A Dance of Pride

e i g h t

Roman sat at his desk, headphones on, as he did his homework, tapping his feet lightly to the music. He hummed quietly along with the beat, scribbling down his guesses with an air of indifference. A knocking on his door made him sigh loudly.

"What do you want, Remus?" He called loudly.

Remus sauntered in like he owned the place. He sat on Romans' bed, ignoring his brother's' annoyance as he threw the duvet off. "Hello, dear twin of mine. I am dreadfully bored and you are to entertain me."

"I am?" Roman huffed. "Do I have to?"

"Yes."

Roman took off his headphones and put them down heavily onto the table. "Fine, I'll entertain you."

Remus punched the air. "Hooray! We're gonna go to the mall and shop like hell! Guess who stole a guy's' credit card after seeing his pin?"

"Remus!" Gasped Roman. "That's illegal!"

His brother shrugged arrogantly. "So what? We're having a bro's' night out, you and me. Hey, we might even run into some dancing buddies, what'd you say?"

Roman glared, weighing the options. On one hand, he could continue doing his history homework. On the other hand, he could go and buy all the shit he wanted with no repercussions and then use his acting skills to hand the card back to the police with all the shit he wanted. He knew what the right option was. Luke could do his homework for him, anyway.

"Alright, fine, we're going," Roman gave in. He reached into his desk drawer, whipping out his house keys and phone with a flash and picked up his jacket after crossing his room with one, quick, pirouette. He'd been attending Drake's' for a few months and had managed to catch up quickly, despite a few missed sessions and late arrivals.

"Woah, fancy Roman with his fancy spins," Teased Remus.

Roman rolled his eyes. "I'm just trying to practise them when I can. Whitlaw's such a bastard to me whenever I slip up, I'm gonna show him up one day."

"Show him up your arse?" Remus asked calmly.

His twin gave him a death-stare. "Really, Remus? I hate him, he's so annoying. I swear, if we're ever friends, someone's possessed us and we'd need to be exorcised."

Remus whistled, getting off Roman's' bed. "Yeowch, mutual hate. I didn't know Whitlaw could grow a spine enough to piss someone off, he's always been a big pussy in my opinion."

Roman scoffed, wriggling into his jacket and picking up a pair of socks. "I think he's both. Are we getting the bus?"

"Nope," Remus replied. "Guess who stole Dad's' keys?"

Roman stared at him.

Remus stared back.

"A-Are you serious?"

"Yep!"

"You don't even know how to drive!"

"So?"

"You'll get us killed!"

"I know," Remus grinned evilly. "That's why I'm only joking!"

It took a moment for it all to register but, when it did, Roman jumped to his feet, diving for his brother, who shrieked and ran out of the room, screaming, "He's gonna kill me," at the top of his lungs.

.-.

The Swan Quay Mall was four floors high, the bottom one delving underground. It was stationed on the beach of the city, always bustling, especially on warm days. The restaurants were reserved specifically for the bottom floor, where large, thick glass walls would let customers look out into the blue sea that was thriving with sea life. On the top floor, with views to make skyscrapers jealous, were the cafes and food stalls. Small, quick and fast stands, selling cakes, pastries and doughnuts, as well as smaller cafes for one to grab warmer food, like sausage rolls.

The middle two floors were packed with shops. Almost anything you needed could be found, from second-hand socks to new phones. Not that Roman was looking for any second-hand socks - Remus could have been, but who knows.

The two twins were currently on the third floor, or the second floor on the ground level, arms full with bags from clothing stores. They were leaning against the glass barrier, looking down the two-flight drop to the underground floor with an air of quiet. Like an oddly shaped doughnut, the Swan Quay Mall had a large hole cut out in it's' floors. These were mostly there so the escalators and lifts could take up room in a more fashionable sense, while the stairs were tucked to corners.

Remus leaned over the glass barrier, peering down to the bottom floor. "what do you think would happen if I dropped a rock on someone's' head at this height."

"Alright," Roman sighed. "Give me the rock."

Attempting to look innocent, Remus blinked, stretching his eyes freakishly wide. "What do you mean, brother darling?"

"Remus."

"Fine, fine," Remus passed a large, blunt rock into Roman's' hand. "You're no fun."

Roman rolled his eyes, shoving the heavy rock into his jacket pocket, instantly feeling the change of weight. Then someone tugged on his sleeve.

"Excuse me, mister," A young girl with black hair said, staring into his eyes without blinking. "Can I have that rock in your pocket?"

Roman glanced around briefly, looking for a parent. "Uhh, why?"

"To save the world?"

"I-I guess?" Roman replied, pulling out the rock and awkwardly handing it over.

The little girl grinned at him. "Thanks, mister!" And she spun around and smacked a nearly identical girl on her shoulder. "Die, foul beast!" She crowed madly.

"Holy shit on a sandwich!" Remus cried, genuinely surprised, and Roman jolted back.

"Missy!" A young woman's' voice cried out. "Leave Mira alone! Honestly, girls, don't make me get involved."

The woman had an oddly familiar face. Her skin was shockingly pale, her hair was black and her eyes were bright green, like a serpent or a dragon. She was skinny, yet surprisingly tall. The woman wrestled the two girls apart and Roman noticed her black clothes, that seemed almost gothic. She had a lip piercing and a singular, silver dragon earring.

"Give the kid back his rock, Missy," She growled, yet there was a playfulness to it. Missy, the first girl, sighed loudly and dumped the rock into Roman's' pocket. The young woman glanced up to the twins. "Sorry about them, their babysitter couldn't make it today and they've decided to be little bastards."

The second girl, Mira, Roman assumed, stared at the bags they had from the local dance shop. "Do you dance?" She asked loudly.

"Mira, sweetheart, don't bother him, we're going," The lady said, tugging the girls away.

"But, Mom, I'm not being rude! Uncle dances!" Mira protested.

"Bye, mister! Thanks for the rock!" Missy called over her shoulder.

The two twins stared after the odd trio, all with black hair and pale skin. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" Remus said.

"I think so," Roman replied, turning to face him. "Teen mom-"

"They're vampires."

Roman stared at him incredulously. "Bro. What the fuck?"

"I mean, c'mon, it's likely," Shrugged Remus. "I bet Whitlaw's a vampire, he's pale like them and he's got black hair."

"Rem, just because they have black hair, it doesn't make them vampires!"

"I'm sure it does," Remus sniffed, turning back to look down to the bottom floor. "Can I have my rock back?"

"No."