[Poggio]

Robin brushed some of the cinders off his face. “There is going to be another ball?” He asked slowly getting up. He got up better to start early and get his sisters ready. He did not wish to hear their mouths in the morning, while he was trying to do their hair and make up. He spent most of the night mending their dresses until he had fallen asleep again near the fire. He woke up again to the feeling of a sharp pain in his side. His step mother was angry the boy had not started her breakfast. Robin day dreamed as he did his chores. He wondered if that strange man was going to be at the ball tonight and how he was going to sneak in again.

[littl3chocobo]

when the boy had completed his chores and everything was put away his step mother came to him as she had the day before "so you wish to go to the ball tonight?" she picked up the lentils from before and cast them back into the hearth. "you may try again, if you pick and clean all the lentils from the ashes then you may go with us" she barked a laugh and went upstairs to get ready

[Poggio]

Robin took the basket back, his temptation was to hit his step mother with the basket. He sunk to his knee pretending to be distraught over having to complete the same task again. He waited until his mother left the house and followed in suite. When he was sure the coast was clear he traveled through the city to the castle. This time he was unable to get to the room he had gotten to before. He found a different room of a lady in waiting. His disguise was a little bit better then it had been the previous night.

Robin trailed his fingers along the banister as he walked into the main ball room. Once again he just watched. He didn't expect to see the same man from the night before.

[littl3chocobo]

the prince had kept an eye out all nigght for his beauty and sure enough there she was, once again she dressed strangely but she was beautiful all the same, he moved in close until he grabbed her attention, he bowed and offered her hand a kiss. he looked up at her still bowed and asked her for a dance

[Poggio]

Robin looked around the dance floor. He did not wish to dance. “No... I think I got enough dancing last night.” He grabbed Jerial's hand. “I have a better idea.” He said. He started to drag the man along behind him. “This ball is kind of a drag, I didn't realize that all no...” He paused realized he almost gave himself away. “All people did here was dance. I'd like to explore the castle. Or the town. I rarely get to go into town.” He pulled the man closer unintentionally intertwining his fingers into the prince. Robin did not know he was with the prince. He'd hope that he could get out of the castle with out any one noticing. Especially his step family.

[littl3chocobo]

a amall shudder went through the book, the story was changing again. the story must continue. the book adjusted

the prince was suprised at the request but he complied. he was rewarded by a light touch as the other put her hand in his and twined their fingers, the pleasant sensation was worth the jolt of her dragging him away, they made it to the hall before it occured to him that they should not go about the castle in their current dress. he stopped, pulling the other lightly back "we cannot go as we are, we must change if we are to wander the halls"

[Poggio]

For the first time Robin was caught unaware. He wasn't sure why he had to change and if he could. “Alright if you say so.” Though he had no idea what he was suppose to change into. Nervously he found a room. He patiently closed his eyes while the prince changed first.

[littl3chocobo]

they slipped into the room, it was a spare room used only for storage, he pulled from a chest some clothing, dressing himself he stretched and rifling through the box he turned to his beauty ''i am sorry these are all men's clothing, do you mind?'' he looked at her questioningly

[Poggio]

Robin, just laughed. “No I don't mind.” He said shifting through the box. “Just turn around.” He said gesturing, watching him until he did so. He looked through the clothing, paying attention not to dress himself to make him look to noticeable to his family. At last he tapped the young gentle man on the shoulder. Robin had all but forgotten to ask him why such a guise was necessary, he simply felt the trill of sneaking about the castle. “I hope you know your way around, I don't want to get lost.” He said moving past the young man, and peeking into the hall way.

[littl3chocobo]

he smiled at his beauty. "i know the way" he retook his beauty's hand. 'by the way my sweet, what is your name? you did not tell me yesterday before you left"

[Poggio]

Robin shook his head and laughed. “That is because I didn't expect to see you again.” He said truthfully. He was glad he knew the way. If worse comes to worse, Robin would have to run out of the palace again. He debated telling his name. “I like being beauty for now.” He said coyly, walking into the halls. “If we meet again I will tell you my real name.” As they exited the room Robin fell in line behind Jerial. “Show me the best part of the castle.” Robin grinned recapturing his adventuring spirit.

[littl3chocobo]

the prince smiled at his beauty, she was so lovely even when she spoke, he felt the first flutters of love for this angel. he was slowed only slightly at her next request "the best?" he thought of all of the wonderful rooms, treasures and weapons and treats, rooms filled with dresses and rooms filled with jewelry, rooms full of every conceivable thing. it occurred to him then, the best part of the entire castle was not inside it but rather outside of it. he turned to his beauty and flashing a large grin he grabbed her hand and turning back began to run

they took off through the silent and empty halls, turning and crossing and slipping through, several minutes later and slightly out of breath they made it to their destination. he pulled his beauty to the door and taking out a rusty key from around his neck he unlocked the door "this is my secret place, noone comes here but me, this is now our secret" pushing the door open he took her through.

a soft silver moon shown down in a garden half overrun by roses, they were in bloom and each head was as white as the purest snow and glinting in the moonlight one could almost expect to feel a cold winter breeze. the prince let her go and spun once, his hair flying in the midnight light. he stopped at the end of his turn and bowed. taking her hand he kissed it under the glowing cresent eye of eros. he looked up at her his face flushed with excitement and a tinge of something else

[Poggio]

Jerial was right. Robins face melted into a smile which bloomed into a grin. Our secret place has such a wonderful ring to it. As Robin was twirled around he leaned in and kissed Jerial on the cheek. Once he was down on the ground, Robin took Jerial by the hands. “Now we can dance.” He said. It was much easier to twirl with his partner now that he did not have to worry about so much foofaraw. He rested his head on Jerials shoulder, letting him swing his body as he pleased.

The dream would not let him stay content. Some part of Robins mind knew this. He looked up into Jerial's eyes trying to etch his face into his memory. He leaned in for a kiss. Some where in the castle the chimes rang. Robin growled in frustration. He pushed himself away from the prince and fled through the halls. When he reached the grand doors, Robin woke up. His eyes grew watery from frustration but he did not let himself cry.

[littl3chocobo]

(oh jeez, my next book post is going to be all emo now hahaha. and dude, you wrote a word i don't know and neither of my dictionaries do either!)

when his roommate came from out of the bed room he pretended not to notice, it was common enough to see the boy sad but rarely had he ever seen tears. he made sure to keep his key-stroke even though he stopped paying attention to the lesson.

[Poggio]

Robin did not notice his roommate, and when he did, he did not have the heart to look at him in the face. He was terrible. His dreams had turned some one he barely knew into his idealistic dream boat. He told himself he would never let the real Jerial know about this. He looked around until he found what time it was. He pretended to be hungry, pulling out the left overs from dinner and nuking them. Robin left for class early. Anyone that asked he was just tried though he could not shake his dejected feelings.

( dont you just love it when the internet invents words xD )

[littl3chocobo]

when the other left he put the lecture on copy, allowing it to record on it's own he put aside the laptop and went to the room, he looked around hoping the other did not take it with him, the book was rather large. he was in luck, it was pushed under the othe boy's pillow. he sat on the bed and opened the book, it had a couple new pages and now an illustration, two indistinguishable people danced in what looked like a rose garden. it was charming though he did not know his roomate could draw. he moved back to the place he had been at before. as he read his heart clenched, they shared a name for sure but his suspicions were well founded, this person was not him, they were close but the sameness was out-weighed by the differences. he continued reading however, he refused to be jealous of an imaginary character. when he got to the end, where the door opened and the offer made his heart clenched, he knew this would be a doomed story, the prince was unaware of robin's true nature and robin was blissfully ignorant of the prince's proposition. he thought to write in the book, to prevent the sour ending and to fix the errors. he picked up a pen, laying his hand lightly he moved his hand into the position for the first stroke, but he could not do it. if he wrote in the book then the other would know he had been reading it. he stood up instead and went to his side of the room, he tore out a bit of paper and wrote upon it the ending that should be. he folded it twice and stuck it near the end. he hoped it would not be noticed too quickly, or worse, lose it. he placed it near the back of the book