Twilight spread like a spell over Alexandria that night. All was quiet but no one was asleep. The stars sparkled iridescently adding only a soft touch up to the darkness of the night. Gaia's two moons hung over head giving off a soft red and blue glow to the castle's crystal who struck up from it's center touching the sky. The night was windy for the rooftop viewers, enduring an inconvenience for this one time extravaganza. The Nobles waited in their reserved seats up front near the stage of the play. They were exquisitely dressed in their expensive clothing and guarded from outside interruptions by the Queen's loyal Knights of Pluto and others from General Beatrix's Squad. The theater ship's band played orchestrated symphonies letting the audience get a taste of what was to come. No one noticed the rat faced kid or a small black mage blend inconspicuously behind the aristocrats.
The conductor called for silence and at once the mannered guests were showering the band with a soft elegant applause. Above it all stood a royal balcony on which Queen Brahne herself sat, untroubled, to enjoy the play. She waved her fan roughly against her skin needing any air she could get to withstand the heat of her overweight body. Her robes clung to her fat and her crowned hair stuck out from either side of her head. Her face was overly done with makeup that by now she believed was starting to wear off although others wondered how she could even blink. The queen smiled at the starting of the show, exposing her hideous teeth and jostling the massive amount of jewerly weighed on her wrists, fingers, and neck.
Princess Garnet sat next to her mother having second doubts about her actions. Everyone was so jubilant so why did she feel depressed? The play would be magnificent and she'd hate to miss it but she had more pivotal things to concern herself with. There were so many things that could go wrong though; so many simple mistakes that may bind her to the castle for eternity. There was also that chance that once she snuck on the Prima Vista the crew would find her and take her back. Or her uncle may not even listen and send her back proving the trouble worthless. Garnet's eyes were lost in thought gazing off into the distance and blocking out the contentment around her. Her eyelids drooped and her face seemed broken.
Captain of the Pluto Knights, Adelbert Steiner stood behind the queen, his sword held upward with both hands acting as a guardian for his royal Majesty. He stood arrogant, looking at the play knowing that on his signal it would all begin. Steiner once glanced over at his Princess and noticed the distraught face she wore but was confident that when the play began her attractive features would glow again. The remaining lights on the stage shut off abruptly with a crash and people sitting next to each other could not make out their partners in the dimness. Steiner sliced his sword through the air in front of him, pointing it towards the theater.
At once there were fireworks of rainbow colors shooting up at the sky and exploding in a wheel of brightness and sound. Music played loud and lively stirring up the crowds who jumped up from their seats and danced to the wonderful melodies. Lights flickered rhythmically to the notes played and smoke poured from the theater ship as more rockets of light were released and the curtain was lifted to present the scenery of the first act. The queen was impressed at the setup and direction this play was going. Vivi and Puck exchanged smiles of their hard work as they were in awe at the view they were getting from here. They might not have been sitting in high-classed chairs but they were getting the same experience for the most part. As the queen danced up waving her fan, the Princess looked away from what she would be leaving and sighed under her breath. It would be an extraordinary night.
From underneath a bridge in the setting emerged Baku dressed in imperial clothing fit for a king for his role tonight would be King Leo. He walked out, making an impact in his entrance and lifted both hands to the audience to announce the story's exposition. He cleared his throat out of habit.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Tonight's performance is a story that takes place long, long ago. Our heroine, Princess Cornelia, is torn from her lover, Marcus. She attempts to flee the castle, only to be captured by her father, King Leo. When our story begins, Marcus, having heard of this, crosses swords with the king,"
There was an expected reaction from the audience at the words of Marcus's confrontation with his lover's father. Baku made sure he spoke slow and articulated well each word, emphasizing on those needing emphasis. He paused before formally introducing the play to let introduction sink in and make the anticipation rise in their bodies.
"And now, Your Royal Majesty, Queen Brahne, Your Highness, Princess Garnet......noble ladies and lords, and our rooftop viewers, Tantalus proudly presents 'I Want to Be You Canary'!"
At once there was an outbreak in dramatic music and applause followed by the voice of three young men hidden well backstage. Zidane was crouched with Blank and Cinna reciting their intense lines before rushing to help Marcus's character. In his most moving voice Blank to Zidane's right was first to speak.
"Bereft of father! Bereft of mother! Marcus! Thou has lost even thy love!"
Cinne lifted his head from his bowing pose.
"Fortune hath escap'd thee! For what end shalt thou live?"
Zidane, being in center got the limelight to emotionally move the audience. He spoke with no fear and took in the character's feelings.
"For the sake of our friends...Let us bury our steal in the heart of the wretched King Leo!"
With that he lifted his sword high and in unison they screamed, "Aye!"
The three males ran out from where only their voices can be heard and appeared onstage where Marcus was aiming his sword at the King and his knights. They stood behind him taking their battle stances and made the scene as realistic as they could. The thieves wanted the audience (especially the queen) to be so engulfed into the story and drama that they would let down their guard for a second and then that's when Tantalus would shine most. Blank pointed his sword at the King's knight's neck.
"We shall back thee, kinsman!"
Marcus didn't look over his way but continued to death glare 'King Leo'; determination in his voice.
"Pray, sheathe thy swords! This villain is mine alone!"
"Nay, kinsman! For I, too, have lost a brother to this fiend!"
Cinna appeared to the opposite side of Marcus holding out his hammer that although might not look menacing, was still a weapon. He pointed it to the King's other knight who for the crowd looked terrified. King Leo laughed and looked undefeatable, roaring in anger.
"What ho? Out, vermin! Away! Thou darest bare thy sword before the king!? All who stand in my way will be crush'd!"
Suddenly, Zidane emerged from behind Marcus, the tip of his sword grazing Baku's beard.
"Treacherous Leo, my kinsman's suffering shall not be in vain! For I shall instruct thee in his incomparable pain!"
The battle began as Zidane cut his sword upward giving the illusion that he had inflicted a wound on the King. Using special effects and lighting techniques the actors battled each other not causing a scratch to anyone. Baku repeatedly used Pyro and Poly surrounding the cast with an alarming light and false strength that Zidane and the others had to pretend their agony and pain. Likewise using angles and just the right movements, Blank and Cinna were able to knock out the knights, Zenero and Benero, with their weapons leaving Baku helpless.
"Arrg...Grr...Thou hast not seen the last of me, Marcus!"
Baku limped pathetically towards the exit yet Zidane chased after his figure. Unexpectedly, Blank blocked Zidane, slashing in front of him with his sword causing quite a commotion in the audience. Zidane acted taken aback and shouted in anger to his foe.
"Out of my way, Blank!"
Blank regarded Zidane's furious figure and walked around him testing his patience.
"Consider this Zidane! If Prince Schneider were to marry Princess Cornelia, peace would reign over both their kingdoms!"
The monkey tailed boy followed Blank as he lured him to a bridge onstage where they swung their weapons a few times, each time missing each other's blows with impressive jumps, leaps, and acrobatic stunts leaving the crowd breathless.
"'Tis foolishness! If all were so easy, why, none would suffer in this world!"
No more is said as Blank aimed for Zidane's feet causing him to do a backflip and strike back at Blank's head. He ducked, scurrying off to a selected area directly in front of the audience where their fight scene awaited.
"En garde!"
"Expect no quarter from me!"
Zidane said his almost last line for the night and Blank acted brutally attacking Zidane and dodging assaults as well. To keep the battle synchronized and suspenseful, Blank planned out a deceiving way of organizing battle moves so that neither of them would accidentally get hurt and the audience would love. In a concealed manner, Blank sent Zidane unrecognizable signals to inform him of his next move. Zidane would dodge and act accordingly depending on Blank's instructions. The crowd went wild for the clashing head on of their swords and gasped in horror as Zidane narrowly missed having his head chopped off. It was a hit, a smashing success. The queen was quite impressed with their performance. Some nobles threw their money at them and not being able to resist gil, the thieves tactfully retrieved the gold.
"We shall finish this later!"
"Come back here!"
Zidane called off to Blank's escaping figure and followed him into the castle, an echo of applause and cheers trailing behind them. The audience would never suspect they weren't going back on stage.
The two thieves entered the marble floored castle with smiles spreading across their faces, and gave each other a high-five for a job well done. Zidane stretched his legs by putting his hands on his knees and bending them to relieve the stress of a live performance. He was nervous sick he would choke out there with all those people watching. No, it wasn't the job that had his nerves on end. Even as flirtatious and center-of-attention-loving-guy that he was, he felt that while he was on stage the audience was eyeing him suspisciously....as if they knew what deeds he and his gang were planning. A guilty conscience if you will. Fortunately though, he made it out alive and hopefully this next part wouldn't be too tricky.
Zidane craned his neck high and looked all around marvelling at the vastness of the castle. He let out a low whistle signaling his intimidated feelings to Blank who rolled his eyes when Zidane raised his eyebrows in amazement. Blank couldn't deny the beauty of it though. As much as he wanted to keep the profile of the "I just wanna get the job done" character he couldn't lie to himself by not admitting this was something else; something grandeur. How could anyone live in such wealth? The walls were adorned with watercolored images straight from the artist's hands illustrating Alexandria in the rule of past queens and kings. Some had portraits of the queen herself that Zidane made disgusted faces at making it a challenge for Blank to conceal his laughter. The doors were ornamented with what seemed like gold and silver lining of some sort and the stairs were spiraling up in an elegent fashion; its rail having looked as if it was never touched. Dangling from the high ceiling were exquisite chandeliers with diamonds that reflected the candle light all over the castle, occasionally bumping into each other and shimmering a soft twinkle like a chime swaying in the wind.
Off in the distance to their right, the thieves heard incomprehendable mumbling and panicked. All this just to be caught? That wouldn't be very memorable. Tip-toeing as secretly as they could, they inched their way over to the murmuring door and peeked an eye in to see who these uninvited "party-poopers" were. Inside were some of the nerdiest looking men wearing some cheep old uniforms that made them look most ridiculous. Zidane thought for a moment if he would ever wear something like that for money. Sure he liked money but he also liked chicks and that type of clothing would be like spraying a girl repellent all over you. He shook his head in sympathy for them when he realized they were talking about relationships. These guys had much to learn.
Blank who at the moment was no where near the train of thought of his friend, took out his prop sword and tapped Zidane out of his realm of thought. He gave him a sly grin and Zidane understanding his friend's plan retrieved his sword as well getting ready to kick some guard butt. Zidane was just about to leap out and scare the daylights out of one of them when Blank held him back. They had to be syncronized. They couldn't risk all of this. Blank showed Zidane his three fingers marking a countdown when they would go in. Three...Two...One...
Zidane and Blank creeped out of their hiding place and snuck into the room taking advantage of how dazed and unalert these guards were. When they reached a reasonable distance, Zidane couldn't resist a little surprise entrance. In his most alluring and girlish voice he called, "Oh boys!"
As the guards turned around the fierce faces of the theives weilding swords made one of them pass out before the other scurried off. Luckily with Zidane's quick hands he grabbed the other by his collar and dragged him back with little effort.
"Come back here!"
Zidane bumped the handle of his sword swiftly across the guards neck and he collapsed with a soft thud. Amazing how these men were supposedly qualified to guard the princess. Zidane doubted very much they could even sustain guarding their own life. It didn't really matter anyway. It was better for them. Blank loomed over the body of the guard who had blacked out before anything had actually happened. He gave Zidane a look that read "wow this was it?" and then held his breath as him and his partner had to dress into this awful armor.
The naked guards were piled sloppily over one another in the corner of the room still far from recovering and realizing what happened. Blank adjusted one of his gloves and then turned around to see Zidane's progress.
"Hehehe! Finish changing, Zidane?"
It was most fortunate that the outfits were the right size and that both of them looked convincing enought to be these so called elite guards. Even if everything seemed right though, Zidane was so uncomfortable in this no words could explain. Now he knew that no amount of money could get him to wear this on a daily basis.
"Yea, but this helmet...It kinda smells..."
Zidane threw the helmet on the table in a vile manner and stuck out his tongue.
"What are you talking about!? My helmet totally reeks!"
Blank shook his head in agony.
"My armor's way too big..."
He jiggled with his arms spread out so that the emptiness not filled by his body would be more evident.
"And my back is really itchy...The boots are wet...My gloves are all slimey..."
Blank went on to scratch his back, then stomp dramatically on his shoes and wiggle his fingers to show how much discomfort he was in. Zidane just thought of him as rambling on.
"There are cookie crumbs in my pockets..."
"OKAY! I get the picture....geez,"
Zidane lifted his hands to do something that would shut him up. It was bad sure but complaining just made it worse. Passing his hand through his hair, Zidane had to make sure they were still on schedule.
"You still have the packege right?"
Blank twirled a little oglop on his fingers and then made it disappear into the package of other strange moving creatures. He concealed it under all the armor and then gave a curt nod.
"Don't worry! I won't screw up!"
"Alright! First I'll go pour some sleep potion into Princess Garnet's teacup!"
Zidane fiddled a small vile of cerulean liquid, tossed it behind him and with finesse, caught it with his tail, placing it back into its rightful pocket.
"And I've got a special something for the lovely queen!"
Blank smirked and turned his attention to the knights. He examined their faces and then after some thought smacked one upside the head. There was no response.
"Hehehe. They're sleeping so soundly!"
The thief made his way out the door and just as Zidane was following, a strange little creature cavorted into the room by a window nearby. Zidane was shocked to see this little white fluff cocking his head and then plopping down by a candle; beginning to read a letter aloud to himself. That was just too incredulously odd that in a awry way it was comical. Whatever happened to the stealthliness of a surreptitious conspiracy?
"Hey Blank! What do we do about this guy?
As Blank peered his head back into the room, Zidane motioned over to the moogle who was still intentively reading.
"What the moogle? Nah they're harmless. C'mon let's go!"
Zidane shrugged then took one final look at the moogle who made a cute "kupo" sound. The monkey-tailed boy didn't know how to react to that so he just ran to meet Blank. With the armor they were wearing, the floor seemed to clank with every step they took. Of course it really wasn't a threat to the mission. They had the look enough to pass as lowly knights. The two theives looked up and down the corridors and then faced each other when the coast was clear. Blank cleared his throat and then annouced in a majestic fashion as if he was reading a scroll, "According to recon...the royal seats should be right about these stairs!"
"Got it!"
Just then there was an sudden flurry in the audience outside. Zidane could make out some of Marcus's lines and the effect they had on the crowd. They needed this next part to be done with absolute wariness but at the same time be timed to perfection.
"Uh-oh! The scene where Marcus sneaks into Cornelia's chamber is about to start! Let's get this over with before the finale, okay?"
Blank and Zidane gave each other the Tantalus salute for some extra morale before Zidane ascended the stairs. Just a little more. As he reached the summit, there was a figure in a white mage robe with the most poise and elegance he had ever witnessed. If the Princess was trying to sneak by acting like that would get her noticed immediately.
'Hmm? She sure is dressed funny....'
Garnet took a deep breath. She wasn't suspecting there to be any Pluto Knights wandering the castle at the hour. According to her plans and late night observations for this very moment, all knights were to be stationed outside the castle grounds. And even more so today, it being her birthday and the showing of this famous play. Well, she'd just have to do her best.
"Umm...Would you let me pass?"
"Let's see....."
Zidane stroked his chin, as if he really had to think of an answer, and then started to try and catch her eye, looking into the open hood of the robe for a beautiful face he had heard so much about.
Garnet's cheeks flushed at his manner to try and get her attention. For a Pluto Knight he was pretty attractive. She looked away keeping her focus on a set point on the floor as to not look into his eyes. If he would tell her to go back, it take some real will power for her to resist. He seemed spontaneous enough that he'd probably try something crazy just to get her to stay. Garnet had waited too long for this and she'd be damned if a good-looking soldier is what stood in her way! The princess tried to keep her voice audible and cool.
"Is there something on my face?"
"Oh, no. You see....I just thought maybe you were the one I'd been waiting for all this time."
Garnet got a cold sweat from hearing those last words. So they knew? How did Steiner know she was planning on escaping? That not only meant that this knight was indeed sent to capture her but also that if she happened to get past him, there would probably be the whole other group of Pluto Knight waiting for her at the entrance, guarding every turn she took. General Beatrix's squad was probably informed too.She'd have to take a risk to straighten things out.
"Excuse me? You were waiting for me?"
"Yeah! I've dreamt of meeting you since the day I was born!"
Zidane winced inside and his head screamed loud, laughing at his attempt. That sounded SO corny.
The princess replayed the last sentence in her mind. Maybe this soldier was kind of crazy...She'd met the others before and they seemed out of tuned with reality. Figuring that he was nothing to worry about, she placed her hands on he hips, unaware that it showed her royal manner even more
"Do you mock me?"
Woah she had totally taken that the wrong way. Zidane tried to make up for that vital mistake.
"No, of course not...."
"Then, I shall take my leave of you!"
The disguised Garnet started to move around the so-called Pluto Knight when she felt a hand on her arm. First he was claiming that he was 'waiting' for her and then he was touching her!? Garnet was not expecting for a guard to act so casual towards her. Then again she wasn't suppose to be the Princess at the moment but still this to any woman could be taken the wrong way.
"Just a sec!"
'C'mon Zidane use your charm!' His head flooded with ideas and seeing as though time was crucial, randomly picked one hoping it would work.
"Haven't we met before?"
Zidane could have shot himself right there. Man was that all you could come up with? That to him was just as worse as the 'I've been waiting for you all my life' line. He cleared his throat purposely and then looked at her to see if her response would be somewhat of help. God knows it wasn't all he bargained for.
"No, I don't know you...."
Crap. Zidane looked around for some ideas. He had to be quick; she couldn't get away. Zidane walked around her, analyzing her features like a judge of a swimsuit calender. Damn she was beautiful though, and he couldn't even see her face all that clearly. This plan just might work. Zidane always did think he was a lady's man. Saying something like this would only make her swoon over him more, even though his past efforts were definately in vain..
"Hmm....Maybe you're right...I'd never let someone as pretty as you get away. Say, you wouldn't--"
"Hey, what's goin' on, Zidane?"
Zidane shut his eyes just in the middle of his sentence and was getting ready to strangle Blank.This plan would have worked. Force would be their next option, even though Zidane really didn't want to hurt the Princess in any way. That would be going against the agenda way too much. Already things hadn't been falling into place too well.
"I....I must go!"
The princess felt that making a run for it would be the best. She had to get on that ship before it left. Using what strength she had, Garnet pushed down the 'knight' and then ran so fast past the other that he stumbled back into the cold railing.
"Who the heck was that?"
Blank was still confused as to what was going on. Zidane shouldn't have been flirting at a time like this!
"Get up, Blank! That was Princess Garnet!"
"Are you serious?!"
Helping Blank up, the two theives persued after the escaping figure of a very suspiscious looking Princess Garnet.