SCENE: THE GREY SCALE CIRCUS TENT. AMY HAS COME BACK, AND IS SITTING NEXT TO AMARANTHA ON THE PILE OF COVERS, CHATTING WITH MAX, WHO HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE CAGE AND IS NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT IT. THE COMPUTER IS ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THEM, ANGLED SO MAX AND AMARANTHA CAN SEE THE SCREEN, BUT AMY CAN'T.

Amarantha: (to Amy, typing as she speaks) Are you sure you're not interested?

Amy: I have no use for that technology.

MAX READS WHAT AMARANTHA HAS JUST WRITTEN AND CLAPS HIS HANDS TO HIS MOUTH TO SMOTHER A TITTER.

Amarantha: (distracting Amy from Max) Fine. Then tell me what happened while you were gone.

Amy: I saw Lucard. It's the same deal on our part, but his part is a lot clearer. That's all.

Amarantha: (mischievously) Are you sure you didn't lose your temper?

Amy: I don't lose my temper.

Amarantha: (shakes her head) Amy, this is your music. (opens her mouth, and thunderous organ music comes out, reminiscent of a hurricane, then giggles) Max, you don't ever want me to sing pure voice music. Not even chorale music. No, I won't tell you why!

Max: Never?

Amarantha: Never.

Max: I bet you might sometime. When things happen or exist, there's usually a reason.

Amy: When did you get so philosophical?

Max: Talking with my Uncle Gustav.

Amarantha: I'd like to meet him.

MAX IS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT AMARANTHA SHAKES HER HEAD NEGATIVELY AND FRANTICALLY BEHIND AMY'S BACK.

Amy: Go if you like.

Amarantha: Go alone and explain that I've kidnaped his nephew and decided I'd like to hear his views on philosophy? Humans can be dangerous, especially under those circumstances!

Amy: Then don't go.

Amarantha: Max, what do you think?

Max: What if you take me with you? You'd kind of have to let me out of this cage.

Amy: You think you can get free?

Amarantha: He could be useful as a hostage, especially if we're both there to keep an eye on things. Please, Amy?

Amy: (muttering) I wish I'd never mentioned philosophy.

Amarantha: Then we do go. The house is at the base of the hill, turn right . . .

Amy: I know where it is!

Amarantha: Don't forget to take both of us!

Amy: I know!

WITH A RUSH OF AIR FILLING IN THE SPACE THEY HAD BEEN, THE THREE VANISH. THE CAMERA WHIRLS AROUND THE CENTER RING, SPIRALING DOWN UNTIL WE READ THE COMPUTER SCREEN: "CRANKY, CRANKY, CRANKY. SHE DESERVES WHAT SHE GETS. CAN WE INTRODUCE HER TO MY SEMI-NEPHEW, GUSTAV? IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, HE'LL MAKE SHORT WORK OF HER."

~

Return to the fanfic page
Return to the Duchy