[FIC] Class Act (part 10)
Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 2:13 pm
The Jindai High students were unanimously happy to be getting a new tour guide. Kaname almost did a happy little dance---if she had heard even one more ‘Suki,’ she may very well have thrown away her pledge and gone after that irritating creature with the Tachi. Sousuke was also relieved. Not because of the man’s continual fascination with him---he had met and avoided men like that throughout the bazaars of Pehshawar and Herat. No, the man was dispensing inaccurate information---unforgivable!
A small wiry woman with a short black hair and a razor-sharp smile approached the group. “Welcome, all. I am Katja Krieger, and I will be your instructor in the European and New World sections. I shall be blunt. There is a lot to see, and it will be you, the visitors, who will determine how much we will examine this afternoon. Questions are welcome, but should be rationed. Distractions and rude behavior will not be tolerated. Also, so as to judge the speed at which we may move, I would like to judge the athleticism of our party.”
Miss Krieger walked amongst the visitors, giving a close eye to the physique and size of her charges. “Show of hands! How many adults routinely compete in sports? Martial arts? Good, very good. You shall all service as group leaders. Please put on these badges, then turn and introduce yourselves to your fellow tourists.”
The guide stopped before Miss Okibasu and extended her hand. “You are the teacher? It is good to make your acquaintance. I too was a teacher, once. Before an unfortunate indiscretion.”
Miss Okibasu blushed, and sparred a quick glance at Sousuke. There was no way for her to know that Miss Krieger was not talking about student-teacher relationships.
“Now, I know that all teenagers are full of energy. That is commendable. But, how many of you are on sports teams? Excellent! How many of you are team captains? Also wonderful! Do we have anyone who excels at multiple sports. Very good. And what is your name, young lady?”
“Kaname Chidori.”
“I shall keep an eye on you, Miss Chidori. Please wear this flower as a gift. Now, what is your name young man.” After she was finished with her questioning, the lithe and firmly muscled woman walked to the front of the group again.
“Competition is the life’s blood of civilization. To make this tour more fun, I shall occasionally ask questions of some of you. We will keep score. The men against the women. Bonus points will go to anyone who catches me in error. I do not expect to be handing out any bonus points.” She walked over to a small desk, slipped on a tour guide’s vest, and picked up a long pointer with a leather wrist loop.
Kaname strutted around, a red carnation pinned to her blouse. Siddling up next to Sousuke, she smirked. “Too bad they aren’t handing out flowers for otakus. It’s good that someone appreciates my accomplishments. Hmmppfff.”
“You have reason to be proud, Chidori” Sousuke said in a conversational tone.
“Why, thank you Sousuke.” Kaname blushed, then shook her fist at Maya and Ryo who were pretending to swoon.
“For a girl in high school, your abilities are commendable. However, in combat, your lack of conditioning would be a liability, and you would be at great risk in battlefield conditions.” Sousuke took no notice of Mizuke and Kyouko, staggering backwards, hands over their hearts.
“What?” Trust Sousuke to ruin the mood.
“You would have been relegated to the rear lines, as a medical support person, logistics orderly, or camp follower.” Sousuke left out additional possibilities to save time.
“Camp follower?” Shinji had walked up, noticing the antics of Kaname’s friends. He sported a large bruise on his left cheek.
“Yes. Civilians and non-combatants. In more modern wars, such as the American Revolution, the camp followers included wives, girlfriends, and unattached women. Expected to keep up with the troops, they served as laundresses, clothes menders, cooks, porters, nurses, and sellers of food and wares.” Sousuke was more than happy to share his knowledge.
“Sousuke….” Kaname’s hands were clenching. A storm was brewing in her eyes.
“In more ancient armies, the camp followers often had a different purpose.” He was oblivious to Kaname’s rapid boil. “Aside from serfs and slaves, large numbers of prostitutes would follow the Roman legions.”
Shinji stepped back and readied his camera. He smiled over at Kyouko, who did the same.
“Prostitutes???” Kaname’s voice came out in a growl.
“Yes, Kaname. Women who would eagerly sell their sexual favors for money and other forms of payment.” Sousuke was willing to teach anyone who wanted to learn.
“BAKU!” Kaname’s hand came down hard, stopping inches shy of Sousuke’s head. Quivering, the hand hovered as if it had a mind of its own. The unfairness only made Kaname’s anger grow. She couldn’t strike Sousuke, and the reason she was unable to enjoy that right and privilege was because of Sousuke. “Squad….” she said in a calm and quiet voice.
“Sousuke, there’s something over hear you can help us with,” Ryo said in a cheerful voice. “Around the corner…a painting of a General or Major or something. The plaque doesn’t say who it was.” The other girls turned pleading looks on Sousuke.
“I shall endeavor to be of assitance.” His voice grew somewhat fainter as he walked out of sight. “Ah, he was a Captain. That is Louis d’Estouteville, hero at Mont Saint-Michel in the 100 years war. He…urrrppphhhfff…what are you…ooouuuwwww…museum rules…arrrrrhhhhh.”
Kaname quickly hid her smile behind her hand when an irate Miss Krieger came storming back into their midst. By the time the guide reached the site of the struggle, Souske was pulling himself of off the ground. His shirt was over his head.
“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!” A strong German accent appeared in the tour leader’s voice.
“I am adjusting my shirt.” Sousuke answered, “If I may ask a favor, could you look away. I need to adjust my shorts.” The girls had Melvined Sousuke but good.
“THIS IS A MUSEUM, NOT A LOCKER ROOM OR A PLAYGROUND!!! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR???” Miss Krieger swung Sousuke around and slammed him against the wall, causing the picture of the French war hero to tilt some. She was rather strong.
“Sir, yes Sir!” Sousuke snapped to attention and fired off a salute. It was an act born from habit. It only served to anger his confronter even more. Miss Krieger thought he was mocking her.
Now nose to nose with Sousuke, the woman spoke in a voice meant for him and herself alone. “You are in MY museum. You are part of MY group. If you cause even the slightest bit of trouble, you will personally answer to ME. Do we have an understanding?”
“I am uncertain. You are a tour guide. This is not a military establishment, and we are not troops under your command. By what means do you claim authority?”
Miss Krieger lashed out with her pointer. It struck a fire extinguisher, knocking it loose of its mooring, causing it to come crashing to the ground. “This” she hissed to Sousuke. “What is your name?”
“Sagara, Sousuke Sagara.”
“I will be keeping an eye on you, Sagara. Do NOT annoy me further.” The guide turned and headed back.
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The tour was going well. Kaname was in a very good mood. Sousuke had been put in his place, and the ladies were leading the competition. The lead in the standings was in no small part due to Kaname. Her correct answers to two different questions was a minor contribution. She had sent the Jindai Squad out, with instructions to speak to the guys in their class. It would be in their better interest not to get any questions right, if by rare chance they knew an answer.
“We will now view some great works by El Greco. Young man, can you tell me what country he originated from?” She snapped her pointer out, singling out a boy from Jindai high. As he started to answer, a number of girls moved up closer to him.
“Yes, he was from Gree…uh…Spain.” The boy swallowed, sweating.
“Ha! incorrect. Young lady, can you give us the correct answer?” She pointed to Maya.
“Greece.” Maya smiled at the boy who gave her the correct answer.
“Correct. Born Domenikos Theotoropoulos, he settled in Spain and became known as the first great genius of the Spanish school. We have here on the right, one of his most treasured works, Assumption of the Virgin.”
“Hey Chidori, what did you assume?” One of the boys called out.
“Idiot, no reason to ask her! Right, Sousuke…” Another boy shouted louder than the first.
“Uh…” was Sousuke’s response.
Kaname was angry and embarrassed. Naturally, she was most pissed off at Sousuke for not leaping to defend her honor. If only she had the halisen.
Miss Krieger slapped the pointer against her thigh, but could not pinpoint an individual to chastise. The Jindai Squad was equally ineffective.
After a few moments, the group moved on to the next oil painting. “This lesser known work from the late 1500s, depicting a distinguished swordsman in surcoat with white ruffles around his neck and wrists, carries the title Knight With His Hand On His Breast.”
“That’s Souske…” The boys were back in action.
“No, it would have to be called Knight With Hands On Kaname’s Breasts!” All of the boys in the class laughed. Both Kaname and Miss Krieger looked ready to bite someone.
“If the hormonally challenged cretins amongst us would permit, perhaps we could give the artwork the attention it deserves?” The guide’s request was followed by absolute silence. “Thank you. I am no more proud of you than your mothers must be. My apologies to the fine folk in the group.” She wrinkled her nose, looking discomforted. The cause was readily apparent. The old man in the coat and fedora had moved close to the guide.
The pointer indicated another oil on canvas. “This unfinished masterpiece, an example of artist’s humanistic leanings and brilliant approach to to traditional themes, is one of El Greco’s last works. The man at the left, arms outstretched…”
“THAT’S Sousuke!” Kaname shouted, feeling a personal attachment to any work of art or literature depicting the Apocalypse. Sousuke had that effect.
The room went dead quiet. Miss Krieger looked at Kaname, the pointer held behind her back. “So, it seems you too have a fascination with Mr. Sagara.” Ooohs and Ahhhs wafted about the room. “How very nice. Young love, I suppose. I remember those days.” Kaname’s face went white as a sheet. “Why don’t you step up to the front of the group, Miss…Chidori, was it? Perhaps a couple of questions will help get your mind off of boys.” After telling the group that the man in the painting was actually Saint John and not Sousuke, the guide moved them through an ornate archway into the next gallery.
************************************************************
The walk through the area containing works of other European painters went relatively smoothly, as did the visit to the gallery with North, Central, and South American art. One boy had responded to Miss Krieger’s request of polite and refined behavior by loudly breaking wind. After the air had cleared, he was thoroughly doused with perfume by the Jindai Squad. One girl, and obvious animal lover, kept interrupting the tour guides spiel with shouts of glee at each painting of a jaguar, eagle, or ground fowl. She quieted down considerably after Miss Krieger made he do some animal impersonations in front of the laughing crowd. Mizuke asked if the girl could do her pig imitation again. The guide had Mizuke do it instead.
Sousuke had stayed out of trouble. He was preoccupied. A middle-aged man with a paunch, sporting large bushy sideburns and mustache, held a briefcase close to his chest. He looked and smelled nervous. His eyes and hands twitched. It could be a problem. Visitors were supposed to leave all purses, bags, and cases at the security desk.
The embarrassed animal lover brightened up some. She thought she heard the call of a Japanese Grosbeak.
In response to Sousuke’s signal, Shinji reluctantly approached his friend. “S-S-Sousuke?” He rubbed at the sore spot on his face.
“Shinji, we have a potential Barugon situation. That briefcase may merely conatian something of great value to the man. But, it could very well contain a weapon or explosives. We can not allow that possibility to go undiscovered.” Sousuke subtly indicated the man and case in question.
“But Sousuke, if it’s only a potential problem, shouldn’t we just wait until he does something a little more suspicious?” Shinji had been through an actual beating.
“No. It would be too late if we waited until detonation. That much should be obvious. The safety of our class rests in our hands. We can not afford to fail.”
“B-B-But…that woman took my roll of film…we were wrong…” Shinji regretted ever getting involved with the Kaiju.
“Shinji, covert actions often end unsuccessful or unenlightening. The failure of one mission does not remove the need for the next. You do not wish to have the deaths of Miss Okibasu, Kyouko, and our other comrades on your hands, do you?”
“No…but…”
“Good. Your father would be proud of you. Assemble your group and report back when you have the answer. You are permitted to use deadly force if you discover a dangerous situation.” Sousuke pushed Shinji back into the crowd.
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“This eleven foot marble statue probably once grace the bow of a ship. “It’s head and arms are missing…” Miss Krieger was interrupted.
“Yeh, but the important stuff is still there, right Sousuke?” An unseen boy called out from deep withing the assembled group.
Not able to single out the jokester, the guide pointed at Sousuke. “Mr. Sagara, since you are held in such high esteem by you classmates, I think you should join me up here. Perhaps you will prove yourself to be skilled at something other than being overpowered by girls or having your underwear readjusted by same.” She turned back to the class and spoke in a voice loud enough to carry. “If any more rude youths call out, I will have your ‘hero’ do a large number of push-ups.” She smacked the pointer hard against her leg.
Kaname smiled. While a lot of boys had come to idolize Sousuke on this trip, there were still plenty who held grudges.
“As I was saying, this famous sculpture was discovered by Charles Campoiseau on the island of Samothrace. It was called Winged Victory. The work is thought to date back to 190 B.C. Miss Chidori, can you enlighten us all by telling us why the statue was made?” Miss Krieger placed the pointer’s tip on Kaname’s shoulder.
“Because of some battle?” Kaname’s voice was pure uncertainty.
“Correct. Another point for the ladies.” The guide’s response drew an angry response from the crowd. The answer was too nondescript. Anyone could give that answer, given the sculpture’s name.
“It was made to celebrate the victory of a fleet from Rhodia, one of the most powerful maritime states in the Aegean at that time. Others think that it was an offering commissioned by the great Macedonian general, Demetrius I Poliorcetes, following his victory at Cypress in 288 B.C.” Sousuke’s answer drew murmurs of respect from the tour group.
“Impressive,” Miss Krieger said, nodding her head. “Subtract one point from the men, for an unsolicited response.” Turning her back on Sousuke, she made her way on to the next item.
Kaname gave Ryo a high-five and stuck her tongue out at Sousuke.
“We have here a magnificent eighteen foot bronze statue crafted by Benvenuto Cellini, on loan to us from the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. The figure is that of Perseus. Can any amongst the men tell us who Perseus was?” Sousuke raised his hand, but the guide ignored him. “No one? OK, let’s give the girls a chance. Anyone know something about Greek mythology? Surely, someone must?” No one raised their hand or spoke out.
Miss Krieger sighed. “Mr. Sagara?”
“Perseus was the son of Zeus and the maiden Danae. His grandfather had him put in a chest and thrown out to sea because of an oracular warning, but he managed to survive. Later, sent on a suicide mission with no hope for success, he was aided by the gods who had great love for him. Hermes gave him a curved sword and winged sandals. Athena gave him a mirrored shield. Hades gifted him with a helmet of invisibility.”
“Too bad we can’t get Chidori to wear one of those!” A member of the rugby squad yelled out. Maya looked expectantly at Kaname, but was given the signal to standby. After all, no need to overexert the Jindai Squad.
“One point deducted for a rude exclaimation. Mr. Sagara, drop down and give me fifty!” Miss Krieger smiled. That ought to tire to boy out!
“Two hands? One hand? Clapping?” Sousuke asked at attention.
“Standard. No more delay.” The guide slapped the flow at Sousuke’s feet with her pointer.
Sousuke did the push-ups quickly, with perfect form. He had hardly broken a sweat. “At your command, Sir! May I continue, Sir?”
“Yes.” Miss Krieger stared at Sousuke. Why hadn’t this boy mentioned that he was an athlete?
“The great grandfather of Hercules, Perseus saved the royal maiden Andromeda from a Sea Serpent. Before that, it was he who succeeded at the suicide mission, the quest to kill Medusa, who had her hair turned to snakes after sleeping with Poseidon in Athena’s temple, desecrating the shrine. Any look from her would turn a man to stone. It’s those snakes he’s grasping in the statue.” Sousuke pointed to the severed head of Medusa held by Perseus.
“Talk about getting some head!” A different rugby guy shouted.
“Yeh, that will turn a man to stone, alright!” His buddy chipped in.
The boys all laughed. A number of male tourists did as well. The girls and women visitors were not so pleased.
“One point for Mr. Sagara, for a correct if somewhat windy answer. Point nullified by additional rude remarks.” Miss Krieger smiled at Sousuke. “Fifty more.”
“By your command!” Sousuke did the push-ups with only slight difficulty. The guide stared at him in disbelief. She definitely need to wear down anyone with that strong a constitution.
A shout rang out from the rear of the room. "No. NO! The papers. MY PAPERS!"
Miss Krieger smiled. No doubt there would be more reasons to have the do more exercises.
************************************************************
Papers were all over the floor. A man was down on his knees, scrabbling to gather all of the papers as fast as he could and cram them back in his briefcase. Miss Okibasu bent down to help the highly upset man.
“Here you go, a couple more.” Here eyes ran over one paper. It was a bill of sale. From the Grand National Museum to an unfamiliar name. The description was that of a valuable piece of art. The same was true for all tye papers she held.
“GIVE ME THAT!” The balding man with dark glasses rudely pulled the papers out of the teacher’s hands. “Those are none of your business.”
“Do we have a problem here?” Miss Krieger stood over the man, her shadow larger than her body. Her eyes widened when she saw the papers. Looking at Miss Okibasu, her eyes narrowed to slits. “What happened.”
“It was boys. BOYS! One tapped me on my shoulder…another stomped on my foot…and a third opened the latches on my attache case. It’s…it’s…unsufferable!” A look passed between them.
“I see.” She strode forcefully to the front of the group. “Mr. Sagara, front and center!” Sousuke had gone over to confer with Shinj and company. “Its seems that your efforts were not enough to convince your fellow boys to behave. Drop down and assume the position. Twenty five! One armed!”
Sousuke began his push-ups. He let out a startled ooopphhff when Miss Krieger sat on his back. Good. A challenge. It was boring before. This is more like Mithril boot camp..
“Hey Sousuke, why don’t you put her on HER back, get on, and then go at it, man. Bet THAT would be more fun!” Hearing that, one lady put her hands over her young son’s eyes, then leaned forward, watching expectantly. A lot of men raised their hands, volunteering for push-ups.
The tour guide jumped up. “I will personally give thirty dollars to whoever can identify the boy who said that!” The room went very quiet. No one stepped forward, Chances are, with the game changed, no one would be yelling out again.
When the group was settled and suitably admonished, they moved on to the next wing. “The following exhibit was graciously loaned to our museum by the Renaissance Wax Museum in Florence. They are lifelike replicas of people of great significance who spent time in their city between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. You’ll notice that the first one depicts Cellini when he was working on Perseus.” She paused, waiting to see if that name brought any troublemakers out of hiding.
“Now, can any of you bright gentlemen and ladies tell who me this is.” The figure of a man in long flowing robes was standing, working on a very recognizable painting.
“That’s Leonardo Da Vinchi, painting The Mona Lisa.” A woman with a frilly hat covered with flowers gave the correct answer.
“Very good. One point for the correct answer. Another point for wearing such a memorable chapeau. Time for some catch-up gentleman. Can anyone tell me what else Leonardo was famous for?” She scowled when Sousuke was the only male to raise his hand.”
Kaname turned to Ryo. “I bet you a week’s worth of desserts that he says something military. And that it's right”
“No bet!” Ryo replied quickly.
“OK, Mr. Sagara. I would think you were too tired to talk.” Miss Krieger looked resigned to her fate.
“Sousuke is NEVER too tired to talk, if you don’t want to hear him.” Kaname groused quietly.
“And an army can’t get him to talk when there’s something you want to know.” Maya added. Kyouko, Ryo, Mizuke, and Ren nodded their heads.
“Mr. Da Vinci was a notable weapons designer, far ahead of his time in the ideas he came up with.” From the tone in Sousuke’s voice, one would think there was no possibility that he was wrong.
“I’m sorry Mr. Sagara, but you could be further from the truth. The texts all plainly state that he abhorred war, and called it a ‘beastly business.' I remember that he invented a hooded device for breathing under water, but refused to reveal it to anyone, afraid that it might be used in war.” Miss Krieger looked quite pleased to score a victory on Sousuke.
“Damn. I should have taken that bet!” Ryo smacked herself on the forehead.
Kaname grinned. It was OK to be wrong, if it meant Sousuke was even more wrong. At least she was right about the military part.
“Mr. Sagara, you should know that Leonardo---like many artists at the time---found it extremely hard to make a living off of his art. He turned his amazing dexterity and imagination towards architecture and civil engineering. He lent his talents to canal builders and devised numerous brilliant inventions, including a hand-held calculating device, a hang glider, and plans for the earliest known robot.” She looked at Sousuke with a big smile. Take THAT Mister Know-It-All.
Sousuke rose to the challenge. “I do not wish to contradict you, Miss Krieger. However, you are incorrect. At one point, the only way to obtain work was to call himself a military engineer and accept such a position under the Duke of Milan. He did design work on fortifications and sinister weapons. His forward thinking led to designs for grenades, mortars, a multi-barreled machine gun, cannons and muskets, and missiles. He drew up the diagrams for a horse drawn armored car, the tank of its day if it had ever been built. He designed aerodynamic projectiles, worked on a breech-loading naval cannon, and automatic igniting devices. He also outlined a suitable plan for ramming ships under the water line. There were many more, if you wish to hear them.”
Miss Krieger stood with her jaw dropped. There was a glazed look in her eyes. Suddenly, that was replaced by a look of righteous indignation. She stood silently, until she was under complete control. There was no way she was going to give a high school boy the satisfaction of breaking her.
“No. That will be quite enough, Mr. Sagara. We all thank you for that stirring lecture. Let us move on to the next figure. We….”
“Excuse me, Miss Krieger…” Sousuke had raised his hand again.
For some reason, Kaname had the urge to duck. She did so. Her friends stared at her curiously, until they had the same thought she did. Soon, a small group of girls were on their kneees with their arms over their heads.
“Yes…Mister…Sagara…” The guide spoke between clenched teeth.
“You forgot to award the men their point. Also, you had mentioned something about a bonus before.” Sousuke spoke the truth.
The small wiry woman walked over to Sousuke and replied sotto vocce “I think it would be bonus enough if I simply let you continue on in one piece.”
“Isn’t that an inherent right of any visitor? I would not think that a tour guide should be offering threats of bodily harm. The exercises seemed reasonable, but I cannot ever condone violence.” Sousuke’s voice was unemotional and unwavering.
“You….some day…you and I…mister…” Miss Krieger hissed, heard only by Sousuke.
“I see. First you threaten me. Know you are making indecent advances. I must admit that I find myself at a loss.” Sousuke began to sweat.
“I WAS N-O-T MAKING SEXUAL ADVANCES….” Too late, the enraged woman realized how loud she had shouted. Everyone in the room stared at her. There were even wold whistles coming from two galleries away.
“I understand. I have been told that women will deny such things if they are rejected.” Sousuke nodded his head.
Miss Okibasu smiled. She didn’t like the overly forceful tour guide. And, it was fun to see another woman tied-up in knots by the oblivious young man.
Miss Krieger clenched and unclenched her hands. It was time for another strategy. Ignore Sagara.
The group moved without incident, enjoying the remainder of the wax figures. Kyouko won a point for the girls when she identified Michelangelo painting the frescoes of the Sisitine Chapel. The boys won a point when Shinji named Galileo Galilei, but lost two points when one boy foolhardily asked the guide if the famous astronomer had discovered “Uranus.” Kaname lost her team a point when she shouted at Sousuke, who didn’t understand the joke. She gained three points back from Miss Kreiger when she asked which circle of Hell Sousuke came from, when the touring party stopped by the statue of Dante.
The other figures present included Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect of Florence, and Roman Emperor Henry IV, begging for forgiveness before Pope Gregory VII. The figure of Amerigo Vespucci spurred some debate. There were those in the group who felt that the famous navigator and explorer actually discovered parts of the New World, while others felt that he exaggerated and constructed deliberate fabrications.
“Yes, America is named after him. Appropos, isn’t it? Exaggerations and lies.” The well-dressed European laughed with a hen-like cackle until the fragrant old man in the floppy hat kneed him in the groin and pushed him down in a seat. A full scale rumble threatened to break out. For once, Sousuke’s knowledge actually made Miss Krieger’s job easier.
“There is also a tall ship named after him. Inspired by 74 cannon frigates of the past, the ship was built in 1930 and is still used as a training vessel today. Frigates were the fastest of all sailing warships, and were primarily intended for independent actions, such as scouting, raiding, and message carrying. The 74s were classic line-of-battle ships in the 18th century and became the standard for a number of navies, the French and British included.”
The combatants stopped in their tracks, mystified that someone actually knew that. The wind taken out of sails, they all ran up the white flag.
“Only Sousuke!” Kaname said.
“Only Sousuke.” Kyouko agreed, nodding her head.
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Before heading into the last gallery on her docket, Miss Krieger called the group together for a huddle. “Ladies and gentlemen, it has been my great pleasure to serve you today. As its seems that this group is a touch unwieldy, I have decided to split you into two groups. I have called for another tour leader, and he will be hear shortly. Those people who were given pins and wrist bands by Mr, Kimutaku, and adults given a ribbon or corsage by me, will all be taken for complementary refreshments before resuming your exploration of our wondrous treasures. I hope to see all of you again. Your presence has been of great value to me.”
When the Jindai Highschool students were unceremoniously ushered on their way---without any offer of snacks or drinks---the boys and girls all made evil faces at Miss Krieger. She appeared to relish their response.
“I’m certain that you students will forget what we see next, moments after you leave, or at least shortly after you get back to your video games and anime. But, if there is a chance that even one of you can take away an appreciation for the creative genius of mankind, I will consider my time here today well spent.
Kaname had reached her saturation point. “And, we should all thank you for everything you’ve taught us today, and for the selfless way you’ve abused and belittled everyone here. But, if you only take away and treasure your memories of Sosuke, we will consider our time here to have been worth the time and effort.”
“Go Kaname!” One of the girls jumped up and down, clapping her hands.
“Miss Krieger, drop down and give me fifty!” A boy did a flawless imitation of their scowling tour guide.
“Sousuke, Kiss her!” Shinji gulped when Kaname and Miss Okibasu glared at him.
Miss Krieger looked like she wanted to spit. Instead, she flashed a brief smile. “You are all correct. I apologize. Perhaps I have been a little to rough.” Taking her pointer in hand, she snapped it in two over her knee, and through the fragments into a garbage bin. “From now on, I’ll take a kinder, gentler tact. If you would all follow me please."
The class walked into a room with huge brass idols. If it wasn’t day time, they might have thought they were in the middle of a nightmare. “We have here Indian idols from the Pallavas, Cholas, and Kakatiyas dynasties, all kindly loaned to us by the Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad. The works are made from brass. Does anyone here know what brass is?”
“Brass is a subset of bronze. Bronze is an alloy of copper with zinc and tin, as well as other metals. In brass, zinc is the principal additive.” Miss Okibasu was well versed in alloys, as her father worked numerous manufacturing jobs.
“Very good. Now, looking at these huge shapes, how long do you think it took to carve them?” Miss Krieger asked, waiting to see if anyone would fall into the common trap.
“Months?” Maya ventured a guess.
“No.”
“Years?” Mizuke was certain that had to be right. It couldn’t be just days.
“No.”
“They were not carved.” Sousuke gave the correct answer. “The metal surface shoes no evidence of chisel or rasp marks. No doubt a method was used that was once employed in the making of bullets. Molds, and casting.”
“Yes.” Miss Krieger’s mind worked, subconsciously adding up facts. There was a common thread in the young man’s expertise. “You’re quite a fan of military history and facts aren’t you, Mr. Sagara?”
“Affirmative.”
“I’m curious. You’re in such good shape. Does your interest take a more substantial form as well? Self defense courses? Weapons training?” Miss Krieger caught everybody off guard, acting so kind and solicitous.
“Sousuke? SOUSUKE?!” Kaname reflexively answered. The last thing she wanted Sousuke to do is start talking about weapons, or thinking about weapons in any fashion. She also did not like the woman’s change in attitudes towards him. “His mouth is weapon enough. He’s the LAST person we’d ever want to see handling weapons!” That last part was true.
Kaname still couldn’t understand how Sousuke got all his weapons in the first place, or how the school was still standing…the bus was in one piece…the Hensai Inn wasn’t a pile of rubble…students names didn’t fill the obituary pages…so forth and so on. And why did the officials at Jindai High put up with all of his hijinks and the damage they caused? The money spent on repairs could have built an entire new school!
“Of course.” Miss Krieger nodded her head.
Shinji started to open his mouth. Kyouko saw and quickly covered it with her hand. She wasn’t sure why Kaname had said what she did, but she would back her friend up through thick and through thin. The other guys and gals in the immediate vicinity got the point.
Miss Krieger went on to explain how the finesse in brass work reached its height in the Cholas, and how that dynasty saw many temples constructed, requiring large numbers of idols called utsavamurthis to carry around to villages during festivals. She explained that wax was intricately shaped, then covered with a clay. When the wax was melted, a mold remained, ready to be filled with molten metal. She lead them past statues of Shiva, Shakti, Skanda, Ganesh, and Muruga, describing their place in mythology.
There was one moment of good humor. When the guide was discussing Shiva, she mentioned that the third eye symbolized “the all knowing.” Kaname walked over to Sousuke, took out her lipstick, and drew an eye on Sousuke’s forehead. She raised her hands over her head in triumph, basking in the laughter of the class. Even Miss Krieger gave an honest laugh. Kaname’s triumph was short-lived, however.
“Miss Krieger, wasn’t Shiva the god of Love?” Miss Okibasu’s question caused Kaname to lapse into a coughing fit. Kyouko rushed to pat her on the back, after taking a small number of snapshots.
“Yes. A rather rare male, I might add. He literally treated his consort like she was his better half. In one incarnation, she occupied half of his body.”
“Hey Sousuke, what part of Kaname’s body would you like to occupy.” A rugby guy took advantage of the change in the guides disposition.
“Uh…” Sousuke began to sweat.
“Errr…” Kaname was speechless. She snapped her finger. The Jindai squad made short work of the wisecracker.
There was also a moment of bad bile. In discussing Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of prosperity, peace, learning, and wisdom, Miss Krieger remarked that it was a shame that such an exquisite idol was marred by a broken tusk.
“The idol is without flaw,” Sousuke said in his usual offhand manner. “In one of the stories, Ganesh broke off one of his tusks to write down the great epic Mahabharatha as dictated to him by the poet-Saint Vyasa. In another, one of the avatars of Vishnu broke it off with an axe when he was denied entrance to Shiva‘s temple. Yet a third tale had him break it in a battle against a demon.” Sousuke felt a kinship with Ganesh. To the ancient Hindus, no battle could be won without a prayer to Ganesh. He was also the Destroyer Of Obstacles.
“Thank you, Mr. Sagara” Miss Krieger oozed with false amiability. “If I wasn’t in such a fine mood now, I might think about breaking off your tusk.
“You’ll have to go through Kaname first!” One comedian added.
“If I must.” The tour guide’s smile was a frightening sight to see.
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“Katja Krieger” smashed a priceless urn with a vicious spinning kick. The other members of the team had warned her about her bad temper on innumerable occasions. If any of them said that to her now, she’d pull their tongues out. Slowly and painfully. Nevertheless, she hoped that the urn was not on the list of items they were planning to steal.
Back when she was young Heidi Ackermann, one time Olympian, she didn’t have issues with anger. That came later, when she became a teacher. A tragic altercation with a student caused her to flee the country and look for alternate means of earning a living. Some clever men in the Balkans tried to force her into prostitution. Their deaths had been bloody, and had been a wake-up call. She liked killing.
She found herself fighting on the front lines in Dubrovnik. Another woman fighter’s words rang true---My training came from hatred. There is only one thing I know for certain. I will never again be as important as I am right now. When that fight ended, she sought new importance as a member of a number of mercenary groups. There, she developed an equally strong love of money.
Her task had been completed with regards to the last group. The men and women who would make the most valuable prisoners had been segregated away from the rest of the crowd. The potentially dangerous adults had also been put under closer surveillance. Similarly, the most athletic students had been identified. They would be allowed no attempts at heroics when the time came. This was not the Battle of Marathon. There would be no Phaedippas to carry word of the situation to the authorities.
With a shard of the urn, she scratched the name Sagara on the empty pedestal. She then reduced it to kindling with a powerful chop of her hand. The name was still visible. She smiled. At the very least, if anyone asked, she could blame the boy for vandalism and destruction of an irreplaceable artifact. It was not a laughing matter, however. The boy had royally gotten on her nerves. He also made her feel terribly uneasy. Strong. Disciplined. Tremendous endurance. Vast military and martial knowledge. Was there something about him that did not me the eye.
He was not the only person on her shit list. That Chidori girl was second only to Sagara. Her mouth had won her special treatment, if she ended up in Katja’s group of prisoners. There was also the matter of her apparent leadership abilities. She had seen the student representative direct the actions of another group of girls. That kind of skill might prove a risk, albeit a small one.
She also had a special place in her heart for Renee. That idiot had gotten his briefcase violated by a bunch of boys, for crying out loud. Why hadn’t the moron kept it locked. At the very least, it should have been booby trapped.
The forgeries had all been collected without incident, but that school teacher had a chance to look at the documents. She might need to disappear as well. Those papers, fake bills of sale, might prove invaluable in selling off the booty before international scrutiny got too hot. Private collectors were lined up who were willing to pay substantial sums of money with a minimum of questions.
The time was coming. She had an appointment with her two great loves.
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End of pt 10
A small wiry woman with a short black hair and a razor-sharp smile approached the group. “Welcome, all. I am Katja Krieger, and I will be your instructor in the European and New World sections. I shall be blunt. There is a lot to see, and it will be you, the visitors, who will determine how much we will examine this afternoon. Questions are welcome, but should be rationed. Distractions and rude behavior will not be tolerated. Also, so as to judge the speed at which we may move, I would like to judge the athleticism of our party.”
Miss Krieger walked amongst the visitors, giving a close eye to the physique and size of her charges. “Show of hands! How many adults routinely compete in sports? Martial arts? Good, very good. You shall all service as group leaders. Please put on these badges, then turn and introduce yourselves to your fellow tourists.”
The guide stopped before Miss Okibasu and extended her hand. “You are the teacher? It is good to make your acquaintance. I too was a teacher, once. Before an unfortunate indiscretion.”
Miss Okibasu blushed, and sparred a quick glance at Sousuke. There was no way for her to know that Miss Krieger was not talking about student-teacher relationships.
“Now, I know that all teenagers are full of energy. That is commendable. But, how many of you are on sports teams? Excellent! How many of you are team captains? Also wonderful! Do we have anyone who excels at multiple sports. Very good. And what is your name, young lady?”
“Kaname Chidori.”
“I shall keep an eye on you, Miss Chidori. Please wear this flower as a gift. Now, what is your name young man.” After she was finished with her questioning, the lithe and firmly muscled woman walked to the front of the group again.
“Competition is the life’s blood of civilization. To make this tour more fun, I shall occasionally ask questions of some of you. We will keep score. The men against the women. Bonus points will go to anyone who catches me in error. I do not expect to be handing out any bonus points.” She walked over to a small desk, slipped on a tour guide’s vest, and picked up a long pointer with a leather wrist loop.
Kaname strutted around, a red carnation pinned to her blouse. Siddling up next to Sousuke, she smirked. “Too bad they aren’t handing out flowers for otakus. It’s good that someone appreciates my accomplishments. Hmmppfff.”
“You have reason to be proud, Chidori” Sousuke said in a conversational tone.
“Why, thank you Sousuke.” Kaname blushed, then shook her fist at Maya and Ryo who were pretending to swoon.
“For a girl in high school, your abilities are commendable. However, in combat, your lack of conditioning would be a liability, and you would be at great risk in battlefield conditions.” Sousuke took no notice of Mizuke and Kyouko, staggering backwards, hands over their hearts.
“What?” Trust Sousuke to ruin the mood.
“You would have been relegated to the rear lines, as a medical support person, logistics orderly, or camp follower.” Sousuke left out additional possibilities to save time.
“Camp follower?” Shinji had walked up, noticing the antics of Kaname’s friends. He sported a large bruise on his left cheek.
“Yes. Civilians and non-combatants. In more modern wars, such as the American Revolution, the camp followers included wives, girlfriends, and unattached women. Expected to keep up with the troops, they served as laundresses, clothes menders, cooks, porters, nurses, and sellers of food and wares.” Sousuke was more than happy to share his knowledge.
“Sousuke….” Kaname’s hands were clenching. A storm was brewing in her eyes.
“In more ancient armies, the camp followers often had a different purpose.” He was oblivious to Kaname’s rapid boil. “Aside from serfs and slaves, large numbers of prostitutes would follow the Roman legions.”
Shinji stepped back and readied his camera. He smiled over at Kyouko, who did the same.
“Prostitutes???” Kaname’s voice came out in a growl.
“Yes, Kaname. Women who would eagerly sell their sexual favors for money and other forms of payment.” Sousuke was willing to teach anyone who wanted to learn.
“BAKU!” Kaname’s hand came down hard, stopping inches shy of Sousuke’s head. Quivering, the hand hovered as if it had a mind of its own. The unfairness only made Kaname’s anger grow. She couldn’t strike Sousuke, and the reason she was unable to enjoy that right and privilege was because of Sousuke. “Squad….” she said in a calm and quiet voice.
“Sousuke, there’s something over hear you can help us with,” Ryo said in a cheerful voice. “Around the corner…a painting of a General or Major or something. The plaque doesn’t say who it was.” The other girls turned pleading looks on Sousuke.
“I shall endeavor to be of assitance.” His voice grew somewhat fainter as he walked out of sight. “Ah, he was a Captain. That is Louis d’Estouteville, hero at Mont Saint-Michel in the 100 years war. He…urrrppphhhfff…what are you…ooouuuwwww…museum rules…arrrrrhhhhh.”
Kaname quickly hid her smile behind her hand when an irate Miss Krieger came storming back into their midst. By the time the guide reached the site of the struggle, Souske was pulling himself of off the ground. His shirt was over his head.
“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!” A strong German accent appeared in the tour leader’s voice.
“I am adjusting my shirt.” Sousuke answered, “If I may ask a favor, could you look away. I need to adjust my shorts.” The girls had Melvined Sousuke but good.
“THIS IS A MUSEUM, NOT A LOCKER ROOM OR A PLAYGROUND!!! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR???” Miss Krieger swung Sousuke around and slammed him against the wall, causing the picture of the French war hero to tilt some. She was rather strong.
“Sir, yes Sir!” Sousuke snapped to attention and fired off a salute. It was an act born from habit. It only served to anger his confronter even more. Miss Krieger thought he was mocking her.
Now nose to nose with Sousuke, the woman spoke in a voice meant for him and herself alone. “You are in MY museum. You are part of MY group. If you cause even the slightest bit of trouble, you will personally answer to ME. Do we have an understanding?”
“I am uncertain. You are a tour guide. This is not a military establishment, and we are not troops under your command. By what means do you claim authority?”
Miss Krieger lashed out with her pointer. It struck a fire extinguisher, knocking it loose of its mooring, causing it to come crashing to the ground. “This” she hissed to Sousuke. “What is your name?”
“Sagara, Sousuke Sagara.”
“I will be keeping an eye on you, Sagara. Do NOT annoy me further.” The guide turned and headed back.
************************************************************
The tour was going well. Kaname was in a very good mood. Sousuke had been put in his place, and the ladies were leading the competition. The lead in the standings was in no small part due to Kaname. Her correct answers to two different questions was a minor contribution. She had sent the Jindai Squad out, with instructions to speak to the guys in their class. It would be in their better interest not to get any questions right, if by rare chance they knew an answer.
“We will now view some great works by El Greco. Young man, can you tell me what country he originated from?” She snapped her pointer out, singling out a boy from Jindai high. As he started to answer, a number of girls moved up closer to him.
“Yes, he was from Gree…uh…Spain.” The boy swallowed, sweating.
“Ha! incorrect. Young lady, can you give us the correct answer?” She pointed to Maya.
“Greece.” Maya smiled at the boy who gave her the correct answer.
“Correct. Born Domenikos Theotoropoulos, he settled in Spain and became known as the first great genius of the Spanish school. We have here on the right, one of his most treasured works, Assumption of the Virgin.”
“Hey Chidori, what did you assume?” One of the boys called out.
“Idiot, no reason to ask her! Right, Sousuke…” Another boy shouted louder than the first.
“Uh…” was Sousuke’s response.
Kaname was angry and embarrassed. Naturally, she was most pissed off at Sousuke for not leaping to defend her honor. If only she had the halisen.
Miss Krieger slapped the pointer against her thigh, but could not pinpoint an individual to chastise. The Jindai Squad was equally ineffective.
After a few moments, the group moved on to the next oil painting. “This lesser known work from the late 1500s, depicting a distinguished swordsman in surcoat with white ruffles around his neck and wrists, carries the title Knight With His Hand On His Breast.”
“That’s Souske…” The boys were back in action.
“No, it would have to be called Knight With Hands On Kaname’s Breasts!” All of the boys in the class laughed. Both Kaname and Miss Krieger looked ready to bite someone.
“If the hormonally challenged cretins amongst us would permit, perhaps we could give the artwork the attention it deserves?” The guide’s request was followed by absolute silence. “Thank you. I am no more proud of you than your mothers must be. My apologies to the fine folk in the group.” She wrinkled her nose, looking discomforted. The cause was readily apparent. The old man in the coat and fedora had moved close to the guide.
The pointer indicated another oil on canvas. “This unfinished masterpiece, an example of artist’s humanistic leanings and brilliant approach to to traditional themes, is one of El Greco’s last works. The man at the left, arms outstretched…”
“THAT’S Sousuke!” Kaname shouted, feeling a personal attachment to any work of art or literature depicting the Apocalypse. Sousuke had that effect.
The room went dead quiet. Miss Krieger looked at Kaname, the pointer held behind her back. “So, it seems you too have a fascination with Mr. Sagara.” Ooohs and Ahhhs wafted about the room. “How very nice. Young love, I suppose. I remember those days.” Kaname’s face went white as a sheet. “Why don’t you step up to the front of the group, Miss…Chidori, was it? Perhaps a couple of questions will help get your mind off of boys.” After telling the group that the man in the painting was actually Saint John and not Sousuke, the guide moved them through an ornate archway into the next gallery.
************************************************************
The walk through the area containing works of other European painters went relatively smoothly, as did the visit to the gallery with North, Central, and South American art. One boy had responded to Miss Krieger’s request of polite and refined behavior by loudly breaking wind. After the air had cleared, he was thoroughly doused with perfume by the Jindai Squad. One girl, and obvious animal lover, kept interrupting the tour guides spiel with shouts of glee at each painting of a jaguar, eagle, or ground fowl. She quieted down considerably after Miss Krieger made he do some animal impersonations in front of the laughing crowd. Mizuke asked if the girl could do her pig imitation again. The guide had Mizuke do it instead.
Sousuke had stayed out of trouble. He was preoccupied. A middle-aged man with a paunch, sporting large bushy sideburns and mustache, held a briefcase close to his chest. He looked and smelled nervous. His eyes and hands twitched. It could be a problem. Visitors were supposed to leave all purses, bags, and cases at the security desk.
The embarrassed animal lover brightened up some. She thought she heard the call of a Japanese Grosbeak.
In response to Sousuke’s signal, Shinji reluctantly approached his friend. “S-S-Sousuke?” He rubbed at the sore spot on his face.
“Shinji, we have a potential Barugon situation. That briefcase may merely conatian something of great value to the man. But, it could very well contain a weapon or explosives. We can not allow that possibility to go undiscovered.” Sousuke subtly indicated the man and case in question.
“But Sousuke, if it’s only a potential problem, shouldn’t we just wait until he does something a little more suspicious?” Shinji had been through an actual beating.
“No. It would be too late if we waited until detonation. That much should be obvious. The safety of our class rests in our hands. We can not afford to fail.”
“B-B-But…that woman took my roll of film…we were wrong…” Shinji regretted ever getting involved with the Kaiju.
“Shinji, covert actions often end unsuccessful or unenlightening. The failure of one mission does not remove the need for the next. You do not wish to have the deaths of Miss Okibasu, Kyouko, and our other comrades on your hands, do you?”
“No…but…”
“Good. Your father would be proud of you. Assemble your group and report back when you have the answer. You are permitted to use deadly force if you discover a dangerous situation.” Sousuke pushed Shinji back into the crowd.
************************************************************
“This eleven foot marble statue probably once grace the bow of a ship. “It’s head and arms are missing…” Miss Krieger was interrupted.
“Yeh, but the important stuff is still there, right Sousuke?” An unseen boy called out from deep withing the assembled group.
Not able to single out the jokester, the guide pointed at Sousuke. “Mr. Sagara, since you are held in such high esteem by you classmates, I think you should join me up here. Perhaps you will prove yourself to be skilled at something other than being overpowered by girls or having your underwear readjusted by same.” She turned back to the class and spoke in a voice loud enough to carry. “If any more rude youths call out, I will have your ‘hero’ do a large number of push-ups.” She smacked the pointer hard against her leg.
Kaname smiled. While a lot of boys had come to idolize Sousuke on this trip, there were still plenty who held grudges.
“As I was saying, this famous sculpture was discovered by Charles Campoiseau on the island of Samothrace. It was called Winged Victory. The work is thought to date back to 190 B.C. Miss Chidori, can you enlighten us all by telling us why the statue was made?” Miss Krieger placed the pointer’s tip on Kaname’s shoulder.
“Because of some battle?” Kaname’s voice was pure uncertainty.
“Correct. Another point for the ladies.” The guide’s response drew an angry response from the crowd. The answer was too nondescript. Anyone could give that answer, given the sculpture’s name.
“It was made to celebrate the victory of a fleet from Rhodia, one of the most powerful maritime states in the Aegean at that time. Others think that it was an offering commissioned by the great Macedonian general, Demetrius I Poliorcetes, following his victory at Cypress in 288 B.C.” Sousuke’s answer drew murmurs of respect from the tour group.
“Impressive,” Miss Krieger said, nodding her head. “Subtract one point from the men, for an unsolicited response.” Turning her back on Sousuke, she made her way on to the next item.
Kaname gave Ryo a high-five and stuck her tongue out at Sousuke.
“We have here a magnificent eighteen foot bronze statue crafted by Benvenuto Cellini, on loan to us from the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. The figure is that of Perseus. Can any amongst the men tell us who Perseus was?” Sousuke raised his hand, but the guide ignored him. “No one? OK, let’s give the girls a chance. Anyone know something about Greek mythology? Surely, someone must?” No one raised their hand or spoke out.
Miss Krieger sighed. “Mr. Sagara?”
“Perseus was the son of Zeus and the maiden Danae. His grandfather had him put in a chest and thrown out to sea because of an oracular warning, but he managed to survive. Later, sent on a suicide mission with no hope for success, he was aided by the gods who had great love for him. Hermes gave him a curved sword and winged sandals. Athena gave him a mirrored shield. Hades gifted him with a helmet of invisibility.”
“Too bad we can’t get Chidori to wear one of those!” A member of the rugby squad yelled out. Maya looked expectantly at Kaname, but was given the signal to standby. After all, no need to overexert the Jindai Squad.
“One point deducted for a rude exclaimation. Mr. Sagara, drop down and give me fifty!” Miss Krieger smiled. That ought to tire to boy out!
“Two hands? One hand? Clapping?” Sousuke asked at attention.
“Standard. No more delay.” The guide slapped the flow at Sousuke’s feet with her pointer.
Sousuke did the push-ups quickly, with perfect form. He had hardly broken a sweat. “At your command, Sir! May I continue, Sir?”
“Yes.” Miss Krieger stared at Sousuke. Why hadn’t this boy mentioned that he was an athlete?
“The great grandfather of Hercules, Perseus saved the royal maiden Andromeda from a Sea Serpent. Before that, it was he who succeeded at the suicide mission, the quest to kill Medusa, who had her hair turned to snakes after sleeping with Poseidon in Athena’s temple, desecrating the shrine. Any look from her would turn a man to stone. It’s those snakes he’s grasping in the statue.” Sousuke pointed to the severed head of Medusa held by Perseus.
“Talk about getting some head!” A different rugby guy shouted.
“Yeh, that will turn a man to stone, alright!” His buddy chipped in.
The boys all laughed. A number of male tourists did as well. The girls and women visitors were not so pleased.
“One point for Mr. Sagara, for a correct if somewhat windy answer. Point nullified by additional rude remarks.” Miss Krieger smiled at Sousuke. “Fifty more.”
“By your command!” Sousuke did the push-ups with only slight difficulty. The guide stared at him in disbelief. She definitely need to wear down anyone with that strong a constitution.
A shout rang out from the rear of the room. "No. NO! The papers. MY PAPERS!"
Miss Krieger smiled. No doubt there would be more reasons to have the do more exercises.
************************************************************
Papers were all over the floor. A man was down on his knees, scrabbling to gather all of the papers as fast as he could and cram them back in his briefcase. Miss Okibasu bent down to help the highly upset man.
“Here you go, a couple more.” Here eyes ran over one paper. It was a bill of sale. From the Grand National Museum to an unfamiliar name. The description was that of a valuable piece of art. The same was true for all tye papers she held.
“GIVE ME THAT!” The balding man with dark glasses rudely pulled the papers out of the teacher’s hands. “Those are none of your business.”
“Do we have a problem here?” Miss Krieger stood over the man, her shadow larger than her body. Her eyes widened when she saw the papers. Looking at Miss Okibasu, her eyes narrowed to slits. “What happened.”
“It was boys. BOYS! One tapped me on my shoulder…another stomped on my foot…and a third opened the latches on my attache case. It’s…it’s…unsufferable!” A look passed between them.
“I see.” She strode forcefully to the front of the group. “Mr. Sagara, front and center!” Sousuke had gone over to confer with Shinj and company. “Its seems that your efforts were not enough to convince your fellow boys to behave. Drop down and assume the position. Twenty five! One armed!”
Sousuke began his push-ups. He let out a startled ooopphhff when Miss Krieger sat on his back. Good. A challenge. It was boring before. This is more like Mithril boot camp..
“Hey Sousuke, why don’t you put her on HER back, get on, and then go at it, man. Bet THAT would be more fun!” Hearing that, one lady put her hands over her young son’s eyes, then leaned forward, watching expectantly. A lot of men raised their hands, volunteering for push-ups.
The tour guide jumped up. “I will personally give thirty dollars to whoever can identify the boy who said that!” The room went very quiet. No one stepped forward, Chances are, with the game changed, no one would be yelling out again.
When the group was settled and suitably admonished, they moved on to the next wing. “The following exhibit was graciously loaned to our museum by the Renaissance Wax Museum in Florence. They are lifelike replicas of people of great significance who spent time in their city between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. You’ll notice that the first one depicts Cellini when he was working on Perseus.” She paused, waiting to see if that name brought any troublemakers out of hiding.
“Now, can any of you bright gentlemen and ladies tell who me this is.” The figure of a man in long flowing robes was standing, working on a very recognizable painting.
“That’s Leonardo Da Vinchi, painting The Mona Lisa.” A woman with a frilly hat covered with flowers gave the correct answer.
“Very good. One point for the correct answer. Another point for wearing such a memorable chapeau. Time for some catch-up gentleman. Can anyone tell me what else Leonardo was famous for?” She scowled when Sousuke was the only male to raise his hand.”
Kaname turned to Ryo. “I bet you a week’s worth of desserts that he says something military. And that it's right”
“No bet!” Ryo replied quickly.
“OK, Mr. Sagara. I would think you were too tired to talk.” Miss Krieger looked resigned to her fate.
“Sousuke is NEVER too tired to talk, if you don’t want to hear him.” Kaname groused quietly.
“And an army can’t get him to talk when there’s something you want to know.” Maya added. Kyouko, Ryo, Mizuke, and Ren nodded their heads.
“Mr. Da Vinci was a notable weapons designer, far ahead of his time in the ideas he came up with.” From the tone in Sousuke’s voice, one would think there was no possibility that he was wrong.
“I’m sorry Mr. Sagara, but you could be further from the truth. The texts all plainly state that he abhorred war, and called it a ‘beastly business.' I remember that he invented a hooded device for breathing under water, but refused to reveal it to anyone, afraid that it might be used in war.” Miss Krieger looked quite pleased to score a victory on Sousuke.
“Damn. I should have taken that bet!” Ryo smacked herself on the forehead.
Kaname grinned. It was OK to be wrong, if it meant Sousuke was even more wrong. At least she was right about the military part.
“Mr. Sagara, you should know that Leonardo---like many artists at the time---found it extremely hard to make a living off of his art. He turned his amazing dexterity and imagination towards architecture and civil engineering. He lent his talents to canal builders and devised numerous brilliant inventions, including a hand-held calculating device, a hang glider, and plans for the earliest known robot.” She looked at Sousuke with a big smile. Take THAT Mister Know-It-All.
Sousuke rose to the challenge. “I do not wish to contradict you, Miss Krieger. However, you are incorrect. At one point, the only way to obtain work was to call himself a military engineer and accept such a position under the Duke of Milan. He did design work on fortifications and sinister weapons. His forward thinking led to designs for grenades, mortars, a multi-barreled machine gun, cannons and muskets, and missiles. He drew up the diagrams for a horse drawn armored car, the tank of its day if it had ever been built. He designed aerodynamic projectiles, worked on a breech-loading naval cannon, and automatic igniting devices. He also outlined a suitable plan for ramming ships under the water line. There were many more, if you wish to hear them.”
Miss Krieger stood with her jaw dropped. There was a glazed look in her eyes. Suddenly, that was replaced by a look of righteous indignation. She stood silently, until she was under complete control. There was no way she was going to give a high school boy the satisfaction of breaking her.
“No. That will be quite enough, Mr. Sagara. We all thank you for that stirring lecture. Let us move on to the next figure. We….”
“Excuse me, Miss Krieger…” Sousuke had raised his hand again.
For some reason, Kaname had the urge to duck. She did so. Her friends stared at her curiously, until they had the same thought she did. Soon, a small group of girls were on their kneees with their arms over their heads.
“Yes…Mister…Sagara…” The guide spoke between clenched teeth.
“You forgot to award the men their point. Also, you had mentioned something about a bonus before.” Sousuke spoke the truth.
The small wiry woman walked over to Sousuke and replied sotto vocce “I think it would be bonus enough if I simply let you continue on in one piece.”
“Isn’t that an inherent right of any visitor? I would not think that a tour guide should be offering threats of bodily harm. The exercises seemed reasonable, but I cannot ever condone violence.” Sousuke’s voice was unemotional and unwavering.
“You….some day…you and I…mister…” Miss Krieger hissed, heard only by Sousuke.
“I see. First you threaten me. Know you are making indecent advances. I must admit that I find myself at a loss.” Sousuke began to sweat.
“I WAS N-O-T MAKING SEXUAL ADVANCES….” Too late, the enraged woman realized how loud she had shouted. Everyone in the room stared at her. There were even wold whistles coming from two galleries away.
“I understand. I have been told that women will deny such things if they are rejected.” Sousuke nodded his head.
Miss Okibasu smiled. She didn’t like the overly forceful tour guide. And, it was fun to see another woman tied-up in knots by the oblivious young man.
Miss Krieger clenched and unclenched her hands. It was time for another strategy. Ignore Sagara.
The group moved without incident, enjoying the remainder of the wax figures. Kyouko won a point for the girls when she identified Michelangelo painting the frescoes of the Sisitine Chapel. The boys won a point when Shinji named Galileo Galilei, but lost two points when one boy foolhardily asked the guide if the famous astronomer had discovered “Uranus.” Kaname lost her team a point when she shouted at Sousuke, who didn’t understand the joke. She gained three points back from Miss Kreiger when she asked which circle of Hell Sousuke came from, when the touring party stopped by the statue of Dante.
The other figures present included Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect of Florence, and Roman Emperor Henry IV, begging for forgiveness before Pope Gregory VII. The figure of Amerigo Vespucci spurred some debate. There were those in the group who felt that the famous navigator and explorer actually discovered parts of the New World, while others felt that he exaggerated and constructed deliberate fabrications.
“Yes, America is named after him. Appropos, isn’t it? Exaggerations and lies.” The well-dressed European laughed with a hen-like cackle until the fragrant old man in the floppy hat kneed him in the groin and pushed him down in a seat. A full scale rumble threatened to break out. For once, Sousuke’s knowledge actually made Miss Krieger’s job easier.
“There is also a tall ship named after him. Inspired by 74 cannon frigates of the past, the ship was built in 1930 and is still used as a training vessel today. Frigates were the fastest of all sailing warships, and were primarily intended for independent actions, such as scouting, raiding, and message carrying. The 74s were classic line-of-battle ships in the 18th century and became the standard for a number of navies, the French and British included.”
The combatants stopped in their tracks, mystified that someone actually knew that. The wind taken out of sails, they all ran up the white flag.
“Only Sousuke!” Kaname said.
“Only Sousuke.” Kyouko agreed, nodding her head.
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Before heading into the last gallery on her docket, Miss Krieger called the group together for a huddle. “Ladies and gentlemen, it has been my great pleasure to serve you today. As its seems that this group is a touch unwieldy, I have decided to split you into two groups. I have called for another tour leader, and he will be hear shortly. Those people who were given pins and wrist bands by Mr, Kimutaku, and adults given a ribbon or corsage by me, will all be taken for complementary refreshments before resuming your exploration of our wondrous treasures. I hope to see all of you again. Your presence has been of great value to me.”
When the Jindai Highschool students were unceremoniously ushered on their way---without any offer of snacks or drinks---the boys and girls all made evil faces at Miss Krieger. She appeared to relish their response.
“I’m certain that you students will forget what we see next, moments after you leave, or at least shortly after you get back to your video games and anime. But, if there is a chance that even one of you can take away an appreciation for the creative genius of mankind, I will consider my time here today well spent.
Kaname had reached her saturation point. “And, we should all thank you for everything you’ve taught us today, and for the selfless way you’ve abused and belittled everyone here. But, if you only take away and treasure your memories of Sosuke, we will consider our time here to have been worth the time and effort.”
“Go Kaname!” One of the girls jumped up and down, clapping her hands.
“Miss Krieger, drop down and give me fifty!” A boy did a flawless imitation of their scowling tour guide.
“Sousuke, Kiss her!” Shinji gulped when Kaname and Miss Okibasu glared at him.
Miss Krieger looked like she wanted to spit. Instead, she flashed a brief smile. “You are all correct. I apologize. Perhaps I have been a little to rough.” Taking her pointer in hand, she snapped it in two over her knee, and through the fragments into a garbage bin. “From now on, I’ll take a kinder, gentler tact. If you would all follow me please."
The class walked into a room with huge brass idols. If it wasn’t day time, they might have thought they were in the middle of a nightmare. “We have here Indian idols from the Pallavas, Cholas, and Kakatiyas dynasties, all kindly loaned to us by the Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad. The works are made from brass. Does anyone here know what brass is?”
“Brass is a subset of bronze. Bronze is an alloy of copper with zinc and tin, as well as other metals. In brass, zinc is the principal additive.” Miss Okibasu was well versed in alloys, as her father worked numerous manufacturing jobs.
“Very good. Now, looking at these huge shapes, how long do you think it took to carve them?” Miss Krieger asked, waiting to see if anyone would fall into the common trap.
“Months?” Maya ventured a guess.
“No.”
“Years?” Mizuke was certain that had to be right. It couldn’t be just days.
“No.”
“They were not carved.” Sousuke gave the correct answer. “The metal surface shoes no evidence of chisel or rasp marks. No doubt a method was used that was once employed in the making of bullets. Molds, and casting.”
“Yes.” Miss Krieger’s mind worked, subconsciously adding up facts. There was a common thread in the young man’s expertise. “You’re quite a fan of military history and facts aren’t you, Mr. Sagara?”
“Affirmative.”
“I’m curious. You’re in such good shape. Does your interest take a more substantial form as well? Self defense courses? Weapons training?” Miss Krieger caught everybody off guard, acting so kind and solicitous.
“Sousuke? SOUSUKE?!” Kaname reflexively answered. The last thing she wanted Sousuke to do is start talking about weapons, or thinking about weapons in any fashion. She also did not like the woman’s change in attitudes towards him. “His mouth is weapon enough. He’s the LAST person we’d ever want to see handling weapons!” That last part was true.
Kaname still couldn’t understand how Sousuke got all his weapons in the first place, or how the school was still standing…the bus was in one piece…the Hensai Inn wasn’t a pile of rubble…students names didn’t fill the obituary pages…so forth and so on. And why did the officials at Jindai High put up with all of his hijinks and the damage they caused? The money spent on repairs could have built an entire new school!
“Of course.” Miss Krieger nodded her head.
Shinji started to open his mouth. Kyouko saw and quickly covered it with her hand. She wasn’t sure why Kaname had said what she did, but she would back her friend up through thick and through thin. The other guys and gals in the immediate vicinity got the point.
Miss Krieger went on to explain how the finesse in brass work reached its height in the Cholas, and how that dynasty saw many temples constructed, requiring large numbers of idols called utsavamurthis to carry around to villages during festivals. She explained that wax was intricately shaped, then covered with a clay. When the wax was melted, a mold remained, ready to be filled with molten metal. She lead them past statues of Shiva, Shakti, Skanda, Ganesh, and Muruga, describing their place in mythology.
There was one moment of good humor. When the guide was discussing Shiva, she mentioned that the third eye symbolized “the all knowing.” Kaname walked over to Sousuke, took out her lipstick, and drew an eye on Sousuke’s forehead. She raised her hands over her head in triumph, basking in the laughter of the class. Even Miss Krieger gave an honest laugh. Kaname’s triumph was short-lived, however.
“Miss Krieger, wasn’t Shiva the god of Love?” Miss Okibasu’s question caused Kaname to lapse into a coughing fit. Kyouko rushed to pat her on the back, after taking a small number of snapshots.
“Yes. A rather rare male, I might add. He literally treated his consort like she was his better half. In one incarnation, she occupied half of his body.”
“Hey Sousuke, what part of Kaname’s body would you like to occupy.” A rugby guy took advantage of the change in the guides disposition.
“Uh…” Sousuke began to sweat.
“Errr…” Kaname was speechless. She snapped her finger. The Jindai squad made short work of the wisecracker.
There was also a moment of bad bile. In discussing Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of prosperity, peace, learning, and wisdom, Miss Krieger remarked that it was a shame that such an exquisite idol was marred by a broken tusk.
“The idol is without flaw,” Sousuke said in his usual offhand manner. “In one of the stories, Ganesh broke off one of his tusks to write down the great epic Mahabharatha as dictated to him by the poet-Saint Vyasa. In another, one of the avatars of Vishnu broke it off with an axe when he was denied entrance to Shiva‘s temple. Yet a third tale had him break it in a battle against a demon.” Sousuke felt a kinship with Ganesh. To the ancient Hindus, no battle could be won without a prayer to Ganesh. He was also the Destroyer Of Obstacles.
“Thank you, Mr. Sagara” Miss Krieger oozed with false amiability. “If I wasn’t in such a fine mood now, I might think about breaking off your tusk.
“You’ll have to go through Kaname first!” One comedian added.
“If I must.” The tour guide’s smile was a frightening sight to see.
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“Katja Krieger” smashed a priceless urn with a vicious spinning kick. The other members of the team had warned her about her bad temper on innumerable occasions. If any of them said that to her now, she’d pull their tongues out. Slowly and painfully. Nevertheless, she hoped that the urn was not on the list of items they were planning to steal.
Back when she was young Heidi Ackermann, one time Olympian, she didn’t have issues with anger. That came later, when she became a teacher. A tragic altercation with a student caused her to flee the country and look for alternate means of earning a living. Some clever men in the Balkans tried to force her into prostitution. Their deaths had been bloody, and had been a wake-up call. She liked killing.
She found herself fighting on the front lines in Dubrovnik. Another woman fighter’s words rang true---My training came from hatred. There is only one thing I know for certain. I will never again be as important as I am right now. When that fight ended, she sought new importance as a member of a number of mercenary groups. There, she developed an equally strong love of money.
Her task had been completed with regards to the last group. The men and women who would make the most valuable prisoners had been segregated away from the rest of the crowd. The potentially dangerous adults had also been put under closer surveillance. Similarly, the most athletic students had been identified. They would be allowed no attempts at heroics when the time came. This was not the Battle of Marathon. There would be no Phaedippas to carry word of the situation to the authorities.
With a shard of the urn, she scratched the name Sagara on the empty pedestal. She then reduced it to kindling with a powerful chop of her hand. The name was still visible. She smiled. At the very least, if anyone asked, she could blame the boy for vandalism and destruction of an irreplaceable artifact. It was not a laughing matter, however. The boy had royally gotten on her nerves. He also made her feel terribly uneasy. Strong. Disciplined. Tremendous endurance. Vast military and martial knowledge. Was there something about him that did not me the eye.
He was not the only person on her shit list. That Chidori girl was second only to Sagara. Her mouth had won her special treatment, if she ended up in Katja’s group of prisoners. There was also the matter of her apparent leadership abilities. She had seen the student representative direct the actions of another group of girls. That kind of skill might prove a risk, albeit a small one.
She also had a special place in her heart for Renee. That idiot had gotten his briefcase violated by a bunch of boys, for crying out loud. Why hadn’t the moron kept it locked. At the very least, it should have been booby trapped.
The forgeries had all been collected without incident, but that school teacher had a chance to look at the documents. She might need to disappear as well. Those papers, fake bills of sale, might prove invaluable in selling off the booty before international scrutiny got too hot. Private collectors were lined up who were willing to pay substantial sums of money with a minimum of questions.
The time was coming. She had an appointment with her two great loves.
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End of pt 10
The plot thickens!!