After Mrs. Hellbender glided away, Kev listened patiently as Cindy continued to effuse about the opera. Her face was animated, her gentle eyes sparkling with an enthusiasm that was infectious, even if Kev couldn't quite share her unadulterated adoration for the... unique performance. He nodded and smiled, trying to match her energy, pushing down the lingering images of operatic powerbombs and melodramatic suplexes. He hoped his bewilderment wasn't too obvious. The mead was actually helping; its sweet, fermented honey taste seemed to suit the bizarre blend of high art and high impact.
Several more minutes passed in this way, filled with Cindy's delighted recollections of specific arias (which Kev vaguely remembered as being sung mid-chokehold) and praises for the actors' emotional depth (which Kev recalled as being particularly evident during a rather convincing portrayal of a broken ankle). Then, the lights in the lounge flickered on and off again, a soft chime accompanying the visual cue.
Kev glanced over at Talon, who stood near the entrance of the lounge, still and watchful, seemingly unfazed by the signal. "Well, Madam Cindy," Kev said, standing up and offering his arm once more, "it seems like the second half is about to start."
Cindy smiled, though a hint of melancholy touched her eyes. "It's silly, but I almost don't want it to," she confessed, her voice soft. "Because that means the show has to end."
Kev smiled understandingly. He could only imagine how much this day off, this rare escape into a world of art and music, meant to Cindy. He pictured her long life of dedication to Fang and his family, the countless days and nights spent ensuring the smooth operation of the mansion. "Well," he said gently, "just because one day off ends doesn't mean there isn't another to look forward to."
Cindy nodded, her eyes brightening. "Such an amazing idea," she said, her gaze warm with gratitude. "Where did you humans even think it up?"
Kev chuckled and led Cindy back towards the non-descript door that led up to their private box. After passing by the grey cat woman at the velvet rope, who gave them a curt nod this time, they found themselves in the slight squeeze of bodies where the audience waited as long as they could before having to return to the confines of their small theatre seats. The anticipation for the second act was a low hum in the air, a collective eagerness to see how the dramatic tale would conclude.
Just as Kev was navigating a particularly dense knot of elegantly dressed patrons, a sudden, firm hand shoved him hard from behind. He stumbled forward, his balance momentarily lost, a surprised gasp escaping his lips. He heard Cindy let out a sharp, startled gasp beside him.
Kev, managing to push himself up just before he was trampled by an expanding ring of beastpeople, quickly fixed his suit. He looked up to see Talon tossing a furred man to the ground. Talon was on top of the yelling stranger in moments, his taloned hand quickly finding the throat of the struggling opposition. Kev, his heart still pounding from the sudden shove and the subsequent chaos, moved to intervene, to try and de-escalate the situation, when Cindy grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong. She pulled him back next to her.
With a calm that Kev found utterly astonishing given the circumstances, Cindy stepped gracefully into the circle of onlookers. "Excuse me, sir," she said, her voice a clear, melodious chime that cut through the surprised murmurs of the crowd, addressing Talon, "but it seems you've accidentally grabbed my clutch."
Without looking up from his task of subduing the attacker, Talon, with his free hand, held out the small, elegant handbag he had evidently retrieved from the crook. Kev's eyes widened. He hadn't even seen the pickpocket attempt, let alone Talon's swift retrieval. He was surprised that someone would be audacious enough to try and rob Cindy inside the opulent theater, surrounded by so many witnesses.
Kev looked down at the squirrel-looking man pinned beneath Talon. His fur was a striking mix of black and white, with vibrant red patches on his arms and legs. The would-be thief struggled ineffectually against Talon's iron grip and yelled, his voice hoarse with fear and anger, "Get this filthy bird off of me!"
Talon squeezed on the man's throat until he was quiet and gasping for breath. "You're lucky that there are so many nice people around," Talon said, his voice a low, dangerous rasp.
Mrs. Hellbender scurried over, alarmed by the commotion, her red velvet uniform a stark contrast to the sudden violence. She quickly took in the scene – Talon's steely grip, the gasping squirrel-man, the stunned onlookers. Her eyes narrowed, and her professional composure, though momentarily shaken, returned with impressive speed. "Alright everyone," she announced, her voice surprisingly firm and carrying over the murmurs, "sorry for this unsightly occurrence." She noticed that no one was actively fighting now. Mrs. Hellbender then looked back over her shoulder and snapped her fingers a few times at the grey cat woman. "Tabby, please show these two troublemakers out. They are distracting from the true performers."
Talon stood, his gaze still fixed on the now-limp squirrel-man. "Yes, see this thief out," he said, his voice returning to its usual respectful rasp.
Tabby, the grey cat woman, hauled the still-prone squirrel-man to his feet with surprising strength. She then turned around, her expression a mixture of annoyance and resignation, and said, "Let's go, bird," to Talon.
Talon looked around, surprised, his wings twitching slightly. "But… but…" he stammered, clearly not expecting to be included in the expulsion.
Mrs. Hellbender fixed Talon with a cool, appraising stare. "This is an esteemed establishment," she stated, her voice leaving no room for argument, "and we will not have uncouth ruffians scaring our guests."
Talon looked at Kev and Cindy, a flicker of confusion and appeal in his sharp eyes.
Cindy smiled gently at Talon. "Go along now, Talon," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "You can wait for us outside."
Talon, though clearly bewildered, allowed himself to be led away by Tabby, his earlier "But… but…" trailing off into a confused silence.
The crowd, their thirst for drama momentarily quenched, quickly dispersed once the spectacle of the apprehended thief and the bewildered bodyguard concluded. Mrs. Hellbender, her professional smile firmly back in place, apologized copiously to the lingering, elegantly dressed guests, her voice a soothing balm over the recent disruption. Kev, leading Cindy towards the box seat stairs, caught awkward eye contact with the salamander woman as she passed. He distinctly heard Mrs. Hellbender mutter to herself, a low, exasperated hiss, "At least Asmodeus will respect the arts."
Up in the quiet privacy of their box, Kev and Cindy took their seats. The rest of the theatre was filling quickly now, the rustle of programs and hushed conversations indicating the audience was eager for the second half. Kev glanced back at Talon's and Fang's empty seats, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "I hope Talon is alright," he said, his voice a low murmur.
Cindy patted his hand gently. "He will be fine, dear," she said, her tone reassuring. "Fang wouldn't hire someone who would fall apart over such a minor setback."
Kev nodded, though the image of Talon's bewildered expression as he was led away still lingered in his mind. "Talon is tough," he agreed. "Taking care of his sister and working at the same time is really inspiring, you know."
Cindy nodded quietly, her gaze soft.
Kev glanced towards the empty stage. "Fang better hurry up too," he said, a touch of anxiety creeping into his voice. "It looks like the show's going to start again."
Cindy laughed quietly, a delicate, musical sound. She then pointed across the vast expanse of the theatre. "It looks like Fang has found his own date," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Kev followed her gesture, his gaze landing on the private box directly opposite theirs. And there, leaning forward in animated conversation with the same dapper otterman who had waved to Fang during the first intermission, was Fang himself. The wolfman, even from this distance, exuded an aura of command, his purple suit a vibrant splash against the red velvet. Kev frowned, a familiar tickle at the back of his mind as he studied the otterman. Why did he look so familiar?
Kev did not have long to ponder the question as the lights dimmed, and he settled back into his seat. The orchestra swelled once more, a rich, melancholic sound filling the grand hall, and the heavy velvet curtains lifted, revealing a stage transformed. Once again, Kev was bombarded with the visceral opera. As the second act played on, however, he found himself more and more impressed. The sheer physicality of it was still astonishing, but he started to truly appreciate the way the actors could deliver their lines, their voices soaring with emotion, all while grappling, lifting, and even occasionally being thrown, with what seemed like all their might.
He thought he was following along by the end. The leatherworker, Biel, had rallied the starving populace. There was a massive siege on their city, depicted with dramatic, if somewhat confusing, stagecraft. The people inside were starving, their arias filled with a desperate hunger, yet they found comfort and solidarity with each other as a harsh, painted winter descended upon the stage. The armies sieging the city were also starving, their own songs echoing the despair of their enemy. In a bleak, powerful climax, it seemed everyone died. Soldiers, citizens, heroes, villains… the stage was littered with dramatically fallen bodies. Finally, the lone leatherworker, Biel, his yellow uniform now tattered and stained with fake blood, staggered onto the stage. He delivered a final, gut-wrenching monologue about being hungry for freedom, his voice cracking with emotion, before collapsing in a heap.
Kev felt really sad. What was the point when everyone died? It was a powerful, if utterly depressing, ending.
The curtains fell, and a moment of stunned silence hung in the air before the audience erupted in thunderous applause. The lights came up, and Kev looked over to see Cindy standing and clapping enthusiastically, tears streaming down her gentle face. He quickly stood and joined her, the sheer force of the audience's appreciation washing over him. The curtains came back up, and the actors, miraculously recovered from their dramatic deaths, began taking the stage, bowing in turn to the adoring crowd.
As Kev clapped, his gaze drifted across the theatre to the opposite box seat. He saw the otterman, alone now, also standing and clapping politely. As if sensing Kev's gaze, the otter looked over and, with a dapper flourish, lifted his hat in a small, acknowledging gesture. Kev, feeling a little awkward, gave a small wave back. He turned to Cindy. "I think Fang is on his way," he said. "Why don't we meet him by the stairs?"
Cindy nodded, dabbing at her eyes with a delicate handkerchief. "That was spectacular!" she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I want to get something to remember this."
Kev gently took her arm and led her out of the box, the sound of applause fading slightly behind them. Out in the second-floor hall, they saw Fang approaching, his loud purple suit demanding the eye even in the elegant surroundings. Kev waved. "Let's go to the gift shop so Cindy can get a souvenir before we leave," he suggested as Fang reached them.
Cindy, her face still glowing with emotion, let out a happy sigh. "Oh, Fang, wasn't that just perfect?" she said, her voice a delighted trill. She let go of Kev's arm and promptly grabbed Fang's, hugging it tightly. "You know, I told myself I didn't want to see this for years, but…" Cindy squeezed Fang's arm again. "You're a good boy for giving Mr. Kev's idea a try."
Fang's tail wagged, a slow, pleased thump against his leg. He placed his free hand gently on Cindy's back. "If you wanted to, you could have just told me," he said, his voice a low, affectionate rumble.
Cindy looked up at him, her eyes still shining. "How could I ask for a day off when you work so hard?"
Fang grinned, his sharp teeth flashing. "I should be at work now."
Cindy smiled serenely. "It seems like you've already done your work for the night."
Fang gestured with his head for Kev to join them, and together, the trio descended the sweeping staircase to the first floor. The first wave of audience members was beginning to leave the theatre, their voices a low hum of post-show chatter. Cindy, spotting the merchandise booth, made a beeline for it. She quickly picked out a poster featuring the stark black and white silhouette of the flag-bearing figure, its 'Sanctuary' title prominent. Fang, without a word, stepped up and paid for it, the transaction swift and effortless.
As they reached the large glass doors, ready to exit into the cool night air, Fang paused, his head turning, his amber eyes scanning the dispersing crowd. A frown creased his brow. "Where's Talon?" he asked, his voice suddenly sharper, the earlier contentment replaced by a familiar edge of command.
Cindy smiled serenely. "He's waiting for us outside," she said, gently taking Kev's arm and leading him out onto the street. Fang followed, a low growl rumbling in his chest, his displeasure at Talon's absence evident.
The street was busy, a river of happy show-watchers exiting the opera house, their excited chatter and laughter filling the air. Kev suppressed a laugh as his eyes landed on Talon's beat-up minivan, parked conspicuously at the curb. Talon and Tessa stood on either side of the van like sentinels, their combined presence enough to intimidate any pedestrians who dared to venture too close.
Tessa noticed them approaching and waved cheerfully before quickly getting into the driver's seat. Talon looked over and nodded, his expression unreadable, before moving to open the front passenger door for Cindy. As he reached for the rear sliding door, Fang's hand slammed down hard on the side of the van, the metallic clang echoing sharply in the night air.
"What are you doing, Talon?" Fang growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble that cut through the surrounding noise.
Kev, surprised by the sudden outburst, looked from Fang to Talon, his earlier good mood dissolving. He'd been so engrossed in the opera and Cindy's company that he hadn't noticed any prior issues between the two.
Cindy, however, was not about to let Fang spoil her evening. "Get in the vehicle, Fang," she said, her voice calm but firm, her gentle eyes now holding a steely glint. "Do not ruin my memory of the show."
Fang glared at Talon, his jaw clenched, but Cindy's unwavering resolve seemed to momentarily quell his anger. With a final, exasperated huff, he yanked open the van door and climbed in. Kev glanced at Talon, a silent apology in his eyes, before following Fang into the back. Talon closed the door with a quiet click, and Kev once again found himself squeezed in the middle seat, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Tessa, from the driver's seat said, "Buckle up, everyone." She put on her blinker and waited for an opportunity to pull out. Fang was still growling, so Kev leaned into him, a silent gesture of comfort. Cindy, seemingly oblivious to the tension, began telling Tessa all about the opera, her voice a cheerful counterpoint to Fang's simmering anger. After a few minutes passed, filled with Cindy's animated descriptions of arias and dramatic death scenes, before Tessa finally saw an opening and pulled the van out into the stream of city traffic.
Fang's leg was bouncing, restless energy radiating from him. He looked over at Talon, his amber eyes narrowing. Talon, sensing the scrutiny, glanced over briefly but maintained his stoic, forward-facing posture.
Kev, trying to distract Fang and perhaps ease the tension, asked, "So Fang, did you enjoy the show?"
The attempt backfired.
Fang yelled, his voice booming in the confined space of the van, "Talon! Why weren't you watching Kev? What am I paying you for?! Your only job is to make sure he's safe!"
Talon was silent, his gaze dropping to his lap.
Kev rubbed Fang's arm gently. "He is a great bodyguard, Fang."
Fang yelled, his voice laced with frustration, "He's an eagle! What good is he if his eyes aren't on you?! The very first thing I saw this morning was him hanging around outside of your room! He shouldn't be leaving your side if I'm not there!"
Kev wanted to say that he didn't want Talon to be forced to follow him around every waking daylight hour or night. He understood Fang's worry; Kev was, after all, basically an alien and had already attracted the unwanted attention of the local authorities… but Kev wished he could just be with Fang all the time instead, a solution that seemed far simpler and infinitely more appealing.
Before Kev could formulate his words, Cindy's voice cut through the tension, sharp and authoritative. "Fang, stop it."
Fang growled, "No."
Cindy's voice, though still gentle, sharpened with an undeniable authority. "Don't you use that tone of voice with me, Fang."
Fang's harsh growl softened, subsiding into a low, unhappy rumble, but it did not stop completely.
Cindy continued, her gaze unwavering. "Talon has done nothing wrong. He stopped a thief from stealing my purse, and he didn't cause a scene when he was escorted out."
Tessa gasped from the driver's seat. "Oh my god, Cindy! Someone tried to rob you? Are you okay?"
Cindy patted Tessa's shoulder reassuringly. "I'm fine, dear. Talon may be a bit enthusiastic, but he is vigilant and thorough." She then turned back to look directly at Fang. "Earlier, Talon had been in Kev's room, and I asked him to wait outside. Kev is still new and needs a bit of personal space and time. How he hasn't run off with you trying to kennel him in is beyond me."
Fang, his growl almost faded into nothing, said, "He left Kev defenseless."
Cindy sighed loudly before turning back to face forward, saying, "Defenseless, was he? And to think I was the one to watch you when you were a pup."
Fang's growl faded completely. He looked down at Kev, a flicker of something unreadable in his amber eyes.
Kev smiled softly and leaned into Fang, his head resting against the wolfman's strong shoulder. "I don't need that much personal space," he murmured, his voice a quiet reassurance.
Fang smiled, a genuine warmth returning to his expression. He put his arm over Kev, pulling him closer. He glanced briefly at Talon, a silent acknowledgement passing between them, before turning to look out the window. The opera house, with its grand facade and glittering lights, was only slightly behind them as Tessa patiently let every pedestrian cross the street.