Peace. This was a rare moment for me to feel. This one day once a year when I'm outside the Capital, can I freely feel like a normal person let alone a girl. Tonight I can forget everything.

Spinning, I remember how it felt to take a bath in the river, seeing my long blonde hair that came from months of forgetting to cut it. How the fireflies gave me plenty of light to dress myself in my only dress. How it feels to be alive.

Taking those joyful feelings, I let them bloom from my chest and control my movements. Feet leading, my mind drifted leaving me only enough consciousness to keep from running into the other dancers. Moments merged together as I continued to dance to the music, nothing else seemed important now.

I didn't notice that elves and goblins had joined the festivities until one of them took hold of me with a brass confidence. Quickly I noticed several changes in my environment, the elves and goblins were engaged in such unusual movements. The elves danced in circle, all participating in a group learned and practiced routine.

My hands were now held firmly in large warm claw-like hands, lifted as high as their owner could while pulling me through bizarre steps. Turning into the self-invited dancer, I found an awkward looking man who was a good head taller than I was. His dark coal eyes stared right into mine and I could see his large scaled bat wings. A religious human might call him a demon, but I've met enough demons to know that they don't look anything like this man. I recognized this being, he is the Goblin King, the lord over half of our neutral brothers and sisters.

But what does he think he's doing? King or not, does he know in my culture he's just initiated courtship? He probably has no idea…

"Who are you?"

His question surprised me enough to miss a step, not that he noticed, his hands lifted me enough that my feet barely touched the ground. He sure is physically strong to lift me without much thought. But what use is it when you rely mostly on your magic? None, that's what. And that means if he's in a magic free zone, like the ones shades produce, he's worse than useless.

Closing my eyes, I felt for his rhythm. I have to chastise myself for thinking of such things on such a peaceful holiday. Then again… being here… I can't help but feel how safe it is in his arms. There's nothing quite like it, but nothing can harm me while I'm here. We danced in accord until he asked again, "Who are you?"

Keeping my mouth shut, I turned my head enough to give him a slightly irritated look. Didn't he know it is extremely rude to speak during the festival? Obviously not. Following my silence, he started asking me all sorts of other questions. One of which was the bad pick up line of, "Do you come here often? I guess that's a stupid question, haven't seen you here before… I'm going to shut up now…" he gushed embarrassment… but it's actually pretty cute. For some odd reason his odd stumbling is cute.

As we danced through the night, I felt like I was getting to know him more and more, even though he didn't say another word after embarrassing himself.

Some time during the night, high off the emotions in the air, I freed myself from his grasp accidentally leaving my scarf with him. Face hot and flushed, prancing in-between the dancers I teased him with my body. My playful movements raised some eyebrows but everyone else was just as high as I was. I know I will probably regret it once this high leaves me but I don't care right now.

Pain started to ebb at the sole of my feet a long time ago and now the pain was nearly unbearable. I know I should stop but I just can't. I don't know if it is the music or the atmosphere but something keeps pushing me to dance.

Finally stopping to lean against a nearby tree, I huffed as I forced frigid air into my lungs. For a few moments, I could rest but of course, something had to come along to ruin it. A large hand clamped painfully tight onto my shoulder, it was the Goblin King again. Doesn't he catch a hint?!

Irritated, I glared into his eyes. In them I could see the familiar look of lust that most unmarried (and a few married) men gave me. Teeth clenched I held myself from tearing his eyes out. But even while not displaying my anger I couldn't help but feel disgusted about myself. My stomach had fallen below my feet into the ground as ants crawled up and down my skin and throat.

Just before I tore my eyes away, I was able to detect something else but honestly I don't want to see any more.

Tearing my arm free from his grasp, I walked into the crowd hoping to lose him but to my dismay I could hear him mutter apology after apology as he followed. Speeding up my stride, I rushed to my friend, Sasha. Of course, she was dancing with her husband, Sean.

Coming close to them, I gave her a sort of panicked 'help me' look. Looking over Sean's shoulder, she caught sight of my pursuer. Nodding her head in understanding, she motioned for me to go. Turning my pace into a run, I could hear the Goblin King behind me trying to get past a couple that refused to move. No doubt it's my friends, Sasha and Sean, playing distraction.

Finally, on the other side of the clearing I ran into the darkness completely done with tonight. This is what you get when you act like a girl…

Thank you to my editor 'Doug' who always makes sure my writing is at my best. And Merry Christmas everyone!