Showtime

[Acteur de la Noir]

As he stepped forward to place his hand gently upon Sarah's shoulder, Acteur's eyes brightened with what appeared to be delight--and a hint of mischief--when he heard of the orchestra's newest "addition." Turning his gaze to Agrias, the Heartless tipped his hat back a little to reveal the crescent smile of his mask--and, oddly enough, remove the ominous half-shadow that the wide brim cast over his artificial features. He recognized the Joan of Arc, transformed though her attire was...and, as ever, he saw the humor in such ironic twists of fate.

"A lute player, you say?" Acteur mused aloud, his ghostly voice humming with intrigued surprise. "Then I daresay we can expect good things from her--after all, I've heard the most astounding tales of what one can do with that instrument...including a story where one used the lute in conjunction with their magic to produce beings of water!" He paused, tilting his head to one side as though remembering something. "Or was it a sitar?" He shrugged, the grin in his voice as nonchalant as ever. "Ah, well...the point stands, I think."

Clearly, Agrias didn't share Acteur's humor at the current situation--her hasty departure was evidence enough of that. Turning to look at Sarah, the Heartless puppeteer offered a shrug, his voice taking on an apologetic note. "Dear, me...one can argue to great effect that I was the one at fault, here." He paused and stroked his chin, gauging the situation--the obvious distress he'd noticed on the other girl's face. "Perhaps we'd best go calm her down...t'would be a pity for others to think that I would dishonor this noble theater with the eternal conflict betwixt Light and Dark."

[serpentoflore]

"It would seem I am a cause as well." Sarah spoke, frowning at Agrias' hasty departure herself. It wasn't that she had intended to scare the holy knight, but it was all she seemed to do. Perhaps she was just expecting too much of a truce after the events that had happened before. "I suppose we could try and cheer her up." The feel of Acteur's hand on her shoulder had kept her from wandering back to the music and ignoring Agrais' actions.

"Is it really best if we do that? It seems her mind is unable to take in the situation." She looked towards his masked face again, showing her own hesitation on pursuing Agrias. What if they just made the situation worse?

[Sai]

Act 1~
The Fallen chuckled lightly, brushing the dark woman's cheek with his sharpened fingertips as she spoke on Beatrix's hypocritical nature. "Now now..." he whispered, regarding the creature. "Let's not be too critical of our once and future family member..." he said with a dark hint of foreboding.

Looking up, he saw the impresario walk away, asking all with an invitation to gather on stage. Wouldn't you know it, that's where they were, so he merely stayed in place. "How much longer will this nonsense go on... I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say that I am busy..."

Act 2~
Sai, too, must be growing impatient. They were already there, and awaiting instruction. Why did this obvious nervous wreck of a man go on insisting that they wait longer? It was a good thing he didn't possess the capability to feel emotions, or he'd be a very annoyed person about now.

Unable to do anything about this current prediciment, Sai took to looking about the Opera House. There was a lot here to keep the academically minded entertained, but what caught his attention was not the ornate statues, nor the delightful gilded walls. His eyes would fall on a far more welcomed, and familiar sight.

"Daphne..." he muttered to himself, staring into the crowd of soldiers as they militaristically took their places in the audience chairs. He could pinpoint her easily even among these seemingly clonelike faces, a fact he himself did not quite understand the workings of. All he knew was that several thoughts he had lately regarding her safety were confirmed while others were thankfully swept out. She was here. She was safe.

...The notes were safe... He looked away a moment, remembering what was important. Or... were they? Sometimes, he found himself weighing this question quite heavily. Frankly... he didn't know what he would do if he ever had to... choose.

Act 1.5~
Atticus watched with some displeasure as the soldiers came marching in. This... would not do. With so many in attendance that would favor those actors of the light... He had to find a way to tip the scales to his advantage. Turning to Ms. Go, he gestured lightly. "While we're waiting... why don't you and I take a private tour..." he suggested, knowing already that she would follow.

He walked down the stairs of the stage, approaching Ellin nearby and waving for her to follow as well. Disappearing into a side-room (possibly the dressing rooms), he turned to the two of them. "A new thought occurs to me. A recording barely befits the stirring emotion of a live performance. Could the two of you bring a selection of the younglings here?" he said quickly, knowing that this request would seem off-base from him.

"The elder heartless of the World of Darkness have seen much, experienced much, but they have not. Surely, knowledge of the arts is something to see for oneself... and not through duplication..." He looked out the door now, glancing at the Alexandrian Soldiers. "And seeing as the arts belong to us all... I'd say at least as many children as this rabble is strong should be only fair, yes?"

Looking to the two, he nodded a bit, making the point that his mind was made up. "The film can go to the adults... but let the eager ones come, if they wish... Let's give this dottering old man what he most covets... A full house."

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]"It seems that a beast is lost." Came a voice, and as if timed, Ultimecia appeared to cover Agrias with her wings, allowing the panicking knight some time to breathe, and blend in with the surroundings; she would appear like another face in Jidoor Opera House-- part of the instrument group that could easily be overlooked.

It is uncertain if Ultimecia was helping her or not, since she had a dull expression as she watched the others arrive; It was getting crowded now. [/glow]

"A witch..." Agrias would gasp, noticing their surroundings grow slower in movement, until suddenly it all stopped; almost like a picture frame, "What does a witch wish of me, of all people?!" the knight would demand, obviously tired of surprises.

[glow=purple,2,800]"To leap over stepping stones, Holy Lion" said the Time Witch, turning enough to watch the knight with the corner of her eye, "Legendary Knight ...which has locked herself away, and wallows in grief. Have you lost your pride?" [/glow]

"Pride!? What do you speak of-- this pride, I have, but..." She grunted a little, gripping tighter at the lute, "...my Holy... I cannot feel it anymore, such spark that has been my entire life is gone!"

[glow=purple,2,800]"Do you power? " Tsked the witch, looking over to the paused scene-- Beatrix was walking right past them at this point, with Abigail and the others, "Trifle thing can be retrieved... or even greater the second time around. Why complain... when there is much to do, and such little time yet? Have you gone fat, Lion?"[/glow]

"How in the world can I retrieve something so far from me?" The knight sighed, watching the woman for some answers.

[glow=purple,2,800]Ultimecia smiled at this, turning just enough to look at the woman with both her eyes now. Gold hues glowing, " You must follow your roots." The witch gave her a soft smile, time around them beginning to speed up, " Power is a gift... but do not seek it."

Time went back to normal. To everyone else, the witch and bard simply exchanged looks once, before Ultimecia made her way to the audience chairs, leaving the knight baffled. [/glow]

"Follow my roots...?" Agrias would sigh, looking down at the musical instrument, "...do not seek power-- but how am I to get so much back...? ... Follow my roots?" she repeated, "... how can I..."

She plucked idly at the strings of the lute, in thought, "... how can I do such a feat? I need power in order to become a Holy Knight... but what did she mean not to... ugh.." she stayed quiet, watching a few other soldiers pass her. Thankfully she was able to blend in with her new look.

[Ellin Destroix]

A glint in her eyes proved she was most joyous when Atticus wished to bring the children of the dark here, to witness their very first Arts. She gasped and clapped her hands together, "That is a most wonderful idea! So thoughtful, Ser Atticus! I shall get them right away! Oh, how happy they will be! But... should I warn the others or? I will keep them safe but... I think she should at least warn one of the members of Light so no outburst happens... right? Ah, I am sure I can tell that White Mage- um... Abigail, yes? She seems understanding. They are just children, I do not wish them to be frightened, and much less for them to be scorned..."

Ellin knew how it was to be scorned after all. If anything, she would chaperon the babies, but she wanted to plan things first, and make sure nothing bad happens to the young-lings.



~~~~~~~~

[glow=green,2,800]Ms. Go would be snuggling against Atticus' hand through this conversation, looking to Ellin with a raised eyebrow. She was not one of them but... felt like one of them, and even acted like one of them...? How weird, but she seemed nice to her kind, and that is all that mattered. When The Fallen suggested to bring the children over, the thief agreed that it would be a wonderful experience for them... but she was a little nervous to the fact they were just that... children.

"I'm sure we can figure something out. Ellin seems to really care for them-- I can have some of my friends handle the cameras, and that way you can watch over the children freely, how does that sound?" she would ask Atticus. Ellin already excited by the idea. [/glow]

[Acteur de la Noir]

Acteur stroked his chin with his free hand as he considered Sarah's point, his mask having somehow changed its expression to a musing frown. There was something to that argument, there--when one was in such a fragile emotional state, it often didn't take much to push them over the edge. And, from what he understood of Agrias--though admittedly, he was lacking in interaction with the lady fair of the former general Beatrix--the lass was quite a mess from recent events. Under normal circumstances, Acteur would have delighted in such a breakdown--verily, he would have contributed. Alas, there was the upcoming performance to consider...and, contribution to Lord Atticus' scheme notwithstanding, Acteur de la Noir did so hate to disrupt a theatrical endeavor such as this. It wouldn't do to antagonize a member of the cast.

For a moment, the Heartless puppeteer found himself gazing at Sarah, who accepted the arm around her without complaint--much as she had accepted him, just as he was. And he had to wonder...perhaps he also didn't want to show this lovely (amazing how quickly the word came to mind) musician such a dark aspect of his character...?

Presently, Acteur let out a musing hum, tilting his head this way and that. "Well-spoken, cherie," he commended his apprentice, favoring her with a sweep of his free palm that restored the crescent-smile to his porcelain features. "Mayhap it should be just you who goes to reassure her...she did seem to have some measure of trust in you, from what I gathered when I walked in." He paused, his ghostly yellow eyes finding hers. "Moreover, thou art both musician and human...and thus, far less likely to alarm a defender of the Light than myself."

Another pause, and the gloved fingers on Sarah's shoulder glided about, idly brushing along the brim of the elegantly-clad musician's witch-esque hat. "Or, as you say, perhaps the best solution in this matter would be distance--leave our fragile heroine be, and seek out the rest of the cast."

[serpentoflore]

"Miss Oaks would most likely feel better if she were allowed to have some breathing room. If her allies were to trust our intent, then we could go ahead without worrying too many of them." She spoke, her voice soft enough to keep whatever they spoke within their range of hearing. She knew that with all of the actors assembling that there would be more that would make her already fragile condition worsen. Agrias needed help from someone other than them and hopefully she would be able to participate as a proper actor.

The familiar feeling of comfort had come to her. Part of her wanted to grasp the puppet tightly in a hug, but knew better than to do so when they had so much work to do. A show to pull together and create in a short amount of time needed to be perfected right. She would be happy with this for now.

----

Nivea knew that she could not act and had not received an invitation. The ability to sit in the audience was perhaps her best way of not being too suspicious. To try too hard to fit in would be more obvious than if she did try. Slowly she made her way towards the audience seats, keeping her eyes on Daphne only with a curious glance.

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Abigail marched forward with the group, keeping pace alongside Beatrix as a fellow Sister of Light. There was... something encouraging about this comraderie. She felt like she could handle anything, tall and proud with the soldiers at her back and their next challenge ahead of them. There was only one thing weighing on her mind as they strode into the Opera House and took their seats.

Reaching into her pouch, she produced two invitations. One was clearly addressed to Abigail Crescentlight, but the other belonged to a woman who had not yet made her appearance (as far as Abigail was aware, anyway). She looked to Beatrix with a somewhat worried expression, holding Agrias' invite in her hand lightly. This was made worse by the fact that the impresario had requested that all who had been called gather on stage.

How would Agrias know to meet them there? She hoped the woman appeared soon so she could inform her. Part of her doubted that she could be on the same stage with people like the Fallen around, who had been so cruel to everyone here. She was privately thankful that she had not yet been touched by his evil... again... as far as she knew.

Thankfully, she wouldn't have to endure his presence for long. He snuck off with a small entourage, and that left people like MeadowSong and Kefka there. She frowned, setting a determined look on her face as she strode forward. She wasn't going to show these dark monsters weakness... not after all they've done!

Still, a part of her wished Agrias was here. She'd feel much more safe if both her fellow sisters were here... Especially considering Bea's recent struggle with her own darkness. Abigail very highly doubted, even with the Miss's instructions and her newfound power, that she could handle it if this was all an elaborate scheme to defeat the light-wielding heroines...

Maybe she shouldn't have given that scroll away so haphazardly?

[General Beatrix]

Beatrix stood conversing quietly with herself and several soldiers who came to and from the stage at random intervals, leaving their seats in the audience and making long treks to meet their leader. As she whispered silent orders, gave curt, obvious advice and scolded, the others in the background shifted uneasily, taking notice of the Heartless below and those who skulked off.

The general didn't seem to troubled by this; instead she moved over to MeadowSong and Kefka, the former speaking aloud an inner monologue while the latter pestered the crow on the green-clad sorcerer's shoulder nearby. The sorcerer himself was not pleased, and Beatrix slapped the Dancing Madman's hand away from Locke the last time he reached out to pluck a tail feather.

"So I see that your poppinjay's been able to drag you along, as well, Kefka?" She turned to MeadowSong, who had since ceased rambling to no one and bowed her head. "Good evening..." she said with a slight wince, both disgusted and enchanted by her new appearance. "I'd like to believe Mister De La Noir has a good reason for mixing us all together, but I can not for the life of me come up with anything. How about the two of you?"

[glow=Purple,2,300]"I've absolutely no clue as to why he arranged this, and I'm pretty sure neither does Kefka, here. Now, now...you're looking rather...bright, aren't you, Beatrix?" Her grin was a wicked, priceless thing even Kefka raised an eyebrow at. "I'm sure Atticus will love to see you here, ha!"

The Dancing Madman toddled off almost instantly after, moving to pester Oeilvert once more, who was busy attending to Wall-E, binding some loose bolts.[/glow]

[Ellin Destroix]

A splendid cheer escaped the knights lips as she slipped out of the dressing room and into the hallway, a wide grin stretching from ear to ear. She dashed through some soldiers, trying to make her way to the front of the line. She would eventually stop, and look to some of the soldiers as she continued to advance further, giving them subtle winks, and a coy smirk.

"Oh yes, I remember you... face planted on cobble stone." she would think on one.

"Oh hoh hoh, Cassandra, I remember giving you a low kick that had you out for three days..." she thought of another.

"OH! It's Ellis..." but to this, she stayed quiet, and shrugged it off with a light blush, "... u-uhm...next..." she made a cat-like purr sound, before moving on. A few ways away, she saw the coal black hair in the sea of yellow, and with no patience, she squeezed her way through soldiers, flailing her arms happily, and calling for the white mage.

"MISS ABIGAIL~!" She would call out merrily, "OH MISS ABIGAIL, PLEASE WAIT~ Ah, oh... sorry Julie-- um..pardon Sue, MISS ABIGAIL~"

[Shego]

[glow=green,2,800]Ms. Go would watch the woman leave, and she would be thankful for this... it meant she FINALLY had some time alone with Atticus. She sighed dreamily, and snuggled against his arm, closing her eyes and enjoying the moment.

"Well... How has your day been so far, sweetie? It was nice of you to want the children to come~" she could coo gently, her index finger playing with the rim of his scare-crow like hat, " Did you miss me?"[/glow]

[Lilith]

Lilith snapped out of a daydream at Beatrix's request, the vampire gave a slight nod to the group and disappeared back into the hold.
she followed her nose but was unable to find Vivi, she shook her head and looked for Lexia in the next few seconds she had found her.

"lex, bea would like you in the opera house, see you there"
with that the vampire left and followed after Agrias' scent it was weaker than usual but still followable.

she followed it out of the ship, the vampire pinched her brow.
"its never easy"
Lilith was tired... it was odd, vampires don't tend to get tired...
maybe she was mistaking tiredness for something else.
she stared down at the mostly empty blood pack.
"I think I need something... more"
the vampire ended up doing another out of character thing. walking. she squeezed the last few drops out of the pack and then scrumpled it up into a ball and tossed it to the side.

she had reached the doors... she knocked and awaited an answer.

[Sai]

Act 1~
Sai watched with suspicious eyes as Atticus made his way away from the stage. That could only mean the Heartless was up to no good. He couldn't sneak after him, knowing he'd be caught in the act. Sadly, he'd have to wait for the drama to play out.

Looking over to Oeilvert and spotting his troubles with Kefka, Sai decided to run interferance. After all, if this powder keg goes off, who knows what kind of collateral damage could happen. Walking over, he placed a hand on the wizard's free shoulder. "Go look for a concession stand or kitchen. Your mana is low, and you need to replenish," he said simply, then looked to Kefka with those dulled eyes.

"Your energies are better suited to finding the one who invited us..." he said, waving the invite in his hand lightly. "...so we can get whatever he wants out of the way and go back to doing what we have to do..." With a nod, Sai turned his back on the stage and those there, to hop off and walk down the isle. He had other, better things to do with his time than stand around and wait for the madness to start.

He didn't diverge from his path once it was set. Practically a straight line was drawn in his actions from stage to the seat where she sat. The scientist was at center of his focus right now. Stopping at her side, Sai bowed his head politely. "Daphne..." he said softly...

Act 2~
Atticus watched Ellin walk off, his eyes watching her actions carefully. She was a wild card in this game, and he didn't fully trust her even if he appreciated her kindness to their kind. Perhaps he was a tad out of bounds by disguising his plotting with the mask of consideration, using the children as a weapon even... but this was war... Besides, they wouldn't be harmed. Ellin would make sure of that... otherwise...

Atticus was pulled from his thoughts by a tugging on his arm and a playful giggle. Shego's heartless had become... somewhat attatched to him for some reason, but it was to be expected. Some who asked for their heart to join their ilk had become... somewhat obsessed in the past before. Was it so suprising that this one would become entranced with the one who took hers?

The Dark One wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, his glowing eyes staring into hers. "You know me... a regular family man..." he whispered, then tapped her nose with his sharpened nail. "But I am busy..." he added, and gently let her go. "Work hard... try to win the prize at the end..." he said, then disappeared out the door.

[HardeWare]

the super's remaining eye twitched he stared at the sudden mass of people.
"I'm not cut out for crowds."
Hardeware pushed his way through the crowd and went backstage and found an assortment of broken stage equipment.
the super sat down and pulled himself away from reality, immersing himself in technology.

[General Beatrix]

When Sai interrupted the clown from his goofing around both Oeilvert and his companion Locke felt much better. To his request he nodded and glanced down, reaching for the little hand of the automaton Wall-E. When he was sure the robot's attention was back on the sorcerer and ready to move he led the golem off the stage and up the service hall leading back into the lobby.

"A concession stand..." he whispered, looking around. "Now where would I fin--ah! There's one. Let's go, Wall-E, Locke. I hope Sai likes whatever this place has to offer."

[glow=Yellow,2,300]Kefka folded his arms and wrinkled his nose at Sai, letting out an exaggerated huff of displeasure when he tried changing the subject from bothering the sorcerer's bird to paying attention to what was going on.

"You might be right, Atticus--er, whomever you are--whatever," he said, tilting his head at the Nobody with mild confusion as he walked back over to MeadowSong and Beatrix, looking for the Impresario with no luck. He was growing very impatient, but with the sources of great power flocking in one place he thought it best to wait it out and see where this goes. They'd all be victims one way or another, right?[/glow]

When Sai approached her Daphne was busy assisting one of the other Alexandrian Soldiers with a lipstick mishap. She was somewhat deep in thought while she worked so it took her two assistants some poking and prodding to get her to look up from what she was doing.

"Hm? Oh, Sai!" she yelped, leaping from her seat and ultimately giving birth to a new lipstick hazzard on the other poor soldier's face. She threw her arms over the Nobody and began shaking, her eyes almost wet with tears.

"Oh, you're back...I was so worried about you..." she pulled away from him and stared into his cold, uncaring eye with a loving smile. "What did you learn? I've kept everything for you here safe...and like you said, what happened over in Prince Adam's world went as expected...and now everything's fine. Look, down there, is the general. She's wearing light colors once more...I'm still somewhat unsure of what's happened, but I'm glad things are back to normal." She looked around, taking note of the Heartless gathered alongside Beatrix and winced. "Well, getting there."

She moved in and brushed his har away so she could see his other eye, inched her face a bit closer and kissed his forehead, afraid to remove the scarf covering his lips.

Taking his hands she held on fast. "So tell me of your advent--"

A cloud of irridescent smoke rose from the stage's center, heralding the presence once more of the grand Impresario. Throwing out his arms in a wildly dramatic fashion he addressed all of those who would listen.

"At long last the cast has assembled!" he proclaimed with a seemingly magically amplified voice. "Mister De La Noir, if you'd be so kind as to make your presence known we may begin and put our fine crew into their respective groups and begin auditioning for exact roles!"

As Kefka arrived to speak with MeadowSong and the Sorcerer from Oz walked off with his robot Beatrix took note that Sai had been the one to approach him. As of now he was preoccupied with Daphne...well, no matter, she'd talk with him later. Right now...

"Nexus," she said, but was interrupted by the bright appearance once more of the Impresario. "Ugh...we'll discuss this afterward."