realmofstories | Chapter 06: Act III

Entry tags:

Chapter 06: Act III

Frankenhyde: ACT III—

With such an unpleasant ending to the last act, the mood in Londeva has changed further. The weariness and silence felt in the evenings continues and the bright splashes of color from before have taken on a more garish contrast, no longer seeming quite as cheery as they had before. Still, life and the story must go on, so the quill is once again put to paper in order to deliver the events of the scenes to the Aspects once more.

Some time after we last saw Hyde and the illustrious Dr. Jekyll, Hyde approaches the doctor to demand some sort of recompense for being the doctor's experiment; after all, Hyde pointed out, they can't get good data on an "unhinged man" if Hyde's limited in what he can actually do. Though Hyde threatens him, Jekyll is able to keep calm and compromise with his test subject on the matter of pay. He once again warns Hyde to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. Hyde assures him that he knows what he's doing.

A few days later, Mister Utterson is called to Jekyll's house to discuss some personal matters. The old friends take a few moments to clear the air between them, to allow Utterson a moment to vent to his old friend, before the settle down to the business Jekyll called his solicitor for in the first place: adjusting his will to leave everything to one Mister Hyde. Utterson is appalled at the very idea, but Jekyll eventually confesses that he and Victor Frankenstein were working on creating life and that Hyde is a vital part of these experiments. It only makes sense to leave all of his money and property to a known criminal who would probably kill you as soon as look at you.

Perfect sense.

That night, as the young Danvers is out walking, Hyde decides it would be a wonderful idea to kill an innocent man in cold blood. A few hours later, Stixen finds Hyde in an alleyway covered in Danvers's blood. Tired of trying to play nice with the "normal" humans, Hyde points out that the two of them will never be accepted for what they are, so he and Stixen should just kill them all. Stixen admits it's a solution, but is not entirely convinced. The two part ways.

As Hyde returns home to Jekyll, Jekyll has had enough. He realizes what happened last night when he sees Hyde covered in blood, and that is a line too far. Jekyll demands Hyde stop. Hyde decides that he doesn't want to stop, but instead take over Jekyll's life. The two fight, and Jekyll is locked in his cellar, leaving Hyde free to do whatever it is he wants.

The next day, Stixen is wandering around and thinking about what Hyde suggested. He runs into the young Agatha de Lacy, who is trying to get her cat down from a tree and is very clearly annoyed. Stixen, still wanting to help people, climbs up the tree in an impressive display of acrobatics and rescues the girl's cat. Agatha is impressed and the two start to form a very tentative friendship before parting ways. Unfortunately for them both, Hyde was watching.

As Stixen was saving kittens from trees, Utterson rushes to Jekyll's house to report Danvers's murder and ask him to come look over the body. He's distraught to find the poor man having a panic attack in his cellar and hurriedly gets him out of there. Jekyll hates what science has become since his younger days, though Utterson does point out that it was always a little unsettling, and things are about to get a lot worse. Upon inspecting the body, Jekyll realizes that this was the man Hyde had killed.

That night, disgusted at what he had seen earlier that day, Hyde tracks down the de Lacy house and sets it on fire. Agatha flees the scene; Hyde gives chase. Eventually, the poor girl is torn limb from limb by the now monstrous Edward Hyde. When the girl's body is discovered, a mob forms outside of Victor's lab, demanding that Stixen face justice. Victor knows that the girl's death was not Stixen's fault, and so the two try to calm the people down to no avail. Eventually, they resort to looking around the lab for something to use to force them to calm down, allowing Victor to escape and get help.

Victor eventually finds Jekyll and begs him for help. Jekyll, of course, agrees, but he first insists that Victor join him at his home and all but forces Victor to follow. As they get closer to Jekyll's home, Victor realizes that it is not Jekyll at all but Hyde and tries to get away. He fails and, realizing that there is no hope for him, is gentle and almost calm about it all. Hyde, in one more act of brutal violence, stabs Victor through the heart.

Unlike before, when everyone awakens they will not feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Instead, there's a feeling of lethargy and unpleasantness, as if they experienced a restless night with unpleasant dreams. That feeling of past and possible potential dread will be hard to shake given that the city still seems as dreary as before. Still, life goes on as the citizens of Londeva continue to go about their daily routines. If anything, the city seems livelier than it was before, almost as if people are trying their best to make it a better brighter place in defiance of recent events.

But all is definitely not well in Londeva. With all the residents being busier and livelier, that means the blots and Erasers are more active as well. And as the Act goes on, the city itself seems to become more active with entire blocks disappearing and transforming seemingly at random. Additionally, cracks begin to appear in the city, ground, and sky as well as if the story itself is having trouble holding itself together. Hopefully everything will work out in the end, but it looks like getting there may be a bit of a challenge.

Still, the Storyteller has faith that the Aspects will be able to see things through, even if some of their behavior during this story gives room for pause.

§ instructions.

The third 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 stated in the flavor text above, all sorts of craziness is happening this act. There’s some additional information in the game notes, but things to keep in mind and possibly play with are as follows:

there’s a pervasive feeling that something bad is going to happen
cracks will begin to appear in the city and sky as the act progresses
the amount of Erasers and rogue blots in the city will increase as the act progresses
the city’s layout will appear and disappear, and change throughout the act (see the book repair subquest for more information)
Aspects could be susceptible to behavioral changes (see the pick a side subquest for more information)
During scenes where Victor's body is involved, the body will appear as his plant creation from before. Will it be dead, alive, friendly or hostile is up the players.

Costumes are also provided for this Act, although there's something...odd about the choices this time around:

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped into their location and will have to go through specially marked doors and then return. Characters will also be aware of their roles and partner prior to entering the scene, so it's possible for them to meet and coordinate beforehand or meet within the scene for the first time. 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. Pick a side, any side. Early on, everyone will start feeling not quite themselves throughout most of the act. It can range from mild to severe and last for varying lengths of time, but the effects will always be temporary. Characters will either take on a "Hyde" personality or a "Stixen" (Frankenstein's Monster) personality.

"Hyde" side. Will have erratic, immoral, and violent tendencies. Those who have non-human Essences can become more monstrous and transform at will, even capable of hiding their transformed self while still able to use some of those powers.
"Stixen" side. Will be the opposite with a more curious, polite, and generous disposition. Those who have non-human Essences will more often be stuck in their transformation; alternatively they will only transform when enraged and become more violent in this time.

Should any of the two meet each other, they will be immediately hostile with "Hyde" personalities taunting and trying to coax the "Stixens" to be more like them. It is possible for a "Stixen" to switch to a "Hyde." It is also possible for anyone not affected to try and snap the other out of it, or at least convince those who are under "Hyde" influence to focus their violence on other problems instead of each other. A solid hit to the head will work wonders.

¶ II. Creepy Crawlers. There is an abundance of abominations roaming through the city—failed creations that will attack anyone on sight. The robotic reindeer are still around and will try to aid in clearing them out, but some will actually be consumed and mutate instead.

There's another reason to destroy the abominations: any not killed will be captured by an Eraser and loaded into one of the many airships to fly towards a darkened space in the sky. For what reason is unclear, but it's best not to wait and find out. Stopping the Erasers and destroying the airships will be paramount.

¶ III. Emergency Book Repair. The very book itself is starting to tear apart and it worsens after the final battle scene. Buildings starting to crumble, Blots disintegrating, even the very ground ripping open. If this keeps up the story will be destroyed. Fortunately, the Aspects aren't left helpless. Ribbons made of white light and runic symbols appear here and there as if trying to help "stitch" things together. Using their Essences, Aspects can find these "ribbons" and gather them to spread over other places. Use of Essence abilities will also help with patching things up, as if the use of them is reaffirming the story’s existence itself. Buildings will start to be repaired, cracks in the earth sealed over, and possibly blots restored, though some of the construction work may be a little patchy. That building wasn’t always partially made of straw or gingerbread, but it might be now!

¶ IV. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Reaper’s words makes Roxas’s grin fade into a frown, his brow furrowing almost into a pout.]

You’re reminding me why I didn’t like you. Why shouldn’t I play around with them? It’s just Essence practice, and it’s so easy, it’s not like these people put up much of a fight.

[He pauses for a moment, gold gaze flicking over Reaper’s form for a moment.]

Unless you’re saying I should practice on tougher people.

[Reaper made a point of folding his arms across his chest, making himself as equally unimpressed with Roxas.]

Tell that to someone who cares about your personal opinions. If you play with what's easy, you'll never learn anything of value.

[He tipped his chin down towards his chest, making it clear that Roxas had his gaze despite the mask making it unclear where he was looking otherwise. His clawed fingers tapped on a bicep, and he snorted softly.]

You want to eat dirt again, is that what you're suggesting?

[One of Roxas’s eyebrows twitch a bit.]

You remind me of Xigbar when you talk like that. Didn’t like him, either.

[Especially his whole “no one cares about you” insistence. But when Reaper talks about fighting, that grin returns, though it’s more of a smirk.]

Actually, I was thinking maybe giving you a taste this time.

With a name like that, he sounds like a pretentious jerk.

[Reaper took time to warm up to people, and he preferred to keep his associates at arms length. There was less to lose that way, since he expected this place would take.

Just look at the hell in a handbasket things were now? People and blots losing their minds everywhere. What a waste.]

And how do you plan on accomplishing that when all I have to do is put my boot on you and hold you down?

Not like he chose the name. But yeah, he was.

[Roxas’s grin returns at the words, and he laughs at Reaper as he reaches for his side, pulling out an ornate dagger from his belt.]

Oh, you think I go down that easily? I was holding back last time! I’m usually a lot harder to keep down. But don’t worry, I’ll put up a decent fight this time. Promise.

[And he actually winks at Reaper.]

Even worse. Part of a fanclub and can't even choose his fanboy name. You all part of a boy band or a underage sex club?

[Because there were all too many 'x' in names running around where this kid was concerned, so he had to wonder. It was probably some stupid fad.

The knife was interesting but not something he particularly bothered himself about so far.]

So was I. I couldn't kill a kid so publicly, so a good humiliation is a good learning step. You say decent, but I'm skeptical. But I'll humor you. Shall we take this outside, or do you want to mess up the bar?

Let’s just say I was glad when I had the opportunity to see my old boss fade back into nothingness where he belongs.

[Even if it was technically Sora who defeated Xemnas and Xehanort, but details.]

Well then, if that’s the case, then it’s more than fair to return the treatment, isn’t it? And why not? It’s a little to loud in here for my liking.

[He motions with the dagger to the door.]

After you, old man. Unless you’re too scared to be beaten up by a Nobody.

That's where everyone who dies fades away to. After all, we can't all be remembered forever and never accurately.

[He issued a low dark chuckle because wasn't that just the way for an arrogant boy? There was plenty of learn from where he was standing, though the effects of this place were making Roxas come across far less earnest and far more blood thirsty. Good.]

I would hate to humiliate you with more common household items again.

[He shifted his weight and moved to the exit of this fine establishment, pausing to step around some that were currently engaged in a fist fighting.]

And such a nobody you are. Come. Don't waste my time.

[He stepped out into the street, surveying it a moment before proceeding further.]

People with hearts die. Nobodies fade.

[He says it with a note of bitterness in his voice. It’s a sore spot, but he doesn’t elaborate further, choosing instead to follow Reaper out of the bar.]

[When they’re finally out of the bar (Roxas lingering a bit to get one last look of the chaos), Roxas turns to Reaper, a hard glint in his eye despite his grin.]

Oh, I don’t think that will be a problem.

[He flicks the dagger in his hand for a moment, before he holds it in a reverse-grip and briefly kneels to stab at the ground. When he does, the dagger glows briefly as a large puddle of water suddenly gushes forth from the spot the blade is sticking out from. Roxas sings a few wordless notes, and the water floats up and settles into the shape of a Keyblade. Tucking the dagger away, he turns to Reaper, brandishing the weapon.]

Come on. I’ll even let you have first strike.

[He expected there was a different kind of significance to those words, and Nobody now seemed as if it where some kind of designation for particular type of people. Likely it had something to do with Roxas' world, but now was not the time to ask.

He folded his arms over his chest again and watched the little show, raising an eyebrow from behind his mask. Wasn't this just a quaint little ritual? When the keyblade formed, he tilted his head to the side as he assessed the weapon. Aerodynamic and balanced that weapon simply couldn't be.]

You're seriously going to attack me with your BDSM toy? This just gets better and better.

[He dropped his hands to his sides and feathers-turned daggers dropped from his sleeves into his hands. He flicked one almost lazily at Roxas, testing to see how the boy would move and react. Test the waters, as it were.]

[It was a lazy flick, but it's still a dagger thrown his way. Roxas is quick, slashing with the water-keyblade to bat the dagger away. And while his weapon doesn't seem to be ideal, the dagger is batted to the side just as effectively as if he had wielded a weapon made of metal rather than water.]

Come on, is that the best you've got?! And I let you go first and everything!

[How disappointing... oh well. Roxas readies into a stance, a grin on his face.]

Well, I did warn you.

[And then, he moves. When he darts forward, his body bursts into seafoam and water, moving as fast as rushing water. He re-forms at Reaper's side, swinging hard.]

Hardly the best, but I don't take hand-outs in combat.

[Maybe if this had been actual war he might, but this was basically sparring as far as he was concerned. It was a test of skill and seeing which of them would come out on top, though he was fairly assured of his own future victory when compared to the last time.

He was already producing another blade as Roxas readied himself, and he shifted his stance to be more defensive for the time being. He was known to be explosive when it came from switching, and he would rely on that when necessary.

Water? Now that was interesting.

He parried aside the swing, dancing back a few steps and giving room for Roxas to press a perceived advantage when it came to aggression. For him, he was looking for openings.]

[Water indeed, and though a few droplets flicked off with each strike, the weapon held as firmly as solid steel. And while Reaper might just view this as a spar, Roxas certainly wasn't pulling his punches.]

[He was fast, faster than he'd been with a mallet. Reaper may be good at deflecting his hits, but he aims at openings and perceived weak spots with a warrior's skill. What's more, the force behind his strikes is definitely nothing to laugh about; each strike, were it to hit, would cause serious damage to a less-prepared opponent.]

[Roxas's grin doesn't fade as he swings, almost single-minded in his attempts to land a hit on Reaper. Though his defence is rather lacking, he makes up for it with the sheer number and ferocity of his strikes.]

Haaah!

[There was indeed a difference from the last time that they had fought each other, and it was clear that Roxas was aiming for solid strikes and to cause damage. Good, that was the best way to learn, but it also meant that he too had no issue throwing his weight around and not holding back.

He used his armour to his advantage to block strikes, his wrist guards coming in handy. However, unlike last time, Reaper was forced to give ground step by step under the ferocity of Roxas' swings. He was aware of it, and it didn't bother him as he was looking for weaknesses himself.

Clearly an aggressive offense provided a strong defense was the mode this kid was in.

He growled when the blade scored at hit on his upper arm after a glance off of his wrist guard. He felt the hot sting of it, and he suddenly switched modes himself to drive Roxas back.

Taking the risk, he swing in, using knives to slash and slice towards Roxas' face and shoulders. Two people going on the offensive normally just spelled them both being hurt, but he was willing to take that if it meant forcing the kid back on his heels.]

[The best defence was usually a good offence, wasn't it?]

[Roxas's grin only widens the more he pushes Reaper back. While he's not outright laughing, he looks very close to it, especially when he scores that hit on Reaper's upper arm. He moves in to swing again, and regardless if he gets another hard hit in, he's briefly stunned by the sudden retaliating strike towards his face. He hisses as that knife cuts over his brow, narrowly missing his eye, and has to pull back a bit to avoid getting stabbed in the shoulder.]

[He pauses briefly to wipe the blood from his face... and his gaze flicks between the crimson on his hands and Reaper.]

So, you can fight back. I was starting to get bored.

[He continues his assault, changing it up a bit to add some thrusts and jabs as well. Trying to get more hits on Reaper.]

[Reaper would debate that point, if only because he found different strategies worked for different situations. It was working alright for Roxas anyway.

The second slash hit a blow on his shoulder, but they both drew blood and that was the point. The kid didn't seem deterred by it at all, which put him into a position to push forward. He had size and strength in his advantage, and his weapon was best at close range unless he was throwing it.]

Careful or I may choose to squeeze the life out of you with my bare hands.

[Not an idle threat, but for now, they were in close range of each other. He dodged and twisted to avoid as many of those hits as possible while also replying in with his own knives. He began to aim for Roxas' arms and shoulders, seeking to make that weapon harder to handle.

For the kid's part, he took wounds to his sides and thighs, but he didn't slow because of them. He didn't even look at them.]

Hah! I'd like to see you try!

[Roxas seems to be taking great joy in hacking and slashing at Reaper. The masked man does get a few more hits on Roxas, but each one just draws another laugh from the blonde. As the fight draws out, Roxas begins to speak.]

Are you getting angry? I bet you want nothing more than to go into a violent rage. Why not let yourself go? Go wild~!

[His voice is melodious as he says it, full of influencing siren magic. It's not explicit mind control, but is Reaper strong enough to fight off Roxas's suggestions?]

Don't be arrogant. It will get you killed.

[He suddenly backed off, pulling away from the constant assault that they were exchanging on each other. He hoped to force Roxas to lose balance, but also he wanted to look for weakness in the kid's stance.

He made a noise in his throat at the words, and he felt a tug towards greater violence. He shook off the pressure, focusing on the task at hand as he threw a knife with deadly accuracy at the middle of Roxas' chest.]

You'll have to do better than that.

[He does stumble a bit when Reaper pulls back, losing his balance a little as his momentum carries him forward. But he grins, trying to cover his stumble with another lunge forward and another sharp swing; continuing his offence-over-defence mentality.]

[The knife is a surprise, and he brings his arm up to guard, but it's clear he's more used to guarding with two weapons rather than one; it slips through his defence and while it doesn't pierce his chest, the knife does dig into his arm. He hisses in pain, gold eyes narrowing.]

Ow!

[In anger, he arches his arm and hurls the water blade at Reaper, the water weapon spinning midair as it homes in on Reaper. Infused with his magic, it's just as solid as a real weapon made of steel.]

[This kid still needed practice, but he was much better than when Reaper fought the first time. He wouldn't call them equally matched by any means, but Roxas was reckless and dangerous like this. The lack of fear forced him to continually think on his feet more, not just relying on age old reflexes.

He gave ground, aware that the wild swinging put the kid at an advantage over his shorter ranged knives. However, if he could throw the knives, they would force some defensiveness.

He wasn't exactly counting on Roxas throwing his damn sword right back. He lifted his arm with a knife to block the blow, but even as he moved to avoid the strike, his deflection of water despite being solid still caught him in the side as he twisted away from it. He grabbed at his ribs and growled.]

That had better not be your own weapon because you just threw it away.

[The weapon is knocked off-kilter from its strike, twirling midair before landing several paces away. Roxas looks at the area it landed; there's only about a minute of it remaining solid before it collapses back into a puddle of water. But at Reaper's words Roxas's attention turns back to the masked man, and he grins, wincing a bit as he pulls the thrown knife from his arm.]

I've got more tricks up my sleeve than that!

[And he takes aim again and throws the knife back at Reaper.]

[Now more than ever he missed his old powers, which he had learned to utilize to his advantage for many years. He was still learning the new ones. He heard the sword collapse into water, and he clenched his fist as he dropped the temperature around it rapidly so the droplet formed ice shards which he threw by manipulating the air.]

You aren't the only one.

[But magic took energy, and his was rapidly bleeding out of his wounds. As the knife flew back at him, he let it slide along his arm and return to his coat like a feather that had been plucked and now returned.]

[Oh, that's something new. Roxas is forced to duck and hold his arm up to deflect some of the ice shards, though several scratch at his skin and face. But he's not perturbed by the sudden offence or the new injuries; rather, it just makes him laugh louder.]

That's it! Come on!!

[He doesn't have his water, but he's not without weapons. He runs forward, pulling that ornate dagger out again and closing the distance so he could get close. He swipes a few times, before letting out a loud, stunning yell.]

[The yell echoes down the street, and is infused with magic. It's meant to briefly stun and disorient the opponent. And if his luck holds out, give him enough time to get a good stab or two with that dagger.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Chapter 06: Act III

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject