Cassie lounges upon the recliner, thinking to herself how useful it was that Ysillith is straight-forward. The stage before them remained dark and still, the slow movement of people back towards their seats.
Out of the corner of her eye, the French dancer notices Rashida looking resplendent, only a fleeting glimpse. 'I wonder how she is, she rushed away from me at the airfield.' Cassie's thoughts grow dark; 'I hope it isn't '
With a wave of her hand she calls over a Serv-bot, Cassie lets the last of her drink slip between her soft lips before discarding the flute. Tapping the machine lightly, she programmes a message and the machine drifts out the box.
Moving through the atrium, it takes the quickest course towards Rashida. It places the glass on a passing waiter, then moves for her balcony seat, manoeuvring past the guards to try and deliver the message.
Cassie"
Rashida looks down at something trying to clamber up her dress and waves to the usher behind her. He picks up the little Serv-Bot and, as she waves it away, carries it out of the Massri box, returning to his position behind her very shortly.
The Massri resumes her statue-like pose, waiting for the crowd to find their seats and the curtain to rise.
"I am afraid not," Alexia answers Cassie, a frown of dissatisfaction besmirching her features. It was not what she had been hoping to hear. Nonetheless, she leans back in her chair and sips the last of her wine. In response to Ysillith's question, the princess smiles lazily, casting a sidelong glance at Darkov. Oh, surely that would make you unhappy, she thinks sarcastically. The Brigadier stirs for but a moment, as though in response. "Kill him? Why bother?" she answers, offering a shrug, "I have far better use for a toy than I do for a corpse. If he falls out of line, then I break him as I did the doll. It is as simple as that."
Alexia waves her hand over her head casually; the same manservant from before almost immediately arrives on cue, holding another platter of drinks for everyone. As she claims her second glass, she watches with a curious expression as Cassie fiddles with the Serv-Bot. Sending a message to someone? Not that it matters. She continues to watch as it moves on to make the delivery, before abruptly being confiscated. Well, that's that, then.
"Oh, I do wonder when the show will start!" she then complains loudly, making no effort to hide her over-exaggeration.
Ysillith steps a little farther back into the shadows.....Remembering why it was she fought so hard to become a Ship's master and not have to put into a home port and deal with all the petty squabbles and jealousy of the different clan's in fighting.
Watching her own crew play tit-for-tat? Now that was amusing. Having to keep one's horns clear of randomly infused clan troubles as they seemed to randomly develop? (Sometimes with equally explosive results) That was all together too much work.
Leaning back, Ysillith lifts a leg and braces a spiked heel against the wall...her similarly bored status being revealed by the absent tapping of a steel shod boot.
Ysillith does also sigh with boredom...again looking distractedly about the place.
Eleanor, Dowager Duchess of Montresor, sighs happily as she pats the arm of the unfortunate man beside her, each sausage-like finger leaving a sweaty imprint on his sleeve. "Oh Vorian, dear Vorian, what a wonderful night this is. What shall we do after the opera, hmm? Oh, I wish we were in Paris where there's no need for a Tesla field so we could sneak out early, as the Duke and I used to do. We were so naughty! I'm certain you know how to be naughty, if half your press is accurate." She chortles fruitily, then gives Vorian a shrewd look.
"You should stick with me, Lord Ritter. We could use men of your mettle in the League. It will be a new day for us soon. Why tonight will see another step forward, however small! You won't be included on your own, you know."
After what seems to Ralph like an eternity the footsteps finally start back towards the door. He doesn't dare move a muscle until he hears the door click closed again. "'ll make shure 's safe." He murmurs quietly to Alice before slipping away from her.
He spots his jacket hanging up near the cot, looks like the man was fairly successful cleaning it."Ok, looks like dey're gone." He offers his hand to help Alice up again so she can sit in the cot, or situp on the floor if she is willing to do either. He then gets his jacket and drape it around her shoulders.
Sitting next to her Ralph sighs softly "Dat mons'er in da vent gotcha pretty spooked... not dat I blame ya 's a good ting I found ya when I did. Anyway y'ain't gots ta wurry anymore, anytin lookin ta git ta ya 'll hafta git trough me furst, an' I fought me a mons'er or two in my day." He gives Alice a smile hoping she's reassured somewhat "Oh y'asked who I wuz b'fore, friends call me Squirrel."
Alice lets Ralph help her onto the cot and gratefully takes his jacket, slipping her arms into it. "Squirrel? That's a funny name. Is it what you want me to call you?" She looks warily at the vent. "Nothing has come through it except you, but I'd sure like to get out of here. Do you know another way besides the vents? I think I can crawl." She hugs the jacket tightly around herself to cover up the large "Drake Khoth" scrawl.
In spite of his unpleasant company, Vorian is gratefully distracted by the events transpiring on the opposite side of the opera house, in one of the theater boxes closest to the stage. Subtly ignoring the majority of the Dowager Duchess' ranting, he attempts to figure out what is going on. I hope Cassie is okay... he thinks, wishing that he were there. Certainly even the princess would be better company. Damn, I can't see anything from over here... As he ponders a means of getting a closer look, his thoughts are abruptly interrupted by perhaps the first noteworthy thing the Duchess had said all night.
"The League?" Vorian repeats, raising an eyebrow, "Surely you must be joking, Eleanor. My status is not befitting of such a position."
Vorian could not bring himself to take her offer seriously. Despite his title, not one drop of noble blood flowed through his veins. Over the past century, the Ritter family had made its fortune through its trade enterprise, composed of many small businesses. They were little more than mere merchants - very wealthy merchants for sure, but merchants nonetheless. In all their years, Vorian was the first to be bequeathed lordship of anything... as well as the first to more or less ignore his family's business.
"Whatever mettle I may have, I do not see how it can possible compare."
Eleanor titters, voice running crazily up and down a scale that would make an opera star wince. "Oh Vorian, you play coy so adorably. Your status may not be sufficient, but alliance with a League member - becoming one of the family, as it were - certainly is. And I am a League member, thanks to my dear, late, sadly departed Laurence. His death has left such a void in my lonely life, dear Ritter. It is something to consider now that you are getting to... shall we say, that stage in life where one ceases to adventure?"
Plucking two glasses of wine from the waiter's tray, she hands one to Vorian. "Oh, what shall we drink to? I know... strategic alliances!" She clinks her glass with his and drains it, one ruby drop slipping free of the bright red lips to slide slowly down the white-plastered cracks of her jowls.
Ralph shrugs his shoulders when Alice tells him his name is funny "I ain't really like my udder name so Squirrel's be'er. I'd like ta consider ya my friend, I ain't really gots any friends my age, an' I tink yer purdy close. Buf if ya don' wanna I git it."
He looks towards the vent and shakes his head "Far 's I know da only udder way outta here is trough da door, but I ain't hardly gonna make ya crawl. I ain't so puny I can't carry ya, for a ways at least." He sighs softly "'pose ta meet Chuck dough, but if ya wanna move so bad yer gonna crawl dere in yer condition we be'er git goin... maybe we cin leave him a note."
Alice looks at Ralph doubtfully. "If somebody is meeting us here, maybe we should wait. Quietly. If you don't mind. Squirrel." She sits a moment in silence, then ventures, "Who is Chuck?"
Ralph looks to Alice and nods "Err... yeah sorry I guess I been talkin too much, I wuz hopin it would putcha more atease..." 'I guess that's a no on being friends.'
He sits there next to her quietly feeling somewhat awkward until she speaks up again. "Chuck's my doc'er friend, I tought he oughta take a look atcha."
"Really? You went to get a doctor for me? That was sweet," Alice whispers. "Do you think the monster is gone? I hear the orchestra tuning up. If it left, it won't be able to enter through the Tesla field and we'll be safe."
The French-woman leans over to whisper in the Princesses ear; "Oh I cannot wait for the second act to start. The man playing Don is really handsome, he has a magnificent voice." she tries to distract her from whatever Captain Ysillith is doing. 'Steel shod heels! Bit of a faux-pas for the Opera, perfect for the Princesses after-party. Ouch, a kick from that'd have to hurt.'
Sipping at the flute, she reclines just in time for the lights to start to dim and a hush starts to descend upon the audience. Most of the seats are taken, it's near a full house. The heavy curtains start to part; whillst the Narrator takes the stage to announce the start of the second act.
Ralph chuckles softly towards Alice and whispers back "Well shure I did, y'ain't tink I went trough dem vents fer nottin didja?" Maybe she just meant talk quietly, rather than shut up altogether.
He thinks about her monster and shrugs his shoulders "Sorry Kit, I dunno, I ain't see ner hear nottin in da vents when I went ta find Chuck, so maybe, but I ain't see it leave, so can' say fer shure."
Alice whispers in return, "It was my fault, really. Lady DuSollier sent a note for Lady Massri and I stopped in a closet to read it. That's when the monster grabbed me. I shouldn't have been so nosy. But I never heard of closet monsters here before, or I wouldn't have done it." She shivers.
Ralph looks confused for a moment continuing his whispering with Alice "Eh? dat wuz my Minx dat gave ya da note... Oh I git it, Du'ollier must be whut udder people call 'er." he chuckles softly "No wunder I wuz confoozed. Ya like her lil sister 'r sumtin? ya shure look a lot like her."
He realizes he's gone a little off topic "Anyway dat ain't yer fault Kit. Readin a note ain't no reason fer sumone ta attack ya like dat, a fall like dat coulda killed ya. Can' b'lieve dat mon'ser pickin on purdy girls like dat, be'er hope I ain't find it inna vent." He shakes his head and puts his hand on her shoulder "If yer dat curious, nex' time jus' ask 'bout da note, Minx might tell ya."
"You.. you think I look like Cassie DuSollier? Thanks!" Alice whispers, as if that were the only thing Ralph had said, then she thinks for a moment. "It's a strange night, though. Lots of nobles, a Massri, Cassie DuSollier, and things in the vents. I saw some new help around, guys I don't know. They looked awfully tough. Why, I even saw a kobold in the cheap seats. Can you imagine! But I think he was getting thrown out. A couple of guys grabbed him. He must have snuck in, so they were disposing of him at intermission, when the Tesla Field is down."
"...what?" is the only word that leaves Vorian's mouth as he toasts to something beyond his mortal comprehension. Before he properly respond, the music starts to pick up, signifying the start of the second act. I should have known this is where things were heading... he thinks, very much beginning to feel as though he were trapped in a wall. Now how to get out of this before I suffocate? Thankfully, the Dowager Duchess does not pursue the matter with the show on, perhaps in the interest of being ladylike - her annoyance and disappointment are all too clear, however.
"You do look like Cassie." A deep sound comes from the darkness as the door opens and Drake squeezes into the boiler room, locking the door from the inside. He looks down at the girl and gives her a sad look as his voice becomes kindly, "Sorry for taking so long. I had to take care of ... nevermind. Who did you get upset?"
He kneels down beside the cot while putting out a hand, "Come on out, dear. I will check your injuries and see what I can see. You said a kobold did you? Squirrel, wasn't there a kobold officer talking to you and Cassie?"
The doctor, former actor, seems to have noticed quite a bit more than he had let on.
Ralph nods to Alice "Ya shure do... so yer not sisters?" He head jerks over towards the door and he quickly moves between it and Alice, either to hide or protect her, maybe both. He almost immediately relaxes realizing it's Drake.
"Ahh good 's you Charlie, been waitin on ya. She got hurt purdy bad in da vent. Ain't no Kobol' did dat dough" He motions to Alice on the cot "Kit said it wuz sum kinda mon'ser, I saw sumtin in da vents but I ain't get a real good look. Minx 'n me? yeah we saw da lil lizard, but he ain't seem too bright."
He puts a hand on Drake's shoulder when he offers to check Alice's injuries and whispers to him
He turns towards Alice and offers her what he hopes is a reassuring smile before explaining to Drake. "I tried to patch 'er up da best I could, but I ain't really got no medic trainin... How're yer legs feelin sweethart?"
He looks towards the door Drake locked when he came in then to Alice before asking Drake "So Minx's 'lone wit dat shady lookin guy, and dat dame he wuz wit?" 'They give me the willies' He is visibly conflicted wanting to go check on Cassie, but also needing to stay and make sure Alice is ok.
Drake looks at Cassie and sighs, "No kobold could do this, Squirrel and I left Cassie with my date as well. She'll be watched over pretty well with her but I'm hoping to get back sooner."
He looks at Ralph and blushes when he whispers back,
Alice stares as Drake looks down at her. "Y-y-you? You're 'Chuck the doctor'? Are you really? I mean, are you really a doctor, or do you just play one on the stage?" She lets him check out her injuries, apparently quite embarrassed, and is surprised at how good she seems to feel. "I swear I couldn't walk when Squirrel woke me up, but I think I could now. And no kobold did this. It was the horrible monster in the vents. Said it would 'gut me and string me up by the giblets, it would', and a lot of other things I didn't quite understand. It had a name, though. Silith Merlot or something like that. I didn't know what it wanted so it was going to kill me."
She gingerly rises to her feet, leaning on Squirrel and Drake carefully. "Thank you both so much for your help. I need to get a new uniform and you should get back to your dates. But did you say that kobold was some sort of officer? Why were those men grabbing him, then? I thought he snuck in and they were throwing him out."
Darkness descends upon the auditorium. The spirit lamps project a pale safety light amongst the patrons and there are spot-lights upon the stage. Illuminated by the soft flickering the dark curtains draw back, the secrets of ages hidden in their voluminous folds.
With a hiss and a clank the Mechanical man trundles only the stage his jerky movements in perfect synchronicity with music that starts up from the orchestra pit, a light counterpoint on the oboe to his strange alien nature. Out of his trumpet mouth he speaks, the dial upon his chest vibrating with the pitch; "I am pleased to announce the second Act of Don Giovanni. And welcome our esteemed guests; The Rashida Massri and Princess Alexia Veritas of Iceland." He bows from the hips towards the boxes, starting with the Massri box before turning to the other one.
"After the show we have a special event in the Foyer, so please do not rush away. And now we present the second act." The mechanical man's words have been carried throughout the large auditorium by a complex arrangement of pneumatic pipes with the fluid acting as a speaker system delivering sound unto every box, with nary a squeak lost.
In the excitement Cassie places her hand upon the Princesses arm and gives it a little squeeze. The French-woman’s eyes focussed upon the stage. The pins upon her bosom sparkle gently.
And so the second act starts...
"Ya dat's whut I said, it ain't no kobol' but sum kinna vent mons'er" Drake telling him his date is with Cassie seems only slight comfort for Ralph "Cap'n? I ain't so shure bout dat dame Chuck... I tried ta be nice ta her an' all, but it still felt like she tought I wuz trash. Dat bodders me I hope 's jus' in my head."
Ralph raises an eyebrow at Drake when he says he is the one that wrote all over Alice's chest.
He looks to Alice but shakes his head at the name "Mer'ot? sum kinda wine innit? I ain't know da name." This probably isn't surprising since he apparently didn't even know his own date's proper name. "Whute'er dat ting is we gotta make shure it keeps away from ya."
He goes to Alice when she tries to stand and puts an arm around her to support her "Easy Kit, y'ain't gotta rush ta walk we'll help ya. Yer right I do wanna check on Minx, but I ain't zactly crazy 'bout leavin ya on yer own eider, maybe ya cin come sit wit us once we getcha some clodes." He's not really sure how Cassie will take to him inviting another girl to sit with them, or exactly where she'll sit for that matter, but he'll deal with that when the time comes.
"I should apologize to Lady DuSollier for not delivering her message, too, and explain how it's my fault," Alyce groans, leaning on Ralph until she's sure of her footing, "But then I need to work or I'll be fired. That uniform is coming out of my pay as it is." She smiles and pats Ralph's cheek. "Not that I'm complaining. You saved my life, Squirrel."
"I did some acting to pay off some loans because I wanted to pay for it myself and not rely on my background. It was good experience to do so." He says as he is checking her wounds and watching the healing process, "Kit here asked me to sign her breast, didn't you? I don't take advantage of people but I understand your fears, Squirrel."
He stands with the girl and looks about, "We are not taking you back to work. I will pay for your ruined outfit and speak with your boss, telling him you accidentally hit your head and we were going to watch over you. He knows I was an actor and that I am a doctor."
Drake gives the two a look, "Don't either of you give me any lip either. We need to make sure Cassie is ok and that the message gets delivered. Did you lose it or is it still wherever you put it?"
"I... I asked because it's what the girls in the dorm dare each other to do, that's all. He didn't do anything, Squirrel. It's just a silly girl thing," Alice explains ruefully, "And I dropped the message when the monster grabbed me. It should be in the broom closet, I think. Maybe Lady DuSollier can rewrite it. I'd be happy to explain to her or to Lady Massri and apologize. It's the least I can do."
Alice pulls Squirrel's jacket tighter about her and leans on his arm as they prepare to depart the boiler room.
Ralph waves his hand to dismiss the talk of the chest signing "Nah nah, I's jus' makin shure, I ain't really tink Chuck wuz da type, but ya cin ne'er be too shure."
He looks towards Drake and nods "Dat's right, Chuck'll tell yer boss whut's fer... I guess sayin she hit her head would make less o' a fuss den it goin out dat she broke a leg." He smiles back at Alice whens she pats his cheek "Well I'd hope ya wouldn't com'lain 'bout bein saved."
"Oh!" Ralph exclaims when Drake says he'll pay for the uniform "I cin help wit da uniform I gots sum munny." With his free hand he pulls one of the Mark notes Cassie gave him out of his pocket, and offers it to Alice "Is dat enough?"
He responds to talk of the note with a sheepish look "Yeah she ain't still gots da note on her, I looked her over an' she ain't really have a lotta places ta hide it."
He supports Alice as they start towards the door "Once we git up dere I ain't gonna say much Kit, dem hoity-toities're likely ta trow me out if dey hear da way I talk, but ya cin still whisper."
"It's ok. I was in college before as well so I know of those types of dares." But he was not totally confident that it had been anything like a dare. There was something he couldn't put his finger on but he was not going to leave her there, "Let's go past that spot you left the note and see if we can find it then go help Cassie."
Drake half smiles as Ralph offers up money for the outfit and opens the door without looking about as they leave the room. He notices a server walking straight towards him and points at her, "Your co-worker has taken a fall and hurt herself. I need to speak with the manager, if you please. She is in no condition to continue working."
He notices her look of astonishment, realizing that this woman is another fan, and gives her a wink and a smile, "Now let's get you to the change room so you can get into regular clothes." He lets the girl guide them to where her locker and the change room is.
Alyce leads the way to the Umkleideraum, where she disappears for a few minutes and reappears in a rather demure street outfit that hides all traces of Drake's autograph.
"I'm ready, thank you gentlemen. I do appreciate all the help, even leaving Lady DuSollier unprotected for all this time just for me. You're awfully sweet."
Ralph looks over to Drake when Alice disappears into the room. "Hey Chuck... I ain't sure she'd really wanna go back ta where she wuz attacked... she's still purdy spooked by dis Merlot mons'er in da vents. Cin we maybe jus' see if Minx cin write anodder?"
He smiles to Alice when she emerges in street clothes."Well can' very well leave ya unprotec'ed eider, an' if Cap'n's wit Minx she ain't tot'lly unprotec'ed." He offers his arm to Alice surprised she's able to move so well already, but expecting she's still unsteady on her feet. "Chuck'll clear tings wit yer boss so ya won't git canned fer comin wit us. An' if he still tries ta charge ya fer da uniform I gotcha covered."
Drake's eyes move to see Ralph from the side and he gives the other man a nod, "She won't like it but we have to do it. We will go in with her. That princess and brute are dangerous and I think they may be a reason Cassie sent the message so if she writes a secret note again ..."
He looks about, "We will have to get that note to it's owner somehow."
When Cassie comes out Drake turns his attention to her, "We do need to make sure that whoever attacked you doesn't come back and we need that note. You won't get fired."
Just at that moment the boss comes along and straight to Drake, yelling in his face but Drake just stands there obtusely ignoring the loud condemnation of him taking his employees out of their regular duties and all the other stuff that went in the man's head and right back out. Once the man was done with him and about to turn on Alice was when Drake put out a hand to hold the man's wrist.
"You forgot that the guest is always right. This girl has been hurt and I will be taking care of her from now on for the evening. I am a doctor and you know that I have a right to keep a patient from work if I believe it to be a danger to their health. It is a danger and she will be resting."
Blustering and with a vein popping out in his head the Boss is furious. "You have the right to keep them from work, as have I. You lady - He waggles a dirty finger in her direction, using his free hand.
"Don't think you are getting paid for tonight too, out of uniform! You are ruining the patrons night. I am shocked at the behaviour youngsters nowadays display!" he harumphs. "And you Sir, why you unhand me this second or else I'll bar you from here! Don't think I don't have the power." Jowls wobbling as his head vibrates in rage. Something about the evening has him unduely stressed and he has finally blown his top taking it out upon the easiest target; poor injured Alyce.
"I also have the right to keep you from work." Drake says patiently as he lets go of the boss's hand and smiles, "You forget that I also know your boss. Be sure that he will be speaking to you on Monday after he receives my documentation of this incident. And don't worry about this young lady. My family has been looking at buying this establishment and was only waiting for my approval which shall now be given. They also have better than this under their yoke, and soon this one, all of which will take her in within a moment after losing this position."
Drake smiles evilly, "Unlike any position you will have after this incident."
He brushes the man off and starts walking with the other two again, "Unless, of course, you have reason for my family not to relieve you of your duties." He hints as they continue walking, hoping the cue will get the man flustered enough to talk.
Ralph looks decidedly unhappy with Alyce's boss he would really like to tell the man off, but if he opens his mouth things will only get worse, he tries to think of some way he can bring him down a peg or two without actually speaking. He supports Alyce listening to Drake talk to the Boss his threat was perhaps less subtle and harder to follow through on than Ralph would have liked, unless of course Drake's family really is buying the opera house.
He looks towards Alice, and pats her hand reassuringly whispering to her quietly so the man can't hear.
He's eager to get away from this man and back to Cassie, but tries not to show the impatience as they start to move away from him.
His mouth gaping open and closed like a fish; at the way this has turned he is absolutely flabbergasted. "I...I...I..." the vein upon his fore-head pulses more. He stamps his foot, a heavy hard sound.
"Well, whomever you're family is. I do not care - you will rue the night you crossed tongues with Jan der Tryst!" Then a sly smile crosses his face; "Yes, you should enjoy the show and take your doxy with you!" he turns and starts to storm away.
Drake looks back, "Good day, sir." He says as a pleasant jab while the man stomps away and then files the information down in his head. Enjoy the show. Hmmm.
"I did not joke. You will still have a job." He says to Alice then turns to the other man, "Squirrel, do you think you can get yourself and our little friend back to Cassie? Something more is up than what we initially suspected. Tell her what this Jan der Tryst said and that I'm delivering the message. It would be appreciated."
The doctor hardly waits for Ralph to reply before being on his way to find the other woman, the one the message was intended for.
"Doxy? Really?" Alice cries, sudden light flaring in her green eyes, "You can't fire me; I quit! Do you think I want to work in this gods-cursed place with monsters in the vents and killers on the loose?" Releasing Ralph's arm, she takes three quick, careful steps after her former employer and slaps him hard across the face. "You have insulted a Kórógyi, and we do not forget!"
Tears rush to his eyes and his grasps his cheek, the red hand print already visible. "Yeah, I know your cult, clan, whatever heathen family and their fell rites. Dancing sky-clad under the moon, worshipping Demons....no wonder one grabbed you. I hope it eats you next time." he wobbles away slightly blubbering. He raises a hand to ward off the Evil eye of her clan.
"Lies!" Alice spits after him, then turns to Ralph and Drake with flaming cheeks. "I'm sorry you had to see that," she declares with dignity, eyes still ablaze, "And I'm sorry, Mr. Khoth, but I can find another job. It won't be here."
She limps to Ralph and takes his arm again, smiling. "Shall we go, Squirrel?"
The curtain rises as the strains of the overture die into accompaniment, and the players make their entrance to the stage. Rashida sits rapt in the Massri box, enjoying the new experience, when there is a tap behind her. She hears the usher move to intercept the intruder, so ignores the annoying whispers as the music continues. In a moment, though, the usher slips up next to her and bows apologetically.
"I beg your pardon, Lady Massri, but there is a gentleman here who insists on seeing you. He says - and his credentials back it up - that he is from the investigative division of the League of Aristocrats, and that the matter is urgent. Life or death, he says. I was afraid not to tell you about it. Should I send him away?" the burly usher whispers.
Rashida gives no sign of hearing for a moment as she ponders this development. What would the League want with a Massri? Finally, curiosity wins the day and she gives a brief shake of her head. "No, send him in," she instructs the usher in a normal tone of voice, not caring if she disturbs nearby patrons.
In seconds, a tall, thin, nervous man in shabby evening wear is standing before her, off to one side to avoid breaking her line of sight to the stage. The man sighs, twisting a hat in both hands, while the usher sends the waiter away from the box with brief, whispered instructions. "Lady Massri..." the man whispers uncertainly.
Rashida favors him with a brief glance of her kohl-lined eyes and waves to the neighboring chair. "Sit. Talk. What is so important it must interrupt death and damnation?"
"Well.. I fear more death," the man whispers as he perches on the very edge of the seat, "My name is Richard and I work for the investigative branch of the League of Aristocrats - Internal Investigations, you understand."
Rashida takes a quick breath and turns to examine the man's face. "Really. Continue. What does this possibly have to do with me?"
"I came tonight with my superior, Inspector Clousuk, pursuing an investigation. We were in the upper seats and had trouble seeing the action down here - and I don't mean on stage - so he dashed away at intermission to try to get a better view. We were separated. I have been unable to find him ever since."
Rashida pauses a moment. "I see. Or rather, I do not see. He is not here. How does this relate to me?"
Richard twists his hat nervously and bravely leans a bit closer, whispering even more softly. "Lady Massri, it is known your Clan is no friend of the League. Well, many within the League feel about us as they do about you. In fact, I think we may have many common interests. And frankly, well... I came here for protection. If they have Clousuk, they may well be after me. But none would dare harm you, Lady Massri. Is there... can you help us? Help Clousuk? He is not the best investigator, but he is honest and he does try."
Rashida ponders, letting the thin, greying man sweat a bit. "And what is in this for me if I help?" The sound of several sets of footsteps approaching softly on the carpet behind them causes her to cease speaking.
"Lady Massri, shall we remove this troublesome interloper for you?" Gretel Stuptsman makes her way to the other side of Rashida's chair, murmuring softly into her ear as two dark figures make their way to Richard's side, catching him gently but firmly by the elbows and setting him on his feet. Richard makes a small squeak of dismay. Rashida can smell the sharp scent of his fear, as well as odd strains of exotic incense from the newcomers.
She is silent for only a few seconds, but much passes through her mind in that time. Deciding, she looks full at Frau Stuptsman. "Of course not, Frau Stuptsman," she chides in a normal tone of voice, black eyes flat and face expressionless. "I had planned to share this opera with Richard and Inspector Clousuk. Unfortunately, I was late and they were forced to take cheap seats for the first act. I am so happy Richard has made it, but he claims Inspector Clousuk has disappeared. Disappeared? At your theater? I am shocked and begin to doubt my safety. Do you by any chance know where the good Inspector is?"
Frau Stuptsman pauses. "Of... of course not. Why would I? Perhaps he left at intermission. You can certainly not hold me responsible for..."
"Oh, but I do, Frau Stuptsman," Rashida says softly, "Richard and he were to meet me here, and he gave no word to Richard that he was leaving. He is here. Find him." Rashida's icy gaze never leaves the owner of the Clockwork Theater, who tries to gabble an excuse or two. Finally Frau Stuptsman bowes and exits the Massri's box, summoning the others with a flick of her hand.
Richard settles trembling into the seat next to Rashida and sits silently for a moment, staring at the stage without really seeing the performers. "Thank you, Lady Massri," he finally whispers, "We owe you. I owe you."
"I know," says Rashida.
"There are more jobs than this one and I did offer you one in an enterprise held by my family. Let us speak more of it later and see what can be done for you." Drake smiles at the girl, "You are strong to stand up to one like him."
He turns to Ralph, "I won't be long."
Unless there are any trolls under the bridge."
He moves quickly but not too quickly so as not to catch attention to himself and when he gets near where Rasshida's box would be he sees Frau Stuptsman coming out of it.
"Frau!" He calls and walks towards him, "It is a good thing that you are here. There was an incident which I will send an email regarding later but it has been dealt with; however, there was an innocent who saw two men taking a kobold detective from the theatre."
Ysillith continues to watch the events on stage unfold. She's glad she's using the wall to prop herself up with. Other wise she might gratuitously already be passed out on the floor. (-_-)
Ralph nods to Drake as tells him he won't be long, somehow Ralph managed to keep himself quiet throughout the whole ordeal with Alyce's boss, and puts his arm around Alyce again to support her when she comes back to him.
He whispers quietly to her as they start on their way to join Cassie in the princess' box. "Tanks fer hittin him Kit... if ya din' I prolly would've an' dat 'm shure woulda gone much worse... I ain't really shure whut a doxy is, but sounds like I cin be purdy shure yer not it."
His arm around Alyce gives her a little squeeze "Sorry we caused ya so much trubble Kit. I jus' wan'ed ta help. I ain't really gots nottin ta offer ya, but it sounds like Chuck's family'll prolly take care o' it."
Darkness gives way to the light and beautiful show, whilst the hush falls over the audience. The curtains rise and the opera commences it's final Act!
Around the auditorium many different parties plan, their ideas as sophisticated and convoluted as the opera. Some dream of marrying their love, others plot revenge, some hope for survival against the odds, some writhe against the threads of bondage, some revel in new love, whilst others long for a lost love.
Leporello threatens to leave Giovanni, but his master calms him with a peace offering of money. (Duet: "Eh via buffone" – "Come on, you hot-headed"). Wanting to seduce Elvira's maid, Giovanni persuades Leporello to exchange cloak and hat with him. Elvira comes to her window. (Trio: "Ah taci, ingiusto core" – "Ah, be quiet unjust heart"). Seeing an opportunity for a game, Giovanni hides and sends Leporello out in the open dressed as Giovanni. From his hiding place Giovanni sings a promise of repentance, expressing a desire to return to her, while Leporello poses as Giovanni and tries to keep from laughing. Elvira is convinced and descends to the street. Leporello, continuing to pose as Giovanni, leads her away to keep her occupied while Giovanni serenades her maid with his mandolin. ("Deh vieni alla finestra" – "Ah, come to the window").
Before Giovanni can complete his seduction of the maid, Masetto and his friends arrive, searching for Giovanni and intending to kill him. Giovanni (dressed as Leporello) convinces the posse that he also hates Giovanni, and joins the hunt. After cunningly dispersing Masetto's friends (Giovanni aria: "Metà di voi qua vadano" – "Half of you go this way"), Giovanni takes Masetto's weapons away, beats him up, and runs off, laughing. Zerlina arrives and consoles the bruised and battered Masetto. ("Vedrai carino" – "You'll see, dear one").
Cassie gasps at the beating, "Such treachery and brutality." she seems quite shocked by the realism of the special effects. The French-woman is upset with the callous behaviour of Giovanni and sympathises with Zerlina's position. Gripping upon the arm of the chair with one hand, she squirms in the chair.
Frau Stuptsman bustles over to Drake while the ushers with her fade into the passageways, motioning for Drake to hush.
"The opera has started. You will disturb the patrons with such shouting. Nothing must disrupt tonight's performance. Lady Massri has already been significantly bothered. I have men searching for the kobold. Lady Massri is most concerned about it. As for that dreadful 'energy-mail', I'll have none of it. I want no exploding gizmos in my office, thank you very much. Send it by courier as usual if you want me to receive it."
"Ah yes I keep forgetting about your dislike of those things. There are strange things going on, Frau. You may wish to have men comb the more indirect routes within the building as well." Drake states with a shake of his head, "As for Lady Massri, I have an urgent note for her. I know your penchant of making sure the guests' quiet is undisturbed but this is important and you know I won't misbehave."
Stuptsman holds out her hand. "Give it to me. I will deliver it." Her blue eyes hold Drake's.