storyevents (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
storyevents) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
realmofstories2019-08-18 03:05 pm
storyevents) wrote in realmofstories2019-08-18 03:05 pm
Chapter 03: Act II
The Little Mermaid: Act II—
§ 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.
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.
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.
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.
no subject
Hey, Kotori, can I get the recipe for that?
[She's never made bouillabaisse before, sure, but she can try. And probably mess it up.]
no subject
[With a light bow and a "yes, chef!" (which STILL makes Kotori fluster a bit), the Blot runs off to do just that.]
There. One he gets back, I can write it down for you; just want to make sure I have all the proportions right.
no subject
Still kind of used to seeing those guys and thinking I need to fight them. But anyway, thanks!
no subject
Some Blots can be dangerous, but a lot of them leave people alone. They're just people and creatures who used to live here before they got messed up by the Story Eater, after all. I guess the people in the castle were lucky to keep some of who they are inside still?
no subject
Wait, they are? Huh! Didn't know that...
no subject
They can still be dangerous sometimes, but not always like the Erasers are. You know about them too, right?
no subject
no subject
[Della doesn't seem obviously injured, but never hurts to check...]
no subject
[You know. Physically.]
no subject
But at least Kotori believes her.]
Phew, that's good. Some of those fights can get really intense, at least from what I've seen.
[She is VERY much a non-combatant in more or less every sense of the term. She's only been able to use her powers to save herself and Shizuo from actual fighting ONCE, and even then she thinks it's a fluke.]
no subject
You don't have a lot of first-hand experience with combat, then?
no subject
[She shakes her head vigorously.]
My world and my life back home are pretty ordinary, and since my powers are most centered around making food, I'm not much good in a fight anyway.
no subject
[Della slams her free hand - the one not holding the bowl - down on the table, grinning widely.]
Kotori, I can teach you how to fight! It'll be so fun!
no subject
E-eh?! M-me?!?!
no subject
no subject
I-I... that's... I mean...
[Now she's caught between a rock and a hard place. She does not want to do this. She's a pacifist, she's a wimp about getting hurt, her athletic ability is average to mediocre, and she would find every minute of training miserable. She's sure Della will too, by the end of it.
On the other hand, Kotori is a Good Japanese Girl, and even without that is very meek about standing up for herself 90% of the time anyway. And here is an adult, an authority figure, offering training in a skill that would probably make her useful out of genuine concern. Kotori has very little reason or ability to say no, at least how she sees it, and doing so would be VERY ungrateful, bordering on stupid.]
I, um... I...
no subject
no subject
[This is fine... It really, REALLY doesn't help that Della kind of reminds her of an older (not necessarily more mature, if we're being brutally honest...) version of her best friend Shinobu. Bold, energetic, always eager to help... and way too pushy for Kotori to resist most of the time... Iiincluding now.]
I-if you insist...
no subject
[Besides, she doesn't want Kotori to get into a bad situation alone and be unable to defend herself...]
no subject
[She's doubtful, but... she can at least try. One condition, though.]
Can I... not use anything with a sharp edge or point, though? Please...?
[She REALLY doesn't like the idea of being cut again, and the idea of intentionally doing that to someone else is even worse, even if it'd be in self defense.]
no subject
no subject
Thank you, Della-san...
no subject
[But yeah, that's definitely pinging Della's mom-sense.]
If you're scared by the sharp stuff, we won't use that.
no subject
Y-yeah. It's... pretty bad, to be honest. There's a reason Rokurou-san usually helps me out with cutting things for cooking.