realmofstories | Chapter 07: Act I

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Chapter 07: Act I

SUGAR PLUM BEAST: ACT I—

§ instructions.

The Sugar Plum Beast Act I 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.

Quick reminder that everyone is dressed to fit the rustic village style! Costumes for each role is linked in the scene they first appear but carry over into other scenes. And for those who are cast as Beast roles, will undergo full transformation, though the degree of transformation is up to the players. They can go into full hulking beast or be something more benign and cute with just ears and a tail or something. The Beast form also can be whatever you want, there is no set "design." In terms of affected personality, in general those in the role will be a little angrier and grumpy than usual, but it's not a complete personality switch. So it's possible to have the character mostly unaffected but snap or get annoyed more easily than usual or over the most random things they normally wouldn't. However there are cases when they may fly off the handle and while we leave it up to the players on if and when that can happen during a scene, anything more extreme that is specifically required will be noted for that scene.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped into their location and will have to go through designated flowered arches 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. Toy Repair. Scattered around the roads and around the boundaries of the town are damaged sometimes broken toys. They vary in size and shape, but for some reason their expressions are one of fear and pain. Take the toys back to Drosselmeyer's workshop and try to repair them. Even a fresh coat of paint will make the toys seem happier and relieved. Who knows maybe this good act will be returned later…

¶ II. Toysitters. Some of the toys brought into the workshop are on the young, baby side, and boy are they needy. Constantly crying "Mama! Papa! Poopy!" one would easily think they're just malfunctioning. Though that's strange, does this kind of setting have the technology for these toys to have voice recordings...? Regardless, better pair up with someone and try to soothe these baby dolls before the locals come in wondering what kind of witchcraft is going on in there.

¶ III. Garden Birthday Party. There is a birthday party being thrown and everyone is invited to either help decorate or just chill and enjoy the food. However, the garden it's held in needs some pruning. You know those plastic joke flowers that squirt water at people? They're blooming all over the place and are dousing anyone who gets near them. Either weed them out or figure out a way to lessen their water output! And of course there are Eraser and hostile toy blot problems that need to be taken care of. The further out towards the boundaries of the town, the more dangerous it is.

¶ IV. Easter Egg Hunt. Similar to a scavenger hunt, toy eggs have been scattered all over town and all the children are having fun trying to find as many eggs as they can. Perhaps the Aspects want to join in either hiding or finding eggs. However, some of these eggs are actually not toys but rotten, or if they are toys, terrible pranks like a pie to the face or a small firecracker exploding happen once opened. Some of the children are upset, even hurt, so it's imperative to find the culprit! Witnesses say they saw a strange, yellow polka dotted Velveteen rabbit hopping around the areas where the prank eggs are found.

¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"If you want me up above the trees to get us to the castle faster, all you have to do is ask."

He had dealt with erasers enough to know that they weren't subtle, so the creature that was slipping through the trees could be considered more dangerous. He slipped along the branches, keeping a close eye on 76 amid the fog and knew that it was hunting them. It waited for opportunity, and he knew this was just the beginning of a long day.

As soon as he heard the yelp, Reaper blew to his more human form in a surge of molting feathers - dramatic as always - and threw feather knives that impacted solidly as the sound of surprise turned into a howl of pain as the creature lost its footing and fell from the tree, smashing branches on the way down.

He landed on a thick branch and and hummed softly. "To be expected. You were always ready for a fight." So was he. "You agreeable to taking them on the ground and I'll hit them from the air?"

A snort, "Life wouldn't allow itself to be that easy."

Not for them, never for them, let alone when it came to repairing some story; hell, he was familiar with both of these thanks to his mother. Really, quite a pair to pull together and had a few elements that could pair them rather well; probably why they were getting squashed together like this. Still, had to keep focused on the matter at hand.

He couldn't tell if it was a large wild cat or some seriously overgrown rat once the thing did hit the ground. Quick on it's feet to move and yowl/snarl at them and keep moving; 76 dug hooves in as shoulders rolled and those claws of his flexed a little, "Fine with me.

"Just watch your aim," only bit of warning. Already lunging himself forwards, kicking up fog with the speed, barreling in against the creature to catch it off-guard himself as shadows licked at his heels, sending himself and it hard against a tree. Keeping up momentum to haul himself up it.

"Of course not, but it is an option to attempt if you get scared."

They had stories to fix, and they knew what to expect coming up once they finally fought their way to the castle. The joke was on this whole nonsense though because Reaper never apologized for anything, and even less so now that he was old and bitter. There would also be way too much weight to such an act when it came to 76 as well, so it doubly wasn't happening. Let the man be a beast and aggress everywhere.

For now, he dropped down to lower branches, specifically rattling them with his weight and he saw the shadows moving as 76 dealt with the initial scout that had come to investigate them. He took to the air and circled back to 76, turning his head to scout the others starting to crawl from the woodwork.

"My aim is perfect," he replied. Always went in the bodies he wanted them to. "Hurry up, there are four more on the tree line heading your way."

"Says the one keeping to the trees."

Claws kept him in the tree long enough to swing right back down on to the creature, hoof first, knocking it right back out of sight before he finally did touch down on the ground. Knocked out or were didn't matter, the fur along shoulders and neck already on end, crouched on all fours as his tail lashed about behind him. Could hear the movement and the scent of them growing closer on the air.

May as well see if he could tire himself out enough to at least not do as much damage as he could once they reach their destination- even knowing who all of that would be aimed at. Last thing he wanted was some repeat of being stuck with the bastard again.

Hooves dug in as 76 launched himself again, aiming to at least be in the thick of it as he kept low enough to the ground- "Got any line of sight on the castle? Might have to drag some with us," moving while fighting to try and keep from having to spend too long together. Even as he grabbed hold of one to fling towards another he caught sight of.

His wings folded as he avoided touching foliage, throwing knives with deadly accuracy a the the creatures in the treeline. Some howled in pain, others snarled and stepped from the trees to assess the situation. That only earned them a sudden clench of his fist as he dropped the barometric pressure in their lungs in one instance and then drew the air right out like he was controlling the wind.

He rose higher in the air after that, seeking to have a line of sight on their destination. It was difficult with the encroaching twisted trees and branches. However, he was able to catch brief sight between the leaves, twisting in the air so he dropped back down.

He plummeted with complete silence and came to a heavy, taloned landing on the head of one of their quarry, slamming it into the ground and killing it instantly. "It will require a good run and I can't tell if this meager trail twists and turns either. Forest is too dense."

There was a low growl just under his breath, but at least it was easy enough to take advantage of Reaper's tricks to help further thin out the number of creatures. Either flinging them away against trees so they couldn't get back up, or sending a few retreating if they were still breathing after that.

76 glanced up after the landing, pushing himself up on to hooves as shoulder joints popped again; all the easier to be bipedal for that shift of bone structure. Pain shrugged right off as he glanced towards the trail, ears flicked back.

"Fairy-tale dark forest for you," grunted. Ripping the cape from the costume he had on as he tested the rest of it. "Feel up for a bag and dump to deal with some stragglers while we head up and see for ourselves if it twists?"

Scoop up whatever got in the way and hand it off for Reaper to drop somewhere if he wanted, whatever cleared the creatures quicker.

He didn't consider his own homely costume to be much of a hinderance. After all, he wasn't a 'prince', instead just a lowly toy maker. His clothing was meant to be far more functional, which meant that he could just move about and rip it as he saw fit. It amused him that 76 was once again royalty, and it fit with the high and mighty attitude at times.

He stepped off of the dead beast and rolled his shoulders with the weight of his massive wings. "Fine, you bag, I dump," he agreed, aware that they needed to make progress through the forest if they had any hope of finishing this off. Who knew if the erasers would be waiting for them.

"Let's get this done, asshole," he grumped as he took to the wing again, rising quickly and easily because he could control the air flows to push them up and under his wings. "All clear for now. Let's go and quickly."

Didn't feel like red was his color.

Was easy enough to get the cape in to some shape of a net with how much time he'd spent re-learning how to make them during his time in the place. "Fine with me," a slight nod as he spoke. Hopefully there wasn't anything waiting for them but the 'start' to the actual roles they had to play to get this over with. Could deal with a change, it wasn't as if he hadn't been transformed in to other things before; still al the more reason he was willing to tire himself out just for the sake of avoiding unwanted incidents.

Cape-net in hold, 76 went running along the trail as hooves made enough of a racket on the stones he was pointedly aiming for. All the better for drawing out whatever creatures were in wait ahead of them, and all the better to just swipe up the surprised and angry thing in the fabric as he dodged out of lunged attacks.

"Get read for a pick up!" Couldn't hold that many, two at most.

Reaper glided above, keeping an eye on 76 while maintaining a fairly strict distance between them as well. They might peck at each other verbally - when didn't they? - but he was keenly aware that neither wanted to get particularly close to one another where one comment could cause an emotional slip that lead them to fighting and a potential for the repeat neither of them actually wanted to deal with again.

His pace above picked up as 76 began to run, cape net in hand and looking for a target as they began to make their first real bit of progress to head to the castle. He watched the shadows shift as creatures were attracted to 76's hoof beats on the ground, and he already had began to fold his wings so he could plummet down.

"Hand off," he called as he came within range, snapping out his arms to take the fabric where he could haul it up as much distance as possible with struggling heavy beasts. Then he just released one side and let them plummet to the ground, swinging back around to drop the cloak off back to 76. "If you get mobbed, this won't work as well as you'd hope it would."

The cape containing two of the creatures was passed off easily enough, leaving him to deal with the others that had also had been following after. Rather than skidding to a halt to face them, 76 twisted to use his own momentum to bounce off the trunk of a tree once he caught sight of Reaper returning. More for the flash of red from the cap than anything else, and all the better to catch the cape above the gathering number.

"Be a good enough sacrificial distraction."

It worked once, and honestly that was good enough for 76 given it could come in handy later, even if not here. Hooves dropped down on the skull of a creature, red fabric still in hand, as he used it as a stepping stone where it wouldn't be getting back up.

The cape did eventually get caught in jaws, 76 hauling the creature towards him for an up and over so it flew up in to the air. Sure, it took the cape with it but couldn't be surprised if these things weren't stupid. Had claws for a reason, didn't he? Some were distracted by the one that had gotten tossed, drawn by the cape and thinkin it was still him moving so he could barrel right in to send them flying as well.

Reaper let the cape return to 76, and he used the opportunity of free hands to wound some of the new creatures coming from the forest to slow them down so he could finish them off while 76 engaged with those others. They still kept a respectful distance from each other he noticed, and he was perfectly fine with that.

However, this was slowing them down even if they were slowly but surely moving down the path towards the castle. It was just going to take them longer than either of them probably wanted to spend together.

So he did a fly over and dropped a hand to grasp 76 by the wrist. "Hold on. We're going up," he said as the only way of warning, beating his wings hard so he could take them up and out of range of the few that remained behind. Twisting, he began to take them well away from the area, further down the path.

Claws flexed the moment his wrist was grabbed, but of course with Reaper and all of 76's own luck his Essence relaxed them nearly immediately; not because he knew who was grabbing him from the warning either. Ears pinned back, but the moment he was lifting up legs bent and tail tucked close- well, outside of a sharp hoof kick to the snout of one of the creatures that lunged up after him. Fingers curled, grasping Reaper's wrist in turn.

Claws grasped like a cage, and there was blood trickling along his arms and hands from claws and teeth of what he'd been fighting against. Got claw to claw with them, could only be expected that he'd suffer some damage just charging in as he was always so very likely to do.

Still, 76 kept himself tucked so there'd be as little drag as possible and he'd be less likely to catch on any of the trees. Arm around knees and all with just a bit of a huff, "Hopefully these things can't sprout wings." Hell at this point he wouldn't be surprised if there were birds just waiting for this either.

Despite the combined weight, he lifted them up above the remaining creatures, out of their range as they snarled in frustration. He moved them along the path where there was more room to maneuver from the gnarled grasp of tree limbs and leaves. His wings moved them along in relative silence even as he turned his eyes to the trees as if waiting for their aerial superiority to be challenged.

"I'd believe it if they did," he remarked back as he covered more ground, keeping them as much to the shadow of the trees to avoid continued detection. The trees grew thicker, more ominous, and they seemed to lean more heavily towards the path, forcing him to drop little by little as they moved down the thinning trail. "We are that much closer to the castle though."

At some point, he was close enough to the ground that it wasn't worth carrying 76 anymore as it provided no benefit. "I'm putting you back on the ground and landing." That was the only warning - be appreciative, jerk - and then dropped a bit more until 76 could set his hooves to the ground and walk the rest of the way.

For all the fact he could believe it, it was just as likely there'd be some sort of predatory bird in the trees watching them. Hawks, something like that. Could still hear the creatures as they fell behind, ears flicked backwards even as eyes still looked ahead while he was carried. Taking note of how much more dense the forest was growing the closer they got to the castle, and it was honestly expected in a way given the story subjects.

A grunt, because they were that much closer to their destination so that they could get the entire scene over and done with. Half wondered if the journey was significant or just some bothersome annoyance to get there.

His arm dropped from around legs, watching as the ground grew closer so that he let go of Reaper's wrist the moment he was dropped. Landing easily enough as he scanned the area, tail lashing in to a curl on the ground behind him as 76 remained somewhat crouched, "We're not alone." By the sounds and movements he could hear, a few even up in the trees still- were these things smart enough to try and plan an ambush? Rabid wolves.

He made certain that 76 had landed well before he moved forward enough that he could set his own boots to the ground and fold up his wings behind him. He turned his head at the sound of snarling, flicking a wrist to produce a feather knife between his fingers as he slowly stepped back towards 76.

Grounded, he was a touch more vulnerable but not much. "Observational skills are on point, as usual," he chirped with a small shake of his head as two black wolves stepped from the shadows of the trees. They were big beasts, and oh how he missed his shotguns in times like these.

"Are you going in swinging as usual? Or would you like a quick game plan, hmm?"

76 stood his ground, shoulders rolling as he was sizing the wolves up, and he could hear more of them just out of sight- well, he could see their figures moving. They blended well with the darkness of the forest. Snorting a bit he stood up to his full height rather than hunching over, and it was clear he was well over his normal stature.

Fingers flexed, bear claws long and sharp and very ready to go in swinging, but he remained where he was for a moment. Ears swiveling as if trying to get a number of just how many there were when some of them seemed to blend together.

"If you got one, I'm all ears," teeth baring in warning as two more stepped out, watching them start to circle.

Wolves were pack hunters, and he knew that they were surrounded as they were now. Even his vision could pick out how they moved beyond the trees, keeping as hidden as possible as whatever tactic they were setting up was shaping. He was not particularly interested in getting eaten, so this would have to come to a close before that happened.

"You still power steal, do you?" Maybe they could chain together some lightning, drive off the most of them that way. Otherwise, it was going to be an ugly fight. He circled with his back to 76, making certain that both of them had a good line of sight on the two that were posturing first and now joined by others.

"Otherwise, I might resort to the option of just having to run faster than you."

"Borrow- but yeah," there was a difference. If it were stealing it'd likely not be as temporary and not simply allow him to copy. Figured that one out quickly enough, but that was more semantics than they had time for- "I was always the quicker between the two of us," which was an almost joking way that they would both be better of going with whatever first idea that Reaper had.

Mostly back to back with the man, as much trust as he was willing to give in that moment, growling under his breathe.

Had something of an idea of what was being planned, "Which power? Have to be specific if I want a full extent and not random."

"Whatever you want to call it, thief." Now that there was an opportunity to needle 76 before they were engaged, but they didn't have a lot of time to bicker. More wolves were emerging from the woods and had them almost completely surrounded. Only one opening that would force them into the woods, so that wasn't an option. "And I fly," he pointed out easily.

"Lightning. Think you can be accurate enough with timing with me to chain it?" That might be their own chance at this point with the wolves setting themselves up so well. They were running out of time.

"Read the story- you might actually like it, child eater," idly said as he debated in his own head while eyes still followed the wolves, "You haven't seen how fast I can move," or the extent of his magic, but again that wasn't here nor there at the moment. Far more pressing concerns, such as wondering if you could even properly use lightning magic without issue.

Well, one way to easier channel it, loathe as 76 was to show a bit of his hand further. There was a sound of cracking as shadows crept up along 76's form from his hooves, snarling a little as soon enough there was a fur-covered skeletal creature standing at Reapers back, the coloring of that fur the same as before, eye glowing from those sockets as jaws clattered, shaking out those arms of his- "We'll find out.

"May I borrow your lightning magic, La Lechuza?" There was definitely a strong magic flowing through those bones, all the more thrumming and palpable with him like this. Gave away a bit of just how much he'd been storing.

"You think I haven't?" He expected that they had both read one another's stories in order to try to gain some knowledge and upper hand on one another in the process. Now it seemed that it would actually be of help to them both. "And there is nothing wrong with eating naughty children, you know."

He turned his head as 76 made the transition to his actual story form, and it was probably the first time that he had seen it. He felt the magic that seemed to curl off of the beast's bones, and it seemed drawn his way when he drew on his own magical energies. A witch and a magical familiar.

He lifted a hand above his head to gather his own magical energies as lightning crackled between his fingertips. He breathed in, drawing on some of the magic that was in those old bones, and the wolves began to move in before he suddenly channeled the lightning both through himself and outwards and through 76's bones.

"These old bones know a witch's magic. Together, we are more powerful. Go, Raw Head."

A snort, "be more surprised if you haven't- you enjoyed stories like that." Spookier side of things and all, even if there seemed to be a few different versions of it. Probably depended on what region it was being told from. "Or assholes doing something they know they shouldn't," because Raw Head certainly got his revenge.

Those claws spread, electricity crackling between them as it also wove around his bones; tingled, but the magic seeped within kept them protected and able to channel it. Even if his fur was standing on end, it wasn't burning. Almost as if he was building up static, rather than taking control of lightning magic that was being Borrowed for this.

Jaws clacked as teeth chattered from the movement as well, the snap causing a spark of lightning, arms spreading to better arc it and extend the range as one rose skywards. Hooves spread out as 76 took a stance to make the most out of this as he could. All to better chain together that lightning together, it taking on a red hue once it started hitting the ground.

Success was the cry of rabid wolves and the scent of burnt fur.

"Spookier the better," he agreed, despite not enjoying do so. He had learned that there were certain fights to pick and this wasn't going to be one of them. He wasn't looking to cause the kind of conflict that would risk them forming another bond beyond just tolerating each other.

His hands spread wider, letting the lightning arch in a controlled fashion between his fingers, and the air around him seemed to feel heightened with energy as he mentally allowed his power to swell and also use how well 76's Essence thrived in sync with his own.

Since it was his magic at work, he lead with it, arching out the lightning as the periphery wolves made their move. It slammed into the first and arched to the next and a circle of electrical energy moved with that developed off of Raw Head as well, as he pushed his power through the familiar Essence, making his own stronger.

The wolves didn't stand a chance when they worked together. A few managed to retreat before they were completely electrocuted but a few were not fortunate and died with a howl of agony.

Went deeper than that, he knew but would never admit to it anymore, let alone the fact he had a soft spot for things like that himself. Leaned more towards history and old war plans, strategy. So much went deeper on both sides, but it was easier to go shallow and use it as a barb than anything friendly it had once been; that was gone.

Magic clung to him, eyes in those skull sockets glowing brightly from the energy swell as those old bones soaked it in. Allowed it to become a part off him, even with how temporary it was going to be, wear off in a few hours. Could use Reaper's skill with it as his own, and he did, almost like some old and natural dance as he moved to extend the reach of the lightning.

It was only once 76 couldn't see or hear anymore of the wolves -let alone anything else- that arms lowered. The crackle of electricity still clinging as his head lifted, long arms hanging by his sides with a huff, a bit of static crackling with the air.

Teeth clattered as jaws snapped, "That little show should give us a clear path." Get to the castle without any further trouble, and finally get on with what they were supposed to act out.

A long time ago, he would have no issue leaning into the fact that he and 76 worked well together, that they seemed to find a level unto themselves. They styles had never been the same, but they worked in tandem and both of them covered their weaknesses and promoting their strengths.

He used them both as conduits to the magic, but he let 76 use his own skill to direct things. Once the smell of burnt fur and flesh reached a sickening pitch, he turned off the tap of his power and let it drain away. Despite the darkness descending again, his eyes had already adjusted back to allowing him to survey their handiwork.

The air was still electrified, but that was dissipating. "Let's go before what's left of the pack thinks about making a return attempt," he growled and immediately turned to march down the path. He stepped over at least one burnt corpse on his way to close the distance between them and the castle.

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