Shadows of London: 1-12 Uneasiness

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After broaching a "taboo topic" again, Caroline gets into an argument with Madam Petit. She returns to the greenhouse with a heavy heart, and receives a small surprise.

Info

Style: Event Logs: Petticoat Lane Market Recommended: Erudite Travels, Private Quarters, Sunset Hours, Bookish Courtyard, Evening Study, Viridescent Ripples Perfect Score: ~8,910 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Doleful Lament

Doleful Lament

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

(I guess Aunt Petit has never intended me to stay in London.)

• Ask her why
  • No effect
• Oppose her arrangements
  • No effect?

Transcript

Expand for script.

• The rumors at the ball discomforted me, and I keep tossing and turning all night. I finally manage to fall asleep when it's almost dawn
• When I wake up, it's time for afternoon tea.
• You: Aunt Petit must be waiting for me. I should get changed and go downstairs quickly.

• I drag my exhausted self out of bed and stand in front of the mirror. The red mark on my left arm is carved into my mind.}}
• You: Another day has passed, and this mark hasn't faded at all.

• And I notice that my eyes are bloodshot.
• You: Is this... a symptom of the disease?

• You: No, no, I must be imagining things. This must be a result of bad sleep.

• I shake my head, trying to clear all incoherent thoughts from my mind.

• Aunt Petit sits at the table, looking annoyed. I guess she's been waiting for quite a while.
• You: I'm sorry for being late, Aunt Petit.

• Madam Petit: I suspended etiquette lessons because of the weather.

• Madam Petit: It doesn't mean you should let yourself go, and neglect a lady's code of conduct.

• You: I understand, Aunt Petit. I will adjust my rest times.

• Unlike previous times, she does not regain a pleasant demeanor after I apologize.
• Her brow is tightly furrowed, and her countenance is stern.
• Madam Petit: You've sneaked out several times when I'm not home. And you always return late at night.

• Madam Petit: I want to know where you've gone. As your family member, I am responsible for your safety.

• You: I've only been to the park to stroll alone, or to view exhibitions.

• Madam Petit: Really?

• You: (She doesn't know about my secret visits to Eastern District, does she?)

• I avoid Aunt Petit's gaze, and my heart starts to race.
• Madam Petit: Caroline, I know you're keeping something from me.

• You: N-no, I haven't! You told me not to go anywhere near Eastern District, and I've kept that in mind!

• Madam Petit: Don't change the topic. I'm talking about your social connections.

• Madam Petit: If you haven't been seeing them in secret, how did you get so well acquainted with those two middle class gentlemen?

• You: Middle class gentlemen?

• Madam Petit: Your obsession with the source of the epidemic is probably a result of their influence.

• You: Are you talking about... Mr. Savile and Doctor Grey?

• You: They are very friendly, and they're friends of Mr. Erskine and Mr. Lindvall, so there's no reason for me to avoid them.

• You: As for your worry regarding any private interactions, there haven't been any at all. We only met at the opera house by chance.

• Madam Petit: Caroline, when you first arrived in London, I taught you to judge circumstances, and to grab opportunities.

• Madam Petit: I don't think you've truly understood.

• Aunt Petit gazes at me meaningfully, and seems greatly disappointed in me.
• Madam Petit: I'm not objecting to you interacting with the middle class.

• Madam Petit: But if you wish to maintain a standard of living akin to the one at Canterville, you mustn't get too close to any middle class gentlemen.

• You: Why?

• Madam Petit: Know that the middle class are dependant upon a flourishing city.

• Madam Petit: Once the city is subjected to a crisis, or falls into ruin, the middle class are helpless.

• Aunt Petit gazes gloomily out the window at the gray sky.
• Madam Petit: London isn't a good place to stay all year round. Outside of the social season, the nobles mostly stay in countryside manors.

• Madam Petit: I tried my best to match you with Mr. Lindvall, because I hope that you'll be able to enjoy a comfortable life.

• Madam Petit: But if you are not interested in him, I will not force you.

• Aunt Petit sighs, and she seems to calm down a little.
• Madam Petit: If you prefer scholarly gentlemen, I can find an opportunity to take you to visit Lord Windermere.

• Madam Petit: His nephew graduated from Harrow School, and he's very personable. I think the two of you will get along.

• Madam Petit: The Windermere family owns an enchanting manor in Lancashire. It's a dream manor for many young ladies.

• You: (I guess Aunt Petit has never intended me to stay in London.)

Ask her why

• You: Aunt Petit, I don't understand. Why can't I stay in London?

• You: You invited me here, and you even told me that a lady can have a career of her own.

• You: Why can't I be like you, and survive in London with my own skills?

• Madam Petit: Caroline, you're too naive. I know how tough it can be, having gone through so many things.

• Madam Petit: I can tell you're not fond of socializing, and it's very hard to be independent in London with a personality like that.

• You: But you should ask me how I feel too. Don't I have any choice in the matter?

Oppose her arrangements

• You: Aunt Petit, I know you're doing this for my own good, but I hope you'll let me decide my own future.

• You: If I must rely on someone in order to enjoy riches, then I'd rather be poor!

• Aunt Petit's eyes widen, and her lips twitch. She hadn't expected me to rebel against her.
• Madam Petit: Caroline, you're too naive.

• Madam Petit: You've never experienced how it's like to be poor, and that's why you said that.

• You: As long as it's a path I've chosen, I'm not afraid, no matter how hard it is!

• Madam Petit: This stubbornness of yours reminds me of your father.

• Madam Petit: He was a loner as well, and ignored all our advice. In the end...

• Aunt Petit stops abruptly, as though it would be a taboo to say any more.
• You: Father gave up his nobility for love, and I think that was very courageous indeed!

• You: My parents struggled to make ends meet, but they were very loving.

• You: They might have died of illness, but I believe Father has never regretted a thing!

• Madam Petit: Enough!

• Aunt Petit's voice is shrill, as though my words have hit a tender spot.
• Madam Petit: Cyril was the sibling I loved the most, and of course I'd want him to be happy.

• Madam Petit: But he died in London because of your mother, and that is a wound that the Rayes family can never forget!

• You: Disaster strikes objectively. How could you blame my mother?

• You: She suffered as well!

• Madam Petit: Cyril gave up everything for your mother's sake, and yet your mother abandoned him!

• You: Impossible!

• Madam Petit: Caroline, in order to protect you, your grandfather, your uncle, and I have never told you--

• Madam Petit: 13 years ago, your mother took you and vanished without a word.

• Madam Petit: Your father searched for the two of you like a madman, and that was the first time he ever asked us for help since leaving the manor.

• You: I don't believe it! They never left each other until the end!

• Madam Petit: I searched with your father for half a month and failed to find the two of you.

• Madam Petit: When your father ran out of options and decided to ask your grandfather for help, your mother suddenly returned with you.

• Madam Petit: But she was already very ill, and soon after, she...

• Aunt Petit presses her lips together, and her shoulders start to shake.
• You: Is that all true?

• Madam Petit: Without a doubt. Back then, Cyril prepared a letter for Canterville Manor, and I still have it.

• Madam Petit: Caroline, your father clung to the decision he made, and that resulted in tragedy.

• Madam Petit: And your grandfather grieved over the loss of his son for the rest of his life.

• My eyes grow damp at the mention of Grandpa.
• Madam Petit: Your grandfather didn't want you to come to London, because he's afraid you might follow in Cyril's footsteps.

• Madam Petit: So I hope you'll understand how I feel, and not go against your grandfather's wishes.

• I hang my head wordlessly, and Aunt Petit falls silent too. The argument seems to have drained us both.
• Anna enters.
• Anna: Madam, the Countess' carriage is already at the door.

• Madam Petit: Ah... It's time? Please ask the Countess to wait a while, I'll be there in a moment.

• Aunt Petit wipes the tears from her eyes, and pats her hair. Then she leaves the tea room without giving me a single glance.

• I sit in the greenhouse and daze. Aunt Petit's words are swimming in my head.
• The continuous rain has deprived the plants of sunlight. They're hanging their branches and leaves, seemingly in despair.
• ???: Well, let me guess, which little lark is moping in a corner?

• The voice by my ear startles me. I lift my head and see Jesse looking down at me.
• Jesse Lindvall: Ah, so it's Miss Caroline Rayes.

• Jesse Lindvall: What happened? Why don't you let this entertaining gentleman cheer you up?

• You: Jesse?! Why are you here?

• He shrugs helplessly.
• Jesse Lindvall: Father has been very strict towards me, and I just couldn't find the chance to go out on my own.

• Jesse Lindvall: But my sister wanted to visit Madam Petit, so I tagged along to breathe some fresh air.

• You: Oh, so the Countess is your sister.

• Jesse Lindvall: Yes, my sister is the esteemed Countess of Essex. Oh, what a proper and yet suffocating marriage.

• You: Jesse, the Countess wouldn't be happy to hear you say that.

• Jesse Lindvall: She's suffered many unhappy things in the marriage. I'm simply saying the truth.

• Jesse Lindvall: And what about you? Why are you sitting here in a daze? Are you thinking about your crush?

• You: Of course not... Don't spew nonsense.

• Jesse Lindvall: Oh, no need to keep it from me. If it's someone I know, I don't mind lending you a hand.

• Jesse winks at me cheekily, brimming with confidence.
• Jesse Lindvall: Don't end up like all the other rule-abiding ladies, and trap yourself in some kind of arranged marriage.

• You: You're mistaken. I was just thinking about my late parents.

• Jesse Lindvall: Oh... I'm sorry.

• Jesse sits down beside me with his gaze turned downwards, vastly different from how he was a moment ago.
• Jesse Lindvall: Then you may continue dazing. If you wish to cry, please do. I won't disturb you.

• He sits quietly by my side, keeping me company.
• You: Thank you for your unique way of offering comfort. I feel much better now.

• Jesse Lindvall: *sigh* If it weren't for Father ordering his men to keep an eye on me, I'd be able to take you out on a stroll.

• You: Why is your father restricting you so severely?

• Jesse Lindvall: Blame those rumor-mongers! Everyone's panicking in the Western District...

• Jesse Lindvall: And Father suspects I've joined some sort of mystic club!

• You: Mystic club?

• Jesse Lindvall: I hear it's a secret organization started by some of the young noblemen, and I think one of my friends is in it.

• You: What does this organization do?

• Jesse Lindvall: I'm not very sure, but my friend's been a bundle of nerves ever since he joined.

• Jesse Lindvall: They're probably trying to carry out some kind of strange cleansing ritual.

• Jesse Lindvall: I mean, there's the epidemic, and everyone wants to be protected...

• You: Mr. Savile mentioned during the ball that there are many tricksters trying to profit off fake cures.

• You: And we came across a street vendor selling medicine in Saint George, didn't we?

• You: Has your friend fallen victim to tricksters?

• Jesse Lindvall: I'm worried too, but he refuses to tell me anything, and he's been pretty hard to find lately.

• Jesse Lindvall: Someone said he frequents Petticoat Lane Market, but I don't know if it's true...

• You: Jesse, I remember you saying that the Eastern District has many underground clubs.

• You: Didn't you suspect them of creating the epidemic?

• You: I think...

• Jesse Lindvall: We're thinking of the same thing, Caroline! You're truly a brave lady.

• Jesse Lindvall: I've been planning to investigate this particular club.

• Jesse Lindvall: Let me be on my best behavior for a few more days. Once Father lets down his guard, we can go check out Petticoat Lane Market!

• You: Alright!

• In the evening, Aunt Petit and I bid farewell to the Countess and Jesse. Aunt Petit seems to have forgotten about our argument earlier, and pulls me over to engage in pleasant conversation with Jesse.
• As the carriage disappears into the distance, I realize that he's my first real friend in all of London.