realmofstories | Chapter 01: Act III - The Horseman of Christmas Future

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Chapter 01: Act III - The Horseman of Christmas Future

A Hollow Christmas Carol: Act III—

The party goes off with almost nary a hitch. Everyone plays their part, their actions developing the story in strange and interesting ways. Poor families are given gifts and tributes, bringing in some hope and life into the town. The party itself is filled with festive cheer—and a bit of mischief, but it remains under control. And thanks to a few brave souls, the mansion is also protected from attempted attacks from the Erasers, several fended off without anyone noticing inside. Compared to the muted, subdued beginning, everything and everyone is brighter and the entire town feels more alive.

Then, after the final scene comes to an explosive close, once more mist and fog from the forests roll over the entire town, casting a spell over everyone so that they fall asleep right where they are. Again they are left completely unaware as the the environment shifts and shuffles, letters and ink swirling as more constructs are formed. And just like before, the Aspects will have a dream depicting a little more of the story they've helped create.

In a sleigh pulled by a strong, heavy horse, the Horseman of Christmas Present pulls Ebegeeser through the town of Lowry. The Horseman tries to instill into Ebegeeser the lesson of generosity, and as they pass through the streets and come across poor families, the man is slowly moved to pity. He offers money, but it's the clothes off his own back that bring true joy and comfort to the people. Seeing this, Ebegeeser's heart begins to change and he vows to try and find a way to help them further.

After arriving at the party, Ebegeeser lives through the possible "what if" of the day. He shares a dance with Beltrina, awkward though it is. One might think she could be charmed, but Bromfred's love for the woman may be genuine. Despite the harrowing and terrifying tale of the Headless Horseman he shares, he treats Beltrina with care and charm before sharing a dance with her.

Seeing this, Ebegeeser is once again driven to consider his plans, even debating if he should actually kill Bromfred. But the Horseman of Christmas Present intervenes and manages to talk him out of executing such a nefarious plot. Thus already resigned to his fate, Ebegeeser asks Beltrina to meet him in private, a room on the second floor.

Although he already knows the answer, he makes one last attempt and proposes to Beltrina. She rejects him, but Ebegeeser takes it in stride. She then asks if he could help loosen her bodice as it had grown too tight for her. However, given his apparent inexperience, Ebegeeser accidentally tightens the garment instead, constricting the poor young woman's chest even further to the point that she struggles against him. In his attempt to help her, they both stumble instead, tripping over the carpet and she staggers toward the window...

.......And that is where the vision ends, the Horseman of Christmas Future bearing down, dragging in darkness and the stench of death. This is where our story continues...

When the dream fades, the fog disappears and everyone awakens scattered around a church and its cemetery. It's dark, the moon just a small sliver in the starless, night sky, and the fog covers the ground. There are some sounds—various insects and the occasional hoot of an owl. But a more sinister sound can sometimes be heard deep within the dark forests: hooves thundering over earth and gravel, the shrill neigh, and a hoarse, raucous laugh.

All Aspects have been assigned to their new roles, and their journals softly glow with their assignments. Everyone set to work with one another will find themselves near each other or in their set location. Aspects will also learn of a particular task regarding the collection of certain items that would help create the Segment road to connect this Story to the Index. There are also no enemies here except for one—the real Headless Horseman, which will look eerily like the one described in the story told during the party. Everyone should be wary for it it seeks not just Ebegeeser's head, but everyone's.

They are nearing the end—but what kind of end will it be?

§ instructions.
With fairly unanimous support, this will be the designated log for this Act. All Main Scenes and Sub Quests have their own top level created for those involved to respond under, but players are also free to post outside of the designated top levels to create your own for any additional prompts you'd like to take on. Each Main Scene top level has the scene prompts and casting, and assignments for the sub quests are listed below. If you haven't signed up for a sub quest yet, you can still do so!

As a reminder, characters will have the necessary information within their journals. Those who are selected to play a scene will find their journal flashing red, so hard to miss. The information they have is roughly the same as what is written OOCly.

If you have any questions, post them to the Game Notes.

§ sub quests.

Everyone is free to participate in the sub quests, including those of the main cast. You can also participate in both. Characters can help each other with their assignments, even if they do not have one or already finished theirs. If you have any questions, post them here.

Segment Scavenger Hunt. Characters are tasked in finding particular relics that will help forge the Segment path between the soon to be finished Story and the Index. These relics are scattered around the setting area and will be objects symbolic to the story. The list itself can be found in the journals with clues as to where to find the items and anyone is technically allowed to find any of them, but for our purpose we're using assignments to make it more organized. Upon finding and collecting the relics, the relic will glow a soft white before disappearing into a sparkle of white light and ink. Here are the assigned relics and their locations:

9S: The first is a large red apple. Located in a nearby apple orchard, most of the apples there are either green or rotten. But there is one large apple hanging near the top of one of the trees. Beware the hungry crow "guarding" it. His second is a small pumpkin. Somewhere within the graveyard is an open grave. Inside is a pumpkin along with a knife. Carve a face onto it.
Shizuo: Must reach the large church bell and ring it three times. It's found at the top of the church bell tower, but caution: the way up is rotten and rickety, and there is no rope to pull the bell. He'll have to find another way to ring the massive bell.
Alfyn: Must retrieve an old teacher's handbook. It's buried in the old headmaster's grave located in the center of the cemetery beneath a large oak tree. The skeletal remains are harmless, but its holding onto that book pretty tightly.

Players can still sign-up to find a Segment relic! Just comment here.

Hunting the Headless Horseman. Characters will need to fight the Headless Horseman and will have multiple chances to do so, like a repeating mini boss battle. Each time the Headless Horseman suffers a deep wound, it will disappear, only to reappear again later somewhere else. Although the characters own powers and weapons will be sufficient, there are additional items to help. Pumpkin bombs for explosive splash damage; pitchfork spears for the extra jabs; ornamental stars for piercing projectile attacks; and the handheld choir bells which when rung will have a charm and stun effect on the Horseman (good for distractions) and provide some healing and support buffs for the fighters.

Although the horse itself will be dangerous, the Horseman will also be armed with a fiery whip chain sword, capable of slashing and slinging it out to try and grab others. The order in which each particular part is hit is based off sign-up/assignment order ~~because lazy~~, and when struck the part will alight in flames and turn black before the Horseman disappears. When it reappears it will be unable to use that part. Although characters are assigned certain parts, they can still fight it multiple times to help others. Simultaneous hits are also allowed.

Here are the assignments:

Rokurou: Left Flank. A large enough slash will result in the left rear leg of the horse to become broken and limp, hindering and slowing its movements.
9S: Horse's eyes. The entire head is also viable, but damaging the eyes in particular will at least result in the horse losing more of its balance and erratic movements due to blindness.
Finn: Horseman's arm. Either arm, although its right arm is dominant. Damaging the arm will force the Horseman to only fight with one arm and potentially lose balance.
Asougi: Horseman's leg (either one). Damaging the leg will cause the Horseman to fall and unable to ride the horse.

As a reminder, the Horseman will disappear soon after receiving critical damage. Although a lot of progress is being done in the fight, there's still plenty of damage that can be dealt and there is no "final" piece to allow any late sign-ups or if anyone wants to do more. Just sign up here.

[Mod note: Refer to the accompanying Game Notes for more information. If you wish to switch out of your current role, let us know!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey- [Welp, too late for him to realize he never explained how to stop. As he comes over to make sure she was all right, he's taken aback by her excitement and laughter.] I-I did. Are you all right? [He looks her over for any bruises.]

Mm, yes! That was fun. [ The bike-riding part, not the crashing part. But indeed she is perfectly fine, although she's rather surprised that he seems concerned after her at all. Considering, well, they don't really get along all that well. ] I think I did rather well for my first try!

[ But the surprise fades and Ophilia stands, readjusting the bike so the front wheel points away from the tree. ]

Does this count as my head start?

[He sighs quietly.] Good enough. Pedal in reverse the next time you want to stop or slow down. [What a nice compliment. He backs away, intending to head for his mighty "steed".] I would give yourself more of a head start.

[ He's considerate enough to give her a head start! And teach her the basics of bike riding! What a good person, the Disciple is.

She tilts her head back as she looks after him as he walks towards his bike. ] Very well. But be prepared! I will be giving this race my all. [ It would probably be more intimidating if she wasn't riding a sparkly and flowery bike with training wheels.

But off she goes~~ LET THE RACE COMMENCE. ]

Hm. [Do you hear that? The eerie sound of an out of tune bell echoing? The horseman has begun his pursuit on his flaming steed. It won't take him long to lessen the distance between them. While he's sure Ophilia will give her all, he's confident he'll catch her eventually. Maybe too confident.]

[ It would have been a relatively easy, straightforward race had Ophilia only continued on her way through the woods on her obnoxiously garish bike. But it’s not going to be that because young Ophilia has had a little too much wine and there’s another part of her personality that’s beginning to mix in with hers, making her a little more bold, daring, and terribly aversive to keeping things simple.

So just when she’s far ahead of him, she’ll completely abandon her bike in the middle to the path next to a pile of fallen leaves and snow, stepping out to the side. She makes for one of the thicker trees carefully, rearranging some of the fallen branches to cover her tracks before hiding behind one of the trunks. It’s only a matter now to set her trap and wait for him. What will he do, she wonders. Will he continue on his way and ignore the abandoned bike in the middle of the woods, or will he continue on his way without a second thought as to where she disappeared?

Whatever the case may be, as soon as he either crosses over the pile of leaves and snow beside her bike or actually stops to inspect it, he’ll suddenly be surrounded by a flock of nightingales. They’re skittish and beautiful, bursting with all the new energy now that they have been transformed from the leaves that they once where. The birds will harmlessly swarm him before flying off into the sky, never to be seen again, a few long feathers haphazardly left upon the ground as they only proof they had once been there at all. It’s a classic prank courtesy of her Essence’s unusual magic to transfigure one object into something else. And she will be delightfully laughing because of it, whether or not he too thinks it’s funny, breaking out of her hiding spot. ]

[On his approach to the abandoned bicycle, he chooses to stop. The bike actually screeches eerily as he comes to a halt. He didn't press on the brakes that hard, did he? He huffs, moving towards Ophilia's bike and looking puzzled. Did she fall off again somehow? It doesn't look like the case this time. So what's going on?

He glances at the pile of fallen leaves beside the bike. Is she seriously...? He sighs.] You know I'm suppose to catch you, right- [There's suddenly a loud whooshing noise as the leaves abruptly rise into the area and turn into birds, swirling around him.] What?! [He instinctively reaches for his sword, swinging at the "threat". The birds that make contact with his sword, burst with ink as they fall lifelessly onto the ground. What the hell was this, more blot enemies?

That's when he hears the laughter.] . . . [It was coming from her, wasn't it?]

Edited 2018-12-21 01:10 (UTC)

[ She leans, peeking out from behind the tree trunk. Oh, his face! It's perfect, he looks so confused. In the "wtf is going on" deadeyes sense, sure, but it still counts! ]

Did I spook you?

[ Ophilia simply laughs again, waving at him from behind the tree, eyes all bright and eager. ] Well, did I?

[It is a challenge to get the Disciple to express emotions, but Ophilia has managed to do so. With anger.] Is this a game to you?

[ She just continues smiling. He's angry? Psssh, lighten up, dude. It's just a prank, brah. ]

Did you not see the leaves turn into nightingales, Sir Disciple? [ She manages to say between giggles, as if saying "duh", it's a game. ]

Stop wasting time. Do you want me to catch you? [He swings his blade, wiping the remaining bit of ink off with his coat before sheathing it. In another time and place, he probably would have found her trick impressive, but right now, he want nothing of it. The startling surprise left him unnerved instead. He moves back to his bike without another word.]

If you can catch me.

[ She corrects, smiling and walking over to her bike. ]

Besides, what would even happen if you do?

At this rate, I will. [He lifts the ball that was sitting in the basket.] I'm supposed to knock you over with this if I do. After that, hell if I know.

Ah, yes; right, right....

[ Focusing, focusing. She kicks one of her legs over her bike again, ringing the bell. ] But you won't really knock me over, will you? You have a tad bit of seriousness to you, but you are not cruel enough to knock someone over during a race! [ Ringing the bell on her bike, she peddles her way over to him, stopping just a few feet away.

Ophilia leans over the handles lazily, stretching her arms. ] So why not simply leaving it behind in the dirt?

[He clenches his fist. That ringing is so infuriating.] . . .No, I don't. [He sets the ball back in the basket instead of leaving it behind as suggested.] We still have to finish this course.

[ The look she gives him is completely confident as she balances upon the bike.

ring ring ]

Ah. Then are you going easy on me, Sir Disciple?

Stop ringing that bell! [As he gets on his bike, he squeezes the handle, maybe a little too hard cause there's a dent in it now.] If running you over will end this sooner, then I'll gladly oblige. [The words came out before he realizes what he was saying.]

Ooh, scary.

[ She is being

a little shit

because wine is great, how come she's never liked wine like this before? In fact, she should just turn around and get more wine. Or fried tofu (which is saying something, because Ophilia is not even sure what tofu is). That, and there's just this inexplicable urge to goad him into making this more of a competition, whether or not that competition is sorely imbalanced.

Ring ring, goes the bell, intending to cut off his words before he even finishes talking. ] Then? Headless Horseman, catch me if you can.

[ And the half-fox spirit is zipping off~! Yep, on her bike with training wheels. ~~sob~~ ]

[He grits his teeth, feet on the pedals and ready to burn rubber. Nothing actually gets burned though other than his bicycle flaring up once he's moving again.

I'm going to rip that smile off her face.

No one makes a fool of him and gets away with it. No one. Ophilia better be zipping, cause the Disciple isn't playing anymore and blasting off at full speed, easily capable of outpacing her if he catches up.]

[ Ophilia has never once thought she would be able to win against someone like him, because the cards are always, always stacked in someone else’s favor. But does that mean she won’t have a good time during a game? Of course not!

So she will try her damndest, pedaling hard to put more distance between them. It’s not enough and of course he overtakes her, but she’s not going to let him pass her by without some (what she perceives to be) competitive banter to tease him, oblivious to what he may be thinking. ]

Oh, no, the horseman has overtaken me! [ She laughs, mock-theatrically. ] And he so very terrifying! Someone save me!

[ He can bet his ass she’s going to be playing out a song with that bell of hers. It rings so nicely... a shame she didn’t have it sooner, she would have played it along with some of the carols. ]

Stop laughing! [Remember when he said he had no plans of throwing his "head"? He's going to throw that head now. He's aiming to destroy that bell, but the ball could end up hitting something else. The force behind the throw is strong enough to knock down her bike and cause some serious damage if not avoided.]

[ Well it was fun while it lasted?

It hits both the bell and the front of her bike, destroying the handlebars. But if that isn’t enough to stop her, then the force behind the hit is, toppling the bike over with her in it.

Ouch

....But she's more or less okay. The bike is more damaged that she is as she props herself up from the ground, covered in mud and dirt. Well there goes her expectation that he wouldn't do anything like that! She cringes, pulling her leg out from underneath the bike. ] S-such a temper you have...

[ The bell won't ring anymore, anyways. ]

[Has it really stopped? It feels like it's still ringing in his head. He gets off his bike, a hand gripping the side of his head as he makes his way towards her.] Whose fault is that, hm? [He takes a deep breath, rolling his head back for a moment before focusing back on Ophilia.]

So tell me, do you know how the Headless Horseman story ends for Mr. Ebegeeser? [He grins, his eyes shone yellow in the darkness.] Or would you like me to demonstrate for you?

[ She blinks slowly at him, and there's something witty and equally obnoxious she's just about to say at the tip of her tongue in response courtesy her essence, but the flash of yellow in his eyes gets her to stop.

Between being knocked over and how there's still a good part of her that just wants to continue playing around like a newborn foxcub, it takes Ophilia a moment or two to understand just what sort of situation she's landed (or rather fallen) into.

And when it finally clicks: ]

[ Oh shit??

Cautiously, she rises to her feet. ]

....Don't.

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