I know it's been awhile guys, and I'm REALLY sorry for it. Hopefully this can make up for it. Enjoy!
Act one: Scene Five
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to you all. To the House of Tamaran's ball," Blackfire announced from beside the band. "Dance, drink, and may you enjoy, wither man or woman, girl or boy." The crowd clapped before setting to the night's festivities. The party soon filled with lively chatter, and graceful dancers as the band played. Gentlemen in fine robes, and ladies in elegant dresses. The lanterns were lite, giving the garden an enchanted glow. It made the jeweled masks sparkle. Then, who should stroll through the gate but Nightwing, Terra, and Beastboy.
Terra hid behind a butterfly mask, while Beastboy wore one of a lion. Nightwing still had his regular mask, though he did mak an effort in disguising himself. "Well boys, I'm off to dance," Terra announced as she left them for the dance floor.
"Good! Now's the chance!" Beastboy cheered. "It's time to go on our lady hunt."
"Sometimes you're too blunt," Nightwing commented. Beastboy paid him no mind. His eyes wandered the crowed as he made verbal notes. "How about that one... wait, she's too lean. I know! That one in the green. No, but maybe winged one in yellow and black."
"That's Karen Duncan, married to Mal, over there in the back," Nightwing pointed out.
"Oops, my bad. She looks different in this light. Oh look, a fierce cat fight!" Nightwing looked around but did not see any brawl of the sort. Then he heard a yowl close to the hedges and realized there really were a couple of cats fighting. He shook his head as Beastboy laughed at his own joke. "Beastboy, you're a childish git," Nightwing muttered.
"Oh, come on man, get with it," Beastboy defended. Then his eyes searched the crowd once again. "Dude look there! You see what I see? Two beautiful pearls, one of you and another for me."
"Look again, they are both men." Beastboy's face paled as he realized what Nightwing had said was true.
"Dressed like that, I thought they were girls! So much for a pair of rare pearls," he grumbled.
"well, they could be, were you woman or fag."
"Har, har... go screw a hag. I don't see you looking to the woman tonight. Perhaps you're the one looking in a different light?"
"I'd hit you now, if you were not my friend, but don't push it unless you want your line to end." And then Nightwing spotted her. He could not pull his vision away from her. It was none other than Starfire. She was just holding back from the crowd as she spoke with her trusted friend, Raven. "Hello? Man? has your mind lost all clarity?" Beastboy cut in.
"Nah, it is a woman of utmost rarity," Nightwing spoke in awe.
"Which one? I don't see?"
"There, that one is she."
"Nice find, I'll give you your due. Dude! Look! she's got a friend too!"
But Nightwing was not listening. He was far too busy describing his dream. "She doth be the one men dream of at night. The one they wish they could hold tight. Oh, angel that bare heaven's glow, how is it before I did not know, of your presence on this plain. Oh, if I had, I'd ne'er see another woman again. Just look at her there, with hair the colour of fire. If said I'd not want to meet her, I'd then be called a liar."
"Well what are you waiting for? Go now and know her more."
"And what will you do until the party's end?"
"Probably charm your angel's friend." It was the first time Nightwing came back to his senses to remember there were other people about. "Well, why not go first?" he said.
"What?! I think my head would burst!"
"Beastboy, are you for once playing shy?"
"Of course I'm not... why?"
Nightwing smirked, then nudged Beastboy towards the girls. "Then walk over there, and show your grace. The worse that could happen is she laughs in your face."
"Not that good with encouraging, are you?"
"Not now that my heart's beat is a new."
"Fine, fine, I'll start this thing. Though no telling what this'll bring." With that Beastboy finally left to aquant himself.
Nightwing watched Beastboy leave, then turned his eyes to the dim stars. "Holy God, I send thanks to you. Please let her heart be lovely too. For if it were, I'd give my life, for the chance to call her wife."
Yet not far, someone earth bound had seen him, and was not please to one bit. "What is this, I see there! None other than the Bat's own heir? Hear to ruin things no doubt."
"Slade, what are you mumbling about?" Blackfire cut in.
"There, yonder, the Bat's heir, Nightwing. I can only guess the trouble he will bring." Blackfire looked on to where Slade was pointing, but could not see Nightwing among the crowd. "What are you talking about? I cannot see."
"In your party, the Bat roams free. I will find him and slit his throat."
"Don't bother you old goat. If he is here, let him enjoy. I hear on the street he's a well mannered boy. So be at peace, Slade, and keep hidden your blade. Keep watch of him, if that is your will. But unless he strikes first, his blood shall not spill. Just let the boy be. Do you understand me?" Slade regrettably nodded. "Good, now I think you could use a walk, while the band and I have a talk." With that, Blackfire left. At once Slade turned his gaze to where he had scene Nightwing last, but was surprised to see he was not there. He looked about, but could not seem to find the heir of Bat Clan. He began to wonder if Nightwing had been there to begin with. "Oh now this is terrible sad. Slade you're driving yourself mad."
As he decided to take Blackfire's advice and go for a walk, he did not see Nightwing entering the weeping willow. After Beastboy had managed to pull the other girl away to the dance floor, Nightwing had seen his beauty sneak into the cover of the willow branches. Now as he followed, he discovered it was a quiet romantic setting with just she and himself. The fireflies being the only light within the branches. He quietly watched as she peeked out of a branch watching the dancers outside the willow barrier. He was not sure how to get her attention, or just what he was going to say. So, he went with what first came to mind. "Had I known a being of heaven lay hidden in this place, I would have come here sooner with great hace." As expected, his words had startled her but she smiled none the less. She was wearing a pure white mask not much different for the black one he usually wore. Though her's was obviously more festive with little yellow gems on each side of her eyes. "Good, Sir, you gave me such a fright," she said.
"I do apologize, but if it's alright... I could not pass this chance, to ask if I may have this dance." He bowed slightly with his hand out stretched in perfect gentleman fashion. She continued to smile as she placed her hand on his, and soon they were swept away by music. "My, how you dance with such ease," she commented.
"Because with you my feet are on the breeze," he answered.
She giggled, "A flatterer too I see."
"If it pleases thee. I know my worth is not compared to you, still my heart has always lead me true. Now, here, to you a saint it has lead, a beauty that words cannot be said."
"Perhaps your lips are not meant for words. Just leave the melodies to the birds."
"If not for words, then what, Miss? Perhaps then for a simple kiss?"
"Not so much simple I dare ask."
"Then on to me I take this task."
All the while they spoke both had leaned in closer and closer. Finally, when the last words were spoke they brushed lips in a secret kiss. Heat rose to their cheeks barely hidden under their masks, yet they still kissed. It felt like nothing else existed. All troubles melted away to the point that neither cared they were kissing someone they did not even know the name of. They only parted a moment, but that moment was well timed as in walked Raven. "Madam, your sister is wondering where you had went. She asks to her side you be sent."
"Ay, ay, I shall be away," Starfire said sadly. Then more quietly she added, "Though I would rather stay. So this is goodbye, until we met once more."
"Meeting again I see to for sure." She smiled at him before finally leaving.
"Please tell me, what was the name of the maiden so fare? To leave without knowing, I could not bare." Nightwing asked. Raven stood skeptical for a moment before he added, "won't you tell me please?"
Raven sighed, "If it'll set your mind at ease. I'll grant you this desire, she is my good friend, Starfire."
"Starfire, you mean of Tamaran?!"
Raven nodded once, then she muttered as she left, "What a strange man."
Just as Raven made to leave, in strolled none other than Beastboy. "Come on, man, we should go. There isn't much more to this show." But Nightwing did not respond. "Haven't you anything to say?" Beastboy asked.
"Yes... just a moment, I'm on my way," Nightwing answered still very much in shock. Beastboy shrugged his shoulders as he went to find Terra leaving Nightwing alone once more. "God's mercy, woe is me! My heart now lies with the enemy."
Not far away, Starfire only half listened as her sister bid the guests goodnight. Then she noticed Raven going by, and waved at her to come over. The moment she did, Starfire grabbed Raven's arm and pulled her to the side. "Raven, you know that man under the tree? Do tell if you know, who is he?" she asked at once.
"I did not know him, but I found out, through the whispers flying about. He is Nightwing, from the Bat Clan, a sworn enemy of Tamaran."
"My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, that I must love a loathed enemy," Starfire murmured to herself.
"What was that you said?"
"Nothing, shouldn't we be to bed?"
"I suppose it's getting late. Most of the guests have left the gate." With that, Raven lead the way back to the house. Either she did not or was pretending not to see Starfire searching the crowd as they went.
Done at last! Man that took a while. So I'm back in school and have been a bit too busy to write, but recently we started in on Hamlet. That in turn reminded me I had to finish this for you guys. So here I am again, with the end of act one (4 more to go!). I hope you all have enjoyed.
Hope to update again soon. Tchau.