Shadows of London: 1-9 Undying Creature

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Caroline visits the Eastern District again, to investigate the cause of her parents' deaths. She encounters a bizarre person in the church in Saint George.

Info

Style: Recommended: Thorough Care, Plain Steps, Pure White Perfect Score: ~3,460 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Bellflower Guardian

Bellflower Guardian

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

You: There's something I've been meaning to ask you --

• Why are you bent on investigating the epidemic?
  • Vincent's Goodwill will rise
• Aren't you afraid of running into danger?

Transcript

Expand for script.

• The weather has been terrible. Rain and fog envelop the whole of London, reducing visibility to a few yards.
• Aunt Petit suspends all etiquette lessons for her students' safety, but keeps going out herself, to attend to matters regarding her new column.

• Anna: Are you going out, Miss Rayes?

• I'm frowning at my wardrobe when Anna brings in rosemary tea.
• You: Yes... I'm meeting a friend.

• Anna: It's not safe to go outside. The fog's too thick.

• Anna: Jack's sending Madam somewhere at the moment, and the carriage's not here...

• You: That's alright, Anna. I'll hire a carriage.

• You: I must see my friend today. She's very important to me.

• Ignoring her concern, I bury my head in my wardrobe, digging through my clothes.
• You: (I can't wear these... They're too conspicuous.)

• After the previous experience in Eastern District, I've made up my mind to wear something plain.
• But it seems there's nothing suitable in my wardrobe at all.
• Anna: Which dress are you looking for? Maybe I can help.

• You: Hmm...

• As I ponder the issue, I catch a glimpse of Anna in the mirror. An idea strikes me.
• You: Anna, may I borrow your clothing?

• Anna: Well, of course, if you don't mind them. But...

• Eyes wide, she looks at me in confusion.
• You: I'm going somewhere different today, and I don't want to stand out.

• You: Don't worry, I won't be out long. Just don't tell Aunt Petit, please.

• The carriage makes its way through narrow, muddy streets in Eastern District.
• I gaze out the window, hoping to see things that might jog my memory. But there is little of note.

• Churches are distinctive, and thus easy to find. Soon, I arrive at the one in Eastern District.
• The old building in the heart of Saint George has a decaying exterior, but its interior is bright and spotless.
• A kindly old priest is standing in front of the altar, delivering a sermon to a sparse congregation.
• You: (I should find an unobtrusive spot to sit while I wait for the sermon to end.)

• I sneak to the last row of benches and spot someone familiar sitting at the other end.
• You: Mr. Savile?!

• He does not seem to hear me.
• Sitting reverently with his eyes closed, there's a gentle look on his face, with a trace of sadness.
• When the priest concludes his sermon, Mr. Savile slowly opens his eyes. They're glazed over, and melancholy, as though he's just woken up from a dream.
• Vincent Savile: Miss Rayes, what brings you here?

• He glances at my unusual outfit, frowning slightly.
• You: I... I came here to pray. What a coincidence to see you here.

• Vincent Savile: Perhaps you're not aware of it, but you're a terrible liar.

• Vincent Savile: Mr. Johnson mentioned this church the other night at the opera house, and here you are.

• Vincent Savile: I doubt you made the trip through the fog just to pay your respects to this particular church.

• You: Well, um...

• Vincent Savile: It's my second time meeting you in Eastern District, Miss Rayes.

• His words sound light and casual, but his expression is grave.
• I'm unsure if it's the resolute look in his eyes, or the guilt of lying in a house of worship that made me give in.
• You: I want to find out what happened to my parents.

• You: For years, my relatives told me they died of tuberculosis, nothing more.

• You: But since I arrived in London, I've suspected there's something they're not telling me.

• Vincent Savile: Are you overthinking things?

• Vincent Savile: It's human nature to suspect simple answers and come up with conspiracy theories.

• You: Well, my suspicion isn't based on the rumors alone.

• You: London seems to have triggered my childhood memories.

• You: It may sound ludicrous, but I feel as if I'm being guided towards a terrible secret.

• Vincent Savile: So you think something else caused your parents' deaths?

• You: I'm not sure yet, but I'm guessing it's related to the epidemic.

• You: I heard that the strange disease in Eastern District may be the same one that broke out in Saint George over a decade ago.

• You: My parents stayed in Saint George, and they passed away 13 years ago, around the time of the first outbreak.

• Vincent Savile: I see you have come prepared to investigate the Eastern District, and not simply out of curiosity, Miss Rayes.

• Vincent Savile: Truth be told, I am also investigating the connection between the current disease and the outbreak many years ago.

• Vincent Savile: I can tell you this: symptoms of this disease appeared in Saint George 13 years ago in autumn.

• You: That matches the time my parents passed.

• You: The portrait of Desdemona was donated to the Ruby Opera House 13 years ago as well.

• You: This means... my mother suddenly vanished from the theater 13 years ago...

• Vincent Savile: I must remind you, this may all be a simple coincidence.

• Vincent Savile: I'll be frank, even if your parents were infected, it's been a long time since they passed away.

• Vincent Savile: The current epidemic has not affected you and your family, and you should keep it that way.

• Vincent Savile: Instead of risking your safety over a meaningless investigation.

• You: I'm not sure if my dreams are just dreams or fuzzy memories, but my mother's always behaving strangely in them.

• You: My parents talk in riddles, and I think the truth is hidden within the conversations.

• You: It's far from meaningless to investigate what really happened to them.

• Taken aback, Mr. Savile's frown vanishes.
• Vincent Savile: I'm sorry, I was out of line.

• Vincent Savile: Your love for your parents is deeply moving, and your courage to pursue the truth is admirable.

• The priest ends his conversation with one of the worshippers, and approaches us.
• Priest: Mrs. White has prepared some snacks and hot tea for everyone. May I invite you both to join us?

• Vincent Savile: That's very kind, but I'm afraid we're not regular attendees here...

• Priest: Coming to church in this fog shows you have goodness in your hearts. You are welcome here.

• Priest: And I've seen you in the back row before, listening to my sermons.

• Priest: You are a friend of this church. Please, do join us.

• Vincent Savile: Very well. Thank you for your hospitality.

• With warm tea in their stomachs, the people start chatting amiably.
• Most are laborers and vendors who live near the church. Many of them are elderly folk who have been here for decades.
• But even the ones who've lived here for over 20 years have never heard of my parents.
• When it comes to the epidemic, everyone seems to have a different opinion.
• Male Resident: What a strange disease!

• Male Resident: There's been a death every few days since Christmas. But we still don't know how it started!

• Female Resident: Well, too bad it's only us poor folks getting killed, eh?

• Female Resident: Doctors and cops get serious only when rich folk get ill.

• Male Resident: Ayy, they're all rotten! I heard the sick turn into vampires too! The horror!

• Old Resident: This disease has been around before, more than 10 years ago.

• Old Resident: The sick would hide under bridges and alleyways, wailing as they thirst for blood!

• Female Resident: Really? My aunt used to work at the workhouse.

• Female Resident: She told me that the patients were all homeless children and old folk.

• Female Resident: Boils would appear all over them, and they'd die in three days. Not at all like vampires!

• Male Resident: Well, perhaps we're dealing with a different sickness now.

• Male Resident: The newspaper said only wicked people have contracted this one!

• Female Resident: So it's judgment from God? Maybe they're just making up things to keep people from panicking.

• You: (They're all saying things similar to the rumors I've heard.)

• You: (And I'm certain some of them have been exaggerated to sensationalize the topic...)

• My heart sinks a little. Mr. Savile remains grim and silent.

• The sky has darkened. I hear thunder as heavy clouds roll overhead.
• The churchgoers begin to disperse. I follow Mr. Savile out.
• Vincent Savile: You look rather despondent, Miss Rayes.

• You: It was naive of me to think that I could get any real clues just by delving into Eastern District.

• Vincent Savile: Delving into? Miss Rayes, you've barely scratched the surface.

• You: The last time we met, you said the Eastern District is a completely different world at night.

• You: How do you know so much about this place?

• Vincent Savile: I've been here countless times over the past few months to investigate the source of the epidemic. Of course I'd be familiar.

• You: There's something I've been meaning to ask you--

Why are you bent on investigating the epidemic?

• You: Your interest in this epidemic is beyond that of a concerned citizen or even a writer.

• After a few seconds of silence, Mr. Savile lets out a self-deprecating chuckle.
• Vincent Savile: A thirst for knowledge, a sense of justice... These ostentatious traits often descend into ugliness once there's danger involved.

• Vincent Savile: You want to know the truth about your parents' deaths. Like you, I have my own reasons.

• You: And what are they?

• Vincent Savile: You're pretty straightforward... Unfortunately, I can't tell you yet.

• Vincent Savile: It's for your safety.

Aren't you afraid of running into danger?

• You: I was worried when I saw you alone in the alley that day.

• You: The source of the disease is a mystery and we still don't know how it spreads. There's no telling who will become its next victim...

• Vincent Savile: I have to explore all avenues to determine what's really going on.

• Vincent Savile: It may be risky, but it's nothing compared to what the citizens of Eastern District have to endure.

• Upon realizing that I'd taken a long route to the church, Mr. Savile offers to show me a shortcut to the main street.
• It starts to pour while we're making our way through the winding alleyways.

• You: Oh dear...

• Vincent Savile: The main street is two streets away. Wait here, I'll go fetch a carriage.

• You: The rain's too heavy. Let's find shelter for now.

• Vincent Savile: It might pour all night. We can't stay here.

• Vincent Savile: Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can.

• Mr. Savile braves the rain and disappears into the distance, leaving me to seek shelter under a low roof.
• There are puddles all around me, and the trash piled up by the wall gives off a nauseous stench. Occasionally, I hear mice squeaking.
• I hug myself tightly, and wait uneasily for a long while. Finally, I hear the sound of approaching footsteps.
• You: Mr. Savile?

• A figure appears in front of me, but it's not the person I'm waiting for.
• You: Mister... Are you alright?

• I watch him warily.
• His clothes are ragged. And underneath his worn hat, sinister eyes stare right back at me.
• You: I can give you my spot if you need shelter from the rain.

• He doesn't reply, and staggers closer.
• You: Are you drunk?

• You: There's an old warehouse ahead. I think you can rest there.

• I deliberately keep my voice calm as I cast about for an escape route.
• But he keeps advancing even as I step backwards.
• You: Sir, please stop! My friend will be back soon!

• As he shambles under a street lamp, he opens his mouth suddenly, revealing blood-red gums.
• Under the flickering light, his menacing, blood-shot eyes and festering skin become apparent.
• You: You... You're infected?!

• As I scream, the man lunges at me like a wild beast and grabs hold of my arm.
• You: Let me go!

• I wrench free of his grasp and dash into an alley.
• I don't think he's coming after me, but I keep running, not daring to look back.
• You: AAH!

• I slip and fall onto the muddy ground.
• Pushing against the filthy street, I attempt to scramble back up, but a sharp pain in my ankle sends me crashing down again.
• You: Oh no, I must have sprained it...

• A figure wearing a hat appears ahead of me, staggering closer.
• A low raspy voice mutters repeatedly, "Blood... I need blood..."
• You: HELP!!

• The shambling footsteps come closer, and I squeeze my eyes shut in terror.
• In my despair, I hear a sharp, quiet sound from the alley ahead, and then a heavy thud.

• Warily, I open my eyes. The figure has vanished, and a familiar voice sounds in my ear.
• Vincent Savile: Miss Rayes, are you hurt?

• You: I'm fine... But that man...

• Vincent Savile: I've knocked him out.

• You: His condition... He's lost his senses, his skin was decaying... He wanted blood... It's just like the rumors!

• You: Do the infected people really turn into vampires?

• Vincent Savile: Calm down, Miss Rayes.

• Vincent Savile: A thirst for blood doesn't necessarily mean he's a vampire.

• Vincent Savile: I've checked his neck. There aren't any puncture marks on it, and his teeth may be dirty, but they're normal human teeth.

• You: Neck... Teeth... What do you mean?

• Vincent Savile: Seems you know nothing about vampires.

• Vincent Savile: Vampires were first mentioned in the records of mystics more than a thousand years ago.

• Vincent Savile: They drink blood by piercing the necks of their prey with sharp fangs, and the prey dies from the blood drinking.

• Vincent Savile: The man who attacked you isn't a vampire, and he's not vampire prey either.

• Shocked, I'm unable to absorb this info, which seems worlds away from the life I know.
• You: Is he still in the alley? Should we go get a doctor? Or a policeman?

• Vincent Savile: I'll go check on him. You stay here.

• You: No, I'm going with you.

• You: It's dangerous to approach him alone if he's still aggressive.

• I grit my teeth against the pain and limp down the alley, after Mr. Savile.
• Strangely, the man has vanished into thin air. The alleyway is empty, save for the savage rain.