Author Note: Small note, there is just the tiniest bit of blood (I guess? It's more like if you cracked open a glow stick and you got the glowy stuff everywhere) in this chapter. (I have a feeling the Theet's noses work like glow sticks or something.)
Grape stopped at the door. A single Theet guarded the door.
"Hello! The plays are going to be starting soon, so you need a ticket or pass to enter."
"Alright. Give me a moment to find it."
"Try not to take too long, ma'am, we don't want a line to start. Can I get a name, please?"
"We're nothing but a few travelers looking for entertainment."
"You still need a ticket or pass. If you don't have one right now, you're going to have to wait until the plays on the first floor are finished before coming in. We don't want to disrupt any of the plays, you know."
Damian poked his head around Grape's dress. "This place has plays on every floor?"
The Theet nodded. "Yep. And the catch is, sometimes the plays are all the same story, and sometimes they're different. You'll never know unless you come and see for yourself."
Grape held out her scepter. "I found it, right here."
"Huh? But that's not a p-"
Travis shuddered as a twisted look appeared in her joyful eyes as she zapped the Theet into dust. The Theet's nose hit the ground, being the only thing unaffected by her magic. She grabbed it.
"So...Their noses hold light magic in them. that's how it survived." She dug her fingers into it until a teal blue liquid-like substance dripped out of it where she applied the pressure. She wiped off her hand on a handkerchief and opened the door.
"Follow me, and try not to do anything suspicious, hm?"
"Yes, Madame Grape!"
Rodger, the Swordfighter Sparkla, welcomed her at the door. "Here at Sparkle Theater, we put pride and joy into our plays. It's almost time for them to begin, do you have a pass?"
Grape clicked her tounge. "Oh dear me, I must have misplaced it. Do you think you can at least help me look for it?"
"Oh, don't worry about it. We can buy a new one at the stand. Just try not to loose this one, alright?"
"Alright...Sir."
"You can just call me Rodger, I'm not that formal. Tell me, ma'am, what's your name? Who are those people with you?"
"My name is Syrah. These folks here are my dear friends, the...um..."
"Don't worry about it. Syrah sounds fancy. You must be out of town."
"Yes, we are. We were passing through this lovely little town when we heard about your theater. I had bought a ticket, but I was foolish to loose it."
"Oh, don't worry. I've got a brand-new ticket for you here. But, there's quite a few of your group, aren't there? How many do we have there?"
"Only ten, Rodger."
He got ten more tickets and handed them to Grape. "Here you are Syrah. Enjoy the play."
"Rodger, I heard a rumor about this place, that it could control fate. Is this true?"
"It's more of a legend, but yeah! Also long as our plays stay happy and satisfying, the world can stay in balance. If all the plays were to end horribly though..."
"Something terrible could happen?"
"Why, yes. I'm glad you caught on so quickly, Syrah. But anyways, you only have a minute to get to your seats, so I suggest going in now before it starts."
"Is there anything else special about this place?"
"Anything else? We put all valuables under the stages, like watches and stuff. The Theets don't want their stuff stolen, after all."
"I see...An odd place to put it, but I suppose if it's for the best of the Theets...Perhaps I should come back another time. I really shouldn't barge into a play like this, while it's so close to starting."
"I mean, you can leave if you want. I'll be here when you come back!"
"Alright then, Rodger."
She left, and Rodger went to go watch a play when he saw Grape's insignia appear on the ground for a split second before vanishing. He told Allister about it when the play was finished. Allister never saw it himself, but knew the symbol from Rodger's description.
"So you see, that's when Grape claimed this theater, I think. Why else would she put her insignia inside if she didn't plan to come back later? I hope Rodger isn't too torn up about this, because he was so friendly to her. I hope he doesn't blame himself for this."
"I'm sure he's fine, he seemed pretty happy when we saved him." Peach said. "After all, if you can't fight bravely, why fight at all?"
Rodger came down there just at that moment. "Allister! They saved you!"
"I told them about you and Grape, if you don't mind too much." Allister admitted.
Rodger stopped. "Oh, yeah. I guess the secret was going to get out eventually. I never would have guessed she'd be a villainess, but I guess I shouldn't have been so light on her either."
"But we've had enough dilly-dallying," Toadsworth said. "Princess Peach needs to finish saving the other Sparklas!"
"Right!" Peach said, and Stella pumped her ribbon fist.