Showtime

[General Beatrix]

[glow=Purple,2,300]"... To be only a memory..." Ultimecia spoke quietly, " One easily forgotten... to fade..."[/glow]

It was barely audible, but the general was sure that in the next room over she could hear a solemn, beautiful exotic voice quietly mulling over her personal, private thoughts. After several moments of pulling on the door the handle had come off, leaving her trapped in the confines of the dusty room. She growled, and instead moved over to the wall nearby.

After that one sentence Beatrix heard only silence and the quiet nibblings of the mice in the upper rafters chewing, gnawing out little nests.

I wonder what that's all about, anyway? she thought, pressing up against an empty bookshelf, her ear touching the dusty wood; she either triggered a panel, or hit a switch, but it was apparent she'd intruded the moment the wall shifted, bringing the general into the other room. She hunched her shoulders, for fear she might incur the wrath of a terrible ghost if she turned.

When she did gather the courage, her hand was tightly fastened around the blade's hilt but...what she saw was no wraith; in fact, she was rather beautiful...a fallen angel? A demon? She couldn't tell in all this darkness, but there was an aura...

"S-state your business," she said dryly, somewhat unaccustomed to addressing divinity. "I, um...ahem! Excuse me," she yelped, dropping to her knee and slamming a fist to her heart. "General Beatrix Lilian Flint, Master of the Alexandrian Army...forgive me for addressing you so coldly...one can never be too careful in such a place what hosts all manner of madness..."

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]At the hearing of a presence, and suddenly the bookshelf giving in, she sighed, feeling she was once again working. She looked at herself once in the mirror, her eyes narrowing before she turned to see Beatrix. Her wing feathers would stretch in a majestic way before relaxing. She watched Beatrix, her mind elsewhere, unable to process well what was truly happening.

A new face who would probably forget her...

... a new person, who's memory would also have her fade.

Ultimecia closed her eyes, and simply stood there, her mind warping all over the place-- seeing the future and the past of this person. Beatrix Lilian Flint-- a woman with many titles... and her future was to hold yet another title. The witch of time opened her eyes, which glowed a soft gold in the dark surroundings. The single candle that was lit in the room was going out, and soon, both women would be enshrouded in darkness. [/glow]

[Gabranth]

"That's us! The uhh... box-shaped ship outside? We need that finished asap!" he said, then looked up...

He spotted Gabranth in one of the balconies. He waved up to the man, then excused himself to take a flight of stairs up. Walking over, he stood next to the man and looked down from the balcony onto the assembled cast. "People are gathering... What do you think of that group of dark ones down there...?" he asked, his tone less his usual joking and more a grim and serious one...

As he was up in the balcony, Gabranth had a clear view of most of the audience and main stage. He watched from his seat, hands rested upon his swords that stood just between his legs. From the Balcony he was rather well hidden, seeing as the main show had not taken place. He watched as strange individuals walked about, trying to make sense as to the place of such dark individuals. Until his thoughts and concentration where abrupted...

Gabranth had completely overlooked Hercules which had been waving to him from the ground below. He continued to peer off the balcony when, a sudden familiar voice would utter from behind him. Hercules had asked a question about the strange new people beginning to gather. He spoke quite firmly. What was once the boyish God's child like behavior, seemed but a glance. Gabranth's visage turned a bit toward his voice. This was quiet a change for the Judge. Hercules' new tone made him feel as though he could speak to him as an equal, rather than a pet on a leash. "These people have their own agenda. One I have no desire to set foot in. As for this Impressio and his plans for this Opera House, I've made my theory clear as we are not meant to leave this place." Gabranth stood from his chair. He halted his weapons and stood to Hercules. "However upon a further search Hades' grasp is still firm. I have but little time left." His hand clinching the plate of armor over his chest. "As for our part in Impressio's plans, I do not intend to make a debut. Our ship has been finished for sometime now I believe. We must make our escape soon while disorder is still among us. When your ready to take part to leave this wretched place, find me back stage. I am still curious as to who these new comers are."

Seeing as his time was short, Gabranth began to make his way down from the balcony, making his way to the rear of the stage for a quick look at the ones gathering. He had a feeling they may encounter a few of these people later in their travels. He wanted to watch and learn from them what he could, while awaiting word from Hercules.

[General Beatrix]

When the last shimmer of light faded the room fell silent, and Beatrix thought she could feel a moderately cool wind brush by. She shuddered in place, positively frightened that she'd stumbled upon an angry god, or some terror she was not emotionally ready to face alone. She thought back to the terrible deeds she committed; of course she was forgiven by her mortal compatriots...but the truly divine...or malign...would they too be seeking her out? Just because it was the most earth-shattering thing she'd ever seen--done!--was it truly so bad as to include outsiders?

"W-what is going on?" she stated simply, with a sign of fright in her voice. She could see nothing; the dark power to see in black places had since left her when the Black Heart in her fell asleep once more. "W-who are you?"

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]Beatrix could feel feathers surround her, and soon, there was a hand over her eye patch. The general was swooped up and pressed against the wall (or what felt as a wall) and was held here for only moments. In front of her, golden hues would shimmer from the darkness, similar to that of heartless-- but it was clearly that woman; the one she considered a God or Demon.

"I am the thin line out of Chaos and Cosmos' realm..." Spoke the Time Witch in that sultry way of hers, her voice closer than ever before, "... I live beyond existence and keep balance to your existance..."

Beatrix would start to feel a pain under that eye patch which would only increase as time slowed down, and reversed for that part of her face. It was unknown what was happening... Her wings would pin the woman down, so she was forced not to struggle, and endure it.

" I... am Ultimecia... the witch of time..." the pain began to slow down. This is the first time she had told anyone her name, " ...and I want you to revere me!"

The golden eyes seemed closer still, and the voice was right next to the General's ear as she spoke softly, "You have been granted clarity... waste not your rebirth bestowed by your sovereign."

"Beatrix..." she sounded almost sad here, her wings releasing Beatrix, and footsteps sounding beyond reach again, "... you are my failsafe to this world... do not die."

... and then silence. If Beatrix had found light within the room, she would of noticed the figure gone, and feel something different about herself... she could even see it, if she could point it out. [/glow]

[General Beatrix]

In the sudden moment General Beatrix faltered, locked in her frightened position, she had failed to catch that the Witch of Time moved in to get a firm grasp on her; soon Beatrix could see--not much, but definitely those piercing golden eyes which glared her down, only inches before her face. She could only watch in horror as Ultimecia's hand took its place over her eye patch.

When the right side of her face began shifting, there was a sudden familiarity in it; the pain was almost surreal to the general, and above all else she wished to cry out in agony, in horror at this terrible memory stacked with the monumental pain of what had happened. Her convulsing body pinned beneath the witch's power, however, would not allow for Beatrix to yelp, struggle or even protest in any other fashion; she cried, fearing for the worst and praying someone would come help her.

[glow=purple,2,300]"I... am Ultimecia... the witch of time...and I want you to revere me!"[/glow]

And then...like a sudden change of pace...the pain was slowly decreasing. Beatrix had since bitten her tongue to keep it in, gritted her teeth...but slowly she was beginning to relax, soaking in the Witch's words with strange curiosity and some archaic, familiar fear of the woman's name.

[glow=Purple,2,300]"You have been granted clarity... waste not your rebirth bestowed by your sovereign. Beatrix,"[/glow]

The general was released, but instead of falling with a loud thud against the floor she sort of feather-fell; when she touched the dusty wooden floor it was muffled, and only the fleeting sounds of footsteps echoing, getting farther away, could be heard.

[glow=purple,2,300]"... you are my failsafe to this world... do not die."[/glow]

She lay on the floor for some time after the voice stopped. The place where the Witch had held onto her--that accursed eye what had one day seen chaos and then every other afterward...felt different. Slowly she opened it, but because of the darkness...she could not see. Had something happened to her right eye?

She brought a shaking hand up to gently caress the area her scar had been and noticed...it was minimal. Her eye was no longer fastened as a...it worked!?

Quickly she hopped to her feet with both nervousness and some enthusiasm, hopeful what she thought was true, yet terrified it wasn't.

"Holy!" Beatrix snapped, raising her hand up above her head, clutching whatever light she could from the insignificant little orb appeared between her palm. With this low light her gaze panned the room...she could see very little, but at least she could see more; her right eye HAD been brought back from...

"GREAT ALEXANDER!"

Roaring with complete and utter joy mixed with terror General Beatrix Lilian Flint barreled through the door and back down the hallway, reaching once more the lobby and then quietly slinking into the audience room. For some reason her joy stacked over her fear and, drawing out her blade and raising it high, she called:

"I HAVE BEEN HEALED!" Tears poured down both cheeks that day and she only wished Agrias was there to witness the "old general" first...

[Agrias Oaks]

"GREAT ALEXANDER!" roared a familiar voice, sounding frightened. To this, Agrias snapped from her trance and looked toward an opened door, her eyes wide with fear. Had the heartless attacked!?

"Beatrix!" She whispered under her breath, holding the lute with a hand, almost like a sword as she dashed through the any instruments without tipping a single one. She made her way closer to the doors and pulled them wide open, looking about for any threats after seeing the General there, with sword held high.

"I HAVE BEEN HEALED!"

"LADY BEATRIX!" called the bard, rushing in and looking about-- wanting to see the whatever it was that caused for such outburst, "Are you alri--" she paused, seeing nothing. She calmed and looked to the crying general, noticing she had no eye patch and... wait.

Agrias was taken aback, the general was crying from both eyes, "... General... your...." she pointed, almost amazed at the miracle. "....great Cosmos...." she gasped.

[General Beatrix]

"A-agrias..." whispered the general, eyes wide as she moved in with her arms outstretched, grabbing her knight and pulling her into a close, loving embrace. "I have been...healed..."

She kissed her loving knight while the tears still fell, unsure about this strange miracle but profoundly glad to actually SEE her better. She held onto Agrias, happy that she'd made it.

"I...saw a light, and then she said...never mind." She decided simply to hold onto Agrias. "Somehow...I know you're partly responsible for the need to replenish my sight. I have been so blind, Agrias...and to everyone else..."

[Oeilvert]

When Sai accepted his treat the Sorcerer-Prince of Oz was thankful he'd not been rejected with this kind offer. He smiled, and knelt before his automaton.

"Here, Wall-E, let me wind you up again real quick," he said, twisting the keys on the back of the golem once more. "There you ar--"

"I'VE BEEN HEALED!"

"Hm? What's all this, then?"

[Agrias Oaks]

"I...saw a light, and then she said...never mind." She decided simply to hold onto Agrias. "Somehow...I know you're partly responsible for the need to replenish my sight. I have been so blind, Agrias...and to everyone else..."

The bard-like woman stayed there, watching Beatrix with wide eyes-- how beautiful she was, but... how did this happen? When she was held, she snapped out of her trance, and she held on to the woman, unsure if it was her or not at first...

"Healed...?" she whispered quietly, wrapping an arm around the woman's waist, and the other behind her head, as they shared a tender kiss.

"It would appear so... Lady Beatrix...." she paused giving her a small smile before growing worried, "Lady Beatrix, I am ever so glad for you to be restored to such impeccable beauty, but... hark, why are we hither? What is this place... and why are we surrounded by heartless? Has... has there been peace? Has something happened in my absence?"

She held the woman at arms length, trying to watch her. She showed nervousness in being here, "...and this "she" of which you speak... is it a witch of black feathers and silver horn-like hair... a woman of myth perhaps-- did she perform such miracle?"

[General Beatrix]

Beatrix smiled when their lips parted, and soon her face took on a serious tone once more. She shook her head, turning back to face the Heartless down on stage a moment.

"Peace? Highly doubtful, methinks. I spoke with MeadowSong, and Kefka and I shared a couple words...but no. We were invited by Acteur De La Noir...you'd remember him from..." she remembered that fateful day and sighed. "Radiant Garden, the day I was taken from you and Miss Abigail...the day I turned into that horrid beast."

Another stream of tears, but then she quickly wiped them away. "An invitation to be present and perform in some odd theatre performance, of sorts..."

Then Agrias brought up the Witch of Time.

"I...do not know, for I could see very little of her...but yes, I remember that she did, in fact, have wings. She called herself Ultimecia."

She smiled, thinking back to that angel what gave her back the old sense of perception. "Yes, Ultimecia..."

[MeadowSong]

[glow=Purple,2,300]The First Black Faerie's Heartless hovered over to where stood Atticus, her back straight, neck back and her staff standing tall to make her look more regal. She tapped lightly onto The Fallen's shoulder with the sceptre's tip and craned her neck inward slightly. Kefka, who was nearby, inched closer himself, just to hear what might be said.

"Atticus, is there any reason why Acteur's brought us here other than promises of some spectacular mirror?" she tapped her staff with a finger several times in contemplation, then pushed Kefka's closing-in face away from her own. "Meddlesome...anyway, I've come to notice that we're all gathered here and--"

Acteur suddenly arrived the moment she would continue, but instead she backed away from Atticus and took an imposing stance. The Dancing Madman stopped waltzing with himself and pulled out a large spyglass from the confines of his pocket to view the oncoming Puppeteer.[/glow]

[Hercules]

Hercules nodded as Gabranth walked off. He looked down at the people on stage and sighed a bit. It was obvious at this point that the Impresario had NO intentions whatsoever to let him see the mirror, but instead string him along forever. This wasn't getting him any closer to Meg, but the ship having been repaired did. Turning away from the balcony, he followed after Gabranth closely.

Soon, they'd be backstage, listening through the curtains at the rabble out in the audience area. Hercules sighed a bit, crossing his arms. "I don't like leaving everyone behind, but who knows what's going on with Meg right now? She's priority one..." he muttered, then looked to Gabranth. "So, let's get out of here. Nothing's really tying us down now, right?"

That's when Herc took a closer look at the people on stage. One of them REALLY stood out in his mind. "Wait..." he said, then grabbed Gabranth's shoulder lightly, turning him to face Kefka more clearly. "I recognize that guy! He was there when Meg got snatched!"

Looking to Gabranth, he had a serious look on his face. "Maybe he knows where she is now?"

[Agrias Oaks]

"So," started the bard, looking away and crossing her arms. She had rested her lute on her back with the strap it was attached so it hung comfortably there, "I wonder what this is...?" she sighed.

Her brown eyes would look to her surroundings-- noticing all the artistic wonders of the room, and she frowned a little, "Best not be a trap... oh, I would hate to ruin such fine craftsmanship with my..." she thought of this once more, remembering that her powers where useless, "... my.... lute bashing." she grumbled.

Agrias glanced to the 'new' General, hearing her speak of the witch and she sighed, "Such a mistical creature told me I was to follow my roots... that I must go on some journey to do so... but how difficult will it be to relive my past? What good am I how I am anywhere? I was told not to seek the power which I had lost, so how am I to do such omnious quest... if I know where to go, at least... if I had some sort of sign on how to start...!" she grew frustrated, clenching her hands into fists, "... I'm so bloody useless... pray forgive me...?"

[Atticus the Fallen]

Atticus turned his head somewhat as MeadowSong addressed him, and Kefka tried to pry. Her words were of concern, obviously on the fact that this distraction was delying something bigger... the plan that Atticus had not yet revealled to the others. They were anxious... probably beginning to question his sanity, or his methods, or even why he chose them in the first place. They'd know soon enough.

"Patience, my dear..." he whispered, looking to Acteur as he made his grand, albiet over-the-top entrance. "Have a little faith in your caretaker... I know what I'm doing."

With this, he fell silent, taking in all the words and the explanations. Atticus knew what the prize at the end of the tunnel was here. Now, it was only a matter of making sure he was in fact the one to savor victory...

"Should you win the trip to the Oracle... any of you..." he whispered through the darkness to those on his side. "...concede the victory to me. This is a selfish thing I ask you, but for your benefit. I need to know what obsticles threaten our victory before they happen, so that we all may enjoy... the final solution."