March Spirit Realm Event Log

[kaisoumods]

March Spirit Realm Event Log
Dominant Element: Wind
Waning Element: Earth

Full Moon: March 13th - March 15th

※

The weather remains consistently windy as March carries on. By now, the chill of winter has finally ceased and the first days of spring has finally arrived. It's a great time to spend outside, catching the sunlight and enjoying the warm breeze. Though for some of you, you're going to be spending a great deal of time outside.

Five Six Seven Eight And--

♪- One

On the morning of March 15th, an alert will go out on the Libra App

ALERT: SPIRIT REALM ANOMALY DETECTED
Dominant Element: Wind
Danger Level: Low
Designation: The Fae
Zodiac has detected a rise of spirit energy at Kami State Park. Please visit the Zodiac offices for more information.

On the morning of the 15th, the citizens of Kaisou will wake up to two things: several of their friends and family members suddenly missing and the usual Zodiac message warning them of the latest nonsense. Heading to the Zodiac offices, you will find Professor Barbie, though she seems a little more antsy than usual. She explains that her beloved Ken is among those "missing". Luckily, it didn't take long to track him and his fellow captives- they haven't even left the city proper! Instead, they have been taken to Kami State Park, where the fae are once again up to their shenanigans. Barbie will explain that the fae have decided they want to put on a musical show - and as Kami State Park is part of the spirit realm now (as as such technically their turf) they decided to set it up there, because then the good people of Kaisou can witness their fantastic work. Because they're so generous! And while they're at it, they might as well use the talented residents of Kaisou to really up their production!

Heading to Kami State Park, you will find an outdoor stage has been erected. Many, many lines of seats are being put in front of it- it's clear the fae think this will be a production for the ages. You'll find your missing loved ones here, and besides being annoyed about being dragged into fae nonsense again, they don't seem all that much worse for wear. No one's hurt and no one's obviously cursed. Though some of them do seem to be moving with more grace than they usually do, sliding past each other like they're choreographed to do so. And some open their mouths and song comes out instead of normal words. That's- okay, yeah that's definitely not normal.

What Happened to My Part?

♪- Hard to be the Bard

Those of you who were taken by the faeries will wake up in the backstage part of a theater that seemingly popped up in Kami State Park over the night. On the one hand, at least it isn't the faerie realm again. On the other...you still can't leave the theater. Any attempts will result in you just getting sent backstage again via magic and told to wait.

Eventually, a few very fabulously dressed faeries appear. They introduce themselves as the Directors for the Season and explain that you all have been chosen to act in their shows! Everyone's already been cast in a role, so there's no need for auditions or anything boring like that and they can just get right to rehearsals. They all assure you that this isn't permanent and that they'll even let you go home to sleep in your own beds after rehearsals! Aren't they nice? Once they're done explaining, they'll hand out the scripts and rehearsal schedules. You might find yourself cast in two (or more) different shows, but that's fine. The Directors are committed to working together to make sure everything goes perfectly and have worked out a rotation schedule for who gets which actors when.

Break a leg, guys.

No Business Like Show Business

♪- There's No Business like Show Business

Eventually you'll be dismissed and allowed to spread out over the theater to read your scripts. As you read them, you may recognize them as familiar faerie tales...or at least mostly familiar. The story of Sleeping Beauty, for example, isn't the story about a princess cursed by a jealous fae and saved by a prince, but the story about a very powerful but isolated faerie being left out of a party and retaliating, only to feel bad later and guide the prince to save the princess. Instead of Rapunzel being about a girl stolen from her parents as a baby because her father stole some lettuce, it's a story about a faerie sorcerer who regretfully took the baby and raised her with care into a sorceress herself. Basically, the stories are "twisted" faerie tales, told from the perspective of the faeries involved. And one or two regular human romcoms with a faerie flavor. If you ever wanted to see "You've Got Mail" or "Bridget Jones's Diary" but with satyrs and pixies, now's your chance.

After giving everyone time to look over their scripts, the Directors call everyone back to the stage so they can grab their actors and head off for practice. This is when you'll get a look at the costumes they expect you to wear, and you will wish you hadn't. They're gaudy and loud and frankly absurd to look at and to wear, but any complaints will be met with polite acknowledgement and then promptly ignored. The Directors have a very specific idea, after all, and no human could possibly truly understand it.

Thankfully you won't be expected to practice in them, at least not until the dress rehearsal. But you will be expected to practice. Everything. Your lines, your singing, your dancing--you'll be subjected to highly rigorous training and practice and there will be no excuses. Tone deaf? Too bad, you have to sing anyway. Clumsy? Whatever, work on your ball step and pivots. At least it seems as if the Directors accept tone deafness and clumsiness, but they're still going to make you sing and dance.

Stage Managing

♪- Your Fault/Last Midnight

Of course, if you really can't perform for whatever reason (or are just not in the current show), you might be relegated to working for the tech crew. You'll be tasked with learning the lighting cues for the shows, working on sets and props, and tending to the costumes to make sure everything is in its place for quick changes. If you're really good with technology, you'll be asked to handle the sound booth. The Directors do have a live orchestra, again sourced from the Kaisou locals, but you can't really imitate the sound of "vines growing" or "muffled dragon roars in the distance" with an instrument.

Well. Most people can't, anyway.

This is not a reprieve from the chaos and perfectionism of the Directors, however, because the Stage Manager is somehow worse. As the undisputed ruler of the backstage, there's no one to mitigate them or act as a buffer, and it takes a few days (and probably an accident) for them to realize they cannot work the humans like they would faeries. Most of the humans can't fly. Or regenerate lost limbs. Or work a full 72 hour shift. Or deal with colored lighting gels made from highly toxic flowers.

It's fine. After a few days they'll apologize to the crew and be a little more reasonable so long as no one breaks any theater superstitions (no whistling!)

For those who truly cannot do tech crew work but know how to fight, they might end up on guard duty. You see, remember those gates that were opening up earlier in the month? Unfortunately, they are still appearing-- and they love to manifest in any spots with intense emotions. So if you're having a particular stressful day at rehearsal, it may be made more stressful but the sudden appearance of a gate full of monsters trying to drag you in to eat you.

You think this would make the Fae cancel the show, or at least move the venue. It does not. If you can't power through occasional demon attacks to deliver a stunning performance, that's your problem.

What Happened to My Part?

♪- Powerful Magic

It turns out the magic of musical theatre is not limited to the stage the fae have put up. Once you're free for the day, you'll find yourself compelled to sing and dance out your emotions. Music seems to come out nowhere to accompany your singing- you can look for the hidden musicians, but there doesn't seem to be any- one moment there was no music, the next there is. If you feel a strong emotion, you can feel it building bigger and bigger in your chest until you erupt into song and dance. Once you've done your little musical number, you will find you feel a little better for it, like a weight has been lifted off your chest.

The problem with this musical affliction is that it's contagious. Even if you've not been brought into the fae's little musical revue, if you happen to be in the same area as someone else who's singing out their emotions, you'll find yourself dragged into it too. Perhaps you'll find yourself a backup singer or dancer to their deeply personal number. Perhaps someone you care about is singing a song and you feel compelled to turn it into a heartfelt duet. However it happens, you will be pulled into the same nonsense as that person, and when the song ends? Well, you may find the same problems afflicting you down the line. The best way to avoid the musical curse is to try your damnedest to avoid anyone afflicted with it, otherwise you'll be doing a two-step while singing a soaring number about how good your lunch tastes before you know it.

Curtain Call

♪- Defying Gravity

Finally, after two or so weeks of rehearsal, it is time. Each show will be performed twice during the last few days of the month, giving everyone a chance be on stage and show everyone what they've managed to put together. And hopefully people will come and watch, because otherwise the Directors will be sad, and no one wants the Directors to be sad. The actors and crew might get the impression that something bad will happen if no one comes to the shows. Maybe hand out a few fliers to your friends and family when you go back home to sleep?

No matter if you hand out fliers or not, each performance will be almost sold out. It seems a lot of the faeries are interested in seeing their stage shows performed by non-faeries, and of course people from the city who were conscripted into performing are welcome to come and see. The shows are certainly interesting, if you've never seen faerie theater, and there might be something exhilarating about performing on stage if you've never done it before. Maybe you'll want to take up acting as a hobby or profession after this?

Or maybe you'll never want to see a spotlight again in your life. Either way, all the performances are done by the end of the month, with the stages cleared away and the park returning to mostly normal.

Aftermath

With the shows finally complete, you will be released from the fae's grip. No longer do you have to spend your days working under them, and can now instead return back to your daily life. The singing curses will... decrease in frequency, as the month goes on-- but until the end of the month, you still may feel compelled to burst into song... once and awhile.

OOC Notes

The dominant element this month is Wind! Anyone with an affinity to the wind element will find themselves boosted throughout the month. This could mean a boost to their power, having more energy, feeling more inspired with creativity, having better luck on different attempts -- the boost can manifest in all sorts of different ways. By contrast, anyone with an affinity for Earth will be experiencing the opposite. Perhaps their powers will be weaker, they have less energy, they're having a creative block or general worse luck - again it can manifest in all sorts of way and players are free to play with this mechanic as they'd like.

The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here.

Comments

[actnormal]

Dazed Racoon

[Caleb is more or less in a state of mild confusion and bewilderment until the scripts are handed out and they're left to their own devices, at which point he switches from "mild" to "extreme', and just sort of stares at the scripts he was given. He's apparently been cast as...]

Romantic male lead, romantic male lead, leading role...but I can't sing? Or dance? Or act? Or, uh, have those vibes?

[What is happening.]

Performing Raccoon

["What is happening" is Caleb is being made to rehearse his lines and songs, and he's...surprisingly good? Especially at the singing, though every time he's told to take a break he turns into a carbuncle and curls up somewhere, hiding in clear embarrassment.]

Backstage Raccoon - AKA the wildcard

[When not hiding in embarrassment, Caleb can be found chilling backstage and around town when not being dragged to rehearsal! Hit me up for things not covered in the other two.]

dazed raccoon

[welcometomyworld]

[Oh no.]

[Oh no.]

[Caleb's done it.]

[He's said the magic words.]

Nonsense! Anyone can be a performer if they try hard enough. All you need is some blood, sweat, at tears.

[Emphasis on blood and tears.]

dazed racoon

[conseqweinces]

[Hey, it's Caleb's favorite guy to make things easie]

Well, not with that attitude you can't!

[nevermind.]

belle | zenless zone zero

[greatlydares]

[one: waving through a window]

[Shopping Street seems very...energetic, today. A little too energetic, in fact, because the flash mob that's just formed on the street, with perfectly coordinated movements as they sing and dance about getting the mustard out, is a little far out of the usual sights you'd see there.

Then the door to Random Play creaks open, and Belle peeks out, squinting. She winces, then gestures for whoever's awkwardly standing around on the street to come inside.]

Come on in. They've been like that all day, it's a little weird.

[two: kaisou's got boo!]

[Halfway through the first rehearsal day, Belle shows up with her hands on her hips, having apparently booked it all the way here for...uh, some reason. That reason quickly hops out of hiding: a little Bangboo that immediately hides behind her leg as Belle glares up at the fae.]

Eous and I are a package deal. You can't take it without me coming along. All right?

[Since she's basically appointed herself as Eous's manager, Belle sticks around backstage after that, mostly looking after the little Bangboo and teaching it some of the dance numbers. Off to the side, you can find her demonstrating:]

—here, just do what I do. H-O-T, [and with every letter she slowly demonstrates, Eous copies her as best as it can,] T-O-G-O. Yeah, you're getting it! Okay, let's try it a little faster this time. One, two, go!

[three: the price]

[Eous, coming out of its shell, is off rehearsing for its role with someone else. Belle, behind the scenes, leans against a crate somewhere, before she presses her fingers to her temples and shakes her head slightly.]

...no, they're not—yours. At least I don't think they are, so calm down. [A blink, then she looks up.] Hm? What was that? Sorry, I was—a little too in my own head there.

three

[replicannot]

[Luke's taking a break himself. The fae may be slavedrivers, but he's dealt with worse. He slips away from the stage manager area, and he's on his way to get a snack when he spots Belle.]

You doing okay?

[And then, after a moment--]

Sis?

two

[wilder]

[Belle would've had no way to know that her brother got poached my the fae. They'd grabbed him while he'd been on his way to do an errand. He had not called indicating that he had been snatched either.

Will that stop him from being melodramatic about it? no.]

Whoa whoa whoa, you came here for EOUS but not me?!

Siiiissssssssss! Where's the love?!

[This is not the first time she's had to hear this whine.]

Harumasa Asaba | Zenless Zone Zero | OTA

[life_ethereal]

A: Typecasted

[Harumasa is, of course, kidnapped in the middle of the night by the fey. He's favored (whatever the fuck that means), so they want to see what he can do! Thus, they have given him the script for the titular Sleeping Beauty and for the cat in Cinderella. He looks at the script for the cat and then looks up at the fey.]

... I'm a tiger?

Same thing, dahling!

I'm pretty sure they're not, but okay?

[One of the Directors waves their hand and it seems like a bit of magic went onto Harumasa for "talking back," but... it doesn't look like anything has happened. There's dead silence for a solid five seconds before the Director says:]

Consider that a warning, young man!

[And then they flounce off.]

.......... What just happened?!


B: Practice, Practice, Practice!

[Unfortunately, Harumasa turns out to be a very good singer and has an excellent sense of balance. So, the choreographer gives him an overly complex set of steps that he has to do to symbolize meeting the prince and running away from them. While also singing about his feelings. It's after running through it a second time that the choreographer goes:]

Again! From the top!

[Harumasa collapses to his knees dramatically, panting like he's just sprinted a marathon.]

I'm not built for this kind of endurance! Have mercy, I feel like I'm dying! My respiratory system can't handle this kind of stress....

[He sounds very over-dramatic about it.]


C: Wildcard!

[Want a different thread that's not shown here? Go for it~!]

b

[hexcrafter]

[Somewhere in the midst of these complaints, there was a deafening crash of metal and glass from just offstage.]

Oh no. That lighting fixture broke. We'll have to clear the stage for a while to make sure there's no broken glass.

[And god's worst actor, a deadpan Viktor completely unfazed by the destroyed light only a few feet away from him.]

b

[replicannot]

[Luke is around the stage, working on a few props, during Haru's rehearsal.]

[He recognizes him. It feels a little weird approaching him, because Luke hasn't exactly apologized, but he also doesn't want to.]

[He didn't do anything wrong!]

[It's not his fault he reacted like that. But, he does feel bad for Haru, so he approaches him awkwardly.]

You have to be careful. Choreographers can sense fear.

A

[droptheious]

[Varian came here, not because he was kidnapped by the fae, but because this shit happens every year and every year he comes to try and get his loved ones out. It usually ends with him being cursed, but that's just the dice he rolls when he does that. But it looks like this isn't... actually terrible for a change. And people can go home at the end of the day which is... a pleasant change of pace for the fae. But he's here anyway, just in case.

He's sitting cross legged on a box, thumbing through the script for Rapunzel. He worked out that the titular princess was a well-known fairytale in this world pretty early on when he arrived here. Mostly from the looks people gave him when he asked about "Princes Rapunzel". Normally, he tries not to read too much into the fairytales, it leaves him with a sense of uneasiness that the world he comes from - albeit a very different version - is considered a children's story elsewhere. If he thinks too hard about it, things start to get a little existential and he'd rather not. But he was curious on the fae's take, and his brow is furrowed as he reads.

He doesn't look up when Haru speaks, instead giving a soft hnn in response. ]

They'll curse you over nothing. I got my silver allergy from these guys. Also the Puca thing, but that was less directly from them. If you had a warning shot, you're lucky.

[ He makes a soft, annoyed noise. ]

I do not like how this story is going. They're making Gothel out to be a victim.

march 7th | honkai star rail

[trailblazingspirit]

[one: what i've been looking for]

[March crashes the party on the second day, dressed in a cute little dress with half her hair tied up in a side ponytail with a blue scrunchie. Cheerfully, she declares:]

I want a part! Look, I even brought my own wardrobe, I can play anybody you want! I can even sing. [And she holds up her bag, which, yes, is crammed chock-full of outfits. The side pockets do have her essentials, like her phone and some snacks, but for the most part it's dresses all the way in there.] You didn't cast every part of your show yet, did you?

[two: wildcard on the stage]

[March can be found performing in rehearsals as either a leading role (her dream!) or, more likely, a support role (not quite the same but she'll take it!) changing outfits as befits the role. When not performing, she's backstage being a helpful errand girl. You can find her at the stage pretty much...uh, most of the time.

The fae can't get rid of her now.]

One

[jaxoff]

[Jax is here because Zodiac decided it would be a fantastic idea to force its staff into helping the fae. Given the nonsense the fae normally pull on people, Jax would rather be anywhere else than here. It's only fun when he's fucking with people. He's stretching his long-ass arms to hang some lights when he hears a familiar voice.

Oh no. Her.

He turns his head slowly, blinking as he realises what she's doing. He could just... leave her. If she gets her stupid ass cursed by the fae, that's her problem, not his. He doesn't need to give a shit about this.

Anyway, so he'll walk over, casually picking March up and tucking her under his arm as he continues to casually stroll to the other end of the stage. Only then does he put her down again.]

Okay, so just to check here have you actually finally lost your entire mind? Why are you willingly coming here?

takame kesi | ffxiv oc

[hoshikiri]

i.それはとても難しい仕事です... (backstage)

[Perhaps Takame had become complacent. Things have been peaceful on his end, he'd begun to work into something of a routine and the matter of the Black Hole on the end of town was in good hands, so he let it be.

He shouldn't have let his guard down, now he's been taken by the Fey and has been running around all over the place tending to the stage for them. It was like they were aware he was a stage hand. And he was just so tall! He could reach places the fair folk couldn't! Yes, they could fly. Yes, Takame knows this. No, he will not refuse them.

In fact as he was running around he might run into you while moving stage equipment.]

Ah, my apologies...

ii. 私と一緒に歌ってください！(singing curse)

[Takame had been doing well, surely. He was polite to the fair folk, followed the rules he'd recalled from his time in Il Mheg and from speaking with Waver not to mention his last experiences with them in this realm.

But it seems he wasn't expressive enough with one of them, and they took offense. He felt some sort of magic wash over him when one of the fey stormed off in a huff after speaking with him, but he looked himself over. He found a mirror to look in.

And nothing seemed different. Perhaps he was missing something? So he'll find another app user and ask them.]

♪ Excuse me, but do you have a moment? ♪ ... Ah.

[Welp.]

iii. ワイルドカード (wildcard)

[[ find him in a performance, find him around town, find him at his work places, i'm good w/ anything! ]]

2

[welcometomyworld]

[Robin doesn't get hit by the singing curse.]

[The fae have no reason to be upset with Robin. She is probably working the app users harder than they are.]

[And when she hears Takame approach her, she absolutely glows. There's somebody taking their job seriously!]

Amazing! Practicing even in you're free time, I wish everyone was as devoted as you!

wei wuxian | mdzs

[conseqweinces]

i. self awareness not of the self (cast lists)

[It's been a turbulent month for Wei Wuxian. No, it's been turbulent ever since Jin Ling arrived and he learned the kid was not only possessed but his blood sister's child in this life. He's tried to dance around the subject as much as he could, but the others weren't having it. He'd settled for omitting some information.

And then Harumasa was possessed too... and the entire matter with that white-haired friend of his... it's really making old wounds resurface. All this while he was trying to make sure Sampo got through this crystal problem.

... But being snatched by the fey (despite being one of them technically) really threw a wrench in all that thought and his study on the outside. And now he's looking at a cast list of at least three different plays! One of which he was cast as something a little... questionable. But not for the reasons you might think.]

If the princess they're making me play needs to have true love's first kiss, Lan Zhan is going to be really mad at whoever the prince is...

ii. back in the indie circle (backstage)

[Wei Wuxian's been looking up and down and all around for where this music is coming from. He knew better than most music is as magic as anything else, but come on. He's a musician himself, what is a band kid going to do if not watch the other band kids and commentate on how they're doing?

And he's complaining about it loudly. AKA, this isn't actually a problem for him he's just annoying.]

I can't find the band anywhere! Can you believe it, why did I even bring my flute with me if there isn't one!

iii. wildcard

[[ you can find him anywhere and also on stage/in costume and if you want to talk about him being a pretty princess please do it'll be so fucking funny but yes i'm good with anything!! ]]

iii

[orchidingold]

[Jin Ling, adjusting the awful purple sock-hat he's supposed to wear for the role, prods Wei Wuxian none too gently with a finger. Aside from the sock-hat, he pointedly hasn't worn anything else that would scan as dwarvish, so he sticks out like a sore thumb in his hoodie and sweatpants.]

Stop that, you're supposed to act like you're in a coma.

[qilinzuo]

i. kidnapping (backstage);

[ Well, Childe's not exactly a stranger to suspicious situations, so imagine his lack of surprise that something strange is happening at some point in the month. Only...well, there's definitely variety in that oddity. Given that he's being 'recruited' to perform or something like that..

He sees he's also not the only one. ]

So, first rodeo on being kidnapped?

[ Poor joke, but he's actually not in the bad mood. Maybe he can get someone to fight with him... ]

ii. scripts;

[ What's this nonsense about him playing a romantic lead? Nah, he isn't about all of that. Sure, Childe enjoys a good performance and all - which practically all the people he's met here would probably be surprised to know this little nugget because he doesn't advertise it - but, that also means he has a keen eye for decent ones.

...But, then, something comes to mind. ]

Hey, what do you think about the following additions to the script?:

Romantic lead becomes rival to his pursuer. Then, they have a climatic no-holds-barrel fight that hinges on the survival of either one, or none at all.

Kind of boring when everything goes according to plan, right?

[ Enable him or don't. It's your choice. ]

iii. trouble backstage;

[ Childe is causing some sort of trouble in the theatre production. Maybe he isn't listening. Maybe he decided to go completely off script.

Or maybe he started a fight with a rando.

Feel free to be an observer or intervene?? ]

iv. wilcard;

[ The world is your oyster. Because apparently this troublesome is having a time of his life! But is your character? ]

ii

[jackdawvision]

[Probably Edward shouldn't let him try and mess around with the script. Probably. Except he's also bored and the fairy directors have forced him into the lead of the romantic rival, and all he just really wants is to get back to backstage so he can relax.

So he considers it with great seriousness. Then:]

First to draw blood wins, that's my condition. Best not to leave too much of a real mess to clean up for the backstage crew.

[hexcrafter]

[1a; lights camera action and scene]

[Viktor was, in a general sense, a very caring and patient person. He put up with the inherent surreality of being conscripted by the fae with minimal complaint, spending most of his time constructing and repairing lighting fixtures and working on the sound system. Of course, anyone's patience would wear thin after a few days of the stage manager's draconian rule, at which point one might notice it came to a head in a heated argument--wherein Viktor didn't so much as raise his voice, but the implication of an iron crutch being used as a blunt instrument along with several creative terms in Czech could probably be heard. Probably not the sole incident that got the manager to calm down in the time that followed, but very likely a contributing factor. How he got out of that without being cursed (for now) was anyone's guess.]

[1b; story of my life]

[After that, Viktor's temper was a little shorter--the telltale demeanor of an overworked engineer on a deadline with absolutely no patience for interruptions. Interruptions, for example, like the portal starting to open behind him while he worked on rewiring the lights-]

I am busy, go away. [-and a particularly heavy broken stage light went flying straight into the teeth of whatever monster had started to stick its head out.]

[ii; wildcard]

[whatever, man,]

1b

[wilder]

[The weight of the stage light sure was enough to throw the monster back, and there was Zelos there- his hand raised halfway as he was about to warn Viktor of the portal]

Uh, right. Just wanted you to know about the... monster portal.

Cotton Cookie | OTA

[creamcottonshepherd]

[WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PART?]

Well I'm old, is the thing.

[It's early morning. Many have of course, been recruited for the stage play and have their own arguments to make. Cotton however, seems to be caught in an...interesting one with the director trying to convince her to lend her part as a stage hand. ...By, well, gesturing to a fair few chairs that need to be moved around, plus the stage equipment, the cables, the...

Alright it was probably the first thing after the 'chairs' that did it but.]

It means I can't do that sort of thing any more, my knees just can't take it..! Here, why don't I make refreshments for everyone instead, that's something I can do!

[It turns out, the fair folk have a limited understanding of this funny thing called Growing Old,]

[STAGE MANAGING]

[Cotton is a little confused these days.]

You know it doesn't feel like anything changed per say, but it's become much easier to help about in the backstage...

[She's not exactly inhumanly spry, but she's definitely been able to putter around with refreshments for everyone at a much faster clip. Not to mention, the Directors have been pointing her toward a few other, albeit simple tasks.] I suppose they did say that whatever they did would be more of an occasional thing, but I can't help feel nervous about that!

Now then, they asked if I could check this oven here before moving on, they're using it for...I believe a 'Hansel and Gretel' tale? OH GOODNESS-!

[Casual chatter is interrupted by a loud shout of alarm when the heat of the machine practically blasts from the door of it, with poor Cotton taking the brunt.

Poor being a questionable word, she's always been heat resistant but.]

Oh...Oh dear me, are you alright over there?

[hey grandma

you're on fire

Or at least, it looks like her veins are on fire, thanks to that new Flame Mode.]

[RAISE THE CURTAIN]

[It's finally time for the official show, but in the audience, a perhaps unexpected spectator can be found and sat with. Despite being missing for this past...while, really, Cotton is here! Knitting away, humming happily to herself-

oh no she's contagious isn't she]

Hohohoo... Oh it's so exhilarating to see familiar faces on the stage like this, don't you think? I'm so relieved the crew thought of reserving seats for anyone finished with their work, I must say...

[The humming continues, and she turns to look with- Hihhhh, now largely black eyes, that's sure a look- to smile.] Would you like a cookie, at all?

What happened to my part?

[wilder]

[Unlike the fae, Zelos can immediately see the problem from where he's rehearsing his lines. And he also recognizes that these fae are about as toxic as the nobility back in his homeworld, so he can't imagine they'll really be down with taking a no for an answer.

So, time to get involved. He'll put down his script and stroll on over, putting on his best charming smile]

Whoooa now, what're you doing asking such a lovely lady to perform manual labor for you? A woman like her should be treated with the respect and dignity she's earned, wouldn't you say?

If you need something hauled, I can do it in the lady's place.

Yasuho Hirose | OTA

[youwouldntdownloada]

[FIVE- SIX- SEVEN- EIGHT!]

[Yasuho is not having a good morning. Singing? Dancing? No.

She's busy enough. No!

She has a role anyway?? No! Much like everyone else, probably, Yasuho can be heard early in the first morning or so of all this nonsense arguine that she cannot do this, she can barely pull off a spell properly still, do not!!

Which, strangely enough, causes the fae to pause and start muttering amongst themselves while Yasuho just stands there in her pajamas. Grumbling musically under her breath.]

🎶If I don't get back in time for class I'm going to screammmmmm...🎵

[She still has those!! Hey! HELLO!

Anyway, she might need some reassurance.]

[THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS]

[ 'Now we've been discussing everything as directors, and we've found a solution to your problems with rehearsal!'

Very blearily, very bluntly, Yasuho has tried really hard to get across to these faeries- without insulting them too significantly- that she really, really cannot do anything magically strenuous for another week or so. It's still, technically, not spring! She still feels like crap, and singing every other line isn't helping.

Unfortunately-] AAaAAAAH-!

[ -SPLSH....-

...................

Unfortunately the solution they came up with was dropping her into the literal deep-end. They heard that works. So currently, Yasuho is on 'set' in a magical water cube.]

OUGGGGGHHH!!!!

[Pages of script- magically water proof- are falling in after her, and a very pissy Yasuho, so irritable that she's using her cloak of the depths tentacles to hold each page while she reads, starts half singing and half growling under her breath as she reads.

...Hey hold up.] I-

They cast me as the lead role... And the Sea Witch?

[HEY HOLD UP-]

[THE CURTAIN CALL]

[The play, ultimately, is a hit. Somehow, when you put the Sea Witch of the Little Mermaid in the starring role, everything becomes a comedy- and with Yasuho freed of her seasonal affect just in time for debut, she strikes the character balance of 'witchy faerie in panic as she tries to do her dang job' with 'confidently nailing it' perfectly.

Maybe too perfectly? Whatever. The climactic scene comes with 'Yasuho the Sea Witch' singing a favor out of some wind sprites for one final favor to her own client from hell, and the curtain comes down on wishing that little water elf good luck in the ether.

Please do not come back to her shop.

But with it all over, Yasuho sinks back on a chair backstage while waiting for everything to dry off so she can have legs again.]

Phew......

...You know...

🎵This all hasn't been too bad-🎶

[GLK- NOPE- SHE'S CLAMMING UP-]

What is this strange new world?

[lowlyapothecary]

MaoMao was standing next to a large pavilion? of some sort. She had never seen anything like this. The People? on the platform were nothing like any person she had seen before either. They were very pale with large rounded eyes and their ears were pointed. If she didn't know any better she would say that they were related to the Moon Fairy from legend, but that was impossible since they didn't exist.

Why can’t I move? I can think clearly, so why can’t I move my legs?

She turned to the person next to her to ask, but nothing came out of her mouth when she tried. She opened and closed her mouth, giving off what must have been the impression of a fish. After a momentary panic, she turned all her focus into attempting to move her feet. As she tried with all of her might it was as if someone had tied stones to her legs. She kept struggling to move, and after what felt like an eternity she moved her foot a fraction of an inch.

SUCCESS She screamed in her head.

With a new focus she put more effort into moving, she then got her foot to move a step, then another and another. Soon she was running, unsure of where to go, she just ran as far from the platform as she could. Finally she found a door that led to the outside. Running through it she stopped, this was not the Rear Palace, it was an alien world. Candaless lights, walls with moving people trapped inside. She had no idea where she was or what was going on, only that she had to get away.

Her cloth slippers pounding down the road? street? alley? she had no idea what any of this material was. *DING* She screeched as the sleeve of her robe made an alien noise. She pulled out a strange small metal rectangle, and threw it away. She kept running and she found what appeared to be a small courtyard, surrounded by walls and full of trees. She found a bench in the middle of the trees and sat down to catch her breath.

[poisontippedcure]

[Look, some days you’re minding your own business—-relieved you weren’t kidnapped by the fae—-when you spot a new arrival.]

[A very obvious new arrival.]

[Rose picks up the phone after MaoMao throws it, and finds her on the bench.]

You’ll need this.

[cutenessproximity]

Unbearable

What do you mean, that's the entire costume? No. [Gwendal is obligated to be here and play the part he's been given, but it seems there are lines to be drawn.] The shirt is...it doesn't cover enough to keep warm in this weather.

[That's not the reason for his objection, but it sounds more logical than simple modesty. Unfortunately, logic and fair folk aren't on great terms.

"So you want to be warm, do you? How's this, then?" There's a poof of magic, and when the sparkles clear, where Gwendal was is now a disoriented grizzly bear. He lifts one giant paw to stare at it in confusion while the insulted fae takes off in a huff.]

Crafter duty

[Someone seems to have found out about Gwendal's hobbies, and decided that if he knows how to do one kind of fiber arts, he should be capable of all of them, right? So he's been assigned to costume repairs.

It's going...not well, honestly. He's focused on the fabric in his hands, but it's obvious he doesn't have the fine motor skills to keep it from wrinkling as he attempts to stitch a seam back together. The round fuzzy ears now permanently atop his head are flattened against his hair in irritation.]

...

Wildcard

[Make him practice lines with you! Hand him heavy things to carry! Drag him into any kind of shenanigans you can imagine!]

[mediocrites]

once more from the top

[As soon as he knew what was going on, Ratio started looking around for students and other professors, and asking any he found to direct others toward him: since he's going to have to call out from teaching his classes due to fey interference again, it makes sense to him that they at least try to put all the names of those caught in the latest shenanigans into one place.]

I'm writing an email to the Dean's office. Do you need to be added to the list of absences?

[sorry for the email you're about to get, Haitham]

stage work

[Outside of rehearsals, he's been directed to help put up sets, an almost reasonable task.]

🎵 You don't need a degree in physics, to see that won't stand on its own! Put another beam there, or the cast beware- 🎵

[hold on. wait. no. no no no no. He'll stop, looking absolutely stricken, as he realizes what's happening. Which is a shame, since he has a pretty nice voice actually.]

wildcard

[Drag him into your practice! Drop something on him from the catwalks! Etcetera!]

from the top

[hexcrafter]

Thouhtful as that is, Doctor, I believe Haitham already knows I have an extended absence due to a case of 'can't get in the building'.

[Sigh.]

Do you need help tracking whoever else is stuck here?

sampo koski || honkai star rail

[anyprice]

1.\\ -> The Pixie Wears Prada => OTA

[ he's often teased a certain friend of his that he reminded him of the woman from this movie. To see the faeries have stolen the script to make it a fae version of the tale--one where he has to play the part of the 'Devil', however--is the funniest thing in the world to him. Usually for things like this, he's used to being cast in the role of the cunning rogue, the dastardly beautiful thief or something of the sort, so the fact that he's going to be playing a rich bitch? he's going to put all his flair into it. while in dress rehearsal, he sees this as a perfect opportunity to jeer on his fellow stage-mates, all while wearing a beautiful red dress and heels, a fluffy black feather boa over his shoulders. he's definitely using shapeshifting to give himself a more feminine look today, to boot. He winks an eye. that sure is sampo's sing-song voice coming out, here. ]

🎶Those shoes with those stockings? Darling, do you want to be laughed off stage?~

2.\\ -> The Ariel Effect => OTA

[ he sure doesn't remember singing being part of the Devil Wears Prada, but you know what. fuck it. it's funny. he has no problem acting a fool on stage, much less does he mind a singing number where he makes ridiculous demands of several overworked interns as he demands only the best. It's a dress rehersal of course, so there isn't a large audience--maybe that's for the best, as well, as what's to come would be that much worse were there to be a large number of people watching him drop the proverbial ball, right here on stage.

And by ball, of course, that means his voice.

He's halfway through throwing out one of the stronger lines of the song, his arms being thrown out in a show-y way as those watching or participating in the rehearsal take part in the dance--when his voice just.

Stops.

It's the oddest feeling, as he can feel it disappear. It isn't a voice crack, or a sharp pitch that makes him choke--it's like someone had suddenly slammed the mute button on him and it's just.

Gone.

Hands fly up to his throat as he freezes, and he tries to speak, and all that comes out is the wheezing sound from his lungs. A click of his teeth.

And then panic as the sound of bells in his head get louder with the confusion of it all. What is... what is happening. ]

3.\\ -> The Show Must Go On => OTA

[ ...And so much for that. After an examination by one of the faeries, after he'd calmed down from the ordeal, thanks to a fellow stagemate or friend who'd been nearby, he's sitting on the edge of the stage looking kind of ... numb. Off to the distance.

The next part of the crystal's curse manifesting at the most inoppertune time. Stealing away his voice this time. Of all things, his voice.
One of his most important tools of his trade, of his life. He sits with his phone in his hand, having been told he can 'just go home', and that they have no use for a performer who has no voice.

... he has to laugh. Because what else can he do in this situation?

Regardless of how now; noone can hear the fool laugh. ]

1. the pixie wears prada

[throwmoreswords]

One of your breasts is noticeably bigger and more to the left than her sister.

[ Gilgamesh is not. particularly great at playing a part. he's a Unique Spirit, to be certain, but he's also deeply disinterested in dancing to just anybody's tune. the Fae are irritating--it's not the first time he's been spirited away, but with every passing hour, he considers more and more what it'd be like for it to be the last.

but for now, Sampo seems to be having fun, so perhaps the King can permit some indulgence. ]

Do you need a hand with that? [ he asks in a cheerful deadpan, hands temporarily tucked in the pockets of his nicely fit costume pants. ]

Kinich | Genshin Impact | OTA

[quit_ur_kiniching]

A: The Curse of a Salesman

[Kinich has been doing two jobs at once. He's been gathering materials for Zodiac per a temporary contract with them, and keeping people away from the Gates. Unfortunately, one of those people turns out to be a fey in disguise and doesn't take kindly to Kinich warning them away from the area. Despite the that that said fey had been disguised as an obnoxious, human couple.

So they wave their hand and Kinich becomes a large, seven foot long, winged serpent that looks an awful lot like what Quetzalcoatl is described as. It surprises him just enough for him to be unable to react in time to the series of unfortunate events that immediately occur.

Junjaw is enraged and takes over his body.]

MISERABLE INSECT! YOU DARE CURSE THE VENERABLE AND ALMIGHTY K'HUL JUNJAW?! YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT WITH YOUR LIFE!!!

[Junjaw snaps at the fey with the intention of eating them, but they manage to dodge with a shrill shriek of terror. They look afraid, but are trying to hide it through arrogance.]

W-well! I never!

[They wave their hand again desperately when they see that Junjaw is about to take another shot at eating them. This time, Kinich falls as his form goes from a large, winged serpent... to a tiny sand cat. Junjaw is further enraged by this turn of events.]

YOU—!

[Kinich wrenches control back.]

Enough! [He gives a significant look to the fey.] If you could kindly leave now that you've had your fun.

[The fey will graciously take this time to leave so that they can laugh a safe distance away. Kinich sighs and just... loafs right where he is. He doesn't show it blatantly, but he's tired.]


B: And Now for Something Completely Different

[Kinich has been taken by the fey at some point. They try to get him into a role on stage, but he simply crosses his arms and silently stares at them.]

Surely, a prince will suit you! ... No? Princess, then?

[More of that unnerving, silent staring. The fey is starting to grow nervous.]

Sidekick? Bush? ... Backup dancer?

[He hasn't blinked once and continues to stare at them.]

Okay, okay, fine! We could use more techs backstage!!

... That is acceptable.

[The fey breathes out a sigh of relief and flees the scene. Kinich shakes his head before heading backstage to start work on lights and sound effects.]


C: Wildcard!

[Anything goes~]

Wriothesley || Genshin Impact || OtA

[loupmorque]

1.// Let the Water Flow Down . => OTA

[ this is wriothesley's nightmare. literally his nightmare. he's holding a script for the play that he's being forced to be in, and he's sitting here, trying his damn best to think of some excuse to abandon the role.

the main love interest role for some mafia-esque story that he's Not From Earth enough to recognise the title for. he'll google it later or something.
if he notices a friend or aquaintence on stage with him, he'll give them a sort of weak look. an expression the Duke doesn't often make. ]

...No chance you'll take my part for me?

2.// More My Speed Machine . => OTA

[ either by way of showing exactly how stage anxious he was, or going frozen on stage several times during dress rehersal, the Duke has managed, one way or another, to get out of having to act on stage. he's currently sat cross-legged behind the stage with a stagelight in his hand--and a screwdriver. he's taking it apart with intents on 'making it better', or so he's convinced a few of the faeries.

the truth is, he's trying to hide away from the faeries so they don't try to sneak him a non-speaking part in their play. he ignores just about every fae that comes to speak with him, muttering that he's focused on his current work.
maybe come tinker with him, or save him from this? ]

3.// No Encores Please . => OTA

[ he's not getting off scot free, of course, as his constant avoidance of the stage has caused the faeries to put a troublesome curse on him. which means to say, everything he says is now coming out like he's taking part of a musical, and the Duke's being forced to sing just about everything he's saying--be it a short muttering or word, or a full cohesive sentence.

it'll become clear why the fae are so insistent to get the Duke on stage though--he's got the voice of a rock star, apparently, and he's doing his best to keep his mouth shut at every given opportunity.

Even if he's going to be polite and try to greet any of his friends who approach. ]

🎶Gotta find a way out, can't wait till this ends.

3

[poisontippedcure]

[If Rose thought Wrio was in any sort of danger, she'd step in.]

[But he doesn't seem to be? The fae just want to put on a play. She misses her friend, sure, but he could use a day off--and play practice is probably the closest thing he'll take for a very long time.]

[Still, she smiles when she sees him approaching. And she stifles a laugh when he opens his mouth.]

They cursed you, didn't they?

Noah (Sunday) || Honkai Star Rail || ota

[consonanter]

[a. I just woke up and I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore.

Waking up to find himself kidnapped in Kami State Park is... definitely not on his list of things he expected. Trying to figure out what exactly was being asked of him is even worse— on one aspect, these director fae want them to do these plays. On the other......... somehow Noah is supposed to play the violin for two other shows, then work backstage for another?

He's standing by a tree, frowning as he looks at the sheet music in his hands.]

You'd think they'd at least let me audition before handing me first violin, of all things. [At least it's not a concerto, those would take him MONTHS to hammer out. Turning to whoever is next to him—] How does your part look?

[So do you want the intervention now or later?

If there's one thing that Noah knows well enough, it's how his sister Robin reacts to rehearsals and trial nights. Any sort of potential to bring out someone as a future star? Well... she's certainly... enthusiastic, for a lack of a better word.

Which is why Noah is stepping in gently now, to try and ease any sort of potential problems or uncomfortable moments from someone his sister may have found. Gently, with care and consideration:] Robin, why not let me help them first— ease them into something this important bit by bit? I'll send them along when I feel they're ready, but you know you need to let some people find their feet first before they're willing to walk or run.

[He'll do this for many people, offer a sort of reprieve, if possible— but he also will keep his word and try to teach things before people go and work with others.

It's a wildcard, baybee!

Feel free to toss something out, I can work with it.]

b

[actnormal]

[Caleb sees--fuck. What is his name in this life? Fuck. He sees Robin's brother and the second Robin agrees to lay off he is just.

Hiding behind him.]

Thank you so much holy shit.

Riku Sekido | Kingdom Hearts | OTA

[fightbydawn]

The Show
There has to be something else. [He's begging, pleading with the fae, a script clutched in his hand and a look of utter discomfort on his face.] I-- no, I'll take any other role, I just don't want to be in this play as--

[He pauses, frantic in his quick skimming of the pages he has in hand.]

Maleficent's son. That's not even how the story goes. Just-- wait--

[The fae, nose stuck in a different script, turns a deaf ear towards Riku, hurrying off to talk to the cast of an entirely different production, leaving Riku to practice his lines in absolute distress.]

The Curse
[It was only a matter of time before Riku's patience ran out, honestly. He's been trying to be respectful with the fae. He's been trying to go through proper channels, to request an audience, to plead his case... but in the end, the mix of memories and seeing someone dressed as the dark, vengeful fairy scolding him for being a rebellious teenager hurting his poor mother by chasing after a human princess--

Well, he could only keep himself contained for so long.

Which is how, with a single snapped out judgement on how stupid the story is and how Maleficent was not nice in any way shape or form... well.

Let's just say the fae didn't take too kindly to that.

So just a few days into this madness, anyone else who might be trying to duck away into the park to escape the chaos of the stage will be able to find a tall, lanky kirin with way, way too much hair and far too many points growing out of his head trying his best to figure out how to balance and move on four legs.

At the very least, he seems to have mastered standing up. Taking more than a few steps at a time, however, causes everything to come crashing down in mess of mane, limbs, and antlers.]

The Walk of Shame
[Trying to teleport home had not gone as planned. He'd tried to move into the shadows, to step from the park to his apartment only to feel like he was slowly being squeezed by a metal net, jabbed by dozen cattle prods.

In the end, he's hauling his aching, longlonglong bones up from the grass, ducking his head and asking one of the fey to possibly help him get his script and clothes in a bag before starting the long, embarrassing walk of shame from the park to his apartment.

At the very least, everyone not on the app should just figure he's some weird Great Dane or socialized deer sheepishly limping his way through the city.

And hopefully no one on the app will be around to witness a kirin walking down the sidewalk looking like he wants the ground to just open up and swallow him whole.]