Edward hurried back to the flat, darting through the crowd without so much as a sidways glance. He stopped as something hit his leg, light and insignificant. Glancing down, he saw a small child sprawled out at his ankles on the cobble stone. He knelt beside his, his hand extended as she eyed him wearily.
"I'm sorry little one. I wasn't paying attention". He smiled at her and watched her face brighten.
She had long, curly brown hair and bright green eyes. Her face was round and full, and her nose was tiny. She smiled up at him, her tiny hand closing around two of his fingers. She pulled herself to her feet, smoothing out the tattered green dress she wore. "It's no bother sir. After all, who would notice me"? She whispered, her thoughts echoing in Edward's ears.
She was an orphan, living in an overcrowded boarding house with many other children. She was apparantly upset he didn't have any money in his pocket.
Edward smirked. "Were you going to rob me?" He said tilting his head to the side as her eyes widened.
"No.. No sir". She said quickly, Edward's hand closing around her wrist.
"I believe that was your intention when you ran into me". He muttered as she shook hear head.
She tried to pull away, her eyes flashing nervously up at him.
"It is alright. I am not upset. And I haven't any money for you to steal in the first place". he released her hand, smiling lightly at her.
She nodded hesitantly, her eyes turning down. "I am sorry". She muttered, her mind contemplating who else around them might have money.
"Go home. Don't let me see you stealing or I'll report you". He said tapping the top of her head as she frowned.
He watched her sprint away, disappearing into the crowd in a blur of green. Rising to his feet, he ran toward the apartment.
As he entered the apartment, Carlilse was sitting casually at the desk reading. His gold eyes flicked up to Edward as he walked through the door.
"How was your day"? he smiled warmly as Edward shrugged.
"Interesting." he whispered walking toward the bed. "I went to the theater." He watched Carlisle tense. "There was a vampire there. Apparently he is the pianist for the shows."
Carlisle's hand quivered on the spine of his book, his eyes turning away. "I heard stories of him. He is the leader of the coven I spoke of. He is very dangerous."
"He didn't seem all to thrilled to see me".
Carlisle smirked, his head shaking back and forth slightly. "No. No I suppose he wouldn't be. That theater is his territory specifically. Not even his followers are allowed to hunt there".
"Yeah. I guess so". Edward's head turned toward the window. "He was playing the piano. It was so great. I wonder if I could be as good".
Carlisle looked at him softly, his light smile on his lips. "Well I suppose if you want, we can go buy you one. It is always good to have hobbies.. It takes your mind off the thirst". he snickered as Edward's eyes widened.
"That would be great". He smiled as Carlisle nodded, turning back to his book.
They went out the next day and purchased a piano, Edward staring at it admiringly as it sat in the center of the flat.
"Carlsile this is amazing," He whispered, his fingers gliding over the keys. "It is more than anything I could have asked. And I'm not even sure if I can play anything".
Carlisle smiled, taking a sheet of music out and placing it on the piano. "It matters not. You have an eternity to learn." He muttered, resting his hand on Edward's shoulder. Pushing him onto the bench, he folded his arms. "Try. I am sure it will come quite naturally to you".
"How do you know"? Edward said looking up at him with his hands resting on the edge.
Carlisle nodded toward the keys, saying nothing more.
Edward paused, his eyes turning toward the notes on the page. They all looked foreign to him, like little scribblings on the paper. He steadily began tapping the keys one a time, the notes standing out to him gradually. His fingers picked up momentum as he dove into the song, the soft melody filling the tiny flat. Soon his hands were flying across the keys, his eyes barely glancing at the sheet and he played smoothly. Glancing up at Carlisle he smiled.
"How did you know I could play"? He said, his hands becoming still and the music halting.
"Your mother said you played for the church". Carlisle said softly as Edward grinned, striking up the melody once more.
After discovering his unexpected talent, Edward decided to seek out a career in music to bring in money. He quickly got a job working at a cabaret, playing soft jazz for the Paris elite.
He sat in the corner of the nightclub, flicking the piano keys lightly as the dancers twirled on stage. He smiled over the crowd as they watched him awestruck, murmurers erupting through the tables. Glancing back at the dancers, his eyes moved over their intricately designed costumes and wild hair pieces.
It seemed as if he were in a completely different world. So unlike the dark vampire existance that he knew others of his kind were living. He was happy and content, and he and Carlisle were able to afford the best that Paris had to offer.
He no longer wore the dirty sweater Carlisle had loaned him a year ago, instead wore suits of rich silk. He mingled with the humans effortlessly, still all too aware of the temptation of their beating hearts. He ignored the temptations and he and Carlisle lived a peaceful existence for several years. All of that was about to change.
Something was about to awaken in him.. Dark and sinister, more terrifiying than peaceful Carlisle could have imagined.
He was walking home from the cabaret one night, his hat pulled down over his face as he navigated the dark streets. His head shot up as he heard the panicked thoughts of a girl a few streets down. He followed her thoughts, swiftly darting in and out of alleyways as he ran. Finally, he found the source.
A man was huddled over something small, his hands hungrily pawing at it.
Edward dropped his coat onto the street, his eyes flashing over the man. The girl's thoughts were no more. His mind was only filled with mumbled, incoherent words the man was speaking in his head. He glanced down at the object in his arms, his eyes widening.
A small child lay in the man's arms, her throat cut and scratches and bruises all over her tiny frame. Tangled brown hair clung to the dried blood on her cheeks as vacant green eyes stared toward the sky.
Edward gasped, his hands trembling uncontrollably at his sides. It couldn't be. This had to be a doll, it couldn't be a human child laying brutalized in this man's arms. But it was. Edward breathed rapidly, not out of need, but habit. His eyes danced over the little girl's face. The face from his memories. It was the little child he had run into in the streets not long ago.
He hissed softly, his eyes narrowing tightly.
The man's head snapped up as Edward let out an earsplitting growl. His eyes flashed fearfully over him as Edward sped forward, his hands outstretched toward his throat.