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Post by Carlos Castro on Jun 9, 2008 11:30:06 GMT -5
*Carlos couldn't remember the last time performing felt like this.
It was a little like that solo in church, when Mr. Stevens had finally singled him out and Carlos--Christopher--had learned what he wanted to do with his life.
Of course, in church, praise did not come in the form of applause, for one sang God's praise, not one's own. Recognition came later, in Stevens' rooms, where Christopher had learned other things. Stevens' lust had not lasted, but Christopher's need to rise up and leave had, and singing had shown him the way. Along with one or two of those other things.
Tonight, somehow, all that came flooding back, but without the shame or the pain. It was nostalgia, a rediscovery of the boy who genuinely wanted this, who basked in praise because he'd done his job well and truly, rather than because he thought it his due.
And not a little because he knew someone was watching who mattered more than the whole audience put together.
After the final curtain--had he imagined it, or was the applause more fervid than usual?--Carlos thought about skipping the dressing room. Destler never came there anymore. But he did not want to appear before his maestro slathered in sweat and greasepaint. His toilet was swift and soon, dressed in the cravat and pin Destler had given him, he was in a cab homeward.*
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Post by Bryan Fury on Jun 21, 2008 16:48:35 GMT -5
Now that he had gotten to go inside, Bryan got to see how large the interior of the Opera House was - a lot more than he expected - and took his seat beside Yoshimitsu, putting his hat in his lap.
The opera had started out as mildly interesting, but there was one fatal flaw with Bryan watching the performance... he didn't understand a damn word of it. He started nodding off during the first act, almost slumping over in his seat. Getting up with the excuse of relieving himself, Bryan wandered out of the main part of the theatre and into the lobby, where he actually had gotten lost for a long time. Eventually managing to navigate his way back with the help of one of the children who made extra money for the Opera house selling flowers in the lobby.
Before reentering the house, Bryan knelt near the little girl to thank her, who only now noticed that part of his face was masked. After trying to reassure her in his horrible French that he "weren't no Ghost," the little girl seemed to believe him, or maybe she didn't... as she handed him a paper-wrapped bouquet, murmuring something along the lines of "Monsieur Masque" to him before she left for the main lobby.
Returning to his seat, Bryan kept his eyes averted until he was seated again beside Yoshimitsu, offering him the small bouquet of pink and white flowers as a quiet apology.
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Post by Yoshimitsu on Jun 21, 2008 17:01:42 GMT -5
The young mercenary was indeed annoyed at the American's prolonged absence and regretted spending the money he needed for food on the extra ticket. His expression became dour and he was distracted from the rather stunning performance, tapping his foot nervously on the carpet under his seat.
When the tinman returned, Yoshi pursed his lips and kept his attention on the stage, ignoring the flowers and looking quite unhappy.
After the show, they cleared out quickly, before the bulk of the crowds, Yoshi saying nothing to his companion as they exited into the cool evening air.
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Post by Bryan Fury on Jun 21, 2008 17:14:36 GMT -5
Bryan kept himself quiet for the first few minutes, walking half a pace behind Yoshimitsu, then finally, in the middle of the street, he stepped up in front of the young man, still clutching the flowers in his hands.
"Yoshi, please... I'm sorry I missed the performance... I want to make it up to you..." he started, determined to not let the young man just walk around him.
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Post by Yoshimitsu on Jun 21, 2008 17:23:26 GMT -5
"It's of no consequence, I doubt you'd have enjoyed it anyway. What are those?"
He nodded toward the bouquet with a raised brow and stuffed his hands into his pockets, making no attempt to move forward or go around the man.
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Post by Bryan Fury on Jun 21, 2008 17:29:36 GMT -5
Bryan swallowed a bit and held the flowers out to the young man, looking nervous all over again. "They're fer you... as an apology to you for my absence..." he said, trying to speak with a bit more diction than normal, hoping the extra effort would help to credit his sincerity. It wasn't his fault he'd gotten lost, but he was in no way going to argue with his benefactor.
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Post by Yoshimitsu on Jun 21, 2008 17:36:06 GMT -5
"Flowers." he said, incredulously, but took the bouquet anyway. Yoshi quirked his mouth to one side in thought then sighed. "Alright. Thanks, then. Are you hungry? There's a rather excellent restaurant nearby." He started walking again, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely holding the flowers at his side. At least he hadn't chucked them away, that was something, right? ((Off to sueniverse.proboards106.com/index.cgi?board=outside&action=display&thread=3890&page=3#193981))
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