Justice for the Forest-Beasts

Chapter Eighteen - In Which the Twins Have a Plan

The next morning, the twins got through their extra work first thing after they finished breakfast. They rushed through it all, trying to finish it as quickly as possible, so that they could run off to meet Petra and Rain. Even with their rushing, it was past noon when they were finally able to leave the castle and get some fresh air. Samara did promise the twins that they'd return to find more work, of course.

The twins hurried down the street to the courtyard, where they found Petra and Rain. The two of them were sitting on the ground, where they could enjoy the sunlight's warmth without being in anyone's way.

"So, did she order your head to be cut off?" Petra asked as the twins approached her and Rain. Petra stood up, in order to be respectful, and Rain followed suit.

"Yeah, we're totally dead," Estelle said sarcastically before saying truthfully, "Just some extra work. It's really no big deal."

"Oh, good," Petra said, "They're having an open stage show in the auditorium right now, and I was gonna take Rain to see it. Would you like to come?"

"Oh, of course!" Estelle said. Lucian nodded in agreement.

"Can we perform?" Rain asked eagerly. The question was directed at the twins, rather than Petra. The expression on Petra's face was that of forced surprise, with a rigid smile and raised eyebrows. At that, Estelle figured Rain had already asked Petra, but she didn't give a definitive answer.

Estelle hesitated, "Technically, sure. Do you want to?"

"No, no," Rain put xyr hands up in an almost defensive manner, "Can not perform."

Lucian tapped Estelle on the shoulder, and she turned to give him her attention.

"We can go on stage," he signed.

"Why?" Estelle signed back.

"You have so much to say. Say more."

"I said everything last night. I don't have anything more to say."

"Take down the government."

Estelle hesitated, trying to make sure she understood correctly. "What?" she signed.

Lucian grabbed both of Estelle's shoulders and shook her as he made a sound of frustration or anger of some sort. "Do it," he signed after.

Estelle found Lucian's sudden gesture odd. Regardless, she smiled and answered, "Okay, I will. At the very least, I shall try."

The group strolled over to the amphitheater and entered. Since it was an open event, they did not need to pay as they passed through the lobby. The room was small, and it was mostly empty. A lady at a desk stood on one side of the room, with signs on the wall behind her. On those signs was the schedule of the amphitheater's events in the next week. Across from the entrance were two large doors, both propped wide open. From the entrance, Estelle could see and hear a small band playing folk music.

"One second. I'm gonna stop at the counter, but you guys go on ahead," Estelle told the group.

"Okay, we'll save you the worst seat," Aravis said. He and Petra seemed to not care about Estelle staying behind, nor did they care that Lucian joined her. Rain kept looking back at the twins, but xe followed Petra and Aravis. Estelle thought for a moment that Rain might scurry off to join the twins, but xe never did.

Estelle and Lucian approached the lady at the counter in the lobby and, as usual, Estelle did all of the talking.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," Estelle said politely.

"Good afternoon, Your Royal Highnesses," the lady replied.

"How many performances will there be before there's a free spot?"

The lady quickly glanced down at the chart on the counter in front of her and answered, "There are currently five performances booked. The stage should be open next at around 2:25 this afternoon."

"That's perfect," Estelle said, "Could you please book us for that spot? Estelle and Lucian of Branalum for a ten-minute segment."

"You got it, Your Royal Highness. You'll be performing after a young man with a five minute segment," the lady said as she scribbled down the twins' names on the schedule.

"Okay, thank you." Estelle grabbed Lucian's hand, and the two of them entered the amphitheater together. Aravis, Petra, and Rain all waved them over, and the twins quickly made their way over to their front-row seats.

As the group watched the performances together, Estelle went over her speech in her mind. She had less than an hour to decide what she was going to say, which she felt wasn't nearly enough. Her speech wouldn't be like the one she gave the night before. Instead, she'd suggest overpowering the government, protesting, and getting people from the rest of Branalum to Castle City so that the right people were demanding change. This time, she had to take real action.