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+---- Thread: [Mini Event] [SE] Once upon a time (/showthread.php?tid=9254)
[SE] Once upon a time - Maea - 03-07-2024
Rain pattered against the high windows. The light of the afternoon had paled and vanished behind dark clouds and every once in a while thunder rumbled across the sky. Intermittent lightning sent shadows shooting far and wide across the floor and lingered as an echoe reverberating among the rafters, until the Aetheneum seemed to hum like a giant bell.
Browsing the stacks, Maea didn't much enjoy the weather. While the rain was good and necessary, a chill had seeped into her bones along with the damp. She longed to curl up by a fireplace with a good book, but the lightning cut off her train of thought whenever she found something that seemed promising and for a while now she had merely been roaming aimlessly, with her fingers idling over spinesof leather and cloth, until dust and vellum seemed etched into her very skin.
It was not, perhaps, the wisest thing to be doing in this particular library.
One careless touch was all it took. Her fingers simply snagged on a volume that protruded from the rest within the shelf, and all of a sudden it fairly leaped out. With a startled gasp Maea spun back to catch it in both hands, and as she did the book fell open upon her open palms. A flash of light more golden than the lightning lit up the Aetheneum for but a second - and when it faded only the book remained, lying open on the floor whilst motes of dust slowly glimmered in and out of focus.
Open! SE to pretend to be someone else.
2 characters can join.
No post order.
48 hour posting window before the story progresses.
To participate, have your character arriving and touching the book!
Sentient Books (uncommon): Occasionally books may move about the atheneum on their own. If opened, these books can transport a group of no more than three into whatever tale is written inside of them. No lasting damage can be done while inside this story-like world and nothing can be transferred back and forth.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Hadama - 03-07-2024
It was Maea who Hadama had come seeking, aquaporting to Jack Tar Landing first and asking several of the locals where she might be found, and if a message could be taken to her. One Grounder had tilted their head inside their rain poncho and asked why he didn't just go look for her in Atheneum himself. They'd had it renovated for people like him, after all, hadn't they?
Which was news to the Tidebreaker, but he stretched his magic out and, indeed, had found a place that he could reach with his water-based teleportation. Traveling there took only an instant, but taking in the view of the shelves and shelves of books and the high dome overhead took much longer. He swam slowly along the waterway within the grand library, head slowly turning from side to side as he explored this new place. He had not forgotten his original errand, but it was not one that required haste.
A thump from farther ahead drew his attention, and he followed the curve of the indoor canal around several large shelves. There was no one in sight when he reached the place he thought the noise had come from, but a book lay open on the floor. Hadama looked at it, concerned that the spine might become damaged if it remained that way. He couldn't reach the shelf to return it, but he could at least keep it from further damage while on the ground.
Carefully using his magic to dry his hand and keep the water of the canal firmly within its confines, he pulled himself partially out of it so that he could stretch out to the book, intent on flipping the cover closed.
Instead a flash of light washed over him the moment he touched its pages, and the mermanta vanished.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Maea - 03-09-2024
Once upon a time in a land not so very far away, there lived a King and a Queen in a beautiful castle. They were wise and generous and much beloved by their people, but they shared one grief between them – for despite their great love and fervent prayers they were without children.
When so, after many years, the Queen finally gave birth to a beautiful daughter, the King hosted a celebration, that everyone might share in their joy. From the highest courtier to the lowest servant, yay even the trolls and fairies of the deep forests were all invited - with the exception of one.
And on the day of the celebration all the people of the land - and the trolls and the fairies too - came to the royal Castle and bowed to the newborn Princess. Great gifts were bestowed upon her, and humble gifts - for not all in the land were wealthy, and the trolls held more love for mushroom and rocks than for Gold and jewels - and Three of the fairies came forth to cast their magic upon the child, as was their custom.
"I give you the gift of Beauty," said the first, "that shall never fade."
"I give you the gift of Kindness," said the second, "that you may be swift to show mercy."
But before the third fairy could bestow its gift, thunder struck the Castle and in a flash of lightning, a figure appeared in the midst of the King's throneroom. A fairy, regal and robed in black, with a magical staff in its right hand. Swiftly a Knight stepped in to block the path to the Thrones, armored and with the magical sword brandished in defense of their liege lords, even as the Royal couple sprang to their feet.
"Who goes there?" cried the King – and all eyes turned to the two, as a breathless silence filled the great hall.
Stunned, Maea blinked against the blinding light that danced in her eyes. A voice called out, and it rang strangely in her ears - at once familiar and foreign, as if half forgotten or just remembered. When her eyes cleared, the found herself standing in the midst of a wonderful castle throneroom, decked with banners and wreathes of flowers and evergreens. Light glistened off the King's crown and off the Queen's scepter, and by their feet she could see a royal crib, from which a child's laughter spilled into the breathless silence.
And standing face to face with her, at the center of that ever widening circle, was Hadama.
Choose whether to proceed as the Knight or the black-robed Fairy, and progress the story!
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Hadama - 03-12-2024
Though Hadama was familiar with landfolk books - indeed, the paperwork of Torchline's kingship had made him entirely too familiar with them - neither the Mer nor the collections on Torchline's shores had sentient books.
The shock of what he saw when he blinked the light from his eyes was enough to strike him silent (though that was hardly unusual of the stoic king), and Hadama gripped his trident more tightly in his webbed hand.
Except that the length in his hand was smooth and cold, and he glanced down at it in surprise only to realize that it was not a trident but a staff. His hands were smooth and unwebbed. He stood upon two legs instead of floating in the water of the canal. And he was surrounded by strangers in a room of light and pageantry, not alone in a dimly light library.
Strangers... and Maea Valair. The young woman stood before him in shining armor and wielding a sword to bar his path, and Hadama's emerald eyes sparked and narrowed in consideration of this most unexpected turn of events. "Maea," he rumbled softly, standing tall and statuesque in the middle of the throne room, paying no heed to the colorful flock of courtiers that whispered and shrank away from his dark-robed height. "What is the meaning of this?"
Hadama appears as the Fairy!
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Maea - 03-13-2024
Pale eyes glittered with a dawning intrigue and wonder the longer she looked around. Hadama's voice brought her attention back to him, and the answer was immediate on her tongue. [say]"Sentient book"[/say] she mumbled, quietly so none but he could hear. [say]"We've been sucked into a story."[/say]
Despite the admittedly unsettling feeling of otherness, Maea couldn't suppress her excitement. She had always wanted to experience this. None had ever appeared for her until now.
[say]"I've heard that the only way out is to finish the tale... Do you know this one?"[/say] Between the king gazing expectantly down on her from his dais, the child in the crib and the dark splendor of Hadama's robes she had a good idea, but she wanted to make sure. If he did not... It would complicate matters.
They had but a moment before someone had to act.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Hadama - 03-13-2024
He had a vague recollection of hearing about such things, but he had never considered that he might encounter one, and had never had need to learn about sentient books beyond a vague awareness that they existed somewhere far away from him. Therefore Maea's explanations were most welcome and helped to explain why he had legs in broad daylight.
Not to mention the robe, staff, and rather heavy headgear that was weighing down his brow.
At her question he paused to sweep the throne room with his emerald gaze. Landfolk royalty, a crib that he couldn't see inside, a throne room filled with colorful courtiers, some kind of stone golems, and a small contingent of Fae all fell under his regard before he turned back to the knight in front of him. It was Maea but not, her horns and tail conspicuously absent, and Hadama briefly wondered what else about himself was changed or missing. "I do not," he rumbled back at her, just as softly. But some things transcended species: a knight facing a someone in a black robe with a staff? "But I can guess."
And he brought the butt of his staff down on the flagstones with an authoritative crack as he raised his chin with all the regal authority at his command. His gaze found that of the human king and rested there, unblinking, as he let the silence stretch and fill with dread from the courtiers around him.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Maea - 03-13-2024
The crack of the staff upon polished flagstone floors rent the stillness and beyond the castle windows a clap of lightning followed upon the wake of tearing silence. Not a one spoke among the courtiers, and the King met the strange fairys gaze without flinching.
Then a light burst from the jewel at the hilt of Knight's sword and she spoke with a commanding voice that could not be overlooked.
[say]"You stand before the King unannounced. Name yourself, stranger, and deliver proof of your welcome here, or begone. This is a place of celebration. Do not darken the joyous festivities with your silence!"[/say]
And while she was small of stature her tone was firm, and many who listened to the rebuking words drew breath once more, enlivened by the steadfast bravery.
In the shadow of her helmet, Maea winked at Hadama. She for one was absolutely ready to have a good time with this; she would make sure to fill him in whenever she could, unless he winged it in the right direction already.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Hadama - 03-14-2024
The armor of a knight suited the pale Ancient, and Hadama regarded her with outward stoicism but renewed intrigue and respect as she slipped into her role like a fish into water. He might not understand the specifics of the story, but it was clear that he was some sort of villain facing Maea in the form of the story's hero. It was a role he found strange to be embodying, but she seemed confident on what needed to be done and he was willing to follow her lead.
Acting was not difficult for him, at least as far as it required him to keep a stoic and aloof expression on his face. Dialogue, however...
Ah. That was far less intuitive.
What he needed was time to think, and he twitched an eye in return at Maea's wink, hoping she could help him. "I do not need to announce myself," he rumbled, placing all the portentous authority of his recent years as King into his voice. "You know who I am." He paused, taking a stab in the dark that the 'knight' could sneak some exposition into her reply that would give him the clues he needed. "And why I am here." And with those ominous words he gestured towards the dais the thrones (and crib) sat upon.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Maea - 03-17-2024
On his high dais the King raised his hand to stay the Knight.
[say]"We know you, Malevolent one, and well do we know your work. As the mage of my court you used your position and influence to serve your own interests, and while you aided the Queen in her childless plight you nearly brought our kingdom to ruin in the process."[/say]
The King gazed sternly upon the dark fairy. [say]"For your services you were rewarded, and for your misdeeds you were relieved of your position, and are no longer welcome at this court. Be content with this verdict and begone! You are not invited."[/say]
A hush lingered in the room, and the Knight shifted her grip on the sword within her hand. A slighted magician of great power who had crashed a party he wasn't invited to - Maea was glad for the visor that hid her grimace from the crowd. Hopefully Hadama got some idea on what to do with that.
Anything besides leaving would probably be fine.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Hadama - 03-17-2024
Ah. Well then. Hadama listened with grave solemnity to the words of the king and though his aloof expression did not shift, he was inwardly relieved to gain some insight into who 'he' was and what 'he' had done. A villain, but one who had helped the queen...?
And there was the crib beside the thrones, he could see. Hmm.
His silence stretched out once more as he thought, and to those who did not know him it was a chill and frosty thing. Indeed, lines of frost radiated from the tip of his staff where it touched the flagstones, racing out beneath the feet of the closest courtiers.
"No?" he finally rumbled, the syllable so deep that it seemed to be felt as much as heard. "But the child owes their life to me. I will collect what they owe me. And then I will leave," he said, ringing finality in his voice.
Had he been in water he might have aquaported. He was not, nor was he in his proper body; he wore the skin of a Fae, not a Mer, and he could not access his usual magic. But that did not seem to matter. He thought of what he wanted, and he felt the staff pulse in his hand--
And he appeared behind the crib in silence, a swirl of ominous black smoke twisting and billowing in front of Maea The Knight from the spot he had been standing in before.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Maea - 03-17-2024
Hadama went into his role and suddenly events were in motion. When the dark fairy disappeared only to appear by the crib, Maea in the Knight's guise pivoted with quite real surprise.
[say]"No! Do not cast your evil curses upon the child! She is innocent!"[/say]
Was that a good enough hint? Did Hadama understand reverse psychology? Gods, but it felt like slogging through day old porridge to attempt reaching the Princess. Only the Queen stood between the child and Dark Fairy now, bravely facing death for her daughter.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Hadama - 03-18-2024
For a long moment everyone was frozen - including Hadama. He had not expected to teleport and it took him several seconds to realize what had happened. Of course, now that he had reached the crib he had to do something and he blinked down at the wide-eyed babe, at a loss for how to follow through in a properly villainous manner.
Luckily Maea the Knight gave him the instruction that he needed, and the Dark Fairy drew himself up straight and pointed his staff at the queen and, behind her, the child.
"For this offense, I curse her," he intoned, and then paused. Some might think it was for dramatic effect, but in reality the mermanta was at a loss about what came next. The staff seemed to grow heavier in his grip as magical energies coalesced in it and he frowned. "A terrible curse. Its true extent you will learn of in time." The power lanced out from the staff, black light zig-zagging in jagged lines around the queen to avoid her, striking into the crib--
And vanishing as they touched the child's skin, leaving no outward trace.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Maea - 03-23-2024
The Queen cried out in dread. The King gestured to the Knight, and playing along with her role Maea cut in between the Dark Fairy with her sword at the ready.
But it was the third fairy who spoke up, its voice a tremulous thing that still cut through the outcries of the court.
[say]"No curse of death shall befall this child! A bright and joyful childhood she shall have, and only upon her sixteenth birthday shall the curse tske hold. But it shall not be death, only sleep. And she shall wake again when the curse is broken, and the caster is no more!"[/say] Trembling and strained with the strain of altering the curse, the third fairy smiled weakly at the infant child. [say]"That is my gift to you, fair child."[/say]
And guards came forth to surround the Dark Robed One, and the Knight met Hadama's gaze with the barest hint of a wink.
[say]"It is time for you to depart, magician! Be escorted out by me or find yourself bound hand and foot – choose now and choose quickly!"[/say]
Was she having way too much fun with this? Absolutely. Hopefully they would get a chance to speak on the way out of the castle; Maea had some things to explain about this story.
RE: [SE] Once upon a time - Hadama - 04-01-2024
Only his native stoicism kept his surprise from his face when the magic in the staff reacted without his conscious intent for a third time, though apparently his words - intentionally vague - were close enough for the story to continue without issue. He slowly lowered his staff as the Knight interposed herself once more, listening to the third fairy with keen focus that might have been mistaken for haughty disdain. In truth he was just trying to glean as much about the direction of the tale as he could.
Well. Sleep was better than death, it was true. Sixteen years, however... He truly hoped they would not be caught in the book for that long!
He crossed his arms with suitable gravitas as the guards surrounded him, chin held high as he considered his options. Apparently he could teleport... but he would much rather not be separated from the Knight when she seemed to know this story far better than he did. "Very well," he rumbled, though his attempt to add a hint of menace to his agreement might have fallen a bit flat. "You may escort me, if you wish." Ah, but he had been among his own court long enough to know how to seem as though he was the one granting her the privilege of being his escort.
This time with deliberate mischief he tapped his staff on the floor and disappeared from within the circle of guards, only to reappear where he had stood earlier. "When you are ready?" he intoned, one steely brow rising in invitation to the Knight who currently stood upon the dais a little ways away.