[img= http://i.imgur.com/UPINOf1.png]

[b][u] Big Top – East Stage [/b][/u]

Though getting stuck in muck wasn’t the best moment of his life, the virtuoso persisted to think that there was still a bright side to this dilemma. The screaming from the dolls and the arrival of new toys contributed to more noise within the tent, sounds which Delilah was only too happy to use to obliterate the creepy little manikins inching too close for comfort. Both of his companions did their part to free him from the trap, although their efforts were cut by the resurrection of the mangled bear plushie. A quick glance at Trixie showed that it didn’t seem as if the toy had wounded her, though if Lute and Aria didn’t move fast the same won’t be said of them.

For the most part, Lute’s injured arm had started to grow numb so he resorted to using only his capable arm to defend himself from the dolls. They were starting to overwhelm him up to the point that he was starting to lose his balance again. Was it just him or were these things stronger this time around? How could one woman command this extent of power? Could he even hope to fight against such might? 

[i]‘You overestimate the lady,’[/i] Delilah’s disapproving hum faded as a loud bolt of noise erupted from the virtuoso’s hand, stunning and destroying the lesser dolls clinging to him whilst the larger ones staggered back. He stepped out of the muck, very much trying to ignore the disgusting sensation of his sticky bare feet absorbing all of the dirt the floor had to offer, and headed after Aria. As he was running towards the illusionist, a fast and small creature intercepted his path; Lute went all “Ahhh!” and attempted to kick it away, but it dodged at the last second and hurtled after the flying guitars. “Oh. It’s an ally, I guess,” Lute muttered. No time to think about it. Aria was facing the bear and although she had skill with daggers and light weaponry, he knew she wouldn’t last as far as she would without her usual deck and her wounds.

Lute picked up a dislodged rod of metal from the floor and charged at the bear, flanking it while it was busy fighting with Aria. With a swift upwards slash, more stuffing poured out of its seams and it even seemed to deflate a tiny bit. Its attention was directed to the virtuoso, however, just as he expected. “Come at me, Mr. Cuddles!” He growled and adopted a defensive stance as it roared back at him. Geez, that black aura sure was intimidating. By the sidelines, Lucien’s imp assisted in keeping plushies off of Aria and he knew it would only be a short time before both were free enough to help him. In the meantime, he just had to keep it busy. Lute threw a feint to the right and when the bear followed with a sideward swipe of its paw, the virtuoso charged and threw himself and his pole against its torn body, and there was the fainted noise of stuffing and who knows what swishing around and resettling.