The Forgotten Zodiac

Horace let go this time, not seeming to care. The girl clapped happily and beamed, skipping off to join the audience. Horace followed quietly.

"You sure about this?" Makke frowned at the boy. "We might not get another chance to save them..."

Bermuda looked over at Makke. "If we take them now, it'll be more noticable. If they do not come for the play, everyone will notice immediately," he reasoned.

"I suppose..." Makke shrugged. "We'd be out of here soon enough, but..." She watched as Verdi and Israel hurried off.

"Who was that?" Verdi whimpered. "What did those people want from us...?"

"I... think I... the boy, did you see him? He seemed... so familiar," Israel said, looking fretful. He shook his head a couple times as if to clear it, then sighed. "I don't know..."

"I would have seen his face, if mister ugly hadn't picked me up!" Verdi huffed as he threw more soot on himself to cover up what was missing. Then he polished his carried weapon with a cloth and got ready to go. "Let's just go. We've got a show to do!"

Bermuda settled into one of the back seats in the auditorium, next to Makke. He kept his cloak drawn close, not wanting to be recognised by any of the Oceanid citizens... of course, it had been years since any of the common people had seen him, but better safe than sorry.

"What show is playing?" he asked softly, not having paid attention before.

"If I'm not mistaken, it's called 'Fashas' Betrayal'. It's rather exciting, in my opinion, but I've seen this play before." Makke shrugged. "At least Nana's having fun." She smiled, looking over at the smaller girl. She was seated on her large friend's lap, his arms wrapped around her. She did indeed look excited and happy, a wide smile on her face.

"Why'd you bring her, anyway?" Another witch frowned at Makke.

"In case things turn south. You know what she does." The older witch rolled her eyes. "Now shush, it's starting!"

((mini time skip?))

((Yes?))

The play was soon over, and as the crowd stood for an ovation, Bermuda slipped out the back. "I'll expect they'll go for a curtain call or two," the nereid murmured to Makke, who had followed him out. "We need to find our way backstage."

"Easy as pie. Consider it done." Makke smiled, taking Bermuda's hand and pulling him out through one of the doors to the front. She led him around the back of the building, to a door with a sign that said 'authorized personel only'. "This should be backstage. We can slip in from here." She smiled, fiddling with the lock for a moment before opening the door. "After you, your highness."

Bermuda smiled and headed inside, looking around for someone, anyone, he recognised. "Israel? Verdi?" he called, looking around. He allowed the hood obscuring his face to fall as Makke closed the door behind them.

Verdi was cleaning himself off in a water bucket towards the back of the stage, shaking his fur out every few moments. He didn't really like being wet, after all. Israel was nearby, taking off the makeup he was forced to use. Ela was also there, smiling widely. "That was good, you two. Best performance yet. Do you both like your parts in the next play?" She questioned.

"Yes! I like it!" Verdi raised his hand happily, jumping up and down.

Israel smiled widely. "Of course," he said, grinning. "I've already starting learning some of my lines! It's going to be great!"

Bermuda paused for a moment, hearing Israel's loud voice. "I... that's Israel," he said, hurrying in the direction he'd heard the voice. "Israel! Verdi!"

Verdi looked up sharply. "Ber...Bermuda?" He tilted his head to the side, his floppy ears pointed high in alarm. "Bermuda!" He darted forward, jumping into the arms of the hooded boy. "Bermuda, Bermuda, Bermuda, Bermuda, it's been sssssoooooooo long!" He wailed, clinging to the prince desperately. "We missed you!"

Ela blinked. "Fans of yours?" She eyed the witch suspiciously, but said nothing else.

Israel was on his feet at once, his eyes wide with surprise. "What are you doing here?!" he exclaimed, trotting over to join Verdi in hugging the nereid. "We thought you... the others, are they okay? Verolen, Arachne, everyone?" he asked.

Bermuda smiled and nodded slowly. "Sort of. Verolen, Arachne, L'arc, and Sylas are at the Manakete Palace. They miss you, and can't wait for you two to join them there."

Verdi blinked at Bermuda, then wiggled out of his grip. "No, we can't leave. We have a job here. Ela needs us."

"Ela? Who, this woman?" Makke stalked over and glared at the woman, who did nothing but glare back.

"You're not taking my stars away, I--" She started, but Makke literally shoved a sock in her mouth. Well, a feathery boa, which she had grabbed off a rack nearby.

"Come on, let's go." Makke grabbed Israel by the hand and Verdi around the middle, pushing them off towards the exit.

"W-wait!" Israel protested, pulling against Makke's grip. "We c-can't just..."

"What's wrong?" Bermuda asked, frowning deeply. "I thought you'd be glad to be reunited with the others. Especially Verolen."

Israel frowned in return. "I would like that, yes, but... Ela needs us."

"We need you, too!" Bermuda retorted, gaze narrowing.

"Y-yes, I know that, but..."

"Why does she need you, anyway? You aren't actors, you're the friends of many people, who want you back!" Makke pushed only harder.

Ela objected, moving in Makke's way. "You can't just take them! Stop and listen to them, you fool!"

"No way, fish-girl. You reek of halibut." Makke threw out the insult carelessly.

And wound up being punched in the face. Makke fell back, holding her cheek and sitting there with a look on her face that practically screamed building fury.

"Ela..." Israel said softly, looking a bit unnerved himself at the turn of events. "I um... would like you to meet my friend, Bermuda," he said, indicating the nereid. "It seems that... he's in charge of this... "rescue" group for Verdi and I," he said, trying to diffuse the tension.