Of course, it couldn't be as simple as having a second concert. With just days to go, they were still hammering out the details. Everything from the playlist to the costumes would have to be different and the biggest hinderance was Tanya herself.
"A not-insignificant number of people have purchased both tickets, so the second show should be different from the first, yes?" Allard said with finality as if the argument was unassailable.
"I have no problems with that, but what's with this, this, this dress!"
The dress in question was more mature than anything she had ever worn. More of an evening gown for high society. It was black with a tight waist, low collar and was sleeveless other than a few wisps of cloth on the shoulders. This was accompanied by long opera gloves and highlighted with designs in silver thread. Mature, attractive, even a bit daring... all the things that she hated about it. Then she saw the back was exposed almost to her waist and almost destroyed the thing immediately.
Gladieau spoke up. "It's a LOVELY dress and perfectly appropriate for the occasion. The first concert was, how shall we say, for the children? The second will have a more adult theme. This is not so different from what those in the audience will be wearing though I may be so bold that yours will be finer than most of theirs. Your body shape is truly ideal for something this elegant."
Allard smelled gunpowder and distracted the two quickly. "So, to the songs. What you've performed in the past are beautiful and touching but there's topics you never explore."
"Oh? I've been avoiding something?" She thought back and the only thing that came to mind was mentions of religion.
"Certainement! There is no love! No passion! No heartrending loss or heartwarming reunions!"
"That is true," she said slowly. Honestly, she was really uncomfortable singing most of those songs. If she the male role in most songs, they would sound odd to the audience. And she felt PROFOUNDLY uncomfortable singing the female part. Frankly, she preferred not to think of herself as a sexual being in any way and avoid the issue but... here it was. "I do know some..."
"Have no fear, I understand."
"You, you do?"
"You are a young woman but have never known the sweet sting of love! As a creative person, I'm sure you don't want to emulate emotions you haven't experienced yourself." He looked at her meaningfully, "Or perhaps you have already been there and lost that special someone? Is it due to pain?"
"No! No no no, nothing like that! Don't worry, I'll have a dozen wonderful songs ready. I just need to write them down!"
"Ah, that's good!"
Before he could probe into her non-existent love life again, she quickly sang for him "It Had to Be You" and "Just the Way You Are" so that he could start work on the arranging. Both had a sound that was perhaps a decade ahead of the local style but could have been written yesterday as well. "Moon River" rounded out the first three and, frankly, Tanya sang it better than Hepburn. But it didn't require much work from him as it was just accompanied by a guitar or piano.
Alternately enraptured and amazed, he quickly jotted down the notes he needed. He paused then and put down his pen. "Tanya... I get the strangest feeling that there is so much music in you but for some reason you are not sharing it."
She paused and then smiled. "What you say is nothing but the truth."
"But, why?"
"I don't think the world is ready for all the songs."
"Not ready, you say. How intriguing! Can you give an example?"
"Hmm, yes, but I won't perform this one in concert. Your Anglish is pretty good because I haven't translated this one." She lowered her head and gather her magic in her throat as she didn't have the advantage of the jewel-enhanced microphone and then suddenly sang out, "You better think, think about what you're trying to do to me!" In a voice that would do Aretha Franklin proud, she belted out a tremendous a-capella version of the song almost perfectly matching the original perfomance in the Blues Brothers movie.
Both Gladieau and Allard literally fell back in their seats as if assaulted by a wave of sound. Everyone within earshot, and there were a LOT of people, had to stop what they were doing to listen closer. Almost against their volition, they found themselves swaying to the music and then when she started to clap to the beat for a counterpoint, they matched her clapping. When she was done, there was wild applause even though half the workers didn't understand the language. These theater people are good at improvisation! We could probably recreate Stomp in a week or less.
"That, that was so wild, so powerful!" Allard shook his head. He could see what the song meant and understood it completely. "My doubts are vanquished. You are right the world would not accept such a thing now."
She smirked, "You're lucky I didn't sing Respect for you, then! I'll get you the rest of the songs by tonight so you can finish the arranging." Tanya left humming the theme to Cabaret. She stopped when she remembered Liza Minelli's costume. No, NEVER that!
* * *
There was good news, of a sort. Her period had started and finally stopped. Frankly, she'd be happier if it never started back up but she knew there was a 21 day clock (plus or minus a few days) before it came around again. It hadn't been particularly painful, but it was uncomfortable and terribly incovenient. The pads her doctor gave her was the best on the market but they were horribly inadequate. Her knowledge of the future (or at least 'a' future) let her know that better was in the offing but those were as far away as the moon for all the good it did her.
"Think, Tanya, prove that you can do better rather than just complaining about it! It's blood, right? And the better bandages are quite a bit more absorbent than this junk. War is good for a few things and better weapons and medicine were two of them." She stood up immediately and went to see Dr. Dupont. "Doctor, are familiar with the latest advances in bandage technology?"
"Naturally."
"Yes, of course. Near the end of the war, the Empire was using a new style of bandage that used an absorbent new material that I recall was a quite a bit more effective than what we started with. Certainly, we preferred using the new ones to old supplies we were sometimes forced to fall back on."
"Ah, yes, that would be the rather misnamed cellucotton. It's actually made from processed wood fiber and is quite a bit more absorbent than real cotton." She laughed lightly. "A colleague made quite a bit of money during the war investing in cellucotton plants and is rather distraught now that demand has dropped off significantly. For quick dressings, it is ideal to handle the..." She was about to censor her words and then remembered who she was talking to and decided to treat her as an equal. "gushing wounds you encounter in battle. For other uses, many doctors still prefer the cotton standby."
"Isn't that exactly what one would need for, ummm, menstrual purposes? Is it very expensive?"
A thoughful look came across Dupont's face. "No, actually, it's quite a bit cheaper to make according to my friend as wood fibers, even scrap ones, can be used and are much easier to grow than cotton."
The eyes of the two met and an understanding was reached immediately. "It occurs to me that my acquaintance is quite desperate to unload those devalued shares."
Tanya nodded, "There are probably many people thinking the same thing right now. You have friends in the medical textiles industry?"
"I do, I do. Perhaps it's time for a new product to be introduced. After some quiet stock purchases, of course."
The two then divided the world between them. The doctor would provide most of the funding and design, while Tanya would rope in cheap Empire labor and idle manufacturing. The upside to massive unemployment was that there were many hands and not enough tasks for them. Tanya decided to put them to work!
* * *
Gladieau was quite confused when a red-faced Tanya shoved some documents in his hand later and tersely ordered him to submit some patents.
"Of course, of course. But where to? The Republic? The Empire?"
"Everywhere! But especially the Unified States."
He started to open the portfolio until she stopped him. "Not here! Just, just do it."
His eyebrows raised when he saw what inside (later, in his cabin with the door locked). "Mon dieu! Our little Colonel has gotten bigger, I see!"
* * *
Allard was being run ragged between getting the songs from Tanya, arranging the pieces and then hammering so much new music into so many people. He had ten times the normal number of score-writers working as he had them doing it by hand as there was no time to get them printed. He never seemed unhappy though and greatly enjoyed every moment, especially when she was giving him feedback. She was constantly pushing for simpler arrangements, the introduction of unexpected instruments and a faster tempo while he leaned much more to the classic styles. Between them, though, they found a happy medium they thought would entertain the crowds.
It was getting to the point that she ordered the man to rest before the big concert. "Your understudy and can finish the rehearsals, we need you at your best for tonight! Otherwise, he'll be the one conducting while you recuperate in bed. Go, go now!"
The older man felt bemused when he instinctively followed her orders. Years of command trump decades of experience, it seems. Still, she's not wrong. He yawned and stretched before retiring to the quite expensive hotel near the opera house. As he was walking across the street, he saw forty foot banners being unrolled outside the opera house to announce the second show (they hadn't been ready in time for the first). Ah, good likenesses of her. I wonder if she will appreciate them?" Another yawn interrupted his thoughts and he made sure to leave stern instructions at the desk as to when he needed to be awakened.
* * *
Tanya, herself was in a bit of a foul mood when she found that many months of letters to her while in captivity (and the brief time OUT of captivity) were... somewhere in the Republic. Apparently the ever-efficient Francois mail service (and various government fuctionaries) had dithered on what to do with them all and apparently just ended up passing the buck so often that they were all but lost forever. She did have quite a bit of fan mail that made it, though since they were usually addressed to "Le Train De Tanya" rather than a specific location. That bit of ambiguity caused lower-level postal workers to exercise their brainpower and send their letters trailing behind her train on the only track it could possibly take.
Stopping in Strasbourg allowed the accumulated mails to finally catch up (discounting those that were M.I.A.). Because there was the slightest chance something important might be delivered, she was forced to go through everything herself. She efficiently sorted them into fourstacks: people she knew, random fans, people wanting things and 'others'. To her acquaintances, she wrote brief but polite letters and begging off on anything longer because she was too busy. Fan mail she skimmed and then put in a box to decide what to do with later.
People who wanted thing were enormously diverse. Some wanted money (what money?!), to meet her, to be coached by her, to sing her songs, to have her sing THEIR songs... requests too numerous to mention. After dithering for all of three seconds, she simply discarded them.
The last category was the one that tempted her to burn the mailbags rather than open them. There was hate mail, of course. Many, MANY people hadn't been charmed by her singing and still wanted to kill the Devil... or at least complain with ink and paper. The more troublesome was the love mail. They ranged from romance to activities much less formal.
One letter repulsed her so much, she literally burned it and then washed her hands thoroughly. "These people are sick... sick! I'm not even an adult yet! Not that that would matter!" One person had even 'kindly' included a fairly decent drawing of Tanya in full uniform flogging someone she presumed was the writer.
Torn apart, burned AND then the ashes were tossed in the toilet.
* * *
Far too soon, the final concert was ready. Tanya had glanced at all the available newspapers but there were no outcries against the outrageous ticket prices. Well, one paper did complain somewhat but it was part of a general diatribe that was calling for her blood so could be ignored. Even Gladieau was surprised by how well they sold and how positive the press was.
"It's simple. If you wrap your activities in a layer of charity, everyone wins. You can profit, the charity gets money as well and the rich can feel good about indulging themselves. There are no losers, you see." And make that layer as thin as possible and maximize profits!
The lawyer nodded sagely. "Indeed! There are so few endeavors in life where there are no losers... how forward thinking!" I see! She profits enough so she can attract financing for greater charitable works in the future. How magnanimous!
The two smiled and nodded together apparently understanding each other perfectly.
Allard bustled in, apparently well-rested and full of energy. "Ah, here's our star! As discussed, we'll have you arrive in an open car, you wave to the crowds, walk up the red carpet and into the opera hall. Then you go around to the backstage and the performance starts an hour after that."
"CLOSED car. You mis-remember... assassins would love an opportunity and sharpshooters can be fearsome if you don't have shields." She tapped the side of her head twice. "No helmet, no magic shields. As fearsome as my reputation is, it won't stop bullets."
"Ah, but I have a solution! We have employed mages whose sole purpose will be to protect your car. They swear that unless military force is brought to bear, you will be utterly safe."
"Reliable ones?" She looked doubtful.
"Of the highest caliber, I guarantee."
"Alright, let's do it your way. Is the cordonnière here yet? We don't have much time."
"She has just arrived! Your maid took her into the side room."
Tanya looked grim as if she were steeling herself for battle which, in a way, she was. I'd rather go back to Norden – in the winter! -- than face her. But it must be done. She walked into the room and firmly shut the door behind her.
* * *
The ride to the opera house went just as planned.
Countless people lined the streets, waving and cheering. Mostly out of a sense of obligation, Tanya smiled and waved, trying to emulate celebrities from her former world. Ah, so that's why they wave like that... it's too tiring otherwise! People threw confetti and flowers which, being very low mass and going at low speeds, slid slowly down the magical shields rather than bouncing off, creating the effect of her surrounded by a halo of festive well-wishes.
She stepped onto the red carpet, ignoring the hand held out to help her as she had another bit of magic: her shoes. Even after a week of practice, and even given her prodigious athletic skills, she was still hopeless on high heels. The most famous cordonnière in the city fashioned her a pair of silver shoes that acted like high heels but actually had a tiny computation orb in each that allowed just enough flight so she wouldn't fall on her face. The effect was, literally, magical as she sauntered slowly and gracefully down the carpet. At Allard's insistence, she stopped on occasion and posed for the cameras.
She almost LOST her composure, however, when she saw the two long banners. They were obviously painted on something like silk. One was her in the dress she wore to the children's concert, picking a flower from a trellis or somesuch. And the other was the damnable dress she was wearing now! Her body was facing away from the artist and he had her looking over her shoulder so that the low cut back was in full view. She tore her eyes away before she could get TOO angry but resolved to have words with Allard tomorrow!
At any rate, she made to the end, using the 'ten basic poses' she had been taught and then she hustled backstage. No costume changes, thankfully, she just needed to relax and let the everyone get settled in. While sitting down, she held up one leg and looked at her new shoe. Dorothy's shoes could take her home, but at least these got me to the end of the runway. They used ruby slippers in the movie for the 'wow' factor but she remembered that the original book had silver ones. These are actually comfortable and take hardly any energy to use. I think I'll keep them in case I need to do something like this again. Then again, how many mages are my shoe size, female... and don't know how to wear high heels. Can't be too many!
Finally it was time, Tanya waited in the darkened backstage listening to the MC jazz up the crowd (in a more sedate way than during the last concert!) and finally the curtains parted!
Chapter 18 - what a show
The master of ceremonies did a good job getting the crowd ready. He understood when to tease, when to back off, when to come on strong and when to set up the final, glorious entrance.
Even he was unprepared for the reception she would get.
The stage was darkened and he judged the moment just right. "And, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce she who needs no introduction; the flower that has stunned the Republic with her voice and her beautiful spirit; the unique and irreplaceable Tanya! Von! Degurechaff!"
A spotlight hit the curtain at its highest point just as it opened up over... nothing. Tanya slowly walked down on invisible stairs, her silver shoes glowing each time she put them down on the immaterial steps. To the sides, two banks of children's choirs sang Eidelweiss but with 'Degurechaff' replacing the name of the flower. She had argued against it but Allard simply looked at her and said, "It suits you better." And that was that.
She joined the song halfway through (and halfway down) and even without amplification, her voice carried more than two entire choirs and the accompanying orchestra. "Degurechaff, Degurechaff, bless my homeland forever!"
They almost brought down the house with their standing ovation... and it was just the first song!
The applause showed no signs of stopping as she stood in the cascade of spotlights waving to the crowd but they quited almost immediately when she began to speak. "Thank you, thank you everyone. I can honestly say that never in my life," either one, she thought, "have I ever had as warm a reception as you've given me. Not just the people here tonight, but those all over the Republic have showered me with kindness. Now, please allow me, in some small way, to return that to you."
She kicked off the show with a sure winner, "La View En Rose", leaning much more toward the French Kiss version and away from the one in Natural Born Killers. It took almost all her willpower not to imagine the lyrics literally but everyone who heard it in rehearsal insisted that of all the songs, this one had to remain. "When he takes me into his arms, He speaks to be me softly, And I see life through rose-colored glasses..." Her voice took on a sultry tone, matching Edith Pilaf at her best, and yet there was a perfectly innocent note to it as well. There wasn't a man there who didn't imaging himself as the one who 'entered her heart' and give her 'une part de bonheur'.
The alert guards had a hard time keeping the more hot-blooded members of the audience from rushing the stage!
Per their plan, she mostly alternated love songs with lighter melodies. Next came "Singing in the Rain" accompanied by illusory rain, magical puddles and an equally ethereal umbrella created by theatrical mages offstage. As poor as the Empire was currently, the Republic had its share of monetary problems so many decommissioned mages were looking for jobs that didn't involve shooting things. They were more than happy to work for the Devil of the Rhine as long as she paid well and promptly!
She sang "Can't Help Falling in Love" in a key that Elvis never would reach and segued into "What a Wonderful World" higher than Louis Armstrong ever could without computer assistance. Another shift and she was giving a soulful rendition of "Parlez-Moi d'Amour" and again the guards had to stop several theater goers from trying to 'speak to her of love'!
Ugh! Why did I promise so many love songs! What was I thinking!
A woman in the second row happened to catch her eye as she was singing (hard considering all the lights). So Tanya looked solely at her during the next song so that she wouldn't accidentally incite a riot from the men. "When I give my heart it will be completely, or I'll never give my heart... And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too, is when I fall in love with you." At the end of the song, the woman blew her a kiss making Tanya wonder if that was really a good choice.
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" brought tears to eyes and she compounded it by hitting them with "The Way We Were". When she got to the penultimate stanza, people felt hammer blows to their hearts, leaving none unmoved. "Memories may be beautiful and yet, What's too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget."
Two from Karen Carpenter came next and Tanya was still amazed that whatever combination of genetics and magic she had allowed her to match (and maybe exceed) the originals. Close to You and then Goodbye to Love filled the hall with a smooth and pure sound usually associated with angels. She pulled them up with "Les Champs-Élysées" as she prepared for her finale.
She let "Unchained Melody" roll off her lips, the sounds wrapping around her audience like to gentle arms, pulling them in. They literally felt her embracing them as she sang, as if they were the only ones in her eyes.
Okay, finish it will all that fluffy, touchy-feely blather and then we're done at last!
"One thing I've learned in my time here, both in that terrible war and more recently is that if we open our eyes, we can see that we are all different and yet all the same. I'd like to leave with one, last song, my gift to our two countries as I leave you."
Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
She curtsied gracefully and exited without another word, simply waving as she left. The thunderous applause rocked the hall a good half hour after she was gone but there were no encores.
* * *
Tanya wanted nothing better to get to her dressing room after leaving the stage but there were so many stagehands, singers, musicians, and others who wanted to congratulate her that she could have made several successive bowls of ramen, eaten them, and cleaned up in the time it took her to break away.
Allard was in her dressing room and it seems he wasn't immune to the music, either, as he was dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief.
"Really, an old trouper like you getting emotional over some music?"
"My dear Tanya, I am not made of stone! That was the most beautiful performance I have ever been a part of. So do forgive this 'old trouper'."
"I couldn't have done it without you, so you had your hand in this. Are we set up for the after party with the big spenders?" She semi-reclined on a chaise lounge and ate some pastries and drank fresh coffee that had been put out by her maids. Her new body had a taste for sweets but she still liked coffee black which her maids had learned that on their very first day on the Train.
He sighed, "Yes, yes. I'm even more amazed how you can switch tracks like that. All is ready but, of course, the guests have to travel between here and there as well, so there is plenty of time."
"That is the last thing I'm worried about. They did nothing but sit around all night. I'm the one who needs to rest!"
She really doesn't know how taxing it is to listen to such a performance! I feel like a rag wrung-out on washing day! "Fear not, all is in order. We made it clear that this is to be a casual event so you needn't perform."
"Did my other... dress... arrive?"
"Of course! The red is a rather daring color even if there is less skin showing. I think it will be fine."
"Oh, I'm going to keep these shoes on. They are uncommonly comfortable... must be part of the formulae in them."
"There's enough silver in your dress to match the color, there should be no problems."
"I'd rather commit a fashion faux-pas than hurt my feet, Allard. If both can be avoided, that's a plus," she said drollly.
* * *
At the hotel they were staying at, a bellhop was holding up a bag and talking to the concierge. "Ah Peter, I think one of mademoiselle Degurechaff's party left this in the banquet hall." It was a common travel bag, of good quality, and it opened at the top but was currently latched. "Should I open it up to find out who it belongs to?"
"Heavens, no! Can you imagine the consequences if something important is in there?" He examined it carefully. "It's a man's bag, expensive and, ah-ha, you can see there is a bit of paper caught in the opening. Given the clues, I'd say this was monsieur Gladieau's. He's a lawyer with a famous client and probably has all manner of important documents."
The bellhop shuddered. "You have my thanks! I almost commited a great error! I'll just slip this into his room and no one will be the wiser."
Later than evening, the lawyer opened the bag, puzzled over the contents for a minute and then went to work with a will. "That Lt. Colonel is so demanding! Ah, but she pays well."
* * *
The dining area had a casual luxuriousness that was so hard to pull off. Sumptuous to display wealth and yet understated enough not to flaunt it. Elegant for the upper crust but not to the point where the attendees would feel excessively bound by protocol. The only thing that Tanya regretted about the arrangements was that everyone EXCEPT for her would be enjoying champagne and fine wines! She peeked through curtains at the tables with impeccably arranged flutes and simply sighed as she looked at a small tray on the side that held white grape juice for the star.
Not having been a part of the organization, she was shocked at the number of people who paid rather outrageous prices to simply meet her in person. How wealthy is the Republic after the war?! I purposely set the prices sky high to limit the number of people. Well, they've paid good money to see me and keeping promises is what keeps a civilized society together.
She nodded to the waiters on the side, and they pulled back the curtain to reveal Tanya. She was wearing the sequined red dress that, technically, covered more skin but only by hugging her all the more tightly, accentuating her still-modest curves scandalously.
The applause at her entrance rivaled that in the opera house! Tanya was genuinely afraid they would do damage to the hotel in their enthusiasm. I could stop them if I had my orb and rifle but... they are paying customers! Banish the thought and use what we have here, without killing any one! Before things could get out of hand, she began to sing an a-capella version of "My Heart Will Go On". She hadn't translated it in time for the concert so she just sang it in Anglish. "Every night in my dreams, I see you, I feel you..." The softer sounds at the beginning caused the room to hush far better than volume ever would as they strained to hear her better. As she continued, she increased the volume and power in her voice to leave an impression and settle them down. "Near, far, wherever you are! I believe that the heart does go on..."
When she finished, trailing off the last few words, quiet overtook the room and a more sedate, but no less intense applause filled the space. "Thank you for coming, everyone! Please enjoy yourselves tonight... I promise, no speeches from me!" Gentle laughter met her rather weak joke or was it more genuine? These people have probably heard no end of puffed-up speeches in their day.
Torn between decorum and the desire to be closer to the star, most had the sense to allow Tanya to mingle without trying to trap her in long conversation. Certain topics were avoided (basically anything to do with her life before the tribunal's decision) and that eliminated much of the unpleasantness that could occur. A rather thin man with an equally thin mustache asked her, "What shall you do once back in the Empire? I understand you are going straight to Berun."
"Oh, I'm not sure. I've enjoyed a rather lengthy vacation so I'm quite certain that a mountain of work awaits me. I have to say that I'm not exactly displeased by that... one should work for a living."
"Work, is it? Matters of... war?" His friend hissed a warning but the words were already out.
"Naturally, but not as you think. One should always prepare for war but strive for peace, don't you think? War is the ultimate waste of materiel and lives and I would banish it if I could. Still, I have little choice in what I do, so it will be as the Fatherland desires." There, that will make me sound like a peacenik but if my words make it back to high command I'll still sound loyal and willing to do what I'm ordered.
Those nearby found their hearts pained. This girl wishes the end of conflict but is forced into battle...what a terrible thing! A woman smiled and changed the subject, "How about on a more personal level? Do you have any tremendous desires, people to meet?"
Tanya took a sip of grape juice and almost wrinkled her nose. Terrible stuff compared to the flutes around her. I can't tell them I need to revisit how we train new troops and all the people I want to talk to are in the military. The food is so much better here, so that's out. She smiled and tilted her head up, "I want to fly again. It's one thing that I've truly missed in the Republic. I understand the reasons but still... once you've flown under your own power, few experiences can match it."
The diminutive Lt. Colonel navigated through the room, the sole person who was welcome to every conversation circle until she noticed something: there was a table everyone was avoiding. A youngish woman sat there with her back to Tanya and yet she looked very familiar for all that. She decided to go over and introduce herself as the anomaly tickled her curiousity. "Ah, Ms. Second Row!" blurted Tanya involuntarily.
The woman smiled with beautifully even teeth, "Ah, Ms. Von Degurechaff! But most people know me as Helen Schwab." She held out a hand and Tanya bowed over it formally and kissed it not caring if it looked odd. It just seemed natural to do so, somehow. "A pleasure, Mrs. Schwab." Given her study of economics and the rather famous name even into the 21st century, she hazarded a guess. "Would that be Mrs. Charles Schwab?" She switched to Anglish as did the woman.
"Excellent guess! Please sit and talk awhile, this working will not last forever." She gestured at the small table and Tanya saw that silverware had been obviously arranged in some pattern but she couldn't discern the purposed. She was tempted to touch it but some sense stopped her.
"That's most impressive, Mrs. Schwab." She saw that people's eyes slid past them as if they weren't there. They weren't invisible, but something more subtle.
"Please, Helen. Did we not share a moment earlier tonight?" She laughed, a throaty, sensuous sound, that matched her wavy red hair and mischievous blue eyes.
"Moment or no, you had a reason for doing this." Now that her attention had been drawn to it, she was beginning to discern the logic behind the pattern.
"It's best not to stare too intently. It weakens it somewhat. But to answer your question, I came all the way here to see you and, if I deemed it appropriate, to tell you things."
"Well, one out two so far. Now I'm even more curious!"
"So, I won't beat around the bush: you're a witch."
Tanya blinked. "I've been called much worse than that in about every language on the continent."
"Please, not that crude imprecation. The original meaning of wicce, a wielder of power."
"I've been a mage for years, wasn't it obvious from long ago?" Tanya found the woman fascinating, so she sat down, being careful not to disturb the silverware.
"Children with toys. That's a terrible dead end compared to true power. What's a good analogy... imagine that you find a pegasus but didn't know what to do with it. So you cut off its wings and use it to pull a plow, never knowing what it might have done."
"That's a grotesque but powerful image, I must admit."
Helen laughed again, a bit louder this time. "Magic has been around long, long before computation orbs after all. The problem is that it's hard to find the path because it's different for every person. So the orb is a crutch, a powerful one, for those who can't manage any other way. Or have no idea there is another way."
"So what's your path? And for that matter, what's mine? Can you tell?"
"That's a rude question in our circles, but I'll allow it. I am a maker of patterns and life follows the patterns I make. Look more closely at the table... doesn't the silverware remind you of something?"
Tanya looked again, a bit puzzled and then realized, "It's the room we're in! The knives are making the path I walked to get her."
"Very good! Silver for you as they named you better than they knew, White Silver. You can easily break it now but it was never intended to bind, merely to... suggest."
"That's rather frightening... imagine if you 'suggested' that an army take the wrong path or sleep at the worst time."
"What makes you think we haven't? Unfortunately, there are so few true wielders these days. These orbs have destroyed two generations of witches and the war killed so many more. Only by great luck, were you able to avoid their fate."
"I'm still breathing, if that's what you mean."
"Actually, I'm not. Your fortune was that your orbs were taken from you before you reached menarche. We are at our most malleable before then and then our potential degenerates afterwards. Even better, you found your path without a guide!" She shook her head. "I'm shocked at the power you've shown."
"What if it isn't my power?" She mentally cursed Being X... was this part of his plan? No matter what he wanted, she wasn't going to sing his praises in some backwoods ritual!
"No, it IS. I can vaguely sense there's a taint on your soul but it's weakening. That can force you to express your power in the sense that you can make that pegasus plow, but this is all you, and no one else." She tilted her head. "I can give you a better examination but you might object."
"Is it that important?"
"It's your head, how much do you want to be in charge of it?"
"Okay, what do you have to do?" Though she wasn't a trusting person, everything this woman had sense made too much sense. So Being X didn't give me anything! He took what was mine and twisted it to his own ends and made me PRAISE him for it! Oh, one day I'm going to blow his damned head off! She decided to give Helen the benefit of the doubt... at least a little bit.
"There are a variety of rituals, but I can do the quickest one here. The others are more accurate but can take days and requires props I don't have."
"Okay, shoot." She braced herself.
Helen nodded. "Don't tense up to much, this will be over before you know it." The woman took Tanya's face in her hands and stared deeply into her eyes. Azure eyes stared into sapphire for a timeless moment.
And gave her a loooooong kiss!
* * *
What. The. Hell! Tanya had two instincts: fight or flight! They temporarily tied leaving her with indecision as the default state. Before she could take any action, Helen broke the kiss and sat back in her chair, apparently finished.
"W-was that really necessary?"
Helen winked and licked her lips. "I said it was fast and didn't require any props. Mmmm, yes. Your voice is definitely your path and power. That taint probably took advantage of that when it was using you, I believe."
"You are more right than you know. I thought it was the corruption of my mind making me say things and do things, but it was actually the other way around?"
"That's how dybbuks work. They grab the essential part of you and make it work against you. The more powerful you are, the stronger a hold they can manage if you are unaware. Ignorance is far from bliss, it is deadly."
"Did you find out anything else?"
She nodded. "The taint is vanishing as I suspected. Stay away from objects or people that might be under influence until you are stronger."
"Does that include computation orbs? Do my powers mean..."
"No, now that you have awakened, you can use them with caution. The interesting thing I found is that you somehow have a facet of harmony. Truly amazing!"
"Well, I am a magic singer, I guess. Is that so odd?"
"It most certainly is! For a single person to express harmony isn't just rare, it's unheard of! If you could do it consciously, your strength would increase by perhaps an order of magnitude."
Tanya was shocked... she on some level thought of Being X as a joke. A supremely powerful, malevolent joke, but rather simple minded. What if he had planned all this? Grab a soul, throw it into another universe as a graft on another soul and then control them utterly. Helen was right... she had gotten damned lucky!
"I don't like owing favors, Helen, but I owe you a BIG one now. Bigger than any before now. What can I do for you?"
She laughed again, delight evident. "That's easy! Just keep doing what you're doing. Two generations gone and we need to fight our way back from the brink. My wyrd, though powerful, is very subtle. The world needs something more...blatant. Also..."
"Yes?" Tanya steeled herself again.
"Be my friend."
"Be your friend?"
"Yes! I can be a really good friend! And I'm a HUGE fan of your music!" She pulled a copy of Tanya's Picture Album and a very expensive-looking pen off a nearby chair. Helen presented them with a expectant look on her face.
Tanya bemusedly signed it... "To my friend Helen, Tanya von Degurechaff."
* * *
The evening hit the part just after the midpoint (not precisely in the middle chronologically, but more of an emotion thing) where the early leavers were early leaving but the night owls were just hitting their stride. There were even a few who arrived late and were mocked by some others because they had missed Tanya's solo performance earlier.
Helen's spell was broken by then and she left as well but promised. "I must go, tick tock, but we will meet again." She locked eyes with Tanya and licked her lips a small lick before she winked and breezed away.
Tanya reflexively gave her own lips a lick before she stopped herself. She felt like she should curse or do something in this situation but for the life of her, could not come up with any way of dealing with the situation. Lacking any good plan, she firmly resolved to do absolutely nothing there and concentrate on other matters.
Part of passing the midway point was that the drinks had changed to stronger fare and cigars came out. They quickly were put back when the waiters informed them that Tanya herself disliked smoke. Those that couldn't fight the compulsion found themselves relegated to a rather distant room of the hotel. A new cadre of waiters spelled the first group and helped set the mood for the later hours.
Tanya continued to talk to people as she had 'vanished' for a good length of time and she felt like she owed them. But eventually, it was getting a bit late and she announced, "I've truly enjoyed this evening, but I must bid you adieu."
One of the late arrivals lifted a glass and shouted, "A toast!" Everyone raised their glasses and waited for him to speak. He was dressed impeccably and even had a short cape and an ornate cane.
He looks a bit wild-eyed, maybe serving brandy was a bad idea...
"Let us toast this evening, our lovely hostess AND THE DEATH OF THE DEVIL!" He dropped his glass and brought up the cane. Only now, Tanya saw that the metal top was actually a cleverly disguised orb and the rest was a rifle by the way he was aiming it! Even a simple spell with the right ammo would destroy half the room... and her!
As the cane took aim, the Free Arene leader blinked because Tanya had entirely vanished! He only had a moment of time to appreciate this when he found that a furious Tanya had appeared behind him and stabbed a fork through his cartoid artery. She pulled the cane out of his suddenly-nerveless hands and dodged as a volley of gunfire erupted. Her silver shoes were glowing like the sun due to the amount of mana she pushed through them and a trail of burnt footprints thoroughly ruined the expensive carpet. Not bothering to stop her motion, she attacked a 'waiter' that suddenly pulled out a dagger with hatred in his eyes. She couldn't be bothered to find out how to shoot the cane so she just used momentum and the steel barrel to crush his face. Now that she had an orb and a dagger (courtesy of the ex-waiter), she flitted around the room alternately stabbing or shooting off blasts of pure mage energy without the aid of enchanted bullets.
To tell the truth, she hardly missed them. But this was MUCH more tiring and her mana reserves were depleting rapidly.
Guests were screaming and running for cover as the remaining assailants recovered more pistols that were hidden around the room and began shooting with disappointing results. Dissapointing for them, specifically. Still they managed to put holes in tables, walls, windows as they tried to follow the wildly dodging Whtite Silver. That's what happens when you pick people for fanaticism first and accuracy second! She tried to ignore the burning sensation in her feet as she pushed her shoes FAR past what they were designed for.
One attacker became so frustrated, they he started shooting at the guests who were trying to force open the locked door. Him, Tanya set on fire before stabbing another one in the face with her dagger. It lodged in the eyesocket of his skull so she abandoned it rather than slow down to work it free.
She was down to the last three attackers who had taken cover behind a low decorative wall. She was seriously contemplating using the cane to blow them up when her guards broke down the locked door. It hadn't taken them more than 30 seconds since the start, but that was the bloodiest half minute the guests had ever seen. The Arene-ians refused to surrender and died to a man rather than let themselves be captured.
Around the room were bleeding, broken and -- in several cases -- burning bodies. Tanya stood in the middle of it, only her ruby red dress disguising the blood splashes that covered large parts of her body. Barely controlling herself, she said a terse, "I'm sorry." and left the room quickly.