realmofstories | Chapter 03: Act II

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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.

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[At her words, he immediately draws the long knife and hands it to her. It's lightweight, should fit easily in her hand, and almost long enough to be considered a dagger so it'll do some decent damage.

By now more Erasers have appeared so Eustace, takes on a more offensive stance.]

Try not to get separated too far—we may fare better if we work together.

[As she gets a feel for the weight and reach of the knife in her hand, she smiles and nods.]

Yeah, got it. I'm used to fighting alongside my uncle and brother, although it's been a while...

[She shrugs, and gets ready to attack.]

...But I should be good.

[Eustace just gives a nod. He has no idea how well she can truly fight, but he's going to have to place trust that she knows what she's doing. She doesn't seem to be like some kind of reckless beginner in any case...

Not that they have much time to continue to talk. In the next moment the Erasers lunge towards them. Eustace is quick to side step, bringing up his blade so that it slashed into the creature. Although he prefers to make sure he got the kill, another is right on its heel and he has to move fast to duck and attack.

But for the most part he doesn't try and go out to them, instead waiting for the Erasers to attack and counter while also throwing occasional glances towards Della.]

[Della's tactics are different - she goes in right after the Erasers, chasing the nearest one down and stabbing it with a perhaps surprising amount of force for her size. She doesn't wait around to see what happens to it before going after the next one, either. She seems to know how to fight, but her impulses are definitely running the show.]

[From a glance, if Eustace had to describe Della's way of fighting... ...Well, she gets the job done and he's reminded of a few people he knows from home.

When one appears above her, Eustace immediately throws his weapon to strike it in the throat, felling it. However, that leaves him without a weapon and there are still some around him.

...Well. He's not completely weaponless. Should Della hear a weird tearing sound and look to the source, she'll find not Eustace, but a large wolf attacking the Erasers instead.]

[Well, if the excellent save didn't already have her attention, that sound - that sight - sure would have sealed it.]

Woah! Woah, how did you do that?

[After grabbing an Eraser and chucking it off to the side, he grimaces a bit because... Eugh. Yeah he's still not used to this. But he just shakes off that sense of displeasure before he looks back at Della.]

My Essence. It's a wolf, and I can transform into one. However I can't maintain this form too long without repercussions.

[So unless Della wants to see an adorable puppy, he's going to try to not exert too much of his energy and make this quick.]

Aw, phooey. Why are there always limits on this magical stuff? Still, though...

[She pauses to take out another Eraser, driving the knife into it.]

...It's cool!

...Cool, huh?

[Roxas had also given positive remarks on his form, but he otherwise hasn't heard much about it. Granted, he hasn't really used it in front of many people.]

Thanks. [He is honestly not sure if he should be thanking her for the compliment(??) but he expresses it regardless. His ears then twitch as he hears some more scuffling from the walls above.]

How's your flying?

[Della shrugs, but grins as she does so. She didn't think it needed an expression of gratitude, but she did definitely mean it as a compliment. As for her fyling...]

Getting better! Should be easier to manage now, too, since it's darker. [She noticed that ear twitch, and she tries to listen for whatever he'd picked up on, herself - aha! She takes to the sky - or rather, towards the ceiling - and begins scanning the walls.]

You want me to knock 'em down to you?

If you can.

[It's not a statement of doubt of her ability, but just the general difficulty of the task.]

Whatever you can't kill on your own, I can finish them off.

Got it!

[This is going to be interesting, because she can't exactly use the knife while her arms are wings... So instead, Della flies over to some of the erasers and starts kicking them down to the ground, forcefully.]

Incoming!

[Those are some nice kicks! And effective. Kicked down, Eustace readies himself before lunging up to grab them with his jaws, clamping down before swinging them hard against the ground before finishing them off with a vicious claw strike.

...Ugh. Okay yeah he can't continue doing this. He'll repeat with one more before dashing off to quickly grab his blade. He leaps, transforming out as he does and slashes at the next downed Eraser before giving it a final stabbing thrust. At least he actually has clothes reappear. Della has been saved by that particular nightmare.]

How many more?

Woah...

[The transformation was impressively timed!]

Okay, uh, I'd say about a half-dozen! You still going strong?

[Gotta keep up the cool look.]

Yes. You?

[There might have been the faintest hint of a smile as he readies himself.]

[She sees that little smile starting to show. It certainly makes her happy, as she knocks down a couple more Erasers.]

Oh, you bet!

Then let's finish this quickly.

[He returns his focus back on the Erasers, striking out at them with his blade and at times needing to transform his hand into a claw that shreds through one or the other. The good news is some of the smaller ones have fled, so it's just the ones above that are left.]

Yeah, you've got it!

[With a bit of a delighted battlecry, she kicks down the last three erasers, then swoops back to the floor to rejoin the fray.]

[He'll take out the first one that lands, allowing her take out another if she desires.

Combo hit for the last one?]

[Absolutely, on both accounts. After taking out one of the erasers by landing on it - totally intentional, of course! - she roughly kicks the final one in Eustace's direction, damaging it and setting him up for the final blow.]

[And with a fatal slash, the Eraser is cut down and tossed over the terrace railing to join the others. Of course there aren't really any corpses remaining, everything already dispersing into ash and ink. ...Someone else can clean that up.

But after looking around to see that there is really nothing left, Eustace turns back to Della and nods, another light smile flitting his lips.]

Well done. I also see your flying has improved.

Thanks! You did really well, too.

[She's grinning, particularly since he praised her flying. Feels good that someone noticed!]

I've been practicing, like a lot.

[He just gives a small nod at her own compliment to him.]

Is it difficult to fight while in the air?

[She smiles brightly, shrugging.]

Kind of! Just because all I can really do is kick at things.

Hm... I suppose it would be difficult for you to try to use your hands. [Because busy flapping.]

Since you do not have talons, perhaps you should consider special footwear to help when attacking.

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