lights out

[equi_nox]

Warnings: Potential violence and psychological fuckery.
Location: Glitter Carnival 
Characters: The Nox and you.
When: June 23rd through June 30th
Summary: There's trouble stirring up in the Glitter Carnival.
 

Despite its usual state of near-emptiness, Glitter Carnival’s name has been apt long before even the first arrivals were dropped into Freesia; the lights on the rides and stalls twinkle and glitter day and night, a cheery beacon from afar.

Until now.

Unceremoniously and unanimously, every light flickers and dies. The cheery carnival music continues over the rides’ speakers, but the rides themselves are perfectly still. None of Freesia’s citizens stick around, and not solely because of the uncomfortable ambiance.

The Nox have made a move, figuratively and literally. Larger than the ones scuttling through the rest of the city, they’re walking between the games and rides without a care. Some of their murky silhouettes are roughly shaped like clowns, some like every animal on the carousel…and, rarely, an oversized and certainly grotesque mix of both. And they’re whispering.

Glitter Carnival is Nox territory. 

 

Anyone nearby is likely to get into trouble--or maybe that’s what they want. Give those Nox the good old one-two. Or maybe try and realize they can’t and flee. They certainly have options:

 

1.     The Hall of Mirrors always seemed a bit more uncomfortable and frustrating than fun, but it looks like a good bolthole for someone panicking. Alas, only two steps in is the maze...and in the maze, some of the shadows have eyes. Good luck choosing the right ones, or the glass will be nearly as much of a hazard as the creatures themselves.

2.     The rides are nonfunctional--or so it seems. If you look close, the inner components of most have a sticky black coating of ooze. Thing is, if you’re close enough to see that, you’re close enough for the Nox to spring into action and try to take you out. Enjoy dodging bumper cars and the like going at near-fatal collision speeds.

3.     There's nobody around, but there are still voices, tempting or terrifying or both. The Nox would like to have a word with you.

4.     Surely there are other things to do. It's a carnival! Ignore the Nox or try something else, go wild. 

 

 

Comments

[unriddling]

It isn't like he owes his kidnapper anything, or Freesia, or anyone. Even if he did, the temptation would still be too much.

There isn't much for Riddler to think over he hasn't already.

He straightens up somewhat and puts a hand on his hip, still trying to maintain an illusion of being in control. Their blank white eyes meet. "Yes."

He doesn't know what might happen next, but does it matter now? There's nothing for him to lose...nothing he doesn't want to, and there really never has been.

[equi_nox]

That yes is all the Nox needs.

Its outline goes hazy as it charges towards Riddler.

The moment he's within range, the Nox wraps itself around him, legs, tail, neck, even the carousel pole becoming a flexible tendril that clings to Riddler's body.

And then it begins to thin out, the shape of the merhorse vanishing as the shadows spread to cover Riddler's body and slowly, softly, sink into him.

It won't be painful, but it will feel very cold.

[unriddling]

Riddler instinctively throws himself backwards, but his speed was nothing compared to the darkness.

For a moment, there's a sensation not unlike drowning. Being smothered, sinking down into the cold dark where there's nothing to see or hear or feel.

And then there is--a feeling. A sense of something being plucked out of the back of his mind, and there's only a second for him to feel concerned before something else settles in its place.

He feels...better.