realmofstories | Opening Log: Welcome to the Index + Halloween Festival

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Opening Log: Welcome to the Index + Halloween Festival

Opening Intro Log: October 2018—

§ instructions.
Greetings and welcome to the first intro log for Forgotten Tales! There are no hard and fast rules here. Just include your Character, canon, and essence in the subject line and post away! Network prompts are allowed in the intro log, so feel free to put one in.

In terms of timeline, the intro log can span over several days, so don't feel as if everything has to happen all at once. You are also free to post your own logs at any time, and can even take these prompts for them!

For more information, refer to the accompanying Game Notes.

§ greetings from the storyteller.

It's no surprise that everyone who first enters the Realm of Stories will feel disoriented, especially when their soul is basically fused with that of another. Fortunately, there is someone who is more than willing to explain things—just not physically. Once the initial dizziness and confusion passes, be it through the pages of the journal glowing in their hands or through telepathy, the same "voice" who sought them out and pleaded for their aid will speak.

Greetings, Aspect, for that is what you are now. We thank you for your agreement in helping fight against the Story Eater. For those whom we had to bring in for your own safety—forgive us. Once we have enough power we will return you to your worlds should you so choose.

All of you have been gifted with the essence of a powerful character from one of the many stories now lost to the Story Eater. We did not choose it—it chose you. If you touch the medallion hanging on your journal, its name will be revealed to you and you are welcome to browse through the Grand Library to read their stories.

But time is of the essence. Even now we feel the loss of yet another Book and many more will follow. We will contemplate and decide on a Draft to send you to, so in the meantime, please explore the city and learn what you can. You should have been given everything you will need for your temporary stay here in the Index, and the city residents have been informed of your coming.

Keep your journal close—we will reach out to you again.

The message will remain within the first few pages of the journal, and past it are other informative passages that the newly arrived may find useful. Information such as how to use the journal, local maps of the Index, notable businesses, where they may find their own unique residence, even names of other Aspects who have arrived. And despite the seemingly endless blank pages when rifling through, the journal itself remains thin and light when closed.

So for now, all they can do is wait and learn more about themselves and each other.

§ prompts.

¶ I. Getting to Know Your "New Character." Even after being told by the Storyteller about everything, there's still a lot to learn. There's also the satchel and journal to investigate and figuring out where they live. In any case, firsthand experience and experimentation is the best way to figure things out.

A. Brushing Up on the Lore. Perhaps a trip to the Grand Library to read up on the essence's stories wouldn't be such a bad idea. It might help give the Aspect some ideas as to what they can do. But you know, it would be their luck to have a large tome dedicated to their stories way high up on a top shelf. And the ladder is rusty. Might need some help.
B. Magic Journals. For those of the modern era, needing to write is going to be an interesting exercise. But after reading the instructions, maybe they want to reach out, see who else is out there. Or troll people with dumb doodles.
C. Watch What You're Doing! Testing out a new spell or weapon? Great! Just be mindful of the surroundings—this is all new and no one has thought to create a special training area for everyone (yet). And while most of the locals are happy and hopeful about their potential heroes, broken windows or almost burning one of them won't go over too well.

¶ II. A Halloween Festival. Despite the threat of the Story Eater always looming somewhere outside in the Void, the residents are preparing for the Halloween season. With so many stories either fostering or born from the traditions, it's no surprise that survivors of said ghastly, sometimes fun tales are throwing their all to keep the spirit of their stories alive, especially with help now arriving. What better way to meet the residents than participating and helping out? Might learn a few things about their new abilities, too, and can even put on a different costume.

A. Batty Books. A few well meaning young wizards and witches in training had hoped to spice up the Grand Library with a few flying books. Unfortunately, they were a bit overzealous with their wandwork and now there are hoards of flying books overrunning and ransacking the place. Even worse, books of violent content are attacking, spitting out pages or clamping down on hapless victims. Hard covers are the worst, and watch out for all those paper cuts! Help capture these rogue books so the reverse spell can be cast, but be careful! They are still precious books and can't be damaged! If they are, well... There will be more than a few librarians wailing in mourning and will need to be taken care of.
B. Wild Jack o'Lanterns. Can't have Halloween without those scary pumpkins! Or silly ones if that's your preference. However, a few residents have gotten a little overzealous in their creations. From pumpkins bursting with fire like volcanoes to giant golems bumbling through the streets to some sprouting bat wings and flying all over the place dumping their pumpkin innards or candy corn on unsuspecting victims. Things are definitely getting out of hand, so either find some way to turn the pumpkins back to normal or just outright destroy them. Bonus points if the leftover pieces are collected to make pumpkin pie so nothing is wasted!
C. Beyond the Grave...? What's spookier than haunted graveyards? Graves that actually are haunted. Storybook characters of the skeletal and ghoulish nature have opened their neighborhood for a Fright Night Challenge, happy to use their homes to spook those who dare to tread near. And there are a few openings for volunteers for that night's haunting. Perhaps an Aspect could fit in? Or perhaps they'd like to go through the challenge instead. Just remember everyone is supposed to be friendly so try not to hurt them. Of course, some of the nastier residents might take this an opportunity, in which case anyone is free to bury them.
E. A Haunted Feast. During the evening hours, everyone is invited out to one of the larger plazas of the city for a chance to eat delicious meals prepared by a number of different businesses and volunteers. This is the perfect chance to unwind, mingle with everyone...until some sneaky young ghosts pilfer all the good food and desserts. They even have the gall to steal right off the plate! Try to stop them—or maybe one of the Aspects is among the thieves. If not, there may be a food fight on the horizon.

¶ III. Recreate Some Stories. The main reason the Aspects are in the Realm of Stories is to help restore and recreate the lost books. But it would be good if they got a little practice in how they can do that. While there isn't much to restore here in the Index, there are still plenty of opportunities to get the feel of "acting out" certain roles and scenes in the city. And who knows—maybe these little stories and plays will be written down and filed away in the Grand Library.

A. Make Your Own Horror Story. What's more fitting for Halloween then recreating or even creating frightfully scary stories? From nightmareish to silly, there are a number of storybook characters doing their best to relive their lost stories and could use a few volunteers.

» Roles: 1) ghoulish monsters, 2) unfortunate victims, 3) bloody murderers, 4) the last hero.
» Scenes: a) chasing, b) fighting, c) saving, d) the final blow.

It doesn't matter how the combinations work. Monsters could be fighting murderers to save the hero; heroes could be monsters; monsters could be victims; murderers could be the anti-hero; etc. The scenes can also be either be based on actual stories (perhaps the Aspect's) or just something random. Have fun with it!
B. The Adventures of the Little Scarecrow. In one of the many parks, a few older residents are recounting the favorite children's tale, "The Adventures of the Little Scarecrow," a tale of a little boy scarecrow who leaves his cornfield to explore the world beyond. Small puppets are being used, but it looks like they could have some help. These are elderly folk and their hands aren't what they used to be. Just follow their narration, shouldn't be a problem. Or for those feeling a bit more daring, they can act out the roles instead, even mixing with the puppets for stand-ins.

» Roles: 1) the little boy scarecrow, 2) the scary wolf, 3) the friendly crow, 4) the lost pig.
» Scenes: a) a battle of wit with the crow; b) running from the wolf; c) helping the pig (crow aid optional); d) getting lost with pig and crow; e) return of the wolf; f) back home to the fields (did the others survive??)

There are a lot of variations of how the story can go, just keep in mind it's supposed to be kid friendly.

¶ IV. Exploring the Index. The Index is a large, vast city inhabited by a large variety of characters from numerous stories. Because of this there is no uniform style to the city. One street could look like a normal street plucked out of a Victorian, English fairy tale and then the very next is made of candy. It makes for an interesting mishmash of cultures that somehow manages to get along. Most of the time, at least.

A. House Hunting. Among the items found in the satchel is a set of keys. These keys will magically lead their new owner to the house they will be living in for as long as they are in the Realm of Stories. The home will be styled to fit the essence and the location will also be fitting of that essence. It could be within the main city of the Index, outside of town, underwater, in the air—anywhere! Now if only the keys didn't take their own through...interesting, winding routes. Like through a random bakery or down someone's chimney. Have fun!
B. Decoration Wars. There is one particular section of the city that houses many of the more "ghoulish" storybook characters, and for this Halloween festival they've taken to their storybook roots to pull out the creepiest, ghastliest, and sometimes silliest decorations and themes possible. The thing is, they've become so overzealous that some of those decorations aren't just for show. With everyone on the block already high in competitive spirit, it's a bit of a war zone straight from a horror story as hanging skeletons and floating ghosts fight against one another via throwing pumpkins, rotten eggs, toilet paper, and stale candy to prove they have the scariest house. They may even pull one of the Aspects to try and win points.
C. Pumpkin Carriage Rides. All the taxi and transportation carriages have been changed to fit the season, so there are giant pumpkin carriages drawn through the streets. The horses vary from skeletal, ghostly, and even headless, and while some are genuine, others are just painted to look the part. They still enjoy apples, carrots, and a good scratch on the neck as thanks! Now the insides of the pumpkins are usually clean and look almost like a real carriage, but a few may still have raw pumpkin or giant seeds stuck to the inside. And if someone says the phrase, "Bippity Boppity Boo" they run the risk of the carriage shrinking, expanding, or even changing into something else entirely. Of course, how would they even know of such a phra—oh look at that, someone carved the words in small print on the walls...
D. Shopping Around. Everyone is arriving in a new set of clothes, and some may want to buy something more fitting of their own sense of style. Unfortunately they're going to have to wear something still in line with their essence's style, so compromises will need to be made. But hey, better to have multiple sets of clothes instead of wearing the same one all the time, right? It's not like this is a video game or something.
E. To the Edge. Those who wish to venture out of the city to travel to the edge of the world are free to do so. They may even see remnants of the last Segment pathways that once connected the Index to a lost Book, letters of the destination scratched through. And within the Void they will see scattered, torn pages floating in the far distance, some actually disintegrating into the darkness right before their eyes.

¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Especially in regards to the festival, anything can really happen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[That information sends him reeling, his knees suddenly feeling weak.]

Two... years?

[He shakes his head in disbelief.]

But I saw you not long before coming here. I... I only just smashed the Onyx Chain.

[It all suddenly leaves him with an overwhelming amount of questions. That after all this time, she still hasn't forgiven him? What has she been doing? How has rebuilding the world gone? What of the others? That he... really didn't return. But that she is here, alive, brings him some peace. Things must be fine otherwise... And that's all he could hope for. He wanted, desperately, to make it back to her, he promised even though she didn't hear it, Ed having carried her off against her will, but... it must not have been possible.

He casts his eyes downward. He has no reason to doubt any of this- they were all pulled into this world by a book. It's no less unusual.

But...

This is all a bit much. Not because he regrets his sacrifice, but because he is seeing her after all this time has passed for her. Seeing what's become of her (and seeing her pain). Like he's some ghost from her past. The very thought causes his strength to waver, and for the first time he appears visibly shaken.]

Two years since then.

[ Her voice starts to rise in pitch as the tears threaten to overtake her again. Even though she's happy the chain was cut, even though she did her best to rebuild and move on, it was so hard. She did everything she could to ignore those thoughts and those feelings. Dominica and Gina did their best to distract her too, but every day hurt.

Her hands move, coming up between them to grab the fabric of his shirt, and tears start to fall all over again. ]

And I missed you so much.

[ Her gaze drops as she moves in against him, fingers tightening in his fabric. ]

[Her fingers digging into the fabric against his chest brings him back to now, lets him momentarily forget the painful thoughts. Hearing her say she missed him, feeling her hands on him, it warms him from the inside, calming his heart just enough to allow his mind to clear.

Still uncertain about touching her, he brings his hands upward, resting them atop hers.]

I... I am sorry. [truly, deeply- with every fiber of his being] I'm sorry that I couldn't be with you. And to see all the wonderful work you must have done.

[Because there's no doubt in his mind that no matter how distraught Aya was, that she'd do whatever it takes to protect others, to make sure they're safe, regardless of selfish thoughts. Ultimately, Aya will always choose to work hard for others to ensure that they receive the very best care. She's so determined, so dependable. And even if she spent those two years upset, that she's still here is a testament to her strength. And why he fell in love with her.]

[ His words are kind and probably more than she deserves given her anger and upset at him in a situation he has no control over. But her anger is starting to subside, at least, because at least now, he's safe and he's here. Isn't that enough..?

Aya presses her face against his chest, hand still holding onto his clothes like he might slip away from her again. ]

Please don't go.

[Those words pierce his heart, that bittersweet feeling returning again. He's glad she cannot see his expression falter briefly. He wants to say, "I promise" or "I won't," but neither are entirely true. When their time here is done, they will have to leave. Aya will return to her point in time, and he will return to his. They'll be separated again. So every second here counts...

He moves his hands from atop hers and wraps his arms firmly around her shoulders.]

I'll remain by your side for as long as possible.

[ As long as possible. It's not quite the answer she wants to hear but it's fine. He doesn't want to promise her, and she doesn't want a promise he may not be able to carry through on. ]

That's all I can ask.

[ That's all she wants. As long as possible.

Her hands loosen from the front of his tunic, finally, though she snakes them around his middle to hold him close. ]

[It's a moment before she responds, and all he can do is hope that it's enough, so he's relieved that it seems to be. For now. Thinking ahead, planning, he's not really great at that stuff, so he doesn't want to do that. It would make things too difficult if he becomes consumed with the eventual farewell...

Even if it will likely sit in the back of his mind.

For now, they have each other. They're reunited. And all he wants is to live in this moment as long as he can. He pulls her impossibly closer when she wraps her arms around his middle, cradling her against his chest. There's a tenderness in her voice, and tears in her eyes that he wants to heal.

He remains holding her in silence for a few moments longer, before he finally speaks up, his breath falling on her ear, his voice still a gentle whisper.]

Did you hear the song I was playing earlier?

[ She can't concern herself with the eventual farewell, because she doesn't want it to end that way. Maybe he can come home with her. Yeah, she'll settle for believing in that. If he only just cut the chain, then... maybe he just hasn't been able to come home yet. Maybe.

She soaks in the quiet and his warmth, tears still flowing slowly, silently. ]

I did. I don't recognize it. What's it called?

[ She asks, echoes of every other time she's asked that. ]

[He looks up at the night sky, still cradling her, with her tears soaking through the fabric of his tunic. And the barest hint of a smile tugs at the corner of his lips as he fondly recalls all the times she regretted asking that very question.]

Evanescent Nocturne.

[Said somewhat proudly. Yeah. His 'talent' in naming his music hasn't changed, unfortunately. Sorry, Aya. But he knows it might be enough to get her to react and stop being sad for just a second.]

[ Despite the tears, she has to chuckle at that. ]

Still as bad as ever. At least the tune was nice.

[ Some things never change. She appreciates that he's trying to lighten the mood, but then, he was always good at cheering her up when she couldn't make herself smile. ]

The door was open when I got here. Does that mean your keys led you here, too?

[It's not only nice to hear, but feeling the way her body rocks against his when she laughs slightly is especially nice. He's missed her smile, her laughs, and even the way she hits and scolds him when she's annoyed. Because all of that is distinctly Aya. It's how they first met, and it's how they bid farewell.

Things might get tough from here on out, so he doesn't plan to let her go the rest of the night. Assuming that's okay with her.

At least she liked the song.]

Yeah. Wait, you have the keys to this place?

[There hadn't been time amidst the torrent of emotions earlier for him to catch that, or consider the strange coincidence of her finding him here. Neither of them knowing of the other's location, or that they were even here.

So that means... the Storyteller arranged for them to be in the same place?]

[ Her tears have stopped, though the tracks of wetness on her cheeks have yet to dry, but she looks up at him, nodding. ]

Yeah. Strange, isn't it?

[ But not unwelcome. She'll take it. Any excuse to see him again, even if it hurts. ]

It's a little big for one person anyway.

[He thought that too, and it still is pretty big for one person, but it's lacking in a certain extra room.]

It is. But, uhh, there's... only one bed.

[He sheepishly responds, blushing a little. Not that it's something they need to worry about. But if, for whatever reason, she wants to be alone. Well, he would take the couch.]

It's a big bed, Capell.

[ Well, from her cursory glance at it - she'd been concerned about a possible intruder after all. Whether or not she gets what he's hinting at isn't clear, but she's not concerned about anyone finding somewhere else to sleep. ]

[It's not that he's embarrassed or awkward about sharing a bed. That awkwardness kind of went out the window a while ago. It's more the... guilt he feels, for leaving Aya behind. Lying to her. And does he still have a right to be what he was to her. Especially when the very same thing might happen again.]

R-Right. I just meant, uhm, if you would rather be alone...

[This shouldn't be... A Thing. But he's making it one. They never really did have a chance to explore their relationship after that night in the Pieria Marshlands. In that cave. And, well... he's not entirely sure what comes next. Or if anything should, even something as simple as sharing a bed.]

[ They hadn't had a chance to explore their relationship, it's true. But unlike Capell, Aya has had more than enough time to think and dwell on what might have been, could have been, if only he'd come back with them. And maybe it's selfish, or stubborn, but now that she has him back in her arms, she doesn't want to let go. ]

I'm finally able to see you again. Do you really think I want to be alone right now?

[ She looks up at him, chin still pressed against his chest. ]

[That's... that's good to hear. Admittedly he was afraid that Aya wouldn't want to spend any time with him, to avoid being hurt again. And he wouldn't have blamed her, even if it's not what he would've wanted.

He relaxes, the tension in his body slowly ebbing away. And he looks down at her with a gentle smile.]

In that case, I'm relieved. I really didn't want to be alone either.

[Not to mention that there's so many things he wants to ask her about...]

[ No matter how angry she might have been, she still cares, and isn't going to let this pass her by. She smiles back up at him. ]

Good.

[ And she'd be happy to answer whatever she can. Even if not much time has passed for him, she's sure there's a lot he wants to ask. ]

[Good. The smile warms him, puts him at ease. At this moment everything feels like it used to, when they were still traveling together. And while there are a lot of questions that he wants to ask... they might be better reserved for another time. There's a bit to get into, so he asks the more relevant one, as he just now recalls it himself--]

Oh-- what kind of essence did you get?

[There's a good chance that he won't be familiar with it, but Aya probably researched hers.]

I wish it was something exciting, but it's just a Princess.

[ "just a princess" wouldn't be a normal person's reaction. She says it a little quickly, trying to brush past the fact that she has a bearskin in her bag and doesn't quite know how to use it yet. She's pretty sure Capell might have some comments on it, too. ]

What about you?

A flute player. [he pulls away to retrieve the flute from his belt, showing it to Aya] So I guess this flute must belong to them.

[It's nothing ornate, like the Saruleus flute he had. Just a simple, wooden flute. But he's glad that he has it.

Then he sheepishly rubs the back of his neck-]

But I, uh, I didn't really read up on them.

[So he knows nothing about his essence aside from them being a flute player. Oops.]

Capell...

[ Sigh, it figures. ]

We'll have to go to the library tomorrow. Whoever this flute player is though... he had strange taste in clothing.

[ Yeah, she's finally commenting on his technicolor outfit, though she offers him a smile to temper the statement somewhat. ]

It is different, but I don't think it's too bad. And the flute is supposedly magic.

[So it sounds like he has something useful! And, yeah, the colours are certainly eye-catching, garish, as some might say. But it's still his clothing, just with different colours. Doesn't really bother him.]

I take it that you already looked into this princess of yours?

[He knows there's got to be more to it-- just like he knows that this flute is supposed to be magic. So Aya must have something special too.]

Edited 2018-10-25 23:00 (UTC)

A little. I have to admit, I don't know how much use my Essence will be... A magic flute sounds like it might have potential.

[ It could have the ability to really do something special, just like how Capell always did. She still doesn't want to bring up her item though... ]

Edited 2018-10-25 23:06 (UTC)

[Really, he's happy with the essence he got. But... he stares at Aya for a moment- she looks and sounds pretty disappointed with hers; he knows she's never felt comfortable with her title, and what it entailed. And she works so hard at everything- she'd even considered becoming an Aristo, possibly sacrificing her very nature, if it meant she could save more people. But being a princess isn't a bad thing. Especially when it is Aya.]

Aya... I don't think you should worry about your essence being a princess. If she's anything like you, then she's probably really strong and dependable. You will be a great asset.

[And Aya is already stronger than him to begin with. Which means he'll have to work even harder just to keep up!]

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