BS EFFECT PERFORM A1
Effect (room_title): It is a warm summer's night. Within a cozy cottage bedroom, a little girl is absentmindedly fidgeting with her toes. Her face is softly illuminated by the glow of an oil lamp on a nearby nightstand.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A2
Effect (yell): A woman's voice calls out, “Ursula, it's time you went to sleep. Put out the light, dear.”
URSULA: BS YELL Yes, mother!
URSULA: BS EM extinguishes the lamp and snuggles down into her blankets, yawning.
URSULA: BS EM listens drowsily to the songs of crickets and observes a few fireflies blinking through the gloom outside her open bedroom window.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A3
Effect (desc): The little girl's eyes begin to shut of their own accord, and she drifts into slumber.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A4
Effect (desc): Some time later, a faint breeze stirs the dozing girl's hair, and a small, winged figure flutters stealthily in through the open window.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A5
Effect (emote): The winged figure flits and capers about, tittering quietly to itself.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A6
Effect (emote): The winged figure presently alights on the nightstand, its arms raised high as though accepting accolades from some unseen audience.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A7
Effect (emote): The winged figure murmurs a strange incantation and twirls a finger through the air, grinning.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A8
Effect (desc): The singing of crickets and small noises from elsewhere in the cottage fall silent.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A9
Effect (emote): The winged figure leans over, places one hand gently on Ursula's temple, and puts its lips to the little girl's ear.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A10
Effect (say): The winged figure says, “Wake up, Ursula... wake up, my dear.”
URSULA: BS SAY (sitting up and blinking groggily) Who are you?
PRIETA: BS SAY (bowing extravagantly) I am called Prieta. Tell me, do you know of Queen Maeve?
URSULA: BS SAY (brightening) Oh yes, I've heard many tales of Queen Maeve and the fae in Faethorn. Those are my favorite stories.
PRIETA: BS SAY Lovely! I come bearing wonderful news: Queen Maeve would very much like to meet you, Ursula. She sent me here as her messenger.
URSULA: BS SAY (doubtfully) Really? You mean... right now? Tonight?
PRIETA: BS SAY (grinning broadly) Yes, now, this very night! Come along, dear. We mustn't keep the Queen waiting.
URSULA: BS SAY But why does she want to see me?
PRIETA: BS SAY (with a wink) Because you're a very special little girl. Hurry now, Ursula. Time is of the essence.
PRIETA: BS EM quickly takes flight, flits out through the open bedroom window, and vanishes into the night.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A11
Effect (desc): The sound of singing crickets and other soft noises can once again be heard.
URSULA: BS EM hesitates for a moment, then crawls out of bed and clambers through the open window, dropping daintily to the soft grass below the sill.
--SCENE CHANGE--
URSULA: BS EM gazes upward at the clear nighttime sky.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A12
Effect (desc): Stars shine vividly upon the sky's velvet black canvas. A sliver of waning moon peeks over the treeline.
URSULA: BS EM notices Prieta waiting at the nearby road which skirts the cottage, and hurries to join her.
URSULA: BS SAY (frowning uncertainly) You look bigger than before, Prieta. You're almost as big as I am now.
PRIETA: BS SAY Never mind that, child! 'Twas a bit of magic to help me through your window, that's all.
URSULA: BS SAY (timidly) Where are we going, exactly?
PRIETA: BS EM smiles and extends her hand for Ursula to hold.
URSULA: BS EM takes Prieta's offered hand.
PRIETA: BS SAY We're going to a magical forest. Within this forest lives a very special tree, and that wonderful tree will take us to the Faethorn to see Queen Maeve.
URSULA: BS SAY All right....
BS EFFECT PERFORM A13
Effect (desc): Hand in hand, Prieta and Ursula set off down the road.
URSULA: BS EM listens nervously to the sounds of nocturnal creatures snuffling and rustling through the undergrowth of the surrounding woods.
PRIETA: BS EM hums quietly to herself. It is a strange and melancholy tune.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A13
Effect (room_title): As they walk, an uneventful hour passes. Eventually, the nearby woods begin to give way to true forest. The trees are taller and more densely packed, yet also twisted and somehow darker than even the surrounding night.
URSULA: BS EM nervously clears her throat.
PRIETA: BS SAY Worry not, dear. We've nearly reached the Glomdoring.
PRIETA: BS EM realizes her mistake, and curses foully under her breath.
URSULA: BS SAY (eyes widening) The Glomdoring? Mother told me never to go near that place! Let me go! Let me go, you!
URSULA: BS EM struggles furiously to free herself from Prieta's iron grip.
PRIETA: BS SAY (snarling) Be still, you foolish whelp! Rowena means to have you, and I intend to deliver!
BS EFFECT PERFORM A14
Effect (desc): Upon uttering these words, the glamour surrounding Prieta melts away, revealing a much more sinister creature. Her beautiful wings turn black and twisted, bruised sockets appear 'round her eyes, and her lovely skin tales on on a pallid, unhealthy look.
URSULA: BS EM screams in terror and, with a terrific effort, tears free of Prieta's grip.
URSULA: BS EM scampers away, sobbing, snatching backward glances as she runs.
PRIETA: BS EM curses, makes a series of hand gestures, and mutters a few obscene incantations. A gibbering mass of creatures emerges from the shadows, seemingly out of nowhere.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A15
Effect (desc): The mass of caterwauling creatures descends upon Ursula's fleeing form. She wails in horror as they subdue her and bear her gleefully back to their waiting mistress.
PRIETA: BS SAY (grinning wickedly) I'm afraid there's no running away for you now, human girl-child. Bring her along, my lovelies! Rowena awaits.
URSULA: BS EM whimpers miserably, her bright, tearful eyes staring hatefully at her captor.
--SCENE CHANGE--
BS EFFECT PERFORM A16
Effect (room_title):
BE EFFECT PERFORM A17
Rowena Nightshade says, “Yes, that's the one. Well done, Prieta! Bring her to me, fae folk.”
BS EFFECT PERFORM A18
Effect (desc): The gibbering horde complies, conveying Ursula over to Rowena and dumping the girl unceremoniously at her feet. That done, the creatures fade back into the shadows from whence they came.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A19
Effect (emote): Rowena Nightshade bends over, pinches the girl's cheek roughly, opens her mouth, examines her teeth, pokes and prods her a few times, and finally stands, nodding.
BS EFFECT PERFORM A20
Rowena Nightshade says, “She'll do. She has the qualities I seek.”
PRIETA: BS SAY TO URSULA (sardonically) Worry not, Ursula. You'll get your chance to see Queen Maeve and the Faethorn soon enough.
URSULA: BS EM covers her face and bursts into tears.
BACKSTAGE SCENE CREATE CozyBedroom
This cozy cottage bedroom is pleasantly furnished. The walls are constructed of clean-peeled logs sealed with tar, while the oaken floorboards are marred and careworn from years of use. A faded, maroon-and-cream rug covers most of the floor. A few simple paintings adorn the walls, depicting animals and magical creatures at play or getting up to mischief. Several charming, handcrafted dolls have been carefully arranged in one corner. There is a simple window to the north, and a sturdy-looking door to the south.
BACKSTAGE PROP CREATE Nightstand CozyBedroom
This sturdy pine nightstand is simple in design, little more than four legs supporting a thick plank at the top with a single drawer for storage underneath it. The wood has been stained and burnished to a golden lustre, however, and the overall effect is rather pleasing to the eye.
BACKSTAGE PROP CREATE Lamp CozyBedroom
This plain, squat little oil lamp is made of bronze, rather tarnished and in need of polishing. A few scrolled designs adorn its top and base, and the handle has been fashioned to look like a length of rope. A faint coating of soot has accumulated around the wick leading into the oil reservoir.
BACKSTAGE PROP CREATE Bed CozyBedroom
This child-sized wooden bed is supported by four posts, decorated along their lengths with circular designs. Carved depictions of climbing ivy, flowers, and various gourds adorn the headboard and footboard. The mattress looks soft and comfortable. Brown woolen blankets and a lumpy goosedown pillow complete the ensemble.
BACKSTAGE COSTUME CREATE Ursula Ursula
She is a human child of small stature, approximately three-and-a-half feet tall. Wispy, straw-blonde hair hangs nearly to her waist. Her wide eyes are cornflower blue in colour. Her young face is round and earnest, framing a button nose, thin lips, and narrow chin. Her skin is fair and flawless. She is wearing a simple, cream-coloured cotton nightgown embroidered with honeysuckle blossoms.
BACKSTAGE COSTUME CREATE Prieta Prieta