NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35 - At rise...
After the adventurers have a little conversation which turns into a heated discussion they each enter one of the dressing rooms whose doors were ajar.
I'm going to be honest, that was not intentional, or planned, but it is good to know that they place significance on such details like which doors are closed and which aren’t… this might prove useful for refining dungeon processes in the future.
While I consider these things, the adventurers have chosen rooms and costumes and begun changing and familiarizing themselves with their roles.
The animated clothing they now wear is just waiting for now, ready to assist with their roles should they need it, though I imagine they will freak out so I would imagine it would be for the best if that were not to happen.
Worst case they won’t get to do anything but it is still a good experience for them as… well, supporting actors quite literally. Best case they will save an adventurer from blundering.
Checking in on each of the members of their party, they seem to be doing quite well. The paladin wears what looks like a tabard over his armor. And is reading his lines with amusement. It doesn’t look like he is taking this seriously, which is fine, so long as he tries his best. I still dislike him, there is something about his demeanor and aura I find detestable.
The rogue is wearing a plain servant’s dress and actually getting into her lines quite dedicatedly. Despite what she said to the dwarf earlier she grabbed the role of the nurse. I believe it's a great choice and cannot wait to see how she will do on stage.
The dwarf is wearing robes over his robes… which seems kind of silly but they are quite different styles. He grabbed the “Friar Laurence” role, which is quite important, and giving his lines due consideration. He seems serious about doing well despite his earlier reluctance. Maybe the promise of affectionate mimics has motivated him, maybe he actually enjoys this opportunity.
Whatever the case, the adventurer’s are getting ready. I should make sure the rest of the actors are doing the same. Checking in on my monsters, I see that they are ready and waiting in the stage hall. Sebastian, Athea and Porthos are already in their roles and standing by behind the stage, where the curtain is drawn and ready to be raised.
Alouette and Juliette are getting ready in the dressing room now. Juliette already knows her lines, of course, but she is going over them once again. Playing two roles is going to be tough on her but none of my other mannequins can do speaking roles, since she is the only one that can speak after all. She can also employ her skill to change her appearance, which is quite handy for this. Since that is the case, an unnamed mannequin with a red dress also stands by to take over Juliette’s starting role while she is handling the other role.
The sprites are meanwhile getting ready above the stage. They too have their instructions for the performance, since their innate abilities lend themselves to entertainment by enhancing and accentuating the show.
The mimics have come to watch, mainly, except the one that licked the dwarf, which is getting ready on stage for its part. Currently, it looks like a smaller decorated chest that might be found in a noble’s room.
Getting it to look that way was a particular chore, since it seems they want to instinctively blend in with their surroundings and not stand out. It still has to actively concentrate to maintain the appearance, and sometimes it slips when it gets distracted.
One of the pixies has been tasked with conjuring the image of what said mimic should look like should he be caught slacking, and they gleefully made a game out of it.
Most of the mannequins and animated clothing have assembled in the stage hall as well, taking their seats in anticipation. A sense of excitement emanates from the crowd, as my first proper play is about to be performed. The stage is set, the actors are getting ready, and the crowd is assembling.
The adventurers seem to be getting ready, and anxious in the case of the dwarf, so I send one of the mannequins to gather them up and not give them too much time to get in their own heads.
They banter with each other about their costumes, and, together with Juliette and Alouette, they make their way towards the stage, following the lead of the assisting mannequin. Behind the lowered curtain, they all position according to their instructions and the sprites weave their magic to transform the lifeless stage into a colorful rendition of a noble mansion.
To the thunderous applause of the crowd the light dims and the curtain rises.