[[SCENE]] Blind Date Take 4
Diego: *It is early morning on the fifth of August, and Diego Armando is in high spirits. He does not know why, but he is hopeful about this particular date, as if he will undoubtedly have more luck than he had before. His step is lighter as he walks into People Park, his grin open and radiant as he walks to the spot where he and Nancy are to meet*
Girl: *at this time of day, there are surprisingly few people in the park--a few kids running around playing tag, a sleepy looking man walking a dog, and a sporty jogger sprinting along the pathway, oblivious to the rest of the world due to the large headphones clamped over her ears. The only person closest to meeting the criteria for Diego's date is a small, dark-haired woman standing by the lamppost closest to the river's edge, clad in a long sleeved dark dress--an unusual garment for the hot summer morning. She's facing away from the path*
Diego: *quickly makes his way over to the lamppost - this is the place, and the time - but when he sees that dark-clad figure from behind, he immediately has a sense that something has gone wrong* ...Hello?
Girl: *turns--her whole body instead of just her head, though for a moment some sort of illusion makes one begin to fear that exact effect is about to happen. Viola--it is Viola Cadaverini, of course--smiles her small quiet smile to Diego in greeting* ...Mr. Armando... Good morning...
Diego: *pauses, not wanting to make foolish assumptions* .... Good morning, Miss Cadaverini. Are you here to see the river?
Viola: *shakes her head* I was looking at it, yes... but I was waiting for you. *there's a funny note in her voice as she says that last word*
Diego: Pardon?
Viola: *holds her hand up to her mouth to hide her smile* I was waiting for you.
Diego: *puts his hands in his pockets, his tone turning serious* Where's Nancy?
Viola: *glances to the side, hand still held up to her mouth; she's apparently quite affected by the stern tone in his voice* *softly* She... couldn't make it. I'm her replacement. Is that... alright...?
Diego: *his tone doesn't change, but he tilts his head to get a better look at her face* Is she all right?
Viola: *there's nothing but a nervous earnestness in her features, though her gaze is still directed at the ground* S-she's not hurt...! I know her... so when I knew she couldn't make it, I...
Diego: *ponders for a moment on her face and on her tone - in spite of everything his instincts are screaming at him, which is to pick her up and shake her until she tells him where his date is, he actually believes her. After that moment he grins cockily* All right. Thank you for being so thoughtful, Miss Cadaverini.
Viola: *places her hand down, looking relieved* ...You're welcome...
Viola: We don't have to do anything together if you don't want to... I know I wasn't what you were expecting... *her voice is hopeful; there's an unspoken 'but if you'd like to...' hovering in the air*
Diego: *the grin grows wider, more earnest, and he offers his hand* I would be remiss to turn aside the kindness of a lady, Miss Cadaverini.
Viola: *her smile reappears again and she steps forward, taking his offered hand--she can't help giggling quietly as she does* ...Thank you...
Diego: It is my pleasure, of course. *inhales deep, looking out over the river before grinning down at her - she really is cute, when you realize how tiny she is* Is there anything in particular you would like to do today?
Viola: Morning Mass... it starts in fifteen minutes. If you don't mind going, Grandfather would like to see you there... before we go out for the rest of the day.
Viola: You haven't attended Mass for a while, have you...? *there's really no uncertainty to her voice*
Diego: *he does not flinch at the mention of Bruto; he's given more pause by the idea of going back into a cathedral* ...It's been nearly twenty years.
Viola: *nods, looking up at him-- he's way, way up there compared to her* Why did you stop going...? If I may ask...
Diego: God and I... had a falling out. *grins down at her* But maybe it's time we got back on speaking terms. Do you know the way from here?
Viola: *nods again, glancing towards the east* Take Spadina... It's only a few blocks from here. Did you bring your bike...? Or should I call for the car...?
Diego: *...should she know about his bike? It's not like he's tried to hide it, but...well, it doesn't matter* If you don't mind riding behind me, I'm sure we can preserve your modesty, Miss Cadaverini. *this said with a curious look down at her face, studying her expression*
Viola: Hee... Hee... I'd love to ride behind you. *the smile on her features is particularly bright--she looks animated, full of life and eagerness for once; her delight makes her almost girlishly loquacious* I've never ridden one before... Tigre's scooter was only big enough for himself...
Viola: And a bike isn't very much like a scooter... is it...?
Diego: Not much at all. Ha! Come on - I will let you hear a beast roar. *and he leads her, by the hand, on the path towards his bike*
Viola: *giggles into her hand at that, happily stepping alongside him. She's so small, and he so big in comparison--his legs that much longer-that it takes nearly two of her steps to match one of his as they head to the motorbike*
~~~
Diego: *it is some time later that Diego is sitting between Bruto and Viola, watching the deacon as he delivers his homily - he has gone through the whole of the ceremony up to this point without flinching, following the rote without flaw, borne along by memory - but as he listens to the homily and Bruto snore softly next to him, his mind begins to wander*
Viola: *being a good Catholic girl, Viola is all too accustomed to the rites to think anything much of them; her attention has been constantly focused on Diego and his general reception of the service. When she notices her Grandfather sleeping, she gives Diego an amused look, making a poking motion in the air towards Bruto with her index finger*
Diego: *flinches, drawn out of his wanderings, and looks over at Bruto - then, grinning, he nods back at Viola, though he does nothing beyond that. When he looks back to the deacon his expression slowly falls to seriousness again... and then he scowls*
Viola: *catches his expression, and though very inappropriate, she leans over and whispers quietly* Are you okay....?
Diego: Would you hold my visor for me?
Viola: *her eyes widen and she nods, holding her hands out for it*
Diego: *reaches up and takes it off with a click, placing it into her hands, making sure they're there before letting go of it*
Viola: *takes the visor, glancing down to look at the polished metal device before she looks up at him again*
Diego: Thank you. *faces forward again, and it's not clear if he's doing this because of the homily or something else, but he clasps his hands together and lets his sightless eyes fall closed, leaning his forehead against his fingers. He is not silent as he prays, but his whispering is so breathy that the words are lost*
Viola: *seems surprised--but also greatly contented, and she sits back to listen to the proceedings with a tiny pleased smile on her face*
Diego: *someone is walking in the back, hard heels against stone flooring, and that is all he hears - one person's footsteps echoing off of the cavernous walls of the cathedral, his own voice in prayer, the high and pleasant sound of the deacon's sermon. In those sounds he feels tremendously quiet - at ease - and as he prays, tears of relief stream down his face*
~~~
Diego: *it is around noon, a few blocks away from the cathedral, and Diego is sitting across from Viola underneath an umbrella at a sidewalk cafe, eating a sandwich and a bowl of soup as a light lunch. He's grinning again, and wearing his visor, but his tone is still serious* ...And I suppose that certain tenants of what constitute my faith have never really left me at all. It felt good to realize that.
Viola: *she's delicately eating her way through a strawberry yogurt parfait with a tiny spoon* It was... very touching. You reminded me of why Grandfather has always made it... such a point for us to attend together. ...Even if he falls asleep halfway nowadays... *carefully licks the front of her spoon*
Diego: Ha! *sets his sandwich down and takes his soup bowl in his right hand, sipping from it as if it were a cup, thoughtfully chewing a potato before swallowing and then grinning* It is important to remember. In my worst times, the only part that stuck with me was my sense of justice. My sense of punishment.
Viola: Ahh... *the spoon pauses halfway back to the parfait as she looks to the man across from her* Vengeance as justice. Do you... still believe in that, Mr. Armando...?
Diego: No. *his tone is firm, but his expression doesn't match as he languidly takes another sip* Never vengeance. To be selfish in that is to err; I believe that some sins, when not repented, earn their own punishments. *grins* Some men need killing.
Viola: *her tone is quite nonchalant, though her eyes glitter slightly in the late morning light* ...I couldn't agree more. That is one thing my Grandfather's business has made very clear to me... from a very young age.
Diego: I am not surprised that your grandfather subscribes to it; but do not think that the cup from which you drink originates in the pot of the business; the grinds are in your grandfather's faith. *pauses, setting down his soup and sipping from his coffee* Injustice is an abominable thing.
Viola: *nods, picking up a whole strawberry and biting into it* Such as what happened this last earthquake... ...I remember your message about Mr. Engarde. ...Was he caught...?
Diego: *his hand visibly tightens on his mug, but there is no other visible signal of his sudden stress* Yes, he was, though after too much damage had already been done. He will not be out until he is sixty or seventy, at this rate. *grits his teeth* But he does not repent. I know him well enough to say he will never repent.
Viola: *considers for a minute as she finishes nibbling on her strawberry* And do you consider him... a man who needs to be killed...?
Diego: *another sip from his coffee... which he sets down, and then tilts back his soup, taking a couple of gulps of it* He will be killed. He is damned to a violent death... unless he runs. He thinks himself safe. When the time comes to run, he will have a plan. His comeuppance is inevitable... but it is vengeance that will strike him down, not justice.
Viola: *nods deeply, dabbing at her mouth with a napkin* Regardless... I will look forward to it, when the time comes... Hee... Hee...
Diego: It may not.
Viola: Oh...?
Diego: He is a coward: his cowardice is what put him in this situation. His cowardice will be what allows him to run, when the time comes. Even vengeance may never find him... it is never a sure thing.
Viola: The only place one can ever run... is underground. And the underground... is a part of my family's business. *sets down her spoon, giggling quietly into her hand* I can assure you... when the time comes... he won't be able to hide from vengeance.
Diego: .... *after a moment, he grins* Heh. Thank you for putting my mind at ease, Miss Cadaverini.
Viola: *smiles up at him, the faintest hint of color on her morbid cheeks* Please... Call me Viola.
Diego: *grins wider, then leans forward* Well then thank you, Viola. ... Ah! *straightens, as if struck with realization* I hear there's a carnival within about twenty minutes of here. Would you care to go with me?
Viola: A carnival...? *blinks* Will they have roller coasters...?
Diego: They had better.
Viola: *altogether too eagerly to be anywhere near creepy* Okay!
Diego: All right then. Come on, let's blow this popsicle stand. *reaches into his pocket and drops a twenty on the table - enough to cover the tab and tip - before offering his hand to her with a cocky grin* We'll be there in ten.
Viola: *giggles, taking Diego's hand and heading with him towards the direction of his motorcycle*
~~~
Diego: *at the carnival, Diego and Viola are seated on the one roller coaster at the carnival - a towering, rickety, terrifying wooden monster, which may or may not have been built in a day. Diego seems unconcerned as the train of cars climbs the first peak - they are in the front car, having waited the extra five minutes for the seat, but the first thing he looks at is Viola*
Viola: *she's gripping tightly onto the single metal bar that's holding them in (and not very securely--her tiny frame means that there's some space between it and her lap) with white knuckles, her eyes closed. As if sensing Diego's gaze on her, Viola's eyes slowly peep open*
Diego: Open your eyes - stare into the abyss, and it may stare back. *he grins, and in that moment there is only the clicking of the chain hauling the cars to the top - they are cresting it, even now* Don't be afraid.
Viola: *nods, opening her eyes wide at that, looking over the front of the rickety cart as instructed-there's a somewhat wavering smile reaches her lips*
Diego: Ha! Good. Let go - I'll hold you in! *his hand slides around her waist - his grip on her is firm, but not overly so*
Viola: *looks to him, startled, but she doesn't have much time to ruminate on his touch as the coaster finishes its millisecond pause at the peak and they begin the long plummet down with a whoosh. The woman raises her arms, and a flat, monotonous sound leaves her lips:* Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
~~~
Diego: *a few minutes later, Diego is handling a BB gun at a carnival game - five shots towards glass bottles, each hit meriting a larger prize. He is turning the gun in his hands, examining it carefully*
Viola: *she's standing beside him, hair slightly mussed, holding onto a giant cone of cotton candy that she needs to support with both hands. It obstructs her view and is extremely pink* ...Good luck...
Diego: *he's talking partially to himself, partially to Viola, but chiefly to the man running the booth as he looks down the length of the barrel* The sight's off - not just off, it's been moved. *grins and cocks the gun one-handed* I'd be better off shooting from the hip than using this thing.
Diego: *the worker doesn't seem amused by this, but when Diego takes off his visor he sees the man is blind, and moves several feet further out of the way. Setting down his visor and taking "aim" based on memory, Diego squeezes off a shot - and grins at the sound of tinkling glass* Heh. *he re-cocks the BB gun and fires again, and then again, and then again, and again - each time hitting home*
Viola: *has to hold her cotton candy away from her to see Diego and the glass bottle he's shooting; when the bottle chimes out five times, she quickly adjusts the cone again to look up at the far corner of the tent, where a giant overstuffed neon green panda, clearly larger than herself, is suspended from one of the support poles*
Diego: *he sets the gun down as he slams his visor into place, looking at Viola with a grin - and then he follows her line of sight, gesturing at the panda with his thumb* You like that one?
Viola: *nods several times, clearly too stunned by the victory to vocalize. Inside the booth, the carny is scowling in all too evident irritation*
Diego: *snaps his fingers at the panda* That one for the lady, my man - and consider using something besides glass, that must be Hell to clean up. *the worker grumbles as he retrieves the panda and hands it over, but smartens up when Diego grins directly into his face while taking the toy in one hand, offering the other to the woman* Here, Viola, I'll carry your cotton candy for you.
Viola: *hands the cone over, and opens her arms wiiiide for the bear*
Diego: *he takes the cotton candy in one hand - it's huge, big enough that it's difficult to balance in one hand - and with the other he swings the panda gently into Viola's arms. The motion is very gentle - not even enough to mess up the woman's balance - but the head totters, lolls, and with a tremendous RIP, falls unceremoniously onto the ground*
Viola: ...Oh...! *follows the panda head with her eyes as it thuds, stuffing-side down, onto the pavement. Curls of cotton spill out from the gaping neck hole, dangling from there to the head on the ground. Wobbling a bit with the decapitated bear body, and trying to lift it higher into her arms, Viola stretches out her arm for one of the fuzzy green ears of the thing*
Diego: *he reaches down and lifts it for her, looking at the severed head, then at Viola, and lastly at the carnival worker, a vein standing out on his neck* What say I get you another one. *this is not a question*
Viola: No... no, it's okay. *now that he has the panda head she hugs the body comfortably to herself, rubbing her cheek against some of that spilled cotton stuffing* I like it... better... this way... Hee... Hee... Hee...
Diego: *looks from the worker, to Viola, to the severed head, then back to Viola... and grins* Well all right then. Want me to carry it for you? *he doesn't ask her if she'd rather carry the body or the head but the question hangs in the air anyway*
Viola: *nods, offering the body forward* Could I have the head... please...?
Diego: *takes the body in his arm, putting the head into her hands* Now you hold onto it. *grins* You want some o this candy, you just take it while we walk. All right?
Viola: ...All right... *panda head held tightly in her arms, she steps up close to Diego as they move away from the booth. As they head down the midway together, her eyes wander away from him and quietly note the sights along the way--a man pocketing bills at a caramel apple stand, another 'fixing' the angle on a basketball hoop at a free-throw stand, a carny picking up wallets just under the double-looper. As they pass by a wooden board with a bunch of posters tacked on it, she comes to a jarring stop* *reading out the sign* Bear... wrestling...?
Diego: *stops dead in his tracks when he hears her behind him, then takes a few steps back and reads the sign for himself: "PIN BILLY THE BEAR: WIN THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS"* ....Well, now, I'd say we've found something that sounds a bit illegal. Wouldn't you?
Viola: ...Very... *she doesn't sound all that concerned, but she's staring at that stuffed panda head in her hands, plucking at the cotton* That poor bear...
Diego: *he scowls* Well, I suppose we can't stand for animal cruelty. *grins down at her* Do you have your cell phone?
Viola: *nods, reaching to her pocket* ...I'll call the police. *this is said with a completely straight face*
Diego: Atta girl. *he reaches into his own pocket and pulls out a disposable phone* Walk over there with me, would you? *and he walks, dialling a number on his own phone*
Viola: *for some reason or another, she seems completely aware of how to make such a call, delivering all the necessary information clearly and concisely before she hits disconnect* Who are you calling...?
Diego: *his own voice is low, conspiratorial as he speaks into his own phone, and after hitting disconnect he throws it nonchalantly into the trash* Channel 4.
Viola: *looking up to him incredulously* ...Are you... going to wrestle the bear...?
Diego: *he looks up as they approach the "ring"; a crude wooden platform covered in thin canvas. The bear, wearing a muzzle, is chained to one of the four corner posts, and generally looks miserable* ...Only so that justice may be served.
Viola: *comes to a stop just at the edge of the wooden platform* ...Justice...?
Diego: *sets the decapitated stuffed bear down on the seat behind Viola* Watch your bear. *points to a carny near the post to which the bear is shackled while holding out the cotton candy for Viola to take* You! Unchain the bear!
Viola: *sets down the panda head onto its body and accepts the cotton candy back into her hands, eating a tuft as she watches. Some feet away, the carny expresses scorn followed quickly by utter disbelief, seeming completely disinclined to comply*
Diego: You will unchain that bear or I will break the shackles and shove them up your ass! If I pin that bear, it's going to be in earnest!
Viola: *giggles into her hand, the utter ridiculousness of the situation apparently quite appealing-- she does like outrageously loud men, after all. There's a brief moment as the carny considers Diego's words-- and then he shrugs in a "Well if you want it so bad" manner, moving to undo the shackles*
Viola: *with her hand to her mouth* You're... sure about this...?
Diego: As sure as I have ever been about anything. *he turns from her, climbing up the wooden steps to the ring, unbuttoning his vest and tossing it aside, followed by his shirt* All right, Billy... *at its given name, the bear looks up, apparently agitated by the sudden release of its restraints* Let's go.
~~~
Diego: *fifteen minutes later, Diego and Viola are standing at the edge of the woods that the carnival was set up by, waving as Billy the bear trundles off into the woods. Diego holds the muzzle that had restrained the bear in his non-waving hand; he has two rather large gashes on his chest for his trouble in removing it. Behind them, the carnival has fallen into chaos, with police and reporters swarming all over the place*
Viola: *thoughtfully--she's disposed of the cotton candy, the panda head and body are resting on the ground beside her, and she's counting out the three hundred dollar bills in her hands* Do you think he can survive out there...?
Diego: Ha! No doubt. He is a tough bear. *reaches down and feels at the blood on his chest* ....A very tough bear. *licks the blood off of his fingers absent-mindedly*
Viola: *doesn't miss the motion at all, oh no. With a rather dazed sigh* Mm... mmhmm...?
Diego: Mmhmm. *puts his free hand back in his pocket, hefting the muzzle in his other* Well, let's go turn this in to the police. Wouldn't want them to be without their decisive evidence.
Viola: *nods, hefting up her stuffed bear in her arms again* We'll need some bandages too... *glancing back towards the carnival grounds* ...Oh... Should we go get your shirt as well...?
Diego: Ha! No, I don't think that will be necessary, though I'll grab my vest on the way out. *reaches down and picks up the severed head - he would carry the body, but he might get blood all over it* I know a pretty good tailor we can go bother. I feel like wearing something red.
Viola: Red... *starting to walk, she comes to an entire halt at that* Yes... you'd look nice in red again.
Diego: Glad you think so. *walks after her, coming up behind her and putting the hand holding the muzzle around her waist* After I grab a new shirt, let's go do something else with that cash. You like karaoke?
Viola: *tilts her head to look back at him; the motion allows her to rest her cheek briefly against the side of his bare chest* Yes... ...I love singing...
Diego: Ha! Good. Then I would have you sing for me. *as they step closer to the chaos of the carnival, Diego waves down an officer who is currently pummelling a carny with his baton....*
~~~
Viola: *it's about an hour later, and Diego and Viola are sitting in a private Karaoke room-- a rather tacky place with really old couches and full length mirrors on the walls. The monitor at the front of the room is prompting the lines of a song which Viola, holding a rather beat up microphone, is midway through*
Viola: Anywhere you wander, anywhere you go
Every day remember how I love you so
In your heart believe what in my heart I know
That forevermore I'll wait for you.
Viola: *her soft voice reverberates across the room-- it is a few octaves higher than Connie Francis', a melodious soprano, downright angelic in its purity and sorrowful emotion; the contrast with her flat, skeletal physique is downright unbelievable*
Diego: *is seated on one of the couches, wearing a new red shirt, the decapitated stuffed panda on one side of him and the head on the other. He sips from a beer as he listens to her sing. His expression is stoic, but tears are running freely from under his mask. This song has always done this to him, for as long as he's known it*
Viola: *she doesn't see his tears; her eyes are closed and she's poised in a very choir girl position, back straight, feet together, enunciating each word carefully. After two more heartbreaking stanzas she finishes, sets down her microphone, and looks to him*
Diego: *he sets down the beer, not taking a moment to compose himself, but his voice is steady and clear* You sing like an angel.
Viola: *holds a hand up to her lips, hiding her smile again* Hee... Hee... Thank you. I was part of the choir for many years... growing up...
Diego: *he does not make to wipe his tears away; he rises, steps over to her, and puts his hands on her shoulders, looking down at her* I have not heard anything like that in a long, long time. Please, let me sing a song you wish to hear; pick one which would make you laugh or cry.
Viola: *smiles a small, secretive smile* ...Alright... *moving to the center of the room, she picks up the remote lying on the table there. With reference to a printout binder, she inputs a six digit code and after a few seconds the title and original artist of the song she's chosen appears on the screen*
Diego: *takes a moment to stare at the title before it clicks in his head, then grins at her as he picks up the mic* You sure?
Viola: *nods twice, moving to sit down on the couch closest to him*
Diego: As you say. *nods along to the bass as the song starts up - he skips the initial "oh yeah", and when it comes time to sing he departs from the style of the original vocals - because it is necessary, it's one of the few voices he can't imitate. From his mouth the words are darker, with a lower thrum, and the effect is to make the song more sinister than it had been originally*
Diego: Some people say my love cannot be true;
Please believe me, my love, and I'll show you.
I will give you those things you thought unreal
The Sun, the moon, the stars, all bear my seal...
~~~
Diego: *two hours later, Diego and Viola are seated on the edge of the stream running through People Park, where a fireworks display is being held for Annual Fireworks Day. Many other people have gathered to watch the display, but a combination of smooth talking and good old-fashioned shoving has netted the two of them a prime spot on water's edge, where they sit on a spread blanket as red flowers fill the sky*
Viola: *smooths out the front of her dress, looking from the fireworks to him-- to his shirt* Red... do you still like it, even if you see it as white...?
Diego: It's my favorite color - I can still see it in my mind's eye, and when I dream. *grins at an explosion that screams and hisses and crackles magnificently - he thinks it might be red, too* I will never cease to like it, the experience of it I used to have.
Viola: *considers this for a moment, another brilliant set of fireworks crackling in the sky in the meantime--these shift color midway, from green to blue* ...I see... You truly are amazing, Mr. Armando... *and there's another round of fireworks-- these shift from red to white* Thank you... for spending today with me.
Diego: *grins, resting his hand on top of hers* You can call me Diego if you like, Viola.
Viola: Hee... Hee... Hee... Diego then... *in turn, she places her free hand on his* Thank you.
Diego: I am glad you've enjoyed yourself. *grins* It's been a good day, I think. *looks from her face, back up to the fireworks - blue, bright blue, and it hisses and snaps and crackles, spreading through the air like living fire*
Viola: Not a horror story at least... ...I hope... *laughs quietly into her hand, her features temporarily illuminated by the light* Even though I know it's jarring enough... spending it with a Cadaverini...
Diego: *he looks down at her again* A Cadaverini, you say? Ha! For the past few hours, I had forgotten all about the family. *grins* I hope that does not make me thoughtless.
Viola: *leans towards him, looking up to the three glowing red lines that mark his eyes* No... for the past few hours... you've helped me forget, too...
Diego: Good. *pats her pinned hand gently with his, regardless of her free hand resting on his* That is all two people together should need to do: think of themselves, each other, and watch the world burn. *this is punctuated with an enormous CRACK and hiss and crackle, illuminating the both of them in yellow and orange light the color of fire* Let's watch this last.
Viola: *at the first burst of orange her eyes are already redirected up at the sky, enthralled. Fire. Her hands tighten around his, a delighted smile widening her lips*
Diego: *his grin falls away as he watches her smile - he had been only half-serious - but that falls away when he looks up for himself. It is beautiful, at that...*
~~~
Diego: *and, some time later, under a cloudy sky with only the street lights to guide him, Diego parks his bike outside of the gates of the Cadaverini manor, dismounting before offering his hand to Viola*
Viola: *hops down with his help--she's a bit breathless and her hair is really windswept now, giving her a surprisingly refreshed appearance. She looks about, as if to survey if other eyes are watching them, before she speaks* ...Will you... walk me to the door...?
Diego: *he unties the bear and its head from the rear of his bike, putting his arm around the bear and holding the head in his hand, offering his free arm to Viola* I would be remiss if I did not, I think.
Viola: Hee... Hee... such a gentleman... *takes his arm and heads up the walk with him; the gates are wide open, but there is of course a camera or three capturing them on closed circuit*
Diego: I do try my best. *he is aware that they are being watched, but can't force himself to care overmuch as he walks her down the driveway, coming to a stop in front of the steps leading up to the front door* I believe this is where we part.
Viola: Yes... I suppose so. *hesitates and looks up to him, a hand still lingering on his arm. She's clearly hoping, expecting something--but she's too good a Catholic girl to act on it herself (and...she's too short to initiate such an action in the first place)*
Diego: And it has... *he grins down at her, leaning down, his grin growing wider* Been... *and he is so close that his visor takes up the whole of her vision, drowning her sight out in crimson light* Very...
Goon: *there is an audible creak as the door opens - more than a crack, just enough for a person to peek out from behind it*
Viola: *she's leaned up as far as her back and legs can afford--but when the door creaks she hears it, and shoots a piercing gaze towards the mansion's entrance*
Goon: *there is a crashing sound and a panicked yelp before the door is shut so hard it borders on a slam*
Viola: *satisfied, her glare dissipates and she turns back towards Diego*
Diego: ...Nice. *-who presses his mouth gently against hers, holding the kiss for only a moment before straightening back up* Have a good night, Viola.
Viola: *the doorway is only dimly lit, and of course Diego can't see red, but the level of blush that reaches the woman's cheeks has never occurred before in the twenty-six years of her life. She giggles--well, like a little schoolgirl, giving him a chaste hug before standing back as well* Good night, Diego...
Diego: *nods down at her, handing over the bear and the head before putting his hands in his pockets, grinning like the devil bathed in crimson light, and turning and walking down the driveway, wordlessly singing the tune of Fragrance of Dark Coffee, the sound of which dies as he rounds the gate and proceeds down the road to his bike*
Viola: *she stands at the entrance, watching him fade from sight, hearing the revving up of his bike followed by the sound of the vehicle speeding away. It's only then that, with another tiny giggle, she hugs the giant neon green panda bear to her, opens the door, and walks in with a lively step*
Goon: *one of the goons is immediately inside - a tall man with a massive knife scar running up the length of his throat, terrifying to the average person, but when Viola comes in he's hopping from foot to foot and ringing his hands together* I'm sorry Miss Cadaverini I've just been up waiting all night and your grandfather said if you weren't home by one to come wake him up and you know how he gets when he's tired!
Viola: It's all right, Vito... Just... don't interrupt me again. *this is not delivered harshly at all; she appears to be in much too good a mood to really chastise, not that she could ordinarily reprimand that man anyway* Don't wake Grandfather... I'm heading to bed. You should get some rest too...
Vito: Yes... yes, Miss Cadaverini. *he calms down, then, regaining his composure and smoothing out the front of his jacket, resuming his severe nonchalance - but as Viola walks by, he can't help himself* Your grandfather's been worried. We saw what happened at the carnival on the news and knew you were there at the time.
Viola: Oh...? *she stops, turning towards the man* Yes, that was...very fun...
Vito: Was it true what they said, on the news? *he is still nonchalant, but his tone borders on a sort of eager disbelief* With the bear?
Viola: *smiles softly, nods, and heads off towards the main set of stairs* Goodnight, Vito...
Vito: Damnation. Goodnight, Miss Cadaverini. *watches her disappear and then exits to go to his own quarters*
Viola: *walks up the steps one by one, rounding the corner to her room. She opens the door and steps inside, setting down stuffed panda bear body and head just near the door before she flicks on the lights*
Viola: *contrary to expectations, Viola Cadaverini's room is incredibly neat and sparse, without any black lace, dark crepe or chains to be found. There's a queen sized bed with light pink covers, a desk devoid of any stationary or writing tools, and leaned against the corner of the room there's a human sized burlap sack that moves slightly upon Viola's approach-that's it*
Viola: *stoops, carefully untying the knot at the opening of the sack and pulling the rough fabric downwards*
Nancy: *suddenly free of the confines of the sack after drifting in and out of a panicked sleep, Nancy bolts immediately awake as she falls over. Her mouth is taped shut, her wrists tied to her ankles with her legs drawn up against her, and when she hits the floor it is with a panicked, muffled squeal - she looks up at Viola with wide, terrified eyes*
Viola: *smiles down at the woman, holding a cautionary finger to her lips* Shh... Grandfather is sleeping. ...You wouldn't want to... wake him...
Nancy: *falls still, still staring up, but the only noise is the rapid, panicked shallowness of her breathing - she's still blinking blearily at the light, which her eyes have yet to adjust to*
Viola: *reaches to the woman's ankles, first untying one side and then the other. Finally, she reaches to Nancy's mouth and tears off the duct tape stuck there in one smooth motion. When she's all done, she nods at the door* ...You may go.
Nancy: *she holds stock still as Viola unties her, wondering whether or not she should attack the woman, but then she remembers how she was put here and the thought flees screaming from her mind. When the tape is ripped away she scrambles back and away from the woman, rounding her towards the door, rubbing her wrists as she pushes herself to her feet - staring, obviously ready to bolt, but distrustful*
Viola: Unless... you'd care to stay...? Hee... Hee... Hee...
Nancy: *backs up, reaching back for the handle of the door, fumbling because she won't tear her eyes away from Viola. When she finds it she opens it hurriedly, edging out, keeping an eye on the woman - then turning and bolting, running with very quick but very light steps. After twelve seconds the front door slams, and Nancy can be seen running for her life down the driveway*
Viola: *walks over to her bedroom door, closing it after she hears the main doors slam shut. Then, she reaches for the severed panda head, hugging it tightly, happily in her arms before she lets out a happy sigh-- it's the end to a perfect day*
Girl: *at this time of day, there are surprisingly few people in the park--a few kids running around playing tag, a sleepy looking man walking a dog, and a sporty jogger sprinting along the pathway, oblivious to the rest of the world due to the large headphones clamped over her ears. The only person closest to meeting the criteria for Diego's date is a small, dark-haired woman standing by the lamppost closest to the river's edge, clad in a long sleeved dark dress--an unusual garment for the hot summer morning. She's facing away from the path*
Diego: *quickly makes his way over to the lamppost - this is the place, and the time - but when he sees that dark-clad figure from behind, he immediately has a sense that something has gone wrong* ...Hello?
Girl: *turns--her whole body instead of just her head, though for a moment some sort of illusion makes one begin to fear that exact effect is about to happen. Viola--it is Viola Cadaverini, of course--smiles her small quiet smile to Diego in greeting* ...Mr. Armando... Good morning...
Diego: *pauses, not wanting to make foolish assumptions* .... Good morning, Miss Cadaverini. Are you here to see the river?
Viola: *shakes her head* I was looking at it, yes... but I was waiting for you. *there's a funny note in her voice as she says that last word*
Diego: Pardon?
Viola: *holds her hand up to her mouth to hide her smile* I was waiting for you.
Diego: *puts his hands in his pockets, his tone turning serious* Where's Nancy?
Viola: *glances to the side, hand still held up to her mouth; she's apparently quite affected by the stern tone in his voice* *softly* She... couldn't make it. I'm her replacement. Is that... alright...?
Diego: *his tone doesn't change, but he tilts his head to get a better look at her face* Is she all right?
Viola: *there's nothing but a nervous earnestness in her features, though her gaze is still directed at the ground* S-she's not hurt...! I know her... so when I knew she couldn't make it, I...
Diego: *ponders for a moment on her face and on her tone - in spite of everything his instincts are screaming at him, which is to pick her up and shake her until she tells him where his date is, he actually believes her. After that moment he grins cockily* All right. Thank you for being so thoughtful, Miss Cadaverini.
Viola: *places her hand down, looking relieved* ...You're welcome...
Viola: We don't have to do anything together if you don't want to... I know I wasn't what you were expecting... *her voice is hopeful; there's an unspoken 'but if you'd like to...' hovering in the air*
Diego: *the grin grows wider, more earnest, and he offers his hand* I would be remiss to turn aside the kindness of a lady, Miss Cadaverini.
Viola: *her smile reappears again and she steps forward, taking his offered hand--she can't help giggling quietly as she does* ...Thank you...
Diego: It is my pleasure, of course. *inhales deep, looking out over the river before grinning down at her - she really is cute, when you realize how tiny she is* Is there anything in particular you would like to do today?
Viola: Morning Mass... it starts in fifteen minutes. If you don't mind going, Grandfather would like to see you there... before we go out for the rest of the day.
Viola: You haven't attended Mass for a while, have you...? *there's really no uncertainty to her voice*
Diego: *he does not flinch at the mention of Bruto; he's given more pause by the idea of going back into a cathedral* ...It's been nearly twenty years.
Viola: *nods, looking up at him-- he's way, way up there compared to her* Why did you stop going...? If I may ask...
Diego: God and I... had a falling out. *grins down at her* But maybe it's time we got back on speaking terms. Do you know the way from here?
Viola: *nods again, glancing towards the east* Take Spadina... It's only a few blocks from here. Did you bring your bike...? Or should I call for the car...?
Diego: *...should she know about his bike? It's not like he's tried to hide it, but...well, it doesn't matter* If you don't mind riding behind me, I'm sure we can preserve your modesty, Miss Cadaverini. *this said with a curious look down at her face, studying her expression*
Viola: Hee... Hee... I'd love to ride behind you. *the smile on her features is particularly bright--she looks animated, full of life and eagerness for once; her delight makes her almost girlishly loquacious* I've never ridden one before... Tigre's scooter was only big enough for himself...
Viola: And a bike isn't very much like a scooter... is it...?
Diego: Not much at all. Ha! Come on - I will let you hear a beast roar. *and he leads her, by the hand, on the path towards his bike*
Viola: *giggles into her hand at that, happily stepping alongside him. She's so small, and he so big in comparison--his legs that much longer-that it takes nearly two of her steps to match one of his as they head to the motorbike*
~~~
Diego: *it is some time later that Diego is sitting between Bruto and Viola, watching the deacon as he delivers his homily - he has gone through the whole of the ceremony up to this point without flinching, following the rote without flaw, borne along by memory - but as he listens to the homily and Bruto snore softly next to him, his mind begins to wander*
Viola: *being a good Catholic girl, Viola is all too accustomed to the rites to think anything much of them; her attention has been constantly focused on Diego and his general reception of the service. When she notices her Grandfather sleeping, she gives Diego an amused look, making a poking motion in the air towards Bruto with her index finger*
Diego: *flinches, drawn out of his wanderings, and looks over at Bruto - then, grinning, he nods back at Viola, though he does nothing beyond that. When he looks back to the deacon his expression slowly falls to seriousness again... and then he scowls*
Viola: *catches his expression, and though very inappropriate, she leans over and whispers quietly* Are you okay....?
Diego: Would you hold my visor for me?
Viola: *her eyes widen and she nods, holding her hands out for it*
Diego: *reaches up and takes it off with a click, placing it into her hands, making sure they're there before letting go of it*
Viola: *takes the visor, glancing down to look at the polished metal device before she looks up at him again*
Diego: Thank you. *faces forward again, and it's not clear if he's doing this because of the homily or something else, but he clasps his hands together and lets his sightless eyes fall closed, leaning his forehead against his fingers. He is not silent as he prays, but his whispering is so breathy that the words are lost*
Viola: *seems surprised--but also greatly contented, and she sits back to listen to the proceedings with a tiny pleased smile on her face*
Diego: *someone is walking in the back, hard heels against stone flooring, and that is all he hears - one person's footsteps echoing off of the cavernous walls of the cathedral, his own voice in prayer, the high and pleasant sound of the deacon's sermon. In those sounds he feels tremendously quiet - at ease - and as he prays, tears of relief stream down his face*
~~~
Diego: *it is around noon, a few blocks away from the cathedral, and Diego is sitting across from Viola underneath an umbrella at a sidewalk cafe, eating a sandwich and a bowl of soup as a light lunch. He's grinning again, and wearing his visor, but his tone is still serious* ...And I suppose that certain tenants of what constitute my faith have never really left me at all. It felt good to realize that.
Viola: *she's delicately eating her way through a strawberry yogurt parfait with a tiny spoon* It was... very touching. You reminded me of why Grandfather has always made it... such a point for us to attend together. ...Even if he falls asleep halfway nowadays... *carefully licks the front of her spoon*
Diego: Ha! *sets his sandwich down and takes his soup bowl in his right hand, sipping from it as if it were a cup, thoughtfully chewing a potato before swallowing and then grinning* It is important to remember. In my worst times, the only part that stuck with me was my sense of justice. My sense of punishment.
Viola: Ahh... *the spoon pauses halfway back to the parfait as she looks to the man across from her* Vengeance as justice. Do you... still believe in that, Mr. Armando...?
Diego: No. *his tone is firm, but his expression doesn't match as he languidly takes another sip* Never vengeance. To be selfish in that is to err; I believe that some sins, when not repented, earn their own punishments. *grins* Some men need killing.
Viola: *her tone is quite nonchalant, though her eyes glitter slightly in the late morning light* ...I couldn't agree more. That is one thing my Grandfather's business has made very clear to me... from a very young age.
Diego: I am not surprised that your grandfather subscribes to it; but do not think that the cup from which you drink originates in the pot of the business; the grinds are in your grandfather's faith. *pauses, setting down his soup and sipping from his coffee* Injustice is an abominable thing.
Viola: *nods, picking up a whole strawberry and biting into it* Such as what happened this last earthquake... ...I remember your message about Mr. Engarde. ...Was he caught...?
Diego: *his hand visibly tightens on his mug, but there is no other visible signal of his sudden stress* Yes, he was, though after too much damage had already been done. He will not be out until he is sixty or seventy, at this rate. *grits his teeth* But he does not repent. I know him well enough to say he will never repent.
Viola: *considers for a minute as she finishes nibbling on her strawberry* And do you consider him... a man who needs to be killed...?
Diego: *another sip from his coffee... which he sets down, and then tilts back his soup, taking a couple of gulps of it* He will be killed. He is damned to a violent death... unless he runs. He thinks himself safe. When the time comes to run, he will have a plan. His comeuppance is inevitable... but it is vengeance that will strike him down, not justice.
Viola: *nods deeply, dabbing at her mouth with a napkin* Regardless... I will look forward to it, when the time comes... Hee... Hee...
Diego: It may not.
Viola: Oh...?
Diego: He is a coward: his cowardice is what put him in this situation. His cowardice will be what allows him to run, when the time comes. Even vengeance may never find him... it is never a sure thing.
Viola: The only place one can ever run... is underground. And the underground... is a part of my family's business. *sets down her spoon, giggling quietly into her hand* I can assure you... when the time comes... he won't be able to hide from vengeance.
Diego: .... *after a moment, he grins* Heh. Thank you for putting my mind at ease, Miss Cadaverini.
Viola: *smiles up at him, the faintest hint of color on her morbid cheeks* Please... Call me Viola.
Diego: *grins wider, then leans forward* Well then thank you, Viola. ... Ah! *straightens, as if struck with realization* I hear there's a carnival within about twenty minutes of here. Would you care to go with me?
Viola: A carnival...? *blinks* Will they have roller coasters...?
Diego: They had better.
Viola: *altogether too eagerly to be anywhere near creepy* Okay!
Diego: All right then. Come on, let's blow this popsicle stand. *reaches into his pocket and drops a twenty on the table - enough to cover the tab and tip - before offering his hand to her with a cocky grin* We'll be there in ten.
Viola: *giggles, taking Diego's hand and heading with him towards the direction of his motorcycle*
~~~
Diego: *at the carnival, Diego and Viola are seated on the one roller coaster at the carnival - a towering, rickety, terrifying wooden monster, which may or may not have been built in a day. Diego seems unconcerned as the train of cars climbs the first peak - they are in the front car, having waited the extra five minutes for the seat, but the first thing he looks at is Viola*
Viola: *she's gripping tightly onto the single metal bar that's holding them in (and not very securely--her tiny frame means that there's some space between it and her lap) with white knuckles, her eyes closed. As if sensing Diego's gaze on her, Viola's eyes slowly peep open*
Diego: Open your eyes - stare into the abyss, and it may stare back. *he grins, and in that moment there is only the clicking of the chain hauling the cars to the top - they are cresting it, even now* Don't be afraid.
Viola: *nods, opening her eyes wide at that, looking over the front of the rickety cart as instructed-there's a somewhat wavering smile reaches her lips*
Diego: Ha! Good. Let go - I'll hold you in! *his hand slides around her waist - his grip on her is firm, but not overly so*
Viola: *looks to him, startled, but she doesn't have much time to ruminate on his touch as the coaster finishes its millisecond pause at the peak and they begin the long plummet down with a whoosh. The woman raises her arms, and a flat, monotonous sound leaves her lips:* Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
~~~
Diego: *a few minutes later, Diego is handling a BB gun at a carnival game - five shots towards glass bottles, each hit meriting a larger prize. He is turning the gun in his hands, examining it carefully*
Viola: *she's standing beside him, hair slightly mussed, holding onto a giant cone of cotton candy that she needs to support with both hands. It obstructs her view and is extremely pink* ...Good luck...
Diego: *he's talking partially to himself, partially to Viola, but chiefly to the man running the booth as he looks down the length of the barrel* The sight's off - not just off, it's been moved. *grins and cocks the gun one-handed* I'd be better off shooting from the hip than using this thing.
Diego: *the worker doesn't seem amused by this, but when Diego takes off his visor he sees the man is blind, and moves several feet further out of the way. Setting down his visor and taking "aim" based on memory, Diego squeezes off a shot - and grins at the sound of tinkling glass* Heh. *he re-cocks the BB gun and fires again, and then again, and then again, and again - each time hitting home*
Viola: *has to hold her cotton candy away from her to see Diego and the glass bottle he's shooting; when the bottle chimes out five times, she quickly adjusts the cone again to look up at the far corner of the tent, where a giant overstuffed neon green panda, clearly larger than herself, is suspended from one of the support poles*
Diego: *he sets the gun down as he slams his visor into place, looking at Viola with a grin - and then he follows her line of sight, gesturing at the panda with his thumb* You like that one?
Viola: *nods several times, clearly too stunned by the victory to vocalize. Inside the booth, the carny is scowling in all too evident irritation*
Diego: *snaps his fingers at the panda* That one for the lady, my man - and consider using something besides glass, that must be Hell to clean up. *the worker grumbles as he retrieves the panda and hands it over, but smartens up when Diego grins directly into his face while taking the toy in one hand, offering the other to the woman* Here, Viola, I'll carry your cotton candy for you.
Viola: *hands the cone over, and opens her arms wiiiide for the bear*
Diego: *he takes the cotton candy in one hand - it's huge, big enough that it's difficult to balance in one hand - and with the other he swings the panda gently into Viola's arms. The motion is very gentle - not even enough to mess up the woman's balance - but the head totters, lolls, and with a tremendous RIP, falls unceremoniously onto the ground*
Viola: ...Oh...! *follows the panda head with her eyes as it thuds, stuffing-side down, onto the pavement. Curls of cotton spill out from the gaping neck hole, dangling from there to the head on the ground. Wobbling a bit with the decapitated bear body, and trying to lift it higher into her arms, Viola stretches out her arm for one of the fuzzy green ears of the thing*
Diego: *he reaches down and lifts it for her, looking at the severed head, then at Viola, and lastly at the carnival worker, a vein standing out on his neck* What say I get you another one. *this is not a question*
Viola: No... no, it's okay. *now that he has the panda head she hugs the body comfortably to herself, rubbing her cheek against some of that spilled cotton stuffing* I like it... better... this way... Hee... Hee... Hee...
Diego: *looks from the worker, to Viola, to the severed head, then back to Viola... and grins* Well all right then. Want me to carry it for you? *he doesn't ask her if she'd rather carry the body or the head but the question hangs in the air anyway*
Viola: *nods, offering the body forward* Could I have the head... please...?
Diego: *takes the body in his arm, putting the head into her hands* Now you hold onto it. *grins* You want some o this candy, you just take it while we walk. All right?
Viola: ...All right... *panda head held tightly in her arms, she steps up close to Diego as they move away from the booth. As they head down the midway together, her eyes wander away from him and quietly note the sights along the way--a man pocketing bills at a caramel apple stand, another 'fixing' the angle on a basketball hoop at a free-throw stand, a carny picking up wallets just under the double-looper. As they pass by a wooden board with a bunch of posters tacked on it, she comes to a jarring stop* *reading out the sign* Bear... wrestling...?
Diego: *stops dead in his tracks when he hears her behind him, then takes a few steps back and reads the sign for himself: "PIN BILLY THE BEAR: WIN THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS"* ....Well, now, I'd say we've found something that sounds a bit illegal. Wouldn't you?
Viola: ...Very... *she doesn't sound all that concerned, but she's staring at that stuffed panda head in her hands, plucking at the cotton* That poor bear...
Diego: *he scowls* Well, I suppose we can't stand for animal cruelty. *grins down at her* Do you have your cell phone?
Viola: *nods, reaching to her pocket* ...I'll call the police. *this is said with a completely straight face*
Diego: Atta girl. *he reaches into his own pocket and pulls out a disposable phone* Walk over there with me, would you? *and he walks, dialling a number on his own phone*
Viola: *for some reason or another, she seems completely aware of how to make such a call, delivering all the necessary information clearly and concisely before she hits disconnect* Who are you calling...?
Diego: *his own voice is low, conspiratorial as he speaks into his own phone, and after hitting disconnect he throws it nonchalantly into the trash* Channel 4.
Viola: *looking up to him incredulously* ...Are you... going to wrestle the bear...?
Diego: *he looks up as they approach the "ring"; a crude wooden platform covered in thin canvas. The bear, wearing a muzzle, is chained to one of the four corner posts, and generally looks miserable* ...Only so that justice may be served.
Viola: *comes to a stop just at the edge of the wooden platform* ...Justice...?
Diego: *sets the decapitated stuffed bear down on the seat behind Viola* Watch your bear. *points to a carny near the post to which the bear is shackled while holding out the cotton candy for Viola to take* You! Unchain the bear!
Viola: *sets down the panda head onto its body and accepts the cotton candy back into her hands, eating a tuft as she watches. Some feet away, the carny expresses scorn followed quickly by utter disbelief, seeming completely disinclined to comply*
Diego: You will unchain that bear or I will break the shackles and shove them up your ass! If I pin that bear, it's going to be in earnest!
Viola: *giggles into her hand, the utter ridiculousness of the situation apparently quite appealing-- she does like outrageously loud men, after all. There's a brief moment as the carny considers Diego's words-- and then he shrugs in a "Well if you want it so bad" manner, moving to undo the shackles*
Viola: *with her hand to her mouth* You're... sure about this...?
Diego: As sure as I have ever been about anything. *he turns from her, climbing up the wooden steps to the ring, unbuttoning his vest and tossing it aside, followed by his shirt* All right, Billy... *at its given name, the bear looks up, apparently agitated by the sudden release of its restraints* Let's go.
~~~
Diego: *fifteen minutes later, Diego and Viola are standing at the edge of the woods that the carnival was set up by, waving as Billy the bear trundles off into the woods. Diego holds the muzzle that had restrained the bear in his non-waving hand; he has two rather large gashes on his chest for his trouble in removing it. Behind them, the carnival has fallen into chaos, with police and reporters swarming all over the place*
Viola: *thoughtfully--she's disposed of the cotton candy, the panda head and body are resting on the ground beside her, and she's counting out the three hundred dollar bills in her hands* Do you think he can survive out there...?
Diego: Ha! No doubt. He is a tough bear. *reaches down and feels at the blood on his chest* ....A very tough bear. *licks the blood off of his fingers absent-mindedly*
Viola: *doesn't miss the motion at all, oh no. With a rather dazed sigh* Mm... mmhmm...?
Diego: Mmhmm. *puts his free hand back in his pocket, hefting the muzzle in his other* Well, let's go turn this in to the police. Wouldn't want them to be without their decisive evidence.
Viola: *nods, hefting up her stuffed bear in her arms again* We'll need some bandages too... *glancing back towards the carnival grounds* ...Oh... Should we go get your shirt as well...?
Diego: Ha! No, I don't think that will be necessary, though I'll grab my vest on the way out. *reaches down and picks up the severed head - he would carry the body, but he might get blood all over it* I know a pretty good tailor we can go bother. I feel like wearing something red.
Viola: Red... *starting to walk, she comes to an entire halt at that* Yes... you'd look nice in red again.
Diego: Glad you think so. *walks after her, coming up behind her and putting the hand holding the muzzle around her waist* After I grab a new shirt, let's go do something else with that cash. You like karaoke?
Viola: *tilts her head to look back at him; the motion allows her to rest her cheek briefly against the side of his bare chest* Yes... ...I love singing...
Diego: Ha! Good. Then I would have you sing for me. *as they step closer to the chaos of the carnival, Diego waves down an officer who is currently pummelling a carny with his baton....*
~~~
Viola: *it's about an hour later, and Diego and Viola are sitting in a private Karaoke room-- a rather tacky place with really old couches and full length mirrors on the walls. The monitor at the front of the room is prompting the lines of a song which Viola, holding a rather beat up microphone, is midway through*
Viola: Anywhere you wander, anywhere you go
Every day remember how I love you so
In your heart believe what in my heart I know
That forevermore I'll wait for you.
Viola: *her soft voice reverberates across the room-- it is a few octaves higher than Connie Francis', a melodious soprano, downright angelic in its purity and sorrowful emotion; the contrast with her flat, skeletal physique is downright unbelievable*
Diego: *is seated on one of the couches, wearing a new red shirt, the decapitated stuffed panda on one side of him and the head on the other. He sips from a beer as he listens to her sing. His expression is stoic, but tears are running freely from under his mask. This song has always done this to him, for as long as he's known it*
Viola: *she doesn't see his tears; her eyes are closed and she's poised in a very choir girl position, back straight, feet together, enunciating each word carefully. After two more heartbreaking stanzas she finishes, sets down her microphone, and looks to him*
Diego: *he sets down the beer, not taking a moment to compose himself, but his voice is steady and clear* You sing like an angel.
Viola: *holds a hand up to her lips, hiding her smile again* Hee... Hee... Thank you. I was part of the choir for many years... growing up...
Diego: *he does not make to wipe his tears away; he rises, steps over to her, and puts his hands on her shoulders, looking down at her* I have not heard anything like that in a long, long time. Please, let me sing a song you wish to hear; pick one which would make you laugh or cry.
Viola: *smiles a small, secretive smile* ...Alright... *moving to the center of the room, she picks up the remote lying on the table there. With reference to a printout binder, she inputs a six digit code and after a few seconds the title and original artist of the song she's chosen appears on the screen*
Diego: *takes a moment to stare at the title before it clicks in his head, then grins at her as he picks up the mic* You sure?
Viola: *nods twice, moving to sit down on the couch closest to him*
Diego: As you say. *nods along to the bass as the song starts up - he skips the initial "oh yeah", and when it comes time to sing he departs from the style of the original vocals - because it is necessary, it's one of the few voices he can't imitate. From his mouth the words are darker, with a lower thrum, and the effect is to make the song more sinister than it had been originally*
Diego: Some people say my love cannot be true;
Please believe me, my love, and I'll show you.
I will give you those things you thought unreal
The Sun, the moon, the stars, all bear my seal...
~~~
Diego: *two hours later, Diego and Viola are seated on the edge of the stream running through People Park, where a fireworks display is being held for Annual Fireworks Day. Many other people have gathered to watch the display, but a combination of smooth talking and good old-fashioned shoving has netted the two of them a prime spot on water's edge, where they sit on a spread blanket as red flowers fill the sky*
Viola: *smooths out the front of her dress, looking from the fireworks to him-- to his shirt* Red... do you still like it, even if you see it as white...?
Diego: It's my favorite color - I can still see it in my mind's eye, and when I dream. *grins at an explosion that screams and hisses and crackles magnificently - he thinks it might be red, too* I will never cease to like it, the experience of it I used to have.
Viola: *considers this for a moment, another brilliant set of fireworks crackling in the sky in the meantime--these shift color midway, from green to blue* ...I see... You truly are amazing, Mr. Armando... *and there's another round of fireworks-- these shift from red to white* Thank you... for spending today with me.
Diego: *grins, resting his hand on top of hers* You can call me Diego if you like, Viola.
Viola: Hee... Hee... Hee... Diego then... *in turn, she places her free hand on his* Thank you.
Diego: I am glad you've enjoyed yourself. *grins* It's been a good day, I think. *looks from her face, back up to the fireworks - blue, bright blue, and it hisses and snaps and crackles, spreading through the air like living fire*
Viola: Not a horror story at least... ...I hope... *laughs quietly into her hand, her features temporarily illuminated by the light* Even though I know it's jarring enough... spending it with a Cadaverini...
Diego: *he looks down at her again* A Cadaverini, you say? Ha! For the past few hours, I had forgotten all about the family. *grins* I hope that does not make me thoughtless.
Viola: *leans towards him, looking up to the three glowing red lines that mark his eyes* No... for the past few hours... you've helped me forget, too...
Diego: Good. *pats her pinned hand gently with his, regardless of her free hand resting on his* That is all two people together should need to do: think of themselves, each other, and watch the world burn. *this is punctuated with an enormous CRACK and hiss and crackle, illuminating the both of them in yellow and orange light the color of fire* Let's watch this last.
Viola: *at the first burst of orange her eyes are already redirected up at the sky, enthralled. Fire. Her hands tighten around his, a delighted smile widening her lips*
Diego: *his grin falls away as he watches her smile - he had been only half-serious - but that falls away when he looks up for himself. It is beautiful, at that...*
~~~
Diego: *and, some time later, under a cloudy sky with only the street lights to guide him, Diego parks his bike outside of the gates of the Cadaverini manor, dismounting before offering his hand to Viola*
Viola: *hops down with his help--she's a bit breathless and her hair is really windswept now, giving her a surprisingly refreshed appearance. She looks about, as if to survey if other eyes are watching them, before she speaks* ...Will you... walk me to the door...?
Diego: *he unties the bear and its head from the rear of his bike, putting his arm around the bear and holding the head in his hand, offering his free arm to Viola* I would be remiss if I did not, I think.
Viola: Hee... Hee... such a gentleman... *takes his arm and heads up the walk with him; the gates are wide open, but there is of course a camera or three capturing them on closed circuit*
Diego: I do try my best. *he is aware that they are being watched, but can't force himself to care overmuch as he walks her down the driveway, coming to a stop in front of the steps leading up to the front door* I believe this is where we part.
Viola: Yes... I suppose so. *hesitates and looks up to him, a hand still lingering on his arm. She's clearly hoping, expecting something--but she's too good a Catholic girl to act on it herself (and...she's too short to initiate such an action in the first place)*
Diego: And it has... *he grins down at her, leaning down, his grin growing wider* Been... *and he is so close that his visor takes up the whole of her vision, drowning her sight out in crimson light* Very...
Goon: *there is an audible creak as the door opens - more than a crack, just enough for a person to peek out from behind it*
Viola: *she's leaned up as far as her back and legs can afford--but when the door creaks she hears it, and shoots a piercing gaze towards the mansion's entrance*
Goon: *there is a crashing sound and a panicked yelp before the door is shut so hard it borders on a slam*
Viola: *satisfied, her glare dissipates and she turns back towards Diego*
Diego: ...Nice. *-who presses his mouth gently against hers, holding the kiss for only a moment before straightening back up* Have a good night, Viola.
Viola: *the doorway is only dimly lit, and of course Diego can't see red, but the level of blush that reaches the woman's cheeks has never occurred before in the twenty-six years of her life. She giggles--well, like a little schoolgirl, giving him a chaste hug before standing back as well* Good night, Diego...
Diego: *nods down at her, handing over the bear and the head before putting his hands in his pockets, grinning like the devil bathed in crimson light, and turning and walking down the driveway, wordlessly singing the tune of Fragrance of Dark Coffee, the sound of which dies as he rounds the gate and proceeds down the road to his bike*
Viola: *she stands at the entrance, watching him fade from sight, hearing the revving up of his bike followed by the sound of the vehicle speeding away. It's only then that, with another tiny giggle, she hugs the giant neon green panda bear to her, opens the door, and walks in with a lively step*
Goon: *one of the goons is immediately inside - a tall man with a massive knife scar running up the length of his throat, terrifying to the average person, but when Viola comes in he's hopping from foot to foot and ringing his hands together* I'm sorry Miss Cadaverini I've just been up waiting all night and your grandfather said if you weren't home by one to come wake him up and you know how he gets when he's tired!
Viola: It's all right, Vito... Just... don't interrupt me again. *this is not delivered harshly at all; she appears to be in much too good a mood to really chastise, not that she could ordinarily reprimand that man anyway* Don't wake Grandfather... I'm heading to bed. You should get some rest too...
Vito: Yes... yes, Miss Cadaverini. *he calms down, then, regaining his composure and smoothing out the front of his jacket, resuming his severe nonchalance - but as Viola walks by, he can't help himself* Your grandfather's been worried. We saw what happened at the carnival on the news and knew you were there at the time.
Viola: Oh...? *she stops, turning towards the man* Yes, that was...very fun...
Vito: Was it true what they said, on the news? *he is still nonchalant, but his tone borders on a sort of eager disbelief* With the bear?
Viola: *smiles softly, nods, and heads off towards the main set of stairs* Goodnight, Vito...
Vito: Damnation. Goodnight, Miss Cadaverini. *watches her disappear and then exits to go to his own quarters*
Viola: *walks up the steps one by one, rounding the corner to her room. She opens the door and steps inside, setting down stuffed panda bear body and head just near the door before she flicks on the lights*
Viola: *contrary to expectations, Viola Cadaverini's room is incredibly neat and sparse, without any black lace, dark crepe or chains to be found. There's a queen sized bed with light pink covers, a desk devoid of any stationary or writing tools, and leaned against the corner of the room there's a human sized burlap sack that moves slightly upon Viola's approach-that's it*
Viola: *stoops, carefully untying the knot at the opening of the sack and pulling the rough fabric downwards*
Nancy: *suddenly free of the confines of the sack after drifting in and out of a panicked sleep, Nancy bolts immediately awake as she falls over. Her mouth is taped shut, her wrists tied to her ankles with her legs drawn up against her, and when she hits the floor it is with a panicked, muffled squeal - she looks up at Viola with wide, terrified eyes*
Viola: *smiles down at the woman, holding a cautionary finger to her lips* Shh... Grandfather is sleeping. ...You wouldn't want to... wake him...
Nancy: *falls still, still staring up, but the only noise is the rapid, panicked shallowness of her breathing - she's still blinking blearily at the light, which her eyes have yet to adjust to*
Viola: *reaches to the woman's ankles, first untying one side and then the other. Finally, she reaches to Nancy's mouth and tears off the duct tape stuck there in one smooth motion. When she's all done, she nods at the door* ...You may go.
Nancy: *she holds stock still as Viola unties her, wondering whether or not she should attack the woman, but then she remembers how she was put here and the thought flees screaming from her mind. When the tape is ripped away she scrambles back and away from the woman, rounding her towards the door, rubbing her wrists as she pushes herself to her feet - staring, obviously ready to bolt, but distrustful*
Viola: Unless... you'd care to stay...? Hee... Hee... Hee...
Nancy: *backs up, reaching back for the handle of the door, fumbling because she won't tear her eyes away from Viola. When she finds it she opens it hurriedly, edging out, keeping an eye on the woman - then turning and bolting, running with very quick but very light steps. After twelve seconds the front door slams, and Nancy can be seen running for her life down the driveway*
Viola: *walks over to her bedroom door, closing it after she hears the main doors slam shut. Then, she reaches for the severed panda head, hugging it tightly, happily in her arms before she lets out a happy sigh-- it's the end to a perfect day*