Return to Darkness

[Agrias Oaks]

The knight placed the fork down before she had the chance to bend it with her strength, as she heard Abigail speak.

"Uhm... Miss Agrias... is that what you're going to wear?"

Her amber eyes slowly starred down to her attire, a little confused of what Abigail was getting at. She was a knight after all, or... was she doing wrong? She became a little insecure, until it hit her. Agrias slowly got up, blushing a little, finally understanding that her surroundings didn't go with what she wore.

"Ah, many pardons.." she whispered, bowing and leaving for only a few moments. She would go to a random hallway, when she was certain to be alone. She was then covered by a bright light, and her outfit began to change to something more feminine. Her armor was replaced by bracelets and silver necklaces with a crown symbol hanging to rest over her collar bone, her vest and pants were replaced by a long and elegant white dress, and her boots were replaced by medieval sandals, (The Alexandrian Summon Gem was moved to a hidden pocket in the dress.) and her hair was now down, with lips painted with a Rose pink; Agrias turned to the Socialite Class!

Agrias made herself visible, returning to the table and sitting down with back straight, chin up, placing the napkin on her lap, and hands resting on her knees. She was practicing apparently, though with the little practice that she had, she seemed Royal...almost. She still had the eyes of a warrior.

She bowed her head first to the Royals, then Beatrix, and finally Abigail, leaning a little towards her before whispering, "Thank you." and sitting straight again. She took the fork and knife gently within her soft hands and began to eat quietly. It might not look it, but she was HORRIBLY embarassed, never wanting to seem so feminine to anyone... still... it couldn't be helped if she wanted to be respectful of customs...

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]When Abigail returned, Beatrix lowered her head and stared down at her food some; she took a couple pieces of corn and shoveled them onto her spoon and ate them, giving a satisfied "mmm" before looking over to Mrs. Pots, who stood behind Prince Adam.

"Oh, Mrs. Pots, you do always outdo yourself with meal preparation," she said, giving the matron a warm, caring smile. "Your oversight with the cooks is simply remarkable; Your Highness, Princess Belle, you two are truly blessed."

Again she lowered her head slightly when Agrias took her leave, but when she returned Beatrix noticed her companion was glowing with social radiance; her jaw dropped, and her eye widened; Daphne, who had snuck in several moments ago, looked at the knight with awe, as well, dropping her glass in the process.

Beatrix, however, dropped her hands. Hard. Onto the table. She stood up, her eye locked on her associate, and several guards positioned about the room readied their weapons, until of course Beatrix caught herself. She shook her head and narrowed her eye.

"Aren't we looking lovely this evening?" she said, and sat back down, picking up her fork and stabbing it into the roast pork. "Welcome back...ahem..." she shook her head again and stayed quiet for a while; Adam and Belle shared a sweet, understanding nod.[/glow]

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias, at the glass breaking and banging sound of the table, stood up, reaching for her sword, which was resting against the chair, hidden from eyes... and held the hilt ready to pull it out before she noticed it was Beatrix. She blinked a little, looking about, wondering what was wrong, until her General spoke.

"Aren't we looking lovely this evening?"

The knight blushed a little, relaxing, though feeling VERY shy. She swallowed a little, and stood straight, placing her sword against the chair before curtsying for the General, "...Y-you are too kind." she smiled a little, looking to Beatrix' eyes...wondering... if she liked this look? Her heart was beating fast, remembering: This was the first time Beatrix saw her in Socialite Class... did she like it? ... Hate it...? ... those eyes... so cold-- did the knight make a mistake?

Badum...badum....badum... her heart would continue to sing.

"Welcome back...ahem..." she would hear then, followed by the Tuscan-haired woman sitting. Agrias would sit afterward, and breathe quietly, trying to steady her heart, before continuing to eat quietly.

She did wonder why the General suddenly slammed her hands against the table and stood so alarmingly... and that momentary look. She began to feel awkward.

[The Alexandrian Army]

Before Daphne went off to the dining room to eat she handed Sai the book, and gave him a blushing smile. Nodding, she made sure that all the pages torn were still there.

"Yep, everything's together, nice and neat; and Sai...why not come and eat with us, hm? I'm sure you're body needs to replenish, no?" Another cheery smile, only this time she hid, turning her head in embarrassment. "You could sit with me, you know..."

She rested a hand on his while he held onto the book and tilted back her head to meet his uncaring gaze. Oh if only he could feel the same about her, then maybe there would be a connection. Though lately she felt like he saw her a bit differently, what with being a man with...certain physical needs. She thought about something. "I wonder..." she said quietly before moving and and brushing his scarf down and smacking a kiss on the man's cheek.

When she was finished she stepped back, waiting for a change in his expression that probably would never come; her assistants both blushed and giggled slightly.

"Uh-um...sorry, um, about that, Sai...I'll just...go now. You should, uh...come and eat...yeah. Bye."

And off she went; had this been a cartoon, a large cloud of dust would have marked her quick escape.

[Sai]

Well... if she wanted an expression change... it bothered him on some level that he could not supply it for her. Even has he stood there, holding the book lightly, his mind muddled over what to do, what to say. He seemed... more confused than satisfied. Although, the touch was something he knew he desired. To feel a woman's lips... he hadn't exactly made time for that when he was whole. Sometimes, he was thankful he couldn't feel, or the overwhelming regret may cause him to look the fool.

"I'll... consider this..." he said quietly, pulling his scarf back up before Daphne ran off. Sai watched every hurried step until she was out of sight. Physical pleasure was one thing, but in order to give his heart to her as he knew he wanted, he would have to get it back first. He looked down at the book, then to the library before turning to face where the dining hall was located. Was he... conflicted? Or was this simply the confusion of mind over matter?

A sigh escaped him, and he forced himself to face the library. "Ladies... please inform the professor that I'll be working, should she wish to find me," he said in an almost cold tone before putting a mental effort into moving his feet in the right direction. Priorities. First, he gets the notes. Then, he gets the keyblade. THEN he gets his heart. Only then would he get the woman.

Finding the library wasn't hard. The scent of books is almost as pungeant as the scent of darkness, and Sai knew both traces quite well. He entered with little trouble and found a large desk where he could work. He'd take care of his promise to mend the damaged novella first, then proceed with the grander hunt. Luckily, he found quite a few of the tools he would need right there (mostly office tools like scissors, glue, and a letter opener).

Carefully, he dismantled the book's binding... and began the restoration project. Alone like this, focusing on the task at hand, it was all too easy to... lose track of time.

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]A silent corridor shifted not by darkness, but of time would open a few feet away from the working mage. A figure, who seemed evil, and filled with darkness and hatred would step out, but she would do nothing. She stayed there, her eyebrows slowly elevated as she watched Sai working to fix the book, as if amused. Her golden eyes rested on the man's back, a strange, eerie smile forming itself with her red and black lips.

"De ja vu." She would joke to herself out loud, "Even he , his body, is hard at work."

Ultimecia reached up to pluck a lose feather from her collar, and allowed it to fall down, but it would disappear before it reached the floor. She reached up to rest a clothed hand upon her hip, while the other simply relaxed to her side.

" Cut from the same cloth, not so different, yet different nonetheless, " she chuckled, " At least, in desires, even if unable to feel, you have goals, and wish to keep them... any idea, how you will do so, in such little time? What will be the sacrifice for the feat? " [/glow]

[Sai]

Sai's head would turn when an unfamiliar voice drifted to his ears. He paused in his work as he turned to face the woman, those emotionless eyes fixed on her as she continued her little speech...

"At least, in desires, even if unable to feel, you have goals, and wish to keep them... any idea, how you will do so, in such little time? What will be the sacrifice for the feat?"

Sai waited a moment, unsure if the woman was done. When that second or so passed, he tilted his head a little. "Being completely honest, I don't know. Just as I don't know who you are or how you know of my goals." Here, he folded his hands into his lap and sat back. Clearly, if she was a threat, she would have made her attack by now. Why worry?

"Who are you?" he said simply, not nearly as empassioned as his counterpart.

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]"I am..." The witch paused, thinking about it a moment, " ... speaking to you about... possibilities." she spoke, softly, almost pensative. She walked over a little to now rest to his side. She stayed quiet for several seconds before continuing, " ... to seek too much knowledge... can be a rather heavier burden than was suspected. Are you sure...you wish to seek that which can later harm you?" [/glow]

[Sai]

Sai watched her sit next to him, then looked forward. She seemed like she was trying to warn him, to stop him from proceeding... but there was a lot to consider. "If I cease my search... my heartless continues to ravage the worlds. Evil happens when good people do nothing, and considering this mess is largely my responsibility..."

He looked to her, now. If she had even a shred of maternal instinct, she might notice something in his eyes that shouldn't be there. He was a Nobody, and couldn't truly feel... and yet that look in his eyes betrayed so much hurt, so much regret and pain that his answer was far more profound.

"So long as everyone else is spared, I don't care how much harm I must shoulder. I will proceed."

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]His eyes were similar... too similar... to a point she had to look away...

Ultimecia let out a weak chuckle, before getting up. Her feathers ruffling and shuffling within their hold as she did so, and she reached up to rest a hand under her chin, and in thought, closed her eyes.

"I see."

She opened her eyes to stare at him with the corner of her eye, examining his features, his emotions, his pose, his all, before deciding what to do next. She leaned down, and reached for the book lightly with her clawed index, tapping it three times.

"It is a good book... more than a story to follow." if he watched her, the mage could catch her winking, " The owner had a fascination... with theater and the likes."

Ultimecia then backed away, and turned in place, like she did at the beach and walked toward a solid, empty wall, to disappear through it. The wall seemed to give away like water, and formed ripples as she walked within that time shift.

"I wonder... can Nobodies swallow pride...?" echoed the witch's voice.

... once the ripples calmed, the wall turned solid once more, and a peculiar paper would be attached to it, until gravity took grace, letting it float gently down, and letting it rest against the floor there. [/glow]

[nexus]

Nexus walks into the dinning room, he stops and looks at his own armor and clothes. Noticing that he's a little dusty from his travels, he raises two fingers to his forehead and whispers "Water, Air hear my call, I ask for your blessing to clean me from my travels."

A small bit of air begins to circulate around him, gathering moisture from the surrounding area and begins to wipe away the dust and dirt upon him. "Glad i learned that trick awhile ago" he said to himself as he made his way to the table

Behind a chair that looked unmarked he turns and bows low toward the king "Your highness, I thank you for the honor of joining your table" he said , whether it be a person unknown or friend alike. a king surely must be addressed as so.

Nexus took his seat, but as he did so he whispered to himself as he cupped a hand to his ear "Air be my friend...... i wish to hear the world around me." this time no movement was seen but to Nexus it was clear what had happened. Noises and voices were heard from the far end of the room to even out in the hallway. he did not know these people but he was still curious to what they had to say

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Like Beatrix, Abigail's jaw dropped straight to the floor when she saw Agrias in her Socialite Class. She felt her heart racing as the woman sat next to her and thanked her for her advice. She was blushing darkly, unable to take her eyes off the woman until she noticed that Agrias was beginning to look very shy.

She smiled, and turned her attention to her meal. "I... I didn't know you had such a remarkable dress, Agrias!" she said, trying to strike conversation up so Agrias wouldn't feel so on-the-spot. "I can hardly find anything that fits me that looks so nice!" She looked to Beatrix, trying to ease the woman a little so that she would join in. "What about you, Bea? I can just imagine yourself in a ballroom gown now!"

She giggled lightly, wondering if she was making herself look the fool or not... She looked down the way to see Nexus sitting down, and nodded a greeting to him as well. "Did Sai decide not to join?" she asked curiously before looking over to Belle and Adam. "Have you met our companion, Sai, your highness...es...?" she didn't know how to address both at the same time, and now KNEW she looked like a total fool...

At least the focus wouldn't be totally driven on Agrias, and she could relax a little...?

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]Beatrix cleared her throat again and smiled at Abby's words; her inner darkness aside, she was glad this evening was going so well, even if mayhem were not happening. She took a sip of her wine and nodded at the White Mage's words before seeing Nexus sit down.

"Er, yes...well, I have several gowns I used to wear to formal occasions back in Alexandria, though I rarely enjoyed putting them on. I always felt like I couldn't be on-guard fully if I were basking in narcissistic fancy; I much preferred to wear just a clean uniform, carrying Save the Queen at my side. It made me comfortable, knowing I would be prepared should something happened."

She chuckled, and took a bite of her roast. "Though of course I was correct in my fears, as on the night of Her Majesty's sixteenth birthday, it just so happens I was to be on my guard. She was kidnapped by a theatre group from a neighboring kingdom and we had a...well, let's just say the evening was hectic."

Turning to Agrias, she raised her glass high. "You look lovely," she said again. "Cheers."[/glow]

Belle sniggered, holding a teacup between her fingers and winked towards Adam. Beatrix caught this, and knew the two royals would be up to their old motives, and setting her up for some ridiculous relationship. Ever since the general met them, back when she was visiting from injuries suffered at the hands of her...employer, she grew attached to this place, and both Belle and Adam became similar to family.

"Oh, Adam..." said Belle, her eyes spanning to each person at the table as she spoke. "I think maybe we could give our guests the opportunity to wear their finest some time while they're here. A ball, perhaps?"

"That sounds superb," he said, and nodded. "I think we could arrange that; Miss Abigail, you said you do not own anything formal? I think we can arrange. That goes for the rest of your troupe who find themselves in this sort of predicament."

[glow=red,2,300]"I thank you for the kind sentiment, Your Highness...schedule permitting; please allow me to come back to you on this matter."

The prince nodded, raising an eyebrow and turning to look to his bride-to-be for answers. She simply shrugged. Beatrix looked out over to Abigail and lowered her head some, narrowing her eyes.

"I might actually have something fitting for you to wear; come see me after supper, before you run off to your other chores."[/glow]

[Sai]

Sai watched the woman carefully. Every detail of her body language was vital key to understanding the stranger. She hadn't given her name, nor had she addressed what she was. All he knew was that she was playing at something, whether for amusement or something else was uncertain, but it seemed most likely the former, based on her little smirks and her facial expressions here and there. Sai looked away only when she mentioned that the book was more than a good story, an eyebrow lifting in curiosity to what kind of clue this was.

And what was that about the owner? He looked to her once more, but she was already stepping through the wall, with those cryptic words on the air. Sai would blink when suddenly in her place, a familiar kind of paper would suddenly blink into existance. He got up and walked over, collecting the paper quickly. His eyes would widen slowly as he looked on those words. Notes 4.

"It would seem my resolve is being rewarded..." he noted to himself before walking back to the desk where his work waited for him. He put number 4 with the other notes, pleased that things were progressing rather smoothly. This left the true number 2, as well as 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Seven in total. He had 6. Almost halfway there. This was promising.

Taking his seat, Sai picked up the book once more. Those words mulling over in his mind. "The previous owner...?" he questioned, then picked up the cover which he had only moments ago acheived removing from the pages. He opened it up to study the inside.

Once more, his eyes would open to their fullest. He stood up abruptly, knocking his chair backward. "How did I not see this before??" he asked himself quietly. It made so much sense, that it would be found in the Alexandrian Library, right alongside not one, but two keyblade notes! He had been so distracted that the dots had never lined up until this one blaring clue stared him in the face.

"This book property of Xehanort."

What this meant... remained a mystery. However, Sai now knew that he had what he needed to find what was left. The notes would be his, and soon after, the means of producing a keyblade...

Salvation was at hand.

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias stayed there, as proper as she has been trainning, and as she watched the Princess dine, while she kept watch. She listened to the Mage speak of dresses and gave her a warm smile. She was quiet as others talked, and she took small bites incase she would be asked anything. She seemed she was half there, her eyes starring deeply into the lovely table decoration: Green pine small twig branches decorated with red plastic cherries, with a contrasting beige rose pattern and design in the middle, holding up a white candle.

When she was done, she brought the napkin up to her lips and she cleaned the edges of it,before folding the cloth into a perfect square, and resting it over her plate. She ate all, since it was delicious, and she did not wish to intult by leaving even the smallest bite behind. She looked over to Ms. Pots and gave her an approving nod, that everything was, indeed, delicious.

Brown eyes examined those around her, from Beatrix, to Abigail, to the Prince and Princess-consort, to Nexus, and Daphne...

'It does feel like old times... only with new faces, and a new place... It is a nice change, if not for a while...' she would think, resting her back against the head of the chair, and closing her eyes for several seconds, again, returning to those... simpler times, a smile would slowly appear on her face, '... just a little while... to be in my present like this...'