Showtime

[Abigail Crescentlight]

At first, Abigail was somewhat apprehensive. The black cloak was... intimidating, really. However, as she draped it around her shoulders and pulled up the hood... she strangely felt a sense of calm. She felt protected, safe. How odd. With a smile, she looked to Ellin and nodded. "Alright... I trust you," she said firmly, then looked around.

Darkness was pulsating, pulling together to form the fabled dark corridor. She gulped lightly, frightened of these things after having seen so much evil come from them. With a light nod, which set her expression to one of conviction, she reached out and took the dark knight's hand, fingers lightly curling around those sharpened points. How strange... not too long ago, these very same styled hands might have crushed that delicate appendage of hers.

With one final intake of breath to steele herself against the oncoming wave of darkness, Abigail stepped into the corridor with Ellin, transported to who-knows-where...

[Ellin Destroix]

The dark knight slowly curled her fingertips around the mage's delicate hand, and pulled her close, but only slightly in order for both to be swallowed by the dark corridor. Ellin looked down upon the frightened mage, curious of the woman that had gotten close enough to call a friend. Wait-- a friend? This caused the darkest knight's heart to skip a beat-- did she really have a friend?

**For the Children! World of Darkness, Field trip. **

[Sai]

Sai was silent a moment. It was clear that he was mulling things over... thinking about them, going over the key facts in his mind. Daphne... had just admitted openly that she loved him. He...had no idea what to do or say now. Was he expected to return her affections? Was he supposed to "feel" something here? He remembered that being in love was supposed to be a good thing... but was it wise?

Looking to the woman who, despite being of scientific background, did the most irrational things at times. She mentioned maybe someday he'd possess the ability to share these thing with her, to which he would simply nod, then turn around to face the stage. The Impresario had made his appearance, and was announcing the beginning of their auditions, tedious as it was.

Sai once more went to leave to Daphne, taking a few steps backward before realizing there was nothing that needed to be said here. From there, he'd turn and walk properly, still trying to understand what was expected of him... and if it was fair of him to keep doing whatever it was that made this woman see him as a romantic symbol. It would be in her best interest if she'd simply ignore the feelings, but Sai was uncertain if she could. Emotions are powerful things, after all... just look at the UnVersed.

Stopping on stage, Sai remained silent and brooding, staring at the floor and standing as far away from the Fallen as possible...

[Abigail Crescentlight]

~Gone with Ellin~

[nexus]

Nexus looked around, still a bit confused about what he was supposed to be doing. He saw more and more people arrive and start filling up the seats, mostly the soldiers, he looked from face to face, and couldn't tell the difference between most of them. Then the hair of one caught his eye, it was her, Ria, he raised his good hand and gave her a quick wave and smiled at her as well.

Seeing some of the other soldiers look back and forth at them, some with a scowl, some with giggles, he quickly put his hand back at his side, as his face started to turn a little red. with a little bit of a "sigh" he returned to standing there, wondering whats happening next.

[Acteur de la Noir]

As he began to close in on the Impresario--tracking him through those subtle, enigmatic means of tracking that those who dwell in the Darkness are known for--Acteur paused, struck by some undefinable thought. Or was it a flicker of a presence, something that passed across his astral senses and hinted at events unfolding behind the scenes?

Pausing in mid-step, the Phantom Puppeteer paused and looked back the way he'd come, his ghostly eyes glittering behind his mask. Was it just his fertile imagine, perhaps?

So why this feeling that he'd picked up on it before...?

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]"The music is perfect as is." Ultimecia whispered to the girl, still standing in place. Her wings would flex a little before relaxing, a few brown feathers falling-- the woman looked tired, sleepy almost, since the last time they met, " Such emotion you place here... can now be spared elsewhere..." she gave a light pause here, turning to the door. She felt artificial eyes upon her.

"You should... enjoy your time now." Ultimecia finally turned to Sarah, and walked closer to her. She placed a hand over the other girl's hand, lightly curling her clothed fingers around the charcoal stick, "... before the show begins..." she spoke closely now, her lips near the musician's young ears, "...smile for him."

-- If Sarah went to push her away, or slap her, or even look to her, she will find the witch had already gone. If she glanced down to her hand, she would notice a feather on the piece she was working on. This feather disappeared slowly, unlike the others which were instant... This woman was not a dream--[/glow]

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias was sitting near the other musical instruments, thinking hard on what Ultimecia had told her. To follow her roots-- did that mean she had to remember everything from the beginning? Her father?

. . . The bardess plucked strings idly from the lute once more, her fingers moving something complexed along the strings, a tango like melody began to play. . .

" As a good knight, you must learn grace, and style, my son." she remembered her father telling her; he always wanted a male. Mother died, and he refused to remarry... and so, she was donned the title, son, "To be agile with your fingers, and quick on your feet prove useful in battle. War is a dance, and you must make its melody. Control your fingers, and you will be able to handle an arrow, and perhaps later, a sword. "

. . . Agrias played with haste on her fingers, and they would move up and down along the neck of the lute, while her other hand plucked just as quickly at the strings. . .

. . . She could feel the music, and she stood up, continuing to play. Her eyes were closed for this, and she moved with swiftness in Tango. Her expression showing much emotion as the lute was also her dance partner, remembering the many wars she faced with her allies, and the blood shed. . . She was following the roots. . . what was next? What was she shown next. . .?

"...handle an arrow..."

Agrias stopped, panting after a nice dance session, her body and fingers aching something fierce from the strains she had inflicted upon herself. "To handle an arrow..." she repeated, standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by instruments. She looked down at her lute, and sighed... she had a long way to go-- and she was beginning to feel lonely.

[The Alexandrian Army]

Ria was rather bored with the other girls who did nothing but nag and pester her about Nexus. What did they talk about? Did he hurt you? Is he single? Is he looking? It was getting rather bothersome for the young soldier. Maara stepped in several times to buy her some room, and she was able to escape conversation.

"Sweet Alexander!" she would complain, crossing her arms, " We were just talking! Nothing bad happened! Stop worrying, I can handle myself!" she huffed.

" Oh, Ria, don't think ill of what's happening..." Maara smiled, hugging her, "You are our sister, and we love you-- we just want what's best for you... well... I do. Don't worry, I won't steal your man."

"Steal my wh--" Ria would blush darkly, "STEAL MY M-"

"SPEAKING OF!" Maara reached up to put her hands on the girl's cheeks to turn her face a different direction, "Someones waaaving at youuu~" she would tease.

Ria blinked, her attention being taken by the dragon hunter who was waving to her. She blushed a darker color, if possible, "H-... "

"He won't be able to hear you from here. Just wave." Maara tried to help, and Ria did so. She held her hand up and waved to him, giving him a sweet, shy smile, when the other soldiers where butting in.

"BREAK IT UP, GIRLS!" Maara tried to insist, "Sit and stay quiet! You don't want to upset the general do you!?"

It was then when everyone calmed, and began to behave.

[General Beatrix]

As Oeilvert did his best to haggle with the good vendor, he noticed Wall-E pointing out goodies it found interesting; plucking and tapping on certain pictures of foods and beverages it took only a moment for the concession worker to prepare a perfect tray.

When things settled, he handed Wall-E two drinking cups to hold onto, as the tray could not hold them both, along with the rest of what he'd purchased, and led the small automaton back into the audience room. Finding Sai heading back onto stage he rushed cautiously down the service hall with robot in tow and settled the food tray on the stage before picking up Wall-E and settling the golem beside and, finally, crawling up himself.

Collecting the tray once more Oeilvert handed Sai what he'd purchased for him and separated his own food.

"Sai, I do hope this is satisfactory...where did the Heartless go, anyway? She should come collect her meal."

Beatrix noticed idly Nexus' nervousness when staring into the crowd that was Alexandrian Soldiers; instantly she knew what was going on and, with her single eye, followed the Dragon Hunter's vision. Pointing out Ria, the general frowned and moved to Nexus' side and fiercely grabbed onto his shoulder.

"So I see you've made a friend aboard the Rose," she whispered to him, her facial expression changing from disappointment to indifference; she didn't want the soldiers to see her displeasure mounted on her face.

"Very interesting, but please make sure not to allow me to lose even a single soldier to your hormonal imbalance. Aboard my ship men must control themselves physically if they are to survive; I'd rather not have any children being brought into this war, if you don't mind."

When the dark presence of Acteur De La Noir was coming close, the grand Impresario began reeling with excitement; the show would go off without a hitch!

"Ahem, ahem! Attention, everyone! Mister De La Noir is upon us!" Perhaps with the Puppeteer's assembled cast and their combined idea of a grand parody would warrant the abandomnent of auditions; perhaps they were born for their particular roles and, throughout their adventures everything would unfold.

[serpentoflore]

Sarah blinked, noticing the woman had gone just as fast as she had come. Her gloved hand slowly dropped the charcoal stick, feeling a little light headed. An image came into her head, the snake...but it was transforming into something... The image popped and diluted into the sheet music in front of her. "Who is it? I remember her but why is she important?" Part of her wanted to hunt the woman down and demand answers. Another part of her realized the show would not wait for something like that.

Taking the deepest breath she could, she went back to work on the sheet music.

----

It was confusing to Nivea as she watched the two interact. On one hand, Daphne apparently liked the target "Sai." Yet on the other hand, Sai seemed to have little to no interest in her from the reactions he gave. There was certainly a connection, but how deep? Could she really be used?

[Sai]

Sai watched as Atticus came back... his eyes narrowing with contempt for the Heartless. So close... and yet so far. He knew he couldn't attack him... couldn't put an END to him right here and now, not just because there was a significant gap in the power balance, but also because defeating the heartless now would only send him back to darkness where he'd reform. Sai had to be patient.

And speaking of, at that moment, Oeilvert returned with Wall-E and offered food to him. He blinked a moment, confused by this at first but simply shook his head a bit. He didn't have to eat, but they were generous enough to think of him. How rude would it be to ignore this? For fear of seeming ungrateful, Sai took from the construct's outstretched hand a single ice cream bar. Peeling away the wrapper, he'd hold the pearl-white Seasalt Icecream up, and pull his scarf down with his face turned away from the group at large.

"It's salty..." he observed, "...but sweet." He licked at it absentmindedly, keeping an eye on the Impresario, who had announced Acteur even though the "man" was not yet present. They still had time. A slight turn of his head, and a nod later, Sai would speak to Oeilvert once more. "You may as well sit and enjoy. Rejuvinate what was lost..."

He paused, thinking a bit. "As for our dear Ms. Go... I'm sure she's around here somewhere..."

[General Beatrix]

With Nexus ignoring the general in favor of tasting Ria with his eyes Beatrix twitched minorly and instead moved about the stage, taking in more of the sites and even glancing at several of the people here. When she saw Sai she nodded to him, raising an eyebrow at his two new companions.

"Ahem..." she cleared her throat as she passed, shaking her head and set forth off the stage; she brushed by the Impresario only momentarily to inform him she'd be back momentarily and disappeared up the service hall and out into the main lobby. She was looking for somewhere she could powder her nose and, when asking a member of the House's staff where she could find such a place, she was directed down a dark hallway off the south side.

She crept down this narrow hall with caution; one could never be too careful when Heartless were about, and so she kept a steady hand on Save the Queen's hilt.

A door propped open slightly was enough to make the general head for it, since she wasn't about ready to trek through the darker areas of this haunted place. Closing the door behind her she was quite surprised to see she'd found a storage room; there were paintings and relics here, covered by dusty rags and sheets, and even a large, broken chandelier settled neatly over on the room's side.

"Hm...this is definitely the wrong room." She turned to exit this room and attempt another look for the powder room when she found the door had gotten stuck. "Bullocks..."

[Acteur de la Noir]

Just like that, the presence was gone, leaving Acteur de la Noir to ponder its meaning. So fleeting it was, one might have dismissed it as the work of an over-active imagination...but the Phantom Puppeteer knew better. It hadn't been the first time he'd felt this particular presence--its elusive nature was the key. If he wasn't imagining it, then the mysterious witch he'd encountered backstage had been and gone; no doubt, she'd walked between the seconds on the clock as before. Had she approached Sarah again? And what was her motivation for doing so?

Initially, Acteur suspected that this mysterious witch had been trying to interfere with him...to turn Sarah away from him. But now, after his own confrontation with her--and the events of Beast's Castle--the Heartless puppet wasn't so sure. What if she had other reasons for her presence? What stake could she possibly have in this whole drama...and what did it have to do with him and Sarah?

Abruptly, the Heartless Puppeteer shook his head. The hour of the play was upon them...duty called. Time enough to work this all out later.

Even so, Acteur took a moment to focus his will, casting out into the darkness as he whirled his arm in a grand flourish. In response to his summons, the shadows rippled and swayed...and then, in a burst of dimensional magic, the bell-like figures of five musical Heartless--a pair of emerald-hued Green Requiems, and a trio of their silvery-white counterparts, the Silver Rocks--emerged from the void, darting forward and awaiting the command of their Victorian-inspired brethren. To the five music-inspired magi, Acteur tipped his hat in greeting and pointed back in the direction of Sarah's rehearsal studio. "Watch over my apprentice. you lot," he commanded. "See that she's tended to. And if there's any trouble, come for me."

The five musical Heartless dipped their small heads in response and darted away, zipping off to provide themselves as muses for Sarah Appleton. After a moment's pause, his dark mind afloat with all manner of half-revealed thoughts, Acteur turned with a whirl of his cloak, striding in the direction of the main stage...

The Main Theater:

At that moment, the sound of doors being shoved open would likely attract most eyes to the main entryway...only to find empty space as those ornate panels swung open. That, and a dissipating burst of black-and-purple smoke, with motes of dusky radiance floating amidst it. Then there came an eruption of that same smoke from the stage...and this time, a familiar figure stepped for from the magician-worthy blast of mist, throwing his cape open with a grand flourish and wearing that familiar crescent-grin on his porcelain features.

"Bonjour, friends and adversaries from the worlds of Light and Dark!" Acteur de la Noir crowed. "The time has come for our endless struggle to become an epic--for the audience to behold as never before!"

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]A door within the dark hallway would be slightly ajar, and move with the calm winds which passed idly by the ventilation system. This was another storage room, comprised of props for acts; masks, Victorian style dresses, hats, and wood pieces would be here collecting dust. There was also a vanity in the middle of the room, where actors would apply makeup, and theater wigs before going up on stage.

Ultimecia would be there, starring at that image in the mirror. Even though the woman starring back at her was young. She walked a bit forward, resting those sharp fingertips lightly against the smooth surface. The only thing which showed age were her withering wings, and perfect silver hair. Oh, how young she looked compared to how old she felt... but this was every woman's dream, to be beautiful... so why be angry?

" ... To be only a memory..." Ultimecia spoke quietly, " One easily forgotten... to fade..." She closed her eyes, remembering the look Jenova had. The look of unknowing... of unfamiliarity... [/glow]