The scent of absinthe hit Vincent like a slap. Near a high-legged table stood a handful of vampires. All of them were giggling and all of them were in various degrees of inebriation. Vincent's nose twitched as the liquor's aroma spiraled around him like a cat. Corbin's home was alive with candlelight, music, and the undead having the time of their unlives.

"What is that green thing?" Kylo gestured to the absinthe. "And why in the world are they using thimbles to drink?"

Vincent rolled his eyes as he witnessed a young vampire pouring the absinthe straight from the bottle into – indeed – a thimble. It had been a minute since they had stepped into the stone home but the lord was already pondering leaving. "To answer your questions, they are drinking absinthe, beloved, in a very incorrect way. And as to why they are using thimbles..." he lost his train of thought momentarily when Kylo wrapped an arm around his waist, "I do not have the slightest idea and I'm not going to bother asking them either. A bunch of insane vampires do what they desire."

Kylo did not look phased, on the contrary, he found it amusing, a smile feathered his lips. "I've never had this green drink before and I never would have thought there would be a right or wrong way to drink anything."

Despite trying to stay calm at the foolish vampires, Vincent sighed dramatically. "Absinthe is not a regular liquor. It has a certain finesse to it and there is a whole ritual..." pausing, he shook his head. "I will show you what I mean." Vincent walked to the vampires and greeted them with a nod.

The others, all seven of them, looked over at the lord. Their eyes were gems of various shades of green, just like the drink. Kylo's jaw dropped. When he whispered to Vincent if it was the drink that had made all their eyes green, Vincent just shook his head. "It's simply because they are insane," he said out of earshot, "most who have green eyes are mad."

One of the vampires curtsied to Vincent and handed him the bottle with both hands as if an offering. "Milord."

Seven pairs of green eyes watched Vincent in silence.

There were Pontarlier glasses among the thimbles, along with a silver bowl of imperfect sugar cubes, a jug of water and a slotted spoon. Vincent took hold of one of the glasses and poured a few thimbles' worth of green liquor in it. Setting the slotted spoon on the rim, Vincent placed a sugar cube upon it. Carefully, he tilted the jug and let water drop over the sugar cube until it had completely melted.

One of the vampires tiptoed near Vincent and looked to the glass wide-eyed. His fire-red hair swayed as he bowed lower. "My lord," he whispered, "We never knew what the sugar was for." Lifting his pale green gaze, he added, "nor the little spoon. Jesper thought it was to strain noodles."

The vampire Vincent assumed to be Jesper hid behind his black-painted nails and giggled.

"Next time you are unsure of how a drink is supposed to be made, ask Corbin. He is proficient in intoxication.

The vampires nodded in agreement. They returned to their thimbles as soon as Vincent had stepped away and handed the glass to Kylo. "Take a sip."

"Will I go insane?" Kylo teased, "Will my eyes turn bright green?"

Taking hold of Kylo's chin, Vincent pulled him close. "We are all a little bit insane. Now take a sip. I want to taste it."

Kylo lifted the glass to his lips and winced when it went down like a burn. "My lord, how will you taste it when I'm the one who has taken the s -"

Before Kylo could finish his thought, Vincent brought his lips down and parted Kylo's own with his tongue. Moonlight exploded outside as the sound of violins and cymbals created a cacophony. "This is nice," the lord murmured, breaking the kiss.

"Yes." Kylo felt unsteady. "Good drink."

"Was not talking about the drink." A wink as Vincent licked along his lower lips and stood straight. "Let's find Corbin."

Standing among a gaggle of others, Corbin chatted animatedly. There was a glass of red in one hand while the other rose and fell to accentuate every word coming from his mouth. As Vincent and Kylo neared, Corbin paused and cast a look over his shoulder. "Little brother!" Running over to the pair, the red liquid in his glass sloshed over the edges and spilled on the floor. "You are late." Corbin pouted as he tossed his green feather boa over a shoulder. He was clad in a white semi-transparent chiffon shirt and snug emerald trousers with green boots. His eyes were ringed in white liner and his long pale hair feathered around his shoulders.

Vincent could not help but chuckle when his older brother tossed an arm around him and planted a noisy kiss on his cheek. "You smell like a brewery."

"It's nice to see you too, sunshine." Corbin moved from Vincent to Kylo. He was not at all discrete when he eyed him from toe to tip. "You are absolutely delicious."

Kylo's brows jerked up at the comment and he nearly dropped his drink. He was unsure if it was a compliment or if Corbin wanted to drain him.

"I mean it in the most utterly, absolutely sweetest of ways," Corbin reassured as he touched Kylo's arm. "I would not possibly dare put my lips on anyone that belongs to my brother." His eyes darted over Kylo again. A smile broke over Corbin's lips. Soft enough for only ancient vampire ears to hear, he said, "Though I may dream about doing so and it will not be your neck I have my lips on."

"Corbin!" Vincent pulled Kylo away and stood between him and his brother. "Can you stop being your usual disgusting self for once?" he hissed.

Unfazed, Corbin waved his free hand. "You know I am joking."

"Not funny," Vincent spat.

"I need to find you a sense of humor, little brother, but I do apologize. Alright?"

Pursed-lipped Vincent nodded. "Behave."

Moving around to stand by Kylo, Corbin hooked his arm through his. "I have heard a lot of wonderful things about you..." he paused, waiting for Kylo to offer his name.

"Angel," Vincent said. "Conde Angel DelMar."

A slim brow arched. "A Conde? I would not have pegged you for anything but high-class, naturally." Corbin bowed deeply.

"You don't have to call me Conde," Kylo said shyly as he lowered his gaze to the absinthe and pondered guzzling it.

Corbin remained in a semi-bow. Red eyes rose under Kylo's nose. "What can I call you, good sir?"

Uncertainty came and gnawed at Kylo. He was Angel now. Kylo was left back in Germany. He was to introduce himself that way, yet hesitation lingered.

Sensing Kylo's anxiety, Vincent slipped his hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

Taking a sip of absinthe, Kylo gave the liquor a moment to work before replying, "Angel will be fine."

Rising, Corbin gave the pair a huge smile. "Well then, Angel and Vincent, let me introduce you to my own beloved." Bringing his hands to his chest, Corbin nearly spilled whatever liquid was left in his glass. "He is just to diiiie for."

As a passing waitstaff walked by, Corbin quickly placed his glass on the tray and hooked one arm through Vincent's and one through Kylo's. He led them to the other side of the house where his lover waited.