Valdis' manager was busy and about in the office of the band. She knew that the time was getting close and that there had to be a huge step up in energy production. No more playing around this time with small siphons from music tracks and minor taps from a performance. This one had to be the coup-de-grace. Certainly, there would be a price to pay, spectators would probably die in the process or suffer some other long term damage, but what did they matter? They were but chaff in the wind.

There was a large concert, one of the biggest they've had yet in early September. The logistics of it was staggering, but coming together quite nicely with work and coordination from all the vendors, technical people, and managers throughout. Valdis was plotting some sort of special number for it as well, but that wasn't of importance to the manager.

With one final surge, she would have her place in the new world that was about to come, her own land and domain. All this work would finally be worth it.

The manager would be assembling stage equipment, putting dark crystals in the devices. The microphone, the speakers, the amplifiers, the instruments, everything would subtly have a crystal installed. The purple luminescence of the crystals before the installation and the sealing would look ominous to some, but anyone who passed by and asked would be told it was something just for special effects which was accepted readily.

The manager sighs as she was halfway done installing the crystals in the equipment. She only had a white tank-top on at this point with blue jeans and black heels on her feet. Damn the heels, she thought. A fashion choice later regretted.

But it would all be worth it...soon...

Rosa didn’t have much reason to stop by the offices much, but she had needed to talk to one of the sound technicians about part of the setup for the upcoming concert. It wasn’t a large issue in the grand scheme of things, but Rosa tended to pay particular attention to detail when it came to music and wanted to make sure everything was perfect.

Although the pink haired girl was generally used to operating on little sleep, her lack of rest was beginning to show under her eyes and she was showing even less energy than usual which was almost impressive for the seemingly apathetic girl. The outfit she wore was simple, black boots and black stockings that rose up past her knees covered most of her legs. Continuing up, she wore a red skirt followed by a black tank top along with a white cardigan over top covering her shoulders. Her hair was drawn back into a ponytail, the long strands curling slightly as they cascaded down her back. Rosaline didn’t normally wear her hair back like this, the ponytail tended to make her look a bit younger that she liked, but it had been unruly today and she had been too tired to deal with it.

After finishing her business with the lead technician, Rosaline was on her way out when she noticed her manager. She stared for a moment, analyzing what the other was doing before speaking suddenly, giving the other little warning to her presence.

”I wasn’t aware the equipment needed further adjustments. Do you need any assistance?”

Of course Rosa was aware that something about the scene was suspicious, but confronting her manager up front would accomplish nothing. The sound technician didn’t mention anything about further modifications to the equipment. Rosaline simply waited patiently for the manager’s response.

The manager was startled by Rosa's sudden appearance and inquiry. Of course, the manager jumping was never anything new or out of the ordinary: on a good day she could be described as jumpy. In fact staff would often make 'accidents' around the studio for the purpose of making the woman hop in surprise. More than once someone has been sent fleeing from the wrath of a heavy, thrown object.

"Oh Rosa, well, this is a last minute modification for the show. There is that special song Valdis insists on performing and this is to add some ambiance in the form of lights that show when the speakers are activated. It's last minute, and I didn't want to bother the sound guys. I have no life as most of you like to ridicule me for." she says with a self-depreciating laugh.

The air in the room would feel unnaturally hostile to Rosa. Some of the speakers were still plugged in and active, with sound controls ten feet away from Rosa. Worst of all, she would feel that something just wasn't natural here, the feedback from the speakers sounding 'negative'. The manager's behavior would have grown more erratic lately and closed door meetings over phone would have been happening more often. Of course, neither Valdis nor Rosa were never involved, and rumor was that the manager was up to something shady.

"Was there anything else that you wanted or needed to talk about?" she asks. Inwardly she hoped Rosa would leave. If Rosa found out too much, then something might have to be done about it. Perhaps Aquarius or Capricorn could produce a replacement until the plan is complete.

Rosaline’s eyes were unblinking as she listed to the manager’s explanation. She hadn’t actually asked what the modifications were for, yet the manager gave her a seemingly rehearsed explanation without actually answering Rosaline’s original question.

Something in this room didn’t feel right either. Rosaline knew she couldn’t leave though, especially since the manager mentioned the special song Valdis and the rest of the band had been working on. There was no way she was going to let the manager interfere.

”Well if that is the case, I would highly recommend you ‘bother the sound guys’. Since these modifications are connected to the speakers, I won’t risk having them alter the sound quality.” Rosaline’s voice was firm and authoritative. She continued to carefully eye the manager, her stare unwavering.

The manager looked visibly annoyed with Rosa's sudden insistence and demand that she 'bother the sound guys'. She seemed to forget that the manager's job was to run the show and handle all the preparations while the performers just got in outfits and howled at the audience for applause and money. The sharp features of the manager's face turn to a deeper frown at the thought of the impudence of Rosa. With a deep breath, she waves her hand dismissively at Rosa.

"Rosa, I think you forget that I am the manager and it is my job to administer to all aspects of the show. I assure you that my modifications will only add to the show. Have you considered the fact that you are simply tired and overthinking things?"

At this point, Rosa would either relent or force her hand. Hopefully the cleaner route occurs. Replacements were such a pain to acquire and Valdis would be just that much more difficult to handle if she found out, even if her allegiances were in theory in line with hers.

At the manager’s response, Rosaline tilted her head slightly as if truly considering the other’s words.

”Ah…and here I thought it was your job to manage all of the aspects. If there are some modifications that are needed to the equipment it would be your job to notify the sound and effects technicians, no?” Rosaline’s voice was calm and polite, but her words were clearly meant as a slight.

”This is a professional workplace after all. Best leave this to the professionals, and I’m sure you have plenty of other important tasks to handle. I’ll let the technicians know. Thank you for your hard work.” Rosaline inclined her head slightly, before beginning to head back towards the sound technician she had just recently spoken to. Hopefully he hadn’t left yet. She would make sure he thoroughly looked over and tested all of the equipment to make sure things were in proper order before the concert. Rosaline had never really trusted the manager after all. The woman always seemed as though she had other motives at hand and Rosaline despised people like that.

"Rosa..." the manager says once. At this point her seething anger takes control. For too, too long she has been subservient to these...mortals. Even if she wanted to contain herself, the fact that Rosa was pushing this issue caused the stress to manifest in unnatural blue lines along the exposed hands and arms of the manager. If Rosa got away then she would get other band members involved to investigate. There would be questions and then potentially Military Police getting involved.

It would be too messy. It was better to dispose and replace one than to have to do so to many.

As Rosa leaves, the manager holds her hand out and launches a blue burst of energy at her back. The force would be mostly physical with a small amount of heat behind it and likely enough to knock the pink haired maiden down. With this, the manager begins to walk toward her as a blade of the same color and form of energy begins to manifest in her hand.

"You don't seem to understand when you should stay out of things like this. You would have survived for a while yet, possibly even saved if Aquarius was in the mood or it...but I've put in far, far too much to let some girl undo my ambitions. The world is about to fall completely and those whom have put in more will be given a greater status...it is far easier to substitute one for a grand harvest than many..." she says as she closes the gap between herself and Rosa. The woman's voice had changed to raw malice, with an unnatural echo behind it. Her eyes turn blue and glowing, leaving Rosa likely able to validate her concerns that something wasn't quite right with her motivations.

At this point, the hallways might provide Rosa an escape if agile enough. Closed windows line the halls and vents brought cold air in from the outside.

”Please call me Rosaline,” the girl added curtly, no longer facing the manager as she went to leave. Then before she could understand what was happening, a sudden force suddenly struck Rosaline from the back. The young bassist cried out in surprise as she toppled to the floor.

Her back certainly hurt from the blast, but Rosaline didn’t have much time to register it, her eyes widening at the blade in her manager’s hands. The other was speaking words but Rosaline was hardly listening. Not that she usually listened to the manger…though the threatening of her life was certainly a new one. Trying to push any amount of fear aside, Rosaline quickly tried to come up with an escape plan. Maybe it was somewhat lucky the manager liked to ramble on unnecessarily.

Quickly and wordlessly, Rosaline reached for an object that was close at hand, a stray microphone as is so happens, and chucked it at the manager’s face before bolting down the hall as fast as she could. Inwardly she thanked herself for wearing boots today instead of heels. She wasn't sure if there was anyone else around, but she needed to get to the nearest exit and fast.

The manager's face is pelted by the microphone, and while the mundane attack would normally cause minimal damage, it managed to hit her square in the nose and cause a pain and nervous reaction which momentarily interfered with the psionic based powers that were being exhibited here. This will buy Rosa fifteen seconds before she hears an anguished scream from the room that she escaped from.

All the lights in the building turn blue, and all of the staff that were lingering in the building fall over. Rosa would begin to feel drained like she may have noticed several times before but the rate would be much slower and allow her to function properly for the time being. Six people of various positions on the crew would be passed as Rosa flees, all unconscious on the floor.

As Rosa runs down the hall, she finds herself at an intersection. Straight forward, a ceiling panel would be removed from one of white square style of ceilings. A hanging sign would be tied to something white and furry, fastened by something that looked like fishing line.

The sign reads.

Pull to not die!

A blue glow would begin to gradually creep up on the direction that Rosa came from. The manager had decided that she would take her time and enjoy this pursuit. It had been a long time coming as far as she was concerned.

Fear began to creep in as Rosaline continued to run, seeing various people unconscious on the floor. She tried to come up with an escape plan, but the probability of an escape appeared seemingly low. For now she could only run.

Further down the hall, Rosaline noticed something odd seemingly hanging from the ceiling. As she approached, something appeared to be written on it. Now wasn’t exactly the time to investigate strange curiosities, but Rosaline’s chances of survival were getting slimmer by the moment. She could practically feel the manager’s presence getting closer. Running wasn’t going to get her much further. Perhaps she might be able to climb up this thing and hide in the ceiling.

Deciding she had no other options, Rosaline quickly pulled the strange white object hanging from the ceiling.

It was another day for the white mau like any other. Scouting out senshi, keeping vigilant for pulses of chaos energy from active youma, and enjoying a delectable can of tuna on occasion when Sophia's family wasn't around to observe the cat's strangely intelligent behavior in operating an electric can opener. Of course when the shadow appeared suddenly and asked Artemis to take care of something at 5 today, the white mau agreed to be there.

Then the food coma set in, three cans of tuna later. Of course, the shadow couldn't ignore the cat's negligence but he couldn't handle the issue himself.

Several teleports later, the sleeping cat was set at a point where the latent Rosa would likely see it. She would be fine with a little help from the cat...

One tug of the tail later, Artemis comes barreling out of the ceiling, flailing as he descended and landing on his feet, fur raised. Suddenly he was in an office of some sort! The disorientation wears off a few seconds later, and the cat saw a girl with latent planetary energy and a dark presence slowly but arrogantly approaching.

"Urgh...and another senshi awakened in the heat of battle...why can't it be a peaceful tea and pastry shop for once..." he bemoans as he taps Rosa with his paw.

"Hey, so...I feel like this speech is getting too common, but you don't have much time. That monster will attack and draw your life force out, but you are one of the few people who have the power to vanquish evil if you would just accept it." the white mau says, closing his eyes as the crescent mark glows.

A bubble of energy with a wand-like object in it, a strange astronomical symbol inscribed upon it, appears in front of Rosa. The white cat looks at her and nods once.

"Take this item of power and embrace your destiny"

As Rosa touches the item, the words "Eris Power Make Up" echo within her head as a powerful energy would radiate through her core. The blue glow intensifies as the manager youma gets into sight, a swirling, barely humanoid mass of blue energy inching closer and closer radiating violent psionic power as the walls buckle under the force emitted.

Perhaps in hindsight, maybe the white object did look a lot like a cat’s tail, but regardless Rosaline had not expected said feline to come tumbling down from the ceiling. She absolutely could not have predicted that it could talk.

It seemed somewhat pointless to point this out however, seeing as the cat appeared fully aware it could talk. Rosaline blinked a few times, deciding that this enigma would have to wait. She watched as the wand like object appeared in front of her. She hesitated momentarily. Although Rosaline didn’t know exactly what was going on, even she realized that in taking this item would be choosing a path that might not be fully her own. She had no desire to be controlled or be a pawn in some plan, but realistically right now none of that mattered if she died.

Quickly she looked back towards the cat.

”You will explain yourself later.”

And with that Rosaline took the item and almost instinctively murmured the words softly, ”Eris Power Make Up.” Upon speaking the words, a light surrounded Rosaline. Her pink hair undid itself from her ponytail, freely falling down her back. Her clothes were replaced with a short white dress with white gloves up to her elbows. Grey underlining appeared beneath the skirt along with two grey bows, one placed on her chest and the other on her lower back. Grey leggings laced down her legs forming down to small heels. A white choker wrapped around her neck along with grey star earrings dangling from each ear. Finishing off, a grey tiara formed on her head.

The now Sailor Eris could feel her awakened power flowing through her. Now as the menacing blue force came creeping towards her, she stood tall preparing herself for a fight. There were a lot of questions she wanted to ask, but for now they were pushed aside as she focused on the imminent threat in front of her.

The manifestation stares at Rosa...now Sailor Eris as she draws closer. The glowing eyes narrow, a human face barely discernible among the mass of supernatural energy that was about her. The faint visage of a smile crosses her face, as a swirling mass of blue energy appears in front of her, guided by limbs composed entirely of energy.

"This just makes it more interesting...to think, you and Valdis on fundamentally opposing sides...the irony..." the energy monstrosity taunts as the pulse of energy propels at Rosa. As the sphere flies, bolts of electric power launch at the walls, ripping pieces of plaster and stone as the bolt flew at the Eris Senshi.

A sense of dread fills the air as mental influence begins to contaminate the area. Doubt would rise in all awake, active beings.

"Yeah, yeah...there's always explaining to do..." Artemis says, a bead of sweat going down the side of his head as Rosa declared firmly that the cat was to elaborate on what happens next.

Seeing the youma approach, the cat's fur raised on end as he hissed unconsciously.

"It's here...and this one is a powerful creature, don't let your guard down!" the cat says as it's posture slumps a little, the tail falling as his ears fold back.

"I..don't feel so well." the white mau complains...watching the youma launch an attack. The cat ducks behind a corner: unfortunately feline guardians lacked 'stop death ball' powers.

Sailor Eris braced herself as the creature appeared in front of her. The mention of Valdis would have warranted more thought, but there was no time as a pulse of energy was launched in her direction. Eris leaped and rolled aside, just barely managing to avoid the attack.

Eris searched inside herself, trying to get a feel for her abilities. At this moment, a shield manifested itself onto her left arm. Realizing she lacked offensive abilities, a different strategy would have to be utilized.

The air seemed to feel thick, and feelings of dread and doubt almost felt as though they possessed a physical weight. Despite this, an idea came to her. Keeping her eyes on the youma, Sailor Eris began to speak.

”Invigorating Melody….” she murmured before beginning to sing a melody, projecting its power out into the room. Normally such an ability would be used to fortify allies, but in this case Eris was trying to use it to dispel some of the feeling in the room and replace it with a sense of courage and vigor. That and to antagonize her opponent, which was likely if this creature was anything like the human manager it pretended to be.