Gwendolyn (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
theshadowslight) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
social_linked2017-08-15 10:14 pm
theshadowslight) wrote in social_linked2017-08-15 10:14 pm
Come One, Come All! [Dungeon]
Gwendolyn Dellingr, age 16. She was last seen with Onyx in his car days ago, though he has no recollection of what happened or how she disappeared. What became clear was the blue bird that appeared beside the countdown in Shibuya, ominously ticking down with what remains of her life if she's left unattended.
For those who make the effort to save her, they'll realize that the gymnast's dungeon...may not be what they expected. The bright colors, the numerous tents, the arrangement of decorations, concessions stands, minigames...not to mention the large tent in the middle of the entire setup. The circus carries onward despite any intrusion from the others, with festive music playing in the backgrounds. Not every shadow stops what they're doing to attack those who pass by, with some distracted with the various games and sideshows. There's even a line waiting to see the shows in the main tent, with thunderous applause echoing from within.
But that isn't the weirdest part of all this. While standard shadows roam through the circus, with hostility ranging from docile to kill-on-sight, a special one seems to hop between each stand and manned station with blinding speed. Gwendolyn's shadow greets all who approach her stands with a smile, despite looking visibly exhausted. The bags beneath her eyes go unmentioned by the shadows, as does the location of the real Gwendolyn...
Exploration
Surprisingly, all of the concession stands and games are fully functional. The smell of carnival food wafts through the air as scattered cheers from game winners line the alleys...all free of charge, apparently. Even the main events allow dungeon crawlers to take a seat. The shadows don't seem to attack anyone else sitting in the audience with them.
Shadow Gwendolyn doesn't instigate fights, even with the occasionally displeased guest. Keeping the facade of a happy girl up keeps her from doing anything outside of smile and wear her best shit eating grin. She seems to show extra courtesy to those who treat her with respect and proper mannerisms, whether that's extra food or a pick at some of the bigger prizes from the games. As for the cost...well, it doesn't become apparent until either requesting them yourself or overhearing her chatting with the shadows...
“No payment is necessary. Simply show your thanks to the Ringleader! She loves feeling appreciated and being treated like an actual person. The Ringleader works hard to provide for ungrateful bastards in order to see them smile her way.”
Those words are spoken with a harsh bitterness that betrays her kind demeanor. Such remarks are made throughout the circus, whenever the topic is brought up. This “Ringleader” may have a clue as to where the true Gwendolyn is...but is she really in the Big Top?
Shadow Battle
The team's investigations bare fruit as whoever made it this far earned their backstage passes to an area connected to the Big Top, one only accessible from the main performance area. It seems...larger on the inside, the heavier atmosphere contributing to the grim image of a silent, teary-eyed Gwendolyn seated in the middle of the Ringleader's dressing room, curled up on the ground and trying to will this nightmare out of her mind.
The Ringleader herself, the final apparition of her shadow, bears a twisted grin as that lion tamer's whip remains curled in her hands, her foot tapping impatiently.
“What's wrong? Don't you like the show? You should; you put one up every time you set foot outside.”
A crack of her whip startles the girl, who tenses up at the sound. Looking up at the intruders, Gwen herself shows a deep look of concern as the Ringleader extends her arms in greeting.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Love truly conquers all...especially those who desire it more than anything else. I present to you one such victim. Relatives dying one by one, schoolmates eyeing me like a trophy, an abusive father who loathes the only woman who stood with him...I present to you....Mona Lisa! The girl who smiles through it all!”
She tosses handfuls of confetti over Gwendolyn, who can only duck her head and avert the others' stares in shame.
((OOC: Explore or confront the shadow on your own or in groups. Entirely your call! I can NPC any interactions you'd like; just let me know if that's the case!
And yes, multiple boss battle threads can take place if you wish.))
For those who make the effort to save her, they'll realize that the gymnast's dungeon...may not be what they expected. The bright colors, the numerous tents, the arrangement of decorations, concessions stands, minigames...not to mention the large tent in the middle of the entire setup. The circus carries onward despite any intrusion from the others, with festive music playing in the backgrounds. Not every shadow stops what they're doing to attack those who pass by, with some distracted with the various games and sideshows. There's even a line waiting to see the shows in the main tent, with thunderous applause echoing from within.
But that isn't the weirdest part of all this. While standard shadows roam through the circus, with hostility ranging from docile to kill-on-sight, a special one seems to hop between each stand and manned station with blinding speed. Gwendolyn's shadow greets all who approach her stands with a smile, despite looking visibly exhausted. The bags beneath her eyes go unmentioned by the shadows, as does the location of the real Gwendolyn...
Exploration
Surprisingly, all of the concession stands and games are fully functional. The smell of carnival food wafts through the air as scattered cheers from game winners line the alleys...all free of charge, apparently. Even the main events allow dungeon crawlers to take a seat. The shadows don't seem to attack anyone else sitting in the audience with them.
Shadow Gwendolyn doesn't instigate fights, even with the occasionally displeased guest. Keeping the facade of a happy girl up keeps her from doing anything outside of smile and wear her best shit eating grin. She seems to show extra courtesy to those who treat her with respect and proper mannerisms, whether that's extra food or a pick at some of the bigger prizes from the games. As for the cost...well, it doesn't become apparent until either requesting them yourself or overhearing her chatting with the shadows...
“No payment is necessary. Simply show your thanks to the Ringleader! She loves feeling appreciated and being treated like an actual person. The Ringleader works hard to provide for ungrateful bastards in order to see them smile her way.”
Those words are spoken with a harsh bitterness that betrays her kind demeanor. Such remarks are made throughout the circus, whenever the topic is brought up. This “Ringleader” may have a clue as to where the true Gwendolyn is...but is she really in the Big Top?
Shadow Battle
The team's investigations bare fruit as whoever made it this far earned their backstage passes to an area connected to the Big Top, one only accessible from the main performance area. It seems...larger on the inside, the heavier atmosphere contributing to the grim image of a silent, teary-eyed Gwendolyn seated in the middle of the Ringleader's dressing room, curled up on the ground and trying to will this nightmare out of her mind.
The Ringleader herself, the final apparition of her shadow, bears a twisted grin as that lion tamer's whip remains curled in her hands, her foot tapping impatiently.
“What's wrong? Don't you like the show? You should; you put one up every time you set foot outside.”
A crack of her whip startles the girl, who tenses up at the sound. Looking up at the intruders, Gwen herself shows a deep look of concern as the Ringleader extends her arms in greeting.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Love truly conquers all...especially those who desire it more than anything else. I present to you one such victim. Relatives dying one by one, schoolmates eyeing me like a trophy, an abusive father who loathes the only woman who stood with him...I present to you....Mona Lisa! The girl who smiles through it all!”
She tosses handfuls of confetti over Gwendolyn, who can only duck her head and avert the others' stares in shame.
((OOC: Explore or confront the shadow on your own or in groups. Entirely your call! I can NPC any interactions you'd like; just let me know if that's the case!
And yes, multiple boss battle threads can take place if you wish.))
no subject
The Shadow does not scare him. If the thought of him dying here made him afraid at all, he wouldn't have come, but this was his life; it was his turn to make his own decisions.
Raising his sword, he points it at the Ringleader, his eyes glowing. "Perhaps her father will only care if she dies, but this has gone on long enough. I will not allow you to harm her any further even if you bear her face. We are taking her back... I will see that she gets a new home."
no subject
"A home with you? My knight in shining armor?" She laughs to herself. "Well. We spent so much time copying mother and Grizelda, we may as well try to mimic Velvet, shouldn't we?"
"Wait...are you referring to Velvet Valentine?"
"My half-sister, yes. She's the only other family member who's still alive..."
"No...don't you dare..."
"I know you've thought about it, Gwendolyn. She's the only woman left who still has father's love. That would change if she died too, didn't she? Father would have to love his only living daughter..."
Gwendolyn finally rises to her feet with a hand balled into a fist as she stomps towards her shadow.
"Don't you dare hurt her, you imposter!"
The shadow goes down in a single right hook, knocking off the ringleader's hat. She's still for a moment with the other members of Oswald's party looking...worried. The reason becomes clear once the aura around her shadow darkens and a heavier laugh comes from the Ringleader.
"An imposter, am I? Well fine. I don't need your love to make me happy; you can just DIE!!!"
The shadow's power surges as Gwendolyn tries to take a stand against it, but a sharp fit of exhaustion and pain cuts that short, the girl falling into unconsciousness. Her shadow's form begins to change, the figure that once shared Gwendolyn's face contorting into a bird's, roaring out despite the collar and leash tightly wrapped around her neck. It struggles to keep its balance atop a unicycle while juggling multiple bowling pins, the goofy mixture offset by the natural look of exhaustion and despair in the shadow's eyes. It loudly caws out in anger, those exhausted eyes shifting towards the group with the visible intent to kill.
no subject
... Not the moment for a few extra heart beats that's for sure.
"Gwendolyn!"
He rushes as the Shadow changes and catches her before she can fall to the ground, quickly moving away from the Ringleader. Weapon aside for a moment, he can breathe a small sigh of relief - she's only unconscious for now. Gently laying her on the ground, he gnashes his teeth behind his lip. "... I'll be right back, Gwendolyn."
Standing up, he heads over to join the others. There's a Shadow that needs to be taken care of.