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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
Okay, Kotori can't help a faint giggle at that, for the sole reason that her own name means "little bird" in Japanese.
"Sorry, it's a really nice name. Nice to meet you, Pidge, and... yeah, welcome to the party. If you want, there are drinks and hors d'oeuvres going around, for the main courses and desserts, we have a buffet style serving. We ended up with a sort of French-Danish-Japanese fusion seafood theme, it's actually really good!"
no subject
And for a moment, she wasn't entirely sure if she wanted to elaborate on that or not.
"It's actually a nickname my brother had for me when we were little. Only he couldn't remember what a magpie was called, so he called me Pidgeon. Then it eventually got shortened to Pidge, and now that's what pretty much everyone calls me." A little ridiculous, maybe, but it had grown on her. She'd just casually leave out the part where she rarely introduced herself as anything else. That was just beside the point, right?
"Thanks! It's been fun so far. That all sounds great, by the way. You didn't make all of it yourself...?" Because wow, she couldn't even imagine how long something like that would've taken.
no subject
But then Pidge switches the subject to food, and Kotori snorts and ducks a bit at the question.
"Oh, no, there's NO way I could make this all myself. I had help from Roxas-kun and Sora-kun making the menu- they're Aspects too- and from a lot of the others in making it." Including Hunk, he taught her a pretty good trick for cutting onions without crying. "Oh, and the castle Blots too, I guess the ones in the Castle retained enough of themselves that they want to keep working."
no subject
Look, it's a fair question when one's best friend tends to go overboard with the food sometimes. Pidge nods as she listens to Kotori's explanation, though. The names don't sound terribly familiar, but that's probably because she hasn't been here long enough to have met them yet. "That's good. I'd hate to think you ended up doing all of this on your own."
no subject
"I wish. But even if I WAS that good a cook, I'd still need help making all of this for sure. Is there anything in particular you'd like, by the way?"
no subject
"I think you'd just have to be a really efficient cook. Or a machine. And uh, I didn't have anything specific in mind. I was mostly just looking to take a break."
no subject
"That's fair. Let me know of there's anything you'd like. We've got a really nice seafood selection tonight, and it's a surprisingly harmonious fusion of Danish, French, and Japanese cuisine."
Can you tell she's happy this turned out well? She's REALLY happy this turned out well.
no subject
"You're starting to sound like a friend of mine." She's smiling when she says it, so it's obvious a positive comparison. "But since you know so much more about it than I do, maybe you can choose for me?" If she's learned anything, it's that when someone seems that excited to be talking about food, they're generally a person to be trusted.
no subject
But before Kotori can look over the offerings, one of the Blot waiters waltzes over with a silver platter. The canapés resting on there consist of hot, creamy, perfectly piped spirals of mashed potatoes on top of what look like baked beet chips, topped with a sprinkling of diced, caramelized bacon and onions.
“Burning Love Canapé, my lady?”
Yes, that is the name of the dish. Please troll the cook.