The soft white clouds moved softly against the darkened night sky. Crickets chirped in the dark night, and a rustle of soft leaves could be heard from the warm breeze. The deep rich sounds of the cello penetrated the night, a song that seemed so simple, yet so complicated. Abel's soft hair brushed over his face, as Lawrence played in the main hall. His eyes were half-lidded, as he let himself become lost in the deep music. He felt his stalkers now comforting presence against his skin, soothing him. His face was gaunt, and dark circles now adorned him under his eyes. His cheeks had begun to sink in, and his skin paler than a normal vampires. The nightmares, that occurred even when he awoke, were draining his strength. He knew Lawrence and Orion were worried, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn't control it; he wasn't even sure what it was. But tonight, tonight there was no Green Bird. Only his stalker, and the cello existed tonight.
The annual ball that his brother had was fast approaching, and Abel was sure that every bachelor Sire was going to attend, along with family friends. Lawrence showed excitement, while Orion showed exhaustion while trying to meet his mate's needs. The only person that Able hoped he would see was his stalker. His stalkers presence now soothed him, instead of alarming him. Abel yearned to see his face, which frightened Abel to some degree. He had never had to depend on anyone, he was a loner, and he never wanted a mate.
The rich sound faded with a strong vibrato, and all was silent once again. Abel turned away from the garden below him briefly when the sound had faded. He turned around, and a small jade necklace was where his hand had once been. It was simple, a silver chain with a small piece of jade, surrounded by silver hanged from it. Abel gingerly picked it up, and studied it. He loved it. Instead of the overly complicated jewels and hairpieces he had received from other sires, this one was so, simple. A small smile complimented his face as he turned on his heel, and left the balcony, necklace in hand.

The sire smiled to himself as his future mate turned to go in with his present in hand. He noticed now, that his lovely did not often visit the old abandoned church. But he could feel it. It was a strong power that radiated from Abel; something only a sire should gain. That kind of power could only be gained by years of training, and discipline. His young one should not have it. He could hear his screams in the night, he saw when his brother ran into his room to find him bleeding with an open wound in his chest. The power, whatever it was, was beginning to take its own form. Abel's body was not strong enough to control it the sire knew this. His brows turned upward in a worried gesture, as he feared for his lovely. But, not all was bad. The ball was fast approaching, and since his gift was accepted, he felt, it was the right time to reveal his face. This was not a normal courtship, things could not move as fast. Abel is delicate, and he must be gentle to persuade him.

Abel closed the French doors to the balcony, and gently set the necklace down on his nightstand. There he found a cup of warm blood for him to drink, most likely left for him by his brother. He brought the cup to his lips, and sipped softly, savoring the taste. It had become hard for him to stomach blood now. So everyday, Lawrence would leave him a small cup of blood. It was enough to keep his body functioning, and it was little enough to keep him from coughing up blood later.
He made his way down the winding hallways filled with tapestries to the main hall where the sound of the cello could be heard starting again. His brother looked up and smiled when he saw Abel, he gestured him to come to him. Abel went to a small corner of the room, and unpacked his violin. He gently turned the finely carved pegs, first turning them towards him, then away so as not to break the strings. When he felt all of the strings were in tune, he went to stand near his brother. First a deep rich note from the cello, then a string of slurred eighth and sixteenth notes from his violin. The main melody came, and cello and violin played together, an octave apart. His hand was curved elegantly as he played the notes gracefully. His body swayed with the music, his fingers seemed to work independently from his body, as did his brothers. Orion sat in the far corner with his eyes closed, enjoying the duet. The song that carried through the air was Canon in D major. It was a wedding song that mortals used.

The sound faded and Lawrence smiled. Orion clapped and stood, Lawrence laughed.

"Abel, you have gotten much better. I fear to teach you the cello, you will be better than me" Lawrence joked.
"You both were very good now- "
"Now it is time to start decorating the hallways" Lawrence interrupted him.
"B-but the hallways are already decorated Lawrence! We don't need to decorate them again!"
"No Orion, I still need to hang some new tapestries that just arrived, they're splendid."

Abel watched the two bicker back and forth, Lawrence winning the argument while Orion whined. Abel laughed and the two turned to stare at them.

"You two sound like an old married couple" They both gawked at him.

"What?" Abel sounded confused.

"You, you just laughed!" Lawrence pointed at him.

"N-no I didn't" Abel's normal demeanor returned. Lawrence laughed

"Yes you did! I heard it! And I haven't heard you laugh in such a long time"

Lawrence laughed, grabbed his brother and started to dance around the room dragging Abel with him. Orion laughed and picked up the violin, playing an old tune from long ago.
Abel couldn't hold it in any longer, he let his laughter slip from his rosy lips, and the sound filled
The night. Their dance slowed and a determined look spread across Lawrence's face.

"Don't either of you think I haven't forgotten about those tapestries!"
Orion and Abel gave each other a look, and then bolted. Lawrence grabbed the back of their shirts and dragged them to the front hallways. Boxes and boxes were packed in a space; Abel and Orion gawked at them.

"Now, I want you two to start hanging these tapestries over here, and stop looking at me that way. I am going to the garden to finish planting some new plants I had ordered in. You two better get to work"

"Lawrence! This will take days to finish hanging up in the hallways!" Abel whined

"Well you better hurry then because the ball is in a week, and we want to impress all of the available sires that will be there, don't we Abel?"

Orion grumbled something about those available sires making sure they knew which brother was available.

"Did you say something?"

"No nothing at all." Orion graciously lied.

He stepped toward Lawrence and wrapped his arms around his smaller frame. " I just hope it is a good ball that is all." He leaned in and softly kissed Lawrence's plump lips. Lawrence pushed his body closer to Orion's; Orion tightened his grip. The kiss became deeper, as Orion ravished his mate's mouth. Lawrence moaned and tangled his fingers in the taller sires hair. Lawrence pulled away and smiled. Orion growled and tried to close the space between them once again. Lawrence put a finger to his lips.

"Tonight we will, but for now you need to hand up the tapestries" he winked. He turned on his heel and swiftly left the front hall. Orion gawked at his mate, and Abel snickered behind him

" Oh shut up"

" He left you cold" Abel laughed, clutching his stomach. Orion playfully through a pillow at him, feathers bursting out of the pillow and scattering all over Abel and the floor. Orion laughed. Abel scowled and through a pillow at the sire, feathers breaking over his frame.

" I hope you know, this is war," Orion said.

The sound of pillows breaking and feathers scattering could be heard in the front hall, as Abel won the childish pillow fight.

Hope you enjoyed. Reviews are appreciated