DOUBLE BLIND

[vivariummods]

Shortly after the conversation with Zero ends, Zero opens the doors of the Garden and allows everyone to leave. However, the rest of the warehouse isn't better than the Garden: The lights are still off, leaving everyone surrounded in darkness. The temperature just keeps on dropping, reaching near freezing point. The air feels more and more polluted, making it difficult to breathe without coughing, and nothing seems to be working as they should be. The electronic doors refuse to open without any power source, cutting off access to the cafeteria and dorms. At the very least, Zero has managed to open all the doors leading to puzzle rooms and has informed the group that new areas are now accessible to them, but they're on their own should they want to enter any other rooms. Before the screens in the Garden turn off, Zero finally informs them that a new feature has been unlocked on their bracelets: any test subject wearing a bracelet may communicate with one another with the bracelet acting as a communication device. Holding onto the left button will enable the line to open just like a walkie-talkie. As long as test subjects are in the warehouse, they will have no troubles speaking with one another. What if they wish to talk to Zero? Zero's time is not be riffled, but they were generous enough to appear whenever anyone found a screen and pressed the on button a total of three quick successions. And with that, Zero disappears from the grids and finally leaves everyone in complete darkness, leaving only one last piece: "Best of luck, Test Subjects." BASIC INFO ✖ MISSIONS ✖ MINGLE

Comments

[not_that_sasuke]

[Math problems to operate the incinerator. Of course. Did Calhoun have to input the answer every time to use it afterwards, then?

He wasn't expecting it to be warm, though. On one hand, it's nice to not be freezing anymore, but on the other, that's... kind of weird.]

What was it doing on? Did Calhoun use it before setting up for camping?

[At least it does seem to indicate they're on the right track with this idea. Onwards?]

[detectiveofthewest]

Yes. This was going to work, he could feel it, and it wasn't going to be completely ridiculous (but lbr, it totally was).

"Okay. Then you go upstairs first. I left Calhoun's gurney up in the lobby, so just wheel it over near the entrance to the pool room so I'll see it when I get up there. I'll set up the rotten meat to lure 'em over to the stairs, then meet ya up on the second floor."

AND THEN THE MAGIC COULD BEGIN

[puzzlinglad]

Shh, no one needed to know how rude he truly was. "Oh, I've never heard of that one." That, at least, go him to stop reading, hooking the other book under his arm to examine this new one. Nothing was going to get done. Nothing. This is a disaster.

He missed that, too engrossed in sampling all this wonderful shit, but he did glance up to catch that look. "... what? What's that-" He leaned over, wrinkling his nose. "Etiquette? You know we did never finish those lessons." You brought this upon yourself.

[puzzlinglad]

Perhaps? Honestly I didn't think he really used this at all, that it was more a set piece. [Still, it was functional, so maybe...?

He goes inside, and wow it is almost pleasant in the room though still nippy by most standards. He heads to the big machines that must be the incinerator by the wall, covering his nose because ugh. Ugh.]

... That's strange, they're cold. [He turns back with a frown.] Well something close by must be emitting heat, it's the best lead we've got at least.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Hey, it's got some 'Useful British Phrases for Everyday Conversation'." Clearly this was not going to be a disaster, clearly not. Heiji flipped through a few pages.

"Let's see, ordering lunch... 'Not to be a bother, but I'd like a spot of bollocking fish and chips. Now chivvy along, lad, bob's your uncle.'"

[puzzlinglad]

"Why would you need a book for that, I wonder." Hershel shook his head, clearly unaware British slang was crazy bananas and made no god damned sense.

He went back to his book, freezing when Heiji went and spoke in tongues. "Heiji, what on earth was that?" At least he stopped reading a minute to properly look the book over again with a disapproving frown. "Well someone was having a right laugh, you didn't make a bloody bit of sense there. 'Chivvy along,' for goodness's sake." Tip tip cheerio old chap etc, get it right. "That book is clearly rubbish, it won't do at all."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji meanwhile was just trying not to laugh as he flipped through the book, randomly opening it to a page that was apparently about yelling at people. "'Cor Blimey, you blinkered shitlord wanker! I'll box your ears!'"

Oh, wow, and this next section was about bangs. Heiji turned a bit red and closed the book, handing it to Hershel. Britshisms were mysterious...

"A-anyway, there's a phrasebook in Ukrainian, too. I bet we could use this on Jake."

[skyentificmethod]

I nabbed a jumpsuit from the room with the maze. I assume it could carry a decent amount, I just have to take it off first. But if you have other ideas, I'm happy to hear them. Preferably before I turn into a giant ice cube.

[puzzlinglad]

[...] Well, I can't say that I do at the moment, are you sure you won't be too cold without that though? We may be stuck in here for a while.

[fairsfair]

[ if only Jake had an icon like Hershel had right there because that is what I would be using in response to Wonder Woman Ema... He looks around though to find something then. ]

There's a door over there, probably a supply closet so you want to check that first before stripping?

[vengefulyears]

Very good, Heiji, you have passed your royal training with flying colors. Clive remained completely asleep the entire time, not moving a single muscle or making a single sound other than his breathing. Heiji could squeak his chair all the way here and he still wouldn't wake up. He was a very tired princess indeed.

[skyentificmethod]

[the flattest of looks (it'd be superman for the random stripping, doesn't Wonder Woman just spin around a lot?]

…You realize I have another layer on underneath this, right? Stop dreaming, it's like 2 Kelvin in here.

[she checks out the closet anyway; if there are useful supplies that don't involve sacrificing clothing that is a definite bonus]

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji set up Clive's chair right by his bed, so he'd see it when he woke up. Then he pulled up the covers and tucked Clive in. After a moment's thought, he reached over and carefully ruffled Clive's hair, it was his chance man, his golden chance.

Clive looked so peaceful... or maybe just tired out of his mind. In fact, watching him sort of made Heiji sleepy... Heiji sat on the floor and leaned up against the side of the bed, intending to rest his eyes for just a moment. Yeah, just a couple of seconds...

He fell asleep.

[puzzlinglad]

[there's probably buttloads of trays, plastic plates, bowls and utensils, but in the corner there may be one of those wheeled buckets and mop for janitors. probably useful? maybe?]

[of course hershel doesn't see that because he's not going to crowd the closet like an asshole, and just sigh softly to himself before turning to get a better look at the actual food. he picks up a pair of cans that don't seem to have any marking on them, turning back to jake.] It's a bit like what's it called, russian roulette? Who knows what you'll get. [and he pauses.] I suppose it's not like russian roulette at all, really. I hope these aren't just filled with gruel.

[skyentificmethod]

Who knows how old this stuff is. Might end up as Russian roulette after all.

[she seems in good spirits though, emerging from the closet rolling a mop in a bucket with a handful of utensils and stuff in it. She looks over another shelf of...TV dinners??? Well, something frosted over in a flat foil package]

What is all this stuff?

[puzzlinglad]

"Well I say!" Goodness what was he hearing, have a stern look. "Don't curse, Heiji, it's terribly untoward. Put that dreadful book down- etiquette, it says. Honestly..."

He took the book with a curious look, why that red, Heiji. Why. Was it because of banging. "What's that look for?"

Now he's interested. "Oh? I hope it's better than this one- what does it say?"

[vengefulyears]

Wow, what a loser, that's even worse than falling asleep in a chair.

It wasn't until a whole 13 hours later that Clive finally opened his eyes again in a half awake state, very confused as to why he was waking up in a bed. Hopefully Heiji wasn't still asleep on the floor, or he may never be able to use that butt again.

[detectiveofthewest]

Shut up Clive, that's not very princesslike!!!

Heiji was indeed not around when Clive woke up, although there was a piece of foil-wrapped salmon on the desk with a note telling Clive to be sure he ate properly.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Um, it was nothing, it just... bangs..." Yeah, uh. He'd always thought those were like... part of a haircut.

"Well, it gives ya a bunch of things to say while you're traveling and ways to strike up a conversation. Like 'Hello, my name is so-and-so', and 'What happened to your face?' 'Do you like beef jerky?'" Hmm. Hmm. Well, in any case, it seemed more legit than that other one.

[blind_badass]

First floor. There's something new in the lobby, I think. I'll feel around and you let me know when you spot anything. *That is, if Snake listened to the directions carefully enough.*

[blind_badass]

*Snake hadn't stopped running. Not with the sounds of at least fifteen robots behind him. He didn't want to test what would happen if he slowed down. He remembered the rooms that needed riddles solved and kept going.*

*Then he had it. The best place possible to take out all the robots. Snake picked up his pace, waving the purtrid meat into the air as he ran. He made it to the music room and tap danced the fastest "Mary Had a Little Lamb" the world had ever heard. It opened the door to the north.*

Oh robots? Do want to the meat? Go fetch! *Snake threw it into the open room and ducked into the far corner. He heard the stomping of multiple pairs of metal feet and the breaking of the glass floor.*

*However, not even Snake's clever gambit fooled every robot. Five still remained, their footsteps filling the air with discordant notes.*

[vengefulyears]

Neither is your face!!!

It took Clive a few minutes to wake up a little more and figure out what might have happened. He pulled his left arm out from under the covers and looked at his bracelet. Since he was still wearing this thing, that must mean he was still in the warehouse. Lame.

Then he noticed the note on the desk next to the foil wrap, though he had to dig out his lighter to be able to read it properly. After unwrapping the foil to see what was inside, he made use of the new communication feature on the bracelet to contact who he thought the culprit was.

"Heiji?" he said with a hint of grogginess still in his voice. "Were you the one that tucked me in and left me this piece of salmon?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Thankfully, the robots hadn't been particularly careful about their stampede through the maze, and their trail was easy enough to follow. Heiji soon picked up the sounds of someone playing the keys in the music room. There was only one person it could be, and he rushed in Snake's direction on feet that barely seemed to touch the ground.

He slammed the door open, prompting the robots to swivel around to eye this new intruder. "You...! Whatcha doing to my Light?!"

Heiji didn't bother to wait for an answer, either, darting forward to jam the tip of his sword into a mass of exposed wires at the base of the nearest robot's neck. He dodged the swing from a second, kicking it with his right leg hard enough so that it stumbled a few steps onto what remained of the glass floor in the other room and fell into the water.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji's voice came in over the bracelet loud and clear. "Busted, huh? I thought ya might want a little breakfast when ya woke up. You must've been really tired. Hershel found some canned vegetables, too, if you wanted any."

Gosh, Clive, making people worry about you.

[blind_badass]

*Snake was rather shocked to hear Heiji's voice. Had there been a problem? Were the screens not working properly?*

*He didn't have to ask as a robot decided to get very much in Snake's personal space, grabbing him by the clothes. It was faster than he remembered the robots being and he didn't have enough time to escape. Still grabbing his clothes, it picked him up and slammed him against the wall. It left Snake momentarily stunned. So the robot did it again.*

*Needing to just get the thing to stop, Snake instinctively did what a lot of people would do in a fight: namely headbutt the attacker. Snake regretted his decision approximately .5 seconds after committing himself. His head slammed against metal, filling him with pain and cutting him on his scalp over his left eye.*

Really now. You are making me quite upset.