I think I fainted.

I must have, because I remember waking up, but not falling asleep. I woke up upon a soft, plush couch of one of the many, many rooms in the house. There was a cool, damp hand-towel on my forehead, and two worried brown eyes staring down at me.

Lira's eyes flooded with relief when she saw me stir. "She's awake," she called over her shoulder. Fauna was almost immediately by my side, tugging on my arm to use as leverage to get onto the couch. Alexei was standing next to Lira, and Rosie was peering at me over my head, holding a cup of steaming tea.

I sat up and took the cup of tea from Rosie and took a sip. It was warm and sweet, and tasted like lemons, one of Rosie's specialties. Fauna sat on my left side and Lira on my right. Alexei sat next to Lira, and Rosie stood by my end of the couch.

For a few moments, there was silence. Then, it was shattered in a rather surprising way. "Please play at the ball, Destiny," Fauna said softly. Everyone looked right at her. She looked so innocent with her small size, large eyes, and huge pink tutu.

I gave her a mourning smile. "Uhm, Fauna, I don't know if I can," I said sadly. "I'm not good at public performing."

Fauna's face fell. "Oh. Okay." She slid off the couch and walked out of the room. The second we were all positive she was gone, Alexei turned on me.

"Why in the hell would you say no to her?" He shouted. I winced, his voice penetrating my eardrums like steel needles. I looked into my near-empty cup of tea. I studied the shape of the tea leaves, something Rosie had taught me to do.

The leaves formed a short, thick line. However, the line forked at the end. This symbol meant decisions. How ironic. I sighed and looked Alexei straight in the eyes. "Alexei, you know how I am about public performing. I can't do this.

"If you love Fauna, you're doing it." Now that was a low blow. I love Fauna so very much, and the heartbreak in her eyes when I said I couldn't do it was horrible.

So right now, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

We ended up not going to the city that day. I just went home and took a good, long nap in my soft, warm bed. However, when I woke up, I was assaulted.

"Destiny, come here!" My mother shouted from down stairs. I groaned very loudly, hoping she could hear me. I took my sweet time untangling myself from my bed sheets and clomping down the stairs. Once I arrived in the den, my mother was standing next to the fireplace, phone in hand, looking a bit excited, and a bit angry.

"Destiny, I just got a call from Anastasia Markov," she said slowly. Oh god, I thought. Here it comes. "I heard you agreed to play piano at their ball next weekend... Without my consent."

I said nothing, which was answer enough for her. "Dest, I'm not mad. I am upset that you didn't talk to me, but I'm not mad." That's what she always says. "I'm actually quite pleased." Wait, what? Had I heard her right? Usually, when she did the whole "I'm not mad" act, she punishes me. But no, this was new, this was a shock.

"What?" I asked incredulously. "I'm pleased that you accepted. And that you're going to be performing in public, that's very good!"

Maybe I was wrong about the punishment part... Kind of like a punishment that was invisible to my mom, but fully clear to me. I looked up at my mom, who was beaming now, looking as if she would burst with pride.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that I'd probably faint halfway through and bomb the whole performance.

I stared into the mirror and bit my lip, my heart beating like a bass drum. I looked at the rest of my body. I was wearing a stunning deep cobalt blue dress with a red stripe at near the hem, but not exactly at the bottom. At my waist, I wore a white cord tied in the back in a bow. I had on a soft fleece shawl/jacket type thing that covered my arms, but was open over my chest. In my hair was a blue butterfly-shaped barrette holding my hair back. The rest of my hair was down, falling past my shoulders in elaborate curls.

In short, I looked like the poster girl for Prissy Prep Girl of the Year.

My mother, however, was positively thrilled by my appearance. She was one of those girly-girls in high school; pageant queen, homecoming queen, the whole shebang. "Destiny, you look gorgeous! Except for one thing..." She pulled her hands from behind her back, revealing a blue pair of high heels.

My eyes widened in horror. "Oh, no, you are not getting me into those! Not in a million years!"

Guess what happened in ten seconds?

Twenty minutes later, I was hobbling to Alexei's house, very unsteady in my high heels. I cursed my mother for making me wear them. She and my dad had been invited to the ball as well, but I had to go earlier to rehearse, and they still had to get ready..

The idea of performing on front of all these people- who included foreign royals, gym leaders, and even the Sinnoh champion- still had me feeling sick. But it was for Fauna. And I wanted her to be happy.

I lifted the hem of my dress as I stepped up onto the front stoop. I rang the doorbell and waited for Rosie to answer. She opened the door and I sucked in a breath. Rosie looked stunning tonight. She was wearing a long black silk halter dress, trimmed at the sleeves and hem in silver. Her hair was done in elaborate curls, cascading down her back. Her light green eyes were brought out by light blue eyeliner.

"Wow, Rosie," I breathed. "You look beautiful!" She blushed and bowed her head. "Thank you, Destiny. I made this dress myself." I told her how gorgeous it was on her, and she let me in.

The enormous foyer was decorated for the event; fabric steamers arced all around from the chandelier in a starburst pattern; the large staircase leading upstairs was covered with real hanging ivy, and the floor was covered in scattered rose petals.

Rosie beckoned me to follow her upstairs and I did, nearly tripping and breaking my neck in those deadly high heels. I finally hobbled into the music room, which was filled with a huge assortment of musical instruments.

In the center of the room was a large black grand piano. I took a seat at it while Rosie stood by and watched. I bit my lip again and placed my fingers over the keys.

And I began to play.

The ballroom was even more extravagant that when I had seen it less than a week ago. Small, circular tables were set at the edges of the room, where people were already seated and talking. The chandelier was glittering with multicolored lights, casting rainbows and rays over colored light everywhere. A large raised section at the end of the room held a full string orchestra and several microphones. And on the ground in front, was a grand piano like the one in the music room.

I clutched my small purse and slowly edged my way to a table near the raised platform. Lira and Alexei were seated there, along with Fauna. Lira glanced by and saw me, and beckoned me over. "Destiny, you look wonderful!" Lira squealed.

I blushed and looked at what she was wearing. It was a sleeveless olive green halter dress with a gold waist belt that jingled when she moved. She also had on black fishnet stockings and green flats. I wish my mother had gotten me some flats. Tsk, she never thinks. Her caramel hair was straightened and flowing down her back in light waves. Another thing I noticed that I hadn't before was a black crescent shaped tattoo on her shoulder. I didn't mention it.

Alexei stood and smiled his usual blinding smile. He was wearing a black silk suit with a white undershirt and a red velvet tie. His blond hair was trimmed a bit, but still quite long in the back, and still hung into his eyes. I could actually see a few bobby pins holding it back, which, undoubtedly, were placed there by his mother. A red carnation was pinned to his jacket lapel.

Fauna scooted a few seats over so I would be sitting next to her. I smiled down at her and took in what she was wearing. Fauna was wearing a very puffy pink skirt with a white hem and a matching blouse. Her flaming hair was straightened and held back by a small pink bow. She also had her tutu on over her dress and was wearing her ballet slippers.

The four of us took our seats and chatted for a bit, drank some sparkling cider, and made merry like the adults. Soon enough, the room was packed with people, a few I recognized, a lot I didn't, and loads of famous people. I glanced to my right to see the Sinnoh Champion Cynthia conversing with a tall girl with flowing black locks streaked yellow. On the other end, a gaggle of girls were fawning over Volkner, the eighth Gym leader.

After we got bored with pointing out famous people, Alexei's dad took a microphone at the platform. "Hello, and welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the annual Markov Ball!" There was a round of uproarious applause. "I would like to formally open this ball with a dance. Please, choose your partners, and enjoy the dance!" Another round of applause, and people began to pick their dance partners.

Alexei held out his hand to Lira. She blushed furiously and bowed her head, but still took his hand. He led her out on the the floor, where they assumed a waltz position. Fauna scampered away to a young boy in the crowd she had spied, leaving me to my own devices. Of which I had none.

"Erhem... May I have this dance?" came a silky voice behind me. I whirled around, nearly knocking over the absolutely gorgeous boy- excuse me, man- behind me. He had rather long blond hair and deep purple eyes. He was wearing a dark purple suit with a red tie. His eyes were so hypnotizing, I felt myself getting lost in them. His smile... oh god, his smile, it was like he was trying to convince me of something that I was already sold for. Did I mention he was gorgeous?

"Ah, ah, uh, I-I, uh, yeah." Smooth, Destie, smooth. He smiled that tantalizing smile and held out his hand. I gingerly took it and he led me out onto the dance floor. We got ourselves into the waltz position, which was a bit awkward, considering he was quite a bit taller than me. I stood there and looked deep into his gorgeous eyes, not knowing what I was looking for in them, but just wanting to stare at them.

Soon, almost all the pairs were assembled on the floor. The guest pianist played a few chords of a song; slightly fast, played in minor, but with a rather... major feel. When the prelude repeated, the string quartet joined in and played with the pianist. The result was a little haunting but so... Mystical.

After the prelude repeated again, the tempo slowed slightly and a tall girl with long black hair held slightly back, and wearing a long light blue dress walked onstage and took the mic. She began to sing.

"The light in your eyes beckons to me
It beckons so quietly, but I hear it clearly
You start walking towards me
Taking my breath and fearlessly setting me free
Oh, I feel it being drawn out
The blood flowing steadily into your mouth
This dark night, cruel and cold
You whisper softly, 'Honey, you'll never grow old'"

I looked up into the eyes of the man I was dancing with. They were so wonderfully deep, mystifying, gorgeous. I could feel myself blushing and I looked down and watched our feet move in swaying circles. We stayed like this for a moment until he took his hand off my waist and placed in under my chin, lifting my face toward his.

"Don't worry about anything," he said, as if reading my mind. "We're the only ones here. Just listen to the music." We continued are slow, swaying dance. The woman on the stage kept singing slowly and the song's tempo decreased dramatically. The man twirled me as the strings played gracefully and the lights dimmed so set a romantic mood.

I looked up into his eyes again, and he stared down into mine. Our clasped hands tightened as we swayed in small circles to the time of the music. Then, he leaned down and whispered into my ear, "You are such a beautiful dancer. I wish this night did not have to end."

"M-me either," I stammered. Why couldn't I form a full sentence right now? The song sped up a bit more and the girl onstage began to sing a bit softer. I knew the song was ending. The man gripped my hand tighter, and we began to sway a bit faster. He raised my arm and let go of me and twirled me, slowly, majestically, and then he took me in his arms and dipped me low to the ground as the song ended. The final notes of the strings and the singer lingered softly in the cool, still air.

We stayed in that position for I don't know how long. The dancers had applauded the musicians for a lovely job, and were mingling about around us. I was only staring deep into those strange, dark purple eyes of his, wondering his age; he must have been at least fourteen.

Slowly, he lifted me to my feet. "That was wonderful," he whispered, barely audible. I just nodded. He lifted his wrist to his face and pushed back his sleeve. He glanced at the watch on his wrist and grimaced.

"I am sorry, but I must go," he said, and my heart dropped. "Why? Why can't you stay for the rest of the ball?" I asked, stammering.

"I wasn't even supposed to come, but I just had to. Something told me that I would meet a girl, a fine, lovely girl... And I have." I blushed. "I t was lovely dancing with you. I hope we meet again."

And he slipped away through the crowd.

But I wasn't going to lose him so easily. I pushed my way awkwardly through the crowd, breaking between kissing couples, spilling wine on extravagant dresses, just trying to find him again. I came out on the edge of the room, and saw a fleeting glimpse of blond hair heading out onto the balcony. I followed him, and burst through the balcony doors in time to see him standing on the railing.

"Wait!" I called. "I don't even know your name!" He turned and looked at me with those deep, mystifying purple eyes of his, a smile playing on his lips. "My name is Morty," he said, just before flinging himself over the balcony's edge.

I screamed and rushed to the edge to see where his body had landed. But when I looked over the edge, he was nowhere to be found.

Truly a man of mystery.

I walked back into the ballroom and took a seat at the table me and my cohorts were sharing. I sank into my chair and buried my face into my arms. I had no idea what to make of Morty's sudden and mysterious disappearance. I sighed, listening to the joyful chatter and laughter of the guests around me.

My senses opened a bit more when Mr. Markov took the mic again. "I am sure that everyone is enjoying themselves, yes?" Many shouts and whoops from the crowd. "I thought so! Right now, I would like to entertain you with a bit of performance."

I tensed and looked up. Mr. Markov was on the stage, a glass of wine in his free hand. He looked positively giddy. "My daughter, Fauna Markov, is going to dance!" The spotlight whirled to focus on Fauna- who had shed her puffy outfit and was wearing a traditional pink ballet outfit- next to the piano at the foot of the stage. She curtsied and waved to excited applause.

"And assisting her performance on piano," Mr. Markov began, pausing for dramatic effect. "Shall be a friend of the family, Miss Destiny Jean!"

I turned paler then the cider in my glass as the spotlight turned to me. The crowd applauded me as I shakily stoop up, waved and slowly made my way over to the piano. I sat down, and Mr. Markov asked to have the floor cleared, and it did, giving Fauna room to dance.

The room was brightened back from its former dimness of the first dance. Fauna and I had practiced this several times, and I knew what to play. I played the first few chords, and Fauna began a slow traipse across the floor, occasionally twirling. The tempo suddenly increased, as she began a long, fabulous pirouette.

I lurched into the next several measures, and many people in the crowd recognized the piece. Apparently, the string orchestra knew it too, and joined in as Fauna leaped into the air and spun, landing delicately on the tips of her toes. I played on, staring at Fauna dance; she was so very elegant, so poised and graceful. Every move was fluid, like she was made of water; living, dancing water.

I played on into a slower part, watching Fauna slowly tip-toe across the floor, leaping every few steps, and spinning every other few. I started to repeat the song, but with more majesty, more confidence. Fauna noticed this, and leaped over to me, and took my hand off the keys, abruptly halting me performance.

I was very surprised, and so was the audience, by their gasps. The orchestra faltered, but Fauna waved her fingers at them, signaling to keep playing. They leaped right into the music where I left off, while Fauna lead me out onto the floor, and assumed the waltz position.

The audience was shocked, yet delighted, by this unsuspecting treat. They must have expected me to lead, but were again surprised when Fauna led me into a majestic waltz. We spun and twirled and circled round and round the floor, smiling and having a grand old time.

I heard the music begin to crescendo, and I knew the song was nearing its end. Here, I took control of Fauna, and led her around the floor; just like the day I was offered to play at the ball. On the last few bars of the song, I quickly grabbed her by the waist and lifted her into the air, and over my head.

The audience gasped in astonishment and amusement. I held Fauna over my head, spinning her around, while she held her arms out like a swan and giggled. I found myself laughing too, and as the song neared its end, I let Fauna back down twirled her one last time, and dipped her down low on the last chord.

The large room echoed with the remainders of the notes. Every breath was held, silent. Then, the room erupted into fascinating applause. The crowd loved us! They had obviously thought that the finale was rehearsed, but, truly, it wasn't.

Fauna and I curtsied and we were applauded again. Mr. Markov again took the mic. "Well, that was fabulous! In a few moments, we-" Mr. Markov looked down. I had scampered over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. I beckoned him closer, and I whispered something into his ear. He seemed delighted by my proposal and spoke into the mic again.

"Sorry about that, but our lovely pianist, Miss Destiny Jean would like to play a few more songs!" The crows erupted into applause again as I took my seat at the piano once more. I started to play a slow, soft song, then, I slid my fingers down the keyboard, and began to play a catchy jazz tune.

The audience laughed and began to dance with the rhythm of the music. I loved it. I was over my fear of performing, just a bit. They loved me. It was terrific, fantastic, wonderful...

In short, it was the best night of my life.