The Darkest Day

[Agrias Oaks]

** Agrias has acquired SHANTOTTO'S SCROLL **

The knight held the piece of parchment in her hands, looking at it before looking over to Abigail, who disappeared in that purple mist. She sighed a little, resting a hand on her chest, she turned to Beatrix, "...A-... are ye' as nervous as I toward that little creature having Lady Abigail...?"

Agrias grew worried, looking back to see them vanish entirely. The blond one sighed and looked down at the scroll, smiling a little, "Nay... too late to do anything, but wait, I suppose.." she sighed, and tucked the scroll away safely before turning to Beatrix, " What now, Lady Beatrix?" she looked to her side, listening to music before having a light blush, facing the General, "Ah, may I... interest you in a dance, before I retire to the library later?"

Their surroundings seemed to be wrapped in smooth white marble.

"Oh, how enchanting!" she grinned, "Where did you find such impressive talent, General?"

[Lilith]

Lilith felt the same thing she had felt before that odd creature appeared.

she jolted from her position and headed straight for the disturbance, she stumbled as she ran, she could barely stay on her feet at this speed.

the vampire burst literately through the door into the room she skidded to a halt in front of the rift. her hands hovered over her holsters.
"where's the mage"
Lilith looked at Abigail.
"the other mage... I have a score to settle."

[serpentoflore]

When the song finished, Sarah bowed again. The spiders and pasta decorations had disappeared. "Now, I ask all couples to dance." She spoke smiling as she raised up from her bow. She began to play, turning everything around them into what seemed to be a fancy ball room. Behind her, an orchestra seemed to appear, playing various instruments to compliment the song. A beautiful glass ceiling appeared, showing a Moon above, even though it was not even close to night. The marble floor remained, looking even more polished than before.

Noticing Agrias, she began to get into the music again, continuing to watch carefully. Her body moved in the beat, creating a slow dance with Boco.

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]A witness to Sarah's show of powerful skill in wielding such lucid illusionry, Beatrix smirked, ideas pouring in for later on that evening. She turned to Agrias and nodded her head. "Abigail will be fine; now come, let us dance."

Chuckling, she grabbed Agrias' hand and pulled her out onto the phantom ballroom dancefloor and took her stance, glancing over to Sarah up on her platform and winking.

"You look very lovely today, Agrias."[/glow]

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias' eyes soften when her hand was taken, and a bright smile etched upon her lips, " and you look even lovelier, Lady Beatrix." she chuckled, giving a gentleman's bow before resting a hand on the woman's waist while taking her other hand in a waltz manner. "'Tis an honor...to dance with you." she whispered, and began to sway, enjoying herself.

The knight though back on the many battles with her old troupe; her old comrades that were not as lucky as her as to make it through a time rift. She began to think that maybe they did, only ending up at different times and all...

It was always war... all her life it was a war with no seeming end. Even now, as they danced, she couldn't help but remember they were still in the midsts of battle. That lives would be lost in the future... ... it was draining.

"If only..." she whispered, leaning forward to rest her head against Beatrix's collarbone in thought, "... these moments would last eternity..."

[The Alexandrian Army]

The valiant, all-female army of Alexandria expressed most of their talents with whatever endeavor was put before them. On occasion they could prove to be terribly reliable spies, even if that wasn't their mission. Other times, they could be great at recon jobs, where they would go under cover, play different roles other than soldier and the likes. And when they were told to relax? They definitely managed to do so with such perfection that could only be taught by the great General Beatrix herself.

She, personally, taught each and every one of her uniformed women of etiquette, dance, theatre, propriety, rank, duty and a variety of everything else. The Soldiers were fast learners, or else they wouldn't make it past the rank of "squire".

As they danced, they made room for their general and her...consort, and more than a handful had even ceased their movements in order to sit and watch the two, and appreciate the art coming forth from the lonely Piccolo player's instrument.

Daphne stood eagerly by the table serving punch, sipping down her glass while thinking on Sai's words. She observed General Beatrix, and even Sarah Appleton, with suspicious glances, but she would try her best not to look too...into it.

When she was approached by Linda and Maria she jumped, and they asked her about her little meeting with the Nobody Sai. Distracted for a moment she told them of her love and they were prepared to help pick out a wedding dress. That was going too far, however, and she sent the two away, her eyes rolling as they toddled off.

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]"If these moments lasted an eternity, Lady Agrias, things would never be finished, and I'm sure the darkness and its minions would consume the other worlds as we danced off in our delusion."

Beatrix chuckled, waltzing with the Holy Knight and running her hands through the corn-yellow hair. She thought about how this would be the last time they saw each other with happiness in their eyes before...the final showdown she had prepared for later. Agrias would die, and then Beatrix could fully concentrate on her work for Male--MeadowSong--and secure her place in the Dark World that was the universe's future.

"Ah..."[/glow]

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias smiled, dancing straight now to look into Beatrix's eye with much happiness. " As long as ye' are there by mine side, Lady Beatrix... I shall never give up."

The knight grinned, and gave a little twirl to Beatrix when the moment was right to do so, showing such lightness and skill with her steps. Dancing was a form of training after all...

Of course, she would take the male dance steps, since she was raised as a boy growing up.

[serpentoflore]

"I was on vacation with my family and these... These creatures started attacking out of nowhere. Then... This weird accented alien started talking to me when I entered his space ship. Somehow he thought the world 'nowhere' was a destination and..."

Sarah continued to play, beginning to remember things that seemed unimportant. Queen Meadowsong... she was talking to her... The more she played the Piccolo, the more she began to remember. What scared her the most about it was the fact she was losing connection with herself. Normally, she would happy with something like that. However, ever since that woman appeared, something had began to grow. The fear of losing Acteur.

[General Beatrix]

***MOVING THIS PARTY BACK TO THE CASTLE NOW; IT IS ABOUT EIGHT O' CLOCK IN THE EVENING, AND THINGS ARE WINDING DOWN. PLEASE PUT YOUR PEOPLE SOMEWHERE IN THE CASTLE. THANK YOU***

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[glow=red,2,300]Beatrix was speaking to Prince Adam and Belle in the lobby before they retired to sleep; they had a long day of business while everybody else partied, and wished only to sleep. The general nodded and bowed to each as they took to their respective staircases and disappeared into the shadows of the second story.

Smiling, she folded her arms and pressed between both stairs and entered the ballroom, where the party had been taken some time earlier, leaving the villagers to finish off their day peacefully. For the Alexandrian Soldiers, the night was great so far. With Sarah's enchanted music played to inspire awe, mystery and dance, Beatrix' side-stepping to go cook, and Boco's...dances, everyone was having a blast.

When Mrs. Pots rolled in a trolly full of Beatrix' prepared meals the two had worked on, she inspected it all and gave her a nod. Everything was good to go. Not only was General Beatrix a brilliant chef, but so too was she a brilliant advertisor. Shouting above all the voices, she used her command over everyone to come grab a bite before it was all gone.[/glow]

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias stayed by Beatrix side, until the general felt the need to cook. She asked the knight to stay behind, so the dishes she would prepare were a surprise even for her .The blond woman agreed, and she waited as instructed in the foyer. When the small bells rang, it meant the food was ready, and the knight would meet up with several of the soldiers to see the many dishes prepared by the General... even Agrias was amazed.

So, with the soldiers, she grabbed a quick bite to eat, before remembering she had some business of her own. She excused herself from the ballroom, and left for the library after whispering her good nights to Beatrix, where she would spend hours.

It was 11:20 pm and the holy knight was still in the library, writing away. Her eyes glowing a soft gold as she tried to make sense of her emotions, translating them into paper. "To my fair Bea... no." she sighed, and crumpled the paper up, and throwing it into a small pile of failed attempts. "... To my Lady bea- no no!" she grumbled, and did the same to that paper, "Oh, Bullocks.."

She took a deep breath, seeing she only had three more papers to go, and she was also running out of time, "Write from thine heart... mine heart." she exhaled, and as if composing, she rested the pen against the paper, and began to write in beautiful, old calligraphy. "My....Dearest...Beatrix..."

'My Dearest Beatrix,

Whom I have admired from both close and far. I've secretly, and openly wished to hold in mine arms such softness and strength that is thee. To seek such perfect smile of thee, is beyond any victory in battle. You see, my beloved, thine smile is worth more than any priceless artifact, and brighter than the morning sun itself, and it allows mine world to spin accordingly. I fear, that if that smile were to vanish, mine world could collapse into sad nothingness. Thine smile is precious to me, as to you are the Roses of May.

My sweet Beatrix, pray forgive me, for even in such majestic, and advanced future, I've naught found stronger words that have been created to replace those of old. 'Tis with strength in my heart, and encouragement that finally allows me to at least write them. Beatrix, I love you, and naught repeating these words would be enough to suffice what I truly feel, and hope to receive in return, if not now, mayhaps someday a glimpse of it?

If anything, Lady Beatrix, know that by your side, you have a loyal friend, knight, and shield awaiting your command. Mind you, My'Lady, I cannot help but correct thine judgment in certain manners, but know thy reason: I love you, and wish no harm to come to you.

Forever waiting, and forever yours,

Agrias Oaks '

That was it. The woman placed the pen down, and held up the parchment to proofread. She sighed, smiling... it was her heart upon the page, and she wished to take care of it, until the keeper received it. she folded it nice, until it was a square. On the outside, she wrote "Beatrix" on it, in perfect calligraphy, before storing it into a chest pocket on her dress, close to her heart. She looked at the clock to read 11:50pm.

"Oh my, I believe... I'm ready for tomorrow." she smiled brightly to herself, standing up, and fixing the small mess she had created, before walking to her room. The festivities must of finished, for there was barely any sound in the castle, much less outside.

The knight began her journey to her room...

[The Alexandrian Army]

Nearly full by the time Beatrix and Mrs. Pots rolled out the buffet, the Alexandrian Army and the French household chuckled merrily with one another as they continued to party and dance, eat the meals prepared and ordered to by the general, and started getting tired.

By the time supper had been finished, half the ballroom was emty, and the party was over. Soldiers and staff alike had assisted in cleaning up the entirety of the castle's party areas while the general barked polite orders. Everyone had a blast, and their morale had somehow been pumped.

By eleven the entire ballroom was empty, save for the lone scientist, who was just leaving. She had to return to the ship, just like Sai had said. But as she was walking she saw several soldiers meet up with the general for a private conversation. She shook her head and frowned, exiting the castle.

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]"Yes, Captain Ria, that is correct. I want the six of you stationed at each collumn within the ballroom. I will return there shortly; make sure the lights are dimmed."

She saluted, and her soldiers followed suit before walking off to do their job. Beatrix sighed heavily and turned, making her way off to find Miss Appleton.

Having been given her good nights by Lady Agrias, Beatrix already knew where she would find her, so that was taken care of. The rubbed her hands together as the air grew chillier in the castle and, as she passed through the foyer she raised one arm and from a black ball of cloudy darkness hovering just over it sent streams of inky darkness throughout the palace.

Today would be the last that anyone here would see light. She had released darkness into Adam's Castle, and thus the Curse of Household would resurface. In time Belle would be heard screaming, and soldiers would be hard at work capturing the beast Adam had become. He would be useful later, as would Belle, a Princess of Heart.

She snickered. Now...to find Miss Appleton.[/glow]

[serpentoflore]

Sarah lay strangely quiet on the couch. Her hat had been removed, her eyes focusing on a blur in the ceiling. Her glasses had been removed to create some rest for her tired body. She still had to play for Beatrix's plan, but the power itself took a lot from her. Unlike in Acteur's theater, her body was constantly feeling the limits it had.

The piccolo was in her pocket, Sarah's eyes still staring at the strange blurs that came when she removed her glasses. 'Acteur...why is it that when you're not here... I miss you the most? Even though it was an order, part of me feels like it hurts.'

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]Beatrix found her in the den, the large fireplace alight with a warm, roaring fire; she came up along the back side of the sofa where Sarah Appleton lay and she stopped. Resting her hands on the back she stared down at the exhausted girl, her eye set on her gentle face.

"Something troubling you, Miss Appleton?" she asked quietly. "It looks like a a loved ghost haunts you. Come, when you're ready...I'd like to have you put into position back in the ballroom, up on the balcony. That is where you will begin the plan we discussed."

She patted the couch twice before turning and, again, paused, leaning back some. "And...don't you worry. Your efforts here will not go unrewarded, if that's what's bothering you." Smirking, she walked off to Agrias' room, setting herself into place for the enchantment Sarah would place on Adam's Castle.[/glow]