vivarium | a new arrival

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a new arrival

T H E W A R E H O U S E

【 day 44 】

Hello 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 "newly-become-old-timers", come meet your new fellow test subject. Thankfully(?) enough, no one has disappeared for this "replacement" to appear. Lucky you, you can still be a sickeningly happy family without anyone leaving. Calhoun will just pretend to barf over here while you can have your free bath of the week.

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Heiji was eating, dammit. He was eating!

"Yeah, I know. I'm just..." he shook his head. "It's just funny, yanno? Seein' the way they were walkin' around like everything was normal."

But there was little they could do for the others right now. "...You really stuck your hand into all them toilets, huh? Sheesh, talk about an iron stomach!"

Eat better Heiji, god damn get on it. I don't even know what that means but do it, punk.

Hershel nodded, feeling a little morose but trying not to show it, especially given the two people passed out right now. No good fretting in a circle, he thought which was a god damned piece of shit dirty lie because that's what he does every time the lying asshole punk. "It's been so many people now too."

Morose, good job. Thankfully Heiji's comment made him stare in confusion for a moment before his eyes widened. "I- well, someone had to, Jake and Ema certainly weren't volunteering." Read: doormat. "Ah, you watched all the tapes then? I can't say I'm very surprised." But oh so grateful the recent grey room wasn't there jesus.

He was eating as better as he could, okay Hershel? You try eating this slop! Heiji did smile a little, though. "Man, I feel like we switched places or somethin'. You're right, though, I mean. It's not gonna do anyone any good worrying."

Soon they would switch places entirely...

Heiji laughed. "Yeah, well, y'know. I was kinda curious. Man, some of those rooms were real disaster zones. I mean, I knew that Enjolras fella was stubborn as hell, but I didn't know he went that far."

You eat that horrible slop and you like it, in his day he walked uphill both ways for slop okay I have no idea where I'm going with this anymore so have a somewhat amused smile from Hershel. "I suppose that's true- I think with things like this you need to pick and choose your battles or you'll wear yourself out. Save it for when there's more you can do, you know?" Like make bandages and fret over the injured, probably.

And a sigh. "Ah, yes, you saw that room too. I really don't know what he was thinking, I tried to warn him a few times but- well, frankly the amount of people who listen to my warnings around here is depressing." Practically no one, that's who. "Did you see any interesting ones? I didn't get a chance to watch too many, I'm afraid. I did see your time in the Gallery, that room was incredibly unforgiving."

Heiji rubbed at the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "Yeah, guess we rushed that one, huh? Really shouldn't have."

But then, it was a bit difficult to think clearly with pepper spray all over your eyebrows.

"'Interesting'...? Well, I did get to see Zelos, Clive, and Snake make that deal about Allying with each other. And there was Clive talkin' to Kaburagi-han before he left. There was the round with Sasuke, Piper, and Jake hitting every trap in the Gallery..."

"...And I saw the room where Jake punched that monitor."

Yeah, that'll do it. Hershel shook his head. "That was a rough room, I think only one team got out of it unscathed. It really made me wonder if they were raising the difficulty, but these rooms haven't been as bad."

He nodded along, those did sound a little sad and a little interesting too. He wondered if Snake and Clive still had that deal now, after everything, or what Clive really thought happened to Aoi and Mr. Kaburagi.

The mention of that grey room surprised him a bit, probably more than it should have. "Oh... yes, listen Heiji, could you not tell too many people the details about that? Jake is- well, you've seen how touchy he is about it." After a long pause he continued. "I think something terrible happened to his mother and the questions were just too much. He wouldn't want people hearing about that, though."

"Well, yeah. I mean, I ain't gonna tell anyone, but... anyone who bothered to watch that video would've seen what happened." Of course, perhaps (definitely) Heiji's personal biases and INSATIABLE CURIOSITY were showing here.

"I mean, even assumin' the others didn't watch every single movie, it's not a stretch to think they would've popped in a DVD to see what it was. And then it would've been a snap to figure out what the other movies would be. And followin' from that, if I didn't have the time or inclination to watch all of them, I'd definitely pick out the ones that were the most interesting. The Grey Rooms would be at the top of my list. Particularly that one, 'cause it was the one where you guys got seriously injured..."

Shit he was textwalling again. Heiji coughed. "Anyway, I think you're right. She must've been sick, probably for a long time. Maybe he made a decision or two he really regrets now."

"I know..." Hershel sighed, damn logic wall there. "I probably would have pulled it too if I hadn't seen it first hand. It's probably hopeful to think only one or two people did."

"I wouldn't be surprised if she was used during that motive nonsense, honestly. He was more upset than I ever saw him right after that- well, during the Grey Room as well." He rubbed the side of his neck. "Sometimes it's the lack of context that really makes the memories bad, isn't it? I hope everyone gets the rest of theirs back soon, I can't imagine the strain of not knowing how it's going to end." Poor Heiji and cliff girl.

"Yeah. That has to be what Calhoun was talking about. 'Right, you don't remember that part, do ya, Touchy Test Subject? It did get cut off.'" Such a smartie, Hershel. You'd make a good detective.

"You know, though... I think whatever's in our pasts, we shouldn't let it drag us down in the future. 'Specially if we know that Calhoun's cherry-pickin' things to get us down. Like say I decided I wanted to know what happened to that girl, no matter what. That would mean hangin' twice as much on her. Not just what happened to her in the past, but whatever hurt I put on someone else to find out what happened to her. She doesn't deserve that."

Hershel nodded, unaware one day yes, he'd be a sort of detective in the most ridiculous was possible. Take that, normal life. "Calhoun clearly knew what he was doing too, he was trying to get a rise out of Jake. That comment made it clear it was probably more motive nonsense too."

And he smiled, that was a very good way of looking at it. "Agreed. I suppose it isn't always easy, to think like that, but I'm glad that's how you see it." He paused. "I remember that day, when you told me about what happened I was really worried you'd let it eat you up, it'd be an easy thing to do. It's impressive you didn't, I think you should take a lot of pride in that."

He shook his head. "Sorry, just I hope everyone will see it that way eventually, especially Sasuke with all that's happened."

Heiji laughed a little. "Well, same here. I was worried you were just gonna accept whatever that rat told ya, kind of the way Sasuke was all set to do earlier. But I ain't gonna let this place beat me."

He did look rather happy to hear Hershel's opinion on the matter, though. "Guess Sasuke's more of a work in process. But that's just how people are. The same thing that makes them weak also makes them strong."

"Have you spoken to Sasuke much since all that?" Back to fret mode. "He was pretty quiet in the puzzle room, which isn't unlike him but still..."

He shook his head, smiling again. "Frankly I might have accepted it, I'm glad I spoke with you about it. It put things in perspective." If Heiji hadn't been cool about it that would have been a disaster, but thankfully Heiji is Heiji. "I can't help but wonder if Zero will ever try to pull something like that again though, especially now that we have so many different people."

"A couple times. He seemed like he was blamin' himself about not figuring Simon out." Not that it was particularly easy to figure out what Sasuke was thinking at any one time, but he was pretty sure on that one.

"I made sure he knew after his Grey Room that I was gonna check on him and make sure he was eating, so I know he at least goes to the cafeteria and so on..."

Heiji. Really didn't want another disaster like Akiko's death. "And not if he wants to keep his crop of 'test subjects'. I'd like to think that knowin' what happened last time would temper everyone's reaction a little. I hope so, anyway."

"Maybe we should try pulling him more into kendo practice to keep his mind off of things." Hershel mused. They'd all been pretty injury free for a while, that was good, kendo and such.

"True, though it's more I wonder if he'll ever use our memories so blatantly against us again." Boy he hoped Zero wouldn't pull a maybe go kill some 2.0, the ass. He paused a moment before shaking his head and standing. "Come on, you want to go to the couch, right? I'd like to check on them too, Clive's wound especially." Now that Heiji ate he GUESSES they can go cluck.

Hershel pretending he wasn't chomping at the bit to go worry over someone... but it wasn't like Heiji was about to complain or anything, since that's what he wanted as well. He left his tray on the table for Calhoun to pick up because suck it, Calhoun.

"Oh yeah, I never asked ya... what do you think of our new arrivals? You know, that new guy and you have the same last name. You don't think that's a coincidence, do you?"

He's a cool customer how dare you. Hershel paused to consider that, new people were always interesting if not depressing.

"Wirt seems like a good sort of chap, I'm worried though, he seems very young and probably shaken. I suppose that's to be expected, I just- it's hard to see younger people brought here again and again." He sighed. "I suppose we're younger people too, aren't we? What a mess."

Right, precious Alfendi. "I don't know, I think it's entirely possible we're related. We don't look much alike but we wouldn't, would we? If I was adopted into the Layton family and all that." He said with a shrug. "He's... unsettling. It seems like he isn't even vaguely bothered by what's happening, like he's empty. I'm worried about his health, to be honest." Of course he knew a few interesting things about Alfendi now but he promised not to say, and that was kind of hard because Heiji was Heiji and how was he supposed to keep this juicy shit from his gossip buddy? Pure self control apparently. Life's hard.

He regarded Heiji a moment before continuing. "I think we should keep an open mind about him, I suppose, while keeping an eye on him."

Well. To be quite honest, Alfendi was the one Heiji was the most interested in, and to hear Hershel expressly suggest not only keeping an open mind and keeping an eye on him... hmm.

"Why, you think he's sick?" Heiji looked thoughtful. "You're right about about him seemin' completely unconcerned, though. He also claimed that he'd been expecting what I told him about the game, what with the BP at all. Fishiest guy here, honestly."

Hershel frowned, how did he say all this without breaking his promise to Alfendi? Honestly he thought it'd be better for Heiji to know, Heiji was reasonable but Alfendi had no reason to trust him yet. He also kind of wanted to hear Heiji's thoughts on the matter, if he thought Alfendi was honestly suffering some strange problems with his brain or if it was some bizarre act.

Life, so tough. "He... I'm sorry I can't really explain it well, but he seems like he isn't all there. Honestly it's a gut feeling more than anything, that something's just off about him and I don't think it's because he's trying to hide something." He stayed quiet for a long moment before glancing over to Heiji again. "I think you should ask Kuzuryuu about it. He was in a room with Alfendi, he probably has a better idea."

And Kuzuryuu didn't make any promises, way to be an asshole, Hershel. Still, if Kuzuryuu thought Heiji should know Hershel trusted his judgment on the matter.

Ah. Right then, Hershel. Wink wink, say no more.

"Not all there, huh?" said Heiji, nodding to Hershel to signify that he understood. "I'll say. Guy went off on a tear about how pizza delivery was the greatest invention mankind's ever invented or somethin' because it meant ya barely had to deal with anyone. Oh, that and cafeterias."

Alfendi the friendless loser, staying at home and eating pizza...

What a subtle pair they are, they should be spies. Hershel couldn't help a smile. "Ah, yes, he's... strangely passionate about some things. I wonder if we're really related, it'd be a bit strange, wouldn't it? First Clive then Alfendi... then again, maybe Alfendi and Clive have also met. Maybe we were all together when Zero was out kidnapping us?"

He shrugged, shaking his head. "All baseless speculation. I wouldn't be surprised if his last name was similar just to give us pause." Zero sucked.

"Maybe," said Heiji. "Kind of funny how many people in here seem to be related to you, innit? Maybe you were traveling together."

Though honestly, he wasn't sure how often Alfendi left his house. "...Or Clive coulda come over to follow up on a story or pay a visit or somethin', I guess. Alfendi said he ain't think Layton was that common a name, for what it's worth."

"It's rather strange... though maybe it's more being related to one of them, assuming the know each other- or assuming Alfendi and I are related." Maybe Zero just loves Layton, maybe it's that.

"What do you think Alfendi did for a living? He has the labcoat like Ema, maybe he's a scientist too? Or a doctor?" Did doctors really stay inside all day and eat pizza??

"Consulting detective?" Heiji suggested dryly. "He's got the arrogance, lack of social skills, doesn't like explainin' himself, and he'd stay in his house and grow mushrooms if given half a chance. All he needs is a sidekick who was injured in Afghanistan."

Assuming Alfendi wasn't a shady jailbird uncle or something, who knew. "He could be a professor, maybe. One that mostly does research."

"That does seem like it would suit him... I wonder what his area of expertise would be then." Hershel mused, trying to think if Alfendi had ever shown knowledge in something in particular besides colorful insults.

"Do you think he'll continue allying? I'm glad he and Kuzuryuu managed to come to an understanding, he must at least be somewhat reasonable." Haha.

"Well, I figure you'd have some insight into that. But if he wants to get to get to 9 BP, I think it'd be better for him to cooperate for now."

Heiji looked thoughtful. "Y'know, I ain't so sure about that. I mean, I don't know about Enjolras, but Snake's a real reasonable guy. But Kuzuryuu still told both of 'em he was gonna vote Betray on 'em. When he was in a group with Piper and me, he said he woulda voted Betray if I'd tried to force one of them traps."

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