ambidex voting #8

[vivariummods]

A M B I D E X  V O T I N G Chop chop, everyone downstairs to the first floor! You're all done the puzzle rooms, so you know what to do. Well, most of you, but it's pretty basic, just enter any Ambidex Room you like (they're not elevators, you ignorant test subjects) then vote! How does voting work? Very simple! Pick Ally or Betray, and that's it! But with every round, there's always some prizes, depending on what you vote, so here's this rounds: For anyone who chooses Ally, well, if your opponent chooses Ally as well, then 2BP for each of you. You get all that friendship, blah blah, whatever. For anyone who chooses Betray, and gets a Betray in return, your BP doesn't change at all, but you might get some coins for your trouble, let's saaaay, 20? Generous, I know. Now, the best part: for anyone who chooses Betray and their opponent chooses Ally, Calhoun will be very generous with his prizes, again! You'll get 15 coins and a memory! Also, as usual, those who pick Betray get 3BP instead of just 2. But if you're the poor sap that chose Ally and got stabbed in the back, well, sorry, you lose 2 BP. At least you got stabbed for the greater good, right? And plus, you might get a little something. He'll talk to you later about it. But anyway, happy voting! Calhoun will see all of you later with the results. BASIC INFO ✖ VOTES + FORMS ✖ RESULTS + REACTIONS

Comments

[puzzlinglad]

Yes, that's one way to put it. [Sigh.] Mr. Enjolras was pretty determined to cause trouble for Calhoun. He warned me and Ema vaguely about it, and when the room started he began breaking the Theatre seats, things of that nature.

[He finishes another bandage, rolls it up neatly and goes to making another strip as he explains.] Do you remember the glass case back stage? The one with the puzzle? Ema told him to break it, he ah... well, enthusiastically agreed. I tried to talk him out of it but he was resolute and ended up doing so. When the glass broke we were hit with hallucinogenic gas, it was... extremely unpleasant.

I probably shouldn't have told Kuzuryuu the story but I didn't want to lie to him. I know he seems rough around the edges but he's a good person. I'm sure this round he was just trying to protect himself, given losing BP means he couldn't eat.

[puzzlinglad]

Poor Heiji's reputation, you need to tell him about what a mediator you've become! He'll be so proud. "He certainly doesn't beat around the bush there."

He made a bit of a face at the 'running around worrying comment,' ready to answer that dryly but ok, this information was new. He looked surprised a moment before frowning deeply. "I see. Calhoun and Zero really aren't even trying to hide their intentions, are they? They want us at each other's throats, why else offer such dangerous things."

"As far as I can tell he isn't hated. I think he annoys some people but that's a far cry from being targeted for murder." He answered after a moment of thought. "I don't see why anyone would target you either, not for personal reasons. You seem to get along with practically everyone, or at least are civil with them."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Actually..." said Heiji, "What he said was true. Maybe things are different in America, but something like that really isn't something you just do. I ain't say anything because we were in a jam and all, but... he was probably pretty surprised. To put it lightly."

Gosh, Snake, did you just hold hands with anyone? Here's your scarlet A.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji nodded. "I mean, it's not like everyone and their dog ain't running around with a knife anyways, but it means a bunch of people have access to drugs they might not necessarily know the contents of."

Snip snip snip. Hershel had a lot of hair! Hopefully he wouldn't end up looking like a hedge animal. "That's kinda why I think it has to do with the game itself. I ain't saying it's impossible for someone to dislike me or anything, but an isolated poisoning attempt doesn't seem like a logical reaction to that."

[not_that_sasuke]

That was totally a threat. He nods somewhat warily. "...I'll remember it for later. See you."

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel sighed. "Yes, that's true. I really wish everyone didn't have one, it's too dangerous. Owning a weapon means you need to be prepared to use it." And that was never good.

He already looked ridiculous so it was probably fine. "No, if anything I'd be more inclined to think Calhoun made a deal with someone and poisoning you was what he wanted in return. Still, I don't think anyone would go for that... I want to believe no one would at least."

[blind_badass]

You have got to be kidding me. *He grabs the bridge of his nose and makes a sound.* How else was I supposed to lead everyone to safety without holding a hand? Wave a magic wand?

[not_that_sasuke]

[He hates thinking about that possibility. But at the same time, he hates how he keeps trying to avoid the thought when it's pretty blatant that someone would generally be trained in using knives to... well. Knife people. That and:]

That's the problem, though. It already has.

[And those words definitely come out bitter.]

Calhoun knows about it. Something like this could come up again. But no matter how much I think it over, I can't figure out how to avoid it.

[Short of biting the bullet and, as Hershel had said, getting drugged - or worse. Whether it's his future or his past, he's screwed either way.]

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah, I know. I'm just sayin' that's probably why he was kinda weird about it. If he agreed to do it anyway, then I'm sure he understood your reasoning."

He paused. "Oh, and you probably could've just asked him to grab your arm or shoulder or something."

Not that Heiji really minded holding Snake's hand, exactly...

[detectiveofthewest]

He laughed a little and put down the scissors. "You say some good stuff sometimes. I think it's good to believe in other people... but you gotta know that if you do that, you're also opening yourself up to get hurt."

Well, there you go, Hershel. You might be slightly lopsided, but with your fro, who could tell...

[puzzlinglad]

I admit it will be hard to avoid Calhoun pulling nonsense again. [Hershel sighed before looking over again, pretty blatant with his concern at this point. Like it wasn't blatant before.] But he'll do that to everyone, no matter what. I still don't quite understand what he and Zero want but they clearly want to make you miserable here, or more so push you to do something drastic.

Maybe the only way to avoid it is to figure out a way to... well, bore them, I suppose. Clearly they're doing this for a reaction, right? If they don't get that there's no reason to waste time on something like this. [Bully logic apparently?] Just- Sasuke, no matter what please promise me you won't try anything drastic with them, something that could get you hurt or worse.

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel released an amused sort of breath at that. "I know. Still, the way I see it there's two ways you can look at this- you can try and trust people and possibly be hurt by a betrayal or you can distrust them and possibly get them hurt instead. I'd rather go with the former, in a situation like this sometimes all someone needs is the benefit of the doubt, I think." He smiled over to Heiji. "Besides, it's worked well so far. This isn't a bad group of people, just... an intense one sometimes."

Wow, rude to his glorious hair but true. He touched his hair, apparently happy with what he could feel. At least it wasn't as unruly as it was before, that's what mattered. "Thank you, Heiji, I appreciate it."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji nodded. "Yeah, same here I guess. But I gotta worry about you a little more. Since you're so soft and fluffy."

As if to demonstrate the point, he reached out a hand to fluff Hershel's fro and grinned. "I'm up against Zelos and Jake next round."

[puzzlinglad]

Excuse. You. Hershel tired to look put out but ultimately huffed in amusement. "You're the one getting poisoned and sitting in electric chairs, you know. But don't worry, I'll be as careful as I can manage."

"Ah, that's..." Boy. What a team. "That's going to be an interesting team. I know Jake ah... well, he isn't Mr. Wilder's biggest fan, as you can imagine, so it's going to be volatile. I think he likes you though, so you all might be able to come to an understanding."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji grinned. "Yeah, I figure I'm gonna leave it up to them to decide what to do. Gonna take a little gamble with this one. Jake should like that, he looks like the gamblin' type."

What was... Heiji going to do...

[puzzlinglad]

"Well, in a way I suppose he is." Hershel said though dude what the hell are you saying here, have a long look. "You're just... going to leave it completely up to them? How so? Are you going to say you'll vote whichever way they decide?"

That. Seemed dangerous. Have a frown. "Are you sure? If Jake says he'll ally I know he will, but I can't say I know what Mr. Wilder will do in this situation. You could end up losing even more points..."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Oh?" Heiji raised his eyebrows, looking positively mischievous.

"So even you don't trust Zelos, huh? I'm sayin' I'll let them decide whether they want to vote Betray-Betray, or try for Ally-Ally."

[not_that_sasuke]

[Well, he's already pretty good at lacking facial expressions at least...]

...I'll try not to.

[Though that isn't really a promise.]

[puzzlinglad]

"Well... it's not that, exactly." Hershel answered, excuse you and that look. "During that robot nonsense he helped me out when he didn't need to, so I think he's more than earned my trust. That said given everything that's happened and how he's voted I think Mr. Wilder isn't one to take risks with his BP and he obviously isn't afraid to betray even if someone could get hurt. Just because I'd trust him to vote ally with me doesn't mean he will for others."

He placed his hand by his chin thoughtfully. "I don't really know how he feels about you. I mean you were in that first team with him, and as far as I know he has no problem with you. I'm fairly certain Jake won't be a problem here, so it depends on what Mr. Wilder feels. Do you get along with him?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Mm-hmm. Of course, Hershel...

"That first round, Snake was actually the one that argued we should vote Betray against him. I argued for Ally. Well, you could say that at the time, neither of us really knew Zelos. I don't even know him that well now. But I'm willing to give him a chance."

Heiji tapped his temple in thought. "I guess you could say I trust him to do what's best for himself. He's lied to me before, but that ain't really factor into this. It's not really about getting along, either."

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel nodded, tone curious. "Is this a test of some sort? Of Mr. Wilder and Jake, I mean. I can't say our allying against Jake wasn't a test that went very well... still, are you really sure this is worth the gamble? You won't lose food access but you never know when you might need medical supplies, you know? You're getting close again."

He regarded Heiji a moment more before sighing softly. "Well... I trust you to have thought this through, no matter what your intentions are. At least that room didn't seem dangerous from what the last blue team said."

[detectiveofthewest]

"A test... yeah, I guess you could say that. I already know what I'm going to do. The question is if they wanna play things safe or not." Heiji crossed his arms.

"It's not like I have to take the chance. It's more like I want to do it. I kinda wanna see what answer they'll give me. And whether they're the kind of people I'd like to work together with in the future."

In any case, Hershel's remark piqued Heiji's curiosity. "Oh? What'd they say about the blue room?"

[puzzlinglad]

"What will you do with the answer? Say they betray you, or they ally, what do you think that will mean?" Hershel asked. "Whatever happens it will be interesting. I don't know how being paired will effect things." He paused. "Also Jake's condition too, I'm not sure how much he's recovered from his illness."

Hershel hesitated a moment, thinking it over. It had been an interesting conversation, to say the least. "I spoke to Kuzuryuu, he didn't tell me much about the room itself for obvious reasons, but-" His expression grew a little bit heavier. "He said there were videos in the room, of all the puzzle rooms done so far. He got to see everyone- Colette, Kariya, Aoi, Mr. Kaguragi, Akiko..."

"It must have been a bit of a shock, really. He knew about Akiko of course but the others..." He shrugged. It wasn't something they all talked about much, at least Hershel didn't. Maybe he just didn't want to admit they were probably dead too.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji smiled a little. "Ain't really planning to do anything in particular with it. It's just a matter of knowing who they are and knowing if I can trust them or not. Whatever the outcome, it ain't going to be personal. Well, I guess you could say I'd be a little disappointed if they don't take the gamble. I mean, if you're a guy, you should be willing to put a little out there, y'know?"

He looked serious as he listened to Hershel talk about the room. "...I see. I guess that's something I'll have to look out for, then. And speakin' of Akiko, there's something I wanted to ask you about. You remember back when Calhoun demanded the show in the first place? When he showed us all that stuff about ourselves?"

[vengefulyears]

So he told you beforehand that he was going to pick Betray? Did he mention why, exactly?