Time passes much more quickly in Rohandor and many long and happy years have gone by since the characters retired to enjoy their respective 'happily ever afters,' their greatest foes were imprisoned in the Forever Stone, bound in an eternal sleep. Until Now.
Happily Ever Afters takes place in Rohandor, a mystical realm on another plane of existence from our own. Here our favorite Disney heroes and villains live in a world all their own; Alive, but far from well. Heroes and heroines fight to keep peace while newly freed villains seek their revenge. Come join us in an epic adventure as the characters you love clash in a struggle that will determine the fate of Rohandor!
HEA is an AU canon-only animated crossover Disney Play-By-Post Role Play with minimal word count.
HEA Staff
News and Updates
4/24/21: We've been on hiatus for a number of years now. I don't know that I'm entirely ready to return BUT I have been cleaning up the site and working to update everything since a number of movies have released. There is still A LOT of work to do but if you see this update and were an active member of the site prior to the hiatus, please send the Yen Sid account a DM to let me know you're still interested in playing and if you wish to retain your current roster. I hope you've all been doing well and staying safe!
Happily Ever Afters is a play-by-post forum role playing game based on the movies and television series of Disney and Pixar. It was created for recreational and entertainment purposes only and not intended to step on any toes, offend, or infringe. We did not create nor do we own the content from the Disney and Pixar stories and movies. None of the threads and writing on this forum is associated or affiliated with Disney/Pixar in any way. We do not make any money off of this site or its content. The icons used in the Forum Information & Statistics and those like it throughout the board as well as the BBC buttons and smileys were taken from a layout called Absolute Madness made by PookyTart from Userbar Depot. All of the other graphics used on this board were found, created, or otherwise edited by Yen Sid or Te Fiti. Please don't steal or use any graphic from this board without explicit permission. All storylines and plots used in the threads/topics were created by the staff and members of HEA and should not be copied or used on another board without permission.
The Mermaid, Mouse and Trickster (Facilier, Ariel, Basil)
Posts: 164 Likes: 100 Health Points: 146 Courage Points: 200 Played By: Daryl
Member is Offline
Post by Basil of Baker Street on Jul 29, 2013 18:17:45 GMT -5
"All right Basil old boy. When the Princess gets here you just have to convince her to leave."
Basil sat crosslegged on top of a crate, just across the square from the Voodoo Emporium. A few days prior he had recieved a letter by way of a rather talkative seagull by the name of Scuttle who replaced every other noun with some baffling language. When they eventually got the full sized envelope into Baker Street and reviewed the contents Basil was shocked to find that the message was from his friend Ariel of the Shell Kingdom. She had written with much haste and distress that she needed his help on a most urgent matter regarding her kingdom and asked if he could meet her in Louisiana over in the Isles which had once been America. With the aid of several human vessels Basil had made the trip overseas and cross country with time to spare. The letter had spoken of a Doctor that Ariel intended to ask for help, initially Basil agreed with her actions until actually seeing the place. Tucked down a dark alley with three flaming skulls above the door it seemed the 'Doctor' was hardly befitting of the title.
Not wanting to draw attention Basil had elected to adopt one of his disguises, his grizzled sailor uniform with the grey cap and heavy blue coat. A shipmouse on shore leave would be less suspicious than the famed detective (or so his ego told him, neglecting to consider how far his name went). His revolver was tucked in his inside pocket as a last resort, plus a few minor tools such as lockpicks. Toby and Dawson had stayed back in London to cover any other emergencies, either of them alone were a match for street thugs and minor criminals. With that worry out of the way the only concern the detective had left was getting Ariel to stay away from this emporium before the potential charlatan inside took all she had. Hearing a fluttering Basil looked up to see a crow had landed on a tree nearby. Might as well check the local gossip.
"Excuse me sir. You wouldn't happen to know anything about the doctor in that building?"
"SQUAAK! Help me! He turned me into a bird!"
The crow flapped wildly and took off leaving Basil with his jaw hanging in shock. Maybe Ariel could be convinced to leave once she saw the place?
ooc: Just using Basils disguise from the movie, sans moustache.
Last Edit: Jul 29, 2013 18:18:40 GMT -5 by Basil of Baker Street: leaving ooc message
I shouldn't have left. Ariel held the front of her skirt in her fists, fidgeting with it and putting wrinkles inside of wrinkles in the fabric. And with just a note saying the what, and why? Am I that immature? Ariel stood on one of the enchanted ferries that scuttled between one island and another, staring into the misty distance, ignoring the nebulae and incredible spacial display above, that made up the sky at this point between isles, or how the shooting stars were reflected in the waters. Her mind was elsewhere. To the week before.
Ariel had made many compromises and sacrifices when she forsook her fins for toes. Much of it had been simple. All she had to do was look into Eric's eyes and her misgivings fell aside. But, even if Ariel had not grown up very close to any of her myriad sisters, she did miss them. Flounder and Sebastian were in the cove more often than not, too. Honestly, the largest hurdle in it all had been the thought of losing her father. Thankfully, King Triton refused to severe ties with his youngest daughter as much as she did. To the point that, with Rohandor altering what had been slightly, they visited at least every other week.
That's where Ariel was. Standing on the shore, shielding her eyes against a steady rain that was whipping the sea foam into a boil. She thought that the weather was odd for the season, but beyond that Ariel had refused to so much as put on a coat. When Daddy got there, the heavens would clear and the seas would tame, and they would get to spend time together between shore and surf. Only... he never did...
On the ferry, the princess glanced quickly at her reflection in the waters that the craft was borne over. Ariel didn't know how widespread her name or face were beyond the Shell Kingdom, but she couldn't take any chances. To that end, her vibrant head of hair was bound in a single ponytail that flowed down her back, tucked in a charcoal gray shawl she wore, and covered with a scarf of the same color on top. Ariel didn't wear any royal gowns or precious materials, just a pale blue dress that was popular in her kingdom for its nautical overtones. Thus far, she hadn't been recognized, as her mind fled to six days and some odd hours before the present.
Ariel was pacing in her wing of the palace. Normally seeing the vast collection she'd amassed (citizens of the Shell Kingdom called it a "museum") would cheer her up. This time, it didn't. Rain lashed the windows, and she was soaked through, but didn't seem to mind. In Ariel's hands, fidgeting much as they did in the here and now on the ferry, was a conch shell horn. Used to herald King Triton's arrival, passing, and departure when he ventured out of Atlantica. An hour after Ariel's father was supposed to arrive, it had washed ashore.
Louisianatown arrived with humidity. Ariel felt her hair begin to frizz and gain volume, tucked beneath scarf and shawl - the latter which was getting increasingly less comfortable with the rise in temperature. The Shell Kingdom was known for its tropical atmosphere, but this was insufferable. Ariel bit her lip, stopping one hand from fidgeting just long enough to tug at her collar. With the bustling harbor of Louisianatown now at hand, every other ferry-rider was bobbing on their feet in excitement as the sound of jazz flowed over the water, and paddle boats laden with natives milled by. Ariel was bouncing on her slipper-bound toes for another reason.
Eric wasn't here. He wouldn't be for some time. The Forever Stone's state had drawn many of the princes to militant aims. She knew something had happened to daddy. Something awful. Ariel knew what had to be done. She needed to find a way to get her fins back. Just for a few hours! To investigate herself. Ariel's pacing took her past a display of slightly ominous artifacts arrayed beneath feathered, woven circles called dream catchers. She fingered one thoughtfully. There were tales of a man in Louisianatown who could give you your heart's desire...
Ariel knew the odds weren't favorable, and this man was probably as villainous as Ursula had been with her promise, but what choice did she have? There was no other way to see for herself! Even Flounder and Sebastian were as scarce of late as her father. Ariel had been so busy visiting Londontown that she only just noticed, when lining it up with King Triton's absence. Londontown! The friend that she'd made on that visit would know what to do! Ariel scrambled to find quill and paper. All she had to do was get Scuttle to deliver it and-...
But that wouldn't do. She couldn't wait for the Great Mouse Detective to come to the Shell Kingdom, or for Eric to get back, and Londontown was dreadfully out of the way. There was just one thing for it: she'd have Basil meet her at her destination. Louisianatown. Ariel jotted her note and left to herald Scuttle - who always sought refuge in one of the tower rooms during a storm.
Ariel had disembarked the ferry without knowing it. She asked the first few people she came across who would listen to her in the bustling dock crowd, but most just shivered and pressed on without a word at her question. By the time Ariel had received proper instructions from a little boy, she'd ripped shawl and scarf both off, sacrificing subtlety for comfort. After that it was easy going to the right place, even if she missed the small alley byway that lead to the Shadow Man's backstreet courtyard the first time down its street...
"Shadow Man"... the name didn't inspire great confidence, but just like it had lead her this far, desperation urged her forward. Ariel came into the courtyard, and was mystified by the ominous storefront of the Shadow Man's abode. Shawl and scarf, tucked in the crook of her arm, were quite forgotten. She failed to notice her company, even.
Last Edit: Dec 21, 2013 15:52:02 GMT -5 by Jane Porter
Posts: 56 Likes: 18 Health Points: 200 Courage Points: 120 Played By: Molly
Member is Offline
Post by Dr. Facilier on Dec 21, 2013 16:41:41 GMT -5
Dr. Facilier, the man known somewhat less-than-affectionately as "the Shadow Man," had been laying low for a while. But he still had to eat. And in order to be able to eat, he had to have an income. And his source of income was customers.
Which was why he'd reopened his shop. He probably should have moved or at least renamed it, but he didn't have the money to find another place OR to make a new sign.
So the old premises and the old name would have to do, for a little while, at least.
Usually, he would wait for customers to come inside the shop, to find him, but lately, he'd been a bit more ... proactive in obtaining new clientele and in encouraging the old to stop by.
Generally, the people that relied on his Tarot readings to make major decisions in their lives had come flocking back, but there were still a few of his well-paying regulars that hadn't returned.
Which meant that he generally popped out of his shop to .... encourage anyone outside to come in and have a look around.
Today appeared to be no different. A pretty young redhead was lurking outside his shop, surveying it and the surrounding area.
Facilier slipped out the back way and made his way around to the courtyard, as silently as a shadow.
He watched the young woman for a moment longer before stepping forward.
"Fine day to be out and about," he said smoothly, a charismatic grin slipping onto his thin features. "Far too nice for a lovely young woman such as yourself to be ... wandering through Louisianatown alone," Facilier added, doing some quick assessing in his head. Hmm, he'd have to wait until she said anything to get more information, but he thought he had a basic picture.
Posts: 164 Likes: 100 Health Points: 146 Courage Points: 200 Played By: Daryl
Member is Offline
Post by Basil of Baker Street on Dec 23, 2013 17:34:28 GMT -5
"Princess? About time."
The exclamation went unheard due to Basils size and the distance across the courtyard but the female figure giving the emporium entrance a cautious look was unmistakably Princess Ariel of the Shell Kingdom. The scarf and shawl she carried hinted that she intended to go incognito on this visit to Louisiana, wise considering her shade of red hair stood out. The detective took note of her expression, more of a reluctant determination rather than her previous excitable curiosity. It only told of how important this journey was to her, so he was going to make sure she got what she wanted here or elsewhere. Preferably elsewhere. Dropping off his perch, Basil rushed across the courtyard with one hand holding his cap.
"Princess Ariel!" He shouted his lungs out, probably not carrying as well as he hoped. "Wait right there!"
The next few seconds were a daze as something tripped his legs out from under him, sending him tumbling into a pile of scrap papers. A shadow rushed overhead as he regained his senses and looked around frantically for Ariel. A new figure had entered the courtyard and to be honest, Basil had a hard time getting a read on him. He hair and nails were well groomed but his clothing was...well, pretty much the usual image of a voodoo practitioner with the top hat and the tooth necklace. He carried his lean physique with sharp, quick movements like he planned or choreographed everything. Finally the detective hoped it was the fall confusing him because the mans shadow seemed to follow his movements a half second late, if it followed at all.
This must be the famous 'Doctor'. I should put a stop to this.
As Basil readied himself to shout out, reveal himself and direct the Princess to seek help with her dilemma elsewhere the Doctor spoke. His voice just oozed charm but something about him threw the mouse off his thoughts as he addressed Ariel. Clearly this was not the usual side street snake oil salesman. If his ego allowed it (which it wouldn't) Basil would actually admit to being a little unnerved by the man.
ooc: If Faciliers shadow can't do that trick anymore I'll edit. Sorry about the short post.
Leave. Was half of it. Every shred of common sense she possessed told her to turn tail and flee. Not out of fear, but through logic. This backwards little courtyard with the chipped-paint sign mounted above the shuttered windows didn't feel right at all. Ariel couldn't help but be taken back to a time years ago. A time when the legs she delightfully wore now were nothing but a painful dream. When two eels were slithering on either side of her, and undersea volcanoes belched sulfuric streams of boiling heat to the surface, a lifetime above, through impenetrable gloom.
Ursula's grotto is what this venture reminded her of. And, just like then, Ariel was uncertain. Knowing that she probably ought not be there. Knowing that it was only a foolish gambit that anything worthwhile could come from the visit. But painfully aware also that her options were limited. Ariel was driven by a more noble conviction today, too. She did not think pursuing your dreams was a selfish aim, in itself, but it definitely could be. The princess felt her heart was more dedicated to this than when she had waded into the dark confines of Ursula's den what felt like ages ago.
This wasn't about her. This was about her father. Possibly her sisters. Maybe Atlantica as a whole. Really, with that weighing down on Ariel, was her personal safety that great a sacrifice?
Ariel was pulled from her apprehensive thoughts when a noise pricked her ears. One that was so very distant it was more likely than not to have been a trick of the muggy breeze. Nevertheless, she turned to address it... And jumped a foot backwards. Because a man was suddenly, without preamble, standing three feet away, smiling at her, and speaking in a voice that was much too velvety to put Ariel at ease. She cursed her reaction. It gave away instantly how off-put she was at all of this, and undermined an air of confidence that she had been intending to go for.
Hopefully this man, with his strange sense of dress and honeyed movements wasn't the very same person that Ariel was searching for. But why else would he be in this little courtyard, so at ease? He definitely didn't seem like another wayward soul, looking for some kind of bargain with the voodoo man. Where's Basil, she thought desperately. Ariel would have felt much more at ease with the intelligent, whiskered detective at her side. She discarded the plea. Ariel wasn't one to cave under pressure, or uncertainty. Contrarily, it just made her more stubbornly resolved.
The princess' face set. Her chin settled mulishly. Her eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly in steely resolve and a no-nonsense attitude. Ariel was a clever girl. She knew of a pretty cunning way to prove this man's true identity, or intention. "I think you're right. I was going to visit this little shop," she indicated the Shadow Man's abode, "but it's obviously closed. So I'll just," Ariel started awkwardly shimmy-slipping around the stranger that had scared her, "be on my way."
(OOC: Ugh. This definitely wasn't worth the wait for you two, but here it is!)
Posts: 56 Likes: 18 Health Points: 200 Courage Points: 120 Played By: Molly
Member is Offline
Post by Dr. Facilier on Jan 12, 2014 1:38:11 GMT -5
Facilier noticed that his shadow was currently ... otherwise occupied, and he noted the appearance of a mouse in his courtyard. Hmmm, did it have anything to do with the young woman that had, as far as he could tell, come to see him? And if so, how?
He turned his attention from the mouse (if it was important, he'd find that out, but right now, he had a potential customer) back to the young woman.
It was quite simple to tell that she was ... uneasy about him, to say the least.
Facilier's cane appeared, as if out of nowhere, and he leaned on it as he smiled at the woman.
"Oh, it's not closed, darlin'; it just looks that way to keep away people who have no business here," Facilier said with a smirk, very casually sidling around the young woman and slipping an arm around her shoulders, the way he usually did with his customers.
"Come with me, sugar, and I'll help you with whatever it is you want." Because it was obvious to him that she'd come here for a reason, and it certainly wasn't to just look at his shop and then leave. She wanted something, and he was determined to find out what it was.
((OOC: Lemme know if things are all right, guys. Daryl, I don't mean to completely ignore Basil, sorry. :/))
Last Edit: Jan 23, 2014 18:15:43 GMT -5 by Dr. Facilier
Posts: 164 Likes: 100 Health Points: 146 Courage Points: 200 Played By: Daryl
Member is Offline
Post by Basil of Baker Street on Jan 13, 2014 17:17:39 GMT -5
People with no business? Basil wondered if that was directed at him or if it was just part of the sales pitch. In either case it could wait. The detective had to contact the princess. Though a closer look at her expression and manner indicated that she was somewhat desparate and uneasy, like she thought there was something in this particular place she needed to solve whatever was troubling her. Maybe she just intended to suffer through the Doctors sales pitch long enough to get what she needed from inside the shop. In that case Basil resolved to aid her in her plan. He just had to signal that he understood in a quiet manner. Yes, that should work.
After quietly tearing off two strips of paper the mouse sneaked behind the doctor and started climbing the wall, using the gaps and cracks in the brickwork as hand and footholds. Silently he managed to reach head level with the doctor, curling his tail around a splinter in the doorframe to hold himself up he waved the paper to alert the Ariel. He'd read up on her kingdom since they had first met. Coastal, lots of ships coming and going. So naturally Basil picked the best form of communication that was both silent and that the Princess would surely understand, Semaphore. He started waving out his message with the scraps as improvised flags.
He dropped the papers when he was finished and made a 'ssh' gesture with his finger to his lips. Afterwards it was just a case of climbing a little higher to grab onto the underside of one of the skull decorations. Holding on with both hands the mouse started swinging back and forwards. Once he had enough momentum he released, flying forwards and landing on top of Faciliers top hat. When they went inside he'd simply disembark and investigate the shop further.
ooc: No problems Molly. Ignore all you need, I'm having fun with this. and to Meri, not trying to write what your character knows, just all Basil assuming. Might turn out funny XD
Well, her ploy worked. Ariel had no doubt in her mind that the stranger who had sauntered into the courtyard was the owner of the shop. Had he not been, what other reason was there to be back in that little nook of Louisianatown? He definitely appeared far too at ease to be seeking out a "Shadow Man" for help with something dire. Ariel took a quiet, bracing breath when her hunch was proven true with the doctor's reaction.
The Cajun native sauntered nearer, speaking smoothly as he went. Ariel was impressed by his performance. Everything was well-oiled and refined. Perfected ease. Once again, she was reminded of the charismatic nonchalance that Ursula displayed when Ariel met her in the sea witch's grotto all those years ago. And, once again, the princess stole herself, driven too much by necessity and desperation to have any choice in the matter.
Ariel forced the uneasiness in her stomach down into her toes and ignored it altogether after that. Doctor Facilier produced a cane and slipped in her would-be escape route. The princess stopped, eyes wide, but stubbornly capable as he spoke. Then Ariel almost did something very foolish that almost ruined her. She saw Basil, suddenly, on the wall behind Facilier, and her eyes sprang wider still with surprise. By some miracle, the Shadow Man wasn't watching her closely at the time.
Ariel - pulling up years of feigning innocence, or other useful emotions to get out of trouble with Daddy - recovered almost at once. She forced herself to focus on Facilier and watch Basil in her peripherals. The little mouse was dressed as a sailor, and though Ariel was relieved to not be there alone, she also couldn't help but notice that Basil wanted to remain under the Shadow Man's radar. He had two shreds of paper, one in each little paw and was waving them in determined motions.
The princess knew that there was something purposeful about Basil's motions. Had Ariel been less flustered, she may have recalled seeing sailors do similar gestures to one another in the port. There, in that moment, Ariel was at a complete loss, though. She blinked rapidly, unseated by her confusion. Then the doctor had one arm around Ariel, and was leading her into his shop. Ariel tried to watch Basil, but couldn't for fear of giving him away.
"I hope so," Ariel decided to say, distantly proud of herself for sounding so convincing. "Otherwise I've come a long way for nothing."
Posts: 56 Likes: 18 Health Points: 200 Courage Points: 120 Played By: Molly
Member is Offline
Post by Dr. Facilier on Feb 2, 2014 23:12:12 GMT -5
Facilier thought he might have seen something move out of the corner of his eye, but he was too focused on the woman--Princess, if his guess was correct--in front of him to be too worried about small movements barely caught in peripheral vision.
If this woman was Princess Ariel of the Shell Kingdom, this could be a very important conversation. If all went well, she could very well tell people that he'd helped her and boost his reputation. On the other hand, if things didn't go well....oh, but they would. If he had anything to say about it, this would go well.
"No, darlin', you haven't come a long way for nothing," Facilier said with a smile. "You just step inside now and tell me what it is that you need." People didn't travel this far to see him unless they needed something from him; with the way this young woman had reacted when he'd first seen her, she was in rather desperate need.
Facilier's shadow moved ahead of him, opening the door for the Shadow Man and his customer, closing it behind them once they'd entered. It had noticed the mouse on Facilier's hat, but Facilier was too preoccupied to glance over at the sentient form.
The man led the woman further into his shop, to the raised table where he did his Tarot readings.
"Sit down, sugar, and we'll talk," he said, pulling out a chair for the young woman. The more he got her talking, the easier his job would be.
Posts: 164 Likes: 100 Health Points: 146 Courage Points: 200 Played By: Daryl
Member is Offline
Post by Basil of Baker Street on Feb 4, 2014 17:47:59 GMT -5
Once the four were inside the shop....wait, three. Why on earth would he think four? Basil jumped from Faciliers hat onto the nearby shelves. Now that he'd made a stealthy infiltration of the emporium he could have a quick investigation and determine just what the Princess needed in such a place. Surely it wasn't whatever the 'Doctor' was selling. Before the mouse started his search he turned back as he felt something tugging at his tail, unpleasant enough to send a shiver right up him. Seeing nothing amiss he put it down to nervousness for his friend and got to work, beginning with the various jars, bottles and other small containers around.
"This is just the worst kind of storage." Basil thought out loud as he read over the labels.
"This is poison, this causes nausea, I'm suprised these two next to each other haven't caused a violent reaction, this will put you to sleep instantly if inhaled and these bottles have no use outside of parlour tricks used by primative miracle men."
Aside from the chemicals and potions the shelves contained all kinds of trinkets, amulets, charms, dolls, statues and masks of many descriptions. Apparently Facilier dealt with voodoo and other such practises. Basil had no belief in the validity of such superstition as a mouse of science. Clearly nothing useful could be found in such a place. The detective adjusted his coat and prepared to march right over to Ariel and lead her out, right up until his nose caught a familiar scent coming from a small spray bottle. He inspected the nozzle to confirm his suspicions.
"Ah, I know this from that case with the supposed haunting in Whitechapel. This just happens to be a powerful.." He was cut off as a burst of purple smoke came from the nozzle and engulfed him. Staggering over to the wall and trying to cover his coughing.
"..powerful hallucinogen." The implications hit the detective as he started seeing everything in a coloured haze. "Well that isn't good."
ooc: Either the Shadow did it, or just a faulty spray bottle. Whatever the Doc prefers. XD
Princess Ariel had liked to think that she came prepared. Not just physically but, more importantly, in the sense of mood and mentality. Some may have called it stubbornness, but Ariel thought that her persistence was more aligned with "determination". Determination borne and maintained from filial piety, love, and so many other things. Ariel didn't know what was going on with Atlantica, but whatever the case may be, it wasn't good. She kept having to stuff her sense of foreboding down. Nothing would get done to investigate (at best) and save (at worst) Atlantica if she couldn't keep it together.
Thankfully or not, the redhead's attention was currently split between focusing on the Shadow Man and trying to keep aware of Basil's movements. Admittedly the larger portion of her attention was going to the former, because not only did she have to pay attention to what his melodious voice was saying, but she had to keep up the act that Basil wasn't there. And, now that Ariel thought about it, she had to make sure to keep her head in this encounter. She thought she had come prepared, and now would be the test. Because Ariel wasn't about to let the Shadow Man manipulate her.
Not entirely, anyway. Ariel knew that if he could grant her wish, she would be much more compliant than otherwise - indeed, than she ought to be. Until that was promised, or dashed, though, she wanted to stay astute.
Ariel barely had the extra time or inclination to glance over the Shadow Man's abode properly. She saw a collage of ominous, sinister-looking objects, myriad bottles of strange liquids and tattered velvet curtains, and then she was already at the back of the room. On a small dais, obviously the focal point of the establishment, was a small, circular table. Whether through fortune or irony, Ariel was offered a seat that gave her a clear view of Basil's progress.
That was good for her keeping track of him, but also difficult because Ariel had to make sure her watching the Great Mouse Detective didn't give him away. The Princess knew that she could get right to the point, but she didn't know if Basil needed more time. She also wanted to feel in charge of this encounter with the Shadow Man. She wanted something, yes, but Ariel wanted to make sure that the "doctor" had to sell himself, rather than the other way around.
"Well, you see, I'm not sure if what I want is even possible for you to manage," Ariel said with fictitious fretfulness. She watched Basil in the corner of her eye get a face-full of some kind of spray and winced slightly. Ariel hoped that her mild reaction was either not caught by the Shadow Man, or misinterpreted.
Posts: 56 Likes: 18 Health Points: 200 Courage Points: 120 Played By: Molly
Member is Offline
Post by Dr. Facilier on Mar 13, 2014 17:17:00 GMT -5
While Facilier was paying attention to the young woman, his Shadow was keeping an eye on the mouse. Clearly, the creature thought that it was stealthy, but it was hard to get past the Shadow Man, especially now that his Shadow was sentient again.
The Shadow slipped away (at least the upper part; it was still attached to Facilier by their feet) from its master, over to where the mouse was questioning Facilier's storage system. The Shadow Man kept things in a certain order so that he was the only one who knew where things were; someone couldn't simply walk into the shop, locate what they wanted, and leave. They would have to go through Facilier himself to find what they wanted.
As the mouse fiddled with a bottle that had a sprayer attached to it, the Shadow snickered silently. With a swift, barely detectable motion, it activated the nozzle, squirting the mouse squarely in the face, then slipped, swiftly and silently, back to its master.
Meanwhile, back at the table, a smirk had slipped onto Facilier's face at the young woman's words.
"Now, that's not quite true, is it, Princess? You hope I can't help you so that you can leave without my assistance," he said, watching her closely. With what he'd observed, he was quite willing to bet that she was more nervous than she was currently letting on.
"Now, what is it you need, darlin'?" he asked, leaning onto the table as he eyed the young woman. He had some ideas, but it would be easier to simply ask.
Posts: 164 Likes: 100 Health Points: 146 Courage Points: 200 Played By: Daryl
Member is Offline
Post by Basil of Baker Street on Mar 14, 2014 18:23:51 GMT -5
As the air cleared Basil slumped against another bottle, taking off his hat and using it to fan the remnants of the spray. In his head he focused on telling himself 'do not succumb, your friend is depending on you'. Speaking of which, the Doctor was continuing his offer to Ariel, sounding sure that she would have to deal with him personally rather than just buying something and leaving. Wait, did he call her Princess?
"Good lord he's on to her!"
Basil ran over, stopping a few paces from the edge of the shelf and crouched, looking around quickly to plan a route over to the table. Simple leap over to the curtain, swing from the rope, avoid that shark....and that would be the halucinations starting wouldn't it?
"Well old boy. Nothing ventured."
Taking a running leap, the detective just made the leap. From the curtains he made another leap, landing on the coatrack and bounding off again. Making a grab in mid air Basil found himself hanging from the feather sticking out of Faciliers hat, dangling in front of the doctors face and trying to stare him down.
"You! Don't think you'll lay one young lady on that fiend you hand. Or you'll have me to answer to."
The mouse arched an eyebrow, did that make sense when he said it? As he contemplated his sudden speaking problems he continued hanging, turning slightly until he could see Ariel. Then the effects of the spray really kicked in. Basil smiled in a daze as some very vivid colours danced before his eyes.
"Heeey you. You would not believe the day I'm having. You see, there was this crying tree, oh how he cries. And the little bird says that if I can't stop the crying the snake will come and tell me the truth. and if I hear the truth I will die." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Are you writing this down?"
After he'd finished with the word salad, Basil lost his grip and dropped to the table. Landing on his back and giving a quick wave to show he was okay. If he was in better form at least he would be able to tell how long this was going to last.
Ariel would have been sincerely hard-pressed to maintain her focus on the Shadow Man after witnessing Basil's misfortune under normal circumstances. Just before the redhead could fully tarnish her charade of ignorance, the Shadow Man said something that caught her attention. Ariel blinked. Her eyes shifted focus from the dusty background of the shop, and the Great Mask Detective therein, and instead honed in on the slender man that was more directly before her. "Princess." He'd said "princess." So casually, too. Ariel wasn't as shocked as she might have been. Catching the revelation as she had, having been primarily worried over Basil, it wasn't completely shattering.
Rather, Ariel took pause. Her eyes had widened fractionally, and her lips (which had before been slightly open after witnessing Basil's plight) sealed closed in a line. Beneath the table, Ariel's hands clutched the fabric of her skirts. Distantly, and inwardly she sighed while on her exterior nothing else shifted. Ariel supposed that it was almost inevitable for her to be recognized. She didn't have the most blend-in-the-background features, and anyone who even learned of the Princess of the Pearl Kingdom of the Shell's appearance passingly was likely to make a connection between the tales of her fiery red mane and the woman sitting before the Shadow Man.
Resigned to being discovered, Ariel chose to smile wryly while her eyes were still mostly unfocused. She wasn't going to deny her title. Doctor Facilier had been clever enough to deduce it, and had the kind of personality that Ariel could guess with a fair amount of certainty once he ventured to assert something he was entirely convinced of it. What Ariel really wondered was for how long the Shadow Man had known her true identity. Hopefully he had been quietly piecing it together since they met in the courtyard outside. That would have made Ariel feel the least foolish. She wondered if it had been a bad idea to disguise her identity to begin with, given that it hadn't done her any good in the long run.
There was no opportunity to formulate a verbal response, because just then a small shape leaped into view a few inches above head level and latched onto the feather sticking out of Doctor Facilier's hat. Ariel looked up, surprise spreading her features, then concern folding it again as she realized that that shape was Basil; of course it was! The princess partially stood from her seat as Basil threatened the Shadow Man... Or... That's what she guessed that he had been trying to do. The mismatched phrasing of Basil's sentence forced her brow to furrow, trying to pick it apart and put it back together mentally in its proper order.
The feather turned slowly so that Basil came to rest hanging in direction of Ariel. Had she not been so worried over the mouse's mental state the scenario might have been humorous. As it was, Ariel's heart thumped against her ribs. Basil fell to the table, and though he gestured dismissively to explain he was all right - or, as "all right" as a mouse could be who was under the effect of hallucinogens that just back-flopped on a table - Ariel's auburn brows knit together in a frown of alarm. "Wh- What's wrong with him?" It wasn't a question, it was a demand. She pushed her chair back and moved around the table so that she was nearer her friend.
Suddenly fire kindled in Ariel's azure eyes. She looked fiercely up to Doctor Facilier. "How long will he be like this?" Ariel's clenched fists were held up at chest-level. The princess knew that threatening the man she had come to seek help from probably wasn't a good idea. All thoughts of possibly jeopardizing the cause for her visit were overridden in that moment by the admirable (if a bit feisty) protectiveness that Ariel felt toward Basil.
Posts: 56 Likes: 18 Health Points: 200 Courage Points: 120 Played By: Molly
Member is Offline
Post by Dr. Facilier on Jul 28, 2014 18:44:54 GMT -5
Facilier was about to lean forward to better assess the young woman sitting across from him when a small shape suddenly attached itself to the feather on his hat. Raising an eyebrow at it, he realized that it was a mouse. A mouse that was wearing clothing and could apparently talk. His sentient shadow put a hand to its forehead as it watched the scene currently underway; clearly it had known about the mouse long before Facilier himself had. Then again, he'd been paying attention to Princess Ariel.
Once the mouse spoke, Facilier realized what had happened to him. The mouse had been poking around his shelves and his Shadow had seen fit to protect its Master's shop...by spraying the mouse with a very powerful hallucinogen.
"I'm afraid, darlin', that your mouse friend was trespassing through my things and ran afoul of a potion he didn't quite like," Facilier said by way of explanation. He'd keep his Shadow to himself for a while longer; it was a useful trick to have up his sleeve, after all.
The Shadow Man leaned forward to examine the mouse a bit closer, gauging how long he might be hallucinating.
"Due to his small size and the rather heft amount of that particular brew he's ingested, I'd say he'll be seeing things for anywhere from just a few hours to an entire day." While he was sorry for the fact that the Princess's little friend was incapacitated, it just showed the mouse that one shouldn't go poking around where one wasn't invited; it just led to trouble. Especially in a place like Failier's shop, where there were all sorts of potentially dangerous things, in the wrong hands, of course. In Facilier's hands, everything in here was useful, in some form or another.
Shoutbox Rules
Respect all members and guests
Don't be a know-it-all
No hot button or trigger topics including things like politics and religion
Don't be condescending
Absolutely no advertising
No adult language, cursing, sexual content, or inappropriate links
No spamming or otherwise trolling
No spoilers of any kind
Do not talk specifically about other RPs
Don't start or contribute to drama, this includes pity partying
Shoutbox
Welcome to Happily Ever Afters!
Tony Dracon: Responded to your PM, Kat/Ratigan, incidentally.
Jun 27, 2018 20:25:02 GMT -5
David Xanatos: Kat's back. Hope the vacation was fun.
Jul 21, 2018 21:00:05 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: 'Twas a good trip! I'm sad it's over, but at the same time I'm glad to be back home so I can finish up my cosplays for a con next month and hang out with my cats
Jul 26, 2018 12:34:56 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Hope the cosplay goes well. I'm putting away a little extra for a con in a few weeks. and yay cats, they're always good company. Except for that one who slaps me unprovoked XD. So what cosplays do you have in mind unless they're secret?
Jul 26, 2018 17:07:41 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I'm cosplaying Pearl from Steven Universe and Joseph Joestar from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure!
Jul 26, 2018 23:16:41 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I'm almost done both of them, I just have to finish styling Pearl's wig and fix up Joseph's gloves and wristbands
Jul 26, 2018 23:17:31 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Awesome. Had to look up Jojo because I'm not hip with the modern pop culture but I hope they turn out well.
Jul 30, 2018 15:33:15 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I only just started watching the anime last year and I haven't even touched the manga, so I'm barely hip with it lol. fortunately I have my cosplay buddy guiding me through the whole experience
Jul 30, 2018 22:29:38 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: also I finally finished the gloves! They were more of a pain to work with than I expected, but they'll hold together... I hope...
Jul 30, 2018 22:30:13 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Niceness. Hoping they hold also. Got the Dublin comic con next Saturday here. Hoping to meet Karl Urban.
Aug 1, 2018 19:05:32 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: Cool! I think he's coming to my city in the fall, if I remember correctly. Hope you enjoy the con, Daryl!
Aug 2, 2018 19:10:23 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: I spoke too soon. Karl Urban had to cancel for schedule conflicts. They got Nick Frost though, I'm gonna ask him if he'll sign my Hot Fuzz.
Aug 3, 2018 18:08:47 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: Dang! Nick Frost is great though, I love his character in Into the Badlands
Aug 4, 2018 22:54:36 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Enjoy your weekend Kat, hope the costumes came out as you wanted.
Aug 10, 2018 16:49:31 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Met Nick Frost and Michael Dorn at the weekend. Both very nice blokes.
Aug 13, 2018 15:22:59 GMT -5
Dodger: Happy 2019 everyone
Jan 1, 2019 10:54:04 GMT -5
Yen Sid: If anyone is passing by I posted a Hiatus update. Hope everyone is doing well!
Apr 18, 2021 11:31:09 GMT -5
Yen Sid: I've temporarily disabled account creation while I update the site. Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience!
May 9, 2021 18:31:45 GMT -5
Owen Burnett/Puck: Checked the site again and saw the update! Here's hoping to a revitalized 2022.
Dec 15, 2021 14:41:27 GMT -5