Chapter 03: Act II

[storyevents]

The Little Mermaid: Act II—

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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.

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§ 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.

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§ 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.

Comments

[holdthemtogether]

Well, yeah! [He shakes his head with a soft smile.] It's really hard to get over fear, for me. I know some people who can do it easily, but... Not me. And that's okay!

Sometimes being scared has its uses, and even when it's just a pain... It's not the end of the world.

[ricebird]

[She almost wants to protest that he's scared of REAL things, though. A war and space and all its dangers are very rational things to fear. This? When she's the daughter of a chef, and so many people depend on her to provide food?

But... maybe the fact that he IS giving her that grace when he HAS faced bigger things makes it all the truer.

She gives a soft nod, even if her face is still a little unsure. Okay... maybe it isn't the end of the world...]

[holdthemtogether]

[Smiling lightly, he gives her a nod.]

So... Are you sure you don't want help with those onions?

[ricebird]

I... [Deep breath, relax.] You don't have to if you don't want to, but... if you insist... I WOULD appreciate that... Thank you...

[holdthemtogether]

It's no problem. Oh! Here, let me show you a trick for one you're ready to cut onions.

[He demonstrates as he explains:] If you grab a cloth and wet it, then put it by the onions, it helps with the whole crying thing.

[ricebird]

Oh! I've never heard that one before, that's really good! [Dang, even her mom didn't use that one. Although... she hadn't really paid attention to tricks like that before, because knives.] You're really good at this, Hunk-san!

[holdthemtogether]

[He may be blushing a bit.]

Yeah? Well, thanks. I love to make and fix things with engineering, but I guess cooking's always been an even bigger passion for me.

1/2

[ricebird]

Well, you're definitely smart enough for both.

[Honestly, Kotori's average intelligence herself, and other than her flip phone she's not the most tech savvy. (Maybe one day, when it comes to kitchen gadgets, but that's a ways off.)]

2/2

[ricebird]

[But here and now... Kotori looks at the wooden knife and the onion again. Her grip on the handle is tight again, so much it's close to shaking; her left hand moves over the onion to hold it still, and Hunk might see the bandage around the tip of her left ring finger.]

[holdthemtogether]

Oh! It's okay, Kotori, I can really take care of...

[He trials off when he sees the bandage. That must have been quite the accident, after all this time. He frowns.]

Your finger, is that from what you mentioned before?

[ricebird]

[The question breaks her concentration, and after a pause she puts down the knife again with a shaky sigh and nod.]

Mhmm...

[The scar underneath is actually pretty small, but the wound it caused bled nicely at the time. ... Not to mention there's some emotional pain behind it too. If Hunk asks, she MIGHT feel comfortable enough to share the story, or at least some of the details.]

[holdthemtogether]

[It had already been pretty clear to Hunk that the damage from the accident went beyond the physical. His brow furrows in concern.]

So... What happened?

[ricebird]

[Ah... how much does she want to say? Deep breath.]

Back in third grade, I tried to make shougayaki.

[Usually she's fairly private about her family life, a combination of her culture and her own personality. The only reason she brought Inuzuka-sensei and Tsumugi into it was because she was desperate, lonely, and even they don't know the full story yet. But... Hunk's presence is soothing. He really gets her. ... Maybe not all the details, but... some.]

I wanted to surprise them. Shougayaki is my dad's favorite, and I thought my mom would be proud if I made something myself.

[She wanted to surprise them, make them happy, get them to stop arguing for a while and remember that they were a family.]

But... then I cut my finger while shredding the cabbage. They had to rush me to the hospital for stitches, and I just made everything worse.

[That last clause slips out, and she brings a hand up over her mouth in surprise and shame.]

[holdthemtogether]

Oh...

[He gets it, definitely. That feeling that a slip-up - say, not getting back to earth soon enough? - ruined everything for the people you hold the most dear.]

Hey, you were trying to do something really nice. I... I understand why you feel like you made things worse, but you didn't know it was going to happen.

[ricebird]

[A nod, her voice barely above a whisper when she speaks.]

I know...

[But it doesn't make anything that happened afterwards better. The arguments reaching a boiling point, her dad moving out, the divorce... It still hurts too much for her to conquer.]

[holdthemtogether]

[He does find himself wondering if there's more to the story. Ruining a family member's birthday sure feels bad, yes, but... This seems deeper.]

It got worse, didn't it?

[ricebird]

[Oh, Hunk. If a birthday was involved, Kotori would likely have felt even worse.]

Yeah... So... the reason I was trying at all was... my parents were arguing with each other. A lot... And I thought maybe if I made them something, they'd be happy again...

[The corners turn up, but there's no cheer in it at all. Just... resignation, maybe some bitterness too.]

They ended up getting divorced shortly after that.

[holdthemtogether]

...Oh.

[Oh man. He'd had friends whose parents had split up, as a kid and at the Garrison, but he'd never been able to imagine what it would feel like.

She is so getting a hug. Sorry?]

Kotori, that wasn't your fault.

[ricebird]

[Don't be sorry. Kotori's a bit stiff at the hug for a second (she's not used to hugs outside of family and close friends)... but only a second before she relaxes against him, even loosely wrapping her arms around him after a second.]

I know...

[Logically, yes, she knows her parents might have split up eventually anyway. But she still feels like she was the breaking point, that one degree of heat before things burst into flame. And now, back home, her dad hasn't visited in years, and now her mom's too busy to be around because of that stupid favor...

She feels herself tearing up and tries to pull back, tries to give a light, apologetic smile, tries to hold it in a few seconds longer.]

Sorry... you came in here to help cook... I didn't mean to burden you with all that...

[Still... opening up like this, being held... with him, it doesn't feel so bad, if she's REALLY honest.]

[holdthemtogether]

[He recognizes the sadness in her smile; the signs of trying to keep it together. He gently takes her by the shoulders.]

Don't be sorry, because it's not a burden. It's just what friends are for.

[And she's been a wonderful friend, the best he's met here in The Index.]

You were here for me when I arrived, right? See what I mean?

[ricebird]

[There's a few seconds of silence as she tries to let the words sink in... and then a soft nod. She's always been a bit on the shy side, always a bit harder for her to realize that the threshold into legit friendship has been crossed.]

That's true... Thanks, Hunk-san...

[holdthemtogether]

[He smiles and nods.]

No problem, Kotori.