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

[exuviiated]

Ditching his companion had been hard, but not impossible. Hopefully, he'll be safe in the Hall of Mirrors until this... all, stops.

Like an adult, Aaron goes around the tacky stalls and tries to catch onto the whispers without actually engaging where they're coming from.

[equi_nox]

The whispers will soon be joined by another sound: the bright chiming of bells.

It won't be difficult for Aaron to discern the source, as it soon comes walking out from between the stalls.

It's a carousel horse, walking around on all fours. Its head turns, and it gazes at Aaron with the impassive eyes of a Nox.

Aar-on?

[exuviiated]

He really should have expected that he isn't as sneaky as he likes to think he is. The bells are passed off as yet another mind trick, until--

That's a big horse, and he stands as perfectly still as possible in the hopes he can slink away unnoticed.

No such luck. At least he can learn more about them? (And tell McCoy, perhaps. He still feels bad for leaving him.)

"That's me."

[equi_nox]

It turns and steps towards him, shadowy bells chiming on a shadowy harness.

It stops at a respectful distance away from Aaron.

And what brings

You

To the Carni-val?

[exuviiated]

Classic. A shadow monster had more respect for personal space than most people he knew.

(Not that he wasn't grateful.)

"I-- the lights went off. And I thought I would see if," a hesitant inhale. "Something was happening."

[equi_nox]

We turned the lights off

Nox pref-er the dark.

Are you here to turn the lights on?

[exuviiated]

"Well, yes. If I could find a way."

That sounded wrong.

"But there doesn't seem to be one."

[equi_nox]

We would ra-ther

you didn't.

It hurts.

[exuviiated]

"...oh."

What was the proper response to that?

"I'm sorry?"

[equi_nox]

The Nox tilts its head in a way a real horse's neck structure would never be able to.

Are you

really?

[exuviiated]

Oooh, that's awkward, and Aaron feels like he's going to be a little sick.

"Kinda?"

"Well, the carnival is dangerous to people like this, so, not really."

[equi_nox]

Where would you

rath-er

have us go?

[exuviiated]

"Back where you came from, maybe?"

He's backing up; looking for a way away from the pony.

[equi_nox]

It doesn't move; it doesn't have to. Behind Aaron is the darkness behind the stalls, all black that might be normal shadows, a mass of Nox, or a mix of both. Going around the carousel horse would be the easiest, if he doesn't mind getting within touching distance.

We can't.

No mat-ter how much

we might wish to.

[exuviiated]

"I'm sorry."

What else is there to say? What else is there to do, really, other than smile nervously. (And no. He's not going anywhere near that horse, save for a cautious step away from the darkness.)

"Why can't you?"

[equi_nox]

It lowers its head, looking a bit more natural as it's eyes are almost level with Aaron's instead of looking down at him.

You're ask-ing.

That is

strange.

[exuviiated]

"I like helping--" the people dies unspoken on his tongue as he looks away from the horse, to a colorful stall nearby.

"Would you rather I didn't?"

[equi_nox]

Ag-ents of Lux

ne-ver ask.

You're told

to hate us.

To kill us.

Most

do.

[exuviiated]

"Well, yes, because you attack us."

Don't play the self-righteous game, Nox. He can do that just as well.

Probably.

[equi_nox]

Yes.

We don't want

to die.

It sounds quiet.

[exuviiated]

"--can I go?"

He feels majorly uncomfortable. Enough that asking to leave feels more natural than running past. "I can't help you."

[equi_nox]

You have

a little.

Its decorative bells ring as its head lowers further.

You

list-ened.

There's a new, strange undercurrent in its echoed voice. Something like relief.

[exuviiated]

He waits for a few seconds before pressing his luck.

"You're welcome."

His muscles still ache from fighting off the spiders. Somehow, the light tinkling of the bells sounds anything but cheery.

[equi_nox]

It also waits. Hesitates, perhaps. Blank eyes are hard to read.

You are

hurt?

[exuviiated]

"Well, no."

He lets the soft pinkish light flare up on his palm.

"Healing magic."