Eli carefully spun the screw into place, delicately he placed the small metal role into the spokes and sighed.

A music box, found in the attic in disrepair, occupied his time. He and Wade took turns, taking it apart, making new songs for it, and reassembling it for Ilios or Winnie to play with. 

"Have you gotten it working?" Ilios asked entering the room and making her way softly to her brother's side. 

"No," He mumbled, deep in concentration, "Can you hand me a-"

She held out the small washer and he gave a smile taking it. 

"Yes and also-"

She held out the metal frame but he shook his head. "No not that-"

She made a face and pushed it towards him. 

He gave a small laugh rubbing his eyes and looking closer, "Why yes actually." 

She grinned and took a seat on the small stool beside his work desk. It was cluttered with composition papers and thesis' and small parts. 

"Did you hear about the ball?" 

Eli frowned and fidgeted with the crank on the bottom of the box, "No. What ball?"

"Oh nothing grand," Ilios said playing with her hair, combing it neatly down in curls with her fingers, "Firmin is retiring. To Frankfurt they say."

"Sounds boring," Eli chuckled placing the lid back into place. 

"Yes," Ilios shrugged, "But Eli-If you wanted-"

"Yes?" 

Ilios bit her lip and held tightly to her brother's hand, "Would you take me?!"

"Take you?" He laughed, "Whatever for?" 

"Father won't let me go alone, and not with Luke though I don't know why. he's sure to be having the most fun." Ilios frowned, "But if you took me, he'd be sure to let us go!"

"I don't see the point in balls," Eli said bluntly rising and placing the box gently on his dresser. "Besides, I haven't a thing to wear." 

"You could wear Fathers old suit, from when he was your age," Ilios said hurriedly, following close behind him, "I've already ironed it out." 

"Father has been with Wade all day," Eli said sharply, "We musn't bother him."

"I know," Ilios stated with a sly smile, "That's why I told him you'd take me yesterday after dinner. He said it be a marvelous idea for you to get out for once."

"Goodness," Eli sighed, "You've cornered me from every angle haven't you?"

"Yes," Ilios beamed, "Now...Will you come?"

Eli shook his head with a laugh and looked up at his sisters pleading eyes. "If it's a masquerade you want, then a masquerade you will have."

Ilios' eyes were lit afire and she shrieked with elated joy.

 "Thank you, Eli!"  Ilios said joyfully. "Oh, what should I wear?!"

"Looks only lead to vanity and silly women," Eli remarked teasingly returning to a good novel. 

"Phooey." Ilios snarked, kissing her brothers cheek gingerly, she soon fled the room to 

Erik appeared in his sons doorway, "You said yes I take it?"

Eli gave a small shrug and without letting his eyes leave the page gestured for Erik to come in and shut the door. 

"Yes I suppose I did," He sighed. 

"She's elated," Erik laughed, "She's rather pretty when she's happy don't you think?"

"I suppose so." 

Erik gave a small question smile as he looked over his son's shoulder.

 "Guinevere and Lancelot?" He said in baffled surprise. 

Eli snapped the book closed, "King Arthur and the Round table. Men and swords, and fighting and stuff." 

"Still," Erik smirked, "It's a romance." 

"Sure," Eli scoffed crossing his arms, "What did you wish from me Father?"

Erik shrugged, "Can't I just have a talk with my son?"

Eli frowned skeptically and raised an eyebrow, "Destler men don't talk. And when they do talk they sing. What's wrong?"

Erik sighed, Eli always figured himself out so quickly it was painful. 

"I know it doesn't bear repeating. But the world is cruel. Cruel to innocent things like your sister and even crueler to wiser men like yourself." 

"I know," Eli sighed gravely, "And I don't mind being wary Father, I don't. Just she's a young girl, and after all, this is France!" 

Erik put a hand on Eli's shoulder, "Just make sure she doesn't embarrass herself. Keep her safe. I trust you." 

Eli gave a small smile with affectionate eyes towards his Father, "That's all I ever need to know." 

Later that week, he shakily tied his black shoes and straightened his tie. As he attempted to button up his shirt he grimly realized that the buttons would snap at any moment.

The relic was ancient, Erik probably had had it long before he himself could wear it. Ilios had successfully removed the dust but sadly not the itchiness of the material itself. However, he was prepared to brave his prison of a suit for his sister. 

He wasn't as thin as he used to be either, he had become well built from his time running and working as the opera ghost. 

He felt cross as his parents kissed them adieu and Winnie fawned desperately over Ilios dress. 

He felt cross and silent as they paddled across the lake. 

And he felt strangely cross as he set his eyes on the pairs of couples traveling across the room. 

There was a yearning within him, to be wanted, to have a purpose. There was something he was destined to do, something greater than himself and all those he loved. Someone must have wanted him at some point, even if some stranger passing by had taken pity and wished to help, it would have satisfied him. But no stranger looked, no stranger cared. 

All eyes were fixed on Ilios. 

She wore a variation on the gown her Mother had adorned all those years ago, bright pinks and blues standing out vibrantly to the gentle pastels the swirled and crowed like whispers from the walls and people that surrounded them. 

Ilios felt a wave of fear hit her, her heart and mind freezing her feet to the floor and her eyes to the hundreds of men and women. 

"Eli," She whispered, timidity overcoming her for the first time in her life, "Eli let's go back." 

"Too late for second-guessing." He laughed. "Come on, you'll be fine." 

"What if someone takes your mask off?!" She said suddenly, attempting to scare him back home where she could do something like reading of adventure instead of having one. 

"Please, no one pays any heed to m-"

"Eli?" Ilios laughed, her brothers face going blank. 

He frowned and shook it off, it couldn't be. 

"Eli are you alright." 

"Fine," He said grinning at her. 

A moment later after they had met a few people he pointed across the room to a young girl in dragonfly wings. 

"There!" He exclaimed, "It's Clara. She's come back." 

Ilios gave a small laugh, "Eli her face is completely covered how can you tell?"

"I just can alright," He said defensively. He hated it when his siblings undermined his deductive abilities. 

Ilios shook her head in laughter, "Well if you insist- Then go after her!" 

"What?" Eli spat in surprise swiveling on his heels to face her. 

"If you're so sure it's her then go dance with her!"

"Ilios-"

"Go on!" She laughed pushing him forward, "I'll stay right here I promise." 

Eli nodded gave a small smile and ran off eagerly to find his friend. 

Ilios out her hands behind her back and played with her feet practicing each of her ballet positions in boredom. 

By chance, her eyes raised upwards to the bar. 

The young gentleman drank his whiskey quickly, and upon glancing at her gave a small conservative smile and wave. 

She looked at the masked man curiously. 

It couldn't be.