OOM: Concert, part 2

[electro_kinetic]

The stage itself is backed by a huge screen, big enough to nearly be an IMAX presentation, and the orchestra is in front, chairs empty. They're fashionably close to the starting time, because Noriko hates being late, and she didn't want to be too early: tucking her free hand in her coat pocket she walks with Hannibal, trying to keep her heels from clicking too loudly on the floor.

The seats printed on both tickets are quite good, being the center of the closest balcony, where the sound will blend and amplify without too much distortion, and a clear view to both the screen and the plalyers, but before they see any of that, there's the lobby to get through.

"Wow," Nori says, looking up at the starburst lights. "This place is pretty huge."

Comments

[cook_the_rude]

"If you want to," Hannibal says, "but I put dibs on his liver."

[electro_kinetic]

Noriko turns her head. "You are out of your mind, Hannibal."

[cook_the_rude]

"You think so?"

He smirks at her, as if he had been trolling her, or maybe just pulling her leg.

[electro_kinetic]

"Pretty sure," she says slowly. "Previous experience and all."

[cook_the_rude]

"I am actually quite securely inside my mind," Hannibal whispers, "and like it there. But now, shush."

[electro_kinetic]

Noriko resists the urge to elbow him for that, but she does roll her eyes. Luckily and happily, though, the next piece is one of her favorites, Dance of the Hours. She settles back in her chair to listen, and watch the film playing on the immense screen.

It's pleasant, the way the music fits to the animation, and they make it through the rest of the first film without any further complications, until intermission.

[cook_the_rude]

When the applause dies down after the last piece before the intermission, Hannibal stands and offers his hand, politely.

[electro_kinetic]

Noriko gives him a look askance at that, lifting her chin and cocking her head. "What?" she asks.

[cook_the_rude]

"Let us get up and have a little something," Hannibal says. "It's the intermission."

[electro_kinetic]

"You want me to eat with you," she says. "For real."

She remembers how that usually goes, Hannibal.

[cook_the_rude]

"To sip some orange juice or nibble a canapé, prepared by others," Hannibal says, far too polite to roll his eyes.

[electro_kinetic]

"Oh please," she says. "You know you don't want any of that and if we're getting dinner after this neither do I."

[cook_the_rude]

"Then let us just -- perambulate," Hannibal suggests.

[electro_kinetic]

She's not quite sure what exactly he wants to do with the walking, but before she can voice a comment about not showing her off like a poodle, she shrugs.

"Sure. Walking."

[cook_the_rude]

"Among people," Hannibal says. "I the lobby."

[electro_kinetic]

"Oh, how scandalous," she says. "Really."

[cook_the_rude]

"Yes, of course," Hannibal says, barely not shrugging.

[electro_kinetic]

"Lead on, then. I'll be your arm candy," she says. "Assuming you want that."

[cook_the_rude]

"I definitely do," Hannibal says, offering his arm again.

[electro_kinetic]

"You are a very strange man," she says, but takes his arm, rising to her feet gracefully, with the practice of a woman who's walked in heels quite often.

They are getting several looks for the obvious disparity in their styles and meins, but Noriko ignored most of them.

[cook_the_rude]

"So, let us have a look around the lobby and collect astonished glances until the bell goes," Hannibal says, threading his way out of their row and towards the exit.

[electro_kinetic]

"Long as you don't try anything stupid," she says, and walks with him.

[cook_the_rude]

"Define stupid."

[electro_kinetic]

Nori stops for a minute, and considers how to say what she means. "Don't try murdering anyone where I have to watch you."

[cook_the_rude]

"Define murder," Hannibal says, now grinning at her outright with his long, pointy teeth.