I am Rose, and I am focused on them. I listen to them, with my back towards them and my face towards the bright lights and sounds of the ballroom party, refusing each man who asks to dance with me.

Dart and Shana are what I'm focused on right now.

They repeat the words Zieg and I told each other on that day, so many many years ago.

I'm standing here, arms crossed, and my chest constricts, threatening to crush my heart, and I force myself to breathe out slowly.

It's okay. It's alright.

I won't let them have the same fate. For one thing, Shana is too fragile to handle my fate.

When I look at those two, and even right now, just hearing them and looking around the ballroom, I feel something I haven't felt in a long time.

Hope. And also…a little bit of happiness.

I was going about my own business mechanically. I was beginning to forget what it was that I was fighting for.

It was so that everyone could have a chance to be happy.

Like Dart and Shana, standing outside now, blissful and obvious.

They truly love each other, you can just tell, just by watching them together.

Its okay, it's alright.

Tonight, I'm at peace. Tonight, and perhaps for many nights to come, I'm with friends. I'm safe. When Dart and Shana come out and the party ends, we'll all walk to our rooms and Meru will still be bouncing and Albert will dreamily stare in space and talk of Emily, and Dart and Shana will hold hands and smile, and Haschel will tease all of them, and I'll just smile.

It's okay. It's alright.

They've come out now, and they're dancing, and he holds her tightly, but gently, and she's resting in his arms, trustingly looking up at him.

It's okay.

Its better that they don't know about me. I am the fate-slayer, the destroyer of destiny, and I will keep them safe.

-----------------------

Yes, after all these years, I have updated! (throws back arms dramatically)Poor Rose, haven't written anything for her in so long...

Need to replay that game...