CALHOUN HOUR - ESCAPE

[vivariummods]

When characters begin to wake up, instead of finding themselves in the usual warehouse, they will instead find themselves in an a very unfamiliar area. Maybe they'll wake up alone, or maybe they'll wake up with someone else. Either way, the biggest point is that they're in God-knows-where and it's the start of a new Calhoun Hour. Within seconds later, a familiar voice booms throughout the loud speakers. "Ahem, testing, testing! Hello, can you all hear me?" It's, without a doubt, your favourite robotic mouse, Calhoun. As usual, he sounds a cheery as ever. "Wow, isn't this familiar? It's almost like the first time we've met, you know. Test subject in a new location, maybe alone or maybe with someone else, my charming voice rings throughout the room, trying to drown you all in an elevator. Good times!" "Well, anyway, welcome to your new Calhoun Hour! You can see that I've taken the liberty to move you all to a more suitable location. You may not know it, with how small your brains are, but you're all stuck in a maze! I've had my fair share of running around in mazes, you know, being a mouse and all, so I want to return to favour to you humans! So, you know the drill: explore, look around, try to escape, blah blah blah, I don't need to explain all this! Just get to it! Who knows, maybe the exit here is an exit out to the real world. I might be generous like that, if you manage to find it. If not, well, I guess you can all starve here!" He snickers, then pauses. Suddenly, a loud gunshot-like sound rings throughout the speakers, and Calhoun screams again. "Let's get started!" BASIC INFO ✖ ESCAPE ✖ POST-EVENT MINGLE ✖ TURN-IN

Comments

[blind_badass]

*Now that he thought about it, Snake and Heiji both had scars on the backs of their hands from being stabbed.*

I'm glad she's safe, Heiji. *As well as it most likely being a huge weight off Heiji's shoulders. Snake gave him a hug, rubbing his cheek next to Heiji's.*

[detectiveofthewest]

Though he'd had a few days to get used to it, Heiji was still surprised by the sudden hug from someone who had always been a bit reserved with his physical affection before. Nevertheless, he returned the embrace wholeheartedly, laughing a little when Snake's hair tickled his cheek. The smile on his face was entirely genuine.

"Thanks... so am I."

You, too, was what he didn't say. I'm going to make sure you get out of this, no matter what.

After a moment, he spoke up again. "A-anyway, I guess that takes care of me. Sorry, I kinda cut you off before you could tell me about your memory, huh?"

[skyentificmethod]

[the truth is out there...?]

If it's only a few coins, what's the difference? And they're right here and we're cold and wet.

[blind_badass]

That's all right. My memory is...well. I'm not sure what it means. *Snake scrunched his closed eyes tighter, a sign of deep concentration.* It's completely audio and because I wasn't sure what was happening then, I really don't know what it means now.

We might have to get Hershel and Clive to help figure it out.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji looked puzzled. "Hershel and Clive? Were they in it?"

That would certainly be a new bit of information...

[blind_badass]

No, although that would certainly be eye-opening. I mean we might want to get multiple opinions on what I experienced because I really don't know. It happened when I was young.

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel's eyes widened because holy shit Kazuha. "That's mad." He said, faltering a moment. "She really must have cared for you, Heiji, to do something so drastic to try and save your life."

After a beat he smiled. "But you saved her, in the end. That- it was all very heroic, Heiji, you should be proud." He shook his head, trying to stifle a sigh. "All that nonsense with Calhoun, making you think those things... he really does like playing with misconceptions."

"But how do you feel? That's a lot to take in at once, even with a happy ending."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Then I guess we gotta wait on that one," said Heiji, frowning a little. He was awfully curious, but it didn't seem like the memory had harmed Snake...

"It wasn't like that one where ya woke up in that hospital bed, right? Nothin' awful happened to you?"

[blind_badass]

No, nothing bad happened. I was terribly nervous but it turned out fine. *He sighed.* I think it was the kind of memory where because I couldn't see, I didn't have enough context.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah..." said Heiji, frowning a little. "I can't believe it. I mean, I get what she was thinkin', but I just remember bein' so mad about her trying to die all by herself like that. She had tons to live for, y'know? I guess I'm glad everyone was okay, and..."

He looked incensed. "And that's just another piece of proof that you can't trust that rat as far as you can throw him! He twisted things around to make it seem like something awful'd happened. You gotta keep that in mind, too, Hershel. I'm more sure than ever that he was lyin' about what he said to you."

or actually you know what this thread works

[detectiveofthewest]

LATER, ON DAY 54

After things had calmed down a little and things had returned to marginal normalcy, Heiji entered the lounge, looking as though he was weighing a rather complex dilemma. "Light, um... you got a minute? You said I could ask you... stuff, right?"

Good luck figuring out what 'stuff' meant, Snake.

[blind_badass]

*"Stuff"? Oh, this could be anything. If Alfendi had tried to confuse him again, Snake was really going to have words with him.*

Yes, I recall that. Do you have a question about something?

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well, I..." Okay, right. Heiji just had to pull it together and calmly ask Snake a question about something he'd been thinking about for a while. It wasn't like it was unreasonable to ask or something (he thought...?), but maybe he could frame it in a way that would smooth things over and make it a little less embarrassing to ask about.

"...Are you a top or a bottom?" he blurted, apropos of absolutely nothing.

Nailed it.

[blind_badass]

*Snake opened his eyes to blink, apparently startled. Good job, Heiji.*

Before I answer that question, might I inquire as to the context that led to this?

[detectiveofthewest]

Hmm, yeah. How was Heiji supposed to answer that? 'I've been thinking about having sex with you, but I'm not sure how it would work'? 'I've been trying to figure it out based on your personality, but I still can't'?

"It wasn't Alfendi, if that's what you mean. I just... was wondering."

[blind_badass]

So this was just basic curiosity because we're dating now? *Well, he couldn't really fault Heiji for being curious if he had no idea how it would work.*

Well, although I imagine I've had sex with men and women, I couldn't tell you what I preferred. However, I think I'd consider myself to be either depending on my partner. *He canted his head toward Heiji.* Because you might have very little knowledge in that subject, I believe I would need to be a top to just...instruct you on how it works. If we ever get to that point.

[fairsfair]

[ do do do do do doooooo ]

There's free food in two of these rooms. What's the point of spending coins on stale candy?

[detectiveofthewest]

"Oh." Huh. That was... 'instruct'? 'If'? The rest of it was more or less what he'd figured, so he wasn't too taken aback at least.

"It's not... it's not just curiosity. I mean, I'm not askin' for the sake of asking. I really like you, so... it's something I'd like to do one day." Heiji was turning red again, he used up all his harlot points oh no. "That's why I thought it'd be good to know."

[blind_badass]

*Snake could sense the bit of embarrassment in Heiji's voice. Perhaps he was even turning red.* Duly noted.

*Snake then dropped his voice an octave.* I believe it's an activity I'd enjoy very much with you. One day.

[puzzlinglad]

"I think she was misguided but I suppose she just couldn't help putting your life before hers. In a way you did the same for her, didn't you?" Hershel answered thoughtfully. "Honestly I can't say I don't think you'd do the same if you really thought she'd die with you?"

He paused. "Sorry, that was rather grim... I'm glad you remembered this, though. It seems... important." He said, as if he wasn't sure how to word it.

Heiji's intensity on saying all that surprised him a little, though it really shouldn't have. It was Heiji, and he had a point. "I- yes, I know. I guess... more than anything I'm worried about assuming either way." He hesitated a moment. "At least this really does prove more and more we cannot trust Calhoun's intentions often, if at all."

[skyentificmethod]

It might not be stale!

[okay, where does she think she is, honestly]

And you spent coins on a shower!

[detectiveofthewest]

So Snake wanted to, too...?

When Snake's voice dropped like that -- when he said those things, Heiji felt a little thrill run down his spine.

One day.

For now, though, he moved to Snake's side, put a hand on his shoulder, and leaned his chin on top. "You... you can ask me anything, too. Okay?"

[fairsfair]

[ Giving her A Look. ]

Yeah, because probably-stale-candy is worth a lot more than taking a shower. Besides, you were the one who was harping on me to take one.

taking it out on the canadians, i see, when we have done nothing but kick your ass in hockey

[fairsfair]

[ why have shame when he's rocking it ]

Probably that you're more stubborn than me.

[ Because can you seriously not take off your shirt properly? Jake moves to try and grab the back of Hershel's shirt to try and pull it off. C'mon, off off! He doesn't care if you haven't completely unbuttoned everything. ]

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well...maybe," said Heiji begrudgingly, because excuse you Hershel, Heiji was the only one allowed to risk his lives for others here. Everyone else sit down. "Anyway, I'm glad I remembered, too. Not just 'cause I found out what happened to Kazuha, but... heck, I guess that rat even had me second-guessing myself."

He waved a hand. "He tells the truth just enough to convince you when he's lyin'. Bet let's put him aside for a second. You remember anything new?"