The Darkest Day

[General Beatrix]

Beatrix stared into Agrias' eyes, watching as she seemed to try communicating, and once the knight wrapped her two fingers around the general's hand, she smiled.

"Do not worry, my love...I am here with you...until you are able to order me to do otherwise...I shall stay until you dismiss me for good."

She leaned down and kissed Agrias on the forehead. "For...what it is worth, I truly am...sorry."

[Agrias Oaks]

'Oh, Gods... think Agrias... think..!' She pondered, trying to figure out what to do, ' 'Tis her... t'is really her... no more darkness...'

"...!" BULLOCKS! No words can come out...!

No matter what she did, she was unable to communicate well. She wished to say 'I forgive you.' but how? She could not talk, and apparently, her expressional skills were abysmal.

She was as songless as a sick bird--....a Canary...! Her eyes shot wide open for a moment, glancing over to Beatrix, seeing she had turned away.

'God... pray she listens..... '

The knight, wish a bit of soreness, pucked her lips together, as if stating the letter "U," and after several tries, began to whistle a familiar verse as best as she could. The notes perfectly executed from Melodies of Life... so Beatrix should catch the notes and translate.

'deep in our hearts'

She made a pause,

' I know we'll carry on'

another pause,

'the love you left inside my lonely heart'

She paused to breathe, wheezing,

'And so it goes, on and on' --it sounded a bit broken in the end, growing tired.

To the sky beyond the flying birds--forever and beyond

The whistling broke a little, as she closed her eyes, her lungs too exhausted to continue forcing wind out like that. She needed to breathe normally for now, but she hoped Beatrix got the message.

She opened her eyes weakly to look to Beatrix, wanting to see her smile again.

'Please...' she thought hard, '...please understand me...'

[Acteur de la Noir]

Acteur remained silent throughout, gazing at Sarah Appleton as he took in her reaction to what he had revealed. The expression on his mask was the same as ever—that crescent-moon smile, spread wide across those smooth, porcelain features. And yet, in the darkness beyond the eye-holes of that theatrical disguise, those eerie yellow orbs danced and flickered with a variety of emotions…feelings that most would have not thought possible from a being born of the Darkness when addressed by one from the Light. Astonishment. Sympathy. And, subtle as it was…a flicker of admiration at the lonely musician’s bravery. And something else—an emotion so inherent, so enigmatic, that one had to question whether Acteur de la Noir himself was aware of it.

Was it possible for a Heartless to have emotions as closely related to the heart as…that…?

Presently, the Heartless puppeteer lifted one of his hands to Sarah’s face, gently extending a finger to brush away the glistening tears that slid down her smooth, feminine cheeks. “Travelling the road least followed, by either Light or Dark,” he mused in that ever-theatrical voice, his gaze flicking to the dusky silvery-gray hue of the lonely musician’s instrument before meeting her amethyst pools. “To accomplish that journey would be no small task…but you, with your unique outlook on the nature of Light and Darkness, stand a better chance than most at seeing it through.”

Then Acteur let his hands lower, now taking one of Sarah’s slender palms between his own. “And further…I will help you see it through, Cherie,” he announced. “If there exists the chance of a new flower blooming—one outside the traditional standards that have been set for the opposing elements of radiance and shadow—then I would be most intrigued to behold what may come of it.”

[serpentoflore]

Sarah could feel something growing inside her. Part of her had started to forget the hatred of her parents and had started to replace it for how she felt for Acteur. Each time she was supposed to hate, it became almost like the dark feelings mixed with something different. The path had been something she had already created, starting with the dream she had. However, the acceptance made her forget the nerves that had wound so tightly inside her.

Her hand gently held his back, smiling with a battle ready face. The most gentle of creatures could be the most fierce warrior. With Acteur by her side, she felt unstoppable. The bare hand that held Acteur's tightened a little.

[General Beatrix]

For several moments Beatrix just sat and listened, collecting every tune what squeaked from between Agrias' parched lips. She understood her message, and smiled, pulling from the night stand a rose and laying it on Agrias' chest.

"I comprehend your message, dearest Agrias...however, I would be a fool to translate this as any sign of forgiveness...and I wouldn't blame you."

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias could not continue, and her messaged seemed half there. She wheezed and relaxed upon the bed, her two fingers still wrapped around three of Beatrix's own. Her eyes desperately wished to close, too tired to remain open. She was falling asleep...

In a last attempt before slumber, she tried to communicate one last thing...

'For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart'

She whistled the full tune, before separating a bit of it for her message, whistling:

'love you'

... it was then when the canary fell asleep. Her fingers would loosen the grip they had on Beatrix's hand.

[General Beatrix]

"..."

Beatrix blinked her eye once as the woman sped off to dreamland, and stood up afterward. She ran her hand over Agrias' forehead once more, pushing away hair that had strayed into her face, and looked the woman over. Though Lady Abigail had been most prompt in delivering healing spells and the like, that would never fix the non-living bits hanging off the Holy Knight.

Beatrix ran a finger over the blood-crusted white Socialite gown Agrias had worn--the blood being all hers--and frowned, seeing that the dried, caking crusts flakes now soiled her own fingertips.

This is all my fault she said inwardly, horrorstruck. How could I ever have done anything so...terrible?

She shook her head and stood up, whispering her love for and goodbyes to Agrias before exiting the room.

I have things I must do now... she thought, traversing the halls of the Red Rose until she made her way to the unloading deck and walked off, passing her saluting soldiers without acknowledgement. She briskly marched back to the castle to where she would beg for forgiveness before the feet of both prince and princess. But first...

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With some leverage she was able to move the last remaining piece of furniture barring the doors to the dungeons, assisting her soldiers in the release of the household. When they came pouring out the first of three to confront her would be Mrs. Pots. Beatrix saw her as a very motherly figure and lowered her head like a dog being scolded when the plump woman came toddling over, a stern look on her face.

Dropping to her knee she slammed a fist to her heart in a salute, her whole body shaking. When she tilted up her head to meet the old woman's gaze the sausage-like fingers of Mrs. Pots met her chin, her whole form loweing to face Beatrix fully.

"Oh, um..." started the forlorn general, her eye staring directly into the gentle sea of Mrs. Pots' eyes. "I...am so sorry for what I have done."

The woman gazed into Beatrix' eye for several seconds before responding, her cheek lines thickening as a warm, loving smile returned to that pale, rosie-cheeked face. "The light has taken you back, General Beatrix. That is more than any of us could have asked for...I thought you were a goner, but..." she took ahold of Beatrix and pulled her in for a tight embrace, hugging her with every passion a mother would her child, and Beatrix melted in her arms, pouring out all the tears she had. "There, there...Lumier...tissue."

[Shantotto]

[glow=teal,2,300]Off in the distance beyond anyone sight, a purplish rift had opened. Within it's purple hue Shantotto stepped forward. She indeed had been watching the aftermath, and saw a new adventurer to bring to her side.

"O~hohoho, a mage after my own heart, a mage I will not let drift apart." She muttered a few cripes and phrases to herself and "Invisibility, Sneak" was cast. Walking slowly to ViVi's back still hidden by her cloaks of magic she whispered to him. "Is it pain and destruction that you fear? Then why not lend me your ear. A proposition I do declare, a proposal of power if you care. A magicite I do impart, and I myself your Descartes."

Shantotto was trotting around ViVi as she spoke, watching him quiver in fear at such a destructive force. "O~hohoho" It was all she could do to keep from outright laughter and making her presence known throughout. "For such a C student for me to ask, this offer you should not pass." She stood waiting to see if ViVi would think to break the magicite she had given to him.[/glow]

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Abigail sighed softly as she sat there, then smiled over to Lilith who had taken the seat next to her. "It's nothing..." she said softly, then shrugged. She was tired... and didn't have any more elixirs or ethers to boost herself with. Leaning back, she rested on the steps lightly, looking up at the stars.

She glanced over again, seeing the burns slowly healing on the woman's arms. She let out a little sigh, and shook her head a bit. "You should be more careful, Miss Lilith..." she said, nodding to the injuries. "I wouldn't want to see you hurt yourself needlessly!"

She looked off again, seeing Vivi looking distressed. She was about to get up and comfort him when she suddenly felt the presence of her teacher. She smiled a little, and sat back down. "Oh, Miss..." she whispered, in a way that could be taken as either referring to Shantoto sneaking about or Lilith next to her. She shrugged a little, letting the woman offer her help to Vivi, who probably would enjoy training under her...

[Vivi]

As Vivi walked slowly, mournfully away from the courtyard his head perked up as he heard the sudden poetic voice sound from thin air. Being a mage, Vivi knew that this area had been spelled; he just didn't know to what lengths that curse had reached. He stopped in place and looked around, listening as Shantotto rhymed and spoke of her offer. When she finished, he held out a hand, waiting in silence for the artifact.

"Magic, in the hands of a weapon like me...have no use if it can not be checked. Tell me what you can, please, so that I may distinguish friend from foe and stay my hand when it comes to friend..."

[Acteur de la Noir]

Acteur didn't have to say anything--he could see the way Mademoiselle Appleton's eyes had changed--the newfound bravery and purpose that was held within those pale violet depths. Such clarity...especially considering she intended to remain with the Darkness! No, wait...that wasn't fully accurate. Rather, she'd chosen to remain with him, regardless of what Darkness of Light dictated. And for some reason that he couldn't define--something that had nothing to do with his master's goal of spreading darkness across all the Worlds--Acteur found himself strangely gratified, on a personal level.

Well, perhaps not completely detached from the cause of Darkness. After all, the most intimate and enigmatic of emotions were often connected to the mysteries of night, were they not?

Then, from the shadow of a nearby pillar, a small, imp-like figure leapt forth. Cocking his head to one side in surprise, Acteur de la Noir watched as the Shadow scampered towards him and his apprentice, its antennae twitching wildly and its jack-o-lantern eyes even wider than usual. Knowing the signs of agitation well, the Heartless puppeteer didn't bother with imperious questions or greetings--instead, he simply watched as his lesser brethren skipped and danced wildly, waving its clawed hands in dismay. Though the layman would hear nothing--Sarah, given her time spent with the Heartless, might detect an indistinct whispering--to Acteur, the creature spoke in a kindred language...that of the Darkness. And the message was less than fortunate.

"Sacre bleu," Acteur muttered to himself as he shook his head, the motion somehow changing his mask's expression to a frown as he rubbed his temples in mock dismay. "The present forces of Light battered, but ultimately unbroken...the Beastly Prince brought back from the brink...and, just to make it a clean sweep, Beatrix has switched sides--again??" He paused, stroking his chin as a sudden thought struck him. "Tsk, tsk...she does get around, doesn't she?"

With a broad shrug and a jovial chuckle, Acteur de la Noir turned back to face Sarah, restoring the smile to his mask with a wave of the hand. "Ah, well...regardless, I do believe we've worn out our welcome, here. Let's get you back to Jidoor, that fine sanctuary for the Arts...after that, I've got some invitations to write!"

As soon as Sarah accepted the gloved palm held out to her in gentlemanly invitation, Acteur would snap his fingers, producing another Corridor of Darkness to take them both back from whence they came. The heroes had won this act...but the final curtain had yet to fall.

To the Jidoor Opera House

[Shantotto]

[glow=teal,2,300]"O~hohohoho wonderful! Make no mistake this is not something you can just take, in return for this intellectual might, you will turn to my empires plight! O~hohohoho." Shantotto had spoke a few soft words, and her invisibility had dissipated.

She had stood now in front of Vivi with his hand out. She reached behind her only to produce a magicite. This, unlike the one she gave to Abigail was the opposite in color. This was a dark and gloomy stone. Somewhat clear in the light but filled with a dark essence. "This is your magicite. Take it, break it, and call upon my intellectual might." Soon after speaking, she had called for "Warp". Again her purplish rift had opened and just as quickly closed taking Shantotto to her next objective.

*Off too Cornelia > My Kingdom for a Horse*[/glow]

[Lilith]

Lilith put her hands to her mouth and grasped her gloves with her fangs and pulled them off, she threw her ruined gloves to the floor and stared at her arms.

"it doesn't matter... I'll heal"

the vampire looked over at the mage and gave a slight smile before looking back at the sky.
"Oh, Miss..."

"hmm?"

[The Alexandrian Army]

Maara and Ria would be outside of Beatrix's room, making certain that no one interrupts the sleeping knight inside. Of course, there would be a few exceptions like General Beatrix and Abigail. They would sigh nervously, peeking in every now and then to see that bloody mess rest there on the rose petals and white sheets.

"The General did a number..." mumbled Ria, rubbing a little at the top of her helm, "but...she's back to normal, that's all that matters right?"

"hrm... its deeper than that, I think." would whisper Ria, "... she must be feeling horrible..."

"Agrias will get through it." assured Maara.

"I meant The General Beatrix!" Ria raised her voice a little, "Its like waking up to a horrible nightmare and-- and you don't know what will happen next, because its real!"

"Ah..."

"Who knows... what she will do?" whimpered Ria, poking her indexes together in thought. She was the youngest of them after all, "She keeps everything pent up...a-and Miss Abigail has the pin! Her pin, I saw it!"

"Everything will be fine, Ria!" assured Maara, giving her a thumbs up, "She's the General! She can do anything! She probably needs some time off from this, don't lose hope on her!"

"I... suppose... you are right, Maara" she sighed, giving her a weak smile.

The two soldiers guarded in silence afterwards, though they seemed rather worried.

[Vivi]

When Shantotto made herself visible so that Vivi could set eyes upon his future master he was rather thankful she was about the same height as him, if not an inch or two shorter. She drew a hand behind her back and produced a corrosive-looking jewel and handed it to him, to which he accepted straight away.

And as she made her last call, he whispered his grattitude and bowed his head, raising the gem in both hands as a sign of respect. "I will not fail you, Master--"

She was soon gone he set out running over to talk with Abigail, huffing and ultimately tripping at the feet of vampire and White Mage.

"Ow..."