Chapter 5: A Ball?

I was still in the room with the white door and plastic window. I was waiting for someone to take me out of here. I didn't have to wait much longer. Jason Hawk the scientist came in to talk to me. "Hello Raven. Good to see you finally awake. How do you feel?" "I feel a little strange but could be better. Can I come out now?" "Yes. On the condition that you be monitored for awhile." I nodded to agree. So he helped me out, and I met the person who was going to watch me. They gave me some clothes to change into. "Faye? You're the one keeping an eye on me?" "Yes I am. Here are your clothes." "Y-yeah thanks." So I went to the restroom to change.

I came out all clothed in a casual dress. Then Faye said, "Oh there is going to be a ball to celebrate your recovery. Your brother and Akela are hosting it." "Seriously? Oh brother. I hate when they throw balls for me for certain reasons. I mean I know he wants me to have a boyfriend already, but jeeze. I think he is pushing it to fast." "Hehe. He is just looking out for you Raven. I can tell your brother loves you." "Yeah, I know he does. He my annoying older brother. What time is the ball?" "Oh its tonight. After dinner the ball will start. You can get dressed after dinner. Then go to the party." "OK. I don't want to disappoint my brother." It was around noon now.

Faye took me to my room, and it was time to pick out a ball gown. "OK he said it was going to be a casual one. He knows you don't like it too fancy." Said Faye. "Oh thank God. He is right about that. I'm sure he brought some of his single friends over as well as Akela bringing his. Oh brother I hope this doesn't end up another one of his match making balls like last time." I hit my head with my hand. "Who knows. You might end up finding someone you like." "I am not ready. Until I find out what exactly I am turning into, I just can't date anyone. I guess I can start out as friends if I find anyone. I will just have to tell them I have to figure stuff out before we can date." "Well that would be a start." Said Faye. "OK since it is a casual ball, I am going to wear this dark blue dress." It was a Dark blue dress, with lace Splicing High low. It was an elegant dress. "Wow good choice. It would go beautifully with your baby blue and light green eye. Also, your Black curly hair." Said Faye. "I guess so. I just chose it because its more my style. I don't care how it goes with skin tone or any part of my body." Faye sighed. "Yes. I was told you were the tomboy type. You only wore dresses for balls or whenever it was needed." "OK can I join my friends now? It is lunchtime and I am a little late." "Yes, lets go." "OK good. I'm hungry."

We went to the lunchroom, and I saw some of the Raven clan there. Just not all of them. Faye knew what I wanted, so she got the food for me. I sat next to Koa Nani and Lani. "Where is everyone? I mean I know I am late, but I know I'm not that late." Then Akela spoke up. "They are on missions right now. Called in at the last minute. Too bad they probably won't be able to make it to the ball." "Yeah, I just found out about the ball. Please tell me its not another one of my brother's match making ones." "I don't really know myself. Yes, I was one of the ones hosting. What your brother does is clearly his doing. Not mine." "Oh brother. Just knowing that I can already see the ball being mostly men." "haha. Is that so bad?" "You know why I can't date yet. Plus, I told Faye I have things to do before I can start dating." "Yeah, I figured you were going to say that." Then he sighed. "Well, I did tell Faye I would be their friend until I was ready to date. I would tell them I have things to figure out before I dated them." "Well, that's good. At least you would acknowledge them." "Are you perhaps interested? Is that why you are asking?" I asked curiously. "I guess you will have to find out at the ball now wouldn't you." "Hehe Touché" While I was eating, we visited with one another.

It was finally time to get ready for the ball. "Oh great. Now I have to get prettied up." "Oh, I forgot to mention. Your brother and Akela are both going to escort you to the party." "Oh great. Two men escorting me. How embarrassing." Then I got my dress on and got my clothes situated. My hair and makeup were done. 'It's not so bad on the hair. I'm surprised at the makeup how good they did it. It must be my brother's idea.' I thought. Then there was a knock at the door. (knock knock.) "Sister are you ready?" Said Jason. "Come in Jason." I said. He opened the door and said, "Wow you look good right now sis. I mean really good." "Hehe thanks brother. Is Akela here?" "OH he is on his way." "Ok. Why do I have to have two escorts?" "I made it that way to make you special. I mean you are the guest of honor." "Brother you made it into one of your matchmaking balls didn't you?" "Hey what can I say? Until you find someone, I probably won't stop." "As it so happens brother. I already have someone in mind thank you. I just hope he is at the ball." "Who might this fellow be?" "Hehe. You will have to wait and see big brother. Don't worry you will like him." "I better or you will not go near the guy romantically again." "I am not ready for romance yet until I get things situated you know that. I will start off as being friends." "Yes, you keep saying that. Let's see what today brings." I sighed. "I guess so. Let's get this party over with already."

Akela came by and said, "Wow you look beautiful Raven." "Thank you, Akela. You look handsome yourself. As for you brother, you look handsome as well." "Thank you, sis. Oh, and Faye I forgot to tell you that green looks really good with your hair color I think." Faye wore a green Summers Eve Dress-Elven forest with a gold rim of ribbon a little past her shoulder and a gold ribbon across the seam of her dress and outlined the top of the dress. "I thought you didn't pay attention to those things. But thank you." So, we were introduced and headed down the stairs.

I was nervous because all eyes were on me since I was the guest of honor. Apparently, my brother and Akela were going to do a speech, and I was to do one myself. They had a speech written for me to say.

Once they did their speech about what the party was about, they had the guest of honor which is me go up and do a speech.

"Hello ladies and Gentleman." I started. "I wanted to say thank you for coming here today. I had no idea a ball was going to thrown for my recovery. I want to tell you all I…." Then I stopped a moment and saw it said the words I said before I left for the ball. I wasn't ready to date yet but we can be friends. I looked at my brother and Akela and they nodded. "Sorry for the long pause. I am interested in dating sometime in my life, but as the moment I would like to start as friends. I have some issues to take care of before I can date. I will be willing to dance with anyone who asks me. I just hope you don't crowd me all at once. Thank you all for understanding. I hope you all enjoy the ball." Then everyone clapped and I stepped down.

I was to start the ball dancing with my brother. My brother and I got into dancing stance. He had his hand on my waist, and I had my hand on his shoulder. Our other hands were connected. Then I saw my brother nod and the music started playing. We danced the waltz. I danced with him until the music stopped.

Once the music stopped, I was looking for the man I was waiting for. I finally spotted him. I started walking over to him when I heard a man's voice. "Hello Raven. Your brother told me wonderful things about you." "Oh did he now. May I get your name sir?" "Oh pardon me my lady. My name is Atticus. Atticus from the house of Storm." "Oh Royalty." I curtseyed and said "Nice to meet you sir Atticus." "No need to be formal with me please." I stood up and smiled. "May I have this dance?" "Can you hold that thought? I will be right back." "Certainly." I tried to walk fast too get to the guy I wanted to see before another man got to me.

"Phew I made it. Koa hey." Koa was talking to another guy. "Sorry for interrupting." "No, its fine Raven. You look good by the way." "Thanks. I owe someone a dance. Would you mind waiting for me for a minute?" "Yeah sure." So, I went back over to Atticus and said, "OK I'm ready for that dance." Just as I said that, the music was starting as on cue. We danced The Zorba Greek dance. Atticus made a special request so we can do one of his country's dances.

I was dancing with a Greek man. 'It's actually kind of fun. I think I like this guy. I don't think I could end up anything but friends with him but I love dancing it with someone else.' I thought. Everyone started crowding us and I was getting nervous. Then when the song started speeding up, I couldn't think of anything else. Then the music finally stopped and everyone clapped. 'That was a workout I thought.'

Then I finally found Koa again. "Phew that was a workout." "That was actually pretty good Raven." Said Koa. "Thanks Koa. So I need you to meet me midnight tonight. I have something important to talk to you about ok?" "Yeah of course." So the party went on.

After a long break the last song of the night played. Then Koa said, "May I have this dance my lady?" Said Koa. "Why certainly kind Sir." We joked. Then we were playing a nice slow ballroom dance to relax for the night.

After the dance, everyone was getting ready to leave. Then my back started hurting again "Ah. No not now." I mumbled. "Raven? What is it? Are you ok?" I shook my head. "Ok let's get you to the parlor." Faye saw what was going on and followed them.

They all got to the parlor, and Faye said, "Where does it hurt Raven? Is it your tattoo again?" I nodded. "OK lets take a look." "Oh my Raven. Your tattoo won't stop changing. Lets get you to the lab. I think I may know what's going on but I am not sure. Koa go tell the others what's going on and standby." "Yes Faye." So Koa ran to tell Akela what was going on.

"Akela! Its Raven again! Faye is taking her to the lab. Her tattoo keeps changing and won't stop. She told us to standby in case she needed us." "All right I'll tell everyone." They were the only ones still at the ball besides the king queen and siblings. "Akela! What is wrong with my sister?" "You might want to go to the lab. Faye and your sister went." "Yes sir. Thanks." So he rushed to the lab and others went home.