It's an Age-Old Tale...

[thalassino]

Characters: Princesses, Princes and Vatheonites all
Location: All around the fairy tale world
Time: All day erryday-- on Monday
Style: Whatever works best!
Status: OPEN. Threadjack, threadhop, spam away!

[Welcome to the curse, Vatheonites. Welcome to the fairy tale.

And with the tale, the world has changed. Nothing remains of the city that once was; now there are fantastical and crazy things, things that would be only found in books--and yet here they are.

There are a few places of note, however. A few places that might draw the intrepid adventurer, the curious.

To begin--

The Forest-- here can be found...well, trees. But other than trees, there are fairies, and curious shadows and eyes and things hiding where you do not want things to hide. Overall, it's not very safe anymore! Wolves might be on the prowl, mystical creatures that think that you sure do look a lot like lunch. And hidden deep within the forest in a system of sprawling caves lurks a dragon. Sitting on a pile of golden treasure.

The princess can be found there. Sure hope the dragon isn't sitting on her, whoops.

The Pirate Ship-- this one is much more straightforward. Namely, that there are pirates and they're out for your blood. But the ship itself is winding and filled with (empty) treasure chests and nasty sea critters that are, surprise surprise, also out for your blood. You might have to fight a pirate chief to save the princess in this labyrinth.

The Briar Patch/Towers-- where the carnival once stood there are now a couple of ominous towers, empty or filled with scuttling, skittery creatures or perhaps an unlucky slumbering foreigner. There are nasty thorns growing all over, but maybe if you're careful you can break through and find the one tower that houses the witch. Be careful--she has spells to throw at you. But she's also guarding another princess, so maybe it's worth the fight and...the flying monkeys.

The meadow-- deep in the lower district there is now a large meadow. Looks harmless, right? Only if you venture too far in, you will come across what look to be...monsters? Monsters of all shapes and sizes, vicious and ready to kill...except they're just illusions. The illusions get more and more real the closer you get to the center of the meadow, however. Some of them might even be able to actually bite, so be careful. Deep in the meadow there is a unicorn who is holding a poor princess captive. Can anyone rescue them?

Anyone is welcome to make a thread--princesses or princes or average Vatheonite pixie! Threadjack, have fun, be creative! Just remember that only the princesses' ~one true love~ will succeed...but everyone is welcome to give it a shot.]

Comments

[redcladidealist]

[Coming in from this thread.]

[There had been illusions. The unicorn at his side had warned him, but they'd still been unsettling. Monsters that growled, beasts with fierce claws that stalked and circled around them. Despite knowing that they were illusions, Lloyd has both swords out as he and the unicorn plunge deeper into the woods, staying close to the magnificent animal's side. It was protecting him, he knew it, dispelling the worst of the illusions before they could draw too near, but that didn't keep fear from spiking in his gut whenever a monster reared its head.

But then the illusions had stopped. Not just dispelled, but gone. He glances around, then murmurs to his companion.]

What happened? Are you doing this?

[He nearly pauses when he hears voices up ahead. But whose? His hands tighten around the hilts of his swords. The prince is somewhere in these woods, the one the red-clad knight is seeking out, but is it him? An illusions? An enemy?

Or worse, is it the evil unicorn who's holding the princess captive here?]

[chosen_gigolo]

No, it seems the evil here has been defeated. [She nickers softly, looking back and forth across their path until she spies a glint of light on metal a little ways off. she canters ahead and comes to a halt before none other than the injured princess and her-... his rescuer.

Okay then. Maybe she isn't the worse off for this curse.]

Motochika?

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide cannot turn the laughter off that easily; indeed, tears of laughter are now beginning to fall down his cheeks.]

Forgive me my... Lord... it's simply so... ridiculous...!

[He manages to at least pull himself together when he hears the sound of hooves hitting the ground, however, and sits up; it's enough to make him wary after their experience. He opens his eyes to see the 'horse' and the young warrior, however, and calms when he hears his lover's name being said.]

You know my Lord?

[Mitsuhide's smile remains wide, however, eyes sparkling with humour; it won't take much to set him off again.]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika can't argue with that -- it's most definitely ridiculous. But actual tears of mirth?

Motochika plucks a wildflower and throws it at Mitsuhide's head, the corners of his mouth lifting despite his ailing pride. Laughter is infectious.

But then they are no longer alone. Motochika straightens his posture and keeps his chin high; there is nothing coy about his demeanour as he looks to the newcomers, though placid.]

Yes.

[Motochika regards Zelos with curiosity. After the transformation and change of gender he does not immediately recognise who it is -- though it obviously must be one of his acquaintances.

His gaze shifts to the unfamiliar warrior a few seconds later.]

[redcladidealist]

[The fact that the unicorn knows at least one of them and isn't alarmed at their appearance allows Lloyd to relax marginally. They're not illusions. They're not enemies. In fact, judging by their appearances...

The young knight bows respectfully.]

My lord. My lady. I'm Lloyd Irving. My companion and I heard that you were in danger and have come to offer our assistance.

[He looks at them with a hint of a question in his face. Even though the unicorn had said the danger was gone, he wants to be certain. Only after a moment does he realize that he'd forgotten to introduce Zelos.]

My companion...

[And that was when he realized that he didn't know her name. Oops. Somewhat sheepishly, he glances at her.]

Um, I never got your name.

[chosen_gigolo]

[Zelos heaves a great sigh, though it comes out as a decidedly ungraceful equine snort. She's really not used to having such big sinuses.

Guess I better face the music.]

It's me, Bud. Zelos. [She turns to look at Mitsuhide and Motochika, flipping her tail gently back and forth.] I spoke with you both regarding escape, though Motochika, you're the only one I saw in person. [She flares her nostrils in annoyance.] You can see why I want to get the heck out of here so bad now, right?

[Heck? She'd meant to say Hell. Was the curse making her censor her speech now? Darn it all to heck!]

[wavesoakedlegs]

['My Lady.']

[That is more than enough to set Mitsuhide off again. He bursts into laughter, and cannot stop himself enough to speak for a good minute. When he does, he wipes his eyes and bows his head.]

Oh, forgive me. That was very impolite.

[Young Lloyd is likely very cursed, if he thinks Motochika a 'Lady.' So Mitsuhide does not bother to correct him; instead he stands up and bows fully.]

It is certainly a... unique curse. Equal parts frustrating and, I cannot lie, amusing.

[There have been worse. Much worse.]

Well met, Zelos, despite the circumstances. I can certainly understand why this one is extremely trying for you. I have been made female, and had my form altered in small ways, but becoming a horse...

[Mitsuhide certainly does not envy Zelos his current appearance.]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika shakes his head at Mitsuhide's laughter, knowing exactly where it comes from. In this case, however, he simply lets it pass.

He rises to his feet too, after a moment, as seemlessly as he's able to manage. Motochika cannot hide his inability to put much weight on his injured ankle, nonetheless he can attempt to draw very little attention to it.

He nods at both Lloyd and Zelos in acknowledgement.]

The danger has passed for the time being. But we will not turn down assistance.

[Current circumstances are much more amusing to some than others. Zelos has the right idea in Motochika's opinion; his words carry a not-so-subtle hint to move things onward.

He really does not wish to give any other creature the opportunity to kidnap him.]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd stares at Zelos at that revelation.]

What?! No way! You're a unicorn and you sound like a girl!

[Except that something nagged that the unicorn's voice did sound familiar - barring the oddly mild curse words. And that red hair...

With an effort, he pulls his attention back to the two royals. Dammit, he needs to focus. They aren't out of the woods yet, literally.]

How can I be of assistance? My swords are yours to guard you on your journey back, if you so wish it.

[Come to think of it, he isn't exactly speaking like himself, either. Huh... Maybe Regal's been rubbing off on him a little.]

[chosen_gigolo]

It's not the horse part that bothers me. [Zelos' tone is dour, yet still decidedly feminine. With another snorted sigh she turns her attention to Motochicka specifically, ignoring Lloyd's flailing.]

You have been injured, Princess. Allow me to bear you the journey out of this meadow.

[What the heck, she doesn't want anyone riding her! The implication alone is just.. wrong, but she feels it's her duty to make certain the princess returns to grant the clue to rescuing the fifth couple.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[...ah. Mitsuhide gets it, now. The horse part would bother him more, actually, if he had been affected as such. Expression calming, Mitsuhide glances to Motochika.]

I think it would be best to take up his offer.

[With his lover's damaged ankle, getting him off his feet would be the best plan. Back to business!]

It may be wise to take the young warrior up on his offer as well. I am somewhat tired now, I will not lie; fresh swords would be welcome.

[behisstrength]

[Practicality wins out over pride, especially as Mitsuhide has admitted to being tired.]

Very well.

[Motochika approaches Zelos, limping somewhat. He is no stranger to horses so he mounts easily -- sidesaddle. Despite never having done so before, it seems so utterly natural and comfortable that it doesn't immediately occur to Motochika as incongruous.

What strikes him as unusual, however, are Lloyd's words.]

You called Zelos a unicorn?

[redcladidealist]

Huh? [Lloyd blinked at the question, confusion and surprise in his voice.] Yeah, I did. That's what she- what he is, isn't it?

[Trying to switch his view of the unicorn as Zelos was more than a little surreal. It felt like the world had just tilted wildly, and he's still trying to regain his balance. He stares at Zelos, then glances at Mitsuhide. Okay, one thing at a time. Just... just focus. Gesturing toward Zelos's head, he adds-]

I mean, normal horses don't have horns, right?

[Even caught up in the confusion, though, his other hand stays near the hilt of one sword. His offer of protection was sincere, after all. If something comes at them, he'll be ready.]

[chosen_gigolo]

[Zelos snorts while rising, after she'd knelt for Motochika to sit.] Yeah, a pretty little unicorn, apparently the last one in the world.

[She pauses, blinking. How had she known that? And it makes her so... sad.]

Ah.. we should go so someone can look at that leg, your highness.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Curious. Mitsuhide can indeed only see Zelos as a horse, but considering the legends associated with unicorns... well. He is most definitely not 'pure,' and he is most definitely not going to say as such out loud. Instead he says:]

Not in this world at least, Zelos. My Lord was kidnapped by a unicorn; I defeated it, but I let it live. That is at least one more.

[He says it in a comforting manner; perhaps that comment was related to the curse. Afterwards his gaze flickers to the way Motochika has sat on Zelos's back.]

[This time he doesn't laugh, but there is a definite sparkle in his eyes.]

I think that would be wise.