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

"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.

Indeed, it would've been obvious to Yujin if he had any decent knowledge of America. Unfortunately, he'd learned no more than basics and was therefore quite unable to place accents. Names like Crescent City and 'Nawlins' mean very little to him, as well. All he knew was one could never scoff at a love for music, dance and/or food.

"Hah, is that so? It sounds like the sort of place I'd love to visit, some day. Though, I suppose being in this place now rather limits my options, doesn't it?"

"Oh it's a marvelous city! Nowhere else in the United States quite like it from what I hear!" He chuckled. "Not that I know that much personally. I never wandered too far from home in life, so I never got to see other cities. But it's certainly unique compared to Pentagram City or Imp City!"

Yujin couldn't help but notice the mild contradiction in that statement. If this man never got to see other cities, how could he still draw comparisons? The first explanation to come to mind was a situation similar to Kazuma's; that he was drawn into some other world before arriving here. Names like Pentagram City and Imp city certainly seemed to imply it, but he didn't want to assume.

"Ah, I beg your pardon. I'm afraid I've never heard of Pentagram City, nor Imp City. Are they located in the United States as well?"

"I wouldn't be surprised you hadn't heard of them." He raised an amused eyebrow, looking forward to the reaction. "Like I said, in life I never ventured far from home. However, I've been dead for ninety years.

"Pentagram City and Imp City are two cities located in Hell."

Which should explain everything about this man and his earlier "jokes".

Edited 2022-03-03 09:16 (UTC)

In any other instance, Yujin would assume this was also a joke. A poor one, but a joke nonetheless. Trouble was, this wasn't any other instance. He was facing a seven foot tall demon-looking person in a dream world. This... This was real, wasn't it?

"... Hell? You were..." He trailed off, shaking his head roughly. "Such a place is real?"

He'd never believed in the afterlife. Certainly not anything that concrete.

"It most certainly is!" Alastor chirped. "And stuffed to the gills with sinners like me who got our just desserts for our misdeeds in life!"

Oh. Nope. Yujin did not like that idea. Not one bit. He ended up taking one step backwards, but even so, he stood stall. He just wasn't sure what to say.

"I... I see. Ah... That's good to know."

"Oh dear. I've said something wrong, haven't I?" Alastor mused, putting his chin in his hand. "And we'd been having such a lovely conversation, too!"

Still a bit uncomfortable, Yujin shuffled his feet. "No- I... I apologize. It's simply... not the sort of thing one hears every day."

And he was just going to conveniently dodge the problem that the person before him did something to warrant eternal condemnation in hell.

"Which part? That the afterlife is real or that the unpleasant afterlife is?"

Alastor's grin widened.

"Or perhaps that your conversation partner earned the latter one?"

He chuckled and shrugged.

"Though, honestly, this is quite an opportunity for you! I'm sure you have plenty of questions regarding what happens after death! I can't attest to what goes on Upstairs, but I have plenty of experience in the ways of Hell! Ask away, my good fellow!"

Yujin couldn't help but think, with a bit of a cynical edge, that he'd already met more than enough people who were revealed to have secured themselves a place in the 'unpleasant afterlife'. That was just his luck, wasn't it? And he couldn't quite deny that this was the opportunity to learn more about it.

"Well ah... What sort of place is it? You've already mentioned cities, which seems to imply a society."

Probably for the best he hadn't asked what it was that earned Alastor's spot in Hell.

In response to Mikotoba's question, Alastor couldn't resist a laugh. "Of course there's society! I don't know much about the one in Heaven, but the one down in Hell is actually quite similar to the one on Earth only with a key difference: Crime and debauchery are done in the open on every street. Why hide your misdeeds when you're already damned and so is everyone else around you?" He shrugged philosophically. "But otherwise it's just like life with everyone -- Hellborn and Sinner alike -- going about their business trying to earn a living or enough to blow their money on the sins of their choice. There's the usual games of power and politics as well. Though the upper power structure of Hell is more feudal, it is possible to rise in the ranks if you're clever, powerful, and ruthless enough."

The more Yujin heard, the less of it he understood. Why would someone need to make a living in the afterlife? Why was there money involved? Things like power and politics... Why would they still matter in this place? It was baffling.

"I apologize. I believed a key aspect of Hell was to be punished for the misdeeds of life. Eternal punishment, that is. Is there no, ah, no higher power setting such punishment in motion?"

Because to him, it sounded as if all these sinners were just left to their own devices in such a place and as a result, all which they deemed important in life continued to be a high priority even in death. The ability to obtain power and money equated to success, and success was rather the opposite of eternal punishment, he felt.

"And you'd be right, good sir! Why, I certainly didn't choose this form!" He gestured to himself. "It's a more visible form of punishment but there are others. My good friend Husk, for example, was an alcoholic in life among other things. That falls under Gluttony, so in addition to a form he utterly despises he's cursed with the need to drink and drink and drink and never reach that golden moment of satisfied drunkeness. The only respite he gets is when he's blackout drunk but that's only temporary. Then comes the hangover, sobriety, and that eternal need for a drink.

"Each Sinner has punishments tailor-made for them. One might be able to periodically dull the sting through distraction through all seven of the Sins or through trying to build a life for themselves in Hell, but they can never escape their punishments. And if anything, the daily grind is just as much a punishment as those tailored specifically for them."

He leaned towards Mikotoba. "Tell me: What do you do for a living, my good sir? Have you plans for the future, for life after you decide to end your career?"

That explanation certainly answered the questions Yujin had about how all this works. Looking at it like that, this sort of afterlife would be unbearable. He hoped he'd never end up there himself, though it was hard to say just how critical the judgment might be. Perhaps this concept of the afterlife would never apply to his world, nor to his religion, at all.

He reflexively leaned back a bit when Alastor leaned towards him, though not out of fear. It was discomfort, at best. "I ah... Well, I'm a university professor, you see. Of forensic science. I expect that this career will keep me quite busy for the next few decades as well."

Assuming he lived that long. One never knew.

"Forensic science! Fascinating subject! I tried to read up on it whenever I could! Always a good thing to know the weapons your opponent has at their disposal, eh?"

He shook his head.

"But I digress. No matter how dedicated you might be to your craft, you'll eventually have to retire if only because your body will age and decay to a point where you can't keep performing your duties. And if what I've seen from you so far is a good indicator, your retirement will be celebrated for your contributions and mourned for the loss of an expert in the field!

"But in Hell? Sinners don't age. I've been frozen in my thirties for decades. We can't produce offspring -- rather fortunate given Hell already is far too overcrowded -- and we can't die unless some form of Angelic weaponry is used. Outside of the annual Cleanse (a day when the Exorcists come down to slaughter as many demons as they can in twenty-four hours to thin the population) those sorts of weapons are rare. Someone could shoot you in the head with a normal bullet, and you'll regenerate over the next few days. Painful process, too. It's like dying in reverse. Then it's back to the daily grind and your punishments. Every day. For the rest of eternity."

He paused and shrugged.

"Or until you've decided you've had enough and would prefer erasure and the void over one more day in such a tortured false life. You'll find plenty of Sinners who will deliberately abandon any safe haven they might've found during the Cleanse in hopes of falling to one of the Exorcists. Some last longer than others."

Opponent? Yujin didn't like that choice of words one bit. Even if Alastor only applied it to the time when he was alive, the notion that a criminal would consider a forensic scientist a direct opponent was, well, jarring. But then there was a whole lot more distracting information to follow it up.

"Oh, that... That sounds rather complicated. Though I must admit that if it were me, I believe I too would simply... come out of hiding and submit to such cleansing. It sounds a lot easier."

Well, what else would a serial killer call someone attempting to find some trace of his identity?

In response to Mikotoba's statement, Alastor bobbed his head. "Oh undoubtedly! Still, I might be bored in Hell nowadays but not so bored that I want to take that way out. At least not yet."

Touché, even if a forensic scientist focused less on identity of the killer and more on the hows/whats/whens. Such questions were all linked together, in the end.

"I see... Well, perhaps some might find comfort in the fact that the option exists. Simply knowing that one needn't be there for all eternity would bring more peace of mind, surely?"

"I'm sure it does, but it brings its own terrors. After all, what happens when you 'double-die' as some put it?"

Alastor tapped a foot.

"Nobody is entirely sure. There's the void, but are you conscious in it? Are you left floating and aware in a place that's likely devoid of all outside stimulation, nothing but your own thoughts for company? Or is some piece of your consciousness left behind in Hell when it absorbs what remains of your soul's energy, only capable of observing but not affecting what goes on around the spot where you're just another eye in the scenery, alone with your thoughts but forced to watch the afterlife continue on without you? Or some twisted form of both? Is there a third death that's a true ending from either such fates?"

He chuckled.

"In some ways, it's more terrifying than original death! Then again, those who choose to die in either life feel it's worth it to roll the proverbial dice if it means an end to suffering."

He tilted his head to one side.

"See? Everything in Hell is a punishment. Even the only 'exit' we have."

Yujin had assumed that being erased simply meant ceasing existence. Or being reborn into a new one. The notion of consciousness being left behind, or being left floating in some sort of void... It was quite chilling. He crossed his arms over his chest, his head lowered a bit. He knew he ought to let sleeping predators lie, but he had to know:

"Bearing all this in mind... Do you regret the life you've lived? Or do you believe the sins were worth it, in the end?"

{ lindwormeo and juliet }

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