New Opera Rehearsals

[Irene]

holmes said:

*Holmes entered the auditorium, having heard the rehearsal in progress. It was doubtful that an extra violin player would be necessary, but he had felt it prudent to take a chance. He remained in the shadows, frowning slightly at the oddity of the performances. It was not a piece he recognized, and he considered himself well-versed in modern music.

Unobserved, he allowed himself a small sigh. It was a welcome vacation, in some ways. But the way he had left had been most unworthy of the friendship he owed Watson. There was nothing to be done about it, however. Merely hope that at some point, in the not-too-distant future, matters would allow him to return.

For now, he was a violinist.*

((I'll assume this takes place before Irene's kidnapping))

*Irene stood in the back of the dressing room, attempting to fix her eye makeup- her tears had been causing it to run ever since that horrible night...Finally satistfied that she could control her emotions, Irene entered for her scene. She couldn't help but think that the new violinist looked rather familiar.*

[Sherlock Holmes]

*Holmes flexed his fingers and absently caressed the aged wood of his Stradivarius. He had been fortunate to have thought to bring the instrument with him; he wondered if Watson would notice its absence.

Most likely not.

He had gained permission from the director to audition on the job, as it were. It was an odd place, and not as all as he remembered from his more youthful travels. The director, for one, was a most ridiculous figure. Holmes felt certain he would soon be moving on. But he could not, if he admitted to his vanity, pass up the opportunity to play.

He sat poring over the music, intent upon coaxing the unfamiliar melodies from the strings, when a voice caught at him and nearly caused a most dreadful tonal accident.

She could not be here.*

[Irene]

*Irene managed to hold herself together through the rest of the song. But as she tried to place the violinist's face, a curious memory entered her mind.*

It's impossible...

[Sherlock Holmes]

*It was her. It had to be; he did not forget faces.

Not that face, certainly.

But it was impossible! That is to say, it was not to be borne. The woman had humiliated him! As to his continuance here, that's what was impossible.*

[Irene]

*It was him. But why? It couldn't be that the Prince had hired him once again, that he still desired her...

As soon as it was possible, she left the stage, and ran back to her dressing room*

[Sherlock Holmes]

*Holmes watched Miss Adler--Mrs. Norton?--flee, his fingers idly twisting the pegs of his violin. He was brought back to himself with a furious "ping!" from one of the strings as it broke and stung his hand. He grimaced, silently cursing the being who could trouble him so.

It was not to be, this command she had over him. He would conquer it, or he would leave.*

[Irene]

*Back in her room, Irene struggled to regain control over herself. She shouldn't be afraid- she had beaten him once before, and even then he had been an honorable opponant. But why should he come back?*

Who is he working for now?

[Sherlock Holmes]

((Do you want me to follow you?))

[Christine]

((If you wish. I'm not demanding that you do.))

[Sherlock Holmes]

((Your avvies had me confused. I was like, "Wait, did I accidentally reply to Christine, thinking she was Irene?))

*But this cowardice was beneath him, and not worthy of her, either. There would be no disguises this time, no feints. He strode down the hallway, Stradivarius encased and under his arm. Her door had barely closed when he knocked on it sharply.*

[Irene]

((Serves me right for picking two forties sex symbols.))

*Irene looked up at the knock. Taking a deep breath, she replied*

"Come in."

[Sherlock Holmes]

((True. That's what you get!))

*Holmes opened the door, only to stand solemnly just inside the room.*

"Madame Norton," *he began.* "It is clear from your actions that my presence alarms you. I realize the impropriety of my coming to your dressing room, but I come only to assure you of two things: that I am not here in any official capacity, and that you will not remain troubled by my present for long.

"However, as you have recognized me, I must ask you to divulge to no one that you have seen me here. It is perhaps a needless precaution, but caution is necessary at this stage. If you harbor any respect, paltry as it may be, for myself or my work, you will kindly do as I ask."

[Irene]

*Irene turned around and adressed Holmes*

"First of all, my name is not Norton. That marriage wasn't legal- not after one of our 'witnesses' proved to be a fraud. Just as well- we wouldn't have lasted long anyway.

"But you needn't worry about my exposing you. If you say that the Prince did not send you, I will believe you are telling me the truth. Therefore, I have no reason to destroy your cover."

[Sherlock Holmes]

*Holmes filed away the information, even as he suppressed his shock at her dismissal of her husband; and marriage in general. But should he be so surprised? She was an actress, after all; an adventuress.*

"I am sent by no one," *he said with asperity.* "But I will trouble you no longer." *He inclined his head and turned to leave.*

[Irene]

*As he turned to leave, Irene spoke, this time a bit more gently*

"I'm sorry if I was a bit rude. I've just been having a hard time."

*She looked down*

"I did get married, to someone else. Only days ago he was murdered."