And ENGAGE!

…

Fireworks ignited over the dark skies of the Opera Garnier, laminating the night in a light of spectacular brilliance. All of Paris was readying to celebrate the coming of a new year, a new beginning.

The Annual Masked Ball at the Garnier was already at its highest triumph of the night, thousands of people had attended and the managers, Firme and Andre, couldn't have been more pleased with themselves.

"What a beautiful turnout," Firme announced, making way into the grand foyer, "anybody whose anybody is here."

"Indeed." Andre confirmed, "look there's the countess of Roth – oh, and Lady Miller."

"Splendid," Firme chuckled, "oh, and aren't those the Astor's?"

"Indeed." Andre confirmed, "You know, I hear that his little wife Madeline there is about Messier Morgan's age and in a delicate condition – see, how she's trying to hide it?"

"Quite the scandal," Firme laughed.

"And then the Gordon's are over there," Andre continued, pointing round at a couple at the start of the stairwell, "Oh, and there's that vulgar Vincent Brown man."

"Come Andre; let's leave before he stands with us."

"Hello good gentleman," Brown greeted with his black domino mask at hand, "I have hoped to join you in the Smoking room."

"Oh, we're sorry," Firme began, "we have just come from there – you missed it. Andre and I were just about to go round and talk to the box keepers – a boring engagement it would seem."

"Oh, that's alright," Brown laughed, "I need to catch up on my gossip, and I've heard that those box keepers are the source of scandals."

Reluctantly, the new managers allowed the man to follow.

…

The Viscount De Keaner stood rigid as he awaited his love at the bottom of the stairwell. All around him, people danced merrily and partied amongst themselves, but none of them were Ethan.

Since awakening at the inn alone at Perros, Rory had been worried about the other – especially after that horrible sight – but the boy had vanished once more.

And it hadn't been until a week ago that he had received a letter from Ethan telling him to come to the Masked Ball and meet with him in secrecy. Looking down at himself once more, Rory realized that he was more or less unrecognizable. Sure he may have been wearing his dark blue naval coat and white dress pants, but the white and blue domino mask hid his features and left him to simply be any ordinary man, which is why he was being treated as such.

It was quite strange when he thought about it, he was used to the eyes and cautiousness of the people around him because of his entitlement, but tonight…well he could be anybody he wanted to be.

Smiling to himself, Rory began to swing his body to and fro, listening as a melody picked up from somewhere he knew not. Other party goers did likewise, but he halted once he was being seized and dragged into another room by hundreds of hands.

"It is time to dance!" A voice hollered from over the crowd, all the while the crowd parting to give space to an immense ball room. Couples all around formed while some, like Rory, were being forced to partner up. Looking at the blond woman in a white dress before him, Rory smiled and reluctantly began to waltz around the room with the ever going crowd. Once or twice the girl nearly slipped, most likely drunk in a slight stupor, but Rory held her up. And it wasn't until five minutes into the dance that he recognized a brunette boy dancing on his left. The boy was wearing a black domino mask with red trimming and a dark red and black coat but there was no denying it, it was Ethan – Rory could just tell.

During the dance, many switched partners, and Rory desperately tried to make his way toward Ethan, but a brunette girl had come into his arms, and the blond he had been with had moved over to a familiar figure, Jesse. Had he been dancing with the Opera singer's mistress perhaps?

"You dance very well." The brunette girl criticized with a flirtatious smile.

"I thank-you."

"Have I met you before?"

"I know not."

"Well, I surely mustn't have, "she laughed, "I would remember someone as gorgeous as you."

"You say that even though I wear a mask?" Rory laughed cheekily.

"I can just tell." The girl winked, as she was taken by another man, and replaced by a shorter dark haired tanned girl in Rory's arms.

This time, Rory was sure that he had met this girl before.

"Is that you Viscount De Keaner?" Sarah asked, lifting her black domino mask as she was twirled.

"Very much so, but don't announce it."

"I won't." The girl laughed, "I assume you are trying to make your way to a certain 'other' to dance with?"

"How did you-?"

"Well, there must be a reason why you can't take your eyes off the mysterious black and red figure."

"You know it to be Ethan?" Rory assumed, laughing along with the girl as the music continued.

"Of course," Sarah laughed, "I was the one to give him the attire after all."

"When had he returned?"

"Yesterday morning. I know not of where he has been though, Messier, so don't ask. But I shall leave you and hope you make it to your desired destination."

"I thank-you," Rory fare-welled as the girl began to dance with another woman, it was then that the blond had found his chance. With the dance becoming more and more populated there were odd numbers of people and so odd pairings of couples likewise. This was his chance.

He quickly shoved past a masked man and seized Ethan into his arms, smiling a bright smirk all the while.

"I had thought that I would never get to you." Rory whispered.

The other boy instantly paused.

"Rory…? Is that you?"

"Would you be disappointed if it wasn't?" The blond asked curtly, twirling Ethan as the other couples around them did the same. It was all quite a merrily gay time.

"…I need to speak to you." Ethan then noted after a minute or so of silence.

"Then do so."

The two stopped talking as they rounded the dance floor in sync, their steps falling together as their arms held each other tightly.

"In private." Ethan then said, stalling Rory for a second.

"About what…?" The blond wondered aloud, lifting Ethan for a single moment of a spin.

The brunette, caught off guard, shut his mouth and then starred at Rory as they continued their everlasting dance.

"You dance very well…" Ethan then whispered sincerely, his heart fluttering as he was dipped and then whisked back up, "by the book it would seem."

"That is not all I do well, Ethan." Rory flirted, twirling the boy once more.

Ethan smiled at that but then fell silent when his eyes befell a man dressed all in Scarlet.

Said man appeared from the upper structure of the Opera house, overlooking a small balcony, but then began to descend the steps that led into the inner ballroom.

All around people paused, the music coming to a complete halt.

"I am Red Death," The figure hollered through a gritted death head of horror, swirling his scarlet cape over his shoulder and around his back. "And I have come to collect what is mine."

No one spoke, nor moved.

The figure stepped forward, slowly at first but then gradually accelerated.

He shoved past a drunken clown and then peered at the spot where Rory and Ethan had been dancing mere moments ago, his head immediately turning every which way.

He snarled, "You think you can hide…?"

…

From the second floor, Andre and Firme watched the mysterious 'Red Death' along with Brown, simultaneously looking at one another in fright.

They both recognized that voice, and both rightfully feared it.

"You there!" Red Death then hollered, pointing an accusing black gloved hand at the managers, "I have come to place a bargain!"

Firme shuddered, but then cleared his throat. "W-what sort of bargain-?"

"I have written you an Opera." The death head reeled, "and it saw be performed in two months' time – with my instructions on who will be able to perform it."

"…what is that we-?"

"You get the privilege of hearing my work, Messier!" The figure screeched, "But more so, you will get the privilege of not having another shattered chandelier on your hands. Do you understand…?"

Firme nodded.

"Good." Red Death chuckled, "now please…don't let me spoil you evening, and by the next morning; you shall have my upmost instructions."

…

And there it is, till next time.

Hoped you enjoyed.

- Peace.

Oh, and I've dedicated a small Youtube video for this particular story,

it's called

My Babysitter's A Vampire - Angel Of Music (Bethory)

Check it out!