Some background info on Jackson - 

His single mother, the only person he ever cared about, spent almost all of her savings to send him to a good school, and she died of cancer when he was a senior. Her final wish was for him to become a famous actor, as she had once been a small time actress herself. Jackson then made it his life's mission to achieve that goal at any cost, traveling from ratty apartment to ratty apartment, and doing jobs ranging from a barista to a stint in a shoplifting gang.

Jackson (day of audtitions)~ 

The lanky man stood like a tree in front of the fair, unmoved by the late summer breeze. A small duffel bag, which he did not trust his landlord enough to leave at his new apartment, was slung over his shoulder, containing most of his belongings. In his hand was a flyer embellished with the text "HELP WANTED FOR BARDSWOOD THEATRE COMPANY", one of many that had been plastered on every concievable surface since he'd first set foot in this town. His eyes darted back and forth like tennis balls, taking in everything he possibly could, as fast as he possibly could. It was how he familiarized himself with new places. It was how he survived.

North Haverford was a weird town filled with weird people who had a weird preoccupation with all things whimsical. A rennaisance fair that lasts more than half the year? He rememered thinking when he saw the posters. Are they out of their minds? And while it was true that fantasy wasn't exactly his preferred genre, he didn't excactly have many other options at this point. He wasn't even close to having enough money to move again, and after the fiasco with Emilio's gang in Seattle, it was probably best that he lay low for a bit.

Yes, this place was a far cry from the city, but it had at least been easier to find a job here than in any of his previous homes, and doing some legal work for once wouldn't hurt either. Who knows, a theater gig at a quirky renaissance fair might even be the first step towards the career he had always wanted.

He took a deep breath, and stepped through the gates.

Jackson (now)~

This wasn't the first time Jackson had suspected someone of spiking his drink with something and it probably wouldn't be the last.

But it was the first time he had ever been in leather armor, silver pauldrons, a midnight black cape and hood, and gauntlets. On his belt was a knife, which would've been pretty sick if not for the fact that he was kind of freaking out right now.

When the wolves showed up it was his first instinct to flee, but he immediatey became suspicious of his sudden ability to leap six feet into the air and land silently in the branches.

Hey, I'm good, but I'm not that good. Something's going on. 

After Brynn clobbered the big one over the head and it turned into that girl whom he had forgotten the name of because he had never heard her say it out loud, Jackson officially quit. As the others gathered around, staring bug-eyed at her, he crept out of the clearing and into the deep, dark woods. If it had not been for one loud tree branch, he would've slipped away unnoticed. 

"And where are you going?" Will asked.

"Out," Jackson said. "If there's a way out of this fever dream, I'm finding it." 

~Adrianna 

She could feel herself slowly falling through the void. Her quiet voice screamed for help. Then she landed on the stone floor with a thud. She opened her eyes. She was tangled in a silk sheet, and to the right of her was a magnificent four poster bed. Slowly she got to her feet, and almost sat down again from the weight of her heavy skirts. She looked around in confusion. Adrianna, dear. She whirled around, searching for the sound of the voice. My darling, no need to be afraid. Her brown eyes searched the room, and she held her hands in a defensive pose. The voice laughed. “Show yourself,” Adrianna shouted, taking a step forward. Gladly, said the voice and she thought that it sounded almost familiar. Then, her hands jerked forward, and a blast of flame shot out from the wall. Adrianna gasped and then she remembered. 

“PRINCE WILLIAM FLORENCE

Oh- sorry I forgot about this! I guess I'm not joining.

Penny-

Her hands still shook, but for an entirely different reason then just five minutes ago. Instead of fear, adrenaline coursed through her veins. She felt on fire, and instinct took over as wolves attack. Leaping to her feet, she drew her sword and attacked. The strength she had felt before was even more obvious as she fought, even though her technique was a bit rusty.

She was grinning as the remaining wolves dropped tails and ran, but the smile immediately faded. 

"Guys, look!" Someone shouted with alarm, causing Penny to whirl around, holding her sword ready. She caught the last half of a transformation from wolf to Eileen. A breeze swept off the sweat from Penny's forehead, taking away words from the groups' mouths. Just as Penny caught her breath, a branch snapped and she felt as if she couldnt breathe again.

She glanced in the direction of the sound, tightening her grip on her sword. It was only Jackson, and she relaxed for a moment before Will spoke.

"And where are you going?"

Oh.

Oh.

Jackson was trying to leave! Penny sheathed her sword and huffed, too overwhelmed to care any more. Fine, he could just leave! As if getting lost in an unfamiliar fantasy world was to help him find his way out. Eileen was passed out on the ground, and their group was scatterbrained and everybody had different goals!

Different thoughts.

Different plans.

But all the same questions.

All they needed to do was to put their heads together and find the answers to those questions! Penny tore off her leather glove and rubbed her forehead, sighing exasperatedly. She could care less whether Jackson left or not, but as she glanced over at his face, she felt hurt. 

And just angry enough to open her mouth. "Jackson, do you really think you have a better chance out there, then here in our group? We know the situation we are in, but there could be bad people out there who could care less!" She shrugged, exagerating it with floppy hand motions. "I mean....gosh." Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, and she sighed again. 

How were they to get out of this mess? It was obvious that they were in a different world, and she suspected it was the world of the play. Did that mean.... "Brynn!" Maybe they had to finish the play in order to leave! But before she could convey her thoughts, Eileen groaned. 

Penny stared with uncertainty as Eileen began to wake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was a bit scatterbrained today, just like Penny! Oh well. 

~Adrianna 

She was trapped. She struggled for control of herself as the Flame Queen strolled casually through her lair. Her will, as she envisioned it, was trapped in a mental cage of darkness, the key to which was in the Flame Queen’s mind. The Flame Queen laughed. “My dear Adrianna,” she said with a complete air of superiority. “What happened to trying to understand your part? If you knew my motives, you surely would follow them.” I don’t care! Adrianna shouted. I can’t let you hurt them! “Oh sweet disharmony,” the Flame Queen sounded slightly disdainful. “My dear, you will never learn if you do not accept. I am the ruler here, and you are my subject. You cannot stop me from taking a single step, much less commanding my troops.” Adrianna mentally gritted her teeth. She concentrated, and..... BAM! The Flame Queen tripped. As the villainess picked herself up, she glowered at Adrianna. “You are stronger than I thought, but you will not benifit from making me stumble. Every time you defy who you are meant to be, you will have to pay.” Adrianna suddenly felt exhausted, and it was all she could to to watch as the Flame Queen walked into a room of dark soldiers, ready for their commands. 

Jackson~

Why did she care if he left? Why did any of them care? They weren't his family. Or even his friends. Barely his aquaintances, even. So why did they care if he struck out on his own? It's not like he cared a particularly great amount about them.

Jackson groaned. "Look, I didn't sign up for this. This job was supposed to be a stepping stone for me and nothing more. You think I wanted to be sucked into this... this... whatever this is?"

"None of us wanted to, Jackson!" Penny snapped. "But just because we're in a new situation doesn't mean we can't abandon all human decency! Eileen could be hurt and it's common sense that we stand a better chance if we stick together!"

"Well, excuse me for putting my own interests above someone I barely know. You guys do what you want. Stay here and starve, for all I care. But I'm finding answers. Or wandering around until whatever your deranged town drugged me with wears off. Whichever happens first." he held up two gloved fingers mockingly. "Peace out."

He turned back around and disappeared into the forest without looking back. No one tried to stop him.

The rays of golden sunlight were soon swallowed up by the gloom of the forest. Leaves and twigs crunched under his boots, small creatures occasionally scampering to get out of his way. There was no road, no path, no signs that he could see. What little sky could be seen was filtered through the branches as a dreary darkish teal color.

I've been through worse. Yeah, I've definitely been through worse.

Jackson ran through all the times he had been thrown into unfamiliar territory. Usually his priorities were figuring out how to distract the teenage cashier, but this wasn't too different from that, right?

This is like a survival game. Survival. That's my forte. I'm good at survival. Usually in a more... urban environment, but I can handle this. Did I pass that stump before?

Jackson stopped in his tracks. Was he going in circles? The panic that he had learned so well to supress over the years was slowly creeping into the back of his throat. He closed his eyes. Tried to take a deep breath.

And when he opened his eyes again, he saw something out of the corner of them.

A glimmer, like a dropped coin catching the sun. Although, there was no sun and he doubted someone left a trail of money on the forest floor. So what was it? 

He quickly scurried over to the source of the glimmer. He had to rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, although that was probably a given at this point. The outline of what appeared to be a human footprint, shifting and shimmering with white light, was marked on the ground. Only it wasn't really there. He could tell. He was... sensing it?

Someone came this way.

Jackson raised his eyes and suddenly saw that there were more footprints, leading off into the distance. Hopefully, towards civilization.

Okay. Now we're getting somewhere. 

Brynn-

She ran a hand through her hair, looking around. Everyone seemed alright. Jackson's footfalls receded into the woods, soft and steady.

"Wait, everyone." Brynn said, "We should follow Jackson."

"Why should we follow him?" said Will, putting a hand to his head. He finally noticed the flower crown and threw it off, disgusted.

"We're all dreaming or hallucinating. We need to wake up. He's trying to find a way. Therefore..."

"We were just attacked by wolves. Are you seriously still suggesting that this is a dream?" asked Alexia.

"Dream or not, he's the mercenary, remember? He can track. I'm following him." Brynn said.

Penelope grimaced. Brynn held her hands out to the girls.

"Come on. Let's not split the party."

Alexia and Penny nodded. Will sighed. 

"I'm only following because I don't want to be left alone here." he said. Brynn swatted him with her sleeve and smirked.

"What about Eileen?" said Penny. Brynn looked toward Will. He hesitantly raised his hands.

Vines knotted around Eileen, tying her in a cocoon. A burst of flowers created a gag and blindfold.

"She's secure. Let's go. Alexia?" Brynn said.

Alexia picked the body up as though it were a satchel of goose-down.

Brynn spotted Jackson some ways over and began walking toward him. He heard and spun, black cloak skittering behind.

"I'm tracking someone. Path to civilization. I knew you'd probably come around." he said. Brynn snorted.

The group picked their way through thornbushes. Brynn reflected on the lightning she'd had at her fingertips when fighting the wolves. She felt nothing now. Perhaps...?

Brynn picked up a twig. A solitary spark of energy flared and died. Not very impressive, but it was a start. She needed a solid to conduct her energy for now.

At length they came to an opening. A large merchant town, gleaming with sunlight, sat hot and bustling but ten yards away. Brynn sighed in relief and took the head of the party.

A boy sweeping an innroom floor gasped when he saw them. Brynn smiled.

"The Prophecied Ones are here! The Oracle was right!" he began shouting. The town burst into action like a living beast. Men and women rushed back to their homes and came out, seemingly seconds later, in ballroom finery. A portly man in a wainscot and boots ushered the bemused group inside the gates, then turned to the town.

"The Oracle was correct! Let the ball begin!" he shouted, smile all too wide for Brynn's taste. There was a unified cheer.

"Ball? Oracle?" Brynn stuttered.

"What's happening?" Alexia asked, as a seamstress began to take her size.

"They're throwing a celebration in our honor, and I get to change out of these clothes." said Will.

-----------------

FOR REFERENCE: a mysterious Oracle predicted their arrival and that they would save the town from a menace. We're all getting masquerade outfits! Woo!

Also, if you need to write about Brynn: she's wearing a royal-blue-and-silver ballgown and looks much less rumpled than usual. Which is to say, she actually looks a bit pretty? Wow, it's a shock to see, no pun intended.

Jackson~

He still didn't know exactly how it had happened, but somehow Jackson had ended up in a pitch black doublet embelished with silver buttons. The sleeves were made of some leather material and ended in light grey frills, and the rest of it was patterend with dark grey stripes. The last thing he had been given was a mask made to look like the face of a fox, painted a rich vermillion. While removing his old clothing, Jackson had found a few previously undiscovered objects on his person, including a bag full of a currency he had never seen in his life and what appeared to be some sort of license. He had been told that all of his belongings would be taken care of and returned after this so-called ball had ended, but he had still swiped back his knife behind the seamstress's back. Just in case.

Jackson examined himself in the mirror at the front of the tailor's shop. He actually didn't look half bad, but that didn't change the fact that he still had no desire to participate in whatever was going on. He decided finally that if he was going to be stuck here, he might as well play along. It was his best chance of getting out.

As he left the shop into the lively square, he turned his head in the direction of a sudden shout. Two surly looking villagers who reminded him a bit too much of some men he had regretfully been in a brief partnership with, were leaning against a nearby building. They seemed to stand out amongst the rest of the well-dressed villagers.

"Yeah, you," one of them said. "Come here."

"He's the mercernary, he is," muttered the other man, who was shorter and skinnier than his companion and seemed oddly jittery.

The taller man pushed him away. "Shut up. I knows he is. That's why I called him over."

Jackson folded his arms, an eyebrow raised. "And how can I help you gentlemen?" 

"We was wonderin' if you might be offering your services," the taller man said with a snaggletoothed grin.

"Services?" 

"You're a mercernary, ain't ya? You do people's dirty work for dough. If you're not too busy we could use help with a few things." The shorter man snorted with laughter, earning him a glare from his friend.

"As much as I'm tempted by your offer, I don't think I'll be here very long," Jackson replied, noting how he felt like he'd had this exact conversation before. "Just passing through."

"You sure?" the taller man reached into his jerkin and pulled out a small bag of what Jackson assumed were coins, rattling it vigorously with a smirk. 

I don't think your money would have much use where I'm from." 

"Oh? And where's that?"

"Somewhere far away. Excuse me." Jackson disappeared into the crowd of dancers, looking for the others.

Oh, this is going to be fun!

Penny~

She was exhausted. Her life had been, for the past half an hour, nothing but rising and falling panic attacks. And now, being whisked away by a group of giggling girls, she contemplated finding a cliff to jump off.  They held her wrists, and she knew this knightly version of herself could fend off these girls, but this knightly version of herself would also never hurt another innocent. She might, however, hurt Jackson when she found him. Or Brynn. Though, she had to admit to herself, any other path might have yeilded a far worse situation.  

What was this about an oracle? They were prophesised to come? These people looked real, was this playbook holding an actual reality? A reality with life, and people, and consequences. As she was whirled around and tossed from girl to girl, her thoughts wandered to the story the body she was in had been through. Obviously, this knight character was nothing like her. If this world was real, then was the person another version of her? Someone with a different life, and a different background?

"Here, miss knight!" A young girl with a beautiful, bright face shoved an armful of silver material into Penny's arms. "You can change in my room!" Penny took the fabric with care, curious as to it's contents. She followed the girl up creaky stairs, and then entered a small, quaint room with three beds. 

The towns people were so friendly, and yet the idea of an oracle slightly scared Penny. She shrugged it off and busied herself by holding up the fabric. It was a dress! And a rather beautiful one.

The girls had already taken off her outer layers and weapons, leaving her in a soft tunic. Penny began to change, when she noticed the faint scars layering the skin on her body. She gasped softly, lifting up an arm to examine a once deep wound. Her character was a knight! Her body was covered in scars! It made Penny realize that the character she was set to play had lived an entire life. There was a backstory behind her strength and her career, and a battle behind each scar.

Her hand travelled up to her kneck, where the skin was not smooth but rough and jagged. As she touched it her toungue grew heavy in her mouth, and air seeped from her lungs. An overwhelming sense of fear came as her vision began to fade. She immediatey ripped her hand away from the scar, closing her eyes. There was an image of something, a man, but it was gone before she could grasp any more.

She changed into the dress and tried to focus on other things, although making the executive decision to leave on her leggings.

Upon leaving the room and heading back downstairs, the girls all gasped and grinned. "You are such a beautiful knight!" They all giggled and another one took the clothes from her arms.

The whole situation felt like a dream, and the next few minutes passed by quickly. The process with which these girls got her 'ball-ready' was much like a costume change in theatre between scenes. Complete, unorganized chaos, with a thrumming thrill behind the action.

Soon, giggles behind her, she was out in a crowded square, surrounded by music and people. The whole town was dressed up, and she reached up to feel the mask on her face. It fit like a glove, and the thought made her uneasy.

Her dress was silver, and made of loose, transulcent fabric with silver flowered embedded onto the fabric. It had short embroidered sleeves that fell off the shoulder just barely. The dress was gorgeous, and she could only imagine the work that had gone into making the fabric. Her bleached hair was done in a braided up do, and the silver mask was tied into it.

She wouldn't be able to take off the mask without messing up her hair. Was that intentional, or just for the sake of the party? Penny decided she might never know, but her first job was to find someone in her group. Anyone! 

A firm hand grabbed her arm from behind, and she whirled around to find a darkly dressed man with a fox mask. Her breath caught in her throat and she grabbed his wrist firmly before realization struck her. "Jackson!"

She sighed and crossed her arms, suddenly unconcious about the dress she was in.

"You're Penny, right?" He narrowed his eyes at her, and she irritably met his gaze.

"Yes of course I'm Penny, what kind of-" Cutting herself short, she reached up to touch the mask on her face. Duh. The mask. Not only did the delicately embroidered mask hide her features, but the girls had throw some light makeup around her eyes, and stained her lips. Penny didn't normal wear makeup, so she might look like a complete stranger to a friend.

Friend? Jackson? Eh.

Exhaling, she apologized briefly for her almost rude remark. 

The sun was starting to lower in the sky, and a cool breeze swept over the excited group. A strange man approached to her left, but upon seeing her interaction with Jackon he turned around. She was grateful. Dancing with strangers wasn't her forte. Or interacting with them. Her gaze fell on Jackson, the strange, emo, rebellious guy of their group.

She didn't like him. Much, anyways. But he might have a plan.

Rubbing a larger scar on her arm, she looked over at him. "What...what is our game plan?" She realized that with her knightly exterior gone, she was mostly Penny again. Scared and afraid. There was no sword she could wield and no armor to pretect her.

She stood in a dress, amidst a crowd full of people, with only the scars on her body hinting to her knighthood. It was a strange situation, and she felt particularly vulnerable. Even with her face disguised, the people around her seemed too nice to be true. Something was fishy. 

Penny felt scared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WELP.

DONE WITH THAT WHOOP.

I thought having scars from her life as a knight was a good idea. Like she literally did wake up in the body of someone else. The body she got was stronger, and agile, and brave, but it also had been through more then she knew. I thought it was a cool possibility! Whoop! And the stories that come with some of those scars....heheh.

And her dress. Is gorgeous. I found an image and i just fell in love, <3 

Brynn-

“Excuse me, do you-“ Brynn was cut off as a man swept her away, smiling. She followed his steps as best she could, cursing herself. The silver-embroidered dress looked like a deep blue sky with silver lightning lines etched around the hem. Her hair was curled in a low bun, little wisps escaping delicately. She’d had to remove her glasses to dance, which made it difficult to see anyone or find her companions.

A man in a green mask swept her away. She forced a smile.

”Look, alright, you look great. This ball’s been great. But, unfortunately, I’m busy and need to find my companions. Now would you mind-“ he said.

”Will?” Brynn asked, recognizing the voice. The man in front of her startled.

”Brynn? That’s... you’re...” Will trailed off.

”I know,” Brynn said, oblivious, “they really went a bit heavy on the lightning motif.”

”Um... no, I meant... you look...”

”All dolled up, yeah. I know, it’s weird. Let’s find the others.” said Brynn.

Brynn took him by the hand and moved through the crowd, spying Penny and Jackson. Alexia made her way through, panting, looking lovely despite it.

As they reconvened, the dancers stopped. The townsfolk parted. A small whisper rippled through the audience, and the dancers slowed.

A slight woman stepped through. Brynn bit back a scream, clutching Will’s hand.

The Oracle was short, and had no eyes. Two slender green snakes wound in and out of her eye sockets, scales shifting to reveal glowing lines alond their backs.

”What the-“ Jackson muttered. The Oracle smiled and bowed.

”We hope you enjoyed our hospitaity.” she said, with a voice like leaves scraping over the floor of a ruined temple. “And we hope that, soon enough, you will destroy the flame queen and bring balance to our-“

A gong sounded in the city. The townspeople flinched as one.

A boy ran from the front of the town, panting. “The Flame Queen demands tribute, or she’ll unleash the Wyrm Dragon.”