Chapter 07: Act II

[storyevents]

SUGAR PLUM BEAST: ACT II—

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Once all objectives have been completed, the environment around everyone changes as they are sent to sleep. As everything around them changes, they all share the same vision of how the story has transpired thus far.

The Mouse King and the Prince enter into a faerie contest to make the most beautiful miniature garden, continuing their long and storied rivalry. The Prince wins, which the Mouse King claims doesn't really count since the Prince is obviously privileged and everything comes easy to him.

Finally fed up with his rival, the Mouse King tracks down a spell to turn the Prince into a Beast. After casting the spell, the Mouse King flees the castle as the transformation takes hold of the building and everyone in it.

The Sugar Plum Fairy hears about the curse and flies over to the Beast to try and help the situation. The Beast is extremely cranky and belligerent during all of this, as to be expected, but the Sugar Plum Fairy gently helps him calm down. After discussing it, the Fairy realizes the best way to break this sort of curse would be a kiss from someone who loves the Beast in spite of his appearance (and crankiness, though the Beast does apologize for that).

Down in Amande, some time later, Drosselmeyer arrives home and settles in to tell his daughter Clarabelle a bedtime story. Clarabelle has to help her father get back on track at several points, but that's nothing unusual and it's still a bonding moment for the pair. Afterwards, Drosselmeyer gives Clarabelle a music box only to find out that it's not working. He takes it off for repairs.

Drosselmeyer heads out of Amande to either replace or repair Clarabelle's music box. After running from many odd and hostile animals, he finds an abandoned castle and takes shelter from the monsters. As he wanders around, he finds a rose shaped music box in much better condition than the one he has; when he reaches for it, the owner of this "abandoned" castle appears and demands satisfaction. Drosselmeyer agrees to become the Beast's prisoner after saying his goodbyes to Clarabelle.

Clarabelle is Not Happy with that decision and demands she go in her father's place. Drosselmeyer gives in and escorts Clarabelle to the castle. Along the way, wolves, weird thorny roadblocks, and very creepy dolls chase the two until they reach the castle, where Clarabelle bids her father farewell.

Clarabelle enters the castle and finds the Beast, who heard of her coming thanks to a crow. Upon hearing that she is good with cooking, cleaning, and repairing toys, he decides she's a fair trade and leads her off on a tour. First they stop by the dining room for dinner (a messy affair with feathers, tentacles, and soup); after dinner they find themselves in a room with an enchanted baby doll that seems to think they're its parents. Clarabelle eagerly starts to play at being a mother, but the Beast is a bit more reluctant though he does eventually at least try. It's a bit awkward, but the two do bond over their awkwardly raised child to some degree.

When the vision ends, everyone awakens to find themselves in a strange castle. Although a bit muted, it's a bit more vibrant in color and decoration compared to other castles in stories past. What's more, it's filled with toys and the sounds of machines in various rooms make it feel more like some kind of factory than a grand castle for royalty. Most rooms and areas are open for wandering, however there are at least a few areas that are strictly forbidden and warded off by magical barriers. Those who try to pass through will find themselves ensnared in a web of silly string. Beyond the castle walls lie dark and dangerous woods teeming with dangers such as Erasers, hostile wildlife, the Mouse King's minions, and rogue toys. Although it would do some good to clean it up, it's still a risk.

But beyond the change in scenery, a larger change has occurred to the Aspects. They have been "transformed" to look more like toys. Some of the changes are just superficial paint jobs, but others might find themselves more like a toy than they'd feel comfortable. They can even shrink down, mostly against their will.

With traitors afoot and the castle being as it is, staying in it may prove to be more like a game.

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§ 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 mentioned before, everyone has a toy form and the changes can be as superficial or as complete as the player wants. In addition, to make it easier for everyone, characters can have multiple forms and changes. They can start as one type of toy and then later find themselves as another. Players are free to have as much fun with this as they'd like.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped into their location and will have to head to the designated door 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.

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§ 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. Overgrown rose bushes. The roses bushes around the castle are getting a bit ornery, whipping out their thorns at anyone who tries to prune them. But they've started to overgrown the area, even climbing up the castle walls, and must be cut down before this story turns into another one. Just beware—the roses will spew out pollen that will make any who breathe it in behave...strangely. From beastly anger to docile servitude to cunning mischief to nagging at everyone—yes that's right, the pollen will make those affected behave similar to one of the characters or perhaps their Essence instead. It's not a complete personality or character change, but it's enough to make the behavior strange and will wear off after a short while.

¶ II. Mouse Trap. Threat of spies and sabotage have led to mouse traps set around the castle. Of course these aren't your ordinary spring traps with cheese—no, it is in fact the game. And the Mouse King's minions and turncoat toys have been disabling and triggering them. It's up to the Aspects to try and reset them while not getting caught in the traps themselves! To make things more difficult, the games are not always human size—shrinking down will be necessary to get through the more complicated and sometimes vital parts of the traps.

¶ III. Unexpected Traitors. Alternatively, maybe some of that rose pollen has affected the Aspects enough to make them believe they are part of the Mouse King's court. Dressed in mouse onesies to try and "blend in," they're out sabotaging everything around the castle, including the mouse traps. They might even try to go after the treasured music box, but fortunately the music box has literal plot armor and can't be taken. Unfortunately for those who try, they'll find themselves stuck in gooey webbing made of silly string.

¶ IV. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!

Comments

SCENE #3: MOUSE KING AND TRAITOR TOY - LENA SABREWING AND KAZUMA ASOUGI

[storyevents]

Meanwhile, out in the farthest outskirts of the Beast's territory, the Mouse King meets with one of the cursed toy servants who has become disgruntled and desperate to return to normal...but how desperate? The Mouse King (in disguise) will try to convince the toy to switch one of the Beast's mirrors with an enchanted one and in return he will remove the curse. Will the servant betray their master? Or rebel? And what will the Mouse King do if the servant does not follow?

[outofyourshadow]

[ Lena kind of hates everything.

As if being a toy wasn't bad enough - then again, with her Essence she was pretty much made for this, wasn't it? With a puppet as her Essence, it only made sense that she was now made of wood as well, and moving without strings just like her character's story.

It's not great, but whatever.

The worst part, though, was the part she had to play in this scene. A servant desperate to become human and maybe willing to betray its master?

Like she's never heard that one before.

At least she could pull off seeming to be annoyed, since she definitely is right now. Really, she just wants to get this over with. ]

[chippedsoul]

[Tempting another into doing diabolical things? Hyde is no stranger to that. What he could do without is being a fluffy plush charm. It's really ruining his style. Though he has to quietly admit, it's a rather unassuming looking disguise. Now who was suppose to be convincing here?

Ah, that disgruntle looking wooden puppet seems to be his target.] Feeling frustrated with the situation, are you?

[outofyourshadow]

[ A bit surprised, Lena glances towards the voice, and...oh. Okay.

She knew they were all turned into some kind of toy, but, uh...well, she supposes the Mouse King would be more convincing if he looked soft and cuddly. ]

You have no idea.

[ At least she doesn't have to pretend to be annoyed. ]

[chippedsoul]

I just might. We are all under the same curse afterall. [He glances in the direction of where the Beast's castle would be, sighing.]

I'm starting to wonder if it'll ever be broken, with the Master taking his slow ass time.

[outofyourshadow]

Ugh, I know. It feels like we're going to be stuck like this forever. And how is it fair that we were all punished for something he did?

[ Lena doesn't like how easily the words come to her, even if she is playing a part. ]

[chippedsoul]

My thoughts exactly. [He crosses his arms, looking disgruntle by all this.]

Maybe we should help speed things along. Take things into our own hands- [...] Paws? Feathers?

[outofyourshadow]

...what do you mean?

[ She knew what he meant. But it was part of the story. ]

[chippedsoul]

[Were he not a cute plush cat, the growing smile on his face would probably look more unsettling.]

You didn't hear this from anyone, but I know someone who can help us out. They've been looking into this and figure out a possible way to undo the curse without waiting for the Master and the girl to kiss up. They just need a little help with something.

[outofyourshadow]

[ Lena frowns, the role's doubt easily mixing with her own. ] What kind of help?

[chippedsoul]

It's nothing too crazy like killing someone, I assure you. [Which is a shame to Hyde.] Let's see...what was it again? [He's patting himself down, managing to locate what appears to be a mirror?]

Think you can go in and switch out one of the mirrors with this one? The Master has a bunch hanging around that they probably wouldn't even notice the switch.

[outofyourshadow]

[ Her frown and suspicion deepens, even as she reaches up to take the mirror. ]

What...What's this supposed to do?

[chippedsoul]

Spy on people, steal a bit of magic around the castle? Not too sure really, but it's the key to return us to normal. Can't save everyone just yet, but it's a small step towards reversing this curse.

[outofyourshadow]

[ Holding the mirror for a moment, Lena then frowned, even more suspicious. ]

More magic? That's kinda what got us in this mess in the first place. How is this really supposed to help?

[chippedsoul]

[The mirror itself at least doesn't give off anything suspicious. It really just seem like a normal mirror.]

Well how else do you think we're going to resolve this? A magic problem calls for a magic solution! Or are you just content sitting around and waiting for something to happen? [He leans closer to her] Sometimes, you just got to take things into your own hands.

[outofyourshadow]

[ She winces a little, taking a step back to put a bit more distance between them. ] I don't know...what if more people get hurt?

[chippedsoul]

As if people aren't now? Trapped here to slave away. What if the Master doesn't break the curse in time, what then?

[His plush tail swishes about.] But I understand your concerns, I had to be sure myself before considering this little mirror trick. No magic so big that it will seriously hurt anyone. It's just a little test.

[outofyourshadow]

[ Still studying the mirror a moment, Lena is still wary. ] But where did it even come from? Who even knows about what happened that would wanna help us?

[chippedsoul]

Ugh, you worry way too much. [He's getting all fidgety, itching to break the act and scratch this wooden duck.] Has it done anything strange to you this whole time?

[outofyourshadow]

[ She's noticing the change in behavior, and she scowls a bit. ]

Maybe not...but maybe it's not me that it's after.

[chippedsoul]

No, but I will. [There's, an awful lot of mouse squeaking noises all of the sudden and getting louder.]

What a shame. That mirror really was going to help you, but now I'm going to have to turn you into my puppet instead. [There were mice appearing in the darkness, even the shadow of the cat plush seem larger than before.] First, I'll tear you to pieces and then string you up like a good wooden puppet~

[outofyourshadow]

[ Lena gasped as she looked around, seeing the mice closing in from the darkness. Turning back to the figure in front of her, she then looked at the mirror in her hand.

Then, panicked and not knowing what else to do, she threw it to the ground, breaking it into pieces. ]

[chippedsoul]

What-! [Well, that was not what he had expected to happened. He's taken by surprise, mostly because he hadn't thought what would happen if the mirror was smashed. All the shatter pieces suddenly go dark in the reflection. A shadowy wisp starts to bleed out from them, taking form.

Some were just nonsensical beast, erasers perhaps. Others...one took on a child appearance of Kazuma, holding a wooden sword. Another more recent shadow of himself, wearing a red headband that blew in a mysterious breeze. A third of a cloaked masked figure] What is this?

[To hell with scripts. What was this mirror doing?]

[outofyourshadow]

[ Lena tenses a little herself as the shadows begin to take shape. Among the general Erasers, one takes a a Magical form, while another grows into an older figure. ]

Wh-What's happening?

[chippedsoul]

[Well now, who's that interesting looking older duck?] Tch! [He proceeds to kick at the one who had taken on his child self. He pressed further if he wasn't dealing with these other reflections of himself.]

Well they go down easily enough. [The child rolled over limped, eventually fading back to shadow. His headband self and cloaked figures both draw katanas. The remaining erasers circling them.]