Return to Darkness

[Secondary Characters]

As Vivi exited the ship with Lexia in tow he saw another figure disembark, albeit taking an alternative method. The figure leapt from the side higher up and landed on a patch of grass just inside the palace walls. When Vivi and Lexia were granted passage through the massive gates he toddled over to her and knelt down.

"Are you all right?" he asked, tapping on her back lightly with a wooden staff he'd picked up when in the Mages' Facility cabin. Though it wasn't apparent due to his physical body, inside he was giving Lilith a smile. Again he tapped her.

"Is there something...something I can do for you? Lexia, I think this girl fell..."

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]Beatrix sat still contemplating when Nexus gave his request. Her head cocked upward to meet his gaze, and her inner darkness was telling her to accept his request.[/glow]

Take it, take his ear! Do it! Take it clean off!

[glow=red,2,300]The general shook her head and ignored this dark thought; she stood and turned toward the stairs leading down. Before she descended, however, she furrowed her brow.

"Thank you, but no. I am fine; I certainly need no advice, if that is what you wish to lend, as I am not one you should be seeking the greatest friendship with."

Lowering her head she took several steps downward. "So your world was called Allundra, yes? I am...sorry, for your loss. It truly was a beautiful world. Please..." She took some more steps. "Please forgive me."

And then she was off, finishing her journy back down into the palace.[/glow]

[The Alexandrian Army]

Several knights left behind to tend to and continue reparations on the ship came to an end of their afternoon work and set about to pre-supper tea and sweets. They sat around a makeshift table somewhere on deck nearby the Telepods; tools and machinery sat about them as if they'd just stopped working to eat.

Linda dipped a cookie into her cup and took a small bite before glancing over to one of the others.

"Well I think, personally, that it's extraordinarily ridiculous they haven't tied the knot yet; I mean, what are they waiting for, right? They're getting no younger."

"Hahah~ You are being too hard Linda... its a rather complicated knot!" Grinned Ria, reaching over to steal one of Doris' cookies, and putting it in her mouth before anything else could be said. She let out a soft giggle.

Maara looked over to Linda, finishing gulping the last bit of her tea before speaking, " Yeh, Linda, loosen up that knot on your lower vest." She grinned, getting to her feet and stretching, "Come on guys! All we ever talk and do is work, lets talk of something juicy! Let's gossip!"

Dori furrowed her brow and snapped a spoon accross Ria's back knuckles before turning on the others.

"Yeah, I agree. So...what do you guys think about the general's...well, her actions? She's been a bit, well, on and off with her pleasantries of late...it's becoming rather confusing."

Linda nodded. "Mm, I agree. I'll say it again: we've opened Pandora's Box. We are foolish for doing such, and General Beatrix grows more like Brahne with every waking moment."

Dori gasped. "...Do, do you really think so? That's heresy..."

Ria whimpered a little, rubbing at her knuckles before flailing her arms, "NO no no no~ No Heresy here!" She walked over and jabbed Linda in the gut lightly, "RIGHT Linda? Nope, not at all-- HEY! Look a cloud!" It was apparent she was trying to change the subject.

Maara chuckled a little at the young Ria, being she was recruited the very day this madness started, she was like the little syster of the group, "Well, Ria's right, lets not talk about anything that can get us in serious trouble."

"What is the great General Beatrix going to do, anyway? Cut us down for speaking against her like she did with Jeslyn back when we landed in Traverse Town? Pitch us overboard without a proper funeral? Death can not stop my silver tongue, you three."

Linda was getting furious, but Dori stepped in to try calming down the circle. "Okay, so we've opened Pandora's Box...but things always get better over time, right? Why worry...I mean, new orders were given; that's all...um...so yeah, about Lady Agrias and the general. Do you think they'll ever get together? It seems like Beatrix is mad at her for some reason, or another..."

Linda folded her arms. "Who cares, it's not--"

[Agrias Oaks]

"Greetings, Girls" said a familiar voice, and there stood Agrias, giving them a light bow. She stood straight afterward, resting her hand over the hilt of her blade, looking legendary without meaning so, "I wanted to speak to all of something." she grinned, remembering their names, " Ria, Maara, Dori, and Linda."

She walked over to the ledge of the ship to point over at the town, noting that some preparations were being made by the villagers there.

"Tomorrow morn' at 10 o'clock, I would like to see all the Alexandrian Soldiers at town square." She looked to each of them, "In celebration of your hard work, you are going to have a feast in your name. Would you please pass the word of such event to the others?"

[The Alexandrian Army]

As Agrias came into view and stepped up to the four soldiers, a sudden, eery quiet came over them.

Linda glanced to the others for a moment while Dori shifted uncomfortably on her bench; when Agrias finished speaking the two in unison let out a deep breath.

"O-oh! Of course, Lady Agrias; sure...we'd be glad to assist you...we'll tell them straight away..."

Linda stood up and turned. "Yes, indeed." She began walking away but turned, speaking only so the other soldiers would be able to understand the tone. "Pandora's Box, ladies..."

Maara wiggled in place, hoping in place as she's seen Agrias do in the past to try it, "Fantastic! Oh, wonderful news!" she giggled, along with Ria, who grinned brightly, "We shall tell the others right away!"

Maara shot towards the east, while Ria went to the west of the ship, shouting the good news!

[Agrias Oaks]

The knight smiled, and bowed her head a little before turning, jumping into one of the working Telepods before turning into that delicate mist to float down until she reached the cobblestone surface of the bridge. It was then, she went off to the castle, to meet up with Beatrix. Just thinking about meeting her again was causing her heart to skip, and it would be apparent in her eyes that glowed a soft amber whenever the General was in her thoughts.

Along the way, she saw Lilith laying on the grass, and she blinked this, being that there was sunlight, and she was a creature of the night that was not suffering because of it. She saw Vivi, the small mage, and Lexia leaning over to check on the seemingly happy vampire, and decided to let it be. She needed to tell Beatrix of the festivities, if Abigail was not able to do so. She went through the doorway, and looked about, wondering were to start looking, until she heard footsteps coming from above. She looked up to see Beatrix heading her way.

"Ah, Lady Beatrix!" stuttered the knight, trying to compose herself with bowing, " Just the one I wished to see."

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]From high on the top of the right-side staircase Beatrix descended, having come from one of the Eastern Hallway's three towers; she turned slightly to gaze up at the portrait of Adam and Belle as she passed, only to have the image blur again, showing a beast and horrified woman.

Then she reached the center where both Eastern and Western staircases met and started down; that was, however, until she saw Lady Agrias bee-lining through the large double doors at the front entrance.

She stopped dead in her tracks and took a gentle hold of the railing on her right. Staring down Beatrix thought of what the knight could have possibly wanted and narrowed her eye, and turned.

"...Hello, Lady Agrias," she said quietly, though her voice was amplified throughout the large foyer. "May I assist you with something, then?"[/glow]

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias chuckled, walking to the railing at the end and resting a hand upon it, still looking up to Beatrix with a bright smile, "Thou has not heard of Abigail?" she nodded, " Lady Abigail raced Boco against the fastest horse in the village. The winnings was a feast for the Alexandrian Soldiers 'morrow morning at 10 o'clock!"

The knight hopped three times, in that victorious way of hers before relaxing, resting a hand on the hilt of her sword, "The cavalry deserves some time to sit and eat, does thou not think so?" she smiled, "T'would be wonderful, if thou was to come along as well..." she tried to remember how she spoke in the past, "Thou works too hard, and deserve a break more than many here. Please, say thou shall join? I'm sure the soldiers would love your presence there... I would... love your presence there." the knight cleared her throat, her eyes starring idly at the finely crafted stair-rails there.

The blond woman's eyes glowing a hint of amber as she looked back to the General, her eyes hopeful that she would take a break.

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]Beatrix said nothing. Several seconds passed before she even took a breath; it was almost as if the general were momentarily trapped in time; her hair did not move, her glistening eye did not shimmer. There was nothing. The portrait in the background's flash was not simply instantaneous as the last time. Instead it stayed in its new form--beast and horrified woman--until Beatrix moved.

When she did snap out of her trance-like state she hooked her gaze back onto the corn-haired knight and gave a weak, feigned smile.

"That is good news, indeed," said she as her feet led her to the base, where she met Agrias close-up. "I expected nothing less from your happy little band, Lady Agrias. I am sure that you and Miss Abigail have much to do in preparations for this, tomorrow's festivities, yes? Then I should wish you well in your endeavors."

She cleared her throat and massaged the front of her neck with a hand before continuing. "Thank you for inviting me; I shall check with my schedule, and see if I can make it." She saluted and walked off in search of Lady Abigail.

As she progressed, she stopped suddenly. "Oh yes, that's right. Did you say you saw the White Mage? I must speak with her about the dress..." With Agrias' answer the general would exit the foyer in silence, the echo of her metal boots clicking against the marble the only sound following her departure.[/glow]

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias looked back at her, watching the general walk away, and she sighed, looking down. Her heart continued to pound in her heart, though it was not of joy, but of aching. She had hoped Beatrix would have said, 'yes', but alas, that was not the case, yet again.

She bowed quietly at Beatrix's departure, before turning to... stand there, starring at the marble floor, wondering what else she would do...or could do She crossed her arms, being defiant of her emotions, she couldn't just give up, could she?

How could she break through that barrier? No, she turned and ran over to catch up to Beatrix, cutting her off and blocking her path, "I cannot accept that as your answer, Lady Beatrix!" she nodded, reaching to hold at her hand, "I expect you to be there, 10 O'clock sharp! You will have, and enjoy your break from work, am I clear?"

Agrias noticed what she was doing, and she slowly let go of the General's hand, clearing her throat, before reaching up to rub at her own head, " You will dine, and you will drink, and you will laugh and dance and the likes, and think not of work for at least a while, so...so there!"

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]An understatement would be to say that she was shocked. Beatrix' path was impeded by her fellow Sister of Light so abruptly that when Beatrix halted in place she had no idea what to do next. It was almost as if she were an ant and a leaf had just fallen to break her route.

Her eye widened and her nose flared. She stared at the knight while she prattled, and when there was silence again and the general's arm had been released, Beatrix sighed, folded her arms and closed her eye.

"Very well, Lady Agrias," she said, her fingers tapping lightly to her armored forearm. "I shall see to it that I make my presence there known." Again she gave another false smile and brushed by the knight, resting a hand briefly on her shoulder as she passed.

"Anyway, good evening, Lady Agrias. I am off to find Miss Abigail now..."[/glow]

[Lilith]

lilith couldn't help but smile, even when she was poked in the back.
"I'm just... I couldn't feel any better"
without warning she leapt into the air and punched the sky, she landed and hugged the new figure.
"I'm just so happy"

[nexus]

Nexus watched as Beatrix left the room thinking,"well i tried". but was left dumbfounded as she descended the stairs asking for forgiveness. "why would she be asking for my forgiveness?" he thought while scratching his head. Nexus gave Beatrix some time and space before he too left the room but not before noticing Airinose sun bathing outside the window on the other tower.

Nexus stopped at the top of the right staircase and watched the conversation unfold between Beatrix and Agrias, he gave them a few moments before he too descended the stairs.

Nexus stepped on to the landing at the bottom of the stairs, watching Beatrix leave through the front door, leaving Agrias behind watching her leave. Nexus walked up beside Agrias. "She's not that easy to talk to is she?" he asking while looking out the front gates, still having a rose in his hand.

[Secondary Characters]

To Lilith's embrace Vivi could only give himself over completely and return the hug, as he'd seen his share of overflows of both joy and sorrow; clearly Lilith needed a friend or something closeby.

He patted her back several times gently whispering "there, there" between pauses. He glanced up at Lexia and shrugged, and when he pulled free of the vampire's embrace he chuckled.

"Let's do something fun to celebrate this happiness then," he said, hopping. "I'm Vivi, and this is..." he'd just recalled that the Nobody had yet to give out either her first or surname.

"Well, we're all part of the crew, at least. Hehe..."

[Lilith]

Lilith smiled and stood back up.
"nice to meet you and I already know lexia"
Lilith brushed her hair out her eyes.
"this is just unbelievable, I'm out in the sunlight!