"And James Mirning's' party shall last until four in the morning, Evelyn, but we are going to send Janus home by nine while we stay," Janus's' father was explaining to his wife while Janus sat quietly at the dinner table, eating politely.

Evelyn Adders frowned a little. "Won't Janus get bored alone, though, Micheal?"

Micheal Adders blinked. "I'm sure he won't. He can practise his piano while we're staying at the Mirning household. Isn't that right, Janus?"

Janus nodded calmly. "Yes, Daddy."

"See, Evelyn? He'd love to practise his piano. He might even be able to perform a piece again for us soon," Micheal smiled.

Evelyn beamed at her son. "I'd love to hear one of your pieces soon, darling. Maybe next week, what do you think, Micheal?"

Micheal winced. "I'm afraid not next week, my love. I've got a trip to the mainland with Sir Hestling to meet the Queen. Afterwards, though, I'm sure I can squeeze in a few minutes."

Janus glanced up hopefully but Evelyn shook her head. "No, Micheal, I won't be home the week after your trip. If you remember, Lady Mirning and I are going to visit Janus's' sisters at their school. It's a small event, of course, but it'll be nice to see the girls again."

"Ah," Grimaced Janus's' father. He turned to look sadly at his son. "I'm sorry, darling, maybe next month."

Janus nodded calmly. "That's alright, Daddy. I don't mind."

Evelyn beamed at him. "That's nice of you, darling. Anyway, Micheal, do you want me to give the girls anything when I see them?"

As the conversation started again between his parents, Janus finished his food, got up and left. They didn't notice.

Virgil tiptoed quietly up the stairs, trying not to let his feet make too much of a noise. It wasn't that the stairs creaked at all in the house. He just knew that one loud noise would get him caught and in trouble. Sneaking his way to the top floor, he approached Janus's' room. He knocked quietly on the door and it swung up silently.

In the darkness, Virgil could make out the silhouette of his friend beckoning him in. Janus closed the door behind him when Virgil entered and went over to the window, throwing open the curtains to let the moonlight stream in and light up the room. The silver gleam made him look even better and Virgil resisted the urge to glare jealously. Obviously, he was happy Janus was so pretty but, sometimes, he wanted to be something too.

 "By the gods, you took a long time," Janus teased, sitting on the window ledge. "Was old Cook waiting to catch you or something?"

"Yeah, that woman's a witch," Virgil smiled, perching lightly on the bed.

Janus sighed loudly. "I could get Daddy to fire her if you wanted. I'm sure he'd do it, he always listens to me."

Virgil was glad the moonlight didn't fully light his face, so Janus didn't notice that he'd seen through the facade. "Nah, she's useful sometimes. Runs the household more than the rest of them, we need her around."

The noble boy shrugged. "If you say so." He turned to look out of the window. "The stars are pretty, aren't they? Like white diamonds..."

Humming in agreement, Virgil shifted back slightly on the bed to get a better view out of the window. It was cloudless, with a large, full moon that shone down on the gardens below it. Each star beamed from the black sky, twinkling and shimmering from far away. And, although the sky was breathtaking, the gardens were captivating.

Lady Adders liked to take quiet walks in the gardens so, of course, it was incredibly well maintained. There were fountains and statues littered everywhere and flowerbeds were being cared for constantly. A small orchard was on the horizon of the garden, perched on top of rolling, steep hills, and the lake was choppily reflecting the moon and stars. Several nightflowers were lit up, as the pollen attracted fireflies, making them look hazy and dreamlike as miniature, glowing gold orbs hovered lazily around the plant. Other nightflowers glowed themselves, lighting up palely in the nights' cold air, shedding dim brightness on surrounding flowers, creating an ethereal, misty glaze across several beds. Yes, the garden was one of envy and Virgil hadn't even seen all of it.

The servant glanced down at Janus. "Do you want to avoid Cook and go outside?"

"Sure," Janus agreed, looking away from the stars and turning his attention back to his friend. "Should I lend you a cloak? Ooh, I have a really nice one, here!" He rushed to his wardrobe and produced one of black velvet with a lining of blue silk. the clip was silver, with sapphires studded lightly into the metal. "Do you like it?"

Virgil stared. "W-Woah, are you sure I'm allowed to wear that?"

"Yeah, I don't mind," Janus shrugged, folding it neatly in half as he passed it to Virgil, who just unfolded it again. "Besides, you're my best friend, you can wear anything you want of mine, if you want. Ooh, I'll have the gold one!" He gasped, pulling out one of a similar make to Virgil's', just with a deep gold lining and a ruby in it's' clasp.

He clipped it over his shoulders, flipping up the hood and twitching it over his shoulders to keep warm. Virgil fumbled with the clasp and put it on unevenly. He glanced up to Janus, who's' cloak seemed to fit him easily, and turned back to his own cloak angrily, fixing it with a small, aggressive tug.

"Let's go," He huffed quietly.

Janus smiled and swept across his bedroom floor, unlocking the door quietly and slipping into the dark corridor outside. Virgil sighed and followed, closing the door silently behind them as he watched Janus sit on the bannister.

"C'mon, Vee, let's slide down," He grinned with a whisper.

Virgil glanced to all the other doors. "I might fall off. You go on, I'll just take the stairs."

Janus shrugged. "Suit yourself," He mumbled and pushed off, gliding down the bannister lightly. Virgil watched for a while, before trudging silently down the stairs.

"My parents said that I'll need to go home at nine," Huffed Janus. "I'll be left all alone for hours. Will you be busy?"

"Oh, uh, yeah," Virgil said quickly. "Sorry, Jan. I've got to make sure Cook sees something or she'll tell Lord Adders and I'll be out of work in an instant."

Janus frowned. "Well, I'd tell Daddy to keep you in. You wouldn't even have to work here, you can just keep your room and we'd hang out. Ooh, we could go shopping every weekend! That'll be fun!"

The pair were at the White Bridge. It too, like so many other things in the garden, shone like a moonstone a night. It's' reflection on the small river below it was almost impeccable and the two boys were talking there.

Janus was barefoot, walking carefully across the thick, stone handrail, hands held out carefully. Virgil was holding a long, thin string of ivy, breaking the leaves off and dropping them into the water with a thoughtful expression as the green shapes were washed away with the current.

Janus sighed loudly, interrupting the silence. "Gosh, I'll be bored if you're going to be working. I guess I'll have to be practising piano, so, one day, I can perform to my parents. They said I can perform soon, for them, so I'll have to start working."

Virgil nodded quietly. "I wish I wasn't busy. You're really good at piano, I like listening to you play."

Janus's' face lit up at the comment and brightened. "Thank you! I always thought you were bored, honestly. I mean, I wouldn't blame you, Mummy and Daddy always end up doing other things when I play to them."

"It's not boring at all!" Exclaimed Virgil, genuinely surprised. "You're really good-!"

"I bet he's good in bed too," A voice called from the side of the bridge.

The two looked up and Janus sighed loudly as he made eye contact with the boy from the stables. "You again," He huffed, irritatedly.

"Hello, darling," Remus smiled coyly. "I wonder what you're doing out all alone. Aren't you cold?"

Janus glared. "I'm not cold."

Remus shrugged. "If you're sure. I wouldn't mind a good old cuddle to keep you warm, beautiful, and, y'know, we could always take it further if you'd like~!"

The noble boy went bright red and began to splutter uselessly but Virgil straightened up instantly. "Back up, Remus, he's not interested in being your hit-and-run, okay?"

Remus suddenly noticed Virgil with a small jump and he looked over. "Oh, hey, Virgil. Surprised you're still up, I always had you for a lightweight when it came to sleeping. Y'know, like a drunk, blacking out in the warmest spot you can find. Oh, that was mean. Sorry."

Virgil sighed. "C'mon, Jan, let's go," He said, offering Janus help down.

"Bye, Virgil! Bye, pretty boy!" Remus called after them, waving them off. Janus made sure not to look back.

Once they were at a safe distance, Virgil glanced over his shoulder. "Honestly," He muttered.

"I know," Mumbled Janus darkly. "He's odd." Then, hesitantly, he glanced to his friend. "How'd you know him?"

Virgil shrugged. "Oh, I often hang out with his brother. Roman, remember?"

"Ah, right," Janus nodded. "Cool. Are you friends?"

"With Remus and Roman? Yeah, of course. Roman's really nice and funny, and Remus is just a little creepy sometimes but, honestly, he's harmless. He just says what's on his mind and can come off really strong."

Janus laughed. "No kidding."