At Thurenza’s playful reply, showing that she hadn’t forgotten the story either, he retorted with a more serious tone and a deep gaze into her eyes:

”In our case, one uncle of yours would be enough so we can live happily ever after. And if I have to, you know I’ll do it.”

Then the subject was changed, as they were ready for the big urban adventure implied by attending a show at the Opera.

”Of course. We are so alike and so opposite at the same time. And I love it.”

Their going up to their box wasn’t lacking all kind of stares and whispers. He knew it, he could feel it, but he didn’t care, as long as he knew she didn't mind it either. Just before the show started, he saw, down where there were so many seats, Captain Beppin with a lady. He looked at them for a little while, but they hadn't seen him.

Then, as the music started, he tried to get accustomed to the new sounds. The curtain soon parted to show the people who started singing too. The sounds were unusual, but after hearing them for almost an hour he got accustomed to them. He also tried to get what was everything about from the acting mimics. There were Shawnee dances which were telling about a legend or another too; he could understand that the movements accompanied the music, towards telling the same story.

From time to time, he was looking at Thurenza, almost not believing that he was here now, with her, and not waking up from a dream, somewhere, alone.

@Crymson

His dark eyes pierced hers and she were still as he spoke low and serious. Yes. She did know he would bloody his hands for her. And she worried over the knowledge of it. It were one thing to hunt deer and buffalo, another to hunt a man. Especially the one who had been harrying her all her life. Maybe it were the case of not realizing your own strength, as she had grown up under Marzio’s madness but she still harbored concern over him.

“Like any great hunt you must know your adversary, the buffalo and the boar could kill the unprepared hunter— the mightily skilled are felled by them –even so.”

They found the box and made themselves comfortable and Thurenza point out the Captain and his lovely date. Another patron this night was Antoine Moscati her associate and friend, with a date as well. It made her Happy to see the over worked Doctor with a female and at a social event. And she lean and tell Aatami all about the doctor.

The orchestra sounded, the light cast dim and those who enjoyed such theater turned eyes to the stage. But he din of the floor hardly fell at all as many bodies only came to be seen and to see others. Not really the theatrics put upon the stage.

And Threnuza lean into Aatami, their box were private and darkened.



@Elena

She placed her hand on his thigh and he could feel her warmth just there. And then she leaned into him and kissed his cheek. He ran an arm just under hers and about her back to hold her. He wished to tuck her under his arm, but, not wanting to make a scene... then again who gave a fuck about the other patrons and he shift to tuck her into the crux of his shoulder and upper arm.

“As you wish m’dear.”

He whispers it as he rest his chin near her forehead. Placing a kiss after his words. And they sit folded into one another, he wrapping her in his torso and not giving a care to what anyone else thought about his bringing a whore to the opera. They listen to the actors and follow the scene’s.

Hidden affairs.

The comedy and heartbreak of love and title.

Antoine offers some of the sweets and he look about to see if any eyes stare too long in their direction. But he does not note anything concerning and hopes that Renata would share any true concerns with him. For god surely knew he had shared his own with her. And he squeeze her at times and pat her and when a scene is too close for comfort in innuendo he look down and smile at her. Or press a kiss to her brow.

When intermission breaks Antoine had spied a co-worker he wished to introduce Renata to. Because the man often made cracks about Antoine having no other life then work and University. He wanted to prove the other man wrong. And show Renata he were not ashamed of her.

@Atrice

The intermission was the moment awaited mostly by the hardworking people who wanted to see the opera but couldn't afford more than half price. The sailors of "Colomba", seeing an opera for the first time, weren't the only ones queuing and showing their tickets for the upper gallery.

Fernand entered, happy and proud, with Margareta on his arm, both of them dressed in their best clothes and ready to enjoy a musical treat they haven't had the opportunity before. Maffeo, Fantin, Rino and Barthemy, also wearing their shore leave clothes, were following them, as good guards. Margareta was happy to have them around, because crowds scared her. However, with all the strong sailors around, she felt safe.

She didn't know that Maffeo and Fantin hadn't been initially interested in going to the opera. Those two tickets had been bought by Stephane, for him and Bessina, as a surprise treat, only that Bessina had found herself in charge, as the Madame was going to the Opera too. So, given that her presence was needed in the "Convento Dolce", she had sweetly thanked Stephane for his intention, leaving him to choose if he wanted to go to the opera without her or if he preferred they had their own show in the brothel. Ultimately, there was a scene there too, and Bessina was not the only one who enjoyed occupying it. Therefore, Stephane hurried to pass the tickets to his crewmates and he returned. They would pay him the next time the profit bonus would be calculated.

Once the doors were opened, the footmen, sailors, shop assistants and tradesmen were ready to kick elbows, ribs and ankles in order to get forward quicker, and up to the upper balcony, where their place was. Only then they had the opportunity to admire the luxury of the theatre, which they could safely compare to a cathedral's.

Eyes closed. Lips relaxed. Breathing at ease and when his lids parted, as they often did, minutely as he wished to relish the cadence, the tide of aural waves he would look at his guest. Honestly he were her companion, by the show of it all. A great masquerade played out in the societal rank. The patron. The patsy. She the gift. The sought after treasure. And all the realms worthy knights would vie for the pleasure to sit next to her.

Until one day she were too old. Too wrinkled. Too something. And cast aside. Or if she were lucky… enough… a cherished mistress to some doting patron. It were the way that such flames existed and eventually extinguished. Did he feel badly for it? No. It were an industrious woman that could attain such sums of funds from men such as he. And if she were not smart enough to invest them—then it were her own err.

Did actions such as his, in regards to other maids that could lead to such station for some women trouble his sleep? Non. It was the way of his world and he was no Saint. Far from it. He never pressed the ladies, he never out right lied, he never left them destitute. That were their families that turned on them… that were not his fault.

His own family had rallied behind their spoiled Maid, Adrienne when she were exposed for impropriety. They ruined the man who had his hand on her. Ruined him. And no father, sibling or uncle had come to challenge him. None. So what was he to be worried over? To feel guilt of? Nothing.

And when Shaden let roll a tear. That translucent river of pure emotion fall down her powdered cheek he see the reflection of candle light in it. Did she regret a marriage? A family of her own? Did she loose the chance of one? Of a proper life? Did he really care?

He did not know know. But a tear tasted so good. Especially from a woman as lovely to look upon as his companion. He reach out and brush it from her cheek, lift the fingertip to his mouth and taste that saltine lacrimosa and moan. Watching her. No longer vested by the Opera. The din of the forum.

No. His interest in what cause such a profound singular rivulet of regret? to fall from those cool calculating gaze. And could he make another fall? Could he drink her tears and enjoy every single one of them? The sorrow, the elation, The anger? Could he stir such in a woman of her venue. For surely he had not in this… but the Opera… the same sentiments that could wrack his being from the sound. Not the visual, not the textile--- that aural. For one could close their eyes and envision whatever scene fit their own mind to the sound. He whispers not letting his eyes part from her from the moment he had touched her cheek.

“I hope to repeat that sentiment many times, to cause such emotion to roll from you so freely and to taste them… each and every one.”


@TwilaD

Beppin smiled, whispering back:

"My pleasure to share cherished moments and interests with you. I am glad that you like it."

The story was attractive. The ballet and the singers' acting, complementing the beautiful arias, showed all the emotions of the narrative. For those who didn't understand all the words, the acting and dancing might have been enough to convey the bare ideas. The mise en scene was luxurious and impressive, as well as the costumes.

When the curtain falling marked the intermission, he said:

"Now come with me, to greet Monsieur d'Apcher and to get you introduced to the lady you admire."

Hand in hand, they made room through the crowd which was increasing, as those who came for half price tickets were entering too, towards the private boxes at the first floor.

@Freakpanda, @Crymson, @TwilaD

It seemed to work, when she placed her warm hand on his thigh and kissed him gently and asked him to not discuss this tonight, as they were just here to be together. Antoine agreed to it and then he shifted so she’d slip underneath his arm and lean against him. Renata easily made herself comfortable, so near his warm body, feeling she could almost melt into it. He almost made her feel so… safe… here, holding her like that. It was very comfortable and she thought she could get used to being so close to a man in such a gentle manner.

Then they took their time quietly to listen to the opera and the music and follow the actions on stage. It was interesting, but also a new and different thing to focus on. Renata had never been inside such a theater before, she had never seen such a performance. The actors here were quite skilled and emotions came and went, while Antoine seemed to want to take good care of her.

After a while however, there was a pause in the show and Antoine shifted, so Renata did the same. She gave him a soft smile, “I could get used to this… resting so close to you.” She said with a warm and fond smile to him and looked around, seeing people begin to chatter again and some left their seats as the intermission came.

“What do we do now? I am not really very familiar with the proper… etiquette, for such events.” Renata looked to Antoine to guide her. In her own business and at work, she was a strong woman. But with Antoine, all that seemed to melt away and she needed him to be there for her.

@Crymson

Aatami had nodded at her wise words. He knew that he had to study his adversary, and that it took time. He had hunted men too, on the war path, fighting the war the chiefs had brought them into in the name of an alliance with the Miamis and the other tribes.

”I have never said I am doing it tomorrow,” he replied quietly, ”exactly for these reasons. But I am aware some time I will have to do it, and I will have to be prepared by then.”

That would be a thought for the future. Now he was living in present, and enjoying by his beloved wife’s side everything the city on the waters had to offer to them, and it was much more than he had ever thought possible. Like the gondola ride through the beautiful city, and this opera show now, for example, in a theatre more sumptuous than any plantation owner’s big residence.

Aatami looked around in the box, to get familiarized with it and to admire its intricate decorations. As he felt Thurenza’s familiar presence by his side, he enjoyed her warmth, fearing, for the thousandth time in this week that he had been here, that he’d wake up alone again, on the other side of the roaring seas. He didn’t mind all eyes on them, as long as she didn’t mind them. He was just a newcomer, while she was one of the citizens of Venice. It was her reputation they were watching and gossiping about. He didn’t need to understand Venetian and what was exactly said in order to have an idea of what was happening.

He listened to her stories about the doctor she had been working with. He had vaguely heard about him from Fernand and Margareta. Captain Beppin was there too, and he felt better that in that crowd there was someone else he was acquainted to, besides Thurenza.

Aatami put his arm around her shoulders when the light dimmed and she had leaned into him. This was, for him, the extreme way to show his affection. He felt as if he shouted to everyone there: ”She is my wife. I am protecting her and don’t you dare to harm her even with a word, because there will be hell to pay!” But, while very aware of her presence, he was following the strange dances and songs on the scene, until the curtains fell again.

”Was this all?” he asked, a bit disappointed, not knowing about the intermission. ”How can she marry another if she is already married and her husband is there with them?”

He knew that it would have been possible if one of them was gone forever, for a reason or another. That was how he had got married to Otha Wawase, only by losing Thurenza, his only love.

@Crymson,

Following the excellent performances of both the musicians and actors a like, the time felt like it was flying. Before Liao even knew it, the show had come to an intermission. It had been a good thing that Beppin had explained her this as well as otherwise Liao would have been surprised to cut the show halfway through. Standing up, she streched her arms and felt that a break from all of the sitting was probably for the best. Sitting another set like that would make her butt rather uncomfortable.

"Now come with me, to greet Monsieur d'Apcher and to get you introduced to the lady you admire."

''I hope we can spot them. If everyone is going to move like in the beginning, it will be almost possible'' Liao said and shuddered at the thought of having to work their through the mass of people and try to have decent conversation over it. Luckily most seemed to stay seated or chat or play with their seating partners. There was some commotion in the entrance as those who bought the cheaper ticket were starting to get in.

To her pleasant surprise, the crowd wasn't as large as before so they managed to find their way to d'Apcher and his stunning looking date. She was even more beautiful looking at close, and Liao couldn't help but to stare at her for a moment, admiring her beauty. ''Pleasure meeting you again Monsieur d'Apcher'' Liao said with a smile. ''Who is your beautiful date if I may ask?'' It was hard to not take her eyes of his date. She knew that she was beautiful and had made sure others would turn their eyes on her.

@Elena @Crymson @TwilaD

He shift enough to see her as she speaks.

“I rather enjoy you nestled against me Ruffina. Much so.”

And she sits up proper and his arm falls away as the light is brighter for the intermission.

“What do we do now? I am not really very familiar with the proper… etiquette, for such events.”

He stands offering her a hand to help her up.

“My dear we stretch our legs and meet other people. I saw an associate of mine lingering in the crowd and I want to prove to the man that I do in fact do other things than work and sleep. And maybe make him a little bit jealous by my companion’s beauty.”

The last said with light amusement and a smile. He did very much enjoy looking at Renata as she was a stunning beauty. Her soft pale flesh, her lightly gilded blonde hair and her gentle green eyes. The perfume she wore was light not as expensive as some but not as cheap as he had known at times. And the gown he was pleased she decided to wear helped to show off her features and color. He had tried hard to make their outfits complement one another and each individual.

He led her through the mass of patrons and any who tried to press past her got a jab or a shove. No one would treat his woman, even if they had known her as the whore she made her money by, in such a manner. And if any man rebuffed the jab Antoine stood firm. He may not have a blade or be a knight, but by god he were a man.

Soon they ahd found the man Antoine had pointed out form the box. And he waved Simon down. Once they had garnered his attention and could hear one another Antoine introduced them both.

“Signor Simon Durand it is my pleasure to introduce you to my companion Signora Renata Frascoti who grants me the pleasure of her company from time to time. Signora Frascoti, meet Signor Simon Duran a Medico much like myself and co worker.”


@Atrice @Elena