Scene #3951: Circus Of The Damned

Owner	Pose
Madcap	The sound of horns and pipe organs fills the air, bright grassy notes playing a tune not unlike "Entry of the Gladiators", a song almost everyone know but nobody knows the name of. The bass of drums accompanies it, the pace set by the rolling steel of the bright pink locomotive. Even without rails, it sounds like the thunderous sound of a classic steam locomotive running own the tracks. Above all the noise can clearly be heard a voice, "Step right up! STEP RIGHT UP! Get your tickets! Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys! Get your tickets for the greatest show on Mortasheen!"
Alden	The short digimon was already reaching the coordinates he shared, rather curious to see this circus!. He considered approaching in a larger, faster shape, but did not want to give the wrong impression, unsure what the welcome might be to a large, quadruped wolf. The sound of the engine is recognized easily by the Gabumon, but the song wasn't. It was rather nice tho!. Eventually, he does hear the voice of the person he talked with earlier, and quickly rushed towards the ticket booth, idly wondering about what kind of place Mortasheen was, and hoped that a small lizard wearing a wolf pelt on his back won't freak out anyone.
Madcap	The train rumbles to a halt, and very quickly all sorts of strangely shaped creatures begin to pile out, busily getting to work unpacking the train. Vast pink elephants step out of traincars far too small to have held them, long lines of clowns and other creatures... None of which are humanoid at all! some look like melted taffy, some look like centipedes made of baby heads. This is no ordinary circus! Above it all, jingly circus music plays, charmingly off-key, although there are no instruments or performers in sight. A stout figure leaps from the locomotive, brandishing a metal cone. He lands on the ground with a soft fwump, and a ticket booth springs from the ground around his feet. "Welcome welcome, one and all!" He cries, even though his eyball-shaped head lacks a mouth. He tosses fistfuls of paper tickets lke confetti. "Have a few tickets for the midway while you wait! On the house!"
Yuuki Konno	This is kind of curious, and Yuuki's very much into new experiences. She's into living life to the fullest, so this circus is a natural attraction once she realizes her life hasn't allowed this kind of experience before. Besides, the weird 'Madcap' sounded kind of funny (in more than one sense of the word) over the broadband and she wouldn't want to miss out! Flying to the site of the circus, she lands within easy sight and her wings vanish. She bounds the remaining distance towards the site enthusiastically.
Alden	The digimon goes to a halt as he sees the amazing train and the way the performers and creatures unload, smiling and clapping a few times as he sees the interesting display. For whatever reason, he is more curious than perhaps freaked by the odder things, but then again, Digimon ARE weird. The eyeball person tossing tickets is greeted with a happy "Hi!" from Alden, who approaches, taking a few tickets, "That was fast." he says, lizard tail wagging behind. He does not spot Yuuki yet, but then again, his focus was on the person throwing tickets to the air, and the exotic creatures.
Madcap	Madcap says, "Oh look, this is the best part!" The snappily-dressed ringleader says, waving towards the procession. The most important part of the circus now begins to take shape, ambulatory tents begins to shuffle off of the train, stepping in time to the music. They spread out and begin to balloon in size, doing a sort of wobbly dance as they expand into huge, billowing circus tents adorned with pinnons and flags. Signposts and lights are set up, a row of little booths featuring carnival games and a kissing booth. A creature seemingly made of meringue and pastry is setting up a booth offering small, quietly screaming pies. "You must be Alden! A pleasure to meet you! Take some tickets for the midway, buy yourself a snack! And look, another customer!" "
Yuuki Konno	Yuuki's pretty fascinated by all of this, not the least because it's all REAL. You get used to spectacle when you live in VR, but it also brings special meaning to when such things are done in reality as well. While fascinated by the procession, she also finds the whole midway kind of interesting. Kissing doesn't particularly appeal - not the sort of experience she's looking for right this moment - but her eyes light up at the games and prizes. Should she find a whack-a-mole game or the like, she's going to go to town on it.
Alden	Alden smiles and nods, "Yep!, and you must be Madcap!" he says happily, reaching to offer a hand to shake, before reaching to grab a few tickets. His motions were mostly mechanical, gaze fixed on the walking tents as they slowly settle up. "A snack sounds good." he finally says, realizing he skipped a meal, and after a wave, he moves to inspect the closest booth, tail twitching. He had no interest in kissing either, but he might try a game or two after a snack.
Madcap	A larger, more distinct creature seems to be giving orders, a black and red checkered Harlequeen directing the smaller oddities with voiceless gestures of her whips. Most of the clown-faced creatures seem to know what they're doing though, and out of the chaotic mess a circus has coalesced! It seems like it's never quite the same way twice. There's all kinds of games, ring toss, roulette wheels, things are both familair and alien at the same time. Signs are crude, the ordinary replaced by the extraordinary. Whack-a-mole is a whole different game when the moles have sneering faces and laugh when you miss! Madcap briskly shakes Alden's paw, and he steps out of the ticket booth which disappears as quickly as it arrived. Was it ever really there to begin with? "Feel free to try the games, but in exchange, you'll have to answer my questions! Oh look, have some cotton candy or a hotdog."
Yuuki Konno	Sneering monster moles! Could there possibly BE anything more enjoyable for someone like Yuuki to whack? Needless to say, she doesn't miss much. Her reaction speed's so fast it's almost like she's psychic, and her red eyes gleam with almost-malicious joy as she strikes the little mechanical monsters down. She doesn't play the game exclusively however. Material gain isn't really her thing, and once she's won a nice prize she moves on. Something big and fluffy and adorable by preference, though she'd definitely enjoy something monstrously cute too.
Alden	Alden nods a few times, moving to get a hotdog and eating it happily, finishing the snack quickly before focusing on Madcap, a bit intrigued about the now missing booth, "I thought there was a ticket booth here?" he asks softly, before shaking his head, "Questions?, sure, go ahead." he offers happily.
Madcap	A round-bodied, toy-like clown hands Yuuki a stuffed bear with two heads and angry eyebrows. "Alls fun and games until someone loses an eye," Madcap says wryly, casting a glance at Yuuki. "Don't be so shy! I won't bite. Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?" The eyeball-headded Madcap flciks his penetrating gaze back to Alden, and with a flick of his wrist he offers more tickets, fanned out like playing cards. "If you run out I always have more! Why don't you start by telling me where we are and brings a creature like you to a crystal place like this? The caroet doesn't seem to match the drapes."
Yuuki Konno	Yuuki is definitely not shy. She can be private about a few things, but she's almost as comfortable in a deserved spotlight as Madcap must be. She grins, toting around her Angry Bear with a child's glee. She doesn't look like a child, more like a young adolescent, but you wouldn't know it from her behavior. She eyes Madcap with curiosity. "CAN you bite?" she asks, before grinning to show it's not meant seriously. "My name's Yuuki. I'm a gamer and a duellist. Also currently the titleholder of Northern Deva." she grins. "Nice to meet you!"
Alden	Alden smiles, taking another ticket, and holding the bundle in one hand, "Well, I am a Digimon, I am not sure how many people in the multiverse know of them, but met some that do." he says, "As for where?, well, this place is the area where I landed when I... came into the multiverse." he begins, letting out a little sigh, "I was trying to escape from something very, very bad, got separated from a friend, and ended up transported here... part of the reason I stay here is to make sure the bad thing does not follow me here." he says softly. "Plus I made a friend with a home nearby, and I am staying with her." he adds. He of course waves to Yuuki, noticing the plush and making a note to try his luck to win one.
Madcap	Madcap seems to wink, although the big eye for a head hasn't got any eyelids. "My bark is worse than my bite, I am after all, a professional barker!" He replies, flourishing his brass cone micorphone. "Gaming and duelling? We have our own kinds of entertainment in Mortasheen, creature dueling you could call it, although I'm more of a buisiness man myself. how does being a Northern Deva fit in with this great big Multiverse?" "And you, Alden, what's your opinion of the multiverse?"
Yuuki Konno	Yuuki beams at that. Barker indeed. "There's creature fighting where I'm from too." she says. Not duelling, but killing monsters for fun and profit. You can't duel something that doesn't WANT to duel, but sometimes you have to go out and kill it. The question makes Yuuki consider. "Huh. Well, it's kinda all about the Multiverse, I guess." she explains. "A while ago someone set up a competition where anyone could challenge one of the four Devas at any time, and the Deva can't refuse a duel or they lose. So I challenged her for it!" she grins. "Figured I might find some people who love duelling. Found one so far!" she claims happily.
Alden	Alden blinks a bit at Yuuki, "Oh, I saw some of those fights, it's an honor to meet you." he says, "As for duels, I am fond of spars, trying to get stronger before I go back home." he says softly, chuckling a bit at the mention of barking and bites. The question makes the digimon grin, "Well, it is a nice place, lots of interesting things, lots of dangerous things too, but I am still glad to be here."
Madcap	"Fighting and glory is not really my cup of tea. It might make a nice headliner for a show though! Ever think about taking it on the road? Nothing like a good clem to put butts in the seats!" Madcap replies. "So lots of fighting, lots of danger, the Multiverse sounds like a rowdy place! Who's the big cheese? Who's palm do I need to grease if I have a 'problem' that needs a little encouragement?" One can't help but hear a mischevous wink in his voice.
Yuuki Konno	Yuuki beams down at Alden for a moment, then offers him a little bow of acknowledgement. She seems rather flabbergasted by Madcap's question though. Not the mention of duelling for a show. That sounds kinda fun actually. But... who's in charge? "I... I don't think anyone's really in charge." she says. "I mean there's the Union and Confederacy, but they're busy fighting each other. Either can solve problems, but you kinda need to talk to individuals who might help, not ... you know, to the commanders." She pauses, considers. "I don't think they tend to do things because they're paid. They might do something for friends though. If you want people who solve problems for money, you're looking for the Syndicate I think."
Alden	The digimon obtains another hotdog, and smiles to Yuuki, "I am half tempted to try to do a challenge... but I prefer more friendly spars... besides, I sparred with Zephyr and I think that if I went all out, I might have a shot, with some luck, but not likely." he says with a chuckle. He also muses the mention of who is in charge, but he is not sure what to say, he heard of the groups, but he allows Yuuki to explain them, since he is not too familiar with them. He does rub his chin and thinks about what to say.
Madcap	"The Syndicate, then, how does one go about speaking to them?" Madcap asks, peering closely at Yuuki. A commotion seems to begin within one of the big tents, and Madcap claps his hands gleefully. "Come, come, there's a show about to start! You two are my guests, lets go see what kind of show they've decided to put on for you!" He says, and begins bouncing off into the big red tent. Don't mind the row of teeth along the flapping margin of the leathery fabric.
Yuuki Konno	Yuuki grins at Madcap. "I have no clue!" she admits happily. "You could ask on the broadband radio, and I'm sure someone can direct you. It's not a secret organization or anything, though I guess some of its members might be secret. Doubt it takes much to join though!" she claims. She doesn't know she knows the Zephyr that Alden talks about. She only knows the woman as 'Mistral'. Alden's admission gets a surpisingly kind smile from her. "Challenge when you can. Fight when you want and when you must. And if you ever feel like challenging me, we can duel as friends rather than for titles." she promises. Because ANYONE who duels her in the true spirit of friendship, like with the titles themselves, is never denied. Then the purple-themed imp looks over to the tents. "Showtime!" she agrees, bouncing energetically off towards the tents.
Alden	Alden grins as he hears that, "Good, I'd like to try to duel with you sometime soon then, if you have the time." he offers softly, his tail twitching, "It will be fun." he says, amused at the idea of selling ticks. He perks his ears as he notices the conmotion and quickly moves to follow Yuuki, tail wagging faster, "A show!" she says quickly, "I wonder what it is." he says, rushing there.
Madcap	The tent is full of wooden benches surrounding a large central show floor, strings of colourful flickering lights hung helter skelter around the interior. The music swells, a drumroll precipitates a sudden stampede of elephant-like creatures! Hugely tall, with long stilt-like legs, the Pacyderfs running amok around the stage floor. Madcap takes a seat in an apparant VIP box, gesturing for the guests to join him. A few strange jokers are scattered around the grandstand, although the sound of a full house of cheering crowds can be heard. "Better sit tight unless you want to be trampled!" Madcap says, although he doesn't sound too worried. He makes a show of eating a bag of popcorn as loudly as he can, although it simply seems to vanish before it reaches where a mouth would be on his globular head. The elephant-things seem more and more wild, just about to erupt into the audience when they are stunned by the sharp crack of a whip! The red and black figure from before drops from the cieling, cracking her whip-like arms until the squealing and trumpetting pacyderfs form up into a line.
Yuuki Konno	Sure there might be a few things rather disturbing about this whole circus thing. The freaky creatures, the teeth, the... well okay, lots of things. Nearly everything in fact. But Yuuki's not easily disturbed. Compared to BEING such a horror in that insect VRMMO, what's a little harmless spectacle? Yuuki is literally on the edge of her seat as the pachyderfs seem ready to trample the audience. She seems amused and excited both, though that might change should any actual harm threaten. She applauds enthusiastically though when the ringmistress takes control. This is great!
Alden	Alden finds the creatures... scary, but is far less freaked out than others, perhaps since he saw many weird, creepy things. He even fought bug monsters with the space marines, and other things. He is reassured by the fact this is just a show, and thus, he follows Madcap to the vip area, leaning over to watch the odd elephant like monsters, clapping a few times, quite enjoying the show as well.
Madcap	The Harlequeen cacks her whip and does a twirl, and the pachyderfs begin to form up into a line, slowly rumbling as they pace a circle around the ring, the silent harlequin creature twirling one tentacle in a circle, moving faster and faster to incite the elephants to increase the tempo of their trot. "So why did the elephant leave the circus? He was tired of working for PEANUTS! Ha-ah!" Madcap slaps his thigh, spilling his popcorn. "Now that, THAT'S Sideshow, she's pretty handy to have around for someone who hasn't got any hands!" Below, Sideshow lashes out with a tendril, and she's yanked off her feet by a galloping pachyderf, as she swings up and land atop the creature's head- upside down, with her feet trailing in the air like pennants!
Yuuki Konno	Yuuki seems worried, at least at first, as Sideshow's yanked off her feet. After a moment she realizes it's part of the show and she laughs. She probably doesn't even catch the 'handy' pun, but then she's not exactly the punniest of people, not even among her peers. She appreciates the outright joke at least, groaning good-naturedly at the pun she did catch. "Why did the chicken cross the road?" she asks gamely. Not really intending anything terribly clever but returning the banter nonetheless.
Alden	Alden lets out a startled yelp as the poor Sideshow gets yanked into the air by the elephant monster, rather concerned, at least until he sees it was part of the act, and the odd... person, was easily balanced on her arms. He chuckles at the puns, certainly not annoyed by then, even if he was not good at making them.
Madcap	"Because she wanted to LAY IT on the line!" Crossing the road jokes are not the easiest thing to roll with unless you're five. "What's the gooey red stuff between an elephants' toes? Slow clowns!" Sideshow does another flip, turning rightside up, and she begins to run and stride, running across the backs of the galloping pachyderfs and making it seem like she's running in place while the elephants move beneath her feet like a treadmill. The music builds, and she changes direction, running with the trampling animals, moving faster and faster.
Yuuki Konno	Yuuki giggles madly at Madcap's jokes, not disputing his answer. This is pretty insane, but it's FUN! Such a shame she'd never been to a circus before... but then, her life hasn't exactly made such things easy until relatively recently. "She looks like she's having fun!" Yuuki exclaims. "I wonder if I could do somthing like that? I mean, I'm no beast tamer, but... well, I suppose I have other things to try too." she muses. Live life... make every moment count. No regrets.
Alden	Alden chuckles a bit more, both amused by the puns, and finding the display of agility, and the odd elephants, and the general atmosphere to be rather fun!. He flicks his tail, watching Sideshow 'run' on the galloping beasts and grins, "That must be hard." he says softly.
Madcap	The harlequeen cracks her whips to stir the elephants into a frenzy, their spindly stick-like limbs struggling to keep the pace set by their sadistic mistress. sideshow takes a leap off the back of the creature. "I never know just WHAT she's going to do, but whatever it is she always enjoys it. Predictability is not one of her strong suits. She is, however, frighteningly effective!" Madcap doesn't seem sure just what is going to happen next, but the elephant-sized creatures seem on the verge of panic! With a whirl of her head, Sideshow lashes out at the lead pachyderf with both her whips, tangling it's legs and yanking the beast right off its feet! The one behind it has no time to react and plows right into it, and all the rest begin to blare their trumpets and scatter. Sideshow whips then again, pulling one this way, pulling another that way, somewhere a snare drum starts a drum roll and pipe organs play a whimsical tune in counterpoint to the screaming animals below. The mess of pink flesh and tumbling bodies begins to take on some sort of shape, and Sideshow leaps into the air just in time to land on top of the pile of elephants, who have piled on top of each other in a wobbling pyramid of barely-balanced pachyderfs with Sdieshow taking a bow like the cherry on top.
Yuuki Konno	Yuuki can't help but frown at this part of the show. Sure it's a show, sure it's entertainment, but she can't help but think the pile-up of pachyderfs is a bit cruel. Needlessly so. She's a fairly gentle soul despite her love of duels. Of course, in duels, no one really gets hurt. In her whole life, she hasn't done anything to hurt others... unless you count some monsters across the multiverse in the past few months. She hasn't even joined the Union, because that would mean hurting and probably killing actual people. She sees however, that it's all planned. Probably the creatures aren't nearly as fragile as they seem, and none of them are hurt or even at risk. Normal elephants, tripped like that, would have probably shattered bones. No telling what a dozen elephant pile-up would do. But she joins the audience in applause as Sideshow takes her bow. Only someone paying close attention would notice that she lacks the enthusiasm and genuine appreciation she'd shown for previous events. Now, she's simply being polite.
Madcap	Madcap stands and applauds at Sideshow's performance, the sound of a cheering crowd filling the tent. "Glad you liked the show!" Madcap cheers, for someone with a giant eye for a head he's not actually that observant. "Seems like that's a wrap! Make sure to tell your friends!" Outside the tent, the midway and the other tents have been packed away- a task made particularly easy since the tents are, themselves, huge Joker bioconstructs. No mess is left behind, some small walking chattering-teeth creatures go around collecting any debris. The pachyderfs untangle themselves and ambulate out of the tent, and seem no worse for wear.
Yuuki Konno	It WAS a good show, Yuuki knows. Just because she didn't like the final trick doesn't mean the rest of it was bad. She loved the rest, truly, and has no regrets for coming to see it. She has no difficulty offering Madcap a sincere smile. "Thanks for inviting us!" she says. "I'll tell my friends to come see your show!" she agrees. They should love it!