Pedrarruna Manor, Elffire City.
7:30 PM, Tuesday, March 16th.
Theo finished the last bite of his dinner and leaned back in his chair, glancing across the table at Aurora, who was still eating. The faint sound of wind rustling through the trees outside could be heard through the slightly ajar windows, accompanied by the distant hum of city life below the manor. It had been a long day for both of them-Theo with his usual work, and Aurora wrapping up the last of the student council duties following the school festival. But the night had something special in store for them: a rehearsal in their private sound studio.
Aurora looked up from her plate, catching Theo's gaze. "Ready for tonight's session?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
Theo nodded, his eyes reflecting the same excitement. "Absolutely. It's been a while since we rehearsed together."
Aurora finished her meal quickly, and the two siblings left the cleaned-up for Sylph.
After the two had left, within minutes, the kitchen was spotless, and the cleaning drone worked tirelessly to clean the table, wash the dishes, and sweep and mop the floor.
With an efficient butler like Sylph, the two of them didn't even need to worry about house affairs as the house was constantly found in a state of cleanliness.
Pedrarruna Manor, Sound Studio.
The door to the sound studio slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a space that was both modern and intimate. Acoustic panels lined the walls, and the ceiling lights cast a warm, dim glow over the state-of-the-art equipment. Microphones, instruments, and soundboards were meticulously arranged, reflecting the room's dual purpose as both a recording studio and a rehearsal space.
The studio had been designed with care, ensuring it was acoustically perfect, but also that it had a certain coziness that made it feel like an extension of their home rather than a professional workspace. The centerpiece of the room was a grand piano, its polished surface reflecting the soft light. Theo walked over to it and ran his fingers across the keys, letting a soft melody drift into the air.
Aurora set her bag down on a chair and joined him at the piano, her rookie fingers tried finding the harmonies to his melody. For a moment, they simply played, letting the music guide their emotions. After seeing so many instruments in the sound studio, Aurora asked Theo to teach her to play one of them, and Theo chose the piano. So, even though Aurora was still a beginner, they tried to play a simple piece every now and then. It was a ritual of sorts, a way to connect with the music before they had to delve deep into it.
After a few minutes, Theo looked over at Aurora. "Let's start with 'Save Your Tears,"" he suggested. It was the track they'd recorded together, the one where their secret identities, Moonlight and Tsukuyomi, had first crossed paths in the public eye.
Aurora nodded and moved to one of the microphones, adjusting it to her height. Theo did the same, positioning himself at the keyboard. He took a deep breath, his fingers poised over the keys, and then began to play the opening notes of the song. The familiar melody filled the room, and as Aurora's voice joined in, the two of them slipped into the world they had created with their music.
Their voices blended seamlessly, the result of countless hours spent perfecting their harmonies. Aurora's voice, soft yet powerful, wove through Theo's deeper tones, creating a sound that was hauntingly beautiful. It was a sound that had captivated millions around the world, but here, in the privacy of their studio, it was just for them.
As they moved through the song, Theo found himself getting lost in the music, in the way their voices intertwined and complemented each other. He had always known Aurora was talented, but hearing her -raw, unfiltered, and in perfect sync with him-was something else entirely.
The song ended, and for a moment, the studio was silent. Then Aurora grinned, her eyes sparkling. "That was pretty good," she said, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Hmm," Theo echoed. "I agree, but we can do better, like for example..."
Aurora nodded just like a good student listening to a teacher, she knew that her brother was extremely musically talented, so any advice from him would be extremely helpful to a beginner like her.
They moved on to other songs from Theo's album, going through each track with the same care and attention to detail. Aurora provided feedback where necessary, and Theo did the same, their roles as brother and sister blending seamlessly with their roles as collaborators. Time passed quickly, the hours slipping away as they worked through the setlist. The studio became a world of its own, separate from the rest of the manor, from the city outside, from everything except the music and the bond between them.
As they finished the last song on the list, Aurora let out a deep breath and sank into a nearby chair, her expression one of contented exhaustion. "I think that's enough for tonight," she said, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead.
Theo nodded, his own energy starting to wane. "Yeah, I agree. We've covered a lot."
He walked over to a small table in the corner of the studio where a water pitcher and glasses were waiting. Pouring a glass for Aurora and one for himself, he handed her the drink before taking a long sip from his own.
Aurora took the glass with a grateful smile, sipping slowly as she leaned back in her chair. "You know, I'm really excited for the concert in Catadrid," she said after a moment. "It's going to be something special."
Theo sat down across from her, nodding in agreement. "It is. But it's also going to be intense. The first live performance as Moonlight... I need to make sure everything is perfect."
"You always do," Aurora replied, her voice filled with quiet confidence. "And I'll be right there with you."
The two of them sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound the soft hum of the equipment as it powered down. The rehearsal had gone well, better than either of them had expected, and there was a sense of satisfaction in the air.
Finally, Aurora stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "I'm going to take a shower and then head to bed," she announced, stifling a yawn. "I'm exhausted."
Theo smiled as he watched her. "You've earned it," he said. "Let's continue rehearsing now that you are more free."
Aurora nodded, her expression softening. "Sure, I'd love to!" She said with a sweet smile.
"Goodnight, big brother."
"Goodnight, little sis."
She turned and left the studio, her footsteps echoing softly down the hallway as she made her way to her room. Theo remained behind for a few more minutes, tidying up the studio and making sure everything was in its place. As he did, he reflected on the night, on the music they had created together, and on the road ahead.
In just ten days, they would be in Catadrid, performing for a live audience for the first time. It was a daunting thought, but also an exhilarating one. And as he turned off the lights and closed the studio door behind him, Theo felt a sense of calm. He was ready, and so was
Together, they would make sure that Moonlight and Tsukuyomi shined brighter than ever