A Circus in Chaos

Facility Event: Dream Big Under the Big Top

Episode 4

A Circus in Chaos

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Poisonous Path

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A Fiendish Finale

Summary

The party arrives at the circus festival and accept a challenge from a rival troupe that uses fiends in their show. The beasts run amok during the performance, however, forcing the party to save the townspeople from the chaos that ensues.

Dialogue

Looks like that's the last of the fiends. Then let's make for the town already!

Oh ho! Welcome to the circus festival! You can check in right over there. Whooo! We made it in time! This place is really abuzz with activity. Might we consider taking a little rest? Coming down from the mountain through the night has me rather exhausted. Yeah, you have a point. After check in, let's get off our feet for a bit.

...Well, everyone seems settled. Can I help with anything, Annelie? Sure thing, pal! Here! Oof! Wait, are these flyers? Yep! No better way to draw a crowd. But there's so many... And each one represents a possible butt in a seat. Now stop with the questions and get with the handing-them-out bit, if you would be so kind! Ladieeeees and gentlemeeeeen! Our circus has just pulled in town, and we want to see YOU there! There's only one tent with an action-packed dragon tamer show, and that's OURS! So don't feel averse to reach for the purse, because tickets are going faaaaast! Good gravy! It's rainin' flyers out here! Let's help pass them out if we can. ...Step right up, folks! Step right up! Er, please attend our circus if you find such things pleasing in general...? The heck was THAT, Elisanne. You can't just whisper a bunch of mealy-mouthed nonsense! I'm still learning this, thank you very mu... Huh? Annelie! Behind you! Eeek! Hey, you! Back off! Good heavens, what utter rot! Your friend there is the one who placed herself in MY path! Rival Circus Troupe Ringmaster Gustav ...Gustav! What are YOU doing here? Oh ho! Why, observing my rival, of course! I heard you were waylaid by blackguards on the mountain trail, mmm? Such a thing must have been so very traumatic. And yet, here you all are, safe as houses. Why, it's enough to pickle my kippers! I take it you sent those thieves? Oh ho! A new recruit with a sharp tongue, is it? What a fine addition you will make. And to think how your participation in this festival was nearly imperiled by our poaching of your former troupe members. My, but this simply IS marvelous. We got better things to do than listen to sarcastic quips, old man. ...Er, Annelie? It does my heart good to hear you praise us like that, Gustav. Please, you MUST take a flyer! I've no need of your rubbish, you madwoman! Your dragon tamer hogwash is more washed up than a beached whale! WE shall be putting on a display of fiend taming! It's impressive, replete with thrills aplenty, and MILES apart from any of your "dragon" business. Harumph! You are performing with FIENDS?! I pray you have the manpower to keep the beasts subdued. Soldiers, perhaps, or mercenaries if not. We've no need of such cruel, violent boors in OUR troupe, my good woman! For we are entertainers in the end! You're keeping fiends unguarded? That's insane! You can't put on a show that might expose your guests to danger! I know we've had our differences, Gustav, but I ALSO know you have real talent. There is no need to rely on cheap fiend tricks for your performance! Guests are always looking for evolution. The next big thing. Surely even you must be aware of that little fact, mmm? Also, we are professionals! If you don't believe we can keep them wrangled, come feast eyes on our show. Harumph! What are we gonna do, ma'am? I don't like this one bit, Fritz. We'd better go take a look.

Welcome, my good and decent friends! Welcome to our circus! Step inside and enjoy our breathtaking performances—including an absolutely thrilling display of fiend taming! They have begun. Can regular folk really tame fiends? Hell, can ANYONE? For their sake, I really hope so. And now, at long last, our fiend tamer takes to the stage! Be dazzled! Be amazed! Be...STUPIFIED! Grrrraaagh... Uh, guys? Is it just me, or does that fiend looks kinda...bored? Grrrr... What's your problem, you stupid fiend?! Do this like we practiced! GRAAAAAGH! N-no! Easy there! Bad fiend! Bad! AAAUGH! RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIVES! IT'S RUNNING WIIIILD! I say, how dare you run away and leave your ringmaster all alone! Stoooop! Gustav! That two-bit ringmaster blasted outta here like his pants were on fire! What a loser. What kind of dastard runs off and abandons his guests?! Secure an evacuation route, now! We need to get the guests out of here! RAAAARRRGH! Eeek! There are fiends pouring out of that tent! Oh no! They're escaping! We need to chase them down. Come on!

HAAAH! Urgh... There's so many of them! And we have to evacute the people, too... I'll handle this. ...Liger! ROAAAAAR! Oh man, Liger's faaast... Augh! Another fiend! No, look! That girl is riding it! Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please! My associate Liger here is going to guide you all to a place of safety. Fear not! I sit astride him, and guarantee your safety in his most-capable talons! Come now! Make haste! She's talking like she does during a show, and its completely taking away their apprehensions about Liger! That girl is GOOD. Liger, you must take care of the people! ROAAAAAR!

Hah! Yah! Tch! How many fiends did that old geezer actually plan to tame? We keep slaying and slaying, but there's no end in sight! GRAAAGH! RAAAAGH! Wait a second. Maybe their cries are actually attracting other nearby fiends! We'd better come up with a plan before this entire town is overrun! Bwa ha ha! Didja forget about yer new recruits?! We love this kinda stuff! It's sorta what we do. Also, we went to the trouble of learning how to make our fighting movements charming for people to watch, so we may as well take advantage of that training. We'll be all right if we all fight together. Now let's begin our show! These cats are turning out to be some pretty great colleagues, ma'am. They are indeed, Fritz. Let's work together and take these fiends out! We'll use our new skills to protect the village AND its people!