He got up from the chair with a childish grin on his lips and walked over to the front door – which was visible from the window – with a springy jump to his step. I heard something unlock in the distance and a familiar voice almost whispering “Brother?” I got up from my cautious hunched-over pose and strolled over to him with a straight back. He gave a sigh of relief and scanned me with his eyes. The all-black attire, – I failed to realize I should have changed after the aborted mission and thus left still in night-stalker cloth – the Ica back held in my firm grip, my expressionless face... soon enough it would seem he was satisfied as he held out his arms. For a single moment I was confused, but I soon fell into his embrace.

It was warm. He was well dressed and the various layers of fine cloth kept the warmth of his body from escaping and this created a warm atmosphere that clouded around him like an enticing perfume. We remained in this strange position for a few moments before he released me from his grip and took my hand, leading me inside the house. I didn't even have the time to complain or refuse before I was brought in front of the dandy party I was previously only observing.

The chattering they had previously been so engrossed in had ceased and their confused gazes now all rested wearily on my shoulders. My Brother rested one of his hands on my shoulders while he cleared his throat and introduced me to the dames and gentlemen sitting before us. “I would like to introduce this gentleman standing beside me. As you might have noticed, yes, we are twins,” he said while waving his arms in an expressive manner. the company gasped at this and I amused myself at how this realization only fell upon them when explicitly stated. My brother continued: “His name is Brian, and although he might not be dressed appropriately, I hope you will still allow him to bask in your company for the night.” One of the fine fellows sitting around the table, a well-dressed sir whom I could only imagine to have the name “Sebastian,” stood up and took three quick steps towards us before extending his surprisingly long arm to me. I grasped his hand and he shook it violently whilst almost shouting: “it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Walter is the name, but you may refer to me as Walt for the evening,” to which I replied: “it would be a pleasure, Walt.” my Brother looked at us with what could only be described as a “they grow up so fast” kind of gaze all the while another few dandy-men- and women rose up for the occasion, all excitedly swarming around me while extending arms thirsting for knowledge.

While all the guests at the party asked me various questions such as “are you really Brothers?” “are you one egg or two eggs twins?” and “may I get a sample of your hair?” my Brother dragged me away from the small crowd and dumped me down in the seat beside him. There had been no plate there when I gazed in from outside, but now, as if by magic, a plate, three kinds of forks and knives, three heeled glasses and a napkin were all placed in front of me. I was confused and amused at the same time. How could this be? How could plates and forks and glasses just appear out of thin air? I didn't have the time to answer or even ask any of these, however, as the man seated in front of me had already engaged my in conversation.

“So, you're that fellows Brother, huh? Twin, no less,” he said, catching my attention. He was dressed in a dark blue silk-like suit with a black shirt underneath and a bright cyan tie. After noticing this I quickly scanned the rest of him. His face was frankly beautiful in a way, but I couldn't set my fingurr on how. It was feminine like a young girl yet masculine like a boy in his twenties. His lips were a rosy colour and his eyes had a bluish hue that strangely enough matched his attire. What a strange man. His hair was short and blond, but one could easily notice that if he ever decided to grow it out it would become silky as only the finest hair could be and creamy as the moonlight glittering in from the window behind him. I was caught so off guard by his sudden appearance that I almost stuttered my reply. “oh, yes, indeed, I am his, uh, Brother,” I replied hastily, too infatuated with his beauty to create something coherent. He, however, must have been used to this sort of reaction and simply snorted a laugh.

“I didn't know you were invited to this party, what were you doing out there?” he inquired. I, however, was far off in the land of Lord Henry Wotton and all his aesthetic ideas. All I could answer was: “well, uh, I was out and, um, buying food, since, err, all the food in my fridge was gone,” with a sort of distant stutter. He answered almost immidetly. “and why was your fridge empty?” “uh, well, my dearest Brother, uh, took all the food, it was, uh, note on the fridge.” “a note? On the fridge? How strange, what did you do then?” I straightened my back and tore my lusting eyes from his stunning face and answered: “well, I left my house, and, then I, erherm, went to the Ica just down the streets, and I re-, erm, I bought the food and then I headed home.” “how did you end up here if you were heading home?” “well, uh, I had had such a terrible evening, someone had, uh, stolen something from me, so I decided to just, um, be a little adventurous.” “I see. And so you headed down this road and ended up here. My, what a coincidence to find your very beloved Brother here of all places, no?” “ah, yes, it was. But I should really head home soon, I've, uh, got work tomorrow.” “oh, I see, that's a shame, I truly did enjoy conversing with you. What do you work wi-,” “I'm sorry, I don't have time to chit-chat.”

I quickly rose from my seat, one eye on what I was doing and the other watching his reaction. He was stunned for a second, but soon an amused grin painted his rose lips. “oh, you must forgive me, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Eius.” he said with a blinding smile, to which I answered “iÏ'm Brian, it was a pleasure.” my Brother looked at me with a disappointed expression but still showed me the door. I excused myself from the party and left, once again moving down the winding road stretching before me. I knew what to do. That Thief may have stolen my pray, but I have many more.

I'll have to call in sick tomorrow.