songerein | { lindwormeo and juliet }

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{ lindwormeo and juliet }

LINDWORMEO & JULIET

It is the third dreamshift, and when everyone rouses and becomes aware of their situation, they find themselves dressed in Verona, a gothic city where night reigns everlasting and violence lurks around every corner. Not because of crime, but because of the two main families, the Montagues and the Capulets, everlasting feud. Fights break out almost every other minute and peace is hard sought after. However, peace is perhaps on the table, for the Capulets are hosting a grand masquerade in a gesture of truce. But it's difficult when one of Montague's sons is cursed as a Lindworm, one of the key reasons why there is a feud to begin with.

"But that's not really all that important," a voice echoes around them. It's a voice different from the tapirs that they've grown accustomed to, and after another moment it chimes in again. "Up here my fair little dreamwalkers."

And lo, high above in the permanent night sky is a moon so full and bright that it almost feels as if it could swallow them whole. After learning about the Story Eater's actions against Songerein's moon, the appearance of a face would certainly alarm many. But then the face seems to recede before it changes into a full person holding a quill and manuscript.

"Greetings! I am William Shakespeare and you are now within my own dream, a dreamscape I believe you call it. My works can be found in many places and in many worlds. Yet that accursed Story Eater has been devouring my masterpieces! I must now pen them all over again, but one of its minions is invading my mind and altering everything and I refuse to become a brainless puppet like Marlowe. I have isolated it within this place of my own design based off of Romeo and Juliet. However it seems after my reading of the Lindworm King, my visions have been affected a bit, but no matter. A playwright must find inspiration where he can!

But it is now up to you to see this play through completion. Doing so will help those outside draw out the fiend through the accumulated dreamotion energy, and if you could give it a few stabs that will help as well. Not all of you need to partake in my play, and I have already chosen my leading actors and actresses. You should find a brief copy of the script on your person, but you may act however you wish. However, I should warn you—this is a tragedy, so deaths are expected. But fear not, you will leave this dreamscape perhaps a bit tired, but unharmed. It's all a dream after all.

Now that should cover it. I look forward to seeing how everyone's tragic romances will play out. It may give me material for my next masterpiece!"

And just as suddenly as he had appeared, Shakespeare disappears from the moon, leaving it to loom brightly over the otherwise dark city.

I. GENERAL PROMPTS

Reminder that those cast as Romeo and Juliet can participate in most of these prompts, but the timing would be set early on before they move onto their designated scenes.

A. Family Feud. Everyone in Verona is randomly split in allegiance between the Montagues and the Capulets, and whenever they meet there is some kind of tension. It could be violent, hostile, passive, petty, or even attraction. Surely Romeo and Juliet aren't the only ones who can love across the aisle. If not pit against each other to fight or exchange snide comments, opposing parties can also work together to deal with Erasers posing as creepy looking family members/soldiers/knights/etc.

» BONUS: TO ARMS. A city-wide family feud makes for good business if you’re in the weapons-and-armor trade. Gather materials to help smithies in creating armor and weapons.

B. Masquerade. Almost as if it's the opening act, everyone, both Montagues and Capulets are to attend a masquerade held within the Capulet's ballroom. It's a momentary "truce," and though tension between the families is still rampant, everyone is welcome to wear the finest clothing they can imagine and to partake in the festivities. The masquerade itself is in the ballroom, but there are also gardens and large terraces that guests can go to if they want some fresh air.

» BONUS: PREPARATIONS. Any good party requires a lot of preparation, and all of Verona is abuzz with activity leading up to the big night. Tailors need help getting fabric, jewels, and other baubles to create the finest dresses. Caterers need quality ingredients for the food that will be prepared and served. Someone needs to step up and be the band for the night. There are plenty of ways in which Dreamwalkers can help make the masquerade a success!

C. EXTRA SCENES. There are a few specific "scenes" featuring key characters from the original play. Whether taken voluntarily or "beckoned" by Shakespeare, those who participate will have a little "essence" of the original character. No full personality change, but they might feel certain impulses or find it easier to slip into the role. Note: anyone can fill in the roles of "Romeo" and "Juliet" for the Paris scenes; it is not exclusive to those who signed up for Romeo and Juliet.

PARIS V. JULIET. Paris meets and dances with Juliet, taking a fancy with her. With his arrogance believing he can win over the Capulet princess, throughout the night he attempts to woo Juliet, either in the ballroom or the gardens just outside. Juliet must not be swayed! (Or maybe a little swayed, but try not go totally off-book here). Juliet can shut down Paris however they want. (This scene happens during or immediately after the "Masquerade", but before the Balcony scene.)
PARIS V. ROMEO. Paris bullies his younger brother about the Lindworm curse on a near-constant basis. And to add insult to injury, after meeting Juliet he’s decided that he wants Juliet for himself. Obviously, Romeo is not about to let his stupid mean brother steal the love of his life! They’re going to have to fight this one out, either with words or via fisticuffs. (This scene happens during or immediately after the "Masquerade" but before the "Balcony" scene.)
BENVOLIO'S ATTEMPTS. Benvolio is trying to find a cure for Romeo's curse, and after some research in the library he finds something! Good cousin that he is, he puts the theory to the test immediately. Unfortunately, his attempt backfires and he gets turned into a lindworm (fully or partially) instead. The poor guy is now out of sorts, and he needs protection so that someone doesn't mistake him for some monster and kill him. At least the transformation is only temporary.
TYBALT V. MERCUTIO. The infamous duel. Considering how much their families hate each other, the inciting incident can be just about anything. The original story has Tybalt goading Mercutio into a duel by calling Romeo a villain, Tybalt killing Mercutio, and Romeo killing Tybalt. But no one’s enforcing the particulars very closely here, so players are free to proceed with the fight any way they please. (If this fight does end in one or more deaths, please refer to the event details on how death works within the dreamscape.)

D. Love is a Battlefield. As if there wasn’t enough drama to deal with, a large, winged noctaere can be found throughout the dreamscape firing arrows at the residents, turning them into Erasers. It can summon smaller winged noctaere to fight for it, and if a dreamwalker gets hit by the arrows, they will slowly turn into a lindworm that is full of hate. It's difficult to combat the boss itself, but it can be weakened by defeating its minions and those hit by its arrows. Love of any form will be a powerful counter that will hit the boss as well.

» BONUS: ROSE COLLECTION. In the forests are white and red roses that are hidden under logs and stones. They will sparkle a bit to make them look different than other flowers. They must be collected before the Erasers can get to them. A white rose fed to a lindworm will return them back to normal. Eating a red rose will allow characters to turn into a pink, heart covered lindworm for ten minutes to fly up and try to combat against the winged noctaere or the Erasers.

II. ROMEO AND JULIET'S OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are locked to those who signed up for Romeo and Juliet. Please refer to the notes for all the stipulations and effects characters will experience as the tragic couple. Final reminder that the characters will be aware of the tragic ending as well as reassurance that they will awaken unharmed at the end of their final scene.

Click for objectives.

A. Love at First Sight. Time to get your party-crashing pants on, Romeo, because there is a masquerade that you are not invited to but are attending anyway. Who doesn’t love a good party? If you wear a mask, no one will know it’s you! Here Romeo and Juliet have the opportunity to meet and flirt and make goo-goo eyes at each other. And if they really want to get into the spirit of things, they can go into a laborious metaphor about how holding hands is super hot but kissing is way hotter. (Yes, really.) At this point Romeo's curse is only a partial transformation, something along the lines of scales down one side of his body.

B. Balcony Scene. The time for light flirting is over–this is where Romeo and Juliet get to declare their undying love for each other. Romeo really needs to work it as his brother, Paris, has also made moves on Juliet. There’s some strangeness in the dreamscape at this point that seems to have mistaken Shakespeare for musical theater, so the loving couple must sing their love for one another. With that spirit in mind, the moment should be suitably big and dramatic! Immediately after this scene is when Romeo and Juliet get married, so there’s no reason not to put it all out there. Shakespeare will lend a "helping hand" in giving them knowledge of the lyrics to sing, though they are free to create their own song and freestyle it. (Players can use existing songs or make it up as they go.)

C. Elope. Being the very mature and intelligent lovers that they are, Romeo and Juliet decide to get married after knowing each other for a whole day. Time to get to the chapel, meet with the Friar, and exchange vows. Shakespear will lend a helping hand by providing wedding attire fitting for those who are cast in their role. That's right, every Juliet will have their own special bridal dress, isn't he so considerate? And then it’s time to do whatever it is that newlyweds do, if that's what they are into. Otherwise, Romeo and Juliet will need to return home to prepare for their future.

D. Runaways. Juliet learns that she is being forced to marry Romeo's brother, Paris, which is a problem because she’s already married and also she doesn’t like that other guy anyway. In a major divergence from the source material, Romeo and Juliet decide to make a run for it instead of that whole poisoning-yourself business. It’s just a better idea all around. The goal is to get out of town undetected, which means that this is a stealth mission. Romeo and Juliet must follow a path and avoid getting caught. Whatever it takes to get past the guards and would-be snitches that would turn you in!

E. Find the Cure. Even after making it out so far, fate is against them. At this point Romeo's curse is advancing, so they need to look for the cure. Just outside of town they encounter a very trustworthy set of three witches who provide a list of items for them to retrieve and mix into a potion: rainbow mushroom, feather of a dove, three snails, and lavender. No one said this was going to taste good. However, while it will work temporarily, only Juliet is told that the final ingredient must be the blood of his lover. It's a cryptic message, however they do not specify how the blood is taken. Do they mean just a few drops? Or her life?

F. Tragic Ending. Upon learning of the young couple's running away, the Capulets have declared war with knights out hunting to kill Romeo and bring back Juliet. They are soon found and no matter what they do, death will await them. But how? Players can direct this however they want. Did the soldiers catch them? Did they decide that the whole double-suicide poison thing was a good idea after all? Does one tragically sacrifice themself to save the other? Does Romeo go full Lindworm and eat Juliet? The possibilities are endless. At this point Romeo is capable of turning into a full lindworm if he's taken the cure without Juliet's blood. If he drinks the cure with Juliet's blood, then he will revert to a normal human (teenager) with no extra powers.

[Mod Note: Details on this event can be found here and we request all thread submissions to be made here.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Family Feud

"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend."

Alastor chuckled as he finished the recitation, sipping from a cup of coffee. It was easy to see the story at play here, and a few of the denizens of this place cast him quizzical or scornful looks -- particularly since apparently he'd been designated as a Montague for this sad pantomime -- but he didn't care. He set the cup back down on the saucer, watching some unnamed Capulet and Montague begin to duel in the street.

"Pretty words and noble actions but ultimately so very pointless." He turned his head just enough to look over at the sound of someone's approach. "Don't you agree?"

Masquerade - Performance

The entire thing is nonsense. The ending to this sad play was decided the moment it began. Perhaps others were trying to avert the inevitable disaster, but not Alastor.

No, he was far, far more interested in the orchestra.

Specifically the violin. It'd been ages since he'd touched one even back in Hell. Running the bow across the strings, his ears twitched with pleasure at the sound of the music. Someone overheard him playing backstage and invited him to fill in for the violinist who'd foolishly abandoned his instrument to indulge in one too many cups of wine. So now there was a rather tall, red-and-black-furred monster among the performers.

At the moment, he stood alone with minimal accompaniment, gently swaying along with eyes closed and a soft smile on his lips as he performed a violin solo while the rest of the performers took a break. Once the song was over, it'd be his turn to take a rest while the refreshed orchestra took up the music again.

Let others waste their time on the tragedy. He was perfectly happy to indulge in a pleasure he'd long been denied.

Masquerade - Mingling

After the violinist he'd replaced had sobered up, Alastor was left to his own devices, wandering the crowd. Still, he kept glancing towards the orchestra, coveting that beautiful violin and wanting to play it again.

"Pardon me!" he apologized when he bumped into someone. "I wasn't paying attention!"

Fiddling While Verona Burns

There was fighting in the streets as the young couple fled. The climax of the tragedy was upon them. Blood was spilled everywhere, the combatants too obsessed with making their foes bleed to realize that it all ran the same in the end.

But if one were to listen closely, they'd hear the sound of a violin drifting on the wind. Following it would lead to Alastor's perch on the railing of an overhead balcony as he indulged in the violin's sound one last time before this whole play would be over and the lovely instrument would be left behind as he was spirited back to Reverein. As much as he wished to keep it, the instrument belonged in this world, not the one he himself was a visitor in.

His shadow guarded his back, gazing towards the newcomer with a wicked smile, eager for someone who might think to silence Alastor to engage it.

Edited 2022-02-15 15:06 (UTC)

As a very typical human being, Yujin would usually think twice before approaching a seven-foot-tall furry demon-like person. However, the violin playing had won him over immediately. He quite adored the sound of such music, and anyone who could play with such sincerity was surely a good person. Surely. On top of that, the musician was a fellow Montague. It encouraged trust all around, really.

So he approached Alastor with very little hesitation, and while he was about to speak up, it turned out there's no need for it. The person outright bumped into him. Yujin hastily took a step back, shaking his head with a smile.

"Please, don't worry about it. It's fine," he said. "I must say, you're quite a skilled violin player."

"Why thank you, but you flatter me! Honestly, I'm shamefully rusty!"

Still, it was good to know he'd covered his stumbles well enough that his audience hadn't heard them. The violin had been a tad too small for his current form. Pity, really.

Alastor took a step back to prevent repeating bumping into the other man. He held out his hand.

"Alastor, my good man! Pleasure to meet you!"

The 'shamefully rusty' was not at all a problem in Yujin's ears. Perhaps that was because the last time he heard a violin solo in person, it had been one that had gone on for far too long. Regardless, this particular playing had been nice and hadn't overstayed its welcome.

He took hold of Alastor's hand with a squeeze that wasn't entirely firm, but couldn't be described as weak either.

"Yujin Mikotoba. The pleasure is all mine, dear fellow."

Normally, Yujin wouldn't toss out his 'dear fellows' quite this easily. However, the Montague kinship was seeping into his interactions just a bit.

Honestly, the "my good man" was just how Alastor talked in general. Part and parcel with the Transatlantic accent he used, most likely.

Alastor released the man's hand. "Dreadfully sorry, but should I be calling you 'Mr. Mikotoba' or 'Mr. Yujin'? I know some people tend to introduce themselves surname first as opposed to the American tradition of given name first. It's a bit of a change to get used to but it's hardly polite to make assumptions."

Yujin couldn't help but utter a brief laugh. He was quite aware of the surnames order in other countries and the confusion it could bring. The British tradition was the same as the American one, after all. He shook his head lightly as he responded.

"That would be Mr. Mikotoba! Though I would indeed introduce myself as Mikotoba Yujin in my own country, I came to realize soon after arriving here that most residents stick to the Western order of names when it comes to introductions. Thankfully, it isn't the first time I've had to adjust to this."

Alastor chuckled along with the man. "Mr. Mikotoba, then! Ah, I'm afraid I know shamefully little of the Eastern countries! Perhaps you'll indulge teaching me a bit. Always fascinating to hear of other places, and you're never too old to learn new things!"

He'd lived his whole life in New Orleans, very rarely setting foot outside its sphere of influence. Predictably, the news broadcasts he'd give were more concerned with what his neighbors were more or less directly affected by. Such as the Stock Market Crash of 1929.

Yujin would agree that one's never too old. Indeed, here he was, at the ripe age of 43, still learning about things like magic and other worlds. He was more than willing to share his own knowledge as well, though often he felt that it paled in comparison to what others could teach. In this particular situation, he quite expected Alastor to hail from a place very different from his own land, or even his own Earth. Some place where being seven foot tall and fluffy was considered the norm, surely.

"Oh, of course, of course. I'm always happy to speak of my home. Would you like me to talk about anything in particular?"

Ah, forty-three. Alastor remembered that time. About ten years in Hell, long before the plague that was Vox and his absolutely rude attempt at highjacking his signal...!

He took a breath to quell the rage at the other overlord before responding.

"Oh dear. Where to start?" Alastor asked, tapping a finger to his chin. "It wouldn't do to ask a question that would only insult a well-traveled man like yourself."

He was a radio host through and through even when "off the clock", so to speak. If one was going to conduct an interview, it was best to be prepared with at least something intelligent to ask rather than waste everyone's time.

Yujin shook his head softly at that last remark, still smiling. "You needn't worry. I am not so easily insulted that a mere question would disagree with me."

In part, he had his own personality to thank for that. Yujin was the sort of person with a great amount of patience, all while his self esteem could likely benefit from something of a boost. The other reason was because he'd already come across so many people who'd been rude to him on purpose, his hide had grown rather thick as a result. The life of a foreign exchange student had been nothing if not arduous.

"Forgive me for saying so, but that isn't the first time I've heard that. I'm sure that you mean what you say -- You certainly give the impression of an incredibly-even temper! -- but I have managed to find the one question guaranteed to set off even the most amiable conversation partner. At least here I don't need to worry about getting stabbed or shot."

Because even back when he was alive, tempers could flare at the worst possible time. Some people could be so violent ~~says the serial killer~~!

Yujin wasn't quite certain what to make of that last remark. A joke, surely...? Yes, it must've been. He could play along with that.

"Oh, of course not. I'm not carrying any weapons, now am I?" he asked, allowing for a bit of a smirk. "And I must say, I am now rather curious just what that one question guaranteed to bait my temper would be. It would need to carry a lot of weight."

"As entertaining an idea it would be to test the limits -- and I'm certainly not shy when it comes to bloodshed should such a thing occur -- I think we can both agree that it'd be more pleasant to enjoy an orchestra while we have it."

He'd yet to see a proper instrument in Reverein outside of dreamscapes. Plus Alastor's internal receiver sometimes glitched from failed attempts of reading radio waves that weren't there.

"Though that does give a good starting point, doesn't it? Music! I'm curious if this is similar to what your homeland listens to!"

Edited 2022-02-17 11:47 (UTC)

What with the pleasant atmosphere, Yujin was still very much under the impression that Alastor was joking. He could appreciate a more grim sense of humor from time to time. It felt as if such a thing relieved more tension than a true lighthearted joke. Though, at the query, he shakes his head.

"Not in the traditional sense, no. Western culture has been spreading more and more as of late, so it may be heard in certain locations. However, it is not as common as the music of our ancestors. The instruments are similar, yet the rhythm and the feeling are different."

My, either this man was used to such comments (perhaps his own world wasn't as peaceful as Reverein) or he thought Alastor was joking. No matter which it was, Alastor was actually rather glad for it. Music and dance were his first loves, and his love for the radio had spawned from them: With a radio, one could access an unlimited amount of music in a dizzying array of styles at the turn of a dial. It wasn't often nowadays he got to discuss it while listening to it, much less perform it.

"Really? Well, now I'm even more curious!" He gestured to the orchestra. "This sort of music wasn't what was popular where I lived. It was more for the upper class: fancy parties like this or grand concerts, not the jazz clubs that the rest of us favored." He tilted his head to one side, a faint flicker of a radio switching channels accompanying the movement. "Do you play? Perhaps we can find another instrument left abandoned while its owner indulges at the bar. I'd love to hear an example since I doubt I have anything like it stored up here."

He tapped the side of his head. He could project music like a radio but without radio waves to scan through and find other music, he was limited to his own mental catalogue. Not that it wasn't an extensive catalogue to begin with: His own internal receiver never shut off, and new music was always playing on the radio waves of Hell even without his direct control...which meant there was quite a bit of utter garbage music stored in his head in addition to his favorites.

Edited (Do not tag upon first waking up. Edits like crazy will always follow.) 2022-02-18 11:48 (UTC)

The tap to the side of the head was another thing Yujin didn't take quite so literally. He had a friend who referred to his brain as an 'attic', which was only capable of storing so many memories and facts before some of it needed to be cleared out once more. And so, Yujin assumed Alastor's meaning was quite the same. He could relate, of course; there's only so many songs a person could be expected to remember.

"Ah... I'm afraid I don't play myself. My daughter played the koto for a while, and while I'm more than certain she would be willing to attempt a song for you, I don't believe the koto to be the sort of instrument we'll find here," he explained, sounding genuinely apologetic about it all. He wishes he could provide a proper example of genuine Japanese music, but it really was the sort of thing one could only experience with the proper instruments and those skilled enough to play them.

Though, speaking of things stored inside one's head... Yujin absentmindedly reached into his pocket and took out his crystal; an object which allowed for telepathy. "Do you think... it might be possible to send a memory your way?"

"Pity." He then tilted his head to one side at the suggestion. "Ah, you mean via telepathy? I suppose I wouldn't mind so long as you don't go poking around in there! Not because of my own secrets, mind, but for your sanity. My wires have always been a bit frayed!"

Yujin laughed, interpreting those words as another colorful idiom. "I doubt either of us has reason to worry, then! I'm hardly proficient enough with telepathy to transmit my own thoughts, let alone go digging in someone else's. I hold no desire to attempt it, either. I'd be woefully unprepared for any private thoughts I might encounter."

Alastor laughed along with him, having no idea that the man was laughing because he legitimately had no idea that his companion thought he was joking. An odd sort of irony in that.

He gestured with one clawed hand. "Then by all means, please! Share some of your music with me!"

"All right. Let's see..."

Yujin's fingers curled around the crystal and he closed his eyes, attempting to focus his mind; not only on the man(?) before him, but on the country he'd left behind. On the music he used to hear during festivals and performances. Though it may have started off a bit quiet at first, a moment later, Yujin managed to send a concrete musical memory Alastor's way. It was accompanied by a feeling of nostalgia and fondness.

Alastor closed his eyes, ears twitching subconsciously as he focused on the strange new memory entering his mind. A rather fascinating and useful trick, to be sure.

"It's certainly different than what I'm used to hearing," Alastor admitted after letting the memory roll around in his head. "Rather soothing. And that instrument was the same one that you mentioned previously? It sounded similar to a dulcimer in places."

"Indeed, that was a koto. I suppose it may sound similar to a dulcimer, that's true. The koto has 13 strings, which may be plucked at will. The dulcimer uses hammers, I believe?"

Truth be told, Yujin wasn't all that familiar with a wide range of Western instruments. He knew of the basics and had attended some concerts during his time in London, but that was about the extent of it. Violins, however, held a very special place in his heart.

"Yes and no. There are larger dulcimers played with hammers but there are smaller variants that are plucked like your koto." Alastor chuckled. "I had the opportunity to hear someone play one of the plucked ones before. He came down from the Appalachians looking for work in Nawlins, and I heard him busking on a street corner."

"Is that so? That's very interesting." A very idle query passed through Yujin's mind; the notion that perhaps a koto might be played with hammers, then. It was hastily dismissed, though. Such a thing was certain to warrant some odd looks and derision in Japan.

"You certainly sound as if you're a lover of the musical arts."

"What can I say? Growing up in the old Crescent City breeds three great loves: music, dancing, and food! My life would've been a living Hell if I'd hated any one of those three in Nawlins!"

With the repeat of the city name, it would be obvious to Yujin's ear that the Transatlantic accent Alastor typically uses trips and turns to Southern American. The name "Nawlins" wasn't the true name of the city but how the locals pronounced it. Being a local New Orleans radio host, Alastor had never corrected his pronunciation for broadcast because neither he nor his regular audience had noticed.

Alastor | Hazbin Hotel | All Open Prompts

Masquerade (mingle)

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Wow. I had some terrible English in my previous tag. OTL

I didn't even notice!

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