Argenti's Palace

[beautifulknight]

The stage is set they say;
They don their masks and shields,
Shadows creep and cover their minds;
Now, what beautiful role shall they play?

𝓜𝓮𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓷 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓵𝓮


♫

Comments

[beautifulknight]

[ Kirumi will not see much, but since she has eyes she can vaguely spot three objects sitting atop the first level of stairs.

There are no apparent obstacles from what she can tell. ]

[kandata]

[Oh, interesting. Kirumi sees that, looks behind her, and approaches someone]

Please come with me.

[For protection reasons! Let's be cautious! We have to check out what those three objects are -- but moving slowly, carefully]

[goei]

Gotcha. You focus on solvin' whatever riddles there are and I'll watch yer back.

[kandata]

Thank you for your help.

[Yeah, Izou is going to be a force to be reckoned, she's sure. She'll be safe.

Hi, Lum! Let's check out what these objects are! Sorry about not putting it on bold earlier, yup -- just checked the instructions again]

[beautifulknight]

[ That's fine with me! Izou and Kurumi happen to look at the three objects!

They are floating a singular group of floating items:

A Sword, Spear, and a Mirror. Which does she and/or Izou wish to examine? ]

[kandata]

[Ah, here we go. The Kingdom Hearts choice of what to focus the skill tree on: attack, magic, or defense.

Or probably not, really. Kirumi looks at Izou]

You are more familiar with swords than I am. Would you please examine that one?

[Kirumi is considering the mirror, mostly because she has a feeling mirrors in magical locations can be risky]

[goei]

Sure. Though I don't know as much about western style swords like that.

[Still, he'll go over to the sword. Can he pick it up? He's going to pick it up.]

[beautifulknight]

[ Well, Izou takes the sword. It is a beautiful blade, carved wonderfully as if touched by a god, and certainly designed in very much akin to how western ones that are indeed. There is no sheath, and the metal is clean and clear enough to have his reflection witnessed in its blade.

Though after he has the opportunity to examine it in its entirety, the blade seems to glow before turning into sparkles of light, which reform into a painting that appears in Izou's visage. It is of a knight, armored from head to toe holding a sword, but he is missing one arm. His armor is bright, like Argenti's, but somehow constructed differently; yet there is the sense it is brilliant and beautiful all the same.

A voice begins to murmur, as if afraid to speak: ]

This Knight persisted through great loss, and great anonymity. He traveled the galaxy, his heroics shrouded in shadow and mystery for most never had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of him while he was in the act. But his actions could never be considered less than heroic. Indeed, the valor this knight held was almost peerless, for he soldiered on through impossibility and fate itself.

He rescued a fellow knight that wandered in desperation in search of his lost goddess; that fellow knight had brilliant red hair and eyes like the brightest jade. Yet, when it came to avoiding danger, he had not mastered the ability to escape from the clutches of the darkest void in space.

It is only through the assistance of this one-armed man that the brave flame-haired knight lived to see another day. That day was a day of happiness; where both parties rejoiced and parted. Yet, undeniably as friends.

...However, one day the red-haired knight received horrid news:

The one who saved him had perished.

He made a promise to ensure he will repay the same to any dear friend he made. Certainly, how could he not? A Knight of Beauty must reflect the flawless nature of Idrila. To be there for those who cannot save themselves. That, certainly, also extends to loved ones, does it not?

May Idrila shine THEIR beautiful gaze upon your soul.

[ After the words are spoken, the painting disappears immediately, leaving nothing behind. ]

[goei]

[Huh. Well. This is actually the most he's ever felt like he understood Argenti.]

Yo, Kirumi. Did you hear that?

[kandata]

I did. Quite the backstory for Argenti...

[Now she touches the mirror, trying to grab it from the edges and, like unsure what she'd find, she peers into it, to see what it shows.

What does the mirror show?]

Perhaps these objects symbolize people Argenti once knew. People who are dear to his heart. You would think these objects would be guarded in some manner.

[Or maybe not. Argenti isn't as closed off of a person as some are]

[goei]

Yeah. If that's what happened ta him I get why he's so devoted ta all this. I mean, Takechi sensei was like that fer me too.

But yeah, there's no other people around stoppin' us... Ya don't think Argenti's like... the last one left of these Knights of Beauty, do ya?
[BECAUSE... THAT WOULD BE SAD.]

[kandata]

...he might be. If that's so, we likely will find out for sure soon.

[It'd be the kind of pivotal turning point in one's life that'd feature in one's mindscape, she's sure!]

[beautifulknight]

[ There is no painting. Only the mirror.

When one looks into it, it reflects themselves, their appearance, their whole being. It feels as if there is nowhere to hide. As if every flaw that an individual has is being brought to the surface.

Can Kirumi say that she would admire her own flaws?

But, without flaws, how could there be Beauty?

A familiar-sounding, but distorted male's voice speaks: ]

A reflection speaks to a myriad innumerable of subjects. What is ugly, what is beautiful...

They say that there is a planet that knows not of ugliness, but if one does not know of ugliness...how would they know what is Beauty?

Perseverance, devotion, chivalric duty, harmony, and life's joys...are they not beautiful things? I cannot know what it should mean if one does not treasure it. I, am as always, committed and stalwart in upholding the beautiful Chivalric Oaths.

Though, I have heard of those spreading rumors that the goddess of Beauty creates villains to show that heroes are beautiful.

I wonder, where is the Beauty in that?

[ Just like that, the mirror shatters, then distorts, and falls in on itself, until it no longer exists in the same space as Kirumi.

This only leaves the Spear remaining. ]

[kandata]

[Oh, that was an uncomfortable sensation. When the mirror shatters, taking away that feeling and the monologue with it, she shudders a bit and comments to Izou:]

...I suppose his musings are also represented by these. I wish I had not touched this one.

[Being Seen is uncomfortable!]

[goei]

Yeah... That ones way more like... philosophical. I ain't built ta figure out shit like that. You wanna come with me ta get the spear or just wait here for the spooky voice?

[kandata]

I'm going with you.

[No way she's going to stand aside and wait for someone else to possibly be in peril! She sure is coming along.

So, this spear...]

If the pattern holds, it will disappear. Come on.

[Time to grab the spear, Izou, let's go. Kirumi moves to put a hand on one end of it]

[goei]

[Hell yeah teamwork. Izou will also put a hand on the spear for synergy reasons.]

Kinda lame that it does! That was a real snazzy sword. Not my style but I'd have liked ta try it out a little.

[beautifulknight]

[ After they touch the spear...immediately...

...There is a painting that appears in their sight. It is of a knight, holding a spear, with long, flowing and beautiful red hair; he is covered from head to toe in armor, in blinding white armor. A helmet even obscures his face. But...it kind of is clear who this is, isn't it?

A voice begins to call out, as if singing a song: ]

The bright red-haired knight ushered himself along through the galaxy, from planet to planet, from world to world. All who saw this heroic figure wondered if they might be so lucky to see his face, and until one fated day thought they would never.

Though, when he removed the helmet, people were drawn to his Beauty. More and more followed Idrila knowing of his heroics, and of his handsome features. Some called him vain, some called him their savior, and some even whispered that Idrila THEMSELVES blessed him more than any other.

Whatever they thought of him, the knight would always offer a kind smile. Even to those who belonged to the group of people that called such knights freaks.

[ After the words are spoken, the painting disappears immediately, leaving nothing behind. Seems simple enough, doesn't it?

Though, there's something else as well. The two of them hear the sound of something unlocking from the direction of the second flight of stairs. Maybe it's time to get everyone? Or wait for them. Up to these two!

The painting and the spear also dissipate. ]

[kandata]

...if he once was one of the very few knights left, it seems that might not be the case anymore.

[Sounds like Argenti has inspired others through the power of his heroics and his good looks!]

Hearing Argenti out might have been the way to progress. Thank you, Izou.

[There may have been less danger than she expected, but Izou's presence was a relief regardless!

Let's go back and get the rest, they probably are aaaaaall having a great time doing whatever they're doing]

[goei]

[NO FREE SWAG... He's gonna be mad when he sees Aaron got to keep the Ocarina.]

Yeah, it sounds like he was a big deal? I mean I know knights are like a big fancy thing but it sounds like he was more special... Even if some people didn't like it?

But yeah, lets go gather everyone before checking out whatever we unlocked.