realmofstories | Chapter 03: Act II

Entry tags:

Chapter 03: Act II

The Little Mermaid: Act II—

With all tasks completed and pearls collected, the Aspects are given a brief respite to heal any wounds and rest. But as night falls and the crystals begin to dim, all fall into a deep sleep and share a dream of the story that's beginning to unfold before them.

While the Little Mermaid was nervous about her trials, with the help of her grandmother she is able to succeed to clamp the oysters on her tail. Still curious about the humans, she chances a trip to the surface and happens upon a large ship holding a party. But a sudden storm causes the ship to capsize, forcing a man—the prince himself—to dive into the water. Not wishing for him to die, she quickly swims to him and tries to bring him to shore. It is no easy task due to his weight and the dangers attracted by the commotion, but they make it, the prince losing consciousness soon after.

When he awakens, the prince finds himself washed up onto the shore with no recollection of how he got there. He is quickly found by a lovely priestess and together the two of them begin an arduous climb from the beach up to the castle, learning about each other as they go.

Meanwhile, the little mermaid can't stop thinking about her prince, and wishes for a way to be with him despite the barriers between them. She travels to the sea witch to ask for a spell that would allow her to join the prince on land. However, after being told of the high costs of going onto land—including never seeing her family again, or never remembering them even if she did—the little mermaid decides to stay underwater...and bring the prince to her, at the cost of half her lifespan. The deal set, the two of them brew a potion that would bring the prince to the sea...

However, there would be more challenges awaiting for the mermaid princess. In the following days, the priestess is revealed to be a princess of a nearby kingdom. Delighted by the news, the prince's parents—the king and queen—host a grand ball in her honor. There is also hope that their son may fancy the princess, as a marriage between the two would be beneficial indeed. The princess already has interest in the prince, though be it romantic or something else is still unclear...

The dream fades with the lingering question of what the mermaid will do and who will end up winning the prince's heart. When the Aspects awaken, they will find themselves no longer in the ocean but in the castle itself and dressed to fit the new environment. No longer mermaids, they are now nobles, servants, or musicians and the grand ball is already underway. With the full moon hanging high overhead and clear, starry night skies, it's perfect for a romantic start of this Act. This time special marked doors indicate where those cast for specific scenes need to go.

Of course, danger still lurks outside the castle walls. There are whispers of pirates lurking nearby and the days ahead will be filled with secret trysts and clashes. The Aspects will also find that they are still able to transform into mermaids upon entering the ocean, but will not be affected while on land. Rooms and accommodations within the castle have also been prepared so that they may rest when needed. Rest that may be necessary for the challenges ahead.

§ instructions.

The second Act is underway! This is the designated log for all Main Scenes. Others are free to create their own top levels for the Sub Quests, which are detailed below. Each Main Scene has their own unique top level and those cast into the roles are to thread their scene under each. All scene instructions are provided in the top levels.

As a reminder, although this Act is primarily on land, characters can still transform into their merforms upon entering the ocean. As implied in the above narrative, they will only transform in the ocean. So feel free to finally take a bath, everyone!

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped in to their location and will have to enter certain doors 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.

§ sub quests.

Everyone is free to participate in the Sub Quests. There are no specific top levels, so you're free to incorporate them however you wish in your own top level.

¶ I. Attending the Ball. Pretty much exactly on the tin, and this is mainly for the first scene. Players can decide whether their character is just some random noble forced to dance on the floor or one of the servants, like catering or musician. It's possible for characters to switch it up if they want, and really they can do whatever. In addition to general attendance, there are some Erasers lurking around. Not many, but some "pest control" may be required.

¶ II. Trimming the Maze. The garden maze is a mess of rotting and withered hedges with danger lurking around every corner. Beware the "living" plant sculptures and the erasers. Characters can walk through it just for fun, but they will also be requested in both eliminating threats as well as trying to restore the maze. To help it flourish, singing or humming songs from the depths of one's heart will help the flowers and bushes grow. Playing musical instruments found scattered around will also help aid in the repair. There are also more traditional means with standard gardening equipment, fertilizer, fresh seeds, and some potted plants if anyone prefers that.

¶ III. Beach Cleanup. There is a lot of broken glass and trash scattered all over the beach and within the waters. Apparently the nobles who attended the party are just slobs. Help clear up the beach and deal with any rogue blots or Erasers. Beware of random pirates that may try to attack as well as other sea creatures that may try to attack. Care should taken around any particularly shiny shells as they are actually explosive to the touch.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ia. Balls & Dancing

[ Dancing isn't particularly Velvet's style but she doesn't want to miss out on the spectacle that will be Rokurou in a dress, attempting to play the role of the priestess. So here she is. Her own dress isn't too fancy nor will it get in her way later should she need to take care of a few Erasers. Most of her hair is swept to the side rather than the normal loose braid Velvet prefers. She's off to the side of the ballroom, watching others spin around the dance floor and perhaps eating some of the food that's been offered. ~~By some, it means a great deal especially where meat is concerned.~~ ]

Ib. Dance Fighting?

[ Eventually she leaves the "fun" of the party for something she enjoys much more than teasing Rokurou - fighting. After having spotted some Erasers out the windows, she'll slip out one of the doors to go take care of that little problem. Thankfully she's been given her blade so this shouldn't take too long.

Even if balls and parties aren't her style, Velvet doesn't want the creatures to ruin anyone else's night. Or the story. ]

III. Beach Clean Up

[ Dealing with the musical garden? No thanks. Heading out to the beach to take on more monsters and potentially pirates? That's better. Now is not the time to worry about the trash that is literally lining the sandy shores as there's a group of pirates standing before her with weapons drawn. ]

Normally I like pirates but unluckily for you, tonight I'm working with the people inside the castle.

Wildcard

[ OOC: Make your own starter or poke me on Discord. ]

[Della had been further up the beach, cleaning up - and getting a bit bored of that - when she heard a bit of commotion. She arrives at the scene of the fight as soon as she can, and looks over at Velvet with a grin, as if she were an old friend, and not a total stranger.]

This is way better than picking up trash! You take half and I'll take half?

[ Is that really... a talking duck who's about to help her fight these pirates? Velvet has seen a few odd things but somehow she doubts that this particular animal is a malak.

Still, if this female duck wants to fight then Velvet has no problem sharing. ]

Fine by me. Don't get yourself killed.

[ With that said, Velvet rushes several of the pirates at once. Hitting one in the face with a kick. ]

[Della tosses the broken bottle that she'd been holding from her beach cleaning up into the air, and then catches it again.]

Wasn't planning on it.

[She focus on grappling with one pirate for the time being, dodging the sword and getting in a few punches with her free hand.]

[ Her attention is only Della just enough to ensure that the duck woman can handle herself against the pirates. It probably wouldn't look good if someone died while teaming up with her. ]

You fight pirates before?

[ Velvet knocks one of the swords out her opponent's hand and turns to Della a bit. ]

Here! [ She'll be tossing that sword over in the duck's direction. ]

[That gets a grin from Della.]

Who hasn't?

[She catches the sword with a nod, tossing the bottle aside for now.]

Hey, thanks!

[ An amused sound. ]

You'd be surprised.

[ Velvet just has a dagger herself but she's more about kicking the pirates. With her long reach and agility, it's more than enough to deal with these guys. One of her kicks sends a pirate flying backwards into the sand. ]

[Della is definitely avoiding lethal force, and focused more on using the blunt end of the sword's handle to damage some kneecaps.]

If these guys weren't so tall, this would be easier.

[Or if she weren't so short.]

[ Normally she doesn't care whether her opponents end up dead or not, but seeing as how they are storybook characters... she doesn't know how killing them might affect the story. ]

Aim for their legs, bring them down so knocking them out will be easier.

[ Most of the people Velvet fights with are her height or taller but she can offer advice to someone shorter. After all, she was once a kid learning to fight. ]

Right, got it!

[Della makes a sweeping kick that knocks a pirate to his knees, then lands a hard punch with her free hand, connecting with the side of his head.]

You do a lot of fighting back home, then?

[ She kicks ones and he goes flying into the water. That doesn't seem to deter the rest from coming at them at all. ]

It wasn't safe outside of the towns and villages where I'm from. Especially the last few years. Plus I did all of the hunting for my family.

A hunter, huh? That's cool!

[Della knocks another pirate to the ground.]

And man, I hear ya. You get far enough out there and you meet some real grumps!

[Ugh. Ugh. After having to wear that damn dress for that stupid scene, Rokurou is more than happy to accept the suit that he was thrown in after. Kind of stiff, but hey, he can move around in it and it's not a dress.

In any case, after downing around three glasses of wine and then just taking an entire bottle for himself, he's out on the terrace leaning over the railing. Maybe some Erasers will come out to play...]

[ Considering she was only here to make sure she didn't miss out on Princess Rokurou again, Velvet makes her way out of the ballroom after him. She opens the door to the terrace quietly and closing it behind her just as silently. Though surely Rokurou will notice both her presence and the fact that the music got louder for a brief second.

Velvet joins him over at the railing, leaning back on it rather than facing it. Without a word, she holds out her glass of mead that's still mostly full. ]

Here.

[He does indeed notice, but pays no mind, not even glancing over when Velvet comes up beside him. Instead he just wordlessly takes the offered drink, downs it in one go, and then hands the empty glass back.]

[ Velvet takes the glass back and sets it on the railing. It almost seems as if she's going to let this go. Almost: ]

You make a lovely princess. No wonder the Storyteller keeps picking you for the role.

[ Light, teasing with a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. ]

I'm certainly glad I didn't miss it this time around. [ She didn't go home mid-story again. ]

[JUST A VERY LOUD AND EXASPERATED GROAN.]

I swear the next time I get picked for a princess I'm throwing the entire story to hell.

[HE ALREADY CHANGED KAGUYA (if accidentally) HE'LL DO IT AGAIN ON PURPOSE!!]

[ A faint laugh as she leans into his arm a bit. ]

I'm fairly certain I messed it up already. If all the stories have this kind of ending, I say go for it.

[ Seriously, what's with all these morbid and sad endings? Velvet's own story may not have the nicest, warmest one but surely someone out there has a good one. ]

[He pays no mind to her leaning into his arm, but he does finally glance over to her at her statement.]

Wait, what did you do? I only kind of skimmed the story before we went in so.

[ She sighs and shifts her gaze from the door to the ballroom over to Rokurou. ]

The Storyteller thought it was a good idea to put me in the role of making the deal with the Sea Witch. I refused the offer that was laid out originally. So now the mermaid won't come on to land to woo the prince. She also won't turn into sea foam if he turns around and falls in love with the priestess.

[There's just an arch of the brow before he snorts and laughs.]

Yeah that was definitely a bad pick on the Storyteller's part if they wanted us to be authentic. But I'm starting to think they don't really care about that.

Did you at least keep the mermaid's "love" for the guy or is that warped, too?

[ It does seem like the Storyteller doesn't care how the stories end. ]

Hm, maybe we need to figure out more about the Storyteller if we're going to continue getting thrown into these roles. I'd hate to be working for someone who's not being truthful with us. [ Someone like Artorius, she means.

A shake of her head. ] It's still there. The mermaid will just have to work harder to get him to love her in return.

Maybe. We are just going off this enigma's word and hoping for the best. So long as I get to fight, I don't really care. [Helping worlds is just a bonus for him.]

But guess we'll have to see how the others decide things go.

[He then fills one of his empty glasses with wine and takes a long swig before holding it out for her in a lazy offer.]

When this story is over, I'm going to look into finding out more about the Storyteller. You want to come along? [ Are they really helping the worlds though? Or are they being played? ]

Guess we will.

[ She takes the glass and takes a sip. After a moment her nose scrunches up, Velvet presses it back into Rokurou's hand. ]

Sure, why not. Not like I'll have anything else to do.

[Said with a grin as he watches her try the wine—and then laugh at her expression.]

Haha, too strong for you?

OTA

3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

wildcardish ia > b

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject