~Fancy lyrics~ | Scene One and Subquests

[slovenlyserenade]

Characters: Aya | The Bear & Capell | Tamino
Campaign: Hollow Christmas Carol; Act 2; Scene 1
Format: Either!
Open
Summary: Delivering presents to poor people. In his underwear. Is A Thing. Sorry you all have to see this. Children, avert thine eyes. Main campaign and subquests are all open for tagging!



Act II; Scene I:

[Aya had decided to look up what she could when she'd learned they were going to be doing this. In fact, she'd been pretty excited about it, if a little nervous. After all, this was important. This was serious. This was to help the worlds, including the one which she came from! But when her journal had flashed red, she really didn't know if she was ready for it.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?), she didn't have much of a choice. When she'd appeared outside of town, all of a sudden with her sleigh and horse though, her research paid off - she was the horseman. What was this place's thing for associating her with animals? And, what the heck was she wearing? A box? She's a little consumed with that before noticing who's standing next to her.]

Capell?

[It figures. But, she smiles.]

Come on, we have to get you to the party!

[And she latches onto his arm in order to drag him onto the sleigh.]


[(( ooc: Feel free to run into them as they make their way through town! Encourage Capell to strip for the blots, or enjoy the show with Aya - she has popcorn. ))]



2. Delivering Presents (( ooc: replies from Aya ))

[ There was one thing that Aya noticed as they'd traveled to the party - there were a lot of less fortunate blots outside who weren't invited, who had very little. It pulled on her heartstrings no small amount, and honestly - it made her think of home. Of what she would do if her own people were in the same situation. It's because of them that she's here, after all, so...

No one will miss a few, right? It seems like half of the gifts under the tree don't even have names on them... So Aya gathered up a few, and is on her way outside to hand deliver them to some needier families. A regular Aya Claus. Well, if she knew who Santa was, anyway.

Someone's likely to find her kneeling near a young blot who is wielding a fork, a strained smile on her face as she offers up one of the gifts. ]

It's okay, it's for you.



3. Protect the Tree (( ooc: replies from either Capell or Aya ))

[Things had been going good so far- the tree stands tall, full, and beautifully decorated. Neither Capell or Aya have ever seen anything like it. There's strands upon strands of twinkling lights, and what seems like hundreds of glass ornaments- some gilded in jewels, or expertly crafted with different coloured trim. It is truly a sight to behold.

That is, until a hoard of children rush in, starting with manhandling the gifts beneath it. Not so much an issue, until they begin plucking the ornaments off one by one and tossing them around, or at each other.

Which Capell attempts to stop with a verbal warning, attempting to grab the thrown ornaments as they pass him by.]

Hey, stop! You can't throw those!

[Followed by a more exasperated plea from Aya somewhere behind him:]

Please don't put that in your mouth!

[Looks like they could use a hand, or few.]



4. Dance and Sing Christmas Carols (( replies from Capell ))

[If there is one thing that Capell is familiar with in all of this, it's playing music. You can find him either flipping through the sheet music, deciding on what to play, or playing the usual holiday tunes that he got from the music sheets. Either way, it's clear he is quite talented with the flute- why not join him?]

Comments

Scene I;

[slovenlyserenade]

[It wasn't long before he finished reading his journal that he's transported to some other place. The Draft. This is the reason they've been selected by the Storyteller, why they have been brought here. To repair stories. It doesn't matter how they go about 'repairing' it, so long as the story is complete. Apparently it requires no acting, or using different names, which is good because he's already forgotten some of those details.

Hearing a familiar voice, he turns to his side, though he already knows who it is. Still, surprising all the same. And unexpected.]

Huh? Aya?? Y-You're the Horseman? [then he notices her clothing] ... What are you wearing?

[sparrowrain]

[ Of course he'd focus on that. The clothes don't matter. The look she gives him is... really? He knows the one. ]

Are you actually asking me that? We have a job to do.

[slovenlyserenade]

I know! But that looks a bit... um... difficult to move in.

[That's all. Why a giant present? Although that does give him some other ideas. Ones that he dare not speak because something tells him Aya is solely focused on getting this scene started. Are they being timed though?]

[sparrowrain]

Maybe, but I don't have much of a choice.

[ She's not even thinking about trying to take it off, unlike some people. :| ]

Besides, I have a horse and sleigh.

[ And what a sleigh it is... ]

[slovenlyserenade]

[At least the horse looks like a horse. He half-expected to see Gustav.]

And I'm supposed to get on that thing?

[Indicating the sleigh-- it looks a little unstable. But he's walking over to it, inspecting it anyway. Man, if this thing hits any bumps he's going to go flying off it.]

[sparrowrain]

[ She would rather ride Gustav, honestly. ]

It will be fine.

[ She stresses the word because she's trying to instill some of her own confidence in Capell here. ]

So are you just going to stand there?

[slovenlyserenade]

I'm going, I'm going...

[He carefully settles atop the sleigh, then takes a moment to look around for how he should... hold on. Hmm. Guess these rails on the side will do? So he brings his knees up to his chest, and grabs the rails at either side. Okay, seems like everything is good to go.]

Okay, ready.

[Although he's not sure he's so ready for what's to come next.]

[sparrowrain]

Great. Here we go.

[ She says as she awkwardly gets up on her horse. Wearing a box is kind of a pain. But she manages, taking hold of the reins and giving them a shake. With that, the horse starts to move - and not too fast, thankfully. ]

I think I'm supposed to teach you lessons about the benefits of kindness and charity, now.

[slovenlyserenade]

But I already know about those?

[And of course Aya knows... some of what he's been through. Born without a lunaglyph, given up by his real parents, orphaned by his foster ones, abused, homeless... Even before he took up a sword, he tried to do what he could to help others. So it's weird being stuck in the role of someone who is the exact opposite of him.

But is getting undressed the way he should go about giving charity? He... has his doubts.

The sleigh is a bit... wobbly, but so far it's not difficult keeping his balance.]

3!

[chippedsoul]

[The Disciple merely stepped in to grab something to drink when he could hear a commotion that was not joyous laughter and singing. One of the kids that managed to sneak away from Aya and Capell was heading in his direction, holding a present he had snatched from under the tree. In one quick motion, he grabs a hold of the kid by the waist, lifting him off the ground. The kid yelped in surprise, dropping the present.

"Hey! Let go of me!" He struggles and wiggles around, but the Disciple keeps a firm hold on the kid.] Not until you return what you stole. ["It's mine!" He has to duck his head a few times as the kid waves his arms around and shouting. He sighs, gently kicking the present while holding onto the kid, back towards the Christmas tree.]

[slovenlyserenade]

[The present goes sliding past Capell, stopping right under the tree. He looks up in the direction it came from, his arms full of fragile ornaments, and sees someone holding one of the children. Not someone he knows, but any help is appreciated.]

Thanks for the help! He must have snuck by while we were busy with the others-- [that kid is putting up quite a fight though] Uh, do you need a hand?

[Even if his are sort of... full at the moment.]

[chippedsoul]

I'll manage. [Saying as the kid pulls at his hair.] You seem to have your hands full anyway.

[slovenlyserenade]

[Kid keeps that up and that guy is going to be bald.

Then, as if he remembers that he's got an armful of ornaments:]

Oh! Guess I should put these down-- [like somewhere safe, or back on the tree? he turns towards the tree and spots two of the children attempting to climb it.] That's dangerous, you'll tip it over if you do that!

[Don't they have guardians? Babysitters? Parents? Some other parental figures?]

[chippedsoul]

[The babysitters are apparently them right now. He puts down the boy, turning his attention to the kids climbing the tree. The tree shakes dangerously, threatening to fall. A few of the ornaments fall off, shattering on the ground.]

Can you put those down somewhere and help get them off? [He could try to pull them away, but they might take the tree with them. So he's designating himself to hold up the tree.]

[slovenlyserenade]

Sorry!

[Quickly looking around, trying to determine a safe place to put everything, he finally settles on the ground some feet away from the scrambling children. That will have to do, as he hurriedly deposits the armful of ornaments as gently as he can onto the ground and rushes back to the tree.

He reaches up to grab the nearest child about the waist, and gently tugs on him to see if he will loosen his grip on the tree on his own.]

Come on, let go, this isn't safe for you or the tree--

["Let me go, idiot!!" the child cries, grasping onto the branches harder and forcing Capell to begin pulling on the child. This might be the most difficult set of children he's ever dealt with.]

You'll just end up smashing the presents if the tree falls. Then no one will get any.

[And surely this child would like a present? And for his friends to get some too? Getting presents has to be more fun than climbing a tree.]

[chippedsoul]

["Give us our presents now!" The Disciple could feel one them grabbing onto his leg now, trying to get him away from the tree.]

You can't have them now. ["Why not?!"] Because they'll curse you. Open them before Christmas, and you'll be swallowed whole, trapped in the box for eternity. [That might be going too far.]

[slovenlyserenade]

Wait, is that true?

[He asks, staring back at the man while keeping hold of the kid. Sure, that sounds... impossible, and silly, but he didn't expect half the things he saw pumpkins do before he got here, so it probably doesn't hurt to ask.]

[chippedsoul]

[He gives him look. Play along dammit.] We're both aware how dangerous a present can be.

[sparrowrain]

[ For her part, Aya picks up the present as it skids to a stop, so she can move it back into it's place under the elaborately decorated tree. The kids are still clamoring about but Aya tries to focus on the Disciple as some of the kids pull on her skirt, trying to get her attention. ]

It's you! Thanks - they're all a bit of a handful.

[ Speaking of which, one of them gives a sharp yank on her skirt, and her smile turns strained and she looks at the boy he's holding. ]

You should apologize for taking that.

[chippedsoul]

[The boy gives her an indignant "No!" now clinging onto the Disciple instead of trying to get away.]

Where are their parents? [Seriously. As one of the kid goes for another yank on Aya's skirt, he kneels down slightly to grab them by the wrist with his free hand. That's rude.]

[sparrowrain]

I don't know.

[ She smiles appreciatively at his attempt to stop the kids, but another one is quick to take the place of that hand. Aya tucks the gift under her arm and grabs that hand to hold it tight - the child makes a frustrated noise as they pull their hand in her grip. ]

I'm starting to wonder if they even have any. I wouldn't be surprised.

[chippedsoul]

[The Disciple sighs, hair getting tugged by the boy in his arms. They were all completely out of control and only the three of them to fend them off.]

If all of you keep this up, the headless horseman will come and take you away. [He decides to try a scare tactic. It worked in the classroom, maybe it'll work here.]

[sparrowrain]

Boo!

[ Aya adds it with an angry face, given her own role in the current story. Some of the children even jump at the threat and her follow up, the one in her grip breaking free and scurrying behind some of the other kids, keeping a wary eye on them.

She laughs lightly. ]

[chippedsoul]

Hmph. [That seem to have worked, for now. The kid in his arms has stopped pulling his hair and was asking to be put down.] Are you going to behave? [He furiously as he sets him down for him to join with the other kids. He lets out some air.]

What a handful.

[sparrowrain]

Well, kids will be kids, right? At least they're not as upset as the blots were outside.

[ Though Capell's clothes had tamed them somewhat, at least. ]

I appreciate the help, even so.