one post for the price of four

[vivariummods]

T H E  W A R E H O U S E 【 day 16 - 4:00AM 】 For all "old-timers" and "somewhat-old-timers", it'll be another typical night sleeping on the warehouse floor. It's not great, but perhaps you're getting used to it now. Maybe you're just making due. Maybe some of you are in a deep sleep because you've adapted. Whatever it is, you will be rudely waken up by... the sound of sirens? A sense of deja-vu might run through you as you wake up and look at what's going on. Right in the middle of the warehouse, Calhoun is wearing a bike helmet on top of his gas mask, and standing next to one of these. Well, standing isn't exactly the right word for it. Struggling to pick up Kariya and onto the stretcher is more accurate... 【 day 17 】 To the newcomer, welcome to the 【 Warehouse 】. Once you escape your elevator, you will find yourself here. It's strangely empty for a warehouse. Aside from the elevators you've come out of, there's nothing else here. In fact, the longer you look around, the stranger everything looks. Every window has been bolted shut, with no way of removing the steel coverings. The only source of illumination comes from the florescent lights above. Along the walls are numerous amounts of surveillance cameras, watching every bit of movement and listening to the sounds of everyone and everything. Every door is locked up tight, with no clear way of opening them, and there's one giant door with a 9 painted on it. It's a rather strange place, and there seems to be a lot of people here, so go introduce yourselves? For the "old-timers" and "somewhat-old-timers", come meet your new fellow test subject and, oh, look! You can take another bath with that elevator open! Isn't Calhoun such a nice mouse, letting you bathe? 【 day 18 】 A M B I D E X  R O U N D After those two busy days, it'll be nice to sleep in, right? Well, too bad you're all test subjects, it's time to wake up! Itttttt's time for another Ambidexxxxxxx Round!! Oh, but where is it going to take place this time? Not on this floor, that's for sure. Everyone, head out to the hallway, line up in front of the elevator! We're heading up to the second floor of our warehouse! Amazing, right? Who would have thought you would stick around long enough to see the second floor, huh? The elevator, that was once non-functioning, turns on and allows everyone to head to the second floor. How many floors are there? It's unknown, as all the buttons are hidden under a single large metal sheet, asides from 'L2'. Well, don't worry about that, welcome to the next level. It looks identically to the first floor, asides from a few differences: There are no Ambidex Rooms on this floor, nor is there Calhoun's shop in the corner. However, to make up for that, there seems to be four coloured doors, rather than three: Red, Blue, Green, and Grey. Yes, that's right, Calhoun has decided to add a fourth Ambidex Door, just to accommodate the new number of people. So, look down at your bracelets, you'll see what teams you're in. The rules are the same: Go in, solve the puzzles, come out, vote! It's as simple as that, so line up in front of your doors, he doesn't have all day. Oh, speaking of days... Before everyone enters, Calhoun will start to snicker uncontrollably. He hopes you haven't forgotten what today is? It's the last day to give him a proper "show". So far, all we've gotten were two lousy attempts at a show: Some fake drama, hosted by the Blind-And-Dumb Test Subject (Snake) and Should-Probably-Drug-Again Test Subject (Ema)? Talk about yawn. You two get a 1/10. Half a point for getting two dumb teenagers all riled up about it, and another half a point for some form of effort. The other was some sword fight by the Needs-A-Haircut Test Subject (Hershel) and Probably-Hiding-A-Bald-Spot (Heiji) in the lounge. Not as boring, but sheesh! Do you really think just something like that will entertain him? You didn't go in there with the proper intent of hurting each other, just some practise! Most of all, you've destroy Charlie, Calhoun's pot plant, so you only get a 4/10. Better than the other show, but not good enough! And that's it, only two dumb shows. It looks like you guys really don't care about your secrets or memories. Maybe he should just end the contest here early and get this over with. He'll just reveal your secrets, destroy your memories, and get this over with. You clearly aren't bothered by it, so why keep this up any longer? But you know what, Calhoun's a nice mouse. He believes in second chances, so he'll give you all until tomorrow morning, 6AM, to come up with something, or you can all say goodbye to everything! Chao! GOODBYE ✖ NEW ARRIVAL ✖ MINGLE BASIC INFO ✖ TEAMS + ROOMS ✖ ESCAPE

Comments

mingle.

[formicarium]

[ Take your bath, look around, buy things from the shop, anything after the arrival goes in here. ]

[detectiveofthewest]

You know what? Screw it. Heiji wanted a bath and he didn't care how cold it was. He took a running leap at the open elevator room, caught the edge of the roof, and hauled himself bodily upward, just like he'd done when he'd first met Ema. Well... with maybe slightly more of a limp, though.

Once he was up there, he threw off his clothes, stripped down to his boxers, and leapt into the water, disappearing beneath the water's surface. He was down there for two seconds... three... four...

Actually, was he coming up?

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel saw this from across the warehouse, shaking his head but not thinking much of it as he approached. Another free, ice cold bath would be sort of nice. Better than reeking or going broke on showers.

He stopped when he realized Heiji was still under there. He was just... enjoying it? It takes him a couple of seconds before yeah, he's getting concerned and pulling himself up sloppily to look into the hatch. "Heiji?" He sounded pretty concerned, he didn't hit his head or something, did he??

[detectiveofthewest]

The cold water in the elevator below churned, but there was no sign of Heiji surfacing...

Had something... happened?

[puzzlinglad]

Oh my god Heiji you're killing him. "Heiji! Oh dear..." What exactly was he going to do? He could go in there after him, maybe he hit his head and was bleeding and drowning and oh god Hershel had to save him this was clearly exactly what was happening.

He shoved his hand in the water, waving it around incase hey, maybe Heiji could grab his hand still? He started unbuttoning his shirt though, if he did have to jump in. Don't worry Heiji, help is coming and it's fro will probably absorb most of the water anyway.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji burst out of the water, splashing everywhere as he shook his hair clear of water. "Ahh! That water sure is refreshin'!"

...Yeah. Sorry about that water, there, buddy.

"Hershel?" To his credit, Heiji looked genuinely surprised as he started to tread water. "Whatcha doin', waving your hands around like that? If you wanna get in, you should jump in all at once! Otherwise it's way too cold."

[puzzlinglad]

HEIJI- Yeah Hershel leaned back, getting splashed and almost falling off the elevator. Thankfully he recovers, putting a hand over his chest because for god's sake Heiji, give him some grey why don't you.

"Heiji, for goodness sake! You were under so long I was starting to think something happened!" He sighed, calming down enough to frown at his now wet clothes. Well. They needed to be cleaned anyway.

"Well lovely, I guess they were going to get wet anyway." He took his vest off, giving Heiji a long suffering sort of look. "I may have... overreacted." He was on edge, okay. "My apologies."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji flashed him an apologetic smile as he dog-paddled up at the surface of the water. "Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to scare ya or nothin'. But now that your clothes are all soaked... well, you can borrow some of mine when we get out!"

What a pal. Heiji patted the empty space in the water next to him. "Hurry and strip! Maybe you can jump in before any of the girls see ya."

Assuming, of course, that Hershel was concerned about that sort of thing.

[puzzlinglad]

"It's alright, I'm sure they'll dry quickly enough." Hershel answered, shaking his head and his vest a bit to dry it some.

He does look a little embarrassed by Heiji's suggestion, glancing around. He still wasn't sold on this whole stripping down in public and bathing thing, even though he knew it was probably sill at this point. He did it before anyway, he probably shouldn't be so weird about it.

"Well... are you sure? I don't want to intrude, it might be cramped and all." He answered after a brief pause.

[detectiveofthewest]

Gosh, Hershel, were you really that embarrassed? Heiji's smile widened. He hauled himself over the side of the elevator, resting on his elbows and cupping his hands over his mouth as he called out to anyone who might be hanging out below.

"Heyyy, any cute ladies down here? Hershel's got his vest off!"

SCANDAL.

[puzzlinglad]

HEIJI I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS Hershel is going to go bright red even though he has nothing to be embarrassed about at the moment, leaning forward and covering Heiji's mouth before he could do more damage to his reputation. Because saying Hershel didn't have a vest is basically sewing a scarlet A to his shirt.

"Heiji! You prat, just- fine, stop doing... that!" He shuffled back, looking around to make sure no one was looking at them and taking off his shirt, then his shoes and pants. He places them to the side, sliding into the elevator and giving Heiji A Look as he held onto the side. "You're terrible, do you know that?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji, on the other hand, looked perfectly content with himself as he paddled around in little circles. "You sure are bashful, huh? Whattaya got to be ashamed of? It's just like bein' at the beach, and you work out with that fencin' and all. I bet there'd be a lot of cuties coming over to talk to you!"

Yes. The problem was clearly Hershel's insecurity about his workouts. And Heiji was here to help.

[puzzlinglad]

"I am not, it's just-" Hershel paused, ok he knew this sounded ridiculous but he couldn't just leave that hanging so, "-... improper. Besides, this is hardly a pool side for shenanigans and cat calling or whatever it is you do." British.

You sure hit the nail on the head there, Heiji, totally 100% got it sure.... Have yet another long suffering look. "I live in London as far as I can tell, I somehow doubt we have beach weather very often." He shook his head. "You lot are so... adventurous, I suppose. There never is a dull moment around here."

And with that he dives under for a second, coming up a few moments later. Enjoy seeing his hair wet, he looks like a soggy sheep dog and can't see a thing until he pushes his hair out of his eyes.

[friendofeve]

[After greeting Piper, Akiko does wander over to the elevator, looking up at it with a degree of uncertainty. She really could use a bath, but is she really okay with using one of those elevators to do it?

It's... pretty tempting, really. Her hair is super gross these days. Maybe a little rinse would be okay...?]

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel's going to pause as he walks past- Akiko clearly wanted to use the water, so he should just leave because Ladies Needed Privacy blah blah but she also might have trouble getting up there... what should he do here, mixed feelings.

He decides ultimately to walk over.] Do you need a boost to get up there, Akiko?

[friendofeve]

[She jumps when she hears him. She was so focused on the elevator, she wasn't paying attention.]

Oh, uh... No, that's alright! I'll be okay-- I mean, I don't even have shampoo yet or anything.

[She kinda doubted she'd be able to use it even if she had some, given how tiny the sinks were... And now that Hershel's around, climbing into the elevator just seems all that much more embarrassing. Ladies Need Privacy indeed.]

[puzzlinglad]

You can borrow mine. [How do you think he keeps that luscious fro manageable? Apple shampoo apparently. He holds up his bag, offering her an awkward sort of smile.]

Don't worry, I'm a gentleman, I promise to leave and spend a good long time in the lounge after helping you up, if you did want help. Maybe when you're done we can play another game in there, frankly anything to keep our minds off everything would be nice about now.

[friendofeve]

[Hershel you are her savior.]

You... you really don't mind?

[It's mostly out of politeness that she says it; she's already eyeing the bottle with the same sort of expression a starved person may stare longingly at food.]

[puzzlinglad]

[He does what he can when he isn't awkward and British.

He smiles, holding the shampoo out further to her.] Of course, if I had known you needed some I would have offered sooner. Use as much as you need.

[friendofeve]

[Yyyyyoink! Taking a dive into the elevator probably isn't wise, but if it's just her hair, she could definitely use the shampoo.]

Thanks! I promise I won't use too much. My hair isn't that long, so it won't take a whole lot!

[Honestly, Hershel probably needs to use more of it than she does...]

[puzzlinglad]

[he needs that apple shampoo more than you could ever know. he just shakes his head in amusement.]

After a few days being stuck in this place you need more than you'd think. Oh um- do you know how to swim? [imagine someone jumping in there and then realizing haha i don't. know how to swim thanks memories.]

[friendofeve]

Umm... I'm not sure? But actually, I don't think I could just jump right in like that. I might rinse off a little, but... What if I got stuck in there again?

[She shivers a little at the thought.]

No way! It was a close call when I first got out. I don't think I could do it.

[Apparently trauma trumps hygiene... Well, for the moment anyway.]

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel frowns, what a conundrum this is... After a moment he raises a finger as if he had an idea.]

Oh, why don't we go find Colette, Aoi or Ema? They could go up there with you and pull you out if anything happens. [And girls so it wasn't horribly improper because he clearly couldn't do this, he wasn't a cad thank you.]

[friendofeve]

[Oh! That is indeed an idea.]

...That might work! It'd be awful if I just, like. Fell in and sank like a rock or something.

[...Having thoughts like that, it's not difficult to see why she's uneasy about the whole water thing.]

[puzzlinglad]

[Problem solved!]

Agreed, escaping the elevator just to drown trying to take a bath... let's see if we can't find someone. Ema's probably around. [She's tall and strong and scary, who better to have as a lifeguard?]