Chapter 01: Act I - The Horseman of Christmas Past

[keeperoftales]

A Hollow Christmas Carol: Act I—

§ instructions.
This is the designated log for all the main scenes for Act I: The Horseman of Christmas Past. All sub quests and nonrelated threads are to be made in their own posts. The scenes are listed below along with the assigned cast. Organization wise, the threads can happen in any order so you don't have to wait for one group to post before you do. Just start when you're ready! But to help, include in the subject line the scene header (ex. Scene 1, Scene 2, etc.) You can fluff it up a little to make it more specific like including the main characters or even scene title. Just be sure to have the number so we know which is which!

As a reminder, characters will have the necessary information within their journals. Those who are selected to play a scene will find their journal flashing red, so hard to miss. Aside from a few aesthetic changes (costumes, makeup, etc., think stage effects), all characters will be unchanged and won't gain any new powers or properties (ie. "Ghosts" are still tangible). The information they have is roughly the same as what is written OOCly.

Although there are certain characters set for a scene, it's not impossible for those not directly involved to make an appearance as random side characters or helpers. Characters can either just happen to be there or those cast as the role can make a "call out" through the journals. Any items and locations found through the main scenes are also free to be used by others for fun. There are also Bonus scenes that are basically extra prompts for people to have fun with if they'd like.

If you have any questions, post them to the Game Notes.

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§ main scenes.

¶ Scene 1: Ebegeeser and Horseman of Christmas Past. The Horseman is supposed to show Ebegeeser how he was as a teacher and he was (supposedly) a decent guy. So the best way to showcase that is give Ebegeeser a classroom to teach. The two will need to recreate the Schoolhouse, take care of some pranks, and deal with animated straw children. The "children" can behave however players want them to. Angels or devils, throwing things at Ebegeeser. Even the Horseman can be a brat and play along if they want. The Horseman will also have their pony to deal with and yes—must ride it at some point. Note: If it's pre-planned to not find the Schoolhouse here, let us know so that it's noted in other scenes involving it.

• Find the gift with the Schoolhouse to kick things off. [It's a big green box with a piece of a chalk on top so it should be be pretty obvious]
  
  
• Disarm three pranks set up within the Schoolhouse. [Pranks can be whatever you guys want]
  
  
• Ebegeeser "teach" a class of "children" and the Horseman.

Cast: Ebegeezer - Kazuma Asougi; Horseman - 9S

¶ Scene 2: Ebegeeser's first meeting with Beltrina. Set in the Schoolhouse, Ebegeeser first meets the beautiful Beltrina...and starts thinking about her wealth. Beltrina herself is practicing the violin and is already in a relationship with Bromfred. But could Ebegeeser worm his way into her heart!? Time for Ebeneeser to get his flirt on...and the Horseman might sit on the side and watch. MUSICAL NUMBER ♫ Note: If the Schoolhouse is pre-planned to not be found in the other scene, then they will need to find the box. Otherwise, the scene is set in a random building.

• Beltrina plays or uses the violin. [Can be meshed with the musical]
  
  
• Ebegeeser tries to flirt with Beltrina through song. [♫]
  
  
• Mention Bromfred.
  
  
• Bonus: Horseman of Christmas Past makes an appearance to speak with Ebegeeser [Can have a separate thread]

Cast: Ebegeezer - Cyrus Albright; Beltrina - Pearl; Horseman - Therion

¶ Scene 3: Bromfred's arrogance and Ebegeeser's jealousy. After learning about Beltrina's relationship with Bromfred and Bromfred constantly messing with him, Ebegeeser is brimming with hatred and jealousy. Bromfred's feelings are far simpler—he just finds the guy dumb and an easy target (no one said Bromfred was nice). So they are at each other's throats and will showcase their dislike through the magic of rap. The characters will have to find microphones, make a stage, and then dish out insults at each other a la "Drop the Mic." Who will be the victor? Will Ebegeeser let slip his murderous thoughts!? MUSICAL NUMBER ♫

• Find the gift containing two microphones. [Small yellow triangular box up in a tree]
  
  
• Make a stage. [There will be planks of wood and a toolset available nearby]
  
  
• Rap at each other. [♫]
  
  
• Bonus: Horseman appears to warn Ebegeeser through rap. [♫; can have separate threads]

Cast: Ebegeeser - Edna; Bromfred - Therion; Horseman - Ib

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[Mod note: Refer to the accompanying Game Notes for more information. If you wish to switch out of your current role, let us know!]

Comments

[starseeing]

Well, I-- [ A slight blush at that! But she's walking past him, out the door. ]

Isn't it just a little bit exciting to be in a formal classroom? [ Or, she clearly thinks so. ] Not everyone can be so lucky!

[chippedsoul]

[He raises a brow at that odd statement.] You've never attended a class before?

[starseeing]

[ ...Ah.

She shakes her head, but it doesn't seem she's at all sad about it. ] The Order of the Flame [ To which she belongs. ] had been generous enough to provide some instruction on reading and writing, but... transcribing old tomes isn't exactly learning as it is preserving lore.

It is nothing like the lessons the upperclass would send their sons and daughters to attend, such as this. [ She probably thinks all the fake students here were rich kids. ] So up until now I could have only imagined what it must have been like to attend a class.

[chippedsoul]

...I see. [He frowns at that, crossing his arms.] Education should be available to anyone who has a desire to learn. It shouldn't matter where they come from.

[starseeing]

[ It's a class issue, yes. But there's also a matter of paying for it as well... ] I wholeheartedly agree. [ She tells him. ]

Which is why I am grateful to you for having taught this class. [ She replies, looking at him. ] Even if it involved a bit of pretending on your part.

[chippedsoul]

[He let's out some air.] Sure...though I can't say if that was an accurate depiction. [He shrugs.]

I just did what I thought a classroom should be run as well.

[starseeing]

And you did splendidly, in my opinion. [ She nods in agreement once more, but after that pauses. There's still something on her mind, and whether or not it's too abrupt or not to ask it, she will anyway: ]

How... [ Where to begin? She feels a lump in her throat grow. ] ...are you, if I may ask? [ And by the way she's saying it, it should be clear that she's referring to the circumstances of their last parting. ]

[chippedsoul]

. . .[He figure that would come up sooner or later, and yet it was still not enough time for him to figure out how to answer.]

There are two parts to my essence, one part doctor and the other...one that seems to thrive in combat.

[starseeing]

[ Well that explains how it seemed like he had changed. ]

...And. [ A swallow. ] If I may ask, do you have no say when that other half appears?

[ She wants to know if it's just in combat situations, or that side of his can take over for any reason. ]

[chippedsoul]

...Well, now that I'm aware of it, I'll be able to keep it under control. [It's what he wants to believe. He has to. He's far too proud to let something imaginary control him.

Control? I'm giving you exactly what to you desire.
Why keep fighting? Just accept it. You know you wouldn't stand a chance in this place otherwise.

He takes in some air, closing his eyes for a moment.] You won't encounter it outside of combat. [He starts walking, looking to exit the schoolhouse, with or without her.]

[starseeing]

Ah, that's... good to hear. [ She says, bringing a hand to her chest. Of course she believes him when he says he has it under control, not a shred of doubt in her eyes.



---Oh, wait, is he already walking away? WELL she's going to follow after him because she still has more to say. And maybe she's being a bit too nosey, but that comes with the territory of being over-caring about others. Even those she barely knows. ]

I had worried after you! [ She continues when she finally manages to catch up. ] But it seems that... I won't have to worry as much anymore, will I? [ Since he has it ~under control~. She laughs, relief escaping her with the sound. ] I suppose I should have expected as much, though. You seem nothing if not entirely capable.

[chippedsoul]

Was there something else you wanted? [And he just cuts right through her babbling. He wasn't even looking at her as they walked, becoming more distant and guarded.]

[starseeing]

[ ---Oh. His curtness catches her off guard enough to make her falter.

Well, this is. Awkward. She's being quite the bother to him isn't she? So she'll just back off for now. ]

...Ah, no. My apologies. [ She replies with a bit of a bow, stepping away afterwards. ] Have a pleasant afternoon, Sir Disciple.

[chippedsoul]

...Good day Miss Clement, and stay safe. [Someone actually worrying for him, for someone who doesn't even know who he is. What a strange sentiment.]