storyevents ([personal profile] storyevents) wrote in [community profile] realmofstories2020-02-29 03:42 pm

Chapter 04: Act II

A MIDSUMMER ROSE: ACT II—





With the tasks completed, the story progresses onward to the next Act. As everyone falls asleep, their dreams replay the events of the story thus far.
The two queens fought fiercely with sharp words and powerful magic, but in the end Titania surrendered and muttered “just curse the brat.” Carabosse did indeed curse Tam Lin to prick his finger on a spindle and fall into a deep slumber, as well as give the child an invitation to join her dark forces should he ever decide to forsake his family.

While Oberon was hesitant to trust his son with Puck, the rebellious fairy argued that being rough around the edges meant he could better handle a crisis. So the king set Puck the test of retrieving a flower from a dangerous locale and returning with the flower intact, lending the sprite a priceless dagger for protection and a further test of trust.

Puck trusted little Tam Lin to hold the magical flower while the sprite carried the babe, eventually stumbling upon a convenient baby carriage. The two then enjoyed the beauty of the wild forest on their trek.

While still in pain from parting with their son and previous hurts in their relationship, Oberon and Titania reaffirmed their love and trust in each other as they set out to destroy the spindles.

Puck raised Tam Lin more as a younger brother than a son and they formed a strong bond. While Tam Lin took after Puck in being easygoing and playful, they still had a love and protectiveness for the forest they called home. The two would often use Puck's ability to shapeshift and communicate with animals and Tam Lin magically gifted skill with music to soothe and heal injured animals they came across and to protect the forest from any outside threats.

Carabosse did her best to intimidate Nick Bottom into telling her Tam Lin’s location, but the playwright parried her at every turn and even accused her of being a yaoi fangirl. Eventually the evil fairy’s temper reached its zenith, prompting the soon-to-be donkey to challenge her to a children’s card game. Bottom won through the use of sleight-of-hand, but Carabosse caught the cheater, and for his insolence turned him and all the town into donkeys.

When everyone awakens, they find themselves in the forest cultivated by Puck and Tam Lin and once again in their strange fairy forms. It is flourishing, more color, sound, and even music filling the air as sunlight streams through the open branches. However, within the shadows lurk dangers that manage to slip in and the forest still needs care and protection as it will be their main stronghold.

Like before, the magical fairy rings made of flowers and glowing mushrooms will send those who are to act their scenes to their proper location. However, there are other paths illuminated by glowing mushrooms and flowers, each one leading to various places both within and outside the large forest.

One path in particular will lead them to the cursed village where they are to help cure those afflicted by the curse as well as fend off the Erasers and other dangers that threaten the village. However they should be careful as they will have a "curse" of their own upon entering.






§ instructions.

The second Act is underway! This is the designated log for all Main Scenes. Others are free to create their own toplevels for the Sub Quests, which are detailed below. Each Main Scene has their own unique toplevel and those cast into the roles are to thread their scene under each. All scene instructions are provided in the toplevels.

As a reminder, there are two different fairy forms that characters outside the main scenes can take when in the setting of the story. While in Tam Lin's forest, they will take on their fairy form (can be the same as last Act or different). While in the cursed village, they will take on some kind of "hoofed" creature or fairy with a slant towards the equine.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped into their location and will have to step into a designated fairy ring made of iridescent mushrooms and flowers 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. Lifting the curse. Everyone in the village has been turned into donkeys, and those who enter the village will also find themselves "cursed" with a hooved form, causing a bit of havoc within the village. The temperaments between each one vary from morose to hostile, and both can be difficult to handle. Some donkeys even stray from the village and need to be herded back, or else they are attacked and killed by the Erasers that lay beyond. To lift their own curse, the Aspects must protect and lift the curse off the villagers. There are a few ways to do this:

  • The cursed villagers no longer remember who they are, but a reminder of who they used to be could help. Although they cannot speak, clues range from the bits of clothing left on their bodies, their behavior, and the locations they tend to stray to.

  • The more hostile and aggressive ones may need to be subdued; knocking them unconscious may expel the curse from them.

  • Finally, there are some glowing white candied roses scattered about the village. Should the cursed villagers eat some, they will be cured.

Reminder: Aspects who enter the village will take on a new "hooved creature" form and must help lift the curse of at least one villager before they can leave the village and get rid of the "curse."

¶ II. Protect the forest and its creatures. With the Fairy Queen caught up in a complicated love affair and Tam Lin distracted by his own romance, the protection around the forests have gone thin, and many fairy creatures are left unattended and vulnerable.

  1. The Forests. Tam Lin's forest has a barrier that must be strengthened every so often by using the pollen of the purple flower and casting it over the barrier. The weakest points will be where the shadows and darkness are greatest, and hostile creatures and Erasers are lurking. For the forests outside, follow the glowing mushroom path to different "outposts" to replenish the magic barrier in the area. Not only can they use the flower, but they must increase the amount of light to disperse the darkness.

  2. Fairy creatures. A cute, little fairy creature may help guide them and even become attached. If not leading them to one of the weakened locations, the creature will lead the Aspects to a special nursery where many of the wounded need to be fed and healed.

Note: Aspects will have their fairy forms while in the forests.

¶ III. Clear the Castle Path. The pathway to the castle is covered in thorny vines and unpleasant fae folk under Carabosse's command. Some are just ordinary plants, while others will come to life and attack anything that tries to pass them. These plants also seem more resilient to flames this time, some even spitting fire and acid. The faes will create illusions and puzzles for our heroes to solve, such as turning parts of the road into blocks and forcing them to try and piece them back together (like Tetris). Other faes prefer being combative, trolls and orcs battle ready to stop anyone.


¶ IV. Bucking Bicycles. Scattered throughout the forest, at first they seem like regular bicycles with toy horse heads attached to them, but anyone who tries to ride them will suddenly find themselves bucked and tossed onto the ground. In order to ride one of these mighty metal steeds, one must first earn its trust. Perhaps a little elbow grease might persuade them, or a nice metal carrot.

¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!




[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-15 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
No kidding.

[Hooves planted solidly, he carefully leaned himself down to look between his feet, bending the front legs a little so he could. Hands on the ground, he tilted his head- to avoid the horn hitting the dirt more than anything else -and looked back at himself.]

What even am I? I don't recognize it at all.
forachange: (wemblin' fool)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-15 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know... You don't look like anything I'd ever seen at Fraggle Rock, but you don't look like Sprocket, either... But then, there's other kinds of hairy monsters.
gobetween: (See? You figured it out!)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-15 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess so... Uncle Matt definitely told us about plenty, eh? I don't think he ever saw anything like this, but maybe it's just something from books...

[He pushed his hands off the ground and, with some effort of his back muscles, was able to 'right' himself once again, standing up straight. Turning, he finally got a good look at Wembley, and snorted some.]

How're you gettin' on, Wembs?
forachange: (speaking)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-15 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[He nods in agreement, echoing the word 'books' under his breath. At the question, though, he gives a huff.]

Well, I don't think I like being cursed, Gobo. I want to go back to the forest, but I can't get out of here!
gobetween: (Oh for the Great Rock's sake-)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-15 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, everything so far has been fixing some sort of puzzle or using some kinda magic, right? I bet if we look around we can figure out how to get back to the forest.

[He took a step, and it was only because he had three other legs that he didn't fall entirely, just went down to one front knee instead. Grunting, hands in the dirt, he glared ahead of him.]

Once I get the hang of this body first.
forachange: (I didn't think of that)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-15 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[He winces a bit as Gobo stumbles.]

Right, I think we probably need to focus on that part right now. I'm sorry I couldn't help before, but maybe I can now...?

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-15 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I got it, but thanks Wembley.

[Genuine, if a little exasperated. He got up again, much as before.]

Sorry I got mad a minute ago. [Why did the thought of that wring him so?] Falling so much kinda ticked me off, but taking it out on you isn't fair.
forachange: (patient)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, it's okay, Gobo. You do that sometimes.

[He says it without a hint of aggressiveness, passive or otherwise. Because it's always been something that happened now and then, and he really can't understand why it made him upset earlier when it so rarely did before. He's pretty sure he's in love with Gobo, yes, but why should that change anything?]
gobetween: (Are you sure...?)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-16 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
[He blinked and turned a little more towards him, hooves moving a bit awkwardly but making it just fine.]

Whaddyou mean?
forachange: (plea)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
You... Do that. Sometimes!

[He tilts his head to one side as he looks up at Gobo.]

You know, sometimes when you get impatient, or frustrated. O-or, [Wait, why is he getting choked up? He doesn't understand why something so normal is upsetting him.] sometimes you don't get mad at me, but you still decide what I'm gonna do...

It... It's good. [It's probably clear, listening, that he's trying to convince himself as he speaks.] Because otherwise, I'd just wemble all the time and never make up my mind on anything. So- Yeah. It's good! Really it is!

[He can't cry, he's on the verge of tears but if he cries, then something really is wrong and something really is different- and that's scary.]
gobetween: (That doesn't even make any sense)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-16 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
You've asked me to do that for you! Make up your mind for you!

[At first his temper riled, but then- Wembley's admission turned a mirror on himself and he blinked, starting back a little. The anger abruptly left, leaving a scared look- he was doing it now, wasn't he? Getting angry at Wembley.

Getting angry at...

He shook his head and stepped forward slightly, looking down at him.]


No Wembley, me getting mad at you isn't good! We need to be working together, not- not that! [Hearing Wembley getting so choked up brought a twist to his own heart, and a sting in his eyes. He hated it when they fought in general, but something seemed to have more stakes this time. Maybe it was realizing that, yeah he did do that a lot, didn't he?...] You need to be your own Fraggle, and- and me getting angry at you, or telling you what to do, doesn't help that at all.
forachange: (stunned)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
W-well yeah, I gotta be my own Fraggle, but it's... It's okay, Gobo, really! It's always been okay. So it has to still be okay, or-

[A pair of sniffling hiccups follow. This not crying thing isn't working out for him, is it?]
Edited 2020-03-16 01:13 (UTC)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-16 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
No it's not okay, Wembley! [The hooves made for a good stomp of emphasis, didn't they?] Just because it's me doesn't mean you have to let anyone boss you around, or- or let them just get mad at you! I know you've learned that down at the Rock, and being out here shouldn't be any different.

[But Wembley was still crying, and he knelt somewhat awkwardly, leaning on the ground again to bring him almost to his fellow Fraggle's level.]

Wembley, I love you and I don't want to hurt you, anymore than I already have! It's not okay but, but it will be, alright...?

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
[With a shaky inhale, Wembley nods in the most noncommittal way possible.]

I did, I did learn that. It's just... We did things that way for such a long time, a-and it didn't bother me until I fi-

[Figured out he loved him. Which. Speaking of-]

You do?

[He'd wondered, maybe even suspected, but he hadn't been sure.]

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-16 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
[He looked at him in confusion for a moment, having to somewhat jump mental tracks and remember what he said. Then he found it, looked over it, looked at Wembley-

And one could practically hear that "click" of things into place as he smiled.]


...Yeah.
forachange: (off we go)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. [Okay, that had been an instinctive echoing, but... Hey, if it works, it works. Wembley returns the smile, soft and warm, and nods.] Me, too.
gobetween: (Confidence)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-16 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
[He had to laugh a little, while his legs folded underneath him- nono he's got it this time, promise. Once settled, he pushed off the ground again, brushing his hands.]

You know, I'm not really all that surprised, but in some kinda good way.
forachange: (teach your ear to hear)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Wembley nods again, smile growing some.]

I think I know what you mean. It's like... It kinda makes sense, right?
gobetween: (Weeeellllll......)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-16 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, that is kinda what it's like.

[He glanced at him, though a smile fell after a moment and he sighed.]

Listen Wembley I- I am sorry, about before. And I'll try to be better about that in the future, I promise.
forachange: (well then I'll do it)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
[This would be a bit better if they had their normal bodies; he really wants to give Gobo a hug right now, for both of their sakes. As it stands, he can just nod, for now.]

Thanks, Gobo, I know you will. You'd already gotten better, back home, and I believe you'll keep getting better.

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-16 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, both of us will. Together, eh? Just like it's always been.
forachange: (loyal)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah! We're gonna get better at things together. And- I don't really know how this works, but I think we're gonna be happy like this, too. Really happy.
gobetween: (Hug!)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-03-16 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Their bodies may be different, and even when he was "lying down" he was so much taller than Wembley right now. But, he still had his hands and he could pull him up into a hug, which is what he did.]
forachange: (happy hug)

[personal profile] forachange 2020-03-16 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Wembley made a small sound of surprise before he quite realized what was happening, at which point he nuzzled against Gobo's shoulder, returning the embrace.]