Prepare Thyself, Zion (open)

[Aro]

No dust was raised from the staircase as Aro's hand gently grazed down the marble. The ballroom was indeed the grandest room in the entirety of the home of the Volturi, yet it still tied with the library for the title of Aro's favorite place to spend his time. The valor of the hall made this vampire smile. The room was rich with scents, hundreds upon of hundreds of beings have left lingering memories...some almost strong enough for Aro to sense without touching human flesh. Thoughts seemed to bounce off the marble walls, dance across the shimmering floor and dissipate into the moonlight....gone like a glance into the night.

Works of art blanketed the ceiling; paintings that were truly masterpieces. Aro admired them from afar, pleased by the way every aspect of this room fit together like puzzle pieces. His footsteps echoed in staccato rhythm as he ascended down the steps. As large as the room was, his presence immediately made itself known. There was an air in this vampire’s step that demanded respect, especially among his own kin. The vampire race has regressed into an indomitable state of mind. Without the looming threat of death, many have become reckless…but Aro brought that threat back. One look into his clouded, yet piercing, eyes said that he would not hesitate to kill you. He was not ruthless, but he would defend the ancient rules with every ounce of strength he possessed.

Stepping out onto the dance floor, Aro crossed the length of the hall and proceeded to the far end of the room. He moved in crisp motions, his harsh steps still radiating with poise. In a matter of moments, Aro was seating himself behind the grandest of pianos. Finding the right key, his powerful fingers began to dance. Music poured from the mighty instrument, drowning the ballroom in very impacting…very melancholy notes.

Aro’s immaculate composure was inhuman, yet his thin figure almost shook as the notes began to crescendo. With a fiery passion, he played. Blind, only by sight, to the world, his hands read the piano as easily as they read people’s thoughts. He played from memory, sheet music absent from in front of his closed eyes. All of the compositions they had were kept in the library, and tonight Aro felt as though his enthusiasm would only be stifled by the written measures. He played with dynamics unheard of by composers, but, without guidance, he made brilliant music. His brain conjured up the notes and rhythms to Bach’s masterpiece, until the beating of approaching footsteps interrupted his thoughts.

[Sarai]

She had always loved the sound of the piano, the great dance of fingers on keys. For once, the dance made the music and not the opposite. It was a wonderful sound, full of emotion and striking the cords of one's heart. And even though hers did not beat, she continued to be moved by the enchanting sounds of the instrument in the ballroom. And none could play it better than Aro himself.

She entered the room silently, her footsteps unheard and forgotten as she descended the stairs. Her golden curls framed her face, her amber eyes glittering out curiously under her hood. She was unique in appearance, as were all vampires, and yet still much more different. There was something in the way she moved, blinked, spoke....she was too inhuman. And almost too strange to even be a vampire. But still, Aro acted as her guardian despite their difference in beliefs.

She was suddenly beside him, sliding gracefully onto the piano bench and letting her fingers find a different key to play on. She did not have to look at her fingers to know where they were supposed to go. She had memorized this one; a song that Aro had taught her to play long ago. It was both a symphony and a lullaby, a true masterpiece created by Bach and recreated through the hands of the most ancient of vampires. One whose blood ran through Sarai's veins.

She continued to play and spoke at the same time, her voice steady and clear with the sound of the piano to accompany it. "I must admit, Aro...it had been a long time since I have heard you playing this song. It is lovely to hear you produce such great music, as always. I miss being able to play along side you."

Her fingers flowed over the black and white keys, gracefully and still far from violent. It was unnatural in the eyes of a human, such a difficult song played so calmly. And yet Sarai continued, speaking still. This time her voice was quieter, her hood still pulled around her pale cheeks.

"I spoke to Caius..." her eyes had darkened at his name. Aro and Sarai both knew quite well that Caius had never agreed to Sarai's 'diet'. "He things I am causing trouble. Do you think so too, Aro?"

[Aro]

With both pairs of talented hands hitting every note with perfect precision, the music that emitted from the magnificent piano was flawless. Aro’s eyes were still shut, but with heightened senses, he knew who was beside him. That and the fact that Aro knew no other creature that could play this masterpiece so well. Well, excluding Bach himself.

Aro had an innate inclination to the piano, one that he couldn’t explain. It was an instrument so grand that produced such cosmopolitan works of art. A song of every genre of music could be played on the piano, and while Aro preferred classics, there were several jazz tunes stored into his memory.

Sarai possessed an impressive skill for playing the piano when she first arrived, and Aro leapt at the opportunity to take her skills to a new level. This particular song was special to Aro, yet he never told Sarai why. It was a secret the old vampire had carried with him for many moons. He would tell her one day…when he was ready.

Aro beamed as she played with the utmost of talent. Her composure was as collected as his, and he didn’t need to see her face to know what she looked like right then. Her off colored eyes were focused, they might be shut, but more than likely they were staring off into space, chasing the countless number of dreams they envisioned. Her flowing hair was away from her face so the curls would not interrupt her playing. Her hood might even be down. She was close to Aro, nearly as close as family. The young vampires often came to Aro to share wise words.

"He thinks I am causing trouble. Do you think so too, Aro?"

Finishing the composition with light, yet ponderous, notes, Aro turned to face her. “I believe, Sarai, that you are allowing some to see things in a new light.” The aged being’s misty gaze was hauntingly beautiful. “You have planted ideas in people’s heads and are causing them to think for themselves now.”

“That my dear, always leads to trouble…..but that does not mean that you should kill your philosophy or that Caius had any right to tell you what you can or cannot do concerning your right to speak what you wish.”

A wise, and understanding smile crossed Aro's features, along with a curious twinkle in his milky eyes. There was a kind heart wrapped within the flames of tradition. And even if it ceased to beat, Aro was still able to spread a feeling of acceptance.

[Sarai]

The music was almost unreal; the thought of one's hands moving so steadily and accurately over the keys was impossible. And yet, weren't vampires believed to be just that?...impossible? It seemed that lately, time had been ripping down the middle. Nothing was as it seemed and life itself was a secret from the living. It was strange how Sarai saw things this way. In fact, it was strange how she saw all things a different way.

As the notes faded and the song had ended, Sarai turned slowly to look into Aro's clouded gaze. She remembered that face so well that even if she dared to shut her eyes, he would still be there...as perfect as ever. His paper-thin skin still pale and fragile and his once black, now graying hair would be the same as ever. But she did not have to shut her eyes. He was right there, one of the most ancient vampires in the world. And someone she thought very highly of.

Her eyes softened as she listened to his words, wise and deep in meaning. Every time he spoke, Sarai tried to memorize all that he said. He knew so much and could give so much through a voice that was still clear though shrouded in age. "You have planted ideas in people’s heads and are causing them to think for themselves now. That my dear, always leads to trouble…..

And how true that was. Within the depths of her mind worked a different sort of thought-process. One that was beginning to influence the vampires around her. Sarai knew, of course, that Aro would never change his ways. Human blood was the tradition...that was how the vampires had to survive. She could see it clearly, even if he had not yet been able to. Soon, many of his vampires would stop looking at him as their leader. Would Aro then have to kill the girl he had turned? Sarai had an idea of the answer. He was a vampire. They did what they had to for power and survival.

"Aro, I believe in something. I will not let Caius change that. You and I can see that minds are changing. I will never see you as my enemy, for you are my family. But if I must, I will turn my back so that my beliefs can not be stolen." Her voice had gotten more firm, and the two vampires would be able to understand each other completely now. It was a mutual respect for one another. And one day, perhaps a mutual respect as enemies.

"Know that I will always love you. But never forget who I am and why. I was made for a purpose, even if neither you nor I know what that is. I am not like the others. And I will never be." Sarai stood, her golden hair under her hood and her eyes gazing out at him. Slowly, she hugged the frail man's cold body. As he pulled back, she met his milky eyes one last time. How long would it be before they sought each other's deaths? Did he regret bringing her into his world?

She kissed both of his cheeks gently and turned away, walking to the base of the stairs without looking back. As she ascended, she could feel his eyes on her back. They had once had a discussion similar to this. Though they would still be friendly when they met, there would always be the wisdom that one day it would all change. Sarai knew now...that day was coming soon.