Shadows of London: 1-1 One-Way Ticket

Shadows of London

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Caroline, a member of a declining house, arrives in London alone to partake in the social season. On the train, she has a painful dream about her parents and gets acquainted with a caring gentleman.

Info

Style: Gifts: Rose of Hyde Park, Royal Road Event Logs: Hampshire, Social Season, Madame Petit, Cyril Recommended: Rose of Hyde Park, Royal Road Perfect Score: ~ 1,625 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Erudite Travels

Erudite Travels

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

Perhaps Doctor Grey is trying to cheer me up by breaking the momentary silence.

• Respond enthusiastically
  • No change
• Appear disinterested
  • Edward goodwill up

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Young Girl: Papa, tell me more about the black butterfly that flew out of the tower! What happened after it got free?

• Man: Sweetie, it’s time for bed. We can continue the story tomorrow, okay?

• Young Girl: Oh, but I’m not sleepy…

• Woman: My dear Caroline, the butterfly is sleeping. It wants to rest a while before it continues its adventure.

• Young Girl: Does it need to go to bed on time? Like me?

• Woman: Of course. When it was small, it would listen to a lullaby too.

• Woman: “Red roses in a heap, gentle moonbeams…”

• Woman: “Little girl, go to sleep, meet angels in your dreams…”

• Something warm trickles down my face, and I feel as if I’m sinking helplessly into a swamp.
• A large and warm hand pats me lightly on the shoulder, and I blearily open my eyes.

• ???: Lady, are you all right?

• The tears obscuring my vision make it impossible to recognize the man in front of me. After a moment, he hands me a handkerchief.
• ???: Here, you can use this, if you don’t mind.

• You: Thank you.

• The faint scent on the handkerchief has the effect of waking me up, and I realize that I’m sitting in a train bound for London.
• Outside the window, tall buildings loom in the distance, emitting clouds of black smoke.
• You: People say that when you see that sea of smoke, you’re about to reach London.

• You: But even the clouds look gray in that smoke, and I wonder if the city even gets to see any sunlight…

• ???: You don’t seem to like London very much…

• You: Oh! Erm… I was just talking to myself… I’m sorry if I offended you.

• ???: Don’t worry about it. Everyone’s free to state their opinion. Besides, the way you said it is pretty amusing.

• ???: Your face was really pale a while ago, but you’re looking better now.

• You: Thank you. I had a dream, and it took me a while to wake up properly.

• ???: The exhaustion from travel can trigger all kinds of dreams.

• ???: I’m Edward Grey. I work as a doctor. If you ever feel unwell, please feel free to consult me.

• You: I’m Caroline Rayes, from Hampshire.

• Edward Grey: I’ve been to Hampshire before. The people there are very kind.

• Edward Grey: May I ask, is this the first time you’re visiting London?

• You: Not really. When I was a child, I used to live in London with my parents.

• You: Then something happened… And I moved to my grandfather’s manor.

• You: I’m going to London for the social season.

• Edward Grey: Oh, I’ve been out doing my rounds for so long, I’ve almost forgotten it’s that time of year again.

• He looks out the window. His tilted face looks a bit sleepy.
• Edward Grey: Are you attending the events alone? That’s rather uncommon for a lady.

• You: Well… London’s not far from Hampshire. It’s a little inconvenient to travel alone, but it’s doable.

• Edward Grey: Forgive me for being blunt, but in these fast-changing times, the dangers we face have grown rapidly as well.

• Edward Grey: You must take measures to protect yourself when you’re traveling alone.

• You: You are right.

• You: My aunt stays in London, and once the train reaches the station, she will send someone to fetch me.

• Edward Grey: That’s great to know.

• When I was five, my parents passed away, and I was sent to the Canterville manor in Hampshire, to live with my grandfather.
• The setback at the factories led to a decline in the manor’s earnings, but I still managed to spend an idyllic childhood under the care of my grandfather.
• Two years ago, however, my grandfather passed away from illness, and my uncle took over the family business. The Canterville manor finally fell in the red.
• My aunt, who’s a socialite, invited me and offered to pay all my expenses. Otherwise I’d never have gotten a chance to return to London.
• Edward Grey: If this is your first time in London for the social season, you might find all the events a little overwhelming.

• Edward Grey: Plays at the theater, concerts, the horse races, flower shows, and the grand balls on Wednesdays and Saturdays…

• Edward Grey: Oh yes, I’m sure you’ll love the patisseries on Piccadilly street.

• Perhaps Doctor Grey is trying to cheer me up by breaking the momentary silence.

Respond enthusiastically

• You: I admit I’m looking forward to my stay in London.

• You: When I left as a child, I was too young to remember much. And I keep hearing great things about the city, so I’m rather curious about it.

• You: Now I can finally see it with my own eyes. Perhaps I’ll get to know some interesting people.

• Edward Grey: London is a bustling city, but it’s also one of the most risky places.

• Edward Grey: When you’re at a vanity fair, opportunity and danger lurk hand in hand. So when you first step into the ton, you need to be wary of everyone who approaches you.

• You: I will keep my guard up.

• You: Come to think of it, you’ve already warned me twice during this short conversation.

• Edward Grey: I guess it’s just a cautious habit born out of my profession. Sometimes I end up nagging people without realizing it.

• Edward Grey: Sorry for being silly.

Appear disinterested

• You: To be honest, I don’t handle crowds very well.

• You: Perhaps, I’m just too used to life in the countryside…

• Edward Grey: I see. Then you’re just like me. We both like the quiet.

• Doctor Grey gives me a brilliant smile. Perhaps he’s trying to set me at ease.
• Edward Grey: You said you lived in London when you were a child.

• Edward Grey: Perhaps you could go back to your childhood home to take a look. It might bring back some memories.

• You: Yes, you’re right.

• You: To me, that’s the most meaningful thing about visiting London.

• Edward Grey: I sincerely wish you an enjoyable social season.

• The buildings flying past the window get more densely packed. The train has entered the city, and the passengers are starting to stir.
• You: We’re almost there, right?

• Edward Grey: Yes, it’s been wonderful chatting with you. Time flies, and the journey is about to end.

• You: Thank you for your time.

• Edward Grey: Spring in London is still bitterly cold, and your clothes look a little thin.

• Edward Grey: If you don’t mind, please take my coat.

• You: Oh, there’s no need. I brought some thick clothing along. It’s just stashed inside my luggage, that’s all.

• You: If the wind gets too cold, I’ll change into them.

• Edward Grey: Alright, your love for fashion does fit a lady in London.

• I’m not sure if he’s teasing me or complimenting me.

• When the train reaches the station, Doctor Grey politely helps me down the steps, and we bid each other goodbye on the crowded platform.

• You: Wow… Doctor Grey is right. It really is cold.

• Well, I need to check the pick up location. Shivering on the pavement, I pull out the letter to read it again–

When the train reaches the station, go by the east exit to Euston Road. I will send a servant to fetch you. Please don’t wander about.

Your Aunt
Violet Petit

• It’s a short and concise letter from my aunt. She’s a popular socialite in London.
• When the Canterville servants mention her, they always look rather wistful, but she almost never returns to Hampshire.
• You: East exit, Euston Road… Yes, this is the place. But where is the servant?

• There are a few black carriages for hire by the road. The coachmen with their top hats are leaning on their horses and chatting while waiting for customers.
• On the opposite street corner, a paperboy is waving a newspaper and yelling at the top of his voice.
• Newsboy: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Another death from the strange sickness in Whitechapel!

• You: Strange sickness?

• Newsboy: We’ve had more than ten people fall prey to the strange sickness since Christmas, and every one of them died in a bizarre manner… Thank you, sir!

• Passersby purchase the paper from him and walk away with furrowed brows.
• You: (This strange sickness sounds pretty scary. It seems like a bad time to be here…)

• I decide to purchase a paper too, and I’m digging in my pocket when a clear voice calls out to me.
• ???: Good day, may I ask if you’re Miss Caroline Rayes from Hampshire?

• You: Yes, I am.

• Anna: I’m so glad to meet you. My name is Anna. Madame Petit sent me to fetch you.

• Anna: Is that your luggage at your feet?

• You: Er, yes.

• She calls for two coachmen, and all of my luggage is loaded onto the carriage.
• I seem to have no choice in the matter, so I get onto the carriage as well.

• The carriage continues down the foggy road, and I look out the window. I may have stayed in London as a child, but there’s nothing familiar about the city at all.
• I can only vaguely remember the rainy night when my exhausted father took me to my aunt’s door. When the servant went to pass the message, he simply turned and left, never to return.
• Later on, my aunt sent me to Hampshire, and not long after, the news of my parents’ deaths from tuberculosis reached the Canterville Manor.
• From then on, London became a distant, fuzzy place to me.

• Anna: Miss Rayes, Madame Petit is attending a publishers’ tea party, and will only be back in the evening.

• Anna: She has prepared a clean set of clothes for you, and has instructed me to help you get changed.

• Anna: Please follow me. The bathroom is at the end of the corridor.

• The clothes my aunt prepared fit me perfectly, and the fabric is of excellent quality. I have never experienced such luxury in Hampshire.
• Once I’m all washed and changed, the servant tells me that my aunt is waiting for me in the living room.

• Madam Petit: My dear Caroline. I’ve not seen you in years. You’ve grown into such a wonderful lady.

• You: Good evening, Aunt…

• Madam Petit: Don’t stand on ceremony. Come, sit down. Let me get a good look at you.

• You: Al-alright!

• I’m so nervous that I accidentally step on the hem of my skirt, and fall towards the chair my aunt pointed out to me.
• Fortunately, I managed to recover my balance, and a crisis is averted.
• You: (Phew!)

• Madam Petit: Be careful, Caroline. Watch your step.

• Madam Petit: We have to wear such gowns when we attend social events, so you need to learn how to move in them.

• Noting my anxiety, Aunt Petit takes my hand and gently pats it before letting go.
• Madam Petit: Don’t worry. I’ll be with you, and you’ll get used to everything in no time.

• Her voice is warm and gentle, and almost impossible to resist.
• Madam Petit: After my poor brother Cyril left, my father’s love for him transferred onto you.

• Madam Petit: The Canterville Manor is an ideal childhood paradise, but there comes a time when fledglings have to leave the nest.

• Madam Petit: Caroline, how much social etiquette do you know?

• You: Grandpa used to host some gatherings at the manor years ago.

• You: He didn’t expect much from me. The governess taught me some basic etiquette.

• You: Later on, the manor fell into disrepair and the gatherings decreased in number, and so…

• Aunt Petit heaves a sigh, and gazes at me sympathetically.
• Madam Petit: If you wish to do well in high society, appropriate etiquette is the key to everything.

• Madam Petit: You will have to study etiquette under me for two weeks before you can make an official appearance in society.

• You: Alright, Aunt Petit.

• Madam Petit: Good.

• Madam Petit: You’ll also have to learn how to read a room, so that you can grasp every opportunity.

• Aunt Petit scrutinizes me for a moment, and then smiles faintly.
• Madam Petit: The Hampshire sun and air have given you lovely skin, and you have a good figure as well…

• Madam Petit: Learn well, and you will find an ideal marriage partner during this social season.

• You: Marriage partner?!

• Madam Petit: Caroline, you shouldn’t act so shocked. A lady’s first rute is to behave with dignity.

• You: I’m not ready for marriage or anything like that… Uncle never mentioned this.

• Madam Petit: Finding a suitable marriage partner is the primary goal of and lady of marriageable age attending the social season.

• Madam Petit: Your uncle Philip is always busy thinking about the farm business, and probably hasn’t paid much heed to the matter of your marriage.

• You: But, I…

• Madam Petit: Alright, Caroline. The social season won’t extend itself for you, and you don’t have much time left.

• Madam Petit: Even if you don’t plan to get married yet, you still have to learn how to interact with high class gentlemen.

• Madam Petit: Believe me, it will do you good.

• You: I understand, Aunt Petit. I’ll do my best…

• Aunt Petit nods her head in satisfaction.
• Madam Petit: You must be tired out from your long journey. I’ll get the servant to show you to your room.

• Madam Petit: She will tell you about the household schedule, and I hope you will develop good lifestyle habits.

• You: (I guess I’ll just have to pull myself together and get ready to learn from Aunt Petit.)