The Jidoor Opera House

[Gabranth]

Opening the two massive doors leading to the audience seating area, Gabranth walked down the center isle. He notice Hercules turn from resting in a seat and call to him.

"Sorry, but I can't get anyone to budge on letting his get out of here any sooner. They say that we gotta play along with-what's with you?" Hercules had spoke. "I take it the people had a obdurate attitude about themselves? I believe since our landing here, our fate had been decided, we are not meant to leave this place."

Gabranth began a slow walk down the isle of chairs only to stop a row or two down from Hercules. Gabranth, griped the sword in his left hand tight with rage and his right a fist. "Hades ..." was all he said. After a short silence he would speak again, turning to the demi-god and relaxed a bit. "... has a adamant stand for you death and unlike myself, Hades has time on his side to accomplish this goal. We must leave hurry and take our leave."

After he spoke, he walked a few feet behind Hercules heading towards a staircase to one of the box seats before he stopped again. "There was a strange man on our ship making repairs, or so it seems. Is this one of Impresario mechanics? I grow impatient of his antics."

[HardeWare]

-BLAZERT-
"whew, don't cross the red and blue wires"
HardeWare exited the gummiship, and came face to face with the god of the dead.
"oh hai, the names HardeWare"
the super turned and closed the hatch behind him.

"off this world... don't mind really, ship should be fixed soon."
Hardeware's head twitched around."
"does anybody else smell burning?"

[Ellin Destroix]

"Huff...huff..." sounded an over-exhausted girl as she turned a narrow corner with a crate of heavy lighting equipment, " Mister--" *huff* "Mister Impresario??" called her, in what seemed black armor, "Where would you want me to put this set??"

The one in black armor twirled over a few boxes on the ground, and ducked at the right time before a bag of sand would hit her straight across the face. She seemed honed in dodging, but who wan blame her when everywhere she goes she gets pummeled by holy staffs?

ka-klink, ka-klank, ka-kling, ka-klank went her armor as she made it across the horrible back stage mess and into the set in front of the Audience tables. Her lavender hues examined her surroundings, trying to find the man she was looking for. She panted a little, finding no option but to rest the crate down and sit on it, catching her breath.

"Ugh... f-for the show!" She pumped herself up, throwing a fist in the air as if this was some type of war. She stood up again, with fire in her eyes before lifting up the crate over her head in a victorious pose, "WHoo-haa!" she cheered but whimpered afterward, loosing her grip a little, and having the crate BONK-ED her above the head. "FFfff--IiiIi-Raaaa-gaaaaah!" she cursed, the accident caused her to bite down on her tongue.

"Cosmos... should a knight truly be doing this...??" She made a face, setting the crate down again to hold a little at her mouth, "Ow..."

[Hades]

"Heh-heh... don't you catch on quick?" Hades chuckled at Hardeware's statement once the man was out of the ship. Casually, and with extreme Charisma, Hades reached over and snuffed out a small fire in the man's hair, then placed an arm around his shoulders in a buddy-buddy manner. "That's exactly what I'm getting at, my friend. What's stopping you from, when you're done fixing that pile there, doing yourself a favor and taking off? Toodle-loo island of no return! Get what I'm sayin?"

Hades put on that winning smile as he continued. "I mean, hey, who cares about the guys that showed up in this flying metal deathtrap, huh? Whatd'ya owe them? Nothin', that's what. Besides..." he reached up and tapped the hull lightly, a soft resounding "thungg thungggg" ringing afterwards. "...with those two losers out of the way, you can upgrade this bad boy to your heart's desire, huh?" he chuckled, then picked up a nearby wrench and put it in Hardeware's hand. "I can picture it now... laser-guided doohickeys and asteroid-busting doo-dads and even, stay with me here boy-o, some kind of radar gadget right on the dashboard, yeah??"

He was purposely trying to get Hardeware amped up. If he could convince this eager beaver to swipe the ship right under Hercules and Gabranth's big fat stupid noses, then cabin fever would drive Gabranth nuts enough to end his contract on time...

If nothing else, it at least limits the playing field...

[serpentoflore]

**From Beast's Castle - Darkest Day**

Sarah saw the Impresario again as Acteur exited the corridor, still holding her hand. "Oh, it has been awhile." She spoke, smiling at the man she had been separated from for a day at most. "I apologize for leaving without warning you. I had to check on a few of the chosen actors and see what roles they could play." She used her free arm to bow, her eyes starting to lose focus.

Normally it would be a sign of being too dark or too light. This time it was merely the end of a long day. "If it would not be too imposing, is there a place where I may rest?" Her voice sounded soft, trying to keep her composure as she spoke.

[Secondary Characters]

The Impresario was leaning against the mirror, his eyes closed as he breathed heavily. With the startling arrival of Sarah Appleton he wheeled around fast, clutching his heart in a dramatic fashion. However, when he saw that it was her and not...someone else, coming to claim him, he sighed deeply.

"Ah, Miss Appleton," he said with a gentle smile. "Yes, why, of course..." he walked across the room and moved a large picture frame from an immaculately-decorated bed and set the portrait of Maria aside. "This was Maria--my daughter's--old room...you may stay here."

[Acteur de la Noir]

From Beast's Castle

Acteur stepped out alongside Sarah, a lanky arm draped in reassuring fashion across his apprentice's shoulders. However, as slight as his appearance might have seemed beneath the dark cape and nobleman's garb, the puppeteer's presence was also serving as a support for the young musician--if her legs gave way, or a spell of exhaustion swept over her, it was clear who would be there to catch her, first. And the way he regarded her...amid the enigma of his ghostly yellow eyes, there glittered something new. A flicker of some peculiar emotion...admiration?

In the next moment, however, the Heartless puppeteer was looking to the Impresario, all business--albeit presented in grandiose and theatrical fashion. "T'is as the lady says, he announced with glee in his ghostly, elegant voice. "After some combined searching betwixt her and myself, I daresay everything's in order!" He paused, tilting his head to one side. "I merely came back to find a berth for my apprentice...and to inquire whether Your Grace preferred a certain medium with which I presented the invitations to our would-be cast?"

[Ellin Destroix]

Ellin heard news of the musician to be back through the corridors and she smiled, turning in place to feel her, and the master actor appear. The black knight enjoyed music, and Sarah, according to sources was indeed skilled!

She looked at the crate and pouted somewhat, looking to Impressario's place. She shrugged a little, and held at the crate again before lifting it up. Huffing as she made her way to the three.

"M-Mister Impresario...many pardons, but...!" She laughed happily, outside the door, though nervous of dropping the heavy thing on her foot, "Ser, I have the third lighting sets here... where shall I place them?" she grinned a little, "Ahem... Miss Appleton, Good day." she smiled, though still she faced the locked door, "And Mister Acteur, hello to you too!"

'Right, right... I am only here to work, and not to play~' thought the knight, laughing. Her lavender eyes gazed to Appleton, looking to her sweetly, with no hidden intentions, "I hope your mission was a success?"

She backed away from the door, hoping someone would answer it, "A-..as for these lights...?"

[serpentoflore]

Sarah's eyes focused, glad that Acteur was still helping her stand up. It amazed her that even after things had seemed to change so drastically, it felt natural. A pair that seemed to easily go back into the arts. Somebody she had never seen before was talking to her. "It went quite well. If you'll excuse me, I need to get my thoughts collected and report my results." She smiled, looking at what the Impresario called 'Maria's' room. It certainly looked like a vain woman. She wanted to chuckle at the sight, but remained respectful. After all, some of the best stars were vain.

"I'll be back once I've rested." She spoke, more to assure Acteur and herself than the Impresario. "Thank you once again for your hospitality." She bowed to the owner of the Opera house, sitting down on the bed. Once the two had left the room or allowed her some privacy, she gently removed her glasses, hat, shoes, coat, gloves, and let loose her braids.

Her body settled underneath the covers, smiling at the path she had chosen. She did not allow her Piccolo to leave her possession. It was something too precious to leave out in the open. It didn't take long for her to finally begin to properly rest.

[Secondary Characters]

The Impresario folded his arms and thought for a moment before turning back to the Heartless Puppeteer with his answer. He smiled, and nodded his head, tipping out his hand in a wrist-flicked dip.

"Something fancy, I think; a letter, personalized for each, perhaps. Something very...there, if you catch my drift, Good Acteur. Entice them. Threaten them. Impress them. I'm very fond of letters that speak of someone as if peering into their souls, all while manipulating the poor schmucks to do as the writer likes. Very much like your puppet work, you know."

He turned to face Sarah and nodded his head, throwing an arm over Acteur's shoulder and throwing out his other hand in a dramatic twist; every lock on the door came unfastened immediately and it swung inward.

"Let us leave the dear to rest," he said, ushering the puppeteer from the room and closing the door behind them. When he gazed about he met the lavender eyes of the Black Knight.

"Ellin, what a surprise. Is there something you need? I might have heard you saying something before as we left, but the door muffled your voice."

[Acteur de la Noir]

Acteur dipped his head in a bow as the Impresario led him from the room, casting one lingering glance towards Sarah--as if to make certain she was getting comfortable in her newfound sanctuary. And then, he tipped his hat to Jidoor's propietor, his voice an elegant and witty chuckle. "Words spoken true, m'lord! Just leave it to moi--I'll concoct a series of letters to capture the mind, and entice participation! I'll be in the study if thou require me!"

With that, the Heartless Puppeteer swept off with a whirl of his black, hem-tattered cloak--but not before casting an appraising, intrigued eye across the Black Knight who'd entered the room. After all, as a master of puppets and a connoisseur of direction, Acteur de la Noir was always one to consider the value that others might have in making his plans come to fruition.

And then he sallied forth, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he mused--and, with a snap of his fingers, those strange, imp-like Shadows melted from the walls to provide him with parchment. There was no need for a quill--the black feather, plucked from his own hat, would serve that purpose nicely.

[HardeWare]

Hardeware felt a bit uncomfortable with the arm around him, he listened to the god as best he could but he always found himself drifting off.

"oh i don't owe them anything I just like fixing things and I've already installed the laser-guided doohickeys and the asteroid-busting doo-dads... as for the radar in the dash that's a different story I'll have to remember that.

Hardeware twisted around, his shoulders scrunched up and he brought a hand to his chin.
"(does radar even work in space, i should test that out)"

the super turned back to hades.
"so no I'm good, oh look your on fire, I knew a guy once that could burst into flames (or was it the other way around? or did I just set him on fire?) nevertheless he was a nice guy, he robbed a bank or two but he wasn't that bad, just like this other guy I knew-"

Hardeware words would seem to meld together into one incomprehensible constant slur before coming back to be... well comprehensible.

"-and that's how I became miss Canada... boy that was a strange day.


are you still here?"

[Hercules]

When Gabranth spoke of Hades, Hercules' usually dopey and good-natured smile faded intro a grim expression. He leaned forward and rested his chin in his cupped hands, thinking. "Well... that explains the engine going 'dead'..." he muttered, then let out a sigh. "If Hades is involved, nothing good can come of it..." he nodded to Gabranth a bit, standing up to pat the man on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, though. I trust you, and if there's anything I can do to help, you know I'll do it!" he gave the man a thumbs up and put his fists on his hips in an all-too-heroic pose. "In the meantime, we better do everything we can to get on the impresario's good side so he's more inclined to have his mechanic outside hurry it up..."

Looking around for something to do to impress the impressable one, he spotted a woman trying to talk to him, with a large crate. He had seen her struggling with it earlier, and decided this was the best thing he could do at the moment. "Here we go!" he said, nodding to Gabranth as he ran over.

"Hey! Let me get that..." he said, then bent down and lifted the entire crate with one hand, smiling pleasantly at the girl and the head of the Opera House. "I can do some heavy lifting while I'm waiting. Where did ya say you needed this?" he asked, trying to sound helpful, charming, and hard-working.

[Ellin Destroix]

The one with pitch black hair gasped and set the crate down beside her. Ellin seemed saluted the eccentric actor before saluting the Master of Theater, resting a hand over her heart before taking a light bow each time, almost like an Alexandrian.

"Sir!" she started, straightening up, "I have the third set of lights with me, I request the location in which to place them, Sir!" she sounded military.

It was then when she felt the crate next to her being lifted easily, feeling the air hit against her face as the massive thing swooped upward, parting the air, "Wha--" she looked to her side to see a rather masculine man, " Great Cosmos!" she flailed, pointing at him a moment, and his little difficulty of holding the lights up, "Who are- what..-- the cra-..." her eyes furrowed and she crossed her arms, before muttering "Oh, I see, a show off."

She calculated a plan out of this crummy duty, looking to Impresario, "do you see this??" she would ask, wondering if he was BELIEVING what he was seeing. Who knows, maybe this way Ellin would be able to do something else if this MAN next to her was in charge of the heavy lifting.

She could probably assist Acteur with taking those letters, or even Sarah while she rests. She can cook a few things that could restore the woman's energy, if anything, and she suggested.

"Mayhap, I can cook something for Miss Sarah, and this Bull here can take care of the rest of the cargo?"

[Secondary Characters]

The Impresario stood there for a moment watching as Ellin stared on in jealousy at Hercules' godly strength. The man chuckled, waving goodbye to Acteur as he walked off and threw a wrinkled hand on the Black Knight's shoulder.

"Oh, Ellin," he said, snapping his fingers, locking the door to Sarah's room instantly. "stay out of that room."

Chuckling, he pushed her forward, ushering her to walk away with him. "There's nothing you can do that would merit going in there; why not assist Mister De La Noir, or even help Kuja...look pretty. Yes, I think Mister Cules has everything settled here with heavy lifting." He nodded his thanks to Hercules and pressed on. "Go assist Acteur, see if he requires said help. If not, come back to me and I'll give you a new assignment. Honestly I'm unsure why you came here. You're such a miliataristic woman; I'd imagine you would join an army, or something. But many rejects from certain fields always seem to find their way to the Jidoor Opera house...anyway! Off you go."