CHAPTER 19
Eudial was driving home by herself after Mistress 9 had commanded her to retreat when Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune had attacked her. She felt tremendously relieved that nothing had gone wrong this time. Mistress 9 was talking calmly to her. "Well Eudial. It seems like you are finally beginning to show some sense. Even though those two other strange girls still interfered at least we did get a small number of new victims. AND you did nothing to try to aid either of the creatures we brought to distract our main enemies. At last you are taking our mission seriously."
"Certainly Mistress 9. The others will all believe me when I tell them I tried my best to save their two sisters. From now on you can depend on me."
"You had better for your own sake."
Eudial honestly did not understand anything that had taken place before and she knew better than to argue with Mistress 9. But she really didn't care. Perhaps whatever it was had gone. She was happy to no longer feel threatened and was hopeful that the worst was over.
After delivering the "tragic" news and grudgingly submitting to being cuddled and kissed by several weeping creatures Eudial excused herself and went to join the other witches underground. Miss Manchester and the two art students were added to the drooling, moaning zombies standing erect by the cabinet, which was slowly beginning to become filled up with pulsating human hearts once more. Mimette herself ran to greet Eudial with another hug and the other three followed to group together for cuddles. "It's wonderful to see you looking so cheery again Eudial," said Byruit.
"We've all felt sad to see you depressed," grinned Cyprine.
Eudial laughed. "I am really happier my dear friends. Thank you so much."
Mistress 9's spooky voice blared out snapping them all apart and to attention. "Okay you lot. Listen to me now."
They listened in silent rapt attention. "We almost have enough hearts now. Germatoid and I have thought about what we're going to do next. It involves that interesting ghost we captured long time past."
Nephlite was still hopelessly trapped inside the bubble nearby watching and unable to do anything.
Mistress 9 went on. "We have decided to use the hearts to generate enough psychic energy via your own ouija board to summon another supremely powerful demon to be our ally. He is known as the great Pharoah 90. He can possess the living or even the dead. He will control our ghost prisoner and lead our zombies and all the remaining creations of the Professor as our army to spread chaos over Tokyo and beyond worldwide."
The witches were somewhat nervous about this. They had wanted power but never expected that their demon masters would bring in other demons without discussing things with them first. They were honestly scared. Mimette was the only one with the courage to speak and it took all her might to do so. "Um. M-mistress 9. We will be p-p-perfectly safe, won't we?"
"What a silly question Mimette. Of course you will be safe. But then I have every reason to expect you to be so weak in your faith and trust. Your friends all know Germatoid and I have promised you rich rewards and power in return for your services. But I will excuse you for your faults for their sake and for their unwavering trust."
Even Eudial had truthfully wondered about their safety, but she and the others all swallowed down their fear hoping that Mistress 9 could not sense it.
Mistress 9 had more to say. "We have decided who will go next with Eudial. Chiquon and Dovlin. If they live long enough before dying Eudial may even gather enough victims to get started right away contacting Pharoah 90."
Eudial steeled herself calmly confident that things would all go smoothly again, however Cyprine's heart suddenly skipped a beat in addition to the way it had beat anxiously before. Dovlin. She realized that she had formed a soft spot for Dovlin in particular all the hours she'd spent in the swimming pool on the pretext of teaching her to swim. She gulped and rolled her eyes. The thought of Dovlin dying made her concern for herself and the other witches seem almost trivial by comparison. How would she bear it, if she was killed regardless of her solemn pledge to Mistress 9 and Germatoid?
At the same time Serena was finally offering Rini a gift to make up for stealing her apple pie. At the prompting of both Luna and Darien she had gone shopping as soon as they had extricated themselves from all the distressed art students and although she balked at the price of it, she shelled out her money to buy Rini a beautiful pink heart necklace. Serena thought, "This just to compensate for an apple pie? I won't have enough to last me all week at the Video Arcade." She kept her thoughts to herself though dreading a stern lecture.
"Here you are Rini. I'm deeply sorry I took your pie."
Rini was overjoyed as she took the necklace and put it on. "Oh! How adorable! Thank you Serena and I forgive you."
Serena had to smile and blush as Rini threw her arms around her and snuggled close. "You're most welcome and thank you also Rini."
Rini said, "I'm going over to visit Malcolm for dinner tonight. I'll show him my new necklace."
Darien said, "I hope you have fun Rini."
She blushed a little. "He needs cheering up. He is worried about our teacher and classmates."
Serena, Darien and Luna said they all understood and wished her good luck.
When Rini departed Darien said to Serena, "Now I have a surprise for you."
"Oh?" Serena was all ears. Darien went on to explain.
"A very good friend of mine from France has come overseas to settle down and live in Tokyo. He's a very rich man and is having a huge housewarming party at his mansion tonight. He's invited me and all his other friends in town, old and new, to come at 7pm. There'll be drinks and snacks along with music and dancing. He says we can invite our own friends too."
Serena was very excited. "HOORAY! So you're proposing to take me Darien."
"That's right. I've also asked Mina, Amy, Lita and Raye to join us. Raye's going to treat it as a date with Chad." He winked. "There'll be at least two of you with dates Serena."
Serena threw herself into his arms saying thank you with a big kiss.
Luna thought to herself. "I'll ask Artemis if he can come over to keep me company. We could share my food dish and snuggle together on my bed mat." She felt her heart beat as she purred with anticipation.
When Serena and Darien broke for air she asked him, "What is this rich frenchman's name?"
"Jean Edouard."
So Luna and Artemis settled down to keep each other company that night. Rini went to Malcolm's house while Serena was picked up by Darien to go to the party. At Jean Edouard's luxurious mansion they met the others. Raye was chaperoned by Chad. Lita, Mina and Amy were all by themselves of course. Raye had a red dress, Amy had a green dress, Mina had light purple, Lita's dress resembled the colour of an apricot and Serena was in pink. Darien and Chad were both well dressed in traditional all black gentleman's clothing with white cuff-shirts. He greeted Serena and Darien. "Hello Serena. You're looking beautiful tonight. Hi Darien. You and I have matching suits."
"Hello Chad. Good evening girls," said Serena.
"We're a very handsome pair Chad," smiled Darien and he exchanged greetings with the girls.
Then Chad took Raye by the hand saying, "I hear the music starting Raye. Let's hit the dance floor."
"Okay Chad. See you all later." Raye winked somewhat smugly as she and Chad made their leave. Lita and Mina couldn't help feeling slightly jealous. Serena was just about to ask Darien to take her to the dance floor when Jean Edouard appeared leading two very handsome young men with him. Darien's face brightened with excitement and he exclaimed, "Bonjour Pierre. Bonjour Andres." To Serena's consternation they all began speaking to each other. In French.
"Oh no. I can't understand them," she thought in rising panic.
The other girls began to say hello in French as well. They were only bare beginners, but they did know a few introductory words. Serena however, could not speak any French at all. Well in truth it was really only her immature stupidity. Like in many other things she was hopeless at learning because she was silly enough to convince herself she couldn't do it. If she would only take a more positive outlook, she would succeed in mastering at least the basics too. But she believed she couldn't understand French. So she didn't.
Then one of the men spoke in English. "We understand your French is limited Mademoiselle. But no need to worry. Pierre and I have been studying English at your local university for three years so far."
"Andre and I met Darien through our French classes and he introduced us to his friend Jean."
Jean himself then spoke up. "I say Darien. Where did the mademoiselle with the long yellow braided hair run off to?"
Everybody looked around to see no sign of Serena. She had run away in a frenzied state only a moment before Andre revealed that they could speak English.
She was hiding around a corner next to a table with a large punch bowl. "Oh no! No! No! Why can't I speak French? I'll go crazy if there are heaps more French speaking people here. I need a drink to calm my nerves."
With that she poured herself a glass of punch and drained it. Then almost not knowing what she was doing she refilled her glass and drank again. Then refilled and drank again and again and again. In fact she was so fast and this table had so few people around that by the time somebody approached and cried out, "Hey! This punch has wine in it young lady!" she had drank ten glasses altogether.
"Oh you don't say," Serena smiled at the man feeling rather light-headed. "Well I'd better be rejoining my friends." She turned and waddled away like a duck before his startled wide eyes.
He followed her concerned as she came up from behind Darien. He was surprised as she grabbed him tightly around the waist as he talked with Pierre and Andre. "Why hello Darien."
Amy and Jean had gone off talking to each other. Jean had said many of his friends were honour students at the local university studying science, history and other stimulating topics. He always enjoyed hosting parties like this one because it did his heart good to see young people enjoying themselves conversing about their studies in between taking turns on the dance floor. Amy wanted to meet some more of them so they had gone off. Serena's remaining two friends were very surprised though as much as Darien as she went on to talk in a strange way. "Ah the good old pudding of relativity. Well it's relative of course but you need to mix, let me see. Ah yes, eggs, milk and sugar are mixed in a bowl. Then you cover it up and steam for about half an hour. But not too much heat. And remember fresh cream with it tastes best. Yummy yum."
Pierre remarked, "Hmm. Cooking is a metaphor for Einstein's theory of relativity."
Andre added, "Yes. That is such an interesting point of view."
Serena became very excited. "WOW! YOU CAN BOTH SPEAK ENGLISH! STRIKE UP THE BAND! GET THE PARTY STARTED!"
Lita, Mina and Darien tried desperately to calm her down as the other man quickly approached. "I'm afraid this young lady has unwittingly drank too much of the alcoholic punch."
"Oh no," Darien groaned and Mina and Lita cringed.
Pierre said, "Thank goodness Jean is not here."
"Oui. He would be very distressed about this incident. At his very first party in his new home." Andre and Pierre were rather incensed at Serena's senseless begaviour and her friends felt embarrassed.
Darien said, "I'm sorry. Perhaps I'd better take Serena out in the garden for some fresh air. Come with me Serena. We can be alone for some time."
Serena felt very keen about Darien's offer and waved drunkenly at Pierre and Andre. "See you later handsome fellows. Au reservoir. Oh Darien. Ooo-la-la. HEE! HEE!"
Mina and Lita humbly apologized to the young men on Serena's behalf. They smiled and said it was okay.
"We do not hold your friend's bad behaviour against you."
"How would you like to join us on the dance floor mademoiselles?"
"We'd be honoured."
"Merci."
Pierre took Mina and Andre took Lita by their hands and waltzed around with many other couples including Raye and Chad. To their mutual surprise they saw that the people providing the musical accompaniment were none other than Michelle on the violin and Amara on the piano.
Outside Darien had barely managed to get Serena down the front steps safely when she vomited. "Oh no!" He gasped in horror. "Thank goodness it was only the punch."
"Goodness me! My cup was full to the brim and it runneth over." Serena started to giggle feverishly.
"Come on this way with me before you maybe get sick again." Darian dragged her away from the front path onto the grass while a certain car was pulling up at the side curb. Eudial had driven Dovlin along with Chiquon. Chiquon was very unusual. She had been created with a record player and it turned out that a turntable with retractable tonearm and horn speaker was embedded in her left shoulder. At the moment she was carrying those pieces inside a bag and the turntable was more or less concealed under the blue dress she wore. Dovlin had a green dress and a blonde wig covering her bald head. They were both dressed like Eudial in the sort of clothing worn at such parties to avoid too much attention. Eudial's dress was purple and they all had shoes matching the colour of their respective dresses. Dovlin and Chiquon even had masks on to hide their enesual eyes.
"We shall find those wicked girls who have been attacking your family inside this building," Eudial indicated Jean's house. "Follow me."
"I hope we will be in time to prevent them from hurting anybody else here," said Chiquon.
"I agree. I'd hate to think of all these innocent people having fun losing any of their own family members." Dovlin and Chiquon both frowned, knowing what the pain of such loss felt like.
As Darien was leading Serena away towards the beautiful flower garden beds she was sick again twice on the lawn and collapsed moaning on her knees. Meanwhile Eudial led Dovlin and Chiquon up to the front door. The people at the door assumed they were invited guests arriving and let them in, but as they went inside Chiquon suddenly stumbled and fell on her face. Dovlin was alarmed and the two men ran to give assistance. "Are you all right lady?"
Can you stand up?"
"Chiquon! What happened!" cried Dovlin.
Eudial turned and pretended to look concerned as Mistress 9 spoke to her mind. "You must keep up the act of caring for them Eudial."
Chiquon barely managed to put her mask back in position. It had stayed on but twisted revealing the corner of her serpentine eye. Fortunately the men did not notice as they helped Dovlin raise her. "I'm okay thank you. I'm not sure what happened. I seemed to stumble over something. I couldn't see it though."
Eudial said, "Maybe you tripped over your own feet. How embarrassing. Be more careful."
Chiquon blushed. "How silly of me. Yes Auntie Eudial. I will try to be careful."
Eudial felt like screaming "Don't call me Auntie," but she held her tongue and controlled her temper as the men smiled and told them to have a good time.
What nobody knew was that the reason Chiquon had fallen was because somebody else had tried to slip in while the door was still open. Cyprine had made herself invisible and followed secretly. She was over in a corner away from everybody thinking to herself. "That was lucky even though I brushed against Dovlin's sister and our legs tangled up I was able to stay upright and get safely away without bumping anyone or anything else. Mimette, Tellu and Byruit won't miss me because of my charm upon them. I'd better be careful for myself while I watch out for Dovlin. I hope her sister won't have to die either. I think it would upset Dovlin very much. If I can secretly protect them Eudial and Mistress 9 will be able to take them back and they'll not suspect a thing."
Meanwhile Mistress 9 commanded Eudial, "Tell the two creatures to make themselves at home among the partiers while you go searching for signs of those girls."
"As you say so Mistress 9." Eudial turned and said out loud, "Wait here and quietly enjoy the party Chiquon and Dovlin. I'll carefully go and search for any sign of our enemies."
"Be very careful indeed Auntie Eudial," said Chiquon.
"We'd hate anything to happen to you. You do your best to protect us," added Dovlin.
Eudial smiled and made her voice sound sweetly. "Don't worry. I'll be all right. See you soon."
As she walked away, Chiquon and Dovlin helped themselves to some of the finger food on the tables. Mistress 9 directed Eudial to a secluded room away from the party. "Now Eudial. Cast a spell to create a purple mist to knock people out. But make sure that it will not affect any of our enemies so that those gullible beings can fight them."
"Yes I will Mistress 9."
As Eudial prepared to summon her spell, Cyprine was quick with magic of her own. She was very glad she had decided to follow and see what Eudial would do. "I must protect myself or else I will be knocked out and unable to help Dovlin and her sister," she thought. The mist spread through the house and everybody it touched was rendered unconscious collapsing to the floor. Everybody except the Sailor Scouts. Amy was shocked as Jean succumbed while they were talking and Raye, Mina and Lita all had their dance partners literally swoon in their arms. Amara and Michelle mysteriously vanished from where they had been playing their musical instruments.
Eudial ran back towards the astonished Chiquon and Dovlin crying, "I've put everybody to sleep! Whoever is still awake is one of your enemies! Attack them!"
As they thanked their "Auntie" Mina gasped. "We've been caught before we can transform!"
"And silly Meatball-Head is outside drunk," Raye groaned. Lita gritted her teeth as the three of them lowered their partners as fast and gently as they could. Only Amy was in another room and she had already transformed herself. Only one of them would have a chance to transform with Chiquon and Dovlin to grapple one on one with. They were running straight at them, arms outstretched.
Suddenly a booming voice shouted out from nowhere. "NEPTUNE DEEP SUBMERGE!" Uranus and Neptune were standing on an overhead rail balcony and Neptune sent her mystical wave of water surging down to cut Chiquon and Dovlin off from the Scouts. Eudial had immediately retreated to gather victims to send to the other witches while the battle kept the Scouts preoccupied. Cyprine however, still invisible, had magically shielded herself from the gas and put up as strong a barrier as she possibly could. Neptune's attack still penetrated, though it did soften the impact as Chiquon and Dovlin were knocked over backwards.
This gave the girls the time they needed to transform.
"MARS STAR POWER!"
"JUPITER STAR POWER!"
"VENUS STAR POWER!"
Chiquon gasped as she staggered to her feet and beheld Uranus and Neptune leaping down to the floor from above as well as Mars, Jupiter and Venus. "Thank you for your help," said Sailor Mars. Sailor Uranus replied gruffly.
"Don't bother thanking us. We're not your allies remember?"
Sailor Neptune added quickly, "We are fighting alongside you today though against common enemies."
"That's right. But we are not on the same team," Uranus agreed with a bow of her head.
Jupiter said, "Whatever you say. Let's fight these monsters then."
"Where is Auntie Eudial?" Chiquon cried in terror.
"She must be nearby. Let's be courageous and fight Chiquon." Dovlin had full faith and trust and urged her sister to show the same. Chiquon gritted her teeth and advanced to attack.
"Auntie" Eudial had gone off looking for unconscious victims to send to the other witches leaving Chiquon and Dovlin to fend for themselves. She had already sent several on the way where they lay on the floor when she ran into Sailor Mercury, who challenged her. "Stop at once! I shall put an end to you and your evil!"
"You think so? You're only one and I shall easily destroy you."
Eudial and Mercury were just preparing to face off against each other when two new voices called out from a nearby window one after the other.
"OOOO! You naughty person. I'll just have to teach you a lesson in the Name of the great big white moonie up in the sky. Hee-hee-hee."
"SERENA! I told you not to transform and to stay where you were while I went to help your friends. I don't know how you were able to transform in your state."
"But Tuxie-baby. I'm the Sailor Scout of the moonie. I will right wrongs and triumph over evil."
As Sailor Moon produced her scepter, Mercury gasped in shock and ran straight past a bemused Eudial shouting, "OH NO! STOP HER TUXEDO MASK!"
Sailor Moon was struggling to perform her attack wind-up without falling over when she was tackled by both Sailor Mercury and Tuxedo Mask. Disaster was certain to happen with an intoxicated Sailor Moon letting off her power.
The pair of them tackled her at the same time and as they all fell in a tangled heap the scepter flew into the air and Eudial caught it. "Eudial. Take this back with you. We must examine it and find out what we can," said Mistress 9.
"At once evil spirit." Eudial quickly transported Jean Edourd where he lay unconscious then ran away laughing. The laugh quickly stuck in her throat though as she returned to where she had left Chiquon and Dovlin to find them still alive and the Sailor Scouts, including the two Outers, sprawled on the floor looking dazed.
The two of them ran over and hugged her. She was barely able to keep her grip on Sailor Moon's scepter. She wished she could melt away into nothing as they excitedly spoke to her.
"It was incredible Auntie Eudial!"
"No matter what they threw at us it rebounded back at them! You should have seen them desperately trying to dodge each others attacks!"
"I think she really did see them Dovlin. After all we know it was our dear Auntie Eudial watching out for us."
"Of course Chiquon. You were marvellous Auntie. When the one who summoned up the huge wave of magic water beheld it wash back over herself and her companion with short blond hair, we both laughed with excitement. Thank you so much."
"Yes. We love you."
Chiquon and Dovlin snuggled up against Eudial who cringed as she heard Mistress 9's cold as ice voice inside her head. "So Eudial. We shall talk about this later. Return to headquarters and don't leave that scepter behind."
Eudial gulped and composed herself outwardly. "Let's go home for now."
They turned to walk away just as Sailor Uranus was rising to her feet. She struggled to gain her balance and feeling indignantly furious at being bested, attempted to shoot her attack at their defenceless backs. Before she could even begin to shout the words of Uranus World Shaking, she abruptly pitched face first to the floor. It was as if somebody had pushed her from behind and somebody had. Cyprine was rather weak herself from exerting everything into repelling the Sailor Scouts attacks while remaining invisible and she only just found the strength to shove big, hefty Uranus off her balance.
Eudial, Chiquon and Dovlin had all exited the room just as this happened and never noticed anything. But Cyprine's weakness finally gave out and she became visible. "I must flee this place," she thought and desperately ran the other way puffing and panting. She ran right past Sailor Mercury and Tuxedo Mask, while they were still struggling to restrain Sailor Moon.
"Let go you fools! You're supposed to be my allies!"
"You're in no condition for battle Sailor Moon. Help me get these cuffs on her wrists Tuxedo Mask."
"No! This is treason Mercury! And how can you do this to me Tuxedo Ma- UUUURRRGGH!"
In the middle of her rant, she threw up once again all over Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Mercury. None of them noticed Cyprine as she made her way through the house and out via the back door. She leant against a tree in the yard breathing slowly to calm herself. "I must get back before Eudial," she thought and magically transported herself to Mimette, Tellu and Byruit while they were gathering the hearts of Jean Edourd and the other victims. As usual they had not realized one of their number was missing due to the magic charm.
As for what happened with the Sailor Scouts. Tuxedo Mask finally subdued and bound Sailor Moon with Sailor Mercury's help. He ran off with her in his arms madly protesting and Sailor Mercury grimaced at her wet clothes before going to find her other friends. She found them all getting dazedly to their feet. The two Outers were already gone. Uranus had picked herself up and helped Neptune get to her feet before running off without even stopping to see if Jupiter, Venus and Mars were all right.
Sailor Mercury quickly explained what had happened and the other three groaned. "We're going to have to have a good heart to heart talk with her," Sailor Mars was incensed.
"Artemis and Luna will not be pleased at all," added Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter grimly nodded.
"All these sleeping people should begin waking up very soon," cautioned Sailor Mercury. "I'd better leave because I have puke on me. You three explain what's happened and try to calm them down."
They agreed and Mercury quickly left only ten minutes before the people revived. They were very distressed to learn what had befallen Jean Edourd and some of their other friends, but they all hoped the Sailor Scouts would have success in finding those responsible and exacting justice. Even Amara and Michelle appeared walking in with one perplexed group from one doorway. They claimed to have been asleep like all the rest, but Mars, Jupiter and Venus were all perplexed themselves. They were certain they had been over by the piano playing music together at the time when the attack happened. As Michelle walked over to retrieve her violin and bow from where they lay neatly on the piano stool, they looked at each other silently sharing their wonderment. They had a very intense talk amongst themselves when they were away from the big house and garden after departing. None of them could offer any plausible explanation.
Serena's troubles were only just beginning. Sailor Mercury had caught up with Tuxedo Mask and tied a gag around her mouth to stop her screaming to alert the neighbourhood. While he kept a close eye on her to make sure she didn't dangerously start throwing up once again, she transformed into Amy and dashed to Serena's house. Luna had promised to be waiting in the front yard to meet Serena and her friends when they returned home or if one of them came to report urgent news. As soon as she was informed she ran up a tree next to Rini's bedroom and sprang from the nearest branch through the open window.
Landing on the floor she jumped up onto Rini's bed and whispered to her, "Rini. Wake up."
"Hmmmf. Luna. What's up?" Rini asked rubbing her eyes and sitting up.
"We need your help to settle down Sailor Moon. The doofus drank heaps of alcoholic beverage at the party tonight and she's behaving erratically."
"Oh goodness. Sometimes that Meatball-Head acts even worse than her own future self. I'll transform at once."
Rini became Sailor Mini-Moon and bounded out of the window into the tree. Shinnying down it like a monkey with Luna behind her, she met Sailor Mercury and the three of them raced off to help Tuxedo Mask. Rini knew the best way to handle her. "I've learned a few very cool magic tricks since I last went back to the future. Watch this."
She gestured with her little pink scepter and instructed Sailor Mercury and Tuxedo Mask to remove the gag and the cuffs. "Trust me. She won't scream her head off or run away."
They agreed and as soon as she was free Sailor Moon burst into a drunken rant. Or at least she tried to, but when she opened her mouth she was horrified to discover she had no voice. "Now listen to Sailor Mini-Moon. Change back into Serena right this minute."
Sailor Moon turned and tried to make a panicked break for it, but Sailor Mini-Moon said "Stop!" She was pulled back swaying on her feet and when she began to silently mouth her protests, she was hit in the face by Pink Sugar Heart Attack. She started swinging her arms around and grimacing with discomfort. Every time she stubbornly resisted the demand to transform, Sailor Mini-Moon would hit her again, until she made gestures conceding defeat and became Serena once more. Tuxedo Mask and Mercury transformed and Darien picked her up from where she lay dazed and groaning.
"Thank you Mini-Moon. Amy and I had better return Serena to her parents and explain what happened. I don't imagine they'll be impressed to hear that she made herself drunk when I wasn't looking."
"I don't think so either Darien. She'll probably be in for a stern lecture when she sobers up," agreed Amy.
"Silly Meatball-Head," said Sailor Mini-Moon and Luna expressed her disgust.
"I'll be also having a talking with her. This is way overboard, even for her." With that Mini-Moon gave a enormous leap up into the tree and crawled along the branch to reach her bedroom window and Darien and Amy dragged Serena to the front door. Luna stayed where she was fuming and worrying. Little did she know how much reason she had to worry. The next time Serena transformed into Sailor Moon sobered up, she would find no tiara on her forehead. It was with Eudial and the other witches in the form of her big scepter.