It was a warm summer night in El Dorado, and a young lady was having a coming out part in the middle of the town square. This was a regular thing that would happen in their city; when a girl finally turned 16, she was considered to be a woman, and they always had a party to celebrate them becoming of marrying age. It was also a way to show themselves off to the public.

It was always a disgusting display, in Tzekel-Kan's opinion. Whatever girl they were having the party for would always get heavily intoxicated, dance around in their skimpy outfits, and hang all over their potential suitors; usually young attractive men, but sometimes older men who had waited until they acquired more personal wealth to attract a mate with. Some girls liked the stability, but most of them were only interested in love, who was the most attractive, or who they thought would be good in the sack.

Yet there was no real need to worry about who you would marry in a city like El Dorado. The only real thing they had to fear was Tzekel-Kan and the things he had to preach. The age of the Jaguar was soon upon them, and the toll that many of them would have to pay would be heavy indeed.

As a result of him being the feared high priest and speaker for the Gods, he quite literally had no friends or personal relations of any kind. He couldn't. He was a holy man, and to engage in mundane activities would be a sin for the position he was in. That's why he felt so beside himself when he found himself taking unusual interest in this woman's coming out ceremony tonight.

For all that he tried, he couldn't seem to find the young woman in question, even looking down upon the scene from high above in his temple. He could see all the jolly townsfolk talking and dancing the night away like they normally would have, yet no young woman all dolled up in the center of attention of it all. It was possible that she had already found a worthy suitor and ran off with him, ditching the party, but his gut feeling told him that wasn't the case.

His curiosity persisted, and he continued to scan the scene in an effort to find her whereabouts. It took a few minutes, but finally he did.

She was concealed in the shadows, leaned up against one of the southern temples, far away from the party and it's festivities. She seemed sad. And no one really seemed to either notice or care that she wasn't there.

Tzekel-Kan could tell this was the woman they were having the party for by her long, elegant dress. It was much more modest than what the average girl would wear, but it still showed off the top of her bust line and her slim shoulders. Her makeup seemed to be done quite well, and her long dark hair hung freely behind her. He had to admit that she was quite beautiful, even though the shadows and her distance away from him made her difficult to see clearly.

He was most confused as to why more young males hadn't shown up at the party, or why they weren't going over there to try to win her over. There definitely didn't appear to be anything wrong with the girl, judging by just looking at her. Far from it, in fact. He couldn't just stand there and let his mind be boggled by these questions. He decided he would find out for himself.

He smoothed out his skirt and made his way down from his temple. He wondered more than once why he was doing this, and why her situation was of any concern or relevance to him. Perhaps the Gods were giving him a sign, he thought, and this girl was simply the one who held the answers. In any regard, he was the city's high priest, and no one ever questioned his judgement. He was at complete liberty to ask anything of anyone for any reason. And so, he would.

He bypassed the party, making a detour around the city so he didn't attract any unnecessary attention, lest anyone ask what he was up to. Not that the result of which wouldn't end up with an unfortunate fate for the one asking. He just rathered that no one would get in his way.

He went around the temple she was stationed at, which took a little bit longer, but at least no one had seem him, and he would hopefully get to speak to the girl in private.

He came up behind her in the shadows, slowly, so as not to frighten her.

She seemed to sense his presence. She turned around to face him, and upon seeing him she appeared surprised, but not frightened.

"Oh, hello high priest Tzekel-Kan" she addressed politely, giving a curt bow of respect that was mandatory of any citizen who addressed him.

"Hello" he answered back, leaving an unfamiliar and awkward pause afterward that made him feel aggrieved as not have not rehearsed exactly what he would say to her in the following. This newfound interaction had been a hasty decision, and he instantly came to regret it, especially now looking upon the beauty of her and slowly becoming captivated by it. His tongue was getting dry, and he didn't quite know what to say.

His discomfort seemed to have rubbed off on her. She looked down, holding her hands together. She still seemed to be just as sad as she was before. Perhaps that would be a good place to start, he thought.

"Something seems to be troubling you" he said, "the Gods have granted me the ability to sense such things."

"I see" she said simply. "It's true, something troubles me. And it might be too bold of me to say, but I have long sensed the Gods' unusual plan for me; the destiny I had been marked out for. No one ever believes me, or the prophecies I've foreseen. Least of all my mother, who so more than anything wants to marry me off and bear her many grandchildren. But it cannot be so."

He was surprised upon hearing this revelation, he simply had to know more.

"Please explain, child."

She took an uneasy breath.

"My fate is a cursed one, and I will not live a long life. The reason why is unclear. But I feel there is something of significance I will leave behind, so perhaps it isn't all bad."

Tzekel-Kan somehow felt disheartened by this.

"If it is in my power" he stated, "I'll see to it that you are protected, and perhaps this prophecy will not come to fruition."

She smiled at him.

"You are a kind man. Much different from what the others say."

They were both blushing and made very little eye contact as a result of such.

"You are quite different from the others as well. Not many can say they have been gifted with visions from the Gods."

"Visions, but perhaps not gifts" she added solemnly.

They spent a few moments in silence.

"In any regard" Tzekel-Kan started, "it is a surprise to me that many men have not tried to win you away this evening."

She was blushing again, harder this time.

"There had been a few earlier" she admitted. "But some say I'm hard to get to know. I suppose that challenges are not something many look for."

Tzekel-Kan, on the other hand, couldn't quite return those same sentiments. Challenges often excited him, clearly for better or for worse.

"Then they are fools" he stated bluntly.

She smiled, but appeared very shy now.

Upon realizing what he had been doing, he thought he should make some excuse to leave. He had gotten the information he was initially after, and now he feared he may have taken this exchange between them too far.

"I shall take my leave now" he said, "I hope you will find more enjoyment on this special night of yours."

She smiled again, looking him in the eyes.

"Thank you."

She bowed to him before he left, and he could tell that she was genuinely happier than she had been before they spoke.

On his way back to his temple, his mind had reeled. He just couldn't get that beautiful and interesting young lady off his mind. Part of him cursed himself for it. His life was completely dedicated to the Gods, and he shouldn't have such extensive thoughts about any mortal. Yet he could see that she was far from ordinary, and perhaps of some importance to him.

He knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help but to question the Gods.

He let out a long sigh.

"What exactly are you playing at?" he asked into the night sky. The question hung plainly in the summer air, unanswered. He sighed again.

When he made it back up to the top of his temple, he looked down upon the scene again. He was glad to see that the girl had rejoined the party, and she seemed to be smiling, enjoying herself. He didn't even ask her name, he realized. He came to regret that instantly.

He watched her a little longer that night. She seemed to be just enjoying the company of her family and friends, and the atmosphere seemed quite wholesome and relaxed. He could see no men trying to take their shots at her, and he felt somewhat thankful for it.

He was definitely letting this infatuation with her get out of hand, he thought. So he forced himself to retire for the night. Silencing any lasting thoughts he had of her. But it wouldn't be long until he thought of her again.