[The message opens with a rich baritone, singing a notable bass part up just a nudge.]
Hey, little songbird, cat got your tongue?
Always a pity for one so young
When poverty comes to clip your wings
And knock the wind right out of your lungs~
Consider it a preview, my dearest ones.
The opera will never disappoint.
And I shall never let her die.
[ Beware, he is excited there for loud! It sounds like he's running and a little out a breath before the rappers voice picks up.]
Finally, got this thing working, hell yes! Anyway! I get to hit the stage tonight and show off my fine skills. Oh yeah me Chiba, I'm gonna rock! Some of you bitches better come show me some love!
Oh and Ryusuke you still owe me money you dick!
*carefully screened, anonymous to all but the very best hackers, very late at night.*
"Nothing in his life/Became him like the leaving it. He died/As one who had been studied in his death/Throwing away the dearest thing he own'd/As 'twere a careless trifle."
How do you block out the inevitable fractures?
I think my new job is shadier than when I worked at that club.
What's that saying... "out of the frying pan..."?
This network thing is really good for keeping track of people or meeting new friends. I guess it's about time that I checked it out. It's hard for me to find a free computer to access it though so I don't know how much longer I'll be able to stay here.
My name is Sora. My parents used to tell me stories about princesses and heroes. One of the ones they told me was about a princess who had an evil stepmom that tried to kill her because she was too pretty. After escaping from the servant that was supposed to kill her, the girl found a home with seven dwarfs who took care of her and protected her.
I'm not a girl, but sometimes I feel like that princess. We all get sent into the woods and have to figure out a way to survive, sometimes by finding good friends to help us through it. I don't think I would have eaten the poison apple though. And I don't need a prince to save me.
[Lilting guitar music comes through--Ray's accidentally hit the thing... So he's recording some new crap he's fooling around with. At some point, he notices, and there's a bit of a click as shifts the device.]
Whoops. That's a preview, I guess.
Hey, Dem, are you going to that big thing tonight, or what?
(audible to Fuji and Jack)
I got the flowers. Very sweet of you to send them.
...my help in this? Given.
Free's I have no say over.
Give me a few days to outfit myself correctly, though.
{heavily encoded, only readable by Grell and Fujimaru, the day after their second meeting}
Things are set in place. We have her location.
We move in tonight.
Falcon. I'll notify you when we have her so you can take her home.
Madam Red. Please watch all communication and keep a tight screen.
[An image of a half-focused, extended, lone middle finger appears; it is soon replaced by Ray's face]
Next time you try to mug a guy and take his guitar, make sure he doesn't feel like beating the crap out of you with the heavy-as-hell case.
Guys, I'll be late to rehearsal.
[and the video ends abruptly]
Title: A Day Backstage at the Opera, Part 1
Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, and all other patrons of Gene Co's expansive and illustrious opera.
This evening, we are starting a series of "blogs", if you will, about how things really are at the opera. I must admit, I am quite nervous. Performing other people's words before a rapt audience is quite different from having to put one's own thoughts down in writing. Still, I suppose I should give it a try.
What is a typical day for an opera star, then? Like everyone else, we wake up in the morning, brush our teeth, and take our vitamins. I like to begin my day with a hot cup of tea to warm my throat. This helps me feel prepared for rehearsals.
I am a very poor driver, so I usually have someone drive me to rehearsals. On the way, I begin to warm up my voice with a series of simple exercises that anyone can do at home (see included file). These help to expand and maintain a performer's vocal range. I repeat them again at the rehearsal venue, then start my physical warmups. While I may not be in the dance corps, it is very important that I keep my body in immaculate shape, to stay prepared for any role.
I think that is all I will say for this issue. Please continue to read next week, and so on, to learn more about what we do. Next week's edition will feature one of our corps dancers.
Our next performance is in only a few short days, starring world-renowned lyric soprano Blind Mag. I do hope you all will attend, and keep in mind some questions to submit to us for consideration. Your question may be answered in a future edition of this serial.
We at the Gene Co Opera wish you and your loved ones a pleasant night.
Yours,
Adel Todd, Top Star
{Additional material tacked on with the first draft, sent directly to Rotti Largo:}
If you make me do this again, I will kill you in your sleep.
