brought her feet back to the ground.

"That's enough for today."

It was true. Being whirled around had left Ahiru feeling light-headed. She cleared her thoughts.

"Fakir?"

He was silent, but she knew he was listening.

"I've always seen you correct me while I'm dancing. I've never seen you dance by yourself except for that one time when you were leaping, and I couldn't help wondering what else someone as skilled as you can do. Can you…can you dance for me?"

Fakir paused for a moment. He looked across the floor, as if envisioning himself there. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but he shook his head. I'll be too late to ensure Mytho's safety. I've got to make sure he doesn't get hurt.

When Ahiru's expression became downcast, he relented. "Moron. Tomorrow," he promised, "I'll dance for you."

She brightened immediately.

As Ahiru entered the girls' dormitory and made her way up to her room, she tried her hardest to keep an eager smile off her face. Pique would be suspicious, she knew, and Lillie would come up with some ridiculous story...as usual.

Not that Ahiru minded listening to Lillie's stories, it was simply that she didn't want the extra burden of listening, in detail, to the chronicle of her own role in the calamitous story of two star-crossed lovers. Curiously, Lillie seemed to take especial joy in doomed love.

Ahiru tiptoed to her room and quietly turned the doorknob. To her surprise, there was nobody inside. She frowned and listened to the silence.

Giggles came from behind her.

"IT'S SO CUTE! I JUST CAN'T STAND IT! Little Ahiru's taking dance lessons…from the amazing Fakir! Here, I'll help you write your love letter, and it'll be so cute when he rejects you and you look like a complete idiot!"

"Do you want to join the Fakir fan club? Practically half the girls on campus are Fakir fangirls! JOIN US! You get a free T-shirt! Plus, a copy of Stalking for Dummies! Whaddya say, Ahiru?"

Ahiru's head drooped. They'd found out, as she knew they had to, but she hadn't expected for them to find out this soon.

"Did you guys follow me?" Ahiru asked with a twinge of indignation.

"We had to. You were being too mysterious." Lille explained.

"We waited outside the door and watched for fifteen minutes…and then we got bored and waited behind the entrance instead until you came out. That was a long practice, Ahiru." Pique added.

"CAN YOU GET ME LESSONS TOO?" Lille pleaded.

"No! That'll ruin her chances of spending romantic alone time with Fakir!" Pique cried. She turned to Ahiru as they walked in her room together.

"So, Ahiru, do you want us to keep this secret?"

"It's not really a secret, I guess…" Ahiru's voice trailed off. A bigger secret came to mind; her power to transform into Odette. If she could show Fakir, he would definitely be impressed. Maybe he wouldn't tell her she was a moron anymore! Just the thought made Ahiru cheerful again.

She had no way of knowing that at this moment, Fakir himself made his way towards the lake. Mytho hadn't been in their room.

Damnit, Fakir silently cursed. He's probably dancing with that swan princess. And I'm not there to protect him. How could I have stayed for so long with Ahiru?

The optimistic red-head had no hesitation in showing her eagerness to dance. He fought the urge to smile as he remembered their pas de deux.

Fakir, you're a sexy badass dancer knight! You can't just smile spontaneously! It was imperative that he maintain his dark yet mysterious appearance and his reputation along with it, or else.

Fakir arrived at the lake. The situation seemed worse than he had expected. Not only was Mytho dancing with the princess, but they had now stopped momentarily and he saw her lips move in speech.

He hurried closer. "Fair prince, you are mine now…"

This was all Fakir had to hear. For anyone to try to take control of Mytho was for the person in question to commit his or her own suicide by Fakir's hands. He took off at a full sprint, his sword unsheathed and held tightly.

Mytho, I swear, on my honor as a knight, that I will protect you.

The dark princess's eyes widened as she took in a very ferocious Fakir bearing down upon her.

Her porcelain hand moved in a quick gesture sideways and she made a slicing motion in his direction. Before Fakir could comprehend what was happening, a torrent of black feathers surrounded him. He could not see, think, or understand anything as he coughed in the blackness.

Blindly, he swung his sword left and right. He heard light, sinister laughter.

"Be careful, dear knight. You wouldn't want to hurt your prince now…would you?" Her angelic voice rang in his ears.

Fakir had to conclude that she was right. He reluctantly remained in place as he awaited the subsiding of the storm of feathers. When his vision cleared, Fakir took in a dazed Mytho sitting on the ground. The black swan princess was nowhere to be seen.

Mytho's face seemed even more virtuous when bathed in the moonlight.

"What…what…WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Fakir yelled. "This situation could have been avoided if you hadn't come here!"

"I'm sorry Fakir."

They looked at each other for an instant. Fakir shook his head. "Come. Let's get you home."

Fakir sheathed his sword at his hip again. The gallant knight and fair prince walked side by side back to the dormitories.

A pair of long-lashed maroon eyes glimmered behind the trees.