A Night At The Opera, part two {Chapter 19}

[dd]

The Gotterdamerung. Crooked security guards. Food fight. Gang war.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

*************************************************************
After the crowd had showered Sosuke with adulation, the opera had resumed and continued without further interuption. Tessa was happy again, and Sousuke was satisfied that he was doing a good job.

Near the end of the first intemission, after Souske and Tessa had returned to their seats, an exquisitely dressed elderly woman approached Sousuke. "May I have a moment of your time young man" she asked politely. "I promise I won't try to steal you away from your date." She winked at Tessa, who smiled in return. "After your actions earlier, I figured you might be able to help me."

"Certainly." Sousuke said.

"Thank you. I feel embarrassed asking, and I'm afraid I will be imposing on you..." The woman was clearly losing steam.

"It is not a problem. Please. I will help in any way I can!"

"It's just that I feel so helpless...too few people stand up for older people these days." The woman smiled sheepishly at Sousuke.

Sousuke looked at Tessa. Tessa nodded her head. "What is the problem, Madame...and how can I be of assistance."

"During the intermission, my friend and I waited in line a long time. Or legs were very tired, and we nearly had to sit before we got to the counter." True to her word, the woman sat in a temorarily vacated seat next to Sousuke. "Finally it was my turn. I paid the vendor, a very large man with tattoos, and waited for my pastry. As he was handing it to me, he sneezed on it." The woman rubbed her eyes with her hands, as if to wipe away a disturbing vision.

"Was he rude to you when he gave your money back?" Tessa prompted kindly when the woman faltered.

"No. He never gave my money back. He said I could have the pastry I bought, or throw it away if I liked. When I said I would not eat it...he gobbled it down in one bite...and looked at me like I was next on the menu."

"Did you buy another pastry?" Sousuke aksed.

"No, " the woman said, her lip quivering. "My friend bought two. She was going to give me one...."

"And?" Tessa helped again, kindly.

"The man coughed and spat on both. The same story. He wouldn't give us our money back. He wouldn't give us unsullied pastries. He did the same thing to another elderly woman as well." The woman looked up at Sousuke hopefully.

"I will help," Sousuke said, squaring back his shoulders. "That kind of behavior is inexcusable." He looked at Tessa. "This should not take long. It will not be a problem. Please sit with my companion, madame."

"He's such a nice young man. You're so very fortunate" The old woman told Tessa.

Watching Sousuke walk away, Tessa sighed.

The people in line applauded when they recognized Sousuke. They graciously allowed him to step to the head of the line when he explained what had been going on. A number of the patrons in line looked angrily at the vendors.

Sousuke gave his undivided attention to the only large vendor, a man with extensive tatoo work. "I belive you have been treating the elderly in an unacceptable fashion," Sousuke said. "This will cease. And you will either refund the money to people you have cheated, or you shall provide them with the pastries they paid for. The pastries will be untouched and properly edible."

The man stuck his finger in a large chocalate mousse...licked his finger...and repeated the process. He looked at Sousuke and sneered. "Just because I'm slingin' pastries doesn't make me a pansy, pretty boy. And I don't gotta take no lip from some punk-ass little kid in a monkey suit!" He wiped his hand off on Sousuke's lapel.

"If you continue in this fashion, I will be required to talk to your superiors. I am speaking of rank. As a person, almost everyone will be your superior." Sousuke did not smile. His eyes were very hard. The twitch in his right hand made the large man uneasy for a moment.

"Shit, I don't have time to change the diapers on every freakin' toddler that walks up to my table! You don't have any idea just what type of man you are dealing with, do you, mama's boy?" The man showed Sousuke a large tatoo covering his right biceps and triceps areas. It was an elaborate artist's rendition of a fictitious Arm Slave, surrounded by naked women and winged skulls with fire for eyes.

The man pushed one of his fellow vendors out of the way, so he could lean closer to Sousuke and whisper. "You see this tattoo. Can you guess what it means? I was an Arm Slave jockey before it became too boring. That's not the kind of man ANYBODY should mess with, especially a little pantywaist. Do you understand what I am saying?" The man coughed in Sousuke's face.

"I see. A pilot. What make of AS?" This was Sousuke's balliwick. It was not an area to tread upon foolishly. Wiping spittle from his eye, Sousuke was not in the mood for nonsense. He judged the man to be a liar.

"Each kind. EVERY kind. More types than you can imagine. More than a busy guy like me can remember." The man had the look of a rooster ready to crow.

"Not a problem. What was the last model, then? Surely a man of such skill could remember that! Was it the M3?"

"Yes. The M3. I am amazed that a little boy like you would even know about it!"

"The M3 was experimental, interim. It lost out to a more effective design. Are you claiming that you were a test pilot, or did you mean to say it was the X3?" There was no X3 designation used by any known force in the world.

"Yes, that's it, the X3. A real beauty. I kicked serious ass in THAT mother!" The man then went on to answer additional erroneous questions.

"There is no longitudinal azimuth adaptor in the M6, and the Savage does not have rocket-assisted jump capabilities" Sousuke said after his final questions. He then went on to correct all of the man's exagerations, misconceptions, and outright lies. Some people in line snickered. Some laughed outright.

"Oh, really...are you saying you know more than me, little man?" The man flexed his massive biceps, and stared Sousuke in the eyes. "What are you, some kind of freaked out military nerd?" He laughed, brushing his arm like he was brushing off Sousuke.

"I am a specialist." Sousuke did not elaborate. "You are a cheat and a bully. You will hand over two pastries for the women, or you will provide a refund. This is the last time I ask before calling your superiors. After that, you may return to piloting armchairs."

One woman standing behind Sousuke, having heard his pronouncent and approving wholeheartedly, started clapping. Soon, the other people within earshot did the same. They called out encouragement to Sousuke, while telling the vendor he should be ashamed of himself. The applause grew, and that simple expanding statement of approval and condemnation pushed the deeply troubled man over the edge.

Without warning, the tatooed man went bezerk: they were all against him, but he was not defenseless! "Well...here are some nice pastries, courtesy of the freakin' house!!!" He tossed two pastries at Sousuke, who easily avoided them. The Nougat glace and the Creme caramel splattered over the fine clothes of the visiting foreign dignitary and his young daughter standing behind Sousuke.

The man threw more pastries. Adeptly, Sousuke snared two, intact. He left the line untouched.

*************************************************************

Kaname and Kyouko had eventually been released, unharmed and unmolested. Things were touch and go, to start, as the two young ladies unfairly drew the ire of the battered guards. The ire, and more serious attention.

"You don't know the perpetrators, do you?" They had asked repeatedly, roughly, watching Kyouko's expression, judging her to be the first one likely to crack.

"N-N-no..." Kyouko had started, her eyes very large.

Kaname thought quickly. "We don't even know how many people you are talking about. We were sent back hear to report a suspicious character we saw in the lobby!"

"Yes? Describe this character!" The larger guard had a broken nose, and a swollen lip. He looked as if he had lost a game of chicken with a city bus. His three battered companions looked to be in worse shape.

"He was slightly taller than me...dark hair...had a cross-shaped scar..."
Kaname stopped when she saw the guards' reactions. They did not look angry. They looked scared. Maybe even embarrassed.

"We've seen no one meeting that description!" The smallest guard said. "And even if we had, and we hit on his girlfriend, there was no way he could kick our ass this bad!" The man said "What? What!" when another guard smacked him upside the head.

If the girls did not actually know the troublemaker, then the men lost one excuse. It didn't really matter though. The girls were still in the room. Who needed excuses? "Enough talk about people who don't exist. Why don't you girls give you attention and thanks to some real men who do exist. Men who make places like this safe for beautiful, young, vulnerable ladies like yourselves?"

Kyouko, suddenly feeling a little bolder, spoke up. "I should first say that my uncle is a privileged member of this opera house, and I doubt that he or the other ticket holders would take kindly to this kind of treatment!"

"That's okay, muffin" one guard said, laughing. "It won't be treatment, it will be a treat. Besides, who would believe a couple of young girls. Young girls tend be be hysterical. They have wild imaginations." The man leered.

"Yes, very very wild." Another man added. "Who knows just what...naughty...things they could imagine? We should put a lot of thought into that, shouldn't we guys. Besides we have powerful friends, and powerful friends don't pay much attention to young girls. At least not in any way different than WE do...."

Kaname pulled out her halisen from her bag. The guards laughed, failing to see that as a threat. One of them did notice something that wiped the smile clean off his face. "The little one's phone is on. Damn! You guys are so freakin' stupid! Find out what damn number that is!"

They tried to grab Kyouko's phone, but missed as she ducked behind Kaname.

Kaname, frightened, raised her halisen, and stook her arm out to impede one man's path to her friend. "It's the police" Kaname said. "And the police DO pay attention to what young girls say. Especially if they have evidence. And friends in the newspaper business!" The last was a bluff, but the guards didn't know that.

Fortunately, Kaname didn't need to wait to see if her bluff worked. A number of city police officers entered the room, after hearing report of a disturbing conversation recorded during an emergency phone call. Kaname and Kyouko had even trumped Sousuke!

Kaname was smiling, figuring she was free to go. She and Kyouko would be, AFTER they answered some questions and filled out some paperwork. Mere formalities, the officers assured her. Her civic duty, too. And she should be happy, she would only miss the first act.

Kaname thought of Sousuke. Payback would be Hell. And Hell would come in more than three acts. No intermission!!!

*************************************************************

Kaname and Kyouko were finally back in the lobby, poised behind their fancy masks, and attired in their fancy clothes. And, as good fortune had it, they arrived ay a most propitious time...someone was giving away free pastries! The only drawback to this boon was the fact that said pastries appeared to be raining from the sky.

Up until that point, the burly vendor---having fought off his fellow servers to the point of them lying unconcious, limbs akimbo---had been the only one flinging delectables. The crowd had been busy dodging, hiding behid bigger people, or running for cover. There was no sign of security. The police who had run by had more urgent matters to deal with. Things would not get better any time soon...in fact, things would escalate.

Kaname smacked her halisen against her thigh, hard. She growled, frightening a man and his young son nearby. "I will bet you ANYTHING that Sousuke is somehow responsible for this!!!"

"But Kaname" Kyouko said, interupting her photographic frenzy for a moment. "We can't be sure of that. And if he were rsponsible, wouldn't something bad have happened to us?"

"Uh---you have a point there." Kaname grudgingly yielded. "Perhaps..." She was interupted. Being hit in the face by a missile of chocolate mousse and flaky pie shell will have that effect.

Kyouko snapped a few more photos before retreating to a safe distance. She was concerned about Kaname, not flying food.

"You...were...saying...Kyouko?!!!" Kaname was furious. "Damn you Sousuke!!!" She picked up a number of fallen pastries and flung them back at the crazed vendor. Some of the other vendors, now regaining full consciousness, were hit by Kaname's projectiles. They soon changed allegiances, joining their enraged comrade in his quest to use up all of the pastries, taking down as many of the damned stuffed shirts as they could.

The crowd made an amazing discovery. Pastries could indeed be thrown in BOTH directions. There were definitely options that they had not considered on their own. More and more people joined in with Kaname, pelting the people from the Bistro bar with everything they could lay their hands on. That was not limited to food. Shoes flew. Perfume bottles, too. Partition work. One woman had to kick her husband in the shin, forcing him to drop their two year old child. A feeding frenzy would look calm in comparison.

Before long, the room resembled a battle scene from some baroque war. Only the limited amount of tossable materials might prevent Ragnarok.

Kaname and Kyouko finally had their fill. Kaname looked at herself in a reflection off the aquarium glass. Her face, hair, and exposed areas of her arms were all covered with various foods of mixed consistencies. But by some amazing miracle, her clothes remained untouched.

"You look really...sweet!" Kyouko said unwisely, camera flash reflecting off of both the fish tank and Kaname's angry eyes.

Kaname slowly and purposely ground a piece of layer cake into Kyouko's camera lens.

Kyouko smiled, removing her spare camera from her purse.

Kaname smiled in return. There was plenty more pastry!!!

*************************************************************

As there were no ushers visible, Sousuke waltzed into the theatre area, carrying the two intact pastries, a frosted lemon tart, and a strawberry crepe. He bowed deeply, presenting them to the woman who had asked for his help. She in turn handed one to her friend, who had caught back up with her.

Both women flattered Sousuke, under the amused gaze of Tessa. Sousuke, it seemed, had some trouble accepting praise.

"I must truly thank you young man," the woman's friend said. "Wait a minute, haven't we met?" Both she and Sousuke stared at each other a moment, followed quickly by contemporaneous flashes of memory. "The hospital!" the woman exclaimed. "The window washer!" Sousuke nodded his head, shyly. Tessa would be sure to ask about that. It hadn't been in his report.

"Yes, he truly is a fine young man, Mizuki. It's so nice to see young people taking an interest in the fine arts theses days." The woman slipped some paper money into Sousuke's hand. Tessa smiled.

*************************************************************

The lights dimmed, and the curtain started to rise.

"Sousuke, was there any trouble?" Tessa asked quietly. The women had returned to their seats.

"Very little, Tessa. As you can see, it did not takle me long to return with my mission objectives." He took that moment to present Tessa with a white carnation corsage he had bought walking back to the venue.

Tessa smiled happily. "You truly are amazing, Sousuke...do you know that?"

"Uh---" Sousuke looked at Tessa, confused. What did she mean? The flower? The pastries? The elderly women?

He grew more confused when Tessa kissed him quickly on the cheek. "Shhhhh-----" she said. "No more talking, now." Tessa's soul felt as if it were in flight.

Sousuke touched a finger tentatively to his cheek. It had happened again. What did this actually mean? Why was he feeling funny inside? What would Kaname think?

Siegfried proposed marriage to Gutrune, the lovely young sister to Gunther. In exchange for his sister, Gutrune demaded Brunnhilde. Siegfried agreed to the demand.

*************************************************************

Kaname and Kyouko finally reached their seats in the balcony. Kyouko, for her part, subsequently tried to follow the opera. Kaname, opear glasses in hand, frowned as she scanned the audience below, looking for Tessa and Sousuke. After her trip to the rest room, Kaname was perfectly clean on the outside. On the inside, though, she still carried the stain of her encounter with the guards, the police, and the propulsive vendors.

"Just you wait, Sousuke!" She had spoken out loud, not caring who heard. Kyouko was too engrossed to hear a single word she said. Her now clean camera had something other than Kaname to shoot.

*************************************************************

Tessa felt marvelous. This was certainly a night to remember. A whole DAY to remember! Leaning up against Sousuke---who made no effort to pull away---she thought about the future, as the diva sang of Siegfried's fate. Would this be just a treasured memory, and itch that needed to be scratched...never to be scratched again if it recurred? Could it be more?

*************************************************************

Sousuke sat entranced. He didn't know why he was enjoying himself...but he was. The singing was not objectionable...most of the time. The storyline was very pertinent. There was danger to face for every warrior, including the danger of the heart. A soldier could not afford to become careless, and a combatant must be able to tell friend from foe.

Tessa was clearly not a foe. Was she a friend? The way Sousuke felt today, he thought a friendship with Tessa could be a mutually enjoyable thing. But, what might she eventually want from him? He suspected it was something significantly more than friendship. Tessa was slowly worming her way into his heart...but what about Kaname? What about the things he shared with HER? He almost wished she was there at the opera.

Meanwhile, Brunnhilde was visited by Waltraute, one of the Valkyrie sisters. Waltraute begged Brunnhilde to return the Ring to the Rhine maidens, but Brunnhilde refuses. Siegfried, disguised as Gunther, appears and steals the ring from her finger.

*************************************************************

Kaname was decidedly unhappy. She had located Tessa and Sousuke. Tessa had her head on Sousuke's shoulder, and that big idiot had done nothing to prevent it! At least he didn't have his arm around her. From earlier in the day, a word returned to buzz about her mind: 'yet.'

She tried to find something to take comfort in. There!!! At least that hussy's dress was proper...THIS time. Unfortunately, it WAS terribly attractive on her.

There are bodily necessities that outrank even important covert surveillance. "Kyouko, we are going to the ladies' room." It was definitely not a request.

"But Kaname...it's coming to a REALLY important part! I don't want to miss it!!!" Kyouko seemed royally torn.

"Kyouko, I...am...not...going...alone! If you do not accompany me, fine. You will soon find, however, that YOUR BODY is missing some important parts!!!" The halisen was out, and Kaname's teeth were showing.

"I think I really DO need to join you...now." Clenching her teeth, Kyouko looked absolutely sincere.

Finding out about the double wedding ceremony and Siegfried's betrayal, Brunnhilde vows vengeance. She tells Hagen of Siegfried's fatal flaw...his back. Hagen goes on to stab Siegfried to death.

*************************************************************

When Kaname and Kyouko had finished their business, and were satisfied that their hair and fancy masks looked just right, they walked back out into the lobby, standing for a moment in front of the aquarium. They watched as the maintenace crew mopped up the last traces of the pastries. The vendors from the Bistro Bar were nowhere to be seen.

A number of security guards were present...fortunately none were the ones they had run into before! They were joined by an overly large number of ushers. Where had they been all this time?

The guards went to the front doors, unlocking three that had been secured the whole time before. Felt ropes, partitions, and smaller display cases were moved to the side of the entrance way. Each guard went to hold one of the large doors open.

Kaname shook Kyouko's shoulder. "Listen!"

"What is it Kaname?" Kyouko didn't like the sound of Kaname's voice.

"Shhhh----!" Kaname shook Kyouko again for good measure.

A distant rumbling sound soon became a growing rumbling sound. The growing rumbling sound soon became a loud rumbling sound. The sound grew progressively louder, actually becoming somewhat percussive in nature, just as four motorcycles rushed into the lobby from outside, sliding as their riders brought them to a temporary halt.

The ushers ran to open the door into the theatre area, each drawing a gun and following behind two speeding motorcycles.

Kyouko was busy snapping pictures as fast as her fingers could fly. Her actions did not go unnoticed. One of the guards---quite evidently involved in whatever plot was afoot---noticed Kaname, Kyouko, and Kyouko's flash. He spoke into a walkie-talkie, drew his gun, and headed in their direction.

The riders on the two remaining motorcycles spun their bikes in quick circles before following the other two bikes. Before leaving the lobby, their riders shot submachine guns wildly and indiscriminately about the room, frightening the vendors from other establishments, and causing patrons to drop to the floor and cover their heads, their spouses, and their children.

Kaname and Kyouko were about to duck back into the ladies room until they saw the guard running in their direction. The guard jumped behind a column, dodging bullets, yelling a curse at the disappearing motorcycles. It was time for the girls to run!

Before they had a chance to move, however, a burst of bullets gave the entrapped aquarium water a magnificent opportunity for escape. Kaname flinched when thousands of gallons of water flowed over her and by her, nearly knocking her over. The force of the deluge was tremendous, but fleeting. She was as soaked as a person could be. A large koi flopped about in her arms. An unperturbed Plecostamus sucked happily at her ankle. A crown of plant matter did not look the least bit regal sitting atop her head.

Kyouko, only a few steps to Kaname's right, remained totally dry. Dry, and in constant photographic ecstacy. Just moments before the guard stepped out from behind the column, Kyouko bent over to retrieve an aquarium ornament that had survived the great flood. It was a scantily clad mermaid with free flowing platinum hair. She showed it to her wet companion.

"Kaname...don't you think this looks like Tessa...I bet Sousuke will like it!!!" Only one thing saved Kyouko: the guard was heading in their direction again.

Kaname flung the koi at the guard, scoring a direct hit. As the guard's back-up arrived on the scene, Kaname grabbed Kyouko's hand and dragged her towards the nearest door in the lobby.

*************************************************************