7th Act - Boys and girls of every age

[pipers_son]

Who: Come one, come all!
Where: Goldenrod, the Eve's Garden Circus
When: The 11th - 13th
Summary: Just like always, the Circus is busy as usual... But with a bit of a spooky twist added on thanks to their current partnership with a certain Haunted House.
Rating: PG
Log:



The Circus is always bustling with activity, even on the days when the shows in the Big Top aren't on. There's plenty of stalls to enjoy besides those, after all! Games, and food, and stalls with all sorts of interesting things for sale. For those living in Goldenrod or passing through, it's no doubt quickly settled itself as a regular scene.

On the 11th, however... Just as always when the shows are promised to happen, the Circus is more bustling than usual and today there's a twist. On the 11th, those walking past the Circus' gates will find themselves in QUITE the different atmosphere. Genuine spider webs are strung across the stalls, skulls strung up in them that seem to clack their teeth at passerby. legions of pumpkins are sprawled throughout the area. At night, and on the foggy day of the 13th, their eerie glow lights up twisting paths throughout the circus grounds. Even quite a few of the workers seem to have gotten into the spirit (possibly at their boss' badgering), and wear outfits from the simple masks to the more complex things.

Beyond the change in atmosphere, however, there are still the things that are usually about! Food, games, and stalls selling various knickknacks can all be found relatively easy although they're joined by a few other themed goods. There's also, of course, the show that will be playing three times a day in the big tent proper!

One notable addition is what appears to be a small station of sorts with a rather ominous carriage that stops at it every now and then pulled by what appear to be a pair of Rapidash... only colored darkly with bones painted across their heads and what might be actual skulls acting as face covers. Well then! Perhaps you might be interested in letting it take you to Jack's Haunted House?

So relax. Have fun! And cross your fingers that you're not terrified of scary clowns and giant spiders.

Comments

Games!

[pipers_son]

One of the first stops, of course, would be all the carnival games set up! There are the usual stalls, of course- test your strength and Ducklett Pond along with all sorts of others. Needless to say, there are also Halloween inspired games such as Pumpkin Bowling, and the classic bobbing for apples. A game harder than it looks... But you'll win a treat and a prize if you manage to snag one.

Food!

[pipers_son]

After maybe seeing a show, wandering about, and playing games, there can't be any doubt that you're hungry! The presence of so many stalls and so many delicious smells can no doubt draw you into the food area of the circus.

Funnel cakes, cotton candy, fried pickles... Those kind of easy to carry treats can be found easily. There are also more filling things, like fish and chips or grilled squid! Just to rub your face more into the fact that it's October, there are numerous Halloween treats as well. What better season to eat caramel apples, after all? There are also spooky sundaes being served, pumpkin pie, cute puddings, hot chocolate, popsicles, little Litwick cakes, spiderchip cookies, and things like gummy teddiursas the size of your head. There are even delightful bentos!

You'll probably die eating most of these things, but look on the bright side! You'll die happy. (And Joker can use your ghost as a circus attraction.)

Shops! + Facepainting and Pumpkin Carving

[pipers_son]

The shops are in full swing today! They over all the usual fun things, from handmade soaps to jewelry. Some new items are being shown off this weekend, of course, and anyone who's looked over the current state of the Circus probably isn't surprised at all the spooky skeletons and shades of orange.

A few stalls are a bit more hands on- facepainting stalls so that you can blend in with the scenery and even one where you can pick your own pumpkin to carve! Take it with you or add it to Eve's Garden's already impressive jack-o-lantern patch, it's up to you. Just have fun with it.

Other stores are more material in their wares. Some ghostly Pokemon charms might be up your alley. Maybe an elegant little hat is more up your alley, or headphones for a more modern look and practicality. There are things for the home too. Maybe a Zubat necklace for something low key?

And of course... There are so many masks.

The Lion Horde Petting Zoo

[pipers_son]

Well, this is a new one. Over in a rather large area, there's a fenced in pen with a couple of benches and dozens of pumpkins... But more notably, there are around twenty of those peculiar new lion Pokemon that showed up last month. It seems like something of a petting zoo has been added to the list of attractions today! Feel free to let yourself in and pet or play with the various little cubs. Just be careful not to get on the nerves of the young woman who seems to be acting as caretaker.

The Big Show!

[pipers_son]

[pipers_son]

It's that time you've all been been waiting for... Or at least one of them. Have you got your ticket? If so, show it to the one at the tent's entrance and you'll be ushered into the pitch darkness inside. Don't worry about tripping, you're being guided by... are those claws? Oh my. Soon enough, you're seated and left to listen as everyone else is brought inside.
When the tent is full, or at least full enough, there's a moment of silence before Joker's loud voice suddenly booms out. In the utter blackness of the big top, it's even louder than normal.

"LADIES, GENTLEMEN, TRAINERS FROM ALL OVER JOHTO AND KANTO! WELCOME... TO THE EVE'S GARDEN CIRCUS!"

As he says those last words, electricity suddenly goes off in the middle of the ring and lights up the dark. The source is a large Galvantula, her web strung out and up to the darkness of the rafters above as lightning races up along it. In front of her, grinning wide from some eerily well done make up of a leering skeleton, is everyone's favorite ringleader. He seems to be having the time of his life, although the expression is twisted by the gruesome nature of his makeup and the much darker outfit he's wearing in comparison to his usually flashy outfits. With all attention guaranteed to be on him, he gives a fancy twirl of his cane.

"Feel that chill in the air? It'll soon go down to your very bones with our heart-stoppin', life-defyin', one of a kind show! Our strongman 'as got hands that could grind a fella's bones to dust! We 'ave a siren whose very voice might lead you to your doom! With our knife thrower, ever flick of his hands is a gamble on someone's life! Don't miss our captivatin' snake charmer's dance, either! Them, and more, are all here for your entertainment so stay fast to your seats, my friends! We're here to give you the show of a lifetime!"

On cue, fire bursts out from a Typhlosion and a Magmar that are on opposite sides of the ring. As the flames flicker out, the lights come on proper to illuminate the ring for the acts. Throughout the show, some Crobats and Swoobats will duck and weave throughout the audience. There's also the matter of a pair of clowns as well...

As the show comes to an end and people start to filter out to the exit, they might find themselves suddenly accosted by a surprise visit as an Ariados and a Pikachu drop down by a strand of web to hand out fliers for the Breeding Centre. Just like with every show, including the one for the Grand Opening, there's a list of Pokemon that participated in the show that are available to be adopted from the Foster Home. This time, however... Hm. Near the bottom, there's a plea for More helping hands needed! and Donate some eggs or Pokemon for breeding today! Curious.

Staff Area

[pipers_son]

Don't wander too far around the back of the big tent, folks- there's a chain draped across an entrance way with the sign that loudly proclaims STAFF ONLY. Of course, if you're staff or someone who's been helping out, then you're more than welcome to just waltz right in.

In the staff area are a few seating areas for you hardworking folks to flop down and rest your feet. There's also plenty of food and drinks on a nearby table for those of you feeling positively famished. There's the usual water and sandwiches for those who want to keep it simple, but it seems like quite a few things have been offered from the various food stalls! Have a candy apple, you deserve it.

[pipers_son]

[Everyone, your ringleader might be legit dead. In the space between his shows and everything, he can be found on one of the seats in the staff area, draped over it and face down.]

[Does someone want to call one of the medical staff on hand- oh wait, no, he's fine, he just stole a caramel apple from the snack table he's next to.]

[Maybe you should check on him anyway.]

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy has a table set up in the back, all covered with any supplies he might need to give the performers and workers whatever spooky disguise they might desire. His specialty is face painting, but there's a rack of costumes behind him and even some masks.]

[He's waiting around for his next vict--I mean person to make up, rocking back in his chair and snacking on a candy apple.]

[pipers_son]

[That sure is a familiar thick British accent coming from around the bend.]

I'm just sayin', yer a bat, shouldn't ya be best when it's pitch black? Ah now, don't make that face, I ain't upset. Just be glad it was all near the end when no one was 'bout, alright?

[That sure is Joker lightly scolding the Woobat on his shoulder and with one side of his makeup messed up with an imprint that seems suspiciously furry ball shaped. He beams when he sees Envy.]

'Ey there! Got time ta fix me up?

[awesmazings]

[Well Jimmy heard through the grape vine that Envy was going to be here painting faces, and you better believe one of the first things he's got on his agenda to do is come over and see what can be done about his own person. He's wearing his usual clothes- which are...really average and not at all scary- but he's also got his backpack slung over one shoulder, just in case he's able to find a full costume he can wear and might need to change.

He stops with his hand holding one of the straps, craning his neck so he can see the rack of costumes behind Envy, there.]

Boy, look at all these costumes!

[awesmazings]

[Jimmy certainly isn't one of the main attractions that most of the circus goers come to see, but he still seems to find a niche right in between the larger acts, slipping onto the ring under the cover of momentary darkness, giving the illusion that he hasn't ever left, simply disappearing and reappearing at will.

Thanks to Envy's hard work, he's been painted and dressed to look like a scarecrow, his visage haunting in the uneven lights of the ring as he towers over the closer rows of circus goers, sweeping his gaze unblinkingly over them from beneath a large-brimmed straw hat. Perched on his left shoulder is a bat, who chitters and bares his fangs when he's turned toward the audience. On his left sits an Archen, his large beak snapping shut and opening at intervals, his body hunched over to give him the appearance of some prehistoric vulture instead of an actual Pokemon. Finally, hidden just behind the straw of Jimmy's deep collar sits a strange little ghost, whose ethereal body gives the appearance of smoke- perhaps the spirit of the living scarecrow stalking among the crowd- filtering from his neck.

Each time Jimmy reappears, he slips onto the ring through the bleachers themselves, sneaking past people with his entourage ever expanding. The second time he appears he's being followed by two large Volcarona, almost floating along behind him in quiet succession. Around their necks are chains that rattle ominously as they fly. The third time the rear is being brought up by a Breloom and a Goodra, the Goodra's slime having been strategically placed on the Breloom's body to give the appearance that he's potentially secreting some sort of deadly poison that shimmers beneath the circus lights.

When the show is over, Jimmy can be found standing outside of the tent to greet people and thank them for coming, his group of Pokemon all still with him. He really looks out of place now with a huge grin on his face and a friendly demeanor, as opposed to the show he put on before hand.]

[awesmazings]

[Seated at one of the picnic tables, Jimmy can be found still in costume, sharing some pudding with one of the foxes that showed up the month prior. She lets out a happy chirp with every bite, clearly enjoying herself just as much as her trainer is.]

[codeforhope]

[Chihiro hadn't been in the area that these lions showed up in, so to say that he's curious about them is an understatement. He seems a bit hesitant to actually venture into the pen with them, but he does stand near the edge of the fence with his hands resting against the rim, gently reaching a hand out to be sniffed if one of the little cubs decides to venture over.]

[awesmazings]

[After a while of roaming the grounds, Jimmy ventures to the back of the tent with a popsicle in one hand- he's really eaten too many sweets this evening, it's probably rather dangerous, actually- and his Fennekin kit kat following at his heels. When he makes it to the back and sees Joker draped over one of the seats he makes his way to him, chuckling under his breath.]

I never thought I'd see the day that you were tired from all this excitement, Joker!

[Says Jimmy runs-off-energy-he-probably-shouldn't-have Two-Shoes. As he says this, the little fire fox trots over and puts her paws on the edge of Joker's chair, sniffing at him curiously with her big ears swiveling this way and that.]

[pipers_son]

[Joker roll-flops onto his back, giving a dramatic sigh. Well, as dramatic as he can get when he still has his apple stuffed into his mouth.]

I'm an old man, Jims! All this excitement, it'll do my poor heart in.

[Joker you're in your fucking 20s]

[awesmazings]

Well gee, I sure hope I've got more energy than you do when I'm old.

[Jimmy that's rude.]

[pipers_son]

You'll see, Jims. Yer bones'll get all creaky and hard ta bend, and you'll need a pair a spectacles.

[You're lucky Joker likes you, you little shit. He gives a roll of his neck.]

Not just been the Circus, actually. Y'know how we team up with the Breedin' Center across the way?

[awesmazings]

Pffhaha, not any time soon though!

[He will be young and energetic forever.]

Yeah, 'course! You guys let some Pokemon living there perform in the shows! What about it?

[pipers_son]

Well, turns out the miss who was runnin' it, Aradia... Guess she finally went back home.

[awesmazings]

Oh...

[And just like that, his smile falters slightly. Man, he liked Aradia.]

So...what's gonna happen to it now?

[pipers_son]

Dunno. But it'd be a shame for it ta just disappear... I'll try and keep an eye over it, presumin' I don't keel over first.

[awesmazings]

Hmm...well, there's gotta be some people out there who'll wanna help too, right? There are too many Pokemon there for it to just close down.

And I'll help out too if you want me to! I'll try to do as much as I can.

[pipers_son]

Heh. Ya sayin' that 'cuz yer runnin' on pure sugar?

[awesmazings]

Sure am!

[There's no denying it, Jimmy is probably going to crash so hard he won't remember falling asleep and he does not even care.]