Music of Angels and Demons
Opening night. The excitement, the anticipation, the adrenaline and the absolutely complete, mind-blowing chaos.
"Twenty minutes to curtain people!"
"Where did I put that wig?"
"Somebody help me please!"
"That plant isn't needed until the end of the second act!"
"Where are the Countess's shoes?"
"Would someone please move these planks somewhere where people aren't walking?"
"Excuse me! Miss Neliel needs some assistance with her hair!"
"I can't seem to find Figaro's measuring rod!"
Maestro Rose stood off to the side watching the madness unfold before him. There was a small smile on his lips as he thought about how in less than a half hour the audience would be completely drawn into the drama unfolding onstage. However, the rehearsed drama was comparably amusing to the unrehearsed version, in his opinion.
Even though some of the cast and crew were becoming somewhat irritable with all the little problems popping up here and there, the maestro knew that by the time the curtain was scheduled to rise, everything and everyone would be in their proper place. It always worked out like that because these people were professionals.
Over in the dressing room area, Orihime and Rukia were getting situated in their costumes and putting the finishing touches on their stage make-up alongside the rest of the female chorus members and minor characters. On Orihime's right, Rangiku Matsumoto and Neliel Tu Odelschwanck were prepping themselves for their roles of the Countess Rosina Almaviva and Susanna respectively. On Rukia's left Kirio Hikifune, the leading mezzo-soprano of the Royal Opera Theater for the last 10 years and who was now taking a small step back to allow Rangiku and Neliel to take the 'leading roles' in this opera, was liberally powdering her cheeks and nose.
Down in the orchestra pit, Aizen, Kaname and Gin along with the other orchestra members were getting themselves comfortably situated. Sounds of instruments being tuned, difficult passages being practiced, stands being adjusted and music being organized on those stands wafted up from the pit. Every once in a while, small talk would be exchanged, but mostly the musicians were focused on the task ahead of them.
The audience members also had to take their positions in the opera house as well. The Kurosaki family settled themselves comfortably in their box seats and then began chatting amicably with their box seat neighbors. Opera glasses whose purpose was intended to help a person see the actors and actresses on stage were actually being used to peruse the audience.
Now the stage was set. Everyone was in their proper place. The show could begin.
"That was a wonderful opening night everyone. Thank you for all your hard work, but let's make sure that we don't get lazy in the next few weeks. Every show needs to get better and better!"
Cast and crew alike applauded Maestro Otoribashi's miniature speech before Shunsui Kyoraku stepped forward and said jovially, "In honor of this spectacular start to the opera season, my partner and I decided to organize an Afterglow reception for our most devoted patrons to share with all of you."
This time the applause was more enthusiastic, but then quickly dissipated as everyone was anxious to finish up their various responsibilities in order to get ready for the reception. About fifteen minutes later, the Afterglow was in full swing with light refreshments and beverages served.
Standing with her friends and munching on a pastry, Orihime giggled and said, "I was so afraid I was going to forget every single one of my cues out there, but fortunately I remembered what Miss Rangiku told me about just trusting my instincts and reactions."
Giving Orihime an inquisitive look, Renji asked, "What do you mean by that? You make it sound as if you were fighting or something."
Looking thoughtful, Orihime took a reflective bite of pastry, chewed, swallowed and said, "Well, I guess in a way that's kind of what it is like. Practicing swordplay or something like that. When you do something over and over and over again, it kind of gets burned into your memory and muscles so that in a way you can do certain things without thinking about it."
"That's exactly right, Little Princess!" came a cheery voice from behind the group.
Everyone turned to see Rangiku Matsumoto making her way to join their little circle with a glass of champagne in one hand and her other laced through Gin Ichimaru's arm. Walking alongside the pair were Sosuke Aizen and Kaname Tosen. As they entered the circle of young people, Rangiku and Gin stood between Rukia and Renji, Kaname slipped between Chad and Uryu and Aizen smoothly filled in the gap between Uryu and Orihime.
At the arrival of the newcomers and more experienced musicians and singers into their midst, Orihime especially had become somewhat subdued since she was trying to keep herself from doing or saying anything that would embarrass herself or reflect badly on the Kuchiki family. That being said, she did offer Aizen a friendly smile in greeting and received an amused grin in return.
"Forgive me if I come off as being forward," Aizen said in a low, soothing voice, "but allow me to assist you."
Orihime blinked owlishly at Aizen for a moment before she saw him reach out, brush his thumb across her mouth and then slowly retract his hand from her face. At first, she wasn't sure how to react and then her face flushed crimson as she realized what Aizen had just done.
"Oh dear me! How careless of me! Rukia and Hisana are forever admonishing me to remember why napkins were invented, but I just don't think of such things when I'm enjoying a nice pastry and this pastry was so delicious that it completely slipped my mind to beware of crumbs and now I've gone and made a fool of myself and I'm…I'm…"
Unsure of how to keep going, Orihime finally stopped talking, which gave Aizen a chance to respond by saying, "I understand entirely. The pastries from Astoria are positively heaven sent so that they can almost make one stop thinking or enjoying anything else around them."
Eyes glowing, Orihime replied, "Exactly! I've often said that if becoming an opera singer doesn't work out, then I would love to work in a pastry shop like Astoria."
Looking dreamily into the distance, Orihime said almost reverently, "Petite fours, bichon au citron, bruttiboni, cannoli, choux, mille-feuille…oh, so many wonderful things to eat and try! It would almost be like having a piece of heaven on earth, don't you think?"
Nodding his head reflectively, Aizen replied, "I suppose so. For me, I would say I feel closest to heaven when I hear especially beautiful music."
Seeming to come to himself, Aizen said apologetically, "But I am being immensely rude right now, speaking to you in such a forward and friendly way when I have not even properly introduced myself."
The blush that had slowly receded until it was just coloring her cheeks flamed back up again as Orihime realized the extent of her blunder where decorum was concerned.
Overhearing their conversation, Rangiku quickly extracted herself from her own conversation with the others in the circle and from Gin's arm and said breezily, "How careless of me not to remember to introduce everyone properly! Sosuke Aizen, may I present Orihime Inoue. Orihime Inoue, may I introduce you to Sosuke Aizen."
Stepping back and looking pleased, Rangiku said cheerily, "There now. You two can talk to each other freely," before she went back and laced her arm through Gin's a resumed her own steady stream of dialogue with the others.
Smiling sheepishly up at Aizen, Orihime said, "You know, it's funny. Before we were introduced, my mind was constantly coming up with things to say, but now that we have been officially made known to one another…I am at a loss for what to say."
Aizen chuckled slightly at Orihime's confession and said, "I do feel a little ashamed at my lack of proper decorum at the beginning of our acquaintance. However, on the other hand, if proper procedures had been followed I might never have found out about your great love of delicious pastries."
Gradually warming back up to Aizen, Orihime giggled and said, "Yes, I suppose so. Right then, I completely forgot that I had never met you before, I mean I have seen you here, playing in the pit and whatnot, but I almost felt as though we had known each other forever and that I could say anything around you."
Cocking her head to the side, Orihime asked, "That didn't make any sense at all, did it?"
Shaking his head, Aizen answered, "No, actually I think it made perfect sense to me. Despite the fact that we have never met and talked in person, we have made a connection with each other through our music."
Aizen responded to Orihime's even more perplexed expression by going on, "Musicians use instruments or their voices as a kind of conductor or outlet to show off their innermost self. They oftentimes bare their very souls to their audience and especially their fellow musicians. When we were rehearsing together along with everyone else, you could say our minds, hearts and maybe even souls were all connected together, bound by the common goal of wanting to create beauty through our music."
Nodding her head thoughtfully, Orihime said slowly, "Yes, yes I see what you're saying, in a way…I think…"
Giving Aizen a small yet glowing smile, Orihime said, "From the way you talk about music, I would imagine that-"
She never got to finish the thought, though, as at that moment Shunsui, Jyuushiro, Maestro Otoribashi and the Kurosaki family walked up from the left, while Byakuya and Hisana were approaching from the right.
The moment she saw Ichigo approaching, Orihime felt her face and neck flush and her brain went into overdrive trying to figure out what to say. Should she mention that they had met before or would that be considered tasteless and impolite to do? What if he remembered her but didn't want to show it because his family was around? What should she do?
Shunsui led his group over to where Rangiku and Gin were still standing, arms linked, and said to his important patrons, "Ah, and here is the dazzling Rangiku Matsumoto or as you saw tonight, our very own Countess Almaviva! Miss Matsumoto, Mr. Isshin Kurosaki and his son Ichigo and his two charming daughters, Karin and Yuzu."
Stretching out her hand graciously, Rangiku said, "A pleasure to meet you officially, Mr. Kurosaki. I hope tonight's performance was enjoyable for you and your family."
Taking Rangiku's proffered hand with a smile, Isshin inclined his head politely over it before he replied, "Everything about the performance was absolutely exquisite. The first time you came on to sing, my youngest daughter, Yuzu, was so moved I thought she might begin to cry."
Turning her attention to the youngest Kurosaki, Rangiku placed one hand over her heart while stretching out the other to clasp Yuzu's hand as she said, "I do hope, my dear, that my performance wasn't too taxing on your emotions."
Shaking her head emphatically and speaking earnestly, Yuzu replied, "Oh no! Your portrayal of the disheartened, forgotten Countess was superb. And then in the following scenes when the Countess and Susanna begin plotting and all the chaos ensues, I couldn't stop laughing."
Smiling kindly, Rangiku said, "I couldn't ask for a better compliment then. Any artist is always pleased to hear from audience members who were truly moved and pulled into their performances either on stage, on their instruments or on their canvases."
Linking her arm back through Gin's and bringing him forward, Rangiku said with a grin, "In my line of work, though, it's not just a matter of making sure my own performance is impeccable, I need to have a trustworthy orchestra to support me. Isn't that right, Gin?"
Chuckling and grinning back at Rangiku, Gin replied, "Yes, Rangiku. We who work from the depths of the orchestra pit do our best to make sure the singers on stage have a solid musical backdrop on which they can add their own splashes of color and personality."
Karin stepped forward and asked, "So you are a member of the orchestra?"
Inclining his head deferentially, Gin replied, "I am. My name is Gin Ichimaru and I play the clarinet."
Letting out a short, feminine laugh, Rangiku playfully smacked Gin's shoulder as she said, "You're not just any clarinet player, Gin, you're the principal," she put extra emphasis on the word, "clarinetist."
Before anyone could say anything, Maestro Otoribashi stepped forward and said, "Let me finish with the introductions and then we can chat more comfortably," and so proceeded to do just that, working his way around the circle.
When he reached Orihime, the maestro began, "And last, but certainly not least, may I introduce the young lady who played the role of Barbarina tonight. Her name is-"
"Orihime."
Everyone turned in surprise to look at Yuzu Kurosaki, who was in turn giving Orihime a glowing smile. For her part, Orihime's expression had been initially blank in surprise, but not she slowly began to return Yuzu's friendly gaze.
Karin grinned at Orihime and extended her hand saying, "Why, it is our old friend, Orihime Inoue. How have you been?"
Clasping Karin's hand, Orihime replied, "I have been quite well. I didn't think you would remember me after all this time."
Reaching out to enclose her sister's and Orihime's hands with her own, Yuzu said in an excited voice, "But of course we remember you! I'm just sorry I didn't recognize you sooner when you were performing. You did such a lovely job."
Giving her brother a meaningful look, Karin said shrewdly, "I'm just curious why Ichigo didn't mention that he had met you again after all these years when he and Father came to the opera house a few days ago..."
Up until this point, Ichigo had been mentally kicking himself for somehow not being able to put two and two together. Ever since that day at the opera house, he had been wracking his brain trying to remember why the young lady looked so familiar to him and now he couldn't stop thinking about just how stupid he was.
Of course the young girl he had met all those years ago would eventually grow up, but for whatever reason, when Ichigo thought of Orihime Inoue he never even considered her to be someone who could grow up. However, Mother Nature and Father Time obviously didn't think Ichigo's opinion worth listening to and the little girl had suddenly come back into his life transformed into a lovely young lady.
Trying to keep a lid on his annoyance with his perceptive younger sister, Ichigo said in a cool tone, "There were a lot of people milling around."
Ignoring Karin's skeptical gaze, Ichigo turned to Orihime, took her hand, bowed over it and said, "It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Inoue. Your performance tonight was lovely."
Fighting to keep her composure, Orihime responded in a shaky but pleased voice, "Th-thank you very much, Mr. Kurosaki. I am very pleased to be reacquainted with you and your family again after all this time."
Straightening up, Ichigo said politely, "My father is 'Mr. Kurosaki' and because we are old friends, please call me by my first name."
Blushing furiously, Orihime nevertheless spoke in a pleased tone, saying, "Then I must insist that you do the same as well…Ichigo."
A miniscule grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as Ichigo responded, "Very well then, Orihime, how are you and your brother doing?"
Looking down at the floor for a moment to collect her thoughts, Orihime raised her gaze again and said slowly, "Actually, it wasn't long after we parted ways that my brother passed away."
At these words, Karin and Yuzu looked at Orihime sympathetically while Ichigo's expression remained frozen before he managed to say, "I am sorry, Orihime. I didn't mean to be insensitive."
Shaking her head vigorously, Orihime said hastily, "Oh no, no! There was no way you could have known about Sora's death and it has been so long that I don't miss him as often as I used to.
"And also, before Sora died, the Kuchiki family graciously and generously promised by brother that they would take care of me, and so I'm very happy now."
Yuzu reached out to clasp Orihime's hands again as she said, "I am also sorry for your loss, but I'm so glad to hear you are so happy."
Orihime was about to reply, when Aizen suddenly spoke up saying, "I do hate to interrupt your conversation, Miss Inoue, but I always help Kaname to walk home and I have some work to get done tonight so…"
Turning to face her new acquaintance, Orihime asked, "You're leaving?"
Nodding his head regretfully, Aizen said, "As the saying goes 'No rest for the weary'."
Looking concerned, Orihime said, "I certainly hope you won't push yourself too much Mr. Aizen."
Taking up Orihime's hand and bending over it once more, Aizen looked into Orihime's eyes and said in his low, smooth voice, "When it comes to this project I'm working on, there are times when I cannot force my brain to stop spinning and weaving plans inside my head. But for your sake, I promise that I will not push myself too hard."
Brushing his lips on the back of Orihime's hand, Aizen finished with, "It was a pleasure finally meeting you, Miss Inoue. We must talk more some other time," and then he turned to take his leave of the rest of the group before turning on his heel and making his way out into the cool night air with Kaname following closely behind.
The Kurosaki's remained a little longer at the party before taking their leave.
As Ichigo stood in front of Orihime, he was at a loss for a moment how to take his leave of her. He had been immensely surprised and slightly irritated at how that cello player, Aizen by name if he wasn't mistaken, had said farewell to Orihime. Far too much…just too much. Ichigo had decided that he didn't like that Aizen man at all. However, now Ichigo had to figure out how he was going to say good-bye.
Yuzu and Karin saved him yet again by stepping forward, offering their hands and repeating again how nice it was to reconnect with Orihime after all this time and that they would soon be sending an invitation for her and the Kuchiki family to come and visit or have dinner sometime soon.
So Ichigo stepped forward, gave Orihime a small bow and said, "Until we meet again, then?"
Dipping her head and giving him a small curtsey, Orihime replied simply, "Until we meet again."
Once they were inside the carriage, Isshin, who had been suspiciously quiet almost the entire time Ichigo, Karin and Yuzu had been talking with Orihime and the other opera members, grinned over at his son and gave him a meaningful look as he said, "So, my boy, I don't think I've ever heard you or your sisters mention this charming Orihime Inoue before. Just how did the two of you meet?"
Ichigo let out an irritated sigh at his father's question. Now the interrogation had begun and Ichigo knew from experience that if he didn't get this over now, it would mean that his father would not leave him along and keep pestering for about three days before Isshin started acting a lunatic. At least, more loony than usual, so Ichigo started from the beginning.
"I met her back when you were on that trip to Malaya…"
It wasn't much longer before the Kuchiki family took their leave of the gathering as well. Their carriage ride had a similar conversation to the one happening inside the Kurosaki carriage.
Waiting about two minutes before beginning, Byakuya finally broke the silence within the carriage by asking, "Orihime, would you mind explaining to me exactly how you know the Kurosaki boy?"
Within the darkened interior of the carriage, Byakuya could not see Orihime's blushing face, but he heard the evidence of it when she began to stammer out, "H-h-how I kn-know the Kuro-I mean, I-I-I-Ichi-Ichigo? W-w-well…umm…wh-where to start…hmmm…ummm…I'm n-n-not quite sure…"
Much to Orihime's relief, Rukia came to Orihime's rescue and told Byakuya everything Orihime had related to her. When Rukia had finished, for a good minute there was silence in the carriage before Byakuya broke it again with two simple words.
"I see."
There was a sound of rustling fabric as Hisana moved closer to her husband in order to thread her fingers through his as she said, "Now, now Byakuya. No need to think like that just yet. Only time will tell."
For whatever reason, neither Rukia nor Orihime understood Hisana's softly spoken words, but Byakuya seemed to and his response was to grunt and lightly squeeze his wife's hand. The rest of the carriage ride went on in companionable silence, but once Rukia and Orihime arrived home they stayed up late into the night talking about the night's events. Across the city, two other young girls who also shared a bedroom within the Kurosaki household stayed up later than usual in order to talk about what had happened that night.
In his part of the city, Aizen also stayed up late into the night thinking over the events of the party. He had now officially made Miss Orihime Inoue's acquaintance and so could proceed to the next stage of his plan. The song was nearly finished, Aizen just wanted to give himself another week or so to really make sure that everything about it was perfect. He had set up an appointment with an influential music composer and publisher in a month's time, so he had time to build on the connection he had now forged with Miss Inoue before he approached her with his proposal.
A grin spread across his face as he looked at the pages of his masterpiece and said to himself, "It is almost time. Just a little longer."
Author's Note:
Good Lord, it's taking me forever to get anything finished anymore. I'm really hoping to get this story and 'Hearts' finished really soon as well as 'Love' and 'Beauty of Chaos'...oh dear...I have a lot of things I need to finish up. Wish I could go back to the time when I would just do one story at a time, but it looks like I'm to the point when juggling more than one idea is what I'm going to do.
Anyway, I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to be kind of sad when this almost sweet and charming Aizen is swapping for the murdering and almost unlovable one. Just a bit of a spoiler for later, there are two characters for sure that I'm going to (for lack of a better phrase) 'kill off', but I'm debating on a few others as well. The Phantom in the musical and stories leaves a fairly bloody trail in his wake, so I'm not quite sure if I'll do more than two deaths at this point, but it is a possibility.
Also, just so that everyone is on the same page, someone asked me about where the setting is. I specifically left that vague because I don't want to have to deal with specific landmarks and those things if I don't have to. However, so that you have an idea of what I'm thinking, I imagine the story taking place in Europe before the turn of the century or maybe a little after the century. I would say most likely England or France would be a good place to imagine this taking place, so whatever works for you, but definitely not Japan. I guess that would make this an AU story then.
All right, I'm done now. Hope to hear from you guys and to have the next chapter up in a week or two (keep your fingers crossed!)!
