O.S.
Winter had fallen upon Bellwood, shown evidently by the student body bundled up in heavy coats, scarfs, and earmuffs, among other things.
Ben placed his textbooks in his locker, preparing for the next drama club meeting.
To Gwen's surprise, he had come to enjoy acting. But he wasn't always Mr. 100%, he flubbed a few lines and even improvised on the spot, adding to said surprise.
Normally, it takes some convincing from his cousin to try something. This time, however, he dove in headfirst. Her heart warmed up at how mature he's been acting over the summer, even more so now.
"Alright, everyone, enough chit-chat. Everyone's voted, and we're re-enacting scenes from video games. The format is bare-bones: Protagonist, Antagonist. Protagonist, Love Interest, etc. Sets will change rapidly, and parts will be selected at random. This will broaden all of your horizons, whatever part you get. Have fun!" The instructor concluded as he shuffled the folded paper in a jar.
One by one, the class scrambled eagerly to get their part. Ben and Gwen each got their papers, grinning.
"On three," Gwen instructed.
"One."
"Two."
"Three!"
"Three!"
"Hunter - Bloodborne," Ben announced.
"Doll - Bloodborne," Gwen replied with a confused look.
"Never heard of it," she stated, puzzled.
"Well, after this, I'll change that," he grinned.
Gwen chuckled, waving her hand.
"I appreciate the thought, but I'm not good at those."
"It's easy."
"For you."
"You haven't even heard of the game, let alone see any gameplay."
"Alright, fine. After school, it is."
"You're learning more about your role; it's, technically, research," he smirked.
"Or, I can just read the story online..."
"But, where's the fun in that?"
"Less humiliation. That's fun."
Ben, once again, just smiled, telling her he'd explain the ropes and let her off from there.
That night, they stayed up with the subject of their roles to keep them company.
Saw cleavers and quicksilver bullets with haunting music accompanied their cheers and groans.
"See, Ben? I stink at this. Why can't you play while I watch?"
"'Cause my part is easy, minus the fight choreography. *Your* part, however, is just as important. The Doll can upgrade The Hunter's abilities, give plot exposition, and way more," he explained. "I want you experiencing both, firsthand," he concluded.
Gwen smiled as more haunting music began to play as the Hunter on-screen now entered a new world to her eyes.
"Woah, holy. Where?-"
"Welcome to The Hunter's Dream; where you can upgrade your abilities, among other things."
"Nice."
The catch to each play they've performed, they had to write the script themselves.
"So, for the script. He said we could do more than one scene, right?" Gwen asked.
"Seems so. What did you have in mind?"
"Let's just say, you'll thank me for getting so invested into the source material," she teased with a wink.
Through the following weeks, rehearsals were done one after the other, minus the costumes. Everyone had fun, putting their own twist on their scenarios. Legend of Zelda here, Max Payne there, Dead or Alive, and Soul Calibur, to name a few.
The time came for the Tennyson's, showing their dedication, but not being too serious.
Ben mimicked a few gestures from the game with decent success, followed by clapping and a few quizzical looks.
Another scene was set up, with Gwen leaning against a makeshift wall, sleeping.
Ben's footsteps clanged against the rough, well-worn black paint of the stage as he approached her.
"Ah, welcome home, good hunter. I must have drifted off. What is it you desire?"
A few more groups went, taking in the skills of the actors with a few Legend of Zelda scenes.
"Man, we have our work cut out for us," Ben sighed, closing his locker. His bag rustling against his coat.
"We do, but, there's nothing a few more sessions of Bloodborne, and banging heads with scriptwriting, won't fix."
"Yeah. Did you see those 'Legend of Zelda' scenes? Finally, at least, here. Link gets with Zelda. He's saved Hyrule *how* many times at this point?! He should be married with kids, by now."
Gwen chuckled at Ben's enjoyment.
"Wow, doofus, you're becoming quite the ac-tur," she stated in a fancy tone.
"I aim to please," he replied, smirking while walking home with his co-star.
Ben's mom brought the pair a plate of hot cookies.
"Anything else? Careful, they're hot."
"No. Thanks, Mom." He smiled.
"Thanks. Aunt Sandra," Gwen said.
You Died.
"Uuuuuugh! Fooey! You little-"
"Git gud m80! Oooooooh!" Ben teased from behind, sitting on his bed.
"Having fun, aren't you…?" Gwen asked, amused.
"OH! THERE SHE IS! PAY ATTENTION! PAY ATTENTION!" Ben exclaimed, sliding off his bed. Pushing her shoulder down with his hand, he used the other to point at the screen.
"I *will*, if you would just shut up, for a second!" She replied in annoyance, pushing him away.
The Doll's soothing voice floated in their ears as more story details were revealed. Ben's smile grew wider as Gwen became more and more invested.
"I'll do those gestures again; you were still a little rusty," Gwen teased as Ben got into position, slipping on a long coat.
Gwen selected his first gesture, Shake off Cape. Performing it flawlessly, to his satisfaction.
Joy and Triumph were next.
"The first one was decent. Straighten your back a bit, but lean backwards more, if that makes sense. Try again."
He did as she asked, then she stopped him midway through it.
"Hang on, move your arms further apart."
She walked behind him, adjusting his form, her slender arms adjusting his.
"Don't forget to make both fists when you raise your arms, then release it as you switch."
Gwen surprised herself with how seriously she was taking this.
"You're right, Gwen. Thank you for getting so invested in this." Ben smiled with a small blush forming on his cheeks.
"I'm an actress, it's what I do."
"You got the body of a hunter, that's for sure," she complimented.
"Ya think so?" He asked, blushing deeper.
"Duh, Damn son. Those arms are great."
Gwen squeezed them to prove her point, eliciting a giggle from him.
"Alright, again… And, try not to hit me as I come around."
The gesture played on screen once more as Ben mimicked it.
"Still needs a bit of work. Okay, onto Triumph."
They continued this process for a few more gestures, satisfied with the results. After more gameplay, they got a decent format going script wise.
"Welcome home, good hunter. What is it you desire?"
"Good hunter, your presence somehow soothes. I sense the ancient echoes, they coarse through your veins."
Those two went well, this next one was another story.
The pair moved from his room to the living room, taking the cookies with them.
Make-shift script books clasped in their hands.
"Alright. I walk in silently as the Doll prays by a headstone," Ben instructed, chucking a "pillow-gravestone" to her
She nodded as they got into position.
"Oh Flora, of the moon, of the dream. Oh Little Ones, oh fleeting will of the ancients. Let the hunter be safe. Let him find comfort. And may this dream, his captor, foretell a pleasant awakening. Be, one day, a fond, distant memory." Was written in her perfect script/
"Oh Flora, of the moon, of the dream. Oh...small ones, oh...desire of the...gods. Let the hunter be safe. Let him...and may this dream, his captor, bring a joyful awakening. May eventually be...a distant memory." Gwen attempted reciting her lines.
"Ugh, come on," she grunted in frustration.
Ben performed a few gestures, transitioning to their next scenes.
Point, clap from the Doll.
Joy, a quizzical look.
Bow, another one in response.
"Let's try that other one, where you gave the Doll the hairpin."
He nodded, revealing a black Lucky Girl themed hair pin, sliding it in her hands.
"What...what is this? I-I can't remember, not a thing, only... I feel...A yearning... something I've never felt before... What's happening to me? Ah... Tell me hunter, could this be joy? Ah..." She recited, sliding the pin against her curly, red locks
Ben nodded, staying in character.
What "The Doll" recited next almost broke Ben, her delivery bringing a heavy feeling to his eyes from a mix of being impressed, and surprised.
"Do the gods love their creations? I am a doll, created by you humans. Would you ever think to love me? Of course. I do love you. Isn't that how you've made me?"
"And scene," she concluded.
"You read up on her lines." He smiled.
"She doesn't say much throughout the whole game. But the way we're doing this, it sure seems contrary to that."
"Gwen, the way you delivered that made my heart flutter. It's still beating really fast." He blushed deeply.
"Aw, look at you getting into this," She teased.
"I'm serious."
He took her hands, holding them up.
"With every battle I've fought, every Nightmare Slain, you've been there to care for me. Heal, comfort. Yes, I do love you. That *is* how we are made," he declared as a lone tear slid down his right cheek
Gwen took his hands, pecking them softly.
"Farewell, good hunter. May you find your worth in the waking world."
"I think we found our twist." She smiled, wiping his tears as she interlocked her fingers with his. "Wow, Ben. You're quite the actor. Very emotional, too," she complimented.
She pecked his cheek.
"Don't ever change." She smiled, letting go.
"There's two more scenes in The Old Hunters DLC. After you defeat Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower, and after you defeat the Orphan of Kos. After the former, the Doll asks if she had changed physically. For the latter, she remarks how Gehrman, your mentor, seems at peace," Ben said.
"Alright, seems simple enough."
"Good hunter. This may sound strange, but... Have I somehow changed? Moments ago, from some place, perhaps deep within, I sensed a liberation from heavy shackles. Not that I would know... How passing strange..." Gwen wrote down after seeing the lines.
"Good hunter, this may seem odd but...did I change? Moments ago...from somewhere deep within, I sensed a...break from...shackles. Not that I would know...how very strange," Gwen recited, brokenly.
"Almost perfect, nice," he complimented her. She nodded as they tried the last one.
"Oh, good hunter. I can hear Gehrman sleeping. On any other night, he'd be restless. But on this night, he sounds so very calm. ...Perhaps something has eased his suffering."
"Oh, good hunter. I can hear him sleeping. Any other time he'd be restless. But, on this night, he sounds so very calm… Perhaps his suffering has been eased?"
"Not bad, I'll help you with Gehrman's pronunciation."
Gwen gave him a thumbs up.
"This is really coming along, Ben. I'm loving this."
"I'm glad you are, cause I'm having the time of my life."
"That makes two of us."
Concluding their rehearsal, the remaining cookies were finished.
The next trial run went smoothly, minus the one scene Gwen still struggled with, holding her own with improv. Their last two scenes drew onlookers from the rest of the class, admiring their dedication. Applause from the others was quickly silenced after her prayer, then, once more, with the final scene where they preformed their twist. The sorceress vented about her progress as the others left, leaving them with each other on the stage; a few lights still shining on them.
"We're doing great, except the prayer that I keep messing up. Even splitting it up doesn't do much good."
"May I suggest listening to the original lines while reading the script?"
"The thought crossed my mind, but I haven't done it, yet."
"Now's the perfect time." He smiled.
"We're having a few dress rehearsals coming up. Are you excited?"
"Yeah, we always get the best costume and prop designers. The wig will be interesting." She grinned.
"Same with the long coat. Hope I don't trip over it."
"You'll be fine."
In the weeks leading up to the big show, the dress rehearsals were a success. The actors triple checked every detail. Ben's walk, Gwen's quizzical looks, and all else. He tripped on his coat once, hatching a great improv scene with a cry of: "Good Hunter! Do you desire examination?"
A shake of the head served as her response.
"Very well, good hunter."
'Make that two twists,' Ben thought.
There was one more practice run at home before the premiere tomorrow. Smiles etched into their faces.
Keeping the new twist worked flawlessly.
The sets have been changed to The Hunter's Dream, with it's accompanying song for the first few scenes.
The first twist, tripping before The Doll.
"Good Hunter! Do you desire examination?" She asked, kneeling in front of him.
His masked head shook.
"Very well, good hunter."
Shake off cape - Perfect!
Quizzical look - Perfection!
Joy and Triumph - Flawless!
Make Contact.
The Hunter held this gesture, switching sides soon after as The Doll clapped her hands.
Stage lights faded to black as a Soul Calibur fight scene was prepared.
Applause from the audience echoed through the auditorium.
Ben and Gwen were up next for the last scenes of the evening.
Moonlight Melody began playing. Hands clasped above a headstone, grey hair flowing.
"Oh, Flora of the moon, of the dream. Oh, little ones…oh, fleeting will of the ancients. Let the hunter be safe. Let him find comfort. And may this dream, his captor, foretell a pleasant awakening. Be, one day, a fond, distant memory."
The spotlight faded once more, The Doll now resting against the stone-stairway to The Hunter's Workshop.
"Ah, welcome home, good hunter. I must have drifted off. What is it you desire?"
Blank, bandana-covered eyes staring at The Doll as a moment of memory-loss quickly passed.
Another bow was gestured, which was returned.
The replica of the hairpin was presented to her.
"What...what is this? I-I can't remember, not a thing, only... I feel...A yearning... Something I've never felt before... What's happening to me? Ah... Tell me hunter, could this be joy? Ah..."
Her Doll impression was spot on, making him blush beneath the bandanna.
A few Legend of Zelda scenes were performed, the young man playing Link had him down to a T, even his iconic fighting voice. Ben and Gwen looked on in awe.
"Damn, Ben. We really got some competition," Gwen whispered, taking a breather in their dressing room.
"It's not a competition." He smirked, taking a sip of water before offering some to her.
She took it, careful not to ruin her makeup or costume.
"Thank you, good hunter." She giggled.
"Tennyson's, you're on next!" Their professor called.
The two new scenes they learned were blended into one. Still playing other notable songs from the game.
Gwen's wig flowed slightly with the off-stage fans.
This time, they forwent the gestures and started with the dialogue.
From an overhead projector, Lady Maria's final moments were played as it transitioned to their next scene.
'Already ran through the budget with that one.' Ben smirked beneath his bandana.
"Good Hunter. This may sound strange, but... Have I somehow changed? Moments ago, from someplace, perhaps deep within, I sensed a liberation from heavy shackles. Not that I would know... How passing strange..." She recited without error.
An off-stage death cry from the Orphan of Kos played along with the music.
"Oh, good hunter. I can hear Gehrman sleeping. On any other night, he'd be restless. But, on this night, he sounds so very calm… Perhaps something has eased his suffering."
Ben performed the Pray gesture after The Doll finished her lines, then rising back to his feet.
The cry of Rom, the Vacuous Spider, was heard with the clash of a Saw Blade, as The Hunter emerged from the fog into The Hunter's Dream, once more.
"Good Hunter, your presence, somehow, soothes. I sense the ancient echoes; they coarse through your veins."
"Do the gods love their creations? I am a doll, created by you humans. Would you ever think to love me? Of course. I do love you. Isn't that how you've made me?"
"With every battle I've fought, every Nightmare Slain, you've been here to care for me. Heal, and comfort. Yes, I do love you. That *is* how we are made," he answered, keeping their twist.
Backstage, their professor was having an inner meltdown.
"That's not in the script! But it's good! Take notes, my pupils," he whisper-yelled to the others watching.
Her hands took his now-trembling ones just as before, a similar lone tear fell and soaked into The Hunter's bandana.
Lips pecked them, holding it longer, genuine love contained in the gesture.
"Farewell, good hunter. May you find your worth in the waking world."
The Hunter removed his bandanna, as their faces moved closer.
The lights went out.
Bellwood High erupted in applause as the rest of the cast joined the two stars of the night. Taking hands, they all bowed, receiving several standing ovations. Camera flashes along with the spotlights blinded them.
Their professor spoke up.
"Thank you all for attending this magnificent performance! How about one more hand for this phenomenal cast?"
Claps, whistles, and whoops galore for all. Each of their faces and cheeks burning with smiles.
One final bow was taken, and waves to the crowd.
Another one for the record books.
"Refreshments are available in the halls… Thank you all, again, for coming out tonight! Have a safe drive home."
Ben looked at himself in his costume one more time before changing, striking a few poses with his sawblade and pistol. A bouquet of roses sat on his desk, two dozen.
He smirked when he read the card.
'To our shining star who started small, you'll go far!'
Ben smiled, remembering how much Aunt Natalie and Uncle Frank loved to embarrass her.
"Heh, Gwen forgot her roses."
His costume now neatly hung on a rack, sealed up in its bag. Cousin's roses in hand, he exchanged "thank you's" among other pleasantries with other cast members, complimenting each other. The cookies were good, but they weren't as good as his mom's.
Endless praises of his performance and good nights were exchanged with his parents. He hugged them back, saying all he wanted after tonight was rest.
Another embarrassing peck on the cheek from his mom later, and he was walking up the stairs.
The doorknob clinked and twisted, as the second song from the play filled the room.
"Welcome home, good hunter. What is it you desire?" She asked in full costume.
He handed her the roses.
"You forgot these."
"Thank you, good hunter." She said, returning the gesture.
"Four dozen for the star of the show."
A blush formed across his cheeks, inhaling their scent. His desk, making them their temporary home.
"You-"
"No need to thank me." She smiled.
Ben closed the door behind him, doing the Make Contact gesture again, waiting a moment before he switched sides to hear Gwen's clapping. She placed the roses on his bedside table.
Not a moment later, he began answering her question with a kiss, scrambling to change.
"You did wonderful tonight, good hunter."
"Likewise. Thanks for getting me into acting."
"Anytime, Benjamin Tennyson." She smiled.
His pajamas now donned his body, with Gwen changing into her own. Minus the bonnet, wig, gloves, shawl and makeup.
Their lips touched once again as their feet moved on their own, slow dancing to the string-choir tune from the show. No words, just music speaking the minds of their hearts.
Ben's arms pulled her onto his bed, limbs tangled in a variety of snuggling positions.
"So, were you really going to kiss me in front of the whole school?" Gwen smirked.
"Who said I didn't?" He smiled back.
"That's right."
"You did just as wonderful tonight, Gwen."
She untangled herself, becoming the big spoon.
"I know, ya goof," She concluded, pecking his cheek.
She had one last line to recite, cheeks burning. Her favorite scene to re-enact.
"Benjamin Tennyson, would you ever think to love me? I am a cousin, created by our family tree. We've been 'stuck' with each other all these years, yet we've only grown closer. Do the gods love their creations? Would you ever think to love me?"
"Of course, I do love you, it's exactly how we were brought into this world." Ben smiled placing his hands on top of hers, wrapped around his chest.
"My love will never cease for you, good hunter. You are the noblest warrior I've ever known."
Ben was now rendered speechless, ending the night's performance with the woman of his dreams in his arms, in his bed. Forever in his heart.
His eyes had finally grown heavy as the remaining notes of the song faded out, Gwen stretching to peck the side of his lips, chuckling.
"Farewell, good hunter. May you find your worth in the waking world."
Gwen's head nuzzled against Ben's neck, her doll-makeup-painted arms covering them up.
"Oh, good hunter," she professed, finally drifting to sleep with him.