Author's Note: The Salvatore brothers attend the First Annual Masquerade Ball and life as they know it changes forever; where a rift created between them during this fateful night by a tragic turn of events. This story does start out in 1864, but I'm planning on introducing Elena at some point. This chapter is not too mature but may become more as the story progresses because I like dark themes.
I hope you enjoy my imagination.

CHAPTER ONE

:Mystic Falls, Virginia. October 30th, 1864:

The night of the first annual Masquerade Ball is just on the horizon. Always a grandeur of an affair, with practically everyone who is anyone at the Lockwood Estates. Everyone decked out in attire of an elegant and creative nature with the Salvatore brothers invited out of sheer respect of their well known father. Stefan rejoiced in the idea while Damon lamented it.

Stefan was practically cooing over getting into a disguise. He loved the idea of living another life even if it was only for a night, and not a reality. He didn't care. He knew the life of the obedient son to a demanding father was what ultimately awaited him; the life of the straight-laced younger brother, who was always expected to honor his father's every whim to overcompensate for his brother's irresponsible nature. He sighed at the thought, pushing it away to brood over it another time.

Much to Stefan's dismay, he found his older brother was sitting atop a table cradling a drink, the way he always did when stressed. Stefan tugged at his brother's sleeve similar to the way a small child would tug at a parent's clothes to gain their attention. Damon let out an annoyed sigh, turning slightly. "What? Brother?"

Stefan's emerald eyes peered up at Damon's icy ones with a childlike plea. "Come along. We need attire for The Lockwood Party!"

Damon laughed and shrugged, "Why should I concern myself with such an idiotic idea? Hmm, little brother?"

Before Stefan could formulate a reply, their father interrupted them when he staggered into the room which was a clear indication that he was highly intoxicated, and looking to take his anger out on something. His cold eyes narrowed in on the younger brother this time; Damon sat there a moment with slight fear setting in knowing that look. Before his father could approach, Damon hurried his younger brother out of the room. Stefan's confusion only growing, not understanding what suddenly got into his brother. Stefan was oblivious to his father's true nature never having experienced the brunt of whatever his father wanted to dish out. But Damon, on the other hand, knew all too well.

"Hurry the hell up!" Damon shouted as he shoved Stefan out the door.

Stefan looked quite dissatisfied with the fact that he was going out in public looking disheveled. In Stefan's mind, he was not perfectly acceptable by societies' standards. He frowned deeply at his sloppy state of dress.

"But brother-" He started but was cut off mid sentence.

Damon rolled his eyes at his brother's obsessive worrying. "Pfft, Nobody gives a damn if you are missing a tie or your hair isn't perfect!"

The younger Salvatore narrowed his green eyes at his Brother's attitude. "Clearly, you never give a Damn!"

Damon shrugged and quipped, "You're right, I don't give a damn about what you think."

Sometime later, long after they stopped arguing, the brothers found themselves in a quaint costume shop that was located just outside of town; it was tucked away on the side of the road. Stefan did not spare a moment as he excitedly began rummaging through the available garments and accessories that were on display. Of course, price has never been an issue in the past since they came from a fairly well off family. Damon searched through some piles of elegant clothes, masks, and other things but he found himself rather disinterested with the whole idea. Damon's posture read as despondent when he eventually grew tired of shopping and began leaning up against a nearby wall staring distantly. That is, until something captured his attention.

The beauty of a woman.

Unbeknownst to the elder brother, Stefan had also caught a glimpse of the same femininity that now drew Damon's attention. Stefan narrowed his eyes at the fact that this beguiling beauty seemed to have captivated his brother's attention instead of his own. She was a breath-taking visage of exquisite beauty, for she had to be the most beautiful girl Stefan has ever laid eyes on. An overwhelming jealousy now welled up inside him with witnessing how effortlessly his brother's natural charm attracted her attention. Stefan wished he had a way with women like the way his brother did; all Damon ever had to do was look their way and they were soon falling all over him. Stefan had the ability to charm a woman with his sweet words and countenance, but it didn't come easy,
unlike Damon.

Stefan finally set on a mask akin to something he imagined Prince Charming would have chosen; he looked quite dashing and regal in the elegant golden mask. A fine look any woman could find impressive, he thought. Even her. In Stefan's opinion, Damon picked something macabre. Now shaking his head in disapproval at Damon's choice, for the appeal of such a devilish looking mask completely eluded him. Damon on the other hand, snickered at his brother. Who was, in his opinion, literally a walking cliche.

Damon mocked Stefan, "Always the hero, Brother?"

Stefan retorted, "Always the psychotic mind, Hmm Brother? I'm surprised you didn't choose to resemble some Demon of the night. Then again maybe you have.."

He laughed at his brother's attempt at an insult. "That's correct! I'm already a Demon, a lost soul who walks the night capturing young women.
They are mine for the taking!"

Stefan glared, "Brother! These aren't things to joke of!"

Stefan's commentary resulted in a dramatic eye-roll from Damon, but he sighed and decided it was time to go home. The eldest Salvatore took the collection of garments and accompanying masks they had picked out and payed for them. Damon wondered if he would see the raven haired beauty again, for he hoped she would make an appearance at the party. With all preparations for The Masquerade complete, the two brothers went home for the night and awaited for tomorrow to arrive.

AN: Hope you enjoyed it. A review would be lovely.