A/N: This is the first part of a Halloweenesque two shot that take's place during Edward's rebelious stage back in 1929. The second part should be up soon.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters.


Life's Wine

The low buzz of voices flooded through the refined ballroom, my mind quickly becoming overwhelmed with trying to distinguish which were real, and which were the scandalous, secretive thoughts of the many aristocratic guests that surrounded me, filling the quite spacious room to it's capacity. The soft notes of a grand piano glided throughout the ballroom, the thick air convulsing and contracting slightly with each set of melodious chords.

It was clear that the atmosphere was supposed to be comforting and cheerful; a right out mood for any spectacular party, what with the extremely elaborate décor.

A couple of entertainers were stationed at each entrance, blowing fire and swallowing swords, accompanied by a guard or two. Their simple tricks seemed to appease many of the people who converged around them, even though they did nothing for me.

Men on stilts were tromping over the crowd, taking extra caution not to step on the hoard of people down below. Their pointed hats just fell short of hitting the many chrome and sapphire aluminum ringed chains that hung in ornate patterns, creating a thin lattice, it's massive gaps letting the many wonders above the guests heads become an accentuated part of the layout.

High up above the swarm of gasping bluebloods, colorfully dressed acrobats swayed meticulously on swings, making a dashing leap here, or a turn there, all the while making sure not even to graze the magnificent chandelier that was suspended in the middle of the artfully painted ceiling, lighting up the room with what had to be at least a hundred candles; their glow bringing a seductive and sensuous feeling to all that stood within it's waxen glow.

Some of the people we dancing gracefully in the center of the room, the sound of their heels and the occasional cane tapped out a symphonic tune as they traipsed around on the mosaic-like floor.

Out of all of the activities happening around me, I couldn't bring myself to watch any one of them for a prolonged amount of time, and I was even farther away from partaking in one of them. No, I was here solely because I was invited and in this day in age, a gentleman never declines an invitation to a gathering.

In attending, I knew what I had to do: shroud myself under the cover of the inconspicuous and keep to myself. No matter how much I felt compelled, nor how much I wanted to, I would not be entertaining the society of nineteen twenty nine with any courtesies tonight.

Letting my ruby eyes gaze over the guests appreciatively, I smirked slight and brought my glass, filled to the brim with a garnet fluid, up to my cold lips, letting the fiery sensation of my own personal concoction drown me in the flames of burning passion.

No matter what blend of wine's the men and women around me tonight sampled, they would never be able to feel the same ecstasy that I do when I drink. Why? Because they actually had a choice over the path their life took.

I was forced into this life, this existence; and up until now I tried not to unleash the beast, I tried sp hard not to be a monster. However, my efforts were in vain. I was a fool to think that I could avoid the nature of what I truly am. It seems that I have spent he last eleven years living a life that was nothing more than an illusion, drawing ever closer but as soon as I reach out to grab it, it disappears through my hands like a miasma of smoke, only to rematerialize again another ten feet away.

Every single attempt was futile. For a couple of months, I knew what I had to do: I had to leave my home so I could live my life without the guilt of betraying my parents, the ones who raised me and taught me about this way of being, hanging over my head.

Disappointment was the dominant emotion that flooded through Esme's eyes when I told her the truth. Her golden orbs glistened with the tears that she could not shed, her head hanging slightly in anguish.

Carlisle, on the other hand, kept a blank face. He just gave me the expected brief speech on how I should think about what I was going to do, but when I declined, he reminded me that their door was always open.

What is the truth, you may be wondering? The truth is that no matter how much I had become accustomed to it, my diet would never be enough to completely satisfy my animalistic needs; whether it was a herd of deer, or a cunning mountain lion, my thirst just would not satiate.

What I really wanted, not to mention needed, was a fresh young human. Their blood ran warmer than any other animal's, making it's call to me so much stronger. Unfortunately, turning my graces upon them was exactly the thing I was taught to avoid doing. The night I had finally come to terms with it was the night I chose to leave their lives… Forever.

Without a word to either of them, I fled the great stone estate just outside of Knightsbridge, refusing to even glance back in fear that the need to stay and force my nature out of the foreground would wash over me, clouding my vision towards this decision.

I ran through the forest at top speed, concentrating on nothing more than the idea- no, fact- that this was the right thing to do, the best thing to do. I kept my pace until I neared the edge of the woods, the trees were beginning to thin and I knew I was near West Wickham now. Attempting to stay inconspicuous, I traveled towards the cobblestone rode that ran right through the middle of the forest before joining the few other streets that ran through the place.

Moving at a human rate, I cautiously stepped out of my sanctuary that was the trees, letting myself be consumed by the orangish glow of the street lamps. Almost immediately my senses piqued, the sweet smell of blood clouding my mind.

However, just because I was going back to my old way of life didn't mean I wasn't going to be cautious. To remain camouflaged with normal society was crucial to my very essence. Standing straight and tall, I strode down the turnpike, displaying proper manners to anyone that crossed my path; a small smile here, an inclination of the head there.

Luckily, no one approached me; that is, of course, until I reached the town square. Just as I stepped into the shadows of a bookshop, a child of no more than ten came running up to me, a small envelope held tightly in his grasp. He came to an abrupt stop a few feet from me, panting slightly to catch his breath. I stayed quiet until he looked up at me, his deep green eyes boring into my own dark caramel ones.

"Excuse me, Sir," He said, straightening up to his full height.

I smirked softly, recognizing the boy's youth as a familiar aspect of what my life had looked like not too long ago.

"Yes, young master?" I responded graciously, seeing just too much of myself in this progeny. There was no chance that he was going to be my victim this night.

"I was asked to give this to you," He continued, holding out the envelope to me. I took it after saying a small thanks. "It's from that lady over there." He went on as he turned around and pointed to a woman not too much older than I. She stood with group of woman that appeared to be around her age, all of them giggling lightly and holding fans in front of their faces to hide a virgin's blush; her mahogany eyes bright from underneath her brow.

Drawing my gaze back to the envelope, I carefully broke the wax seal and lifted the flap. Pulling the letter from its sheath, I unfolded it and let my eyes flow over the spidery writing. Silently, I read:

You are cordially invited to the Grande Masque

Being held on the eve of October the 31st

At the West Wickham Ballroom.

Begins at dusk and ends at first light.

Black tie dress and visage coverage required.

Refolding the invitation, I placed it back in the envelope and flashed my eyes back over to where the group of young ladies had been standing. Only two remained now: one with fiery red curls and an ivory complexion, and the one with the sorrel eyes, her hair the color of chestnuts, gently twisted up into a bun underneath her hat. The brunette caught my eye and blushed before whispering an exit line to her friend behind her fan. They took off into the darkness almost immediately.

Thanking the child once more for the invitation, I moved quietly over to where the women were standing just moments before. Subtly, I sniffed the air, their scents lusciously fragrant like various sugary delights. Attempting to differentiate the one I wanted, I closed my mind and let their natural perfumes overwhelm me. One stood out in particular: a balmy honeyed scent that was sweet as the is long.

Committing it to memory, I took off in the direction the girls had gone, laconically promising that this would be a night that they would never forget.