[FIC] A Night At The Opera (part 2 of 6) {Chapter 33}
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2003 12:14 am
The management of Fish-on Ouzenji had been very forgiving. Or so Kyouko tried to convince Kaname. They had not called the police. They had not held the two girls while calling Kyouko's parents. They had not levied any fines. All they asked was minor community service: Kaname and Kyouko would promise to return next weekend and serve as waitresses in the BarBQ garden for the lunch session. And, as an example of the owner's generosity, they would be able to fish for three hours after that, free of charge.
Kyouko had acted quickly enough to keep Kaname from giving her answer to their offer with her halisen.
The middle aged fishing enthusiast had been very understanding as well, after Kyouko had explained about Kaname's fictitious hyperactivity disorder, and her reversion to basic animal instincts when she caught fish barehanded like a primitive. The man's request was simple. After Kaname took off her wig and sunglasses, and after she cleaned up as much as possible, he took a picture of Kaname holding the two fish. That phograph would grace the cover of the largest fishing periodical in Japan...available at better bookstores and magazine stands everywhere.
The man was very sympathetic with Kaname's tragic story, as he watched Kyouko struggle to hold back a ranting and raving Kaname. He would probably write a short piece on the young lady and her valiant struggle with mental illness.
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Tessa and Sousuke had shared a soft drink at the train station before parting. There was plenty of time before the start of the opera, and Tessa had headed back to her apartment to shower and change into a formal gown.
Sousuke had tried to tell her that she looked very nice as she was...but Tessa insisted that they needed formal attire for the night's show. She also made it quite clear that patrons of the art did not go around reeking of trout or covered with fish scales. Thinking a moment, and putting on a rapacious smile, Tessa asked Sousuke if his reluctance to have her change clothes had anything to do with her blouse. As Sousuke hemmed and hawwed, she promised him that she would wear it again another day for him...and that she could arrange to drop all sorts of things inside, if he liked. She then sat back and enjoyed watching Sousuke's face go through an entire palette of colors.
Sousuke looked at the slip of paper in his hand. It held a written address. An address to a shop. A tuxedo shop. Tessa had provided the shop with Sousuke's measurements---based on the size and fit of his Arm Slave suit---and had paid for the outfit in advance. All Sousuke needed to do was pick everything up, and see if anything needed last minute alterations. He could then return home, shower, dress, and meet Tessa at her apartment.
Tessa had mentioned that the shop handled specialty clothes. Sousuke wondered if that meant they were experienced at clothing specialists. It would be good if they were...he was running through a mental checklist of things the tuxedo jacket and slacks would need to conceal. No doubt a specialist store would be able to accomodate his needs.
He thought a moment about the opera. Would it be fun? Even if it were excrutiating, he owed it to Tessa to put on a good front. Who knows? He might enjoy himself. Tessa had seemed a little reticent when they first started fishing, but ended up having a wonderful time. He thought momentarily of Kaname. No doubt she was sitting at home alone, worrying how his date with Tessa was going.
Sousuke also worried about how things were going. He was enjoying himself, and Tessa was a pleasant companion. She showed an interest in what he had to say. She did not jump on everything he did or suggested. And...and...and she was NOT unpleasant to look at. What did all this say about his feelings for Kaname?
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Luxuriating in the warm spray of the shower, Tessa sang happily to herself as she scrubbed away the odor of fish and sweat. Never in a million years could she have guessed what kind of things would happen that day...but it certainly had been an exciting day so far, in more ways than one. She also chuckled to herself, thinking of all the troubles Kaname must be getting into while trying to keep an eye on Sousuke.
She laughed, realizing that Kaname must truly view her as a threat. Well, if she already had that impression, was it wrong for Tessa to try and live up to those expectations? All's fair in love and war...isn't it? She felt a twinge of guilt when she remembered why she won the contest...and when she recalled what Joe said when he presented her with his mother's pin. But she also remembered Melissa's lectures on opportunity...opportunities only came along so often, and life was a long time to regret opportunities wasted.
Tonight was the opera, and that should be a grand time. She would enjoy watching Sousuke in that setting...would he be the proverbial fish out of water? She blushed, wondering where that fish might end up. Shaking her head, she chased away those thoughts. This should be a classy evening. A time for the arts...a time for relaxation and the appreciation of exceptional talent. What came after that she would leave in the hands of fate.
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Even Kyouko had her limits. It certainly was fun watching Kaname go through so much trouble following Sousuke. And it was a great pleasure to watch her blame everything on him, even though he had no idea they were around. And it was an extraordinary opportunity to watch her crank out excuses and disclaimers at such tremedous speed and volume.
But enough is enough. There is only so much fun any person can take. No one would EVER write a story like this...who would believe it?
"Well, I see you are very happy that Sousuke and...uh...uh..."
"TESSA!!!"
"Yes. You seem very happy that Sousuke and Tessa have gone their separate ways. How is that going to help them get together, Kaname?" No, that look would never do...she already had a dozen or so pictures of THAT.
"Kyouko...Kyouko...Kyouko...haven't you heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder?" Kaname was laughing again.
"I see. Could they really get any fondle her...uh...I mean fonder...than they seemed at your favorite fish place?" Ah...THAT look is new. Snap.
Kaname choked a moment before resuming her laughter. "You...saw...the fish...it...was nothing more...than...that!"
"Yes, Kaname. You are correct. It was the fish." Check how many exposures are left...good: plenty. "It was definitely the fish...the first time!"
"KYOUKO!"
"I'm right here Kaname, no reason to shout. Why are you yelling? Hard of hearing? Still have water in your ears? Pond grass? Tessa's laughter?" Snap. Snap. Snap.
"KY.....OU.....KOOOOOO..."
"Since you have so much enegy left, Kaname...why don't you follow Sousuke and make certain he stays out of trouble. I'll follow Tessa. I'll make certain no other guys hit on her and steal her away from Sousuke...they're such a *p e r f e c t* couple..." Snap.
"Why...how...very...HELPFUL...Kyouko." Kaname started to cool down some, getting herself back under control. "It couldn't be that you wanted to follow Tessa on your way back home...could it?" The sweet looking smile Kaname was showing now was perhaps the scariest thing Kyouko had seen all day.
"Uh--"
"You wouldn't leave your best friend Kaname all alone would you?" That smile was getting bigger.
"Uh--"
"Not like my last best friend, Aki, did..." Really really big.
"Uh---there's no one named Aki at the school, Kaname..."
"NOT...ANY...MORE..." So many teeth!
"Oh...it's much to early to go home, Kaname." It was too early in her life to end up in a cemetery or crematorium.
"Ah...you're such a good friend, Kyouko!" Kaname, chuckling, grabbed Kyouko's camera and started taking pictures of her friend's face. "Hey...Kyouko...this IS fun!" Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap.
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Sousuke looked up at the sign. 'Usagi Tuxedo Shop. Clothing Specialists.'
Good...so they DID clothe specialists. Things should go smoothly. He opened the door, and checked all angles of the room out of habit. A bell hanging on the back of the door rang, announcing his presence. Yes, good security in a simple package.
Hearing the bell, an elderly woman walked up to greet Sousuke. "Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you?"
"Greetings. I am Sousuke Sagara. I have come for a tuxedo. Arrangements were made by Miss Testarossa." Specialists deserved proper respect.
"I see...let me check the book...Sagara...Sagara...ah, here...Teletha Testarossa for Sousuke Sagara...that's a nice ensemble she selected. I'll be right back." With that, the old woman disappeared through a pair of swinging doors. She returned with a carefully wrapped tuxedo.
"If you will please follow me, sir...I will show you to one of our fitting rooms. We want to make certain everything is just right. So where are you and your lady headed tonight?" The woman led Sousuke in to a small room with measuring tapes, shoe horns, pin cushions, chalk, and other tools of the trade.
"Uh...my lady..."
"Yes, your young lady. Where are you taking her?"
"Opera." Sousuke could only force out that single word. He almost froze entirely when he heard 'your lady.'
"Oh, how wonderful. I'm certain you will have a wonderful time. Is she your fiance? My daughter's fiance took her to the opera the night he proposed." The woman carefully laid out the various parts to Sousuke's tuxedo.
"Uh---"
"Yes, the opera was a wonderful place to propose. And such a wonderful place to fall in love." She polished the patent leather shoes and black onyx cufflinks.
"Uh---"
"I remember getting my first romantic kiss at the opera." She brushed a few small pieces of lint off of the herringbone vest.
"Uh---"
"And my son, that rapscallion...he swears his first born was conceived in the balcony!" Such a nice looking tuxedo. Such a nice looking young man.
"Uh---"
"It's certainly nice to find a young man who believes in love these days. And it's wonderful to find someone who doesn't just sit there talking about himself." She made certain the bow tie was properly formed.
"Uh---thank you. You certainly seem to know a lot about the opera."
"Yes. The opera is a magical place. You never can tell just what might happen there. Let's try these all on." She helped Sousuke check all the items, and everything seemed a good fit. "Well, you look rather fine, young man. Your young lady is very fortunate. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes, there is. I will need some alterations."
"Alterations? But everything fits perfectly..." The woman was clearly perplexed.
"Yes. Let me explain. I will need to find room to keep this." Sousuke put his Glock 17 on the counter.
The woman put her hand to her mouth and looked frightened. Her legs started shaking. Sousuke judged that she was two seconds from running. "It's OK, I am not here to harm you" he said in his most reassuring tone of voice.
"Oh...oh...that;s good...that's very good." The woman relaxed, but soon looked worried again. "How do I know you are not a terrorist?" she clenched her fist, debating whether to yell for her husband.
"If I were a terrorist, you would be dead. If I were a thief, you would be unconcious and your money would be gone." That logic should convince her.
"Are...are...are you a secret agent?" The last two words were said in a whisper.
"Not today, madame. I am a specialist. I need to serve as a bodyguard tonight."
"Ah...I see. She must mean a lot to you, this Teletha." The old woman smiled, and patted Sousuke's hand. "It's so nice to see true love these days, what with all that nonsense they show children on TV."
"Uh--"
"So you only need room for this gun?" The woman asked, now acting as a professional.
"I also need room for this." He put the taser on the counter.
"Oh...that's nice. I have one too. Can't be too safe these days." The woman reached into a drawer and showed Sousuke her consumer model. "Will that be all?"
"This as well." Sousuke put a small combat knife on the counter. "And this." A set of brass knuckles.
"And...?" The woman was catching on.
"It would be helpful if you could find room for this." A thin garotte. "These." Some small sharp caltrops. "These too." A small leather sling and three ball bearings.
"My...you ARE a protective one. Such a fortunate young lady." The woman put her arms across her chest, whistled, and started tapping one of her feet.
"Mam?" Sousuke was puzzled at her behavior.
"Just waiting for the next item." She grinned.
"Oh...that is all I have...ah...but if you COULD make a pocket that could hold two egg-sized items...?"
"Sure. This will take a bit of time. Come back in say..." She thought a moment. "Three quarters of an hour."
"How much do I owe you?" Sousuke took out his wallet.
"Nothing...not a fine young man such as yourself...you just make sure you show that girl of yours the best time."
Uh---yes, mam."
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"Kaname...it looks like good news..." Kyouko was crouched down behind a bench at a bus stop, watching Sousuke through binoculars. Kaname was hidden behind a newspaper, looking through a cut-out hole.
"Sousuke is heading into a Tuxedo shop. The date's not over...they're probably both getting ready for something special. Something dramatic." Kyouko readied her camera. Hoping for something dramatic.
Kaname was not amused. "You sound rather eager, Kyouko. I'm glad. Because if the date goes on longer, we get to spend more quality time together...RIGHT?!" She spoke very quietly and evenly...an ominous sign. Were there stormclouds brewing?
"Naturally...that's why I am so excited, Kaname. Haven't we been having such a wonderful day? The only people in the city who are having more fun than we are...are Tessa and Sousuke. I can't imagine ANYONE having more fun that THAT!" Kyouko came dangerously close to sounding like she was purposefully baiting her friend. She needed to use greater caution. There are things that her dental plan did not cover.
"Kyouko...funny you should put it that way...there IS somebody who is going to have more fun than she already has." Still quiet. Still worrisome.
"Who, Kaname?" She didn't need to ask. The sinking feeling in her gut told her the answer.
"You, of course. If Sousuke changes into a tuxedo, we will lose our ability to track him."
"Oh...but that's probably just as well, Kaname. If they're going somewhere in fancy dress, we probably won't be able to follow them too closely anyway. We might as well call it a day, since we don't have anything fancy to wear. " She was only speaking the truth...surely no harm could come from that. "Besides! If we went home to change, we could never follow him. How would we know where they'd go? Catch 22!"
"You have the great fortune of being with me, Kyouko! Haven't you come to realize my amazing leadership skill, yet. My unparalleled talent for planning??" Hearing no answer, Kaname continued. "You will catch up with Sousuke...feign coincidence...and find out from Sousuke where he is going tonight and when." Sousuke had made great use of the word 'coincidence' before...it ought to work in Kaname's favor this time.
"While you are off on that part of the mission, I will go pick us out some fancy dresses. Because I am feeling so magnanimous...I will even pay for one half of your bill! After all, you were generous enough to buy all that expensive fishing equipment! Ha ha hah hah ha." Instinctively, Kaname moved her shopping bag out of Kyouko's reach.
"K-K-K..." Kyouko stuttered. She had momentarily though about grabbing the halisen and showing Kaname how the other half lived! But, the damn bag was out of range. "You...you...you."
"That's OK, Kyouko. You don't have to thank me. Now get going, before he gets too far ahead of you!"
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Sousuke finished adjusting his cufflinks after he had situated all of his weapons to his liking. A touch more cologne, and he was done.
After spending some time in a bookstore perusing military history, he had headed back to the clothing shop to pick up his tuxedo. The woman had done an excellent job: everything fit where it had too. This tuxedo provided him with more options than many of his combat clothes did. Perhaps dressing up had its benefits.
He had run into Kyouko when he left the shop, and his having a tuxedo naturally sparked her curiosity. He was only too happy to answer her enquiries, and had some questions of his own. He had asked if she knew how Kaname was doing. Kyouko looked very uncomfortable when she answered, telling him that Kaname was at home and that everything was fine. She was hiding something. No doubt Kaname was feeling depressed, and Kyouko didn't want Sousuke to worry! She was a good friend!
It was time to pick up Tessa and head for the opera.
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Sousuke had been momentarily concerned, after he had knocked on Tessa's door. What if she had taken the opportunity to put on an even more revealing outfit. Melissa had told him that he needed to be an attentive and talkative date...if things got any worse, he would be reduced to babbling incoherence.
If someone were to ask him whose safety concerned him the most tonight, he wasn't certain how he would answer.
When Tessa had opened the door, Sousuke realized that his fears had been unfounded. Her neckline was much more sedate. However, her power to dumbfound him was by no means diminished. Quite the opposite. He stood awestruck looking at her.
Tessa was secretly very pleased. She could have hit Sousuke with a curare-laden blow dart, and it wouldn't have been as effective as her dress apparently was. The beautiful blue silk gown, with its brocade of flowers, was exquisitely decorated with with festoons and rows of silver sequins. The light shone from her like she had flown to earth on a winged horse, a goddess. She curtsied, and wondered if she should carry Sousuke into the room.
She laughed, but it was the laughter of the fly that had escaped the flycatcher...only to find itself entangled in a spider's web. Now that she focused on Sousuke, Tessa felt a touch of weakness in her knees. He looked VERY nice in a tux. His scar gave him a dashing and debonaire look. She smiled, knowing that to her, he was a weapon far greater than anything he might have stashed away. That feeling...at that moment...was worth the expense of the entire evening. Another moment she wished that she could freeze in time.
As Sousuke walked down the hallway, arm in arm with Tessa, he realized that he hadn't thought the word 'Captain' after he had left this very building, early that morning.
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Kyouko was very pleased by the look of the dress that Kaname had chosen for her, and was intrigued by the fancy mask on a stick that came with it...the current rage for the opera crowd, the saleswoman had said.
Kyouke was not pleased by the glaring hole in Kaname's plan. She intended to improvise their way into the opera house, but Kyouko didn't see much chance of success in that approach. But thet was alright! It would be nice to finally get to go home again...on the other hand, it would NOT be nice to pay for even half of the cost of that dress...she could have gotten another camera for that money!
"Wait a minute, Kyouko...didn't you say once that your aunt and uncle were big opera buffs...that they were a member of some kind of club? And they had season's passes?"
"The Ji Atore? Yes, they are members. Oh, I think I see where this is leading." But...perhaps Kyouko could convince Kaname that her aunt and uncle were out of town!!!
"Kyouko...I see those wheels turning...don't go try and do something like saying your aunt and uncle are out of town!" Kaname laughed when she saw the look on Kyouko's face. Bingo! "Besides, with phones, fax, and e-mail, they might still be able to help, even if they were gone!"
Kyouko reached her uncle at home and asked if he was going to use his tickets for the night, or if he had given them away. He wasn't and he hadn't He was only too happy to call the New National Theatre and talk to the manager...the people working the doors would be on the lookout for his niece's name.
Kaname smiled. Fortune favored the righteous.
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Walking up to the New National Theatre, Sousuke was unprepared for the pomp and circumstance, the utter level of spectacle. Large spot lights criss-crossed the skies, never tiring in their chase amonst the low-hanging clouds. Large limosines were parked all along the avenue, and countless couples in expensive attire strolled to the entry way, or stood engaged in conversations under rows of blooming trees.
He looked down at Tessa, who was glowing as much from her smile as she was from her sequins.
Sousuke himself drew many envious stares, as did Tessa. A faint whiff of tobacco drifted along the sidewalk, mixed with a bewildering melange of perfume, cologne, and natural fragrances. Streetlights were turning on, and the setting sun lent an otherworldly flavor to a memorable scene. For an instant, Sousuke thought of Kaname. Wouldn't she love to be here right now? Perhaps some day they would do this together.
The line of patrons snaked its way towards a set of ornate doors, the sound of laughter and happy discourse spreading away from it like the legs on some fanciful centipede. When Sousuke reached a position where he could begin making an assessment of their destination, he noted that the building's security preparations included an moderately effective model of metal detector. He would need to devise a means by which he could circumvent that precaution. He also focussed on the visible security guards and their routine.
Sousuke looked at Tessa's sequinned purse. It was large enough, if she did not have it overstuffed with various paraphernalia. "May I see your purse a moment, Tessa?"
Tessa looked at Sousuke curiously, then smiled. "Certainly...as long as you don't drop a trout in there just as an excuse to go rummaging around!" Her laughter blended in with the joyous noise around them.
Blushing, Sousuke became serious. "I need to put my weapons in with yours, Tessa. I will then need you to distract the security guards while I throw the purse over the detectors. I will give you the purse when I am done."
"No rush, Sosuske...I'm certain that the purse would look ravishing on your shoulder. After all, it's covered with sequins." Tessa leaned heavily against Sousuke's shoulder. "It can stay there just as long as you wish." She looked up into his startled eyes, eyes aglow.
"Uh---yes, of course. You had better come up with your plan...it is almost our turn."
Sousuke seemed nervous. Tessa smiled, knowing it had nothing to do with security obstacles. "No problem, Sousuke. I'm already working on my plan. And, I have plenty of time to think of what to do with security, too." Those batting eyelashes again!
"Uh---very good."
Soon enough, and it was their turn to enter the building. As Tessa walked through the detectors, she pretended to swoon, moaning as she fell. She soon drew the attention of a large crowd of concerned people just inside the entry way.
"Oh...the poor dear fainted." "Where's security? SECURITY!" "Is there a doctor in the house?" "Oh boy, I'LL revive her." "No...you...won't (smack!)"
Checking the placement of the security guards, Sousuke threw Tessa's purse around the metal detectors, landing it directly on her left hand. Grabbing it, and hearing Sousuke call her name, Tessa slowly sat up.
"Oh my, the excitement must have gotten to me. Thank you everybody, I feel much better now!" Tessa was laughing, showing the onlookers that she was fine. After a small number of well-wishers exchanged pleasantries, the crowd was no longer interested in her.
Tessa and Sousuke started to walk away, only to have their path blocked by four security personnel, all dressed in fancy gray suits with black bow ties. "Hold on their, miss. Where do you think you're going. We need to check and be certain you're OK." The larger of the security men had spoken. The other guards formed a circle. They exchanged galnces with one another, smiling. Sousuke could tell they were planning something inappropriate.
"That's very kind of you, but I think my boyfriend and I can manage now. Thank you ever so much." Tessa sounded kind and unconcerned.
"Yes...well, if it were simply up to me, I'd let you go on your way now. But rules are rules, and the building policy says that we need to give you a once over to make certain you aren't suffering from a serious medical condition. Never can be too careful where potential legal matters are concerned." Tessa definitely did not like the implications of 'once over.'
The older appearing and heavier set guard continued speaking. While he was talking, Sousuke quickly and efficiently judged each potential opponent. They looked to have weapons there...there...there...and there. That man had deficient balance. That other one favored his right. All of them appeared to be out of ideal physical shape. He also judged their professional conduct and execution, noting how all of them were focused on this private little manner.
"Yes, your boyfrined can help himself to sparkling cider and punch while we check on you. You'll be back with him before you know it" Two of the guards took hold of Tessa's arms, attempting to lead her away. She looked at Sousuke expectantly.
"I would not let her leave alone in the company of competent guards." Sousuke said with a sneer and a stern look. His contempt was a tangible thing, hanging in the air between all four members of the security detail. "I suppose we could check in with your superiors, to see if they approve of your actions. However, if they are as incompetent and as corrupt as all of you, that would only prolong matters."
"What?...you snot-nosed punk! I was working security when you were still clutching at you mother's tit!" The smallest security guard had a nervous twitch and a small hitch in his step. His gun was larger than those of his comrades.
"Yeh! What the hell would YOU know about security, any way. It's pretty funny, a kid trying to tell men how to do their job!" That other guard had twitchy eyes, and appeared to suffer a lag between his thoughts and his movements. His gun was situated too far towards his shoulder.
"You may not accept it, but I know security. I have had the opportunity to work with many men...I have learned very well how to judge men...you are not men. You are unofficial cowards gifted with an official job. I have seen young children in thrid world countries do a better job of guarding a water hole than you doing watching over this establishment." Sousuke sounded like he was aching to spit. The angry men did not miss his attitude or his opinion of them.
"You think so, little mister big shot. Let me clue you in just who you are trying to fool. Two of us, myself included, worked with the Japan Security Guard at Camp Foster in Okinawa. We both qualified as expert with the M9, as good as any American." That was the larger one talking. Another one nodded his head and patted at the bulge in his jacket. M9. The version of the Beretta 92F 9mm pistol used by the U.S. armed forces. Sousuke estimated that the other guards might be carrying M1911A1 .45 pistols or .38 caliber revolvers based on the size and location of their weapons.
Another guard stepped forward. "I worked security at the Winter Olympics as a member of the Nagano police force. My buddy there..." he nodded towards the final guard, "he was part of the special squad that was sent in to deal with the Aum Supreme Truth Group. We're not just some jerk bunch of rent-a-cops!"
"I was almost impressed." Sousuke souned deadpan, even for him. "Words mean nothing. Neither do past actions. I only see what is here today. And what I see is pathetic, even by amateur standards." The men grew angrier and more agitated, as Sousuke detailed their inadequacies.
"Forget for the moment that you attempt to harrass young women. Overlook the fact that you are leaving the door unwatched as you satisfy your personal desires. And get past the fact that you employ an obsolete metal detector with no multi-camera back-up. Those would be indictment enough. But to allow the random movement of an unchecked crowd, that is inexcusable. And failing to provide zones of free movement or adquate lines of fire is embarrassing. If you were working for free, the establishment would still be paying far too much!"
He rattled off a long list of further inaequacies. The men no longer seemed to realize that Tessa existed. Their attention was squarely on Sousuke.
"Oh really. Perhaps we should go to a back room where you can lecture us in security techniques!" The leader of the group said, laughing.
"That is acceptable." Souske sounded confident. "There will be no charge. This will be professional courtesy."
"Yes," one of the guards laughed "It certainly will be. Boss, better call in the other guys while we go get learned."
"Good idea, Takei." The larger guard spoke into his walkie-talkie. "Eizo...Akimori...we need you up front to watch the door. We have an incident to deal with in the back room. Find two of the others to take your place. Over." The two men called in, saying they were on their way. The guards signalled for Sousuke to follow them in an orderly fashion.
"In a moment. I must see to the safety of my date...something you were obviously incapable of doing." Amongst angry muttering, Sousuke walked Tessa over to a refreshment table, making a show of handing her a drink.
Tessa took a sip, and put the glass back down. "I hope you know what you are doing. We don't need a big incident. I trust your abilities, but I REALLY want to see this opera. With you."
"It will not be a problem, Tessa. I do not trust those men around you. I will protect you as my date, just as I would protect my commanding officer. Maybe even moreso" He was rewarded with a lovely blush. "I will show them mercy. However, if they wish to approach you again after that, they will not be so fortunate a second time."
Caught up in the moment, not even having time to plan her action, Tessa gave Sousuke a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Uh--"
"Here, Sousuke...move closer to me..." Tessa sounded purposeful, not coy.
"Uh--"
"We're in the middle of a confrontation here Sousuke!" Tessa stamped her foot. "I want to pass your weapons on to you without being seen.
"Yes. Very good, Tessa." Sousuke retrieved his weapons, situating them were they would serve him best. "I shouldn't be very long. Now might be a good time to look around the lobby. I will find you."
Sousuke followed the guards through a door opening into a long hallway.
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Kaname and Kyouko had not arrived in time to see Tessa's big performance, but they had made it though the door in time to see Sousuke escorted away by four security guards. The looks on their faces spoke trouble.
Kaname was both amused and concerned. "I might have known. I doubt he's been here more than ten minutes, and he's already in trouble! And little Miss Tessa is nowhere to be seen. Figures!"
"What are we going to do, Kaname? If we don't help him, who knows what they might do to him. And if we do get involved. who knows what might happen to us?" Kyouko was truly worried. This was no longer a game for her.
"Just trust me Kyouko...do you think I would do anything crazy?" Kaname's look dared her friend to answer her with an affirmative.
All we need to do is follow them, and listen at the door. If we hear anything suspicious, we use your cell phone to call the city police. They should have some officers nearby, with an event this big. Look at all of the uppity-ups here tonight!" Kaname took Kyouko's cell phone from her and dialed in the number for the police hotline.
"Just push the 'send' button if I tell you too, Kyouko."
They headed down the hallway Sousuke had gone down, with Kaname carefully noting which door had just closed.
"Kaname?" Kyouko asked mischieviously as they walked. "Sousuke looked really nice in his tuxedo, didn't he?"
"Yes. He certainly did. Very nice." Kaname answered without thinking, her mind fixated on her destination rather than the conversation.
"Ah ha...so you noticed!" Kyouko looked like a lioness ready to down a gazelle.
"Uh...of course...I simply meant that ANY man would look good in a tuxedo...even Sousuke!" Ha! Let her choke on THAT one.
"I see. Kaname, why are you blushing then?"
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Sousuke was angry. Very angry.
In part, his anger was due to the way the security guards had perverted something sacred, something meaningful. They had foresworn their responsibilities and made light of their solemn duties. They had put themselves first, ahead of the people they were obliged to protect.
Sousuke, himself--with his life so full of questions, and with so much growing and learning to do--routinely put his life on the line for countless people he would never meet...and for amorphous ideals he could neither touch, taste, or smell. The ordeals he faced...they all came with the territory. He accepted that. He did what was needed. He did what was right! These guards were human refuse...they did only what was gratifying or profitable...they served only themselves.
That was only the tip of the iceberg. That was only the door to the blast furnace. The boiling pot of Sousuke's anger was heated by the disrespect and discomfort thrust upon Tessa. The flames of his seething need to punish the transgressors were stoked by the potential danger she faced. This night was about Tessa. Tessa needed to enjoy this night. Tessa needed protection.
This had gone past professional considerations. It was personal. That in itself was dangerous for Sousuke. But it was even more dangerous for the four men who stood in his way.
The guards led him into a locker room, with a small cental table, six folding metal chairs, an end table and lamp, and a small coffee maker. Cups, sugar, and low calorie sweeteners dotted the table. One wall contained a large billboard with attached dutie rosters, girlie magazine pinups, and photographs of attractive female opera-goers.
"This will not take long." Sousuke said, addressing all men at once, as if they were a single bag of trash that needed to be disposed of. "I promised the young lady that I would not be long...and I would like to see the opera." The guards all snickered, as if Sousuke's missing the opera was a foregone conclusion.
"Oh, aren't we so very lucky, guys. The lecture won't take too long. We will have plenty of time to reflect upon our failures and cry upon each other's shoulder. Any one bring the tissues?" All four guards laughed, one rather loudly.
"Furthermore," Sousuke continued, " I should inform you that this is personal now, not professional"
"Oooh--weee---I'm certain we're all shaking in our boots. Just to make things fair, we'll make it personal too! What do you think, guys?" The guard who spoke opened a locker, throwing a knotted rope to one of his comrades, and taking out a pair of tuifa for himself.
"Yeh. Personal" The leader of the guards said, spitting on Sousuke.
"Personal is good for me," The rope man said.
"I'm looking to go way beyond personal, now that we got that far." That came from the smallest guard, likely the one with the biggest chip on his shoulder. He pulled a large sap out of his pants pocket.
"You misunderstandd me." Sousuke started, not in one bit concerned by the weapons he had glimpsed. "I work for a professional organization. They are not as forgiving as I am. Should anything further happen to myself or the young lady I am accompanying, the response of my superiors would be rather unpleasant. Short. Final. Precluding any need for your future existence. I hope I have made myself clear."
One guard looked briefly shocked. "Hey...wait...are you one of their guys...are you a member of---" His question was stopped when the security team leader slapped him across the mouth.
"Shut up!!!" The largest guard said. "He is obviously not one of THEM!"
"You have been given a courtesy you do not deserve. The time for teaching has come." Sousuke had not moved an inch since he started fighting, but he had made all of the observations and mental preparations he needed to.
The guards all made disparaging noises. One made an extremely obscene comment and gesture. He walked up behind Sousuke, slightly to his left. The man with the tonfa rubbed them together playfully, and leaned lazily against the lockers. The man with the rope tickled the back of the neck of the guard in front of him, and then sat down to work on his cup of coffee. The man with the sap played catch with the largest guard. They obviously did not take Sousuke seriously. Their attitude dovetailed beautifully with his short but valuable lesson.
"If I may have your attention please. The first lesson in security work is simple. You must know when you are up against something that is more than you are capable of handling." With that, Sousuke moved quickly into action.
The guard behind Sousuke had been moving slowly trying to reach a point in the room from which he could quickly move to immobilize Sousuke, making things easy for the others. He did not have that opportunity. Sousuke pushed him hard against the wall behind him, grasped him firmly by the neck with both hands, and spun him with all his might, sending him at the feet of the largest guard. The two men fell to the floor, hard.
Sousuke stepped up, and stepped off of the back of the top prone man, launching himself at the gaurd with the tonfa. He landed a hard kick in passing to the side of the seated guard's head, before landing and severely gouging the eyes of the man with the two hand-held weapons The latter guard reflexively dropped his weapons and put his hands to his eyes. Sousuke picked up the sticks and beat the incapacitated man across the abdomen, chest, and face as if he were a taiko drum. Retching and tearing up, that man was effectively out of the action. Teeth skittered across the floor like little white mice running from a cat.
The guard with the rope, his coffee now decorating his lap, tried to grab onto Sousuke, but he was too groggy. Sousuke played a stacatto rhthm on his upper arms and head, and finished him with a savage kick to the groin and a back-handed chop to the throat.
Bending down, Sousuke picked up the knotted rope. At that moment, the lead guard was speaking into his walkie-talkie, only managing one word: "Hel-l-l-p..." Sousuke flung him face first into a wall, wrapped the rope around his neck, and flipped him on top of the coffee drenched guard.
The fourth guard backed away from Sousuke, holding his hands up in the air. "I-I'm unarmed...I've l-learned my l-lesson. Please! I didn't start this..."
Sousuke threw down the rope. "We are equally armed, now. The teacher gets to decide when the student is schooled enough. And I shall finish this." The utter violence and sheer force of Sousuke's flying kick pushed his opponent partially into a now mangled locker. His arm trapped inside, the dazed guard could not defend himself from the flurry of blows that followed.
"The lesson is over." Sousuke said.
*************************************************************
Sousuke left the locker room by a different door than the one he had come in through. He did not wish to run into any additional guards, had any been hurrying towards that site. He stopped a moment, and checked his tux. Everything looked fine. That was fortunate for the guards. Had they injured his clothing, he would have gone back in and done something serious to them. All in all, he was proud to have held his temper. Forebearence is a laudable trait in a soldier.
He took a brief moment to contact the nearest active safehouse, detailing the recent events. He asked that personnel be kept on standby, but saw no reason as of yet to get Mithril officially involved. Walking through a series of connected storage rooms, Sousuke eventually gained access to another hallway leading to the lobby.
*************************************************************
Kaname and Kyouko were startled by the sudden and violent noises that came from behind the door. Kyouko phoned the police, and described what was happening. Kaname knew that there was little that she could do, and realized that any action on her part would bring her to Sousuke's attention. Still...if he were in danger, she HAD to see if there was something she could do, if only to create a distraction and provide him an opportunity at escape.
Before she could move, the noise stopped. She couldn't hear any further sounds. She opened the door warily. She first noticed a number of teeth. Sousuke's? She put her hand to her mouth, then thought a moment. Probably not!
The four chastised guards, only now trying to make their way up onto their knees, were the only persons in the room. Where was Sousuke?
Kyouko snapped a number of pictures.
As Kaname and Kyouko turned, preparing to head back the way they had come, the two guards who had heard the call for help arrived. The pair of girls were the only people they saw in addition to their discomforted conrades.
"Looks like we need to have a little talk, ladies" one of the guards said, gun in hand.
*************************************************************
Tessa would trust Sousuke's instincts. She remembered all too well what things could happen when she didn't. She held off from making an official call into headquarters.
That trust did not stop her from worrying as she wandered about the lobby, taking note of the various features that were new since her last visit to the opera house.
Sousuke walked up to her calmly, as if nothing had happened. There were no visible signs of injury in his walk, in the way he carried his body, or the way that he spoke. Her eyes screamed a question at him.
"I'm fine" Souske said plainly. "It was not a problem. I have informed them that there could be more serious repurcussions. I trust that you will back me up in that."
"Certainly...you have my full support. That was very quick."
"Yes. I did not wish to leave you alone. I did not want to miss anything. This is a special night." He offered his arm to her, watching curiously as she blushed. She had been doing a lot of that.
"I'm...I'm glad to hear that, Sousuke. Would you like me to show you around?" Tessa smiled brightly.
"Please. That would be enjoyable."
Tessa first lead him by a table of food vendors, sent over from the Trocadero Bistro Bar. French delicacies were on sale in sampler size, including Rillettes de saumon, Ratatouille, and Assiette de charcuterie. Equally small portions of desserts included sorbet, nougat glaces, and creme caramel. Assorted French wines were available by the glass, and Belgian beers were on sale by the bottle.
Next, Tessa showed him a mammoth fresh water aquarium on loan from Kasai Seaside Aquarium. Koi, small ornamental goldfish, and busy Plecostamus catfish obliviously swam and scooted across the watery enclosure. A beautiful aquascape included Brazilian swords, Cabomba, and Elodea. The tank was large enough to do simple scuba training in, Sousuke thought.
One of the lobby walls had been turned into a small art gallery, displaying Pre-Raphaelite paintings on loan from various international art galleries and private collectors. Tessa explained the history behind some of them, showing Sousuke 'The Soul of the Rose' by John William Waterhouse; 'Birth of Venus' by Adolphe-William Bourquereau; 'Sleeping Beauty' by Henry Mynell Rheam; and two paintings by Sir Frank Dicksee. The first was 'Romeo and Juliet.' The second was titled 'End of The Quest.' That latter picture depicted a knight down on his knees in front of his lady, their clasped hands elevated between them. Tessa stared at that painting for a prolonged period of time.
Sousuke's polite cough shook her from her trance. They both then went to examine a number of glass display cases, holding a collection of Danite Norseman artifacts from the time of Olaf The White, as well as some items supposedly belonging to the Black Strangers. A small dagger and a helmet reportedly attributed to Constantine were also present. It was Sousuke's turn to stare, and finally be brought back to present day Tokyo.
After the tour, Tessa and Sousuke grabbed some food and non-alcoholic beverages, enjoying them while Tessa gave her companion a synopsis of 'Die Walkure' and 'Siegfried,' the earlier cycles of Wagner's opera 'Der Ring des Nibelungen.' They spoke with a number of fellow opera goers, many of whom remarked how handsome the young couple looked together. Tessa's fascination with blushing continued. Sousuke asiduoulsy took notes.
At the appropriate time, the crowd made their way to their seats. Tessa described the great theatre room to Sousuke as they walked. "The opera house's proscenium style stage consists of four areas...the main stage, a rear stage, and the left and right wings."
Sousuke nodded his head attentively, remarking when he thought it was required of him.
"The structure, standard in European theatre architecture, has been built to suit grand opera." Tessa was clearly in one of her environments. "The walls and ceilings of the seating area atre covered with thick panels of wood to provide ideal acoustics for the singers. The theatre itself acts as a musical instrument."
"How many rows? How many people does it hold?" Sousuke's interest was in part politeness, and in part professional habit.
"There are twenty continuous rows on the floor, and three balconies on each side, in all totaling over eighteen hundred people." She continued on after that, mentioning the reverberation time of 1.4 to 1.6 seconds; describing the size and location of the orchestra pit; and talking about the mechanical marvel of the rotating stage area. Several workshop areas were present in a sizeable offstage area.
As they walked into the theatre area, Sousuke was struck by the immense size of things. A huge red curtain dominated the hidden stage, and extensive balaconies flanked a large sloped floor filled with plastic and and cusioned seats. Doors at the rear gave entance on both sides of the room. Doors up front likely gave access to backstage areas. It would be hard to see all aspects of the venue from various seating areas. Their seats were ten rows back, near the left aisle, providng a reasonable view.
As they waited for the performance to begin, Tessa continued talking to Sousuke about the particulars of this opera. "The opera is conducted by Jun Markl. The principals are played by Christian Franz as Siegried; Gabriel Snaut as Brunnhilde; Hasegawa Akira as Hagen; Fujimura Mihoko as Waltraute..." Sousuke's attention wavered in and out as he scanned the room for potential threats.
"Sousuke, am I boring you?" Tessa's smile looked a little forced.
"Of course not. This is your night, and I will do what needs to be done to keep you happy. But I also must do what I feel needs to be done to keep you safe." Sousuke left no room for argument with that statement.
"Oh, I understand. Will I distract you if I continue?"
"Certainly not. I find your voice very pleasant, and you are obviously a specialist in this department." That was high praise indeed from Sousuke. Tessa smiled before she continued.
"The Gotterdamerung represents the third evening of Der Ring des Nibelungen. The Twilight of the gods. It reflects Wagner's concept that Europe was experiencing the upheavals triggered by the Revolution in France, and that the world would go through an inevitable process of collapse and rebirth in the devouring flames of revolution." Sousuke listened intently, his hunger for anything historical awakened. "The music displays the mature compositional techniques of his later years to the fullest."
Eventually, the entire crowd was all seated. The lights dimmed and the curtain rose. The opera had begun. Tessa listened, entranced. Sousuke watched, drinking in new sights and sounds. He was not certain if he would like this, but it was something to experience.
The singers voiced their parts magnificently, and the story unfolded before Sousuke's eyes, allowing him to picture the story, his blood warming to the martial nature of the tale. The norns told the history of the gods while spinning the rope of world destiny, singing of a prophecy telling of the end of the world, a result of Alberich's curse. After the rope frayed and left the stage, Brunnhilde and Siegfriend appeared, united in love.
Tessa sighed happily, and lay her head upon Sousuke's shoulder.
Siegfried gave Brunnhilde the Ring...mounted her horse Grane...and rode off to seek adventure.
Sousuke smiled. Adventure was good.
In the Gibischung's castle, Hagen...the half brother to Gunther, the master of the castle...was divising a plot to take the Ring back from Siegfried. His plot is furthered by Siegfried's visit to the castle. Hagen gives him a drug to make him forget Brunnhilde.
Sousuke looked over at Tessa. Was her presence with him this evening a drug? Would he end up forgetting Kaname?
The opera continued, with both Tessa and Sousuke enraptured for their own reasons. The disruptions in the lives of Brunnhilde and Siegfried were soon joined by the loud and constant interuptions caused by a drunk and loudly vocal patron three rows in front of them. No ushers appeared to quiet the man. No security guards arrived to escort him away. Sousuke felt guilty for a moment. Did his encounter with the guards seriously diminish the security of the establishment? What was going on?
Tessa was clearly unhappy. Not only did the standing man block her view periodically, but his loud yelling to the singers about shaking more booty and swinging more swords constantly ruined her enjoyment of the arias.
Her face looked very sour, and she was squeezing her purse unmercifully.
Sousuke assessed the situation. The most significant fact was that Tessa was upset. She was not enjoying herself. That could carry on for a prolonged period of time if no one arrived to settle the inebriated sot. Direct and forecful intervention might anger Tessa, but her enjoyment could resume. The answer seemed clear.
Without warning, Sousuke sprang up and out of his chair, flinging himself over the heads of startled patrons, and landing with his outstretched elbow smack dab in the center of the drunken fool's gut. The two of them crashed heavily to the floor, rocking a number of chairs in front of them. Sousuke then gave the semiconscious man a brief lecture on proper opera ediquette before heading in the direction of his seat.
The singers stopped. The crowd was stunned. Sousuke looked all around him, noting a sea of staring faces, hearing only the beating of his own heart.
Suddenly, people began standing, one at a time. Then rows at a time. Then sections. They all turned towards Sousuke and applauded. The singers bowed and courtsied in his direction. When he returned to his seat, he was apprehensive, worrying about Tessa's reaction.
"Thank you, Sousuke" was all that Tessa said. She knew she shouldn't encourage him, but he had been so galant, so attentive. She rewarded him with another lean, and a squeeze on the arm.
Sousuke felt totally vindicated. He smiled. He never expected the opera to be so satisfying.
*************************************************************
Kyouko had acted quickly enough to keep Kaname from giving her answer to their offer with her halisen.
The middle aged fishing enthusiast had been very understanding as well, after Kyouko had explained about Kaname's fictitious hyperactivity disorder, and her reversion to basic animal instincts when she caught fish barehanded like a primitive. The man's request was simple. After Kaname took off her wig and sunglasses, and after she cleaned up as much as possible, he took a picture of Kaname holding the two fish. That phograph would grace the cover of the largest fishing periodical in Japan...available at better bookstores and magazine stands everywhere.
The man was very sympathetic with Kaname's tragic story, as he watched Kyouko struggle to hold back a ranting and raving Kaname. He would probably write a short piece on the young lady and her valiant struggle with mental illness.
*************************************************************
Tessa and Sousuke had shared a soft drink at the train station before parting. There was plenty of time before the start of the opera, and Tessa had headed back to her apartment to shower and change into a formal gown.
Sousuke had tried to tell her that she looked very nice as she was...but Tessa insisted that they needed formal attire for the night's show. She also made it quite clear that patrons of the art did not go around reeking of trout or covered with fish scales. Thinking a moment, and putting on a rapacious smile, Tessa asked Sousuke if his reluctance to have her change clothes had anything to do with her blouse. As Sousuke hemmed and hawwed, she promised him that she would wear it again another day for him...and that she could arrange to drop all sorts of things inside, if he liked. She then sat back and enjoyed watching Sousuke's face go through an entire palette of colors.
Sousuke looked at the slip of paper in his hand. It held a written address. An address to a shop. A tuxedo shop. Tessa had provided the shop with Sousuke's measurements---based on the size and fit of his Arm Slave suit---and had paid for the outfit in advance. All Sousuke needed to do was pick everything up, and see if anything needed last minute alterations. He could then return home, shower, dress, and meet Tessa at her apartment.
Tessa had mentioned that the shop handled specialty clothes. Sousuke wondered if that meant they were experienced at clothing specialists. It would be good if they were...he was running through a mental checklist of things the tuxedo jacket and slacks would need to conceal. No doubt a specialist store would be able to accomodate his needs.
He thought a moment about the opera. Would it be fun? Even if it were excrutiating, he owed it to Tessa to put on a good front. Who knows? He might enjoy himself. Tessa had seemed a little reticent when they first started fishing, but ended up having a wonderful time. He thought momentarily of Kaname. No doubt she was sitting at home alone, worrying how his date with Tessa was going.
Sousuke also worried about how things were going. He was enjoying himself, and Tessa was a pleasant companion. She showed an interest in what he had to say. She did not jump on everything he did or suggested. And...and...and she was NOT unpleasant to look at. What did all this say about his feelings for Kaname?
*************************************************************
Luxuriating in the warm spray of the shower, Tessa sang happily to herself as she scrubbed away the odor of fish and sweat. Never in a million years could she have guessed what kind of things would happen that day...but it certainly had been an exciting day so far, in more ways than one. She also chuckled to herself, thinking of all the troubles Kaname must be getting into while trying to keep an eye on Sousuke.
She laughed, realizing that Kaname must truly view her as a threat. Well, if she already had that impression, was it wrong for Tessa to try and live up to those expectations? All's fair in love and war...isn't it? She felt a twinge of guilt when she remembered why she won the contest...and when she recalled what Joe said when he presented her with his mother's pin. But she also remembered Melissa's lectures on opportunity...opportunities only came along so often, and life was a long time to regret opportunities wasted.
Tonight was the opera, and that should be a grand time. She would enjoy watching Sousuke in that setting...would he be the proverbial fish out of water? She blushed, wondering where that fish might end up. Shaking her head, she chased away those thoughts. This should be a classy evening. A time for the arts...a time for relaxation and the appreciation of exceptional talent. What came after that she would leave in the hands of fate.
*************************************************************
Even Kyouko had her limits. It certainly was fun watching Kaname go through so much trouble following Sousuke. And it was a great pleasure to watch her blame everything on him, even though he had no idea they were around. And it was an extraordinary opportunity to watch her crank out excuses and disclaimers at such tremedous speed and volume.
But enough is enough. There is only so much fun any person can take. No one would EVER write a story like this...who would believe it?
"Well, I see you are very happy that Sousuke and...uh...uh..."
"TESSA!!!"
"Yes. You seem very happy that Sousuke and Tessa have gone their separate ways. How is that going to help them get together, Kaname?" No, that look would never do...she already had a dozen or so pictures of THAT.
"Kyouko...Kyouko...Kyouko...haven't you heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder?" Kaname was laughing again.
"I see. Could they really get any fondle her...uh...I mean fonder...than they seemed at your favorite fish place?" Ah...THAT look is new. Snap.
Kaname choked a moment before resuming her laughter. "You...saw...the fish...it...was nothing more...than...that!"
"Yes, Kaname. You are correct. It was the fish." Check how many exposures are left...good: plenty. "It was definitely the fish...the first time!"
"KYOUKO!"
"I'm right here Kaname, no reason to shout. Why are you yelling? Hard of hearing? Still have water in your ears? Pond grass? Tessa's laughter?" Snap. Snap. Snap.
"KY.....OU.....KOOOOOO..."
"Since you have so much enegy left, Kaname...why don't you follow Sousuke and make certain he stays out of trouble. I'll follow Tessa. I'll make certain no other guys hit on her and steal her away from Sousuke...they're such a *p e r f e c t* couple..." Snap.
"Why...how...very...HELPFUL...Kyouko." Kaname started to cool down some, getting herself back under control. "It couldn't be that you wanted to follow Tessa on your way back home...could it?" The sweet looking smile Kaname was showing now was perhaps the scariest thing Kyouko had seen all day.
"Uh--"
"You wouldn't leave your best friend Kaname all alone would you?" That smile was getting bigger.
"Uh--"
"Not like my last best friend, Aki, did..." Really really big.
"Uh---there's no one named Aki at the school, Kaname..."
"NOT...ANY...MORE..." So many teeth!
"Oh...it's much to early to go home, Kaname." It was too early in her life to end up in a cemetery or crematorium.
"Ah...you're such a good friend, Kyouko!" Kaname, chuckling, grabbed Kyouko's camera and started taking pictures of her friend's face. "Hey...Kyouko...this IS fun!" Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap.
*************************************************************
Sousuke looked up at the sign. 'Usagi Tuxedo Shop. Clothing Specialists.'
Good...so they DID clothe specialists. Things should go smoothly. He opened the door, and checked all angles of the room out of habit. A bell hanging on the back of the door rang, announcing his presence. Yes, good security in a simple package.
Hearing the bell, an elderly woman walked up to greet Sousuke. "Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you?"
"Greetings. I am Sousuke Sagara. I have come for a tuxedo. Arrangements were made by Miss Testarossa." Specialists deserved proper respect.
"I see...let me check the book...Sagara...Sagara...ah, here...Teletha Testarossa for Sousuke Sagara...that's a nice ensemble she selected. I'll be right back." With that, the old woman disappeared through a pair of swinging doors. She returned with a carefully wrapped tuxedo.
"If you will please follow me, sir...I will show you to one of our fitting rooms. We want to make certain everything is just right. So where are you and your lady headed tonight?" The woman led Sousuke in to a small room with measuring tapes, shoe horns, pin cushions, chalk, and other tools of the trade.
"Uh...my lady..."
"Yes, your young lady. Where are you taking her?"
"Opera." Sousuke could only force out that single word. He almost froze entirely when he heard 'your lady.'
"Oh, how wonderful. I'm certain you will have a wonderful time. Is she your fiance? My daughter's fiance took her to the opera the night he proposed." The woman carefully laid out the various parts to Sousuke's tuxedo.
"Uh---"
"Yes, the opera was a wonderful place to propose. And such a wonderful place to fall in love." She polished the patent leather shoes and black onyx cufflinks.
"Uh---"
"I remember getting my first romantic kiss at the opera." She brushed a few small pieces of lint off of the herringbone vest.
"Uh---"
"And my son, that rapscallion...he swears his first born was conceived in the balcony!" Such a nice looking tuxedo. Such a nice looking young man.
"Uh---"
"It's certainly nice to find a young man who believes in love these days. And it's wonderful to find someone who doesn't just sit there talking about himself." She made certain the bow tie was properly formed.
"Uh---thank you. You certainly seem to know a lot about the opera."
"Yes. The opera is a magical place. You never can tell just what might happen there. Let's try these all on." She helped Sousuke check all the items, and everything seemed a good fit. "Well, you look rather fine, young man. Your young lady is very fortunate. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes, there is. I will need some alterations."
"Alterations? But everything fits perfectly..." The woman was clearly perplexed.
"Yes. Let me explain. I will need to find room to keep this." Sousuke put his Glock 17 on the counter.
The woman put her hand to her mouth and looked frightened. Her legs started shaking. Sousuke judged that she was two seconds from running. "It's OK, I am not here to harm you" he said in his most reassuring tone of voice.
"Oh...oh...that;s good...that's very good." The woman relaxed, but soon looked worried again. "How do I know you are not a terrorist?" she clenched her fist, debating whether to yell for her husband.
"If I were a terrorist, you would be dead. If I were a thief, you would be unconcious and your money would be gone." That logic should convince her.
"Are...are...are you a secret agent?" The last two words were said in a whisper.
"Not today, madame. I am a specialist. I need to serve as a bodyguard tonight."
"Ah...I see. She must mean a lot to you, this Teletha." The old woman smiled, and patted Sousuke's hand. "It's so nice to see true love these days, what with all that nonsense they show children on TV."
"Uh--"
"So you only need room for this gun?" The woman asked, now acting as a professional.
"I also need room for this." He put the taser on the counter.
"Oh...that's nice. I have one too. Can't be too safe these days." The woman reached into a drawer and showed Sousuke her consumer model. "Will that be all?"
"This as well." Sousuke put a small combat knife on the counter. "And this." A set of brass knuckles.
"And...?" The woman was catching on.
"It would be helpful if you could find room for this." A thin garotte. "These." Some small sharp caltrops. "These too." A small leather sling and three ball bearings.
"My...you ARE a protective one. Such a fortunate young lady." The woman put her arms across her chest, whistled, and started tapping one of her feet.
"Mam?" Sousuke was puzzled at her behavior.
"Just waiting for the next item." She grinned.
"Oh...that is all I have...ah...but if you COULD make a pocket that could hold two egg-sized items...?"
"Sure. This will take a bit of time. Come back in say..." She thought a moment. "Three quarters of an hour."
"How much do I owe you?" Sousuke took out his wallet.
"Nothing...not a fine young man such as yourself...you just make sure you show that girl of yours the best time."
Uh---yes, mam."
*************************************************************
"Kaname...it looks like good news..." Kyouko was crouched down behind a bench at a bus stop, watching Sousuke through binoculars. Kaname was hidden behind a newspaper, looking through a cut-out hole.
"Sousuke is heading into a Tuxedo shop. The date's not over...they're probably both getting ready for something special. Something dramatic." Kyouko readied her camera. Hoping for something dramatic.
Kaname was not amused. "You sound rather eager, Kyouko. I'm glad. Because if the date goes on longer, we get to spend more quality time together...RIGHT?!" She spoke very quietly and evenly...an ominous sign. Were there stormclouds brewing?
"Naturally...that's why I am so excited, Kaname. Haven't we been having such a wonderful day? The only people in the city who are having more fun than we are...are Tessa and Sousuke. I can't imagine ANYONE having more fun that THAT!" Kyouko came dangerously close to sounding like she was purposefully baiting her friend. She needed to use greater caution. There are things that her dental plan did not cover.
"Kyouko...funny you should put it that way...there IS somebody who is going to have more fun than she already has." Still quiet. Still worrisome.
"Who, Kaname?" She didn't need to ask. The sinking feeling in her gut told her the answer.
"You, of course. If Sousuke changes into a tuxedo, we will lose our ability to track him."
"Oh...but that's probably just as well, Kaname. If they're going somewhere in fancy dress, we probably won't be able to follow them too closely anyway. We might as well call it a day, since we don't have anything fancy to wear. " She was only speaking the truth...surely no harm could come from that. "Besides! If we went home to change, we could never follow him. How would we know where they'd go? Catch 22!"
"You have the great fortune of being with me, Kyouko! Haven't you come to realize my amazing leadership skill, yet. My unparalleled talent for planning??" Hearing no answer, Kaname continued. "You will catch up with Sousuke...feign coincidence...and find out from Sousuke where he is going tonight and when." Sousuke had made great use of the word 'coincidence' before...it ought to work in Kaname's favor this time.
"While you are off on that part of the mission, I will go pick us out some fancy dresses. Because I am feeling so magnanimous...I will even pay for one half of your bill! After all, you were generous enough to buy all that expensive fishing equipment! Ha ha hah hah ha." Instinctively, Kaname moved her shopping bag out of Kyouko's reach.
"K-K-K..." Kyouko stuttered. She had momentarily though about grabbing the halisen and showing Kaname how the other half lived! But, the damn bag was out of range. "You...you...you."
"That's OK, Kyouko. You don't have to thank me. Now get going, before he gets too far ahead of you!"
*************************************************************
Sousuke finished adjusting his cufflinks after he had situated all of his weapons to his liking. A touch more cologne, and he was done.
After spending some time in a bookstore perusing military history, he had headed back to the clothing shop to pick up his tuxedo. The woman had done an excellent job: everything fit where it had too. This tuxedo provided him with more options than many of his combat clothes did. Perhaps dressing up had its benefits.
He had run into Kyouko when he left the shop, and his having a tuxedo naturally sparked her curiosity. He was only too happy to answer her enquiries, and had some questions of his own. He had asked if she knew how Kaname was doing. Kyouko looked very uncomfortable when she answered, telling him that Kaname was at home and that everything was fine. She was hiding something. No doubt Kaname was feeling depressed, and Kyouko didn't want Sousuke to worry! She was a good friend!
It was time to pick up Tessa and head for the opera.
*************************************************************
Sousuke had been momentarily concerned, after he had knocked on Tessa's door. What if she had taken the opportunity to put on an even more revealing outfit. Melissa had told him that he needed to be an attentive and talkative date...if things got any worse, he would be reduced to babbling incoherence.
If someone were to ask him whose safety concerned him the most tonight, he wasn't certain how he would answer.
When Tessa had opened the door, Sousuke realized that his fears had been unfounded. Her neckline was much more sedate. However, her power to dumbfound him was by no means diminished. Quite the opposite. He stood awestruck looking at her.
Tessa was secretly very pleased. She could have hit Sousuke with a curare-laden blow dart, and it wouldn't have been as effective as her dress apparently was. The beautiful blue silk gown, with its brocade of flowers, was exquisitely decorated with with festoons and rows of silver sequins. The light shone from her like she had flown to earth on a winged horse, a goddess. She curtsied, and wondered if she should carry Sousuke into the room.
She laughed, but it was the laughter of the fly that had escaped the flycatcher...only to find itself entangled in a spider's web. Now that she focused on Sousuke, Tessa felt a touch of weakness in her knees. He looked VERY nice in a tux. His scar gave him a dashing and debonaire look. She smiled, knowing that to her, he was a weapon far greater than anything he might have stashed away. That feeling...at that moment...was worth the expense of the entire evening. Another moment she wished that she could freeze in time.
As Sousuke walked down the hallway, arm in arm with Tessa, he realized that he hadn't thought the word 'Captain' after he had left this very building, early that morning.
*************************************************************
Kyouko was very pleased by the look of the dress that Kaname had chosen for her, and was intrigued by the fancy mask on a stick that came with it...the current rage for the opera crowd, the saleswoman had said.
Kyouke was not pleased by the glaring hole in Kaname's plan. She intended to improvise their way into the opera house, but Kyouko didn't see much chance of success in that approach. But thet was alright! It would be nice to finally get to go home again...on the other hand, it would NOT be nice to pay for even half of the cost of that dress...she could have gotten another camera for that money!
"Wait a minute, Kyouko...didn't you say once that your aunt and uncle were big opera buffs...that they were a member of some kind of club? And they had season's passes?"
"The Ji Atore? Yes, they are members. Oh, I think I see where this is leading." But...perhaps Kyouko could convince Kaname that her aunt and uncle were out of town!!!
"Kyouko...I see those wheels turning...don't go try and do something like saying your aunt and uncle are out of town!" Kaname laughed when she saw the look on Kyouko's face. Bingo! "Besides, with phones, fax, and e-mail, they might still be able to help, even if they were gone!"
Kyouko reached her uncle at home and asked if he was going to use his tickets for the night, or if he had given them away. He wasn't and he hadn't He was only too happy to call the New National Theatre and talk to the manager...the people working the doors would be on the lookout for his niece's name.
Kaname smiled. Fortune favored the righteous.
*************************************************************
Walking up to the New National Theatre, Sousuke was unprepared for the pomp and circumstance, the utter level of spectacle. Large spot lights criss-crossed the skies, never tiring in their chase amonst the low-hanging clouds. Large limosines were parked all along the avenue, and countless couples in expensive attire strolled to the entry way, or stood engaged in conversations under rows of blooming trees.
He looked down at Tessa, who was glowing as much from her smile as she was from her sequins.
Sousuke himself drew many envious stares, as did Tessa. A faint whiff of tobacco drifted along the sidewalk, mixed with a bewildering melange of perfume, cologne, and natural fragrances. Streetlights were turning on, and the setting sun lent an otherworldly flavor to a memorable scene. For an instant, Sousuke thought of Kaname. Wouldn't she love to be here right now? Perhaps some day they would do this together.
The line of patrons snaked its way towards a set of ornate doors, the sound of laughter and happy discourse spreading away from it like the legs on some fanciful centipede. When Sousuke reached a position where he could begin making an assessment of their destination, he noted that the building's security preparations included an moderately effective model of metal detector. He would need to devise a means by which he could circumvent that precaution. He also focussed on the visible security guards and their routine.
Sousuke looked at Tessa's sequinned purse. It was large enough, if she did not have it overstuffed with various paraphernalia. "May I see your purse a moment, Tessa?"
Tessa looked at Sousuke curiously, then smiled. "Certainly...as long as you don't drop a trout in there just as an excuse to go rummaging around!" Her laughter blended in with the joyous noise around them.
Blushing, Sousuke became serious. "I need to put my weapons in with yours, Tessa. I will then need you to distract the security guards while I throw the purse over the detectors. I will give you the purse when I am done."
"No rush, Sosuske...I'm certain that the purse would look ravishing on your shoulder. After all, it's covered with sequins." Tessa leaned heavily against Sousuke's shoulder. "It can stay there just as long as you wish." She looked up into his startled eyes, eyes aglow.
"Uh---yes, of course. You had better come up with your plan...it is almost our turn."
Sousuke seemed nervous. Tessa smiled, knowing it had nothing to do with security obstacles. "No problem, Sousuke. I'm already working on my plan. And, I have plenty of time to think of what to do with security, too." Those batting eyelashes again!
"Uh---very good."
Soon enough, and it was their turn to enter the building. As Tessa walked through the detectors, she pretended to swoon, moaning as she fell. She soon drew the attention of a large crowd of concerned people just inside the entry way.
"Oh...the poor dear fainted." "Where's security? SECURITY!" "Is there a doctor in the house?" "Oh boy, I'LL revive her." "No...you...won't (smack!)"
Checking the placement of the security guards, Sousuke threw Tessa's purse around the metal detectors, landing it directly on her left hand. Grabbing it, and hearing Sousuke call her name, Tessa slowly sat up.
"Oh my, the excitement must have gotten to me. Thank you everybody, I feel much better now!" Tessa was laughing, showing the onlookers that she was fine. After a small number of well-wishers exchanged pleasantries, the crowd was no longer interested in her.
Tessa and Sousuke started to walk away, only to have their path blocked by four security personnel, all dressed in fancy gray suits with black bow ties. "Hold on their, miss. Where do you think you're going. We need to check and be certain you're OK." The larger of the security men had spoken. The other guards formed a circle. They exchanged galnces with one another, smiling. Sousuke could tell they were planning something inappropriate.
"That's very kind of you, but I think my boyfriend and I can manage now. Thank you ever so much." Tessa sounded kind and unconcerned.
"Yes...well, if it were simply up to me, I'd let you go on your way now. But rules are rules, and the building policy says that we need to give you a once over to make certain you aren't suffering from a serious medical condition. Never can be too careful where potential legal matters are concerned." Tessa definitely did not like the implications of 'once over.'
The older appearing and heavier set guard continued speaking. While he was talking, Sousuke quickly and efficiently judged each potential opponent. They looked to have weapons there...there...there...and there. That man had deficient balance. That other one favored his right. All of them appeared to be out of ideal physical shape. He also judged their professional conduct and execution, noting how all of them were focused on this private little manner.
"Yes, your boyfrined can help himself to sparkling cider and punch while we check on you. You'll be back with him before you know it" Two of the guards took hold of Tessa's arms, attempting to lead her away. She looked at Sousuke expectantly.
"I would not let her leave alone in the company of competent guards." Sousuke said with a sneer and a stern look. His contempt was a tangible thing, hanging in the air between all four members of the security detail. "I suppose we could check in with your superiors, to see if they approve of your actions. However, if they are as incompetent and as corrupt as all of you, that would only prolong matters."
"What?...you snot-nosed punk! I was working security when you were still clutching at you mother's tit!" The smallest security guard had a nervous twitch and a small hitch in his step. His gun was larger than those of his comrades.
"Yeh! What the hell would YOU know about security, any way. It's pretty funny, a kid trying to tell men how to do their job!" That other guard had twitchy eyes, and appeared to suffer a lag between his thoughts and his movements. His gun was situated too far towards his shoulder.
"You may not accept it, but I know security. I have had the opportunity to work with many men...I have learned very well how to judge men...you are not men. You are unofficial cowards gifted with an official job. I have seen young children in thrid world countries do a better job of guarding a water hole than you doing watching over this establishment." Sousuke sounded like he was aching to spit. The angry men did not miss his attitude or his opinion of them.
"You think so, little mister big shot. Let me clue you in just who you are trying to fool. Two of us, myself included, worked with the Japan Security Guard at Camp Foster in Okinawa. We both qualified as expert with the M9, as good as any American." That was the larger one talking. Another one nodded his head and patted at the bulge in his jacket. M9. The version of the Beretta 92F 9mm pistol used by the U.S. armed forces. Sousuke estimated that the other guards might be carrying M1911A1 .45 pistols or .38 caliber revolvers based on the size and location of their weapons.
Another guard stepped forward. "I worked security at the Winter Olympics as a member of the Nagano police force. My buddy there..." he nodded towards the final guard, "he was part of the special squad that was sent in to deal with the Aum Supreme Truth Group. We're not just some jerk bunch of rent-a-cops!"
"I was almost impressed." Sousuke souned deadpan, even for him. "Words mean nothing. Neither do past actions. I only see what is here today. And what I see is pathetic, even by amateur standards." The men grew angrier and more agitated, as Sousuke detailed their inadequacies.
"Forget for the moment that you attempt to harrass young women. Overlook the fact that you are leaving the door unwatched as you satisfy your personal desires. And get past the fact that you employ an obsolete metal detector with no multi-camera back-up. Those would be indictment enough. But to allow the random movement of an unchecked crowd, that is inexcusable. And failing to provide zones of free movement or adquate lines of fire is embarrassing. If you were working for free, the establishment would still be paying far too much!"
He rattled off a long list of further inaequacies. The men no longer seemed to realize that Tessa existed. Their attention was squarely on Sousuke.
"Oh really. Perhaps we should go to a back room where you can lecture us in security techniques!" The leader of the group said, laughing.
"That is acceptable." Souske sounded confident. "There will be no charge. This will be professional courtesy."
"Yes," one of the guards laughed "It certainly will be. Boss, better call in the other guys while we go get learned."
"Good idea, Takei." The larger guard spoke into his walkie-talkie. "Eizo...Akimori...we need you up front to watch the door. We have an incident to deal with in the back room. Find two of the others to take your place. Over." The two men called in, saying they were on their way. The guards signalled for Sousuke to follow them in an orderly fashion.
"In a moment. I must see to the safety of my date...something you were obviously incapable of doing." Amongst angry muttering, Sousuke walked Tessa over to a refreshment table, making a show of handing her a drink.
Tessa took a sip, and put the glass back down. "I hope you know what you are doing. We don't need a big incident. I trust your abilities, but I REALLY want to see this opera. With you."
"It will not be a problem, Tessa. I do not trust those men around you. I will protect you as my date, just as I would protect my commanding officer. Maybe even moreso" He was rewarded with a lovely blush. "I will show them mercy. However, if they wish to approach you again after that, they will not be so fortunate a second time."
Caught up in the moment, not even having time to plan her action, Tessa gave Sousuke a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Uh--"
"Here, Sousuke...move closer to me..." Tessa sounded purposeful, not coy.
"Uh--"
"We're in the middle of a confrontation here Sousuke!" Tessa stamped her foot. "I want to pass your weapons on to you without being seen.
"Yes. Very good, Tessa." Sousuke retrieved his weapons, situating them were they would serve him best. "I shouldn't be very long. Now might be a good time to look around the lobby. I will find you."
Sousuke followed the guards through a door opening into a long hallway.
*************************************************************
Kaname and Kyouko had not arrived in time to see Tessa's big performance, but they had made it though the door in time to see Sousuke escorted away by four security guards. The looks on their faces spoke trouble.
Kaname was both amused and concerned. "I might have known. I doubt he's been here more than ten minutes, and he's already in trouble! And little Miss Tessa is nowhere to be seen. Figures!"
"What are we going to do, Kaname? If we don't help him, who knows what they might do to him. And if we do get involved. who knows what might happen to us?" Kyouko was truly worried. This was no longer a game for her.
"Just trust me Kyouko...do you think I would do anything crazy?" Kaname's look dared her friend to answer her with an affirmative.
All we need to do is follow them, and listen at the door. If we hear anything suspicious, we use your cell phone to call the city police. They should have some officers nearby, with an event this big. Look at all of the uppity-ups here tonight!" Kaname took Kyouko's cell phone from her and dialed in the number for the police hotline.
"Just push the 'send' button if I tell you too, Kyouko."
They headed down the hallway Sousuke had gone down, with Kaname carefully noting which door had just closed.
"Kaname?" Kyouko asked mischieviously as they walked. "Sousuke looked really nice in his tuxedo, didn't he?"
"Yes. He certainly did. Very nice." Kaname answered without thinking, her mind fixated on her destination rather than the conversation.
"Ah ha...so you noticed!" Kyouko looked like a lioness ready to down a gazelle.
"Uh...of course...I simply meant that ANY man would look good in a tuxedo...even Sousuke!" Ha! Let her choke on THAT one.
"I see. Kaname, why are you blushing then?"
*************************************************************
Sousuke was angry. Very angry.
In part, his anger was due to the way the security guards had perverted something sacred, something meaningful. They had foresworn their responsibilities and made light of their solemn duties. They had put themselves first, ahead of the people they were obliged to protect.
Sousuke, himself--with his life so full of questions, and with so much growing and learning to do--routinely put his life on the line for countless people he would never meet...and for amorphous ideals he could neither touch, taste, or smell. The ordeals he faced...they all came with the territory. He accepted that. He did what was needed. He did what was right! These guards were human refuse...they did only what was gratifying or profitable...they served only themselves.
That was only the tip of the iceberg. That was only the door to the blast furnace. The boiling pot of Sousuke's anger was heated by the disrespect and discomfort thrust upon Tessa. The flames of his seething need to punish the transgressors were stoked by the potential danger she faced. This night was about Tessa. Tessa needed to enjoy this night. Tessa needed protection.
This had gone past professional considerations. It was personal. That in itself was dangerous for Sousuke. But it was even more dangerous for the four men who stood in his way.
The guards led him into a locker room, with a small cental table, six folding metal chairs, an end table and lamp, and a small coffee maker. Cups, sugar, and low calorie sweeteners dotted the table. One wall contained a large billboard with attached dutie rosters, girlie magazine pinups, and photographs of attractive female opera-goers.
"This will not take long." Sousuke said, addressing all men at once, as if they were a single bag of trash that needed to be disposed of. "I promised the young lady that I would not be long...and I would like to see the opera." The guards all snickered, as if Sousuke's missing the opera was a foregone conclusion.
"Oh, aren't we so very lucky, guys. The lecture won't take too long. We will have plenty of time to reflect upon our failures and cry upon each other's shoulder. Any one bring the tissues?" All four guards laughed, one rather loudly.
"Furthermore," Sousuke continued, " I should inform you that this is personal now, not professional"
"Oooh--weee---I'm certain we're all shaking in our boots. Just to make things fair, we'll make it personal too! What do you think, guys?" The guard who spoke opened a locker, throwing a knotted rope to one of his comrades, and taking out a pair of tuifa for himself.
"Yeh. Personal" The leader of the guards said, spitting on Sousuke.
"Personal is good for me," The rope man said.
"I'm looking to go way beyond personal, now that we got that far." That came from the smallest guard, likely the one with the biggest chip on his shoulder. He pulled a large sap out of his pants pocket.
"You misunderstandd me." Sousuke started, not in one bit concerned by the weapons he had glimpsed. "I work for a professional organization. They are not as forgiving as I am. Should anything further happen to myself or the young lady I am accompanying, the response of my superiors would be rather unpleasant. Short. Final. Precluding any need for your future existence. I hope I have made myself clear."
One guard looked briefly shocked. "Hey...wait...are you one of their guys...are you a member of---" His question was stopped when the security team leader slapped him across the mouth.
"Shut up!!!" The largest guard said. "He is obviously not one of THEM!"
"You have been given a courtesy you do not deserve. The time for teaching has come." Sousuke had not moved an inch since he started fighting, but he had made all of the observations and mental preparations he needed to.
The guards all made disparaging noises. One made an extremely obscene comment and gesture. He walked up behind Sousuke, slightly to his left. The man with the tonfa rubbed them together playfully, and leaned lazily against the lockers. The man with the rope tickled the back of the neck of the guard in front of him, and then sat down to work on his cup of coffee. The man with the sap played catch with the largest guard. They obviously did not take Sousuke seriously. Their attitude dovetailed beautifully with his short but valuable lesson.
"If I may have your attention please. The first lesson in security work is simple. You must know when you are up against something that is more than you are capable of handling." With that, Sousuke moved quickly into action.
The guard behind Sousuke had been moving slowly trying to reach a point in the room from which he could quickly move to immobilize Sousuke, making things easy for the others. He did not have that opportunity. Sousuke pushed him hard against the wall behind him, grasped him firmly by the neck with both hands, and spun him with all his might, sending him at the feet of the largest guard. The two men fell to the floor, hard.
Sousuke stepped up, and stepped off of the back of the top prone man, launching himself at the gaurd with the tonfa. He landed a hard kick in passing to the side of the seated guard's head, before landing and severely gouging the eyes of the man with the two hand-held weapons The latter guard reflexively dropped his weapons and put his hands to his eyes. Sousuke picked up the sticks and beat the incapacitated man across the abdomen, chest, and face as if he were a taiko drum. Retching and tearing up, that man was effectively out of the action. Teeth skittered across the floor like little white mice running from a cat.
The guard with the rope, his coffee now decorating his lap, tried to grab onto Sousuke, but he was too groggy. Sousuke played a stacatto rhthm on his upper arms and head, and finished him with a savage kick to the groin and a back-handed chop to the throat.
Bending down, Sousuke picked up the knotted rope. At that moment, the lead guard was speaking into his walkie-talkie, only managing one word: "Hel-l-l-p..." Sousuke flung him face first into a wall, wrapped the rope around his neck, and flipped him on top of the coffee drenched guard.
The fourth guard backed away from Sousuke, holding his hands up in the air. "I-I'm unarmed...I've l-learned my l-lesson. Please! I didn't start this..."
Sousuke threw down the rope. "We are equally armed, now. The teacher gets to decide when the student is schooled enough. And I shall finish this." The utter violence and sheer force of Sousuke's flying kick pushed his opponent partially into a now mangled locker. His arm trapped inside, the dazed guard could not defend himself from the flurry of blows that followed.
"The lesson is over." Sousuke said.
*************************************************************
Sousuke left the locker room by a different door than the one he had come in through. He did not wish to run into any additional guards, had any been hurrying towards that site. He stopped a moment, and checked his tux. Everything looked fine. That was fortunate for the guards. Had they injured his clothing, he would have gone back in and done something serious to them. All in all, he was proud to have held his temper. Forebearence is a laudable trait in a soldier.
He took a brief moment to contact the nearest active safehouse, detailing the recent events. He asked that personnel be kept on standby, but saw no reason as of yet to get Mithril officially involved. Walking through a series of connected storage rooms, Sousuke eventually gained access to another hallway leading to the lobby.
*************************************************************
Kaname and Kyouko were startled by the sudden and violent noises that came from behind the door. Kyouko phoned the police, and described what was happening. Kaname knew that there was little that she could do, and realized that any action on her part would bring her to Sousuke's attention. Still...if he were in danger, she HAD to see if there was something she could do, if only to create a distraction and provide him an opportunity at escape.
Before she could move, the noise stopped. She couldn't hear any further sounds. She opened the door warily. She first noticed a number of teeth. Sousuke's? She put her hand to her mouth, then thought a moment. Probably not!
The four chastised guards, only now trying to make their way up onto their knees, were the only persons in the room. Where was Sousuke?
Kyouko snapped a number of pictures.
As Kaname and Kyouko turned, preparing to head back the way they had come, the two guards who had heard the call for help arrived. The pair of girls were the only people they saw in addition to their discomforted conrades.
"Looks like we need to have a little talk, ladies" one of the guards said, gun in hand.
*************************************************************
Tessa would trust Sousuke's instincts. She remembered all too well what things could happen when she didn't. She held off from making an official call into headquarters.
That trust did not stop her from worrying as she wandered about the lobby, taking note of the various features that were new since her last visit to the opera house.
Sousuke walked up to her calmly, as if nothing had happened. There were no visible signs of injury in his walk, in the way he carried his body, or the way that he spoke. Her eyes screamed a question at him.
"I'm fine" Souske said plainly. "It was not a problem. I have informed them that there could be more serious repurcussions. I trust that you will back me up in that."
"Certainly...you have my full support. That was very quick."
"Yes. I did not wish to leave you alone. I did not want to miss anything. This is a special night." He offered his arm to her, watching curiously as she blushed. She had been doing a lot of that.
"I'm...I'm glad to hear that, Sousuke. Would you like me to show you around?" Tessa smiled brightly.
"Please. That would be enjoyable."
Tessa first lead him by a table of food vendors, sent over from the Trocadero Bistro Bar. French delicacies were on sale in sampler size, including Rillettes de saumon, Ratatouille, and Assiette de charcuterie. Equally small portions of desserts included sorbet, nougat glaces, and creme caramel. Assorted French wines were available by the glass, and Belgian beers were on sale by the bottle.
Next, Tessa showed him a mammoth fresh water aquarium on loan from Kasai Seaside Aquarium. Koi, small ornamental goldfish, and busy Plecostamus catfish obliviously swam and scooted across the watery enclosure. A beautiful aquascape included Brazilian swords, Cabomba, and Elodea. The tank was large enough to do simple scuba training in, Sousuke thought.
One of the lobby walls had been turned into a small art gallery, displaying Pre-Raphaelite paintings on loan from various international art galleries and private collectors. Tessa explained the history behind some of them, showing Sousuke 'The Soul of the Rose' by John William Waterhouse; 'Birth of Venus' by Adolphe-William Bourquereau; 'Sleeping Beauty' by Henry Mynell Rheam; and two paintings by Sir Frank Dicksee. The first was 'Romeo and Juliet.' The second was titled 'End of The Quest.' That latter picture depicted a knight down on his knees in front of his lady, their clasped hands elevated between them. Tessa stared at that painting for a prolonged period of time.
Sousuke's polite cough shook her from her trance. They both then went to examine a number of glass display cases, holding a collection of Danite Norseman artifacts from the time of Olaf The White, as well as some items supposedly belonging to the Black Strangers. A small dagger and a helmet reportedly attributed to Constantine were also present. It was Sousuke's turn to stare, and finally be brought back to present day Tokyo.
After the tour, Tessa and Sousuke grabbed some food and non-alcoholic beverages, enjoying them while Tessa gave her companion a synopsis of 'Die Walkure' and 'Siegfried,' the earlier cycles of Wagner's opera 'Der Ring des Nibelungen.' They spoke with a number of fellow opera goers, many of whom remarked how handsome the young couple looked together. Tessa's fascination with blushing continued. Sousuke asiduoulsy took notes.
At the appropriate time, the crowd made their way to their seats. Tessa described the great theatre room to Sousuke as they walked. "The opera house's proscenium style stage consists of four areas...the main stage, a rear stage, and the left and right wings."
Sousuke nodded his head attentively, remarking when he thought it was required of him.
"The structure, standard in European theatre architecture, has been built to suit grand opera." Tessa was clearly in one of her environments. "The walls and ceilings of the seating area atre covered with thick panels of wood to provide ideal acoustics for the singers. The theatre itself acts as a musical instrument."
"How many rows? How many people does it hold?" Sousuke's interest was in part politeness, and in part professional habit.
"There are twenty continuous rows on the floor, and three balconies on each side, in all totaling over eighteen hundred people." She continued on after that, mentioning the reverberation time of 1.4 to 1.6 seconds; describing the size and location of the orchestra pit; and talking about the mechanical marvel of the rotating stage area. Several workshop areas were present in a sizeable offstage area.
As they walked into the theatre area, Sousuke was struck by the immense size of things. A huge red curtain dominated the hidden stage, and extensive balaconies flanked a large sloped floor filled with plastic and and cusioned seats. Doors at the rear gave entance on both sides of the room. Doors up front likely gave access to backstage areas. It would be hard to see all aspects of the venue from various seating areas. Their seats were ten rows back, near the left aisle, providng a reasonable view.
As they waited for the performance to begin, Tessa continued talking to Sousuke about the particulars of this opera. "The opera is conducted by Jun Markl. The principals are played by Christian Franz as Siegried; Gabriel Snaut as Brunnhilde; Hasegawa Akira as Hagen; Fujimura Mihoko as Waltraute..." Sousuke's attention wavered in and out as he scanned the room for potential threats.
"Sousuke, am I boring you?" Tessa's smile looked a little forced.
"Of course not. This is your night, and I will do what needs to be done to keep you happy. But I also must do what I feel needs to be done to keep you safe." Sousuke left no room for argument with that statement.
"Oh, I understand. Will I distract you if I continue?"
"Certainly not. I find your voice very pleasant, and you are obviously a specialist in this department." That was high praise indeed from Sousuke. Tessa smiled before she continued.
"The Gotterdamerung represents the third evening of Der Ring des Nibelungen. The Twilight of the gods. It reflects Wagner's concept that Europe was experiencing the upheavals triggered by the Revolution in France, and that the world would go through an inevitable process of collapse and rebirth in the devouring flames of revolution." Sousuke listened intently, his hunger for anything historical awakened. "The music displays the mature compositional techniques of his later years to the fullest."
Eventually, the entire crowd was all seated. The lights dimmed and the curtain rose. The opera had begun. Tessa listened, entranced. Sousuke watched, drinking in new sights and sounds. He was not certain if he would like this, but it was something to experience.
The singers voiced their parts magnificently, and the story unfolded before Sousuke's eyes, allowing him to picture the story, his blood warming to the martial nature of the tale. The norns told the history of the gods while spinning the rope of world destiny, singing of a prophecy telling of the end of the world, a result of Alberich's curse. After the rope frayed and left the stage, Brunnhilde and Siegfriend appeared, united in love.
Tessa sighed happily, and lay her head upon Sousuke's shoulder.
Siegfried gave Brunnhilde the Ring...mounted her horse Grane...and rode off to seek adventure.
Sousuke smiled. Adventure was good.
In the Gibischung's castle, Hagen...the half brother to Gunther, the master of the castle...was divising a plot to take the Ring back from Siegfried. His plot is furthered by Siegfried's visit to the castle. Hagen gives him a drug to make him forget Brunnhilde.
Sousuke looked over at Tessa. Was her presence with him this evening a drug? Would he end up forgetting Kaname?
The opera continued, with both Tessa and Sousuke enraptured for their own reasons. The disruptions in the lives of Brunnhilde and Siegfried were soon joined by the loud and constant interuptions caused by a drunk and loudly vocal patron three rows in front of them. No ushers appeared to quiet the man. No security guards arrived to escort him away. Sousuke felt guilty for a moment. Did his encounter with the guards seriously diminish the security of the establishment? What was going on?
Tessa was clearly unhappy. Not only did the standing man block her view periodically, but his loud yelling to the singers about shaking more booty and swinging more swords constantly ruined her enjoyment of the arias.
Her face looked very sour, and she was squeezing her purse unmercifully.
Sousuke assessed the situation. The most significant fact was that Tessa was upset. She was not enjoying herself. That could carry on for a prolonged period of time if no one arrived to settle the inebriated sot. Direct and forecful intervention might anger Tessa, but her enjoyment could resume. The answer seemed clear.
Without warning, Sousuke sprang up and out of his chair, flinging himself over the heads of startled patrons, and landing with his outstretched elbow smack dab in the center of the drunken fool's gut. The two of them crashed heavily to the floor, rocking a number of chairs in front of them. Sousuke then gave the semiconscious man a brief lecture on proper opera ediquette before heading in the direction of his seat.
The singers stopped. The crowd was stunned. Sousuke looked all around him, noting a sea of staring faces, hearing only the beating of his own heart.
Suddenly, people began standing, one at a time. Then rows at a time. Then sections. They all turned towards Sousuke and applauded. The singers bowed and courtsied in his direction. When he returned to his seat, he was apprehensive, worrying about Tessa's reaction.
"Thank you, Sousuke" was all that Tessa said. She knew she shouldn't encourage him, but he had been so galant, so attentive. She rewarded him with another lean, and a squeeze on the arm.
Sousuke felt totally vindicated. He smiled. He never expected the opera to be so satisfying.
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