realmofstories | Chapter 04: Act II

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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.

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.
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!

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...Really bright colors?

[Were this anyone else in any situation, he'd find this amount of information unimpressive and useless. However, that's neither here nor there so he puts on a contemplative face, the crook of his finger at his chin as he pretends to ponder.]

Given that no humans should be here, he should stand out regardless. [A thought then occurs to him and murmurs under his breath, "I wonder if it would work..." and he looks toward the butterflies.] ...Hey.

[The butterflies respond! They flutter about merrily around his face, one landing on his ear again. Glancing up at it he tries the idea that had come to mind.]

Go through the forest; see if you can find another human. [Very small pause.] And...ask the others if they have noticed anything as well.

[If he had dogs he knows for sure he would be able to communicate with them, but alas he was not blessed with such companions and only the butterflies for now. But perhaps this role is able to extend his abilities; at least they seem to understand, one even seeming to salute with its wing before they scatter off, leaving only a few behind to flutter around them.]

That should help with the search while we continue. [He starts off with his usual matter-of-fact speaking, but then he remembers ah yes. He has to pretend to be a curious elf boy who has met a pretty girl and probably fell in love at first sight.

...Troublesome...

Anyway, he clears his throat. At least his own awkwardness matches (unless this Tam Lin guy is supposed to be some suave playboy—oh well).]

I could...also show you around the forest if you're interested.

[Lame pick-up line achieved.]

[Yeah, she knows it's lame, but she also knows that giving a more concrete description is kind of a mess, given the switching nature of the roles. Still, following the butterflies is a good plan, and the offer does sound nice. She gives him a little nod.]

That'd be nice. I really appreciate all this, Tam Lin.

Not a problem. [And just going to follow a rather obvious path, deducing that that is where they need to go.]

...What do you do, Miss Rose? [Getting to know her is a step in the right direction, right?? He will his best to not make it sound like an interrogation—]

[UH WELP. Now it's her turn to get into character! Rebellious nobewoman, rebellious noblewoman... she's read and watched enough Dismey versions of fairy tales to get that character, right? But GAH, she's never had to come up with a character from whole cloth before!]

Ah, well... my father is... a lord from a few lands over. And I'm his only child, so... I'm his heir, at least until I'm married.

[Hooray, male-preference primogeniture... And a bit of a barebone start, but maybe talking with Tam Lin will help fill in those details, in and out of character.]

[Curious teen boy curious teen boy. As he continues to question why he was picked for this, he continues with the flow of conversation.]

Then isn't is dangerous for you to be out here alone? You don't have any escorts?

[—should he also be curious about the whole marriage thing? Would Tam Lin? ...This feels so weird, but it's acting...kind of.

HE'LL JUST PRETEND SHE'S LYRIA that'll do it.]

Ah... normally I would, but um...

[Think think...]

I... sort of ran away? I-I mean... I want to be more than some stranger's wife! I wanted to learn about the land... and my people, and what they need. And I couldn't really do that being watched and controlled all the time.

[She sounds way too nervous than a Spirited Lady would be about such decorations, but maybe Bonny's a bit embarrassed confessing this to someone who might think she's weird for doing something like that.]

[She's too nervous for a Spirited Lady, he's too reserved to be a Spirited Fairy Lad, somehow they match.

But he just nods, his own unease falling away as the "mission" mindset kicks in.]

Run away... I see. [Tam Lin probably wouldn't be that concerned. If anything—] I think that's admirable. [There's a warm smile as he looks over at her.] Understanding your people and the land you look after is the only way you'll be able to lead properly, and it's clear you have a strong will.

[—Even if Kotori might not be feeling it. But thinking about it, Tam Lin is a prince of his own kingdom but is stuck here in this forest. How would he feel?

He unintentionally grows quiet as he contemplates this and softly murmurs:]

I'm a little envious.

[The Storyteller is kind in pairing her with patient scene partners at least. That last little line garners real surprise, though.]

Envious?

[Since Tam Lin can't really say the truth, he keeps it vague.]

...I am the protector of this forest, so I can't leave it. Sometimes I'll venture out to the nearby villages, but I have to do it in secret.

Of course I'm proud of what I do, but I hope to one day be able to see more of the world.

Oh... that sounds really lonely, even more so than my life... And there's no one else who could help you?

[There, that empathy at least she can connect with, especially thinking back to that interim between her mom accepting that second job and meeting the Inuzukas. Alone, helpless... she's so glad she's found people in both worlds to bring light and strength back into her life.]

I have my guardian, but other than him I have the forest creatures to keep company.

[It's. Very strange to say he has a "guardian" he's rolling with it.

In any case, he puts on a wistful expression, and as if on cue some birds fly in to fly around them before Eustace senses a more familiar presence. Stopping he turns to see a young wolf pup peeking out from the trees. Now a more genuine smile—one that is not born from this strange role—appears and he looks at Kotori with a slight glimmer in his eye. Maybe this will help the both of them.]

Would you like to meet one?

[Oh wow, the birds alone are enough to take her breath for a moment, and then OH MY GOSH PUPPY! Wolf puppy, which the back of her mind reminds her that usually means there's a mama nearby, but... Bonny Rose is supposed to be brave and captivated, and she trusts Eustace in and out of character at least enough to not think he'd deliberately put her in danger.]

Ah... yes. Yes, I'd love to.

[The warm smile remaining, Eustace starts instructing her on what to do by first crouching down.]

Crouch down like this, or you can sit on the ground or kneel if you'd prefer. This will make you appear less threatening to him. Then extend your hand.

[She nods and follows his lead; thankfully being gentle and good with kids are definitely two of her strong suits, and her voice is soft and quiet as she offers her hand.]

Hi there. It's nice to meet you...

[With Eustace giving it an encouraging nod, the little wolf pup whimpers a little before it slowly sticks its neck out further. Then a step. And another step... Until at least it's sniffing Kotori's hand. Slowly the small tag begins to wag before it licks her fingers.]

Good work.

[There's a warm smile as he watches, and his words of quite praise are to both Kotori and the young pup. He'll reach out to give the pup a little scruffy scratch behind the ears, to which it gives a happy bark.]

[She can't help but giggle a bit at the lick, and OOF, that bark is way too adorable! (And her partner does have a nice smile... she can definitely see why Bonny Rose might fall for that.)]

I can't believe how sweet he is.

He's a puppy so he's more likely to be friendly. But you shouldn't do this to other wolves. [There's a stern but gentle tone in his voice.] The same is true for all the creatures in this forest... They're peaceful, but they will attack if threatened.

That said... It would seem that they've accepted you.

[More little forest creatures and even some fairy ones start to come out to investigate the visitor.]

[A soft gasp.]

Oh wow...

[That is... a LOT of fairy creatures. It's a mixture of awe and fear of startling them that keeps Kotori still and staring; they're all gorgeous, and she doesn't want to ruin the moment.]

[He watches her tense up a little before he observes the creatures slowly approaching.]

Relax. They'll be able to sense your own nerves. But I don't sense any hostility from any of them, so it should be safe.

[The puppy has moved to investigate Eustace because why does this guy have a strange wolfish scent? He just lower his hand to pet the wolf, and as he does more of those creatures do approach. First some little rabbits, then some birds fly overhead before one lands to perch on Kotori's shoulder. Then others that Eustace doesn't recognize, but they don't seem like they would cause much trouble. Pixies, maybe? ...Okay maybe some trouble if they're anything like the ones at the castle.]

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Chapter 04: Act II

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