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A meeting among the the most powerful men in the world. At least, that is what was thought. To be honest, even though the former King of a small country that had been annexed to England was there, he held no power any longer. He was now just an ambassador for his people.

And his family felt the effects of no longer being in power. There were many that did not give them the respect they had once held, but, they merely shrugged it off nowadays.

His family was staying at the nearby embassy building. And though they didn't seem to be in any danger, there were several armed men outside the door of the room the daughter stayed in. At least, they thought she was in there.

Her brown hair was whipping about her as she stood on the ledge of her window, looking down below. She was but a story up, so it wasn't that long of a fall. She leapt forward, grabbing onto a tree branch that was near, but it snapped at the sudden weight, and she fell.

"Ow," she said, standing slowly, and rubbing her backside. She looked up to her window, and grinned, quickly making her way down the sidewalk.";

It wasn't the most busy of nights which came as a delight to one young man. Flicking back a few menacing locks from this left temple the man draped his light dress jacket over his right middle finger as he casually strolled the lightly populated sidewalk. Just ahead there was a congregation of artificial lights and the light chime of clamor coming from some distance away. The embassy area, he acknowledged it. That's why nobody was out tonight. They were either participating in the exchange of words without the full backing of their people or not wanting to have anything to do with such 'high class civilized people'. Discussing techniques on fattening their wallets, he pondered. These types of people bored Jules, having to be straight shot in a rickety world.

A light breeze lapped against his chest, generating a smirk of a smile from the side of his lip. His eyes diverted from the embassy to beyond it where his apartment was about ten or so walking minutes away. It'd been a less interesting day today. Nobody caught his eye amongst the university folk, and beyond his normal visits on this day nothing stood out to him. Though it bored Jules he respected these days, days to reflect on what he had collected so far. Homeless gatherings, store workers and managers, a girl with a knack with animals and a wily old woman with southern attitude but a heart of gold were among a few of the personas he held closer than most did beyond a mere glance.

Freedom, if only for a little bit. That was all she wanted. She hated being watched all the time, especially when she didn't need it. Her parents thought her a danger, not only to herself, but to others, but she knew that wasn't the case. She dusted herself off after clearing the building, and stopping. Her black dress pants were only slightly dirty, and she straightened her red silk shirt, over which she wore a black vest.

Her violet eyes scanned the area around her, making sure that no one was watching her. She flipped her hair once, and continued on down the sidewalk, making sure to tuck in her silver jewelry, just in case. She didn't know what the people were like, around here.

Just as the peaceful setting set in, Jules' eyes turned to an individual he hadn't noticed before. How did she suddenly get to the sidewalk if.... Other thoughts graced his mind. In his world of fashion red and black were made for each other when donned by a woman looking to impress. Had she worn a cooler color to suit the chilly weather Jules probably would've paid less mind. She was a shadow of the night with a red collar around her waist area. Last time he checked, Jules was one of the few random people walking down a sidewalk that regularly tried to dress to impress. Very rarely had he encountered them beyond the university area, let alone this far out from the main city.

The now intrigued young man paused in his step for a moment to reach into his pocket and look at his cell phone. It was not at all impressive and had nothing in the means of a message or call waiting for him. Not that she would know that nor pay attention to the fact that he took a few more moments to watch her from the faint reflection on the phone's black screen. He hadn't awaken its lights.

That urge, that playful urge tapped his brain. She probably has something to do with those bigwigs, and more than likely is not too happy with something about them this night. Unsure of her emotions he waited a few moments, fidgeting his wrists and coughing as her image shrunk with distance. She was his first target of the day.

First on the agenda... enjoy something for once. Something tasty. She smiled to herself and looked around for a place to eat. A shop, with a pink glittering sign, stood nearby. Ice cream and baked goods. That would definitely suffice. She looked around before she crossed the street and went in.

After a few minutes, she re-emerged, with a bowl of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, walnuts, cheeries, and other goodies piled on. She also had a pleased smile on her face.

What next? Entertainment. Definitely. What was there to do in the city? It was getting late, but surely things weren't closed already. She turned, and continued down the sidewalk.

(This young woman is on a mission) Jules deducted silently as he peered from a few buildings away as she immediately routed herself to Berrymore's Cake and Ice Cream Parlor. He kept himself concealed by staying close to corners and using any subversions such as alleyways. There was an art to tailing someone without seeming to stalk them or catch their attention. Keeping oneself from drawing too much attention and distance were key factors. This one seemed to be easily distracted by her vices tonight, however.


Jules stroked his chin as she came out with the dairy delight littered with toppings like a tantalizing avalanche. He studied her for a few moments, piecing together what he thought was her puzzle. She had a determined step about her so she didn't seem completely oblivious to the outside world. Jules' mind wandered on a few other things as he continued his pursuit. He donned his dress jacket, a black, sheen article, to conceal the white dress shirt and bundle his navy blue tie close to his chest. He decided he'd make his presence and interest known when she was less mobile and settled in. For now, he would follow from the other side of the street, doing his best to keep his glances brief to avoid direct eye contact.

Icilia had stopped now, looking up at a theater. Not just any theater... this was an opera house. She absolutely adored the opera, ever since she was little, and she constantly found herself trying to sing like them. She hardly ever got to go anymore, so now would be a perfect time. And what luck! The classic tale of Romeo and Juliet was about to play. She just hoped they weren't sold out.

She threw away the trash that she had, and made her way to the box office.

She was able to buy a ticket. What a good night this was turning out to be. She quickly made her way inside, and found her seat, balcony on the right side. Such a good view.

Jules' face contorted more and more as he watched her approach the opera house. "No...please don't go there...of all the places you could go, just reconsider it an go to the club or something..." the uneasy one muttered to himself from an alley two buildings down. Slowly his hopes of fate changing in his favor were smothered as she went up and bought a ticket. "Gaaahhh...damnit," his left hand smothered the light grimace on his face. Fitting for the situation, Jules would have to face the music and get on with it. Not even HE could stop Jules from his pursuits.

The line waddled away at a moderate pace and he was about three people from the front of the line. This was the point at which the box office employee, a man looking to be in his lower thirties, spotted him. This man had the shine of grease streaking his brown locks backwards and eyelids that seemed to conceal his eyes almost all the way all the time. He had a stature that would make model skeletons jealous of his slenderness and was adorned with a lavish navy blue suit. This was unique to the other box office workers: He was the manager. Upon spotting Jules, the man doesn't flinch in his position as he serves the customer her ticket but simply gestures with his free hand for a worker to take his spot as he exits the box office area. The man is soon in the company of the adventurous Julius and the two step aside from the crowd.

~"Good evening, social URCHIN. I see you've come to disrupt another of my shows. You at least had the sense to keep your rambunctious ways out of my sight until I cleaned up your last mess, hmmm."~

Pupils made a complete lap around Jules' eye sockets as he endures this lecture. "That was what...three months ago? And how was I to know the guy was an undercover detective? One out of one THOUSAND people. Listen, Fredrick, I'm sorry about that, okay? Listen, I'm looking for a girl. She was wearing mostly black with a red skirt. Just came through the line abo..."

~"Of course you're after someone. You're like a orphan puppy looking for a new playmate, hmmm. Ugh, though you're not exactly the most pleasurable sight for my eyes, I know you can do work. So I have a task for you, hmm-hmm,"~ Fredrick's posture bobbled as he stiffed his version of a laugh. ~"If you ....entertain me, I'll get you a seat next to that girl. You better be quick though, the show is about to start in a few minutes, after all, hmmm..."~

This was exactly what he didn't want to put up with tonight. Fredrick was one of the less liked contacts he had. He was able to get away with bending the rules but had a sick pleasure of seeing people humiliate themselves in public in some fashion or another. The last time Jules came to the opera house, Fredrick wanted one of the actors to have a very bad night and days to come. Jules mixed in the makeup kid for the actor a combination of the poison oak and ivy. As the effects set in the man's face was bright red like a stop sign. This torture haunted the man for days for sure.

"Fine, fine, what is it, Fredrick?" His arms crossed, Jules was becoming impatient.

She climbed the stairs, ever so slowly, passing by people who weren't quite ready to head to their seats. There was a woman, who stood speaking to her husband, and normally she wouldn't have listened, nor cared for what the woman was saying, but something she said had caught her attention.

"Such a lowly guest in our country. I don't know why they include him in an embassy meetings. Or even allow the family to stay there. They aren't important anymore. Vivica says that the council just allows them there because it was apart of the annexing agreement. I guess they still wanted to feel like they had some power left." The woman gave a light chuckle, and patted her husband's cheek.

Whatever the man replied, Icilia didn't hear. She had found her hand approaching the woman, almost making to shove her down the stairs. She stopped herself, and pulled away quickly, heading toward her seat once again. Subconsciously, her demon wanted to kill that woman for her idiotic thoughts.

Icilia pulled back the balcony curtains, and went to the front middle left side seat. She let out a sigh, before telling her self not to let some words ruin her evening.

Fredrick hands Jules a rather intricate looking box built with a gold colored metal. ~"Must you always presume the worst with my intentions, hmmm? One of our more renowned guests in the area, Representative Keates, has come to watch our lovely show. I so do love putting up with their sniveling demands such as this personally but it appears I have the business of inconveniencing other guests and kicking them out of their seats for some lowlife young man. Do be a redeeming soul and deliver these viewing glasses to her. The old bat seems to have driveled herself into blurred vision along with the other bumbling fools making decisions for us. She's to be seated close to the balconies, just below them. She'll probably be looking for you with that box. Once you do that, meet me at the balcony. Hmm-Hmm...."~

This was very odd for him. Usually when Fredrick wanted entertainment, he'd outright explain to Jules what was to happen. Much like his coordinator title would presume the man loved to be in control of everything and have the precise results he described produced. To just hand over a simple delivery job... either tonight's showing was far too booked for him to think of being devious or this was going to come back and bite Jules in the ass somehow. Whichever of these fates that would happen Jules was too far into this deal to back out. That would not be very like himself.

In the hallways towards the balcony seats a woman was speaking to a gentleman. Donning well-dressed attire was a requirement for such an event, but this woman was overdoing it. Her attention became averted from his reply after a few moments, spotting the gold box. In a quick shuffle of her heels she was before Jules. Without saying a word to him in thanks nor acknowledgment at all she took the box from him and trotted away back to her husband. The audacity of this ....this wench! Treating him like a simple pedestal holding what she wanted. At this point, Jules actually HOPED Fredrick had more cooked up for this cretin. Without stressing it much more, he proceeded to the balcony area.

The two men locked narrowed eyes for a moment, gauging each other's trust. Finally, Fredrick smeared a grimy smile across his face. Pulling back the curtain for Jules he announced soundly, ~"My apologies for the mix up, Mister McHanon. Please do take your seat, the show is about to start, hmmmm."~

"Thank you, sir," the younger man replied in a sneer hidden behind a sweet voice. His eyes diverted to the other guest on the balcony. His social prey. He let out a sigh of relief as he approached the right center seat. "Excuse me, ma'am. May I join you in this seat this evening?" His hands flowed with the gentleness of a steady creek of water towards the empty chair beside her.

She had barely noticed his entrance, or even him when he asked for the seat beside her. She was eagerly watching the stage, as the lights dimmed ever so slowly, signalling that the performance was to start soon. She did eventually look at him, and then nod her head with a smile, not saying a word. She could tell that he wasn't from anywhere in the embassy, so she actually welcomed it. The more people around her, the less likely she was to be found.

Her eyes turned back toward the stage soon after that, as the lights dimmed fully, and the guests to their seats behind her. The curtain drew back, and it started with a single man on stage, starting with a single man on stage. He was at a desk, and was righting with great fervor. The man was to portray Shakespeare himself, something that Icilia had never seen before. She liked when opera's differed from one another; it made it much more entertaining. The man sang, in a low, baritone, though it was quite easy to understand. Another thing that surprised her, is that it was in English, instead of Latin, or Italian. She enjoyed that as well.

"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend."

The lights dimmed once again, and then reappeared as the characters of Gregory and Sampson now stood. Icilia clasped her hands together, and watched with excitement. This was her favorite play; because it told of two that were trapped within their own families, and they find a way to free themselves to be with one another.

It was an enriching experience for Jules. He'd always wanted to get a bit more into the more classical, artistic side of society but never had a good enough excuse to do so. Most of the time his encounters involved more grizzly, modern structured individuals with little desire to pursue the arts. At first the young man couldn't figure out what was going on. Wasn't this Romeo and Juliet? Who's this guy hogging the limelight? His right eyelid crept downward slightly and his lip contorted to the left as the confusion made a temporary stay in his mind. A few moments later it made sense: This guy's playing as ...the narrator? No, there wasn't a narrator in the play! It's a play! Jules hadn't bothered picking up a program during his side mission, but savored the scene as best as he could nonetheless.

Every few moments Jules would glance to his left to see his target's expressions. She certainly seemed to be enjoying it as her hands joined with one another in blissful contentment. It was indeed an interesting scene: The Capulets and Montagues were engaging in conflict baited on by the cunning Sampson. Seeing the evolution of the simple biting of the thumb simmered thoughts in Jules' mind. It was surprising just how easily things can escalate when one person can't keep their cool. Luckily the situation was diffused quickly by the citizens and other members of the families as the play continued.

Questions then seeped into his mind: Is this woman just one that enjoys the arts? Does Romeo and Juliet hold a special bond with her like many young ladies might have if they weren't greased down with the technological and social coatings that depreciate valuable heirlooms of culture's past? Both families were pretty well known, and she seems more dressed for the occasion than he was in his simple yet dressy attire. He glanced down at his blazer and dress shirt, then to her attire again just to reinvigorate his memory of how under-dressed he felt. Maybe she tired of listening to the haughty voices of her peers and fled to this play, much like Juliet fleeing to Romeo's interests in the Capulet girl? The questions would linger, but not for much longer than the play's duration.

There was little that could distract her from the words that the actors would speak. Some slightly differed from what she had usually heard, and she could only assume it was because this was a different style. But she enjoyed it nonetheless.

Her mind almost found this as if reading a book, knowing the words nearly by heart from how many times she had seen or read this; of course, she could say that about several other plays, poems, books, and the like.

She seemed to enjoy the scene where Paris and Juliet speak, after she finds she is to marry him. That was the moment that Juliet became most desperate, and then everything began to spiral. But in the end, they both were free and doing as they please.

And the final Monologue came, and the lights began to brighten.

'A glooming peace this morning with it brings;
The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;
Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.'

She sat for a moment, even after the curtains were drawn and people began leaving their seats. She wanted to savor this time out on her own while she could. She wasn't quite ready to go home, but without a destination in mind, she would just be wandering... and would more likely be found.

Relief swept over Jules' body as the performance came to the close. This feeling didn't come from a yearning for it to end being satisfied but rather from the refreshing change of pace sitting through it provided. It was a nice bonus to the primary objective in his mind and he gave due praise to the performers by rising to his feet and applauding. Jules turned his head from one side to the other, observing the guests around them taking their leave. The one he eyed seemed to have waken from a drunken stupor only to be disappointed that the dream world before them had vanished. This was his chance, before she was on the move again!

"While somber this play has always presented itself as a possible ray of hope for humanity. At least some people will strive through any obstacle to obtain the prize they desire," Jules uttered while giving the stage one last passive gaze. His brown eyes locked onto her gaze whenever possible while his head bobbed in a satisfied nod. "Do you come to the opera house often, or just when your flooded schedule lets you like me?" A select few teeth from the left side of his mouth revealed themselves as a grin crossed Jules' face. The man's body hesitated for just one moment to remember its manners. The blazer donned torso bent towards the lady in a cordial bow. "Ah, my apologies. My name is Julius McHanon. Please, call me Jules."

She attention was turned to the male that was speaking, and she had to make sure that his words were directed toward her. She nodded her head as well, but raised her finger. "It is a same though, that such drastic measures had to be taken. If humanity would only learn to let off the leash a bit, and resolve their differences, only then would we be able to avoid such tragedies." She gave a smile to him, and nearly laughed at his cordial greeting. Not that it was a funny sight, but because she had seen it far too many times, but only among a certain group of people.

"I am Icilia," she said, holding her hand out to him, to make it a little less formal. "And, no, I don't come often... Only when I can 'get away' from my busy schedule. Which I am trying to keep clear at the moment, if I could find something else to do."

"Get away, you say?" Jules brought his right hand to his chin and stroked it delicately with his pointer finger. He then reached out and grabbed Icilia's hand and shook it as firmly as he would any other hand. "A night on the town away from the hooplah. Perhaps I can oblige you with my company for the time being? Between the two of us I'm sure we can cure our boredom somehow." If he'd had another moment to ponder just how vile his statement could have been translated Jules would have been quick to correct himself. His thought process, however, was interrupted by a shrill scream from an elderly woman.

Immediately, Jules sighed and placed his hands on the railing of the balcony. Sure enough within a few short breaths after Fredrick reared his pompous head in through the entryway. The giggle that protruded out of his throat was a mixture of a six year old getting a pony for her birthday combined with a boy just striking the first stage of puberty. ~Hee-Hee-Hee-Hee! I...I am sorry Mister McHanon but ....Hee-hee...I believe you will be having more company in just mere moments! The head ra....raccoon is making her approach as we speak!"~

The incriminated young man's only response was to turn to the employee of the opera house, tilt his head slightly downward and give his best facial arrangement that uttered 'Are you freakin' kidding me?'. Satisfied his point got across, he turns back to Icilia. "Well, if you're interested in my offer, I hope you're a good runner. I'll meet you outside." Not a single moment dwindled before Jules booked it out of the balcony and down the passageways to the entrance. "GET HIM! THAT .... YOUNG CRETIN DID THIS TO ME!" radiates through the halls after a few seconds pass by, which only causes Fredrick to erupt in less controllable laughter.

She was very much confused when she heard the scream, and then as the event unfolded before her, she only grew more and more bewildered. She blinked for a moment, wondering just what on earth had happened, and why Jules had took off running.

"Um..." was all she could muster to say, before she made her way out of the balcony as well. She pushed her way past several people who were exiting the Opera House, being a little less lady-like than before. But she didn't really care at the moment. She had been offered a night on the town, and she wasn't about to pass that up.

She finally made it outside, placing a hand on her hip as she looked around, trying to find where the male had disappeared to.

"Hey!"
"Watch it!"
"How rude!"

These were a few of the complaints that reached Icilia's ears before she breached the entrance doors of the grand hall. If it weren't for the mass making their retreat from the ending show the streets would have looked far more bare. The crowds dispersed after a few moments, leaving Icilia mostly alone to search for the young man whom spoke with her earlier.

"Pssst.....Pssst......Icilia!" A voice slithered from slightly up above after about a half a minute of idle silence. Rhythmic, hushed clanks showered the audible air as Jules made his way down a fire escape from the building they had both just exited. He ignored the end ladder entirely and leaped down and braced the impact with his knees, his body hunching towards the ground. Rearing himself back up the escapee swatted some obnoxious hairs out of his line of sight to address his new companion.

"Sorry about that. It seems my busy schedule caught up with me again. Good thing I have plenty of practice to get away from it eh?" His lips parted for a trio of small chuckles before approaching her. "Well, in any part, I'm glad to see you accepted my offer. C'mon. We'll take a stroll and ponder about what to do next while we get to know one another better." His right arm and wrist coolly wavered in a yearning gesture towards her while he began advancing down the shadowed sidewalk littered with splotches of streetlight.

She had almost thought she had lost him, or that he might have been playing a trick on her, but her violet eyes turned upward when she heard her name being called. She crossed her arms; not because she was annoyed, but because she was intently watching him, still wondering just why on earth he was trying to sneak away like that. But he explained... somewhat, and she deemed her curiosity satisfied for the moment.

"I suppose that is a plan," she said, with a smile, when he gave his suggestion on what to do: Rather what to do while they would be thinking of what to do. She took his arm, and walked with him, looking about her to see if anything of interest would come up.

"Are you from here?" she asked, almost bluntly, not wasting time in getting to know him. She enjoyed meeting knew people... especially when they weren't stuck up rich snobs who only talked about themselves all day.

Hesitation in responding for only a moment signaled his surprise that she took his arm. Nevertheless, Jules wasn't about to dash his gentleman duties by shooing her away. It wasn't exactly ever a good night for a young woman such as herself to be dwindling about by herself without company anyways. Jules' head bobbed up and down in response to the first inquiry.

"Oh yeah, been here a good portion of my life. Spent a year with my uncle a couple hundred miles away when my mother was going through surgery. They luckily found it in time and she was able to stay mostly the way she was. Besides that, yep. Born, raised, schooled, and disciplined by this city here." Swaying left to right the familiar scenes of his habitat could be followed blindfolded as many times as he traversed these sidewalks....and even the out-of-the-way treks through alleyways and the public sewage system every occasional special reason that arose. "You're obviously not from around here, or at least you're dressed to impress tonight if you are." Jules' eyes slid to look at Icilia's face, waiting for her response. He'd never noticed her before, but Icilia seemed to be associated with the kinds he did his best to deal less with unless there was good reason to do so.

The pair stopped at a crosswalk as light traffic took its turns through the intersection. The young man's gaze didn't seem to break for now, his attention focused on his walking companion. Pedestrians were few as they walked through this part of town at this hour.