Jakob watches the act nonchalantly as he toys with the rim of his drink with his forefinger while holding it. As he watches the scene unfold, he narrows his eyes when the blades come out. Now watching with more of an intensity, Jakob becomes lost in the act, seemingly oblivious to all around him as his head moves with what appears to be either in concert with the actors or... as if he himself is trying to dodge the blades? As the finale arrives and he witnesses the woman stab the two men, his glass shatters in his hand as he mindlessly crushes it while erupting straight out of his chair and yelling, "NOOOO!!!" with a look of abject horror on his face. It would seem that the large man might appear to be mentally somewhere else for just a moment as he pauses but it feels like not an instant later that he quickly moves to the stage. "Are these blokes dead?! Did you just kill them?!" he asks the female actress, obviously angry as his heartrate rises.
"I fear now you are trying to seduce me with your biblical knowledge. I am a good Christian woman... On the other hand...perhaps I am a heathen, and our little hunt is on!"
John chuckles. "Well, Sacred Doe, if you are a good Christian woman then what better way could there be to seduce you than the very word of God; and, if you truly are a heathen then I shall have to hope that my idolatrous offering of those words upon the altar of your beauty will cause you to stop and listen, that I might gain some ground in my pursuit." With a smirk he inches even closer to his beautiful quarry at the final phrase.
"The younger gentleman over there, ‘Ole Wolly’... A most dubious gentleman, if one can be described thusly.”
"How unfortunate, then, that you were forced to endure his hunt," the charming suitor answers with some real concern, "I hope you were able to escape him quickly."
Viscount Landringham, junior member of the House of Lords... I don't recognize the name but I shall have to remember it and share it with the others... perhaps Lady Grey or Miss Wriothesly will know it...
When the performance reaches its bloody conclusion, John gives the Doe's arm a gentle squeeze, hoping to comfort her and make her feel safe. While he does, he tries to quickly gauge the women's reactions to note whose is earnest and whose might be for effect.
"Wow," he remarks as the crowd's reactions settle. He looks into Doe's eyes, smiles softly, and tries to relieve her shock by teasing "well... while my desire to inflame your passions remains, I do hope our story has a different ending. I must say though, I've seen theatrical productions in the past which employed false blades and counterfeit blood, but none which did so as convincingly, or as viscerally as that. It's no wonder that some might swoon from the shock. Should we check on her, by the way--your friend who feinted--or trust that someone will be by with spirit of hartshorn soon?"
From your various vantage points across the room, you each come to certainty regarding two things: the first, those were real blades; the second, they punctured flesh and a sizeable amount of blood flowed forth after they were drawn out.
As you stand, the gentlemen quick stand in turn. Listening intently, they offer a bow and each take the hand of one of the ladies, Mr. Terrier with Scarlet and Mr. Beagle with Lucia. They politely offer a kiss to the back of your hand, then let it go. Mr. Terrier looks at Scarlet in earnest, ”Indeed, thank you both for your company this eve, we would not want to cause offense among your companions. I do so hope that we can meet under more personal circumstances. Lady of the Blade, would you dare to gift me with a clue that I might, with effort, find you in the world beyond these walls?”
Before you can respond -
Perhaps because of the level of alcohol they have imbibed has removed any restriction, but it would seem that each of the ladies’ reactions are in earnest, including the feinting of one. Before Doe can react, the Bunny dumps a drink on her unconscious friend, causing the girl to gasp and be revitalized. The girls awkwardly laugh at each other, and Doe turns to you to speak, but is interrupted as -
Jakob’s cry of ”NOOOOOOO!” echoes out with the crescendo of the music’s finale, an eerie duality that most assume is part of the performance. The following seconds are filled with applause, though is interrupted as Jakob rushes to the stage and calls out to confront the woman, even as stage hands carry the other men off past the curtain.
Jakob, from off to your right a large figure emerges, clad in a dark robe. Long arms reach forth and wrap around you, preventing you from potentially climbing onto the stage.
Even as you feel the tight grip close around your chest, you hear a soft voice from behind you - the voice of Faun. She comes running up, ”Dear sir, oh I am sorry! Please, don’t resist! Trust that no one is dead. Please, sir, come back to your seat.”
Those watching she Lord Edrington leap up from a seat where he had joined the masterfully garbed and masked group, and go running toward the stage’s side stairs.
Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, he stows that away mentally as he resists the man's clutches to a degree but not to the point of actually attempting to break free. He then angles his hearing in the direction of Faun's voice as he hears her. Narrowing his eyes as he ponders her words, he nods and relaxes. Looking around at the crowd a moment before turning his attention back to her, "No worries, luv," he says with a grin. "Matter of fact, I need to apologize to you. Kind of jumping on instincts there, you know? Sorry for getting a bit carried away. And I've got to give you credit, it looked bloody real. Well done!" he congratulates, smiling. He then looks down at the arms that still have him subdued. "I don't suppose this gent would be willing to let me go, would he? I'd be happy to go sit down if so," he says with a wry grin and a wink.
Scarlet's response is cut short by Jakob's cry. It pierces her heart and she has to hold her breath to not react as everyone else seems to think this is normal. She cannot abide the wickedness of this place any longer. It is clear to her that such people would likely do what was done to Mr. Wainwright. As Jakob is restrained, Scarlet will turn briefly to Mr. Terrier.
She will then move to the edge of the stage to assist her newfound friend. It is clear he may be being grappled by the doorman who had let them in. By the time she arrives, Jakob calms a little. At his words she will place a delicate hand on the arm of his restrainer as if to beg Jakob to be set free. Her delicate touch with move down to the mysterious man's retraining forearm and she'll hold there.
"Please...let him go."
Her words are soft, spoken as if she would be pleading for his life. While Jakob clearly is in better spirits (although she doesn't know why), she is still emotionally disturbed and figures that Jakob is now masking his true emotions like her.
real blades and real blood, I suppose Lord Edrington did say that no harm came to guests but made no such claim about performers... sh!t... it seems it may have been foolish to leave Jakob unattended... Faun looks to be diffusing the situation but it will be clear now to everyone that our little band was out of place... hopefully this won't have been the first occasion on which a first-time visitor has overreacted... I suppose, in the worst case, I've at least gotten one lead... should I go and check on- oh, Lady Grey seems to have it well in hand...
John masterfully hides his surprise at the real wounds and his disappointment at the unscheduled addition to the bloody performance, keeping his hazel eyes locked on Doe even as she looks away at the commotion. When she looks back to him he smiles warmly and explains, "the Dueling Debutante's escort was, as you can see, chosen for his strong protective instincts and quick reactions, not for his wits or tact. Are such outbursts common from first-time visitors, or should I be mortified to have arrived with him?"
Scarlet leaves Mr. Terrier speechless as she darts across the room toward the stage. By the time she reaches Jakob, he can feel the grip around him loosen. The large man looks down at Jakob, then to Faun, and gives Jakob a slight shove back toward his seat, even as he keeps his arms partly around him. As Scarlet's words reach the hooded figure, he loosens his grip further, allowing Jakob to continue moving under his own power though clearly staying close.
As the pair of you return to your furniture, Faun quickly pours a measure of whiskey for Jakob and hands it to him. "I am sorry, sir, that the performance provoked such a reaction from you. I am glad you saw reason and backed down. Is there anything I can get to help you relax? Miss, anything for you?" The girl seems earnest in her pleading, likely no doubt concerned about the amount of scrutiny that has fallen on her wards for the evening.
In but a moment, Lord Edrington ascends the stage, placing a comforting hand on his performer's shoulder. With a chuckle, he lets his voice, nearly booming in volume, echo out across the chamber. "Lords and Ladies, my wasn't that quite the performance? I mean, it was so empowering that one of the audience was driven to rash defense of the fallen dancers, men he no doubt knew nothing of. And so, the Widow claims two more victims. But has love truly cost them each their lives, or, like a fickle mistress, will she breathe air back into their lungs? You'll just have to keep coming back to discover the truth. Now, another round of applause for her." He holds up the dancer's hand, and she gracefully bows to the audience.
After she departs the stage, he looks around the room. A serious tone edges into his voice. "We will begin the third and final performance of the night shortly. Let me warn you, it is not for the feint of heart. If you would prefer to depart, or perhaps partake in some of the delicacies we have to offer, you are welcome to do so now. For when the bell tolls, the final act will begin. Musicians, please, begin playing anew. Enjoy yourselves, my wretches!" With his parting words, Edrington hops off the stage and comes over to Jakob and Scarlet (and Lucia, if she has followed).
With a slightly forced chuckle, he looks to Jakob, "My sir, has the whiskey gotten to you a bit, and empassioned you so? Are you well enough to stay, or would it be best for you to take your leave for this evening?"
Doe laughs at your concern of embarrassment. "Please, these shows are intended to rile the passions. There are frequent outbursts, of one form or another. Shock, outrage, disgust, arousal, amusement, and," she gestures at her friend still pulling herself from the ground, [b]"more than a few episodes of feinting. There is little reason for you to be concerned. Just count yourself lucky he did not put hands on her, then things may have gone differently."
so, she comes often enough to know what's frequent... that's good to know... and she clearly knows the identity of at least some of the other guests...
"Well, that's a relief, on both counts," John answers as he continues to gaze into Doe's eyes. "I believe, from your reaction, that this particular performance elicited some degree of shock from you... will you tell me about some of the others you've seen? What was the most shocking? What outraged you? Which ones caused arousal?"
Still smiling, Jakob subtly cuts his attention toward Lady Grey and mouths the words THANK YOU and follows that up by giving a slight nod before returning to his seat.
------------------------------
Shaking his head in response to Lord Edrington, "No no, governor, not at all. I'm truly alright. Matter of fact, I'm looking forward to see how this plays out," he tells him, grinning. He then turns toward Faun, "And thanks for the drink, luv. Much appreciated," he says as he raises his glass in thanks while still grinning.
Lord Edrington pulls off his imp mask and, with a handkerchief, dabs the sweat from his face. He nods to Faun, who quickly pours him a measure of the same whiskey Jakob is drinking. Taking a sip, "well, sir, I am glad you have gotten that out of you. When we met before, I sensed you were a man of action, I just did not expect you would jump to defend my performers from one another. Let me assure you, though it may have looked real, none of my cast was injured in the performance that just occurred. It was a combination of sleight of hand, unique prosthetics, a bit of alchemy, and masterful skill with the blade. Both gentlemen are alive and well, and likely laughing over a drink out back right now. If you'd like proof, I can arrange that."
Pausing for a moment, he looks around the room as people begin to rise from their tables to socialize, stretch, and partake in the Cirque's other offerings. Finishing the whiskey, he turns back to your group. "As for the final performance, I cannot say what will transpire. What you will see is, to the best of my knowledge and investigations, 100% real. The scene will unfold live in the moment, there is no script, no plants in the audience, and when he performs his... talent, we are all in for a show. I suppose I should go see if he is ready." and with a flourishy bow, Lord Edrington departs once again.
Doe chuckles, clearly relaxing a bit from the climactic end of the performance. Sipping her wine, she looks deep into your eyes, "Good sir, were I to tell you what I found most arousing, then I would be giving away all of a lady's secrets. You would then be blessed with the tools to defeat my virtue and claim me at your will. I would be most foolish indeed to share such things. As for shocked, there was a man who had metal barbs placed into his back, which were then attached to ropes that hauled him up of the stage, blood seeping from the wounds, where he performed his aerial poetry. And outrage? I can't say that I have personally experienced it, though I know some of the more conservative and proper guests who seek to push their own limits find the offerings of the Cirque to be too much. There are rumors of course of truly grotesque things, a man sending himself on fire, a prisoner drawn and quartered live on stage, yet everyone always heard about it from a friend, never saw it themselves."
John grins mischievously as Doe explains why she will not answer the final part of his question. He waits patiently for her to finish answering the other parts before replying, ”So... I deduce from your answer that that which most aroused you is within my power to perform—otherwise there would be no fear in telling me, because the knowledge would be useless to me—what excellent news! Then you confess, freely, that I am but this single discovery away from achieving this labor which you set for me? My Hallowed Doe, I could hardly have hoped for a better answer!”
The charming man cranes his neck and begins looking, somewhat comedically, around the room. ”Where is faun,” he asks teasingly, ”surely there must be some price for which she would tell me every performance you’ve been to here. Or one of your friends... surely for the right reward one of you would tell me which performance most reddened the fair Doe’s cheeks?”
While Scarlet did hurry along, leaving Mr. Terrier to his fellow Hound, she did not do so rudely, and she did not rush. She could see that Jakob was well handled a bit too rapidly--as if planned--so she moved gracefully and yet hurriedly enough to attempt to rescue him.
He is released and they return to their seats. With Faun and Lord Edrington there, the situation is explained and she is a bit astounded.
"Impressive," she will calmly comment. Even her eyes were deceived, which is not an easy thing to do. The conviction and worry seem to ease within her and she takes in a steady breath. If she wasn't sober before, she is now.
She will bow her head as he departs. A moment later, she will reach out for Jakob's hand to see that he is alright.
"I saw what I thought was a twin murder. Clearly you saw the same?"
She will bow her head as he departs. A moment later, she will reach out for Jakob's hand to see that he is alright.
"I saw what I thought was a twin murder. Clearly you saw the same?"
Taking a deep breath, "Sure looked real to me." He glances back a moment just to make sure no one is near them that should be. "And for what it's worth, just before the big fella grabbed me, I managed to catch Edrington head for the side stairs as if he had somewhere to be yesterday. Not sure what that was all about but he sure seemed... I don't know... seriously concerned about something. I mean, why would he leave that way and not come directly toward me seeing how he's the one in charge of all this? There's just something about that I'm not liking."
She will bow her head as he departs. A moment later, she will reach out for Jakob's hand to see that he is alright.
"I saw what I thought was a twin murder. Clearly you saw the same?"
Taking a deep breath, "Sure looked real to me," he confesses, shrugging. "Seen a lot of crazy stuff in my time, you know, being a bartender and all that. Guess it's just a... a reflex action or something. Besides, not a real big fan of being 'too careful', you know? Anyway, like he said, everyone's all fine so that's good. That's what counts," he finishes, grinning.
"I have killed men, Jakob, and seen many die in Arabia and Egypt as a little girl. I was certain that is what I saw..."
She shakes her head with a chuckle, "...ah the theater..." She looks to Lucia and him. "Perhaps it is our nerves and what we have seen with our guest last night that fooled our eyes."
She will pat his hand once and then return her own to her lap in modesty.
"One-hundred percent real..." she mutters to herself, thinking on the tone of his words. Processing his body language, his breathing, and his vocal patterns when using hyperbole.
Lucia shakes her head. "I've never killed, but I have seen death." She does not elaborate. "What we saw... could have been excellent stage-craft. Or it could have been something else."
"I have killed men, Jakob, and seen many die in Arabia and Egypt as a little girl. I was certain that is what I saw..."
She shakes her head with a chuckle, "...ah the theater..." She looks to Lucia and him. "Perhaps it is our nerves and what we have seen with our guest last night that fooled our eyes."
She will pat his hand once and then return her own to her lap in modesty.
Grinning kindly, "Yeah, perhaps. Makes sense." He then returns to his table and takes a seat. Perhaps. Perhaps. Perhaps. Why am I not sold on 'perhaps'? I don't know. You know, I'm probably just overreacting. Lady Grey is probably right. For the sake of those two men... I sure hope so.
Doe slaps your shoulder, pulling you down into your seat as you begin to look around the room for the aid of Faun, or one of Doe’s companions. With a sinister look in her eyes, ”I don’t know who this Faun is, but you ladies better say nothing, or I will have your hides mounted on the wall!” The Raven chuckles in response, ”Oh, dear Doe, would you be afraid of losing control of your mighty Heracles? Would it really be so bad? I will bite my tongue for now, though who knows what the future holds…” Doe shoots daggers at her with her eyes, but then coyly turns back to you, a pleading innocence in her expression.
The intermission between performances is slightly longer than the previous, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy more substantial refreshments, and other pursuits. Several of the parties begin to depart, thinning the audience before the final act. As the guests settle into their seats, the lighting once again begins to fade and a low base drum rhythm picks up.
A - four men (late 20’s), with three female entertainers; business suits, simple black masks
*** The Four Hounds were earlier reduced to Mr. Terrier and Mr. Beagle
D - three couples (early to mid 30’s); modern semi-formal suits and dresses, simple masks of varied colors
*** one of the couples has left for the evening
F - three men, two women (20’s to 50’s); mix of formal and stylized fashion, each in a unique mask (male - full jester mask, male - full demon mask, male - black leather tight hood, female - detailed porcelain faced with red tears, female - fanciful faerie)
*** Four remain, the male in the black leather hood having departed
H - five men (three 50’s, two 20’s or early 30’s); formal suits, black or white detailed masks
*** The Viscount and the two MPs identified by the Hounds remain, the other two men in their party having departed during the intermission
I - six women (20’s, 30’s) with several male entertainers; fine, modern gowns, each in a detailed animal mask that matches their dress
*** Currently accompanied by Mr. Bryant
B - three men and one woman (mid to late 40’s); business suits, status dress, detailed black masks
C - two couples, (one older, 50’s, one younger, 20’s); formal attire, white masks older couple, red and black masks on younger couple
E - one couple (mid 40’s), with one male entertainer; formal attire, black beaked plague masks
G - two men (40’s to 50’s) with four female entertainers; formal suits, animal skull masks with partial hoods
With the light barely enough to make out a silhouette, you notice Lord Edrington returning to your couches. ”It shall begin shortly now. Will you each share a toast with me?” A staff member stands just behind him, a tray of beverages in his hands.
With trepidation, Edrington’s voice offers a soft toast. ”May the memories of the past and the souls of the future find union tonight and share with us the secrets of the lost. May the hearts of the broken be healed, and the greed of evil be revealed. To life, and liberty.” Raising his glass, he tosses it back.
"Oh of course. Come come!" she invites. "I have to say, I have been thoroughly entertained this evening."
She will take her glass, but will only fake drink from it at the toast. With the dim light inside, she will slip her hand down to the side, using her body to cover between her and Lord Edrington. If the staff member is unable to see, she will pour the contents out under the seat. Her leaning forward is meant to look like she is peering through the darkness to see what may be occurring; which she actually is trying to do at the moment.
As soon as you and your companions take the beverages from the tray, the staff member turns and departs, and is unable to see Scarlet's deception. If Lord Edrington caught it, he makes no indication to that fact, seemingly quite pleased at Scarlet's vibrant energy.
hmm... Raven, it seems, may have some useful information about Doe that she could be enticed to share... I wonder what else a clever, and apparently observant, girl might have picked up on frequent visits here...
John clinks his glass with Doe's when they receive them, then raises it with Lord Edrington and drinks to his toast. "To life and liberty." After the toast (when their host is safely out of earshot) he quietly asks "does he often seem slightly nervous before the final act?"
Such an action would be hardly excusable if done in any form of society, including here, yet her skill, the darkness of the room, and the attention of those present focusing on the stage all seem to aid her in purging most, if not all of the drink. She looks for John, mostly to make sure that he is safe, but it is hard to tell in the dim light and due to him wearing dark clothing. She instead focuses on Lucia, Mr. Jones, and the stage.
hmm... Raven, it seems, may have some useful information about Doe that she could be enticed to share... I wonder what else a clever, and apparently observant, girl might have picked up on frequent visits here...
John returns to his seat, takes another sip from the cup he shares with Doe, and offers it back to her. Looking deeply into his quarry's eyes he answers the Raven, "it appears the Lady is not yet ready for the hunt to come to end, even if its climax promises to be rewarding for her. So we shall allow her to keep her secrets, for now..." He holds her gaze for a moment until the drums start to pound, then with a smirk he looks to the other woman and adds, "but I'll talk to you more later."
After whatever additional smacks the Doe deems necessary, he slides his arm around hers to lock elbows and quietly asks, "what do you suppose this final act will entail?"
Jakob raises his glass with the others and simply nods as he takes a minor drink before setting the glass back down.
Doe looks to John with a mix of excitement and embarrassment. "I, I do not know. The last performance of the night is always the most exciting, to say the least." She is about to say more when the drumbeat shifts, and your eyes turn to the stage.
The lights in the room down low, with subtle flames casting an underglow upon the stage's thrust, you begin to see the movement of a lone figure on the back of the stage. Slowly, it moves forward, with the rhythm of the drums, and yet, there is something unsettling about its gate. There is an obvious limp to the figure's left side, yet the pacing at which they move would almost seem to put extra pressure and stress on the troubled limb. As they draw forward into the limited light, you see a robed figure with a cowled good pulled low. It is a larger person, not in a giant-like way the doorman is, but the figure has some considerable bulk. Raising it's arms out to the sides, the drum beat begins to build, and the light pulsates and grows.
Slowly, the figure reaches up, pushing back the hood from its head. Revealed is the face of a man, perhaps in his 30s or 40s, mostly bald, with only whisps of dark hair remaining. The glow of the light reflects of his pale skin, and his face is marked by pocks and burn scars. His eyes scan across the room, an unerring gaze that seems to catch each of you and pierce into your soul. He begins a chant, in time with the drums, sounding more of tones and notes than language itself. Coming to a stop perhaps six feet from the edge of the stage's thrust, he pulls the tie on the robe, and allows it to slide down off his form. Now more clearly revealed, he had the build of a grizzled dockhand, thick through the chest, with corded limbs, yet he is dressed in black slacks, held aloft by suspenders pulled up overa black dress shirt, though no tie or crevace sits at his neck. The sleeves have been rolled back to reveal his impressive forearms, and in the light, patterned scars or tattoos can be seen upon his forelimbs. Raising up his hands, he begins pounding one fist into the opposite palm repeatedly. As he does, the power of his voice grows, echoing forth across the room, and strange words seem to reach his tongue, with your ears catching hints of latin and greek, yet not composing any language or thought.
The build of the man, combined with the pair of rings upon his left hand, give you enough clues to draw that the performer was previously seated with 'Group F', having been the man in the leather executioner's hood, who is now currently missing from that group.
John can feel his heartbeat quicken with the pounding beat. He can’t help but wonder what effect it might be having on the beautiful woman sitting next to him, but he finds himself too invested in observing the unusual act to study her at the moment.
Chills crawl up Scarlet's sides as she recalls the night finding Mr. Wainwright. How he similarly shuffled about blind. The stressed limb holds her eye, but not at the expense of noticing other things.
"I recognize you, despite you trying to remain hidden."
(+2 from charmed life +2 vs mind affecting)
In an effort to steel herself, she straightens her back and stares him deep into the eyes. His words do not bring fear to her heart, for she has an inner strength he doesn't know of.
Jakob narrows his eyes at the large man, curious as to the odd - and potentially somewhat familiar - feeling that seems to be coming over him.
As you watch, the man’s chanting takes on an otherworldly tone, echoing it seems from all corners of the great hall. Many guests gasp or scream in shock and fear, and a couple even feint. Among your company, Jakob looks noticeably unnerved, while Lucia goes stark white as she clings to the arms of her chair, a look of absolute horror on her face.
The chorus of drums swells with the chanting, adding a rumbling undertone. As it continues, the man’s eyes begin to give off a pale blue glow, and a similar light seems to pulsate from the marks on his forearms. Opening his mouth, he calls out in a loud, low, gravely voice. ”The spirits of those souls lost between the now and the next, I call to thee. Bring onto me thy knowledge - of truths that are, of lies that were, of things yet to come. Reveal those evils that hide in the hearts of men, and show bare the truths they would deny!”
The light on his arms and eyes momentarily surges, and he stumbles back briefly, as though struck by some force. The drums stop their feverish pitch abruptly, then return to a low, smooth beat. The man reopens his eyes, and they have gone a cloudy gray. The voice that now comes forth is something different, and it seemingly changes with each statement it utters, even using different languages at times.
"There is one here who will not live to see the rising sun of tomorrow. Beware the light in the darkness, for in it only doom awaits."
"She does not love you, but rather the gold in your accounts. Be wary, lest you awake to find yourself a pauper, broke and alone."
"The dead cannot rest while those that took their lives are allowed to hold onto their souls. The lurker in the dark slumbers for now, but some would see it awake once more."
"Four eyes see lullabies, yet no longer before them their fingers lie. Lost to the life of laughter and real, now bound to a prison of stone and steel."
"My good little soldier, I am sorry I can no longer be with you. Let the library be both your solace and your guidance. There is wisdom in those words."
"Of peers and hear, hears, there remains a cancer I fear. They fight to hold back the labored tears, yet in doing so damn the next hundred years."
"They never found him, they never... found ME.. Blood on his hands, blood on… MY hands. The beast, the monster, is it him… is it ME? From what Hell did it come… can it be bound, or will it get free… again."
Finally, in the jilted sing-song voice of an off-key young girl - " Ring around… da… Rosie… Pockets… full of… Posie… Ashes……. ASHES…. we all… fall.. DOWN."
And with the final word the drums stop, the lights go out in unison, and a loud crash can be heard from the stage, a sound that could only come from a body collapsing.
"It is no surprise that Lord Edrington has employed someone truly demon-possessed."
She had seen similar things in her travels through the middle east where they actively desire to become possessed and seek it out. With India, this is the case as well. People's bellies swelling and falling, people speaking in strange languages. It was why she studied them so hard growing up.
While perhaps silly compared to other educated women, she doesn't know French very well. She has dabbled and also has been there on her travels northward. Its close proximity to her studies of Latin so she never bothered. Now she tries to understand what was spoken. She also tries to discern the odd tongue of the Irish.
As the words get to the Aramaic, her smile fades and a slight sneer rises from her. Of course it would target her. She in return prays to God for the man that the spirit be rebuked from him. As her prayer ends, the eerie song of the child finishes, and the lights go out. Whether it was by coincidence or by her actions, she doesn't know. What she does wish to know is Lord Edrington's reaction. She cannot see, but she pays attention to the weight of the chair, whether or not he is still there next to her.
"I am alright," she volunteers confidently to her companions. "Is everyone still okay? Jakob? Lucia?"
If Lord Edrington is there, and the lights are candles, she will voice obviously how they need to be relit. If they were of electric power, she will voice how he needs to reset the fuses; having studied them to some degree in her readings.
Jakob cuts a glance from left to right before he notices the liquid within his glass tremble due to the slight shaking of his hand. He quickly lets go of the drink and wipes the sweat beading off his forehead before burying his hands by crossing his arms. Keep it together, Jakob. Keep it together. He works to watch the rest of the act play out before darkness hits!
Immediately leaping from his chair and putting himself in a blind defensive position, "Aye, I'm alright! Barrister?! Miss Lucia?! Are you there?! We could use some light here!" he commands to anyone who can help.
Although John seemed unfazed by the pounding rhythm and the theatrics of the performance, once the lights go out he quickly begins growing uncomfortable. This discomfort springs in part from the ominous warning that one here will not live to see the sunrise—and the opportunity the darkness presents to set such doom in motion—but also largely because in the darkness the visions—the memories of the things beyond—are harder to keep at bay.
The crafty barrister begins muttering something unintelligible as he roots through his pocket. Producing a halfpenny, he clumsily feels for a glass and drops the coin into its contents. Like magic, the small bronze disk begins to glow, casting light around the area surrounding the table next to his couch.
In the brief, sudden darkness, gasps of fear and horror, comments on indecency, crying, and heavy breathing can be heard. As each of you gather your bearing, you each take a brief note.
John, Doe's face his pressed firmly into your shoulder, her arms around you. You can feel her sobbing softly and her body shaking even as you work to call upon your unknown gifts for illumination.
Jakob, as you leap to your feet, you bump into the unexpected form of Faun. She had not been far from you earlier, though must have closed the distance to just behind your chair during the performance. Despite her mostly calm demeanor earlier, in the darkness of the room, you can hear her breathe, soft and innocent, shaky, scared.
Scarlet, the breathing you hear closest to you is that of the Imp, Lord Edrington. At the end of the performance he gasped loudly, then nothing, for a good thirty seconds. Suddenly, he lets out a big sigh, "Umm, yes, well, that was... different... from before. Most different indeed. Is everyone okay?" he seems to asked in your general direction.
In less than a minute's time, the gas lamps around the chamber begin to light anew, casting their warm glow across the hall and its audience. Lying in the middle of the stage's thrust is the performer, still unconscious, but with his chest heaving up and down with the clear sight of breathing. Clearly looking to win the moment over, Edrington climbs to his feet, straightens his costume, and claps, heading up to the stage. Ascending the stairs, he turns to the audience. "Bravo!! Bravo!! I must say, that was simply astounding. It would appear the man bound not one, but more than half a dozen souls to himself. Will the visions they shared bear fruit for some of you? Only time will tell. Though, I do hope I am not the one who will not see a dawn again." With another chuckle, he claps again, stirring the audience into a round of applause. Slowly, the performer rises to a seated position, then comes up further and offers a softer wave of gratitude to the audience before being assisted off the back of the stage.
In the cool light of the glowing coin, John embraces the sobbing woman. "It's alright, my dear Doe," he whispers reassuringly, "you're safe... it's over... I'll keep you safe..." Looking around as he holds her, the barrister checks on the state of the other women in the party he's seated with, and looks around for signs of anyone who might be in immediate need of help (or anyone who might be trying to exploit the commotion to harm or abduct another).
Once the house lights are being lit anew, he pulls away slightly from Doe to remove the handkerchief from the breast pocket of his jacket. He reaches up as if to use it dab away her tears before realizing that her mask prevents that; instead, he offers it to her and gently asks "are you alright, my sacred Doe?"
"It appears John got a gaslight started," she thinks to herself as light shines throughout the room to some minor degree.
"I am fine, sir," she replies. She had noticed his breath and absolved him of having a hand in this event, but still, she doesn't enjoy sitting in the dark with a demon-possessed man about.
As the lights come back up, she will avoid clapping by turning behind her to look at her seat and then to sit down.
"Calm yourself, Jakob." Her voice a pinnacle of strength in a room full of fear. "Perhaps it was all theatrics, or perhaps not. Look to Ms. Faun"
She assumes a gender, although she was mostly certain. She will see if Faun knows about the performer by her facial reactions. Does she have a duping delight?
With her focus on Faun mostly for the moment, she will turn toward where Lucia was to see how she is doing.
"Lucia, dear, how do you fare?"
She will turn her head to view where she was sitting and see how she is.
Angling his head in the direction of who he bumped into, "Faun? Are you okay? Stay close and stay behind me. If this is some type of trap, I can still fight. I may not can see but I can still fight."
Jakob quickly looks around to make sure everyone is present and accounted for. He looks to Scarlet as she speaks to him before turning to Faun. "You okay?"
Holding Doe close, she does not verbally respond but only clings tighter to you. When you raise the handkerchief to dry her eyes, she looks up at you, takes the cloth, pulls off her mask and dabs her eyes gingerly, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she has revealed herself. If you had any question before as to her appearance, they are quickly dispelled as her features are revealed to be angular yet soft, with a fair complexion. Placing her mask back on, she quietly whispers. ”Thank you,” before placing a gentle kiss on your lips. After this brief moment, she returns her head to your shoulder, still obviously gaining comfort from the position. Glancing past her, you see her company in total disarray, several crying hysterically, two having feinted, with only the Raven in any semblance of control. She half-heartedly chuckles slightly, though the remnant of tears can be seen below her eyes.
Your quick analysis of Faun shows no sign of awareness of any duplicitous intent. Indeed, as you listen to her exchange with Jakob, her words are most clearly sincere. Turning your attention to Lucia, she sits frozen in her chair, her eyes staring off horridly in the distance. When she fails to respond to your words, you draw in closer, calling to her again and placing a hand on her shoulder. The contact seems to break whatever spell held her, and she suddenly flinches back and looks up to you. ”I, I saw it. It’s here. Oh, god, it’s here. It’s going to come for me again. No, no, no…. No, I can’t do this. Not again. I am not… no, not…. Strong enough.” She reaches forward, shakily grabbing her glass of wine and downing it swiftly before dropping the goblet on the rug below. ”No, I am sorry, no, I can’t. Scarlet, I need to go. Now. I am sorry.” Grabbing her purse, she rises, looking to move toward the door.
Faun looks up at you, a distinct look of fear in her face. Yet in hearing your words and catching your gaze, she finds some measure of support and seems to calm. ”Yes, I… I think I am okay. It was just, a lot. The last three times have been interesting, but there was only ever one spirit he communed with. And never that overwhelming feeling of dread. This was… different. I hope he is alright. He is a good man, Stefanos. I don’t understand his gift, but I can tell you he means no one ill.” As she speaks you notice the feeling of dread in your gut begins to fade.
The performer safely escorted from the stage, Lord Edrington continues to speak to the audience. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I trust your evening at the Cirque du Chuchoter has been filled with mystery and wonderment touched by a taste of the rare and exotic, and your darkest indulges have been more than satiated. That concludes the night's performances, but you are by no means cast back out onto the cold streets of London. Please, continue to revel, partaking in all that the Cirque has to offer. Both myself and my most able bodied staff are here to attend to your every need. Just be careful, for if you stare into the abyss, the abyss just might stare back at you." With his last words, he raises a glass to the audience, downs it, then walks down off the back of the stage.
John studies Doe’s face intently for the moment that he can see it, partly because he hopes to describe it well enough later for someone to confirm her identity, but also partly because he truly has grown somewhat infatuated with her throughout their interaction.
John closes his eyes and returns Doe’s gentle kiss. When she pulls away he finds himself speechless for the first time in a long time. Rather than force a comment, he continues to quietly hold her while she calms down. Before trying to figure out how to address the situation with her companions, he ventures a look over to his own to see how they are managing.
Seeing that Lady Grey and Jakob, at least, seem more or less alright, the barrister turns his attention back to his current company. ”My dear,” he says quietly and gently, ”I fear some of your friends have feinted... it would be my great pleasure to hold you for as long as you desire, but if you wish for us to check on them you need only say the word.”
Faun looks up at you, a distinct look of fear in her face. Yet in hearing your words and catching your gaze, she finds some measure of support and seems to calm. ”Yes, I… I think I am okay. It was just, a lot. The last three times have been interesting, but there was only ever one spirit he communed with. And never that overwhelming feeling of dread. This was… different. I hope he is alright. He is a good man, Stefanos. I don’t understand his gift, but I can tell you he means no one ill.” As she speaks you notice the feeling of dread in your gut begins to fade.
Giving a comforting grin, "Good. That's good. You looked a bit spooked there, luv, so you had me a bit worried. So this guy 'Stefanos', can he really commune with 'ghosts' or whatever? Because I thought it was just an act. A pretty believable one, mind you, but still an act. But you're telling me... not an act?" he asks, truly curious.
"Calm yourself!" she calls out to Lucia in order for her to appeal to her better senses, but seeing her state, she realizes Lucia needs to leave. Scarlet approaches her.
"I understand, dear," she volunteers as she will come to give her a little hug to comfort her in a small way. Regardless of the situation, it is always good seeing her and Scarlet can easily understand the fear that has taken hold of the room. "Go home. Don't give it power. I'll come to visit you soon..."
With their goodbyes said, and the light still on John, she makes sure he is alright. Their group over there seems to be in disarray as well, and like a charmer, he is holding an innocent woman in his arms. She averts her eyes as he and the Doe kiss. Now her mind is solely on Faun.
"Tell me, Faun," she asks politely with compassion for her already poor nerves, "Were there any other prophesies that were said to be destructive toward perhaps a different person at a different time?" "Perhaps Mr. Wainwright's situation with his eyes removed was prophesied as well?"
It seems that things are wrapping up on stage, so she will lightly clap to celebrate the finish of the show, but her main focus is on their androgynous friend, as it would be rude to not be.
Lucia looks at Scarlet, an expression still of shock, confusion, and fear stretched across her face. Even as she looks at you, you feel she is looking past you, at some unknown monstrosity waiting just behind you, out of sight. Her hand trembles in yours, but at your direction, she begins to shake her head in compliance. ”Yes, yes. I’ll… I’ll go now. Yes, come see me… soon.” She gives you a half attempt at a hug before turning and moving quickly to depart the chamber.
John tries to take in every aspect of Doe’s features during the brief time she is unmasked, but finds he cannot recall the face from any past occasion and cannot put a name to it. After your offer to attend to her companions, Doe seems to come more fully into the moment, and looks about at the rest of them. With your aid, she sets about trying to calm and revive her companions. ”Oh dear, this is a most unfortunate occasion. Girls! Girls! Sirs, can you bring some wet towels for my friends?”
Having quite gained a manner of control over herself, Faun straightens her jacket then sits down on one of your couches. She listens as both Jakob and Scarlet ask about the performance itself, and the nature of Stefanos. ”Many of our entertainers are talented performers, and many can do think that seem inexplicable, yet most is little more than smoke and mirrors. There are a couple, however, that seem to truly defy reality. Stefanos is one of them. I don’t quite understand how he does what he does, but he has said that there are spirits all around. At times he can talk to them, and other times I have seen him seemingly take one into himself. But what happened tonight, it has never been like that.” Pouring herself a small glass of wine, she sips it for a second, trying to recall past details. ”I have seen his performance three other times. Twice he connected with the spirit of someone pertinent to an audience member, and was able to share intimate details only they would know. The third time, he called on the spirit of a cavalry officer who served during the Napoleonic War. It was most fascinating. And nothing like tonight. None of those evenings had the strange prophetic offerings, nor the weight of dread that overtook this room. Nor was Stefanos knocked unconscious after. No, something tonight went quite wrong, I fear.”
"My little soldier...," she thinks to herself. Probably one of the few who could have understood what was said. It was clearly for her, but should she pay heed to it? Her father is dead and gone. "Yes...alive and at peace. Or if not, asleep in the ground."
She pushes past the thoughts to the words of Faun and nods.
"Do Stefanos' friends ever partake in his otherworldly events?" she nods towards group F, showing she noticed he was party to them.
John stays close by Doe's side as they calm and awaken her friends. He's too distracted to notice Lucia taking her leave, but periodically glances over to where Jakob's head is visible over most of the crowd to make sure he's not been left alone. Once the situation with the woman has improved, he musters a concerned smile and remarks, "I take it that was rather more intense than most of the performances you've witnessed here?"
Once they've answered, he looks into Doe's eyes, now reddened from her crying, and offers, "As much as I would delight in returning to the sofa with you to finish our drink, or in retiring somewhere more peaceful with you to recover from that excitement, I will understand completely if the time has come to walk you to your carriage and hope for a hint of when I might resume my pursuit..."
Faun listens to Lady Scarlet's question, and thinks for a moment. "It is true, some of our acts use 'placed audience members'. Only in one of his performances did Stefanos, the one where he connected with the soldier. In that case one of our colleagues challenged the veracity of the encounter, quite vehemently, and the spirit shared some truly miraculous details through him. The other two times, in which he bonded with a spirit in some way connected to an audience member, were chosen at random." She takes a sip of her glass, then looks back up, a rather different expression on her face. "Perhaps I overstep, but you both seem rather unphased by what just occurred. Have you experience with such things? Perhaps you could check on Stefanos, to see if he is alright? He is a good man, I swear."
Across the room, Doe listens to John's words at length. Her coy banter and witty nature have faded, though that perhaps makes her interest seem that much more genuine. "Yes, that was quite a bit different from what I've seen here before. I had heard tell of the spirit-whisperer, but this was quite different than his past performances had been described." Sure that her friends were at least in control of their faculties, she gathers her purse, listening to your discussion of goodbye.
A soft smile crosses her lips. "Good sir hunter, perhaps I have forgot myself tonight. Lest I dance too far over the edge, yes, it may be best to call for my carriage. Would you do me the honor?" Already assuming your response, she turns to the girls, then moves to the Raven, who is herself still getting composed. The pair exchange what they perhaps think are low words, but with the night's alcohol consumed and the performance ended with the band not yet resumed, it is quite quiet nearby, and thus easy to hear.
"Sister, are you quite alright? I am heading back to Beckwitten, I think you should join me."
"Why do you always worry about me, I am fine. Go have fun with your suitor, I am sure he has expectations."
"Damnit Eve, it's not like that. He's a decent sort. You are drunk, and out of sorts, we are going. Now."
"Fine, but I doubt he will call on you now, leaving him so. Another failure for you. Ah, so typical. If only you'd be less of a prude."
Doe returns to you with a bit of a flush look to her face, but with Raven in tow. "Yes, I am most certain now, if you would please call for my carriage. And, I must ask of you one more favor. This might not be the best circumstance for a hunt to begin. If you'd like to continue your trials, would you indulge a lady's trepidation? I trust a man of your nature carries a calling card. Would you provide me with one, and I will send you word soon?"