AN: I've been listening to Rewrite the Stars on repeat, and had the sudden urge to write. After non-stop writing of my dissertation, I allowed myself a small treat to write for fun and this happened. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy it!

The harmonious sounds of the merry waltz filled the ballroom, guiding couples along the well-rehearsed dance to the 3-4th tune. Pirates and queens, phantoms and fairies, you could see them all floating along the dancefloor. All but a few guests found themselves enjoying the lovely masquerade ball. One of the few being Maria.

She stood in the far corner. Her foot tapping to the beat of the music as she scanned the dancers and few young men loitering about. Neither the thin white veil that cascaded down her shoulders, nor the ornate silver mask on her face, did much to hide the scowl she wore. Inspired by the ballet Gisselle, she was dressed in a lovely white grown, very much the picturesque of a beautiful yet tragic bride-to-be—not that many would notice. It seemed all eyes avoided her except for a few side glances from those currently gossiping. It was well into the night and she had not danced a single waltz.

Maria sighed and took another drink of her wine. She couldn't blame them really. Of course she had gained a reputation after what her uncle put her through. Maria shook her head and rubbed her temple. After many years of claiming the irrelevance of love and desire to maintain his manor free of the opposite sex—ramblings she was forced to listen to for many years, mind you—her uncle came home last month and suddenly announced an engagement!

Apparently, this entire time, he had been pinning after an old childhood love, and randomly stumbled upon her, who by chance, had also remained unmarried. They reconnected and now here they were, soon-to-be-married—within a week from today to be exact.
Invigorated by the sudden infection of love, and strongly encouraged by Ms. Heliotrope, her uncle now felt it was necessary for his niece to find love as well. As a result, she spent the majority of the past month rejecting suitor after suitor sent over by her uncle.

And now here she was. After scrambling to prepare for her uncle's fiancé's arrival tomorrow, she managed to get permission to attend the yearly masquerade ball. However, her recent rejection of eligible young bachelors preceded her, and now she was left with no one to dance with.

Maria finished her wine and quickly replaced it with another from a passing servant.

"Doubt you'll receive many requests with that face."

Maria jumped. She turned to eye the young man who had appeared beside her. A bowler hat sat atop a messy mane of brown curls that framed a dark set of eyes that seemed to read her too well. He wore a black leather mask that matched his leather trousers and jacket. The only color on him was a red-feathered scarf around his neck.

"Why do you care?" She took another gulp of her drink.

"Hard to enjoy a ball when you're being glowered at."

"I'm not glowering!"

"And I bet you're in a swell mood too," the man jeered. "You're not hard to miss. Reckon everyone here has noticed. You cast quite the ghostly figure." His fingers skimmed her arm as he grabbed the edge of her veil and inspected it. "What are you supposed to be? A will-o'-wisp?"

"No!" Maria snatched the fabric from his hand. "I'm Myrtha, queen of the Wilis." She bit her lip and looked around them, feeling a pang of guilt. Had she really ruined the ambiance?

"How fitting," he laughed. "Pray tell, what poor sod left you so heart-broken you're here now glaring at all the other happy couples?"

"That's not it at all! On the contrary, it is I who has been forced to reject every soul my uncle's thrown my way! What are you supposed to be anyway? A bandit, highwayman?"

"Close… I'm just here as myself."

"How cryptic," Maria said with a roll of her eyes. She finished her drink and walked away. She could feel the bandit's eyes boring into the back of her head. As she neared her uncle, she stilled.

"I have no idea what I'm to do with her," Sir Benjamin mumbled to the old parson. "I don't want to force a marriage on her, but she's rejected every suitor in sight."

Maria's body grew cold. The blood that drained from her head threatened to send the room spinning, but Maria clenched her fist and steeled herself. So, is that what this was all about? Threatening to send me away again.
"Uncle," she called, startling Sir Benjamin and the old man. "You were able to wait for true love, why can't I? Don't I have any say in this?"

Those near turned to watch the confrontation, but there wasn't much left to see as Maria stomped away before Sir Benjamin could respond. She brushed past the bandit, missing the concern that crossed his face, or the scrutinizing look he shot at her uncle and the audience around them.

Maria found an empty lounge room dimly lit by the moonlight streaming through the window. She pulled off her veil as she sat on the sofa, not bothering to turn on the lights. She hated the hot tears that threatened to spill from the corner of her eyes. Though she was happy for her uncle, she wished he had never gotten involved. Now she was bound to be the laughingstock of the valley.

A handkerchief appeared before her eyes. Maria looked up and scowled. "When did you come in?"

"Not long ago. Wouldn't be much of a bandit if I couldn't sneak around. Here, take it."

Maria warily watched him. She shouldn't be here with him, in the dark and unchaparoned. If they were caught, she would surely be the talk of the town, none of which would improve her already shaky reputation. But in all fairness, should she care? What did propriety ever do for her except force her to sit in a chaperoned room where she had to listen to every potential suitor drawl on for hours and hours about himself and all his accomplishments while she faked politeness.
She sighed. Maria removed her mask and took the black handkerchief to dab her tears, missing the brief widening of his eyes.

"Care to explain what that was about?" He sat on the coffee table in front of her. Lazily resting against his outstretched arms.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"Are you now a sage as well?"

"I can be many things."

Maria was unamused. "What can you possibly gain from this? Why are you even here?"

"Sounds like you got a lot to say and I've been told I have a good ear," he said with a casual shrug. When Maria remained silent, he beckoned her to start, "Go on, I'm listening."

Maria stared incredulously before finally shaking her head, it's not like she had much to lose. "Where do I start? One day I'm going about my day when out of nowhere, my uncle starts inviting random men to court me. He didn't even warn me! I had to chase away so many of them. And now everyone's saying I'm some pretentious city-girl, it's humiliating. I hope after tonight he'll finally consider what I want."

"And what is that?"

"Frankly, I'm not sure. I've only just returned from finishing school. At the very least some time to figure it out. Perhaps some adventure would be nice. I definitely don't want to make plans that would take me away from home after only just arriving!"

"That sounds reasonable."

"Doubt many would agree. Apparently, I must marry and have many children and settle down as soon as possible."

"My sister was unengaged for a long time, she seemed happy. Went off on a few adventures herself."

"I wish that could be me," Maria muttered.

"What's stopping you?"

"Well obviously my uncle," Maria answered as though it was the silliest question she ever heard. "What about you? I don't believe you're from around here."

He shook his head. "I haven't been here for too long… Scouting the area. Getting to know the people."

"For what reasons?" Maria asked. "Hang on, are you truly nefarious?"

"If I told you I was, would you be afraid?" He asked with a teasing smile.

"Hardly," Maria scoffed, "Doubt you have wickedly ulterior motives seeing as you're here chatting away with me instead of sneaking around the most important people of this town." He gave her a questioning look with the ghost of a smirk.

"Can I have your name?" Maria asked.

"That'll only ruin the spirit of the event."

"Can you remove your mask then?"

He shook his head, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Are you afraid of what I might see?"

"No, I'm afraid you'll fall for me."

Maria rolled her eyes. "For all your talk, who's to say it won't be you falling for me."

"Who's to say I haven't already?" He leaned forwards, slightly knocking his knees into hers as he placed his hands on either side of her thighs. Maria's breathing hitched. She felt her cheeks grow warm. His heat was magnifying, and Maria couldn't help but admire his handsome features. Her fingers twitched, wishing to reach out and slip the mask off from his face.

"Would you reject me like all the others? I can promise that with me, you'd be the bride of adventure."

The breath of his whisper ghosted her lips. She felt drawn in, consumed by him. Maria's eyes flickered to his mouth. Was he being serious? She couldn't tell. Before she could make up her mind, he pulled away, leaving her with a bated breath. He was grinning and Maria's heart was racing, mixed with a bit of indignation at having been riled up so easily. She huffed and put her mask and veil back on, suddenly feeling vulnerable.

"We still have time before the night ends. May I have the last dance?"

With a furrowed brow, Maria studied the hand he offered. She hesitantly raised her own and looked into his eyes. They were inviting, darkened by a tempting gaze. She should be wary about him, she just experienced how easily he could sweep her off her feet… but she didn't want to keep her distance. She wanted to know who he was. To see what more he could do.

"Lead the way," she said with a steadying breath as she placed her hand into his, feeling the warmth of his fingers curl around hers.

Out in the ballroom, neither looked away as they took their place amongst the others and began the dance with a courteous bow. He quickly closed the distance with a strong arm around her waist that pressed her against his body. He guided her, weaving her in between the couples, and spinning them around the room. A few stopped to watch, wondering who was the mysterious man that Maria had not rejected, but the couple didn't notice, completely enraptured with one another. As the clock struck midnight, the song came to a slow end. Still in each other's arms, Maria could feel his rhythmic breathing against her own, sending thrills down her body. She looked into his eyes, marveling at the emotion held within them.

"This is my signal to leave," he said with a soft smile. "Thank you for the dance."

"Will you really not tell me your name?" Maria's hand left his shoulder and traced the outline of his mask. "At least give me that much."

He rested his forehead on hers, drawing nearer to her large and pleading eyes. "Perhaps it's you who is dangerous," he chuckled. With a shake of his head, he relented and leaned in close to her ear. "It's Robin."

"Robin…" Maria whispered. "Will I ever see you again?"

"You'll see soon enough." With that, he pressed a kiss onto the back of her hand and disappeared into the night with one last wink to Maria.

The following day, Sir Benjamin and Ms. Heliotrope apologized over breakfast. They promised to speak with her before doing anything that may affect her life. Though she was content with this response, she was very distracted. Hardly registering the apology or the very near arrival of her uncle's fiancé. While helping a very nervous Sir Benjamin ready the manor for his bride, she remained uncharacteristically silent, only replying simple answers to the various questions thrown her way. Her mind remained occupied by the mysterious man from last night.

Finally, it was the afternoon and Maria waited with her uncle in the parlor. She watched him fidget. He would take a seat, only to spring up immediately at any sound. Maria giggled, "Uncle, it'll be alright, you should rest."

Sir Benjamin took a deep breath and nodded his head. He began to sit down when a resounding knock came from the door.

"Sir Benjamin," Digweed announced. "Your guests have arrived. In

troducing, Loveday De Noir."

Loveday was every bit as beautiful as her uncle described her. She was tall and elegant, with voluminous blond hair styled in a cascading updo. She greeted them with a beaming smile filled with secrets and beautiful blue eyes brimming with mischief. Maria stalled. Loveday's smile and eyes sparked a sense of familiarity within her. It was a look she had seen before.

Digweed cleared his throat, "along with her brother, Robin De Noir."

Maria's heart stopped. She felt a rising heat from her stomach shoot up to her cheeks. With or without the mask, she would recognize him anywhere.

He strutted to her with a roguish smile and bowed. Taking her hand, he placed a lingering kiss on her knuckles that sent a jolt down her arm. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Maria stood stock still, her mind struggling to comprehend. Robin grinned. "Didn't I warn you'd see me soon enough?" He muttered under his breath.

Maria snapped her mouth shut. She shook herself before dropping into a quick curtsy and mustering a curt reply, "Maria Merryweather. The pleasure is all mine."

His eyes darkened with a knowing desire. "I'll make sure of it," he whispered into her ear before stepping away to stand at her side. "Are you ready for our adventure?"

Maria's heart was racing, she felt excitement course through her body. She knew she had a big storm coming, but she was ready to take it head-on. "I'll match your every step, lead the way."

AN: I think I found the key that forces me to write short stories: Stress writing. Can't write a multi-chapter or ramble when the growing anxiety of "I should be writing my thesis... " is nagging in the back of my head... I'm the type of procrastinator that when I'm stressed, I love doing everything BUT the thing I'm supposed to be doing, hence the sudden urge to write something fun!

I'm not really sure what this story is trying to be. I'm sorry if the characters are a bit ooc, particularly Robin. I'm also not sure if this was clear in the story, but Robin was sent ahead to investigate the family, so he has been watching from afar for a couple of weeks. If I were to make this a multichapter, this would be a fun topic to explore but alas, I must get back to school stuff. Once again, thank you for reading and I'd love to hear your thoughts!