realmofstories | Chapter 03: Act I

Entry tags:

Chapter 03: Act I

The Little Mermaid: Act I—

§ instructions.

The first Act of our third campaign is underway! This is the designated log for all Main Scenes. Others are free to create their own toplevels for the Sub Quests, which are detailed below. Each Main Scene has their own unique toplevel and those cast into the roles are to thread their scene under each. All scene instructions are provided in the toplevels. There are also toplevels for each Sub Quest this time around, but players are more than welcome to create their own individual toplevel if they have something else in mind they would like to do.

As a reminder, characters will find similar information and instructions within their journals so they won't go in blind. Also to note, all characters will have all their belongings within them as well as the additional supplies provided to them by the Storyteller. As you know, everyone has undergone a special "mermaid" transformation upon arriving into the Book, but do note: characters in Main Scenes will have a second wardrobe change while acting the scene. Their merform will stay the same, but they'll have additional bits to add to their role. Outfits will be provided in the prompts themselves, and these outfits will only be in affect during the scene. The moment they leave the setting area, they return to their other wardrobe.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped in to their location and will have to travel to the "setting location" and then return. Threading all of that isn't necessary, but it's to help give a better idea that characters can take a break between scenes or wait a bit to help with other things like the Sub Quests.

Feel free to refer to the Game Notes for more detailed info as well as ask questions or clarifications.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Dojima could see the corners of his vision start to blur and fade, even the eyes of the blots beginning to lose their luster as his body begged for oxygen. Fighting back was just wearing him out faster, but what choice did he have?!

A burst of bubbles left his mouth as the blot's hands increased their pressure around his windpipe, when suddenly he felt his leg twist back, before it was-- free?!

And then suddenly the chokehold on his neck was gone-- He could feel the tug of the rope around his middle moving, and realised-- Eustace was giving him an escape route. He jabbed his elbow into the blot still holding his middle, hard, managing to wriggle free before his attackers could regroup.

Dojima couldn't remember swimming faster in his life before, his desperation for air overcoming his fatigue; though at some point, he felt the rope around his middle pull taunt, snapping into his gut. Damn it, right, they were still connected-- Just a bit more, and he'd get to the surface...!

Eustace was fighting furiously to try and give Dojima all opportunity to swim up, even lingering behind to keep them distracted. But he didn't realize how long (or short) the rope was, so the moment he felt it go taut he quickly glanced up. Damn. At first he tried to swim up to give the man more slack, but then he was grabbed by one of the blots and dragged down several precious inches.

Gritting his teeth, he was left with no choice but to reach up and slash his blade through the rope before swinging it down to stab the offending blot. He had to exert more force into his movements due to being underwater, force he could feel starting to burn, but as a hardened soldier he just continued.

After freeing himself from the one who tried to drag him down, he quickly spun around to slam his tail against another. One of the oysters that had been clamped onto his tail breaks free, but he paid little attention to it. More time is wasted as he dispatched a third, but once done he turned his attention upward and swam up. Hopefully Dojima managed to get to the surface, but if not...

He hastened his ascent.

Dojima could feel the rope slacken, then tighten-- glancing over his shoulder, he couldn't make much out from the murky, dark depths...

...When suddenly the rope went completely slack. Eustace must have cut him loose. A fear for his team mate rang through Dojima's mind, he hated the idea of leaving the other man behind to fight or him. But what could he do? He was useless in this state, and--

And his lungs were burning, his body demanding oxygen. He had to keep going. Even if his limbs were starting to feel like lead, even if that threatening darkness kept edging around his vision, he refused to give up--

He broke the surface with a loud gasp, then dipped back under the waves, the wild storm still affecting the ocean's surface. Again, he pushed up, trying to stay above water, trying to get more air in his lungs, but it was a losing battle.

Damnit, no, not like this...!

Just when Dojima was starting to feel all hope was lost, strong arms wrap around his waist before suddenly shoving him back up to the surface. Eustace's head breaks through alongside him shortly after, though he didn't need the air.

"Hang onto me," was all he said as he readjusted his grip around the man to first let him catch more of his breath.

But now...the piece of wood they had been using was long gone and although he considered having Dojima be on his back, with the waves it would still be fairly difficult to swim. Considering the rest of their very limited options, there was a small click of his tongue before he spoke again.

"We'll have to call the whale."

Suddenly, air--

Dojima went on instinct, grabbing onto those arms that were wrapped around his chest, refusing to let go as he took in huge gulps of air, coughing out the water that had gotten into his lungs. Thank god Eustace didn't need to worry about drowning, because the detective was not about to let go, clinging onto him as the storm continued on around them.

He really owed this guy a drink after all this.

It took more than a moment for Dojima to realise he was being spoken to, and to decipher what was being said, but...

Whale?

...Right, a whale, they could call upon a whale for help if they...

...Shit.

"Can... can you sing?"

Eustace allowed Dojima to use whatever part of him he needed. Normally he would mind so much physical contact, but this was a dire situation and a necessity. That said, it was a bit difficult trying to keep afloat, especially since "treading water" as a half-fish was quite different than with legs. But he managed.

"........Rarely."

That was all Eustace was going to initially answer that, but he sighed.

"However, we have little choice, and there was no specification that we had to sing well."

Not that he...really wanted to sing at all. On occasion he might hum to himself or repeat verses of an old song, but never in public let alone another person.

"...Fine."

Just don't hold this against him, Eustace.

Dojima took a deep breath, and as loudly as possible-

"E-everyday's great in your o-cean!"

... Just, don't ...don't ask...

"Hey whale, can you hear?

That we're calling you here?

We're in, need of help, so

Please come out and save us!"

LOOK HE'S DOING HIS BEST, ALRIGHT.

That...was...a...very.......interesting performance. Or so that was what the expression Eustace had seemed to indicate. At some point his ears might have flattened a little as he did his best to hide his cringe. But the man was right next to his ears. It was difficult.

In any case, Eustace looked out to the waters, but there didn't seem to be any sign of the whale. ...Ugh, he had to sing, too, didn't he...

Should he try to follow up Dojima's, er, lyrics? Or do something different? He wasn't really familiar with the style, but... Well he could try???

After clearing his throat, his voice will come out a little softer but clear. Whether this was his natural singing voice or some story magic at play given his role, it carries into the wind and he doesn't sound half bad, really. Bit awkward and clearly not wanting to do this at all, but he was doing his part.

"....Hey whale, listen to our plea.

We're lost in this big open sea.

Come and help us reach the shore.

So we don't have to sing anymore."

Uuuggh.

Look when you've nearly drowned and have to belt out a song to save your ass, it's not going to sound pretty, okay? And the only thing he could think of for some reason was that damn Junes song...

Still, Eustace followed after him, his voice... a lot cleaner and more 'mermaid' sounding than his. Dojima had to practically shout those lyrics, but the other man's voice just carried naturally... even if he sounded as awkward as Dojima felt.

"...I'll buy you a drink, after this."

Least he could do for the guy.

For what felt like an eternity, they waited, for... something, anything to appear, as they weathered the storming sea. The 'prince' was feeling like they had humiliated themselves for nothing.

But... as Dojima squinted in the darkness, he saw something... white, in the water. And upon the next flash of lightning, it became clear as the noon day sun--

A whale. A very large, humpback albino whale...!

"It... it worked...?!"

Eustace just let out a sigh at the offer. He was a bit weirded out by how his voice sounded, but he wasn't going to comment anymore than he had to about what they both had to just go through.

An effort that he was starting to feel like they wasted. He was about to just drag Dojima to get this over with when he heard Dojima's exclamation.

"...?"

Turning towards where the older man was looking, his eyes widened in surprise. That... That really worked?? At least they didn't have to do this again (hopefully). Still surprised by the sight, the whale eventually drew near close enough to them and seemed to wait patiently.

"...So it would seem. Let's not waste anymore time."

Time to pull Dojima closer so he can climb up on the whale.

"Yeah, definitely--"

The adrenaline rush from before was starting to wear off again, and if this kept up he was definitely going to get hypothermia. Still, Dojima kicked along with Eustace's swimming, to try and help, even as he cringed from the pain. Those claws digging into and slicing down around his calve was coming back to him, now that he wasn't in immediate danger.

Th whale was low enough in the water that Dojima could scramble onto it's back, ignoring the pain from his still splintered covered fingers. He sat there, hands holding onto the creature-- which, if he could let himself be honest, was pretty amazing, he'd almost, ALMOST say magical...

"...Uh, thanks for the lift."

...was all about he could say to the whale. What do you even say to a whale...?

After ensuring that Dojima was on the whale, Eustace contemplated joining...but now that he was able to see Dojima's state, he somehow managed to climb up alongside him. He actually got a little help from the whale, the creature lifting its long flipper to boost him up a bit.

"Don't need you falling off," was all he said before Dojima could question his actions.

"If you feel you need to rest, go ahead."

"...Heh, thanks."

Dojima couldn't help a wryly smile at the other man, sighing as the whale began to move towards the lighthouse, finally.

"...But I'll rest when we dump me on the beach. I don't... sleep on jobs."

Eustace would understand, right? Dojima could tell by this guy's actions... he was some sort of soldier or trained professional. And this was a 'job', after all.

Eustace was silent for a moment as he watched the lighthouse slowly draw nearer.

"The prince was unconscious when the mermaid rescued him."

Although the delivery was his usual dismissive tone, there was a very small upturn of the corner of his mouth as he glanced over at Dojima.

"...Mm. Good point."

Dojima glanced over at the other man, noting that small smile, before sighing through his nose.

"Alright, alright. I... I trust you." He still didn't like being a burden, but...

He was reaching his limits, his whole body truly starting to ache. Letting himself slowly shift so he was laying down more fully on the whale's back, he glanced up at Eustace.

"... I was serious about that drink. Once we're back at the Index."

Already though, his eye lids were starting to droop.

Although he wasn't saying it, he knew the kind of stress Dojima had just experienced. His efforts to try and stay awake was valiant, but it would be better for him to rest, be it falling asleep or just closing his eyes. There was no point in him possibly worsening his condition. Really Eustace would like to try and tend to his wounds, but he had nothing to work with.

At the mention of trust, his eyes remain fixed on him with no change of his expression as he watched the man settle more fully onto the whale's back. Only at the mention of the drink does the Erune allow himself to show a more relaxed expression, one that's just barely visible but there.

"I'll hold you to it."

And after Dojima's eyes closed, he quietly added, "You did well, Ryotaro Dojima. I'll make sure you arrive back safely."

If Dojima had more strength, he would have huffed, said he didn't do much, it was mostly Eustace's skill that saved them...

But... he didn't. Everything was suddenly catching up to him; the cold, the lack of adrenaline, the pain...

And with a soft breath, his eyes closed completely, his body slumping entirely against the creatures back.

You get the last word this time, Eustace.

Eustace watched over him for a moment or two longer before looking back out towards the fast approaching shore. Riding on a whale was...different, but it was at least smooth despite the stormy waters. As they drew nearer, the waves seemed to calm and once they reached as far as the whale could go, everything seemed to be a little brighter and the skies clearer.

The whale submerged itself, allowing Eustace to grab Dojima and wait until they were both floating on the surface. With an awkward nod and word of thanked to the whale, he then adjusted Dojima onto his back and made his way to the shore. Then came what he expected to be the hard part—actually putting Dojima to shore. He could only drag and push him so far without legs.

However, it would seem he didn't have to do much. Once the upper half of Dojima's body touched the beat, they were both engulfed in white light and are back at the underwater base camp. Eustace was surprised as he wasn't sure what to expect, but after seeing Dojima's condition he wasted no time. Immediately he placed him on a safe location before going off to find some help. Who was it... Naomi who had healing potions? It would be a start at least.

After that well...his job was done. He would reflect on this experience to keep in mind should he ever be chosen again.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Chapter 03: Act I

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject