The Jidoor Opera House

[Sai]

Sai lifted an eyebrow at Kuja's... antics. The man was flamboyant and over the top... it made the nobody question if everyone in this opera house was disfunctional. Whatever the case, he now had a course of action to follow. With a nod to Kuja, he dropped his hand with the notebook to his side. "If I find one, I will do my best to bring it to you, then. Thank you..." he said simply, then moved onward.

He went to where he had seen the impresario last, the lobby. The cast was applauding Hercules for something, Sai didn't know what. He looked this way and that, but did not see Gabranth anywhere. Had the two parted ways? Whatever the case, he didn't care. What he did care was that he stayed out of Herc's line of sight, to avoid a "friendly conversation" that would cost him time. Instead, he approached the smaller man from behind, keeping his head down while the greek demigod was distracted with praise from the peanut gallery.

"Impresario... You told me you knew nothing of the notes... but what do you make of this?" he asked, holding up the drawing of the mirror and question mark...

[Secondary Characters]

The Impresario, winded from crying and laughing too hard turned wobbily to face Sai as he came upon the old man. He looked down at the slip of paper and back to Sai, then back to the drawing.

"What is this evil!?" he boomed, snatching away the paper and tearing it up, crumpling it all together and throwing it down, stamping it over and over.

"Where did you find that? And what concern is it of yours? Why do you seek that...um, never mind! What on Cosmos do you want?" Again the man was experiencing violent shakes, the likes only seen through the eyes of Returners when coming upon frightened subjects of the Mad Clown.

"Leave my establishment at once! You are digging yourself too deep into...just go!"

[Atticus the Fallen]

In the backstage area, a familiar terror would take form. From darkness and shadow he strode forward as though he were the very essence of darkness made real. The air around him was oppressive and horrible, the kind of atmosphere that made one's heart freeze in their chest...

And yet to the Heartless, he was their greatest savior, their keeper and their protector. Proudly displayed on his chest was the symbol that marked him as one of them. Atticus the Fallen had arrived. He looked about curiously, examining all before stepping toward Acteur and his... companion.

"Acteur..." he called, stopping behind the puppet. "We need to talk..."

[Hercules]

Hercules blinked a bit at the Impresario's sudden outburst while the son of Zeus attempted to get free of the enthralled actors. He looked over and noticed Sai there, finding it very odd that the friendly guy from earlier was giving the long-coated magic-user a hard time. He made his way over and placed a hand on the impresario's shoulder.

"Whoah, hold on! This is that guy I told you about! The one that told me how to get a ship!" Hercules said, trying to calm the impresario. "He's a good guy, trust me!" He gave a thumbs up to Sai, who nodded a bit in response. "How goes that note quest of yours?"

Sai looked to Hercules, then to the impresario, pointing to him. "This man is withholding information. His act is transparent and the tells of his untruthfulness are obvious. There is evidence here connecting Xehanort to this location, but whenever I ask about it, he behaves irratically as you've just seen."

Hercules blinked, then looked to the friendly man. "I know Sai seems a bit standoffish... but you can trust him! Y'see, he's trying to get his heart back, and in order to do so, he's trying to make one of those keyblade things my buddy Sora has!" He nodded a bit, his fist on his hip proudly.

"Right..." Sai would whisper, then address the man once more. "So, I ask again... if you have any information you can share with me, I would greatly appreciate it..."

And so, the two very different personalities had met again, in such a strange location. How the Impresario would take the good-hearted Hercules vouching for the dull Nobody was anyone's guess at this point...

[Gabranth]

Gabranth, awakening from the commotion of actors having about their business, raised his hand over his eyes as to shield from the bright lights. In a staggered state he slowly raised off what seemed to be a cot. He noticed his helmet and swords neatly tucked in the corner behind the cot where he had laid.

While bandages still wrapped around his head from seemed to be a concussion. Still dazed and a bit disoriented from the lights, he called to one of the actors about the room and had asked the where abouts of his location an of his companion Hercules. Gabranth was told he shouldn't move for some time yet, although in the lobby he had last seen Hercules talking with a somewhat shady fellow. Gabranth seem quiet persistent. Standing with a stagger he asked for his Judges visage and polearm.

Gabranth bid his appreciation actors for looking after him, however he was quiet persistent in finding Hercules. Stagging down a hall and through a few doors, finally approached a lobby where he noticed Hercules speaking the someone he did not recognize. Though to his side he noticed Sai, it had been some time since he had seen him last at the Colosseum. He called out "Sai, what are you doing here?" while hunched on his polearm so to keep his balance.

[Secondary Characters]

The Impresario hunched slightly at Hercules' form throwing its weight on his shoulder and shuddered.

"Will you two quit badgering me!? I just can't! Master Xehanort...he is...just, well...I shouldn't be revealing anything! I...there's nothing I can do for you, or I am in deep trouble. I could...allow you the use of my precious charge, but...it is very dangerous and, with Hercules, comes at a price.

"Yes, I know of that demonic mirror you showed me. It is a Compelling Oracle; able to predict and influence the future depending on what is asked and ordered, but may only be called on *mumble mumble*". He drolled on and on into his own mutterings and turned to walk away, scared out of his mind of the future. Kuja came around as he passed the doors leading into the stage room, throwing a silk-laden shoulder over him for support.

[Sai]

Sai blinked at this new information. A mirror that told the future. While this was interesting, it was by far NOT what Sai was after. He didn't care about the future at all. All he wanted was to be whole. However, if this was the path to his goal, then so be it. He looked to Gabranth as he approached and nodded.

"Good to see you are up and about... I'm still on my quest, so you'll excuse me..." he said, then followed the Impresario as he moved forward. He stepped beside the strange man and the head of the Opera House, remaining calm as always.

"I assure you, sir... All I'm interested in his the information on the Keyblade Notes. If it is any condolence, Xehanort is long gone. He was split into Heartless and Nobody during his apprenticeship, just after completion of the notes. Both have been destroyed by the Keyblade Masters. If he threatened you with violence, that threat is no longer an issue..."

[Secondary Characters]

"Master Xehanort is...gone? Deceased? Embarked on the Phantom Train, did he? Splendid! That is one obstacle taken down for you, then. Now all you have to do is worry about the Oracle..."

This last bit he dragged out in a long, deep breath. Kuja dismissed himself quickly afterwards and the Impresario pressed on back to the stage room, racing up onto the huge platform to seek out Mister De La Noir.

"You should speak with this man I've just met, as he will be working with my new cast."

[Acteur de la Noir]

Before:

Acteur de la Noir wasn't normally the type to be shaken by much--at least, not for long. For him, it was all part of the act--to be surprised by the twist in the plot,, and to then adjust his own performance accordingly. If that meant retreat, or retaliation, so be it, said he! An adversary gaining the upper hand? To be called to task for his madcap antics? And for things to spiral out of his control? In the end, Acteur would always regain his composure and carry on, no matter how much he ranted or raved. The show had to go on, after all. For example, the fact that this enigmatic witch perceived his true nature? Somewhat insulting--indeed, Acteur's eyes had flickered from yellow to ruby at the perceived slight of being called a "puppet"--but not overly surprising, given the powerful senses that some possessed. This power of hers, to manipulate time? Most noteworthy...but more intriguing than outright shocking.

But her ability to pierce the veil of his performance? Aye, there was the rub. For indeed, that was what lay at the core of Acteur's being--a frustration at his origins. He despised the fact that he was born from "hearts" that never truly existed. That he existed only as an abstract concept of imagination, manifested by Darkness. He'd come to terms with it, of course--as long as he had his sentience, what did it matter if he was a construct of wood beneath his garb? Or if, for that matter, if he had no proper past before being born as a Heartless?

Or so Acteur had told himself. But there'd have been little point in dwelling on it, wouldn't there? There was no fairy godmother to wave a magic wand for him, after all...and little chance that Atticus would grant such a wish without some kind of string attached. And so, the Heartless Puppeteer pressed on, busying himself with helping to fulfill Atticus' ambition. To spread the Darkness from which he'd been born across the worlds did seem a worthy goal, after all. Certainly, those overbearing, blind fools in the Light didn't deserve their continued dominance.

But to be a genuine being...to truly feel...to be more than a construct of wood, albeit infused with the essence of darkness...to think that this enigmatic witch could discern what such a prospect would mean to him!

And so it was, when time resumed its normal flow for Acteur de la Noir, and were Sarah to peek around to look at the Victorian-esque performer's face, she would see that the features of his mask had adopted an expression of blank disbelief--an emotion that was plainly echoed in the way his yellow eyes had gone wide, and his posture stiff. Whatever he'd seen in that moment that existed between the ticks of the clock, it would be clear that the experienced had well and truly rattled him.

Presently:

Then came the appearance of Atticus, that tall, shadowy figure who was both bane and savior all at once, depending on who you spoke to. And in this case, he was also a galvanizing force--at his sepulchral whisper of a voice, Acteur de la Noir promptly whirled to face him, the motion changing his mask back to that mischievous leer. With fluid grace, the dark puppeteer swept into a bow, as though he'd never experienced the sort of shock that he'd received only moments prior.

"Ah, Maestro!" he greeted with his usual cavalier. "Regarding your designs for this place, I've come across both opportunity and impediment. The opportunity comes from the good impression I've made with the Impresario--in exchange for my theatrical talents, the old boy's in my debt!" Then, with a decidedly dry chuckle, Acteur pointed in the direction of the curtains. "As for the impediment...the one called Sai is out there, milord--I believe you know him? And were I to step forth, it would surely lead to a confrontation that might jeopardize our good standing with the Impresario."

Another pause, and Acteur cocked his head to one side. "Now, I DO have an idea as to how to make Sai's presence work in our favor...but I suspect you have something to tell me, first?"

[serpentoflore]

Sarah remained uncertain of what had happened at the spot Acteur was looking at. Though the emotion did worry her quite a bit, which was probably the reason one of her gloved hands had grasped his tightly at the thought. Of course, when something else had appeared, it seemed he was fine. But was he? She remained holding the one hand in her grasp. Part of her worried when Acteur had reason to become uncertain of himself.

The person known as Atticus was not someone she knew particularly. Still, he seemed to be important to Acteur. The only other person she knew he bowed to was Queen Meadowsong. Was Atticus her husband or something of that sort? She looked at Atticus once, but then avoided looking at him. She didn't know how to react to a presence she had never met.

[Atticus the Fallen]

Atticus nodded when Acteur spoke. While the puppet was good at hiding his feelings, even the dark one could sense something wrong. However, now wasn't the time and this wasn't the place to discuss such things. They were too close to be side-tracked with personal issues. The dark one glanced over to Sarah, seeing her momentary glance, before looking once more to his servant.

"Is he now..." he muttered, looking to the curtains behind the madcap thespian. "I wonder..." A shake of the head dismissed the Nobody from this half's thoughts. He bowed his head slightly in thought, his arms crossing. "Perhaps he's looking for the same thing I am?"

His head turned slightly, though his eyes were hidden behind the rim of his hat. "There is an item here I want you to look into. It's an oracle, a future-predicting item of mystical origin. Your senses in this matter make you the better hunter..." he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I want you to find it... learn what you can from it... then destroy it. The last thing we need is some upstart hero making use of it, and finding some kink in the plan that we've all overlooked." He looked up here, sensing the presence of his other approaching.

"As for my other half... do what you can with him, make use of him if you can. I'm not going to risk a confrontation here when we're so close. I'm gathering the seven, Acteur. The door will be opened within the next twenty-four hours. That's how long you have to acheive your..." he glanced to Sarah again here. "...Goals here."

With that, Atticus stood tall and turned to leave. "I'll contact you when we're ready. I think I'd like to have my right-hand-man near when the new world is ushered in..."

In that single moment, Atticus established why he was a caretaker more than an overbearing boss. He referred to Acteur as a man, as an individual and a person. What he was made of made no difference to the dark one. Acteur was no less "real" because his skin was wood and his blood pure darkness. Arguably, to him that was more real than anything else. That subtle reminder was all he'd leave as his form disappeared through the darkness... to begin the gathering...

[Sai]

Sai nodded as he followed the impresario while Kuja walked off. The sense of dread about this place was almost tangible with as much as their leader boo-hoo'ed about his fate. Frankly, if Sai had a heart to care, he'd probably be getting fed up by now. What had his attention at the moment though wasn't the impresario, but an ever-hanging scent on the air. One Sai knew too well.

"Darkness..." Sai muttered mostly to himself, his hand slipping into his pocket to grip his wand. There were two powerful scents just now. One he recognized as his own. They were literally about to pull back the curtain and step to the backstage area when that one disappeared, leaving behind the oaky, less familiar scent. Still, no reason to take chanaces.

Once backstage, Sai spotted the puppet-man and his female companion. She didn't have the heartless symbol, but HE did. That made him immediately suspect. Granted, Sai had met others that wore the colors and didn't get in his way, but he still gave them the same level of suspicion and doubt. That being said, his eye narrowed when he saw the creature, but returned to normal when falling on the other.

"Greetings..." he muttered, his voice a softer, less harsh version of the dark monster that left only seconds ago.

[Acteur de la Noir]

Even with his recent internal turmoil, Acteur de la Noir could appreciate the beauty of an impromptu performance...such as, for example, the delicious irony of a dark magus taking his leave at the very moment his mortal enemy entered the scene. Thus it was that when Sai--the other half of a brilliant Black Mage who had once dabbled in the ways of Darkness alongside the likes of Xehanort--swept through the curtains and addressed him with narrowed eyes, Acteur de la Noir responded with a jovial chuckle and a tip of the hat...for all the world as though they were colleagues meeting on the street.

"And the heartiest of Bonjours and good eve to you, monsieur!" the theatrical Heartless exclaimed, the grin in his voice a perfect match for the representation of Comedy upon his porcelain features. "How very refreshing, indeed, to see a Nobody taking interest in a domain of the arts! And here I thought your lot couldn't appreciate such things!"

With a whimsical cackle at his jest, Acetur de la Noir shook his head and dipped his head in a genteel nod, gesturing to himself and Sarah with his white-gloved hands. "Acteur de la Noir at your service, Monsieur Sai...and, of course, my talented apprentice, the lady Sarah Appleton." He paused, his ghostly yellow eyes glittering with wicked wit behind his mask. "So tell me, then...how might this humble puppeteer entertain one such as thou?"

All the while, the puppeteer was tilting his head this way and that, as though sizing up the Nobody mage.

[serpentoflore]

Sarah felt uncertainty enter her body as another entered the room. Would she have to use the piccolo? Her eyes focused on Sai, waiting for Acteur's instructions. She wanted to be strong enough to protect Acteur. The Impresario was also there, seeming to be unaware of Sai's intentions. She couldn't use her Piccolo against him and a fight would be counter productive. Whoever Sai was, he didn't make her feel comfortable at all.

[Hercules]

Hercules smiled a bit as Sai walked off with the impresario. He looked to Gabranth, thankful to see the man was already back on his feet. He pat the man's shoulder heartily before putting his fists on his hips. "Can't keep a good judge down, huh?" he chuckled, shaking his head a bit.

"Look, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that we gotta be in the next play... the good news is that while we're doing that, our ship's getting repaired and refilled. Plus, I've been offered a chance to look into the future! Maybe it'll help us figure out how to save Meg!" he said, seeming enthused. He sighed a little, giving Gabranth an apologetic smile.

"Sorry I had to drag you into all this..." he said, crossing his arms.