New Avalon

[Hammer Sister]

"If there is a connection, I'll find it," Rob assures, handing Gregory a small business card with his address and contact details.

[CalamityJade]

Gregory took the card, fliping it over once before apparently pocketing it "Thank you. And if my brother does resurface, I will be sure to let the authorities know."

[Hammer Sister]

Rob nods in approval, then quickly reviews the notes he's made during the meeting. "Well, I think that's everything for now," he concludes, putting his notebook away. "Thankyou for your time and co-operation, and for the ballet tickets. If you think of anything more you wish to tell me, you have my contact details. If you'll excuse me, I have some other leads to explore."

[CalamityJade]

"It's been a pleasure to help. Simply codify a time for the two of you to meet and that will be all." With that he offered his hand to Rob. "And again, good luck with your investigation."

[CalamityJade]

Thankfully, the next day is rather subdued. The police did send Rob a message that after having questioned the other witness from the 'gun exploding', they were able to confirm that the one that ran was homeless and had been some for a somewhat short time. As far as he was concerned, she could 'rot in the gutters for all he cared' so it's not likely that they were working together at any point. There was postage delivered in the morning with the ballet tickets, so all that remained was waiting for the show.

And what a show it'd be. The Silver House district was where they did any of the large entertainment shows. From world known musicians to magic and acrobatic acts with everything in between. Most of the Welcomed frequented the area, but even some of the Waiting would find a way to scrape together the money needed for a show, and with their being a very famous ballet being performed, people were out in force and dressed to the nines for the show. There had even been a message that if either Erika or Rob needed transportation, there would be a way to provide it, though that wasn't directly from Gregory.

[yamikuronue]

As Erika gets out of the hired car, she feels distinctly under-dressed. There's no reason to feel that way, of course; her black sequinned dress was fashionably short, exposing her shapely legs and heels, and she's dressed it up a little with a feather boa and a matching handbag, but still... she feels under-dressed. Should she have gone for a long evening gown instead? Was the ballet like the opera, or more like the dance-hall?  Should she have purchased those little glass contraptions that magnify the stage? Would the feather she considered putting in her hair have helped, or made it look more ostentatious?

[Hammer Sister]

Rob had arrived a little before Erika, and was waiting for her at the designated area. He wasn't quite sure what to expect, so it took a moment for him to recognise her as she got out the car. And while he felt that the current fashion for short dresses didn't quite fit with the ballet, he certainly didn't have any complaints about the results.

As for his own outfit, he'd dug out his finest suit; it didn't get a lot of use, but for this, to do anything less would be out of the question. He had cheated with the bowtie though: it's a clip-on. He probably should have made the effort with a proper bowtie, but he felt no-one would be able to tell the difference anyway. Plus he'd never really been able to figure out how to tie them properly. Fashion dictated a square hankerchief in the left breast-pocket; Rob had opted for a dull scarlet to match the lining of the suit.

Double-checking the tickets are in the inner pocket of his overcoat (they are), Rob approaches Erika. "Good evening, Miss Stark; shall we?" he greets, holding out his arm for her to take.

[yamikuronue]

Erika suppresses the urge to giggle. Miss Stark! Something about the way he said her name, almost as though he respected her, appreciated her... it makes her feel like a giddy schoolgirl. Not that she had much schooling, mind. Once she could do enough math to work the register at her mother's shop, she'd dropped out to help earn money. Still, enough schoolgirls had come into the shop to sit at the sandwich counter for lunch that she'd dreamed of what it would be like to be carefree and young, surrounded by beaux.

"Let's," she says, dreamily, taking his arm.

[CalamityJade]

The path to the hall was slightly crowded, but everyone was filing their way into the building. There were even signs and posters for the show set up on stands for people to see and this weeks show was "Swan Lake". The classics had started coming back in a big way, mostly due to their emphasis on the ability of the dancers rather than the composition...of course most would just tell you that since it was older, it had to be 'more refined'. Still, there were only a few people that seemed to reguard the pair of them with something less than passivity. Sure, a few sideways glances were made towards Rob, but nothing more than a quick analysis before continuing. Either they were passing as Welcomed, or they were much too involved in their own lives to care if they did.

[yamikuronue]

Well, for all that it really counts, Erika was Welcomed now, right? Best to live it up while she can. She prances forward, boldly, head held high. "Have you seen this one before?"

Meanwhile, in the dressing rooms, Nathaniel drags a comb through his knee-length hair, working on a small snarl near the bottom as he hums to himself. Far from his carefree, casual exterior, on the inside he's walking through the new choreography for the Grand Pas in the third act. A new dance for a new era, his co-star had suggested, and he'd been all for it, until he'd realized how quickly he'd have to learn the new steps. Still, this would be lovely, the greatest pas de deux he had ever performed. Once he got on stage, surely all this unease would melt away...

Surely.

He sets down the comb, beginning the careful process of braiding.

[Hammer Sister]

Rob noticed those sideways glances; he didn't pay too much attention to them, although he did start to wonder whether he should have gone for a proper bowtie after all. Too late to worry about it now though.

"No," he answers. "Actually, this is my first ballet ever."

[CalamityJade]

Backstage, Julianna knocked on the frame next to Nathaniel's dressing room, giving a bit of a smile. "It's a wonder that you've never once had a problem dancing with that much hair." Julianna was also a rather good dancer, and had danced with Nathaniel since he had been Welcomed. She obviously worked hard and, next to him, was the best dancer they had.

Back outside, Erika and Rob finally made it into the building. There were several people mulling about and talking. Some of the less-famous were trying to speak with other people to try and garner favors of one kind or another. Some were there simply for a love of the arts while others seemed more interested in who was or wasn't there. There was a small stand where someone was giving out programs and another that were selling small pins with the insignia of the hall, obviously for patrons to support the arts and their favorite performers.

[yamikuronue]

"Oh my gosh, me too!" grins Erika with a small giggle. "Don't tell anyone, alright?"

Nathaniel finishes his braiding, giving a warm smile to his costar. "It's no worse than you ladies wear once it's in a bun."

[Hammer Sister]

Rob smiles warmly. "I doubt we're the only first-timers," he assures.

[CalamityJade]

If any of the other patrons were first-timers, they are either hiding it well or don't plan to let anyone know. After a little bit of time, there are ushers getting people to their seats so that they can be ready for the show, though from the talk, there is time for some conversing at the seats as well.

Julianna gave a smile in return. "Quite, but we were taught through life for that. For yourself it is an option, despite how good it looks on you. I won't bother asking if you are ready, but you should be sure to relax. How many times have you missed?"