Chapter 01: Act III - The Horseman of Christmas Future

[keeperoftales]

A Hollow Christmas Carol: Act III—

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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?

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§ 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.

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§ 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.

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

Comments

[apothecarry]

[Alfyn watches him go, humming once in sympathy. After that, all of his attention is back on Ophilia; he pats her shoulder again and tries not to let his worry leak out.]

'Course you're scared. I would be too, if I hurt this bad. It's gonna be okay, though, hear?

[From this angle he can see the bruises around her neck as well; for now, he looks without touching, frowning just a little.]

I've got something you can drink for the pain, but I don't want to try sitting you up just yet. Do you think, if you try real hard, you can use one of your healing spells? It'll be the best thing for gettin' you more stable, and you can rest after.

[He wants to believe Ophilia has it in her but she's been out of breath and in pain for some time.]

[starseeing]

[ Even though her eyes have shut once more, she nods in acknowledgement of his words... and concentrates. Concentrates beyond each stab that comes with a breath, the strange sensation of being able to inhale but not retaining enough, not taking enough air in, the terrible feeling as if her throat is dislocating to the side with each breath. But with his reassurance, his calmness, he manages to reassure her, to guide her through what must be done to help herself.

It's asking a lot for her to concentrate in this moment, but she does what she can. In a moment of fear and panic she would not be able to retain as much focus to heal her wounds as the damage is being dealt, but now without someone assailing her, she can. And does. Slowly, surely, the magic she summons from her core begins to emerge in a pale, soft light, originating from her fingertips that still hold his hand tightly. He'll have to guide it to the part of her chest that's injured, but when he does--

The contact itself will ease the pain almost immediately. The bones will begin to stabilize; the limits of the wound bed will lock into a decent enough place, as it is the most she can do in this moment, but it will be enough to stabilize it, to ease the stress of breathing-- and most importantly-- to buy time. The bruise will remain, of course, as a swollen remnant of what has transpired, but the injury itself is no longer as dire as it would have been. It's a brief, fleeting burst of healing magic, and it cuts out quickly from exhaustion. She would have been able to do much more in Osterra with her own abilities as she's only beginning to learn how to utilize her essence's...

Her hand falls limp in his, but she's more at ease than before. Still strained, but... less scared, perhaps. Less critical. ] Th--...[ Her throat still hurts, however, and she looks up at him through weary eyes, whispering, ] Thank you. [ ...She wants to cover her eyes to hide her tears that are welling up, but she finds that moving hurts too much to do even that. ]

[apothecarry]

[Hold her hand there he does, whispering gentle encouragement until the spell fades away. That was nowhere near what he's used to her doing in Orsterra, but she has new abilities to learn just like he does. That she can do it at all might have saved her life, and definitely saved her a lot of pain.]

Heh, I hardly did anythin' at all. That was all you, Ophilia. [He adjusts the padding and bandage around her chest, satisfied with the change in appearance of her breathing.] And you did great. Breathing should be easier for you now.

[His fingers find the bruises on her neck, then, though he still doesn't touch them; he turns instead to take back the jar of balm and apply some to those, too. They look like they must hurt, and she's having trouble speaking.]

You don't have to talk, if it's hard. Just take it easy. I'm gonna put some of this on your other bruises, and then get you a dose of something for the pain. That all right?

[Much as he doesn't like seeing her cry, he can think of half a dozen reasons why she is right now, and all of them are enough on their own, let alone together. He squeezes her hand again before moving on with the balm and carefully patting her head afterward, this time.]

[starseeing]

[ By the Flame, how weak has she become that she cannot manage to heal some of her own bones? She'll have to practice more, for sure, but--... ah, ha. She's sure he'd say something that she shouldn't worry about it. That she should rest. That she shouldn't blame herself for what she cannot help. And it's oddly relieving to think that, to have his reassurance in the back of her mind even if he doesn't outright say it. It seems that she hasn't just learned some skills from him as a apothecary during their travels, but his personality has rubbed off on her, too: to let bygones be bygones. To look towards the future, to start in the future.

When he eventually pastes the salve onto the bruises at her neck, she lets out a sigh, shutting her eyes lightly. ] Mm, that's.... that's fine. [ Her voice is faint, but it's not as pained anymore. They're making progress. But of course with Ophilia, she always comes with an apology for seemingly being a greater burden than she actually might be: ]

I'm... sorry. [ She tells him, feeling wetness leaking from the corner of her eyes onto the table below. ] I didn't mean... to be injured. It was partially my fault.

[apothecarry]

Hey now.

[Alfyn sets the balm aside, finished anyway, and pulls from his satchel a clean cloth - not quite a handkerchief, but as good as. He dries her tears with it, carefully.]

Nobody ever means to get hurt like this. I'm just glad you're here an' doing okay. It's all gonna be fine. You'll feel a lot more like yourself after some rest.

[He doesn't really want her resting on this table but he also doesn't know where else he could take her, or how much longer they'll be in this story. Things are really heating up.]

Shucks, I'm sorry I don't have all the medicines I'd've had back at home. This is the best I can do for now. [A bottle of reddish liquid comes out next, and he studies it in the light before nodding.] Made this right before we left, so it should still be pretty potent. Just two swallows, all right?

[It, too, smells and will taste faintly of apples.]

[starseeing]

[ She peers at the vial; medicines aren't exactly known for being particularly palatable, but from this one she smells-- ] Apples?

[ Ophilia will struggle to prop herself up on an elbow, although any help he gives will be appreciated. Thirty degrees is all she can accomplish, but it's a decent effort before her expression changes, wincing in pain. ] Tw-two... swallows... [ She murmurs breathlessly, and taking the vial from him, she'll drink exactly that amount.

She is not sure what it is meant to do, whether it may take more pain away or heal her wounds, but she expects that it will work quickly. Alfyn's concoctions are always known to have a rapid onset. She trusts him. ]

[apothecarry]

[He helps immediately, somehow not expecting her to try to sit up on her own. Two swallows later and he takes the vial and sets it aside.]

Yeah...the apples are kinda new. But this'll help a lot with your pain, so you can get some real rest.

[He doesn't know the apple infusion's full effects, but he's aware it at least amplifies the potency of what he concocts, which is why he named such a small amount. Can't be too careful.]

You did great. [Both arms around her now, he helps her ease back to lying down again. At least the ink townsfolk really won't care that she's taking up a table in the middle of the room here.] I'm not gonna leave you, okay? Well, if Therion or Professor Albright come along, I might ask one of 'em to be here instead for a bit, but...you'll have somebody right here. It's okay to fall asleep.

[Were he in her position, apothecary knowledge or not, he'd sure worry about not waking up again, so he's trying to shove that worry aside for her, maybe even before it can happen. Alfyn shifts back a little but keeps her hand in his.]

[starseeing]

[ His words are just what she needs to hear in this moment. Because she's weak when she's tired, doubtful and vulnerable when she's exhausted. And as much resilience as she has, it doesn't always come easy to her as others might think-- or... no, that's not. Perhaps it still does come easy to her, because she has support from others like him. Because she has friends who she trusts, who she can count on. That is a part of her strength, as much as it has become a strength of their group of eight.

Ophilia smiles at him, lying down gently... and it's fairly quickly before she realizes just how tired she's become. Her eyelids feel heavy, and they droop considerably as she looks up at him. ] I... want to do more good in this world. [ She won't be giving up after this, of course, and she won't let this deter her.

Her deep fears from mere minutes ago had been partly from the worry she would not be able to do all she wished to accomplish in this world, to not be able to help all those she wished to help. Alfyn's care has given her another chance; she'll forever be grateful. But at him mentioning Therion and Cyrus-- ] ....Do not let the others worry for me, please. They must focus on completing this chapter.

[apothecarry]

[Seriously injured people are, generally, also tired people. They're working hard even while at rest, and Ophilia hasn't been able to breathe properly and had to use a spell she wasn't ready for. He looks around and locates a stool he can sit on, sliding it over with one foot. This way, he isn't just looming over Ophilia while she tries to look up at him.]

Funny thing about that. Turns out we can all do both. There's a whole mess of people working on the end of this chapter together; you try not to worry too much about that.

[They all have a tendency to find one another when trouble's afoot. Alfyn squeezes her hand.]

But if I see 'em, I'll tell 'em you're not in any danger.

[starseeing]

[ Ophilia turns her head, smiling tiredly at him. Hair falls partly over her line of sight but she cannot be bothered to fix it. She still looks... worse for wear; there are bags beneath her eyes, her clothes are in shambles (even worse than the Zombie!Ebegeeser outfit she had first been thrown into), skin covered in dirt, and she honestly just looks like she needs sleep.

But her smile remains, her breathing has steadied, and her hand squeezes his back in response. But after a pause her fingers then adjust in his hand, seeking to interweave between his....

What would she have done if he wasn't here? ] Thank you... [ She closes her eyes. And gods willing, she will fall into a comfortable sleep right on the spot, later waking when all of this is long over. ]