Trusting the soldiers to do their job, Dren turned and continued on his way up the street. No sales made yet, he lamented, patting his wares on the inside of his coat. The whole business with that strange figure and his fellow spy had flustered him a touch, but nothing could break his calm and gentlemanly demeanor short of an earthquake. So, he decided it was time to move on. I mean, what could one man possibly do?

Thus, he made his way up the path, headed for the theatre, patting the pocket with his ticket inside of. He was intent not to miss a performance, be it good or bad.

Hitori saw his fellow spy who abandoned him and grinned, still in the body of the Girl with teal eyes and a White Shawl he sped up a little before he was right next to the man. Hitori nudged him before putting on his most charming beguilement, blew him a kiss, and then rushed off to the show. There was bound to be plenty of excitement when the show got to the "Bang" and Hitori was not about to miss this.

As the Shadowy Figure left the castle, he saw a man in a Violet garb, most of him was covered with cloak of the same color, thus leaving the finer details. He did however see the man have his baby blue eyes, the man was much taller than he. He tipped his head to the man, to which drew his attention.

"Never knew black was in this season."
"Black is usually in and out." The man retorted to the violet colored one.

"Quite the play of words black Raven, though you seem to be migrating, as if a sign of death...Yet your eyes so innocent like that of a young bahhing babe." He somewhat drew closer.

"Sign of death is accurate. But to who it matters to, that is irrelevant."

The man smirked a bit, his pearly teeth showing a tad bit. "Well. A good day to you."
"Right... While I may be the Black Raven, you're the White one. Though it isn't my place to say who is bringing death."

The shadowy figure turned back onto his heel as he sat down in a wooden boat. Alexandrian guards seemed to be on the look out for the recent killer.

A male and a female were rowing the boat together. One of which wore a green leotard, hair braided, yet slightly draping to the sides.
The male wearing somewhat rusted ivory armor.

"Oii... This Black Mage fellow said to 'ave killed someone. Cept 'twasn't a black mage at all. T'is be a Forest Stalker... liver eating menace." The male spoke, his voice full of dread and disdain.

"T'was a frightful report to receive... But I rather extra eyes than extra bodies. T'is nice to have you moving passengers with me Abraham." She spoke with a bit optimism. It was nice to see that people were working together through even the darkest times. This made the robbed one smile a bit.

Upon reaching the moat's end, he saw several people waiting to cross, many nobles, and a certain killer stood in the crowd.
Rather than draw attention, he moved by the peasantry and skulked through the back alleyway.

To which, he saw blood, and flower life. "He was killed here, and turned into plants to hide the body, which is strange. Most Elder Ones try to dine on the Livers, yet it was perfectly broken down into plant life." He took note of the small scenery, as well as the knocked down objects, such as bundled flowers meant for a Bouquet,reeds, and what seemed like a pot of honey.

"You'd think and Alexandrian would adapt to using airtight containers rather than pottery..." he shook his head a bit as he came across the "Inari's Den."

"The White one came from here."

He opened the door to see a Moogle staring at the doorway. The Moogle somewhat flapped over to him with his disproportionate wings.
"Dink-a-loo Dink-a-lee. Hazelnut has to ask you to leave. The Den is closed."

"Then I'll be quick." The Shadowy figure pointed and twirled his finger, a sigh white as chalk, and transparent as faded light formed, and it seamlessly hit the Moogle.

"I heard it gets cold. So turn up the heat, and... open the Office of your boss'."

The Moogle seemed to be in a trance, his eyes seemed a bit dazed, but he opened the door as he was commanded.

The office itself seemed like an eccentric painting to the man, sculptures of himself, as well as many figures, of whom is possibly forms he has assumed over his lifetime. "What a dis-proportioned mess..."

He walked over the wooden floor to what looked like a safe. Rather than trying to figure out how to open it, he pointed at the Moogle.
"Open."

Again, as commanded, the Moogle obeyed. To which, the male received an Emerald horn.
"Where is the Gil." He turned his head to the Moogle, who pushed one of the sculptures- attempted to.

"Stand by the door."

The figure trusted his hand out lightly, a wave of pure force sent the sculpture toppling over, shattering. Under the base of it, he held several large bags, which he attacked to his waist band.

"Take me to the Kitchen, and the basement." The Moogle exited the room, the man left a small cylinder in each corner before doing the same in the entrance room, where tables and chairs were. He had them hidden well against the walls. Soon he entered the Kitchen where the Chiefs were, rather than wasting his time, he looked at the Moogle.

"Tell the Qu's I am here to... improve the building." As the Moogle went to do as he was told, the Man grabbed a few bottles of oil, pouring it around each corner of the floors to reach the cylinders as he placed them in the kitchen.

"Take me to the storage room where you keep the food. Bring the Qu's."

Without much hesitation, the Qu's followed, asking questions as to why they needed to come.

"There is special food down there. Now let's go." The man followed the Moogle, oil trails to the side as he got to the wooden door, there being a lock. To which the Moogle had the key to. Door was iron, simple, but sturdy.

The group entered as there was more oil being pored, more cylinders placed down. It didn't take long for them to sniff the oils, but the man was clearly doing something they were unsure of. However, the man detested seeing so many human corpses around, butchered and mutilated, it made his stomach churn.

"Give me the key and stay put." The Moogle handed the man the key, him exiting the room before closing the door slowly, the Qu's could not see it, but they could sniff the blocking of air. The door had been shut, and locked.

Upon returning to the Boss' room, he pushed yet another sculpture down with the same technique.
"A staff...?" In the rubble, he saw a staff that seemed familiar to him, rather than question it deeply, he took note it was a relic from where he was from.
"Ah... a Morphium stone..." He smirked a bit to himself.
"How I longed to see this... It's mine now. And with that.. I believe decorating this fancy monster's den is ready to be at a close. I think these are welcomed changes... He exhaled as he drenched the room with oil from the kitchen, making sure he hit every room after just in case before igniting it from the kitchen.

Each stem blazed up into beautiful blur fire, such beauty traveled between the rooms, and one by one, the cylinder's caused explosions that made the establishment fall and crumble from the very inside. There would be nothing for Hitori to return to. "A Monsters' death for a pack of Monsters."

The Invader was gone with the loot, there was no whiteness that he could see. But then again, the back ally ways are always nice to avoid population.

Back at the Castle, the Prima vista was landing.

Dren blinked a few times from his brief encounter with the strange lass. She seemed somewhat familiar to him... why was that? And why did she tease him so? Just a youthful thing, perhaps? He couldn't honestly tell... still, she seemed to be walking in the same direction he wanted to go. So, he continued on his way, cane clacking on the pavement as he approached the theatre. His hand briefly patted his pocket to affirm he had the funds for a ticket. Of course he did.

The Boisterous ship landed on the stage deck where red velveteen seats were stationed across from it. The seats were quickly filled, Dren got a nice front row seat right next to his new "friend" Hitori.

"We of the Theater troupe of Tantalus present you Lord Avon's ' I want to be your Canary'!" A man stood in costume, he had adorned armor on with many signs resembling gibberish, yet looked like a parody of religious symbols, mostly human ones. This was so that they didn't use already existing ones that would offend people of the clergy in Alexandria, as well as to give "flair" to their costumes.

The stage lights changed to that of a light lapis, this was to emulate the night on set.

"O'de be to you Marcus my love, for on the hue we leave for Fimble'verant... Only than shall we be free... I Cornelius of V'hes..' await'ith you!" The lady on stage had long straight hair, Silver...yet a hint of brown in it. Her hair was unique and stood out, as did her lapis eyes. Her pale complexion was lacking powder like the man before her. Her build was somewhat to be compared to Beatrix, yet she had a larger bust that stood out; this was noticeable to wraps around her torso.

The outfit itself was white, flowy and draped down to her ankles. Her smile was, yet serene.

To the left, was a yellow light on the stage.

"It is I! Marcus! I've come to whisk you away Cornelius!" The man smiled to her solemnly, his bright teeth showing, his canines sticking out, his hazel hair back in a ponytail as he wore a red frilled Bard like attire.

"Nay!" To the right side of the stage where Cornelius was, the same man who was opening the play had a crown on. He was blatantly noticed to represent the king but such a moniker.

"My daughter is to wed Verin of Umbrine, not some...pauper... Away with you!"
"Nay! Father, I forbid you to lay a finger on Marcus!"
"Then lay a finger I shall not, but silver and steel shall be lain with his blood!"

Two armored figures appeared from behind the Kingly figure.
One suit of Armor was domino like, while the other was Red and White with alternating colors on front and back of the suit.
One held a flimsy spear, which was obviously painted to look Silver, same could be said about the other's sword.

Behind the bard on the opposing end, three men appeared in swashbuckler like attire, as if they've been born at sea.
"Aye! No'aht a ma'hn to deprive anot'ter of their love for 'thy fairest lady. The trio pulled our Scimitars and began to fight closer to the audience.

Dren could see one of the men was actually a silver and black haired female with grey eyes. She had a scar under her left eye that went down to her chin in a curved slice. She was smiling as she had one hand on her hip, playfully twirling swords with her opponent, jumping from side to side as they locked swords.

Without much delay, she seemed to roll all the way off stage left onto the runway into the castle, most of course were distracted by the light show from the explosives used. Of course the explosives only made prismatic colors to emulate that of magic.

Hitori could perhaps check on them, he was devious enough to shift forms.

________________________

Meanwhile on the Royal Balcony, Brahne was enjoying the show, Beatrix behind her, two Alexandrian elite knights at the sides where she sat, and Garnet had left the area, she seemed troubled.

To the right, was the Man in Violet.
"Perhaps the dove just needed Air, without air..."
"Yes... things suffocate and so on... As appreciated as your company is... I could really not care for the poetry. My husband died years ago. Maker bless his soul to be in eternal peace at that." Brahne fanned her grin a bit.

"Why are you here on such a day?"

"To simply see the fireworks. The stage, glows to put it shortly. Breath taking really..." He smirked, showing his teeth.

"As nice as your company can be. You really are limited to what metaphors you can use without poetry." Brahne chuckled.
"Like how mice can only squeak where a cat has plenty of sounds."

"Yes, to where a cat is quiet, as a dog is loud and rambunctious."

"A quiet cat in black caught my eye today..."
"is it the Lumyian...?" Beatrix turned her gaze, voice gone unheard.

"You mean the crier that came earlier to give our fortunes?" Brahne somewhat turned her head, not wanting to take her eyes and ears off the well projected stage.

"A crier? Interesting choice of words. But I'd call him a threat. These cats have fleas we cannot burn out, vermin, no medicine that isn't death can expunge." He seamed to recede reduce his smirk into a light smile.

"What are you talking about...?" Betrix one again interrupted.
"Just because this person might have got to you means that he is a threat. People who can see the future have a gift that others call a curse, but we should heed such seriously. Life is serious, therefore we should take it serious and not kill such people, for they aimed not to kill us, but to warn us. We can change because of such warnings." Beatrix spoke a bit more adamantly to the man.

"Well spoken General Beatrix." Brahne gave a small smile, followed by a tip of her head.

"Or people trying to put the fear of war into our minds, and ultimately try to start it. What if they say the reverse of a fortune? Or not giving the whole truth? Things you should consider my lady."

"Your concern is heard, but I am afraid my country does not need a war. If war were to happen, we'd easily plow through the Bermecians..."
"So you say..." The man chuckled before reclining back a bit.

Ah... how splendidly tacky, Dren thought to himself. The clear fakeness of the props and the cheap production values... it was all he'd been expecting and more. The acting was on par, of course. He caught the occasional flubbed line here and there, but that all added to the nieve charm of these productions for him.

Beneath the suit, he spied the female. A female playing a male role, not exactly unheard of, but somewhat odd considering she seemed to be the only one. Her acting was quite captivating, he thought, as he observed her.

Hitori noticed the figure slip off stage onto the castle and like cats foxes tended to be curious creatures, Hitori was no exception. Still in the Form of the Young lady he rose and waved goodbye to Dren, he had to investigate. Once he was out of view he took on the shape of a Palace guard and climbed to where the figure was.

Once he had climbed to where the figure had fell Hitori used his Jewel to see where the figure could be hiding. In the Shadows, of course! Hitori took on the form of his natural Kumiho state. His Tails flickered and his jewel flashed. "Look, let's drop the pretenses. You and I both are aware we are here. When does the Bang happen?" The was a sense of glee in Hitori's voice.

The girl looked at the Kumiho with confusion. "Aye. I am inclined to ask you to fly the fuck out. But to be perfectly honest, no idea what you mean." The short haired female had a few pouches with several items of interest. Some of which looked like smoke bombs. Other herbs of a sort; sleeping kind to be more specific.

"Now, if you want to help out Foxy-loxy, be a dear and shift into someone important. We need that Princess for reasons of state. And that is all I'm going to say- because that is all there is to say." She shifted from startled, to immediately someone seeing opportunity. Whatever her intentions were, she clearly wasn't hostile. Even she can see the man before her might seem to want to be part of this "big bang."

Above them there was only one pair of footsteps heard, there was grace and fluidity to the motions they could hear; yet cautious ones.

The female looked back at the Kumiho and gave a nod to him, as if signaling him. She has no real way to know how or if he would help her cause, or what he'd even want in return, but she rather be safe with her actions. Someone of Hitori's nature could be useful to her.

Hitori was now puzzled, oh well he had gotten himself in this far why not take the cake. He shifted into the form of a Knight of the Royal guard he had noticed from before, A Woman with Curled brown hair and a White eye-patch. He then noticed what the woman was starring at...who the hell was that?

"Say When, oh lady of the night." Hitori awaited the signal.

Beatrix stared at the Knight before walking over, her eye veering on the deception. She stared at bit longer at him before walking slowly over to him. "What are you doing here...? Aren't you a little short for a knight?" She smirked a bit.

Beatrix, though stern, did in fact have a sense of humor, but she did try to avoid morbid jokes. Mostly for the same of moral.
"Might I ask why you are standing here, alone? Most Soldiers go accompanied." She said flatly before somewhat flicking her curl to the side.

Hitori used a beguilement to make himself sound more believable as well as to soften Beatrix's mind enough that she would be willing to believe him. He stood at attention like a true soldier would and spoke clearly.

"Sir. My Partner and I were on Night duty Patrol as was requested of us. My Partner heard a disturbance and went to investigate the issue, I remained because the area is not to be left unguarded. Sir."

Beatrix nodded. "Very well. At ease now. I'll go to see where your partner is." With that Beatrix strutted off past Hitori.
Within a few moments her footsteps were completely absent. There was a sigh of relief from the girl behind Hitori.

"Right... To the Princess' chambers.... I'm Monica Reys by the by." She said before smiling a bit, walking up the stairs rather carefully, hands on her sides; it was best to assume she had little gadgets at her disposal, such as metallic balls based on the leather pouches and how some of the seemed a bit wider. Based on that alone... she seemed like a trickster.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, there was a women in a white cloak. Monica paused.

Hitori also noted the woman in the white cloak, with a look from his Jewel he could tell there was a potent energy signal about her as well as a some sort of other energy along side her. Something Ancient and Earthy....Oh fuck this might be important.

"Ms. Reys, I believe we have your target in sight. Whoever that is has an energy like someone destined for leadership." He said softly as to not startle the Woman.

The Princess stared at Monica with eyes; she was filled with a bit of determination. "I know why you've come... But, it not safe to take me yet. It's nice my uncle is reading my letters though."

"Aye. It is nice with Jolly cooperation of people. But we need to get ya on set. Can you take us to where we can get behind the stage?" Monic placed a hand on her hip.

"That I can. But you must be quiet. And you must try to not alert any guards. They've been... unrest today with the killings, and the explosion at the Inari's den, No one survived..." He shook her head. "But... not my time to grieve for my country."

"I'd say. But you'll have to lead girly."
The Princess merely nodded before walking down to a lower floor, to her side was a sheathe for a sword, what looked like knuckle dusters, and a staff of some sort. It looked closer to a mace.

Wandering about the internal workings of an airship brought about a mixture of both peacefulness and to a lesser degree on off days, boredom.That, is at least what one of the demi-humans who worked upon the ship thought as he continued walking around about it. The demi-human who appeared to be a large red squirrel dressed in overalls with a fanny pack and practically dragging along what may be an over sized wrench near the length of his arms. From time to time, he fiddled and tried to fix the hook and strap onto the silver colored button on the left side of his overalls. It was the only thing, keeping him from drifting off deeply elsewhere into some day dream or another but likely not for long. Day dreaming would often occur at times like these.

The mechanic and engineer of sorts and continued to look about the Prima Vista for anything suspicious. Well, anything suspicious or that needed to be checked about the ship that is. He doubted there was any to be found, but it would be at least entertaining to find something small to tinker with. Something simple, perhaps a gauge misreading or a pipe that needed to be tighten and further bolted down. In such cases, he would likely have to go find the proper tools and tool box for the job. The wrench being carried was a marvel and could be helpful with many of basic issues, but not all of them. Carrying around a mallet or a screwdriver may have been a wiser decision as well.

Fiddling with the button and trying to get the strap on continued to fail and leave the left side of his chest partially uncovered. The distraction was not going to last that long, in fact it was starting to fail at this very moment. The mechanic began pondering about how the play was currently going and visualizing it on stage. Although the images and thoughts of it, were a mostly romanticized, imagining the crowd hanging onto every line of the actors. Being very absorbed into the play itself as to look away from any flaws that may be there in it. Perhaps receiving an encore or two.

Hitori remained silent, Poor Hazelnut didn't deserve to go out like that. This was definitely in retaliation for the Death of Ada, Hitori can only assume some of the Valuables taken could be sold for quite some Gil, there weren't really any treasures that couldn't be replaced, the real "treasures" were kept close to his heart at all times. Internally he couldn't help but be amused in a strange way, if they had any sense they would have taken the stock pile of Gil that had been kept for safe keeping, if they had any sense they would have realized that they were duped and only have Leaves and Twigs. But amusement aside there was still the matter of the Revenge for the destruction of his Home, it would come when it came and not a moment too soon.

Still.....Something wasn't right, there was definitely something watching the three of them. Whatever it was had a strange energy about it but it wasn't alone. Hitori reached into the sleeve of his robe and retrieved a Cat Doll with an Over-sized head and a prissy look, Hitori Wickedly smiled at the Doll, bringing it to life with a Violet Flame that sank into it.

"Hello Ada. Keep an Eye for any sign of trouble if you would be so kind." Hitori whispered to the Doll. The Doll Nodded and Sat on Hitori's Shoulder acting as a Sentry and if needed a temporary Defense. Even the Dead have a Myriad of uses. Ada began tugging on Hitori's Ear frantically and mumbled something in a strange doll-speak to him. "I see, thank you Ada."

"Ms. Rey We need to leave, something rather.....unfortunate is coming our way we must get her Ladyship away from here." Hitori said in a pressed tone.

"Foxy loxy. WE are almost to the cargo..." Monica was somewhat hurrying the pace as the Princess moved with them. They ended up behind the stage where a bearded man confronted then. He was dressed in a rather ragged set of clothes.

"Ey. Git'er in, we'd need ya on stage before the find out what is going on. And Barmy twisted his foot in the last number. You're resourceful right?" The scratched the back of his head. From The Princess' stance, the man looked like a thug she'd hear about in bed time stories. He wasn't charming or enchanting. Just unusual. Despite his gruff appearance, he wasn't brutish to her.

"Rightttt. Get the lass under and I'll go over... Foxy Loxy. Stay by her and you may get paid yet." Monica made her way through the pipe works of the Primma vista Fortunately, a lot of the ground work was already done. She only required a signal.

Unfortunately the play was moving faster than she though... On stage they were already on the last act.
Characters rejoicing and dancing.

She walked through the woodwork before nodding to her boss, who acted as King for the play. At this point, the King was fleeing back stage.
Preparations would take a bit, bit it was her job to stay topside to see if there was any activity to be had.

Rather than stand blankly and look awkward, she pointed to the nearest male below the stage, into the audience to come dance with her- as fate would have it, it was Dren.

Dren was surprised and blinked a few times in surprise, pointing a finger to himself as if to ask if she was serious. When nothing happened for a few seconds, it was apparent what was going on. So, with a casual shrug, Dren rose from his seat, clambering up onto the stage.

"Quite an opportunity to dance with royalty, I must say." Dren said quietly with a smirk, taking her hands and letting her head. It was HER play after all, he was just a piece to follow orders at this point.

Hitori sighed and resumed the Form of the Girl with the White Shawl. He leaped onto the Stage and Danced as if he were the loveliest girl in a Ballroom, losing himself to the persona he had put on. He bumped into The Man from Earlier, whom he had followed here, and blew a kiss his direction before twirling back toward the Princess and Throwing the Shawl into the Air and letting it dissolve into a flock of White Butterflies. This trick always was a Crowd Pleaser back when Hitori was a Street Performer and it definitely worked it's magic on the crowd. A Roar of Exuberant Joy and Wonder showered them all as they continued to Dance upon the Stage.

"My Lady, try and see if you can incorporate a little pizzazz into the Dance with that Charming fellow. The Crowd will Eat it up. Trust me, the more impressed they are the less questions they will ask." Hitori whispered with the voice of the Maiden he pretended to be. He Then Twirled away but just close enough to keep a sharp eye on the Princess.

From on top of the stage, a brown cloaked figure stood before leaping off and doing a graceful spinning flip as they landed on their feet at the front of the stage before standing up straight. Compared to most of the crew, they were smaller in stature, even the women. Yet shape wise was mostly skinny and straight instead of curvy. Raising their hand to their chest, they started speaking. Voice a strong firm voice yet still had a sort of tenderness to it. A bit raspy with a growl, yet rang clearly like a bird.

"The vile King has fallen under shame, and come hither seasons of peace and allow love to shine brightly as the traveling lamp! Prithee, thou gods, say nay to more tragedy and alloweth our hearts to beat and burn forevermore! Let there bloom life instead the decay of death!" They said, their hand moving the edge of the hood before ripping it off and tossed it, flower petals bursting from it and showering the crowed and scene. There stood the figure of a blonde, wearing a greenish teal bandana around their head. Wearing a light blue no sleeve shirt with a brown vest with golden tripping, brown leather gloves and black shorts with a utility belt and what could be a yellow furred belt around the waist and dark brown thick boots. Painted up pirate swords, one on each side of the hip. They looked either a bit like a very pretty boy, or a boyish girl. Some blotches of black soot on their bare arms and cheeks didn't help.

Karnrad Allard of the Tantalus group. Honestly, she wasn't exactly sure how she was convinced in doing this. She didn't really enjoy being in the spotlight like this. She much preferred working the little mechanics. But to help provide some distraction, she supposed it would have to do. Besides, improvising was what the team was good at. They already done it a lot tonight with this play.

Turning toward the 'Princess' Karn gave a pleasant romantic smile, emerald green eyes bright and hopeful. Placing her left hand over her chest where she could feel her beating heart while the right outstretched, catching a red flower and holding it out to the beautiful woman.

"I beseech thou, fair maiden. Let my life fall on your delicate fingers. For a life caged and trapped under your caring hands holds more freedom then the open skies where I would weighed down to the cold earth by a iron heart. Never to really fly. I want to be your canary, my princess. Forevermore." she spoke clearly and strongly, full of hope and vigor. While mentally hoping that it was about time to go now. It was a bit odd to see two strangers on stage, but she supposed there was a some reason for it. As long as they don't disrupt their plans, she didn't particularly care. Everyone seemed to be playing along at least.