realmofstories | 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

His flitting in that cage of hands increased at the sheer notion of staying in this castle away from his daughter, away from his shop and tools and livelihood. A part of him thought that if he had the old powers, nothing would ever cage him for long, not even perfectly sealed containers. He'd find a way.

In this big clawed hands, he was just a little bird and at any moment those hands could close and crush him to death. "But what use would you have of me? Surely you aren't so lonely as to need a prisoner to speak to over a simple admiration of your music box. Surely there must be something else that would satisfy you?"

Vanishing without a trace wouldn't be so bad if he lived a different life. In this one, he had responsibilities.

Knew how it was supposed to end, they just had to get there.

There was a bit of static-laced air blown purposefully over the little hummingbird caged by his hands, all to make those feathers fluffy up and purr a bit from the small amount of static. A clack of teeth, "I could find some use for you, little bird. The least that you owe after not only breaking in to my castle, but touching something that doesn't belong to you," and so easily could have taken it implied in that growled tone.

Moonlight shone through a window being passed, catching the skull and fur with just how pale of a color he was despite the now ripped princely clothing. Little details to catch the eye as he held his hands up enough as if purposefully; never loosening that cage.

"I can grant you a trip back to your home, to say goodbye to your daughter," but not to stay. "If you do not come back? There would be more than hell to pay."

They had to play the roles assigned to them, and they would get to where they needed to in order to end the scene. Then it would be the hand off and others could take over. Right now, they were in full swing of their roles and playing into them.

Feathers fluttered and the little bird shivered and flitted about in the cage that he remained in. He moved back even if the threat of teeth was just sound and no more action. After all, if the cage opened enough, he could dart out and find a place to hide or maybe even slip out a window.

"There are just legends about this castle; I thought it was unoccupied," he tried to explain, spilling out excuses as he raced to think of a way out of this situation. Clearly, he had made a mistake touching the music box. "What use could you have for a toy maker?"

He made a whistling noise of distress and while Reaper had no care for the girl, he had a kid of his own and knew that parting was difficult. "Are you keeping me here as punishment or because you are so deeply lonely?"

Approached another window then, those pupil-like blue lights sparking back to life in otherwise empty sockets, looking out over the castle grounds towards the forest. Couldn't quite tell if it would be the same exact path taken to get here, but it would work. Well enough, anyway.

"All the more reason you'd steal from it," excuses wouldn't work, couldn't work. "A crime committed, taking something from a castle that looked uninhabited. You're making it all the more likely you were going to take the music box." Pushed onwards then, towards the door he could spot through an empty doorway.

Better to make good on this 'deal' he was trying to make to have some release point.

"You'll find out, one way or another. Have you reached a decision?" Stay, or take tat brief chance to leave for at least a farewell.

He had no choice but to go wherever the Beast took him, and soon enough the sun would be rising to start a new day, which limited his ability to change back from this tiny bird. They were getting closer to the entrance of the castle and the moonlight was bright over the ominous forest. It would be quite the trip back, assuming that would happen.

"I'm not a thief," he replied, daring to be affronted. "Why are you all alone in this place anyway? Why do you have a music box that you would kidnap someone over when you leave it just laying around?" For a moment, he took the offense, even if it would be limited what with his current situation.

He tittered where he was trapped, moving to peer out of the 'cage' at the forest beyond. "I must say good-bye if you're going to insist on my company."

"One would assume their possessions safe in their own home- and only a thief would wander in as you did," pointedly, "You didn't even check to see if anyone was here. Trespasser and thief." All reasons that some would deal out far worse punishments for, this was going light considering what he could be doing given his appearance.

He shouldered the door open then, taking a few steps out past the threshold, silent for a moment as he took in the surroundings. Walls enveloped by some overgrown rose garden that was surprisingly not more thorns than blooms.

A hand lifted away, leaving the hummingbird there so sit on the palm of that large and furry hand, a last static-laced snort blown over him. "Go. You have a day until you are expected to return," or else heavily implied by that tone.

"Say your goodbyes."

"I was exploring..." he replied. "I didn't hear, nor see any signs that anyone lived here." He had gone in without making a full sweep, but who would in a castle of this size? The town always said the royalty of the castle was long gone and the place was cursed, and he had assumed such things true. It wasn't as if he came here intent on riches!

The fresh air made him shiver, especially as the cage was opened. He was left sitting as a tiny bird on that palm and looked out at the path towards the forest and beyond. He fluttered his wings but didn't immediately take off. He hopped at the brush of electricity, ruffling his feathers.

"Very well... I will bring some of my tools as well. Perhaps something of what I make could please you," he said. He hopped to the edge of those fingers, buzzed little wings and then took off, speeding towards 'escape'. Within a few meters he went from a tiny hummingbird to a great horned owl to have greater wing span and endurance.

"I tire of your excuses, little bird," he'd hear no more of them, decision made. That was that, "Maybe you'll leave with a lesson well learned if you ever step foot outside o this place when you return."

Ominous and dramatic? Yeah, may as well lean in to it a little, huffing out a bit of air as his head tilted, hand falling-

"I expect you, unless you decide a replacement as equal a punishment from what you've done." There, that should at least work in the daughter having a thought of coming instead of the father himself. He'd remain there at least until he figured Reaper was far enough away.

He went back inside of the castle and closed the door, and soon enough one enough time had passed to at least feel the scene was over? 76 would take the back exit to head back towards where he could get out of here and head back to town.

Chapter 07: Act I

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