Chapter 3: Together! The Amazing Dynamic Duo

"Okay, kiddies. Let's see what you have for me." Mr. Chaos' gaze was disinterested as he walked from group to group. That made Kaori nervous. Thus far, each of the groups had near perfect performances...what could he be–

"Allen and Akibara? That's not a match I had expected. Very well, 'wow' me." Kaori sucked in a deep breath at that.

"Yes, sir!" she and Opal called simultaneously. As the two turned to the rope Opal took Kaori's hand.

"Breathe. Relax. Everything will be fine." Finding Opal's gaze Kaori nodded, determined and reached for the rope. "Oh and Kaori?"

"Hmm?"

"While we're at it...why don't we..improvise a little?" Kaori felt her stomach drop.

"A-Are you sure you can–

"Don't worry about me...just do your thing."

"Ladies...we don't have all day." Chaos reprimanded meanly. The two girls gazed at each other a moment more, and then with reassuredness began." Kaori reached for the rope just as Opal crouched low to the ground with all the finesse of a cat.

"Now!" Kaori cried. Supported only by her arms she flipped herself around so that she was upside down. Opal–a split second later–flew. Six feet above the ground Kaori caught Opals' hand and sent her flying further–a stunt that sent her zinging around the rope as it spun. The rope was simultaneously set into a swing like motion– much to Mr. Chaos' horror. Meanwhile Opal floated down, her hair in the semblance of a halo. Kaori, still spinning around rope–almost horizontal– came swinging back and caught Opal's feet, sending the two of them into a horizontal spin around the rope as it swung. Mr. Chaos caught his breath at that–relieved– and watched as Opal grabbed a hold of the rope, in a position above Kaori. The two then proceeded to flip down the rope, as it's swing slowed, each with one foot firmly crushed against the rope and the other planted against her partner's ankle. Kaori landed with a roll, striking a final, slightly comedic, pose on her knee. Opal flipped off the rope into a standing position just behind Kaori–her back to partner. She flicked her head to the side, looking over her shoulder, so that she was also facing , and crossed her arms as she shifted her weight on to one leg. The two girls rose an eyebrow each, waiting for their evaluation. From somewhere in the auditorium a student let out a, "Wow?"breaking the silence.

"They even managed to use the drills he gave us!" one girl marveled.

"Didn't they have less time too?" averred another. The two in question degenerated into a fit of giggles as they turned to each other with wide eyed excitement.

"You did it!" Kaori squealed under her breath. Opal's grin could no longer be contained and she let out a beaming smile.

"We did it." At a clearing of his throat the two girls straightened to face Mr. Chaos properly. They were easier to read than books. Their faces practically screamed, "Did he like us?" He studied each girl for a moment and then closed his eyes in a sigh.

"Though I hate to say it...and I really hate to say it...Bravo, girls. Well done."

"Yes!" hissed Kaori with a pump of her arm. Opal let out a relieved gasp and subsequently sunk to the floor.

"That, ladies and gentlemen, is the kind of a risk I want you to take in my class!" Mr. Chaos called over the applause. "That...that took, guts." In response Kaori danced an absurd little dance and Opal's face gleamed as she let out a musical laugh from her place on the ground. Chaos watched the two his mind working. Her resume showed no adeptness in acrobatics...nor did her audition. So then why? He regarded Opal strangely, as a puzzle to be figured out. Ah and the Akibara girl. She'll go places with that enthusiasm...but will she make it to the top? He shook his head. The road to the top was a twisting dirty path. It was petty and more often than not you were backstabbed. That wasn't the place for those two. But if that was the case...did these girls have any place on the Kaleido Stage? As Kaori swept Opal off her feet and pulled her into the little dance party he had to smile. If there was no place at the top for Kaori he was sure she would carve out her own. Opal on the other hand had truly surprised him and he had no idea what she would do next. That's part of the reason I love this job. With a mean sort of smile he folded his arms across his chest. I think I've taken a liking to these girls and because of that I'm going to make their lives hell.

Five laps around the Kaleido Stage building later...

"What the hell was that?" Kaori wheezed out, on her knees. Opal knelt hunched over and managed to sputter out a,

"Well...we ran five laps around–

"I know, I know! But what the hell? We have a ground breaking performance and he makes us run laps?" Opal let out a weary laugh despite herself and rose her arms above her head to ease her breathing. "And what's with the ten pound weights!" With a vindictive snarl Kaori ripped off the heavy slab that had been velcroed around her waist. "I can breathe!" Kaori cried out melodramatically. Opal huffed another laugh and found herself too worn out to even remove the weighted band.

"How do you have...so much energy?" Kaori crawled to her friend and pulled off the weight. She watched Opal collapse onto her back to take heaping gulps of air.

"Are you kidding?"

"You know I'm not." she chuckled in reply. The two lay silent there in the afternoon sun.

"Well...I guess this is just the way I am. Full of drama, you know?" Opal nodded vigorously, still catching her breath.

"I wonder..." she began once breathing normally, "If he'll make us run more tomorrow?"

"You'd better believe it!" came Mr. Chaos' booming voice. Kaori's heart stopped as her eyes wandered up to the middle aged man that stood over them. He was somewhat slight in build with greying black hair and a goatee. His swarthy skin was marred with frown lines and his forehead was creased by the perpetual expression of disapproval on his face. That however did not change the fact that he sounded like a burly football coach.

"How wonderful..." Kaori muttered with mock enthusiasm.

"I sure hope so. After all we'll be adding five laps a day from now on." Streams of tears gushed out of Kaori's eyes as she deflated into an incoherent jumble of whining appeals. "Very funny Akibara. Now to lunch with you two. The cafeteria is going to close soon." He watched Kaori stand, do a double take, and then disappear. For all her huffing and puffing, he thought with a laugh, she sure ran quick at the mention of food. Opal on the other hand stood slowly and stretched out thoroughly. He watched only a moment with approval before he turned to leave, calling over his shoulder, "You'd better get going too." She stopped mid stretch using only her back muscles to hold the upper half of her body in place as she glanced at him. In response Chaos walked away, as a firm reminder of his suggestion earlier. His last wavering thought on the girl before his mind switched on to more important matter was, "What is that girl made of?"

Kaori sat, already sore, flopped out on the cafeteria table.

"Aeeehh..." she wailed quietly. "Itai..." She took deep breaths and silently begged the room to stop spinning. I'll get up more slowly! I'll stretch next time–anything! Just...stop spinning...Opal appeared a moment later with two trays. Sitting across from Kaori she placed a tray before her. With a bemused sigh she sat forward and rested her chin in the palm of her upright hand.

"What are we going to do with you?"

"Force stretch me when dinner is over?"

Opal giggled, surprised. "Lunch?"

"Same thing...sorta." Kaori mumbled dazedly.

"Open your mouth." Kaori did so, unthinking, and sputtered a cold splash later,

"What the–what is this?"

"Felt good didn't it?" Kaori blinked, realizing she had already swallowed whatever it was Opal had squirted in her mouth.

"..yea..." she answered unsure at first.

"It's an energy drink of my own design. I first whipped it up a few years ago and it works wonders!"

Kaori furrowed her brow contemplatively, but as she felt tense and spasming muscles cool she immediately sat up and snatched the bottle away.

"Wow Opal..." she sighed rubbing the cold bottle against the side of her face. "Amaaaazing..." she slurred. Opal let out something that could have been an amused snort–if it hadn't sounded so cute. Kaori blinked at that, not sure what to make of it. She took another swig of the drink and within minutes really did start to feel better. "I wish–

"Stefan were here?" asked a voice from behind her. Heavy lidded, Kaori's gaze swept the room until her eyes fell upon Stefan' s tragically handsome frame.

"Oh. It's you." Stefan allowed a mock pout to fall over his face.

"You wound me, dear."

"Uh huh."

"No really, you do!" he insisted in the same simpering tone.

"Riiight.."

"Honestly, Kaori–how did you do, by the way?"

"Oh I passed with flying colors! And more than a little bit of that was due to her."

"Hmm? Oh, You're just being modest."

"You know what Stefan, sometimes I can't tell if your really cool or just some weird fop."

"Well that was random."

"But it's true!" Opal lowered her chin to the table, and watched the exchange with slight interest. She was, however, more interested in what was on her plate, than the young man who seemed to loom over Kaori. Her honey gaze continued to drift back to the steaming white rice and red chicken curry on her plate, an oddity that Stefan picked up on.

"And who, may I ask, is your charming friend?" he drawled, leaning slightly toward her with one palm flat on the table. Opal blinked and offered a sheepish smile.

"Opal Allen, it's a pleasure Mr...

"Killian, Stefan Killian." A flicker of recognition lit her eyes.

"Ah! Mr. Killian! I'm a great fan of you wire work!" It was Kaori's turn to blink.

"Um...Opal..? Stefan is a trapeze artist..." A clear, steady gaze found Kaori's.

"Well he is now." Kaori tilted her head at Stefan inquisitively.

"I didn't realize that you did–

"A long time ago." Stefan uncharacteristically interrupted. Somewhere inside, though, clockwork was whizzing. Who is she?

"Mr. Killian? Mr. Killian?"

That she would know of my high wire days...

"Earth to Stefan!" Kaori called loudly. Stefan gave a start and with a shake of his head was back.

"Sorry just...old memories." Opal creased her brow oddly at that, but ultimately said nothing. Picking up her spoon, she dismissed him with a smile, and began to eat, after uttering some silent prayer. Kaori couldn't help but smile, Stefan wasn't used be being ignored. Stefan, on the other hand, walked silently away, after an absent wave to Kaori.

"Maybe you should apologize..." Kaori giggled, once he was gone.

"Hmm? What for?" Opal asked in between bites. Kaori giggles entered the realm of the maniacal.

"I think you hurt his ity bity EGO!" The confusion on Opal's face was priceless.

"Bu-bu-but!" she sputtered

"I'll hear nothing more of it!" Kaori chortled. "After dinner, you'll go apologize."

"But–

"Alone." Kaori let the word hang creepily in the air with a leering grin. Opal swallowed her words at that and bit her lip, nodding frantically. There was no use arguing.

Stefan watched the hours slip by sitting in a dark corner on the stage. He hid his eyes with the bangs of his longish hair and sat hunched over, as if wounded.

"I hadn't counted on her making friends." He murmured darkly to the air. No response. Glancing at the light that seemed to flit into the room in stray waifs and beams the frightening, almost mad gleam in his eyes became clearly visible. "I suppose I'll just have to unmake them for you, my pet." he sighed into the darkness.

"I wonder what you could mean by that." Gleaming jade eyes flickered down to behold, Adrian.

"Ah. You again. Whatever could you want, boy." he added nastily. Adrian shrugged of the jab.

"You're sick, you know that? If your mother knew–

"Mother this and mother that, don't you have quite the complex." Adrian bristled at that. "Oooh, touchy ground?"

"Layla would have an epileptic fit if she knew you were back at Kaleido stage. How'd you escape her in France?"

"If you must know, I escaped to this little mud pile of an island–

"Japan?" The jabs at his mother were really getting old.

"And met a little seedling of a goddess. From there, things were easy."

"Her."

"Ah so you have met her, my little Persephone."

"You probably filled her head with dreams of being the next big thing–

"Oh no, you mistake me. The dreams were already there, in fact they had taken flight. I simply had some fun with her and when I left we made some meaningless promise to meet back in Kyoto. I sent her niggling little hints in the form of anonymous Kaledio Stage deadline reminders to get her on her way and instead of heading back to meet her in Kyoto, like my dear old mother believes, I came here."

"You sound suspiciously like the villain revealing his master plan before the final curtain."

"Oh?"

"They always lose too."

"Excuse me?" Both men blinked and turned in the direction of the voice.

"You are?" Adrian asked with an arrogant toss of his head.

"Opal Allen." Stefan replied in cryptic amusement. Opal glanced around, slightly confused. Upon finding Stefan high up on the stage, she tilted her head in greeting.

"I'm flattered that you would remember my name, Mr. Killian." Adrian glanced between the two before taking a few steps back. He shot Opal a look that clearly said she was interrupting and folded his arms, but she paid him no heed and smiled up at Stefan.

"I came to apologize for earlier." she called up to him. Stefan's eyes narrowed at that. He flipped down from his place some twenty feet above the net and with an elegant leap off the net, landed a little ways from her. If Opal was made uneasy, she showed no sign of it.

"Whatever for?" he wondered, his tone dark and patronizing as he slowly approached her. She took some steps back to match his own and replied,

"Kaori suggested that I may have damaged your ego. As a performer I realize that an ego is essential to your job. I also know that stars tend to hate being doted on, I merely–

"Shhh." he hushed. "Shhh... All of a sudden your tone has changed. Do you feel threatened by me?"

"If you don't mind, Mr. Killian–

"Call me Stefan–

"Mr. Killian, I'll make my way out now–

"Mmm I smelt the fear in that one." All was silent for a moment, a moment breached by flight. Opal turned to run, only to be wrenched back by the arm. Her eyes flew around frantically, but Adrian was no where to be found. She struggled against his hold, beating at his fist clenched over her wrist. "You are afraid." he observed in a sing songy voice.

"Let me go, or I shall scream, Mr. Killian."

"Again with the Mr. Killian? Are we not friends, my dove?"

"Does she know?"

"Hmm?"

"Does she know that you're–

"Mad? I dare say, no."

"You're not mad. That's just a fancy excuse you hide behind–let me go!" Try as she might, she could not twist free.

"Not mad?" he chuckled. "Then pray tell, what am I?" Opal crouched low, as if in defeat, only to spring up and above Stefan. He release her wrist, knowing it pointless to hold on, and took hold of her ankle. She hurtled towards the ground, landing awkwardly on her hands and one knee, the other still suspended in the air, and then, with an almost in human strength, kicked her captured leg down. Stefan crashed to the ground behind her with a surprised grunt and unconsciously released her. Opal scuttled backwards a few feet and sat, panting, golden eyes sharp.

"An egotistical sadist." He gazed up at her through his eyelashes, like a cat eyeing particularly elusive prey. What is she? As if in response to his question, he saw mites of glow settle around her in the same manner a light snowfall might.

"Ahh.." he sighed as he stood. "A muse on the Fool's errand are you?" She blinked, unsure, but as understanding seeped burnished into her eyes, his crazed smirk grew to a Cheshire cat grin. "Well then, sing for me, Mnemosyne."

-Author's Note: Sorry this update took so long guys. There were a whole bunch of plot nuances that I had to work out. Hoped you like it! Review and tell me what you think.