The Play

There was electricity in the air on the upper plate of Midgar and the streets were filled with excitement. Tonight was the opening of the latest and highly anticipated production of LOVELESS. No one was looking forward to it more than Genesis.

Despite his obsession with the poems, he actually wasn't much of a fan of the stage versions. Sure he would go to see them for research's sake but he felt that most of the theatrical interpretations were uninspired, short-sighted, and amateur at best and lacked the proper insight and scope. The epic was so much bigger than a play and it looked cheap and contrived when it was confined to the stage. Genesis vehemently awaited the moment when he and his friends would be hailed the true players and the tale would unravel at their feet like a richly woven tapestry for all the world to behold.

Plus, he had the conceited notion that no one on the planet could perform LOVELESS better than him.

With one possible exception.

This particular production was starring the world-renowned actress Ría Carmé to portray the Goddess. The middle-aged thespian was sheer perfection in Genesis' eyes and he had been in love with her ever since his parents had taken him to see the classic tragedy "Tale of the Ancients" when he was nine. Ms. Carmé played the heroine, Mythre, and displayed such depth and fragility that Genesis was moved to tears. For the next few weeks he paraded around the house in a sheet performing all of Mythre's soliloquies. On a more recent occasion, he had declared to his friends that she was the only woman on Gaia he would willingly sleep with. When Angeal commented on how disappointed Scarlet would be due to her apparent interest in the redhead, Genesis readily replied that if anyone had a dick, it was Scarlet.

So, with his ladylove in mind, Genesis snagged a couple of box seats for the premiere and he now found himself waiting eagerly outside of Angeal's apartment. He wanted to get to the theatre early in hopes of scoring a backstage meeting with the actress herself.

As soon as Angeal opened the door Genesis began passionately reciting one of the famous lines from LOVELESS. "When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end The goddess descends from the sky Wings of light and dark spread afar She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting."

Only after he had finished was he finally able to take in the sight of the man standing before him. Angeal was wearing a t-shirt and boxer shorts. "Geez Angie, I wasn't expecting you to get all dressed up but this is a little ridiculous, don't you think?"

Angeal blinked and came to. "Oh my god, the play! Gen, I am so sorry! I completely forgot!"

Genesis deflated. "You forgot? I've been talking about it for weeks!"

"I'm sorry! I usually tune you out when you start talking about LOVELESS. And I've been really busy."

"Fine," Genesis said through clenched teeth. "Just go get dressed and maybe we can still make it there early."

Angeal looked down guiltily before meeting his friend's gaze once more. "I…I can't. Brutus is sick."

"Brutus? Who the hell's Brutus?"

"You know who Brutus is. He's my dog."

It was then that Genesis noticed the puppy curled up in a ball on the sofa surrounded by towels and newspapers.

"Lock him in the bathroom with some soup or something. Let's go!" As a spoiled only child Genesis understood nothing of caring for others, only being taken care of.

"I can't do that, he's been miserable. He caught some virus and he can't keep anything down." Angeal glanced sideways at the pup with concern.

"Well have someone else look after him while you're gone!"

"Gen, you go to see LOVELESS every year. Why is this such a big deal?"

"Because this is Ría Carmé we're talking about here! The goddess herself! Do you know how rare it is that she performs in public these days? There's a chance I could meet her!"

"The one in the play with the sheet? Why don't you get someone else to go with you?"

"She didn't wear the sheet, I did! And I want to go with you!" He emphasized his sentiment by stomping his foot. He might have been vaguely aware of how childish he looked but Genesis wanted his way and he knew damn well how to get it. Angeal was a big softie. Anger and outrage weren't going to get him to budge so Genesis had to appeal to his compassionate side. If there was one thing Angeal couldn't resist it was a pair of puppy dog eyes. Genesis wouldn't realize his mistake until later. "Pleeeaaassse?"

Angeal looked like he was already beginning to cave. He turned to the dog lying on the couch. Brutus peeked out of the ball he was in and tilted his head in confusion at his raven-haired caretaker.

Angeal bit his lip and looked back at Genesis whose beautiful blue eyes had doubled in size and whose already pouty lips had only gotten poutier. Angeal was starting to sweat.

He swiveled his head back around to look at the puppy. Brutus was now sitting on his hind legs with his paws neatly in front and his tail curled around him. His head was hanging low as he shyly looked up at Angeal with those sad, innocent eyes.

Angeal gulped and then turned back to Genesis who appeared ready to burst. By now the redhead's eyes were so large and his bottom lip was sticking out to such a degree that he looked almost cartoonish.

Angeal looked back at Brutus. Then back at Genesis. Then Brutus. Then Genesis. Then Brutus. Then Genesis. Brutus. Genesis. Brutus. Genesis. BrutusGenesisBrutusGenesis.

The invisible tennis match came to an end with Angeal facing his childhood friend. He opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. The poor man looked hopelessly torn, his inner struggle written all over his face. Finally, Angeal regained his ability to speak. "I-I'm really sorry Genesis. I'll make it up to you. Whatever you want you got it." With that, he began to close the door in Genesis' face.

"Angeal? Angeal what are you doing?" The redhead inquired with childlike bewilderment. Angeal wasn't making any sense. Surely Angeal- loyal, reliable Angeal- wasn't choosing a dog over his lifelong best friend? No, that would be absurd.

The door continued on its trajectory, Angeal's pathetic face poking out. "I'm sorry! Don't look at me like that. You're better off going with someone else anyway." He kept babbling apologies until he was no more than a slit in the door.

The door clicked shut, the sound reverberating through Genesis' skull as he stood there dumbstruck. At last, reality kicked in. Angeal had never said no to that face before!

It's that damned dog's fault! He knew exactly what he was doing! The redhead silently fumed at the mutt on the other side of the door. I bet the whole sick thing was just an act!

It seemed that Genesis had met his match.

This did not bode well.

He finally stalked off, forced to search for a new date.

...o0O0o...