Music Man

  Lunus was warm, he was warm and content, resting under the shade of an oak tree that stood proudly somewhere within the realm of his families estate. It was his happy place, his escape, that one place where he could go to get a little peace and quiet. He would flee there for hours, concealed by the cooling blanket of shadows that protected him from the glaring rays of sunlight, the eyes of his parents; and the persistence of his younger sister.

"Lulu! It's time to wake up!" He heard a voice cheer, the welcoming image of his getaway crippling under the weight of reality as it slapped against him like a wave struck the coast, and he too was crushed by the gravity it held. 

Trying firmly to resist the hostile takeover of consciousness, Lunus turned away from the voice and stuffed his head under the mountain of pillows that nestled around him, perfectly willing to sink back into the sweet serenity that were his dreams. "Lu, c'mon it's time to get out of bed, it's half past noon already and you can't sleep all day silly." The boy heard the click and swing of what he could only know to be his windows, and a chilling breeze swept into his room, the air kissing his exposed skin and reflexively he curled up into a ball and further pulled his soft puffy comforter over his body. "I can and I'll prove it," He said in response to his sister, his voice weak with tiredness leaving him a clear target for rebuttal. Though never would he have expected to be attacked by her instead. 

Screeching as the young ladies hands tore under his covers and ripped them off of his body, revealing his pale skin to the midday light who passed through the open windows and invaded his privacy. "Ack! Solus noooo, ten more minutes please," he complained, trying to push her off and hide even further under the pillows that stood in mountains around him. Though their prominence did nothing to stop the girl who ganged up on him like a Moll that ran the allies of the big apple. 

"No!" She chirruped, slapping the pillows away from his face and making a mess of them on his floor, revealing the soft blue eyes to the daylight that embraced him "Papa said you have to get up and get ready, remember we have that party today!" 

Whimpering, Lunus just covered his eyes and sighed, coming to terms with the realization that one way or another, he was getting out of bed soon. With his surrender, his sisters attack ceased, and they she just watched him as he laid on the bed rubbing the tired away from his eyes. "Solus it's not just a party, it's... it's much more important than that," he said, rolling off the opposite side of the bed. His sister just snorted and rolled her eyes "How? There's food, drinks, there will be people, lots of fun, it will be very intimate." She wiggled her shoulders suggestively and slid off the edge of his bed, skipping over to meet him at his closet "Can I pick out your clothes?" 

Lunus passed a skeptical look at her and shook his head, ruffling up her hair and pushing her away gently, giving a playful smile "If there is one thing I'm confident in, it's my fashion sense." Solus just giggled and pushed her way into the closet anyway, flipping on the light and looking through the many suits he had, and Lu just leaned on the door way with his arms crossed over his chest, very much amused by her display of looking through his clothes. "I won't deny your keen sense when it comes to that, but, it hasn't paid off yet!" She said, grinning brilliantly and pulling out one of the nicer suits from the back of his closet "I think navy blue, maybe a pink striped tie. Need I say; shock and awe?" She mused looking at it again, and brushing away any of the lint on it "It will really make the ladies swoon at your very presence." 

Lu just snorted and waved his hand, looking appreciatively over the suit and inspecting it. "I like your suggestion, but these aren't going to be the glad rags ma and pa put on for show every saturday night, you know? Women will never be my priority." He said giving the suit a nod before leaving the closet, his sister following him. "Ugh Lu you need a life," she tugged at his arm and spun him around, forcing him to stop and look at her for a moment. "Please, you worry me sometimes. Just try to talk to a girl for once, okay? For me? I swear I'll even help if you start to stutter." She teased gently, giving him a warm hearted shrug. 

Lunus just stared at her for a moment and sighed, shaking his head. She'd never understand, not that he'd ever even allowed himself to consider talking to her about it, but, he could at least humor her, couldn't he? 

Giving a sigh, he finally said "Fine... but only because you pulled the 'for me' card," surrendering once again to her ever persistent nature. Solus beamed and hugged him, nodding once before pulling away "Aw fantastic! Thank you so much!" She looked at him and waved him off toward the bathroom "Now go go! You're going to be the cats meow I swear!" 

Lunus just snorted and watched as she skipped away toward the door she just left open, saying an unceremonious "Woof," after her. She didn't respond, instead just closed the door behind her and went on her merry way.
Standing there and thinking, he just ended up giving a shake of his head and turning to walk into the bathroom. 

The rest of the afternoon was a combination of his parents bickering about the most recent news; someone having gotten bumped off a little further down long island. It was sad, and one of the reasons he didn't go into the city often, really it all frightened him. He could stay on this golden coast for as long as possible, just watch the waves roll across the glowing sand, hell, even when a storm passed through it was gorgeous. But life still found ways to draw him back into the city.
Besides their affinity for the social, and knack for attending every possible gathering there was to be had in New York, and sometimes beyond, his father was a renowned architect. Born and raised into a family trade of sorts, they were known for spectacular designs that have and soon would become monuments standing all across America. His mother had some knowledge in the field, and assisted her lover sometimes when he asked, but for the most part she was stay at home, and privately tutored some of the well off children who lived around them. 

As per the norm, Lunus was the last to be ready, though he took his time to ensure that he was dolled up and presentable for any public occasion. Wearing his nice navy blue suit and pink tie as promised, Solus took one last look over him as if to double check his work before deciding that he was missing something. She ran off, her white dress flowing freely behind her as she disappeared into the halls and Lunus just passed his parents a confused shrug before she ran back with a straw boater, mounting it neatly on his head. 

"Ah Solus, i-is the cap really necessary?" He asked, adjusting it on his head only to receive a slap on his hands from Solus. "Stop touching, you'll fluff up your hair," she said, adjusting the platinum blonde strands that frayed out at the rim of the hat. "And yes, it is necessary actually, it'll hide your pink nose and rosy cheeks," she teased, pinching at his cheeks.
"Hey!" he complained the warm glow on his face just brightening as he frowned at her, though his father stepped in and broke them up. "Now now, go get into the car, we're going to be late." He said, waving them off toward the automobile that waited just out front. White pressed a hand onto Solus' back and led her out, though the strawberry blonde girl just turned and stuck her tongue out at Lu, giving him another smile afterward. Not sure if he was amused or annoyed, Lunus just gave a weak smile and turned to close the door behind them before rushing forward and skipping down the stairway to catch up with his parents and sister. 

The drive there was rather fun surprisingly, though he was stuck in the back of the convertible with Solus, they actually ended up playing quite the game of I-spy which turned into a debate about shockingly vague descriptions on what the other was spying, but it was fun none the less. Luckily for them though, despite Lunus holding them up a bit, they arrived at the event on time and were widely welcomed as they pulled in to park. Lunus was the first to get out, instinctively circling around to open the door for his younger sister, offering a hand to assist her out of the car. She happily took his assistance while their father did much the same for their mother, and they made their way toward to entrance. 

As they walked and their parents greeted many of the other attendants, Solus made an effort to point out all the nice young ladies who surrounded them and appeared to be ripe for the picking, and embarrassed, Lu could only avert his eyes and hide his face to conceal the blush that rose to his face. "Solus please," he pleaded, looking at her almost too hopefully. His sister wasn't swayed by the pitiful glance she received, and shamelessly she shook her head "Nope! I won't leave you alone until you actually engage in conversation with at least one of these lovely dames."
Her promise was oh so loud, and a collection of ladies just standing beside them started to giggle and as they were ushered to their reserved table, Lunus' face was bright with embarrassment.
Completely pleased with herself, Solus just held onto Lu's arm, waiting for him to pull her chair away from the table before moving to take a seat in it. Lu sighed and took a seat next to her, moving the hat from his head and setting it neatly in his lap, trying his very best not to look like a strawberry with the way his embarrassment kissed his cheeks. .