Shadows of London: 1-11 Social Dance

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Shadows of London

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After waking up from a nightmare, Caroline realizes that the attack last night had left a wound on her hand. She suppresses her unease, and attends the grand dance.

Info

Style: Required: Bellflower Guardian Recommended: Bellflower Guardian, Light Steps, Bellflower Promises Perfect Score: ~5,530 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Rule Keeper

Rule Keeper

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

Hoping to find out more, I turn towards--

• Mr. Savile
  • Vincent's Goodwill will rise
• Doctor Grey
  • Edward's Goodwill will rise

Transcript

Expand for script.

• "Don't be scared, Caroline. Mama's here."
• I open my eyes slowly to my mother's soft whispers, but what I see is a cold cell.

• I don't know why my mother and I are locked up here. I curl up by my mother's side, looking around timidly.
• There are a few people leaning against the damp stone wall. They are stick-thin, pale, and they look disoriented. They murmur inaudibly at times.
• Low roars can be heard coming from a corner of the prison, as though an enraged beast might leap out at any moment.
• Lavinia: Be good, Caroline. It's time to sleep, stop looking around now.

• She pats my back gently, and sings quietly.
• Lavinia: Red roses in a heap, gentle moonbeams...

• Lavinia: Little girl, go to sleep, meet angels in your dreams...

• My mother's voice is soft, but her grave expression makes her look like a different person.
• You: Mama?

• I call out for her hesitantly, but she does not reply.
• I hear a strange noise behind me. It's the sound of metal chains being dragged across the floor.
• Lavinia: Stay where you are, Caroline. I'll protect you.

• My mother stands up carefully, holding me tight in her arms.
• Nervously, I peek over her arm, and see a burly man staggering towards us.
• Dim light from beyond the metal grill hits his face. Murderous red eyes look back at me.
• You: Stay away!

• I wake up with a scream. My back is drenched in cold sweat.
• You: What is that place? Who are those people?

• Despite the lingering fear, I try to recall what I saw in my nightmare. The burly man looked a lot like the vagrant who attacked me in the rain.
• You: Did that really happen in real life?

• You: Or is it merely a reflection of the shock I got?

• I think about it long and hard, trying to recall my childhood memories but all I remember are the homely scenes.
• Then I notice a dull red mark on my left arm.
• You: Is this where the infected man grabbed me?

• I stare at the mark. It neither hurts nor itches, it doesn't even look like a new injury.
• Anna: Miss Rayes, it's time to get up.

• Anna's voice startles me. I hurriedly collect my thoughts, and get off the bed.
• Anna: Are you feeling all right, Miss? Your naps have been getting longer.

• You: No... I'm fine.

• You: I guess I'm just exhausted by all the social activities of late.

• Anna: It's the peak of the social season. You've got to perk up.

• Anna: Madam told me to dress you up, and make you the belle of the ball today.

• Oh yes, there's a ball at Lindvall's tonight.
• You: (No wonder Aunt Petit is in such high spirits today. She's even wearing the antique brooch she treasures.)

• Anna: You better change, or Madam will nag you again.

• You: All right.

• Despite the gloom of the epidemic hanging over the city, the ton refuses to miss out on a chance to socialize.

• The grand Lindvall residence is brightly lit. Melodious tunes fill its hallways.
• Surprisingly, only a few are dancing. The nobles gather in twos and threes with tense faces, speaking in low voices.
• Gentleman A: I hear there are many deaths in the slums. And there's an alley that has an appalling stench.

• Lady A: The papers love to exaggerate. Isn't the Eastern District like that all year round?

• Lady B: Shhhh.. I think someone's been infected in the Western District.

• Lady B: Rumors say the marquise's servant got infected just by looking at a vagrant on the street!

• Gentleman B: They say the infected people go insane, and aettack anyone on the streets. We better refrain from going out at night.

• Lady A: A respectable gentleman or lady wouldn't go out at night, unless it's to attend a ball.

• Lady A: Only detestable rakes would enjoy looking for harlots in the Eastern District at night!

• Lady B: Good gracious! I'm worried they might bring the sickness to the Western District.

• Gentleman A: The slums must be locked down! We should ban those people from going anywhere, lest they bring disaster to all of London.

• Lady B: Have you noticed that some regular ball attendees have vanished? I'm afraid...

• You: Everyone's getting concerned about the epidemic.

• Madam Petit: That's all nonsense.

• Madam Petit: I had afternoon tea with the marquise a couple of days ago. She didn't say anything about a sick servant.

• Bernard Erskine: Let me see the tactless fellow who put a frown on the most elegant lady of the ball.

• Mr. Erskine approaches, holding a glass of wine. A familiar face follow by his side.
• Vincent Savile: Good evening, Madam Petit, Miss Rayes.

• You: Mr. Savile?!

• Vincent Savile: Miss Rayes, why do you always look shocked to see me?

• You: My apologies, perhaps it's because something unexpected always happens when we meet.

• Bernard Erskine: Oh? I see you two know each other quite well.

• Vincent Savile: Not too long ago, Miss Rayes and I...

• Mr. Savile pauses abruptly. He smiles at me so subtly that I almost didn't notice it.
• I freeze.
• You: (Oh no, is he going to reveal my trip to Eastern District?)

• Vincent Savile: Miss Rayes and I met some days ago at the Ruby Opera House, where you hosted <A Midsummer Night's Dream>.

• Vincent Savile: It's been a while, but Miss Rayes is as radiant as always.

• Bernard Erskine: Of course, Caroline is outstanding and unforgettable. She is Violet's niece after all.

• Jesse Lindvall: Hahaha! Mr. Erskine, great minds do think alike.

• Turning towards the hearty laughter, I realize that Jesse and Doctor Grey have arrived.
• Jesse Lindvall: You're absolutely right. Caroline is this season's greatest surprise.

• Jesse Lindvall: Even Doctor Grey has fallen for her charms. He keeps praising her, and we know Doctor Grey never talks about any lady ever.

• Edward Grey: Mr. Lindvall, please be discreet.

• Edward Grey: My words were: Miss Rayes is a sensible lady.

• You: Mr. Lindvall, please don't make fun of me. Oh, have you recovered from your cold?

• I'm still not used to calling Jesse by his name when there are so many people around.
• Jesse Lindvall: Of course. With the capable Doctor Grey, it's hard not to recover.

• Maybe he's had a bit to drink as Jesse looks more flushed than he usually does.
• Madam Petit: You should take care of yourself during these trying times, lest you be hurt by the rumors.

• Jesse Lindvall: Yes, you're right, Madam.

• Jesse Lindvall: As the famous delinquent of the London ton, I must be the "epidemic source" that everyone's scared of.

• Bernard Erskine: *sigh* Rumors of a "bloodthirsty monster" have been spreading like wildfire. It's in your best interests to keep a low profile.

• Bernard Erskine: Don't even mention feeling unwell. Once people hear someone's been to the Eastern District, they'll wish he'd disappear from earth.

• You: That's too mean...

• Unease washes over me as I remember the attack I experienced a few days ago in Eastern District. I consciously but inconspicuously cover up my left arm.
• Vincent Savile: When lives are threatened by a great unknown, people often lose their ability to judge objectively.

• Vincent Savile: The epidemic's source is still a mystery. If the situation continues, London will be consumed by panic.

• Vincent Savile: People are already coming up with unorthodox home remedies, claiming they can cure the disease.

• The street vendor springs to mind.
• Jesse and I look at Mr. Savile. Curious, Doctor Grey looks at him questioningly as well.
• Edward Grey: The more dire things are, the more vigilant we have to be.

• Edward Grey: Desperate remedies will only create more problems, and worsen the situation.

• You: (Mr. Savile and Doctor Grey have been keeping track of the epidemic...)

• You: (They may have obtained some information that regular people don't have access to.)

• Hoping to find out more, I turn towards--

Mr. Savile

• You: Mr. Savile, do you think any of those remedies might actually work?

• You: After all, if the epidemic continues to spread without any action from the authorities, people must try to save themselves...

• Vincent Savile: If the home remedies are just common medicine that's been exaggerated, that's not too bad.

• Vincent Savile: But some crooks are profiting from fear, and may harm people in their attempts to make a quick buck.

• Vincent Savile: There are even people doing black magic now. That's as dangerous as the epidemic.

• You: Black magic? Does that really exist?

• Vincent Savile: I don't know if black magic can change the world, but I know it can easily devour a believer's life.

• Vincent Savile: Miss Rayes, if anyone invites you to join a group to eliminate the epidemic, please reject them straightaway.

• Mr. Savile gives me a piercing gaze, as though he's doubting me. I look away hurriedly.
• You: Of course, I'm not that gullible.

• Madam Petit: Caroline is a smart and sensible child. She knows when to say no.

• Madam Petit: Besides, with Harolds Pharmacy behind us, who needs these unorthodox remedies?

• You: (Harolds Pharmacy? I remember the street vendor mentioning it...)

• Jesse Lindvall: Madam, I'm sorry to break the news to you, but Harolds Pharmacy is helpless against this epidemic too.

Doctor Grey

• You: Doctor Grey, have the medical professionals made any progress so far in their research on the epidemic?

• Edward Grey: They've been working hard since Christmas, but with little result.

• Edward Grey: It's partly because the epidemic is hard to keep track of. The cases are scattered and sporadic, and there are hardly any clues.

• Edward Grey: Death follows rapidly from the onset of symptoms, and the decomposition rate of the body is exceptionally high.

• Edward Grey: Impeded by the lack of information, we have yet to make substantial progress.

• You: Is there any solution at all, other than sitting around?

• Edward Grey: Try to avoid going out, especially to areas where patients have appeared before.

• Edward Grey: This is the best you can do right now.

• Bernard Erskine: Still, time is money, and life as well. We're missing out just by sitting around.

• Bernard Erskine: Mr. Lindvall, has Harolds Pharmacy developed anything against the epidemic?

• You: (Harolds Pharmacy? I remember the street vendor mentioning it...)

• Jesse Lindvall: My apologies, Mr. Erskine, but Harolds Pharmacy is helpless against this epidemic too.

• Jesse Lindvall: As one of their biggest investors, and as a Lindvall...

• Jesse Lindvall: I've expressed my regrets to many who inquired tonight.

• Bernard Erskine: That's really bad news. The whole of London is going to be disappointed.

• Jesse Lindvall: *sigh* Death comes, one way or another. We'll deal with this one step at a time.

• The usually cheery young man has uttered a sigh of despair, and everyone falls silent.

• The ball ends hastily in a state of unease.
• Exhausted, I lean against the window as the carriage runs along the quiet street. I see a murder of crows resting on a lamp post.
• They are like grim reapers watching over a city enveloped by danger.