realmofstories | 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

[Row, row, row your boat... Elma wonders, as she lets her body guide the strokes of the oars, how a real priestess would actually accomplish this. The task is more demanding than it sounds, after all, and a priestess wouldn't really have much physical strength to accomplish it with, would she? But it's a story, she supposes, and such details don't count.]

[Except to her, but luckily she can handle this.]

[As the shadows fall over her and her eyes slowly adjust to the dim cove where she ought to be, Elma pulls the oars in, then scoops up the rock she'd set in the bottom of the boat. A quick flick of her wrist and over it goes, sinking down into the depths to disturb the sea witch and grab her attention.]

[The story had changed considerably from what little could be gleaned from the journal. A new role - to meet with the Priestess - was assigned and she had to raise her eyebrow. As well, she was back in the dark cove, waiting...]

[And there was the stone.]

[Eyes upward, she leaves the cove and drifts with a plume of luminescent jellyfish to the surface. Her bell breaching the surface and then her eyes peer out, somewhat narrowed. Well, time to play her role... and see how else this could go pear-shaped.]

Well, well... a land-dweller has called me to the surface. I'd say this was new, but the reality is it's only been a long time. What do you want?

[All right, she'd grant that was a good arrival. Very cinematic. But Elma hasn't been playing the priestess as fearful and meek, and she isn't about to start. Primarily because she has no idea how to play that kind of role.]

The sea troubles me, witch, and I hope the sea can save me. As it has meddle in the surface world, so do I come to the sea to set it right. A trifling thing only -- to take back what belongs to it.

[She chuckled. So they've made the Priestess - well, Princess - like this? She had to continue playing the right role for it then.]

The sea does not save, only spares. For this perception of 'right' to be set, it still comes with a price. So, what exactly is it that you want?

[What other way would a priestess be? The title implies so many things to Elma that any number of her perceptions and biases enter into her performance.]

A mermaid thinks that either she belongs on land, or one of us belongs with her. That perception needs to be... corrected.

Yes. And what's the way you wish for that to be corrected?

[She could throw out plenty of ideas, but Elma still needs to say the words and mean it.]

I want her -- [To return to the ocean? No. That isn't what she wants to say. Elma turns her words over in her head, making a show of thinking hard for the sake of the story.]

I want her to leave the land alone, forever. And I beseech your aid in that.

[There. A good priestess wouldn't ask for any harm to come to even a rival, but what she doesn't know can't hurt her, right?]

Hm.... If that's what you truly wish, then I will see to it.

[Though, that wish would already be fulfilled and not her problem depending on what the Prince decided. On the other hand... well, the story was going to end one way or another...]

[Hmm. Elma figures the priestess still thinks of herself as good despite turning to the Sea Witch for aid. So she adds a justification, something the priestess would tell herself.] It's simply for sake of the prince, you know. She'll only bring him pain, and selfishly, she doesn't care.

[This might have worked better had Elma managed to sound the slightest bit hesitant or concerned, but she can't help but make it a simple statement of fact that sounds a bit too confident. Hey, she's no actor.]

Will she? Will she not? Difficult to say with matters of the heart; the Prince's heart in this case between two people and two worlds. Would you rather not wait for him to decide on his life?

[For her, both characters were rather selfish deciding for the Prince, but at least for the Mermaid, there was still a matter of him deciding on the potion.]

[She slams her fist down on the side of the boat -- making it rock significantly, being as she's stronger than a priestess perhaps ought to be.]

I won't sit passively while she enthralls and encorcels him! Sitting aside, meek and timid, while she uses whatever wiles she can to pull him away from his own best interests -- no!

[Jealousy... never a good look to have. Not reasonable either, but she nods.]

Well, if price is of no concern to you, very well. I'll grant your wish.

How could I not do everything to -- to protect the man I love? [It's all about him, that's the idea she'll keep pitching, to herself and everyone.]

Is it now? One moment...

[Back into the water she disappeared for a moment, the jellyfish circling the boat. She just so happens... mhm, yes.]

[She rose back up in a moment with a potion bottle.]

Take this and drink. Once you have, your mermaid issue will be solved.

[Hmm, okay, how foolish is the priestess feeling right now? This is a situation Elma has difficulty judging, having never been stupidly in love and competing with a rival. In fact, this whole situation is so out of her element any decision she makes might as well be a coin flip.]

[So, why not? She accepts the potion bottle with what she intends to be a triumphant smile, then uncorks it to drink without hesitation.]

[If the Priestess had bothered asking, that was the half-life essence of the little mermaid she'd taken in order to make the other potion for the Prince.]

There's little to do when coming to land is a right of passage for a mermaid and the alternative option, at least you wouldn't like. However, now you can keep the mermaid in check by being a mermaid yourself and leave the Prince to decide his own life.

And don't worry about payment; mermaids aren't supposed to have souls.

[And with that, she disappeared back into the water, the jellyfish with her going out until the Priestess was alone.]

Edited 2019-09-02 20:14 (UTC)

What?! This isn't what I agreed to!

[The cry echoes over the water, heard by no one but herself.]

[Foolish priestess, Elma thinks in the back of her mind. That was so predictable.]

Chapter 03: Act II

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