At least the weather forecaster had predicted a brisk autumn night, and that was just fine with him. The suit was more than enough protection from the cold but add a long coat and his sword the briskness would be more than welcomed, Connor thought.

Dressing before the mirror, he watched the reflections before him, Mac fussed over young Richard, who obviously hated the tux Mac had ordered for him. Connor couldn�t fault the young immortal, his clansman had the uncanny need to properly dress and accessorize all of those who he came in contact with. Everyone that is, except him, but it was a constant battle he fought with Duncan and one Duncan had lost tonight. Connor threw a mutinous look at the black tux complete with tails still hanging on the hook behind the door.

Young Richard had such a tortured look on his face Connor had to hide the smile that crept to his lips. Richie winced and wiggled uncomfortably as Mac knotted the white silk bow tie at his throat.

�Come on Mac, I look ridiculous!� Richie groused as Duncan perused his handiwork.

�You look fine, very distinguished in this tux Richie, unlike another who shall remain nameless,� he tossed the comment over his shoulder at Connor while once again re-tying the bow tie at the young immortal�s neck.

�Where are we going anyways?� Richie asked his voice hitting a particularly high pitch when Mac tightened the bow tie.

�The opera,� Duncan intoned, �and you�ll like it,� he finished in a voice that brooked no argument.

Connor barely suppressed the laughter that threatened to erupt from him as he viewed the look of horror on the young immortals face. He understood Duncan�s attempts to bring some culture into Richie�s life, but, at the same time, Duncan could be rather serious for the young one. Connor reached for the conditioner that Duncan insisted he use on his hair, which did need more than some control at the moment.

Duncan still had his back to Connor and was expounding to Richie the merits of the opera. Richie�s face was one of polite interest coupled with absolute misery. The look was fuel enough to fire Connor�s inner child.

Grabbing the conditioner, he ran it through his hair, pulling it up from his scalp and leaving it standing. The look was sort of a Johnny Bravo gone badly, minus the sunglasses. Spinning quickly he stared straight at Richie, whose eyes widened at the sight of all of Connor�s hair standing on end!

To give the young one credit, Richie did not explode into laughter.

Duncan noted the particular look on his student�s face and turned to see what had caused it, but all he saw was Connor applying the conditioner to his unruly hair. He turned back to his young student and the lecture he had been delivering.

Richie�s face became impassive once again � and to Connor, it was a challenge!

Pulling his hair back straight up he grabbed at the baggy legs of his pants and pranced a little reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin. Richie�s face turned a most unusual shade of red and his eyes were suspiciously bright. He looked as if he were going to burst, but once again to his credit, the young immortal suppressed his laughter!

And once again Duncan twirled quickly--only to find Connor still attending his hair, his normal intense face frowning at himself in the mirror. Spending a lot of time on his hair tonight and it�s about time. Maybe he�s finally going to realize� Duncan hoped.

Turning back to Richie, who was still a little bright eyed, but whose face had resumed its normal boyish color, Duncan continued briefing Richie on what type of conduct was expected.

Connor could contain himself no longer. Pulling his hair back up, he grabbed the baggy trousers once again and rocked his head back and forth in time to the words coming from Duncan�s mouth.

It was too much for the young immortal who began to howl in laughter, tears spilling from his eyes. Duncan swung and caught Connor�s antics�

The dark immortal�s face first went white � then red � at the sight of his normally serious clansman clowning about in that ridiculous suit. Struggling to keep his composure in the presence of his student, Duncan assumed a pained, miffed expression. Donning his long coat and ignoring the howls of laughter coming from the other immortals he strode towards the door, �We�re still going to the opera! That is, if you two can compose yourselves!� he tossed out as he exited the room.

Richie watched his teacher leave and turned to the elder MacLeod, �Do we really have to go to the opera, Connor?�

�Yes, Richard,� Connor rasped while placing an arm about the young man�s shoulders, �but afterwards I know of a club where the women��.�

The rest of what he was going to say was cut short by a voice calling from the hall, �I heard that,� which immediately set the two off in another bout of laughter!

VidaliaCDC
July 2003

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