Activity

“What should we do?” asked Enydd.

Jade stared at the insidious glass.

I will allow you to enjoy the dance and a meal, but be warned, the next set of challenges will make up for this temporary rest. To assist one who’s an enemy or friend is your fate. After this, you’ll show all these people your most regretted decision. Brace yourself for these things to come. I apologize insincerely if I have ruined your appetite.

She snorted. Might like this Castle’s sense of humor. Except that it clearly hates us…

”Proceed as planned. Since it’s giving us a meal, we can discuss the issue over dinner while thinking things through in the meantime,” said Jade. “Let’s get a look at this stage and go practice.” She gestured down the hall. “Lead the way, Enydd.”

As she marched behind Enydd, Isaias bounced up beside Jade’s ear.

”Doesn’t sound too bad, really, helping someone, ya know? And I don’t even have any enemies here, so it’ll be a friend!” He beamed at her.

Jade raised an eyebrow. “What about that bit about a most regretted decision?”

Isaias shrugged. “Everyone’s got them.”

Sure they did, but not everyone had hers. And what kind of help were we talking, here? Please help me lace my shoe, or please help me wrestle my deepest darkest fears? Ugh. Please no.

Something tripped up Jade’s feet, making her stumble forward in a most ungraceful way. Isaias grabbed her arm and steadied her, and Enydd said, “Oh, I’m sorry! The red carpet starts here.”

”So I noticed.” She gave Enydd a grim smile. “Thanks,” she mumbled to Isaias, yanking her arm away.

”Oh, look!” said Ophelia. “The walls! How did you do this, Enydd?”

”I didn’t. The Castle did,” Enydd replied.

”Huh?” Isaias spun around, taking in the decorations. “How would a building do this?”

Jade smirked. “It’s alive.”

Then a sign caught her eye. Her own face blazoned across the poster, which proclaimed the upcoming performance of a prima ballerina, herself. She may have ceased breathing. Not even the Dancers of the Haven received this sort of honor, for everything there was about group effort. This had stifled and irritated Jade, who knew she was at the head of the pack. And finally someone, even if it were a creepy Castle, acknowledged her. The others too, of course, but they each got their own sign, not just something about the nameless Dancers of the most Benevolent Haven.

”Like it, eh?”

Jade snapped her head toward the voice. Isaias.

”It is a nice change,” she admitted. Finally getting the attention I deserve.

 

 

Doesn’t move things forward much as far as events go, but those posters would definitely affect Jade in a significant way.