Princess Koriand'r stood in a corner watching her friends; Princess Rachel Roth of Azarath, Lady Karen Beecher, Lady Terra Markov, and Duchess Jinx as they danced happily with young men.

Half her face was covered by a sparkling, rose pink mask that had tints of a faded, light violet on the edges. Her dress was made up of the same colors; pink fading into violet as it reached the bottom of the skirt. Her sleeves loosely fell off the shoulder with thin spaghetti straps holding the bodice up 3" to her neck. It strapped to the mid- back, exposing half of it. She wore rose pink glooves that reached little passed her elbow. Her thick, ruby red hair was carefully placed in a high ponytail with some hair hanging loose. The one thing many young men noticed about her were her beautiful emerald green eyes.

Many Princes, Dukes, and Barons had asked her to dance and to their enjoyment she granted a dance to each, but she didn't dance closely with any one. Their were few young men the princess politely denied because she mainly wanted to watch how happy her friends were. It wasn't like she was not having fun because she was. She was just not romantically interested in those who inquired a dance of her. Don't get her wrong, the young men were nice, but her heart wasn't following.

No one attending the ball was allowed to know one another's real names, so everyone went under a name that was relative to their themed attires. Koriand'r went under the allias of Starfire, while her friends went by; Raven, Bumblebee, Geode, and Lady Misfortune. Their partners were named Beast boy, Aqualad, Speedy, and Kid Flash.

Everyone seemed to be having a grand time, the music jumping from one song to another without fail. Always a song after the next one.

A tall, young man had been attending this ball with his step-father with no apparent interest. Multiple young ladies had asked a dance of him, but their requests were politey denied. The ladies had come left and right consisting of Kitten, Blackfire, and lots more.

Honestly, it was no wonder why, at least to those witnessing the dance offers. He was quite a handsome young man. He had thick, grease black hair, Cobalt blue eyes that seemed to shine through the white and black checkered mask he wore over them. He was well built, but not exaggerated, Muscular, but not ginormous. Lots of young women tried soliciting a dance, but their invites were each turned down. Some tried making him by force but things didn't go well when they believed that was the best course of action.

Finally he decided to leave the ballroom to maybe roam the grounds of the castle until it was over. It started not too long ago, so he had nothing but time to do literally anything else. His step-father, Bruce, received invitations to this ball from a close friend of his, and figured it would be nice to attend. He clearly stated, "It would be a shame not to go. "

Sometimes He was convinced, Bruce would be the death of him.

He readied to to leave the ballroom, and That was when he saw Her. Her face couldn't fully be seen, but her green eyes shone brighter than a million suns. The moment he saw her, his eyes followed her as she walked around the large crowd.

He noticed many young men asking her to dance as she would kindly nod or shake her head in reply.

Anyone who could see the young woman either got the impression that she was single and unwilling to be in a serious relationship, especially because she accepted multiple dances from multiple men. But He specifically was trained in reading body language.

He understood why so many had tried, She was beautiful. Her hair was long and thick reaching little passed her bottom, the most beautiful green eyes that looked of a mine made of authentic emeralds, a small button nose, the most kissable lips he'd seen, and a perfectly, proportioned and curvaceous figure. He'd never seen anyone like her. She was definitely out-of-this-world, and He found it beautiful.

As the music ended just for another to play afterwards, the young lady in his gaze finally stopped dancing with another young prince, He decided this was when she would make his move. He slowly but steadily made his way to her. Her unbeknowest of it. Just as a new song was played, He took her hand, and She immediately looked up at who this was.

Alas, She'd met the man of her dreams. She instantly just knew it.

He lead her to the dancefloor, and they began to dance slowly swaying back and forth. His one hand on her waist, and his other holding her hand out. His eyes were locked on her's.

"Hello," He said gently but casually in a deep, smooth voice.

All Koriand'r could say was, "He- Hello," She stammered over her words, mesmerized by him entirely. She mindlessly asked her eyes not leaving his gaze, "What- what is your name?"

"I like to go by Robin," The young man said with a smooth smile. "An, yours?"

A small smile made it's way to Kory's lips, "Starfire." She replied.

"So What brings you here, Miss Starfire?" The young man inquired, their bodies remaining in tune with each other as well as the music.

Kory's smile began to fade, "My friends, We are here to do the getting away."

Robin smiled slightly with some amusement in his his non- existent eyes. She talked in a cute way, but he managed to remain on the topic,"Getting away from what? Might I inquire?"

The princess summarized,"The _ Stress_." She began to lose the gaze.

"Well, if you're planning on getting away and forgetting the stress you have, That is exactly what we're gonig to do," He spun her around once, continueing to sway to the music. Kory returned to staring into his eyes.

The song ended in a dip and an even slower song was played. Here he placed the hand he had holding hers out, on her waist, as well pulling her flush towards his until they weren't even millimeters apart. She placed her second hand around his neck along with her first. They both closed their eyes.

The music ended again, Robin whispered softly in Kory's ear,"Do you like flowers?"

Kory retracted her head to face him, She responded,"Yes, Very much so.

Robin looked around for witnesses and quickly took her hand to lead her somewhere,"Follow me."

And They ran off as if Romeo and Juliet.

He lead her outside to a large garden with a narrow walkway running between the rows of bushes of flowers. The garden was full of beautiful, rare exotic flowers. Some of which Robin didn't seem to recognize, but Koriand'r did. She knelt down to admire the rare flowers. All Robin could do was gaze upon how the moonlight reflected off of her already radiant skin, the way her eyes shone so extrodinarily bright in the darkness, how her hair flowed so intune with the wind, how her face glimmered in awe of the colorful scenery, the way she just glowed entirely, just how... exotically beautiful she was. Her smile was like a million sunny days shining at the same time. Her giggles were of an angel's, made him forget everything; His worries, problems, insecurities... everything was transparent and everyone, but her, was gone. She was all he saw. Her smile whisked everything away.

He forgot entirely that there was actually an end to the time they were spending.

He noticed that Starfire seemed to adore the pink and red faded roses the most. When he noticed this, He knelt down beside her, clipped a rose, removed the thorns and most of the stem, then placed it in her hair. He took her small hand in his and lifted her to her feet as he simultaneously stood as well.

Worried for being punished for flower thievery, Starfire asked, "Might you not be punished for stealing such flowers?"

A large grin grew across Robin's lips as he replied, "I suppose the owner of this palace might notice a rose or two missing, but I sincerely doubt He'll mind. He's a friend of my _ father's."

"Oh!" Starfire said in realization feeling quite foolish.


Holding only one one her hands, Robin began leading Starfire on the stone trail. They walked until they reached a large space of land. There was no one in sight for over an acre but still they could hear violin music playing somewhere deep in the woods.

Starfire slightly hung her head and began to speak, "I wish to inform you of something."

Robin's full attention was on her -- Of course it already was --.

"I am not of earth. I am from the planet, Tamaran. And if you do not wish to continue, you do not have to. I know, I am not of your world and you prefer to..." Her rambling was interrupted by a kiss to her lips.

When Robin pulled away he said, " There is no one else. I want you and only you. You are my world."

He brought her hand to his lips, and kissed it. "May I have this dance?"

Starfire giggled, "Of Course."

He gently pulled her onto the grass and they danced to the soft music. His hands on her waist and her hands around his neck. Their eyes closed and nose to nose..

For a moment, there was nothing but them dancing and the violin music playing.

Robin said softly, "May I inquire what your name is?"

Understanding his implication, She replied, "Koriand'r. Your's?"

"Richard."

He asked hoping not to be invasive, "Koriand'r, If you don't mind me asking, What were you trying to get away from when you decided to come to the ball?"

Koriand'r's smile began to fade, her dancing came to a slower pace and she sighed, "I do not mind. My_father. He has hoped I will one day take the throne. And with such a wish, He has taught me everything that is customary for me to know so that I may run the kingdom as Grand ruler._ But if I do, I may never see my friends again. I may never come to earth, again. My friends will remain here, as I leave to never come back."

That was... unexpected, but he knew it wouldn't be anything to expect.

After a few moments of silence, Kory began to ramble, "I apologize. I should not burden you with my troubles. You need not worry for my problems. Or say anything or..."

Richard put his index finger to Kory's lips, "Don't apologize. You are not burdening me with anything. Your troubles are my troubles. Your worries are my worries. What's important to you is important to me." He said tenderly.

They both leaned into a passionate kiss.

After pulling away they removed their masks revealing their faces and continued to dance. Suddenly they heard the chiming of bells indicating the ball's end. Immediately they realized their distance from the palace and they place their masks on again. Richard, now Robin again, took Starfire's hand and they ran to the palace.


When they arrived, Kory protested, "But Robin?.."

"Do you trust me?"

Kory nodded.

"Then believe me. We will meet again, I promise."

"Good-bye, Koriand'r," He whispered in her ear.

"Good-bye, Richard," Kory whispered as they leaned into another kiss.

With that they parted to reunite with their friends and Father.


At home, Koriand'r was asked dozens of questions by her friends who were wondering, where she was and whom she met. But none of their question in which were answered. All she could think about was the stranger she met and spent the night with. Somehow she knew He would find her and nothing could ever change that. She imagined meeting him again. Someday.

Richard endured similar questions from his concerned father. Not a reply came afterwards. All he could think about was finding her, helping her, and loving her the way he knew she needed. They would feel the comfort of home once again, and this time it would never have to end.

Because He promised They would meet again, and he didn't intend to break it. Not now. Not ever.

He loved her and that would never change. His heart belonged to only her and her heart would forever be his. He was going to marry her, the day he found her.


The End